One of the fun traditions with weddings is the wedding breakfast. This is fun, but it is also a good time to get things done. So, let’s take a look at the basics of the wedding breakfast.

First, who hosts it? The answer is anyone, but traditionally, a friend or neighbor of the bride is the one who hosts and pays for the wedding breakfast.

Second, why do you have it? Well, it is a time to honor and thank all of the guests who have come from out of town to be a part of the bride’s special day. It is like a warm welcome to those who are here to be a part.

Third, who goes to the wedding breakfast? Well, the obvious is the out of town guests. Beyond that, it is up to the host. The bride and groom, and their parents are not expected to be at the wedding breakfast, but it is fine if they go. Usually whether they attend or not will depend on if they are ready for the day, how their nerves are, and of course, whether they want to be there or not.

Next, what do you serve? This is not a super fancy affair. The fact is, you can do it buffet style, and that is perfectly acceptable. So, just make sure there is something for everyone. Usually a quiche, coffee, juice, fresh fruit, and some muffins is just fine. Most people will not remember what is served; instead they will remember the feeling of being a part of the festivities.

Next, what should take place at the wedding breakfast? Fun! That is the point, it is a great time for welcoming, reminiscing, and just having a good time. However, the wedding breakfast can be functional as well, and it makes a good time to give all of the out of towners a run down of the events, and the transportation arrangements. You want to make sure that they have proper arrival time at the ceremony site for photographs, and they know what they should do and when. You also want to make sure that any questions they have are answered at the breakfast. This way there are not any misunderstandings later.

While there are traditions surrounding the wedding breakfast, the fact is, it is your wedding, so do it your way, or leave it up to someone else.

The first thing is usually the price range.

No bride wants to shop by price, but when looking at photographers, consider whether or not their album and prints prices will fit within your budget. When you choose a photographer, you may be able to afford the shooting fee in your budget, but can you afford reprints, enlargements, etc.?

Sometimes price is irrelevant because the photographer will give you the negatives or a CD of your photos, but usually this is not the case, and they charge for printing. So, know what everything costs, and what is included in what you are paying.

The next thing you want to think about with wedding albums and prints is how long you have to wait to get your proofs back. Some photographers will get them to you right away, within a couple days. Most will have them in a week, just in time for you to go on a honeymoon and get back. However, get a firm timeline. Also, if you were to order prints, thank you cards, finished albums, etc. how long would you have to wait to get them. If it takes 6 months, you would not want to order photos for thank you cards, as you would want to send those out sooner. So, when would you like them back by? Now find a photographer that can meet that.

Lastly, when it comes to wedding albums and prints, it is key to know what you are getting for your money. Do you get a set number of prints, a set number of enlargements? Can you order a la carte, or does it have to be a package? Can you customize a package? Ask, ask, ask.

Be sure you ask “Can you order extras?” Ask if your guests can view them online, and order prints they would like at a discounted price? Find out what is included, and what is not, then set a time to come in and look at proofs after your wedding, and don’t think twice about it again until then.

First you are going to need stationary. This means your invitations, reply cards, a wedding planner to keep lists in, a guest book, pen set, place cards, name tags if you are using them, and of course, thank you cards.

Next, one accessory that is traditional is gifts for your entire wedding party. This is a thank you, and often can be something to enhance their attire, such as jewelry for the bridesmaids, and cuff links for the groomsmen.

The next accessory you will need for your wedding is some sort of wedding favor. This is what you give guests as a thank you for attendance. They can be as simple as a chocolate with your date and name printed on the label, or as fancy as a picture frame engraved.

For the wedding ceremony you are going to need a bouquet holder for the bride, so that she can hold her flowers as she walks down the aisle.

Another ceremony accessory is the ring pillow.

Your flower girls will be holding yet another accessory, the flower girl baskets.

And, you might have other accessories, such as candles, or twinkle lights or an aisle runner. However, these of course, are up to you.

For the wedding cake plan on a few accessories, including the wedding cake topper, and of course the cake servers.

No accessories are mandatory for a wedding, however, many times you can add to the décor and look of your wedding or reception with items like bells, silk flowers, streamers, etc. Also, many people choose to have champagne flukes for toasts, and something to throw (rice, bubbles, etc) when the bride and groom leave the reception.

The accessories are like the little details that can make or break the wedding feel. So, make a list of the accessories you want, and enjoy adding that little extra touch to your wedding.

Make sure to give yourself enough lead time, it is usually a good idea to reserve a tux about three months before the event to make sure you get it.

It is usually a good idea to look online first so you have a general idea of what you want before you go in to a rental shop. If you have a specific rental shop in mind, then ask if they have a website that allows you to preview the various pieces for tux rentals.

When considering your jacket, decide if you want a notch, peak, or shoulder lapel. Then decide if you want an ultra formal full dress tails tuxedo, or something less formal such as a cutaway jacket, or something in between like a tuxedo jacket.

When considering your shirt choices, determine if you want a laydown, wing, or cavalier collar. Each has their own merit, and the choice really depends on your specific taste and style.

