The scenario: You’ve booked your wedding and reception site and now you’re staring at a popular Internet site where a 150 point “to do” list awaits you. Though these sights can be very useful for research, advice, and much more, they can be overwhelming.

First step: Make a personalized wedding binder. As Michelle Gregory, Coordinator and Event planner at the Jones Victorian Estate, tells all her Bride and Groom’s is: make a “Wedding Fun Finder.” This fun finder is a binder that you create with sections for Budget, Wedding/Reception location, photographer/videographer, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen attire, flowers/decorations, meal (including food choices, table/linen design, etc.), cake/dessert, Minister/Pastor, DJ/Band, gift favors, guest list (including hotels for out of down guests), invitations, rehearsal/rehearsal dinner, transportation, and honeymoon.

This helps you get into the mood of wedding planning. In between these sections, place some clear page protectors for samples, contracts, fabric/ribbon and magazine pictures (because it’s easier to show someone something than describe it), as well as five blank pages for notes and/or ideas. On the front of the binder, Bride and Groom’s can put pictures of themselves, their wedding date, and anything that makes it personalized.

Although binders at popular bookstores are beautiful, a personal touch adds much more to the experience and represents the two of you. Once you’ve finished your initial design and layout for your fun-finder, it’s time to take your time and find the gown of your dreams!

Second step: Finding your gown. Your gown is one of the most important aspects of your wedding because it denotes the style and tone of your wedding, whether it is traditional, edgy, whimsical, or contemporary, your gown impacts the style and design of your wedding.

Take your time when finding the perfect dress. Research. Pick up some bridal magazines and peruse their selection of wedding dresses, so you have a good idea of the style you would like and a favorite designer or two. Once you’ve selected some dresses from magazines, make sure to put your top five or ten into your wedding fun-finder for reference. That way when you make your appointment to visit the Bridal shop to try on dresses, you can show the consultant just what you envision yourself wearing.

When finding your bridal dress, remember: don’t settle! Though some Bride’s may have the budget to buy whatever gown she wants, many brides today don’t have a -10,000 budget for a bridal gown. If you are one of those Bride’s, don’t settle; be creative! If you find something you love, don’t rule out the possibility of finding that dress available at a sale (or as a sample), Ebay, auctions, or having it tailor made for you. But most importantly, find something you love!!

Third Step: Photographer. Finding the photographer early is important as many book in advance and pricing may vary. This is one item a Bride can give the Groom to research while she is looking for her Bridal gown, and then can help him narrow down the options to find one they will both love. Many venues and coordinators have a referral list, start with those. These photographers are known for their exceptional service and attention to detail, why not see if they can serve you?

Then, ask friends or family members for photographers who they have used and do some research. If you need more opinions, try searching the web for positive write-ups or blogs. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, meet with three to five. Here are some helpful questions to ask when visiting a photographer: What packages do you offer? Do you include engagement photos? Will you visit the site prior to the wedding to go over pictures opportunities? Do you have an assistant? How many hours are you on-site? Do you have a travel fee? What is your interpretation of all day coverage?

After deciding on the photographer whose style and attitude complement yours, reserve the photographer, fill out the paperwork, let your coordinator know who you’ve chosen, and move on. You have just accomplished another item on your list! Well done!

Fourth Step: Make a wedding collage on an 8 ½ by 11″ page. This page has textures, colors, ideas, themes, etc. Think of it as a compilation of ideas. For instance, you may find a page in a Bridal magazine with a gold dress, a jeweled purse, and a bouquet, or a page with an oak tree, fresh potted plants, and raffia. You can use this page to start your collage, or begin your very own from scratch and then add your own details such as a feather, picture, swatch, beads, etc. This will help you begin the design process.

Remember, you do not have to complete this page, as you are just beginning planning, but getting a head start will help you start formulating ideas and colors. You can always add more ideas as you go along. If you don’t have a set idea or theme, don’t worry. Cut out anything that strikes your interest, attach them to the page, and soon you will see a theme coming together. Place your collage in the front of your “fun finder” to refer to during planning.

