CourtneyV

Thanks, I will!! I've never bought off eBay, but I think Aaron has an account.

Aww - I wish I didn't see the pictures... now I have to find a Dollar Tree - even though I don't think there is one in my country lol.

These are a few I have on this computer I managed to do with Maria's instructions.

I like the water ceremony too... but I could see myself spilling the colour-dyed water on my white dress!! Yikes! Which also means, yes I'd trip on the broom too!!!

Ok, this lady has written on literally every wedding topic there is to write about - I've got some links, she has thought of everything... even Dr. Suess Vows lol. I like the tips for the wedding night and the funny vows too. Samples of Wedding Vows Wedding Invitation Wording - samples especially for children of divorce Wedding Programs - Essential Elements of a Wedding Program A Library of Wedding Readings - All Kinds of Wedding Readings from Classic to Unusual, from the Bible to Fiction Bridal Shower Games, Ice Breakers and Activities Wedding RSVPs – The Etiquette of Response Cards, and Response Card Wording Planning Your Wedding Ceremony - A Sample Wedding Ceremony and Order of Service Bridal Shower Invitation Wording -- Sample Invitations for Every Type of Bridal Shower Basic Wedding Invitation Wording - A Guide to Writing Your Wedding Invitation Wording Wedding Thank You Cards Sample Wording - Make Writing Thank You Cards Easy By Following These Examples Classic and Traditional Wedding Readings Unique Wedding Readings - Alternatives to Traditional Wedding Readings Wedding Ceremony Music - Examples of Traditional, Classical and Contemporary Wedding Ceremony Music Funny Wedding Vows - Humorous Wedding Vows Inspired by Dr. Seuss Samples of Wedding Toasts - Great Wedding Toasts to Celebrate the Bride and Groom The Wedding Processional -- The Order of Walking Up the Aisle During a Wedding Processional Wedding Readings from Books and Novels - Literary Wedding Readings Choosing your wedding colors - Using Wedding Colors to Add Visual Unity Wedding Ring Ceremony Vows - Sample Wedding Vows to Say During the Ring Exchange - Wedding Ring Ceremony Vows 10 Sex Tips for a Magical Wedding Night - How to make sex on your wedding night unforgettable Songs for Your First Dance at Your Wedding - Sample First Dance Songs Sex Tips for Virgins on Their Wedding Night -- How to Make Your Wedding Night Unforgettable Cheap Wedding Ideas -- Flowers -- Ways to Save Money on Flowers at Your Wedding Cheap Wedding Ideas -- Flowers -- Ways to Save Money on Flowers at Your Wedding Personalize Your Wedding Vows - 6 Easy Steps to Writing Your Own Wedding Vows Sample Wedding Vows for a Vow Renewal Ceremony Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Have a Cheap Wedding Second Weddings - Getting Remarried in Style Wedding Styles and Themes 10 Tips for a Perfect Outdoor Wedding -- Avoiding pitfalls at your outdoor wedding Buying a Diamond Wedding or Engagement Ring How to Change Your Name When You Get Married Funny Wedding Vows - Samples of Funny and Silly Wedding Vows A Wedding Cake Guide for Beginners -- Getting Started on Making and Decorating a Wedding Cake Bridesmaid Gift Ideas - Honor Your Attendants with Unique Bridesmaid Gifts Marriage Licenses - What You'll Need in Order to Get a Marriage License Stress Management - Easy ways to relieve stress See? I told you she wrote about EVERYTHING wedding related!!!

No problem! I'll post more if I come across them.

You're having trouble getting it on to the computer in the first place? or from your files onto the forum?

