Premarital Counseling

I’ve noticed lately that more couples are asking about pre-marital counseling. It’s always a good idea to get everything out in the open and sometimes we need a little help looking inside to see what is there.

The first question I ask couples when they come to me for counseling is, “Why do you want to get married?” And believe me, “Because we’re in love” is not a good enough answer. There are many couples who love each other dearly and at the same time simply can not manage to live together.

Most parents love their children deeply but really would prefer not to live with them their whole entire lives. You may be sad when a child leaves home but it’s often best for all concerned when they do.

So, why do you want to get married? To allow you to live together legally or to have legal control over another person is an answer but do you want that kind of life? Really?

Look inside yourself and ask, “What is my motive? What is the foundation of this relationship?” If you don’t know or aren’t sure, keep looking. It’s okay to ask for help in this area and most essential to be honest with yourself.

Let me give you an analogy. If you were going to build a house to live in, you first have to lay the foundation. In order to lay the foundation, you have to know what the foundation will have to support. You don’t need steel I-beams and thick cement to build an 8x10 wood shed. You do need more than a few 2x4s laid on the ground to support a 10 story building.

What is your purpose for getting married? What is your most inner motive?

Marriage is not about sacrifice or compromise or doing without or what you can put up with. If you’re focusing on what you’re going to lose you aren’t considering what you are going to gain or become in creating a new family.

We often refer to a husband or a wife as a mate. In Australia, a mate is a best friend. When you have a best friend, you take care of them, you love them as they are (without trying to change them or make them better). You accept their faults as well as their good points. You can also give them a good talking to when they need it without fear of them running away or you getting poked.

My best advise it to treat your mate as your best and closest friend. Be honest. Take care of them. Don’t put up with anything hurtful. Treat them like you want to be treated. Have no expectations. Love them exactly as they are right now. And treat yourself the same way. Being your own best friend teaches you how to be a best friend to someone else, to your mate.

How to do your make up on Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, it is of utmost importance that you look prim and proper. Now you and i both know that applying make up isn't just a piece of cake. A couple of basics must be known, lest you look like an Indian doll( no offense) on your wedding day. We thought of a few tips that we hope will come in handy...
Finding Foundation
In general, foundation that has yellow undertones is the most flattering, but if you have very dark skin, a foundation with a slight blue cast works best. If you have medium-toned skin, choose a foundation with a red-yellow hue. And if you have light skin, look for a soft golden shade.

Pick Three
There may be variances in undertone on different parts of your face so it's a good idea to have three foundation shades -- light, medium, and dark -- on hand to allow for the different gradations of color. Many African-American women are darker across the brow and chin, and slightly lighter on the cheeks. Use the light foundation as your under-eye concealer and to lighten a dark forehead or chin area. Use the medium foundation as your all-over color to correct spots of varied pigmentation. Use the dark foundation to even out the lightest areas of your face. You can also experiment with a bronzing stick to bring down the lighter tones of your face.

Getting Cheeky
The key with blush is to avoid anything that looks ashy or pale on your skin. Lighter skin tones look pretty and most natural in dark bronzers, though apricot, rose, and soft pink also work well. Medium to dark skin tones look best with deep blush hues like dark rose, currant, and plum.

The lips
In general, the darker your skin tone, the darker you can go with your lip color. Burgundy and blackberry are beautiful on dark skin. Women with medium skin tones look pretty in currant or red, and those with light skin look best in low-voltage neutrals and glosses. If your bottom lip is paler than your top lip, you can even them out by applying a sheer, dark lipstick to your lower lip as a base, then sweeping the same lipstick over both lips.
If you want to have very full lips lips that don't require too much enhancement, avoid bright, attention-getting colors and stick to quiet, flattering shades instead, like caramel and soft brown. Perfect for kissing the groom!

