They’re a funky kind of couple. That don’t do anything that you would consider normal. For example, they’re getting married underwater, on top of a mountain. Or perhaps, your friends have been married before and by combining households they have everything a traditional bride and groom would normally ask for. So what do you get a couple that has it all or yawns at the idea of registering for towels, teacups and toasters? Here are some suggestions:

Fine Art and Furnishings

Perhaps your friends are a very stylish couple who love modern art and contemporary home furnishings. For this cosmopolitan couple, it would behoove you to find Jonathan Adler ceramics, Angela Adams ultrasuede throw pillows, and Jeff Koons’ Puppy Vase. Other designers to consider: Jonathan Adler, Mono, and Union Street Glass.

(AboutToGetMarried.com tip: Astrid Lee for gorgeous fine paintings)

Donating to Charity
If your friends lived together before the wedding, or simply feel that they have all of the home furnishings they need, you may consider a gift to their favorite charity. There are several web sites you can check to see if the perspective bride and groom are listed. Some sites will charge guests a five-dollar service fee to register and donate.

Donate to charity with no fee
If you’re looking to give to only one charity, search for the perfect one. While you might not find some of the benefits of a traditional registry (primarily keeping track of who has given), this way keep your guests from paying any fees. Some charities may be able to keep track of who has given and provide regular lists.

Create a gift
If you know your bride and groom well, and are trying to save for a big item, like a house, care or some other big-ticket item. Your can contribute to their house down payment, or furniture.

Helping with the Honeymoon
Some people might view this as a tacky plea for money, but if you are comfortable with it, you help out with the couple’s honeymoon here. Check their itinerary, so you can give them a romantic dinner or tickets to a great play.

Spa Gift Certificates
If they’re honeymooning at a spa (or having a destination wedding at or near a spa), consider giving spa gift certificates. They’ll help make their trip extra special by letting you pamper them fully.

Luxury Sedan Service
If they’re an on-the-go couple, why not make their entire honeymoon a relaxing trip from their driveway to the airport and back. Hire a luxury sedan to pick them up from their home or hotel the day of their honeymoon and have one waiting to pick them up when they return. Can you think of a better way to give them the best vacation ever?

Cash is King
Tacky? Not so much anymore. As long as the bride and groom don’t ask for it out right, money is always a welcome gift. They can put it toward their honeymoon, furniture and furnishings for a new home, down payment on a new home or maybe to save for a rainy day, like their retirement. Hey, it’s cash and they can do anything they want with it.

Checker Sedan – http://www.checkersedan.com – was established in March 2000 and has become the fastest growing chauffeur-driven licensed luxury sedan company in Metropolitan Detroit. Checker offers a variety of luxury sedans for any special occasion or point-to-point trip. Checker Sedan is an affiliate of Soave Enterprises, a privately held management and investment company founded by Detroit businessman Anthony L. Soave. Checker Sedan is the official curbside luxury sedan provider for Detroit Metro Airport. Wherever you’re going, Checker Sedan is a better way to get there. Our vehicles and drivers will spoil you with luxury. And our little extras make us the obvious choice for people who are going places.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Wedding gifts registering is followed as a custom in western weddings. It is simply registering it at a store or shop near you. It is a way to tell your guests implicitly about what you like to receive as wedding gifts. Who would not want their gifts to be cherished and used by the recipients after all?

This is also an idea to narrow down to one or two stores for purchase of wedding gifts, from their available list of items and then making your guests aware of the list. Practically, it avoids duplication to the max.

It’s advisable to do it at least for immediately needed items as soon as you pronounce the date of your wedding. See that you register them at maximum one or two stores near you.

However, if you have plans for an engagement dinner or an engagement shower it is advisable to register for the gifts well in advance. Also you need not go and register all of the gifts at one shot. Take time to think and decide and you may go twice or thrice to add/edit the gifts in the registry.

In US, Canada and UK there are many stores with the option of wedding gifts registry. You may opt for one or two stores close to your place and also the store that offers wide range of gift ideas to your wedding guests. Do not add too many stores and it might annoy your guests. Make sure you know and read the policies of the stores where you wanted to register. Some of them have exchange packages and some special prices for some items. Beware of all of them.

The date of registering is also important because if you register with some time for your wedding, it gives some time for your guests to pool up finances for buying the registered gift. They even get some time to buy gifts for pre-wedding formalities including rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, etc.

Add as many as you like to the list of wedding gifts registry because it only adds to the choice for your wedding guests. If not one they can go for another gift you wanted so there need not be a limit for registering as well as receiving gifts on your wedding! You may register all essential to formal ones; home appliances to bags, luggage items, bed linen, other furnishings, furniture, and informal show pieces, etc. Also remember not to register very costly gifts (If you cannot afford to gift costly gifts you have no right to ask for them either, right?)

