Relaxation is a first step. Avoid getting frenzied and remember you are planning a loving celebration. Focus on the love you share and discuss your dreams together. Wrap your wedding plans around your vision, whether you want a winter wedding at a ski lodge or a traditional ceremony at a country club.

Create a wedding decorations budget that is reasonable and attainable. Start your new life off together with financial planning success for your wedding day – it’s a great start! Base your budget on realistic expectations and spend 10 percent less, so you have a little money in the kitty for unexpected wedding décor expenses that are bound to come up. Keep track of everything in a wedding budget book – write everything down and keep every receipt. Better yet, have a folder for receipts to keep track of what you spend and have proof of deposits paid. This type of organization is great practice for married life.

Some wedding décor items, such as personalized ribbons, favors and place card holders – not to mention wedding programs will need to be ordered ahead of time. Make sure items that need to be custom made or special ordered are paid for well in advance. You want to make sure everything arrives at least two weeks before the wedding day, in case anything needs to be exchanged or returned.

Make sure you know the regulations and requirements at your ceremony and reception locations. Some churches do not allow confetti, rice or pew bows attached. Some reception venues will provide linens free of charge – others will charge a fee or make you bring your own. If you are choosing a theme for your wedding day, make sure it flows well with your wedding location. Also, be certain to reflect your wedding theme in your invitations, thank you cards, favors and decorations.

Select stimulating decorations for your wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon getaway car to create a party mood. Little accents go a long way such as table centerpieces, floral arrangements, wedding favors, a cake topper and bubbles to blow at the happy couple. Remember to choose thoughtful presents to thank your wedding party as well.

No matter how you plan your wedding, planning ahead will make certain you and your groom have a wonderful, unforgettable day that is appreciated by everyone in attendance.

Your wedding reception favors can be personalized, candles, unique, themed or even double as place card holders. An affordable option is using decorative bags, boxes and wrapping to add pizzazz to simple wedding reception favors such as candies or Jordan almonds.

Personalized wedding reception favors help your guests remember your special day for years to come because they are customized with your name, wedding date or a special sentiment. Any wedding reception favors can be customized with personalized ribbons. For just pennies, ribbons can add your names and wedding day to any wedding reception favors.

Candles are romantic wedding reception favors your guests will enjoy when they go home. At nautical nuptial, set sail frosted sailboat tea light holders are simply perfect. A double happiness keepsake candle works well for an Oriental themed wedding. Dare to be different and give out margarita gel glass candles in their own tropical tiki hut gift boxes.

Your place card holders can also be wedding reception favors. A place in my heart bud vase and place card holder decorates your reception tables nicely and becomes a lasting treasure from your special day. No matter that the theme of your day, wedding reception favors capture it for your guests to take home.

Candles are popular wedding favors because they are affordable and easily customized. You can find candles to match all wedding themes and colors. By creatively using candles in different sizes and colors, you can create unusual centerpieces and decorations throughout your wedding ceremony and reception. Candles remind everyone of romance, creating the perfect ambiance for your wedding day.

Use candles to illuminate every aspect of your wedding day. Give your guests a lasting glow with personalized wedding candles favors near each place setting. When your guests arrive at the reception, they will be pleased to discover personalized wedding candles favors to remind them of your special day.

No matter what wedding theme you choose, your personalized wedding candles favors can be customized to match. Personalized shot glass/votive holders are available in a wide variety of styles so you can create your own masterpiece wedding favors. Choose a shot glass to match your wedding theme then fill it with an attractive, fragrant votive candle. Wrap up the wedding favor in a circle of tulle and tie the top with a personalized ribbon for an unforgettable favor. Choose tulle and ribbons to match the candles and theme of your wedding day for a professional feeling throughout your reception.

Shot glasses make perfect personalized wedding candles favors because they represent the spirit of good times. When people get ready to party, they often raise a shot glass of good cheer. Use unique shot glasses with images to reflect the theme of your wedding day to create great personalized wedding candles favors. For example, if you have a faithful church wedding, a cross shot glass featuring your names and wedding date is a perfect basis for your personalized wedding candles favors. For a Jewish wedding, shot glasses featuring the Star of David will be treasured by all your guests.

