Famous Diamond

Looking for wedding ring with diamonds? Below I have an article about famous diamond . Just for you to know a little bit about history of famous diamond.

Around the world there are many diamonds that have been talked about or written about in various stories and official documents. Famous diamonds are part of our world's history, and have been found in various parts of the world, by all types of people. From royalty to the gods, famous diamonds are often as well known as the people who owned them.

For centuries diamonds, famous diamonds or otherwise, were used in the armor of warriors and the crowns of our kings and queens as a symbol of fearlessness.

The Mountain of Light

One of the few oval shaped famous diamonds, the “mountain of light” was first mentioned in the year 1304. It weighed an astounding 186 carats, and it is said that the diamond was set in the peacock throne of Shah Jehan as an eye of one of the peacock's.

During Queen Victoria's reign, the famous diamonds shape was altered a bit and it was recut to weigh 108.93 carats. The diamond is currently one of the British Crown Jewels.

The Orloff

When the Orloff diamond was found, it was said that it weighed around 300 carats. This gemstone of the famous diamonds is held at the Diamond Treasury of the former Soviet Union located in Moscow.

A story about the Orloff claims that the diamond was actually placed in the eye of a god, in the temple of Sri Rangen, which is how it became known as one of the world's famous diamonds.

The Regent

Before this incredibly large diamond of the famous diamonds was cut it weighed 410 carats! Originally called “The Pitt”, after the English Prime Minister, William Pitt, it was cut into a rounded shape and consisted of more than 140 carats.

In 1717, the diamond was sold to the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France. It was then that the diamond was renamed “The Regent”. When Louis XV had his coronation, the stone was set into his crown.

When the French Revolution ended, “The Regent” was owned by Napoleon Bonaparte, and was placed into the hilt of Bonaparte's sword.

Currently, the diamond is on display for all to enjoy in the Louvre.

The Blue Hope

The most well known of all famous diamonds, the Blue Hope is currently in the Smithsonian Institution located in the state of Washington. It was owned by Louis XIV, and at the time was called “the blue diamond of the crown”.

Sometime during the French Revolution, the Blue Hope diamond was stolen. It was later found in London in the year 1830, where it was later purchased by Henry Philip Hope. The blue hope diamond received it's name from this individual, as well as it's reputation for causing bad luck to those who owned it. While Henry Philip Hope owned the precious blue diamond, each of his family members died in extreme poverty.

Continuing with the bad luck, a later owner of the Blue Hope, Mr. Edward McLean also lost many family members to poverty while he possessed the diamond.

Beach Wedding Invitation Ideas

A beach wedding is considered more stylish than a formal one. In fact it is perfect for couples who believe that the big day should be full of fun. To this end a beach wedding is less formal. In this case you invitation can also be a less formal one.

When we talk about the beach and sea, the first thing that may come to your mind is most probably a seashell. You can put patterns or graphics of seashells on the invitation card. You may also find photos of seashells and put them on the invitation.

If you do not satisfy with the idea of putting images of the seashells on the card, you can go one step further. You can consider using a real seashell as an element of the wedding card. You can put it in the invitation envelop. If you are using a glass bottle as a container for your invitation, you can even put a few small seashells into it.

Besides seashell, sand can also represent the idea of a beach. The ideal case is that you can take the sand from the beach you are going to have your wedding. You can stick a thin layer of sand on the card. From this your guests will certainly have a clue about your wedding once they see the wedding card.

Again, if you are going to use a glass bottle, you can put the sand into
the bottle. In fact a glass bottle is an interesting idea since it will be like a sculpture. However, you need to bear in mind that a glass bottle can be quite heavy. As a result the postage will be higher than you originally expect. Besides, you should also take extra care about the package when you mail it out since a glass bottle can be easily broken if it is not packed with care.

If you would like to going back to the idea of a printed card, you can also consider the following idea. You can draw some cartoon drawings of a beach. You can even draw a portrait of you, with the wedding dresses on, to indicate that it is your wedding on a beach. The style of the drawing can be a funny one. As discussed before, a beach wedding is full of fun. Your invitation should also be full of fun.

