Kindness Trend

More and more couples right now are incorporating a charitable element into their big day – and it’s not just celebrities who are doing this. A wave of couples everywhere are making the choice to do something generous for a good cause as part of their wedding celebration.

Weddings have always had a self-indulgent element to them, and so it’s exciting to see couples generously opening their hearts to others on their wedding day. What a wonderful way to celebrate the love they share – by sprinkling some of that love out to others by doing good.

Kindness is contagious.

With any trend, the more people see of it, the more likely they are to adopt it. But a lot of people really feel inspired by the good deeds of others. It makes them want to do something good too. When you think about it, it’s a really beautiful way for a couple to start their new life together. You've got to admit, it’s got a good vibe to it.

We predict that the kindness trend will continue to pick up momentum over the next 12 months, but unlike other trends that fade completely after reaching their peak, the concept behind this one has some staying power. Trends, by their very nature, are flaky. One day everyone’s doing a particular thing, and before long it’s never seen again. But fortunately kindness never completely goes out of style. Chances are this current trend will show people how easily charitable elements can be incorporated into weddings, and those ideas will continue to be seen at weddings long after this is no longer the ‘it’ thing of the moment.

Once people try it they find that doing something kind for others actually feels amazingly good. And that makes them want to do more of it.

On a more personal note, frankly, I wish this trend had started back when I got married in ’92. I personally have a lot of concern for the well being of animals. Looking back, making a donation in each of my guest’s names to a no-kill shelter would have been more meaningful than all those pretty little wedding favors we gave away. Sure, the favors were gorgeous, but doing something to make a difference would have been an unbeatable feeling. Unfortunately, no one thought of doing this fifteen years ago.

So why this trend at this time? Here's our theory. In recent times, we’ve witnessed a lot of really harsh realities. September 11. America at war. The Tsunami. Then Katrina. As they spend all that money on a big one-day celebration for themselves, and revel in their own happiness, a lot of caring, socially conscious couples are trying to reconcile that with the suffering many others are experiencing in these times. There may be a little pang of guilt, or simply a genuine desire to share their blessings with others who are nowhere near as fortunate.

Today more and more couples use the details of their weddings to paint an intimate self-portrait of themselves. Through the many wedding-related selections they need to make - the decor, the food, the flower, the favors - they strive to make a statement about who they are so that their wedding day becomes a meaningful reflection of themselves. Certainly, making kindess a part of their weddings or including a philantrhopic element says something very special about a couple.

More and more couples everywhere are taking the opportunity to show kindness to others when they exchange their vows. You can do this too, and we highly encourage it! Make a charitable donation in the name of each of your guests in place of traditional wedding favors. Or ask guests to make a donation to the charity of your choice, or theirs, in place of wedding gifts. Sooner or later, kindness is always returned to you, ten fold. We promise!

Here are some ideas on how you can make kindness a part of your wedding:

* In place of traditional wedding favors, make a donation to a worthwhile cause in each guest’s name. At the reception, present each guest with a small nicely printed card explaining that this has been done.

* Suggest that instead of wedding gifts, guests make a contribution to either a charity of your choosing, or a cause that is important to them. Pop star Christina Aguilera did this when she wed last December and requested that guests make donations to Hurricane Katrina victims rather than giving wedding presents. Even comic strip characters are taking a shine to this trend; the popular comic strip character Cathy also did this last year when she asked her guests (and readers of the strip) to make a donation to a particular California shelter for homeless animals!

* Some gift registry services will donate a percentage of all gifts purchased through their service to the charity of your choice – look for one that offers this.

* Make arrangements to donate food left over from the reception to a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

* Donate flower arrangements to local hospices or nursing homes following the wedding.

* After the wedding, donate your used wedding supplies and accessories –or even your wedding dress - to Goodwill (Goodwill Industries International) or another charitable organization that collects used goods.

Quote of the Day!

"Of all actions of a man's life, his marriage does least concern other people,
yet of all actions of our life 'Tis most meddled with by other people."

John Selden
1584-1654, British Jurist, Statesman

Quote of the Day!

Josh McDowell:

"What you are as a single person, you will be as a married person, only to a greater degree. Any negative character trait will be intensified in a marriage relationship, because you will feel free to let your guard down -- that person has committed himself to you and you no longer have to worry about scaring him off."

Quote of the Day!

To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the wedding cup,
Whenever you're wrong, admit it;
Whenever you're right, shut up.

- Ogden Nash

Inviting Change

Inviting Change

Dare to be different! More and more bridal couples are looking to fashion for inspiration for their wedding invitations, going "Couture". Jon Lacar of Evergreen Invitations, www.evergreeninvitations.com explains this trend:

Couture, a term originally stemmed from the fashion world, basically means custom designing using unique and high-end materials. These are not your ordinary paper invites. A typical couture invitation can include rhinestone buckles, crystal embellishments, designer papers, and rich fabrics. They are also usually housed in a luxurious stationery box or enclosure. The greatest part is that there are limitless custom design options and the outcome is having a beautiful keepsake to serve as a memento for the special event. A step further also goes into the type of printing such as using letterpress (impression text) or thermography (raised text). All of these put together make an invitation that is exclusive, unique, and eye-catching.

Brides and grooms who want to take their invitations a step up to the next level will enjoy what couture invitations has to offer. Couture invitations can serve a wide variety of tastes. For example, a beach wedding would extend its theme into the invitations by including embellishments such as seashells and starfish accessories, whereas an elegant affair will call for rhinestone jewels and sumptuous ribbons. An invitation using these little hints gives the guests a feel for the atmosphere and a exciting glimpse of your special day.

