CHOOSE FLOWERS IN SEASON - Avoid using flowers that are exotic or not in season. It is much more expensive to have to specially imported flowers. Plus, if you�re looking for out-of-season blooms, they will be harder to find elsewhere, and their rarity can also add to the cost.

DECORATE WITH GREENERY - Use greenery such as trees and garlands of ivy to fill large areas. This will give a dramatic impact for relatively little money. Small trees, such as palms and ficus can usually be rented. Ivy garlands and eucalyptus leaves are also lovely when placed around the edge of the cake or gift table.

DECORATE WITH ROSE PETALS -You can choose from fresh or silk petals. A scattering of petals on each table adds a lovely touch of color, and petals en masse, such as a ring around the base of your cake, makes a dramatic statement. Petals come in different color choices and are inexpensive.

RE-USE ARRANGEMENTS AND BOUQUETS - Use your ceremony floral arrangements at the reception. You�ve already paid for them, why not get a whole evenings worth out of them? Floral arrangements and ribbons which decorated the aisle can dress up the cake table. Bouquets can also be used to decorate the cake, guest book or head tables. Altar arrangements can be placed on either side of the head table, or used at the entry to the ballroom.

CONSIDER SHARING CHURCH ARRANGEMENTS - If another wedding will take place at the same location and same day as yours, you may want to share altar arrangements, pew bows, and other flowers and split the cost.

CONSIDER SMALLER BOUQUETS - Rather than having you and your bridesmaids carry large, elaborate bouquets, how about smaller, elegant bouquets instead? The larger the bouquet, and the more time spent in putting it together will cost you more money. Consider the dramatic look of one or two white calla lilies or a single rose (what a classic!) with a lovely ribbon that coordinates with your color scheme beautifully tied on the stems.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Jean Neuhart is the owner of Weddings From The Heart . As a Professional Bridal Consultant, she helps busy brides and their fiances plan creative, personalized and stress-free weddings.

You could choose your winter wedding flowers as your main theme, using the flower type and color as your inspiration for decorations, centerpieces, favors, cake style, and wedding attire. You can also opt to focus your wedding theme upon the colors of winter. And don’t worry, you needn’t settle for red and green! Think clear crystal, pure white, ice blue, midnight blue, teal green, ruby reds, burgundy, gold, silver, and finally - jewels tones of ruby, sapphire, emerald, and purple.

To make your reception decor “pop” add twinkle lights to bare branch trees, framing doorways, and along the bar. For an even more dramatic affect, tack ribbon streams of midnight blue tulle netting or gossamer from the center of the ceiling out to the corners of the room, then drape twinkle lights within the material. (Note: make sure the lights aren’t sitting on the material, but are suspended up a bit - or use “cool” lights, so there won’t be a chance of fire.) You can wrap columns and banisters in the same way.

Classical music

2. Make sure the wedding environment can accommodate your musicians’ needs. Performers must be on dry, level ground. Direct sun, fog, and mist can damage acoustic instruments and make players uncomfortable. Canopies and umbrellas can be rented cheaply, and are an ideal solution to the sun problem. Wind topples music stands and carries away sheet music. Electric instruments require a reliable power supply.

3. Place performers away from food and beverage tables (to avoid spills and distractions), where there is plenty of room so your guests will not bump into them. Indoors, make sure they have enough light to see their music. If your event calls for candlelight, request that your musicians bring their own stand lights. Musicians should not be placed next to heaters, blazing fireplaces, or drafty windows and doors. If you are planning a boat wedding, make sure there is enough ceiling height for tall instruments (such as harps), and room to stand.

4. Are the acoustics right? Hardwood floors and sparsely decorated walls amplify sound. Musicians love them. Carpeted floors and acoustic tile ceilings soak up sound and make listening difficult without some amplification.

5. “Processional” music chosen for the entry of the bridal party is traditionally elegant, stately, and good for walking. Any selections played during the ceremony should be romantic, meditative, or religious. Celebratory, happy music is appropriate for the “recessional,” or exit of the bridal party. Make sure the musicians know the final words of the ceremony; that is their cue to start the recessional music.