Nowadays some couples will choose to put their photos into the wedding invitation. This idea can be perfect for your beach theme invitation. However, you may need to spend some time for the photos. You do not just choose a photo at home to put on the wedding card. Instead you will go to the beach you are going to have your wedding and take a photo there. You do not need to hire a photographer to take photos for you. A causal photo can be perfect. The key is to express the love of you and your spouse. An invitation card like this can be an extremely romantic one.

By TM Lung, http://www.weddingabc.net

Having a Tight Budget for Your Wedding?

I am sure that you want to have a memorable day in your wedding. But to be practical, you want it on the tight budget right? You want to spare the money on your house down payment? Don't worry, there are a lot of things you can do to have a budget wedding on the tight budget.

To begin with, you can make a list of services that you can get it for free. List down all your family member of friends that are having a special skills to help you in the preparation of your wedding. A wedding coordinator, photographer, caterers, or emcee for example. Most of the time, families or friends can do better because they know the people. Your photographer friend knows who are you closed with and will spend time to take their pictures as well. Your Emcee fiend knows about your personal life and can make your wedding more personal. Things to remember is not to push the limit over their skill. If his/her skills in photographer is just average, better not to. You do not want to ruin your relationships just because you are not satisfy with his/her work, don't you?

Wedding decorations is one part that you can cut costs as well. You can search over the internet of the pictures of wedding decorations to start with. Blend your ideas with friend and family to get better idea of your personalized wedding decorations. Put in mind to have the flowers and/or decorations that are in season for the time of your wedding. This will cut your cost tremendously.

Budget wedding always comes with good planning. Always planning ahead of time to find more deals and lower prices from different vendors. Make sure you consult with your loved one when doing the planning. Just to avoid any misunderstandings. Try to make your preparations as fun as possible. Invite your friend and family in the process, they will surely help you a lot with the preparations. You will never imagine how you can cut cost for your budget wedding.

Find your long lost friends for you Wedding Guest List

Have you been in situation that you promised your friends to invite to your wedding but you find out that you have lost his/her contact due to some reasons? Maybe you can try to find it at People Search.

I personally seldom use other SE aside from google. But with People Search I can find people easily because the site is dedicated to look in people profile across the sites, social networks and other online communities. I am a bit surprise as well when I inputted my mom's name and it returned a good result even tough my mom is never putting any of his name personally in any sites. Well, to begin with, she does not know how to open PC by herself.

Just spend a little time on it before you finalize your master wedding guest list draft. This will make you less worry about forgetting anyone to invite in your master list. In the end, they could be opt-out after you finalize the wedding guest list. But you know the reasons of not inviting them and it is not because you loss his/her contacts.

Cruise Honeymoon Tips for Smooth Sailing

Is anything more luxurious than taking a cruise honeymoon? Traveling to exotic locations on a luxury ship, catching sunrays, and breathing the salty breezes can renew and replenish anyone, no matter how shopworn from the cares of work. However, a cruise holiday requires planning in order to be the best it can be. Check out these tips to have a cruise honeymoon experience you will remember.

So where do you start when planning a cruise honeymoon? First, what is your budget like? Do you need to hold down expenses? Then here are a few tips for economizing on your cruise honeymoon.

When scheduling your cruise honeymoon, you should be aware that there are off season and on season dates, and that you want to schedule your trip in the off season to get the best deal. What you may not know, however, is that cruise lines actually change prices a number of times throughout the year. Ask and find out when their absolute lowest season prices are. In addition, keep your plans somewhat flexible so that you can change ships at the last minute. Sometimes a ship is not filled to capacity, so the cruise line will sell the last few tickets at a real bargain. It is always to their advantage to sail filled to capacity because people on holiday spend money on souvenirs, drinks, etc. Use this knowledge to get a really great deal.