The prior mentality that invitations will just be thrown away are no longer amongst today's brides and grooms. Attention to finer design details in a couture invitation will make your guests feel as if they were receiving a gift as well. Brides and grooms are often on the hunt for something new, unique, and different. Custom designed couture invitations will provide just that. They definitely will stand out compared to commonplace invitations and give your big day a special feel.

Flowers and Lighting?!

Light it UP!

Floral arrangements add beauty and romance to a wedding and the reception, but what if you want something .... well, something MORE? You light it.

Terrie Easley provides some details:

There is a service that has come up recently that is growing in the industry of weddings and events. The Backdrop and lighting for the reception ballroom is now on the list of “must have”. The backdrop and the colored lighting add an ambiance truly to be remembered. This backdrop is usually behind the headtable or wherever the most attention will be focused. With crystals, mirrors, beads, or even feathers hanging from the draping, it looks glorious with lighting directed from below to illuminate the “bling” even more.

The lighting can be of the wedding color as can the beads or feathers. The ballroom lights can be dimmed to make the lighting even more spectacular when the guests walk in. Day weddings can still use backdrops/draping with the beading, crystals, etc. showing as gloriously behind an elegantly floral decked headtable. Gone are the lattice screens, the potted plants and nothings…the backdrop is here and a growing demand.

Secret Tips and Tricks to a Happy Marriage

Secret Tips and Tricks to a Happy Marriage

Posted by: Richard Himmer

Why are those words so alluring?

The most successful couples seldom read articles with those words in the title. Such articles are for couples who are either struggling or do not comprehend that a successful marriage cannot be obtained with a few tricks.

There are no secret tips. There are no magic tricks. A happy marriage starts with love and ends with intimacy. The catalyst to making it work is the ability to develop trust. It’s the accumulation of good habits overriding the bad habits you developed before marriage.

You can’t read a book and think that your frustrations with your marriage will disappear. Without skill development your willingness and knowledge will be subject to trial and error. Skill development usually comes in the form of coaching and being held accountable.

Trial and error works but are you willing to pay the price when available systems can eliminate the cost and heartache associated with the self-help approach?

Most couples, when interviewed, want wealth and happiness and they spend years of time and thousands of dollars getting an education so they can become wealthy. But, how much time, energy, and money is spent to become happy?

One out of two marriages end in divorce. That means if you and your friend are getting married this year, one of you won’t make it longer than five years. In other words, the odds are 50% that you won’t be happy and that will have a huge impact upon your wealth.

We think there is a solution.

Balanced Living from the Start, Coaches, Communication Happy Marriage, Tips and Tricks, Wealth and Happiness

Bridal Shower Ideas!

Some Bridal Shower Ideas:

Lingerie Shower

Everybody brings and wears an article of clothing that is associated with sleep ware. e.g. pajamas, nightgowns, slips, teddies. Put your sense of humor to work if you wish to! For whatever you are bringing, give one to the Bride too as a gift.

Romantic Shower

Present the Bride with items that will inspire romance in her married life. The Groom would approve of scented candles, candle holders, satin bed sheets, champagne, bath bubbles, aromatherapy products, his-and-hers massage vouchers at the spa.

Sweet Memories Shower

All guests take their turn to tell a story of how they met the Bride, their special moments together, the disappointments they may have shared. All these to be recorded and put together with photographs in a scrapbook for the Bride to cherish for the rest of her life.

The Practical Household Shower

As the title suggests....be practical and bring gifts that will stock up the Couple’s new home. Some examples may be VCR’s, picture frames, coffee makers, clocks. Everyone can also chip in and buy the Couple a fridge. Make sure a list is made prior to this to eliminate duplicated gifts.

Music Shower

Let music be the theme of the bridal shower. Everyone brings a few CD’s and play their favorite songs for the Bride. Make sure there is a CD Player and get a list beforehand of the tunes that will be played.

Wine Shower

Have all your guests bring a bottle of wine each and find out that nothing makes you bolder as you play "Truth or Dare". Go ahead, whine (pun intended) about the other sex while you are at it. That’s the whole fun of a bridal shower.

The above are just some suggestions. Come up with your own shower theme and you will find that an evening with the girls is the best way to celebrate a good friend’s upcoming marriage.

You Married Perfection

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a perfect man married a perfect woman?

I'll wager that he would shoot her inside of a week if she didn't strangle him first.

The story is told of a husband, who after three months of marriage, sat down to dinner with his wife and said: "I think it's time we discussed some needed areas of improvement in our marriage. I'll like to share a list of things you can improve on and then you can share your ideas with me."

The wife sat down and gathered her thoughts. As her husband started to read his list, she held up her hand and said:

"Before you start, I want you to know that I don't have a list of things you need to work on, I'm very pleased with the person I married. The next thing you should know is that the weaknesses your about to illustrate are the very things that prevented me from marrying someone better than you. Okay, now I'm ready."

Have you ever wondered?

The average wedding costs $18,874 with 186 guests.

The average second wedding costs $12,000,
but the couples spend nearly double first
time couples on their honeymoons.

In almost half of U.S. weddings either the
bride or groom has been married previously.

The wedding ring has traditionally been
worn on the third finger of the left
hand because it was believed that a vein
in this finger ran directly to the heart.

The third finger of the left hand has
become the customary wedding-ring finger
for all English-speaking cultures.

80% of brides plan formal weddings.

74% of all brides receive a diamond
engagement ring. 60% of women are
involved in picking out their engagement
ring, while 3% actually pick it themselves.

In 2000, the average bride was 24 years old and the average groom was 28.

Only 4% of men asked for the parents' approval for their bride's hand in marriage.

20% of men proposed on one knee.

6% of men proposed to their girlfriends over the phone.

The most frequent number of bridesmaids in a wedding is 4 (including the maid of honor).

62% of weddings have a flower girl, while 56% have a ring bearer.