Eco-Friendly Wedding

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  As you start to plan your wedding the first of many things that you need to decide is:  What is your theme?  How much can I afford? What am I willing to cut back on?

Once you answer these three questions you can easily move forward with the representation of your wedding day, your invitations, or Save the Date cards! 

If Going Green is your goal for 2010 or 2011, than take a look at these beautiful invitations.  No longer does eco-friendly = dull and drab there are some exciting picks out there now at affordable prices.

This invitation features a botanical design printed in Soy-based inks and produced on cream colored recycled paper.

Mention Item #S 528 From our BirchCraft Line

To view more go to Invitation Website Link

Our vendor Carlson Craft has a wonderful line also called Naturally Ever After here is one of their stunning eco-friendly invitations:

Simply Mocha

An ecru pocket is created for your mocha invitation card when you tie ribbon around this ensemble. Format and design are available only as shown.

5 1/8" x 7 1/4"

These invitations are crafted on quality, recycled papers containing at least 30% post-consumer fibers.

Mention Item # WAN12387-718

From our Carlson Craft line to view more invitations from this vendor

please go to: Our Carlson Craft Website

For more information on any of Love To Promote's Products visit us at: Love To Promote Main Website
Or call us at 815-603-2324 

We look forward to servicing all of your wedding needs.

WEDDING TRENDS

The flutter of spring brings refreshing excitement to the air. What a great time for a wedding!

One of the bonuses of a spring wedding is the increased availability of event locations and vendors; however, with spring comes prom, so hire the limo and rent the tuxes early!



With unpredictable weather this time of year, select a dress that is adaptable to the conditions. Satin shoes should be avoided due to the elevated possibility of rain showers. As gifts, supply your wedding party with matching umbrellas. They may come in handy on your special day, and they can always again.



The defining elements of spring include flowers. Use them abundantly when decorating! Tulips, daffodils and crocuses are well-known symbols of spring. Branches of cherry blossoms are also a fabulous choice! For a unique and entertaining decoration, consider a may pole. Have guests release butterflies or throw rose petals thrown instead of rice, for a special touch.




A carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a great spring choice for your wedding cake. Not a fan? Consider decorating your cake with fruits that are in season now (e.g., blueberries, strawberries). Incorporate the variety of in-season berries and melons into your menu as well.

To complement your spring wedding, fresh, young vegetables (e.g., sugar snap peas, baby asparagus, and baby carrots) could be used in your menu, too. With this variety at hand, the sky is the limit when it comes to menu creativity.


Build on the exciting energy of spring!

EARTH FRIENDLY WEDDINGS

It is always nice to hear that businesses are going green, grocery stores are now offering re-usable grocery bags, people are recycling, and now even weddings are going Green!!


What a fun way to let everyone know what is near and dear to your heart.

We sell a large selection of recycled invitations, announcements and save the date cards as well as earth friendly accessories. Call us for more product information or go to our website to order online. www.LoveToPromote.cceasy.com


Here are some great environmentally friendly wedding items:

 

Reaching Up - Recycled invitations

Embossed wildflowers are accompanied by silhouettes that reach up toward your wording on this citrus, non-folding invitation.
5" x 8 1/2"

These invitations are crafted on quality, recycled papers containing at least 30% post-consumer fibers. 

Natural-Tone Favor Boxes

Favor boxes of thick, natural-tone paper are available in two sizes to suit your needs. The 3" square box is generously sized to hold a slice of cake, big chocolate truffles or small gifts. The smaller box measures 2". Ribbons sold seperately. Customer assembly required. Contents not included. Boxes may be personalized.

