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Las Vegas wedding invitations were hard to find less than a year ago, but since then not only have hundreds of Las Vegas wedding invitations sprung online, but different Las Vegas wedding invitation themes have as well. We will show 3 different Las Vegas wedding invitation themes.

The first Las Vegas wedding invitation theme is the most obvious and most popular. It is none other than the Las Vegas welcome sign. The bright lights of the sign are the theme of more than half of the Las Vegas wedding invitations in existence. Graphic designers who design the Las Vegas wedding invitations with the Las Vegas welcome sign have even taken the theme even further by creating the welcome sign in different colors ranging from baby pinks to bright yellows, oranges and reds. The welcome sign is no longer considered tacky on the Las Vegas wedding invitations created because some of the most elegant Las Vegas themed wedding invitations feature the welcome sign in black and white on beautiful translucent overlays.

The second Las Vegas wedding invitation theme that is also quite popular, but not quite as popular as the Las Vegas welcome sign, is the theme of the Las Vegas city lights. The bright lights of the strip are on at least a fourth of the Las Vegas style invitations. While this may seem like a pretty simple theme for a Las Vegas style invitation, it is as diverse as the Las Vegas welcome sign. The colors of the strip have been altered so that Las Vegas invitations can feature the strip lights in an elegant black and white as well as pinks and purples for the girly, cutesy invitations. The lights of Las Vegas can be found in nearly every collection of Las Vegas wedding invitations including the recently announced Sephora Collection and Paprika Collection, both which can be found at vegaswedlockinvitations.com.

The third Las Vegas wedding invitation theme consists of palm trees. Palm trees are quite common for any destination wedding invitation and Las Vegas wedding invitations are no different. While not as popular as the welcome sign and the city lights, it is definitely a hot theme for Las Vegas wedding invitations. However, there is a catch to this theme. For a Las Vegas wedding invitation to truly be a Las Vegas style invitation, it must feature Las Vegas and a palm tree doesn’t do that because palm trees grow in many areas of the world. Thus, the third most popular Las Vegas wedding invitation theme includes a Las Vegas phrase somewhere on the invitation with the palm tree. The most popular Las Vegas wedding invitation wording phrase was coined by VegasWedlockInvitations.com when they started their business in January of 2006 which is “What Happens in Vegas Stays in our Hearts.”

The fourth Las Vegas wedding invitation theme varies according to a Las Vegas couple’s wedding venue. A new Las Vegas wedding invitation collection titled “location” features photos of many Las Vegas wedding chapels and venues like the famous Little White Wedding Chapel. The Bellagio, Paris, Venetian, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, MGM, Luxor and the Excalibur are just a few of the Las Vegas wedding chapels and Las Vegas wedding venues that the new collection features.

Many Las Vegas wedding invitation companies carry the themes that we have mentioned. Simply search google for “invitations ‘name’ collection” to find a retailer of the collections. For example, for those searching for the Las Vegas wedding invitation collection “Sephora” one would search: invitations Sephora collection.

Las Vegas wedding couples can also find these collections at vegaswedlockinvitations.com.

Find Las Vegas wedding invitations at

The initial instinct when hosting a bridal shower is to choose wedding related or bridal ideas for the dè(c)cor, shower favors and “theme” of the event. Its easy to forget, but just the simple fact that it IS a Bridal Shower that you are inviting people to sets the theme – theres no need to drive it home with umbrellas, white bells and all the other imagery that being a bride includes – unless of course thats what you think the Bride-to-Be would want! So if thats not the case, why not venture away from “the expected” and go in a direction that will create a lovely event that everyone will enjoy – especially the Bride-to-Be! Choose one of these creative ideas or use them for your inspiration:

