Men don’t seem to be influenced much by this wedding “propaganda”, but there are lots of women who feel they’ll be missing out on something very big in their lives if they don’t have a glamorous wedding.

My advice to you is: don’t underestimate the value and beauty of a smaller, unconventional wedding. These types of weddings usually turn out to be much more fun and much less stress than big celebrations.

Why Say NO to a Glam Wedding

Let’s first note the negative aspects of a big wedding:

• It involves a lot of planning and organization that requires time and thick nerves
• It demands you invite a lot of people you barely know, let alone love and want to share your special day with
• It is pretty costly
• It puts you in a spotlight in a way that might make you too self-conscious to be able to fully enjoy your big party

3 Ways to Have a Wonderful “Low-Key” Wedding

Here are some ways you can spend less money than planned and really enjoy getting married:

1) Have a small lunch or dinner only for your closest family members, and later on in the evening or the following day have a party for friends. This way you get to invite only people you really want at your wedding, you can enjoy a more intimate atmosphere with your family and get really wild at your party. All that for much less money than you’d spend for a “classical” ceremony.

2) Elope with your partner to some beautiful/romantic/exotic/unexpected place and get married on a whim. If you really love someone, don’t be afraid to get carried away by your adventurous spirit. Of course, your close friends and family might be mad at you for not sharing these important moments of your lives with them; to prevent this, right after you come back from your adventurous affair, prepare a fun PP presentation for them that you will send before they have a chance to get angry. The presentation can feature funny photos from your wedding, including their headshots so as to look like they were present, and add cute rhymes or a short story that will make them laugh rather than curse you.

3) If you live close to the beach, lake or forest, have a wedding in nature. Make everyone get barefoot, including you and your partner, invite only people you care about and have a laid-back party where everyone will get drunk by the lovely summer breeze and fresh air.

The strength of these smaller weddings lies in charming details. You can have a wedding cake ornamented by bride and groom figures cut in the shape of two puzzles that perfectly fit one another; you can have specially designed beverage labels for your wedding, featuring you and your partner, or lines of an inside joke you share with your friends… You can have a costume-party wedding where everyone will be dressed in bride and groom clothes, or any other theme you think might be fun for your wedding.

Not to downplay the beauty of traditional weddings, but it seems like the simplicity and spontaneity of unconventional weddings take the cake.

Author bio:

Allison Moody is a freelance ghostwriter currently working on promoting her FREE online beverage labels creator, Labeley.

While some people prefer a more sedate and traditional wedding to celebrate what they see as a solemn occasion there are others who would rather take a step outside of tradition and do something that will not only take their guests by surprise, but have them talking about your wedding for months or even years to come.

When looking for something unusual to incorporate into your wedding ceremony or reception, it is always a good idea to take into account your venue and the guests you have invited. While you may want to surprise them; charm them even; you don’t want to offend them either, but it is your day, so why not make it a day worth remembering?

Go Tropical

Going tropical for your wedding – and especially for your wedding reception – can be a definite eye-opener. Bringing in tropical plants, parrots and Caribbean flavored music can lend a decidedly sultry approach to any wedding, or make it Hawaiian and let guests (or even the bride and bridesmaids) compete in a Hula dance .

Chinese Sky Lanterns

Bring the traditions of the orient into your wedding by releasing Chinese sky lanterns during your ceremony or reception. Having each couple in attendance release a lantern can lend a dramatic and touching moment to your day.

Choreograph your First Dance

Don’t just stand there and sway to the music – stun your friends with a professionally choreographed first dance that will take their breath away.

Bring in the Mimes

A mime troupe can be a staggeringly original addition to any wedding ceremony or reception, especially for the less traditional couples who have a wicked sense of humor. In a reception setting, mimes can be a great way to get the guests involved in the activities or get them laughing.

Furry Ring Bearers

If you are both dog lovers, why not include your best four-footed friends in your big day? Choose some glitzy collars and attach the rings to them, then have the maid of honor and the best man hold the leash for your furry friends.

