Roses last longer in winter but are not always available in certain colours. Some flowers such as camellias and orchids are more delicate and susceptible to bruising and breaking in winter months.

Flowers are so unpredictable. If you decide to have native flowers and your wedding or function is in November, you may find it difficult to get them. Remember it doesn't hurt to have a second choice.

You should shop around between florists and establish if they can supply the types of flowers you want. It is also important to have a theme in mind when choosing your floral arrangements, which carries from the ceremony venue through to your bouquets and flowers at your reception. Your florist should give you good advice on how to care for your flowers before the ceremony. It is a good idea to keep your flowers in a cool room otherwise they will wilt and damage easily. When you decide which florist you would like to help with your floral arrangement, make sure you have discussed every facet of selection and appropriate care conditions for your flowers.

Once you have decided on the flowers you want, order them early and make sure you know what you are getting. Keep the lines of communication open so misunderstandings don't occur. After the wedding, you could have your florist dry and press the flowers from your bouquet and arrange them in a photo frame for an everlasting memory.

 Decorating ideas

Ten years ago, decorating your wedding or function venue was unheard of. Today decorating seems to be essential in creating an ambience and atmosphere like no other.

Flowers, balloons, fabric drapes, wrought iron candelabra, tulle and fairy lights are just some decorations that could be used to design your own special effect. Also, not unlike your floral arrangements, you need to establish a theme in decorating your ceremony and reception centre.

If you have a limited budget, you can still decorate without paying a small fortune. Hiring equipment and decorations is the best way. Some inexpensive materials you could use are ribbons, bows, ivy and fabric. Terracotta pots with flowers are simple but effective way of decorating reception tables. Topiaries placed at the entrance of the church, and pew decorations are also great inexpensive ideas.

A great way of keeping decorating costs down is to plan your wedding on the same day as another couple and share the decorations and the costs. You can also use the same decorations you have at the wedding ceremony for your reception.

Make sure you talk about your ideas with your decorator so they can help you design the effect you want. Remember to give your decorator plenty of time to prepare and set out your decorations in the venues you choose and take a look at the display 12-24 hours before the big day so everything is to your liking.

Most rooms can be transformed and made to look how your want, however don't feel restricted to existing venues-with a little imagination you can transform almost any area! Your garage, wool shed, rumpus room or simply your back yard could be just what you need to create the setting.

Music to Your Ears

For hundreds of years weddings have shared one thing in common - Music. The tradition continues today and couples have many options.

Music gives you the opportunity to personalize your ceremony. At the ceremony you may choose a church organ, a choir or the gentle sounds of a string quartet. Or you may wish to have a song that is of particular importance to you which could be played during the signing of the wedding register. You can also allow your personal taste to influence the songs and hymns that are sung during the ceremony.

At the reception you may have live bands playing everything from calypso or Caribbean music to country bush music. Or you may decide to have a jazz trio, a pianist, a guitarist, a rock band, mobile disco, a Celtic duo or even a chamber orchestra. It's your party, so you can choose the music you like.

To make sure you like the entertainment it is a good idea to see them perform before you book. If that isn't possible, ask to see a video of one of their performances.

When discussing your needs with the musicians you choose, determine the length of time they will be playing, the number and length of breaks they will take, their fee for the engagement, if they have suitable equipment and if they have appropriate songs for toasts and the bridal waltz.

As some wedding receptions continue longer than planned, ask how much it will cost for extra time. Ask them if they have particular songs you like and if they don't you can always get it from your own collection or a friend's.

Also make sure that they are prepared to liaise with the Master of Ceremonies and follow directions.

Etiquette for Modern Weddings

As modern trends drift away from traditional rules, wedding etiquette has become an area of confusion. What does the bride and groom do together, what do they do separately, what duties should the best man perform and do the parents have a role to fulfil? Here is an easy guide to show couples what roles are performed by whom, but these need not be strictly adhered to:

Bride & Groom-The bride and groom set the wedding date and book a place where the wedding will be held whether that is a church, garden or hall. They also choose the music they wish to be played at the ceremony and reception and start the dancing at the reception.

Bride-The bride must choose her matron of honour, bridesmaids and flower girls and decide on the style of their dresses as well as her own. The bride is also responsible for organizing the decorations and flowers for the wedding and reception. She buys the groom's wedding ring and, at the reception, throws her bouquet before she and her new husband leave for their wedding night. After the couple returns from their honeymoon, the bride writes thank you notes to those who have given gifts.

Groom-The groom chooses his best man, decides what type of suit he and his best man will wear and arranges transportation for the wedding party to the wedding. The groom buys the bride's wedding ring and the bouquets. As a thank you gift the groom also buys a present for his attendants. Finally, the groom plans the honeymoon and makes a speech at the reception followed by a toast to the bridesmaids.

Bride's Mother-The bride's mother compiles the invitation list and sends out the invitations. She oversees the catering arrangements and greets guests at the reception.

Bride's Father-The father of the bride escorts his daughter to the church and gives her away. He also makes the first speech after the meal and proposes a toast to the bride and groom.

Matron of Honour-The matron of honour arranges the 'hen's party' and/or kitchen tea' and helps the bride when getting dressed for the wedding. She also holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony and helps the bride get out of her dress before the newly married couple is about to go on their honeymoon.

Best Man-The best man arranges the attire for himself and the groom and organizes the 'buck's night'. He makes sure the wedding is running on time and that nothing has been forgotten. He holds the wedding rings for the service, tickets and passports for the married couple's trip, responds to the toast to the bridesmaids and returns any hired suits after the wedding.

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

One of the key means of ensuring that your wedding is unforgettable is to record it on film. Still photographs achieve enduring images that can be treasured and shared for a lifetime.

You would be wise to seek a professional, congenial photographer who will deliver a quality result, respecting your style, wishes and budget.

Allow yourself plenty of time to find the most suitable photographer for you. Since popular photographers are in high demand you will need to book early to secure the photographer of your choice. The photographer should be an experienced and qualified professional who uses quality professional equipment and can show you a portfolio of other weddings covered. Neither the cheapest nor the dearest photographer is necessarily the best value or the right choice.

It is worthwhile to enquire whether the photographer belongs to a professional organization such as the Professional Photographers Association (PPA) or the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). Also, it is well to discuss arrangements for dealing with negatives (particularly ownership and storage of the negatives), the cost of reprints and enlargements, whether travel costs apply and the number of venues covered. Ensure that you are clear about what you are getting and paying for.

