Have you given any thought to creating a wedding web site? Sometimes called “wed” sites, a wedding web site can give you a platform to share every detail about your upcoming wedding day. Not only that, but having a wedding web site allows your guests to stay up-to-date, connected, and engaged in your day before the actual date ever arrives.

There are a variety of free and low-cost wedding web sites available. In fact, depending on where you host your wedding web site, you might not even have to pay for your domain name. What types of details should you put on your wedding web site? Well, almost anything you want. But for folks who love to follow a checklist, here are some ideas of what to include: 

 

 

Information Related Directly to the Wedding: A section of your web site should be devoted to the actual facts surrounding your wedding. This is to keep your guests informed about all of the details relating to your wedding date, locale, transportation, etc. Here are some ideas of what to include:

• Date, Time, & Location of the Ceremony and Reception: These are the basic facts about your wedding. Let your guests know when the wedding is, what time the ceremony begins, and the location of the ceremony and the reception. You can also include photos of the venues, if you’d like.
• Driving Directions & a Map: To make it easier on your guests, post a map along with general driving directions to the venue(s). One great way to do this is to post a link to a map service, such as Google Maps or Mapquest, but be sure to verify the directions first.
• Transportation Information: Be sure to include information about the various ways your out-of-town guests can get to you. Such as: the closest airport, bus station, and train station. Also, if you have a plan to pick people up as they come in, put an email address in which your guests can send their travel itinerary to. That way, you can easily put together who is picking up who and when.
• Lodging Information: Again, out-of-town guests will need to know what their lodging possibilities are. If you’re having a large wedding, you might even be able to arrange for group rates at a local hotel. Regardless, give your guests a selection of hotels they can stay at, preferably hotels that are rather close to your chosen venue(s).
• A Calendar of Events: What is happening when and where? This can include everything from your engagement party, bridal shower(s), bachelor party, rehearsal dinner, to the actual schedule of events on your wedding day. 
• Dress Code: Whether you’re planning a formal ceremony, a casual one, or something in between, let your guests know the style of your wedding, so they can pack accordingly. Another idea, especially for destination weddings and/or for multi-day celebrations, is to include a dress code for separate events. 
• Your Registry Information: Provide a section with handy links to the places you are registered with. This will make it easy for your guests when they’re ready to purchase your gift. 

Information on the Lighter Side: In addition to the facts pertaining to your wedding day, you might want to consider sharing some personal information about you and your intended. This is a terrific way to put a spotlight on what your wedding is really about: love and commitment. Here are some ideas of what to include:

• Your Engagement Story: A wonderful touch to any wedding web site is sharing your engagement story and/or how the two of you met. Not only is this a romantic reminder for you, but it allows family members and friends who live far away to learn more about you and the person you’re going to marry.
• Photographs: Everyone loves looking at photographs, so you might want to consider having a page dedicated to photographs. You can post pictures from your childhood, family photos (such as from your parents’ wedding day), and pictures of you and your intended. As other events happen, such as your engagement party, etc., you can also share these moments with your family and friends via pictures. And after the wedding, you can add photos from your wedding day and honeymoon.
• Introduce Your Wedding Party: With a photo and a short paragraph, you can introduce your wedding party. This is a fun way to let everyone feel involved, even if they live hundreds of miles away. For example, is the Best Man the groom’s best friend from college? Post his picture and a sentence or two about him. You can make this section as serious or as humorous as you want. 
• Share Your Wedding Music: Consider sharing a link to the song you’re going to dance to at your wedding, or the song that you and your intended consider “your song.” 
• Video: With YouTube, you can share almost any video you make. So if you have fun videos from your engagement party, bachelor party, bridal shower, etc., show them off. Another idea is to create a welcome video that viewers can click on when they first enter your site. Also, if you really love the idea of video, you can create a new video each month leading up to your wedding. 

Remember, regardless of what details you decide to share on your wedding web site, this site should represent you and your significant other as a couple. It’s about the two of you. Therefore, take the time to go over the site with each other and listen to each other’s ideas. Most of all, though, have fun with it!

Planning a wedding can be an intense experience, and there is no denying that the time investment is high. When you add in the many details that need to be decided upon and executed, planning a wedding can also become extraordinarily overwhelming. The best way to ease the stress and make sure that nothing is left to chance is to design an executable plan that reminds you what needs to be done when. This plan is the Wedding Calendar. 