Large Natural-tone Favor Boxes (Blank) ZBK3331B $36.90 for 50

 

 

Seeds of Love "Love Blooms" flower seed packets make charming favors for wedding guests. Each packet features a colorful design and instructions for planting. "Please plant these seeds and when they bloom, may they be a sign of a love always growing" is printed at the bottom of the packet. Packets are not available personalized. Price: $36.90 for 24 Item Number: ZBK1537

 

Recycled Guest Book

When you love each other and the environment, this is the perfect guest book for your wedding! The book is covered in natural cotton, which is a renewable resource. The inside pages hold more than 800 signatures and are made of Green Seal Certified paper containing 30% post-consumer fibers. The book measures 7 1/2" x 5 3/4" and may be personalized with a gold-tone or silver-tone plate in the engraved lettering style shown. Please specify personalization.

Recycled Guest Book (Blank) The guest book measures 7 1/2" x 5 3/4" and the inside pages hold more than 800 signatures and are made of Green Seal Certified paper containing 30% post-consumer fibers. $23.90 each Recycled Guest Book (Personalized) Please specify your first names and event date. $27.90 each

 

Recycled Favor Boxes

These classic, white favor boxes are made from paper with 30% post-consumer fibers to show your care for the environment. The boxes measure 3" x 2 1/4" x 1 3/4" and may be personalized. Flower, Leaf, and ribbon sold separately.

Aqua Flower Card Flower cards are perfect for layering and accenting with leaf cards (sold separately). Not available personalized. $12.90 for 104 Fuchsia Flower Card Flower cards are perfect for layering and accenting with leaf cards (sold separately). Not available personalized. $12.90 for 104 Pink Flower Card Flower cards are perfect for layering and accenting with leaf cards (sold separately). Not available personalized. $12.90 for 104 Recycled Favor Boxes (Blank) $35.90 for 50 Recycled Favor Boxes (Personalized) Favor boxes may be personalized with yur first names, first names and event date, first names and event date and choice of design. Please specify foil color and personalization. $44.90 for 50

 

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Colorful, stainless steel water bottles make perfect gifts for sports enthusiasts and people on the go! They're easy on the environment too - just fill and cap, eliminating the need for water in disposable plastic bottles. The BPA-free bottles have black, screw-top lids with hooks that match the bottle color. The 11" tall bottles hold approximately 25 ounces. Personalize the bottle with a name or names and your event date in script or block lettering as shown. Black and Blue bottles will be personalized with white ink; pink bottles will be personalized with black or white ink. Specify personalization, lettering style and ink color (for pink bottles)

Black Water Bottle (Blank) $28.90 each Black Water Bottle (Personalized) Specify personalization, lettering style. $32.90 each Blue Water Bottle (Blank) $28.90 each Blue Water Bottle (Personalized) Specify personalization, lettering style. $32.90 each Pink Water Bottle (Blank) $28.90 each Pink Water Bottle (Personalized) Specify personalization, lettering style and ink color. $32.90 each

WEDDING DONT'S

1. Don't Be Super Bride - You can't do it all by yourself.  Believe it or not people do want to help all you have to do is ask.  Divide your tasks and conquer.  Even the small items on your To Do list can eat up your valuable time.  Running errands, calling vendors, attending expo's, can all be things your bridesmaids or groomsmen would be happy to do for you.
   
2. Don't ask for Cash instead of Gifts.
3. Don't plan a wedding for everyone else - it's your wedding plan it for you and your future husband or wife.
4. Don't stress over the little things. Take a deep breath and try to savor these moments how you plan your wedding together is a great reflection on your relationship. If you stress over the small stuff now chances are that this is how it will be when you are married.  Show your future spouse  how calm cool and collected you can be.
   
5. Don't drink too much. You'll have people bringing you Champagne all day. Just take a sip here and there, but pinch yourself to stay in the moment. You'll want to remember all of it. That goes for guests, too.
6. Don't forget to offer a vegetarian option at dinner.
7. Don't seat divorced parents at the same table. YIKES!!!
8. Don't go over 5 minutes on your toast.
9. Don't forget to send thank you notes.  Try to send the thank you notes as soon as you can 5 weeks is the general guideline.
   