If you decide to book with a photographic studio, make sure you book a particular photographer whose work you have seen or arrange to see the photographer's work before booking. Your photographer/studio should be prepared to discuss artistic, technical and financial aspects of your wedding photography plan.

Once you have engaged a suitable photographer you will then be able to relax and enjoy proceedings. You can then safely look forward to a satisfying photographic coverage of the occasion and soon receive a record of it to be treasured for many years to come.

Still photography uniquely captures and records images which can bring you and your loved ones a life-time of satisfaction and pleasure.

How Important is a Video?

A wedding video has become a very important part of most weddings. In fact, in metropolitan areas such as Sydney, a professionally produced and edited video is considered essential. tRather than replace the photographs, it complements them. You should be prepared to pay around the same for your video as you do for your photography.

A video tells the story of your own very special day in a way that no other medium can. It captures the sights and sounds in living colour, with all the tears and smiles and laughter.

While most of us know someone who has a good video camera, it is important to understand the benefits of having a professional video of your wedding. A domestic video camera format is usually Video 8 or VHS-C. While this is OK for family holidays, once copies are run off the quality diminishes rapidly (around 30 percent). The colours change and the picture becomes drab and grainy. You deserve better for your wedding! Because professional cameras have far better light sensors, the picture is much clearer to begin with, and the copies you receive are much better.

It is also important to know if a master copy is kept. This way copies can be obtained for friends and relatives, or if something disastrous happens to your copy. The master should be on Betacam (television format) or the newer digital tape format. These formats provide copies that are hard to distinguish from the original tape.

Another important point to consider is the experience of your wedding video person. There is so much happening on the day that it needs someone with experience to be at the right place at the right time. Even if Cousin Fred or Aunty May attends the rehearsal the night before, they still may miss some very important part of the proceedings. It's not enough to know how to use a video camera. What if the batteries go flat or if the tape runs out? Is it really worth the risk?

Also check whether copies are available later, and how much they cost. See if titles and background music are included.

Once you have checked these and found a video person to your liking, make sure you view some of their work. It is important that you find someone you can rely on to do their job professionally and competently.

 A Venue to Suit

Whether you choose a function centre, restaurant or garden setting for your reception it should create a unique atmosphere that sets the mood for your special day.

An evening reception shouldn't be your only option. Daytime parties-wedding breakfasts, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, are great alternatives. These options give you the entire day to celebrate, not just a few hours in the late afternoon or evening.

Also keep in mind off peak times such as during the week as they often mean more economical rates.

Don't think the only venues available to you are halls and restaurants. That unconventional venue could make your wedding reception truly unique. Such places could be libraries, museums, town halls and art galleries or a courtyard. Don't be afraid to be different.

Restaurants are the perfect choice for smaller receptions and functions. Often a key feature of restaurants is not only their interior but their locations and views. Look for those restaurants that actively seek functions and have prepared menus and package because they are most likely to have function experience.

When choosing a venue for your wedding or function, always keep in mind the mood and atmosphere you want to create because the right setting and style of that venue will go a long way to achieving your goals. Some function centres are intimate, beautifully maintained houses or cottages, others are large, specially designed buildings with large grounds and parking facilities.

Whatever the venue, inspect it first and discuss your needs with the proprietors.

The Wedding Dress

The bridal gown would have to be the highlight of most weddings. A great deal of time, energy and not to mention money, goes into making the perfect wedding dress. And so there should because every bride wants her wedding dress to be beautiful, unique and unforgettable.

There is no limit to the amount of money you could spend on the dress of your dreams. You may want hundreds of sequins and pearls painstakingly hand sewn onto your satin dress, an eight foot train and a tiara to offset a delicate tulle veil.

Then again, you may wish to do what many brides are doing today - choosing a wedding dress that is in a fashionable colour and style that can be of use after a wedding. A versatile outfit of this nature is a three-piece suite - jacket, skirt, and blouse. Another sensible alternative is to purchase a pre-loved wedding dress.

Always shop for the best bargain, especially after Bridal Fairs/Wedding Exhibitions.· Ask for the "style number" of the gown so that you can recall it straight away instead of remembering which gown was which.

Ensure that when you decide on a gown that is "off the rack", to not just choose the one that is literally on the rack as it has been tried on various times and also dry-cleaned.

Another important accessory is one that your guests will not see - your lingerie. The most important thing about the lingerie you wear is to make sure it fits perfectly. Bulges and pinched lines are not attractive.

If this is your second wedding and are not sure about wearing white, don't be afraid to do what you feel comfortable with, it's your day. A bride of the 90's has much more freedom to do what makes her feel very special.

Choosing the Perfect Gown

For every bride-to-be, knowing what style of gown ideally suits her body shape is an endless quest. The tall and athletic bride has different needs to the petite bride, and both just want to look and feel fantastic on their big day. For the best advice visit a bridal designer's salon, and discuss your needs with their expert staff.

Bridal designers and couturiers can help you design a gown that highlights your best features whilst minimises imperfections, and Australia's bridal couturiers are recognised as some of the best in the world. Before commencing your hunt for the perfect gown make sure you have a clear self-appraisal of your body image in mind. Don't plan any crash diets during fittings and always keep in mind your personal style and what you will be most comfortable wearing. Whatever your body shape, endeavour to find a gown that is ideally suited.

Petite Brides-For the petite bride, the close fitting sheath is a great option because the slim shape of the sheath gives the illusion of length by following the natural lines of the body at close range. Another option for the petite bride, wanting to achieve a more defined and pronounced shape for her wedding day, is the princess line gown, which gives the illusion of length by two vertical seams that run from the shoulders to the hem of the gown. Alternatively, an A-line gown could be ideal, particularly if the bride wants the fullness of a ball gown but couldn't stand the weighty appearance of one that pulls in at the waist. An A-line gown is fitted through the torso but doesn't pull in at the waist, it then neatly falls into an A-shape, elongating shorter waists and adding the illusion of length.

Pear-shaped Brides-Pear-shaped brides are best suited to gowns that balance the hips with the shoulders, detracting away from the hips by creating a balance in symmetry. An off-the-shoulder gown with a sweetheart neckline that brings attention to the décolletage, arms and bust line is ideal. If your waist is narrow, then you could definitely go for the corseted look with a narrow waist and full skirt with bustle that will hide the broad hipline. It's probably wise to select a solid fabric as opposed to a sheath and steer clear of clingy fabrics and straight seam-line gowns, as they will only enhance the pear-shape.