If you decide to have a destination or beach wedding by the sea, there are a variety of decorative shot glass/votive holders you can use. For a tropical location, give your guests shot glasses featuring a palm tree to take them back to the islands every time they light a candle. If you have a local beach wedding, a shell shot glasses is a reminder of the waterfront festivities of the day.

Personalized wedding candles favors can also match the season of your special day. Give out shot glasses embellished with a snowflake for a wonderful winter wedding. If you tie the knot in the fall, sunflower shot glasses are a beautiful choice for your personalized wedding candles favors. Another option for awesome autumn wedding are shot glasses featuring fall leaves with your names and the wedding date. In the spring, daisy shot glasses work well for outdoor garden weddings.

Your personalized wedding candles favors using shot glass/votive holders can match any wedding theme if you choose classic symbols. Celebrate the moment you first feed each other with wedding cake shot glasses. Bring more heart to the celebration by using heart shot glasses. Be traditional and give your guests personalized wedding candles favors with shot glasses featuring a lovely silhouette of a classic bride and groom.

Portable personalized wedding candles favors are another eye-catching option. Your guests can take romance on the run with personalized travel candles in their own organza bags. Choose a personalized label to match your wedding theme colors for the top of these attractive travel candles so your guests will always remember your special day when they use them.

An elegant option are “Our New Monogram” monogrammed votive candles in sheer organza bags. Show off your new monogram on these beautiful votive candles. Your guests will proudly display these good-looking candles in a place of honor when they return home from your wedding reception.

Personalized wedding candles favors are a unique, affordable way to express gratitude to guests for sharing your special day. Because they are personalized, your guests will always remember you when they light a candle.

There are many good reasons to choose personalized wedding favors to express appreciation to your guests including:

- personalized wedding favors can be used to express a particular theme or sentiment in words, whether sentimental, serious or whimsical;

- personalized wedding favors with your name and date are a constant reminder of you special day so guests never forget where they came from and always remember the time they shared with you; and

- Personalized wedding favors are thoughtful, customized and show how much you care.

Guests love to receive personalized wedding favors because they are truly lasting keepsakes of the moments they shared with you. Often, wedding favors are tucked on a shelf or in a curio, and years later the receiver forgets where they came from. Personalized wedding favors will remind your guests of your reception long after the party is over. Even if many years go by, personalized wedding favors will always be recognized by the recipients.

When a couple gets married, often the wife takes the husband’s last name. To show off the joining of two people under one name and spirit, monograms are used on personalized wedding favors. These monogrammed favors show off the new initial the married couple shares. Show off your new monogram with “Our New Monogram” monogrammed votive candles in their own sheer organza bags. Your guests will proudly display this lovely candle to remember the light of your love.

Shot glass favors are a popular, affordable way to express thanks to your guests while offering a lasting keepsake of the day. Personalized shot glass and votive holders are available in numerous designs to match the theme of your wedding day. From sunflowers to roses to hearts, you can find personalized wedding votive candles that capture the essence of your theme. Fill the personalized shot glasses with candies or Jordan almonds then wrap them in tulle and tie them up with personalized ribbons. You can also fill these attractive shot glass votive candle holders with fragrant candles in colors to match your wedding theme. Shot glass personalized wedding favors will become a treasured gift for your guests to bring home.

If your guests prefer java to a stiff drink, choose personalized wedding favors that relate to the crowd. Show you are the perfect blend with elegant personalized coffee kits with its own heart-shaped scoop. Gourmet coffee in a personalized package is a gracious gift to express your appreciation to your guests.

You can create personalized wedding favors by using custom gift boxes and bags. A miniature silver chair favor box with a heart charm and ribbon matches any wedding theme and can be monogrammed. Show your guests how much you want them with welcome to our wedding personalized welcome bags with white satin ribbon handles. Fill these elegant bags with tempting goodies for your guests to enjoy after the reception.

