Springtime Wedding Favors

In today's world wedding favors have become an expected part of a wedding. Spring has become one of the most popular times to have a wedding. This time of year is full of the colorful flowers and new life after the earths' long winters nap. Wedding in the spring tend to be full of color and life celebrating the renewal of nature. One of the least expensive ways to add color and life to your reception is through to use of spring and garden wedding favors with the colors and types available you are sure to find what you need to add a little lift to your party.

Candles are a wonderful way to light up your party and a nice souvenir for the guests. This little thank you gift can add a bit of color with say a "Botanical Garden" votive candle holder. This small treasure had a lovely green plant painted on it adding to the spring green. Perhaps you would prefer a lovely Butterfly Design candles with colorful butterflies like the one that emerging from their cocoons after their winters nap. There is sure to be a wonderful spring wedding favor to add color to any spring reception.

Perhaps you would prefer a garden wedding with favors to match a garden theme. The choices many choices for Garden wedding favor. Like spring they can be colorful and fun, like the "Meant to Bee" ceramic honey pot with wooden dipper. This little pot will add a touch of sweetness and fun for your guests. There is also the pretty little butterfly garden gift basket with a package of wild flower seeds for your guests to enjoy the entire season or perhaps you would like a silk cherry blooms fan to cool your guests as the fun heats up. There are so many choices to be had that it is easy to find one that will add to your décor and give your guest a gift to treasure in the seasons to come.

With spring and garden favors there is always one that will be perfect for you adding color and fun to the theme and/or décor. The guests will love the touch of spring and fun while treasuring the wedding favors and the wonderful memories of the event for years to come. The reminder of the season of renewal and new life that comes with it will only heighten the joy that is in the air.

When doing your shopping, check out the online stores. They will have a larger selection than the local bridal shops, because they do not have the problem of shelf space and storage that the local stores do. They also have a higher base of competition that the local stores that make them keep their prices more competitive. They use drop ship straight from the company that eliminates the need for storage and enables them to pass the savings on to their costumer.

Shopping Online can also allow the happy couple to enjoy looking for the perfect gift. Online shopping can be done at any time day or night because the web never closes without the sales clerk standing over your shoulder or them locking the doors before you have finished with your selection.

If you are looking for Spring Wedding Favors or Garden Wedding Favors, visit E-WeddingFavors. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaaron_H

Wedding Trends for 2009

If you're throwing a Spring 2009 wedding event - or are planning on attending one - learning about the season's top wedding trends can make the event even more unforgettable. Wedding trends for Spring 2009 capture some of the season's fresh designer trends from the runways, and the year calls for a mix of classic styles and modern designs.

From Grecian-inspired gowns for the bride to flapper dresses for the bridesmaids, here are some of the best Spring 2009 wedding trends to plan for:

Wedding Trend for Spring 2009: Black Flowers and Accessories
Black wedding dresses were a top trend in 2007, and black reigns on with black accessories for 2009. Pick up black roses or rosettes, black table linens and black and white color combinations for a sophisticated and modern look.

Wedding Trend for Spring 2009: Pink Flapper Dresses
Pink is a top choice for color this Spring 2009, so deck out the bridesmaids in classic, pastel or shocking pink for a modern twist to basic cream and white. Flapper-inspired dresses with their fitted, mid-calf length style get a fresh look in innocent pink.

Wedding Trend for Spring 2009: Red-Trimmed Wedding Gowns
Red is a bold and vibrant addition to the usual pastels and classic white ensembles for Spring weddings, and you'll find it trimming wedding gowns and bridesemaid dresses this season. The red and white combination adds a twist of modern romance to any Spring wedding.

Wedding Trend for Spring 2009: The Mini Wedding Dress
Super-short wedding dresses are a fresh trend for Spring 2009, giving you every excuse to show off those legs this season. Pair this look with ankle-tied sandals for a chic, dramatic look this wedding season.

Sabah Karimi writes about wedding trends, fashion and style for several online and offline publications. Read more about Top Wedding Trends for Spring 2009 in this Spring 2009 wedding trends article.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sabah_Karimi

Valentine's Day Gifts for Engaged Men

Valentine's Day is next Saturday. You want to let your fiance know that everything isn't just wedding planning, there's plenty of room for romance and love. Most engaged couples are trying to save money for the wedding, so splashing out on an expensive and impractical gift isn't possible. From About.com, here are a few Valentine's Day gift ideas that are sure to please, even the most difficult to buy for.

http://weddings.about.com/od/gifts/tp/ValentinesGiftsGrooms.htm

http://weddings.about.com/cs/gifts/a/valentinesgift1.htm

Wedding Flowers: Shopping Strategies

You've booked the church and the reception hall but how will you decorate them? What will you carry down the aisle? Now is the time for Summer - Late Summer brides to meet with their florist and decide on everything from the bouquets to the organist's corsage.

