Message to the Groom!

Finally the time has come for you to get an engagement ring for the woman of your life. If things go right, you'll only be buying one engagement ring in your lifetime. With your lack of experience, how are you going to make sure you find one that your sweetheart likes but is still a wise purchase? The following steps will help you find the perfect engagement ring:

Determine Your Budget: Always remember that the amount is not tied to how much you spend on a ring. You should figure out how much you can afford to spend before you step foot in a store. 


Choose a Stone: Choose the diamond separately. It helps if you know what shape your sweetheart wants i.e round, pear, marquis, etc. The most classic shape is a round solitaire.  


Choose the Setting:  After you've got your stone, then comes the setting. You could go for simple with a solitaire setting, or you could add filigree, extra side stones, and other details. You can choose gold, white or rose gold, platinum, or even titanium.

Maximize Your Budget: If your intended is always talking about huge diamond engagement rings, but two months of your salary wouldn't buy a Big Mac, you're going to have to stretch the budget. Ask for a stone with more surface area – it won't sparkle as much but it will look bigger. Ask for stones that are slightly less than the next carat (0.8 instead of 1 or 1.9 instead of 2) – the almost indiscernible difference can add up to big savings. Instead of a diamond solitaire engagement ring, consider a less expensive center gemstone (such as tourmaline, blue topaz, sapphire) flanked by two small diamonds. Choose white gold instead of platinum. And consider an antique engagement ring.


Get a Buddy: Don't go into a jewelry store alone. They're scary places full of way too many choices. If you can, bring your sweetheart's best friend or mom along to help you choose. But if you're worried they'll spill the beans, bring a trusted buddy of yours. Make sure they have taste, or you'll be trying to propose with a ring pop. Also, assuming they like the person you're buying it for, this is a great moment to bond with your parents and get their advice. Think About Bringing Your Sweetheart With You. You'll lose the element of surprise, but you'll be sure that she likes her engagement ring. More and more couples are doing it this way.


Get a Quality Jeweler: Ask for recommendations from friends and family. Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange it if you didn't do your homework properly.


Pay Attention: Is it going to be gold or platinum? Modern or traditional? Flashy or understated? Look at the jewelry your sweetheart wears on a daily basis. If it's all silver with intricate designs then look for a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs. If it's just a few heavy gold pieces, well, then go in that direction.

Plan Ahead: You may not be able to just walk out of a jewelry store with a ring. Not only will you need to save up for it, but depending on what you order it could take a couple weeks for them to set the stone, do any engraving, or even custom design your ring. So if you want to propose on a certain date, make sure you start working on the ring early.

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Location

Coming up with a wedding location can be harder than it looks! As always location is of utmost importance and when it comes to your wedding day this is no different. Ultimately you should follow your heart and choose a place that best reflects your tastes as a couple. Find on a place you and your friends and relatives can relax in and your wedding is sure to be a wonderful day. 

Many factors have to be considered when coming up with the perfect wedding location. These are:


Size
When you’re deciding on the location for your nuptials it is important to decide how many people will attend. It is worth remembering that your eventual choice of location may affect the overall amount of rsvp’s. Is the venue convenient to get to? Will you contribute to travel expenses?

Style
How do you want your wedding day to be? The style is all important when you’re thinking about location. Will you want to be outside or inside? Will you have the service and reception in the same place? Whether you want a conservative traditional church wedding and formal reception or a relaxed ceremony in a sunny location followed by a huge party then it is best to visit the various locations and find out how open they are to your ideas.

Budget 
Think about how much of your overall wedding budget you would like to spend on the location and venue. If you have your heart set on a particular location there could be ways to get round a tight budget. If your wedding date is flexible then opt for out of season date when the cost of your venue may be up to half of the cost. An alternative way to save money on your wedding location is looking into using more unusual or unused spaces. Why not consider the local park. Otherwise if you have a friend or acquaintance with a large house and garden you could use this and install marquees.

Facilities
You will need to consider how well equipped any potential locations are for you and your guests. Will there be enough parking? If you want to make a grand entrance do you have to walk far and will you want to in a wedding dress? The best way to decide on the perfect location is to book a visit and get the owner to talk you through the facilities and what is on offer.

Your Job as a Maid of Honor.

A maid of honor has a lot of responsibilities when it comes to being part of a wedding. If you have been chosen as a maid of honor and you dont quite know your responsibilities, well here is a list of what you should do!

1. Attending all prenuptial parties.
2. Help address invitations and announcements.
3. Entertain a party for the bride and groom if possible. This could be a couple's shower.
4. Assist bride with going away clothes and luggage.
5. Be sure that bridesmaids are kept aware of their fitting appointments, rehearsal obligations and any special duties that the bride may wish for them to do.
6. Arrange with a florist for a supply of rose petals to shower on the bride and groom as they leave.  If a flower girl is in the party, she is responsible to see that the child knows when and how to do this.
7. Arrive at the church or home of the bride early enough to help with bride and bridesmaids with dressing (at least 2 hours early).
8. Remind the best man which ladies will be wearing their flowers  (Mother, grandmothers, organist, soloist, hostesses, etc.).
9. Assist bride with her train during ceremony and in the receiving line.
10. Hold the bride's wedding bouquet for the exchange of rings during the ceremony and hand it back just before the recessional.
11. In a double ring ceremony, carry the groom's ring until it is time to hand it to the minister.
12. Assist the photographer with identification of the members of the bridal party and later for pictures, which are taken at the church and reception.  Be sure to find the kind of candid shots the bride may want of the out-of-town guests.  Be certain the photographer has taken an appropriate number of these candid shots.
13. Witness and sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony.
14. Stand in the receiving line.  The traditional place to stand is at the groom's left side with her bridesmaids to her left.
15. Assist the bride when she is ready to change into here going away ensemble.
16. With the best man, help the couple depart.
17. See that the bride's gown is taken care of according to her wishes.  Usually taken to the bride's home or to a cleaner.