Give your guests a customized gift that goes anywhere. From romantic dinners to camp trips, your guests will appreciate receiving a personalized travel candle in a sheer organza bag. Even if your guests use the candle, they can still keep the personalized tin it came in to remember your special day forever.

Personalized wedding favors can be given to the happy couple and wedding party, too. Have a personalized champagne flute for the bride and groom as well as each member of the wedding party. After the toasting ceremony, everyone can bring their personalized champagne flutes homes as a memory of the moment.

You can give special personalized wedding favors as gifts to your wedding party to thank them for all their support. A monogrammed 5-piece manicure set is a useful gift for your wedding party. Your bridal party will love receiving a monogrammed cosmetic bag to hold their favorite makeup.

Give thoughtful, personalized wedding favors to your guest and wedding party to expresses your thanks in a special way.

A unity candle ceremony occurs after the marital vows are exchanged. The bride and groom each use a smaller votive or taper candle to light a larger pillar candle to represent their union as a couple. These candles used for your unity candle ceremony can be cherished as a treasured keepsake long after your wedding day ends. Selecting memorable and unusual candles makes your memory even more special.

If you want to display the pillar candle holders in your home after the ceremony, consider a classic design such as a stylized heart collection. Hearts are the universal symbol of love making them a natural choice for your unity candle ceremony pillar candle holders. A white contemporary look is perfect for a unity candle ceremony and your new marital home. With a unity pillar candle holder and votive holders, you can have a matching collection to show off your eternal love in a place of honor at home.

While white is wedding appropriate, so are silver and gold. Choosing silver or gold ones will match all different types of décor in your new house together. Consider a single heart unity pillar candle holder with matching taper holders in silver or gold. The timeless heart design is simply lovely for your unity candle ceremony and as a keepsake. Another expressive option are double ring unity and taper holders featuring two wedding rings in silver or gold. Using unity pillar candle holders with wedding rings symbolizes the very essence of the marriage ceremony.

Items with a double dome design is convenient because the taper candle holders are attached to the pillar candle holder to be completely streamlined. The double dome design also makes an attractive centerpiece or table accent at your wedding reception. The sleek candle holder is available in unique finishes such as textured ivory linen, shiny brass and matte silver so you can match any wedding theme or home décor you want.

If you prefer to show your heart with your items, suspended heart unity and taper holders have shiny suspended heart details. Little swinging hearts dangle from each one making them perfect for your unity candle ceremony and as lasting memories of your wedding day.

A variety of different items can be used. Candles can be a classic white or ivory color to match a traditional wedding. If you have a spring wedding, use pastels to match the bridal party. For winter weddings, silver and gold candles add a festive touch to your unity candle ceremony. Fragrant candles bring scent to your unity ceremony to relax or excite your senses as you prefer. Use scented pillar candles to match the flowers in your bridal bouquet or on the wedding altar. Be creative to make your unity candle ceremony completely your own.

Candles are associated with love, spirit and romance. When a couple goes out for a candlelight dinner, it shows they are feeling fondly toward each other. They are used in a variety of spiritual ceremonies and holidays to express emotion. A unity candle ceremony is a wonderful way to proclaim you will act as one for the rest of your lives by lighting one candle with two.

The essential wedding jewelry for every couple is wedding rings. There are countless types of wedding bands to choose from. Often the couple purchases matching wedding rings as a set but it isn’t a requirement. Sometimes the bride prefers a glittering ring while the groom may have simpler taste. Either way, both of you should not wear other rings besides the engagement ring to spotlight the wedding rings during the ceremony.

Wedding rings can be gold, gold-plated, sterling silver, platinum, white gold or titanium. Men who work with their hands often get a titanium wedding ring to withstand the daily pressure as softer metals can bend and wear. Brides select their wedding ring based on their personal jewelry preferences as well as the size and shape of their fingers. If you have a small hand, a dainty ring is delightful but it may get lost on larger fingers. For larger hands, you can choose an oversized ring with plenty of bling because it won’t overwhelm your finger. You can get the inside of your wedding rings engraved with your initials or special sentiments. Once you select your wedding rings, make sure you have a themed ring pillow to use during the ceremony.

