Posts Tagged ‘Planning A Wedding’

Honeymoon Planning Tips- Learn the Secrets on How to Pay for your Honeymoon

Planning a wedding can be extraordinarily expensive and leave you with little money to spend on your honeymoon. You honeymoon should be one of the most noteworthy trips of your life and you do not want to short change your experience because shortage of fund. Read below on how to save cash for your Honeymoon so you can have the trip of your dreams.

1. Begin with a Budget

Step one is to put together a budget of what you can realisitly spend on your honeymoon. Be explicit with estimate costs for lodging, food, activities and anything else you plan on doing.

2. Sacrifice

It might not be fun now but sacrificing now will permit you to have some jollies later. This will mean watching a DVD at home instead of going to the movies Cutting down on services or subscritions ( cell phonephone, cable, facials, maincures, etc ). The small sacrifices add up quickly in your vacation fund.

3. Brown Bag it

Let’s face it, we all love to eat out. As good as it may be it does a job on our savings. The average couple spends $300 per month on eating out. That’s money that could simply be put into your holiday fund by eating out less or bringing a bag lunch to work. If you’ve got a hard time giving up eating use coupons or check out local deals. ( buy one get one free dinners ).

4. Ebay

A great way to start your new life together is out with the old and in with the new, why not make money cleaning out your stuff. Ebay has become the ultimate site to sell your belongings and make money. If you don’t desire to handle the hassle of Ebay there is always the old fashion way, a garage sale.

5. Reward Cards

Reward cards are a great way to let cards pay you back. In the months before your wedding, employ a Visa card that amasses points ( most well-liked are money or travel rewards ) for everything you can. It should not be tough to quickly accumulate points with all of your wedding expenses. Once the reward points have piled up you can cash them in for plane tickets, hotel rooms, present certificates or money.

What you just learned about Honeymoons is just the beginning. To get more ideas, read stories, check out pictures and videos go to HoneymoonNation.com or check out my squidoo Honeymoon Nation.

You may also be interested in Bachlorette Games
.

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Mississauga Weddings Tips

Mississauga is known as closest suburb that is just stationed outside of Toronto and the city that offers many things to see. Mississauga is geographically positioned in the western part just outside of Toronto making it perfect to live in this beautiful city yet not to far for the hustle and bustle of commuting that you would find with another city such as Brampton, Aurora and Milton.

We invite new businesses to experience the many attributes. We are committed to meeting the needs of the local business community and attracting quality businesses that create a broad range of employment opportunities through such initiatives as the new Business Advisory Council.

Mississauga is a vibrant and active community that offers a rich variety of recreational, leisure and cultural activities for all ages and abilities. We’re committed to improving opportunities for those with disabilities through measures such as the Accessibility Plan.

The unique cultural attributes, skills, talents and knowledge base of the diverse population enhance the quality of life for all. It is also well established and is home to the well developed suburb neighbourhoods.

There is much to see and do in Mississauga that makes it a must to stay in the city and enjoy its natural beauty such as many shopping plazas such as Sherway Gardens, Square One and parks such as Centennial Park and Bloordale Park.

And while you are planning a wedding why not try the many banquet facilities located in Mississauga. Why not try the Old Caterina’s Banquet Hall located on 7230 Tranmere Drive or The Tower Garden Banquet Facility located on 300 City Centre Drive and even Pavilion Royale located on 5165 Dixie Rd. Many offering in this high class city.

As a Mississauga wedding photographer and Mississauga wedding videographer, we can provide you with all our needs to make your Mississauga wedding a success, let Babylon Productions be your Mississauga wedding photographer and Mississauga wedding videographer of choice.

Mississauga Parks and Gardens For Wedding Photography

1- Mississauga City Hall

Beautifully landscaped venue for your wedding photographs. No permit required.

300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
Tel: 905.896.5000

2- Kariya Park

Japanese garden in the heart of Mississauga. All group photography occurring between Friday and Sunday afternoons must reserve and pay a fee of $70 to obtain a park permit. A permit reserves a 90 minute block of time.

