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5 Ways to Cut Costs on Your Wedding

 

Saying your vows doesn’t have to be a costly affair. Many couples balk at the idea of planning a wedding because the costs of venue rental, catering and outfits are quite expensive. Cut some unnecessary spending before you say “I do” with these five ways to save on your wedding.Name Your Priorities
Before you and your spouse-to-be begin shopping for invitations and scouting out locations, decide together what parts of the ceremony and reception are absolutely necessary and skip on items that aren’t. If holding the location at a certain location is a must, but a designer purple bridesmaid dress isn’t, you can put the money saved from cheaper dresses towards a venue.

A Condensed Guest List
Sharing your special day with a large number of guests can raise wedding costs. Shorten the guest list to the people in your life you absolutely want to be there, such as your immediate families and closet friends. This will save money on catering, since most caterers charge per person, as well as invitations and space.

Skip the Saturday
Holding your wedding midweek or on a Sunday can drop your wedding costs. Since most weddings are held on Saturdays, vendors charge more to operate on this day. While holding a weekday wedding may seem like a scheduling challenge, the cheaper rates you receive can be put towards the most important parts of the wedding and reception.

Forgo Expensive Photography Packages
Wedding pictures are a must for most couples, but hiring a photographer and ordering an excessive photo package doesn’t have to be. Ask a friend with a hobby in photography to document the ceremony and reception. Or involve the guests by urging them to take their own photos and email them to you after the ceremony.

Hold the Ceremony and Reception in One Location
If possible, keep your wedding and the following reception together in the same location. Not only does this save you money on transportation but it saves your guests money on gas as well. Many locations will offer rental packages that include the ceremony and reception, so take advantage of this cost-saving deal.

The sky is the limit when it comes to finding ways to save money on your wedding. Don’t limit yourself if an idea doesn’t work for you, and always search for better rates and prices. Take control of your wedding budget so that your marriage can start on a prosperous note.


Top 5 Smileys Overlooked When Expressing Yourself in a Relationship

It seems that these days everyone is texting and using messaging applications to communicate with friends and family. Sometimes it’s impossible to get people to actually talk on the phone anymore because everyone has grown so accustomed to messaging and texting. With its widespread use, a new language has developed all on its own that is used solely to communicate over messaging. There are many variations of words, initialisms, and acronyms that were created to express emotions with text. Everyone knows about some of the popular symbols and abbreviations like the smiley face, “LOL”, and the sad face, but there are literally hundreds of others that are less known and very seldom used. Here is a list of the top five chat symbols that are often overlooked.

A Twist on the Original Smiley Face
Everyone knows about the smiley face, “:)”. It was one of the first messaging symbols to be used and is still the one that is used the most. It is obviously used to express happiness. You can stand out from the crowd by using the smiley face with a twist on it. Not many people use the smiley face with the nose added, “:-)”. It’s just a small variation, but one that is interesting and different.

Crying Face
Right up there with the smiley face in popularity is the sad face, “:(“. A simple change you can make to the sad face that makes it unique is by changing it to a crying face with the use of a single quote after the semi colon, “:’(“.

Horror Face
The horror face symbol is one you don’t see used very often. It is a unique symbol in that the face goes from right to left, instead of left to right like most other symbols do. In changing the order of the “D” and the “:” the symbol’s meaning changes from happiness to horror.

Skeptical Face
The skeptical face is used to express skepticism, unease, annoyance, or even hesitance on the part of the user. It is a slight modification of the straight face in that it uses a slash instead of a pip for the mouth, like “:/”. Even though there can be a few different meanings with this symbol, the most universally accepted meaning is skepticism.

Evil Face
The last symbol on our list is the evil symbol. The base of this symbol is the happy face, but there is the addition of a “>” to the beginning of the symbol. The “>” is supposed to represent horns on the top of the head of the symbol, making it look like the devil.

