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Wedding Ideas Newsletter, Issue #004
January 12, 2010

In this Issue:


Learn more about how you can share your wedding stories, wedding planning stories and opionions on our website.

See what is new at Wedding Ideas in the last month.

Read these Wedding Articles:

  • Jewelry to Compliment Your Wedding Dress

  • Choosing a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type? No Problem

  • What Questions to Ask the Wedding DJ?

  • Bridesmaid Dresses Tips

  • Questions to Ask When Choosing a Wedding Reception Location



Also Do Not Miss Our Featured Wedding Vendor, Wedding Product and a Coupon Code for a Popular Wedding Store!



Share Your Wedding Stories and Ideas

A few months back we added a new feature to our site letting our guests and subscribers to share their stories and ideas on specific wedding topics and wedding planning. If you are interested in being heard or you want to check it out follow this link:

Share Your Wedding Story




New This Month

If you have not been on the website for awhile you may wonder what articles you may have not read yet. Here are a few selections you may not of had the chance to see yet:

Creative Wording For Wedding Invitations

Beautiful Wedding Centerpieces

The best Hotels in Hawaii



As always if you want to see the most recent articles and information available check out our Wedding Planning Blog. NEW FEATURE - if you are looking to shop for your wedding we have added a new feature for 2010. We will be highlighting a wedding product every week as well as a wedding vendor, so subscribe to the blog so you do not miss anything!





Jewelry to Compliment Your Wedding Dress

When you first think about wedding jewelry you may automatically think about the wedding ring itself. Even though the wedding ring is the most important piece of jewelry to be placed on the bride, there are many other pieces of jewelry to consider. The wedding ring does not end up with the bride until the middle of the ceremony. The rest of her jewelry that day will be worn as she walks down the aisle, as she stands in front of her soon-to-be spouse, and for the rest of the party night in most cases.

In order to make sure that you are completely stunning from head to toe it is important to make sure that you have the right jewelry to compliment your wedding dress. But what is it exactly that is a perfect match for the dress you picked out? If you have yet to pick up your wedding dress you could always ask the sales associat for his or her opinion. Often times places that sell the bridal gowns will have a decent selection of bridal jewelry. While they are out there to make a sale they are generally trained with an eye on which goes with which. This means that you could very well have expert opinions right at your fingertips.

What type of jewelry should you consider? Honestly, it depends on the dress you will be wearing. Consider earrings and necklaces, which are most commonly worn. If you are wearing a high neck wedding gown then the necklace is no longer an option. For the low cut necklines, necklaces can be all right as long as the dress is not too busy. Experts agree that if your dress has a lot of beads and sparkles everywhere then you should probably not wear a necklace, as it could be overkill. Simple stud earrings in that case might work best.

If your gown is not all that flashy then the sparkly necklace and dangle earrings may work perfectly. Try on several different styles of bridal jewelry to see which compliment your wedding dress the best. You may actually be surprised at what you come up with in the end. It is important, though, that you have a backup plan since there is a chance you completely change your mind if you find something better as the wedding day comes closer.

There are many places that sell wedding jewelry with a money back guarantee or exchange policy within a certain timeframe. This could very well come in handy if you happen to stumble across something that is even better suited to compliment your wedding dress.

In the end, you will be happy with what you come up with. Don't worry too much about it, as you already know that the guests will be looking at you as a whole, and not just at your earrings. So do a little research, a little shopping, and most importantly have fun with it as this is a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.



Liked this article? Here is another might enjoy:

Learn More About Bridal Jewelry




Choosing a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type? No Problem

Almost every woman wants to get their wedding day right. It is a very special occasion and most have imagined exactly how the big day will be when it finally comes. For this reason, it’s a must for women to get every detail of their wedding right- from the food to the invitations to the venue for the reception, and of course, their wedding dress.

If there is one detail about a wedding that a woman feels most attached to, it is the dress she will wear on the big day and how to choose one is an important thing to learn in the whole process. No bride should have to look less than her best on her wedding day and her gown must be something that compliments her although it is true that not every type of gown made suits just any woman.

Women come is varying shapes and sizes and there is a different type of dress that looks best on certain body types. The first and most important thing to do is to determine your body type. Are you slender or full figured? Bottom or top heavy? Small or large chested? Women will usually want a wedding dress that accentuates their best parts and hides those that they aren’t too happy with.

If you are a full figured or petite woman, you might be best off with a dress that has an a-line skirt. This type of dress will help create a slimmer silhouette for the fuller figured woman, while a petite bride will be given the illusion of added height.

