The best way to get started is to create a specific notebook and e-mail just for your wedding planning. Create several tabs like: dresses, colors, flowers, invitations, venues, décor, and a miscellaneous tab that can keep up with all the extras. Start searching through those bridal magazines you bought and pull out those dog-eared pages and put them in your book. This notebook will hold great references for your wedding planner should you bring her in closer to the event.

Aside from your notebook, how will you begin planning your wedding? Take this one step at a time and create a list of what’s most important to you (budget and guests should be at the top, preferably even the first two). Once this list is established and you have your right hand girl at your side (your maid of honor or another close friend or family member), create a time each week or month to meet up at your favorite spot and discuss everything wedding related over lunch or coffee. This kind of atmosphere will help you to associate wedding planning with a fun, relaxing spot and remember not to take it overboard. The best thing that a girl could possibly do when beginning her planning is to remember that while it’s her day, she’s not the only one participating.

Outdoor Weddings – Things to Consider:

Who will officiate? Some officiants will only perform ceremonies within a house of worship, so you’ll need to check with yours in advance before planning your ceremony outside.

Inform your guests – Guests need to know they’re attending an outdoor wedding so they can dress appropriately. It’s also a good idea to send weather information to out-of-town guests who may not be familiar with the climate.

Be prepared – Combat potential outdoor issues by having the following items on hand:

* Bug spray

* Water bottles

* Umbrellas

* Paper fans

* Sunscreen

* Cell phone

* Tissues/paper towels

Securing your Outdoor Wedding Location

For an outdoor wedding, the draw is the setting, so finding the right spot and coordinating the event around it is the most important task on your to-do list. Your setting options are as limitless as the great outdoors itself. But before getting your heart set on a specific spot, these are some key questions you’ll need to ask:

Is There Privacy? – keep in mind that if your location is a public space – or even near a public place (like a street or sidewalk), you may have to contend with onlookers. Try to reserve your space in a secluded spot to prevent unwanted guests or distractions.

What’s The Backup Plan? – obviously you’ll need a plan in case of inclement weather. If your location doesn’t have indoor facilities to accommodate your event should the skies open, you’ll need to rent a tent.

Can You Hear? – will guests have to compete with roaring waves, gusting winds, honking cars, or screaming children to hear your vows? You may need to rent a sound system and lavalier mics for the officiant and yourselves. Your band or DJ should be able to provide this for you.

Get even more advice on finding unique and scenic settings for outdoor weddings.

All in the Details – Ideas for Outdoor Weddings

Décor Elements

* Let the setting speak for itself – don’t compete with Mother Nature; rather, subtly enhance your background – whether a sandy beach, blooming garden, or thick forest – with a complementary color palette and décor elements.

* Natural elements – depending on your setting, natural items like shells, pinecones, berries, vines, leaves, and grasses provide great décor inspiration.
Flowers

* Blooms – an outdoor wedding calls for flowers that can brave all sorts of weather. Look for sturdier blooms like mums, alstromeria, calla lilies and sunflowers.

* Style – keep your containers and arrangements natural looking, as an intricately designed, elaborate pedestal centerpiece in a tall candelabra just doesn’t fit. Instead, use loose arrangements in urns, wooden boxes, crates, or pails.

Menu

* Keep it simple – even an elegant outdoor wedding calls for simpler fare that can withstand varied temperatures, so avoid items like mayonnaise or dishes which must be served cold. If yours is a casual affair, consider a traditional outdoor barbeque.

* Keep guests refreshed – especially if your outdoor wedding will take place in a warm environment. Have plenty of ice and water, along with teas or lemonades. Alcoholic beverages like sangria, mojitos, or mint juleps will also keep your guests refreshed.

Cake

* Make it last – wedding cakes can melt outside. Opt for fondant icing over buttercream, which doesn’t keep well in heat or humidity. Stay away from mousse and ice cream cakes.

Attire

* Dare to go casual – outdoor settings allow for breezy fabrics and shorter hemlines

* Do elegance right – you can still plan a formal dress code, just consider what’s best suited for sun, sand, or grass. Lace and organza are good outdoor fabric options.

* For the Girls

- Silhouettes – you may want to forego the giant ball gown skirt. Instead, stick to a romantic empire or a-line. (same goes for your bridesmaids)

- Hemlines – Keep your hemline clean from the grass or dirt. Consider going knee- or tea-length. Or raise a floor-length gown it to the ankles or at least a half inch higher than you would for an indoor wedding. Avoid a train.

- Shoes – Opt for a wide, flat heal, as stilettos may sink into the ground.

* For the guys -

- Unbuttoned affair – consider losing the tux and dressing the guys in khakis and sport jackets or crisp oxfords.

- Neat in back – if they do wear a tux, get a vest with a full back – which will look better when their coats are off.