Now you know some of the less popular, but still very usable chat symbols. They are the smiley face with a nose, crying face, horror face, skeptical face, and the evil face. You can find an assortment of actual animated smileys on the internet. These are able to evoke an even greater sense of emotion to your lover or potential significant other. Find these animated smileys at MyEmoticons.com.  Stand out from the crowd and start using these in your chat messages.


Pros and Cons of Sharing an Office as a Couple

Everyone has heard that you shouldn’t work with somebody that you are dating or are married to, but it isn’t always a horrible thing. In fact, there can be some really great things that come out of this experience for the both of you, and you could actually make it work. However, like the saying implies, there are some negative factors that end up playing a role when you mix love and business. Find out what they are by reading the rest of this article!

Cons:

Although it is more common to start with the positives, it may be necessary to start with the negatives in this case to create a more pleasing outcome. There are several negative things that occur when love and business become mixed, especially when you spend all of your work time with someone else.

It is way too easy to become distracted by your partner while working, which will lower your overall productivity. Also, you may become annoyed with one another because you both are trying to work but everyone has their own quirks that they do that may be annoying to the other person. Finally, if you spend every second of every day with one another you will run out of things to talk about and may grow bored with the other person. You both need some time to yourself every now and then.

Pros:

Where there is a dark cavern of shallow unhappiness comes a light of glimmering hope. There are actually some good things that can arise from sharing an office with your significant other, it doesn’t all have to be bad.

When you get to work with each other in the same office it will become easier for you to truly appreciate the work that the other person does, as well as learn about the different things that they do in the work place. This will help both members of the couple learn a little bit more about each other and not take the other person for granted. Also, if you can manage to never get annoyed with each other and stay productive, this can be an excellent time to just talk and bond without touching each other, showing that your relationship is more than just a physical attraction.


Vacation Ideas for Couples

Vacation ideas for couples are endless whether you are seeking romance, relaxation, new experiences or reliving old ones.

Be a tourist in your own city: Get out of your comfort zone and partake in activities that you normally would not choose to do because of time or habit. Many music festivals, art exhibits, sporting events, plays, native cuisine cookouts and cultural festivities draw tourists from far and wide but are neglected by the locals themselves. Instead of reading about a Medieval Fair and jousting tournament being held in your city, partake in the experience for yourselves. Although it is not a requirement for spectators to wear the costumes, get in the spirit of the affair and observe the flair and gestures and treat your significant other with the courtesy and style befitting a Lord or Lady.

Experience the thrills of intrigue and suspense : Book a reservation for a murder mystery vacation at a luxurious hotel, on a train reliving the Orient Express, or on a mystery cruise. Alternately, look for the thrills and chills of the paranormal and actively experience what it is like to be paranormal investigators on an exciting haunted adventure. Couples can also have mystery, intrigue and horror with a big dose of humor at themed comedy dinners, weekends, or Improv Comedy retreats.

Cuddle and share space rather than compete for attention with lots of activities and people: Seek out vacation spots where the scenery is as breathtaking as your love of your partner. Depending on the couple, this could be as simple as a get-away cottage or campsite by a picturesque lake, waterfall or mountain. Others may wish for a chalet in a foreign land or rent a houseboat and drift along without a destination in mind.

Experiences such as these are never the same twice, so whatever type of vacation you choose as a couple, don’t forget to take a camera or recorder. These are memories you will want to have with you wherever life may lead you.


How to Find a Hotel During Your Honeymoon

Your Honeymoon should always be a romantic experience. You and your sweetheart just got married, and now you get to speak a vacation with your lover where you can relax and enjoy yourselves. However, before you get to drive or fly out to your destination, you must find a hotel to stay in beforehand. Sure, you could make the trip to your destination and try to find a hotel then, but that may end up making things more stressful than what they need to be. You could run into problems such as not being able to find any hotels that aren’t already booked up. Even if you do find a hotel that isn’t booked, then you may end up spending a week in a hole in the wall place. That wouldn’t exactly be a great way to spend such a special time.