Where you cruise to on your honeymoon can make a big difference in your cost as well. If you pick a popular spot, you can travel cheaper than if you choose a less popular spot. Another consideration is whether you really care about those ports of call. If you just want to stay on the ocean liner and enjoy the luxuries, book a cruise that doesn't stop anywhere. These "cruises to nowhere" are just as luxurious as the others but cost less.

To be safe on a cruise honeymoon, don't take a lot of expensive equipment or jewelry with you. Make sure your passport, health insurance, and other papers are up to date. Be sure to ask about laws you may inadvertently be breaking when you get off the shore you are accustomed to. Laws in ports and even in the water can vary, and you sure don't want a big hassle with a foreign law enforcement agency.

To travel lighter, find out about equipment that will be available on the ship. For instance, if the cruise line provides irons or hair dryers, you won't need to pack yours. Also pack your own sample size shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries because these items will cost more in the gift shop. You should have access to laundry facilities on your cruise holiday, so you don't have to take a huge amount of clothing. Pick a wrinkle proof lightweight outfit for every two or three days and pick separates in colors that coordinate so you can get different looks. Be sure to pack a formal and or semi-formal outfit if you will be taking part in these sort of activities on your cruise honeymoon.

Honeymoon Destination - Australia

Australia as a country in the southern hemisphere often missed by US or Europe couples as their destination for honeymoon. However, Australia becomes a major attraction for tourist nowadays. The unique weathers lure many tourist that are trying to avoid winter in December to enjoy beaches in Australia.

You can find Sydney Hotels, Melbourne Hotels and Brisbane Hotels are fully booked during holiday seasons. The cities are offering modern living with combination of natures and histories well preserved.

Before planning your honeymoon to go there, try to look at CheaperThanHotel site. You can find various deals. It will be much cheaper compared to you book directly to the hotel you want. Last minute deals can offer you more advantages like free meals and free use of facilities.

Personalized Wedding Theme

Many couples trying to look for a budget wedding using a common themes available from the wedding organizer. Do not be deceived! You can have your own personalized wedding theme and stay in your budget. Recently, my friends prepared for a Jewish Personals Wedding Theme.

They both met in Jewish dating online. Well, he was telling me that he spent time looking Jewish singles until he found that site. The main reason he could prepared a personalized wedding theme under budget because he knows where to get Jewish related materials for the wedding. Some are found under the storage room of his parents.

The weeding planner he hired knew from the beginning that everything should be worked under the specified budget. So, no fancy or overpriced things that were included in the plan. The main idea is that you have to be honest with your wedding planner. Do not hide behind your ego. Sometimes the wedding planner also tried to play around with your ego so that you will reach more and more money from your pocket.

Some Bachelorette Party Ideas

While bachelor parties are a tradition dating back to the 1800s, bachelorette parties have become popular only recently. Bachelorette parties seem to be more about the bride-to-be bonding with women friends than the male tradition of enjoying a final night of freedom before marriage.

A New Tradition

Some brides choose a night of frivolity, such as male exotic dancers and lots of alcohol, much like the groom's bachelor party. But the majority of women opt for other activities. The theme of most bachelorette parties is to tease the bride in a fun way, while sharing a memorable evening with her best friends.

The Nightclub Scene

This is 1 of the most popular bachelorette activities. Parties often start with dinner at an elegant restaurant, followed by drinks and dancing at popular nightclubs. Hiring a limousine to drive everyone together from destination to destination is a great idea. First, it allows all the women to travel together and party in transit. Second, it adds a touch of class to the evening. And perhaps the best reason is to ensure that everyone arrives safely at their destinations.

The women in the bachelorette party will often create a veil for the bride to wear on that night. The style of the veil isn't important, so long as it is conspicuous and calls a great deal of attention to the bride. It's also typical for this type of party to send the bride on a scavenger hunt. The other women get together ahead of time to create a list of activities for the bride to accomplish or objects to find. This type of bachelorette party is a great way for the bride to enjoy a night of dinner, dancing, drinks and fun with her best friends.