Destination Honeymoon! – Get the Bride ready for her honeymoon by creating the shower theme around their post-nuptial destination. Are they heading for Paris? Why not serve yummy French favorites like croissants and fancy pastries and ask guests to include something in their gifts that will signify France or will be useful when theyre there. One Bride recently told me about the Bridal Shower her best friend and Maid of Honor hosted that was themed all around the tropical Mexican honeymoon that her Groom had planned for them in Cancun. She cleverly asked a local Mexican restaurant to help her out by saving their Cinco de Mayo decorations for her (which they were going to just throw out), served Margaritas and all kinds of yummy Mexican appetizers and a traditional tres leche cake for dessert. She requested that guests brought a little something with their gift to add into a beach bag for her. She received some wonderful sunglasses, beach towels and sunscreen along with a couple of fun girlie novels to take for her time at the beach. In turn, all the guests went home with a shower favor of mints in a colorful tin with palm trees and the ocean, the Brides name and “Viva Cancun!” personalizing the front. Im sure it reminds them not only of the fun time they had at the shower, but makes them think of the couple off in their tropical spot.

Floral Delight! – Another friend recently told me about a shower she had just attended for a family member. Apparently the budget for the actual wedding was quite small and so as is very often the case these days, corners had to be cut wherever they could. The Bride-to-Be had been shocked when she was quoted thousands of dollars for the professionally done flowers she had always dreamed of having fill the church and reception. Because of cost, she had to cut back dramatically. Knowing this, her close friend and the hostess decided to include flowers she could do herself wherever possible for the bridal shower. From the invitations to the dè(c)cor, the cake and the shower favors, live flowers or floral decor was everywhere. She even had shower favors for the guests that were fun plantable daisies that would grow into their own wildflowers reminding them of this day and the Bride for seasons to come. She filled vases with all colors, shapes and sizes of the Brides favorite flowers and used them to brighten the tables and decorated the whole shower with them. The Bride was even given her own mini-bouquet, a simple but pretty posey, at her seat to take home and the bridesmaids all had corsages that matched. To all the guests, it was simply a floral themed delight, but unbeknownst to all but a few, it was deeply meaningful and special to the Bride who had her dreams come true in a different way.

As you can see, with just a little planning and attention to the Bride an event like a bridal shower can be unique and really fun to plan – right down to the shower favors! The possibilities really are endless and it doesnt take much to think of something special. Once youve established if the guest of honor has any expectations for you to follow, just get creative and start imagining. The Bride-to-Be will have a day shell always remember and your guests will enjoy something different than what they thought would greet them!

Copyright 2006 AllInOneFunFavors.com

Cheryl Salto loves helping to make celebrations personal and meaningful as the owner of AllInOneFunFavors.com specializing in providing an extensive online selection of Bridal Shower and other event favors at http://www.allinonefunfavors.com/bridal-shower-gifts.html for life’s special celebrations.

Planning a bridal shower can be frustrating, especially if you are planning on catering the event yourself. When you are getting ready to host a shower, it is important to take some time for planning and relax. Bridal showers should be a fun time to socialize with friends and families and should not cause stress. Here are ten easy tips to keep you sane when you host and cater a bridal shower.

Number of guests: When you get ready to host a bridal shower, the guest list will determine just about everything about the bridal shower. Work with the bride, or if you are planning on a co-ed shower, talk with the couple. Find out ahead of time, before you begin planning, how many guests they want to invite. The number of guests will tell you if where you can have the shower and how many you need to plan for. You might find it necessary to rent tables, chairs and serving platters or plates depending on the number of guests.

Time of day: Another tip for catering a bridal shower by your self is to determine what time of the day the shower will be held. This can be a huge help when you are planning for food. For example, a brunch will be easier to plan than a shower that is held late in the evening when a meal is expected. In addition, if you hold a shower in the late afternoon, you will not be expected to cater a large meal. You can plan for simple fare, such as fruit and finger sandwiches. Decide in advance what time of the day the shower will be and it will help keep you sane during the planning process.

Budget: Before sending out any invitations, know your budget. If you are on a limited budget, know what you can spend and stick to it. It will not be fun if you overspend and are left with a huge credit card bill after the shower. Let your bride know your budget and work together to plan a shower. It is possible to plan an elegant shower without spending a lot of money.