10. Don't skimp on your honeymoon you will regret it.

DO ENJOY YOURSELVES - DO SAVOR EACH MOMENT - DO BE KIND TO EACHOTHER & YOUR GUESTS!!

FREE PRIVATE WEDDING EVENT - By Appointment Only

EVENT HOSTED BY A PORTRAIT BOUTIQUE & LOVE TO PROMOTE - WEDDINGS

14722 S. Naperville Road

Plainfield IL 60544

Date: 2-28-09

10AM- Noon or 2PM-4PM

RSVP By 2-06-09

815-254-4840

Economy Effecting Your Wedding Plans?

* Recession Proof Your Wedding - Don't go deeply into debt to have your wedding. Right now with the markets being the way that they are, that's a little more than scary.

Don't take a line of credit out against your house to pay for your wedding right now. The best way to recession proof your wedding is to figure out what you can realistically spend on your wedding (chat with your parents about this too) and then stick to it. Cut down your guest list. A smaller guest list will not only save you money but will give you more room to spread out on the dance floor.

* Buyer Beware - Yes you want a good deal but now is not the time to be booking with anyone who hangs up a sign. You need to pick people who are well established and have financially secure companies that have been around for awhile. How horrible would it be to give someone a big deposit and then not be able to get a hold of them again?

* Be Smart With Your Wedding AND Lifestyle Budget - It's important that you make a budget for both your wedding AND your life and then stick to it. This will help you feel in control and confident with all your decisions.

Communication: Keys to the Wedding You Want

Communication seems to come up in everything we do.  Especially, when planning a wedding.  Communication will be the key to whether you create the wedding of your dreams or the wedding you wish you could forget.  Here are some key elements to remember about communication:

• Be sure to listen first…give the other person the complete opportunity to express their ideas or suggestions before you answer. Listening will give you as much information about the vendor, as you are giving the vendor about your ideas for the wedding.

• You may be excellent at communicating with other people… BUT… that does not mean the person you are communicating with is.  If there seems to be a communication gap…Ask the vendor…”What is your specialty?”  This generally opens up the communication by allowing people to talk about the aspects of their business that they are most passionate about.

• If people are expecting immediate answers from you that you can’t give…take a break…set a deadline of when you will make the decision and give them the answer by the deadline.

• Ask lots of questions, assuming you know exactly what the other person is saying creates an opportunity for a gap in communication. So open up… and ask the questions…”I am not sure what you mean, could you show me a sample?”

• To communicate what you want, you have to know what you want…Take some time and explore the details that you want to see in your wedding.   If you are shopping for details let the vendor know…”I am open to some details or ideas.”

Jodi Wilson is the owner, success coach and consultant of Mountain Springs Professional and Organizational Services, LLC.  Jodi’s clients define, discover, dream, design and deliver the success they want in their lives.  Visit their website at www.mountainspringsprofessional.com for more information on their services.

How To Choose A Wedding Ring

Teddy Shattock, managing director of Aldridge Jewellers on London show us how to choose a wedding ring. The selection of a wedding ring could be one of the most critical decisions of your life; so get it right with VideoJug's assistance. To see this video or more like it visit this site at: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-choose-a-wedding-ring

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Step 1:

Determine your ring size

Before buying your wedding ring, make sure that you know your ring size. Use a ring sizer that you will find at a jewellers to determine your ring size. You can also watch our film, "How to work out your ring size" for some helpful tips.
You should allow enough time, about eight weeks, before your wedding for the ring to be fitted or altered in any way so it is ready for the big day.

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Step 2:

Match your engagement ring

The most helpful starting point when choosing a wedding ring is to remember that it should complement the engagement ring. Choose the same metal for your wedding ring as that of your engagement ring. Traditionally, the wedding ring goes on first. Try them on together to see if the wedding band needs to be specially shaped to fit the engagement ring. It is not essential to wear the wedding ring on the same finger as the engagement ring. You may prefer to move your engagement ring to your right hand once you are married to make space for the wedding ring on the left hand, especially if it is elaborate in style. This allows each ring to stand alone and shine in all their glory.