Plus-size Brides-Plus-size brides should celebrate their curves when they are searching for the perfect wedding gown. Do not attempt any crash diets leading up to your wedding day, it will only create imbalances both inside and out, possibly ruining your gown and the big day. If you are serious about loosing some weight then you should consult your physician as soon as you can, to avoid any serious health risks and disappointment. Although it may seem difficult for plus 20 brides to initially find gowns in their sizes, there are specialist boutiques that are designed for larger women, and bridal designers can always accommodate your dress size if you are having the gown made from scratch. Fuller brides should avoid any body hugging garments and should seek inspiration from the full regale of the Victorian era. Big skirts with bustles, longer sleeves and maybe just a touch of cleavage. You can be as cheeky or formal as you like but make sure your wedding gown suits your signature style and your wedding's theme and formality. Open necklines are a great option as they bring attention to your décolletage, creating a feminine and soft appearance.

Tall Brides-Tall brides look fantastic in sheath gowns that reveal their stream lined bodies. Accentuate long, thin arms with a strapless gown, or one with shoestring straps. Either a bustle or box-pleat skirt would look fantastic, as would a close-fitting long skirt.

Don't waste money in renting your bridesmaids dresses, why not buy them or have them made and that will also be their gift from you, as well as all accessories.

Consult with your bridesmaids and ask them what they would like to wear, how they would like their hair styles, make-up done etc…after all they must feel comfortable on the day too.
You may also find that they will cooperate more if they are consulted, not told.

Depending on the style of bridesmaid dress, why insist on identical shoes, eg if the dress requires black shoes most women will have at least 2 pairs already in their wardrobe.

The Groomsmen

Don't let them go out drinking the night before the wedding, you will only be asking for trouble!

Ensure you pick up the suits two days before the wedding minimum, to give you a chance to take them back if they don't fit

The Page boys and Flower girls

It is not compulsory to have a Page boy and a Flower Girl. A lot of people have one or the other or even opt to not have any children in the Bridal Party at all. It is totally up to the couple.

If you do have children in your party, do not children under the age of 4. Children at this age are much easier to handle and compromise with than toddlers.

Remember to take plenty of refreshments and snacks for the children as it is a long day for the adults, let alone the children.

Invite the children's parents along to the photo shoot as the children may behave better, or may settle down more in the presence of their parents.

The Parents

Consult with both mothers on what they are wearing, ensuring that they are not wearing the same colour.

Keep in mind that this can be just as stressful on the parents as well as the bride, so have a bit of compassion.

On the day, let your parents relax and enjoy the day as much as they would want you to, don't what other people are going to think.

Please don't forget to thank your parents during the speeches, you'd be surprised at how many couples actually do!

When deciding on your wedding date, it would be any idea to keep in mind the time of year you are looking at booking in, i.e; does your proposed wedding day fall on a special event of the year. The most significant dates to look out for are Valentines Day, Mothers Day and the weekend in between Christmas and New Year.

The main thing to consider if you are thinking of having your wedding on or around the time of these special days is the cost involved. For example, should you want to have your wedding day on or around Valentines Day or Mothers Day, be prepared to possibly pay double or in some cases triple the normal price for flowers. One bride who got married on Mothers Day was quoted $645.00 for her flowers because of Mothers Day. When she found a florist who worked from home (less overheads involved) she was quoted just $250.00 for the exact same arrangements.

The weekend between Christmas and New Year is a time to help you save some money on the reception. You see, that weekend is in most cases the hardest weekend to book in the reception industry. A lot of reception venues will offer discounted rates for that time of the year. This could mean hundreds or thousands of dollars saved!!!!!!

In essence, if you would like to save some money, try and book your wedding the weekend AFTER Valentines Day or Mothers Day and consider getting married in between Christmas and New Year. You may be pleasantly surprised at the savings!!!!! 

A Wedding Check List

Careful planning is a must so your wedding day will be a raging success. A checklist is a good way to make sure nothing is forgotten and eases the stress of wedding preparations.

After the Engagement

Consider date options convenient for bridal party, family and closest friends.

Check availability of essential wedding services - clergy or celebrant, reception venue, photographer and so on. Consider any guest accommodation requirements.

Choose a date.

Consider relationship guidance.

Set a budget.

Book ceremony and reception venues.

Book photographer and videographer.

3 - 6 Months before the Day:

Consult with your matron of honour, bridesmaids, flower girls, best man and so on. Value their participation and input.

Order gowns, suits and accessories.

Compile wedding invitation list.

Decide on a gift coordinator or registry.

Order invitations and other wedding stationery.

Make arrangements for transport on the wedding day.

Order marquee, tables and chairs if required.

Make honeymoon reservations and obtain passports if required.

2 Months before the Day:

Mail invitations.

Finalize menu, alcohol and overall catering arrangements.

Choose music and book musicians after discussing with your minister or celebrant the service or ceremony you agree on. Be prepared to make suggestions about readings or prayers and musical input that may be particularly special for you. Do a wedding program that can be copied and handed to your guests on the day.

Choose wedding rings and decide on any engraving.

Choose and order wedding cake.

Choose and order flowers.

Confirm transport/car hire arrangements.

Consider hairdressing, manicuring, pedicure, massage and make-up requirements.

1 Month before the Day:

Appoint Master Of Ceremonies (MC). Discuss reception program and roles.

Book appointments at hairdresser, manicurist and beautician. Organize a pre-trial, say, two weeks before the wedding.

Have dress fittings and finalize arrangements for accessories.

Notify the caterers or reception venue as to numbers. Provide a list of guests to assist with seating arrangements.

2 Weeks before the Day:

Try on gowns and suits. Dress Up.

Rehearse or run-through the wedding ceremony (Optional), music arrangements and proceedings for the reception as convenient with your bridal party.

Finalize details with caterers, photographer, videographer, florist and musicians.

Pack honeymoon clothes and confirm any honeymoon accommodation and travel plans.

Check seating plan for reception. Attend to any decoration details.

Consider seating, decoration and parking arrangements for a church ceremony. Seek the assistance of ushers.

1 Week before the Day:

Send announcements to newspaper.

Pay balance of moneys for wedding services.

Relax.. Everything is in hand for a happy and memorable occasion and do pamper yourself so that you will feel confident and relaxed as you should to enjoy your wedding with your loved ones and friends.

Beauty Tips

While running around making plans and organizing the most important day of their life, many brides often forget to look after themselves because they're living up to the needs and expectations of others.