I found these online, there are 7 different options: (1) "____ and ____ are going to light their wedding/unity candle, as a symbol of their marriage. The candles from which they light it represent each of them in the fullness of their personhood. They come into their marriage relationship as individuals and they do not lose their identity, rather they create through their commitment the relationship of marriage. Therefore, three candles remain lighted, one for each of them and one for their marriage as symbols of their commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving marriage." (2) "The two outside candles have been lighted by their parents to represent their lives to this moment. The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received from their parents, are distinct, each burning alone. They light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one with God. From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves. Their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. Holding hands, they encircle the alter and candle to symbolize the sacrificial nature of their life journey together. May the radiance of this one light and their jouney together be a testimony or their unity." (3) "The two outside candles of the candelabra have been lighted to represent their lives to this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their separate ways. To bring bliss and happiness to their home there must be the merging of these two lights into one light. This is what God meant when He said: 'On this account, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh.' From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves. Their plans shall be mutual, their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As they each take a candle and together light the center candle, they will extinguish their own candles, thus letting the center candle symbolize the union of our lives into one flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall their lives be divided. May the radiance of this one light be a witness of their unity in Christ." (4) [This one is for a ceremony that uses a unity candle with the cross and double rings design on it.] "On this their Wedding Day, they make this loving commitment, to follow the greatest Commandment of all: 'Love one another, as I have loved you.' This they do in the hope that their union shall become a symbol of God's promise to merge two devoted lives into one. The two distinct flames represent their lives to this moment; individual and unique. To bring bliss and happiness to their home there must be the merging of these two into one. Together they light the center candle. This is what God meant when He said: 'On this account a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one.' From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves. The entwining rings -- symbolize their two lives joined in dependence and growing maturity. Their plans shall be mutual, their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. The cross -- a constant reminder of their faith in the Lord who blesses us each day, for it is He who enriches their marriage in every possible way. Thus rhey extinguish the two, forever united in the radiant oneness of God's love. Let them renew their vows each day as the memory of this joyous occassion reminds us: The Way is Long -- Let Us Go Together The Way is Difficult -- Let Us Help Each Other The Way is Joyful -- Let Us Share It The Way Is Ours Alone -- Let Us Go In Love The Way Grows Before Us -- Let Us Begin" (5) "Together they light one candle from two smaller candles as they acknowlege their union as husband and wife. By allowing the flame of the two smaller candles to remain lit, they also accept the individuality of each other as a means to fulfilling their oneness." (6) [between the Greeting and the Opening Prayer:] "On the day of their baptism, God began in (groom's name) and (bride's name) the process of becoming a Christian. They were given the privilege of being a light, an example to the people they would meet. Their process of becoming a Christian continues today. A new dimension is added as they celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. Today they come here from two different families. Out of these two families, a new family will be created in the Lord. At this time, I would invite the parents of (groom's name) and (bride's name) to come forward and light the individual candles which represent the two separate families who present son and daughter to the Lord in the Sacrament of Matrimony. The two individual flames, one representing each family, will demonstrate to us in a very beautiful way the symbol of two who become one." ... [between the Blessing and Exchange of Rings and the Prayer of the Faithful:] "One in the Lord -- they symbolize this fact by lighting a third candle from their individual ones. From now on they will grow together as unique persons becoming another Christ, a light to the world." (7) "From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls are destined for each other and find each other, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being." (by Baal Shem Tov)

Hey guys, I just found this really handy article since this has been coming up in a few threads... enjoy! Meaningful Unity Traditions to Include in Your Wedding Ceremony Looking to include a unity candle ceremony or similar tradition in your wedding? Gaining in popularity, some of these are recent innovations, while others are cultural traditions that go back hundreds and hundreds of years. The Unity Candle: one of the most common ceremonies. The bride and groom each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a third larger "unity candle." They may blow out their individual lights, or leave them lit, symbolizing that they have not lost their individuality in their unity. Stores are now selling elaborate unity candle setups, including a candleabra that holds the central unity candle higher than the others. You may also have your unity candle personalized with your names and the date, allowing it to be a keepsake from your wedding. Variations: All guests are given a candle, and the first guest's is lit. Guests pass the flame until all are lit, and then the bride and groom together light their unity candle. This variation typically includes a proclamation that this ceremony represents the unity of friends and family supporting the couple in their marriage. Rose Ceremony: A simple unity ceremony where the bride and groom exchange roses. Other variations: the families exchange roses, the bride and groom exchange roses with their families, the bride and groom exchange roses, then present their mothers with the roses. Wine Ceremony: The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into a single glass, which they both drink from. Water Ceremony: The couple each pour a different colored water into a single glass, creating a third color. Sand Ceremony: similar to the water ceremony, the bride and groom both pour different colored sand into a glass. Salt Ceremony: Indian weddings often include a salt ceremony, where the bride passes a handful of salt to her groom without spilling any. He then passes it back to her and the exchange is repeated three times. She then performs the salt exchange with all the members of the groom's family, symbolizing her blending in with her new family. Breaking Bread Ceremony: The bride and groom tear off pieces of bread, and then each eat a piece. Sometimes the bread is also shared with family and friends. It symbolizes their future as a family together. Garland Ceremony or Lei Ceremony: The bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers. This is a common part of Indian weddings, where the ceremony is called varmala or jaimala, and represents a proposal by the bride and acceptance by the groom. It also represents their new unity, blessed by nature. In Hawaian weddings, the bride and groom typically exchange leis. The families may also exchange leis with the couple. Leis represent the love and respect you have for the person you are giving it to, and the unity of the new family. Circling: In Eastern European ceremonies, the bride and groom circle the altar three times, which are their first steps together as husband and wife. In Hindu ceremonies, couples circle the fire seven times, sealing their bond. The unbroken circle represents the unbroken committment to each other. Broom Jumping: An African-American tradition that has its roots in slavery times when slaves couldn't marry. Typically the family places the broom on the ground, and the bride and groom jump over it together. The broom can then decorate a place of honor in their home. Lasso Ceremony: Lasso or rope is placed around the bride and groom's shoulders, usually by the officiant. Sometimes rosary beads, or orange flowers are used instead of rope. It can also be placed around the couple's necks, or wrists. Update: Reader Molly Scannell wrote in to tell us about two Unity ceremonies that she is using in her upcoming wedding. While these aren't "Unity Ceremonies" in the sense of combining two families, they do emphasize the unity of the couple. The first is a Celtic Oathing Stone. Molly writes "The couple holds or puts their hands on a stone during their vows to "set them in stone" (I also believe this is where this phrase comes from, or so the rumor goes)." Molly is also planning to use is a Truce Bell. A bell is rung on the wedding day, the happiest day of the couple's lives and then is placed in a central location in the home. If the couple starts to argue, one of them can ring the truce bell, reminding them both of that happiness and hopefully ending the disagreement quickly. By Nina Callaway