Finally, never inform your wedding guests formally of the wedding gifts registry that you have made. It’s better they come to know about it by word-of-mouth publicity through your very close circle of friends. And after your wedding as you un ravel the wrapped gifts, you are glad that all you ever wanted to buy as soon as you get married is there in front of your eyes and you can only indulge in enjoying you’re your partner rather than planning.

Jerry Leung designs Chinese Wedding Invitations with Dragon and Phoenix Art. He runs a website on OUtdoor Wedding Photos. Be sure to check Australian Wedding Vendor Directory.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Enjoy selecting the things you’ve ALWAYS wanted, and now is the time, you might just get them.

The best way to get started is to decide on a color scheme and a theme, for each room of your new home. Having this as a guideline, you’ll find it much easier to put your registry together. Have fun planning.

Wedding Registry Checklist

	Dinnerware – Formal 8-12 Place Settings Medium Platters Large Platters & Serving Bowls Accent Plates Pasta/Soup Bowls Covered Casserole Dish Gravy Boat & Stand Salt/Pepper Creamer/Sugar Bowl Tea pot
Crystal – Formal quantities as your china: Water Goblets Wine Glasses (Red and White) Champagne Flutes Iced Beverage Glasses Martini Glasses
	Silver 8-12 Place Settings Napkin Rings Teaspoons Extra Salad Forks Cold Meat Server Serving Spoons Pierced Tablespoons Soup Spoons Sugar Spoon Butter Knife
Appliances Espresso-Cappuccino Machine /Programmable Coffeemaker Mixer Skillet/Griddle Bread Maker Rice Cooker/Vegetable Steamer Toaster/Toaster Oven Food Processor Blender Juicer Waffle Maker/Panini Press Griddler Outdoor BBQ Microwave Electric Fondue Set Ice Cream Maker Spice Rack Cutting Board Steel Measuring Cups Non-Skid Mixing Bowls All-Clad Stainless Kitchen Tool Set Hand Colander
	Cookware Sauce Pans Saute Pans Stockpot/Dutch Oven Tea Kettle Steamer/Double Boiler Wok/Stir Fry Pan Lasagna/Au Gratin Pan Casserole Dishes Roaster Grill/Griddle Omelette Pan
Bakeware Casserole Dishes Roasting Pans Cookie Sheets Muffin Pans Cake & Pie Pans Pizza Pans Lasagna/Baking Pans Bread Pan
	Cutlery Paring Knife Chef Knife Bread Knife Carving Knife Cleaver Slicing Knife Steak Knife
Kitchen Aids Measuring Cups & Spoons Mixing Bowls Cooking & Serving Utensils Dishtowels Hot Pads Canisters
	Barware quantities as your china: High Ball Glasses Double Old Fashioned Glasses Brandy Glasses Pilsner Glasses Wine Cellar Pitcher Decanter Wine Chiller Corkscrew set Appetizers’ Bowl Handled Tray Salad Servers Salt & Pepper Shaker
Dinnerware – Everyday 8-12 Place Settings (numbers may differ from formal set) Cereal Bowls Creamer Sugar Bowl Gravy Boat & Stand Salt/Pepper Vegetable Bowls Serving Bowls Covered Casseroles Platters Cheese Plate with Dome	Flatware – Everyday 8-12 Place Settings Serving Set Hostess Set Entertainment Set
Crystal & Glassware – Everyday same quantities as your china: Tall Beverage Glasses Double Old Fashioned Glasses Goblets Wine Glasses Flutes Martini- Cocktail Glasses
	Table Linens same quantities as your china: Placemats Napkins Napkin Rings :: 2 tablecloths
Home Accessories Commissioned Paintings Other Fine Artwork Frames Vases Serving Trays & Bowls Mirrors Lamps Antiques Vacuum
	Bedding 6 of each: Pillow Cases Pillow Shams Flat Sheets Fitted Sheets :: Comforters Bedskirts Blankets Pillows Mattress Pads
Bath 6 of each: Bath Sheets Bath Towels Hand Towels Washcloths :: Bath Rugs Shower Curtains Shower Curtain Liners Shower Curtain Rings Soap Dispenser, Drinking Glass, Cottonballs storage set
	Luggage Upright Suitcases Garment Bags Dufflel/Overnight Bags Tote Bags

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Weddings all over the country have one thing in common: the groomsmen are never the focus of attention. In fact, they frequently seem to be the least appreciated members of the wedding party. During weddings, people observe how lovely the bride or bridesmaids look. They also chat about how cute the flower girls and ring bearers are, and how endearing it is the kids walked in the wrong direction a few times. The groom is often praised for simply remembering to comb his hair and sport his tuxedo. In contrast, groomsmen are largely ignored.