Fifth Step: Bridesmaid Dresses. While you may be tempted to look for Bridesmaid dresses while you look for your wedding dress, wait until you have finished the above items, especially the collage page, which will offer some color ideas. The Bridesmaid dresses do two things: they help set the color scheme of your wedding and accent your wedding dress.

When choosing a Bridesmaid dress, research. Find out what designs and fabrics would complement your wedding dress. If your Bridal gown is organza with a sweetheart neckline, you may opt for a strapless bridesmaid dress with Organza fabric for continuity. However, as the Bride, you may want to stand out and have a different style from the Bridesmaid dresses. The style and cut of your bridesmaid dresses are your decision though you can ask for input from your maids. Remember, when asking for suggestions from the bridesmaids, these are just suggestions and it is ultimately your decision because it is your wedding day. Whether you decide on a specific color and allow the Bridesmaids to choose the style, or you choose both, this is your day.

Make Bridesmaid dress shopping fun! Before choosing the five to ten dresses that you would like the Bridesmaids to try on, let them pick one of the oddest, most funny dress each and have a mini fashion show to create a fun mood. While they are trying on the dresses, select the dresses you would like them to model afterwards. Once you have chosen the dress, you are ready to move on to the planning stages of your event.

STOP: With these five items finished, take a few weeks or a month off. By taking some time off, you will have a fresher look at what you’ve accomplished and be excited to begin again. Remember, this is your wedding day. Take your time and enjoy the process! Happy planning!

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So why don’t you pass on the planning to professionals? Wedding planners will take care of all the details so you can actually pick out the dress and then relax without having to worry about anything. Basically, they have the expertise to organize affairs in a brisk and efficient way, which you as a layman lack.

Have you ever thought about opting for Caribbean weddings? What better place can there be other than the beautiful Caribbean islands to get married in? You certainly don’t have a dearth of choices when it comes to picking out a venue here. Aruba, Antigua, Barbados, Belize – all make the perfect wedding venue. The ambience and pleasant climate of the place is what makes Caribbean weddings so popular. While you are here you can go for snorkeling or scuba diving to check out the beautiful coral gardens underwater and also visit the fabulous tourist spots.

So how can a wedding planner help you out? For starters, the entire process of sending invitations will be worked out. Arrangements for room and board for the guests will also be made. The food, beverage, and band will be booked by the planner himself. You can pick out your favorite band and the planner will book it on your behalf based on their availability. The biggest headache is to get a marriage license, but when professionals are handling everything, the process will be smooth, quick, and easy.

So are you fascinated with Caribbean weddings by now? You must be wondering how to go about the process while you are organizing your own ceremony here. That is where dreamyweddings.com steps in to lend a helping hand. They have some attractive packages that have been carefully designed to suit the budgets of everyone. Therefore, you can rest assured that it will not burn a hole in your pocket. If you want to get in touch with them, then all you need to do is visit their website and give them a call. They will help you to plan the “dream wedding” that you always wanted!

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A = Austin Princesss, Plenty of Space for the  bride and groom.

B = Bentley,  S1 S2 or S3 (S standing for Series) model  dates from the late 1950′s to 1960′s and are referred to as Classic Wedding Cars they are stunning wedding cars, they are an ideal bridal carriage available in a variety of Colours from White to Gold to Two Tone Wine & Silver  or Sage over Heather.

The Bentley S or R type Wedding car would typically date from the 1950′s

Beauford Convertible Wedding Cars are Vintage Style Wedding Cars thus meaning they are new Wedding Cars built on the Vintage Style. They are available in a variety of Colours from Silver, White & Cream to two tone Black & Silver, Navy & Silver or Wine & Silver

The BMW 7 Series would be the  BMW choice of the Modern Bride and Groom

C = Cadillac  Fleetwood especially of the 1950′s & 1960′s.

Chrysler 300C & Stretched Limousine Version

D= Daimler the most Popular Daimler used for Irish Weddings would be the Daimler DS420 Limousine this is an ideal Wedding Car or Support Car for the Bridesmaids & Bestmen as it has seating for upto 7 Passengers.