Hey Menc, welcome to the forum!! A wedding in Florida, hey? Is it going to be on the beach, in Disney or where? My FI and I will be honeymooning in Florida and we found this awesome villa (which we've stayed at before and LOVED) called Regal Palms. It's really cheap if you're staying a week+

Hey Karla, welcome to the forum!!! You might want to check out some of these threads to help you get started and let us know if you have any questions! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t2997 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t3713 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t3921

Ya, I did notice that while I was there the tables had the sort of like 3-sided canopy of it, but because the wind was always belowing towards the resort, the 3rd side fo the canopy faced the ocean, so it blocked your romantic ocean view and opened your table towards the passing crowds - was it the same for you? It still looked really nice though. I think it was a $150 USD charge/dinner? That's good it came with your honeymoon package though.

Starfish is my "Theme" too (very loosely based theme, but its there!). Anyways - my bank account won't allow for expensive jewelry lol, so I check overstock.com - they have a tiffany inspired starfish pendant Tiffany Inspired Starfish Pendant Sterling Silver

They sound really neat - I'm a visual person though and need to see the pcitures! I like that they come in so many different colours, and the decals vary (or did I read that wrong?!) so you can personalize a little more it if you want. We don't have a "Dollar Tree" here tho!

Quote: Originally Posted by mexico15 This was a hard one to find great deals on...even ebay didn't have any good deals ;( I did find this site...but not much of a savings..just a little bit Wholesale Disposable Digital & Custom Wedding Cameras, Kid Tough Polaroid Camera & Film, Cheap MP3 Players Hope that helps. I will keep looking. That's actually the best site I've seen so far. I love this idea for an OOT bag because we're doing a group outing snorkeling and everyone will want one anyways. Great site, I've got it bookmarked!

Ok - those weren't the greatest... but hey, I could've posted something like this: I actually don't mind the green one I posted before - but I think I'd change the chain to simplify it. Anyways, Tammy - pearls are foolproof. You could always go with something like this:

What about something like these... Are we on the right track? I'll keep looking....

IMHO, I don't think it goes with the dress... That's just my personal opinion. Sorry Tammy. :|

Hmmm - that's a good point, Natasha. I don't remember how much crinoline this dress had. They did have poofy dresses specifically for hotter destinations (I forget what she said it was made out of), but I didn't like the way the material looked. I'm confident that a poofy dress won't be so bad.

Alrighty - so I'm ready to book the photographer!! Do I ask to see a contract? She needs a deposit, which I expect and she's quoted me prices and told me whats included which I have all in an e-mail from her. Do I just go ahead with the deposit or do I ask for a contract?

Quote: Originally Posted by akh or take some pics at home! Oh - lol that works too!

Nooooooo - no waiting until tomorrow!! Get your FI to bring your camera .... but then he'd have to leave right away lol. OR get a disposable camera and have it developed at the 1hr place with a CD!!!

Yay!! What a prime example of a GOOD wedding surprise! lol. When do you have your first fitting?

Quote: Originally Posted by tinabop Thank you guys so much! How on earth do you write back so quickly? The only reason I was able to check again was because I am a little under the weather today, and therefore not at work. I'm probably going to sound silly, but two questions: 1) How on earth do you make it yourself? 2) What do you guys mean by 'you made 10?' Do you mean that you picked 10 different designs, and then picked one to be the final one? I will most likely use one of the websites posted, but if you say it is so easy to make it yourself, I may do that! I mean, I have 8 months Ok - first of all, we all reply so fast because we're at work!! Maria's instructions used Powerpoint, so you need that to make them and from there you can be as creative as you want. I made ten (lol, I know - sad), because they're easy enough to make and I got to have "creative" control and change colours, fonts and pictures as I wanted. Honestly, it's probably the easiest wedding related project I've done so far. Anyways, ya - I finally managed to pick my favourite, I'd show you the outcome, but it's on my home computer.

Sarah, that's actually pretty good - that's what I expected to fork over for my OOT bags - and at least it's a cost that is gradual ... you're buying things as you find them. What's the roll-up safe? Sounds cool.