Your guide to placing engagement announcements in the newspaper…

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Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is not as easy at it has been in the past. In the past, it has always been assumed that the father of the bride is to be the one...

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Brides share their experiences at the Filene's Basement Wedding Gown Sale. Get tips and ideas for a successful shopping day and share your experience to help others.

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Valentine's Day seems to be the perfect day to get engaged or married - love is all around...roses abound. Personally, I did not get engaged or married on a special holiday but I love to hear stories of those who did.

This weekend I attended 11 or maybe 12 weddings on Valentine's Day. Rhodes Hall hosted weddings at their fabulous facility every 15 minutes - I believe they hosted 25 weddings that day in total. It was such a fun day and I wish I could have stayed for every wedding because each couple's story was unique and fascinating. I am writing a separate article about this event with pictures and video so keep an eye out for it!

A few years ago, I went to a wedding reception on Valentine's Day. The actual ceremony was at a church but only family were invited. The reception for friends was just at a local neighborhood pub - no private room or anything. This was a second wedding for both the bride and groom so they chose something small, informal and very sweet. Everyone cheered when they arrived at the pub and it was truly a festive occasion. Lots of impromptu toasts...hugs and smiles all around. The couple looked very happy.

If you got engaged or married on Valentine's Day, please share your story with us.

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Monograms in weddings are hot and getting hotter. These days, they're a theme all by themselves. Here's how to make them a part of your wedding.

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Brides discuss this topic...

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Today is Leap Year Day, February 29, and this is one day, historically, that it has been acceptable, even "legal" in some countries, for women to pop the question.  Of course, it is completely acceptable in this century for women to propose any day of the year but some women will follow this Irish tradition and pop the question today.

When, where and how did this tradition begin?  It is believed that this tradition began in 5th century Ireland.  Apparently women were tired of having to wait so long for men to propose and so, since February 29th was a day that was not legally recognized and only existed to correct a problem with the 365 day calendar year, it was decided that this day could be used to fixed this proposal problem as well.

In 1288, Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in the leap year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine which could range from a kiss to payment for a silk gown.

Now don't get today confused with Sadie Hawkins Day, which is another day when women are traditionally "allowed" to ask men out.  I even read an article stating that Leap Year Day and Sadie Hawkins are the same day.  They are NOT the same day. Sadie Hawkins is in November and it is a completely different tradition.

So ladies, anyone planning to pop the question today? Or if you are reading this article after February 29, did you pop the question on Leap Year Day?

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Past Brides Offer Tips and Advice...

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The first step in planning a wedding is to set the wedding date. This can be one…

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Good wedding consultants can do wonders for your wedding. They can save you time and money during a very stressful time…

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Happy New Year and congratulations to all of you who were engaged over the holidays! Be sure to get started on the right track by reading my Squidoo Lens about wedding planning. And come back to this site and our network of sites frequently for wedding planning information for your area!

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Marriage proposals made over a romantic dinner at an elegant restaurant can be very romantic but they are not necessarily creative.

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Is it the reception, the flowers, the music, the dress? Tell us!

8 Comments | My Wedding Files: Ceremony  Get Started  Reception 

I came across a press release today from UK Wedding Planner Tamryn Kirby that states, according to her survey:

"When it comes to planning your wedding, mothers of the bride are being relegated to second place in favour of partners, a new survey reveals on the eve of the National Wedding Show."

I assume she surveyed couples in the UK and I am interested to know if this is happening here in the U.S. as well. My own experience tells me that it may be happening in certain parts of this country since couples are waiting longer to get married and, in many cases, paying for their own weddings. However I do know that Mothers of Brides in the South still seem to be quite involved in the wedding planning process so I am interested to see what you all have to say.

Please read the full press release for more information on the results of Tamryn Kirby's survey.

Brides, please submit your comments and tell us who is more involved in planning your big day - your mother or your fiance?

Also, if you are a Mother of a Bride reading this article, Tamryn Kirby gives some advice in her press release on how not to become the Mother of the Bride (from hell). Since I don't know how long this press release will be available online, I am re-printing her suggestions here. But again, this is advice that should be credited to UK Wedding Planner, Tamryn Kirby of TK Weddings:

How not to become the mother of the bride (from hell):

1. Don't try to get involved with everything, ask which specific areas your daughter would like help with.
2. If you daughter and her partner are paying for the wedding, don't add lots of your friends to the guest list.
3. Listen to your daughter; try to understand what she's trying to achieve and the style she wants. It might not be your taste but it's an expression of her personality.
4. If you're contributing to the wedding fund, stipulate an amount. Be careful if you think you are stumping up £200 for a cake when your daughter is after a £1,000 designer creation.
5. Don’t worry that a barbecue or a speech from the bride aren't your idea of a wedding. Go with the flow.
6. Be interested but don't be nosey. If she wants to talk to you, listen. Don’t bombard her with questions - it will make her feel as if you don't trust her judgement.
7. Think carefully about your outfit and ask your daughter if she'd prefer you in a certain colour or style. It might be a good idea to talk to the groom's mum as well!
8. Consider a few mum and daughter treats. TK Weddings offer a great 'Afternoon Tea Treat' where you can both relax over afternoon tea in a top London hotel and talk all about your plans and get advice from award winning wedding guru, Tamryn Kirby.
9. Try to be as calm as possible. If your daughter sees you getting upset or stressed, she'll feel twice as bad.