Begin by increasing your water consumption. Drinking plenty of water helps to wash out toxins and bad elements in your body. Cut down on tea, coffee and cigarettes as these dry the skin. Replace these beverages with herbal teas such as rosehip and lemon grass.

Try to eat sensibly minimizing your sugar and fat intake from foods such as takeaways and fried foods. Limit your snacks to fresh fruit and vegetables - they are a great natural source of vitamins. Also, introduce a multi-vitamin to your diet.

To quell those pre-wedding nerves and stress, 20 minutes a day of relaxation exercises or meditation will help control butterflies and tension. A 15-20 minute walk each day or some form of gentle exercise helps to improve circulation. Keep up daily skin care programs and cut down on late nights before your wedding day. This will help result in clear eyes, clear skin and relieves stress and tension.

Very important tip- waxing facials should be done a full week before the wedding to prevent red patches on the body and spots and pimples on the face.

Bridal Make Up

Foundation is the most important part of a bride's make-up. The idea is to look clean, fresh and desirable.

Match the foundation shade to your throat, not your chest and your concealer should be slightly pale than your natural skin tone so your face reflects the light. Apply with a sea sponge for an even finish.

So your skin stays shine-free for at least four to five hours, apply translucent powder loosely with a brush or puff.

The strength in your make-up should come from your lip colour not your eyes. Choose a subtle earthy shade and blend it all over the lid and just underneath the bottom eyelashes. Waterproof mascara is the best choice for your emotional wedding day, and your eyebrows should be defined, not over plucked. Choose a soft blush, similar to your eye shadow shade and gently contour. Stripes and obvious circles look tacky.

When choosing a lipstick, pick one which best suites your personality, and preferably a matt lipstick, for staying power. Moisturize your lips before you apply your lipstick so dry skin doesn't show.

Your hands will be the centre of attention during and after the wedding ceremony. To ensure your hands and nails look good moisturize your hands and nails daily.

It's a good idea to have a make-up artist do your make-up before your wedding day so you can see what colours you should use and to get some tips for the best way to apply your make-up if you are doing it yourself.

Make sure you get your attendants to help you into your wedding dress so you avoid getting make-up on your gown, and put a make-up bag with lipstick, mascara, brush and tissues in the bridal car to touch up your make-up if it's required throughout the day.

50 Ways to Save for your Big Day

Let's face it; your wedding is probably the biggest (and most expensive) party you'll ever throw. Cutting back on costs does not mean cutting back on style and the following budget tips will help you save a few pennies on your way to the altar.
1. Don't leave anything to the last minute. If you can, put aside at least twelve months to plan and prepare for your big day. You will find that if you leave things until the last minute you'll be forced into purchasing the most readily available items or products as opposed to items that offer real value for money.
2. When shopping for your wedding gown remember to look at formal evening wear and bridesmaids' dresses; you will find that wedding gowns are generally more expensive than the other two.
3. Buy a gown that is not finished with sequins, pearls or beading. Embellish the gown yourself or entrust the services of a sewing savvy friend.
4. Check out gowns made of less expensive fabrics. Silk and raw silk are commonly regarded as the most expensive wedding gown fabrics.
5. Buy a gown off-the-rack as opposed to having one custom made by a designer or couturiere.
6. Couturieres are generally more expensive than designers or dress makers.
7. Rent your wedding gown. You'll be surprised by the variety of rental gowns in the market today, have it dry cleaned and it should look and feel as good as new.
8. Wear your mum's gown and have it altered to fit your body shape.
9. Get creative and make your own wedding accessories. It's relatively easy to whip up your own ‘Table' bag for your beauty essentials and one each for your bridesmaids.
10. Wear costume jewellery as opposed to the ‘real' thing.
11. Order your wedding gown and your bridesmaids' dresses from the one designer as you might be able to negotiate a group discount.
12. Don't spend money on new shoes, particularly if you are wearing a floor-length gown and you can't even see them. Have an old pair of shoes dyed by a shoe technician.
13. Sew a dress for your flower girl, or if sewing isn't your bag, entrust a creative friend to do the honours for you.
14. Save your pennies and apply your own make-up as opposed to employing a make-up artist on the big day, and beforehand for a trial run.
15. See if a friend, or your matron-of-honour, can help you do your wedding day hair.
16. The groom and groomsmen should rent their tuxes as opposed to buying them new.
17. Have one attendant each as opposed to the usual three.
18. Ask the attendants to pay for their own wedding attire.
19. Your groom and his groomsmen can wear their customary ‘suit' shoes instead of buying special ones for the big day.
20. Create your own boutonnieres from flowers in your garden.

21. If you or a friend has a blooming garden, why not pick your own bouquet and small arrangements for your bridesmaids.
22. Choose flowers that are in season.
23. Manage all of your own wedding details as opposed to employing a wedding consultant to help you out.
24. Decorate the ceremony and reception venues yourself.
25. Take your ceremony decorations along to your reception venue.
26. Minimise costs by holding your ceremony in a park or your own back garden.
27. Local halls are generally less expensive than ‘reception' venues. Do your research well before the big day to find the best venue in your price bracket.
28. Use candles as centrepieces as they are generally a lot cheaper than flowers.
29. Use plain white haberdashery without any detailing.
30. Make your own place cards or have one central display listing the seating arrangements.
31. Enlist the services of a musical friend to perform at your wedding ceremony. If you don't know of anyone personally, check with friends or telephone a student conservatorium and book a student.
32. Check out new talent when it comes to booking a DJ or band for your reception.
33. Make your own compilation of songs and burn them onto CDs to create your own wedding music entertainment.
34. Most churches and houses or worship have in-house musicians whose fee is usually included in the price of the venue.
35. DJs are usually less expensive than live bands.
36. For the really budget savvy, cater for the wedding yourself with the help of family and friends.
37. If a friend owns a catering company see if you can negotiate a deal.
38. Have a caterer arrange the main meal, and serve a homemade soup or salmon salad for entrée that you prepare yourself.
39. For a formal sit down dinner, serve three courses as opposed to five.
40. Have a buffet banquet instead of individually served meals.
41. Have a wedding cake that doubles as a dessert.
42. Have a friend bake your wedding cake or bake it yourself.
43. If you're having a multi-tiered cake have less detail and embellishment.
44. If you want to keep a tier make sure it's made of traditional fruit cake and stored in an air tight freezer bag after the celebrations come to an end.
45. Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch as opposed to dinner. For breakfast you can serve Champagne, freshly squeezed orange juice, pastries, eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, tea and coffee.
46 Serve only wine, beer and soft drink at an open bar, and have a round of Champagne served by waiters to drink during the toasts.
47. Order invitations online.
48. For weddings with less than 50 guests, formal invitations are not required and you can hand make the invites yourself.
49. For an engraved look and feel on your wedding invitations consider thermography as it's far less expensive.
50. Create your own wedding invitations and stationery items including the reply card and place cards on your home PC. 

