A Career in Wedding Planning

As a wedding planner you can have a rewarding career that lets you use your creativity to organize the happiest day of people's lives.

In our busy society it's no wonder so many couples turn to a professional wedding planner to ensure their wedding is as stress free as possible. With more than 2.5 million weddings taking place in the United States alone last year, there are more opportunities for wedding planners than ever before.

As long as you have the desire, you can become a wedding planner. No special education or experience is necessary to break into this career and succeed. If wedding planning sounds like the career of your dreams, here are ten steps to breaking into this fabulous job, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Wedding Planner, published by FabJob.com.

1. Develop your skills

Successful wedding planners have a number of traits in common. They are usually creative people with excellent interpersonal skills who love to plan events. While most of these traits come naturally to many wedding planners, an important skill that some need to develop is organizational ability. To help you stay organized, you can create timeline schedules and checklists, and use organizational tools such as a day planner or binder to keep track of all the wedding details and paperwork.

2. Learn about Weddings

There are numerous details involved in planning a wedding -- from selecting the wedding date to choosing the menu for the reception. You can learn how to plan weddings by taking continuing education classes or through self-study. To teach yourself, help out with as many weddings as possible, visit bridal shows, read wedding magazines, and conduct informational interviews with clergy of various faiths, recently married brides and others connected to the wedding business such as florists and caterers.

3. Create a portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of photographs that show people your skill at planning weddings. To develop a portfolio, offer your services to friends and family who are getting married in exchange for pictures for your portfolio. (You can ask them to write reference letters for you as well.) You can also include photographs of table settings or room decorations you have created in your home, or pictures from your own wedding to show your creative side.

4. Find a job in the wedding industry

Even if you plan to start your own business, consider getting a job in the industry first. Besides employment benefits, these positions can be used as a stepping-stone to gain valuable experience and contacts. Wedding coordinators are hired by hotels, country clubs, and churches across the country.

Some of the more exciting options include working as a wedding coordinator at an attraction such as Disney World or at a resort in a location such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Europe or the Caribbean. Many other job opportunities for "bridal consultants" are available with companies that supply products and services for weddings including bridal shops, department stores with gift registries, florists, and caterers.

5. Set up your own business

Setting up a wedding planning business is not much different than starting any other business, with a few exceptions. You should be able to work from home as long as you set aside an office space free from interruptions from children or pets. This is especially important if you plan on holding meetings with clients there.

Set up costs will be minimal but you will need a computer, fax, business phone line, cell phone, business cards, and marketing materials such as a website. Before setting up your business, take advantage of the free advice offered by agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration.

6. Choose a specialty

Wedding planners offer a variety of services and packages based on their specific skills and interests. For example, you might offer complete wedding planning services, wedding day co-ordination only, or consult with brides and grooms who want to plan their own weddings. Some wedding planners specialize in arranging "destination weddings" at resorts or on cruise ships. Decide which services you would like to offer.

7. Develop relationships with vendors

Vendors are suppliers of any product or service related to weddings, such as limousine companies, musicians, photographers, party supply companies, invitation printers, etc. Vendors can be a valued partner in planning a successful wedding and a great networking ally.

Conduct informational meetings to learn about their services, and what discounts they can offer you as a wedding planner. Before recommending a site for a wedding ceremony or reception, visit and inspect the premises. Take notes on the condition, size, cleanliness and capacity of each venue so you can guide your clients in making suitable choices. Always follow up with vendors after the wedding with a thank you note or to discuss any changes you want for future.

8. Get clients

One of the best ways to get clients is through your relationships with vendors. Supply business cards and brochures to the bridal shops, caterers, florists, photographers and other vendors you work with, and ask them to recommend your services to their customers who are getting married. Other ways to market your services include advertising, networking, participating in bridal shows, or even organizing your own bridal show.

9. Consult with clients

Once you start getting calls from brides and grooms, arrange a client consultation meeting. The purpose of this initial consultation is to learn as much as possible about the couple and what they want, so you can show them how hiring you will help them achieve the wedding of their dreams. Be prepared to ask questions to find out what type of wedding they want, their budget, number of guests, etc.

At this meeting you will discuss your fees, which might be an hourly rate such as $50 per hour or a flat fee. Explain how you can help them have the worry-free wedding of their dreams.

10. Be recognized as a professional

Successful wedding planners are always interested in learning new ideas they can use with their clients. Consider joining a professional association for wedding planners to keep up with new developments in the industry. Clients will be impressed with your affiliation to a professional organization, especially if it certifies you as a professional wedding planner.

Based on the FabJob.com Guide to Become a Wedding Planner. The complete book gives detailed advice on how you can get paid to plan weddings, be hired for a job in the wedding industry, or start your own wedding planning business. It is available online through www.FabJob.com/weddingplanner.asp (NOTE TO EDITORS: This article may be edited for publication in your newsletter or on your website but must include the title of the guide and a live link.)

Planning A Wedding? Tips On How To Attend A Bridal Show

If you’re getting married, a Bridal Show is a great place to get started. Since 1996, I have attended or participated in over 150 Bridal Shows, and I thought I would pass on some tips to you, to make your trip a little easier. You can find local Bridal Shows being held anywhere from malls to hotels, convention centers and wedding facilities. You can expect to see anywhere from 10 to over 100 wedding vendors, and every single one of them is competing for your business. What to do? How to start? What to bring?

If possible, find out which vendors will be participating in the show before you attend. This will help you map out your plan of attack. Knowing who will be there in advance, as well as maybe having a layout of the show itself, you can seek out the vendors you really want to talk to, and those that aren’t so important to you.

Wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat in the car. Many shows do not offer coat check and it can become quite a burden to lug your coat, your purse, your brochures, and everything else around! This is why you need to…see next item!

Bring someone with you! Bring your Mother, a Bridesmaid, and yes, your fiancé may even enjoy himself! They can help you with collecting information and would be happy you included them in the planning process! As for your fiancé? Just tell him that he can win free stuff and eat free cake!