First of all, you might head for the outback, starting your adventure in Alice Springs in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. There you can soar over grassy plains in a hot air balloon, see a Dry River Boat Race, or join a biking “safari” across the desert.

Ayers Rock

In Australia’s outback, you can experience the Aboriginal culture through music, art, dance, and “Dreamtime” myths of creation by the campfire. You can bushwalk (Australian for on- and off-trail hiking), learn to craft spears and catch fish in the traditional way, ride a camel in the desert, see dinosaur footprints and Aboriginal rock carvings, or take a scenic flight over outback icons like Ayers/Uluru Rock, Australia’s most famous rock monolith, which turns some spectacular colors at sunrise and sunset. As an extra bonus, you can take in the camel races near Ayers Rock.

You can choose to cruise down the vast Katherine Gorge, located 212 miles southeast of Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory. The rugged outback of the Northern Territory also offers colorful characters, deep rainforests, rocky cliffs and escarpments, and a huge array of wildlife, with an occasional appearance by a freshwater crocodile. Darwin, a melting pot of cuisines and cultures, is located east of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, where you can witness millions of migratory birds in the wetlands. The park is a gorgeous panorama of Aboriginal rock art, delicate water lilies, crocodiles, thundering waterfalls and sparkling waterholes.

In fact, Kakadu is just one of 550 national parks and 15 World Heritage-listed wonders in Australia. In the clear, turquoise waters of the Ningaloo Reef you can swim with the world’s biggest fish, the gentle whale sharks, or swim or snorkel with dolphins, manta rays and hundreds of species of tropical fish.

In northern South Australia you can pan for opals or sleep underground in Coober Pedy, the “Opal Capital of the World,” which is 525 miles north of Adelaide. It has underground “dugout” homes, tours and diverse accommodations.

You might consider a visit to Phillip Island, where, every day at dusk, the island literally comes alive with thousands of little “fairy” penguins, waddling home in riotous packs and pairs after a long day of foraging for food in the icy sea. Ninety minutes from Melbourne, this island is home to koalas, abundant bird life and a large colony of fur seals between October and December. On Kangaroo Island, an ecological haven accessible from Adelaide, you can meet kangaroos, seals, sea lions, koalas, wallabies, bandicoots and platypus in the wild.

If you want to explore Australia’s cities, you’ll discover they are a blend of cultures, with a variety of theaters, restaurants, nightlife and events. From Sydney’s Opera House to Melbourne’s labyrinth of highways, each of the cities offers something unique, from beach barbecues to ballet, from open-air movies and jazz in the park to five-star dining. Meander through beautiful gardens, browse art galleries and museums, and partake of the vibrant nightlife and sporting events.

Invitations do not have to be made at a fancy printing place. You can create your own on your computer, save it on a USB stick and take it to Office Max to make color copies for pennies. You can save extra money by sending out electronic Evites online. When it comes to decorations, you can actually save hundreds of dollars by shopping at Dollar Tree or its online website. Everything is only $1 and many items come in groups of items, all for $1. They even have a special section for weddings.

Look in Craigslist for an affordable DJ or ask a family friend if they would do it for a discounted price. You can even eliminate a DJ all together and just hook up an iPod to speakers. If you do this option, be sure to choose a very large playlist so you will never have to get up and change the music. Even your wedding attire can be inexpensive. Places like Ross Dress For Less and Burlington Coat Factory sell white evening gowns and other evening attire for under $100 each, sometimes even less than $50.

Let’s have a look at the details you have to consider when you purchase the wedding candles. First of all we need to understand their role in the ceremony and the afterwards party. Thus, you’ll know what to really ask for.

Meaning of Wedding Candles

What’s the role of the wedding candles in the religious ceremony? Regardless of the religion, candles are ever-present in the matrimony rites of all cultures. They symbolize the divine essence in the sacred union performed by the priest, minister or rabbi. They represent the light and love that bind two people together for a lifetime. They can be carried in by members of the wedding party as part of the processional and placed around the altar.

Additionally, unity candles are especially meaningful. Family members, such as the mothers of the bride and groom, can light them at the start of the ceremony. Then the couple use them to light a single candle, representing two people becoming one.

Another way wedding candles are used is as decorations. Chosen in a variety of shapes and sizes they create a very intimate and beautiful atmosphere during the ceremony and afterwards. This is the reason why so many people choose to decorate the tables at the wedding party with both flowers and candles.

Candles may not be used to bring light in our homes anymore, by they’re surely bringing joy and comfort in our hearts. Very often candle table decorations go from the most complex to the simple and elegant ones. Often, a wedding planner takes care of such details.

How to Choose the Best Wedding Candles

Wedding candles are part of the perfect day you dream of. Consulting candle catalogues is the way to find the model that suits your idea of ceremonial candles. However, there are some general style rules it’s best not to ignore. For instance, too large candles can be quite uncomfortable for bearers, medium-sized are recommended.

