Thank You Notes

A fun idea for your thank you notes.

Order blank thank you notes and have your photographer take a photo of you on your wedding day. Have them printed while you are on your honeymoon, and you will be ready upon your return to write the thank you notes with a very personal touch. Taking a few minutes to let your guests know you did appreciate the gift.

Summer Wedding Photography

The photos are from some of the summer weddings that Everlasting Memories by Char and staff have coordinated. Please enjoy!

My business has been selected as a contender in this year's A List 2009 competition.
If you like my work, I'd appreciate a click:

http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/everlasting-memories/biz/50169

Traditions

Bride and Groom Seeing One Another before the Ceremony

This tradition does get lots of attention:

When brides were purchased in days of old, the custom was for the groom to pick his bride from a group of heavily veiled maidens, quite often the seller of the brides would substitue a less than desirable choice and resale the "chosen" one at next weeks sale. The groom would never know he had chosed the wrong maiden until he lifted the veiling.

Today that tradition has definitely been replaced with the bride and groom choosing their own mate. A lot of couples do see one another before the ceremony, so that pictures can be taken before the ceremony and just doing a few pictures after the ceremony. This is a real time saver. I like to arrange a "quiet time" before the picture taking begins, just the bride going up the aisle to meet her groom, usually takes about 10 minutes and it is a special time for the couple as that will probably be the only time they will have a few minutes for just the two of them throughout the wedding day. It also allows the couple to spend time with their guests during the cocktail time.

Wedding Tradions

Over the next few weeks, I thought I would write about wedding traditions......Where did they come from?

Before the engagement, traditionally, in the days when the man proposed on bended knee, the man asked his "intended's" father for permission to marry his daughter. The father would question the groom to be on his background, upbringing and financial abilites to support his daughter.
Today the couple's decison to marry most likely is made jointly, followed by a trip to the jeweler to get the engagement ring. While a man no longer needs permission, he should have the courtesy to discuss the marriage with the brides parents.
It used to be unacceptable for an engaged couple to be alone without a chaperone. Times have changed, today's major delimma may not be stealing a kiss but whether to tell the parents the couple is living together.
Historically, the cost of giving the wedding traces to the dowry and the bride price, used as encouragement by parents to marry off their daughters. The brides family paid for all the wedding expenses. However in today's world, the bride can probably hold her own with regard to helping with the household expenses. The traditions still holds; after the wedding the groom is responsible for supporting his wire, regardless of the practicalities of the marriage. Some families today divide the expenses of a wedding one third of the expenses, brides family, bride and groom and the groom's parents.

Importance of a Professional Bridal Consultant

These are routine details that a professional bridal consultant will handle for the bride and groom: Hourly Consultation, Wedding Day Coordination or Full Service Planning, Financial Advising, Invitations and Stationery (including etiquette issues), Ceremony/Reception Locations and Detailed Wedding Day Timelines.

Providing Suppliers: Florists, Cakes, Catering , Photography, Videography, Hotel Accommodations, Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, Officiants, Wedding Attire, Make-Up Artistry, Music, Rings, Gifts, Bridal Registries, Liquor, Rentals, Tents, Port-a-Lets, Transportation and Parties.

You Can Count on a Bridal Consultant to Help You in Many Roles

ADVISOR: As an expert, a professioanl bridal consultant knows weddings from the socially correct formats through the proper planning and organization of the reception.

COORDINATOR: Through extensive contacts in the wedding business, a bridal consultant can match couples with the right professionals.

SUPERVISOR: A bridal consultant will work with the other professionals to coordinate details just as the couple envisions.

FINANCIAL PLANNER: A bridal consultant can help organize a dream wedding within a budget by suggesting ways to make dollars go the farthest.

MEDIATOR: A professional bridal consultant, as an independent third party, can smooth ruffled feathers and mediate disagreements between ex-families and step families.

A Professional Bridal Consultant™ has taken ABC course work requiring time, effort, and expense. Accredited Bridal Consultant™ is 3 years after becoming Professional; Master Bridal Consultant™ takes a minimum of 6 years in ABC, plus testing, experience, referrals and additional expense. Yet there are those who say they are consultants because of their involvement in the wedding industry. It takes training for each vendor specialty…just as it does for a consultant.

I am told after each wedding by the vendors, they can see the difference, the couples are relaxed and enjoying this special time in their lives. It allows all the vendors to do their job, when they are not being the coordinator for the wedding. It makes a better day for everyone, the couple, the guest and the vendors!

Relax and enjoy your wedding day!

Romance

I found this great article on The Hub.......some fun ideas for Women to give to their man

HAVE A WONDERFUL VALENTINE'S DAY!