Stage a Flash Mob

You’ve seen them on YouTube, the flash mobs that descend on different locations to startle people out of their complacency. Why not arrange for a flash mob to descend on your wedding or wedding reception? In a ceremony setting especially, this would be incredibly effective, with say, a traditional song being played, then taken over by something far more upbeat and celebratory.

The Wedding Piñata

While Piñata’s are usually used at birthday parties, a large piñata can be incorporated into your reception very easily. Fill it with surprises for your guests (such as gift cards, lotto tickets, some silver dollars, lots of candy and even more confetti. Let the bride, groom, best man and maid of honor take turns being blindfolded and taking swings at it until it bursts.

Gifts for your Guests

Having a gift ready for each of your guests as they arrive at your wedding reception can be a very different approach. It doesn’t have to be much; but make sure that it is wrapped uniquely and presented in an usual manner. Making “wedding crackers” instead of Christmas crackers is another way to do this, and will give your guests something to remember you by.

This article was written by Sarah Rigos, founder of the cash registry Starlight Registry.

Getting selected to serve as best man in one of your close friends or relatives wedding is a huge honor. However, you may have found yourself wondering what exactly are the best man responsibilities?

There are of course varying views on this as a result of people who may prefer to follow tradition as opposed to more contemporary responsibilities.

Here are a few responsibilities that are outlined under each of the following categories that everyone can agree on.

Facilitator

The best man among other duties must sometimes act as a facilitator especially with regard to the ring bearer and the ushers. If there is a ring bearer in the ceremony the best man hold on to the ring until the wedding and then makes sure the ring bearer understands their role in the wedding before passing it on prior to the ceremony.

The best man should also make sure all of the ushers are together and ready to go before the ceremony starts to ensure everything goes as planned and there are no unnecessary delays. Also check details such as whether everyone is in place and pretty much anything else that the bride’s mother requests of you. Most importantly it is traditional for the best man to make the first toast at the reception and rehearsal dinner.

Personal Reminder

Part of the best man responsibilities includes acting as a personal reminder to the groom. The groom should make sure the groom has the marriage license with him and the marriage license fee. The best man also wants to remind the groom to give the fee to the Minister after the wedding or collect it from the groom and pay it privately himself. The best man should literally make a checklist for the groom and make sure nothing is left unchecked.

Personal Stylist

It is customary for the best man to help the groom dress for the wedding and suggest suits (approved by the bride of course) during the wedding planning process. The best man should also make sure the men’s boutonnieres are on the correct side at the wedding and that everyone is dressed appropriately.

The best man should be notified of specific details regarding attire so that he can assure that everything is in order. This includes checking basic requirements of course such as belts, shoes, jackets and ties.

Travel Agent

The best man is involved in all of the travel arrangements both to the wedding if necessary and with respect to the honeymoon. The best man makes sure the groom has transportation to the wedding, makes sure the groom has all tickets, money and reservation information, and even helps the groom pack if necessary.

The best man should help with luggage arrangements for both the bride and the groom so that nothing is left behind. The best man should also help arrange transportation for after the wedding and help the bride and groom depart.

San Diego’s beautiful weather and great location offers you plenty of wedding possibilities. There are so many choices in fact that choosing San Diego wedding locations may be overwhelming.

If you have been struggling to make a decision or are looking for basic information on a good spot look no further. The following information should offer you some guidance on some of the most popular places.

Beach

Everybody knows you can’t visit San Diego without going to the beach and if you live in San Diego take advantage of it! There are very few places that a beach wedding is possible and if you are fortunate enough to live near a beach I can’t think of a better location. The beauty of a beach wedding is that you can save on renting a ballroom or church and if you can find a nice quiet spot on the beach in San Diego it’s free! The beach is sure to offer you the wedding experience you have always dreamed of.

Prado at Balboa Park

The Prado at Balboa Park is also another popular San Diego wedding location. Balboa Park is so popular in fact you can visit balboaparkweddings.com which is a site completely dedicated to helping you organize your wedding at this location. Most people choose to have their wedding in one of the lush historical gardens or courtyards but whatever you choose the Prado offers you an opportunity to truly pull off an impressive wedding.