Retreat To A Spa

Spa retreats have become quite popular as bachelorette party ideas. The bride-to-be and her friends get together at a spa to enjoy relaxing massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and other treatments. A steam room, sauna and/or hot tub adds an extra element of relaxation.

Some spas provide great meals from a selection of healthy dishes. This type of bachelorette party lets the bride relax and connect with her friends while leaving behind the stress of planning a wedding. Many brides get so caught up in the details of wedding planning that they forget to enjoy the wedding. A spa retreat bachelorette party is a great solution.

Exotic Dance Lessons

A little more risque, but lots of fun, is exotic dancing lessons. These parties are becoming more common now that pole dancing classes are beginning to spring up in health clubs. For these parties the women gather at a private home or a dance studio, and a professional dancer comes in to teach them the art of exotic dance. This can be a great way for friends to let loose and have fun.

Night Of Feature Films

Another unique bachelorette party idea is for the maid of honor to host a movie night. The hostess rents plenty of movies to select from, and stocks up on movie theater style goodies or creates a menu of hors d'oeuvres. This could be the bride's last chance to sit around with her friends watching "chick flicks" for a good long while. This is a fun, safe, and relaxing way for the women to get together to talk and have a good time.

Female Bonding

Although a new phenomenon, the bachelorette party is quickly catching on. It does not have the same feel as a bachelor party -- instead of a last night of freedom, it a night to bond with women friends.

By : Ron King
Visit http://www.gr8wedding.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer.

Wedding Crafts Ideas for Saving Money

Weddings are a joyous occasion but can get expensive in a hurry. With wedding crafts you can insert a personal touch and hold the price down as well. Here are a few ideas for wedding crafts to add sparkle and creativity to your big day.

It is not that hard to create your own wedding veil. To make this wedding craft, you will need a length of bridal illusion in the desired length. You will also need a comb to attach it to your hair and a hat or headpiece to cover the comb. Sew large running stitches about an inch from the end of the illusion and gather it tightly. Now sew the veil to the comb. Top with hat or headpiece. As an alternative, you can decorate a wide-brimmed straw hat with silk flowers, ribbon, and pearls.

The bouquets and floral arrangements can also be personally crafted. For a simple outdoor wedding, consider wild flowers. They are free and have a charm all their own. Bouquets can be arranged in large clear vases, with a bow tied elegantly around.

Favors for the guests are particularly appropriate wedding crafts. Refrigerator magnets are a simple and well-received favor. A really nice idea is to make a magnetic picture frame and include a picture of the couple. You could cut a frame out of craft foam in one of the wedding colors, arrange over the photo, and glue all onto a cardboard backing. Place self-adhesive magnet tape on the back of the cardboard. Decorate the front of the frame with foil heart stickers and a monogram of the couple's last name.

Bows for the ends of the pews or rows make simple wedding crafts. Wide velvet ribbons are nice for fall and winter weddings, while satin is more appropriate for spring and summer weddings. Loop some flat lace in with the ribbons. In the center of the completed bow, attach some silk flowers and pearl sprays with a hot glue gun.

Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at decorating your own cake. Check the craft section of the department store for pans and gadgets of all types to help you create a cake to remember. Do remember, though, that it takes a steady hand. Be sure to practice before starting on the real cake.

Preparing for a wedding can be expensive, but with wedding crafts, you can take some of the sting out. Plan early, however, because it will take a little while to make favors for everyone and all the other little details you will want to take care of. Maybe creating wedding crafts will even relieve some of those wedding jitters. In any event, crafting your own wedding items is a way to have a personal, beautiful, and less expensive wedding.

Online Dating Leads to a Marriage

A friend of mine has the wedding planner business especially for budget wedding. Recently, he told me that he usually asked his client on how they meet each other and other personnal information to select the best theme if ever the couple does not have specific idea in mind.

To his surprise, the numbers of clients that met from online dating are increasing every year. Most of them started with friends dating and finally become in serious relationship that lead to a marriage.