Other than some cake samples, and possibly appetizers, most Bridal Shows will not have food or drink available to purchase. Make sure you eat before you go, and bring a beverage.

Don’t take too many people with you. They’ll wander off and you’ll spend all your time trying to keep everyone together instead of focusing on your goals for the day.

Bring address labels. I recommend printing out labels on your home computer with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. I also recommend opening a free email account that is designated strictly for all the wedding info you will receive and then cancel them email account after you have booked all of your vendors! You can also rent a P.O. Box to handle all the wedding brochures and mailings you will receive, and then cancel the PO Box when you no longer want the mailings. However, just remember, these vendors will use the information you provide for them – if you don’t want sales pitch phone calls or mailings, simply do not give out your phone number or address! You may miss a great deal though!

Bring the following items: pen, notebook, date book, checkbook, credit card and a large tote bag to carry everything in. Many vendors offer special pricing if you book with them and leave a deposit with them the day of the show. Still not sure if this vendor is truly the one you want? Ask if they would be willing to extend the special price to you for any length of time after the show. Most vendors won’t have a problem working with you. If they say no, it makes you wonder why you need to do it RIGHT THERE AND THEN! Say thank you, and pass on by. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

Before you place that deposit, be 100% sure that you have read and agree to all the details on their contract concerning the description of what it is you are signing up for and their policies. What sounds like a great deal won’t be so great if you later find out the DJ takes an hour break and your cake doesn’t come with a stand!

If you plan on attending the Fashion show portion of the day, make sure you arrive at least an hour early. Seating is often first come, first serve, and if you’ve brought all 12 of your Bridesmaids along, you want to guarantee good seats for everyone!

If attending the Fashion Show isn’t so important to you, then use that time to visit with the vendors. Since the majority of brides will be watching the show, you will have a better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere.

If you are provided with a “Bride” sticker, don’t be embarrassed to wear it! It can become confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends, and if they know you are the bride, you are more likely to get special treatment!

When filling out any contest entries or door prize drawing slips, print clearly! Who would want to miss out on winning a free limo for their wedding because no one could read your phone number?

The best place to take notes is on the actual brochure handed out by each vendor. That way you connect a face to your notes, to your brochure, and it will be easier to remember when you make your follow up calls.

Most shows will charge a nominal fee for attendance. Make sure you pre-register if the option is available, and don’t be too embarrassed to call the company hosting the show to see if they offer any discounts on admission.

Enjoy yourself! It’s just a bridal show! Nothing HAS to be set in stone that day. Many of the bigger shows will be crowded and noisy – don’t let this deter you! Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. You are the Bride; you make the rules when dealing with vendors. It’s YOUR day, not theirs!

Charity Plaster is the Owner of A Charmed Event, a wedding and event planning company. She is a Certified Wedding Coordinator, creator of a local Wedding Workshop and licensed Officiant who has helped hundreds of couples bring their dream weddings to life.

http://www.acharmedevent.com

A Guide to Choose Wedding Vendors

When you are planning for your big day, you will need to come across quite a number of vendors. You need to hire a company to prepare wedding favor, caterer, baker for your wedding cake and so on.

Although it is unavoidable that you have to hire different wedding, most couples have a feeling that it is quite difficult to search for suitable wedding vendors. In fact, a badly chosen vendor can ruin your wedding. You should never overlook the task of searching for the professionals and here are some suggestions when you are searching for them.

No one will deny that a wedding professional with good reputation will be worth trusting. One of the best ways to gather information of the reputation of them is to consult your friends and relatives who have married. Their experiences are certainly invaluable. If your friend had bad experience with a particular wedding vendor, I will suggest you better choose another vendor to help you, no matter how attractive their services are.

You can also go to bridal shows to meet different wedding professionals. One of the advantages of going to a bridal show is that you can meet a lot of the vendors at the same place. You will find nearly all the different trades you need to approach for your wedding. In these shows, the vendors may urge you to join their programs. However, you should allow yourself some time to think about it first. It is in fact not necessary for you to make the decision right the way. Instead you can collect their contact information and call them later if you decide to hire them.

Besides, you may also consult the staff of the wedding venue you choose. They will probably have a list of vendors who constantly working with them. Since these vendors usually have quite a lot of experiences in planning a wedding in the venue. They may be able to provide more suitable services.

You should also check on the internet for different wedding professionals. You can gather a lot of information with Yahoo or Google. You can even take a look at different wedding forums and newsgroups on weddings. Users of these forums and newsgroups will share their experience and you may also ask for their opinions on the wedding vendors.

Local bridal magazines can also be good sources of gathering information. You do not need to buy every bridal magazine but it will be good to buy a few for the sake of gathering information. You can check the advertisements in the magazines and also take a look at the comments by the editors of the magazines. However, you should be always critical about the comments because some of these "comments" are not really comments. They are indeed advertisements.

In conclusion, it is not enough to rely on only one of the above ways to gather information. I will suggest you to use all of the above methods in order to gather the information. When you see an advertisement in bridal magazines, you can ask on the forums for opinions of the wedding professional. At the same time you may also need to ask your friends for opinions so that you will not make a wrong decision.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs unique Personalized Wedding Invitations. Besides, he runs a blog on weddings to share his ideas on items such as Wedding Cake. You can also find lists of wedding vendors from his Wedding Directory Websites.

Planning Your Own Wedding

Okay. It’s finally happened. Your honey has popped the question and now you’re officially engaged. What next? Well, if you are like most people, the next step is to set a date and plan for the wedding ceremony and reception. What follows are a few tips to help you plan for your wedding on your own.

Unless it's a good reason to hurry (like an impending military deployment), take the time to discuss this carefully with your groom. Experts agree that firstly, give yourself time (a year or little more is not an unreasonable amount of time) to make sure the plans you make come to fruition. This gives you the necessary buffer you need to make any kind of changes in your original plans that may come up.