An added benefit of holding your wedding here is there is 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space so accommodating you wedding guests including for a reception won’t be a problem.

Hornblower Cruises

Again San Diego has its perks and one of them is being so close to an ocean. You might as well have your wedding ceremony on a yacht while you sail the open sea or the San Diego harbor. If you do a quick search for Hornblower cruises weddings you can visit the site to browse the various wedding packages. There are wedding and reception packages starting at $155 per person that are sure to suit your individual preferences.

Seaworld

Where else in the world can you get married wearing wetsuits while standing in a dolphin enclosure? Seaworld offers you the opportunity to have a unique wedding ceremony that you will undoubtedly remember for the rest of your life. Believe it or not this is an extremely popular wedding idea so it is important to plan ahead. You will need to contact Seaworld directly for pricing and availability but also keep in mind this is not the best option if you have a large wedding in mind.

If you have already decided to travel to Jamaica or have at least narrowed down your search, you may have realized by now there are plenty of travel options available. All Inclusive Resorts in Ochos Rios Jamaica are among the highest ranked resorts in the world.  You will be impressed with the beautiful environment, level of service and various amenities offered by these resorts. Below is some information that may help you choose the resort that is right for you.

ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios

Jamaica’s ClubHotel Riu is one of the newest resorts in the area and is surrounded by breathtaking beaches, rainforests and waterfalls. The resort not unlike other resorts of its caliber offers you spectacular dining options, entertainment and activities. You can find standard room rates as low as $100 per person/per night not including airfare and packages starting right around $1000. The resort invites singles, couples or families to join them for an unforgettable experience.

Breezes Runaway Bay

Breezes resorts have a reputation all around the world as being the best all-inclusive resorts and Jamaica is no different. The Breezes Runaway Bay Resort Spa & Golf Club is just West of Ochos Rios and is hailed by travelers to be one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Ochos Rios Jamaica for the money.  The resorts offer a wide variety of amenities and activities including, golf, relaxing spas, water sports, gourmet dining, hiking trails and more. Packages can be as much as $1500 per person but vary depending on where you are arriving from, duration of stay, room type, and a number of other factors.

Sandals Grand Riviera

Sandals is another option that has a good reputation among beach resorts and considered to be among some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. Sandals Grand Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort situated on a mountain top, but still close to the beach is an example of a resort surrounded by the true beauty of Jamaica. Sandals resorts are family oriented and provide a premier level of service. Sandals resorts have been doing business since 1981 and have refined the art of offering unforgettable all-inclusive vacation stays. The prices are competitive offering package deals in the same range as those mentioned above.

Beaches Boscobel

If you are looking for something more toned down than what the “super-inclusive” mega chains are offering Beaches Boscobel Resort Spa & Golf Club might be for you. Beaches resorts strike the perfect balance between traditional style fun and class. Beaches Boscobel is sure to have something for everyone and sure to meet or exceed your expectations. You can visit the Beaches site directly to book package deals or you are sure to find package deals all year round on travel sites such as Travelocity or Expedia.

The combination of Belize’s romantic allure and beautiful tropical setting make it a perfect honeymoon destination. If you are looking for privacy and seclusion or a bit of fun and adventure a Belize honeymoon can offer you both. There are many packages available and honeymoon options so it may be difficult to decide on just one. The following information may help you narrow the search.

Particulars

Whether you choose to organize your honeymoon trip yourself or take advantage of one of the many honeymoon packages you are sure to have a memorable experience in Belize. Many honeymooners who forgo a ritzy resort enjoy the Turtle Inn a quaint cottage style hotel right on the beach that offers you the intimacy with your loved one you desire.

You can also explore the surrounding jungle, swim under waterfalls, and tour ancient Mayan ruins if you are up for a little excitement. However, booking a package from one of the many resorts may be a good way to save on money and make sure you don’t have to worry about anything while you are on your honeymoon. Las Terrazas resort is one of the more popular options and is sure to provide you with a comfortable stay.