Many options whether the online dating will lead into a long lasting marriage. But who will assure as well that the typical old fashion dating will assute to good marriage.

Nowadays, when people are becoming so busy and do the routine tasks, their world becomes so limited. Some even do not have a chance to meet other people beside his/her friend aournd house and work place. That is why the online dating becoming so popular, people can search for his/her date that is having quite similar interests. The place is not a hindrance anymore in world wide web technology.

Plan Your Wedding Without Going Into Debt

It's not a secret that weddings today cost a lot of money. The average American wedding is said to cost in the neighborhood of $20,000, and a wedding in a large city can cost almost double that amount. In addition, couples are often foregoing traditional means of paying for their weddings (like asking parents for support) in order to prove that they can do it on their own.

With this in mind, many companies are popping up around the world that cater to financing weddings. There are special loans that can be taken out for weddings as well as the old stalwart, the credit card. All of these alternative finance options, however, have several disadvantages. To start with, they charge interest the moment you borrow the cash. Loans are generally lower interest than credit cards, but in either case, a couple must ask themselves if they really want to start out their married lives in debt. Believe me, money will come up enough in your marriage as a stress factor; you don't want to start out with this as the groundwork!

To prevent going into debt for your wedding, here are some key tips that will help.

* Plan Ahead - Nothing is worse than waiting, but in the case of a wedding, time between the engagement and the wedding day is all time you can use to save money. A year is pretty good, but you should try for anywhere from a year to eighteen months. Anything longer will probably prove unbearable.

* Budget! - Make a budget right away, and stick to it. First, take a look at your monthly financial situation. Don't forget to include all of your regular expenses as well as money for emergencies. Multiply whatever is left over by however many months there are until your wedding. This is what you can reasonably expect to save. If it doesn't seem like enough, take a look at your expenses and see if there are any areas where you can make some cuts. Common areas here are on gas and on luxury items like movies, cigarettes, and going out to eat.

* Shop Around - It can be very tempting to go out and take the first deal you are offered on the different services you will need for your wedding, but don't. Make sure that what you purchase fits into your budget. Remember that shopping for your wedding services is the same as any other shopping trip; if you look hard enough, you are bound to get some good deals.

One way a couple can save significant amounts of money is by scheduling their wedding outside of the busy season. The early months of summer means that weddings compete not only with other ceremonies but also with college, university, and high school graduations. Most wedding vendors also cater to graduations, so prices will be at a premium. Try and schedule your wedding during the off season; many vendors are looking to make some unforeseen money during a time of the year when they are traditionally slow, so the chances are that you will receive much better rates.

The expensive prospect of a wedding does not mean that you need to go into debt. It is much better if you do not start your new life out in a financial hole. Planning ahead is key to making sure that your wedding can fit into your financial picture.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard
About The Author: Alex Daniels consults for a gift shop offering cheap wedding favors and gifts for her.

Wedding Jewelry Tips

A young girl spends several years of her life dreaming of her wedding day. Especially, how she would look as a bride and in this, she wants no compromise. Of course, the most important aspect is her wedding dress. It must be chosen with a lot of care. But this dress will look its best only when complimented by the proper choice of wedding jewelry. Choose your wedding jewelry with utmost care. Here we have a lot of information which is going to help you to make your choices and look your very best.

Your jewelry can help set the mood for your wedding and enhance the overall look and feel of your gown. Think and plan about whether modern jewelry, vintage jewelry, or classic jewelry styles will work best with your wedding dress. Then consider the various elements of your wedding and then decide if the pieces you like will evoke the mood or look you want to create for your wedding.

First of all set the mood of your wedding. The style of your wedding can help narrow down your bridal jewelry choices. Important things to consider are whether you want a daytime ceremony or in the night. Do you wish to make it a grand affair or keep it limited to a small intimate gathering? Here are some popular options for different types of weddings along with the dress codes and jewelry ideas best suited to the occasion.

