Wedding Tiara

Should You Buy a Crystal Wedding Tiara?

When I'm talking about crystal wedding tiaras I'm referring to a wedding tiara handcrafted from Swarovski or other types of crystal, not manufactured tiaras which contain rhinestones or diamantes.

So why choose crystal over diamante?

Diamante tiaras are mass produced and therefore cheap, often imported and widely available, for some they make the perfect choice especially if the budget is severely limited. But since they are machine produced there's no option to amend the design for example changing the colour. So if you've seen a design you like but want to shorter, in different colours or in a child size, you're stuck. This is where crystal tiaras have a massive advantage.

If you choose a crystal wedding tiara you will be able to add other crystal colours to your tiara so you can co-ordinate your bridal accessories with your wedding colours. For example when I created my own tiara I added fire opal crystals to match the orange of my bouquet. Another idea is incorporating the colour of the embroidery on your wedding dress into your wedding tiara.

If you're planning on having similar but less detailed tiaras for your bridesmaids this can easily be done with crystal tiaras where as it would be very difficult to find a diamante manufactured tiara that will match. Many brides that I've worked with have young daughters with are either being child bridesmaids or flower girls and they want a miniature version of their own tiaras which is only possible with crystal wedding tiaras and it looks really cute.

How much should I pay for a crystal wedding tiara?

Crystal wedding tiaras are usually handcrafted. Their prices range considerably and at the top end of the spectrum you could pay £100's. Be aware that crystal tiaras that cost this much have a massive mark up and you can probably find a similar design for much less. At the other end of the scale there are very inexpensive designs which may be poorly finished with sharp wires and substandard crystal, glass or even plastic beads. A price between £40 to £70 is considered reasonable for a full crystal wedding tiara but this depends on the time taken and the cost of the materials involved. Obviously the more time it takes to create a tiara the more you will pay. You may also be able to buy bridesmaids tiaras for much less than this.

Rules for buying a crystal tiara

There are some general rules when choosing a crystal tiara. When deciding on the height of your crystal tiara ensure it will compliment your face shape. You can read more about this in our free tiara advice guide. Ensure your tiara will match your other wedding jewellery, many crystal tiaras are available with either silver or gold base and clear or clear AB crystals, so don't choose an all clear AB tiara then match it with clear crystal jewellery it just won't look right.

So will you be buying a crystal wedding tiara?

There are so many advantages to choosing a crystal tiara over a diamante one, even if your not 100% won over, its definitely worth taking a look at crystal tiaras and having a chat to see if your dream tiara can be made within your budget.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Table Decoration.

Bridal Accessories

Saving Money on Bridal Accessories Online

With so many bridal websites all selling the same bridal tiaras, veils and jewelry, it's fairly easy to compare prices. But there are other money saving tips that will help you the find bridal accessories you want at prices you can afford.

Sales in the months of October through January tend to be the slowest in the bridal industry. This is the time to look online for special discounts, buy-one-get-one-free, and clearance products. Most sites put their returned merchandise on "clearance" and there is nothing wrong with these items, they just didn't meet the needs of the original buyer.

Flat rate shipping is another great way to save by shopping online. If you can purchase a bridal tiara and five brooches for your bridesmaids and only pay one price for shipping, it's much less expensive than per-item shipping costs. Some advertise "free shipping on orders over $100." This won't do you any good if you're looking for two sets of earrings. Always look for flat rate shipping when you have a choice.

Many bridal websites now have their own blogs. This is a great way to find contests and free giveaways. Again, they may be giving away some of their returned merchandise, but you might be lucky enough to win the perfect wedding veil. Blogs are also a good place to find announcements such as "20% off all our earrings for this month only." The age of the blog and the number of posts determines how much traffic it receives. If you enter a contest on a newer blog, you may find very little competition and stand a much better chance of winning free bridal accessories.

Plan ahead and try to shop for discount bridal accessories online during the slower months. Carefully read the shipping instructions and choose flat rate shipping when available. Look for clearance items. Read the website's blog posts to determine whether they sponsor contests or giveaways. All of these will help you save money buying bridal accessories online.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Centerpieces.

Wedding Programs

Tips and Hints in Choosing a Wedding Program

The wedding program has become an integral part of the wedding to give family and guests a glimpse of what will happen on the special day of the couple. Although there is no book on etiquette that will tell you that a program is a requirement and many countries and cultures have not yet embraced this part of the wedding. It is the initiative of the couple and their planner to provide one for every family that will attend the wedding especially if the couple feels that it is necessary.

A wedding program as a necessity

There are certain considerations that some couples believe are necessary which is why they provide wedding programs to their guests and families. For instance, there are guests who have different religion/s or culture/s and may not understand what will happen during the ceremony up to the reception.

Some couples include a wedding program out of etiquette. They want their guests to be a part of the celebration from start to finish which is why they provide a list of things that will happen, some acknowledgments and other information as needed.

Choosing the wedding program that will suit your preference

There is no single rule on what you can do and put into your wedding program. It can be as simple as an outlined list of events that will happen during the wedding. Some may opt to include their acknowledgments as well as the list of key persons such as those included in the entourage, the sponsors and of course the wedding officiant.

