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The First Dance

Photo by fh photographic
Picture this scenario: you and your new spouse have arrived at the reception. You can’t wait to hear the DJ announce you as husband and wife. Your mind is swirling with thoughts of the celebration: the guests, the food, the flowers, and of course the dancing. You’ll perhaps dance with your father, brothers, friends, sisters and all those other eager relatives. But it’s with your significant other - when you can spend a few minutes alone - that will truly lighten up your face.
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Dear Bride-to-Be:

Photo by Timeless Images
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!
Sticking to the Budget: Catering & Cakes

Food is usually the most expensive part of your wedding. From hiring the caterer to offering main courses and full bars, prices rack up, especially if the guest list is rather large. Here are some ideas to help you cut down on extra costs and still keep you and those guests satisfied!
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The First Rule of a Wedding Day is THERE IS NO RULES! This scenario has been a common one that people tell me about all the time. Guests at weddings will discuss how fun something is and how they wished they would have done it at their wedding. The out of the box ideas are the lasting impressions that your guests will take with them out of your wedding day. The thing you need to ask yourself as a bride is how you can put your own special touch that shows your personality to friends and family.
The 21st century wedding is like no other. Now is the perfect time to get married. The industry has boomed in the past decade with ideas that have finally been put into practice. Brides can now find anything their imagination gives them and find a vendor that can show or create specifically what you want. You can find it now with one click of a mouse or one phone call through a directory. In the 40 plus weddings I attend a year, I continue to see new ideas and fun moments that I take with me. From choreographed light saber battles to body surfing brides to guests being served cake before dinner; every time I think I’ve seen it all, the next week’s weddings surprise me. So how do you break out of the standard? The following are just simple thoughts and ideas you can keep telling yourself: 1. You are a unique bride. There are no other brides that match your personality and features. The wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, create it like you are the star of the show (sorry grooms, its true…) and create it in a way the guests will know it’s your wedding. 2. Think big…start small. It is very easy for a bride to feel overwhelmed to the point of submission. Isolate one piece at a time instead of looking at the overall scenario. The more you put the smaller pieces into place the big picture develops on its own. 3. Quirky and clever. You don’t need the groomsmen in Rambo outfits to be different. The subtle things will show your personality. I shot an engagement session in Wrigleyville last month. We ran into Ronny Woo Woo (Cubs fans, you know him), now they decided to have a “Woo Woo” table at the reception with a picture we took of the three of them together. I can already imagine a conversation the bride could be having right now: Person A: “Your tables are numbered.” Bride: “Yes”. Person A: “Woo Woo is not a number”. Bride: “Yes”. Person A: “But your tables are numbered”. Bride: “Yes”…so on and so forth…. The subtle things the guests will discover throughout the day can make it all the more fun. 4. Creative does not equal expensive. OK, so maybe most of the time it does. You don’t need to hire the Russian Circus to provide dinner theatre though. Brainstorm your thoughts with friends and family. Together, you can surely create what’s on your mind. 5. I can ask for help. If you are reading this, chances are you know a good wedding planner. If you don’t have the time or creative juices, a wedding planner can put together what you have in your head and do all the little things it takes to get done. No hassle, no headache, it gets done. 6. I am not my Mother. We all love our mothers but sometimes we disagree. Many great ideas are shot down by loved ones and it’s quite unfortunate. They want to keep it simple and smooth. Let’s remember though that just because they didn’t do something at their wedding does not mean you cannot do it at yours. You are a new generation bride, things are quite different (example: 1980 – Reagan, 2009 – Obama). So in conclusion, always remember that this is your wedding day. Have as much fun with it as you want. Before you do the Electric Slide towards the unity candle however, please check the regulations at the ceremony site.
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Upcoming Events
2010 Fall Bridal Show
by Dunhill & Formal Accents
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, 6-9pm
at Avalon Manor, Merrillville, IN
Fall 2010 Bridal Extravaganza
by The Wedding Shoppe Directory
Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010 1-4pm
at St. Elijah's Banquet Hall, Merrillville, IN
Northwest Indiana Bridal Expo
by Louie's Tux Shop
Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 12-4pm
at Porter County Expo, Valparaiso, IN
Click here for more event information.
Destination Weddings
Have You Ever Dreamed of Getting Married in Paradise?
A destination wedding takes you to sun-blessed islands with romance, gentle breezes, white sand beaches and warm clear waters...
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Wedding Etiquette
What Do You Call the In-Laws?
What to call the in-laws can cause some uncertainty. Obviously, it all depends on the relationship you have with them, but they will be family, so it’s a good idea to keep it respectful. Here are a few suggestions on what to do. During the engagement period, continue to call them whatever you have been-whether it’s by their first names or Mr. and Mrs., (unless they have suggested something else).
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Unique Favors

Click here for more information on this featured favor and other unique favors
Featured Invitation
Embossed Floral & Striped InvitationThis lovely invitiaton has pearl stripes and an intricate pattern. Your names peak through a window on the front.
Click here for this and other wedding invitaitons.
Current Trends & Ideas

It’s typically the bride who dons the most elegant jewelry but now cakes are getting the same attention. You can doll up your cake with a variety of stones wrapped in gold, platinum and silver.
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