Do you think this cally lily garden gel candle pretty? It’s a tall glass with 6 inches tall. One of my customers from UK ordered them today, I didn’t think about the shipping seriously before I sent the invoice to my customer. When I was about to process this order, I started to worry. Can the gel candles stay well after a long flight from US to UK? What will happen if someone turns the package upside down or drops the package during transit? I tried to do some search on internet, however, couldn’t find any answer about these. Fortunately I’m able to find a similar gel candle at home. I’m going to turn it upside down for whole night and see if it stays well in the morning or not.

Are there any other things I should concern? It’s the first time for me to ship gel candles outside the US.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

One of the best aspects of a wedding is that everyone can get together, enjoy each other’s company, and have an incredible party. Here are a few simple ways for having a full dance floor at the reception, and for keeping your guests dancing, mingling, laughing, and having an exceptional time at your wedding.

1. Encourage your guests to contribute to your song list - a creative way of including your guests is to have a place on your RSVP card requesting one favorite song from each guest. Not only will this ensure that a variety of music is being played and it saves you tons of time on doing research.
2. Start the Party Early - there’s always the option of starting the dancing right after the bride and groom make their entrance, and then simply stopping the dance music for the toast, and the bridal dance, or whenever it’s necessary for the DJ or emcee to make announcements.
3. Dance Floor Warm Up - If you guests are a bit shy, you may ask your wedding party to get out on the dance floor as soon as they’re able to encourage others to do the same.
4. Remember Your Older Guests - older people like to talk and mingle at weddings, and they’re also among the very first guests to leave, so be sure to play songs that would appeal to them toward the beginning of the reception, and save the hits of today for later on in the evening.

If you have more ideas on getting your guests up, dancing and having fun, please feel free to leave your comment. You may also want to see my previous post for song ideas.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Do you find your fiancé a kind of laid-back person and don’t want to get involved in wedding planning? Here are 5 easy ways of including him in preparing for this monumental event.

1. Ask for His Help - Grooms who don’t get involved always assumed their help either wasn’t needed, or wanted. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your fiancé and explain how important it is for him to join in on the wedding planning.
2. Ask for His Opinion - Don’t assume that your husband-to-be will have no interest in the color of the bridesmaid dresses, the type of flowers or wedding favors you’ll have at the wedding. Ask his opinions in simpler ways, such as showing him pictures from a magazine, or a website that you’ve found with the perfect dress. This lets him know you want his input and care what he has to say.
3. Entertaining Ideas - Ask your fiancé to be in charge of auditioning bands or DJ’s and booking the entertainment for the reception as well as the ceremony, if necessary.
4. Helping with the Invitations - Invitations will need assembly. Envelops will need addressed, stuffed and have postage affixed. There are also invitations for the bridal shower, and thank you cards for after the wedding. He can help some of those while watching his favorite TV program.
5. The Honeymooners - If the two of you don’t already have a clear idea of what type of honeymoon you’d like, arrange for a “date” night where you sit down together and decide where you’re going to go, and what you’d like to do. Ask your fiancé to handle all of the arrangements, such as the making the hotel reservations, or getting the paperwork in order for your passports.

Using these few simple suggestions, you should be able to encourage your fiancé to become more involved in wedding planning and at least take some responsibilities off of your shoulders at the same time.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Wedding favors are an important part of any wedding. They give guests a memento to remember your wedding by, and they show your appreciation for their attendance and gifts. But wedding favors don’t have to break the bank.