By Wedding Bells

Tips for Hiring a Photographer for Your Event

The special moments in your life should be preserved with beautiful photographs, and event photographers are the talented professionals who make it happen. An event photographer can capture the significance of any occasion and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Since finding the right photographer is very important, here are some tips to help from professional event photographers:


-- Get acquainted with the photographer's style. You should decide what photographic style you like best for your event; do you prefer artistic, photojournalistic or traditional? Also, look at the photographer's references from other clients since this can give you valuable insight into his or her professionalism and personality. (From Birgit Pol)

-- Learn the photographer's personality. You need to figure out if your personality will mesh well with the photographer's and if you feel totally comfortable with him or her. You should always feel at ease when it comes to asking questions or making requests. Additionally, you need to look at photos from an entire event, not just a couple of samples; you need to be sure the photographer can shoot an entire event well from beginning to end. (From Aspen Grove Photography)

-- Ask lots and lots of questions. A few important questions to ask the photographer:
- Will you shoot the entire event yourself or will it be an associate?
- How many events like mine have you done in the last year?
- Is this your full-time profession or do you just photograph on the side?
- Do you have backup equipment?
- Are you a member of any professional associations?
- How many years have you been a professional photographer?
- What are the turnaround times for delivery of images and/or products?
(From RSVP Studios)


-- Discuss the fine print. Ask the photographer if he or she has a proper business license and if they have professional liability insurance. Also, be sure to find out about copyrights and usage of the images, and ask about payment schedules, cancellations, rescheduling and refunds of retainers. (from Dieter Chaney Photography)


-- The photographer should have questions for you as well. Any photographer you're considering should have lots of questions for you, too. These include things like your vision for the images overall, the event timeline and other basic information. When you've found a photographer you're very interested in, here are three questions to ask yourself before booking:
Price - Does this photographer fit into my budget?
Value - Is the package a good deal?
Intangibles - Is the photographer well presented, on-time, have good references, is friendly?
(From Photographer Marc Pagani)

If you feel comfortable with your answers, and you've done all the research, you should feel confident in your choice!


{Source}

10 Inspiring Quotes for Wedding Toasts

Have to give a wedding toast and need a little help? Jump start it with a moving reflection on "marriage, love or soul-binding." Below are 10 quotes to consider; you can incorporate the works into your own original speech (i.e., "In the words of George Sand...), relating it to the bride and groom. You want the audience to feel the universal importance and emotional impact of the words you're speaking:

1. "May your love be like the misty rain, gentle coming in but flooding the river." ~ Traditional African
2. "We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in full glow of love for others." ~ Walter Rauschenbusch
3. "Marriage is like a golden ring in a chain, whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is eternity." ~ Kahlil Gibran
4. "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." ~ George Sand
5. "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
6. "Love is a fire that feeds our life" ~ Pablo Neruda
7. "Love is friendship set to music." ~ Anonymous
8. "We love because it's the only true adventure." ~ Nikki Giovanni
9. "When love reigns, the impossible may be attained." ~ Indian Proverb
10. "One word
    Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
    That word is love." ~ Sophocles

For 20 more inspiring quotes, check out Wedding Toast Tips: 30 Inspiring Quotes. 

[Photo Credit]

beach-themed wedding photo frame

FC6415 beach-themed photo frames

Pretty as a picture, these beach-themed photo frames make picture perfect favors

And, they’ll be even prettier when your guests take them home and insert their favorite 2” x 3” snapshot of your special day. Great for any beach themed occasion or seaside event, these 2 ¾” x 3 ½” natural colored poly resin frames feature an authentic sandlike textured border adorned with a variety of realistic looking molded seashells. Also useful as decorative place card holders for your event tables, each comes individually packaged in a white box with place cards included. 

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more beach wedding favor ideas. Use Super10 to get an extra 10% off.

How to Begin Your Event Planning Career

In simple terms, an event planner is a person who organizes events. Usually, when people think of events, they think of something grand and fabulous, an occasion where people get together, whether it's a wedding, festival or family reunion. But, there's almost always someone needed to ensure the event's success...and that's where event planners come in!

You don't need formal training or education to succeed as an event planner. If you're talented, creative, determined and willing to put in the work, you can definitely become an event planner extraordinaire! Here are some tips:

Learn all you can about the profession. The term "event planner" is broad and entails everything from corporate planners to wedding planners to catering/hospitality coordinators. Take some time, in the beginning, to read books, research online and talk to real event planners to figure out what areas you're most interested in and to become familiar with the expectations you'll have on the job.

Assess your talents. Successful event planners combine both great interpersonal skills and organizational ability to determine exactly what their clients desire, and they get the job done. Other important talents: resourcefulness and creativity that sets your skills apart from competitors.

Educate yourself. Although you don't need a degree to become an event planner, certain areas of study may impress potential employees and clients. These fields include marketing, public relations, human resources, advertising, business, hotel and restaurant management and hospitality and tourism. If you want to develop your skills and enhance your natural abilities, degree programs are available specifically in event management; there are also industry educational seminars and home study courses.