Last but not least, decide if you want to wear a bow tie, ascot, or laydown tie to finish off the look.

Be sure that when you reserve your tux rental that you choose your colors. There are a wide variety of options, so think about when your wedding will be, what time of day, how formal, and what colors your bride has chosen for the event.

It is always a good idea when renting a tuxedo to have a specialist guide you through the process. Make sure you get everything you need. This might include a jacket, trousers, vest or cummerbund, shirt, suspenders, cufflinks, studs and tie.

If you are renting tuxedos for your groomsmen, make sure that you have them go in for a fitting, or if they live far away, make sure they get professionally measured and ensure that you forward the details to the tux rental shop at least three weeks before the wedding date.

Last but not least, go in a couple days before the wedding for final try ons and last minute adjustments to ensure a good looking fit.

There are usually a few toasts that are given. So, let’s talk about the sequence of the toasts, and the logistics of them.

The sequence of the toast for a traditional wedding is one is given first by the best man, then the father, the groom and the bride, and then followed by those who would like to give a toast. However, like any other part of a wedding, toasts do not have to follow tradition.

There are a lot of variations to the sequence, and each variation has some merit. For example, the father of the bride can go last and thank those in attendance for sharing the day. An MC can start the toasts, and the groom could go first saying a few words to his bride before the wedding party starts. The order is up to you, but do not think you have to stay within the traditional scheme.

To give a toast, you want to do a couple of things. First, you want to make sure the bride and groom has drink in their glasses, and that you do as well. Then, you want to make sure you are in close proximity to the bride and groom, it is usually best if you are standing next to them. Then you want to lift your glass and using a spoon, tap your glass to get the attention of the other guests. You raise your glass in your right hand, and start the toast.

To make sure your toast is going to be great, even if you are a little drunk, practice it. When you are practicing, remember to practice speaking slowly. If you talk too fast, no one will understand you.

Plan to keep it short and simple (no more than 3 minutes), also you have to make sure you talk loud enough that everyone can hear you. It is best to see if the facility the reception is being held at has a microphone, that way you do not have to yell.

Most importantly, when it comes to wedding toasts, keep it fun, not embarrassing, smile, laugh, and celebrate the day.

The fact of the matter is that wedding nights are only perfect in the movies, and even there it takes several takes to get it right. So, instead of worrying about making it perfect, make it the best it can be by doing these things.

First, you have to realize that while you might enjoy having sex, it is not a good idea to build it up to something really awesome in your head. For one, you are probably exhausted from a long day of photos, greeting guests, and doing all the wedding rituals, and for another, you are probably just starting to unwind from the stress of planning the event. Neither of these two conditions are very conducive to the best sex of your life. So, don’t plan on it and you won’t be disappointed.

The next thing to think about on your wedding night is the fact that you have both been in formal clothes all day long. So, take the time to relax, shower, and change into something comfortable. Being comfortable physically is going to help the night be more enjoyable.

Do not stress yourselves over things like eating. Instead, plan to splurge on room service, and bring along your own champagne if allowed. Then once the food gets there, put up your do not disturb sign so that you can enjoy the rest of the wedding night interruption free.

Many people enjoy sharing the high points of the day with each other, and enjoy the memory of the day. After all you have been building up to it and planning it for sometime. So, talk to each other. Then, if you got wedding night gifts, exchange them.

By doing these things you have given yourself time to wind down some from the day, so that you can better enjoy the intimate time you are going to spend together.

Start out with massages if you want, make sure you have birth control, and enjoy being together.

If the sex isn’t the greatest thing you ever experienced, don’t take it as a bad sign, instead, think of it as a challenge, you have a lifetime together to improve on it.

The most important thing about the wedding night is not the sex, or the atmosphere, it is the fact that you will remember it for the rest of your life, so if you want it to be a good memory, then just be sure to put a little effort in to making it special for your special someone.

Truthfully, there is not one right answer, and the list is long but here are a few of the duties you can expect:

First and foremost your wedding planner is going to help you to create the type of wedding you want within the budget you have. Of course to do this you have to spend some time explaining to them what kind of wedding you want, and of course how much money you have to spend.

Your wedding planner should spend a few hours with you discussing what you want. What you have dreamed about for years, and how you imagine your wedding being. Then, with that knowledge you’ll be able to pick your venue, vendors, color scheme, theme, music, etc.

The next thing is your wedding planner is supposed to help you stick to your budget, so to do this, you want your planner to help you create a budget sheet and keep track of where your money is going and how much is still owing. They should pay your vendors, make sure each person receives their money on time, and that you do not exceed the budget you have set.

Your wedding planner should have local knowledge and connections. They should be able to suggest vendors that fit your budget and ideas. They should be able to tell you how to get good deals, and how to save money because of their connection in the industry. Basically, they need to know who to avoid, and who to go to, and how to get the best deal for your money.

Your wedding planner should outline with you what they are going to do and when, and what you need to do. This way you do not forget things like getting the marriage license, and making sure you have a passport for the honeymoon.