Plan ahead and ask the bride: Planning well in advance is the key in hosting a bridal shower. After you have talked with the bride and set a date, you can begin making preparations. If you plan on catering the event, never wait until the last minute. Delaying can cause a lot of stress. Instead, use an event planner or a notebook to record all the of the bridal shower details. Remember that a shower usually takes at least eight weeks to plan, so give your self plenty of time to make necessary preparations. When you cater the event, know beforehand how many guests you will serve and if there are food allergies or other preferences, such as the bride being a vegetarian. Make detailed shopping lists and know what you will need to buy before going to the grocery store.

Make ahead and get help: Catering a bridal shower can be easier if you know what you are serving in advance and prepare dishes ahead of time. If you are serving casserole dishes, look into making them a couple of weeks before the party and then freezing the items. You can also do this for certain desserts and appetizers. The night before the party is a great time to cut fruits and vegetables, decorate a cake and make finger foods. Making food ahead of time will help cut down on the amount of stress on the day of the bridal shower. Also, consider getting help from others when you plan to cater a shower. It is perfectly acceptable to host a potluck style buffet where everyone brings their favorite dish. You can also enlist help from close friends or family members to help you cook and prepare dishes.

Theme: If you have a theme for the shower, such as brunch, co-ed barbeque or girl’s day at the spa, you can prepare dishes to fit the theme. This will make planning easier and everyone will know what to expect. Having a theme can also help you choose decorations and tableware with ease.

Keep it simple and relax: These are two tips you should remember when planning a bridal shower. Most guests will not remember the lavish dishes it took you all day to prepare. Instead, they will remember the time they spent visiting with the bride. Keep the menu simple and everyone will enjoy the shower and you will not become stressed. Last of all, remember to relax. Take a deep breath and have fun. Do not ruin the shower by obsessing over every last detail. Have a good time and your guests will, too.

Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on casual wedding dresses.

The planning of the wedding sets roles for the marriage. If the future wife makes all of the important decisions when planning the wedding, she will MOST likely wear the pants in the family. The problem is most men do not care about many of the decisions that are needed when planning a wedding. The wedding colors, the flowers, the location are decisions that most men do not care about.

So what decision does a man make? I found the caterer. Finding the caterer was a big enough decision to keep the respect of my future wife and gain the respect of all her friends. I did not choose the menu – the caterer did. I found a true professional. My caterer has restaurant experience on three continents on his way to earning the title of Executive Chef. If you want to find the best restaurants in the Washington, DC area, go to the restaurants he lists on his resume. When I choose my caterer, I choose a world class chef. My caterer supplied a menu that was so far above the usual wedding menu of boiled chicken and baked fish, it was like eating at a four star restaurant.

So how did I find my caterer? Thumbing through the phone book is not a recommended way to find a truly great caterer. Looking on the web is not a good method to find one either. I looked for my caterer at every event that I went to over the years. If I liked the food at a wedding, I would take a minute to talk to the chef. If the food was not good, I would not waste my time. I found my chef cooking at a small party. After two minutes I was sold. I took his card and held it. That was two years ago.

What was it that sold me on my caterer? He is a food geek. How do I know? Once you get my caterer talking about food he cannot stop. He talks about food the way a Ferrari mechanic talks about cars. I asked him a simple question. If you were going to cook the perfect meal, what would you make? We talked for a few minutes and before he was called back to his duties, most of the women at the party were standing around us. It was like watching a master magician tell his magic secrets to a group of amateurs. I know just enough about food to order at most restaurants. I am not an expert and do not have the ability to judge an expert chef from what he says. I choose my caterer by how he talked about food and how the women at the party were glued to him.

So how do you find the caterer for your wedding?

(1) Search for the caterer at the events that you attend. If you like the food, talk to the chef. Talk to the chef about food. If he or she is a food geek that is a good sign. I define a food geek as someone who knows more about food than a farmer. If the person talks about foreign spices like an average high school student talks about the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, that person is a food geek. If the chef impresses any of the other cooks in the room that is a good sign.

