Your Own Unique Wedding

Want to add your own unique flare to your wedding? Although following trends has always been . . .well, a trend, your wedding should definitely be an event that reflects the real you, and although you may wish to follow tradition for some of your wedding plans, here are a few ideas of simple ways you can personalize your day.

1- Hang a series of framed photos of each of you as children around the reception so guests can peruse and catch a glimpse of your lives while growing up.

2-If you're not a big fan of sweets, serve a grand "cheesecake" built entirely of your favorite types of cheese: goat cheese, Roquefort, and more.

3- Order custom labels for bottled water to be served.

4- Make a toasat (can use grape juice) to the woman who has had the greatest impact on your life, then offer her your bouqet as a special tribute.

5- Have your florist design your bouquet in the same style as your mother's.

6- Personalize the bridesmade's flowers by selecting blooms that pair with each girl's birth month. You may want to stick to one color to look more unified; for example, pink rose, pink tulip, pink piony, and so on.

7-Forget the traditional guest book that just gets tossed aside after the wedding. Choose a coffee-table book you love and will want to display at home, and let guests write on the photos or in the margins.

8- Attach a ribbon embelished with your birthstone to your bouquet.

9-Create one large floral cednterpiece out of 10 mini vases and invite guests to take one on their way out.

10-Offer cookies baked from family recipes and provide recipe cards for guests to take home.

Whatever you decide for your special day, be sure to make it your own. Don't be afraid to try something new. After all, this wedding is about YOU and your new spouse, so don't hesitate to add your own special touch.

Marriage--Good For Your Health?

Want to improve your overall health? Experts say to choose your marriage partner wisely then. That’s right, deciding who to spend forever with is even more important than you may have thought. Not only do you want to choose someone you are compatible with, who shares your same values and belief system, and who will be your complete companion so you can be ultimately happy, but research shows that when you are married to someone who truly makes you happy, your mental and physical health increase.

Greater resistance to infection, fewer infections, as well as reduced likelihood of dying from cancer, heart disease and all major killers are just a few of the physical health benefits of a healthy marital relationship. Longevity is another one. So, if you are hoping to live a long life, choose wisely.

There are also many mental benefits to good, satisfying marital relationships. Less depression, less anxiety disorders, less psychosis, less posttraumatic stress disorders, and fewer phobias are included. A happily married person also has fewer injuries due to accidents.

On the other hand, marital stress can double a person’s risk of developing diabetes and some studies show women in marital distress have a three times greater risk of a second heart attack. In fact, studies across the board have traced marital stress to cardiovascular health. Blood pressure was found to be directly related to marital cohesion, an encouraging reason for couples to spend time with each other and share positive experiences together.

All in all, a happy, positive marriage relationship can do wonders for a person—mentally and physically. So, when choosing your marriage partner, remember you are choosing someone, not only to share your life with and create a family with, but also someone who could drastically change your overall health—for better or worse—so be sure to pick someone who makes you happy.

A Piece of Cake

With all your other wedding preparations and deadlines, you may think the cake is no big deal. Think again. Choosing a cake is one of the most creative, fun—and delicious—parts of the planning process. It’s the “icing on the cake,” so to speak, of your decorating and refreshment plans, the final touch that says you’ve got it all together.

When choosing a cake, there are many things to consider, from size and shape, to flavor, color, size and topper. A wedding cake should reflect the personality of the married couple and match the theme, color and mood of the wedding. It may be a good idea to choose the cake once the other decorations are decided to ensure the cake fits in well and compliments your plans.

If you plan to have a professional bakery make your cake, try to set up an appointment about three months before the wedding. Be prepared with ideas including pictures, color samples, and more. Also, be open to suggestions and ideas from the baker; after all, he is a professional and will have much experience in wedding cakes.

Although many brides still choose to follow tradition and display a round, white cake, keep in mind you are not limited to do the same. Cakes today can be made of cheesecake, pound cake, or you can even decide on a cupcake tree. Another option is to have a simple groom’s cake. Whatever you choose, be sure to budget $600-$1,000 for this step. If your budget will not allow you to spend that much, there are ways to cut costs. One idea is to buy a smaller cake for artistic display, using sheet cakes to accompany it. You can also have most of the cake be frosted molds, rather than real cake, which makes it less expensive. If you want to add sentimental value to your cake and you are creative, you may want to make it yourself. That way, you can design it any way you want. Just be sure to practice first—you wouldn’t want your first cooking experience as a married woman to be a disaster!

Whatever you decide, be sure to enjoy this step of the wedding planning process. After all, it is one of the least expensive and most creative parts.