Women who are full figured on the bottom are advised to go for dresses that are more form fitting in the upper body area. This way, the upper half is accentuated with no attention being drawn to the lower area. As for those who are full chested, a strapless is best avoided as those who have more bust need more support from dress straps, plus a strapless dress will draw attention to your chest area.

Necklines are also an important part of choosing your wedding dress. This is the best way to accentuate your chest, neck, shoulder, or collarbones, or mask and hide certain areas. Women with a fuller bust can certainly carry a sweetheart neckline, although this also works to further accentuate or create a bust for those who are not too well endowed. If you plan on emphasizing your collarbones or shoulders then an asymmetrical top or an off shoulder neckline would be the best choice. However, this is not recommended for women with very broad shoulders.

A halter neckline, on the other hand, works well to accentuate the shoulders for such women and those with a larger bust. There are necklines, though, that generally go well with any body type, such as the square neck or the scoop neck and these are usually the necklines on most general dresses.

When it comes to choosing your wedding dress, remember too that you are the one wearing it – not your guests. So if you don’t feel comfortable in it despite all the advice, it is not the dress for you. Make sure you pick a dress you will love wearing while at the same time, will make you look the best you can on your big day. Good luck!



Here are some other articles you might enjoy:

Wedding Dresses - From Traditional To Modern Wedding Dresses

Wedding Dress Styles

A Line Wedding Dresses




What Questions to Ask the Wedding DJ?

The biggest thing that most people ask of their wedding DJs is the price, but there's a lot more you should be finding out about when you decide to hire someone for your big day. There are lots of other factors you might not think of right away when it comes to the DJ, but that you should know about. Let's take a look at a few things that every couple should find out from their prospective DJ before any contracts are signed or agreements are made. It could spare you some unpleasant surprises.

1. Will the DJ also be an MC? Many people don't realize that not every DJ is also a master of ceremonies. Look for someone that offers this service, or select someone else to act as an MC and deal with finding the right things to say at the right time during your wedding.

2. Are setup and takedown included in the price? Some DJs do their own setup and takedown and use some of the time booked for it. Others will offer this service for free, and some DJs won't use the paid time for it, but will charge extra. You should know exactly what services you're paying for.

3. Is there a retainer, and when is the balance due? Respectable DJs tend to charge a retainer, and should present you with a contract to be signed by both parties. DJs who do not do this are a red flag. Take care when dealing with them.

4. How much control do I have over the music? You should have the ability to select a playlist from the DJ's music library, and if songs you want are not available, your DJ should be willing and able to acquire them for you. You should also be able to request that certain songs not be played.

5. What are the available dates? Don't assume the DJ isn't booked for another job. Be sure to retain him or her well in advance, so you know your wedding music will go off without a hitch.

6. Who will actually be DJing? If you're working with a service, there's a good chance that you're not going to be talking to the person who'll actually be playing at your wedding. However, you should expect to get in touch with him or her very shortly after the signed contract and retainer have been dealt with. Contact information and information about your wedding should be shared at this time. This session usually lasts about an hour, and is not something to skip!

7. What kind of experience does your DJ have? You want someone who's experienced and has provided entertainment for weddings before. Find out how many weddings and other events the DJ does per year, and how long he or she has worked in the industry. Will the DJ be doing other work the same day as your wedding? If so, he or she might be tired by the time yours occurs. Keep this in mind when hiring.

So as you can see, there are more questions to ask your potential DJ than about the price. Getting answers to all your questions beforehand can lead to smooth and successful entertainment at your wedding reception.




Bridesmaid Dresses Tips

If you're planning a wedding, one thing you'll need to factor in is what the bridesmaids are going to wear. We've all heard horror stories about brides who choose hideous gowns that just don't suit the women wearing them. No one wants to be Bridezilla! Fortunately, it's relatively easy to pick bridesmaid dresses that look great, don't cost too much, and don't compete with the bridal gown. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect dresses for your bridesmaids.

Rule 1 is to control as little as you have to. Lots of brides get caught up in the idea that they have to be in control of everything. But the less you actually have to be in charge of, the lower your stress level will be. Ask your wedding party what their favorite styles are, whether they have any concerns about modesty, and what their measurements are. Then, think about what you want out of your wedding.