Kariya Drive just south of Burnhamthorpe Road
Mississauga, Ontario
Tel: 905.896.5384
Fax: 905.896.5508

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Hawaiian Beach-tropical Wedding Tips and Ideas

Picture this! Abundant rays of sunshine surrounding you among lush foliage with sweet scents of the colorful tropical floral are whisked throughout the slight breeze. In the background, the sounds of ocean waves washing up on the beach along with the soft singing from the exotic birds. Can you imagine having your wedding in the atmosphere of what Hawaii has to offer? There are many future brides and groom’s who dream of having such an event at this tropical destination and for all good reasons. The weather is always picture perfect, the sun rises and sunsets are as beautiful as the glow of the bride, the luscious tropical gardens where you may choose to have your wedding ceremony would make a storybook wedding or at a secluded beach with the waves washing up on your feet. There are endless reasons for planning a wedding in Hawaii and for those of you who have searched and looked at this idea, you know it’s worth the extra effort to perform your wedding vows and have your wedding reception celebration at one of the most sought after wedding destinations. This is especially for those who live in the northern states where the winters are long. You would not only have your wedding in a tropical location but, it will also be a very nice escape in the late winter, or early spring just to break the winter blues. For those of you who are thinking serious about taking the plunge at some tropical beach destination, there are a few absolutes which you must put in your wedding planning list. This will help ease some of the burden for your wedding day event and celebrations.


One of the first things as we all know, is planning, and make sure you start your wedding plans early. At a minimum, you should give yourselves a minimum of 1 year, but, many couples will start their planning process 2 years out once they decide on an actual day of their wedding proposals.
Decide on which Hawaiian Island you will have your tropical wedding. There are several to choose from and they all have many resources for your services. The more wedding services you use there, the less planning you will have make prior to your departure. Research each of the tropical locations for what they have to offer and amenities. Search for an officiant and what type of services they provide, and there locations for the ceremony they have to offer, and don’t be afraid to ask for references. We chose to get married on the island of Oahu and had Above Heavens Gate for our services which we would recommend if this is your choice wedding destination.
By now you have chosen your tropical wedding destination and have a wedding officiant set up. He/She will be able to help you with many other wedding sevices you may need also. Since performing weddings is their specialty, they will be able to either provide you the services you require or will recommend a wedding service company for you. When we did our wedding planning, we decided not to go with a wedding consultant and made all the arrangements ourselves. This of course saved us some costs on our wedding ceremony but took more time and planning.
You must get a marriage license from the state of Hawaii for the bride and groom to get married. A good idea would is go to the State of Hawaii Department of Health website to read and download the marriage license form so you are prepared prior to you arrival at the island.
A good recommendation is to have all of your wedding attire prior to going to Hawaii. Of course we know the bride will have her bridal accessories, wedding dress and everything that makes her as the princess she is, but, the groom, bestman and groomsmen should be prepared. Meaning – have their tuxes and matching shoes fitted and bring them as well. If you decide to find a local tux and make arrangements for your party to get the tuxedos there, there’s a chance that maybe a problem such as to short or to long, and now it’s a mad dash for alterations.
To get a limo or not? It’s more convenient to have a limo ready for you than not. This will provide transportation for your bridal party to your wedding destination of your secluded beach, a breathtaking tropical water garden or maybe you have chosen to set sail and say your wedding vows at sea. When your wedding ceremony is over, your limo is awaiting for you to whisk you away. Many services which most of you know is a necessity such as having your hair and make done prior to your ceremony, do some research, or ask your officiant who they would recommend.
Then there’s the thought of a photographer or a videographer to capture those tender moments of your wedding ceremony and your bridal party. As said before, many of these services will provide many of the necessities of which is either needed or want during the wedding. During your planning stages, evaluate the service providers for what they have to offer. Call them and talk to them about your wedding plans, make notes on their responses to help you with your decision making.
Your wedding reception can be at the hotel you are staying at, many of the hotels have banquet halls which will provide services such as catering and even have a wedding cake made from your directions and pictures you provide. There’s another option if you don’t have many guests or a large wedding party is going to a Hawaiian Luau. They are exciting and fun as you attending a large party which will almost be like your reception. When you purchase tickets at the hotel, tell the concierge or have one of the bridal set it up that there’s a newly married bride and groom attending. You and your wedding guests will have front row seating at the dinner table and for all the festivities of the party. If you are considering a wedding in Hawaii or at some tropical beach destination, these tips and ideas will help you during the planning stages as you begin your journey to wedding bliss!

