Wedding Poems: For the Couple (1)

Wish
Poem by Jeanne-Marie Casey Pocasset, MA


Today is a dream realized from years past
The white dress, the wedding cake, the promise of a love that lasts

Today is the beginning of a journey the two of you now share
The vow to love, honor, and cherish now seen in the rings you wear

But tomorrow, tomorrow you will wake as husband and wife
Where the person next to you is yours for life

And so my wish to you both is that when you wake each day
You will turn to each other with the same look you share today


With the first sight....
Poem by Tara Grogg for the couples


With the first sight,
I knew we were meant to be.
With the first kiss,
I knew it was not a dream.
With the first touch,
I knew it would last.

Now here we stand,
in front of our family and friends,
to go down that road,
to endless love and passion.

So take this vow and take my hand,
Close your eyes and see that it will never end.


Today, Your Special Day
Poem by Robyn Carter UK


Love and Life, this day doth show
Moments of pleasure and moments to grow
As you take this step towards a place so clear
You will be reminded of that which has brought you here

A hint of a smile, a questioning glance
A secret wish to take the chance
Conversations and laughter formed a bond so strong
You both instantly knew where your heart did belong

Time moved on, time worth spent
Your love for each other did blossom and ferment
You placed your hand on each others heart
And made a pledge to never part.

Along came a jewel, a mixture of you
In the form of a son so handsome and true
A symbol of life, yours to hold
Proof of your love, so evident and bold.

And here you are today as one
Hope, trust and love lives on.
Through good times and bad, it is plain to see
You are friends as well as husband and wife to be

Think of the friendship, as you take this vow
Of the past, of the future and of now
Treasure its strength, as it will take you through
And place a circle around the words I love you.

Join your hands together as you say the words
Look into each others eyes
For inside you will see a love so strong
You know where your future lies

May your marriage be for evermore
May you be the centre of each others life
As you say I do, and pledge your love
You will joined as husband and wife.


What I have been waiting for
Poem by Marie Ruggiero New Jersey


Since I was a little girl I made a prayer to god,
that some day my soulmate would come and be my love.
I knew since the first day I met you that you were sent from above.
You have been my best friend, my love, and the one I live for.
You never let me down, you always kept your shoulder there for me to lean on.
And now I will be there for you till I die, and even when I die I will be your gaurdian angel.
An angel who will help you at your worst and hold watch over you.
I loved you since the day we met, I felt that firework burst inside.
I never thought my dreams would come true,
that is until I met you.
For all the love in me is all in you,
thank you sweetheart for making my dreams come true.

Budget Wedding: Sample Budget

Believe it or not, weddings revolve somewhat around your budget. That is why it is very important to sit down and discuss the monetary aspects of your lives and this wonderful event.

To determine your budget amount, you should define the wedding that is appropriate for you. Some say weddings are massive parties, with the amount of food, the liveliness of the music, and the extent of the dancing being all important. Others say a wedding is a more regal occasion, with attention to detail and sophistication. To define your wedding is by determining your own style and taste carried out within the framework of personal and/or local custom.

Here are some beginning questions for you to ask yourselves.


1. Is anyone unemployed?


2. Is anyone just recovering from a failed business endeavor?


3. Is anyone still paying off medical, legal, or educational bills?


4. Has there been recently, or is there about to be, another wedding or big celebration in our immediate families?


5. How much can we afford to spend?


6. Can we afford the wedding we have visualized?


7. Who all is going to pay for the wedding?

Remember, it is not what you spend, but how you spend it that will distinguish your wedding from all others. According to various sources, the average cost for an American-style wedding over the fast few years for 100 guests at a ceremony and a reception ran more than $16,000. Wonderful weddings can be had at one-half and even one-tenth of that cost.

Write down the amount you think that you, your fiancé and your families can spend, or would like to spend. You have now determined a preliminary bottom line figure for your total expenses.