Again, Brides we love to hear from you! Please submit your comments and tell us who is more involved in planning your big day - your mother, your fiance, someone else?

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Great Insider Tips You Don't Want to Miss!

Bridal Show Season is upon us. You will find that there are events all over the country this month and next – almost every weekend! Bridal Shows can be a great way to find products and services for your wedding but some of them can also be overwhelming if you are a first-timer.

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Many brides will choose to change their last name to their husband's last name as is the general tradition. However…

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Have you submitted a review but don't see it posted? This article may help...

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Tips on getting yourself organized for the job of wedding planning…

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Wishing you all a Safe and Happy Halloween! The Youngest Bride is my little one who is dressing as a bride and I am dressing as a bridesmaid - fitting don't you think? ~Lei

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All about The Letter Writer - a wonderful service to help busy brides.

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Following is an excerpt from my e-book The Flawless Wedding. The book is full of important wedding planning advice that is not traditionally found in magazines and books.

~~~ Begin Book Excerpt ~~~

Strategy 11: Do Your Research on ALL Vendors.

This is so important. It breaks my heart every time I hear a bride say "he stole my deposit" or "he photographed my wedding but now he won't answer his phone".

On the whole, wedding vendors are business people who take pride in their work. In general, they are not criminals or scam artists. Despite what I read on some Internet forums, wedding vendors are not out to steal money from you or to ruin your wedding.

However, there are some people out there who may have problems that cause them to run their business in an unethical manner. And, quite frankly there are some criminals out there stealing money from brides. You must do your research!

It is your job to find reputable vendors. You are an adult and you only have yourself to blame if you hire a criminal to photograph your wedding. Some unethical vendors are the best salespeople and spend a lot of money advertising themselves to be something they are not.

Do your research but be smart about it. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet (see Strategy #12). Do your own research, ask for referrals from friends, read reviews of businesses, check the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Check business licenses and bride references. Also ask other vendors if they know of a vendor you are considering and see what they say or watch their reaction. Sometimes people might be afraid to verbalize their true feelings but you can often read their face.

Vendor Red Flags

The vendor asks for a deposit to "hold a date" even without a contract. Once you write that check it is as good as gone. NEVER hand over any money without a written contract - or at the very least, a receipt.

TRUE WEDDING STORY

A bride in Atlanta recently told me that this happened to her. She was very excited about a particular photographer after reviewing his prices and the photos on his Web site. He seemed to be just what she was looking for.

She called the photographer to find out if he had her date available. He told her that he currently had several brides interested in that date and he would need a check from her to hold the date. The bride said that she would like to come in for an appointment and give him a deposit after meeting with him.

Then he told her that because he had so many brides interested in the date, he would need a check even to make an appointment with him. Flabbergasted, the bride had her father mail a check from Michigan and she made an appointment with the photographer. She had not signed any contracts with this photographer at this point.

So the day she went in to meet with him, she found that her date was no longer available. But when she asked for the check back, the photographer refused to give it to her and told her it was non-refundable. Because there was nothing in writing, this bride was unable to get her money back from this photographer.

The vendor just moved to town. This isn't always bad - people relocate all the time. But if you are thinking of hiring a vendor that no one knows, then you need to do extra research. Ask for both bride and professional references from his last town. Check with the professional associations he is with. Check the Better Business Bureau for a business in his name in his old town. Ask to see his business license, etc.

The vendor can't give you any references. Obviously this is a red flag. Good vendors should be able to provide you with several references. If the vendor just started a new business and therefore has no references to give you may ask if he could use your wedding as a reference account and waive any fees. This way you don't lose any money if he makes a mistake. I prefer to stick with vendors who have a proven track record but there are many new businesses out there that are worth a shot.

The vendor asks for all or a majority of the money up front. Typically, a vendor should only need a partial deposit to hold your date with final payment the day or week of the wedding or soon thereafter. If you find that your payment schedule has you paying the vendor the entire amount due well before your wedding date - watch out! This vendor may be having financial problems and may be using your money for other people's weddings.

TRUE WEDDING STORY

An engaged friend of mine called me in tears one day because her caterer called her 4 months before her wedding demanding a partial payment. When she told him that her mother had mailed the check from New York, he told her that he needed the money that day because he needed to pay his rent. Yikes! If he was using her money to pay his rent, what would he use to pay for her wedding?

The vendor seems unorganized in his office or during your meeting. A flaky vendor is a flaky vendor and is bound to forget something along the way.

After 2 or 3 meetings the vendor won't give you a written estimate. Some vendors don't want to be pinned down to a number so they will wait as long as they can to give you an estimate. Don't agree to a second meeting with any vendor without a written estimate, it will just be a waste of time. The vendor may not be able to give you an estimate on the spot because he may need some time to make some calculations, etc. But make sure you get the estimate by fax, mail or email before you meet with him again - it will save you a lot of time.

The vendor says something bad about a competitor to try to get your business. A reputable business would NEVER slur a competitor. Anyone who does this should not be considered trustworthy.

You have trouble reaching a vendor. Many wedding vendors are small businesses with voice mail but you should not have to leave more than one or two messages for a vendor that you are considering hiring. A vendor that is on the ball is going to call you back right away.

The vendor doesn't seem to want to do what you want. Some vendors are so "good at what they do" that they think they know better than you. In many cases they do know more about weddings than you, but they can't possibly know your likes and dislikes better than you. They haven't been dreaming about your wedding their whole lives. If you know what you want and the vendor won't agree - look elsewhere.