(2) Search for the caterer, by talking to your local florists. If a florist recommends a caterer, that is a good sign.

(3) Go to a fundraiser. Ask the organizer for a recommendation. The better the fundraiser, the better the chef. Fundraising coordinators will have experience with many different chefs.

Do not rely upon these recommendations alone. Check out the caterer. Do an interview. Bring someone who knows food. To be blunt, it almost does not matter what the chef says, the only thing that really matters is the food. Have the chef bring samples. Finally, you are paying for the food; why not ask for a recipe. My chef has given me several simple recipes that I can prepare for my wife. I have not tried yet, but I will sometime.

Copyright 2006 Andrew Horan

Andrew Horan is getting married so you can read about his wedding at http://www.myhoranwedding.com . Feel free to learn about his caterer at http://www.dalmatinocatering.com .

Are you in a tough spot in your marriage right now? Every relationship has its problems and its rough patches, but that doesnt mean that you need to give up when the going gets tough. For many couples, they can actually work through their problems to create a stronger relationship. Sometimes the hard times are actually learning lessons in disguise. Here are just a few tips for getting started on the right foot.

Listen

Theres nothing more damaging to a relationship than a partner that doesnt take the time to listen. In fact, that fact alone might be the thing that has led to the feelings of dissatisfaction with a marriage. In order to be a good partner (on either end), you need to be able to remain quiet and talk through problems until both partners are satisfied. Be quiet when they are speaking and try to really listen to what they are saying.

Understand

But listening only goes so far when youre trying to work out problems in you relationship. If you do not really understand where they are coming from, you might be creating more problems. When they are expressing themselves, you want to ask questions when appropriate in order to clarify what they are saying to you. Even if it seems uncomfortable at first, its important that you make sure that you understand where they are at and how you might be able to help.

A positive attitude

Why start off a rough patch by thinking that it will never get any better no matter what you do? When youre trying to work through problems and issues, you will want to make sure that youre going into it with a positive attitude. You dont need to be sugary sweet, but you should start to look at your troubles as learning lessons rather than the doom of the relationship. Try to think about happier times when you start to become negative in order to turn your thinking around.

Be present

When a partner isnt fully in the moment of trying to fix a relationship, the work becomes a one-sided affair. You need to be able to fully be there for your partner when you need to work through tough times. This might mean that you need to take a few days off work or devote certain times to discussing ways to fix your relationship. These times should be uninterrupted by work obligations or time commitments so that neither person feels rushed or distracted.

Stay calm

While you might be upset about the way that things have turned out, you need to remember that being calm is the best way to see things more clearly. Try lowering your voice when you talk – it automatically lowers your blood pressure and your anger. Try to take a few deep breaths before you say anything – this will help you to be clear and calm as you speak. Many people perceive becoming flustered or upset as being angry, and that can lead to a poor environment for working through issues.

Make plans

One of the best ways to help save your marriage is to start creating long term plans with your partner. While this might not seem like the best idea at the time, it will create the idea that you are both going to make it through the rough patch that you have stumbled upon – somehow. Try to make plans for vacations or other far in the future appointments. This will create a little less pressure because the future isnt so vague and unable to be seen in the dark that you are experiencing at the time.

Take time away

While you dont have to become legally separated to do this, taking time away from each other is one of the best ways to stop a marriage from becoming a divorced marriage. When you take time away from each other, you allow yourself to have a new perspective on the events that are happening. And this can allow you to see new solutions as well as new ideas for how to handle the problems that you may be having. Even if its just a night or a few hours, taking time to step back from an issue can help it become easier to resolve.

Discover how you can easily bring back the Love of Your Life!

- A Potent 4-Step Strategy which always work! … No matter how stubborn the resistance, no matter how far this perosn isfrom you, no matter how hopeless your situation appears! The Good News Is It Works For Both Men and Women!

More underground relationship and love tips, FREE special reports available Here.