If you just want the bridal party to look similar, choose a color and a rough style (such as skirt length and shape) and let the bridesmaids pick their own gown. That way, they control fit, dress type, and cost, and can keep all of them within their personal preferences. If you don't want certain elements in your wedding, be sure to specify. This type of bridesmaid gown selection process is the easiest on everyone. Of course, it won't work for every wedding - truly formal weddings may require all bridesmaids to match. In this case, try to reach a compromise that will work well on all your bridesmaids, without making anyone feel like "the ugly one" or exceeding the amount they can pay.

Take into consideration the body shapes of your bridesmaids. If they all have similar figures, it's much easier to find a style that flatters that figure. If you have an assortment of body shapes, which is probably likely, pick the style that looks the best on most of them while not looking a complete disaster on the others.

Remember that formal weddings call for longer gowns, and that you'll want to stick to a relatively limited color palette. The bridesmaids should look good, but they should also blend in and not take attention away from you. After all, it's your big day to shine. Get everyone fitted wearing the correct shoes and undergarments, and remind your bridesmaids not to lose a lot of weight right before the wedding. Otherwise, their dresses might not fit. At minimum, the bridesmaids shouldn't make any major physical changes after the last fitting.

Shop around for the best prices on gowns for your bridesmaids, too. Whether they're buying them for themselves, or you're helping with the cost, no one wants to pay more than they have to. Discount shops and online retailers can often offer a good price. Just remember that a gown needs to be available in a wide range of sizes - the last one on the rack isn't an option when you're dressing several people. Take the time to think about what works best on your bridesmaids. Remember that you don't have to be a micromanager, and you'll have no problem getting a great looking wedding party without much stress.



Want to know more about Bridesmaid Dresses? Here is another article that might interest you:

Find Tips on Choosing The Right Bridesmaid Dresses (including affordable ones!)




Questions to Ask When Choosing a Wedding Reception Location

It doesn't matter whether you're having a fancy reception or a simple one - you have a lot of details to work through. There are plenty of things you'll need to know before you have your reception in order to avoid any nasty surprises. Here are a few of the questions you'll need to ask any location manager before choosing a wedding reception facility.

1. What will it cost and how will you pay?

2. Do you need a deposit in advance?

3. When will your final head count for the reception be required?

4. Will you need to rent tables, chairs and linens separately, or will they be included in the overall cost of the reception?

5. Will you be charged extra if your guests stay longer than planned?

6. Will your party be the only one there the day of the wedding?

7. If there are other parties, how many will there be that day, and will any of them be happening at the same time as your reception?

8. Does the facility have a liquor license and the ability to serve your guests?

9. Can you bring your own liquor? Will you need to pay a corkage fee to do so?

10. Is there a coat check?

11. How about valet parking? If it's available, what does it cost?

12. Is there an in-house caterer you'll be required to use, or can you choose your own?

13. Is there an area for the bride and groom to change if needed?

14. Is there a good place to take formal wedding portraits?

15. Does the wedding reception facility have a dance floor and room for a band or DJ?

16. Will you need to use the house DJ, or hire your own entertainment?

17. Are there any limitations on the type of music or entertainment you can have?

18. Will a location manager be available to help the day of the reception?

19. What are the rules about decorations? Who do you purchase them from - can you bring your own?

20. Is there a backup location for outdoor venues in case of inclement weather?

21. How many guests are permitted in the room?

22. Does the venue provide the cake? If it does not, will you have to pay a cake cutting fee to bring your own cake?

23. Who does set up and clean up? Will you need to do it on your own?

24. If the venue provides set up and clean up, will there be an additional fee for either of them?

25. How long is the reception facility available for your reception?

The answers to these questions will help you make the choice of facility and work out the rest of your budget. Be on the lookout for hidden fees or unusual rules you may not be expecting. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.



Want to know more about the wedding reception? Check out the following links:

Winter Wedding Themes

The Wedding Reception

Decorating For Wedding Receptions





Have you started shopping for your wedding yet? If you need some places to shop we have some suggestions.


We have our own wedding store which offers thousands of items to choose from, so check it out and bookmark it for later:


Wedding Store

If you are looking for more reading material to help you plan your wedding, check this out:

Wedding Books and Magazines



Here is our featured wedding vendor of the month:




Evergreen Twist Dress



The Dessy Group sells a variety of dresses for the bride, the bridesmaid and the flower girl. They also carry accessories.



Here is our featured product of the month:


This fun, slip-on style goes upscale with luxurious silk satin and that fabulous crystal detailing that Grazia is known for. Heel measures 2 3/8". You choose white or ivory. The fabric is not dyeable.



If you are in the market for wedding shoes this might be what you were looking for!



I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. As always good look with planning your wedding and contact me if there is anything I can help you with!
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