Wedding Planning – WeddingMusings

By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved

You’ve finally met the man of your dreams. You’ve chosen the perfect dress, a stunning ring, and invited your friends and family to help you celebrate on this joyous occasion. All that remains is to select the ideal location. When it comes to gorgeous wedding venues, no other city can compare to Portland. Hotel suites cater to new brides and grooms – and their guests – and the gorgeous scenery in and around Portland makes the City of Roses a truly romantic destination.

Portland’s Natural Beauty is a Dazzling Backdrop for any Celebration

The International Rose Test Garden provides a stunning setting for those pre-wedding photographs. No flower says romance like the rose, and only in Portland will you find more than 7,000 plants all in one location. Wander hand in hand through the garden while the photographer captures magical candid shots, or pose for formal portraits with your wedding party. When you’ve finished, be sure to stop by the Rose Garden Shop to pick up rose-themed wedding favors such as confections shaped like this elegant flower. Your guests will love having these locally made delicacies to remind them of their visit to the City of Roses and of your special day.

For the wine-loving bride and groom, Portland offers some of the country’s best vintages. The Willamette Valley wine region is Oregon’s largest, home to 200 wineries and 12,000 acres of grapes. Dedicated to sustainable growing, the vineyards of Oregon take pride in their organic, biodynamic and salmon-safe farming practices. You’ll savor the richness of the wine even more when you know it was produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Not only that, but you’ll be able to choose local vintages to serve at your rehearsal dinner, reception, and with brunch the following day. And don’t forget to pick out a special bottle just for the two of you to share.

Shopping and Hotel Accommodations

The Portland Saturday Market is an excellent place to find one-of-a-kind treasures perfectly suited for those important bridesmaid and groomsman gifts. Blown-glass vases, hand-poured candles and exquisite jewelry are just a few of the offerings you’ll find. More than 250 artists and small businesses gather in Portland’s historic Old Town each weekend from March through December.

Accommodations couldn’t be easier either. Opt to host your rehearsal dinner, reception and brunch at the same downtown Portland hotel in which you and your party stay. You’ll be close to all this magnificent city has to offer while avoiding the need to rent a car. Your Portland wedding will be fondly remembered by everyone in attendance when you choose a boutique hotel that can assist you in coordinating pre-wedding spa days for the bridesmaids, post-wedding brunches for departing guests, and everything in between.

Author Bio

Barbara Wade writes for Hotel Vintage Plaza, an elegant Portland hotel dedicated to making your wedding as beautiful and memorable as you are. Visit them online at http://www.vintageplaza.com.

By: Alexine

Throwing a pirate wedding is quite an adventure. From the costumes to the props, there is a lot of detail put into such a fun theme. To help choose the best location for the ceremony and reception I have come up with five great locations to have your pirate wedding. This will help eliminate one of the more difficult decisions and allow you to set the date.

Florida

Known for its white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast, Florida is the perfect location for your pirate wedding. There are plenty of gorgeous hotels and resorts along the beaches that offer wedding packages that would suit any wedding size.

Another perk of flying into Florida is that there are many airfare specials down to the major airports so your guests can take advantage of great rates. This will keep people from skipping out due to high travel costs.
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By: Alexine

There are so many photos all over tabloids about the latest celebrity weddings. From custom made dresses to out of season flowers, when money is not a problem you can really spend too much on the wedding. To help keep your celebrity like wedding under the normal cost of one hundred thousand to one million dollars I have put together some money saving tips.

The Dress

The best way to find your celebrity like wedding dress is to pick your favorite dress from the available wedding photos in the magazines or online and get looking. Take the photo to your local bridal boutiques and mainstream bridal stores to try and find one that has the same style and accents. This will cut the cost of the dress from about twenty thousand to less than one thousand dollars with shoes.
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Tuaca Apple Martini

You want your wedding reception to be a happy memory for your guests. Serving tasty food and unusual drinks is one way to make a positive lasting impression. Here’s a wonderful martini recipe to include in your beverage list that is sure to distinguish your wedding reception. The drink is a variation of the classic Washington Apple Martini only it uses Tuaca, a honey-sweet Italian liqueur made from brandy, orange and vanilla. This delightful concoction has a complex sweet, tart and full-bodied flavor your guests won’t forget. You’ll start a new wedding beverage tradition.

1 oz Tuaca
1 oz Sour Apple Pucker
1 oz Cranberry Juice

Mix and shake with crushed ice. Serve in a chilled glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon.

This drink recipe is courtesy of the Eventi Hotel, a great location for New York wedding events.