Develop your material. Before you begin your job search, organize your self-promotion material so they represent you at your best. If you don't have a lot of actual experience on your resume, consider volunteering to work with an event planner, you could organize a small, local event. Be sure to ask the people involved for letters of recommendation for you to show future employers or clients. Additionally, have photos of your work in your portfolio to show what you have done (and can do).

Determine who's hiring. While you're using job advertisements to look for work, you should also directly contact any organizations you'd be interested in working for. Associations, larger businesses, non-profits, universities and municipalities need event planners, and so do hotels, tourism bureaus and other organizations. Asking a simple question: "Who plans your meetings and events?," could lead to the job of your dreams.

For five more tips on becoming an event planner, check out our source: 10 Steps to a Job as an Event Planner.

Perfect Catch Stylized Bottle Opener

Perfect Catch Stylized Bottle Opener in Novelty Gift Packaging 

Here is a favor that cleverly combines style and function with just a touch of whimsy. Give your guests a take-home gift that will bring back memories of your happy day everytime they flip open a cap with this "Perfect Catch"!  

This favor comes with a novelty gift packaging. You may open the box and display it with the color of ribbon of your choice with a personalized tag attached. Share us your idea when you use it at your wedding.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more beach wedding favor ideas.

3 Secrets on Getting the Most Out of Attending Events

By Michele Pariza Wacek

You've got your suitcases packed, your airline booked, and you're on your way to a live event.

But you're a little nervous. You've already spent a bunch of money, you're about to spend a bunch on hotels and food, not to mention the time away from your business and life. Will this turn into a good investment (i.e., help you business grow) or will it end up being just a waste of time and money?

That's an excellent question and as someone who has attended more than her share of events with fabulous (and not-so-fabulous) results, let me share my three secrets to getting the most of your attending events:

1. Set your intentions on what you want to get out of the event. Are you looking for joint venture partners? New clients? New ideas or information you can implement in your business? Is there someone you really want to meet in person? All of the above? Something else entirely?

It doesn't matter how you define a succesful event, what's important is that you actually spell out what you want to have happen, and make it as clear as possible.

If you're not clear on what you want, then your results could be equally murky. You want to visualize exactly what would have to happen for this to be a successful event for you.

Let me take a moment and share a quick story about this. At an event I recently attended, I was walking through the dining room at dinnertime, and I saw a woman sitting by herself. I went up to her and asked if she wanted some company, which she did. It turned out she had set the intention of meeting ME at this event, and we've ended up doing a couple of joint ventures together. Isn't it amazing once you set the intention how the Universe actually delivers it?

2. Don't just hang around your "crowd." There's no question that one of the reasons I love going to events is I can reconnect with all my old friends and colleagues. However, as much as I treasure the face-to-face bonding, I also want to meet new friends and colleagues, too.

Make a point of having either lunch, dinner, drinks, etc. with a new group each day. That gives you the opportunity to meet new people without going too far out of your comfort zone. (Now, if the thought of that is making you break out into a cold sweat, take a deep breath. Bring a friend with you, just don't only talk to your friend. Or only do this once or twice in the few days you're there, and slowly work your way up. You'll probably discover the vast majority of the people at these events are just as eager and just as nervous as you are, and it all ends up working itself out).

3. Manage your energy. This is a big one I never see anyone talk about, but it's really important. Events are exhausting. Period. Between being "on" when you meet people to absorbing all the information that's flying at you, it can wear you out.

So it's important to know your limits and listen to your body. You don't have to be at every single networking opportunity. It's okay to skip a group lunch or dinner and get room service.

Everyone is going to have different limits, and whatever that is, it's perfect for you, and you should honor it. The last thing you want to do is wear yourself out so much that when the perfect client DOES show up on Day 3, you're not so drained you don't properly represent yourself (and end up losing the sale).

Michele PW (Michelle Pariza Wacek) is your Ka-Ching!Marketing strategist and owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting LLC, a copywriting and marketing agency. She helps entrepreneurs become more successful at attracting more clients, selling more products and services and boosting thier businesses. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at www.MichelePW.com. 




[Photo Credit]

Personalize Your Ceremony

Besides writing your own vows and talking about how you met and what you plan for your married life, you could also consider any of the 8 enhancements I have already written about: candle lighting, sand pouring, honoring parents or mothers, giving the rose of love, adding a healing or blessing, including children and wishing stones.

Two others are becoming very popular at the moment. They are Hand Fasting and Sharing Wine together. Both come from ancient traditions.