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Top Wedding Trends for 2009

Wedding trends for 2009 are shaping up to be private, cozy affairs rather than the large weddings seen in years past. When it comes to planning a wedding, brides are choosing vibrant colors and time-tested ideas to celebrate and are envisioning ways for their guests to enjoy the festivities even more. Wedding trends of 2009 are based on many factors, influenced by the economy, the fashion world, and a penchant for personalization.

Flirty, Fun, and Seasonal Colors

No longer too exotic for a May wedding, vivid oranges, deep reds, sunny yellows, dramatic greens, and especially lush purples are taking center stage at this year’s weddings. Brides are incorporating intense colors into their whole scheme when planning a wedding – from dresses and bouquets to decorations and food, color boundaries are meant to be broken. Metallics have also been spotted at some gatherings, but just practice caution how and where you add the glitz.

Patterns like brocade, gingham, checks, polka dots, and toile are popping up at weddings across the country. Coordinated with your colors effectively, you can use these patterns to drape over your reception tables or as chair covers. When planning your wedding, don’t go overboard – a dash here and a dash there is enough to keep you up-to-date with this year’s hottest wedding trends.

An Eco-Friendly, Do-It-Yourself Event

The push for eco-friendly initiatives is everywhere, and this earth-loving mentality has spread to 2009′s wedding trends! Many brides are choosing to go eco-friendly while planning their wedding events. Purchasing a secondhand wedding gown, growing (and making) your own flower centerpieces, using recycled paper products for your invitations, and serving organic food at your reception are all ways to promote your environmentally savvy ingenuity.

Some brides also decide to make wedding decorations themselves to save money – sew your own tablecloths from ‘green’ fabric or serve cocktails and drinks in recycled glassware. You could even have a donation bucket for an environmental cause of your choice, asking guests to chip in as part of your wedding gift.

Glamorous, Yet Traditional Silhouettes

You’ll be glad to know that the traditional dress with yards of silky fabric is back in. Wedding trends for dresses are now emphasizing a vintage style with glamorous lines. Crinoline and tulle, a mainstay in the ’40s and ’50s, are returning to modern-day weddings to give brides that extra bit of bounce (and color) beneath their gowns. To find the right dress, search online or even in your grandmother’s closet. If you’d rather have something new, find a dressmaker and discuss your intentions with him or her.

Another of the more popular wedding trends is the mini dress – a short, above the knee design that lets you show off your legs (ideal, of course, for a spring or summertime event). With a nod to the colorful wedding trends of 2009, many brides are planning a wedding and reception that reflects a preference for modern elegance and choosing dresses fashioned from brocade or charmeuse that are adorned with beads, flowers, big bows, and embroidery.

Honeymoon at Home

Getting away from it all is the best respite after months spent planning a wedding! Travelling outside the country for your honeymoon is a thing of the past (at least as far as brides of 2009 are concerned). Many couples have felt the pinch from the recession when planning a wedding and are deciding to stay closer to home not only to save money but to experience their own home turf. Honeymooning in the U.S. is no humdrum idea; there are a number of hot spots that offer excellent deals (depending on the time of year).

Some of the top picks include the wine country in California’s Napa Valley, the rustically charming Poconos in Pennsylvania, the old French Quarter of New Orleans, and, of course, the highlight on nearly everyone’s list – the Hawaiian Islands. Of course, it all depends on what you prefer, how much you want to pay, and the sights you want to see. One thing’s for sure, though – honeymooning at home is the affordable way to see the country and still snuggle up with your sweetie.

Mingle and Greet Eating Tasty Treats

Many couples are electing to do away with the typical sit down dinner where guests are required to eat with people they don’t know or people they talk to all the time. How boring! Brides have realized through the course of planning a wedding that getting guests up and moving (and more importantly mingling) with each other is the key to a successful reception. The food stations idea in particular is taking off – guests can choose which foods they want and get to know their fellow wedding guests (and eliminate waste if you’re into the eco-friendly wedding trends).