As for the appearance of the program, you may want to choose a format and color theme that will follow your motif and overall style of your wedding. So if you are planning to have a medieval-themed wedding, it's best that your invitations and program have the same design and theme- from the color theme to the lettering. For simple but elegant weddings, whites and beiges are common color themes and these also apply to your invitations and program hand-outs.

Ready-made template or made-to-order wedding program

When it comes to making the program, couples can choose from ready-made or made-to-order wedding programs. Those that are ready-made may be downloadable and printable templates from the internet. Some of these are free while some are paid for very minimal prices. If you have the time and if you are cutting on budget, it's best to choose the ready-made and downloadable wedding program from the internet. You can save more if you find free templates that will suit your wedding motif and style.

As for the made-to-order wedding programs, be prepared to pay more especially if you have specific details that are unique to your wedding theme. Of course these are more personalized and detailed compared to those that are free from the net.

Whichever you choose from these preferences, the key points are the wedding theme, color motif, style and budget. Your program can be simple and yet detailed so as not to bore your guests. And make sure that at first glance your guests and family will be able to follow the program.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Centerpieces.

Wedding Checklist

A Free Wedding Checklist Planner For Low Budget, Stress - Free Wedding Planning

When you plan a big affair like your wedding, a free wedding checklist planner will definitely help you stick to your low budget planning, no matter who's paying for what parts of the event. You can't wait until the last minute to book everything and buy everything or you will spend thousands of dollars.

But if you start planning early enough and use a free wedding checklist planner, you'll be able to get the best deals and maybe even have the time to do some of the projects yourself for ultimate savings. So using a free checklist planner will definitely help you keep things in order and know when to do what, like when to order wedding favors or when to book your venues.

A free wedding checklist planner will help you decide on those things you need to book head of time versus those that can wait until a few weeks before the wedding day.

Different planners will have different schedules, but it's best to start your own checklist at least nine months to a year before your wedding date (preferably longer if you can do it).

This is a general outline of what your checklist should include:

1. Guest List
2. Book your venue
3. Book your music-DJ, Band, etc.
4. Decide on a wedding theme
5. Decide on wedding favors
6. Wedding invitations
7. Wedding cake
8. Bridal party outfits
9. Shoes & accessories
10. Wedding dress
11. Gift registries
12. Rehearsal dinner ideas

If at all possible, you should set your wedding date for at least 6 to 12 months away so you give yourself plenty of time for the details, especially if you plan on booking popular venues, DJ services or bands that may be booking up to two years in advance. And if you've had your heart set on any specific locations or entertainment and you don't book them early enough, you may actually have to change your wedding date.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Centerpieces.

Wedding Decor

Considerations When Choosing a Wedding Decor

Basic decoration can pass for other usual occasions. But for a wedding, surely the bride would prefer something more beautiful and extra ordinary to make her wedding extra special. Besides, the decoration on the wedding would be included in the wedding photos, so the more it should be made exquisite.

If you are a bride with sufficient time to dedicate on your wedding decors or if you have the artistic and creative inclination for designing, go ahead and decorate your own wedding. But if any or both of these two criteria are lacking in your life, hiring a professional wedding decorator is a smart and practical thing to do.
Once you have booked and arranged for the venue of your wedding. Visualize and envision what effect and theme you want for the wedding then you are ready to make an appointment with a wedding or event decorator. If you are at a loss as to what wedding set you want, the professional decorator can also help you choose and decide.

When you are face to face with your wedding decorators, you should be honest about the budget you intend to allot for the decorations. This will help the decorator to choose certain supplies that are matched to your desired theme at a cost that is also coordinated with your financial dreams. And do not soar high on expectations about wedding themes that are way beyond your budget, but if you get really lucky, you may get a wedding decorator who is truly gifted and resourceful enough to create your imagined wedding at a low cost.

After all, decorations need not be so pricey and expensive. If the wedding decorator is really good, he will come up with necessary materials that are reflections of good taste yet are cheap and affordable. A plain cloth may seem dull and lifeless if laid folded and flat on a table, but a good decorator can utilize his or her artistic talents to drape this piece of cloth on a chair or a wall post or hang it in the ceiling and create an exquisite design. Do not choose a wedding decorator if all he or she could come up are ideas incorporating only expensive materials. A good and commendable decorator is one who knows which areas need more money to be spent on and which areas do not.

The cost of a wedding decorator may be based on an hourly rate or it could be a standard set fee or a percentage of the total cost for the wedding decorations. It is advisable that when asking for quotations, require that this quote include all major and even small expenses or charges. It should take account of goods and services tax, delivery cost and breakdown of other fees charged by the wedding decorator.

The total cost may be reduced by utilizing some already owned items like candles, vases, centerpieces and others. Ask the wedding decorator if you can contribute these items should you have them to lower your expenses. Some decorators already have these decoration essentials and would charge rental costs for the items to be used during your wedding.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Centerpieces.