Secondly, the busiest times a year to have a wedding falls around Valentine's Day, the month of June, and around Christmas. While it may be cute to plan your nuptials around these times for sentimental or personal reasons, you need to be aware that these are most likely to be the busiest times for a florist, caterer, or even your favorite church when it comes to booking them for their services. Try to choose a wedding date other than these times to allow friends and family to attend more easily.

Next, take into account the amount of money that you are comfortably able to spend on your wedding reception and ceremony. Unfortunately, the hard truth is that that the expense of a wedding is probably one of the biggest outlays of cash you will make in your life, right up there with the cost of a college education or your first home. Depending on your financial resources (are you paying for this yourself or would you get help from one or both sets of parents), you need to take careful stock so that you can adequately plan for the costs that your wedding is going to incur.

Depending on your time schedule, it might be advantageous to attend the annual bridal shows offered in many cities. They are usually very good for new brides. They showcase the different services available like florists, caterers, and bridal shops that are in or near your community. Realize that what they are going to show is, of course, the more expensive things they offer, but it can be a really educational experience both for getting ideas for your own wedding and to give you a more accurate idea of what the true costs can run you.

In conjunction with these bridal shows, many times the brides-to-be are given a copy of a free wedding planning guide to keep track of things. or example, the florists you chose, the kind of flowers you ordered, who you chose as a caterer, the musicians or DJ that you hired for your wedding reception, etc. Sometimes wedding planning guides are offered at the same time of year free from your local newspaper. If you need further help you can use one of these or find books to help you plan from your local bookstore. Thankfully, the internet contains innumerable sites which offer advice, tips, and information on how to plan your own wedding ceremony.

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors. They offer many popular gift ideas such as place card holders, beach favors, and bridesmaid gifts. For more information about discount and cheap wedding favors, wedding planning, or wedding reception ideas, visit their website.

Bridal Show Savvy - Tips Every Bride Should Know

Planning a wedding is an experience that can be exciting and scary at the same time. There are so many decisions to make while the clock ticks away. Music...dresses...invitations...flowers...these thoughts clutter the mind and leaves little time to enjoy the whole wedding planning experience. One way to help simplify the wedding planning process is to attend a bridal show. A bridal show is basically a one stop shopping experience where local vendors gather under one roof to show their products to potential customers. Florists, photographers, bridal salons and more are available to you to offer their services and expert advice. Visiting with the different bridal vendors in one location makes it easy to compare prices and services and in turn, to save you time and money. There are several do's and don'ts when it comes to bridal show shopping. Here is a list of tips to help you to become a savvy bridal show shopper.

Tip# 1:
Register Before the Show Most
Admission is discounted or free if you register prior to the show.

Tip#2
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking.

Tip #3
Return Address Labels
Bring along a roll of return address stickers. These are useful for prize drawings. Use the stickers rather than filling out the entry forms.

Tip#4
Bring Pen and Paper
You will need to take notes to remember what the vendors tell you.

Tip#5
Browse but Don't Buy
Meet with the bridal vendors to see what they have to offer but don't be pressured to book their services at the show. Take information with you to go over at home.

Tip#6
Ask Questions
Bring a list of questions to ask the bridal vendors. They are there to help you. Jot down any price quotes or tips they may have to offer.

Tip#7
Create a New E-mail Account
Register for a free e-mail address that you can use when filling out forms. When the wedding is over you can cancel the account and not receive any unwanted wedding information.

Tip#8
Gather Information
Take as much literature home as you can. What you may not be interested in today, you may decide tomorrow that you would like to try.

Tip#9
Rate Bridal Vendor Information
Bring a marker or colored pen to rate the vendor information on a scale of 1-10 (10 being best). Mark the flier or business card of the bridal vendor with your rating so you can remember how interested you are in what they are selling.

Tip#10
Bring Along a Friend
It is fun to have someone to share the experience with and to offer a second opinion.

Tip#11
Bring Your Checkbook
You may want to book a service or give a deposit to hold a date.

Tip#12
Relax and Enjoy
Bridal shows can be hectic but don't get overwhelmed. Decisions take time and do not need to be made in one day.

For the perfect must have keepsake every bride should own visit http://Keepsake Frames and Flowers Keepsake Frames and Flowers.

What To Expect From A Bridal Show

Most bridal shows are scheduled in the months of January and August. Tickets are usually between $5.00 and $10.00 with a one or two dollar discount if you purchase your tickets online before the event. Prizes may be offered for the first 100, 200 or 500 brides to attend, which usually includes a copy of a major bridal magazine such as “Modern Bride,” a local bridal guide, a pin that says “Bride to Be,” as well as tickets for drawings and sweepstakes.

The most recent bridal show I attended started at 11:00 and ended at 5:00. They had a mini bridal fashion show that started at noon and showcased about 20 wedding gowns from one of the exhibitors. The “Runway Fashion Show” which included more gowns and tuxedos was scheduled for 3:00. The prize drawings were announced at 2pm and 4pm. Having arrived at 11:00, my guests and I had visited all the exhibitors, watched the mini fashion show, and were done by around 12:30. I recommend going to bridal shows later in the day in order to be there for the main events and giveaways. Also, I noticed that there were plenty of free magazines, buttons, and gifts for people arriving after 12:30.

Expect to see a multitude of local photographers at any bridal show you attend. You will be a little overwhelmed by their displays, but spend a little time looking through their photo albums, which contain some of their most personal and unusual candid shots. You will have fun sampling wedding cakes from all the local bakeries. Even better, is seeing new trends in wedding cakes. I saw rich, brown layered cakes with gold leaf accents, and bold, bright colors such as magenta, purple and hot pink.

Unless you want to be bombarded with phone calls and emails from wedding professionals, be careful about the forms you fill out for the exhibitors. My daughter filled out a form for a free cruise giveaway. She was called after the show and asked for her credit card number over the phone. Remember, that even if you “win” something, it may be a $500 discount off of a $2,000 photography package.