Are you tired of seeing the traditional three tier wedding cake with simple white frosting and the little bride and groom wedding cake topper. We all know the iconic wedding cake look and feel. If you are after a very formal or classic wedding then this is the exact cake you want. However, today many couples are opting for alternative wedding themes and a more relaxed feeling overall. With popular wedding themes like fairy tales, Dragonflies and other fun and light or even whimsical themes a traditional wedding cake no longer fits correctly in its place. It is nor time to take that old wedding cake out of the closet it and give it a whole new look. America seems to be in love with the idea of a makeover from the hit TV shows like Extreme Body Makeover, Extreme Home Makeover and the ever popular Pimp My Ride America seems to be in a love with makeovers. Well, wedding cakes are no different and todays couples are going for more unusual, light and fun ideas for wedding cakes. So why not try some of these custom wedding cake ideas.

Creative and Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

There are a ton of different wedding cake toppers on the market today and you are no longer stuck with what your local bakery has. You can now easily shop online and find retailers selling a wide variety of wedding cake toppers. You can have anything from the traditional bride and groom to the whacky and wild. If you are willing to pay a little extra you can get a custom wedding cake topper sculpted out of special non toxic clay like material and created in the likeness of you and your husband. If you are really into a sport or want to show something unique about the two of you as a couple then a custom wedding cake topper is the way to go. The artists can easily make a couple doing just about anything. So if you are avid rock climbers then you can have a bride and groom fashioned in your likeness that are on the top of Yosemite Half Dome, or whatever sport or activity you like.

If you dont want to be that adventurous then you might want to go for a custom initials wedding cake topper. These are beautiful wedding cake toppers created from your initials and then decorated with small crystals. Whatever you choose there is a wedding cake topper either already made or that can be custom made to fit your wedding theme.

Themed Wedding Cakes

If you just go to your local bakery or even a small wedding cake shop you are likely to just find the standard wedding cake offerings or the traditional cake. However, if you really want to do a wedding cake makeover ask if they can do themed wedding cakes. There are a wide variety of options for a custom wedding cake and some of the ways that you can customize are listed below.

Decorations

If you are not sure about all of this and want to stick somewhat to tradtion then why not go for the traditional cake but add some flare to it through the decorations and frosting. Most wedding cake bakers can add a wide variety of different ornaments and decorations to the wedding cake to really make it stand out. Sure you can go with the traditional shaped cakes like the three tiered circle or even a tiered square cake but that does not mean you cant go a little crazy and get some interesting decorations put on it with unique frosting ideas. Try to pick up on the theme of the wedding as much as possible.

Sculpted Cakes

Now this is where a custom wedding cake baker really can show off their talents and the types of projects they often love to do. A baker who can do a sculpted cake might take a little work to find however once you find one you are only limited by your ideas. Do you want a big castle wedding cake? They can easily do this to make a fairy tale wedding cake. If you want a beach themed wedding cake why not get a picnic basket or a beautiful sand castle wedding cake. If you are contemplating getting a sculpted cake you can really have any three dimensional design that you can think of. Why not try a hamburger and fries for a fun and light hearted beach wedding cake. The sky is the limited once you get a sculpted cake.

Mini Cakes and Cup Cakes

Again if you dont quite feel ready to make the commitment to such a grand cake like above and want to keep a little bit on the traditional side yet with a flair of fun why not try a mini wedding cake or even cupcakes. These are fun because they are small individual serving sized cakes that your guests will love. If you are planning on having a small wedding it can be a lot of fun to create personalized mini wedding cakes for the guests.

Whatever you choose always keep in mind that there are options out there to customize, tweak, alter and change just about every factor of your wedding cake. Let you mind wander and have fun a bit and go for something a little different. Always make sure to plan ahead and leave enough time for the baker to do the extra job well. Otherwise you are all set to go with a fun and unique wedding cake that is a definite extreme makeover from the traditional three or five tiered wedding cake.