Dodge Wedding Cars

E = Excalibur, the vintage style limousine with the wheels on the side as it is often referred to here. These are available in 6 & 8 seaters white in colour.

F = Ford, the Model T, This is Would be classed as a Vintage Wedding Car, a very rare car on Irish Roads for Weddings.

H =  Hummer Like no Other this truly modern icon also comes in a Stretched Limousine Version for the Bridesmaids and Groomen.

J =Jaguar Currently Used for Weddings in Ireland would be the Jaguar XJ Series

L = Lincoln Towncar Limousines These Stretched American Wedding Limousines Seating up 8 Passengers in Comfort & Style can be used as the Main Bridal Wedding Car or As the Support Wedding Car for the Bridesmaids Groomen or mothers and fathers of the Bride & Groom

M = Mercedes, The two most popular Mercedes for Wedding Cars Would be the E-Class & S Class these are an ideal modern wedding car for the Bride & Groom not to leave out the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen there is the Mercedes E-Class Stretch Limousine seating up to 7 Passengers

P = Packard Presidential Wedding Car

R = Rolls Royce : There are quite a few different Rolls Royce Wedding Cars dating from the Vinatge up to the Truly Modern available for Wedding Car hire in Ireland

Vintage Rolls Royce Wedding Cars available for Wedding Car Hire In Ireland would typically date from the Late 1920′s through the 1930′s upto the Mid 1940′s.

The Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Models I (1)  II (2)  III (3) from the Late 1950′s would Share its Looks and Shape with the Bentley S1 – S3 Series bar some minor Cosmetic Details to Differentiate the Brands the Biggest Difference would be to the Front Grill

Rolls Royce Silver Shadow dating from the Early 1970′s to the Early 1980′s are a very popular Wedding Car in White or Gold.

Regent Convertible Weddings Cars are also Vintage Style Wedding Cars thus meaning they are new Wedding Cars built on the Vintage Style. They are available in a variety of Colours from Bronze & Ivory to Black & Ivory to Gold & Ivory

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Chicago, IL (PRWEB) January 3, 2011

OneWed.com, the ultimate online resource for wedding planning, welcomes the year’s biggest day for wedding planning, January 3, 2011, which OneWed has declared “Matrimony Monday.” To celebrate, today OneWed released their predictions for 2011’s top 10 wedding trends. Based on industry research, expert opinions from wedding vendors, and a year’s worth of trend-spotting, OneWed expects a resurgence of sophistication, dramatic ballgowns, outdoor venues high on personalization and ethnic-infused nuptials.

“2010 was quite a year for the wedding world,” says OneWed Editorial Director, Azure Nelson. “Prince William and Kate Middleton made a royal engagement announcement. Vera Wang announced she’d design a line for David’s Bridal. Retailers like The Limited and Urban Outfitters decided to take a dip into bridal design. And Katy Perry’s Indian wedding captivated the world. We were there to watch it happen and have placed our bets on what will be hot (and what will not) for 2011 weddings.”

OneWed’s Top Wedding Trends for 2011:

1. Sophisticated Elegance Returns

It’s back to basics with elegant, sophisticated style in 2011. Wedding decor will be understated with modern design elements trumping DIY touches. Scripted calligraphy, custom monograms and classic wedding cakes embody this trend. Brides will wear pearls and grooms will ditch the Converse in favor of more tasteful wedding day kicks.

2. Outdoor Venues—Where It’s At

Couples will gravitate toward outdoor ceremony and reception venues. The raw, minimal backdrop of an outdoor setting leaves room for personalization and customization, a major perk for creative, hands-on nearlyweds.

3. Grey is the New Black, Crazy for Navy

Gloomy no more, grey is the neutral it color. Organic and natural shades of charcoal, slate, stone, oyster and shell will be paired with vibrant hues to make the colors pop! And while grey remains the talk of the town for 2011, Prince William’s upcoming royal wedding has put navy, sapphire, and royal blue back on the map.