Bomboniere & Bridal Party Gift Ideas

Bomboniere -Sugared almonds wrapped in tulle-Little boxes-Cupids / Cherubs-50mL bottles of spirits-Chocolates-Port Glasses-Photo Frames-Vases-Baskets-Pens-Wish Bones-Flowers-Silverware-Pot Pori-Bells-Horse Shoes-Matches-

Bridal Party Gifts-Glassware-Silverware-Lighters-Alcohol-Goblets-Frames- Pewter-Jewellery-Clowns

Gifts for the Parents-Glassware-Silverware-Alcohol-Pewter

Tips, Traditions and Superstitions

Bride Top 10 Traditions

1. Wearing White - White is still the most popular colour for bridal gowns. Cream roses, white tulips, white ribbons, white wedding cars - white runs through all aspects of ceremonies. Most people believe that the white of a bride's wedding gown has traditionally represented virginity. In fact, bridal white is a relatively new concept having only become really popular after Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding in 1840. Before this, it was traditional for brides to wear their best clothes, which could be of any colour, or combination and which, more practically, could be worn again on any number of occasions.

Although white has come to suggest purity, the notion that the white of a wedding gown represents the sexual status of the bride is a dubious suggestion. In 1499 when Ann of Brittany wore white to her wedding there was controversy over the suggestion that the white wedding gown was such a blatant indicator of the bride's virginity. Clergy of the time thought it unpropper for a bride to be making such a crass statement in such a public display. The Catholic Church of the time required that a bride be a virgin to marry, it was assumed that she was virginal without the bold statement of a white wedding dress.

The popularity of the white wedding dress today can mainly be put down to tradition and a desire to wear something completely different on you wedding day. Many modern brides are used to donning the suit and picking up the briefcase for everyday work-wear and love the chance to dress up like a fairy princess on their wedding day.

2. Flowers and Bouquets - Traditionally, flowers and plants used in wedding ceremonies have carried certain significance as symbols of love, fertility and good luck. Ancient Roman brides carried herbs, usually Rosemary as a symbol of fertility and fidelity. In Greece, brides would carry Ivy as a symbol of eternal love. These days, people go to great effort and expense to decorate weddings with flowers mostly for aesthetic value. While the rose, a symbol of true love popularised at weddings in the Victorian era, is still seen at contemporary weddings, the significance of the latest fashion in wedding flora such as gerberas and tulips is yet to be decided.

3. Garter Wearing - Many among us, while witnessing the bawdy wedding tradition of the groom removing the bride's garter with his teeth before flinging it into the crowd, may wonder just who exactly thought up this saucy tradition. Quite apart from having it taken off with the groom's teeth, many a bride may have wondered exactly why she is inclined to wear a garter on her leg in this day of technologically advanced pantyhose. The answer seems to date back to the Order of the Blue Garter, the oldest order of knighthood in Europe. The costume of these noble knights included a blue garter worn just below the knee. The connection between the garter and weddings is probably linked to the fact that the only women originally permitted in the Order of the Blue Garter were princesses and queens who after they were married were allowed to wear the garter around their lower leg.

4. The Honeymoon - While the honeymoon itself has obvious and practical purposes, the origin of the name is a little more curious. It has been tradition for the bride and groom to go away together for a period of time after the wedding to revel in their happiness and try to start a family. The period of time spent together in seclusion dates back to Attila the Hun and his wife stealing habits. Not being the type to ask if he could do anything before he went ahead and did it, Attila was inclined to steal his wives instead of courting them. Having kidnapped them from their families, Attila would hide away with them for a month, or one cycle of the moon, with only his closest confidante knowing where they were. During this time the pair would drink honeyed wine known as mead or metheglen every day which would act as an aphrodisiac. At the end of the month, the pair would emerge with the "bride" inevitably pregnant at which time Attila would begin negotiations with her parents over a bride price. It can be seen that the honey refers to the mead which was drunk over the period of the cycle of the moon.

5. The Kiss - While many think it is merely an appropriate way to end a wedding ceremony, the kiss has historically been the most important part of a wedding. Early Roman law had it that the wedding was not legally binding unless the couple had kissed. If one of the wedding couple were killed before the kiss, then all gifts and services that had already changed hands were to be returned to the family of the deceased.
6. Old Shoes and Tin Cans - Many have wondered as they see newlyweds drive off in their wedding car, about the tin cans tied to the back making that god-awful racket. An early 20th century tradition from America, tin cans were tied to the back of the wedding car to ward off evil spirits as the couple drove off on their honeymoon. The related but even more peculiar custom of tying old shoes to the back of the car is linked to the long association weddings have had with old shoes. Shoes have been used in weddings as a phallic symbol, as a symbol of exchange and ownership and as a fertility ritual. Old shoes have been commonly thrown at wedded couples as a sort of confetti as they leave the church or, as in Tudor times, the people would shower the Royal bridal carriage with old shoes as a wish of good luck.

7. The Trousseau or Glory Box - A Western version of the dowry, the trousseau originated in France where the term means "bundle". The trousseau or "glory box" as it is known in Australia is a collection of treasures the bride takes with her into marriage and may include items of clothing, household appliances and other treasures. The modern trousseau is more likely to be a fat bank account courtesy of a lot of hard work on the bride's part. Up until quite recently however, the expression "a little something for your glory box" was quite prevalent. Women would keep jewellery and precious heirlooms inside their glory boxes to take with them into the marriage.

8. The Ring Finger - The fourth finger of the left hand is the chosen ring finger for 70% of Western brides. The tradition comes from ancient Egypt where they believed that this finger has a vein that goes straight to the heart.

9. The Veil - The veil has served many purposes and represented many things over the course of its history. The veil represents a bride's modesty as a single woman and her submission as a married woman in many Eastern cultures. The veil's history in Western culture and its survival today has more to do with fashion than symbolising deference or submission.

10. Matching Attendants - The tradition of the bridal party wearing the same outfit as the wedding couple (more common with groomsmen these days) comes from an ancient tradition of protecting the bride and groom from evil spirits. It is believed that if the couple is dressed the same way as their attendants, the evil spirits will become confused as to who is the real bride and groom.