Free 5 day Wedding Planning email course – check it out now before the offer is gone. Learn more about Unique Custom Wedding Cake Ideas Including Beach and Castle Wedding Cake Ideas

While no one wants their marriage to fail, did you know that there are actually quantifiable reasons for staying with your spouse? In case you need help deciding whether to stay married or not, here are the facts:

#1 Married people are happier

In recent studies, scientists founds that married couples suffer from less depression than their unmarried counterparts. And this even takes into consideration those couples that are living together and not married. Being in a committed relationship with each other is not enough, but showing that commitment to friends, family, and the wedding DJ seems to make the bond all the more important.

#2 Married couples are more productive

While the case could be made that two people can always get more done than one, married couples seem to enjoy exploring their interests more than singles and unmarried couples. Maybe its because youve set up long term goals and thinking that guides you through the day to day, or maybe it could be because youre both challenging each other to be better – in either case, married couples just seem to get more done.

#3 Married couples learn better

Studies have shown that married couples tend to retain new knowledge longer than single or married couples. It would seem that the calmer state of the brain is more conducive to learning. And since you have someone to remind you of what youve forgotten, its a lot easier to keep those important facts in your head.

#4 Married couples are less stressed

When you have someone that is constantly supporting you and cares about how youre doing, this support system helps to buoy you in times of stress. Being able to laugh with each other and help each other helps the stressful times seem all the less, well, stressful.

#5 Married couples are healthier overall

Because of the reduced stress and increased support system, married couples tend to have fewer health problems than their married counterparts. They have fewer colds and other minor illnesses. Without the constant strain of a commitment thats sort of hazy, married couples can fight off germs and bacteria.

#6 Married couples live longer

With the increased health and ability to ward off stress, married couples tend to live longer than their unmarried counterparts. Married couples are more long term thinking and this allows them to have a more positive outlook on life and whatever is thrown at them. Even couples with long term illnesses or other stressors seem to be able to live longer than is normal.

#7 Married couples are richer

Of course, having two people in any relationship will make a couple richer, but married couples are more diligent about planning for long term goals which can lead to more stable financial results. They invest together, plan together, work together to create a retirement that will allow them to enjoy each others company long into the twilight of their lives.

#8 Married couples fight smarter

No couple is without fights or disagreements, but married couples have a more relaxed approach about getting past arguments and getting over them. The long term commitment allows them to realize that not everything is as important ‘right now”as it seems, and that most problems can blow over without too much incident.

#9 Married couples have better sex

While stereotypes might have you believe otherwise, married couples truly do have a more varied an enjoyable sex life. They tend to experiment to keep things exciting and they are focused more on the pleasure of their partner than of themselves.

#10 Married couples are more fit

Married couples have a built in workout partner and someone who will help them watch what they eat. This support system leads to an overall better outlook on fitness and health, which leads to a fitter lifestyle. Though slips in eating and exercise can affect both partners, its much more likely that married couples will get back up from their discretions and find the support to regain control of their health.

Being married isnt just the dream of the white wedding; its what happens after the guests leave and the wrapping paper has been thrown away.

Discover how you can easily bring back the Love of Your Life!

- A Potent 4-Step Strategy which always work! … No matter how stubborn the resistance, no matter how far this perosn isfrom you, no matter how hopeless your situation appears! The Good News Is It Works For Both Men and Women!

More underground relationship and love tips, FREE special reports available Here.

More and more couples are doing things a little differently for their weddings. Many couples have wedding showers co-ed style instead of the traditional girlie bridal showers and some couples are even having bridesmen and groomsmaids – attendants that stand up for them but break from the tradition of being of the same gender. Things like this may have shocked our grandparents, but these days weddings are becoming more personal and meaningful to the couple versus strictly following “how it’s always been”. So why not be a little different and plan your wedding party gifts together instead of the tradition of the Groomsmen gifts being left up to the Groom and Bridesmaid gifts being left to the Bride? These three great ideas will help get you on your way to choosing the perfect wedding party gifts for your special attendants.