Are Men Romantic?
By MaryD

Are Men Romantic?
All too often men get a bad rap when it comes to romance. Too many women feel that men are just not romantic, period. Well I am here to tell you that is wrong.
Are there Un-Romantic men out there? Yes, there are. But perhaps they are that way merely because they have not been taught what women find romantic or they've been led to believe that it is ‘unmanly' to think like a romantic.
That is sad, because there are a lot of manly men who are very romantic! It is not a sign of weakness for a man to enjoy the same romantic things that women do. It is a shame that men feel that way.
I have listed below some things that men find to be romantic gestures that women can do for them.

Things Men Find Romantic:
Compliments - Men like compliments just as much as a woman! Nothing sparks a man's attention faster than letting him know that you find him sexy, a good provider, a hard worker, creative, etc. Even just letting him know that he looks really good in those jeans is a boost!

Gifts - Men enjoy gifts as well. Although men are more practical so gifts such as a new sweatshirt to replace his old faded favorite one is a good suggestion. How about a new tool or a gift certificate to his favorite handy-man store or sporting goods store?

You, in his clothes - Men are hugely turned on by seeing their sweetheart wearing his favorite t-shirt or a button down white shirt. It's just a fact. Remember, men are visual!

Watching Movies Together - Watching comedy movies together is a great fun and a great way to connect. Laughter is a common thread among people and men love it when they can have a fun time with a woman. And even more so if she is willing to watch guy type movies. But not if she is going to be bored out of her mind or absolutely hate the movie. Find ones with common interest and you will capture his heart. Many men will even watch a good ‘chick flick' if its not total mush!

Creating Great Memories Together - Creating memories together with the things that you do together and then creating a photo album or memory box together is a very romantic gesture. Being able to pull out that album or box and reliving those fun memories is a great turn on to anyone. The time spent on putting them together also creates more memories and helps to connect you together.

Taking an Interest in His Hobbies - When a woman is willing to go to a car show or sporting event with her man, that is a tremendous romantic gesture. Especially if she also enjoys the same types of shows or sports. Bonding when doing similar interests is a great way to keep a relationship thriving. In turn he will take more of an interest in her hobbies and past times when she takes an interest in his.

Surprise Intimacy. Whether it's an unexpected kiss or an afternoon trip to the bedroom, men swoon when women say "Come here." We all know that sex is on the mind of men very often, and when his lover surprises him with a romantic intimate rendezvous that is all the better! Men love it when the woman is the aggressor at times!

Love Notes - Men may not always admit it, but many men say that they love getting love notes. Leaving them in places where he will find them during his hectic work day is fun. Tuck a note or love coupon in his shirt pocket or wallet. Men do not read our minds any more than we read theirs, so it is just as important to them to hear or read those 3 little words often!

Romantic things for Every Man

Nine Simple Romantic Things for Every Man
Valentine's Day is coming soon! (February 14th)
Plan Ahead!

Make a list
Make a list of the special days on the calendar that you celebrate together. On these days make a point of spending some quality time together.

Toast to her
Toast each other when you sit down to dinner. It doesn’t need to be alcohol, even water or ice tea works. Tell her something you love about her and then drink to it!

Reach out and touch her
Using the power of touch makes a lasting impression throughout the day. Remember to take time for a kiss goodbye in the morning and when you return. A inviting warm hug or backrub at the end of a stressful day is always appreciated.

Surprise her
A romantic evening doesn't have to begin at sunset. Surprise your special someone with a gift during the day. Not only does an early surprise leave her feeling loved, but it also builds anticipation to see you later on.

Take note of significant things
Set something aside for her every day. It might be a newspaper article you read during your commute, a link to a website, or even a story you heard at the office. She will appreciate that you took a moment to think of her during the course of your day.

Be thoughtful
Do something thoughtful for her every day. Whether it's making her a cup of coffee in the morning, sticking a surprise note in her bag or on the mirror, or leaving her a chocolate "kiss" on her pillow before bedtime, everyone loves a romantic surprise.
I have a neighbor man that warms the newspaper every morning and brings to her in bed, with a cup of Hot Tea! What a great way for her to start her day!

Keep up your appearance
Let her see you at your best. Most women love to see their men clean-shaven, in great clothes and perhaps wearing a hint of her favorite cologne.

Tell her about your moods
Be honest if you are feeling stressed or under the weather. Your woman will appreciate your honesty and will know not to take it personally when you come home in a bad mood.

Discuss your day
Sit down together when you get home and relate your daily experiences. The best thing about spending time apart is that it makes you appreciate each other more.

Importance of Engagement Photography

Couples always ask me why engagement photography is important.

There are several reasons: You get to know the photographer on a personal basis before your wedding. The photographer gets to know you, how you smile, and how that relates to the rest of your face and body language.

You will spend the most time at your wedding with your bridal consultant and the photographer. It is more relaxing for you on your wedding day, if you have had the opportunity to work with the photographer before your big day. People who are relaxed in a photography session are more photogenic.

You can use the engagement photography for a signature matte, instead of a guest book that could be displayed in your home, after the wedding. Guests can write something personal to you, on the border of the photo, it is more fun!

Photos by Hardy Klahold