Finding the right words for your wedding inviations is extremely important in order to avoid misunterstandings. Your wedding inviations are the first hand symbol of the celebration of your love – so get them right!

Generally, wedding invitation wording should be clearly established to avoid confusions and misconception. In some cases words might have different meanings, depending in which context and where in a sentence you use them.

|Details like date, place and exact time should be clearly statet. Make sure to let your guests know whether they are invited to the ceremony or only to the reception – this is a point wich leads to confusion easily.

Take into consideration who paid for the reception: the party which paid should get the honour to invite. For example, if in case that the bride’s parents are the ones who had paid for the wedding, then, the wordings on the wedding invitation should state that it is the bride’s parent s who are requesting for the presence of the guests.

Let your guests know wether you are planning a formal wedding or if they can expect a rather laid back affair.

In general: let your guests know when to be where and what to expect. Than everybody will be happy!

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Sequence of the Toasts

The wedding toast is usually given first by the best man, then the father, the groom and the bride, and then followed by those who would like to give a toast. Versions may vary, however.

Other traditional sequences of wedding toasts also follow the best man as the first one to give the toast, followed by the groom who says a few words to his bride, parents, family, and members of the wedding party. After which, the groom is then followed by other people such as family members or friends who also want to give a toast, and then lastly, the father of the bride who thanks everyone for attending the wedding.

On the other hand, a nontraditional manner of the sequence of wedding toasts starts off with the emcee toasting the bride and groom. This is followed by the groom saying a few words to the guests and his bride, followed by the bride giving a little speech to her parents and in-laws, and finally, the father of the bride thanking everyone who shared this special day with them.

The Actual Toast

Ever since a monk named Dom Perignon invented champagne, it has since become the number one drink during wedding toasts. So before performing the wedding toast, make sure that your own glass as well as the glasses of other people (most especially the bride and groom’s) are also filled with drink.

Stand next to the bride and groom when giving your toast, and using a spoon, tap your own glass in order to get people’s attention. Raise your glass using your right hand held straight from your shoulder, and then you can begin the wedding toast.

Wedding Toast Tips

Preparing the Speech: Practice!
Giving a wedding toast, albeit a short one, in front of so many people can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. However, it doesn’t really have to be, not as long as you come prepared. Write your speech down so you would know exactly what to say. Let it come straight from your heart, so that you would be able to convey the sentiments you want to impart to the couple you are toasting. You can also try showing it to someone for comment so that you can get feedback in improving on your speech. Remember to keep on practicing until you feel confident and comfortable enough to deliver it in front of a crowd.

K.I.S.S.
Keep your wedding toast brief and straight to the point, since you wouldn’t want to divert attention away from the happy couple. Nobody wants to listen to an extremely long speech, so remember this word—K.I.S.S. (Keep It Short and Simple). A good measurement of a wedding toast is around 3 minutes.

Giving the Speech
In giving the wedding toast, speak loudly and clearly especially if you don’t have a microphone, so that people would understand what you’re going to say. Talking loudly gives you a certain presence, and now that you have the audience’s undivided attention, it’s important to hold it by not mumbling your words. So remember to talk slowly, because this is not a race to get you to finish your speech as fast as you can. Remember, people actually want to hear what you have to say.

Make Eye Contact & Smile!
Having your speech or cue cards printed out is indeed a great help in giving a wedding toast, but remember not to read it straight out from beginning to end. Make eye contact with the audience, so that they would feel that you really are speaking to them. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the most important detail of all: Smile! This is a joyous event, and your smile should actually say so!

If you are short for ideas Go Here!

Funny and vulgar are two different things. A lot of people, especially men tend to think that to be funny you have to be vulgar and rude and embarrass the newly weds, this is not true. My brother recently had the honor of being best man at his best friends wedding and the night before the big day, I think he was more nervous then the groom. My brother has always been an out going guy, but when it came to making a best man speech, he just couldn’t think of what he wanted to say and he was nervous as heck having to stand up in front of all those guests and give a heart felt speech.

It’s been said that people fear public speaking more then any other one thing in life. In this article I’m going to give you a few tips I passed on to my brother that you can take and turn your speech into something memorable. With these tips, I assure you, you won’t embarrass yourself in front of the whole wedding party.