6. Be sure not to schedule music while your minister is speaking. Unlike the world of movies where sound is blended in a studio after scenes have been filmed, in real life it is almost impossible to adjust volumes perfectly. Music will not only distract from the spoken ceremony; some guests won’t hear the minister, and others won’t hear the music.

7. Hire experienced musicians. They know how to follow the action of the ceremony, and will be able to adapt to sudden changes - such as the shy flower girl who runs back up the aisle. They won’t need to go to your rehearsal, will be faithful to schedules, and will show up dressed properly and ready to play. These things are very important, and should not be taken for granted. If you ask professionals for help in assembling your musical program, the music they select will be romantic and festive. Trust their judgment. Some of your favorite concert hall pieces may not work in a small setting.

8. If you anticipate any overtime playing, be sure to ask the musicians well in advance. Professional musicians often do two or three performances in a day. They may have another event scheduled, and their time may be very limited.

9. A deposit of one-third to one-half of the total cost should be given in advance. Often the balance will be due two weeks in advance..

10. Have you heard of the French term noblesse oblige? It means, among other things, that patrons of the arts are obliged to provide food and drink for their hired artists. Musicians work hard at their craft. To be at their best, they need food and rest occasionally.

Consider using a Wedding Coordinator. They are experts at organizing the diverse elements of any wedding: caterers, florist, musician, cake maker, and minister. The cost will be more than paid for by your peace of mind.

Enjoy yourself. Your guests will take their cue from you and will have a good time, too. Even the most meticulously planned event will have a few glitches and miscues, but if you ignore them, chances are no one will notice.

By Natalie Cox
Natalie Cox is a professional Harpist with 18 years’ experience, and the owner of Classical To Go, a booking agency for live music. She has performed at more than 3,400 weddings and special events, either as a soloist or with her ensemble.

Dogs, Cats, Houseplants: Living Happily Together

Pets And Houseplants - Achieving Compatibility

If you share your home with dogs or cats, keeping them safe and happy is often your primary concern. At the same time, having interior foliage really makes a house a home. Many houseplants actually improve air quality and create a healthy environment for you.

Although houseplants are pretty and help improve your life, they can sometimes pose a serious issue for your beloved pets. According of the Humane Society of the US there are 700 identified plants that have “toxic” qualities that can cause harmful side effects in animals. Does this mean you have to chose between living with your beloved pet or an awesome houseplant? NO! It doesn’t. By taking certain steps and knowing which houseplants are dangerous to your cat or dog, you can create a pet safe home that includes beautiful foliage.

Keeping Your Pets and Your Houseplants

Before you throw out all your houseplants for the sake of your kitten or puppy, take time to consider whether you’re dog or cat can live with your plants. Some dogs and cats never touch houseplants while others can’t leave them alone. You can still enjoy these plants, even ones potentially “toxic” to pets.

You can protect your pet by taking a few preventative steps. Place plants on stands or hang them out of your dog’s reach. This can work with cats as well. However with cats, the plant must be placed so that your kitty can’t climb up to or jump on to the hanging plant. Otherwise, all questionable plants will need to be placed in a room unavailable to the cat.

If you receive a new plant as a gift, take time to see if your pet is even interested in it. Most cats and dogs simply ignore houseplants and leave them alone. Kittens and puppies are a bit different. They are extremely curious and will chew or play with just about anything. If you have a puppy take time to train them to leave the houseplants alone. Spritzing them with water when they get near the plant is usually a sufficient deterrent. With kittens it’s a bit harder to train them; you may have to put the plants out of the kittens reach.

If you’re still leery about exposing your pet to houseplants, select houseplants that are considered non-poisonous to dogs and cats.