Favors are usually sold in quantities. In most cases, the more you buy, the less your cost per favor. So if you want to save money, it’s best to buy one kind of favor for all of your guests. Here are some ideas for lovely yet inexpensive favors:

• Keychains - These make wonderful wedding favors. They’re inexpensive, they can be found in an infinite number of colors and themes, and everyone uses them. Whether your wedding theme is whimsical or ultra-romantic, you can find a keychain favor that fits perfectly with it.
• Bookmarks - Those little gold and silver bookmarks that clip onto the top of a page make elegant favors. They look expensive, but they are actually very reasonably priced. If you are the crafty type, you could also make your own custom bookmarks. All you’ll need is some card stock paper, embellishments, a laminator, and your creativity to make a one-of-a-kind bookmark favor.
• Picture frames - Wallet-sized picture frames are a great wedding favor choice. Guests can use them to display your wedding photo or one of their own pictures. You can find very nice, festive frame favors at low prices online and in stores.
• Candles and candleholders - Candles make practical yet romantic wedding favors. You can often find candles with their own holders at reasonable prices, or you could buy the candles and holders separately.
• Candy - Filling small tins, pails, or boxes with festive candy makes a thoughtful and inexpensive gift for your guests. Nuts, candy kisses, or mints are some of the things you could fill them with. Adding some pretty ribbon or tulle will make these favors extra special.
• Placecards or placecard holders that double as favors - It doesn’t get much more economical than finding a dual purpose for your favors. There are placecards and placecard holders available that double as picture frames, for example. These provide a clever way to save money. You could also use postcards related to your wedding theme as placecards, writing your guests’ names on the back of them.
• Coaster sets - You can find coaster sets in a variety of themes online or at a wedding supply store. These are very useful for your guests, and they are often inexpensive.

Giving your guests wedding favors is thoughtful, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In addition to these ideas, there are lots of other favors that you could make yourself. Whether you choose to make your own favors or buy them in bulk, they will serve as a precious token of your gratitude.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Choosing the right baker or bakery to handle the ever important task of creating your wedding cake is one decision of wedding planning you won’t want to make lightly. Arrive at the bakery armed with several important questions in mind, as well as at least some idea of what you’re looking for. Here are some of the questions you won’t want to forget when choosing the best baker to create your wedding cake.

1. How much experience do you have making wedding cakes, and will you be the one doing the baking exclusively, or will you have assistance?

2. May I see a portfolio of wedding cakes you’ve made in the past, and do you have any references, written testimonials, or previous customers that I can contact? 

3. I have a specific idea in mind for my cake, will you accommodate my wishes, or do you have set designs that you use instead?

4. If I want to have a picture of myself and the groom on the cake, is that a possibility? 

5. How many different types of frostings and batter will I be able to taste before trying to make my decision?

6. When are you planning on baking the cake? (Two days before the wedding maximum is the best time frame.) 

7. Does your bakery provide delivery and set-up services, if so, is there an extra charge for this?

8. What would the total cost of the cake be, and do you charge additional fees for decorations such as pillars, stairs, and cake toppers? 

9. What is your policy on returning extras such as the cake toppers, and what if something is damaged?

10. Will you provide a written contract for me to sign outlining the costs and details of the cake?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The best music for your wedding ceremony and reception will depend on a few different factors, including the type of wedding you’re having, where it’s being held, and of course, your personal preferences.

Below you will find several helpful lists of songs that are often included in wedding ceremonies and receptions. Of course, you are free to choose the songs that are important to you, or those that hold some special meaning, while other brides decide to leave it completely up to the band or DJ they’ve hired to make the music choices. In any case, here are some ideas for you to consider when planning your own special day:

Dance Songs Commonly Played at Wedding Receptions

• The Cha Cha Slide (Mr. C)
• The Chicken Dance (Traditional)
• The Conga (Gloria Estefan)
• The Electric Slide (Marcia Griffith)
• The Hokey Pokey (Traditional)
• The Limbo (Chubby Checker)
• The Locomotion (Little Eva)
• The Macarena (Los Del Rio)
• The YMCA (The Village People)

Wedding and Party Favorites

• Alley Cat (Traditional)
• Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
• Chapel of Love (The Dixie Cups)
• Copacabana (Barry Manilow)
• Daddy’s Little Girl (Al Martino)
• Dancing Queen (ABBA)
• Get This Party Started (Pink)
• I Feel Good (James Brown)
• I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)
• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger)
• Shout (Otis Day)
• Tequila (The Champs)
• That’s Amore (Dean Martin)
• The Twist (Chubby Checker)
• Twist and Shout (The Isley Brothers)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
• When a Man Loves a Woman (Percy Sledge)
• Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