Then, if you decide to buy some more sophisticated or complexly decorated ones, you won’t be able to add any other ornaments such as flowers or ribbons. It’s bad taste! Last but not least, candles should look good in the rest of the picture, so plan and check in advance.

Gifts for the Bridesmaids
Pearl earrings for the bridesmaids are very appropriate. Any type of jewelry, including a gold necklace is acceptable. The jewelry items you choose should be in your price range as you don’t want to over-spend on these gifts. A gift card for a day of spa treatment, or a certificate for a visit to the nail salon, would be a welcomed gift. If you know each person’s favorite fragrance, get them perfume. Engraved key chains would be another idea. Leather wallets are always a good choice.

Gifts for the Groomsman
Money clips for the men, engraved with their initials, would be a great idea. Engraved key rings are also very acceptable for the occasion, as well as engraved cuff links in silver or gold. If they are sports enthusiasts and live near a venue, tickets for an upcoming game would be a nice idea. High end pen and pencil desk sets or engraved business card holders are other options. Any item you can get engraved makes a nice personalized gift and remembrance.

Be sure to have the gifts ordered and ready ahead of time, especially for engraved gifts. Have the gifts wrapped and ready for presentation, normally at the reversal party.

In Part 1, I will touch upon the travel packages designed for romance. Most coastal and island resorts offer buffets, massages, spas, swimming pools, meals at top-rate restaurants, tennis courts, gyms, snorkeling, rain forest walks, shopping, galleries, theatres, and an opportunity to see unique Australian wildlife. A potential drawback is that they are pricey. The following island resorts are near the Great Barrier Reef off the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia.

At the Long Island Resort, you can have a romantic portrait photograph taken and enjoy a scenic flight over the Whitsundays Islands. You can even try your hand at the exciting sport of coconut tossing! Jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, and sailing in a glass bottom boat are available at extra cost.

If you would like to catch a glimpse of the humpback whales, consider an August to October visit to the Kingfisher Bay Resort of Fraser Island, which is located at the start of the Great Barrier Reef amidst ancient rain forests, huge sand dunes and an abundance of wildlife. Morning cruises depart the resort daily.

At the Daydream Island Resort and Spa you can take a helicopter flight to Whitehaven Beach and munch on a gourmet lunch. Visitors rave about the wildlife — the living reef with tropical fish, sharks, rays and real corals, wild birds, lizards and wallabies.

Queensland Couples Holiday Packages

The Airlie Beach Reef Romance at Toscana Village Resort features a cruise to Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island. And the Great Barrier Reef Experience invites you to climb aboard Reefworld’s floating pontoons where you can gaze eye-to-eye at schools of tropical fish and spectacular living coral formations. One pontoon provides direct viewing of the Coral Gardens, a unique underwater observatory area.

Cairns Esplanade at Rydges gives you a choice between the Kuranda and Daintree Rainforests, an Outer Barrier Reef Cruise or tour to the stunning Atherton Tableland. You can take the Ocean Spirit Dinner Cruise if you choose the Cairns Romantic Cruises at Colonial Club Resort, one of the most popular in tropical North Queensland.

If you are seeking exciting nightlife, you can find superb dining complimented by a dynamic stage show at the fabulous Jupiters Hotel & Casino when visiting the Gold Coast Romance at the Crowne Plaza. The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination with its sunny subtropical climate, surfing beaches, canal system, high-rise skyline, nightlife and proximity to the rain forest.

Gold Coast Theme Parks include Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld theme parks. The latter is home to Tiger Island, the Australian Wildlife Experience, and some of the tallest, fastest thrill rides in the world. For extra charge: Ballooning & Grand Homestead Breakfast and Vineyard Tour; and full day at Grand Brisbane, which includes an afternoon at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

A touch of Venice greets you at The Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa where you can enjoy a seafood dinner and a romantic gondola cruise on the Noosa River.

In Part 2, I will describe some Australian honeymoon adventures in the outback, camel races, scenic wilderness areas, “bushwalking,” and hanging out with kangaroos.

For additional details on honeymooning at Australian resorts, go to http://queenslandtravelaustralia.com/ISLAND_HOLIDAYS.html

When you stick to a schedule, you will find that things run a lot more smoothly. This can work in your favor when you stop to think about it. You know how many appointments you can make in a day without wearing yourself out. When you create a schedule while using a calander, you can look at the days and see how full or not so full they are. You can look at how many months, weeks, or days prior to the wedding day things need to be done and plan for when you are going to do them.

Those brides and wedding planners who use a schedule to help them find that they have a better time and an easier time. They know when to stop and they can breathe a lot easier. You don’t want to have a break down come that day, so by planning things out, you give yourself plenty of time without waiting until the last very minute. These are why you should use them.