As someone who really loves music, I was nervous about deciding who to hire for my reception music: a DJ or a live band. There are benefits and drawbacks to both, so its critical to shop wisely and check references. A DJ is typically less expensive than a live band and can offer a wider range of music that will please guests of all ages. One friend of mine hired a DJ who was great at getting the crowd excited. He even managed to get my friends mother-in-law, who never dances, out on the dance floor! However, if the DJ isnt up to par, it can really ruin the mood of the reception. A ba...

Wedding programs are a great way for guests to know whos who at the altar and what to expect from the ceremony. They also make wonderful keepsakes. I designed my own wedding programs for a personal touch. People were coming up to me all night at the reception to tell me how much they liked the programs! Wedding programs are not mandatory, of course, but for those who choose to have them, there are a few things to keep in mind: * Wedding programs can be expensive, but they dont have to be. Couples can spend as little as the cost of printer paper, or as much as $2,000, depending on t...

Subject: Kate and Will Anniversary
Date: 04/29/2012
Time: from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Location:
Source: Wedding Knots
Description: Kate Middleton and Prince William Married One Year Today!

What could be sweeter than reciting self-written vows while standing alongside the love of ones life? Thats what I was thinking when my now-husband and I decided to write our own vows. Still, like many things about a wedding, it was not as simple as it seemed. There were a few steps that we had to take before sitting down and writing away. First, we needed to check with our officiant to make sure he was okay with it--and he was. He did not need to see the vows beforehand, but this is a requirement in some faith communities. We had to decide if we wanted to collaborate on writing our ...

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when setting up a wedding gift registry. I was overwhelmed when a sales associate placed a scanner in my hand, said "Have fun!," and walked away. The entire store was at my disposal; where to begin? Here are some tips that helped me organize the wish-listas well asthe thank-you notes aspects of wedding gifts: DO register for gifts together. Your spouse-to-be probably will think its fun, and after all, your gifts will go into the home youll be sharing together. DO select items in a range of prices, from inexpensive to pricey. We needed napkins...

Its easy for a wedding budget to get out of control. There always was something else Id forgotten about--tips for the vendors, gift bags for out-of-town guests, the cost of postage stamps. I quickly discovered the necessity of pruning the budget in small ways. Done right, the guests wont miss a thing! Here are some ideas to keep down costs. * Opt for a small, one- or two-tiered wedding cake for ceremonial cutting, and have a sheet cake in the same flavors to feed the guests. My best friend did this at her wedding, and the sheet cake was every bit as delicious as the tiered one. ...

I thought compiling a guest list was tricky. Selecting bridesmaids was even harder! Should I have asked the girlfriend of the best man to be a bridesmaid, even though I didnt know her that well (I chose not to)? What about the girlfriend of my future brother-in-law (nope)? Or my brothers girlfriend (I did ask her)? Emotions ran high, but we managed to make it through without hurting feelings too much. Here are a few things to consider when selecting attendants: * Theres not a set number for bridesmaids, but a good rule of thumb is to have one for every 50 guests. My husband ...

I hate to say it, but flowers are not cheap. I spent around the standard 8% of my budget on them. This included my bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnires, decoration for the ceremony, and centerpieces for the reception. Considering that the average wedding costs around $25,000, the flower budget can easily come out to $2,000.. I wont tell you exactly what I spent on my flowers, but it was more than Id intended! It doesnt have to be that way, though. The biggest tip to saving money on your flowers is to go with whats in season. That could be tulips or peonies in spring, hydrangeas i...

Spring break is a great time to do a test run for summer activities. The kids are out of school and ready for some fun. If youre not traveling for spring break, why not try a close-to-home adventure? I thought it would be fun to try letterboxing. Friends whove done it told me that it is a mix of treasure hunting, rubber stamping, and orienteering -- great for kids and families. I was certainly intrigued! Basically, letterboxers follow treasure map-style clues to find hidden "treasure," usually located in a park or other natural area. The treasure chest is a letterbox, a Tupperware co...

For many couples, getting married in a house of worship is an absolute must. But some couples want something a bit, or even very different for their ceremony and / or reception. I, for one, got married at a zoo. Yes, thats right: a zoo! Technically, it was in a beautiful mansion house that happened to be on zoo property. I wasnt in the cages with the monkeys, I promise! And a zoo setting could have given a whole new meaning to monkey suit. But it goes to show that brides can get married just about anywhere, with great results. For couples not too far from a coast, beaches are a popul...

My weddings colors were gold and red, but I rather wish Id added another: green. Not actually the hueI mean having an eco-friendly wedding. Green weddings are quickly gaining momentum as something positive that brides and grooms can do for our planet. And its not about restricting venue options to certified-green buildings, or eschewing paper invitations altogether (although theres nothing wrong with doing those things!). Here are a few ideas that I wish Id had when I was planning my own wedding: * Post-consumer recycled paper invitations are a good way to save some trees. If your...

Congratulations! He popped the question, you said "Yes!," and now youre engaged. Its time to start the wedding planning. Many brides-to-be feel a little overwhelmed at this point in the process; I know I did. Theres so much to think about: when to get married; where to hold the ceremony and reception; who to invite; what vendors to use; and so on, and so on. . . One of the first things to do is to regain some perspective. Its a big day, but its one day in your future together. Just like with any other big project, break your planning-related tasks down into manageable chunks. Bein...

The other day a friend mentioned to me that she was starting to think about summer plans for her children. Its only February, but I know I need to start thinking too. Registration for many summer camps is starting, and local parenting magazines at the pediatricians office and other places kids go are filled with ads. Now is the time to think about what your kids will be doing this summer. Theres a lot to consider: camp or no camp? If you choose a camp, will it be day or sleep-away? What about type--academic, religious, technology, sports? If you opt not to enroll your kids in camp, h...

0:-) looking forward to see you in Nepal..

we have a beaufull trekking area for five days

The power of womens desire can fuel the change needed to bring the entire world to perfection, joy, and peace The more humanity develops, the more complicated and unpredictable our lives become. And as usual, the most difficult part falls on the shoulders of the most beautiful part of humanity. According to the World Health Organization, about twice as many women (20-26%) as men (8-12%) are affected by a depressive disorder each year. Despite the fact that women have achieved freedom, high social status, and equality, they, in growing numbers, still feel psychologically empty and insecur...

Vadim ... Is this how you looked last weekend?

Have you ever wanted to study authentic kabbalah with a Rabbi? Have you got Skype? A bunch of us got together and he was invited and said yes! If you are interested in joining us, let me know. We meet on Skype Tuesday's just after lunch.

Coconut water can easily be made at home by adding two teaspoons of coconut milk powder to eight ounces of pure, filtered water. It's good for you.