Here is a sample budget.

Budgeted Approximate Cost





Stationery _______________


Invitations _______________


Programs _______________


Announcements _______________


Thank-You Notes _______________


Reply Cards _______________


At-Home Cards _______________


Pew Cards _______________


Photography _______________


Formal Pictures _______________


Engagement _______________


Wedding _______________


Wedding Album _______________


Parents’ Album _______________


Extra Prints _______________


Videography _______________





Wedding Rings _______________


Bride _______________


Groom _______________





Reception _______________


Food _______________


Beverages _______________


Wedding Cake _______________


Gratuities/Taxes _______________


Valet Parking _______________





Music _______________


Wedding _______________


Reception _______________





Bridal Attire _______________


Dress _______________


Headpiece and Veil _______________


Undergarments _______________


Jewelry _______________


Shoes _______________


Trousseau _______________


Garter _______________





Wedding Consultant _______________





Transportation _______________


Limousines _______________


Parking _______________





Wedding Parties _______________


Bridal Luncheon _______________


Rehearsal Dinner _______________





Fees _______________


Ceremony Site _______________


Officiant _______________


Reception Site _______________


Caterer _______________


Decorations/Rentals _______________


Assistants _______________





Gifts _______________


Maid Of Honor _______________


Best Man _______________


Bridesmaids _______________


Groomsmen _______________


Parents _______________


Flowergirl _______________


Ring Bearer _______________





Flowers _______________


Ceremony _______________


Bouquet _______________


Attendants _______________


Corsages _______________


Boutonnières _______________


Reception _______________





Extra _______________


Monogrammed Napkins _______________


Favors _______________


Groom’s Cake _______________





Honeymoon _______________


Transportation _______________


Accommodations _______________


Spending Money _______________





Total Budget _______________





Total Approximate Cost _______________



In general, about 50 percent of your budget will go to food and drink at your reception. Allow another 10 percent for flowers, 10 percent to 15 percent for music, 20 percent to 25 percent for photography, and 15 percent for different purchases, fees, and attire. One thing to think about is that one of the largest variables in the cost of any wedding depends on the number of guests you invite.

Review your ideas and decide what you might have to do without, or have less of. It is easier to discard some of the luxuries you had hoped for now rather than after you have gotten used to the idea of them. You will want to revise your budget several times throughout the planning process, but it is always good to set out with one in mind.

So Your Vendors Didn't Perform...What To Do Now?

They are many brides' greatest nightmares...the DJ shows up intoxicated; the videographer fails to show up at all; the photographer ruins virtually all of the wedding pictures; the cake at the reception is the exact opposite of the one that had been ordered...and so on. Let's face it: weddings can be grand affairs, with months of planning and little lee-way for things to go wrong. Of course, something is always bound to go wrong: it's nearly inevitable.

Yet there is a difference between commonplace errors and blatantly unprofessional misconduct. While certain mistakes may be excusable, or even inevitable, other errors stem from wrongdoing and negligence on the part of wedding vendors. If your wedding was marred by grave mistakes that you believe could have been avoided, don't think you have lost the battle. The most important thing to recognize is your right to take action after the event has taken place.

Of course, it can be difficult to tell whether an error was an honest mistake or the product of unprofessionalism. In order to differentiate between the two, consider the following questions:

** Could the mistake have been avoided?

Example: Your photographer could have avoided leaving her camera at home, but may not have been able to avoide purchasing bad film.

** Would other vendors in the same field/profession have done things differently?

Example: If your DJ came dressed in a clown's suit despite his contract stating he would wear a tuxedo, chances are not many DJ's would dare to do the same. Performing a job in a manner that deviates from methods commonly employed by professionals in the same field can be an indicator of negligence.

** Was the mistake a significant one?

Example: One missing rose on your cake may not even be noticeable to anyone but you, but an announcement like "Our Sympathy For Your Husband's Passing" on the top tier may indeed cause irreparable damage at your reception.