The groom usually wears little wedding jewelry besides the traditional wedding ring. Other items he may want are attractive tie clasps, cuff links and perhaps a pocket watch for a formal tuxedo with a top hat.

Eye-catching wedding jewelry for the bride is an essential element because you are the center of attention throughout most of the day. Your dress, shoes, hairstyle, nails, headpiece and jewelry should work well together with no element overshadowing another. A traditional rule of thumb is for a bride to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”. Your wedding jewelry can encompass something old and something borrowed by borrowing a treasured family piece from your mother or grandmother. It may even be blue if you decide to wear a blue cameo necklace or earrings with diamonds and sapphires.

In some cultures, wedding jewelry is part of the dowry the bride receives from her family. In Eastern cultures, the bride may receive necklaces, bangles, earrings, toe rings and nose rings from their family.

Wedding jewelry can be expensive or budget-conscious, based on your individual finances and desires. Some brides prefer to wear costume wedding jewelry so they don’t have to worry about losing it on their big day while others are willing to spend thousands of dollars on personalized, engraved wedding jewelry. Either way, many guests have been duped by a necklace or tiara with rhinestones instead of diamonds since often the bride is seen from a slight distance.

Because the bride traditionally wears a white, ivory or cream-colored wedding dress, pearls frequently appear in wedding jewelry. Simulated pearls, freshwater pearls and cultured pearls are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and shades to match your wedding gown. Mix pearls with diamonds or rhinestones for a glamorous look on your wedding day. A pearl strand necklace is always a classic touch. Dangling pearl earrings add drama while posts are more conservative. Add red or blue stones for a bold dash of color or that touch of blue you need for your wedding day.

A tiara is a dramatic way to top off your wedding jewelry choices. Loop tiaras resemble crowns for the perfect Cinderella princess bride. Designed tiaras match the theme of your wedding with butterflies or flowers. Rhinestones and pearls add a bit of bling to finish off your bridal outfit.

You may decide to give wedding jewelry to each other as gifts. A special set of cuff links or a precious pair of earrings are lasting keepsakes of your wedding day. When you wear them in the future, you will remember the love you share.

Wedding jewelry is a unique, personalized way to express yourselves on your once-in-a-lifetime day. If you want to bring on the bling, you’re the stars of the day and it’s the best time to do it!

Wedding parties play more of a role than merely showing up and looking handsome or pretty. They are more than just a backdrop to frame the bride and groom. In many ways, without the love, support and friendship of the wedding party, the bride and groom’s day would be a lot less special.

Ideally, wedding party members are chosen for their relationship to the special couple, either individually or as a pair. They do not have to be family members, often one or more are not, but they should be men and women that each entity considers “like a brother” or “like a sister.” That carries a ton of responsibility.

For the bride, the bridesmaids serve as a balance, sounding boards, advisors, planners and facilitators of the big day. They frequently help with the planning and aid in many small tasks that make the day so special for the bride. Most of all, they serve as friends who can be relied upon to provide an anchor for the bride, especially the closer the day comes and the tensions of planning the perfect event looms.

For the groom, his groomsmen play the same role as bridesmaids and usually play a role in the wedding. They provide advice, friendship and normally handle feting of the groom, including planning and holding the bachelor party. Leading up to the wedding, the groomsmen serve as ushers to seat guests. At most receptions, the best man celebrates the couple with a toast.

To thank wedding party members, the bride usually gives each of her bridesmaids wedding party gifts that are a token of her esteem for them. One suggestion is an engraved key fob with cable that serves a practical purpose as well as reminds the individual of the day and the friendship. Another suggestion is a 2 section wine carry bag, which again, practical and reminds everyone of the wedding for many years to come. The silver plated double photo frame will remind everyone of the wedding each time they view whatever photos are placed in them.