Being able to talk to so many wedding professionals in one place is very beneficial. Looking at companies online, who all claim to be the best at what they do, is impersonal and confusing. The exhibitors are friendly and helpful. You will be able to determine for yourself whether you like the taste and look of their cakes, or the design of their flower arrangements. You may not win a prize, but you will come home with a free magazine, some referrals, and some great new ideas for your wedding.

Kathleen Terrana is the owner of Beautiful Bridal specializing in discount tiaras, veils, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. Visit our site for additional wedding tips, advice and information.

Promotional Products For Bridal Shows

Weddings are huge business. While word of mouth and internet advertising are good ways to advertise, many bridal consultants, florists and other wedding related businesses pick up the bulk of their business leads at bridal shows and fairs. Bridal fairs offer wedding related businesses the chance to influence thousands of happy couples in a single afternoon or weekend. Of course, the tradeoff is that you’re also competing with dozens and sometimes hundreds of other businesses who are all trying to grab the attention of the same market that you’re trying to snag.

Promotional products and advertising gifts hold the key to grabbing that attention long enough to pitch your service or products to your intended customers. When choosing promotional products for a trade show, these are the considerations you should keep in mind:

1. You can use promotional products for many different purposes at bridal shows.

There’s more to promotional products than giveaway business gifts, and most companies that specialize in creating promotional items and corporate gifts can handle all of your promotional needs. The more business you do with a single company, the more likely it is that you’ll be eligible for volume discounts and special pricing on individual parts of your order. Among the things you can order from promotional specialists are:
1. lead generation incentives
2. customer appreciation gifts
3. exhibit displays
4. presentation materials
5. informational flyers and leaflets
6. product carrier bags
7. staff apparel
2. Use promotional products to attract attention to your display space.

There are many ways to do this. You might choose, for instance, to offer a “gotta have it” promotional giveaway to those who visit your booth and make an appointment for a consultation. You might use a brightly colored exhibit stand to catch the eye, or create an arresting display of colorful printed balloons. Whatever you choose, remember that you’ll be competing for attention with many other displays. Find ways to make yours unique and outstanding.
3. Use promotional apparel to give your booth attendants a cohesive appearance.

The people tending your booth are, like it or not, part of the display. One way to make sure that they “fit” your image is to invest in promotional polo shirts, jackets or other matching apparel.
4. Check the prices and ideas for printed materials for handouts at bridal shows and exhibitions.

A firm that specializes in promotional printing is often expert at designing both booth displays and the promotional materials that you’ll be handing out from your booth. One way to make sure that all of your materials coordinate is to order them all and have them all produced by the same company. Take advantage of the professional design services that most promotional products companies offer at reduced prices or even free when you place an order with them.
5. Put your carry away gifts in eye catching bags or packages.

Many exhibiters at bridal shows and wedding expos put a lot of thought into the colors for their booth, the choice of appreciation gifts and lead generation incentives – and completely miss one of their best opportunities to increase name recognition. I can’t count the number of times I’ve watched booth attendants scrambling for any sort of bag or container for attendees. Invest in generously sized printed carrier bags for your takeaway materials and appreciation gifts. Your exhibit visitors will appreciate the extra room to stow all the stuff they pick up at other booths – but it will be YOUR logo that’s on display. For additional information on advertising gifts, corporate gifts or promotional items then why not check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today and start to make big savings.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online promotional products, promotional items and business gifts company based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques.

How To Choose A Wedding Site - Tips And Ideas For Brides And Grooms Planning A Wedding

GENERAL INFORMATION

We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will attend all interviews. Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview.

Actually, choosing the wedding site that is just right for you, is a lot of fun. Before you start looking, you should brainstorm. As you do, take to consideration your budget, your wedding theme, the atmosphere you want at your wedding, your interests, and your guests.

The location is one of the most important aspects of your wedding so consider carefully what will make yours a special, one-of-a-kind wedding event. You have many option including a do it yourself wedding (friends and family contributing of course.) Following is a list to get you started. Ideas for wedding sites include:

A Home - do it yourself wedding,
Auditoriums - usually on a rental basis,
Beach - public domain may need permit and or license,
Bed and Breakfast - full service,
Camp Grounds - do it yourself wedding,
Club Houses - do it yourself wedding,
Country Clubs - most offer full service,
Conference Centers- some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,
Convention Centers - some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,
Hotel - Ball Rooms - Grounds or - Gardens. A Gazebo makes a wonderful setting for a wedding ceremony- full service
Houses of Worship - Churches - Synagogues - Temples - Mosques - etc...some offer full service, some are on a rental basis, some can only facilitate the ceremony,
Mansions - full service
Museums -some museums offer celebration rooms and may even help with special wedding themes, especially historical - usually on a rental basis,
Parks - Great - do it yourself wedding,
Patio - Gardens - do it yourself wedding,
ranches - usually on a rental basis,
Resorts, full service
Rented Halls - usually on a rental basis,
Stadiums - usually on a rental basis,
Yachts or Cruise Ships - full service,
You can probably come up with some more ideas.

Unless the location is your top priority, choose the dream location and a few alternative sites that will be just right for you, so that if necessary you can be flexible. Some location are natural for weddings and offer all the amanities you need. Others rent the space and leave the rest to you, still others are free but you have to make all the arrangements. So, consider your budget, consider the work involved, consider your guests and choose the site that will afford you your dream wedding. The information you gathered, is actually a wonderful preparation for your interviews.

FULL SERVICE WEDDING SITE and FACILITIES

These are venues that can take care of every little detail regarding your ceremony and reception. You'll still need to attend to your personal needs. You'll need to attend to the attire, wedding accessories and wedding gifts for each other, family, and wedding attendants.