Beads can be strung together in any number of combinations to create different objects. Most of the times we create ornamental items like bracelets, earrings, and so on. Accomplished beaders are known to create highly complex bead items like multi-strand necklaces and complete ornament sets.

Glamorous weddings: With this you could get away with bolder, and perhaps glitzier, wedding jewelry and accessories at large, black-tie and the same would suit for night-time weddings.

Simple, elegant weddings: here a romantic lacy dress, simple jewelry styles and vintage jewelry pieces could work for you. Heart lockets or brooches can also help you create an antique feel. To create an elegant, timeless affair, look toward classic jewelry pieces such as strands of pearls and diamond earrings and create memories to last a lifetime.

Laid-back beach weddings: To keep the atmosphere light-hearted and full of fun, wear simple yet bright jewelry. A simple strand of pearls and some flowers in your hair can set the tone for an early afternoon ceremony on the beach.

Cultural weddings: In this case there may not be much to choose in terms of because different cultures have different traditions and customs that can guide your jewelry choices. For example, Irish brides may choose to wear a piece of jewelry featuring a Celtic knot or Claddaugh design. Similarly, Asian brides commonly wear jade, a symbol of good luck, health, and prosperity. Remember, your bridal jewelry can also compliment your wedding's color theme. For example, simple and understated bridal jewelry can offset bright, vibrant flowers, candles, and linens. On the other hand, an emerald necklace or ruby drop earrings can provide attractive contrast to single hues and neutral colors.

Compliment your gown with bridal jewelry: A pure white dress looks wonderful with primary color choices. If you plan to don white on the big day and feel like wearing blue sapphires or red rubies, you can surely do so. If you choose a simple dress, then big, bold jewelry, even colored gemstones, could look fabulous. When you select the type and length of your necklace and earrings, make sure they look good with the neckline of your dress.

With these tips in mind you can plan the dream wedding the memories of which you will cherish forever.

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

About The Author: Vivian Liu is the owner of Wholesale Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry, and Fashion Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry.

You need to have "Special wedding checklist"

Top notch wedding checklist

# Irrespective of whomever you chose to provide necessary services, make sure that you state your needs exactly including the stuff you don't want or want to avoid, leaving no scope for any vagueness. Make sure that you put them down on paper and the providers sign the agreement.

# Verify all arrangements with the vendors and providers by meeting them at least 72 hours before the d-day. Confirm times, dates, menus, locations and their services by rereading them. prepare a master list of their phone numbers; mail them a reminder note with all specifications and instractions. Make sure they know their way to the venue.

# Never ask family or friends to provide any services, always hire professionals. It is a big problem if you don't like the results especially in the topic of photography, food and flowers. service for hire would always includ professionals and can be expected to do their job perfectly. Make sure that the bartender is not a friend of yours. He may end up getting the party drunk without any evil intentions.

# Take care of your wedding dress, never try to alter or iron it. In case you need any alterations or ironing, call the bridal shop. Do not smoke, drink or eat with the wedding dress on. Keep the wedding dress away form pets and outdoors. Make sure you rehearse your movements with the dress on before the wedding, to get the hang of its movements and trail. Make sure the bridesmaid's dresses are altered in your presence to make sure they are not too short, loose or tight.

# Always try to have a spare for all electronic equipment used – camera, tape recorder etc. along with batteries, just in case they dont work.

# Make sure you are licensed to marry, get you marriage license prior to the marriage and carry it on the wedding day.

# Make sure there is someone responsible to take care of the last minute details, like attending phones, feeding the guests, minding children etc.

# Just to make sure you are punctual, try a trial run to the wedding location a day or two before at the appointed time. You will get a hang of the route and traffic conditions.

# Carry the emergency bag that must contain – a needle and thread, nail polish, hair pins or clips, safety pins and an extra pair of undergarments. Make sure you have the emergency medications in it, if you suffer from any condition. You could include some light snacks, in case someone gets hungry. # Avoid late night on the wedding eve. Also avoid drinking alcohol and coffee in excess, so that you will be in good spirits on the d-day.