Let me say something about that right now – ancient traditions. Many of today’s weddings are bi-cultural as well as interfaith marriages. Consider what is in your ancestry. What makes up your family’s history? What have you ever dreamed of including in your wedding? Now is the time to bring it forward. It’s YOUR ceremony!

Hand Fasting is where the expression “tie the knot” came from. Although today when I’m including it in the ceremony, I simply drape the ribbon(s) across the couple’s hands for a few moments.

Hand Fasting is often preceded by a Hand Holding, where the couple joins hands while gazing into each other’s eyes as I read a poem about love or about hands. At this point there are usually a few sniffles heard around the room. (And I always carry a clean handkerchief to hand to the bride OR groom when necessary.)

The vows can also be spoken during the Hand Fasting. First the groom would be asked a question like “will you honor this woman all the days of your life?” Then the bride is asked a similar question i.e. “will you honor this man all the days of your life?” Then one ribbon is draped with the words, “And so the binding is made” pronounced by me.

There are usually 4 to 6 questions and ribbons draped. The ribbons can reflect the colors chosen for the wedding. It’s all very beautiful and coordinated.

If you’re more of an Earth oriented nature the ribbons could be draped while each of the directions are mentioned as in Native American or similar traditions.

Sharing Wine is always fun and can be done several ways. Instead of having a bottle of wine, I suggest a carafe of wine or 2 carafes, one for the groom and one for the bride. If one glass is used, they would each pour their wine into the common glass. The glass could be offered to or held for the other.

Or two glasses could be used. The groom would pour his wine into the bride’s glass and she would pour her wine into his glass. They could intertwine arms as they drink.

What’s in your ancestry – wearing kilts, giving coins, jumping brooms, drawing circles, flower wreaths, breaking a glass or plate, floating candles, or something entirely different? You could create a new tradition!

Midnight Snacks

I have to say, the midnight buffet table has been one of my favourite evolutions in the wedding industry. Not too long ago, people just threw out some fruit plates or pastries because they couldn't think of anything else to order. Today it's a great opportunity to be creative and provide some late night energy for your guests to keep dancing the night away.





Homemade Goodies
A nice spin on the old pastry table is actually to have close family members bake their favourite family recipes (if your reception venue allows outside food to be brought in). What better place to share Grandma's apple pie or Aunt Beth's (secret recipe) peanut butter cookies than amongst your closest friends and family. To build on this idea, you can even provide take out containers for people to take home the goodies and have the various family recipes printed on a selection of boxes.

Designer Comfort Food

It seems odd at the most expensive 'party' of your life to serve food you used to eat in university as a poor student, but there is no better time that your guests desire comfort food than when they are tired, sore from dancing and have maybe been 'overserved'.

The spin is you take the traditional food item and add upscale ingredients. For example, mac and cheese (in ramekins) served with sharp cheddar or gruyere cheeses. Mini grilled cheese sandwiches served with tomato soup shooters. Poutine bar (poutine served in martini glasses) where your guests can choose their own toppings, chocolate chip cookies served on top of shooters filled with milk- the perfect bedtime treat to honour the kid in you.




Breakfast For Dessert

Lots of people love having breakfast for dinner so their heads may explode if you bring out breakfast food at midnight ! You can go big with waffle or crepe stations where guests choose their own toppings or go very small with coffee and fresh donuts.

Surprise Guests
You can serve some of your favourite foods with the help of a supporting cast. If your venue allows it, contact your local Dairy Queen, McDonald's, pizza parlour or donut shop and see if they are able to bring some equipment on site to make your favourite treats. It doesn't have to be a big retailer either, there are a lot of street vendors that can bring their cart to your event and cook on site- perfect for warm hot dogs, fluffy cotton candy or crispy Beaver Tails.

 

Mini Lanterns with Hanger

 Mini Lanterns with Hanger
Miniature lanterns with hangers, in white, add a warm glow to a beach or nautical theme wedding. Combine with sea shells, sand and starfish for a centerpiece that brings the beach inside. Sold in a set of 2 with hangers.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more beach wedding favor ideas.

5 Ways to Find Wedding Vendors

By S. Cohen


When planning your wedding, every single detail really counts. At the end of the day, the final outcome of the celebration really lies in the hands of the vendors you choose. A bride can have the most thought out suggestions and plans, but if your vendors are not capable of carrying out those expressed ideas, they mean nothing.

