Getting married isn't easy, especially if you don't have exerience in the traditions. Let us educate you on the "dos and don'ts" of wedding etiquette and traditions.
| About Flowers |
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Flowers. Once you understand flowers, you'll understand why bees and brides alike love them. And when love is in bloom, nothing says it better than nature's little symbols of adoration and beauty. Flowers capture the moment and bathe your wedding day in fragrance and color. These little blossoms can adorn church aisles, wedding cakes, buffet tables and even your wedding party! It's your job to decide where to place them. It's our job to tell you all about them. Here's to hoping you don't get stung! » Full article |
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| Bachelor Party |
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There are few things that terrorize a bride more than the thought of her man out sowing his wild oats the night before the wedding. This image is becoming a ghost of bachelor parties past. Many of today's grooms are happy with a gathering of friends over beer and burgers than strippers and stogies. Even still, we think that it's a good idea to brush up on some of the rules of this man party. » Full article |
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| Bachelorette Party |
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Your friend is engaged, she's wearing her new ring and everyone can see her glowing from a mile away. This calls for a celebration! You may already be planning a party or some other kind of event that will mark the end of her days as a single female. And what friend wouldn't? Whether the celebration is mild or wild, we have a few recommendations and rules for you to review. Learn these tips now and maybe this little celebration will keep her from becoming a bridezilla later. » Full article |
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| Changing Your Name |
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If you both plan to keep your current names, you can skip this section. If either of you are considering a name change; read on! You may be wondering what the possibilities are concerning this task. Do you have to take your new husband's name? Can you just keep yours? Can you have the best of both worlds and hyphenate them? How can you go about letting everyone know of your choice? You shall remain nameless until after you read the facts of calling yourself something different. Here is a breakdown of nearly everything you need to know! » Full article |
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| Commitment Ceremonies |
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Although same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Minnesota, that doesn't mean that you and your partner can't celebrate your relationship with a commitment ceremony. Just like a wedding, these occasions call for careful planning. There is a guest list to draft, invitations to send and ceremony and reception sites to find. The only thing missing is a marriage license! Here are some tips on how to make your special day special. » Full article |
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| Fail-safe Fixes |
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You have spend the better part of the past year planning your wedding down to the very last detail. You have you i's dotted and your t's crossed. The vendor contracts are all signed, the deposits all made and the rehearsal was flawless. Rest assured, something will go wrong. But if it's on the list below, you will be prepared! » Full article |
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| Having Children at the Wedding |
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Many couples argue over the pros and cons of allowing guests to bring their kids to the wedding. Although it is poor etiquette to outright bar children directly on the invitation, it may be hinted at by leaving their names off the envelope. However, including them in the invite opens the possibility that you will end up with at least some rug rats at your nuptials. » Full article |
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| Meet the Parents |
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Nervous about meeting the parents of the one you adore? While a few butterflies can be good to help keep you on your toes, having too many can get in the way of making a good impression. Whether it's your first time meeting them or just your first time meeting them to ask for their daughter's hand, let us give you a few pointers. Your worries (and your butterflies) may diminish enough to get the job done. » Full article |
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| Prenuptial Agreements |
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Nobody likes to think about the end of their marriage, especially when they are planning their wedding. It has been said that the only certain things are death and taxes. It is ironic that a prenuptial agreement can address both of those issues. Although it has a reputation of being a horrible idea thrust upon an unassuming mate, there are some pretty good reasons to look into a prenup. Learn more and judge for yourself if a prenup is right for you. » Full article |
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| Registry Tips |
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One thing that you will want to do is register you and your mate for gifts at a local or national retailer. Most places will let you do this online, eliminating the need to visit the actual store, but you may want to make the trip to see the merchandise first hand. Below, we have tips for creating your betrothal wish list and we have highlighted things to avoid as well. Happy hunting! » Full article |
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| Selecting Vendors |
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You and your mate will meet a lot of people on your way to your Big Day. You will have to deal with a list of musicians, photographers, florists, videographers, hairstylists, salespeople, jewelers and perhaps an officiant or two. What you are about to do is nothing short of interviewing lots of people for a few temporary positions. It is almost like running a small company! The better you manage, the better the results. » Full article |
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| Setting the Date |
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So, you met the love of your life, a ring was presented, a proposal was made and accepted. Congratulations, you are on your way to getting married! Now what do you do? Pick the date, of course! » Full article |
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| The Announcement |
