Wedding Gift Myths

With so many bridal occasions for just one wedding, it’s only common that a guest be confused as to how many gifts to bring to which occasion. On the other hand, it can be confusing for a bride too! Should she send multiple thank-you cards? Signature Grand Weddings has the insides and outs of wedding gift etiquette.

It’s OK to send Thank-You cards within a year’s time: FALSE!  Thank you notes should always be sent out promptly; within two to three weeks is ideal. Guests won’t remember what they gave you one year ago! Try to keep it sooner rather than later!

You should only send thank-you cards for the wedding, not the bridal shower: FALSE! Like any gift giving occasion, your “Thank you” in person should be followed up with a card as well. Have a friend take down the details of the gifts so that you can jog your memory when sitting down to write your cards.

Stating “No gifts” on the wedding invitations is thoughtful. FALSE. You may think your intentions are good, but you are actually not supposed to mention gifts at all on your invitation. The reason is that it is implied that without the “no gifts” notation, your guests would have been obligated to provide a wedding gift, which technically, they are not.

Maid of Honor and bridesmaids are obligated to host a bridal shower. FALSE! It may be tradition that the bridesmaids host the shower, it is not a necessity. In these times, many bridesmaids can’t afford to host a shower as well as pay for their dress and other bridal accessories. The bride is never to ask her attendants when they will be having a shower for her.

The cost of the bridal gift should be the same as the cost per head of the reception. FALSE! Each gift should not be expected to give a certain amount. Gifts are a generous token from the guests. To top it off, who would know the exact amount of cost per head at the reception besides extremely close friends? A gift should be chosen with care that it will please the recipient, not based on some imaginary equation.

Signature Grand Gifts

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Cake Topper Keepsake Stand at Bellacroft

Many couples simply pack away their cake topper as a memory when they feel like looking at it. What if your cake topper means so much more to you? Weddingstar has introduced a line of Wooden Keepsake  Display Stands for cake toppers. Each stand can be personalized and also comes with a photo space, the perfect keepsake!

Include a photo of your wedding cake or an official photo of the cake cutting ceremony. Or, celebrate an Anniversary with a figurine paired with your favorite couple photo. Plan to add a custom message in keeping with the occasion. To commemorate a loved one, display a cherished photo along side a vase of fresh flowers or decorative candle.

Weddingstar is famous for their:

• Wedding Decor
• Wedding Fashion Accessories
• Wedding Favors
• Cake Toppers
• Serving Sets
• And more!

Cake Topper Keepsake Stand

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Wedding Budget Advice

If you have your heart set on a nice, lavish wedding, but your budget is holding you back, take a nice deep breath and read on:  You don’t need to look at your budget as the end of your wedding world!  Look at is as a great way to save money for other events! You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams because of a wedding budget!

The first step is to create your budget, even before you select a venue or guest list. You must know your limits before you decide on how many guests will be It is important that you set a budget before making a list of who to invite. You need to know what you can spend so that you know how many people you can have at your wedding.

The next step is to decide what you can do yourself. If you are pretty skilled with crafts, you may want to tackle the favors and décor on your own. If you have a friend or family member that knows photography, see if they will do your photo shoot pro-bono (or for a reduced cost). All of these tiny details will help you to keep your budget for other aspects, such as food and venue.

If you can’t afford certain things, try to find help or resources that will make them within your reach, allowing your budget money to be spent elsewhere. A great idea is to buy a used or pre-owned wedding gown. If you think about it, this dress has most likely been only worn for an hour or two. The cost will be reduced in half, a great savings for most brides!

Remember that you should spend time planning a wedding so that cost do not get out of hand. If you being your planning well in advance, you will find that you aren’t feeling rushed and overwhelmed, you will have plenty of time to research your wedding essentials and stay within your desired budget.

Signature Grand Wedding Planning

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Signature Grand Guide to Diamonds

If you’re shopping for a diamond engagement ring, it’s important to know what type of cut that your bride to be likes. The “cut” refers to the symmetry, proportions and polish of a diamond. A well cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, setting off your ring perfectly.