Price

Prices range of course according to what you are looking for but the Turtle Inn will cost you a little over $400 a night not including airfare. You can book an all-inclusive package at La Terrazas for right around $2000 but again prices depend on where you are arriving from, duration of stay, and room preference among other things. Booking your flight and hotel together is recommended to ensure the best rate. You should also always book in advance and plan ahead.

Travel Accommodations

You will undoubtedly be arriving by plane and direct flights are available to either Belize City Goldson International Airport (BZE) or San Pedro Airport (SPR) from most major cities. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you book a Belize honeymoon package many of them also often include travel to and from the airport so that shouldn’t be an issue.

Although if you have to arrange travel separately it is certainly a good idea to contact a travel agent not only to offer valuable insight and book the best available flights but also so you can secure reservations and limit any delays or cancellations you may experience.

A few years ago, finding less bulky fashionable pregnancy dresses for weddings was quite difficult. However today, pregnant brides and wedding guests are spoilt for choice; the secret lies in knowing what to look for. As a pregnant woman, your whole body is growing and you need to pick a dress that accentuates your beautiful belly without making you look big and awkward.

Always Go for Natural Fabrics

When you are pregnant, your metabolic rate and blood volume increase raising your body temperature. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk and linen are however guaranteed to keep you cool and comfortable. Obviously, if you are the bride some of these natural fabrics may not be very practical. You might have to go with dressier fabrics such as pure silky satin, duchess satin, silk dupion / Thai silk and lace. Though some of these fabrics aren’t completely natural, they are lightweight and they drape beautifully.

To Show or To Hide?

In recent years, showing the tummy has become rather trendy. Unless you are in your first trimester, do not try to hide the pregnancy. For a wedding, you can even get away with a classy, clingy maternity dress.

Short or Long?

In the first and early second trimester, it is acceptable for you to wear a short dress. However, in the last trimester, long is always better. On the other hand, if your feet are swollen you must stay away from short dresses regardless of what trimester you are in.

Color

When you are pregnant, dark colors make you look smaller than you actually are. If for whatever reason you feel you have to wear bright colors, go for loose fitting checked, stripy or floral dresses as opposed to one color.

Styles

The most popular styles for maternity dresses for weddings are:

• Empire Waist Dresses: This simply refers to a high waist line occurring right below the bust. The best thing about an empire waist dress is that it leaves enough room for your growing belly while visually lengthening your body.

• Drop Waist Dresses: A drop waist dress is one that has a low lying horizontal waistline that is in line with the upper hip. This style is great for showing off your belly.

• Wrap Dresses: These dresses can be easily adjusted by tightening or loosening the ties. If you pick a wrap dress, you won’t have to worry about your growing bump as you will still be able to fit into your dress.

Planning a wedding can be time consuming and costly. You may soon find yourself cutting as many corners as possible to try to stay within your budget. Fortunately for you there is free wedding stuff out there you just need to know where to find it.

The information below provides you with some sure fire ways to cut down on costs.

Online invitations

Sites like purpletrail.com and printable-greetings.com allow you to choose from different designs and styles of wedding invitations if you like or you can start with a blank slate. Either way you are able to add your own personal touch by customizing your invitations, including adding pictures, personal messages, backgrounds and more.

You can choose to have the invitations mailed to you, print them out or send them online. You can make online invitations for free at printable greetings but Purple Trail charges if you want them delivered. However, Purple Trail does give you the option to create a personalized website to collect RSVP’s for your wedding free of charge.

Location

Renting a church or ballroom can be expensive, however opting to have your wedding on the beach or outside is completely free. There are plenty of beautiful locations that won’t cost you anything to hold your ceremony. You can do a quick search online to get location ideas and also whether or not there is a fee associated. Choosing a good location is important but if you’re smart it should be arranged outside of your budget.

Coupon Codes

You can find coupon codes to use on all kinds of free wedding stuff by visiting the-wedding-information-site.com. The site has a list of websites that have coupons that can be used on everything from honeymoon travel arrangements to hair stylists. It is in your best interests to take advantage of anything anyone will give you at this point, every little bit will help. You can also order wedding catalogues which usually also include special offers and coupons that can be used towards wedding items.