While two-tier, elaborately decorated cakes still remain popular, more and more brides are opting for cupcakes, which can still make the desired statement. You have the option of decorating the cupcakes differently or adding varied toppers – and best of all, they are the perfect portion size and create less mess (especially for your pint-sized guests). Keeping with the vibrant jewel tones wedding trends, brides are choosing to serve dishes and sweet treats that are not only flavorful but colorful as well.

Whichever Wedding Trends You Choose, Make It Your Own

Planning a wedding doesn’t always come easy – you’ll have a lot of choices to make. Your wedding is a reflection of you and your loved one, so whether or not you decide to follow one of this year’s wedding trends, remember to make it your own!

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Wedding Tip – Planning Essentials

Wedding Tip – Planning Essentials

Just got engaged and planning a wedding?  It can really be quite overwhelming organising every step involved to ensure your wedding is a success for you and your guests.

It is important to get down to basics.  Guest numbers will play a large role when planning you wedding reception.  When booking your venue and services including catering, keep in mind that as many as 10-15% of guests invited will be unable to attend.  Look for a venue that will be perfect for your reception without compromising on space. 

How much space will I require?  Allow sufficient space for guests, entertainment, caterers and a bar setup.  Once you have an idea of the space you have for decorations and centrepieces, you can really picture how your wedding will look.

The style you select should be a reflection of yourself, and is a very personal decision.  A wonderful first impression will make your guests feel welcome and comfortable.  Working with a wedding planner will ensure you and your family can relax knowing little details are being taken care of.  If you have the time and would like to decorate your wedding reception many items can be viewed and ordered directly online. 

Special needs and dietary requirements

We all know a vegetarian or a celiac, a diabetic or have a cousin who will only eat chicken. Ensure that you know in advance if anyone of your guests has any special (or out of the ordinary) dietary requirements. Your caterer will design your menu accordingly.

Enjoy your wedding preparation.

If you are on the Sunshine Coast check out the range of ideas and products at The Schnitzel Bin

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A Destination Caribbean Wedding To-Do List

Have you decided upon a Caribbean destination wedding? If so, you have lots of planning ahead of you. In fact, there are so many things to do; you may find yourself lost along the way. Continue reading on for a helpful destination Caribbean wedding to-do list.

Decide on a Budget

Most brides and grooms have a budget to work with. Know this budget ahead of time. However, also take into account that you are combining your wedding and honeymoon into one trip. This saves you money. For that reason, not only total up your wedding ceremony and reception budget, but your honeymoon budget too. This is how much you have to spend not only on your Caribbean wedding, but your travels.

Start Examining All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean

Right away, you may be thinking “but all-inclusive costs more.” Technically, it costs more upfront, but you are likely to walk away spending less. See, all-inclusive Caribbean resorts give you more than just a room; the cost of your food, drinks, tips, qualifying airport transfers, and some forms of onsite entertainment should be included well. If you are shopping on a budget, all-inclusive is the way to go. Aside from a few extra purchases here or there, it is easy to estimate the overall cost of your wedding travels. Even if you aren’t on a budget, all-inclusive plans a good percentage of your trip with ease.

Most importantly, all-inclusive resorts are known to offer guests free standard wedding ceremonies when they meet the minimum stay requirement. This requirement is often three or five nights. Since you are combining your honeymoon and wedding, it is easy to meet this requirement.

Compare and Contact Resorts

Once you have compared all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and believe you got the perfect fit, it is time to make contact. Although you can book your travel plans online, you still want to call the resort in question because you are planning a wedding. Ensure your wedding date is available for a ceremony. You will be paired with a wedding planner. Most resorts even give wedding planner access to guests who opt for nothing more than the free basic wedding. Your wedding planner can not only help you plan the ceremony, but get you started with the documents needed to legalize a marriage in a foreign country.

Start Notifying Guests

Unless you want your destination Caribbean wedding to be a private affair, you are likely to invite a few close friends or family members. By also opting for an all-inclusive resort, your guests can save time and money. Still, not everyone can afford a Caribbean vacation at the drop of a hat. For that reason, be sure to provide your guests with adequate notice. Moreover, understand that some may be unable to attend due to financial reasons. As for the notification, you can start with save the date magnets. Both these save the date magnets and your wedding invitations can be ordered with a beach theme.

