Invitation Etiquette - A Guide For Writing Your Own Invitations

You should send your invitations out no later than six to eight weeks prior to your wedding date. Post all local invites at the same time so no-one ends up receiving a late invite. Always make sure you place your return address on the back of the envelope just in case they get lost in the mail. For out of State or Overseas guests make sure you give them sufficient notice for them to attend if they wish. Some journeys may be lengthy and require a bit of saving.

Are you inviting any children to your wedding? If not then you would simply not put their names on the invitations. Invitations are about requesting someone’s attendance so don’t be tempted to put “No children please”. Should your answer be yes invite children by including their name on a line below their parents. Teenage children can be sent their own invitations.

Traditionally your Thank You notes should be sent no later than one month after receiving your gift. When sending a thank you, its much nicer and I’m sure much more appreciated if you hand write your note rather than having them printed. It’s a nice idea to have both you and your husband sign them. Try to keep a record of what each guest gave you as a gift so you can thank them for what they gave you. Remember there are no written rules. Don’t be afraid to develop your own style to create invites that are as individual as you.

Brides Parents Mr and Mrs James Selwel Request the honour of your presence At the marriage of their daughter Miss Melissa Jane To Mr Bradley Scott Jones Saturday 20th June 2009 189 Greenway Street South Sydney, NSW

Issued by the Couple Miss Melissa Jane Selwel And Mr Bradley Scott Jones Request the honour of your presence At their marriage Saturday 20th June 2009 189 Greenway Street South Sydney, NSW

Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Your Cake Planner - 7 Step Guide to Help You Choose Your Wedding Cake

RESEARCH
Look at as many bridal magazines, Internet sites and Cake magazines as you can, to get ideas on designs and colours

TASTE
Try lots of different flavours to find on that you and your future husband prefer

COLOUR
Consider your wedding style and or theme, and what colours you are having and how you want to incorporate that into your wedding cake design.

SHAPE
Think about the shape you want your cake to be. Have you considered how many tiers you will have. You will need to combine a mix of the style of your wedding and the number of mouths you need to feed.

ROLE
Will your cake be the only dessert you serve your guests, or will it be surrounded by other sweets on a dessert table?

BUDGET
How much money do you want to spend on your wedding cake? If you are like most brides, your wedding cake will ring up at approximately $3 to $6 per slice. Before you schedule an appointment with your cake designer, sit down and work out what realistic figure you and your budge can afford.

TASTING
The best part about shopping for a cake decorator has got to be the cake tasting

BUDGET TIPS
Have only a small wedding cake for cutting and another out the back to serve to your guestsIf you have your heart set on a four tier cake you could hire a tiered plate stand and use iced cup cakes co-ordinated to match your wedding colours.Instead of having your cake decorated, ask you cake decorator to ice it only and use your bouquet as the top decoration. Be careful that your flowers have not been sprayed with any chemicals

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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Setting the Mood

Varieties of Entertainment

• Its hard to pick music that will please everyone. If you include a little from each music era, you will keep the atmosphere light and the dance floor full. Your day will call for different music. Your day will call for different music selections at various times. Hiring a professional means less headaches, both on the day and in the planning
  
  
• If you want live music make sure your venue is equipped with adequate space, power supply and no noise restrictions. If you request songs that aren’t in your bands usual repertoire, be sure to book well in advance so the band will have a chance to learn the new music.
  
  
• DJ’s can provide you with any sort of music you wish to hear. Some will even act as MC and have the experience to help create a terrific atmosphere. A DJ can supply you with your music for both your ceremony and reception. They can play your special selection as you walk down the aisle. Soft easy listening songs while you ear and then get the party rocking when all tasks have been completed.
  
  
• Classical & Jazz are brimming with flavour, ranging from soloists, jazz trio, flautist, string quartets, and pianists. They’re great for setting the mood at your ceremony and reception.
  
  
• Wedding/Cabaret Singers are flexible when performing your music requests. Many will give you the option of choosing your own songs or offer you choices from their own repertoire. Again, book well in advance so your entertainer can learn any new songs you may as for.

Your Expectations

Be clear with your entertainer and/or DJ about what you want and what you are expecting. This way you should avoid any disappointments on your special day.


By Jan Littlejohn
Ceremonies with Style
www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

The Bridal Gown

Tips for choosing your wedding dress:

· When deciding upon a style of gown take into consideration what season your wedding will be held, the time of day your ceremony starts. Is the reception indoors or out? Is your wedding style traditional, formal, informal or themed?