You can change this status quo yourself. How? Give the male members of your entourage groomsmen gifts that show you thought long and hard what to get them.

Why Give Groomsmen Gifts?

You give groomsmen gifts to show gratitude. By standing with you during the ceremony, your groomsmen gave up time they could have spent doing something else. They are taking on added expense, too. After all, groomsmen in most weddings end up paying for their own suits. Groomsmen gifts are, therefore, one way of showing your groomsmen your appreciation for their participation in the ceremony.

When Are Groomsmen Gifts Given?

Groomsmen gifts are usually distributed during the rehearsal dinner or lunch. It is during this time that the couple thanks the participants of the wedding, all supposedly present during the said occasion. During rehearsal dinner or lunch, gifts are given away and are received. The groom to give presents to his best man, and groomsmen gifts to the groomsmen. The bride, on the other hand, gives presents to her maid of honor and bridesmaids.

Pricey Groomsmen Gifts

The price of a gift does not necessarily dictate its value. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. That said, one way to give a unique groomsmen wedding gift is to give one with a hefty price tag. If money is not a problem for you, splurge on these groomsmen gifts:

Engraved razor

This is made of pure nickel and may seem a little extravagant. But it is also a practical gift because your groomsmen would surely remember your wedding every time they use it.
Approximate price of getting engraved razors as groomsmen gifts: $200.

Leatherman tools

Men like to fix things. Give your groomsmen leatherman tools they can use for years to come.
Approximate price of getting leatherman tools as groomsmen gifts: $100

Money clips

The prices of money clips vary. However, if price is not an issue, why not buy a 14K solid gold money clip as a present?
Approximate price of getting a 14k solid gold money clips as groomsmen gifts: $400

Wild and Wacky Groomsmen Gifts

As an alternative to expensive gifts, you can also give groomsmen gifts that are memorable for their strangeness. Here are some ideas:

1. “Grab Your Balls We’re Goin’ Bowling” t-shirt
This is the perfect shirt for bowling fans.

2. Standing wine guy wine holder
This is a steel figure of a human that holds a bottle of wine. Other characters, such as the wine girl and wine cowboy, are also available.

3. Cocktail kit
This is perfect for the person who wants to learn how to make perfect cocktails.

4. One acre of land on the moon

For about $30, you can buy your groomsmen some land on the moon.

There is no rule book that says groomsmen gifts have to be expensive. It is always a good idea, though, to choose groomsmen gifts that are practical, useful, and memorable.

About the Author

Running out of groomsmen gift ideas? Shop for groomsmen gifts at ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com and find pocket watches, Zippo lighters, and other items that fit your budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bradlley_Mckoy

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

How a Honeymoon Registry Can Help

In order to make sure that a honeymoon will be a memorable one, there needs to be deliberate planning undertaken to make sure that the best possible trip and itinerary have been planned. This can be a somewhat challenging task for those who are not very familiar with the steps needed to make sure a honeymoon is properly planned. This is where a honeymoon registry comes in handy.

A honeymoon registry service is essentially a ‘spin’ on the classic travel agency. What the purpose of the honeymoon registry is, is that it devises and plans out all the steps of the honeymoon long in advance so that the honeymooning couple do not have to deal with the stress associated with planning their own honeymoon excursion.

No Small Gift

There is another unique and novel aspect to the honeymoon registry service is the fact that the service can itemize aspects of the honeymoon and then have these itemized aspects paid for as gifts by the wedding guests. This is, in effect, the actual registry itself the various itemized components of the honeymoon become part of a ‘registry’ and guests can donate towards the registry.

Yes, this is a somewhat surprising inroad into wedding planning, but it has grown exponentially popular in recent years. (It also makes life incredibly easy for guests and it saves them the related responsibilities associated with purchasing gifts.)

While this may seem like a dramatic departure from what is the ‘norm’ in terms of wedding and honeymoon planning, it is also a harbinger of the wave of the future. While tradition and traditional planning all have their proper place, progress and innovation is important as well and even weddings and honeymoons are no strangers to progress. Look for the concept of the honeymoon registry to continue to grow in popularity as time progresses.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

So, your friend or loved on is soon to be a bride-to-be. Are you struggling to find that perfect gift for the bride? If so, give yourself a break, take out a pen, and jot down these ideas for the ultimate bridal gift.

In the past, according to tradition, bridal shower gifts were geared to help the couple get household items for their new home as well as items to decorate and maintain their home. Taking a trip over to the local Target or Wal-Mart and checking out the registry to purchase these items was a snap.