You need to decide if you want an unusual ring or one that truly sparkles. Here are the major engagement ring cuts:

* Round: A round diamond. The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond for an engagement ring. It brings out the sparkle of the gem in a simple shape.
* Princess: This square cut is the second most popular choice for diamond engagement rings. This won’t sparkle in the same way as a round brilliant, but this bold choice gets maximum brilliance from a square shape.
* Oval: An elegant oval shape. It works well for ladies with small hands as it elongates the fingers.
* Pear: Sometimes known as the teardrop because of its unusual teardrop shape. This cut would give a classic diamond engagement ring a modern twist.
* Marquise: This is an elongated shape with pointed ends. Another brilliant cut, this will reflect light beautifully and will look stunning as the sole diamond in a ring.
* Heart: A beautiful, heart shape. Use caution when choosing this cut. Only a highly skilled cutter will bring out the true beauty of a heart cut diamond.
* Emerald: A rectangular shape with cut corners and a broad surface. The emerald is perfect for a flawless diamond, but will show any inclusions in a stone.
* Tycoon: Similar to an emerald cut, but the tycoon is harder to polish and is only attempted by master cutters. A tycoon diamond reflects more light and has more natural sparkle than the emerald cut.
* Ashoka: Rectangular with rounded corners. This gives maximum beauty and brilliance and is an

If you’re ring shopping, now that you will come across so many more diamond cuts then the ones listed above. Try them on your hand and ask yourself the following:

• Does it suit your hands well?
• How will it look with a wedding ring?
• Will you love it forever?

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The History of the Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes were first noted in Medieval times.  This “cake” was actually a celebration bread created from wheat. They were viewed as an indicator of fertility and were often pitched at the wife.

The Romans toasted wheat and salt desserts to be eaten at a wedding ceremony. Strangely enough, the groom would eat a slice of the cake and the remaining portion would be crumbled over the woman. Again this was symbolic of fertility and prosperity and much like the rumble for the bouquet the wedding guests would war to find and snack at any leftover crumbs as to get any passive fortune.

Why are wedding cakes tiered?

As time passed, the wedding cakes were made larger and more fashionable the idea of smashing them over the bride disappeared. In fact, many brides came to protest the cake smashing and were relieved when the size of the wedding cake tripled in size!

The approach of a tiered wedding cake can also be followed back to Medieval times. In some places there was a custom of stacking as many wedding cakes as possible in the center of the bridal couple. The couple then had to aspire to kiss atop the pile of cakes.

Why are Wedding Cakes white?

A primary reason why many wedding cakes are white is pretty noticeable. White traditionally symbolizes purity and wedding cakes were generally called ‘bride’s cakes.’ A white wedding cake is to indicate the girls purity.

Another reason is simply because while in the Victorian era it was quite hard to find ingredients that may conclude in icing in any alternative color than white. For absolutely white icing refined sugar was fundamental which could be costly. Prosperous families would use white to demonstrate their wealth.

There is another form of the wedding cake, also known as the grooms cake. This cake is often a surprise to the groom and is made to suit his interests or hobbies. The grooms cake is a great way to include the groom in the wedding reception and add a little flair as well!

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Signature Grand Explains the Wedding Escort Ceremony

Every bride frets over the escort ceremony if her family is a little less than traditional. Tradition has it that the father walks the bride down the aisle. Is this mandatory? Of course not! Recently, brides are mixing up the ceremony by having another male figure, a female figure or even NOBODY escort her down the aisle! Here are a few other non-traditional ideas:

Deceased Father or Absentee Father

In this situation, the bride unusually asks an uncle or close male friend to escort her down the aisle. If, however, there isn’t another solution, the bride can certainly walk down the aisle herself. This is a common practice these days.

Deceased Mother

A close relative such as an Aunt or Grandmother can sit in the front row during the wedding ceremony.  It is even acceptable to have her join your father in escorting you down the aisle.

Whether it is your father walking you down the aisle, or a close family member, be sure to celebrate the ones that could not be there with a brief memorial candle. These candles are inexpensive accessories that can be lit during your entire ceremony as a memory for your loved ones!

Signature Grand Wedding Planning

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Valentine’s Day Wedding Planning

Because of it’s famous “romantic meaning”, many brides and grooms pick Valentine’s Day to say their vows. This is, of course, a wonderful idea and a great way to celebrate with your friends and families!

Luckily, if you’re decided to have a Valentine’s day wedding, you’ve picked one of the easiest (and most FUN) themes to go with. You can find TONS of decorations and favors that are very inexpensive. Here are a few ideas:

Flowers

If you’re keeping it traditional, then you should think white, pink and red. White flowers represent purity. Pink flowers represent passion. Red for everlasting love. If you incorporate all 3 into your Valentine’s Day wedding, your guests will be blown away by your ability to select flowers!