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Step 3:

Which metal?

Wedding rings are usually made from yellow gold, white gold or platinum. They can be 9k, 18k or 22k gold. The higher the karat number, the softer the gold so if you work with your hands, buy a lower karat to avoid scratches. White gold is a popular choice as it can also be worn with silver or platinum jewellery. Platinum is the hardest metal and does not need to be mixed with an alloy so it is safe for allergy sufferers. It is a more expensive choice than gold.

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Step 4:

Gem set rings

Although some cultures only allow plain wedding bands, gem set wedding bands have become very fashionable. These can sometimes overpower the engagement ring when worn on the same finger. If you do decide to buy a diamond set wedding band, you may find it looks best worn alone on your left hand.

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Step 5:

Wedding Rings for men

Although this was not always the case, it is now very common for men to wear wedding rings. The man's ring usually matches the woman's and is made from the same metal. It should be a slightly wider band to suit a more masculine hand shape. The most common choice for men's wedding rings are plain bands. If you are not used to wearing a ring, a comfort fit ring is recommended. This is oval in cross section and has rounded edges so allows more flexibility.

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Step 6:

The right choice

Whichever wedding ring you choose, make sure it is one that you are happy to wear for the rest of your life. It can be any design you like as long as it reflects your personality and style. The right wedding ring will be as timeless as your relationship.

SAVE THE DATE CARD ETIQUETTE

SAVE THE DATE CARDS

About Save The Date Cards - This pre-invitation mailing officially announces your wedding date and lets guests know that they will, in fact, be invited to the celebration. If your wedding will be on a holiday, save-the-date cards would be typically send a year to six months in advance. If it is a destination wedding make sure to make that known to your guests and send those out 8-12 months in advance.

Are Save The Date Cards Necessary? Only if you are having your wedding on a holiday weekend, during the busy summer months, or if out of town guests will need to make travel arrangements. Consider it a heads up for those you really want at your wedding.

Who Do I Send Save The Date Cards To? Anyone you really want to come to your wedding. A must is Bridal party, Immediate Family members, and close friends. Once you send them out there is no turning back so be sure you really plan to invite them to your wedding.

Do I Need To Include "& Guest" On The Cards? Be as specific as you can. Being upfront about who is invited also gives families with uninvited kids enough time to plan for child care, and out-of-town guests enough time to figure out their travel needs. Be sure to use their formal names not nicknames on these cards. Address them exactly as you would your formal invitations.


To order your Save The Date Cards visit our secure website at :
www.LoveToPromote.cceasy.com

Fresh Vs. Silk Flowers for Your Wedding

Pros & Cons of Silk: Silk will not wilt, does not need watering, is easy to transport, will not cause anyone an allergic reaction, and will have all flowers in season for your wedding day. However, the cost of Silk is often a big turn off though the flowers will last forever the cost may hurt your wedding budget.

Fresh flowers are more delicate however, the overall effect of fresh flowers can be stunning you decide which will work best for your wedding day.

Fresh or Silk we all agree flowers are a must at every wedding...

Casual or Formal Wedding

I remember when my husband and I started planning our wedding. We were in our early 20's and had very little money so for us a pig roast came to mind. Casual shorts & t-shirts as the attire, backyard setting it seemed appropriate at the time but soon our low budget wedding idea was being thrown out, the opinions were out and we wanted to please our parents. So we did the formal wedding, banquet hall, dress, tux the whole deal. Do I look back with regrets? Yes & No...

I loved our wedding because my husband and I planned it and paid for it all by ourselves, and it turned out to be an awesome wedding, but I must admit we were influenced by our parents and had I do it over again I would have done an intimate wedding and worried more about having fun on our special day.

So casual or formal - I say do what your heart and budget say. We were recently invited to a morning wedding at a hall but casual attire a must I have to say I am really looking forward to this wedding it's unique, fun, and best of all I get to wear JEANS!!!!