SITES AVAILABLE on a RENTAL BASIS

Many wedding sites that are available on a rental basis. Some provide the space, others provide tables and chairs too while still other provide linens, tableware, flatware and glassware as well. There are also rental based sites that have a working relationship with selected caterers and are familiar with other wedding service providers and vendors.

PUBLIC SITES

Public parks, beaches, gardens etc... make great wedding sites and are perfect for do it yourself weddings. They offer you the opportunity to express yourselves in an unconfined atmosphere. Most are free to use but you'll need to do the majority of the planning and contracting. Your first step is to find if you need any permits and or licenses. If you do, obtain them.

HOME

Many apartment complexes, condominums, mobil home parke and gated communities have club houses for their residents´ use. So whether you choose to have your wedding in a home or a club house, you'll need to be in charge. Do recruit your family and friends and assign them appropriate tasks. Most will be honored to be asked and excited to be a contributing part of your wedding.

HOW TO FIND WEDDING SITES

Once you have chosen the type of wedding site you want for your wedding, do the following:

Ask your family, friends and acqaintances for recommendations.

Attend bridal shows.

search the yellow pages under the appropriate category.

Either call or visit the facility and request a brochure specific to weddings.

You want only the best! Be selective!

When visiting or calling, were you greeted cordially?

Were you able to obtain the information you requested in a timely manner?

Were the people you spoke with helpful? Too helpful and eager?

Now, check the internet for local wedding sites and go to their websites.

Do you like the look and feel?

Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?

Does it show or tell about unique one-of-a-kind weddings ?

Can you find Free gifts, Free articles or Free information?

Are they helpful?

Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact? If not, skip it and go to another site.

Bookmark (favorite) the websites that are agreeable. Place the brochures in a folder until you are ready to choose a few favorites.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FACILITY:

A business card of each person you may work with within the facility.

A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options.

References

A tour of the facility so you may check their amenities.

QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FACILITIES:

Please note that not all questions apply to all. Each question will indicate what venue(s) it is directed to. fs = full service - rb = rental basis - ps = public site

Are there bathrooms on the premises? ps

Are there garbage recepticles on the premises? ps

Are rhere electric outlets on the premises? ps

What are the hours available for a wedding? ps (Most public sites are available only on certain days and certain hours.)

Is there a parking area close by? ps

How long have you been accomodating wedding parties ? fs - rb

How many wedding clients have you served? fs - rb

Do you offer any guarantees? fs - rb

Do you have an in-house wedding coordinator? fs - rb

Do you offer a bridal package? fs

What are your rates for the different packages and what are the options available? fs

Can you recommend wedding vendors and service providers your customers had a good experience with? fs - rb

Do you offer any discounts? fs - rb

What additional expenses may be charged? fs - rb

Do you provide an insured and bonded babysitting service?* fs

How much and by when will we need to put down the deposit? fs - rb

What is the latest time frame for making changes? fs - rb

Will you provide us with a written contract? fs - rb - ps

Does the contract include a 3 day cancellation clause? fs - rb - ps

* If you plan not to include children in your reception, do not alienate guests who'd rather bring children than miss your wedding. You should provide a babysitting service for such guests.

Once you made your choice, you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the facility. Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware! Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms. If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification. In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel with no penalties.

Copyrights © 2007 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: http://www.a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA. To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

How To Show The Woman You Married That You Love Her

What have you done lately to show the woman you married that you love her? Did you take her out to dinner? Maybe you bought her some flowers or chocolates? A man likes to do these things for a woman because it’s easy and fast. But is your wife really appreciating the flowers and chocolates? In this article I have mentioned a few other useful tricks you can do to show your wife that you love her.

1. Validate the woman you married

A woman needs her man to validate her feelings. I know sometimes this is challenging for you to do, especially if you disagree with something she needs your support on. There is a correct way to do this without being offensive and hurting her feelings.

First of all be understanding of your wife’s feelings and then collaborate her on her thoughts and ideas even if they differ from yours. In essence, when you listen to your wife’s feelings, without criticizing her, you have essentially given her the validation she needs. Everyone needs validation from time to time; it makes them feel useful and productive individuals.

By trying to be more understanding, essentially you will be respecting the woman you married. Tell her how much you like her decorating style, or how she manages the home, or the way she dresses. Find the things about your wife you really like, be honest and tell her the great things you love about her instead of keeping those feelings inside.

Validation is a form of acceptance that you can give your wife. By accepting her for the woman she is it will make her feel safe and secure being your wife. A woman who feels safe and loved will ultimately give more of her self to her man.

Ironically, a husband can validate his wife’s feelings better when he takes the role of spiritual leader in the home. A man who feels secure in his position is more likely to make his wife feel good about who she is in the marriage. They work better together as a team, accomplishing more for them selves and the marriage.

2. Be more Affectionate with your wife

Hold your wife’s hand while watching TV, taking a walk, or driving in the car. Massage her back or feet without asking for anything in return. Your wife likes to be touched and fussed over occasionally, know when that time is by being attune to your wife’s feelings, and paying special attention to your wife on those days.

2. Surprise your wife with something totally unexpected

Instead of golfing with your buddies on Saturday, take your wife to a romantic outside lunch if it is summer or fireplace lunch in the winter. Then take her to a romantic comedy matinee movie. If you have the money to spend, book a hotel room for the night with a Jacuzzi and enjoy the night together! Your wife will love all this.

Make her a homemade all-occasion card on the computer telling her how important she is to you in your life. Make her feel special. Get creative, draw her a picture, and spend time on creating this card, she will love it that you took the time to make her a card rather than simply buying one from the store. It is the simple things in life that mean the most.

4. Give your wife the whole day off from cooking, children, and house cleaning.

This isn’t too hard. On your day off do everything for her. Do all the things she does for you. If you don’t know how to cook, order pizza or Chinese food. Let your wife spend the day with her friends shopping or going to lunch, etc. When she comes home give her a back rub, take her shoes off, draw her a hot bubble bath and let her take a long bath. When she comes out from her bath, light the candles, caress her some more and just be there for her all the rest of the evening. Be her loving, romantic and protecting man so she can be the woman God made her to be for you.