The most important thing to do is plan ahead. You should already have a solid idea of your trip a few months in advance; if you can start looking at hotels during this point in time, then you are sure to find any hotel that you want and get a room booked. You won’t be putting a thing to risk by doing this! Also, before you make your booking, it is vital that you look into some of the reviews online. A place might look luxurious on its website, but you may find out that it’s an awful place to stay once you get there. By looking at reviews, you will get to live out the experiences of others at that particular place. If the hotel that you wish to stay in has consistently solid reviews, then you can go ahead and make your booking. If not, then you can start looking for some other hotels. Also, there are some websites that have discount codes for certain hotels that you can look into. You may not find anything great, but you may be able to save a few bucks on your trip.
Like mentioned before, your honeymoon should be a great experience. You shouldn’t be stressed out about getting everything in order. This should be one of the happiest weeks of your life, and you should be having a great time the whole trip! If you are able to get your trip planned out months in advance, then you will not have any troubles when the time comes around!


Figuring Out What to Buy for Your Lover

With just a bit of effort the perfect gift can be found for your significant other, it is important to take the right amount of time and effort to make this possible. So take the time to figure out what they are going to enjoy and what the perfect gift needs to be, otherwise you could end up offending them. Men tend to enjoy having specific gifts, while women do not necessarily always need an extremely personal touch. So make sure to always consider both sides of the coin before moving forward, otherwise things can end up becoming a bit difficult to manage. There is a very real need to create something meaningful with the gift you give, otherwise things tend to be lost in translation sometimes. Look for something personal whenever possible, and if you do not go the other route make sure to at least make the greeting cards personal.

So make sure to move forward when considering your significant other’s needs before taking the chance to make a contribution to their life that will stand the test of time. With just a bit of effort someone can figure out what the best gift is going to be for their significant other, it is just a matter of some investigation. So with just a big of effort someone can find something that will relate to their personality and meet some need of theirs for a long time to come. While this is definitely not something that is easy it is quite worth taking the time to figure out what will make the largest impression in their life.

If all else fails just ask your partner what they would like to have you buy them, but the option of investigating their interests should be done on your own when possible. Surprising them with something they will love will definitely make all the difference in the world, and they will appreciate it a whole lot more. With the right amount of effort put it one can find the thing they are looking to buy online for a more cost effective price, just be sure to look into the retailer by having a look at their prices compared to other providers online. Also be sure to have a look at the reviews that accompany the items you are considering, they will make all the difference in determining who will provide the best service.


Give A Special Wedding Gift

Today, many couples are marrying later in life. They already own many of the traditional wedding gifts such as a toaster or silverware. A little thought will guide you to an unusual, memorable present.

There will be plenty of photos of the wedding and reception. What about compiling a life photo book for the couple? If you’ve grown up with them, you may already have pictures of their childhoods, family lives, and relationship. You may also enlist the help of their families to locate appropriate photos. Scan and upload your pictures to an online photo book website, design the book following the simple instructions, and have it printed.

By the time the wedding and honeymoon are over, the couple may be “partied out”. That doesn’t mean they won’t want to have their own celebrations for two. A gift card for their favorite restaurant will provide a fun night on the town during their first weeks of married life.

Are they an active pair? Are there certain pastimes they especially enjoy? Consider a museum membership, tickets to a sporting event, concert or play, or a course of yoga or kickboxing classes.

Does they like to imbibe local craft brews or wines from area vintners? A “basket of cheer” including their favorite drinks will be sure to please. You may also be able to order a club package that will send a monthly gift of beer or wine.

If you have crafty skills, the couple will always treasure your personalized gift. Knit or crochet an afghan, sew a quilted wall hanging, or cross-stitch a sampler with their names and the date. If you take this route, give yourself enough time by starting well in advance of the wedding.

Would you like to give a handmade gift, but feel you have ten thumbs? Search an online art marketplace such as Etsy.com. Talented artisans are available to incorporate the couple’s names, pictures, or favorite song or first dance lyrics in a work of art. In one lovely variation on this, the couple’s wedding invitation may be embellished and framed. Many other items such as china, pillow covers, coasters, and cutting boards may also be hand-personalized.