Ten Houseplants Safe For Dogs & Cats
(see gallery below)

• African Violet - Saintpaulia ionantha
• Bromeliad - Guzmania lingulata major
• Bird Nest Fern - Asplenium nidus
• Parlor Palm - Chamaedorea elegans
• Ponytail Palm - Beaucarnea recurvata
• Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Prayer Plant - Calathea insignis
• Sweetheart Vine (Wax Plant) - Hoya kerrii
• Boston Fern - Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis
• Peperomia - most types

Be aware of plants that have “toxic” properties such as the ones listed below. Keep in mind that not all “toxic” plants are lethal. They may only cause vomiting, stomach upset or other issues. You will still want to keep them from curious pets.

10 Common Houseplants Toxic To Dogs or Cats
(see gallery below)

• English Ivy (Hedera helix) - Ingestion of leaves & berries can cause stomach irritation, diarrhea, troubled breathing. Can be fatal.
• Cyclamen persicum - Root & leaf ingestion can cause severe stomach irritation, intense vomiting. Can be fatal.
• Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum) - Highly toxic to cats causing vomiting, lethargy, and kidney failure. Can be fatal.
• Azalea/Rhododendron - Toxins affect central nervous system. Mild poisoning causes vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression. Severe poisoning can lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
• Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins causing mild cases of dermatitis, excessive drooling, loss of coordination, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana causing gastrointestinal irritation and problems with heart’s cardiac rhythm and rate in dogs.
• Hyacinth bulbs, leaves and flowers are toxic to dogs causing vomiting and diarrhea. Not usually fatal.
• Pothos (Scindaspus aureus) - Causes significant mouth and oral cavity irritation, diarrhea, and swelling of the throat. Large Quantities are toxic causing liver and kidney damage in dogs.
• Peace Lily (spathiphyllum clevelandii) - Contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty in swallowing. If medical attention is not giving the degree of illness may include liver and kidney damage.
• Schefflera (Brassia arbicola) - Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms are the same as the peace lily and pothos plants.

These short lists of safe and toxic plants are just a little sample of houseplants used in homes across the world. For a more thorough list check out the ASPCA’s plant list.

What to do if you pet ingest or chews on one your houseplants.

Don’t panic if you catch your pet chewing on one of your houseplants. Wash out your pet’s mouth as most of the plants can cause mouth irritations. If your pet is vomiting or shows signs of distress call your vet. Collect any vomit your pet expels if possible. Give your vet as much information about the type of plant, amount ingested and the ingested parts (roots, bulbs, or leaves). It is a good idea to take a leaf from the plant to your vet.

If your pet isn’t exhibiting symptoms, check with the ASPCA Poison Control Center to help you evaluate the situation. The information will help you decide if a trip to the vet is needed or a simple home remedy will suffice. Dogs or cats who ingest “toxic” plants and have survived have done so because their owners took appropriate steps and sought medical help.

We can all live happily with our pets and our houseplants. We simply need to know our plants and how they can affect our dogs or cats. Some plants only cause mild irritation if eaten or chewed, while others can cause major illness and death. Take a few minutes to get to know your houseplants. By doing this you may save a life or least some irritation.

African Violets

Bromeliad

Birds Nest Fern

Parlor Palm

English Ivy

Cyclamen

Easter Lilies

Azalea/Rhododendron

Chrysanthemums

Kalanchoe

Hyacinth

Pothos

Peace Lily

Dwarf Schefflera

Contributor: Leigh Morrisett
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The tradition of saving the top tier of the wedding cake began long ago in England, when tiered wedding cakes were made of a rich, wine or brandy-soaked fruitcake. This cake was well preserved by the liquor and fruit it contained, and was usually served to the guest at the christening of the first child the marriage produced. Birth-control, and life-styles being what they were in those days, this blessed event most often occurred within one year of the wedding.

Now, modern wedding cakes are rarely make a out of fruitcake, and most couples plan to extend their “honeymoons” beyond a year of their wedding date. Therefore, if saving the top tier is a tradition the couple wished to pursue, is should be wrapped really well, and kept it frozen for up to three months. It can then be thawed (slowly, in the refrigerator), and shared when celebrating the one-month anniversary, a family member’s birthday, or a holiday gathering.