5. Appreciate all that your wife does

All of the above will show your wife that you love her and appreciate her for everything that she does. Being understanding of your wife’s feelings and needs on a consistent basis will improve the quality of your marriage a great deal. By taking the respective roles that God has designed for each gender will greatly enhance the happiness of your marriage. Be the man of the house so she can be the lady of the house.

~~

Angie Lewis has written another valuable book geared to married women and women who are thinking of getting married. In her book Angie shares her inspired divine wisdom that took her years to figure out and apply into her own marriage of 22 years. She shows you step by step biblical applications for a happier and forever lasting marriage.

"LOVE THE MAN YOU MARRIED" (A Woman's Handbook For Marriage) will be released to the public in Febuary 2006.

For more information on this book visit Angie's website http://www.spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com/

Subscribe to get your FREE monthly newsletter so you can learn to stay happily and forever married! http://www.heavenministries.com/

Second Wedding Dress - Encore Brides Don't Settle for Second Best!

GONE are the days when the second time bride known as the "encore bride" has to settle for scaled down ceremonies with fewer guests.

With over 45% percent of all weddings today involving one or both partners who have been married before, it's difficult to tell from the attire whether the modern bride is marrying for the first or umpteenth time. In fact, the modern bride who is lucky enough to find love again is trampling on the old traditions. Now their wedding is based on their taste and their budget. With the motto being: "This is the last time, and it's got to be the best."

The “encore bride” is in a different place than when she had her first wedding. They are confident, they have more money to spend, and they know what they want. Their focus is on "simple elegance".

Whether it is your first, second or third wedding the focal point is still the wedding dress. These brides are seeking dresses that are tailored rather than poufy - a sexy, sophisticated look with the emphasis on quality fabrics.

Today's trends in bridal gowns are all about you. Your second wedding gown should reflect your personal style, your fashion sense and what kind of wedding you want to have.

When shopping for that perfect dress it helps to know your body type so you can choose the gown that highlights your best features and downplays the areas you wish you could forget.

Here are some of the latest fashion trends to help get you started:

Trains are fine, but keep them simple, again matching the formality and style of the wedding.

Show some skin: At this year's runway shows, many designers decided to go bare. Creations featured mostly strapless gowns that place the emphasis on the bodice: gently weaved, beaded, or simple with demure jeweled straps.

Body-Conscious: Designers are very body conscious these days, with shape taking precedence. This is good news for any bride: most of these dresses have a slimming effect. The ever-popular A-line (also known as princess) is a long cut that draws the eye downwards, and often has a built-in train. This does not mean that designers have abandoned the classic traditional gowns...the skirts still float but the cut is meant to flatter the body.

Embroidery and Lace: These two mainstays of bridal fashion never go out of style and let’s not forget beading. Today's bride wants the opulence in beadwork with many designers choosing crystals over glass beads.

Color: This component of a gown has never been so popular. Brides are actually thinking outside the box these days choosing jewel tone gowns in gold, silver, and a variety of pearl tones. However, second time brides still are confident enough to wear white, after all "white symbolizes commitment and faithfulness" so why not!

Where to Look: Magazines are the traditional way a bride begins her gown search, but why not look for a gown online? Most designers now have WebPages, and a collection of name gowns can be found on a number of websites. And if you're wondering, "Will the gown of my dreams fit me right?" there's help to be found on a multitude of websites which determine your body type and then suggest the dress type that is best for your figure.

Finally Hit the Runways! The latest fashions needn't remain a trade secret. Bridal shows, which feature live runway presentations of the current trends and designers, are an excellent way to view a variety of gowns.

A wedding is a celebration of love so indulge and take your time finding that perfect gown. The number one comment I receive from second time brides is..."this is definitely it, I'm not getting married again".

Gail Young is a co-founder of The Bridal Chalet, an online bridal boutique selling designer style couture and traditional wedding gowns and bridal accessories. A second time bride herself, Gail combines her extensive knowledge of the industry with her passion for designing couture bridal fashion. The Bridal Chalet has a collection of exclusive designer wedding gowns geared to the second time bride – the Sara Houston Collection.

Visit her website at: http://www.bridalchalet.com

How To Decide Between Flat Bridal Shoes Or High Heeled Bridal Shoes For You Wedding

Many women think that the only way to go is high heeled when it comes to bridal shoes but should you always follow the crowd? Over 80% of the women asked the question, "Would you wear high heels or flats on your wedding day?" answered that they would choose high heeled bridal shoes. There are many cases when high heels are inappropriate and after all you not only want to be beautiful on your wedding day but comfortable as well.

Even those that said they would wear the flat bridal shoes stated that the only reason they would wear flats would be if the venue of the wedding dictated it. Some even said they would forego shoes totally if they were being married on the beach. I see this all the time where I live in Florida. Almost unanimously they agreed that there wasn’t a chance that they would wear flats if they were going to have a church wedding or if being married in a hotel or even a garden setting. Why are women so opposed to flat bridal shoes?

For most women their wedding day will probably be the single most stressful day in their lives even if it is the culmination of a lifetime of dreaming. With this in mind consideration also should be given to the possibility that high heels present a considerable risk of stumbling or falling due to them getting caught up in the wedding dress.

I believe that all the hoopla over the high heeled bridal shoes comes from the writers of fashion magazines and those on TV shows that feature celebrity weddings. They all espouse the supposed attributes of high heels with claims that they will make the bride’s walk look more lady like and sexy. I personally disagree with them and I don’t believe that high heels necessarily make a woman look sexier, with the right dress flats or even no shoes at all can look very hot.