Preparing a wedding calendar and sticking to it will help even the most disorganized bride stay on track. Brides who excel at organization will still find the wedding calendar an important planning tool, as they’ll be able to map out every step that needs to occur before they begin their walk down the aisle. Every wedding is different, and therefore, every wedding calendar will also be unique to the happy couple and the celebration they are planning.

Below, you’ll find a general wedding calendar that you can adjust to the specifics and timing of your wedding in order to create a wedding calendar that will work for you.

Twelve Months Before Your Wedding Date

At this time, you should have already set your wedding date and are beginning to focus in on the broad strokes of your wedding. These are the bigger details that need to come into play early, so you can then focus on the smaller details as your wedding date draws nearer. You should be ready to:

1. Set your wedding budget and divide the total budget into the separate areas of your wedding.
2. Determine your wedding vision, style, and size.
3. Determine your reception style and size.
4. Research possible ceremony locations and determine availability for your wedding date.
5. Research possible reception locations and determine availability for your wedding date.
6. Decide who will officiate the ceremony.
7. Research and compare possible vendors, including the entertainment, caterer, photographer, videographer, florist, etc.
8. Choose those who will act as the maid of honor and bridesmaids.
9. Choose those who will act as the best man and groomsmen.
10. Begin researching wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses.
11. Begin researching formalwear for the groom and groomsmen.
12. Visit local wedding stores and shows for continued research.

Nine Months Before Your Wedding Date

Now that you have an idea of the size and style of your wedding, have chosen your wedding party, and have researched venues, vendors, and wedding apparel, it’s time to:

1. Begin compiling your guest list.
2. Select and book your ceremony and reception locations.
3. Select and book your vendors, including the entertainment, caterer, photographer, videographer, florist, etc.
4. Select and purchase the wedding gown, as well as other bridal accessories including the veil, shoes, jewelry, etc.
5. Select and purchase/rent the groom’s formalwear.
6. If not already done, book your officiant.
7. Begin researching and planning the honeymoon.

Six Months Before Your Wedding Date

Everything should be running smoothly, but there are still more details to attend to. At this point, you’ll want to:

1. Complete your guest list. Remember to check in with your families for names you might have missed.
2. Finalize your honeymoon details, including making reservations.
3. Select and order your wedding invitations and thank you cards.
4. Research and shop for wedding rings.
5. The groom’s parents should now begin planning the rehearsal dinner, as well as researching possible venues.
6. Select and purchase the bridesmaids’ dresses.
7. Select and purchase/rent the formalwear for the groomsmen. 
8. Mothers of the bride and groom should select and purchase their dresses.
9. Select and order the wedding cake.
10. Register for the wedding gifts.
11. Arrange for any special transportation to the wedding ceremony.

Four to Five Months Before Your Wedding Date

At this time—approximately four to five months before the wedding—many couples mistakenly think that there is very little that still needs to be done. While it might seem as if everything is set and ready to go, there are plenty of other details to attend to.

1. Confirm the rehearsal date and time with the officiant.
2. If the groom’s parents haven’t already reserved the venue for the rehearsal dinner, they should do so now.
3. Finalize the reception menu with the caterer.
4. All wedding party apparel should be purchased or ordered. Be sure this is the case. Arrange for any additional fittings that might be necessary.
5. Select and purchase the wedding rings.
6. Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests.

Two to Three Months Before Your Wedding Date

All of your planning and organization prior to this should have you feeling more at ease and prepared. Even so, there are still areas that require your attention. At the two to three month timeframe, you’ll want to:

1. Confirm the menu with the caterer, as well as any other catering details you might have agreed upon. If changes need to be made, take care of them as soon as possible.
2. Finalize details with all remaining vendors, including your florist, photographer, videographer, entertainment, baker, and any other professionals you’ve hired.
3. Select and purchase a wedding guest book.
4. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to begin addressing your wedding invitations.

Six to Eight Weeks Before Your Wedding Date

Things should be moving quickly now and your excitement is likely as high as your stress. You might wake up in the night worried that you’ve forgotten something, or suddenly sure that the menu you’ve planned is entirely wrong. This is not the time to make any large changes, unless they are absolutely necessary. Trust in the decisions you’ve already made and move forward, because there are still a few items that need to be attended to:

1. Mail your wedding invitations.
2. Contact your photographer and set an appointment for your wedding announcement photograph.
3. Contact your local newspaper for information on their wedding announcement details and timing.
4. Prepare your wedding announcement.
5. Select and purchase gifts for the wedding party.
6. Set beauty appointments: hair stylists, manicurists, etc.