4. Mad for Metallics & Bold Color Palettes

Gilded gold, shimmery silver, and sparkling champagne will stand out alongside vibrant accent colors like yellow, purple and teal. Metallics and brights make such a bold statement that couples will scale back over-the-top decor in favor of a more simple style aesthetic.

5. Big Ball Gowns are Back

Wedding dress designers draped, ruched, and layered clouds of tulle, power netting and chiffon to fashion whimsical wedding dresses with limitless volume this runway season. The outcome? Fairytale-inspired bridal style and whimsical wedding dresses for 2011 I Dos.

6. Grooms Take a Walk on the Stylish Side

Guys will choose formal looks to represent their unique style; bow ties will replace classic long neckties, and embroidered dress shirts, engraved cuff links, stylish lapel pins and the color of the season—grey—will be donning the white aisles.

7. Wedding Invitations Go Green

From totally paperless wedding invitations and save-the-dates, to stationery printed on 100% recycled paper, invitations have truly gone green. Couples can find all they need with sites like WeddingPreParty.com enabling online RSVP and party planning and Nearlyweds.com offering coordinating stationery and wedding websites.

8. Luxurious Textures—from the Dress to the Tablescape

Opulence abounds with wedding dresses featuring 3D appliques, layered light fabrics, romantic ruffles and illusion fabric with eye-catching beading. Textured linens, embroidered and beaded chair covers, and branch-like centerpieces will captivate wedding guests.

9. Ethnic Influences, Cultural Wedding Details

Whether it’s a religious wedding ceremony ritual, traditional wedding day garb, cultural cuisine infused throughout the reception dinner, or wedding decor with bold, ethnic prints, you can’t help but embrace the unique cultures and ethnicities of couples in 2011.

10. Revved-Up Wedding Receptions

Who wants the best day of their lives to end? Not couples and guests in 2011–that’s certain. Couples will plan a post-reception after party lasting into the wee hours of the night with drinks, entertainment, dancing and snacks so wedding guests can party all night long!

To read more about OneWed’s macro and micro wedding trends for 2011, including what’s OUT, visit OneWed’s Savvy Scoop Wedding Blog.

About OneWed:

OneWed is the ultimate online source for the truth in wedding planning, providing couples with a wealth of tips, advice and creative suggestions to help personalize their wedding. WeddingPreParty.com is the first social network for all things weddings, connecting the couple with friends and family. The site’s popular wedding dresses gallery, wedding checklist, free wedding websites, award-winning wedding blog and largest directory of local wedding vendors– 235,000 nationwide–attracts nearly 500,000 people monthly. OneWed can be found online at OneWed.com, facebook.com/Wedding.Planning, and twitter.com/OneWed.

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1. Threaten them.

2. Pay them lots of money.

3. Make their work fun.

In today’s workplace, threatening people has not been effective. Paying them lots of money (even if you can afford it) has only shown short-term success. Only number three, making their workplace enjoyable, has a track record of effecting real change. It is time managers learned how to create an atmosphere that is challenging, creative and fun for employees as well as for themselves.

How Fun is Productive

Imagine a work world where people love their work environment, and they are calm, stress-free and happy all day long. People who are in good spirits are more likely to be productive. Their mental attitude produces increased oxygen, endorphins, and blood flow to the brain, which enables them to think more clearly and creatively. They are more relaxed, more accepting of others, and more likely to share their sense of humor.

Laughter creates a bond that brings others together; people like to be with employees who are having fun. Creativity, intuition and flexibility are key to successful operation of organizations today. In stimulating environments, employees enjoy their time at work and they will also excel at work. Attracting customers is easier in an environment of hospitality. A fun workplace is not only more productive, but it attracts people and profits.

A Test: Is your Staff Suffering from Terminal Seriousness?

Scan your workplace and take note:

Do you regularly catch people laughing or smiling at work?

       YES       NO

When something funny happens do people stop and appreciate it?

       YES       NO

Does your organization have fun activities at least monthly?

       YES       NO

Do you have tools (fun giveaways, draws) to invite patients to participate in having fun in your environment?

       YES       NO

Are managers usually optimistic and smiling at work?

