23 Apr 10 Hindu Wedding Celebrations
Planning a traditional Hindu wedding can be complicated and fascinating. It is a much more elaborate affair than simply exchanging vows. There are three components to the wedding celebration. First is the pre-wedding celebration or engagement party. The wedding day is the second part and the third component is the reception. Unlike other receptions, in the Hindu tradition, the reception is held three days after the wedding.
Family is a key element in a Hindu wedding. The bride and groom create a bond and it is expected that the two families will bond together as well. A wedding planner will need the help of an astrologer who will check the birth charts of the couple making sure they are compatible; in addition, the astrologer will determine the best time and place for the ceremony. The couple will decide which of the traditional 15 rituals that makes up the ceremony they will include in their own wedding. Seating is important and the couple must decide if their guest will sit on the floor or on chairs.
A Hindu wedding is a pleasant whirl of color; the bride traditionally wears a white and red sari; white symbolizing virginity and red depicting auspiciousness. The couple exchange garlands of flowers and rings during the ceremony. The ceremony may have outward differences but the intent is the same: for the couple to live a happy, committed life together.
Tags: Astrologer, Birth Charts, Bride And Groom, Couple Exchange, Engagement Party, Exchanging Vows, Garlands, Hindu Tradition, Hindu Wedding, Receptions, Rituals, Sari, Time And Place, Two Families, Virginity, Wedding Celebration, Wedding Celebrations, Wedding Day, Wedding Planner, Whirl
07 Apr 10 All-Inclusive Weddings Cruises
Many people want a special wedding but break out in a rash at the thought of all the planning that goes into it. Booking your wedding on a cruise ship can keep the joy and help eliminate the stress.
All the major cruise lines offer weddings at sea. Couples must book a cruise before they are able to go forward and plan the wedding. An on-board wedding planner will be right there to help the couple select music, cake, flowers, location on the ship, and other details pertaining to the ceremony. Photographers and/or videographers are available to memorialize the ceremony.
A license is necessary and the wedding planner will advise the couple about where and how to apply for a license. Photo IDs will be necessary and birth certificates or blood tests may be needed as well. In addition, if one or both parties have been previously married, a copy of the divorce decree or annulment may be needed. If either or both parties were widowed, death certificates may need to be made available.
If you have the budget, friends and family can be booked as part of the package for all or a portion of the cruise. An all-inclusive wedding cruise can be an intimate ceremony or all out party for the wedding group. Either way, it will be more memorable at sea!
Tags: All Inclusive Weddings, Birth Certificates, Blood Tests, Cake Flowers, Cruise Lines, Cruise Ship, Cruise Wedding, Cruise Weddings, Death Certificates, Divorce Decree, Intimate Ceremony, License Photo, Music Cake, Photo Ids, Photographers, Rash, Select Music, Wedding Cruise, Wedding Group, Wedding Planner
17 Feb 10 Planning Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies on a Cruise Ship
Much like planning meetings and corporate events on cruise ships, planning onboard weddings, commitment ceremonies and vow renewal ceremonies can actually be easier and more cost-effective than their land-based counterparts. Whether your clients opt for a very affordable one- or two-night cruise, or a luxurious two-week cruise for both their nuptials and their honeymoon, cruise ship weddings are sure to be a memorable, fun event for all who attend.
When couples choose a cruise, they no longer have to worry about entertaining out-of-town guests during their entire stay, whether or not there will be enough alcohol at the bar during their reception and whether or not the DJ will show up. They will have the benefit of onboard entertainment, meals and some drinks throughout the cruise being included in the price, utilizing the music and bar services available through the cruise line and having the option of hanging out with their guests or hiding away on their own in the days before and after the ceremony.
As the wedding planner, you will enjoy a simple, convenient planning experience working with a cruise line that is sure to have substantial experience in having weddings onboard. Between your professional services and their well-established protocols, planning your clients’ onboard wedding or ceremony will be a breeze.