Tip 1:  Stand up while speaking

Always, always stand up when giving a best man speech or a toast. Make sure you have the gatherings attention first before you speak, and the best way to do that is to stand up and wait for quiet. Standing up is the first rule of any good public speaking and a wedding is no different.

Tip 2:  Plan what you want to say
Never try and wing the speech. Giving a best man speech needs to be planned and written down well in advance. My brother started working on giving his best man speech weeks in advance. Unless you are a really confident public speaker, this is the best way to make sure you say everything you wanted to say.

Tip 3:  Practice pays off!
Practice your speech until you know it off by heart. There is nothing worse then giving a best man speech and having to look down at your notes constantly. Fidgeting with paper is a big no no.

Tip 4:  Keep it clean
If you and the best man have known each other for a while and you’ve had some wild times together, this is not the time to air his dirty laundry. People think that giving a best man speech gives them the right to embarrass the groom and upset the bride, this is not the case. Don’t mention the trip to the strip joint or anything of that sort.

Tip 5: Keep it short
No one wants to be bored for hours with your speech. Make it short and to the point and don’t forget to add emotion when giving your best man speech. The wedding isn’t about you, it’s about the bride and groom, don’t forget that.

I hope these tips have given you some pointers on what to do when giving your best man speech. Good luck!

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No, there is no such formula, nor right or wrong answers because it is YOUR wedding day, and only you can decide among the many wedding hairstyles, to make this day a big and unforgettable event that it is expected to be. Selecting the perfect hairstyle yourself should be an easy task because nobody better than you knows how good or bad you feel when you look in the mirror.

If you feel, there are too many things on your mind and too little time to accomplish them, get help from professional stylists, avoiding the confusion over what are best, short hairstyles, long hairstyles or a particular hairdo requiring hair treatment, coloration and even the use of hair extensions.

Creating beautiful wedding hairstyles is easy after browsing through the numerous bridal printed magazines or available on the Internet. Who else better than you can knows if you want to wear your hair up, down, curled or straight? Do not worry at all if you have no idea, because if you start planning your hairdo shortly after the engagement announcement, you will have plenty of time to ask your salon for a trial until you are satisfied with the chosen hairstyle.

Long hairstyles are still the favorites of most brides, because they add sophistication and elegance to a wedding ceremony and reception accordingly. However, do not make the mistake of loosing your personal identity by choosing wedding hairstyles that have nothing to do with your own personality.

Go for casual, romantic long hairstyles or practical, modern short styles if you feel that any of them match your own style. The only exception, perhaps, is when you are wearing short hair but you want a fashionable long hairstyle or up-do, although this problem can be resolved if you let you hair grow in plenty of time or opt using hair extensions.

When a wedding is meant to be celebrated with a small number of family members and closest friends, many brides do not worry, as much about their overall attire since there will not be any camera operators, many relatives, circumstantial friends or even strangers to pay attention on details like their hair.

That thought is a big mistake; the wedding day is the bride and groom’s day. Disregard who is attending the event, give yourself the gift of choosing between the wedding hairstyles that make you feel like a queen, whether you chose from long hairstyles, short hairstyles, or fancy hairdos made with hair extensions.

The most important piece of advice for shopping for the perfect wedding dress is to begin shopping for your dress at least six months before your wedding date.  Finding the perfect dress can take quite a bit of time and once you find the dress, it may take up to four months for the dress to be ordered and shipped to the store.  Then once the dress arrives in the store you may require several fittings to ensure that the dress fits you perfectly.  You will want to take your time and enjoy shopping for your wedding dress so it is important to begin the process early so that you avoid feeling rushed and overwhelmed.

Another worthwhile piece of advice for finding the perfect wedding dress is to try on many different styles of dresses.  Even though you may be convinced that you want a particular style you may find that the style that looks so appealing in magazines does not suit your body type.  You may also find that a style that you would have never chosen can be flattering to your figure.  For this reason it is important to try on a wide variety of styles before ruling out any particular style.  The old saying, “you won’t know unless you try it,” holds true for wedding dresses.  There have been countless brides who have found that their perfect wedding dress turned out to be significantly different from the one that they had pictured in their mind.

Although it may sound counterintuitive, the color of the wedding dress is an important consideration in choosing the perfect wedding dress.  Many people think that the only acceptable color for a wedding dress is a pure white but if you are open to other options, you may find yourself in a wedding dress that is far more flattering to your skin tone than a pure white dress.  Wedding dresses come in a multitude of colors including ivory, cream and even subtle beiges.  If you are willing to consider these options it is important to try on dresses in these colors to see how they work with your complexion.