Review the Resorts Wedding Upgrades

As previously stated, most all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean provide guests with a basic wedding ceremony. This may include a marriage license, minister fees, recorded music, witnesses or guest passes, a wedding cake, and candlelit dinner after the wedding. This is just the basics. If you want all the bells and whistles, review the resort’s list of updates online or speak to your wedding planner. Just a sample of the wedding upgrades typically available include: additional guest passes, floral designs, a limousine tour, a private live band, a private wedding reception, in-room hair, in-room make-up, and more.

Review Your Wedding Before Your Travel Dates

Provided you have your passport and made your travel plans, you might have been sitting around waiting for that special day to come. Before departing for the big event, contact your wedding planner again. It is time to once again review the plans for your wedding ceremony and reception (should you decide to have one). This last minute review is not only ideal for preventing errors due to miscommunication, but it is usually your last chance to make any changes.

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Money Saving Honeymoon Tips

After planning a wedding, many couples barely have enough money to pay for a honeymoon. But with these money saving honeymoon tips, you can still have the honeymoon of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Some of the best tips for saving money on your honeymoon are to use the calendar to your advantage. Look at what time of year you are getting married, and think about destinations where that time of year is off-peak. For example, if you are getting married in the summer, consider a honeymoon to a winter hot-spot like Aspen. Ski resorts have fantastic summer packages and can be just as romantic as a winter trip (minus the skiing). The Caribbean and other tropical destinations are usually much cheaper in the summer. If you are getting married in the fall or spring, consider a trip to Europe, where the rates are much cheaper after the summer. And a beach honeymoon in the winter can be simply perfect. It might be too cold to go for a swim, but the resort towns are much less crowded, and you can save a lot of money.

It might seem like it would be more expensive to book your trip through a travel agent, but using a professional can be one of the best tips to save money on your honeymoon. Travel agents can book hotels and travel (air fare, train tickets, car rentals, etc.) together, often for a deep discount. They also often know tips to save money on your honeymoon once you arrive at your destination. Things like good restaurant deals, the best places to shop, and excursions can all be found at a discount if you know who to ask.

Another tip to save money on your honeymoon is to book your trip at an all-inclusive resort. All-inclusive resorts (like Sandals and Beaches) can be a great way to book a tropical destination with a smaller price tag. Many newlyweds find that an all-inclusive resort makes budgeting for their honeymoon much easier, since meals, accommodations, and entertainment included. Be sure to check to see what is included; some resorts include day trips and drinks in the price, while others may charge extra for these things.

Some of the best money saving honeymoon tips come from thinking outside the box. One unique way to save money on your honeymoon comes from how you pay for your wedding. Do some research into credit cards that offer rewards; hotel stays, frequent flier miles, and cash are all available through various banks. If you use one of these reward cards to pay for your wedding, you may find that a chunk of your honeymoon is already paid for. Some couples also register for their honeymoon as part of their wedding registry. You can let your guests know that things like dinners and excursions will be welcome wedding gifts. And when you are on your trip, be sure to let people know that you are on your honeymoon. Many resorts and hotels offer specials to honeymooners, and restaurants often will give you a free dessert or drink to help you celebrate.

If you are a Brahmin parent looking for brahmin brides or grooms please check the url http://www.brahminsmatrimony.com

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Toronto Weather

Thursday, May 17
Mostly Cloudy
Currently: 16˚C
Feels Like: 16˚ C
Hi: N/A˚, Lo: 7˚
Wind: 13, Gust: N/A MPH
Wind Direction: SE (140)
Mostly Cloudy

Tonight: 7˚
Sunset: 8:38 PM
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Partly Cloudy

Friday, May 18
Hi: 21˚, Lo: 11˚
Wind: 14, Gust: N/A MPH
Wind Direction: SE (136)
Partly Cloudy

Saturday, May 19
Hi: 27˚, Lo: 14˚
Wind: 14, Gust: N/A MPH
Wind Direction: SE (141)
Sunny

weather feed courtesy of weather.com - thanks!

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