By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved

You’ve dreamed about it for years. You’ve walked down the aisle hundreds of times, designed a thousand dresses in your mind and began envisioning your first kiss as man and wife the day you met. Now that the moment has arrived, you know that nothing less than an intimate Alexandria wedding will do. Old Town Alexandria’s rich history brings elegance and class to the most sacred of events and provides the perfect beginning to a long and happy married life.

History and Romance of the South

Alexandria is brimming with southern charm, making it the perfect backdrop for the most important day of your life. Step into the past on King Street, where historic buildings house world-class restaurants and boutique shops – just the place to find that special bridesmaid gift. Spend a leisurely afternoon strolling along tree-lined boulevards or sipping sweet tea at a sidewalk cafe. Before heading back to your hotel, hop aboard a trolley for a fun tour of Old Town Alexandria.

This charismatic city is close to the hustle and bustle of Washington DC, but miles away in lifestyle. The luxury hotels that line the historic avenues provide an atmosphere of romance you can’t find anywhere else on earth. The quaint neighborhoods and charming architecture are reminiscent of times past when southern belles walked these same streets, arm-in-arm with their beaus.

For you and your modern-day beau, an Alexandria wedding is a fantasy brought to life. From the rehearsal dinner to the honeymoon, every minute of your fairytale will be handled with class. Alexandria offers a variety of venues for your ceremony, from understated elegance to modern and unique. Choose the setting that brings out the princess in you.

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Though the difficult economic times of recent years have had a negative impact on virtually every industry, they have actually given rise to an increase in the number destination weddings. In fact, according to industry statistics, more couples than ever are choosing to exchange vows in ceremonies away from their home towns.

Why choose a destination wedding?

Most brides site control over the wedding day as one of the main reasons why they choose to have a destination wedding. Let’s face it, not every bride wants a large church wedding. These events can often become large, impersonal occasions that are as much for the wedding couples’ families as they are for the wedding couple.

Destination weddings give brides the opportunity to host a more intimate affair with just a few friends and family members present. While many “at home” weddings have guest lists that soar into the hundreds, the average number of attendees at a destination wedding is 45 – 50.

The couple also has more control over the ceremony itself. They can be more creative with the clothes that they wear, the style of the ceremony, and even the wedding officiants. While many brides to be choose an exotic or beach setting for their nuptials, others prefer a mountainous setting. With all that Branson, Missouri has to offer, it’s no wonder that more and more couples are choosing Branson as the place to exchange vows.

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By: Alexine

If you have a wedding to attend in the next week or so and have not had time to shop then you might want to listen up. Last minute gifts can be tricky, especially when you do not have much time on your hands. Making time to go to the wedding might be enough stress on you. If this is the case then here are five great last minute gifts you can grab for the bride and groom.

Pricy Champagne

An easy buy for sure as most newlyweds love sipping on delicious champagne after the wedding. If you do not feel comfortable choosing one then ask the person in charge of the liquor store about champagne. Do not be surprised about how expensive they are as the quality and price are directly related.

Restaurant Certificate

If there is a great restaurant in the area where the bride and groom live then go and purchase a gift certificate for the cost of two normal dinners. If you can afford more than that is great but do not feel bad giving a twenty dollar certificate. Something is better than nothing and will be greatly appreciated.

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By: Alexine

Every bride to be wants to have the most beautiful face on their wedding day. There are so many products and procedures out there designed to help your face look great. While that can all be very expensive, not everyone wants to afford that kind of face. To help make sure you have the perfect wedding day face here are the ten products and steps you will need.

1. Exfoliate

The night before your wedding make sure you exfoliate your face and moisturize directly after. It feels so silky smooth when you finish and helps with the makeup application the day of. Make sure you use a lightly abrasive exfoliant as a rough one can create red marks or damage your skin. Microdermabrasion is a great choice.

2. Sooth

A nice soothing face mask is the best way to start your wedding day. It feels great and helps take away any redness or puffy areas on your face. Cucumber masks are the best because the cucumber is a natural anti-inflammatory. You can purchase a variety of these at the store or look up a recipe online.

3. Moisturize

Choosing the perfect moisturizer can pose somewhat of a challenge with all the varieties available. For your wedding day you are going to want a great lightweight moisturizer that does not make your face feel sticky. Most health shops or drug stores have an inexpensive vitamin C moisturizer which is a great choice.