Bride Top 10 Superstitions

1. Chicken Gizzards - Just in case you were considering serving chicken gizzards at your wedding reception, stop right there. According to South American tradition, the bride eating chicken gizzards is definitely bad luck. This will be immediately evident by the quick departure by most of your guests as soon as dinner is served. Apart from this, they will turn her lips blue to say nothing of what it may do to the groom.

2. Crying in the Chapel - Many brides (and grooms) have been known to shed a tear or two at their wedding. Nothing could be better according to farmers who say that crying on wedding days means rain for crops. Bawling your eyes out as you fumble through your vows is supposedly also meant to signify that you will never again have cause to weep for the duration of your marriage. The bridal hanky is a valuable hand-me-down that should be carried through the generations for as long as it will last. The bridal hanky carries the tears of brides from generation to generation and should be kept somewhere safe after use so as not to drain it of its powerful history.
3. Mirror, Mirror - Coco Chanel famously said before you go out you must take a last look in the mirror and take something off. This is completely contrary to the superstitious rules set for the bride. According to tradition, she must never look in the mirror after she has finished dressing. If she does, she will leave a little of herself in it, it is said.

4. Pins and Needles - It is said to be very bad luck to have not ensured that every pin and needle used to secure the bride's dress and veil has been removed from her body after the ceremony is over. If the bride changes from her gown into clothes to go away in and has not ensured this, bad luck will surely befall the groom shortly afterward.

5. Spiders - The bride may be a screaming mess if she sees a huntsman any other day, but on her wedding day, a spider is her best friend. It is said to be very good luck to find a spider on your wedding dress. The bigger and hairier, the better.

6. Clumsy Washing Up - It has been said before that if a girl is washing up and splashes water on her stomach then she is doomed to marry a drunkard. If this is the case, there must be many young girls around attached to lecherous, pub-crawlers around the world. One can only guess as to how this superstition came about. It may have been that a girl who cannot wash up neatly is only fit for a drunkard. Or perhaps at some time in history there has been an over-supply of drunkards and, grasping for reasons as to why their angel ran off with a drunk, families have had to clutch at straws to explain the coupling. Of course, the logical extension of this is that girls who keep their bellies dry during washing up will marry decent, sober men. This leaves the question as to what way does a girl have to wash up to ensure that she will have a husband who will take over the duty?

7. Keep the Cake - Sometimes a big, expensive wedding and a couple of gold bands aren't enough to make a girl feel comfortable that her new husband is going to stay faithful. According to tradition the real insurance for a faithful husband is to keep a slice of the wedding cake. Exactly how long one has to keep it for is unclear, as is whether the fidelity of the marriage is dependent on the cake's tendency to perish. Someone, somewhere, must have thought that hanging on to a fruitcake for years after the wedding was a good idea for the bride who also is expected to keep one tier of the wedding cake until her first child is born.

8. Rain - Some people think rain on your wedding day is a bad omen - on the contrary. Just as the bride's tears on her wedding day are a signal that she will be happy forever more, rain on your wedding day is said to represent blue skies for the rest of your days. It is also seen as an indicator of fertility and good fortune.

9. Wearing the Dress - No matter how many fittings you have to go to, superstition dictates that you must avoid wearing the full outfit before the day of the wedding. Wearing your bridal outfit before time is said to be far too presumptuous on the bride's part and an invitation for bad luck. The bride should also be stitched into her gown with the last finishing stitches being added once she is about to leave for the ceremony and has looked in the mirror for the last time. And whatever you do, don't wear a green dress! Green dresses are apparently worm by women of loose morals who earn the colour by spending all their time rolling in the grass. Sixteenth century England was a strict place on such issues as these.

10. Something Old - The superstition that dictates women wear something old is due to the belief that it will protect future babies. Something New - Something new is meant to represent the couple's new life together and faith in the future. Something Borrowed - The borrowed item should traditionally come from a previous bride, which passes on good luck to a new bride. Something Blue - Blue is said to represent fidelity for the bride. Ancient Israeli brides wore blue trim on their wedding gown or in their hair to symbolise love, modesty and purity.

Groom Top 10 Traditions

1. Bride Left, Groom Right - Whenever you see a bride and groom standing at the altar or on top of a wedding cake, the bride will be on the left while the groom stands to her right. Or at least, they should be. Christian tradition has placed the bride to the left of the groom so as to keep his right hand free to ward of any feisty objectors. In the event of potential suitors approaching the wedding couple to sabotage the ceremony, the groom is bound to snatch his sword out of it's holster with his right hand and slay the dastardly intruder. As for the protocol when a shadowy figure from the groom's past approaches, we just hope the bride has a mean left hook.

2. Garter Tossing - Many among us, while witnessing the bawdy wedding tradition of the groom removing the bride's garter with his teeth before flinging it into the crowd, may wonder who exactly thought up this saucy tradition. Flinging the bridal garter became a form of ammunition for newlyweds in Medieval England who used it to distract lecherous crowds who would follow them to their wedding bed. While this seems a viable explanation, the success of the tactic has not been recorded. More recently, the garter toss has evolved into the male equivalent of the bouquet toss with grooms in America getting into the habit of sliding the garter off the bride's leg with their teeth and tossing it to their best buddy in the crowd. It was believed the garter catcher was certain to get lucky with a bride all of his own very soon.

3. The Honeymoon - While the honeymoon itself has obvious and practical purposes, the origin of the name is a little more curious. It has been tradition for the bride and groom to go away together for a period of time after the wedding to revel in their happiness and try to start a family. The period of time spent together in seclusion dates back to Attila the Hun and his wife stealing habits. Not being the type to ask if he could do anything before he went ahead and did it, Attila was inclined to steal his wives instead of courting them. Having kidnapped them from their families, Attila would hide away with them for a month, or one cycle of the moon, with only his closest confidante knowing where they were. During this time the pair would drink honeyed wine known as mead or metheglen every day which would act as an aphrodisiac. At the end of the month, the pair would emerge with the "bride" inevitably pregnant at which time Attila would begin negotiations with her parents over a "bride price". It can be seen that the honey refers to the mead which was drunk over the period of the cycle of the moon.

4. Carrying the Bride over the Threshold - While many modern chiropractors may gasp in disgust at this old tradition, many grooms will still carry their brides over some threshold at on their wedding night. The tradition comes from a superstition that if one trips over when first setting foot in the newlywed's home many years of bad luck will follow.