However, having a tier of cake which is not going to be served at the wedding also adds to the cost of the cake, so I don’t recommend it for the budget conscious. And speaking of budgets, it really isn’t absolutely necessary to have exactly the number of servings match the number of guests. As hard as it is for me to imagine, some people actually don’t care to eat cake, especially when there is another dessert being served. A smaller cake can be commissioned, and later on, if the guest list should grow, or the couple is concerned about having enough, a small “back-up” cake can be ordered within two weeks of the wedding date.

Submitted by Cynthia Peithman

      Beforehand she will spend long hours selecting just the right boutonniere, corsages and bouquets for her cherished family dearest friends. And she may never again be so frivolous when it comes to decorating or purchasing centerpieces for her reception. Flowers make weddings special. For centuries, they have added beauty and bestowed grace upon the bride. They will always remain an integral part of the festivities.

      The first bridal bouquets were made up of herbs—not blooms—because ancient peoples believed that herbs could empower the wearer with their special attributes. Garlic, for example, was said to cast off evil spirits and was very popular as were sage, the herb of wisdom and dill, the “lusty” herb. Flowers eventually replaced herbs in bouquets (thank goodness!) and acquired a symbolism all their own.

      Orange blossoms, so popular in the 1800s and early part of the last century, trace their history to mythology. It is said that Juno gave them to Jupiter on their wedding day. The tradition of the fragrant blooms survived the ancient world and even holds a place in our history.

      Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice, carried orange blossoms at her White House wedding as did Frances Folsom, Grover Cleveland’s much younger fiancée, at their historic wedding; he was the first U.S. president married in the executive mansion.

      When Jacqueline Kennedy wed Aristotle Onassis in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony, crowns of orange blossoms were placed on their heads symbolizing happiness and fertility. Today, we rarely see orange blossoms in bouquets although the beauty of fresh flowers, their symbolism and the important role they play in weddings has continued to blossom.

Fresh Flowers and Bridal Parties

      Fresh flowers are required for weddings no matter how large or small, formal or informal because they make a wedding festive and unique. Every bride should carry a fresh, floral bouquet (even a simple nosegay) whether she is marrying for the first time or the third. Bridesmaids should carry fresh flowers. The flower girl should carry a basket of flowers and the ring-bearer should sport a boutonniere. All members of the immediate families (including step-relatives) must have corsages and boutonniere.

      Flower requirements vary depending on the size and type of the wedding. A large, formal wedding with a regal bride and six bridesmaids will require full-floral bouquets styled to match the formality and design of their dresses. A simple corsage worn by this bride or a single rose carried by these bridesmaids would look out of place.

      For an informal wedding, on the other hand, the bride may wear a simple corsage and the maid of honor may carry a single rose flanked by decorative ribbons or pearls. This would be perfectly appropriate.

      I stress fresh flowers for your wedding because it’s the one day in your life when you should carry them! They don’t need to be elaborate or expensive, but a bride and her bouquet should go together just like “…love and marriage.”

by Deborah McCoy, President, The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™

2009, AAWP. All rights reserved.

Survey provided by theWeddingReport.com

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Did YOU Catch The Queen For a Day Syndrome?

Copyright 2009 Deborah McCoy, all rights reserved.

Hi Mary Noriega

This week we’d like to discuss wedding priorities and “The Queen For a Day Syndrome” or the phenomena that occurs when a bride gets so caught up in wedding she forgets about what makes a wedding a wedding. Let’s look at a couple examples:

A bride-to-be named Michelle emailed AAWP and said that she hosted a dessert reception. She featured a make-your-own sundaes buffet, and served cookies and pastries, topped off by wedding cake. Then she said, “My dessert reception ended in dessert disaster. Everyone left early and went to a near-by Denny’s. They said they were starving.”

As we told Michelle, we live in a low-fat, low-calorie society and while it may sound like a fun and novel way to host a reception, it’s not what your guests thought- and it proved to be a disaster. It’s just a case of a bride-to-be putting her wants and desires over the needs and comfort of her guests.

In another example, a bride wrote to say that she had gone so far over budget on her wedding photography that she had no choice but to have a “cash bar” (guests pay for their own drinks) at her reception. She wrote to say that her guests exited early and she was heart-broken. (If you were invited to a friend’s home for dinner and then asked to pay for your drinks, how would you feel? A wedding reception is no different.)