Choosing the perfect wedding dress sometimes requires reinforcements.  Having a few trusted friends or family members come dress shopping with you can help you find the dress of your dreams.  They can offer opinions on each dress that you try on and can also scour the countless racks of dresses available and choose dresses for you to try on.   Many brides instantly know that they have chosen the perfect wedding dress the moment they put on the dress but having trusted friends and family members along can confirm this feeling.  The moment you step out of the dressing room and reveal the dress you are wearing you may see instant confirmation that this is the perfect dress.  The reactions of your assistants will indicate that you have found the perfect dress.

When you have found the perfect wedding dress, you will know it so now is also the time to buy the dress.  Nothing is more important than your gut feeling and the reactions of your shopping partners so if you know you have the perfect dress in your hands, don’t risk losing the dress by opting to think about it for a few days before you make your purchase.  There is always the chance that the last available dress will be sold or that the company will discontinue the dress so do not allow yourself to miss out on buying the perfect wedding dress by not buying it the moment you realize it is the dress for you.

The wedding dress is a critical element in a wedding.  It is what makes a bride truly stand out and it is important for the bride to ensure that she has chosen the perfect wedding dress.  The minute a future bride steps into a wedding dress she will know instantly whether or not it is the perfect dress.  It’s important to trust this gut reaction and act accordingly in choosing the perfect wedding dress.

Get Organized
Before you can actually start putting your celebrity-style wedding reception together, you need to get yourself organized. Think about what you want. At this stage, don’t worry about how much things will cost. When you get to the shopping stage you will be able to determine what is feasible or not. The main items you should include on your list are wedding venue, decorations, food and drink, placecards, centerpieces, and music. Need a Plan? Download your free Wedding Planning Guide here!

Enlist the Troops
If you want to save money on your wedding reception-skip hiring a professional. These individuals are typically highly skilled in what they do and their fees prove it! Your best bet is to find people who are willing to help you for free. You shouldn’t have look further than your family and friends. Enlist the services of as many people as you can. This includes children. Children can be especially helpful with repetitive crafts, so include them in your wedding reception plans. Don’t wait until the last minute to solicit assistance. Let people know way in advance that you will need them to help you with your wedding reception.

Time to Shop
With your list of wedding reception ideas in hand, it is time to start shopping. The venue for your wedding reception will probably be the most expensive part of the reception. Cheap alternatives that don’t look cheap include restaurants and church halls. If you choose to have your wedding reception at a restaurant, make sure that you can use your own flatware, plates, and glasses. You can purchase elegant versions of these at discount shops for less than $100, depending on the number of guests you invite. Simplify food at your wedding reception by having three choices from which your guests can choose when they RSVP to your invitation. Caters charge less when you order by the plate. As an added touch you can place a delicious assortment of divinity on each table. For your centerpieces and decorations, hobby shops offer the best prices. You can find design ideas that you can create you and your troops can create for very little. Placecards aren’t a necessity, but if you have assigned people at tables, placecards will help people to find their table. You can create your own wedding reception placecards by purchasing an inexpensive greeting card software program and elegant paper. You will need an inkjet printer to print the cards. Unless you know someone who will offer you a cheap price for wedding reception music, skip the DJ and the live band. Creating a few CDs of various popular love songs is a less expensive choice. Go Here to get more ideas!

Reward the Troops
A wedding dinner with the wedding party (bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents) just before the wedding ceremony is traditional. It is a good idea to either invite your wedding reception helpers to this dinner or to a separate fun event. At this event you should show your appreciation for helping make your wedding reception the best ever!

You have found an excellent groom and bought that superb dress. You’re anticipating a flawless wedding. You now desire the perfect wedding venue. Choose wisely when finding a wedding venue. It is, after all, where you will share lasting memories with friends and relatives.

Here are some ideas on how to chose that perfect wedding venue:

Trust your intuition. When you arrive at a venue you will automatically have a certain reaction towards it. Trusting your instinct is important. If you have a good feeling about the venue then that’s a good start.You will know if a particular venue is right for you or not. You should not however leave out the logical choices in choosing a wedding venue. It will have to feel right because you and the man you love will exchange vows here.