We have come up with some of the greatest ways to find wedding vendors in your area. Remember that each suggestion in itself is not meant to stand alone. A bride should really take advantage of all of the resources that exists in finding the right florist, photographer, caterer, etc.

1. Friends and Family. Your friends and family are an extremely valuable planning resource. They extend your reach of wedding knowledge more than you know. Each has attended or planned a wedding more recently than you think. So even if they only have a few bits of information, it all adds up to more than you had before. They can provide you with numbers, names and references before ever having to speak with a vendor. Ask, ask, ask!

2. Wedding Websites. Many wedding websites allow you to search by wedding location to find recommended vendors. Many offer packages of choices for you to sift through -- some with pictures and websites to look at. Please keep in mind, however, that many of these spots are purchased ads. Therefore, while a great place to get vendor leads, make sure to use your own research. You can also find sites that allow brides to give honest reviews of vendors they have used, visited with or seen at another wedding, which will give you honest (and not paid) reviews.

3. Wedding Discussion Boards and Blogs. The Internet has become an amazing place to look for wedding vendors. Many wedding websites have bridal blogs and discussion boards that allow brides to chat about their experiences and share details about the vendors they have spoken to or used. Don't be shy to ask questions!

4. Wedding Magazines. There are many magazines that are created for specific geographic locations. Many feature local weddings, therefore if you flip through and find centerpieces you really like for instance, look in the picture credits. You might find that the florist featured is around the block.

5. Wedding Reception Location. Your wedding location should be the first thing that you choose when planning a wedding. This is probably your largest expense and will really set the tone for what you have left to spend on the rest of your vendors. This will also allow you to use your location as a resource. Ask your hotel, hall, etc. if they have a list of preferred vendors.
         Most places will have this. These vendors all have established relationships with your chosen location, which is very important. For example, a preferred photographer will be lighting-prepared and know the best shots to take in a specific location. Please keep in mind, however, that this should only be one component of your choice. Often, there can be other contributing factors (politics) as to why they have been added to this list. But, all in all, this is a good list to have and use.

While the above suggestions help in the direction of finding vendors, it is once you actually sit down with each that you will realy get a true opinion of them. Look at their pictures, hear demo tapes and call references, and remember, no bride is ever bothered to speak about her wedding!

Classic Miniature Salt and Pepper Wedding Candy Favor Jar

Classic Miniature Salt and Pepper Wedding Candy Favor Jar

The classic candy jar shape of these salt and pepper shakers with the holes in a heart design add some fun to the day. Fill them with salt and pepper or your favorite candies and send them home with your guests. The next time they add a little spice to their meal they'll think of you! Add personalized stickers to match your wedding color. Note: Ribbon is not included.
It comes as 2 jars. You may use it individually as a candy jar like the following picture shows.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more personalized wedding favor ideas.

Sponsor Marry Me to "Bust a Move" and support Breast Health

Take the challenge….

Sweat, stretch and lunge with fellow breast health supporters at Bust a Move Ottawa 2012 - Presented by Morguard Investments and St. Laurent Centre.  The day-long fitness extravaganza, hosted at the Ottawa Athletic Club, features 45 minute sessions over the course of six hours.  Each hour focuses on a different fitness discipline including yoga, aerobics, cardio-kick boxing and even one lead by a very special celebrity guest….. 

A man who has inspired thousands to lose weight and get healthy, a fitness guru, published author and inter-generational pop icon……..

RICHARD SIMMONS!! 

That’s right; Richard Simmons is coming to Ottawa and is looking forward to sweating it out with you, your friends and your family!  

Click here for a very special message from Richard.

Fitness sessions are designed for all fitness levels from beginning to expert… so don’t be shy if you New Year’s Resolution has dissolved and your sneakers have gathered some dust!  Join as an individual, or register a team.  Either way you are guaranteed to move, groove, sweat and laugh while raising funds to improve Breast Health in our community.

To register and learn more about how you can Bust a Move for Breast Health click here.

4 Fundraising Tips for Your Nonprofit

Fundraising has become more difficult with the economy being the way it is. So, when you're raising money for your nonprofit's big ideas, think outside the box, says Samuel T. Jackson, founder of the Economic Empowerment Initiative (EEI), an organization providing financial literacy training, leadership and business development skills to youth and young adults in underserved communities.