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A Collection of Maternity Wedding Tips for the Pregnant Bride

Getting married and being pregnant should be joyful times. However, when the two occur at the same time, it is easy for the situation to escalate and cause you to max out on the stress meter. Below is a collection of our articles focusing on tips to reduce the stress related to a maternity wedding. The articles will hopefully give the pregnant bride some ideas on how to add joy to your special time, both of them.

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By: Alexine

With the sixth ruling passed to allow same sex marriage just over a month ago I thought this topic was a good one to explore. This article is to help interested couples find the information they need. Below are the six places they legally acknowledge same sex marriage and some useful information about planning a same sex wedding in that area.

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By: Alexine

Summer is just around the corner and if you have not fully prepared for your wedding yet then now is the time. Making sure you cover all the bases is important. I personally had a summer wedding and wish I would have known all of these things when preparing for my big day. So for all of you summer bride-to-be ladies here are ten important things to remember for your wedding.

Waterproof Mascara

From all the emotional moments and warm weather you are sure to have a moist face at your wedding. To help prevent horrible mascara running down your face make sure you invest in great waterproof mascara. Then all you need to worry about is buying some mineral oil or eye makeup remover to get it off.

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By: Alexine

Buying a gift for anyone can present itself as a challenge. As you browse through different department stores and boutiques picking things up and then putting them right back. Thinking to yourself “maybe this or maybe that.” Well this becomes a bit more difficult when the bride is expecting. However, after brainstorming I have come up with ten ideas to help you choose a gift for the pregnant bride.

1. Massage

What woman doesn’t love getting pampered? Of course there is no one that would turn down a wonderful full body massage. Especially pregnant women because that extra weight really puts the pressure on their feet and muscles. A gift certificate for a pregnancy massage will be appreciated.

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By: Alexine

Your sister, cousin or best friend is getting married and it is time to plan a special day for the girls. While you may be contemplating what to do, the most appropriate gathering for an expecting bride would be a shower. Bachelorette parties are a lot of fun but the activities involved are a little inappropriate. Here are some of the differences to help you understand why a shower is best for the pregnant bride.

Time of Day

A huge difference between a bridal shower and a bachelorette party is the time of day. Bridal showers are usually for a couple of hours during the day sometime between lunch and dinner. On the other hand bachelorette parties are normally on a Friday or Saturday night. Late nights are not good for an expecting mother as she needs lots of rest. The bridal shower would be easier on her sleep schedule.
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By: Alexine

While planning your wedding is already stressful, adding the time crunch and pregnancy on top of that makes it a disaster waiting to happen. Thankfully you can avoid the stress by putting together a simple wedding, one that will satisfy your taste and keep your nerves at rest. To help plan your maternity wedding on a time crunch I have put together tips on how to plan a simple wedding close to home.

Location

The most convenient location for a wedding ceremony and reception would be at a local hotel, Public Park, community center or your family’s back yard/house. This way you can have both events at one location. It will cut down on how many flower arrangements and décor you have to order and worrying about people getting to and from each event.
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By: Alexine

By the time most people disclose to their families that they are pregnant there are only about six months left to have the maternity wedding before the little one arrives. Whether you were already engaged or decided based on the pregnancy it is an exciting time. To make sure you can plan and execute your dream wedding before baby comes I have put together five quick wedding ideas.

On the Farm

If you live in the city or a very populated area then getting out into the country for a farm wedding might be just what you need. From the vast open scenery to the gorgeous gazebos and farm houses, you are sure to find the perfect place to have the ceremony and reception. Look online or in the phone book to see if there are any farms that do weddings in the countryside near you.
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By: Alexine

Planning a maternity wedding is extra special because it is planning a celebration for two life changing events. Not only are you and your partner taking your relationship to the next level but you are also bringing new life into the world and expanding your new family.

While it may seem like your wedding will have to be very different than you originally thought, the only thing you really have to change is the style of your wedding dress. Accommodating that adorable baby bump is more fun than you could have ever imagined. There are so many maternity wedding dresses to choose from these days it’s no wonder so many women are getting married pregnant.

Since there is such a large selection of wedding dresses for the pregnant bride the decision can be overwhelming. Which wedding dress suits your style is the big question. To help you figure out which maternity wedding dress you may want to try I have briefly explained the different styles available.
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By: Alexine

Planning your pirate wedding can be lots of fun, especially when it comes to decorating your reception hall. While it would be nice to have the wedding on a pirate ship or on the beach, those locations are not always available or in the budget. For a more affordable alternative you can rent any typical reception hall and decorate it to feel like your very own pirate ship. Here are some decorating ideas to help you bring the idea to life.

