Shopping for the wedding rings takes a little more effort than you might think.

First, take a look at your budget. Metal selection is directly tied to the cost of your rings so before you get your hopes up on a platinum ring, see what you can afford. You can typically expect to pay between $100-$250 for a simple gold band and $450-$1000 for a platinum band. If your adding diamonds or custom engraving prices will vary.  Once you've decided on a range you will spend on the bands pick out a style that fits you.  Are you a construction worker? If your a guy or gal that works with his or her hands on a daily basis you might want to get a "comfort fit" band that has rounded edges instead of choosing a wide detailed band or one with stones.  If you want gold and your significant prefers platinum don't freak out. There isn't a rule that says you need to have matching bands. Remember you will be wearing these for the rest of your life. You need to pick something that suits your style.

Start searching for your wedding bands at least two months before your wedding day. Don't pick the first band you see shop around, like anything else make sure your getting a fair price.

It's a good idea to choose your wedding theme before starting the planning process. It will make your decision making much easier when picking our the gown, making bookings and other wedding decisions.

Having a very memorable wedding theme in mind will also give your guests something much different than a normal everyday wedding which they will remember for a much longer time.  Giving your guests something to really remember will keep your wedding memories alive longer.

We offer you some theme suggestions here but don't stop there. Let your imagination run wild as you put together a wedding that is meaningful to you and enjoyable for your guests. Talk to a reputable Wedding Consultant if you need help with the "how-to’s", the "where-to’s" and the "how-much?"

Food. While selecting a menu that suits your theme, be sensitive to the needs of ALL your guests. There may be racial, age &/or religious considerations.

Location. Be sure to decide if you want to have an indoor or outdoor wedding. Have an estimate of the number of guests you will be having on-hand before booking a site.

Decoration. Get help from family and friends or hire a Professional.

Outfits. Inform your designer of the theme you are having and listen to his/her suggestions. Do remember to wear only something you can be move around comfortably in.

Favours. Something in line with the wedding theme so guests have something to take home with them.

Guests. Choose a theme your guests will be comfortable with. You may not be able to please everyone but be sure to have something appropriate. If your theme involves guest participation, give them ample time to get involved. If not, surprise them!

Wedding Themes

The Fairy Tale

Here is where you can live your Prince Charming & Cinderella fantasy (complete with evil stepmother-in-law!!! *if you have one*)

Food : Serve food that’s fanciful & dreamy. Have each course served amidst dry ice to conjure up the magical feeling.

Location : With the wave of a magic wand & preferably with the help of a professional wedding decorator, any function room can be transformed into your palace.

Decor : Think ice carvings. Get a professional decorator wedding to create the image of being in the enchanted kingdom.

Outfits : Big princess ball-gown, (magic wand to be included).

Guests : Persuade your guests to arrive in costumes. Get key people in your wedding party to go all out with their garb!

Romantic Candlelight

Tell them he/she lights up your life. Light up the candles....lots of them. Create an ambience of romance.

Heart-To-Heart

You can have a heart theme for your wedding. Decorate everything with hearts, whether in different colours or in a single colour. Big hearts, little hearts. You may even wish to have little hearts sewn onto your wedding gown. A good designer will be able to incorporate any theme into your wedding dress.

Bursting With Love

Love is definitely in the AIR when you use balloons as a theme. Available in all shapes, sizes & colours, you can use balloons anyway you please. You can even set up a balloon shaping booth to keep the kids entertained. There is nothing more festive than to walk under a ceiling flooded with helium-filled balloons.

The above are just some ideas you can use to have the wedding of your dreams. You may even have an ethnic theme, a seashell wedding, a beach wedding, a garden wedding. The choices are endless. The important thing to remember is to create that special moment for yourself & your guests. Once you decide on your wedding theme, you can start your shopping for all the other wedding needs.

For help with the planning & implementing of your theme wedding, you may wish to consider hiring the services of a wedding consultant who can give you ideas & put it all together for you.

1. The DJ was horrible, or the music was too loud... Use the internet to do research on your favorite DJ and ask others what they found helpful when searching for the DJ. Make sure when hiring the DJ that you are getting what you've paid for. Obviously an experienced DJ will cost a little more but he'll probably be more focused on the task at hand and give all your guests young and old an experience they will remember.  You should make sure you seat your guests far enough from the speakers or put the younger crowd closer...
2. Dollar Dance? Seriously? - Unless this is tradition its best to stay away.

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3. The centerpiece was too large - Keep your centerpieces small these are not supposed to be the main attraction on the table.
4. Speeches were too long - Try and keep the speeches under 5 minutes. They should be kept between 2 and 5 minutes.
5. We didn't know anyone at our table - When doing your seating chart try and keep the guests who aren't likely to know anyone with others that might have similar interests.
6. The receiving line was WAY TOO long - Keep the line to just the Bride & Groom and the parents.
7. We waited hours between the ceremony and the reception - Its tough having a noon wedding and a 4 o'clock reception. Out of town guests will find it hard to fill the time between the ceremony and the reception. Ask the hall if they will open the doors early for your guests, see if any local relatives or close friends will invite them over for a snack or find another reception hall that will fit your needs better.
8. The bride and groom didn't stop by - It

I've been told by friends who've recently been married that hiring a photographer can be expensive... Very expensive... They usually take excellent photos of all the important aspects of your wedding, before the ceremony, cutting the cake, the first dance, parent dances, bouquet toss etc...  But why not add a little something else? After all disposable cameras aren't very expensive at all...

You can place the camera on each table and leave some simple instructions as to what to take and not take and make sure they know to leave them on the table when they leave...

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The pictures from these cameras most likely will be funny and silly and possibly romantic and loving. Some will be filled with candid shots, while others will have members of those tables posed for shots. They will all be filled with friends and family who the photographer might miss.

They will be quite the treat to see when you return from your honeymoon. Of course there will be the one crowd that always leaves a little something extra for the bride and groom... Use your imagination!