Contests

It might sound crazy but you should enter every wedding contest out there for a chance to win free wedding stuff. There are all kinds of contests that offer free, wedding cakes, trips, bands, planners you name it. Although this may be a last resort it may end up paying off big for you in the end. Entering contests is something you can do relatively quickly in any event and might even have the best results.

Making the decision to spend the rest of your lives together is one of the most important steps the two of you will ever take  in your entire life. Arranging a wedding to commemorate the big day is the next big step. There are endless possibilities and if you are reading this you are probably already exploring your options. Weddings on the beach have always been popular and Florida beach wedding all inclusvie are certain to supply you with a wedding experience you will remember for the rest of your lives.

Particulars

Florida attracts tourists from all over the world because of the beautiful beaches, warm climate and attractions such as Disney World and Sea World. It is no surprise that Florida has also become an attractive location for weddings. Florida has over 700 miles of sandy shores so depending on your individual tastes you are sure to find a location along the beach that meets your needs.

Even the most standard of packages includes everything from a minister to music, additionally upgraded packages can include bar service, catering, professional planners and coordinators, and much more. You can find package deals by visiting the home sites of any major chain resort, most notably Hilton, which has a “weddings” button right on the front page. You can also book comparable all inclusive Florida beach wedding packages on sites such as Florida Weddings Online and A Perfect Beginning.

Price

Florida beach packages range in price depending on what you’re looking for, but you can find moderately priced packages for as little as $1200. However, price is always based on seasonal room rates, where you are arriving from, number of guests, your own budget and what you want your package to include. The beauty of planning a Florida beach wedding is there are package options available for all income levels. Not to mention choosing a location on the beach is more convenient and less expensive than locating or renting a church or ballroom.

Travel Accommodations

Most travelers arrive by plane and have 19 major commercial airports to choose from. A few of the major airports include Miami International Airport (MIA), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Most all inclusive packages include transportation to and from the airport so that shouldn’t be an issue. Since Florida has become such a popular wedding destination you are encouraged to book in advance to ensure premium rates and accommodations.

It is important to keep in mind Florida is busiest June to September during the summer so if you want to avoid the rush you may want to book around this time frame. However, if you plan to get married during this time it’s a good idea to plan accordingly.

Costa Rica is one of the most popular vacation destinations due to its unbeatable price and beautiful beaches. It is not surprising you have decided that Costa Rica is an appropriate place to start your life together. However, organizing a Costa Rica honeymoon trip that is right for you may be a difficult process. Here is some relevant information that should help you narrow the search.

Particulars

You may choose to book your flight and hotel accommodations separately but it will probably be in your best interests to take advantage of one of the many honeymoon packages available. In fact a site called “honeymoon in Costa Rica” which offers you insight on what hotels and resorts which receive the best reviews from travelers and professionally designed honeymoon packages that take into account the specific interests of the honeymooners.

In addition to including everything you need an added benefit of package deals is that you can cut your costs if you book the entire trip together. There are packages available that can be customized to include everything from champagne in the room upon arrival to moonlit catamaran rides for two.

Price

You can find Costa Rica honeymoon packages starting right around $1550 but prices vary depending on where you are arriving from, time of year, star rating of your preferred accommodations and a number of other factors that suit your individual needs. You can take advantage of discounted packages by visiting http://www.vacationscostarica.com/ and by avoiding busy seasons of travel. It is strongly encouraged that you book in advance to ensure the best available rate. You are sure to find a package that fits within your budget.

Travel

You will undoubtedly arrive by plane and can conveniently book your flight for arrival at the San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) which receives international flights from all over the world. Most honeymoon packages will include travel to and from the airport so that shouldn’t be a problem, however taxis are available at the airport to take you wherever you need to go.

Costa Rica has easily accessible roads and easy to navigate so if you plan on moving around a lot you should inquire about renting a vehicle or including one in your package deal. You shouldn’t only book your trip in advance to endure low rates, you will also want to prevent trip delays and cancellations, so plan accordingly.