~~~ End Book Excerpt ~~~

A Few Final Comments

We try very hard on this Web site and our network sites to work with only the best wedding vendors. We find our vendors by networking and asking for referrals from other reputable wedding vendors. We also ask for references on our online registration form. If we receive complaints or bad reviews on an advertiser, we take it seriously and take action. We want to provide you with the best possible wedding vendors out there.

That being said, please do your own research on each and every wedding vendor you are considering. In 7 years of online publishing and working with hundreds of wedding vendors, we have only had to discontinue working with 4 wedding vendors. That is a great ratio, but I personally feel terrible about being misled by those 4 vendors and hate knowing that there are brides out there who booked them and were taken advantage of.

I can't stress this enough: Start with a web site or publication like this one that tries to work with only the best vendors. Then research the vendors you are interested in using credible sources such as the vendor's references, the Better Business Bureau, and sites that rate and review vendors like this one. DO NOT trust what you read on Internet Bulletin Boards - that is probably one of the worst places to get credible information.

If you would like more advice like this, read my e-book, The Flawless Wedding. Good luck with your planning!

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We have updated the bridal show listings. There are lots of great bridal shows coming up in the next few weeks.

You can view the entire list of upcoming events by visiting our Events Page.

To get the most from your bridal show experience, get there early and plan to stay for the entire event. If you are able to actually spend some time talking with vendors you can sometimes save yourself from additional appointments. Don't just walk by the vendor booths and pick up information. Try to talk to the representatives and see if you connect with them. Personality and communication play a BIG part in wedding planning so this personal one-on-one time is important.

Read on for more tips like this and good luck at the shows!

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How are you planning? Do you have any gripes or advice for others? Share your stories here!

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Everything you need to know to get your marriage license…

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Newly updated with lots of direct links to the find the exact information you need to get your marriage license in South Carolina.

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Beautiful and creative ideas for decorating your wedding tables and chairs...

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Use these checklists and timelines to keep yourself on track…

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Wedding Planners can save you money and ease a lot of stress...

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A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract entered into before the marriage. The contract…

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Strategies and techniques to help you avoid problems on your wedding day...

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It is absolutely necessary that you have written and signed contracts with each and every wedding vendor…

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Create an Heirloom Gift with an Original Painting in Oil...

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Please note: These archives were posted by brides on our various network sites. This site will not be held responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Forums | General | Expected weather for your wedding - www sites

Author	Topic
KARENSUEGA	Posted - 19 January 2000 0:24 I have found two sites that will give you a forecast for your wedding weekend. The farmers almanac can give you what the normal temps and rainfall are for that day. The weatherplanner can give you what the expected weather is like, months in advance. Now I don't know if it's right, but it give you and idea. http://www.weatherplanner.com http://www.farmersalmanac.com/
EM	Posted - 19 January 2000 13:21 This is awesome. Thanks.

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Brides discuss a variety of topics...

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A list of national vendors with links for Subscribers Only...

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A list of national vendors with links for Subscribers Only...

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Please note: These archives were posted by brides on our various network sites. This site will not be held responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Forums | General | Sunset times

Author	Topic
EM	Posted - 6 January 2000 17:15 In case you're looking to plan around the sunset http://www.mindspring.com/~cavu/sunset.html

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Your guide to placing wedding announcements in the newspaper…

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Wedding consultants really do take the stress out of wedding planning. They know how to handle emergencies…

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