Entrance

To give the feel of entering into the world of pirate ships and booty you can decorate the entrance with a creative sign with the words “Ahoy Me Mateys” or “Here Be the Weddin”. Use a piece of driftwood or regular poster board to paint the sign and then hang it over the door or put it on an easel.
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By: Alexine

One of the most popular themes at weddings today is pirates. There is something about pirates that makes weddings full of fun and games. From the costumes to the role playing, there is something for everyone in a pirate themed wedding. Here are some tips to help you plan your own pirate wedding.

Location

The best locations for a pirate wedding would be on the water or on the beach. Renting a boat to have the wedding on the water would be a great experience as long as you didn’t have a very large guest list. On the other hand if you have a lot of guests to invite then having your wedding on the beach would be easier to accommodate a large reception while still giving the feeling of a pirate theme.
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By: Alexine

The old-fashioned idea of a shotgun wedding paints the picture of a father threatening death upon his daughter’s lover if he chooses not to marry her after discovering she is pregnant. This was done to protect both the woman and her family from social scrutiny. While the death threat is not something that happens these days there is still a stigma associated with unwed mothers in society. Here are some examples of how and why shotgun weddings are still happening in the twenty-first century.
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By: Alexine

In addition to getting to spend the rest of your life with your spouse marriage has many benefits. While there are people who feel differently, the benefits of not getting married do not ever seem to outweigh the benefits of getting married. To help you understand how wonderful the decision you made can be, here are some of the benefits of getting married.

Best Friend

With marriage comes an entire lifetime of experiences with your best friend. Whether you love hanging out after work watching movies or extreme adventures, you both can share all these moments together. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that you will not be alone to handle life’s challenges. As it was as a child, spending time with a best friend is the greatest feeling. Now you get to experience that every day of your life.
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By: Alexine

From a young age many women dream of being in love someday. It may start off as a princess story out of a children’s movie but grows into the reality of getting to spend every day with your best friend. As you get older the boys don’t have cooties anymore and before you know it there is a boyfriend or guy friend in your life that has become your fiancé.

While life may seem to go by a lot slower when you are younger, the time flies by as you get older and have more responsibilities. Juggling school, work, finances, family and a serious relationship is quite a bit for one person. As if you could not add anymore to your plate, now you are engaged and busy planning your dream wedding.
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By: Alexine

One of the most beautiful places to relax on the beach is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the island of Kauai. This the furthest island from the mainland that you can fly to and visit if you do not have a passport. For a honeymoon you will never forget, make plans to travel to this beautiful oasis. Here are some tips for planning your honeymoon to the Garden Island.

Travel Arrangements

In order to reach the beautiful island of Kauai you have to take at least one five or six hour flight depending on the jet stream. There are great deals on roundtrip non-stop flights out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.

If you live far away from the west coast you may want to look into specials out of your airport to any of those destinations. Sometimes the price will be less expensive if you book two separate itineraries.
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By: Alexine

You don’t have to travel very far to find a beautiful place to honeymoon in the United States. There is so much natural beauty around this country that is worthy of newlywed bliss. So pack up your bags and head out to a beautiful National Park in your area. This is the perfect way to spend some quality time with your new spouse.

All of the National Parks have a variety of outdoor activities to take part in depending on their location. Whether you live in the northeast, northwest, Midwest, southeast or southwest there is a park close by. Here are some of the activities you might want to consider for your honeymoon trip to a National Park.
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By: Alexine

Deciding where to have your wedding ceremony and reception can be quite a headache. There are many places that advertise for weddings but most get booked up years in advance and cost an arm and a leg. While this is acceptable to some brides, most are in need of a more reasonable price. To help with the headache here are some venues where you might like to have your wedding ceremony or reception.

Country Club

If you or someone close to you is a member of a country club then this would be a great place to have your ceremony and your reception. Of course if you want to have you ceremony in a church that is fine too but the reception would be wonderful at a country club. Whether you are overlooking a golf course or an array of tennis courts and swimming pools, the scenery is usually very beautiful.
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By: Alexine

Whether your wedding planning is in full force or just beginning at some point you will be thinking about who is going to marry you and your fiancé. The person who you hire or ask to conduct the ceremony can come from a number of backgrounds and relationships in your lives. While some people are less particular about this, it is a pretty important part of the wedding. Here are some ideas to help you choose who you want marrying you and your fiancé at the wedding.

Leader at Your Church

This is a pretty common decision for those who have grown up going to a particular church. The hard thing to choose is between the bride’s church and the groom’s church. This decision might be based on the religion you have chosen to pursue which could mean going with the Minister at your church instead of the Rabi from your fiancés synagogue or temple.
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