Save The Date

SAVE THE DATE

Many couples are sending out Save The Date Magnets, Post Cards, & Pictures.

Visit our large selection at www.LoveToPromote.CCEasy.com and order online it's secure, & it's done in the comfort of your own home.

With Summer being a busy time of year many brides and grooms have learned that a large percentage of their guest list have plans to go out of town during the time of their wedding date.

If you have your wedding plans underway and know that you will be able to give them 3-6 months heads up a Save The Date mailing may ensure a larger turn out at your upcoming wedding.

How To Get in Shape For Your Big Day...

The Super-Tough Workout
Seven moves that make two killer workout routines
A. Front Squat And Push-Press Combo


Grab a barbell with an overhand grip, with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width. Position your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows, bringing your knuckles toward your body until they're touching the outside of your shoulders (A). Lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the floor (B). Straighten your legs and use your momentum to press the bar overhead (you'll need to move your chin back a bit) (C). Pause, then lower the bar. That's 1 rep.

Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand up to 2 feet from a step or exercise bench, with weights at your sides and feet hip-width apart. Place your left foot on the step (A) and press up through the leg. Allow your right leg to come up and brush the bench (B), but don't put any weight on it. Step down with your right leg, then your left. Complete all reps, then repeat, stepping up with your right leg. That's 1 set. Go to B2.

Grab a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet hip-width apart, weights at your sides. Bend forward at the hips while lifting your right leg straight behind you until your body forms a T. Your left knee should be slightly bent. Let your arms hang straight down, palms facing each other (A). Squeeze your shoulder blades together and bring your elbows toward the ceiling until they pass your torso (B). Do half the reps, then switch legs and finish the set. Return to B1 after a rest.

More excercises like this can be found at:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/b2-one-point-dumbbell-row

Wedding Invitations

Decide what kind of wedding you are planning to have - Casual - Elegant - Country Western Theme- Fun - Unique. Once you have decided your theme, then decide what you can afford.

For relatives that live out of the country or are home bound announcements are very common.

If you do not have time to address and mail your invitations we offer that service for a nominal fee. We sell invitations - accessories - favors - gifts & more...

View our large selection online http://www.lovetopromote.cceasy.com/ we are up and running and would love to help you choose from our Carlson Craft products.

Or call us at 815-603-2324

How Do I Keep Track of Those Reply Cards??

Number those reply cards! Many brides have a huge headache on their hands when, as sometimes happens, the occasional reply card is sent back with no names filled in. Clearly an oversight on the part of the guest who sent it, but how do you figure out who on earth it came from?

Here's a little trick which will ensure that you avoid this problem all together - place a small, inconspicuous number on the back of each reply card before enclosing it with the invitation. Use a list to record each guest's name along with the number on the reply card you are enclosing for them. That way, if someone should forget to fill in their name, a quick glance at your list will tell you precisely who the reply belongs to.

Wedding Speech Tips

The two key elements to a great speech are preparation and delivery.

Speech Preparation

Make sure your speech includes the following:
1. Introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
2. Keep it short and simple
3. If you don't know most of the audience, it's a good idea to identify yourself, for example, "Hi, my name is Joe and I met Craig at football."
4. Include great memories of the bride and groom from your own past. If you'd like to make the speech funny then include some of the funny moments in your past.
5. DO NOT sabotage the groom or bride by mentioning past relationships or truly embarressing moments noone likes to be totally humiliated by a friend
6. The wedding speech should be concluded with joyful, heartfelt words. Speak sincerely and from the heart.

Have fun with your speech and prepare atleast 2 weeks prior to the big day. Write it down a few times so that it is in your memory and practice it in front of your friend or loved one. Make sure before you say your speech that you take a deep breath and if you start to get nervous just look directly into the eyes of the bride or groom while speaking. Know you are there because they asked you and trust you with this special speech anything you say will be meaningful to them.

Good luck-