· Try not to fall in love with a style, rather choose a gown style that suits you. Remember not all gown styles suit all body shapes.

· You may like to try on many different styles to get a good idea of what styles of gowns suit you and what styles to avoid.

· Once you have chosen a gown, consider having a day or two to think about your decision. Once purchased there is generally no going back.

· Make appointments so the bridal boutique staff can give you the personal assistance you require.

· Perhaps take a camera along with you. It’s easy to fall in love with every dress you try on. View your pictures for a couple of days it will become clear which dress becomes your favorite.

· Take with you one or two faithful friends or your mum and sister/s for their honest opinion.

· It’s a good idea to take with you a strapless bra and shoes with the same hell height as the ones you will be wearing on the day

· If your bridal hairstyle is an updo, wear it up when you go shopping you can then try on different headwear and veils to give you and idea of your total bridal look.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself shopping for your wedding gown should be great fun and is usually only done once in a lifetime. Allow yourself plenty of time so you don’t feel pressured into making a decision.

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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Your Engagement

A great way for families to meet at this joyous celebration.

The initial excitement of getting engaged may entice you to want to let the whole world know by shouting it from the rooftops. Instead you should probably consider telling those closest to you first to avoid hurting anybody’s feeling.

Announcement Etiquette

If you have any children from a previous marriage they should be the first to know It’s a good idea to already have prepared them for this possibility and therefore it wont be such a huge shock Sometimes this news can be hard for them so make sure you make them feel secure about your love for them and how your new spouse wont change this.

Its traditional that the brides parents are told first followed by the grooms immediately afterwards it is always much nicer to tell them in person however if distance is a problem then over the phone will be fine.

For your close friends a few phone calls will do here unless you want to surprise everyone and tell them all at once.

Decide if you want to mail announcements to your friends and family publish announcement in your local paper or announce it as a surprise at an engagement party.

It would be considered bad or improper etiquette to announce an engagement if a family member from either side is seriously sick or a death in the family has just occurred.

Publish Your Engagement

Check to see if there are any guidelines deadlines fees or regulations about publishing your engagement.

Ask if the accept pictures and whether they can be colour or black and white.
Make sure you put your name on the back and include a self addressed stamped envelope so the photo can be returned to you.

If they don’t give you strict guidelines follow the traditional guidelines. Typically an engagement announcement would include information about the two of you and your parent’s names and the date you became engaged.

The Groom and His Men

If your bride’s gown is a secret as most are, she will need to go shopping with you so that your choice of suit does not clash with her chosen style of gown.

The groom’s accessories enhance your overall look. A coloured tie, handkerchief or waistcoat can change a nice black dress suit into something special.

If buying new shoes make sure you have a chance to wear them in a little beforehand to eliminate the chance of blisters.

If hiring your suits all suits should be tried on by every member of the bridal party to ensure that they’ve all been fitted correctly.

Check all suits are in good condition before leaving the formal wear supplier.

On the morning of the wedding many grooms relax by visiting the beach playing a round of golf or other such sport with their groomsmen. If going outdoors make sure to wear sunscreen.
The groom should not overlook his personal care remember this is your big day too. Pamper yourself a little and experience a shave at the barbers or a hot towel treatment. If getting a hair cut you should do so about a week before to prevent the “just cut” look.

Groom's Responsibilities

Make a list of guests from his side of the family and friends
Responsible for purchasing the engagement and weddings rings
Prepare a speech
Choose the wedding transport
Choose his bestman and groomsmen
Is traditionally responsible for organizing the honeymoon
Dance with his bride mum, mum in law and matron honour

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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Bouquet Styles and Shapes

Posy Bouquet

The posy bouquet can be formal semi formal or informally designed. This type of bouquet is relatively small and round in shape with smaller flowers that are either wired or tied tightly together by their stems, looks great with ribbon to match your wedding dress

Strauss Bouquet

This is natural stem bouquet similar to the posy bouquet however it is usually larger. The flowers are arranged in a looser manner with the stems longer creating an informal look

Trailing Bouquet

The trailing bouquet is not rounded at the top like the posy bouquet it is usually a fairly narrow bouquet from the top to the bottom of the trail. In saying that the trail may be wider narrow, however is usually similar in width from the top down to the bottom. Can be semi-formal to formal depending on the type of flowers you choose