Decorations

In order to keep it non-tacky, avoid large cupid cut-outs and gigantic teddy bears. Yes, it’s a themed wedding, but you still want to capture intimacy and elegance. For selecting your centerpieces, you can consider large frosted bowls filled with water, lit floating votives, and red rose petals. Select a simple table cloth and scatter pearls or flower petals. Simple and elegant.

Favors

You’re in luck when it comes to wedding favors.  You can give your guests Hershey kisses in a sachet, personalized sweetheart candies that say “thank you (last name) family,” Jordan almonds in the shape of a heart, sugar cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, or a CD of memorable love songs that played during the night.

“Love” Wedding Favors

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Signature Grand: Wedding Cocktail Recipes

Every wedding should include a cocktail hour – even if you skip the open bar.  Unfortunately, you need to really find a great recipe to wow your guests! Here are a few recipes that are sure to make an impression at your wedding or special event:

1. Sour Orange Daiquiri

Juice of one sour orange

Three big dashes sugar syrup*

6 oz. aged rum

1 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier or good curaçao

Orange slice

This recipe makes two cocktails in 5oz. martini glasses
*If you do not have sugar syrup on hand, just make some ahead of time; boil equal amounts of sugar and water together until sugar dissolves and a light syrup forms. Cool, then refrigerate. Chill cocktail glasses. In cocktail shaker, add ice, then the main ingredients listed. Shake thoroughly to mix and chill. Pour into glasses and garnish with an orange slice.

2. Key Lime Pie

3/4 oz Licor 43*

1 oz. Vodka

1/4 oz Rose’s sweetened lime cordial

1/2 oz Milk or cream

Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into glass.
* It’s a Spanish citrus vanilla liqueur as old as the hills but growing in popularity

3. Ginger Rogers

Two dashes Angostura bitters

The juice of half a lime

1 oz. Grand Marnier

I oz. aged rum

Jamaican ginger beer to fill

Mint sprig for garnish

Fill a highball or tall cooler glass with ice. Coat ice with bitters, then squeeze lime, dropping in spent shell. Add liquor top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint.

Serve your cocktail in a beautiful glass with a beautiful garnish such as a sugar rim or a slice of fruit!

Signature Grand Weddings

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Weddingstar Beautiful Butterfly Cake Sets

The Butterfly theme seems to be the popular spring wedding theme. This makes total sense as butterflies symbolize beauty and new beginnings! Available in 4 different colors, you receive 25 various sized butterflies – perfect to scatter on your wedding cake and transform it into a butterfly beauty!

Weddingstar’s 2011 collection has just been released, bringing hundreds of new bridal products and accessories for:

• Wedding Ceremonies
• Wedding Receptions
• Wedding Gifts
• Wedding Favors
• Wedding Decor
• And more!

Weddingstar Beautiful Butterfly Cake Sets

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Selecting an Outdoor Wedding Venue

There are a number of various options for your wedding venue, the most common being the church or chapel. If you want to make your wedding a little more unique, try an outdoor venue – allowing the sun and breeze to take part in your celebration as well!

First, know that it can be quite difficult to locate an outdoor venue depending on your location. This makes it important to begin searching for the perfect location well in advance.

Below are some tips on selecting the perfect outdoor wedding venue:

First and foremost, you must select the actual venue. When deciding on the type of venue, you should consider: the weather, the arrival time, the number of guests, duration of stay, parking availability for the guests. The outdoor venue should have parking accommodations as well as proper seating.

Second, the venue selection is made while keeping the budget in mind. Outdoor celebrations require some additional planning aside from the actual cost of the location.  The location that you select is reflected in the wedding pictures, video, and through stories, it is important that one makes the right choice.

Here are some great outdoor wedding ideas:

• Garden Wedding:
Gardens are known for their beautiful greenery, flowers, and water.  This gives the wedding an elegant-classic ambiance. The use and types of flowers, trees, and open space is important for a garden venue and the right garden venue must be selected to make it match with the wedding theme and the venues surrounding environment.

• Beach Wedding:
These have an extremely large budget range: from being most economical to most expensive wedding. A beach wedding offers a very comfortable and relaxing environment offering simplicity to your choice of wedding dress and decorations.

Signature Grand Weddings

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