One way of making the wedding party gifts fun and also meaningful is to choose a theme. This can be particularly simple if there is something that all or the majority of you already do together. One Bride and Groom recently chose golf themed gifts that were suitable for all of their attendants because they had all golfed with one another at various times. They chose items such as an 18 hole golf cooler and the fun insulated golf club drink dispenser that sits in your golf bag with your clubs and made it even more special by including gift certificates for a round at the course nearby for the Maid of Honor and the Best Man. Another variation could be to add a gift certificate for the pro shop or for lunch in the clubhouse. By including something they will use and keep as well as something experiential you will really thank them for sharing in your special day.

Another fun idea for the right group of wedding party attendants is Happy Hour and gifts of home barware. This is especially appropriate for the Bride and Groom who love wine and maybe even goes wine tasting with their friends. There are many items like beautiful wine stoppers and bottle opening tools as well as digital Wine Masters that help guide wine lovers in their selections of the perfect wine that can all be great gifts. Include a bottle of your favorite wine or perhaps a special bottle of a wine that you know your friends love, and you have a lovely wedding party gift sure to delight.

For wedding parties when there isn’t necessarily a common connection amongst the attendants apart from all being in your wedding, there is a way to tie it all together and make the wedding party gifts very meaningful. One couple recently chose a unique gift for each individual but the common link was that each gift was able to be engraved in some way. The Bride and Groom then chose a phrase that is inspirational to them and had all the gifts personalized with it along with the date of the wedding. The attendants all knew this was something personal that thought had gone into – whether they received a picture frame with the saying, a money clip or a flask. Each item was chosen with the recipient’s taste in mind, but the common personalization brought it all together with meaning.

Choosing gifts for your wedding party should not be something that adds stress to your planning. These are your special friends and you want them to feel appreciated for sharing your special day, not to mention buying that bridesmaid dress or renting yet another tux! Use these ideas to spur some imagination and creativity to come up with gifts that are not only useful, but are thoughtful and meaningful to the recipient. Combined with a personal note, they are sure to be the gifts that won’t be put away on a shelf and forgotten.

Todd Haness knows all about selecting great wedding party gifts as the head of Groomstop.com, the leading online provider of gifts for the groom, best man, groomsmen, and the rest of the wedding party! GroomStop.com offers personalized engraving on many of their products. www.groomstop.com

Children can make a wonderful addition to any wedding but they also have the potential for livening up the wedding with unexpected antics. It is important to consider the age, maturity level and predictability of the child before deciding to include them in the wedding. If you wish to include children in your wedding as either a ring bearer, a flower girl or by assigning them a task that helps them to feel included, take care to follow these tips to help things run as smooth as possible and to make participating in your wedding a pleasurable experience for the child.

One tip for including children in your wedding is to understand that children under a certain age may not be capable of performing a role in the wedding ceremony and that even if the child is old enough to understand what is required of them; there are no guarantees that they will complete their task on the wedding day. Try to choose a ring bearer and flower girl who are over the age of four and while the adult participants may only need to run through their part once, allow extra time for the child to practice their part several times. If you choose a very young child or a child that is particularly shy you may want to consider having their parent accompany them down the aisle so that they are not overwhelmed on the day of the wedding. Also, be prepared for the child to completely forget what they are supposed to do and don袢t allow their mistakes to put a damper on your wedding day. The odds are that if the child does not perform well, the other guests will simply laugh so feel free to laugh along with them and enjoy the pleasure that comes with including a child in your wedding.

Another tip for including children in your wedding is to try to really make it an experience that the child is looking forward to. One way to do this is to ask the child to participate in your wedding a few weeks in advance so that the child has time to really get excited about the idea and has a chance to tell their friends about how they are going to be in a wedding and wear a special outfit. Another way to get the child excited is to take them shopping for their wedding attire instead of choosing an outfit for them without their input. This helps to make the child feel as though their opinions are valued plus it lets them choose an outfit that they like and will look forward to wearing.