Traditional Wedding Songs

• Ave Maria
• Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
• The Bridal March
• Canon in D
• Minuet in G

Some Popular Artists by Decade

90s and Today

• Christina Aguilera
• Whitney Houston
• Justin Timberlake

80s

• The Commodores
• Madonna
• Michael Jackson

70s

• Barry Manilow
• The Bee Gees
• Earth, Wind & Fire

60s

• The Beatles
• Al Green
• Rolling Stones

50s

• Chubby Checker
• Elvis Presley
• Frank Sinatra

40s

• The Andrew Sisters
• Tommy Dorsey
• Glenn Miller

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

A friend of mine recently told me how stressful she was. She is getting married this summer and starts losing control. She complained that there are so many things need to be done, she has to do all major and minor tasks on her own….and she only has 3 months left….

There are way too many things to keep track of for one person, and the smart bride knows to allow family and friends to help whenever possible. However, some brides just couldn’t trust their family members and friends can do what they exactly want. Relax, here are just a few time-consuming tasks you can delegate assuming that your instructions are clear:-

• Ask your parents, your future in-laws and the groom to give you 2 guess lists (the 1st list is “Must be Invited” and the 2nd list is “Nice to Include”. Roughly give them the number of guests they can put on the “Must be Invited” list). Bride needs to do her own lists.
• Ask one person to combine all 4 “Must be Invited” lists into 1 master list.
• Ask for help when it’s time to assemble the invitations and address the envelopes, and be sure to have them sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding day to give guests enough notice. If some guests couldn’t attend, you can fill those spots from the 2nd list.
• Once the R.S.V.P. coming in, you can ask one person to enter your final list into the Excel format for you.
• Ask friends to do research for the things that you need to buy.
• If you plan to make your own wedding favors, you can always ask help from the family members, bridesmaids and some close friends.
• Pick up the gowns, tuxedo and other accessories
• Arrange for lodging and transportation for out-of-town wedding guests
• Preparing welcome baskets for out-of-town guests

The above are just a few tasks. If you are organized from the start, you should be able to find more minor, but time-consuming tasks to delegate. The more you delegate, the more you can focus on the most important part that makes your wedding truly remarkable.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Although there are many wedding cakes that can quickly eat up a considerable amount of a budget, especially a modest one, there are also countless options for those who are interested in having the cake of their dreams, but without spending a fortune in the process.

Think Outside the (Cake) Box

There is no rule set in stone that says you must have the typical white wedding cake with several tiers and roses, complete with the little plastic bride and groom perched on the top. Today, many engaged couples are being creative in their quest for the perfect wedding cake, and not allowing tradition to dictate their choices or limit their options.

Instead of having a cake at all, why not consider a cupcake-cake instead? If you’ve never seen one, this type of cake is comprised of many individual cupcakes, all arranged together in the shape of a tower or triangle, and decorated similarly to form one dazzling display. There are holders made specifically for arranging cupcakes, or, you can use cardboard boxes that are beautifully decorated and stacked at varying heights to provide an excellent way to display your one of a kind “cake.”

Also, this option makes serving time a breeze as each guest is simply given a cupcake instead of worrying about cutting each piece evenly. Each mini cake can be decorated exactly the same, or differently to form one special design when arranged all together.

Another benefit of the cupcake-cake is that you can use different batter for each layer or tier, providing more choices for your guests instead of the usual plain, white cake that’s often served at weddings.