Teardrop Bouquet

A traditional and formal style of bouquet that consists of a structured posy top The trail is very side and just like the name suggests becomes a point at the bottom of the trail to form the teardrop shape. This can be one of the most expensive bouquets to create as each flower is individually wired to create the desired shape. It is a very stable bouquet style for flowers that need the support

Cascade Bouquet

This bouquet is often known as a multiple trail bouquet because it has numerous trails tumbling from the top. It is often very unstructured in appearance

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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

The Bridal Veil

Tips for wearing a Veil

Keep diamantes and other fine details on your veil to a minimum. They may show up in your photos like black dots

Complement a heavily beaded gown with a plan sheer tulle veil

Don’t go for heavy detail in your dress and veil

Don’t wear a long and multi-layered veil if you’re petite. The veil will overpower you and your gown.

Try to keep it in proportion.

Your veil doesn’t have to be exactly the same colour as your dress, just don’t mix start white with ivory colours

Types of Veils

Blusher
The short part of the veil that is pulled down over the face until it is lifted back over the head during the ceremony.

Ballet
A veil length that’s falls somewhere around your ankles

Chapel
A formal veil that extends on the floor. Complements a formal style gown with a train

Cathedral
The cathedral train is the most formal veil style. May have multiple layers. Most appropriately worn with a cathedral train in a very formal setting

Elbow
The elbow length veil is most appropriate for an informal setting. It finishes at or near the elbow

Fingertip
A long veil that reaches the fingertips. Single or double layered

Flyaway
A multi-layered veil that just brushes the shoulders. Appropriate for an anakle length gown. Suits more informal styles.

Jan Littlejohn
Ceremonies with Style
http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/

An African Affair

Recently I flew to Johannesburg then traveled about 6 hour north to the Inyati Game Reserve…just near Kruger Park. During my three day stay I did a renewal of vows for an American couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in the middle of the game reserve over a morning tea.

I flew to Madagascar and traveled 3 hours south to the mission fields. As soon as I arrived I was asked if I would like to do a civil ceremony (their legal work is done at the Bureau … as they call it … several weeks ahead of the wedding day). Unfortuately the bride could not afford a bridal gown as they were saving up for something else. …She still looked lovely.

Jan Littlejohn

Ceremonies with Style

http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/

Popular Wedding Songs

Amazing - Alex Lloyd
Crazy for You - Madonna

Beautiful in My Eyes - Van Morrison
Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
Can’t help falling In Love - Elvis Presley
First time ever I saw your face- Roberta Flack
Moon River - Breakfast at Tiffanys Theme
You are so Beautiful - Joe Cocker
Power of Love - Celine Dion
It has to be you - Harry Connick Jnr
I do it for you - 1927
Love me Tender - Elvis Presley

Jan Littlejohn

Ceremonies with Style

www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Diamond Shapes and the Four C's

Colour

At first glance, most diamonds appear to be white, however they do contain a hint of colour and this is expressed by an alphabetical code.

A diamond coded ‘D’ is the finest white, while ‘J’ diamonds are slightly tinted. A ‘K’ code onwards indicates a diamond with brown or yellow tints.

Clarity

The term clarity refers to the presence of naturally occurring marks within a diamond

Mars which are only visible under magnification are termed either ‘Flawless’ VVS or VS or SI depending on the nature, size and position of the mark

Diamonds which are marks visible to the naked eye are referred to as ‘Included or Pique’

Carat

Carat refers to the scale of weight for a diamond with 100 points equaling one carat.

Diamond cutters are skilled in the art of bringing the diamond to its true brilliance by creating the exact angles for light to reflect from one facet to another

A diamond can be the finest colour and clarity but will not really sparkle if it is not well cut.

Cut

Cut also refers to the shape, such as traditional round brilliant cut, marquise, emerald, pearl, oval heart, baguette and the modern princess.

The princess cut Is square shaped but faceted to give brilliance and this is becoming a very popular diamond, both as a solitaire and set in shoulders or diamond wedding rings.

Different Settings

A traditional claw set solitaire is still very popular because it allows plenty of light to the diamond giving maximum sparkle

The bezel setting with its rim of gold around the diamond provides an alternative for people who are concerned about claws catching but it does tend to cut light from the diamond. It does not however make it any safer than a claw setting

Some styles of engagement rings have a flow of smaller diamonds channel or grain set in the band which often means that a wedding ban has to be specially made to fit. A fitted wedding bank can be made with diamonds to match or left plain.

Jan Littlejohn
Ceremonies with Style
http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/