Sound a little overwhelming? Don't let it. Thanks to local florists and our friends at Bridal Bargains, here are a few shopping strategies to keep in mind when choosing your florist:

1. Book a florist up to six months in advance of your wedding. Some florists may require more time based on how many weddings they currently have booked. It's best to call as soon as you have a date set to find out how much lead time you will need.

2. Meet with at least three florists and compare their ability to provide the flowers desired, date availability, customer service, overall impression during your meeting and most importantly their price. Just as with every vendor associated with your wedding, make sure personalities are compatable and that everyone is on the same page. You can find a list of questions in aid in finding the right florist for your wedding in our 48-page wedding planner.

3. Have the time, place and apparel selected BEFORE you meet with the florist. The bridal gown is crucial - everything flows from this design element. The color of the bridesmaids gowns is very critical as well. Bring swatches of the bridesmaids dress and a picture of your gown when you meet. Give these items to the florist so they'll remember what the dress looks like when they actually make the bouquet. It's also helpful to bring pictures of any flowers or specific designs that you like. This will help the florist understand your personal style and assist them in desiging the perfect arrangements and bouquets for your wedding.

4. Look through actual photos of their previous work. Don't rely solely on mass produced design books or floral magazines. Identify flowers and designs that fit your wedding's style. Where as an unadorned wedding gown can be set-off by a lush bridal bouquet, in the same fashion, a simple bouquet may better compliment an ornate wedding dress. Make sure the florist understands your tastes and desires instead of merely telling you what you should have.

5. Get a written proposal specifying exact flowers and have them break the cost down by bridal bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquets, corsages, boutonniere's, reception table arrangements, altar arrangements. ect. Ask if the florist has rental items available to help keep the cost down. Some florists will deliver the flowers and stay to service the wedding, others will not. Make sure you and your florist are on the same page as to what you expect. Then find out if there is an extra charge to service the wedding and what the delivery charges will be. Don't settle for a total price without seeing what each item costs. Get this information BEFORE you place your deposit.

6. When you decide on the florist who will service your wedding, ask if it's possible to visit one of their upcoming weddings during set-up. A few things to look for are, 1) are they one time; 2) are they organized; 3) are the flowers fresh; and 4) the overall look of the designs. Keep in mind your taste may be different from the other bride, but overall, are the designs full and pleasing to the eye?
7. Ask the florist if they are familiar with both your ceremony and reception site. If not, ask if they would like to meet there and look over the area you will be using to give them a better understanding of the space they will be working with, the type of pews or chairs, etc.

8. If you are having a large or complex wedding, a pre-wedding floral check-up may be necessary. Meet with the florist about one to two weeks prior to the event to iron out any last minute changes or details.

9. In the quote, make sure your florist includes the following: rental costs for items you have discussed, large urns or vases that may be used, delivery charges, pick up charges, etc. Ask if there are any additional fees up front so you aren't shocked when you see the final cost.

Once everything has been discussed, changed, and reviewed... you are ready to sign. But, before you sign, make sure the florist has the following information in the contract;

• The date and time of the event


• The exact address of the ceremony and reception venues along with a phone number and contact name at the site.


• Set-up times for ceremony & reception venues and if there are any special instructions for that venue.


• Specific flowers for each item; roses for bridal bouquet, orchids for Mother's corsages, etc. Make sure they include colors chosen for each flower element as well - bridal white roses for your bouquet, red gladiolus for bridesmaids, etc.


• Any special instructions: known allergies to specific flowers, avoid specific colors for ribbons or filler flowers, open roses for bride's bouquet, altar flowers must be taken to reception hall after ceremony, etc.


• Emergency contact information; your cell phone or another family member that can make decisions on your behalf. Make sure you have the florist's cell number as well in case there are any problems the day of the wedding.


• Specific payment information including deposits, payment schedules as well as refund/cancellation policy.

As you get closer to your wedding, there may be some modifications to your order. Make sure all changes are made in writing and included in your final contract, then sit back and let your florist work their magic. Flowers are the most beautiful accent to any occasion, your florist knows that. He or she will do everything they can to make your event as beautiful as you are.