Remember, this is the bride's day.  Your job is to assist the bride and help her day be as carefree and special as possible. As a maid of honor, you should set the tone among the women in the bridal party.  Stay cool and never out shine the bride.  It truly is an honor to serve. ourmarriage.com

Thinking of going short

Planning your wedding and thinking of rocking a short wedding dress to show off those gorgeous legs of yours??
Well look no further :) check out these awesome designs...

Balloons @ Weddings

Mostly associated with children's parties, one would never think to include balloons at weddings... but seeing as we at celebrations kenya are all about being daringly different. we LOVE the idea ! They add a wonderfully playful element to your day and gives it such a great sense of occasion!

Work them into your reception area, the buffet tables or even into your photographs !

Photos:Style Me Pretty,  Not Your Average Ordinary,  Martha Stewart Weddings,  Kate Spade, Ever After Events  The Designer Marks, Cafe Fashionista, Flickr

How to Shed before you Wed !

How to shed before you wed !

Just five quick pointers to help you feel healthier & gearing to go !

1.     Balance – Working out is only piece of the puzzle. Your diet is 80% of the battle, so focus on foods with good fats like avocados and salmon. These fats actually help you eliminate belly weight and keep you satiated.

2.     Mix it Up– It’s important to vary your workout routine. Your bosy gets accustomed to exercises, which can lead to a fitness plateau. Create new challenges for your body by trying new classes or simply by running a different route.

3.     Get Some ZZZZZ – When you don’t sleep enough, you secrete more ghrelin (the hormone that tells you when to eat) and less leptin (the hormone that tells you when to stop). Keeping your levels in balance is really important to weight loss.

4.     Stress Less – Stress activates cortisol, the chemical that can lead to weight gain. Luckily, exercise makes you stress less. We know planning a wedding is often stressful – so stick to your workouts !

5.     Back Basics – Here’s a little secret – Focus on exercises that tone and define your shoulders and back. (Most wedding gowns highlight these areas more than your thighs and hips anyway). Doing so gives you the illusion of a small waistline – not to mention a sculpted back and great upper arms.

Checklist for the Groom !

From The Beginning

First and foremost you should get her the Engagement Ring. Make sure you know her ring size. 

Secondly, pop the question making sure it is a moment she will live to remember.  Remember to help her choose the wedding date and also picking out a reception location.

You should also choose on your Best Man and the Groomsmen and remember to start working on the guest list. 

Finally, choose the music: a band or disk jockey. Get references from friends. Meet with these candidates so you feel comfortable with their personality.

6 Months Before.
Plan for your honeymoon; start by applying for a passport if needed. Shop for wedding rings; you know her better, make sure she loves it. Finish up on the guest list and also ensure you check state requirements for blood tests and the marriage license. Secure transportation to the ceremony and reception.

3 Months Left. 
First book your honeymoon. This should be done at this time to avoid last minute hustle to find a good destination. Also get wedding band inscription, if desired.

2 Months Left.
With a few months left, you should meet with the person performing the ceremony to finalize details.
Secondly, the rehearsal dinner, this should be planned with your parents. With your bride, work on the flower arrangements.

30 Day Countdown.
First and foremost, buy your bride a wedding gift. You don’t want to rush with this as the gift should be and memorable. Then, schedule final fittings for tuxedos, and make sure all wedding attire has been ordered and also purchase gifts for Best Man and the Groomsmen. You should also take care of business and legal affairs such as adding the Bride's name to insurance policies, medical plans and checking accounts.

2 Weeks.
Start by filing for your marriage license with your bride-to-be. If moving, get a change of address card to the Post Office. Arrange to have utilities turned on in your new home. If you're not moving, continue with cleaning and reorganizing your home and help your fiancé with the moving of her things.
Don’t forget your Bachelor Party!

7 Days.
Almost there! Start by picking up the tux and also making sure the Best Man and Groomsmen get their wedding attire. Reconfirm all honeymoon reservations and if you’re thinking of flying, make sure you have the plane tickets. Make sure your attendants are at the rehearsal and know their duties and the Ushers are aware of special seating arrangements.

Bring your wedding license to the official at rehearsal. Be sure it is filled out properly so it can be signed and returned to you after your wedding. Finally, Attend your Rehearsal Dinner. Relax and enjoy yourself!

The Wedding Day. 

Congratulations are in order. You’ve come this far. First make sure you eat a a good breakfast with carbs, fat and protein to keep hunger at bay. Make sure your luggage is in the car or Hotel where you'll stay on your wedding night. It is advisable to get dressed at least one hour before the ceremony. Then make sure you give the Best Man the bride's wedding ring and prepare the official's fee or gift in an envelope, and hand it to the best man so he can present it after the ceremony.