Going back to comfort, you must consider that as a bride you will be on your feet for quite a long time. You don’t just wear the shoes for the wedding and then it’s all over. You will be visiting with guests, friends, and relatives, dancing, having pictures taken and more. Possibly the answer is to have two pairs in the same style and color scheme of your wedding theme. That way you can have a pair of higher heels for your wedding and then the flats for the rest of the day so you are more comfortable.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about wedding shoes as well as designer shoes at http://www.designershoesplus.com

In Direct Sales - Maximize Sales To Brides

No matter what kind of product you represent, there is a good chance you can provide a valuable service to any Bride. In fact, Bride Magazine reported that approximately 80% of all brides spend an average of $50 per bridesmaid gift. In addition, brides spend more on themselves in the six months prior to their wedding than in any other six-month period in their life.

From cosmetics and personal care products to jewelry and clothing, many direct sellers offer just what the soon-to-be-bride is looking for! Here are some creative ways to reach brides:

Locating Soon-to-be-Brides

Check your local newspaper for engagement announcements and locate an address or phone number through your local directory. Contact the bride-to-be directly.

Take a local Wedding Planner out for coffee and share how you can help brides prepare for their big day. Offer her an incentive for passing on leads to you or, better yet, recruit her into the business!

Contact Bridal shops and wedding gown designers in your area to set an appointment to see how you might complement what they already offer their brides. Ask to place a drawing box in their shop that reads “Free bridal gifts – sign up today!” or “Need extra money to help pay for your wedding?” Then contact the entrants to suggest they hold a show/party to earn their bridal party gifts for free.

Participate in a Bridal Fair

Although they require an investment of your time and money, bridal shows are often a great way to meet new customers, schedule shows/parties, or locate potential team members. Pair up with another person on your team to make it more fun and less costly.

Go on a Bridal Treasure Hunt

Ask everyone you know, “Who do you know that is either getting married or is in a wedding this summer?” Then contact the bride and offer to meet with her privately to show off the lovely products you have to offer.

Gift-wrapping

When you are sharing your products with potential brides, mention the service of free gift-wrapping and delivery. This way you are eliminating the hassle of shopping for gifts and also the time to wrap each gift with care. This is a time for Brides to focus on their special day, not the trivial details.

Product Selection

Have some "Hot selling" items or "Bridal Savvy Selections" ready to share with your potential customer. This will help her envision the possibilities and see some of the beautiful products first hand. Remember, you are merely presenting ideas. Allow the Bride-to-be or customer to make the final selection. Also have an example of some products wrapped in the way the final products will be delivered.

When you set a goal to maximize your selling and sponsoring opportunity with soon-to-be Brides, you will be tapping into a new stream of revenue that could set the stage for higher sales and more team members for the entire year. Make it a priority TODAY!

Jane Deuber is a Co-Founder of http://www.DSWA.org (the only association dedicated to the needs of the independent party plan and network marketing professionals). Discover what makes the DSWA so unique. Listen to three motivating and informative free teleseminars by visiting http://www.mydswa.org/tele_class.asp

Promotional Products For Bridal Shows

Weddings are huge business. While word of mouth and internet advertising are good ways to advertise, many bridal consultants, florists and other wedding related businesses pick up the bulk of their business leads at bridal shows and fairs. Bridal fairs offer wedding related businesses the chance to influence thousands of happy couples in a single afternoon or weekend. Of course, the tradeoff is that you’re also competing with dozens and sometimes hundreds of other businesses who are all trying to grab the attention of the same market that you’re trying to snag.

Promotional products and advertising gifts hold the key to grabbing that attention long enough to pitch your service or products to your intended customers. When choosing promotional products for a trade show, these are the considerations you should keep in mind:

1. You can use promotional products for many different purposes at bridal shows.

   There’s more to promotional products than giveaway business gifts, and most companies that specialize in creating promotional items and corporate gifts can handle all of your promotional needs. The more business you do with a single company, the more likely it is that you’ll be eligible for volume discounts and special pricing on individual parts of your order. Among the things you can order from promotional specialists are:

   1. lead generation incentives
   2. customer appreciation gifts
   3. exhibit displays
   4. presentation materials
   5. informational flyers and leaflets
   6. product carrier bags
   7. staff apparel
2. Use promotional products to attract attention to your display space.

   There are many ways to do this. You might choose, for instance, to offer a “gotta have it” promotional giveaway to those who visit your booth and make an appointment for a consultation. You might use a brightly colored exhibit stand to catch the eye, or create an arresting display of colorful printed balloons. Whatever you choose, remember that you’ll be competing for attention with many other displays. Find ways to make yours unique and outstanding.

3. Use promotional apparel to give your booth attendants a cohesive appearance.

   The people tending your booth are, like it or not, part of the display. One way to make sure that they “fit” your image is to invest in promotional polo shirts, jackets or other matching apparel.

4. Check the prices and ideas for printed materials for handouts at bridal shows and exhibitions.

   A firm that specializes in promotional printing is often expert at designing both booth displays and the promotional materials that you’ll be handing out from your booth. One way to make sure that all of your materials coordinate is to order them all and have them all produced by the same company. Take advantage of the professional design services that most promotional products companies offer at reduced prices or even free when you place an order with them.

5. Put your carry away gifts in eye catching bags or packages.

Many exhibiters at bridal shows and wedding expos put a lot of thought into the colors for their booth, the choice of appreciation gifts and lead generation incentives – and completely miss one of their best opportunities to increase name recognition. I can’t count the number of times I’ve watched booth attendants scrambling for any sort of bag or container for attendees. Invest in generously sized printed carrier bags for your takeaway materials and appreciation gifts. Your exhibit visitors will appreciate the extra room to stow all the stuff they pick up at other booths – but it will be YOUR logo that’s on display. For additional information on advertising gifts, corporate gifts or promotional items then why not check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today and start to make big savings.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online promotional products, promotional items and business gifts company based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques.