5. Seeing the Bride - A popular tradition stipulates that the groom must not see his bride before the wedding. Most couples spend an anxious night apart the day before their wedding, which is meant to increase the excitement and keep the bride's dress a surprise. The origins of this tradition are, however, not so charming. Where arranged marriages have, or still do exist, the custom is not to let the bride and groom see each other before the wedding lest they don't like what they see and pull out of the arrangement. In these cultures, the bride and groom see each other for the first time as they are going through the ceremony. For contemporary Western couples arranged marriages are scarse, and therefore not seeing one another the night before the big day is more of a fun tradition than a calculated plan.

6. The Ring - It is only since the Second World War that Western men have really taken to wearing wedding rings. The Greek Orthodox faith introduced male wedding bands in the 1300s but it did not catch on for Westerners until the wars which saw many couples opt for a dual ring ceremony so each partner got a ring to remember the other by through times of separation. It has almost become commonplace for grooms to wear rings these days with dual ring ceremonies being the most popular with contemporary couples.

7. Matching Groomsmen - It is still quite common to see the whole male bridal party dressed in the same outfit. While brides usually distinguish themselves from their maids, if the groom distinguishes himself at all it is probably by wearing a slightly different tie, cummerbund or vest. The origins of this are to confuse evil spirits who come to posses the wedding couple. It is believed that if the entire bridal party is wearing the same outfit, the spirits will not be able to distinguish the bridal couple from the attendants.

8. The Buck's Night - If you think that your modern buck's night is a wild party, think of the original bucks in ancient Rome who started the tradition. The first buck's parties were held by Spartan soldiers to celebrate their friends' departure from bachelordom.

9. Posting Banns - These days, the wedding notice usually appears in the paper as a proud statement for interested onlookers and friends who may not have been told of the engagement. The custom originated for much more practical reasons and the first banns were posted to ensure that the marrying couple was not related to each other. In the ninth century, aristocratic European bloodlines were becoming sullied with genetic flaws and even madness. The problem was put down to inbreeding. There began the custom of wedding announcements to find out if anyone knew of familial connections between the couple.

10. Groom First - Traditionally it is always the groom at the church first waiting for his bride (for an average of eight minutes!). The groom arriving at the church before his bride is a symbol of his duty and responsibility to lead her through a life of happiness. He is also the first to say his vows, which is meant to reaffirm this commitment or responsibility. These days, it is usually the bride who is setting the pace with the groom often left waiting nervously until she shows up.

Groom Top 10 Superstitions

1. Half past - It is far luckier, according to Chinese tradition, for couples to be married in the second half of the hour, when hands on the clock are pointing up. The ceremony must start after half past the hour so that any time that passes during the ceremony will be pointing up!

2. The Groom's Cake - Most people are familiar with the bride's cake, more commonly known as the wedding cake. The bride's cake is the big, tiered number that sometimes bears a striking resemblance to the bride's dress. Less commonly recognised is the groom's cake which is often heavier and not quite as decorative (most often being a mean chocolate cake). The groom's cake is the cake that is sliced into portions and distributed to guests as they leave the wedding. Superstition has it that if the single women at the wedding sleep with the groom's cake under their bed, they will dream of their future husbands.

3. Cuckoos and Magpies - A country wedding is set to hold the couple in good stead due to Old Irish folklore. It is said that it is very lucky to see three magpies on the morning of a wedding, while it is even luckier to see a cuckoo. For Australian couple's, this would be very lucky indeed considering there are none of these birds in the wild in Australia. The Irish also consider it bad luck for a woman to be the first person to congratulate the bride after the ceremony.

4. Peeling a Husband - If a young girl wants to know the identity of her future husband, all she need do is take an apple and peel it in one continuous length, then throw the peel over her shoulder. The peel should drop on the ground in the initial of her future husband. Richards, Antonys and Xaviers were often left on the shelf when this custom was popular.

5. Pearls - Whatever you do, don't get the bride-to-be pearls to wear on her wedding day. In Mexico, the wearing of pears on your wedding day is strictly taboo as they are said to be too similar to the shape of tears.

6. Clean your Teeth - It is always a good idea to keep your teeth clean on your wedding day. Good, clean teeth are a sign of a good lover according to modern women's folklore, and it is reflected in Indonesian customs. In Indonesia it is believed that the teeth hold animal instincts such as jealousy and lust. Both the bride and groom's teeth are filed down for the wedding day, which is said to remove these instincts from their bodies.

7. The Weight of Marriage - Many cultures associate marriage with an increased responsibility and sometimes burden. The Scottish Highlander ritual of "Creeling" is symbolic of this. The groom is loaded with a sack full of bricks, which he must carry around the town. If his bride-to-be comes out of her house to kiss him, the burden is lifted and he is free to leave the heavy load and go with her. If she does not come out of her house, the groom must continue to carry the stones around the town.

8. Mondays for Health - An ancient English rhyme had its own ideas about what day and month you should marry, and it seems that the Saturday wedding was not so popular back then:

Days of the Week
Monday for health
Tuesday for wealth
Wednesday best of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all

Months of the Year
Married when the year is new,
he'll be loving, kind and true
When February birds do mate,
you may wed, nor dread, your fate
If you wed when March winds blow
joy and sorrow both you'll know
Marry in April when you can,
joy for Maiden and for Man
Marry in the month of May
and you'll surely rue the day
Marry when June Roses grow,
over land and sea you'll go
Those who in July do wed,
must labour for their daily bread
Whoever wed in August be,
many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine,
your living will be rich and fine
If in October you do marry,
love will come but riches tarry
If you wed in bleak November
only joys will come remember
When December snows fall fast,
marry and true love will last.

9. Needles and Pins - It is said to be very bad luck for the groom if the bride has not removed every pin and needle from her gown before she lies down on her wedding night. This superstition seems to have its root firmly planted in practicality! Very bad luck for the groom indeed!

10. Rain on the Wedding Parade - If all you ever wanted was sunshine on your wedding day and you get rain, don't despair. Rain on the wedding day is said to be a sign of fertility and good luck and also an indication that the sky is bursting with joy.

Married in February's sleepy weather, life you will dread in time together

Married when March winds shrill and roar, your home will be on a distant shore

Married beneath April's changing skies, a chequered path before you lies

When May blossom's flit, strangers around your board will sit

In the month of roses - - June, life after marriage will be a honeymoon

In July with flowers ablaze, bittersweet memories on for days

Married in August's heat and drowse, lover and friend is your chosen spouse

Married in September's golden glow, smooth and serene your life will go

Married when leaves in October glow, toil and hardship is what you'll know

In veils of November mist, fortune your wedding ring has kissed

Married in days of December cheer, love star shines brighter year after year

Never get married on one of your birthdays

The Bride Wears a Sixpence in her Shoe

For the Irish, it is believed that wearing a sixpence in the bride's shoe the day of the wedding will bring the couple luck and money

Never let the groom see the bride on the day of the wedding before the service

Never let the groom view the wedding gown before the wedding

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Blue, you will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Brown, you will live in the town,

Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.