Some choices to consider are:

- White cake with white or chocolate icing
- Yellow cake with chocolate or cream colored icing
- Chocolate cake with white or chocolate icing
- Red devil’s food cake with creamy icing of any color
- Carrot cake with cream cheese icing
- Marble cake with any type of icing

Besides the cupcake-cake, many frugal brides are finding other ways of saving money but yet still having the cake they’ve always wanted. A “mini wedding cake” is just one of these ways that’s becoming more and more popular. Have a very small (think only one tier or layer) cake, elaborately decorated and on display for the guests and for the bride and groom to do the traditional cutting of the first piece.

Behind the scenes, have several plain, but tasty, iced sheet cakes to cut and then serve to all of the guests. This option has the potential of saving a tremendous amount of money, particularly if you’re enlisting the help of friends or family members instead of hiring a professional cake baker to do the job for you.

If you want to be unique and completely buck tradition, consider having a dessert bar instead of the usual wedding cake. Include mini pastries, scones, tea cookies, even cupcakes, and of course an array of tasty cookies and chocolates for guests to choose from.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

In the past few days, I was searching for mother’s day gift. As my parents are living 2000 miles away, so I have to shop early. Thinking what I’ve bought them, I did get bored…wallet, handbag, watch…While I have almost fallen asleep, I came across a website which sells personalized cake pans, I was attracted. My mom and I love homemade cakes. So, it will be my gift for her this year that she can use very often and not just for catching dust. Here is the one that I plan to buy:-

The pans can be engraved with choice of different headings and personalized name. I think they can be great gifts for bridal party members too. Whenever they make cookies or bake a sheet cake, they will smile from their hearts and recapture every special moment of your big day. Here are a few sample pictures that I like:

So, if your bridal party members love to bake, you can give these pans a try. They won’t be disappointed.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Simply put, kids always fare best when they’re allowed to be kids. Hoarding children into one room, regardless of how big it may be, and instructing them to sit still, or not run around getting into mischief rarely works, especially at a wedding where the excitement level is high and everyone is talking and having a good time. This doesn’t mean you should leave all of the little ones off of the guest list, but instead, simply find a few creative ways of making sure everyone can attend and enjoy the day together.

Hiring Babysitters

If you have family members or friends who have responsible teenagers who are interested in helping out and also making some extra money in the process, by all means arrange a time where you can sit down and discuss all of the details with them long before the big day arrives. Be sure to make your wishes clear, outlining their responsibilities and duties and making it clear that you’re relying on them to help so that the wedding goes smoothly, allowing all of the guests, young and old, to have a wonderful time.

Favors for the Children

Since you’ll already have favors for all of the adult guests, isn’t it only fair to also have separate favors just for your littlest guests? Children of all ages will absolutely love having their own favor or gift bag to take home as a souvenir from the wedding. It will also make them feel important, wanted, and keep them occupied at the same time.

Much like a child’s birthday party, have goody bags made for all of the kids attending the wedding, filling them with items that are age appropriate. For smaller children, be sure their bags are filled with things that are safe, with no small parts to choke on, and for the older kids, if you’re feeling generous, include a gift card to a popular store in your area for extra big smiles.

Although this is yet another task to add to the already growing list of things to do when planning a wedding, the time and money spent are well worth the effort in the end.

Keeping the Children Happy and Entertained

Busy children are usually very well behaved children. For this reason, make sure you have plenty of things to do to keep all of the kids entertained while the adults are also having a good time. If at all possible, book a reception location that includes a separate room or area that can be devoted just to the children. Add a television, a few video games and you’ve got the makings for pure entertainment.

Wedding receptions that are held outside are perfect for keeping the little ones busy and behaved. Since you’ve already enlisted the help of a few babysitters, have them organize some games, such as relay races, softball or kickball games, and put together a box filled with items that children would enjoy outdoors.

Frisbees, kites, balls, plastic bats, and catcher’s mitts are a great start for keeping your youngest guests busy for quite a while. Ask for volunteers to temporarily donate toys, including dolls, board games, or anything they can think of that will keep everyone amused. If the event is really casual and the kids are allowed to really get down and dirty, water balloons are also a fun way to fill a hot afternoon with plenty of laughter and smiles.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!