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So, you've just gotten engaged! Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, the sun is shining (at least in your head) and you want to call everyone from the top of Cloud Nine and tell them the news. Before you pick up the phone, you may want to educate yourselves about the proper ways to let everyone know. Who should you tell first? Etiquette dictates that the first people to know are your immediate families. Yes, there is etiquette involved here, too! Most of these rules are well-rooted in tradition, so it is up to you if you would like to follow them. Either way, a little more knowledge doesn't hurt and there is nothing wrong with the traditional route! » Full article |
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| The Financial Aspect |
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If you have never had the opportunity to ask how weddings are funded, here is your chance! Here are some tips for the budget-minded and also the traditional breakdown of who pays for what. » Full article |
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| The Guest List |
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One of the best parts of any wedding is sharing the joy with others. Unfortunately, getting to that part can be a bit perplexing at times. Here are some basics about how to start and manage your guest list. » Full article |
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| The Invitations |
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How do you eloquently round up a lifetime's worth of people from two different families into the same place and on the same date? You invite them, of course! Here are some helpful hints to creating invitations that are inviting and informative. Don't forget to account for postage! » Full article |
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| The Proposal |
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Many a man has gone out of his way to make the local news with their witty and creative proposals. Sure, you can rent a billboard, hire a skywriter or drop to one knee in front of everyone in the Metrodome, but proposing marriage is not a contest in creativity. Nor should it be turned into some kind of reality show. This may be the most important question of your lives and the last thing that should be on your mind is competing with the last guy that made the 10:00 news. A little creativity can make it fun, just don't go overboard. » Full article |
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| The Ring |
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There are rules in a man's life. Don't drink your buddy's last beer. Don't wax your car in the sun. Never get caught riding a moped. Although you know these rules, you are at a loss when it comes to the “Rules of Engagement.” But what kind of man knows these rules? The man who wants to have a hand in his own betrothal! Heed this warning: without this knowledge, you are as cursed as the moped you rode in on. Read the rest of this article and you may just learn everything you need to know to keep your future wife (and maybe your in-laws) happy. » Full article |
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| Wedding Glossary |
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In case you need to know what a huppah is or what an usher does, we have collected the following wedding words, phrases and titles and turned the lingo into something everyone can understand. » Full article |
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| The Wedding Party |
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The wedding party is made up of the closest and dearest people you have in your lives. This is a chance to bring together family and friends from both sides to help you plan and celebrate the ultimate act of devotion. From the Maid of Honor to the flower girl, each roll is as important as the person filling it. » Full article |
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| The Wedding Shower |
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Now that you have cemented the idea of being a bride in the minds of all you hold dear, they may want to celebrate your new status and shower you with gifts. A wedding shower (sometimes called bridal shower) is a time for people to gather and celebrate the fact that you are beginning a new life. These days, both the bride and the groom can attend these showers as tradition has become a little relaxed. And if you've been married before, don't worry – you can still have a shower thrown in your honor! For the one throwing the bash, knowing the traditions of this cheerful affair is the key to hosting a wonderful shower. » Full article |
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| Wedding Guest Etiquette |
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When two people go through months of detailed planning for an event that will mark a new era in their lives, the last thing they want is any sort of unruly distraction that will take away from their special day. As a wedding guest, you should be pleasant and considerate of not only your hosts, but the other guests as well. And your good manners should start even before you get to the wedding! » Full article |
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| Wedding Insurance |
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Nobody knows what the future will bring. Here you are, planning your special day hoping that everything goes perfectly. But what if your flower girl comes down with the flu and you have to replace her quickly or the five piece quartet you hired shows up with only four pieces? Chances are, there will be a few hiccups like these along the way, but nothing major. For the most part, the minor problems that happen at almost every stage of wedding planning are quickly forgotten as the joy of the event sets in. But things like a tornado on your wedding day, the best man losing the rings or a quarantine on your reception hall won't happen to you, right? Care to put some money on that? If you purchase a Wedding Insurance policy, you can! » Full article |
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| Wedding Party Duties |
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In case you need to know what your chosen wedding party should traditionally be up to, we have the duties listed for you! » Full article |
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| Wedding Planning Time-Line |
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You said yes, now on to the I do! The engagement process is one of many successes and challenges you will face as you begin making decisions together. The timeline that follows is simply a guide. Feel free to customize it to your unique and specific tastes. Delegate what you can and it will assist in your stress levels. Also try to keep in mind that the more time you have (8 months to 1 year recommended by this wedding planner), the better selection of dates you will have available as well as overall cost savings. » Full article |
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