Four to Six Weeks Before Your Wedding Date

Your wedding day is approaching fast! With so many of the details already taken care of, you might be wondering what is left. While the list is certainly diminishing, you’re not finished yet. Be sure to:

1. Pick up your wedding rings and ascertain they were sized correctly.
2. Make a list of any accessories you still need and purchase, borrow, or rent them. This might include the flower girl basket, ring pillow, etc.
3. Choose the music for your ceremony and the reception.
4. Confirm details with all of your vendors and venues.
5. If applicable, plan the seating chart for your reception and begin writing placement cards.
6. Begin writing thank you cards for gifts already received.
7. Reconfirm any accommodations you’ve made for out-of-town guests.
8. Send your wedding announcement to the local paper.
9. Plan a luncheon or other get-together for your maid of honor and bridesmaids.
10. Ascertain that all wedding party apparel has been fitted.

Two to Three Weeks Before Your Wedding Date

The final details are all that is left. This is the time to be sure that nothing is left to chance, but don’t forget to relax when you can!

1. Begin packing for the honeymoon.
2. Confirm the number of guests attending the reception and notify the caterer.
3. Arrange for your wedding gifts to be delivered to your home following the reception.
4. Wrap the gifts for your wedding party.
5. Be sure that all details for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner have been finalized and that your wedding party has transportation to both locations.

One Week Before Your Wedding Date

Only one week to go until you walk down the aisle! Take a deep breath and relax, as there are very few details left to focus on.

1. Attend the luncheon or other activity you organized for your maid of honor and bridesmaids. Present them with their gifts.
2. Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations.
3. If applicable, finalize the seating arrangement at your reception and finish writing the place cards.
4. Review all details with your vendors and be sure that everything is on schedule.

While all of the above might seem overwhelming when taken as a whole, breaking everything down into sections makes it a lot less so. Take each task one at a time and try not to become too stressed. And, of course, remember the end goal: a well-planned, well-organized, and—most of all—beautiful wedding day.

Ooh, the wedding veil! While not every bride today chooses to wear a wedding veil, and they’re certainly not necessary, veils do make a beautiful and romantic addition to the bride’s wedding day ensemble. Many brides believe that purchasing their wedding veil is as simple as walking into a bridal shop, selecting one they like, and that’s that. For some lucky brides, this may be the case, but most brides search for the perfect veil just as diligently as they do for the perfect dress.

So how do you find the wedding veil that fits your style and suits your wedding dress perfectly? Check out the following Wedding Veil Tips for the answers:

Top Tips for Selecting Your Wedding Veil:

1. Purchase your wedding gown first. In fact, don’t even think about wedding veils until you know the style, length, and formality of your wedding gown.

2. Decide how long you want your veil to be. Your choices are:

• The Flyaway Veil: This is the perfect veil if you’re going for a flirty, playful vibe. It’s the shortest of the styles, and will fall just above the shoulder-line.
• The Elbow-length Veil: This veil is sweet, stylish, and simple, and is the most versatile of all wedding veils, as it works well with most wedding gowns. And, yes, it is an elbow length veil.
• The Fingertip Veil: This veil is far dressier than shorter veils, yet is rather simple in style, allowing for easier movement. If you hold your arms straight along your sides, this veil will fall right at your fingertips. 
• The Waltz Veil: Ah, the waltz veil is the least formal of the formal veils, and is a great choice for a bride who wants the formal, elegant look in her ensemble, but wants to be able to dance the night away with ease. This veil falls to a length in between your knees and ankles. 
• The Chapel Veil: Elegant and romantic, the chapel veil is a lovely choice that has grown in popularity. This veil extends up to three feet from the hem of your dress.
• The Cathedral Veil: Formal, elegant, and long. The cathedral veil is for brides who truly want to feel like a princess on their special day, as this veil will trail down the aisle. 

3. Veil fabrics are available in multiple shades of white, off-white, and other colors. For a perfect match, bring along a fabric swatch from your wedding gown.

4. Consider the fabric(s) you want your veil made from. While most veils are made at least partially from tulle, you can also choose silk, satin, lace, and other fabrics.

5. Embellishments shouldn’t be overlooked, and should definitely be kept in mind when considering different styles of veils. Remember this rule of thumb: if your wedding gown is heavily embellished, go for a simpler veil. If, on the other hand, your wedding gown is simple and streamlined, then a heavier embellished veil works wonderfully.

6. In addition to staying true to your wedding day style, remember to stay true to YOU. If you’re a fun, flirty type of gal, than a cathedral veil probably isn’t the right choice for you. Choose a style that suits you, your wedding, and one in which you’re comfortable with.