Wedding Dresses - How To Avoid The Top 7 Mistakes Brides Make When Looking For A Bridal Gown

One of the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding is selecting the perfect bridal gown. Whether you know what you are looking for, or if you are just beginning your wedding dress search, there are several things you should be aware of to avoid making the mistakes many other brides before you have. A wedding dress is a large investment that most brides have dreamed of for a long time; a decision no bride wants to take the chance of getting wrong.

General observations reveal several factors that are repeated over and over again which lead to the wedding dress being the stuff of family legend, the focus of a television show or feature on an interactive website.

Mistake 1

Before you set foot in a wedding dress store, do your research. Read magazines, visit websites, attend bridal shows. This will help narrow down the many available options before you start looking. It is so easy to be swayed when you walk into a store full of glamorous bridal gowns where the assistants treat you like royalty - as they should! Develop a clear idea of what you like by compiling a clipping file of the dresses that appeal to you. And don't be afraid to consider dresses that aren't sold as wedding dresses.

Mistake 2

As you do your research into styles and types of wedding dresses, it is imperative that you have a wedding dress budget. Set a budget and keep to it. If you fall in love with something that is over budget, work out which element of your wedding you can pull the shortfall from before placing a deposit on your dream wedding dress.

Mistake 3

In the flurry of wedding dresses and bridal fabrics, it is easy to be caught up in all the hype and forget to ask the important questions. While researching, make a note of all the questions that come to mind and compile a checklist of your wedding dress requirements.

Mistake 4

Give yourself ample time to shop for a wedding dress; the more time you have, the better. If you decide on a special or custom made bridal gown, remember that delivery can take three to six months from the measurement session. This delivery period will vary at different times of the year. Give yourself plenty of time and allow for mishaps such as delivery delays. Tell yourself that it is not a race - be patient and you will find THE perfect wedding dress. It is far better to take longer, than to hurriedly purchase the wrong style bridal gown.

Mistake 5

Limit the number of bridal shops you visit in one day. To make correct judgments and comparisons, it is best to have a mind that is fresh and full of energy and enthusiasm. Jumping from one bridal shop to another will make you exhausted and confused. All the bridal gowns will begin to look the same, and you could very easily come home with the wrong dress simply because you were tired and overwhelmed.

Mistake 6

When you try on a wedding dress, always do the 'movement' test. Can you sit in the wedding dress? Is it easy to walk around in? Is it too tight? Can you lift your arms, bend and stretch in it? Most importantly, is it easy to breathe and can you dance? If you feel constricted now, you will be watching everybody dancing and enjoying your wedding reception from your chair. If your wedding dress has a train, practice walking, turning and handling it in the store.

Mistake 7

Of course when you are trying on wedding dresses you will take family and friends to give you second opinions and feedback. A word of advice however - limit your support team to one or two friends whose honest assessment you can trust. Having too many opinions will only make the process more frustrating and cause more inner conflict. Don't forget to ask how the bridal gown looks from the back. You are unable to see what they will see when you walk past them down the aisle and stand facing the officiate.

Choosing your bridal gown is one of the most important fashion decisions you will ever make so be sure that it is the right one. Avoid the common traps and pitfalls that catch all too many brides with their wedding dress and you will always be proud to show your wedding photos.

Paula Majstorovic is an international wedding planner, author of several wedding planing guides and the brainchild behind The Bridal Stylist, your "what not to wear on you

Cater To Your Customers With Promotional Products

Promoting a catering business involves more than placing a few adverts in the magazines and newspapers. Advertising can take a big chunk out of your marketing budget, but in a crowded market, it’s a necessary evil. That’s why it’s vital to make every last bit of your advertising budget work its hardest. There are some very effective ways to use promotional products to advertise your catering concern to both the general public and in specialized markets. Promotional products and promotional items make your advertising budget go further in a number of ways:

- People will remember you when your business gives them a gift.
- Everyone loves to be appreciated, and promotional products make great thank yous.
- Promotional giveaways provide an incentive to customers to book parties and events with your company.
- Promotional clothing can be a great way to dress your servers for particular types of events. A luau t-shirt at a beach party is more memorable than the traditional white and black attire, for example.
- If you have a line of takeaway food or specialty gourmet goodies, promotional containers can make quite an impression on recipients.
- A professionally designed exhibit stand can be a great draw at industry shows and wedding expositions.

Research in marketing has proven time and again that people are more likely to do business with companies that use promotional products and promotional gifts in their marketing – but many people only associate promotional products with retail sales. In fact, food services are among the ten top buyers of promotional products. Here are just a few of the ways that you can use promotional products to publicize your catering business.

Trade show and convention giveaways If much of your business comes from appearances at bridal shows, conventions or other types of trade shows and exhibits, you can use promotional products and business gifts to attract attention to your booth or exhibit area. Cooking or entertainment themed promotional products can also serve as incentives for attendees to add their names to your mailing list. Use more valuable incentive gifts to encourage attendees to book a party or dinner before the end of the conference.

Publicize your business with promotional mailouts Direct mail is one of the most effective marketing techniques when used correctly. Research shows that when you include a free gift, you’ll increase the response to your mailing greatly. You’ll increase response even more when you include an offer to your recipients of a free booking gift.

Promotional products make great booking incentives. One way to bring in more event bookings is to offer a booking incentive for reserving a date in advance. You can encourage customers to book on your off nights by offering promotional products like USB flash drives (perhaps loaded with a cooking software) or other similar item to those who book your firm for nights or time periods that are typically slow for you. You can use the same strategy for encouraging clients to book well in advance.

Presentations look more professional when presented in high quality presentation folders. Promotional products companies specialize in presentation materials including folders, leaflets and flyers. Most employ professional design departments that can help you create eye catching and unique designs to make your business stand out.

For additional information on promotional products, promotional items and check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today!

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online promotional items and promotional products company based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he has taken the UK gift market by storm by the application of modern business thinking and the latest search engine marketing techniques. For more details visit www.ideasbynet.com