Tags: Alcohol, Commitment Ceremonies, Counterparts, Couples, Cruise Line, Cruise Ship Weddings, Cruise Ships, Cruise Weddings, Drinks, Fun Event, Honeymoon Cruise, Night Cruise, Nuptials, Planning Weddings, Professional Services, Protocols, Substantial Experience, Town Guests, Vow Renewal Ceremonies, Wedding Planner
15 Feb 10 Should You Add Wedding Planning to Your Event Planning Business?
Some meeting and event planners focus solely on working for corporate clients, some have found a niche in planning SMERF events and some focus primarily on more personal occasions, such as weddings, commitment ceremonies, anniversaries and retirement parties. While there are some planners who attempt be a Jack or Jill of all trades and provide every type of event planning service to every type of client, most find that specializing in a particular area is the best way to make a name for themselves and make their jobs easier. This is what is recommended by most professionals and is what works best for most meeting and event planners.
So, when is it a good idea to add wedding planning to your menu of services if you are not specifically a wedding planner? There are some occasions when going against the logic of sticking to a limited selection of events is a good idea. For example, when planners are first starting out in the field of event planning, they may be happy to take on any event that comes their way. In these beginning stages, this also allows for the opportunity to see how you feel about planning weddings and to determine if this might be the right fit for you and your future as a planner.
WEDDINGS AT SEA
Something else to consider is planning weddings at sea. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise lines are reporting a huge jump in cruise weddings – up to 60% during the last decade. It’s no wonder – cruise ship weddings make planning easy and offer an unforgettable wedding destination and honeymoon in one. The ceremony takes place while the ship is in port, either onboard or at a romantic setting ashore – and the celebration continues as family and friends enjoy the fabulous dining and entertainment options onboard their ship.
But, even seasoned planners who have never planned a wedding may suddenly have one of their best corporate clients ask them if they could plan their daughter’s wedding. If you have the time and think that you can do a good job planning the event, this would be one of those times when stepping outside of your normal event range might be in order.
Tags: Anniversaries, Clia, Commitment Ceremonies, Corporate Clients, Cruise Lines International, Cruise Ship Weddings, Cruise Weddings, Entertainment Options, Event Planners, Event Planning, Family And Friends, Jill Of All Trades, Last Decade, Meeting Planners, Niche, Personal Occasions, Planning Service, Retirement Parties, Wedding Destination, Wedding Planner
19 Oct 09 Same Sex Wedding Etiquette
Where in the United States is same sex marriage legal? Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, District of Columbia, Iowa, and Connecticut are the correct answers. Wisconsin allows for domestic partnership with more than forty of the rights afforded heterosexual married couples.
This is great news for the wedding planner – more happy couples to celebrate their mutual commitment. It also presents a few challenges, which may mean thinking about weddings in a different way. Which name goes first on the wedding invitation? Should the decision be alphabetical or according to age? Which side of the church seats groom one and which side groom two?
Although traditional wedding etiquette hasn’t caught up with same sex marriages, there’s no reason to panic. The most important part of planning any wedding is giving the clients what they want. In all likelihood, they will come with very specific tastes and ideas on how the ceremony should go and where they want to honeymoon.
Wedding etiquette ultimately means that every effort is given to show the happy couple courtesy, respect, and best wishes for the future. Same sex marriages may not yet have specific rules of etiquette, but good manners are always in place no matter what the event.
Tags: Best Wishes, Columbia Iowa, Correct Answers, District Of Columbia, Domestic Partnership, Good Manners, Great News, Happy Couple, Happy Couples, Likelihood, Maine New York, Married Couples, Mutual Commitment, Same Sex Marriage, Same Sex Marriages, Sex Wedding, Traditional Wedding, Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Invitation, Wedding Planner
09 Jul 09 Recession Ideas for the Wedding Planner
Although many families can still afford the services of a wedding planner, some no longer can. They are trying to save money and maybe even give a little more to help them get a better start in hostile economic conditions. However, there are some things you can do to help boost your business and not scare away people who only have a little to spend but need a lot of guidance. Here are some of those ways. See if you can use them as jumping off points to figure out more of your own.
Try Being a Helper
If a potential client is a little put off at your estimate for the wedding, try splitting some of the duties with them to help them keep costs down. For instance, you could say, “Getting the cake delivered on time and in good condition is a hassle, so why don’t I do that and you get the invitations done. That will save you money. Here is the phone number of the printer I use–tell him I sent you.” (more…)
Tags: Alcohol, Alcoholic Beverages, Bart, Bride And Groom, Coffee Tea, Cousin, Economic Conditions, Hard Time, Hassle, Invitations, Package Deals, Receptions, Recession, Refreshments, Sheet Cakes, Soft Drinks, Staple, Uncle Joe, Wedding Planner, Wedding Reception
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