** Did the vendor attempt to rectify his/her mistake?

Example: After recognizing that your wedding video was ruined, did your videographer offer to try and recreate some of the scenes (or give you a full refund,) or did he hang up on you?

After carefully examining the situation, you will be able to determine whether you wish to act upon the mistake or simply let it slide. And if you do wish to go after a vendor who acted in bad faith, please know that you have many options. Consider the following:

** Report the business to the Better Business Bureau.

** If the vendor is a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, contact them and report that vendor.

** The vendor may belong to other professional organizations--you may choose to ask these orgazizations to reprimand the vendor.

** If the negligent performance was in breach of a contract, file a suit in Small Claims Court.

** Hire an attorney to recover actual costs of damages and/or punitive damages.

** Send a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper--there's nothing like unfavorable advertising to stop businesses from acting in bad faith.

Budget Wedding: How to cut back!

Lucky and rare are the bride and groom who have no money concerns when it comes to planning a wedding. But no one wants to forever regret a decision made to save a few bucks. Obviously, everyone has their own priorities, but here are a few suggestions on where to skimp and where not to:

Two years from now, what will you have? Typically the rings, the photos, and the bridal dress. Don't skimp in these areas--choose wisely.

Get rings that you like a lot. Don't overspend, but don't skimp. The rings should be comfortable, both physically and mentally. You'll be spending more time with the ring than with your spouse!

The photos will be your main method of remembering the day. They will be shown to everyone you care about. Don't get an amateur. A pro is worth the money. Make sure you like the personality of the pro you choose. Ask to talk to a reference or two. The reference should be more than happy--they should be excited about their pictures. If not, choose someone else.

The dress will be what everyone looks at all day. Obviously, the bride should love it, but ideally, the bridesmaids should, too. Let them help choose it.

Next most important is the cake. Don't skimp here. Good taste and tastes good.

Look to cut the budget in other areas: Flowers, reception, catering, limo, DJ, invitations, honeymoon. Here are some hints:

--Consider buying flowers from a large grocery store. Many have florists who are inexpensive. They could do the table flowers, corsages, etc., leaving the bridal bouquet to the full-service florist.

--If you buy a few extra flowers (see above) and a few other decorations, you can "upgrade" a "second-class" hall to a first class one, saving money on your reception.

--Consider providing some of your own food and having the caterer serve it. Most caterers will do this and it will save you money.

--Do you really need a limo? Maybe you know someone who has a snazzy car who wouldn't mind being your chauffeur.

--You only really need a DJ when you think people will be dancing. Play a tape of background music during dinner. Dancers do need a DJ, however.

--Consider homemade invitations. They are usually more meaningful to those who get them. Art store staff people can help you make them look great.

--Your honeymoon can help balance your budget if you plan TWO honeymoons: A short one now and a longer one later after you save up some more money!

Setting a Photography Budget

Most brides and grooms spend at least $1,000 on their wedding photos and many spend $4,000 and upwards. Again, this isn't an area in which to go the discount bargain route. While wedding photos may seem pricey, don't forget that we're talking priceless artifacts here. To make things even more confusing, photographers charge in different ways for their services.

When interviewing a photographer, discuss the number of pictures he takes, the cost of each print, the style and cost of the albums he offers, and whether there are travel costs or extra fees included. Photographers' fee can vary tremendously. Use the forms included in the back of this section to make accurate comparisons.

Most photographers that do a number of weddings offer a package, which is a predetermined number of pictures in various sizes for a set fee that includes the prints and the album. Generally, pictures are less expensive when ordered this way. Check to see if packages are available for parent' albums.

Flat Fee - Care Minimum

Here you pay a single amount for the photographer's time, film, and expenses. This amount is usually based on an estimate of the number of shots expected. You will get proofs and negatives, but printing the photos and any cropping or retouching will be done on your own nickel. Most often, in these cases, you'll take possession of the negatives. Be aware that this can become a big project, turning these proofs into professional quality photo albums.