Here are four tips to planning a successful fundraiser from Jackson:

1. Begin planning early. Nonprofit organizations should start planning fundraising events six months to a year in advance so there is enough time to develop necessary alliances, obtain venues and sponsors and create an event theme that will make an awesome event. Additionally, nonprofits should look for partners that will consider donating space and food in-kind or on an "at cost" basis. Do not use most of your organization's dollars on venues, food, entertainment and decoration (flowers, lighting, staging, etc.). The more things you can get donated or at a reduced cost, the more money you'll have to allot to actual programs.

2. Form a planning committee. It's essential to gather a strong and capable team of volunteers to help execute your fundraiser. Make sure to delegate clear tasks or form subcommittees (like sponsorships, ticket sales, programs) to be sure every detail is accounted for. Determine the people in your network who are actively involved in the community with their company, sorority/fraternity, school or other nonprofit, who can help you raise money or find volunteers for your event.

3. Create a list of potential sponsors/donors. When contacting potential donors, you don't have to start from scratch. Reach out to companies, small businesses and individuals who are familiar with your organization. Begin with board members and planning committee members to obtain a strong group of supporters. Also, form fundraising ideas that attract stakeholders, board members and other supporters to help gather support behind your event.

4. Highlight the work of your organization. Showcase and celebrate partners, clients, staff and sponsors who have come together to help the organization make an impact. Honoring those who make the work possible helps make the case for why more money is needed for programs. Testimonials from program participants are valuable as well. They help supporters and sponsors really see their money at work and know that their donations are actually making a big difference.

[Source; Photo Credit]

Chrome Heart Bottle Stopper in Showcase Display Box - Free Personalized Tag

Chrome Heart Bottle Stopper in Showcase Display Box

Capture the hearts of your guests with this elegant, contemporary and practical bottle stopper topped with the definitive symbol of love. The sleek, openwork heart expresses the moment like nothing else can. One of our most popular and beautifully crafted favors, the heart bottle stopper in its exquisite showcase gift box adds sophistication and sparkle to your table decor. 

For this item, we offer you free personalized wedding tags when you order more than 24.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more heart themed wedding favor ideas.

Butterfly Themed Wedding Ideas

Butterfly themed wedding day accessory set
butterfly themed perfume bottle favors
Butterfly Photo Frame
Butterfly Design Bookmarks

We have a great selection of butterfly themed wedding favors and accessories. Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more butterfly wedding ideas.

5 Ways to Keep Your Wedding Guests Happy

As you probably know, your guests just want to have a great time at your wedding. However, you'll need to do more than throw a great party to keep them really happy. Here are a few tips to be sure your guests have an awesome time from your engagement announcement until the end of your wedding:

1. Don't choose a bad date. You could choose Super Bowl Sunday as your wedding date. But if you do, don't be surprised if some of the groomsmen seem a little distracted throughout the ceremony. Your guests will be much happier if you stay away from big holidays or national events where people may already have plans. Additionally, check your community calendar to be sure you're not competing with major events such as a city festival or parade.
2. Create -- and maintain-- your wedding website. Just like your registry, you should set up your website early. Include the information from your invitations and anything extra such as things to do, hotel info, registry info, what to pack (if you're having a destination wedding) and even details about your bridal party. Once you have everything set up, the main thing is to keep it updated.
3. Start your ceremony on time. And write the real time on the invitation. Believe that your guests will arrive on time to your wedding and that you don't need to write 3:30 PM on the invitation when you're planning to begin at 4 PM. Yes, there may be stragglers but sticking with your time frame will keep the guests who are on time happy.
4. Don't ask them to spend money at the wedding. Whether it's paying for parking or having a cash bar, asking guests to spend is a big don't. All ceremony and reception costs should be taken care of. If the bar is too pricey, cut back by not offering liquor or hosting the wedding earlier in the day (when guests are likely to drink less).
5. Place them with people they know. Your wedding is not the time for you to be a matchmaker. Place your guests with their friends so they can converse freely the entire time. And if you must hook some folks up, introduce them to each other right after the wedding.

For 20 more ways to keep your wedding guests happy, check out 25 Ways to Keep Your Guests Happy.

True Romance Couple Unique Wedding Cake topper

True Romance Couple Unique Wedding Cake topper

Our popular cake toppers have hair color selections. View our entire line of cake toppers here.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com

Tuxedo and Wedding Dress Favor Ideas

Summer Wedding Party Beer Bottle Holder Favors

Keep the Wedding Party's drinks cold with these insulated bottle holders. Available as T-shirt Shaped Tuxedo or Zippered Wedding Dress.