Wedding Reception Venues

Top 5 Tips on Choosing Perfect Wedding Reception Venues

Be Realistic and Agree A Wedding Reception Venue Budget That You Can Afford.

There is no point seeking out a venue that incorporates a castle, cliffs and sandy beaches if you live in the city and you are on a small budget. It is very important to keep your wedding dreams in line with what you can afford. This will save a lot of arguments when planning the wedding and a lot of debt after you are married! But that doesn't mean you can't still have your dream wedding. There are ideal venues to suite all budgets and all tastes.

Who is Coming to the Wedding?

Planning your guest list can be a tiring and frustrating chore or a fun activity depending on your budget and how well everyone you know gets along. Once you've ironed out all the family politics of who should come and who shouldn't, your wedding guest list should be based on your total wedding reception budget. Your budget includes the reception venue, meals, drinks and any overnight accommodation. There may be other 'hidden' charges re the venue too, so do be sure to add a little extra to your wedding budget for those.

Where Should the Wedding Reception Venue Be?

Once you know who is attending you can decide where best to have a wedding reception. If you have friends and family dispersed around the UK or even the globe, you might be reluctant to hold your wedding reception locally instead preferring a wedding reception venue that is accessible by airport, rail and motorways. This is to ensure your guests are able to make it to your wedding with the minimum of fuss and expense. If you do opt for a local venue, consider how the people you want to invite will travel there and where they might stay. You might need to include details on invites regarding travel, transport, direction, and nearby hotels etc.

Meanwhile do not forget to consider how you and those immediately around you will attend the wedding if the venue is out of town. Can they afford to travel, book hotels and so on?

What Type of Wedding Reception Venue Do You Want?

You might be happy for your partner to have the ultimate say on reception venues or vice versa. This makes finding a venue a little easier. However if you both want a say and you do not agree on theme, style, budget etc, compromise and arguments lie ahead unless you find a fun way of deciding on the ideal venue for your wedding.

Each of you (bride and groom to be) should each make two lists. One list stating the features of your ideal wedding reception venue and the other saying what you'd really NOT like in a venue. Requirements should be listed in order of importance as this will help when it comes to compromising later on. You can perhaps both agree to 'lose' item '4' and so on.

When is the Wedding - Set the Date After You've Found the Venue!

You can't book a wedding reception venue without knowing the date of the wedding but then there is nothing more disappointing than selecting the wedding reception venue of your dreams and discovering that they are booked up on your wedding day. If you find your dream wedding reception venue, before setting the wedding date you can make a provisional booking pending the speedy booking of the wedding date via the church, registry office or other. Book both well in advance and consider taking out wedding insurance incase for whatever reason the plans need to be cancelled or changed.

Once you've decided

o How Much
o Who
o How
o What and when

You can start looking at wedding reception venues that you know you can afford, you will both love and that you and your guests can travel easily to. Enjoy your happy day!(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Wedding Centerpieces.

Wedding Veil

Wedding Veil - How to Select the Perfect One

Brides should keep several factors in mind when shopping for a Wedding Veil.

First, your veil must remain in harmony with the style of your wedding (party, an official reception, wedding in the church. Pick something bold to fit your theme, or something softer to be more conventional.

Second, you want a veil that really compliments your wedding dress. Remember, veils should merely complement wedding dresses, so don't be overly obsessive about finding a perfect match.

If your dress has a lot of elaborate details, you want to select a wedding veil that has little or no embellishment. Cut edge, pencil, satin cord, or satin ribbon edge veils will be perfect as they will not hide the beautiful details at the back of your wedding gown.

Elaborate veils look best with simpler wedding gowns. Lace veils and mantilla style veils will embellish the plain back of the wedding gown. Veils with scattered Swarovski pearls or rhinestones will add a beautiful sparkle to your dress.

54" or 72" wide veils are perfect for detailed full skirt gowns whereas full 108" wide veils go better with slim simple gowns.

And thirdly, you have to take into account your hairstyle. The two main ways of wearing a veil are on the top of the head, over your hairdo and just behind the tiara, or at the back of the head, under your hairdo. In the first case, the veil will drop around your shoulders, and in the second case, the veil will drape behind you.

Our bridal veils come attached to a Tulle-wrapped clear "hidden" plastic comb. This Comb is perfect for any bride as it will not be a visible part of your veil or hairstyle. The comb can be effortlessly placed in the hair in the desired area and makes the veil ready to wear. The advantage to using this type of comb with your veil is you can remove the veil after the ceremony while leaving your headpiece intact for the reception.

You can decide to wear your veil for the ceremony only and then remove it for the reception or you can wear your veil all throughout the wedding. How long you plan on wearing your veil can dictate how long it should be. If you want to wear your veil during the reception, pick either a shorter veil or a multi-tiered longer one with a bottom tier that can be detached after the reception. All cathedral veils in Victoria's Wedding Veils collection come with a detachable bottom tier, which is conveniently attached to the comb by velcro; thus, the top layer or layers can be worn on their own during the reception.(EzineArticles.com)

Find out the other guide on Mother Of The Bride Dresses.