NOTE: AAWP has had much email about cash bars and their effect on reception times. Guests tend to exit early-the last thing you want on your wedding day.

As a bride- and groom-to-be, your guests and their comfort must be your first priority. They are the ones, who when they exit your reception, will say, “Wow, what a wonderful, warm, fun party. Everything was terrific. Sue and Joe really put a lot of time and effort into their wedding.”

Just remember that as bride and groom, you are the hostess and host of your first party as husband and wife. It’s your guests and their opinion of your wedding that will make or break the affair. Don’t let The Queen For a Day Syndrome catch you!

Happy Wedding Planning!

AAWP

P.S. Get AAWP’s FREE CD: Plan a Wedding and $AVE! And $AVE tons of money planning your wedding! www.10WeddingTips.com It’s our GIFT to YOU!

P.P.S. AAWP is currently offering a “special” on tuition! Be A Wedding Planner Today! www.aa-wp.com

© 2009, Deborah McCoy. All rights reserved.

Choosing the Perfect Reception 

Choosing your wedding reception site must be handled with careful thought and deliberation. The reception site is undeniably the most important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. Before meeting with the first facility manager, consider these important factors in determining the venue that is perfect for you.  To read the entire article, please click here.

Have your wedding at the Cultural Heart of San Diego North!

California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Let the beautiful interiors and inviting exteriors at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido serve as the backdrop for your special day.  The Center’s professional planning and catering staff will not skip a beat in the months, days and moments leading up to your walk down the aisle.

Free Fruit Platter  Mention you found us on this website and receive A FREE FRUIT PLATTER during your reception, a $350 value.

Call (760) 839-4140 for your free consultation today!
www.artcenter.org

Save the Date!Bridal Show:  Sunday, August 2nd

Time:  11am to 4pmLocation:  California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Addmission:  $10 per person (prepay online for discounts)

For more information, please click here

This email was sent courtesy of The Wedding Club.  To view more wedding services and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thewedclub.com.

Sincerely,

Susan Christensen
The Wedding Club

The Wedding Club | 332 S. Juniper Street, Stuite 302B | Escondido | CA | 92025

One of our members emailed us to say that he and his wife got divorced. It was nasty and to top it off, their joint attorneys’ fees cost about $50,000. Now, believe it or not, they’re back together and getting re-married. He asked if we thought it would be wise to get a premarital agreement this time. Our answer? A resounding, YES!

The best way to protect your future, and the future of your kids-to-be (or those you already have), and keep your money in your pockets and out of the hands of attorneys is with a premarital agreement.

Everyone knows of a doctor who left his wife for Nancy Nurse or some such story. If the ex-wife didn’t have a pre-nup, she ends up in court every time the kids need braces, or to fight for money for their higher education, etc. It is financially draining.

But the woman who has a pre-nup sits on easy street. When she and her husband were engaged, they hammered out a premarital agreement. It addressed how their assets would be split, how they would handle divorce, and the financial obligations that each had to their future children (even if they started out with nothing).

When they got divorced, there was no nastiness, no fighting, and no long court battles that made their attorneys rich-while putting them in the poor house. Their premarital agreement took precedent.

Take the time and make the effort to visit an attorney that specializes in family law. (Each of you must have your own attorney.) Construct a fair and equitable premarital agreement and walk down the aisle knowing that your future life and that of your children-is protected.

Premarital agreements are positive instruments of change! Are they for you? We at AAWP recommend them for everyone-but the choice is yours.

HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING!

AAWP

P.S. Get AAWP’s FREE CD: Plan a Wedding and $AVE! And $AVE tons of money planning your wedding! www.10WeddingTips.com It’s our GIFT to YOU!

P.P.S. AAWP is currently offering a “special” on tuition! Be A Wedding Planner Today! www.aa-wp.com

© 2009, Deborah McCoy. All rights reserved. ]]> http://humphreyflorist.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=12