Whatever gift you choose, remember that it’s the love you bear the newlyweds that makes it extra special. Don’t forget to wish them a long, happy life together.

 


Top Tips on How to Look Good for Your Husband

Wanting to look fabulous for your husband is a perfectly natural feeling. Women want to feel desirable, and men are visually stimulated. After a child, however, a lot of women feel undesirable and irritable about the subject. All you need is a little advice and the urge to put these tips into practice, and you will get yourself out of this hump and back into your man’s mind.

Don’t dress like a bag lady. Many women are guilty of dressing like they just don’t care anymore. While dressing like you don’t care is practical when you watch a child and work all day long, it’s not particularly appealing. Taking that extra time to get some proper clothes on, at least before your husband gets home will make a world of difference.

Fix your hair at least once in a while. Showing that you care about how you look will inherently make you more attractive to your husband. Taking some time in front of the mirror and putting your hair up will go a long way. Just take 10-15 minutes every day to do your hair, and put on a little bit of makeup while you are at it. Your husband will at least appreciate the effort you put into it, even if you didn’t go to a hair salon in Los Angeles for it. Men find it attractive when someone tries to be attractive to them; it makes them feel attractive in turn.

Then finally, you have to make sure your weight doesn’t creep up on you. Many women don’t like to hear this, especially after having a baby. Women don’t feel like this baby weight will ever come off, but just know that it’s possible but it doesn’t happen overnight. By exercising a little self-control and reducing your sweet food intake you will be off to a good start. By adding in a little exercise two or three times a week, you are off to an even better start. Find something that you like to do that can give you some exercise while doing it. Some people like to run around the neighborhood, others like taking in hiking trails. Either way you will burn a lot of calories and start to shed that weight off. Just remember that results aren’t fast. You will be sticking with your diet and exercise routines for months before actually noticing a difference in a lot of cases. Don’t get discouraged and just stick with it.

To summarize, you need to dress nicer, do your hair every day and loose a little weight. After you have applied all these tips to your life you will feel more attractive, and your husband will let you know that you are as well. Your husband will appreciate the gesture, but who knows what he will do to thank you for it.

 


How to Mourn a Loved One

The death of a loved one is the hardest thing we will have to face in our lifetime. When a loved one’s life is unexpectedly cut short, the grief can be that much greater, and seem impossible to overcome. It may seem that we will never be happy again, and that life will never be right. There are some steps to take in the mourning process, that will help you deal with your loss, in as healthy a way as possible. In this article, we will discuss steps you can take to help you deal with the grief of losing a loved one.

Allow yourself to feel the loss:
Some people think if they act as if nothing terrible has happened, they will be able to keep it together. This is not so, as the grief will still come out, just possibly in unhealthy ways. You need to acknowledge the loss of a loved one, realize the effect this loss has on you and your family, before you can move forward. It’s okay for you to feel sad, angry and lonely from this loss. Cry if you need to, express your emotions to friends, confidants and your journal when you need to. Do not bottle it up inside. Losing a loved one is something you need to acknowledge and deal with.

Don’t Allow Guilt to Take Control:
When losing a loved one, many people feel guilt. Guilt because they are alive, guilt at not having done everything right in the relationship with the loved one that passed, and guilt for not being able to have prevented their loved one’s death. Examine this guilt, and decide if there is anything positive that can come from it. If some of the guilt you feel can lead you to be a better person moving forward, then use it as a catalyst for good. If some of the guilt is illogical, and no good can come from it, release yourself from it and do not let unnecessary guilt rule your life.

Remember the Good Times:
Remember the good times you shared with your loved one and remember them often! There is no need to block out the good memories in the mourning process. Remembering the great times will lessen the pain and keep your loved one close at heart.

When mourning a loved one remember to allow yourself to feel the loss, don’t allow guilt to take over your life and always reflect and remember the good times you and your loved one shared!