       YES       NO

If you answer no to two or more of these questions, your staff probably suffers from “terminal seriousness,” which is negatively affecting morale and productivity.

More Benefits of Humor in the Workplace

Dr. Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is an igniter of great expectations.” Children laugh an average of 400 times a day and that number drops to only 15 times a day by the time people reach age 35. Preschoolers must know something we don’t. Laughter releases endorphins (a chemical 10 times more powerful than the pain-relieving drug morphine) into the body with the same exhilarating effect as doing strenuous exercise. Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby replenishing and invigorating cells. It also increases the pain threshold, boosts immunity, and relieves stress.

Humor also levels the playing field to create an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue, open communication, and increased risk-taking. Creating more equality in power or control shows people respect and builds pride in their work.

This is just a sampling of the benefits of having fun in your workplace. Hopefully now you are convinced you could use a “fun injection” in your own place of employment.

Help people belong to your organization and not just work there by giving them a way to solidify and build rapport.

THIRTEEN STEPS TO CREATING A FUN WORKPLACE:

1.   Give up the notion that professionalism means being

serious all the time. It’s possible to take yourself lightly and still be competent and productive. Start to promote the benefits of humor at work.

2.   Define what fun is in your workplace and what it is not

(e.g. harmful humor, off-color jokes, sexual humor, humor tarnishing the organization)

3.   Organize a “Fun Committee” for dreaming up fun

“stuff” to do during and after work.

4.   Add fun to meetings. Bring in fun things such as Nerf

balls, a basketball and hoop, or party blowers. Start a meeting with a humorous story or joke.

5.   Collect and share your favorite cartoons and jokes.

Create a Joke Board or a Humor Newsletter. Look for tools to disseminate fun and funny things daily.

6.   Let customers know you are a fun company. Do

something just for fun (organize fun customer events, dress for fun, share funny things with customers) and give employees tools to create a fun relationship with customers (stickers, candy for children, dog biscuits for dogs, humorous buttons with the company logo). This makes work more fun for employees and it strengthens the relationship with customers. Dick Snow of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream says, “We believe that we’re in the entertainment business and selling ice cream is just a part of what we do. In our stores the counter is our stage and the customers are our audience.” Disneyland has the same kind of approach.Employees are part of an entertainment experience, and they aren’t just doing a job.

7.   Gather your co-workers for the “Joy of Work” hour.

Everyone must talk about something good at work. Take turns telling stories about the things that make work a joy. Each person should contribute ideas on how to make work more fun.

8.   Have a fun recognition program. Fun is not a reward for

performance, but can be a way to encourage employees to perform. For example, you could create “games” out of productive activity…who can motivate the most patients in a hospital to smile and say something funny to the head nurse. Playful and goal-oriented fun is best.

9.   Respond to fun when it happens. Funny things occur all

the time, but if you are obsessed with left-brain analytical thought, you might find it hard to stop and respond. Natural spontaneous humor is a blessing. Stop and take a moment to give employees and customers an opportunity to see the fun in the event.

10. Commit to being fun and it will change your approach

to work. Start slowly with a few activities and communicate your desire to create a more relaxed workplace. Don’t expect things to turn around overnight.

11. Put fun things and activities in the staff room. This allows

people to take their mind off of the seriousness of work for a short period, so they come back to work with a more positive and balanced perspective.

12. Encourage staff to leave work behind at the end of the

day. Employees shouldn’t be so consumed with work that it affects their family life and leisure activities. Find fun ways for employees to “unload” at the end of the day or week. Create a ritual like writing a “to do” list and posting it on the board. By doing this, you commit to not thinking about the things on the list until the next day.

13. Encourage employees to develop their own style of

having fun. A nurse anesthetist at a hospital in Michigan often sings to his patients to help them relax prior to surgery. Patients have appreciated this so much that they have told family and friends about the experience. It is not uncommon now for the hospital staff to get requests for “The Singing Anesthesiologist” when they are scheduling their surgery.

Remember that employees create fun in the workplace, not managers. It’s a manager’s job to orchestrate fun activities (and not get in the way of them).

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