For the groomsmen, a car wheel holder and pen desk set is a practical idea that they will use over and over. A wine gift set will not only come in handy, if the groomsmen are young, it might be the first step to a well established bar. Other gifts include a travel/desk clock or a silver plated brass money clip.

Your gifts do not have to be practical. Sporting event tickets as well as gift certificates for greens’ fees always are appreciated. One wealthy groom paid for an entire night at a casino for each of his groomsmen. For the women, day spas gift certificates are popular gifts as well as tickets to a wine tasting. As a gag gift, a “Best Man” T-shirt or “I Stand Up For Brides” wedding iron-on transfer are fun ways to let everyone know the role that the person is playing in the wedding.

If you are purchasing different gifts for each person, remember to make sure that each costs roughly the same. A good idea is to buy one type of gift for the entire wedding party. If, however, you want to vary your gifts, you do not want to risk hurt feelings by getting someone a gift that clearly is more expensive or extravagant than what you gave everyone else.

Regardless of the gift, it should be a distinct thank-you for their support and participation in what is one of the most memorable days in a person’s life. Wedding party gifts do not have to be extravagant or expensive. In fact, some of the best gifts are less expensive, but serve as a daily reminder of the event.

In the botanical world, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) has a primary meaning which is gifts of radiant warmth. How perfectly perfect for a wedding mantra! Considered happy-go-lucky flowers, sunflowers are often linked to loyalty and longevity – perfect sentiments for a wedding day.

There are many ways that you can incorporate a sunflower wedding theme on your special day. Of course, sunflowers will play a central role in the décor and accessories of your wedding ceremony and reception. Tin sunflowers in yellow could be used to decorate the end of the church pews or the backs of the guest chairs in the reception hall. Yellow sunflower mini hand tied bouquets could be used as wedding favors or used to decorate your tables in colorful style.

Fresh sunflowers in tall glass cylinders or slender vases would make spectacular centerpieces for your dinner tables at your reception or around the alter at your wedding ceremony. You may also want to consider adding sunflowers to your bridal bouquet or bridesmaids flowers.

Another way to add vibrancy to a sunflower themed wedding is to incorporate the important colors all around. These colors would include harvest yellow, crimson red, burnt orange, forest green and muted black. As you can see, a sunflower wedding theme goes very well with autumn splendor!

Tulle, streamers, favor ribbons, and customized favor stickers or tags can all be made up with either a sunflower motif or simply using the colors of your wedding theme. Seta Arancio Italian Boxes in Orange or Seta Rosso Italian boxes in passionate red are an excellent way to add a subtle hint of color to your favor table or a nice way to offer mints on the tables after dinner. Place card holders for the dinner tables could be silver hearts or white mini vases – and then set these off with colorful place cards that have guests names on them in lovely calligraphy.

For your bridal bouquets, floral centerpieces and wedding favors can all be trimmed off in personalized ribbon in your color choice – of course, red, black, or yellow would work best for a sunflower wedding theme.

White can also be a nice backdrop color for a sunflower wedding theme, and of course the more vibrant colors will leap off the white background. If that is how you choose to do it, consider a Fairy Tale Dreams, Bridal Tapestry or Classic Double Heart white wedding collection of necessities and niceties for your wedding. Each of these collections offer a flower girl basket, ring bearer pillow, toasting champagne flute sets, cake cutting set, fancy pen and guest book and a host of other lovely accoutrements for your very special day. If you are going to use the color white as your launching point, choose just one or two accent colors so that not everything comes across as overly busy and fussy. One white, try orange and yellow or red and black. Orange and black is a no-no unless you want a Halloween feel to your wedding. Similarly black and white is too stark for a sunflower wedding theme – where the whole point is warmth, color and radiance.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate your wedding theme in unexpected places… on your table settings and wine glasses, on the food presentation itself and of course, in the colors chosen for your wedding cake and the keepsake cake topper you choose. There are a multitude of ways to pull off a sunflower wedding theme without the colors be too overwhelming or garish and where everyone including the happy couple and all their guests, enjoy the day, and the wedding theme immensely.