King Queen Chess Piece Candle Favors

Formal Gown and Tux Favor Boxes

Bride Groom Candy Favor Bags 
These adorable Bride Dress and Groom Tux Favor Bags make an exceptional Favor "Couple". In classic Black and White, they will complement any wedding color scheme. Shown here filled with white and black jellybeans in opposing colors for the perfect tray of favors. 


Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com

8 Elements You Need for Your Event Planning Website

If you own an event planning company, you probably have a website (and if you don't, you definitely need one). Here are the aspects you need for your site to be successful:

1. Clear navigation. Your website's navigation lets your clients know how to find the info they need. The simpler it is to get around and read it, the more engaged and interested people will be in your services. A prospective client on your site shouldn't have to spend time figuring out how to work their way around it.
2. An "About Us" page. A general description of an event planning company will not help your business. The "About Us" page on your website should talk about what makes you and your company different. A few questions to answer include: What motivates you? Why do you plan events? What are your interests? What do you love? What inspires you?
3. A professional photograph of you. Event planning is a personal business. So, potential clients want to see how you look and your style. People are more likely to contact you if they feel a connection with you and your website. And if you have other planners working with you, include their photos as well.
4. High quality images. Your website needs photos of events you've done from professional photographers. If you use photos from your smart phone or your own camera, you won't give a professional look and feel to your site.
5. Blog. This helps you connect to your visitors. Your blog will let them know things about your business they didn't know, give them tips and a place for you to share any deals, products and/or new services. Also, you can share links from your blog on your social media accounts. Finally, your blog is the best place to highlight all of your events.
6. Clear and simple to find contact info. It should be very easy for website visitors to find your email and phone number. Although you may have a contact form, still include your email, business address (if applicable), phone number and social media information.
7. Reviews and testimonials. Word of mouth is the best marketing you can get. Having customer reviews and testimonials provides proof that you've planned events before (or have done this many times) and have pleased customers. If other websites have good reviews for your business (like Yelp or Google), include a link to those sites on your website.
8. Have consistent colors, fonts, look and feel. Every page on your website and blog should have uniform colors, fonts and overall style. Prospective clients need a good feel for your style and brand by looking through your site.

Have more tips? Please share below!




[Source; Photo Credit]

At Long Last....Marry Me's New Website is Here ! (featuring our 'team')

Spring generally symbolizes freshness, rebirth and new beginnings. However, it wasn't just the arrival of Spring that made Marry Me want to redo our website.
I have been working with Stacey for 4 years now and soon after I started, she began mentioning to me how she wanted her website to reflect the growth of the Marry Me team- she wanted her clients and Ottawa to know that Marry Me was run by a team of wedding experts...with Stacey at the helm.

There were a few reasons why Stacey did this. Primarily to give her team the recognition they deserve with all the behind the scenes work they do for her and Marry Me's clients but, it also puts the client at ease knowing that if someone who isn't Stacey is at their meeting or at their wedding or simply returning their call, it is not just an unpaid summer intern that Stacey hired. It is a paid Marry Me employee with an Event Management degree who loves and respects Marry Me's goals and vision as much as Stacey does.

When a team of dedicated individuals makes a commitment to act as one...the sky's the limit !

Please visit our new website and let us know what you think !

Bridal Shopping - How to go about it.

 There is no doubt that shopping for your wedding is one of the best parts of being a bride.                                                                     You get a chance to get to see and try on beautiful things that you always thought were just for lucky few.  In addition, you get to turn into reality that dream you have always harboured about your Wedding look.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Whereas you may be torn between incorporating some of the ideas that you picked from observing others brides and getting ready made attire, you need to sit down and, taking your budget into account, decide what will make your day as beautiful and memorable as you want it to be .                                                                      

Once that is taken care of, the next thing to find out where to get each item that will make you the centerpiece of the wedding.                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 If you are going for a gown and changing dress that is tailored to your size and taste, you will need                                                                                                  to search for fabric .These are has many as the new arcades in the city. All the more reason for you to be clear about the colour and material you want before setting out.                                                                                                             

With the exception of bold brides, who may want different colours for their gowns, most brides go for bridal scheme by adding detailing in that colour. This could be in form of flowers, ribbon and decorative stones.                                                                                                                                                                   

For harmony ‘s sake, be sure to go shopping with  your maids so they can chose their fabric with what you want in mind. In addition when you go with your maids, there is a high likelihood you will get a discount from buying in bulk.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

There is a variety of materials at shops Queen Mary, Fair Lady Textile, Anky Designers, Shina Collections, Smart Textiles, The palm house, Betuco Uganda Limited, Tailor’s Friend Emporium and JML Bridal Center.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Depending on the material, a meter of bridal white costs about sh13,000 while off-white will cost  you sh 15,000. For your maids’ outfits, you may have to spend between sh 5,000 and sh15,000 per metre, depending on the material. Having the dresses tailored will cost between sh40,000 and sh 120,000 depending on design and tailor.