7. Create a balance between your veil and your wedding gown. Consider the complete picture: When you’re walking down the aisle, will your guests see the full picture of your ensemble, or will one specific element jump out over the rest? Go for balance.

The above tips will help you as you begin shopping for the perfect wedding veil that will fit into your entire wedding day ensemble. Remember to have fun!

Capturing the once-in-a-lifetime moments of their wedding day is essential to most couples. After all, we all know how fast time moves and how quickly life changes. No one wants to forget even one minute of such a special, magical day. This is why it’s so very important to choose the right photographer for your wedding day. How do you do that? Mostly, it’s about being methodical and willing to ask questions, and then it’s about being as certain as you can that you’re getting what you’re paying for.

The following tips will help you choose and hire the right photographer for your wedding:

Do Your Research

Before you phone even one photographer, you should begin by doing some research. What are you looking for at this stage? Well, you want to limit your pool of possibilities to those who appear to have what you’re looking for:

• Recommendations: If you have friends or family members who have recently been married, talk to them about the photographer they used. What drew them to that photographer in the first place? Did they get along well the photographer? Did he/she do everything as promised? Are they happy with the end product? Knowing what they now know, would they do anything different with this particular photographer? Would they hire this photographer again?
• Photographic Style: Whether you’re researching photographers who have been referred to you, or you’re searching through various photographers’ websites, pay close attention to their photographic style. Is the style they seem to use the most the style you want? Are you interested in photojournalism, formal, classic, candid, or a combination of several styles? Do you want a combination of black and white and color photos are all of one? Know what you want, and then research possible photographers to find those whose styles seem to mesh with yours.
• Price and Budget: Many photographers have basic breakdowns of costs on their website, so whenever possible, see if their prices seem to be in-line with your photography budget. You might not be able to ascertain this for every photographer on your “maybe” list simply by going through websites, but you might find a few photographers who have prices listed that will 1) give you a sense of  what the going price is, and 2) if they’re out of your budget, so you can then cross them off of your list.

Arrange for a Meeting

Once you have a shortened list of possible photographers, it’s time to gather additional information. You can do some of the following with a simple phone call or email, if you like, but many of these items will require a personal visit. And, in fact, you shouldn’t hire any photographer without meeting him or her in person first.

• A Compatible Personality: Does the photographer have a personality that meshes well with yours? Meaning, if the photographer is very demanding and unwilling to listen to your wants, then this probably isn’t the right photographer for you. Be as sure as you can that your personalities are compatible and that you are comfortable with this person.
• Their Experience Level: It is critical to find out how much experience your photographer has. Are they new in the business? Have they ever shot a wedding before? Do they consider themselves a professional photographer or an amateur?
• Who Is Taking YOUR Pictures: Often, the head of a photography studio takes all appointments, but isn’t necessarily the photographer who will actually show up on your wedding day. It is so important to personally meet the photographer who will be at your wedding that you need to ask this question at your first meeting. Also, be sure you have photos to review taken by the photographer you are hiring, not his or her boss.
• Ask for References: Even if the photographer is one that a family member or friend recommended, you should still ask for additional references. And, if this isn’t a photographer who comes with a recommendation, insist on references. If he or she refuses to give you any, then walk away.
• Time of Delivery: Find out how long the photographer requires in order to deliver proofs as opposed to the finished product. When can you expect to fill your photo album?
• Understand the Details: Ascertain exactly what you’ll get for the price range you can afford. Don’t leave this to chance, or you might discover that what you believed you were getting was actually in a higher price point. Most photographers, as with all vendors, aren’t out to scalp you, but you need to know the questions to ask so there are no surprises.
• Deposit and Payment Clarification: Before you sign a contract, it is essential that you understand how much the deposit is, when it is due, as well as all other payments. In addition, be sure to ask about the photographer’s cancellation policy and if any of the deposit monies are returned in this scenario. If you are unhappy about any of this, ask for clarification. Then, if you’re still unsure, do not sign a contract until you’ve researched.
• Signing the Contract: Hopefully, all of the above will lead you to the perfect photographer for your wedding. When you’re ready to sign the contract, take a minute to be sure you’ve gone through every detail you can think of. And then, read the contract carefully to be sure that everything you’ve agreed upon is spelled out clearly. Again, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Choosing and hiring a reputable photographer isn’t difficult. However, choosing and hiring a reputable photographer that understands your vision for your wedding day photographs can take a little more time. The above points should help you find the photographer for you.