Still another tip for including children in your wedding is to have the photographer take any pictures that will include the children early in the photography session. While it is true that many children enjoy having their picture taking, they may grow impatient and irritable if they have to wait a long time to have their photos taken. Additionally, children are not used to standing still for a long time and will probably want to run and play which may result in rips or wrinkles in their wedding attire.

If the parents of the child are not in the wedding party you may want to ask one of the bridesmaids to assume responsibility for the child before the wedding, during the wedding and during the photography session so that the parents do not have to stay nearby and can enjoy the wedding and the cocktail hour. You might want to supply the bridesmaid with a small bag containing snacks and toys that will be useful in keeping the child occupied during times that may seem boring to them.

If you have a number of children in your family and want to include many of them one useful tip is to give each child a specific job. You may not be able to include all of your young friends or relatives as ring bearers or flower girls but you can give them each a task such as handing out wedding programs or bags of birdseed or placing the favors on the table at the reception. The children will feel important and you get to include them without adding length to the ceremony.

When including children in a wedding, it is important to understand that they may not do everything perfectly but you shouldn袢t get upset with them and should instead enjoy the fun that they bring to the wedding with their spirit and enthusiasm. Including children in your wedding can be a lot of fun but there are some precautions that should be taken. Following the tips in this article will help to ensure that the children are excited to participate in your wedding and are well prepared to do so.

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The aim of marriage counselling should be to help couple move towards a conscious marriage. A definition of this would be a marriage that allows the opportunity for maximum psychological and spiritual growth by becoming conscious of and cooperating with the basic goals of the unconscious mind: to be safe, to be healed and to be whole.

1. The hidden purpose of marriage is to heal childhood wounds.

This involves helping individuals recognize their unresolved childhood issues and how these issues underlie their current behaviour and emotions. This will help people to transcend their surface needs and desires and provide them with great insight into their everyday interactions.

2. Creating a more accurate image of a persons’ partner.

People tend to fuse their lover with their primary caretaker and then project their own negative traits onto their partner. In a conscious marriage these illusions gradually become shattered and one begins to see their partner as they really are; another wounded person struggling to be healed.

3. A person takes responsibility for communicating their needs and desires to their partner.

In an unconscious marriage a person expects their partner to intuitively meet their needs. A conscious marriage involves the understanding that needs require clear communication.

4. Your interactions become more intentional.

A conscious marriage entails behaving in a more constructive manner as opposed to merely reacting without thinking.

5. An individual values their partners’ needs as much as their own.

More energy is devoted to looking after ones’ partner instead of mistakenly assuming that the role of the partner is to look after ones’ every wish and desire.

6. A person embraces their negative traits.

The individual openly acknowledges the fact that they have a dark side to their personality, just like everyone else. By accepting this, a person is less likely to project these negative traits onto their partner, which serves to create a more pleasant environment.

7. New methods are learned to satisfy ones’ basic needs and desires.

When couples are locked in a power struggle, the partners tend to use negative tactics in an attempt to coerce the other to meet their needs. In a conscious marriage this can be transcended and a realization develops that the partner can help one meet their needs but only when more constructive and cooperative tactics are employed.

8. A person will learn to look inwards for the strengths and abilities they are lacking.

Partners are chosen because an individual can see in them all the abilities and strengths that they do not have. This then leads to an illusory sense of wholeness. However, in a conscious marriage a person learns that wholeness results from finding these positive traits within themselves.

9. An awareness develops of the motivation to become loving, whole and at one with the universe.

Everyone has the God-given ability to love unconditionally and experience the unity of nature and the world. However, due to imperfect parenting and social conditioning these qualities are almost all but forgotten. A conscious marriage provides the opportunity to rediscover these qualities and experience ones’ original nature.

10. The fact that creating a conscious marriage is difficult is accepted.

Typically, in an unconscious marriage, a person feels that a successful relationship involves being with the right person. In a conscious marriage, a person comes to the realization that they are with the right partner. Further, an understanding begins to develop that a good marriage requires constant hard work, courage and commitment.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Marriage Councelor