You can also expect your wedding coordinator to take care of any emergencies that arrive on the day of your wedding without bothering you about them. You should be clueless, and they should be solved easily and quickly. If your wedding planner burdens you with the details of problems they are not doing their job right.

Your wedding planner pretty much does it all, if you pay them to. You should have a planning session with them, and from that they should be able to hire the photographer, caterer, and all the other vendors without bothering you!

The job of the wedding planner is to make your wedding the most special day of your life, and to ensure that you get everything you want without all the hassle. However, with a wedding planner, you get what you pay for. So, make sure that you are getting everything you want. A wedding planner can do as much or as little as you want. You can choose to be super involved, and let them worry about the details, or you can say, “Here is what I can’t live without.” And let them plan the rest.

No matter what you choose to do with your wedding planner, make sure your have a good contract that states their responsibilities, so that you do not have to worry about being taken advantage of. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy knowing that your special day is going to be as wonderful as you have always imagined.

This custom comes from an old English rhyme, and is still followed today as a good luck charm. Most brides will feature one item from each category in their wedding ensemble, carry them with them down the isle, or just have them on hand.

Each something should have special significance.

So, how do you come up with your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?

Traditionally the relatives and attendance present these items to the bride. However, today, the modern bride can treat herself to these items as well.

If you scoff at the tradition, don’t worry about it, but if you want to embrace it, consider these ideas.

Something old represents continuity, so it is good to find an item that fits this theme. For your something old you can use an antique bookmark as a marker for reading selections for your ceremony. You can put antique lace on your dress somewhere, or in your hair. You can use a favorite pillow from childhood to hold the rings. You can display portraits of your ancestor’s weddings at your own. Etc. The something old can be an old tradition too, not necessarily an old item, though old items are best. But, it can even be a vintage wine.

Your something new is supposed to an item that represents optimism for the future. For your something new it can be a charm for a charm bracelet, a great push up bra, a beautiful piece of jewelry, flowers, you could even get a great new hair cut. Really, it can be anything, even a new stick of gum.

Your something borrowed represents borrowed happiness. This item can be anything from a borrowed prayer book from grandma, or a piece of jewelry from mom. It is usually a family item, that you use for the occasion. It can be a good idea to borrow that something from your in-laws to be, as a gesture of good will.

The something blue represents fidelity, good fortune, and love. It can be anything you need for your wedding, from reception décor, to balloons, your garter could have a blue ribbon, or you could even wash your hands with blue soap.

This is a tradition that has been around for a long time, and has brought many a bride good luck. So whether you believe in that kind of thing or not, it can be fun to follow the tradition and come up with your own “somethings”.

First you want to decide with your fiancé ahead of time how long they should be so you have the same length of vows. For example, 5 sentences is a good length.

You also need to decide on a few key phrases that should be included, such as I love you, or You are my best friend. This way your vows are somewhat uniform.

Once you have some ground rules set, then separate.

Start by reminiscing. The best way to come up with the feelings you want to express is to think back to the happiest times you shared. Think about how you felt when you realized for the first time that you love this person and want to spend the rest of your life with them. Think if you have any inside jokes, or special phrases you say to each other. Write these thoughts, memories, phrases, etc. down.

Once you think about your love, it is time to look at some traditional vows. The most traditional vow is:

“In the name of God, I, Name take you, Name to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Now take a look at the things you wrote down. How can you make them similar to the traditional vow you just reviewed? Change what you do not like about the traditional vow.

Get a rough draft down, then ask a select few people for their suggestion or input about your vows. You will most likely want to talk with your Officiate about them. They may want to approve them or offer you some more suggestions.

Leave your vows open for changes up until the very day of your wedding. You can always improve on them, but be sure to get something down early so you are not left hanging later.

If you choose to do this, do the following: first, be certain to do this when you and your fiancé can be alone. Distractions, interruptions, and other people coming and going will make it hard for you to come up with vows that are truly meaningful to you.

When writing your vows, you need to have a paper and a pen or pencil. Letting your creative juices flow is key. You will want to jot down all of your ideas. So you need somewhere to jot them.

The best way to come up with incredible vows is to work apart at first, the collaborate later. You will want to set a time limit for how long you are going work separately. Agree to rejoin each other in a half hour or so after you have a chance to sketch out some of your feelings and ideas for your vows.

Once you are separate, make sure you are alone, then write a letter to your finance expressing your love to them. A letter is a great way to get your deep feelings of love out in a creative fashion, and get your creative juices flowing. This letter is not your vows, so do not worry about making it short and sweet, go in depth about what your fiancé means to you and what your life would be like without them.

Write 2-3 of your favorite times together. Write down the scriptures, quotes, and songs that you are using at your wedding. Reflect on these and write what they mean to you or the most important part of them.

After the thirty minutes, get back together and either switch papers, or take turns reading your letters and stories to one another. This is a great way to get inspired for and root out the things you really want to say to each other in your vows.

A traditional vow goes something like this:

“In the name of God, I, Name take you, Name to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

You can use this as a guide, or you can come up with something totally original, just be sure to express your love to one another.