In other instances, the flat fee will include the photographer supplying a photo album and handling the printing of the photographers for you. Usually, they'll then retain ownership (and possession) of the negatives, although they may sell you the negatives more cheaply later.

Photo Packages

Most photo packages specify a limited amount of time, usually from two to eight hours, with the price going up accordingly. After that, hourly overtime rates would apply, which can range from $85 to $250/hour. These packages may also include a set number of prints of various sizes, say twenty-five 5x7s and ten 8x10s in a particular type of photo album. You might consider asking them is removing the album from your package will allow you to receive an additional discount. It's very likely that you'll receive one as a wedding gift or, at the very least, find one more to your own liking.

Hourly Fee

Here, photographers charge a flat hourly fee, which may or may not include film and expenses. It's important to find out what the additional charges will be for getting proofs and ordering the photos.

Location Charges

Some photographers charge more for changes of location. Others offer no location limit and are willing to shoot in as many locations as you've selected. If you're dressing where the ceremony will be held, and the ceremony and reception will be at the same location, then this won't be an issue. If however, there's no dressing room at the ceremony site, or your ceremony and reception will be held at different places, you might have as many as three locations for the photographer to travel to, so you'll need to discuss this with him.

How To: Make Beach-Themed Wedding Centerpieces

These beach-themed centerpieces are quick and easy to make – not to mention inexpensive. Below is a list of materials and instructions for making 15 centerpieces. I have included the location where we purchased each item, and the price – however you may be able to find these same items in a different store for another price if these stores are not available to you.

MATERIALS

15 Clear Plastic Plant Pot Liners, 14” – We bought ours at Frank’s for $1.59 each. You will need one for each centerpiece. If you have a little extra money, consider purchasing clear glass liners instead for a more elegant look. If you stick with the plastic liners, you may also consider purchasing or making a round wooden board to place under the centerpiece, as the flimsy plastic is hard to move about once the sand has been added. The board will allow you to easily move centerpieces to different tables, and make clean-up go much quicker.

1 Bag of Playground Sand, 25 lb. – This we purchased at Home Depot for $4.00 a bag. One bag was sufficient for 15 centerpieces.

We purchased the following items at A.C. Moore’s – a local craft store – however these items can be found in many other craft stores, such as Michael’s or Frank’s, if you do not have an A.C. Moore’s near you.


15 Baskets of Shells – We found these on sale for $1.00 per basket. We purchased one for each centerpiece. Surprisingly, we found purchasing large bags of shells was more expensive than buying the individual baskets for the same amount of shells. Also, you can use the left over baskets for out-of-town guest baskets. We filled ours with some Easter grass, a scented candle and some homemade soap, and left them in the hotel rooms we had blocked.


1 Can of Gloss Varnish Spray – This cost about $4.00, and one can is sufficient for all of the centerpieces. Use this to give the seashells a shiny look. The varnish also makes colored shells look more vibrant against the sand. If you’d like, you may sprinkle some glitter on the wet shells just after spraying them with varnish to give them an extra sparkle. Be sure to spray the shells in a well ventilated area – we recommend outdoors. Allow the shells to dry for at least 20 minutes before placing them near a burning candle.


45 Votive Candles in Clear Glass Votive Holders – The votive candles we found at 3 for $1.00. The votive holders were $0.69 each. You will need three candles and three holders for each centerpiece. Make sure to check the labels on the votive candles to see how long they will burn. If you are having a four hour long reception, consider buying votives that will last at least 6 hours. This way, guests may take home the centerpieces and use them to decorate their own homes.


15 8” by 3” Pillar Candle – Purchase one pillar candle for each centerpiece, again checking the label to see how long it will burn. Ours cost $2.00 each.