Pace yourself. Don’t go rushing into choosing the perfect wedding venue. Having a wedding is one of the most important events in your life so you will want to make a wise decision. Try to start looking for a venue about a year before the wedding date if possible. You will then have enough time to make good decisions and alter the venue if something happens.

Think about the size. The venue size is vitally important in your decision. Pick a venue that is too tiny and it will be awkward and annoying. The wedding will loose its intimacy if the venue is too large. The number of guests will dictate the the size. You will need a rough idea of how many guests you will plan on inviting before looking for your wedding venue. Try to be as accurate as possible. Don’t just say I want to invite from 200 to 500 guests. Such a large difference in the number of guest would affect venue size.Remember to leave enough space for the dance area. The more guests you have, the bigger space you need to designate for the dance area.

Review the parking area. Many people who have attended weddings complain of limited parking space. Make sure your choice of wedding venue has generous space for all of your guests. Parking may be a minor consideration but it could be the key between a satisfied guest and a frustrated one.

Find out if there are any restrictions for the venue. There might be some type of noise restriction which would hinder your decision to hire a band and have a loud sound system. There are time restrictions on some venues while others let you have a great time all night long. There are even some with restrictions on decorations.
Ascertain whether the venue would allow you to bring your own florist, caterer, decorator, etc because some might have specific professionals and contractors they would like you to use.

Create a diagram of your wedding. Have a setup on paper or your mind before choosing a wedding venue. You have to know where each of the following will be located: reception area, dining area, and seating for guests, etc. Then review whether your venue fits the setup you have in mind.

It is mandatory to thank your guests after your wedding for their presents, but also for sharing your big day with you. Not everyone is a writer, so you might have a hard time searching for the right words. Why don´t borrow words of famous poets? You might use an appropriate quote and add some personal phrases. Here is a small collection of quotes that you might use:

How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it! ~George Elliston

I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom. ~Unknown Author

I feel a very unusual sensation – if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~Jean Baptiste Massieu

Love is the way I walk in gratitude. ~ A Course in Miracles

Every time we remember to say “thank you”, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.
~ I Corinthians 13:13

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. ~ Old English Rhyme

Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same.~ Emily Bronte

We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. ~ Sam Keen

Friendship is a furrow in the sand. ~Tongan proverb

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. ~ Kahlil Gibran

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. ~ Unknown

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. ~ Jewish Saying

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.~ Anonymous

Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.– Swedish proverb

If you feel like sharing the joy of your wedding day, giving to those less affortunate might be a great option. While you could just make a donation to any charity close to your heart, you might also give in the name of your guests.

There are organisations like Practical Presents that let you chose the good cause you would like to contribute to. The choices range from financing a flock of goats or chicken to buying a well for a village comunity or planting trees.

How do you present these unique wedding favors to your guests? There are various possibilities. The easiest one: just prepare a little card for each guest (they might even double as place cards) explaining the good cause you contributed to in their name. Or you might prepare something a little more elaborate: if you bought some chicken, get a little flower pot and sow some catgrass. Once it has grown (make sure you get the timing right!), place a little plastic hen (from dollar- or toy stores) on the grass. Prepare a little card wich says „there is a chicken with your name“ – on the backside explain i one short sencence where your money went. Sounds too complicated? Just substitute the flowerpot and the catgrass with a little square of articial lawn. Instead of a plastic hen you could also use a quial egg – make little holes at either end and blow out what is inside and just use the shell.

This is just one idea – depending on what good cause you contributed to, you will have to get creative!

Don´t get me wrong – this is by no means a cheap wedding favor. But a very original one, and a favor your guests will remember for years to come. And on top of it you might even change the lifes of people for the better – they will be remembering your wedding day, even if they won´t know whom gave this gift to them – and why…

How about giving each guest a picture of themselves as a wedding favor? Discuss this idea with your photographer: if he takes a photo of every guest or couple as they enter the reception venue and brings along a portable printer plus an appropriate amount of photo cards, it shouldn´t be a problem for him to provide you with a photo for everybody before the end of the evening. If you want to take this idea even further, you might get personalized photo-frames with the date and your names on them and instruct the photographer (or better an assistant – otherwise you won´t get any pictures of your reception) to stick the photos in the frames.

As part of the entertainment the photographer could even provide a slideshow presentation of the protraits taken – I am sure everybody will be thrilled about the opportunity to get a professional photo of themselves all dressed up for your wedding!