 Real Life Wedding Stories

My brother was picking up the bouquets and then meeting us at mum’s house as he was giving me away.  When he arrived stating he had completed his task we were mystified as to where all the bouquets were.  It didn’t matter - a quick trip to the reception hall and our bouquets were safely in our arms.

When the videographer showed up at our house we began to worry about the photographer.  As it got later and later, the videographer’s wife pulled out her camera and began to start taking shots.  Luckily for us, she was a professional photographer and our photos turned out beautifully.

We hired a hall for our reception.  The night before the wedding we went to the hall to set up.  The only problem was the lack of tables.  Those in charge of the hall had forgotten to leave out all the tables and so the next morning, in between hair and makeup, it was up to mine and my husband’s mum to hire tables, have them delivered to the hall and get back there themselves to set up the bridal table - imagine that….a wedding reception with no bridal table!!

After constant car trouble caused several stops on the half hour drive from mum’s house to the church, we were mystified as to why one of the cars stopped just before the church at a convenience store.  Out hopped a bridesmaid, who flew into the shops and came running back out.  It seems her choker had broke along the way and there was just enough distance left for a DIY quick fix in the car.

Our wedding was traditional.  We did everything right, even down to selecting our own MC who had known the family since I was a baby and was a public speaker.  However, during our introductions into the reception, our MC managed to make a mistake of every single name of our bridal party and both sets of parents.  He did get our names right which I guess is the most important thing!

My fiancé wasn’t a good public speaker so I was kind of nervous about his speech.  I shouldn’t have worried, he delivered his speech beautifully and it was so well written it brought tears to my eyes.  Only later was I informed that he had copied the speech straight out of a speech book on the way to the church and had the best man’s dad rewrite it for him during the reception so that he could read the writing.  After all my praise, didn’t I feel like the blushing bride!!

At a ceremony held near a lake, the celebrant’s elderly wife was singing on the bridge.  At the completion of her psalm she made her way to the edge of the bridge and promptly fell flat on her face.  Meanwhile the celebrant continued talking and mingling with the guests.  She was helped to her feet by some guests standing nearby.

A rather largish bride was encouraged to have a photo taken with the groomsmen holding her lengthways.  She tried to dissuade the photographer but in vain.  The men picked her up and after a few shots - dropped her!

While exchanging rings the groom held his hand out and the bride knocked it aside and took the other hand.  However the groom was right and the minister corrected her mistake.

During the ceremony the little ones were the life of the party.  The page boy dropped the rings so the best man was forced to crawl around looking for them while the flower girl decided to climb up on an empty pew at the side of the church.  She fell but luckily a bridesmaid was quick to the rescue and grabbed her arm before she really did some damage.

During the speeches, the best man nervously rose before the guests and placed his cue cards on the bridal table next to him.  The page boy however thought he could place them in a better order and continued to mix the cards throughout the duration of the speech.

My aunt just got married.  It was near a pond and it had a little pier over it.  The wind took her veil in the pond.  Not thinking about it, she went in after it!

Because of our budget, we decided to do our own invitations, reply cards and envelopes on my parents computer. I recruited my sister who was my maid of honour to lick and stick and stuff. The night I went over she had to go to a dance so I talked my mother into helping me out, figuring it would be nice to make her feel included. she was very quick putting the invitations, reply cards, self addressed stamped envelopes in the outer envelope. I was very impressed. I asked that she would mail out the first batch in the morning before work. I had a horrible sleep that night thinking something went wrong. It did. The next day I went back to my mothers, the invitations were sent out, I was pleased. My sister was sitting on the couch so I decided to get her help for the rest of them.  As we were sorting through the rest of the items to be stuffed, I came across a response card in the envelope addressed to one of the guests that we had already sent out, then another, and another, then we were short on the response cards and envelopes of the persons to be sent out. My mother had not taken care to match up the names on the response envelope to those on the invitation envelope so Betsy's mom got Sue's brother response and soon. the next day we had to send out apologies and corrections to those we had sent out already. It costed us more in the long run then it would have to have them done professionally. Please don't skimp for something as important as invitations.

 Let's Make a Speech

One of the hardest things that people find to do is to write and deliver a speech. This is quite normal as public speaking can be quite scary. Here are a few tips to help you with writing and delivering a good speech. 

The usual order for wedding speeches are as follows:

~ Welcome by the MC - Close family friend or even the DJ at some weddings

~ Toast to the Bride and Groom - Bride's father or close family friend or relative

~ Response and toast to the Bridesmaids - Groom

~ Response on behalf of the Bridesmaids - Best Man

~ Toast to parents of the Bride - Family friend

~ Response - Bride's father

~ Toast to parents of the Groom - Family friend

~ Response - Groom's father

~ Reading of Telegrams - Best Man or Groomsmen

~ Any others

The first thing to consider is what you are actually going to say. Keep in mind that you have been chosen by the bridal couple because they feel confident that you will deliver a good speech. Wedding speeches usually reflect on the relationship between the bride, groom and the person giving the speech. If you went to school with the bride since Pre-School, reflect on the friendship that has built over those years. If you are an uncle or aunty you could aim your speech at the way you saw the bride or groom grow.

A great way to relieve the pressure of standing in front of all the guests is to introduce humour into your speech. This can work quite well but it can also destroy a good speech if not thought out carefully. Try to give any jokes or funny stories a personal touch by adapting them to the occasion. A great way to introduce comedy into your speech is with funny quotes from the bride or groom.

When delivering your speech, try to keep it moving without rushing it. A lot of people spoil a good speech by rushing through it. Remember that you are at a celebration; enjoy your time in the limelight. If you find that you cannot lift your head from your notes, try swiveling around so that you are facing all the guests. This can work quite well even though you are not looking at them. Before you start your speech, look into the eyes of a close friend, this can do wonders to calm your nerves. Distractions are almost certain to happen during your speech so be prepared. Maybe have a little one liner handy or if you are too nervous to remember one, try taking a deep breath and then letting out a little giggle. This shows the audience that you are not really concerned by the distraction and are actually enjoying the break.