1 Bag of Pearled Planting Marbles, Flat – We used about 10 - 15 marbles for each centerpiece. The bag cost approximately $5.00.


Total Price for Each Centerpiece: $10.53


ASSEMBLY

Spray the shells with varnish at least the day before the wedding and allow them to dry thoroughly overnight.

Place the pot liner on desired table and center the large pillar candle in the middle of the liner. Pour sand around the candle to secure in place. We used about 2 – 3 cups of sand for each centerpiece, however use your best judgement to distribute the bag of sand evenly among the number of centerpieces you are making.

Wiggle votive candleholders into the sand. Try to space them out evenly around the centerpiece, so that each side of your table will enjoy the candlelight. Drop shells randomly around the centerpiece, again trying to give each side an equal number of shells. Allowing shells to randomly fall into place will give the centerpiece a more realistic beach look. Toss a few marbles into any spot of sand that looks bare.

And that’s all there is to it. Be sure to keep matches handy and coordinate with a few of your wedding party members or catering servers ahead of time. Let them know what time to light the candles so that you will not have to worry about it throughout the evening.

Proportions And The Plus Size Bride

O.K., so we have all heard the common tips offered up in the many bridal magazines for plus size brides. Look for a dress that is a matte finish, avoid satin as it will reflect light and only make you look larger. The A line dresses are a plus size brides best friend. It will camouflage your flaws and magically accentuate your assets. But what you don’t hear about are the added benefits of choosing accessories that are appropriate and proportionate to your bridal look. Specifically, the bouquet is one area of focus that brides often forget about when it comes to proportion.


What we most brides are concerned with is the type of flowers, along with the color and style of the arrangement. While these concerns should be first and foremost, what you don’t want to forget is whether the size of the bouquet in proportion with your body type and dress style. Keep in mind that your wedding pictures will almost always include some shots of you holding the bouquet, so make sure that it is large enough and it does not look dwarfed in the photos. What will make you look larger than life is holding a undersized bouquet that looks dwarfed, and out of proportion when posing for those wedding pictures. Now this rule does not apply to the brides who choose to carry a single flower, but only to those who prefer an arranged bouquet. The added touch of additional flowers or filler in a bouquet can really assist in balancing out a bridal look, as well as assist in hiding those features we are often anxious to disguise. This same rule of proportion also applies to your hairstyle and choice of veils, headpieces or tiaras.


While most brides still continue to choose the traditional veil, we must keep in mind that this is also an accessory that must be in portion to our body types. Make sure that the veil has the appropriate amount of body and flounce for the scale of your dress. By including the veil when striving to obtain a more balanced and proportioned appearance, we plus size brides can benefit by giving a more slimming look, which appears balanced and well put together. The same rule applies to your choice of tiaras and hairstyle. Always keep your facial shape in mind while choosing hairstyles and remember that as well as the bouquet and veil, if you choose a tiara it should also be in proportion with your look and chosen hairstyle. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that you should have a crown and big hair that would put Ms. America to shame, but merely choose a tiara that will not be lost in the hairstyle, or use tasteful accents to accentuate the beautiful look you have envisioned for yourself, which also included jewelry.


When picking a necklace or other bejeweled accent pieces, scale is just as important as style. The length of your necklace and size of any jewels should be carefully thought out. If the style of necklace is meant to gracefully hang around the neck, then it must be of appropriate length. You want to avoid at all cost the appearance of what I call a dog collar type of look, unless that is the specific style of the necklace and is the look you are after. By wearing a necklace that fits too tight for the style, you can make your neck look bigger and dwarf the jewelry, which is usually not the look we want to accomplish.


So, as you can see, there are many things to consider when planning wedding attire, and there are plenty of tricks we can use to aide in masking our appearance. Just keep in mind that proportion is often a plus size brides best friend. You can never go wrong with a well-balanced appearance in addition to the glow of a bride to be, you will be stunning, breathtaking and best of all the center of attention for the entire day!