Body fitting gowns cost more as they require a lot of time and care to cut and stitch while ballroom designs cost less to stitch while ballroom designs cost less to put together, although they take up a lot of material.

However, if time is not on your side, you could buy a ready made gown and changing dress. A gown costs between sh600,000 and 1.8m. A visit to bridal paradise, Today’s bridal, Hossana Bridal Center, Lady charlotte, D2i Designs, Best bridal, Kim’ bridal and Roheel Jeweller will give you a variety of gowns to choose from. For a changing dress that will get everyone talking visit stop n’ shop, Sisters’ boutique, Bill and Bobby, Islander boutique, D2i designs. The prices range between sh100,000 and sh800,000.

Ever heard of the saying; “proper prior planning prevents pathetically poor performance?” Most Ugandans are guilty of last-minute booking with no planning at all. This creates a headache for both the couple and the travel agents. Start planning your honeymoon along with your wedding.

Set a budget. Decide whether you would like to spend more on the wedding or  the honeymoon. How much money can you spend on the honeymoon? Remember it is possible to be in a particular location but choose the 5-star, 4-star or 3-star option.

Decide what type of honeymoon to take. This is purely based on your personalities. Are you adventurous? Are you the type that prefers to be left alone? Are you water-loving? The choice is yours.  

Seek advice from a travel agency. The world of tour and travel even within your own country is complex beyond your imagination. Things like connecting flights are best done by the pros else you end up spending four hours in transit while an agency would have sorted you better. With your budget and ideal vacation in mind, take your ideas and talk them over with a travel agent. A good agent should be able to produce a number of options that will be tailored to your preferences and your budget.

Research your destination before sealing the deal: The internet, the tourist board or travel agency can provide you with information. Check out activity ideas and whether.

Know the logistics before you go. Know the distance between your hotel and all the other attractions you plan on visiting during your honeymoon. Check out hotel amenities.

Find out about necessary vaccinations or disease endemic to your preferred area for honeymooning. Visas, taxes, know it all.

Let everyone know you are on honeymoon. Hotel staff, restaurateurs and drivers should all be informed of the special occasion for your trip. Do not be shy, because divulging this information often results in special discounts, treatment or gifts.

Smooth Sailing Sailboat Magnet Gift Favor

Smooth Sailing Sailboat Magnet Gift Favor 

 This little ship magnet is an amazing novelty to promote an event, complement a boat party or announce an upcoming destination wedding. Intricately detailed with cloth sails and a wooden hull, Two magnets embedded into the back hold it firmly to any metal surface. Great presentation packaging finishes this piece. 

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com for more beach favor ideas.

3 Ways to Promote your Offline Event on the Web

Events like meetings, conferences and parties may not be or start online, but they can surely benefit from online mention and promotion with smart social media marketing. Here are four ways to maximize your event's exposure with online tools.

1. Blog. Blog about your event before, during and after it. Doing so beforehand can let others know about your event and encourage them to learn more or register to attend. By live blogging throughout your event, you can create enthusiasm and buzz for people who weren't able to attend (also, provide a snippet of what they missed; this will encourage them to be on the lookout for the next event). Finally, blogging after can sum up the event while giving info on ones coming up.
2. Post event pics on Flickr. Everybody loves to see pictures of themselves (as long as they look good). Posting your event photos on Flicker and tagging them with individuals' names can create interest from those who attended and the people who follow them on different social media outlets.
3. Put the event on Facebook. You can post pictures and tag them on Facebook as well. An additional benefit of posting on Facebook is when you tag someone, it shows up on their wall; and anyone who's a friend of a person you tag can see the photo. The idea? This will lead to other people wanting to learn more about the event and attend. Keep in mind that you'll only be able to tag people you're connected to. 

Additionally, if your business or event has a Facebook page, you can include highlights from the event such as activities, keynotes or awards. And for even more interaction, visit the profiles of attendees and leave individual comments.

Want more tips? Check out four more at Mashable.com.