# The last but the most important – Never panic…! Don't let the small things disturb you and stand in your way. Keep your smile in place and use the ultimate weapon – your sense of humor. Nothing or no one is ever perfect, but all of us strive to be. All the very best.

About The Author: Yehiel Carter can help you with wedding planning and etiquette. He is an expert on anything related to planning your wedding, For more information and advice go to: www.bestweddinginstructor.com/bestweddingever

Planning The Perfect Back Yard Wedding

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding site, your own back yard may be just the place. If you are considering holding a wedding at home, there’s a lot to think about. For example, do you need a tent? Are you required to have a special events license? Should you get portable toilets for the back yard? These small touches can make or break a back yard wedding.

According to Elana Lancit, founder and president of Vancouver-based Sweet Beginnings, a full-service wedding consulting and event-planning company, “An at-home affair takes a lot of planning. Consider hiring a professional consultant. Although the benefits of a home wedding come with added considerations, if you arrange everything in advance, the day will be wonderful for you and your guests.

• Weather or Not: First on Lancit’s list is weather insurance. “Plan on renting a tent no matter what,” says Lancit. “Weather is just too unpredictable. Tents provide good shade in the heat, and if you are planning a wedding in the fall, heating lamps are good to have on-hand,” she says.

• Be Neighborly: To ensure your neighbors don’t complain about the noise, invite them along, or at least inform them about the event. If you are not inviting the neighbors, Lancit suggests dropping off a bottle of wine or a gift certificate to a restaurant a few days prior to the event. “This shows appreciation and respect for your neighbours,” says Lancit.

• Menu Planning: Lancit suggests hiring a catering company to handle the food and bar. Before the wedding day, invite the caterers to your house so they can see what kind of space your kitchen offers. They may decide to bring a tent to provide additional space for prep work. Before signing the contract, make sure to discuss what is included in the cost. For example, will they provide plates and utensils? Also, consider the weather – you want to choose foods that will not perish.

• Parking: Parking can be a cause of distress on the big day. Since most homes cannot accommodate 200 cars, Lancit suggests using a valet service, which most guests appreciate. The valet service will handle all logistics and keep your guests from walking a great distance. “If you choose to hire valet, consider having extra staff at the beginning and end of the event,” says Lancit.

• License: Lancit suggests calling city hall to find out if you are required to have a special license or permit for your event, such as a parking permit or a special event license. Also get information on notice by-laws and inquire about extra insurance.

• Bathrooms: Don’t forget to think about bathrooms! This is something that people all-too-often forget about. If you don’t have enough bathrooms in your house or do not want people trekking through, consider port-o-lets. Have at least two set up not too far from the party. Lancit also suggests hiring someone to clean the bathrooms during the event.

• Event Logists: Lancit recommends creating a complete floor plan and to consider the location of the musicians; head table; guest tables; dance floor; dressing room for bride, groom and attendants; and station for hair and makeup.

• Power: Check on getting an extra generator. With all the music and lighting, you want to make sure not to blow a fuse during the event.

• Flooring: If you are setting up your dance area on grass, consider ordering a dance floor. If the ground is uneven, work may need to be done in order to lay down the flooring.

• Lighting: Guests need to be able to see where they are walking so they don’t trip over anything. Make sure everything is well-lit. Consider adding candles, lanterns and mini-lights.

• Flowers: Make sure to work with a florist who will provide flowers that can hold up in all weather conditions.

• Coat Check: Depending on the time of year, make sure you have a place for guests to hang their coats.

• Don’t Forget The Inside: Make sure your house is presentable just in case guests take a peek.

About The Author: Elana Lancit is founder and president of Sweet Beginnings. Sweet Beginnings is the world’s only franchised, full-service wedding consulting and décor provider. Sweet Beginnings currently has 15 locations in Canada. Visit www.asweetbeginning.com for additional information.