However, times do change! Don’t get caught brining a set of dishes to the bridal shower while everyone else brings things that are perfect for the bride-to-be. In reality, items to pamper and assist the bride with her upcoming wedding should be the theme of bridal gifts.

Since today’s bride usually has set up her home, has a career, and has lots of household items anyway, what really is need are gifts to pamper he. She also needs gifts that she may not think to buy for herself or can’t remember due to her upcoming wedding day.

Here is what really works when it comes to ultimate bridal gift giving:

1. Think Sentimental: these types of gifts work best for best friends, sisters, or a bride who hashad lots of special times and memories. Giving something that will help the bride-to-be recall special memories in her life will surely bring a smile to her face. A picture of she and that special friend, brother, sister, or parents, etc., engaged in a memorable activity from the past is the ultimate sentimental gift.

2. Think Pampering: there are tons of bridal gifts that meet these criteria. Gift ideas include her favorite bath soap, lotion, or shower gel. Think “Bath and Body Works” or “Victoria’s Secret”. Choose a bottle of perfume with a scent you know she will love to wear on her wedding day. A special coupon for a massage or trip to a day spa would also make awesome gifts.

3. Think Lingerie: Help gear her up for her honeymoon. Assist her by purchasing some fancy lingerie.

4. Think Wedding Day Survival Kit: Wedding days are exciting but also can be quite busy and nerve wracking. Think what might she miss, as she?s involved in all the hustle and bustle prior to the wedding. Gift ideas include hair spray, hairpins, clips, lipstick, and even deodorant! Place all items in a special bag with a note that says “Just in case your forget!”

These are just a few gift ideas for the bride-to-be. Keep in mind the types of pampering the bride enjoys, what special memories she might have, what will make her day less stressful, and what you can do to help her have a rocking honeymoon! If you think along these lines, you’ll be sure to give the ultimate bridal gift!

About the Author

Monique Hawkins is the owner of Monique’s Music Box. Located at http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, and musical jewelry boxes. The company also provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Monique also is an associate with USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is encouraging and supporting others in their endeavors to obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit http://www.usana.com/en/products/us/essentials/what_essentials.shtml/

http://www.usana.com/en/products/us/sense/index.shtml/
Copyright © 2007 Monique Hawkins

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Q: My daughter is getting married in October 2008. Her and her fiance have everything they need for their home. Is it okay to ask for money instead of a gift? If it is okay, how do we word this?
stumped in texas
Answers below:
JW stated: :My advice for money hungry: “No, it is not okay to ask for money instead of a gift. It shows poor manners. The wedding should be a celebration of love, not an expectation of gifts or monetary compensation. A guest’s presence at your special event should be enough, and if they bring a gift, even money, that’s great. But one should not expect it either.”

From W: I have a response to the wedding question: I do believe we have progressed in “correctness”. However, I still live by some older, respectful manners. It is not tacky to ask for money and it is more prevalent now than ever. I have seen the decorated money chests at weddings that guests drop an envelope in. The best way to make this wish of your guests is via word of mouth. Never, in my opinion in writing (on the invite) Let family and close friends know that the couple is not registered and that money would be appreciated. Although not expected.

They will have to forgive those old fashioned minded who feel ill at ease by not bringing a gift. So they will get some hoaky gifts that can’t be returned for cash but our society has not fully grasped the cash value yet! Not to be too long winded, but for example when my husband and I got married we eloped. But we had a wedding shower. I did not need gifts but I had a good friend dying from cancer. I did put on the invite “no gifts please…if you wish to make a donation for Cynthia. Please make payable to … I had one couple bring us a gift. A set of silver goblets with our names and date inscribed. I cherish those as they are a fond memory of our beautiful shower and our marriage.

JW sent this information from an article: There are formal and informal rules governing gifts of money to help newlyweds buy a house. First, the informal rules: Is it OK to ask one’s wedding guests for money?

“It’s not rude to request money as a wedding gift,” says Peggy Post, author of Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette. “However, it’s extremely important to ask politely.”

Peggy Post is Emily’s great-granddaughter-in-law, the wedding etiquette expert for WeddingChannel.com and the main spokesman for the Emily Post Institute. She says one of the most common challenges that couples face is how to request money as a wedding gift. Doing so is acceptable, if done politely.

If you seek down-payment money, get the word out through family and friends, Post recommends. Just don’t include that info in the same envelope as a wedding invitation.

“If you are asked point-blank what you would like for a gift, you might say, ‘Whatever you choose will be
wonderful, I’m sure, but money for a house down payment is on the top of our wish list,’” Post says.

“You should always accept any gift graciously, and remember that the choice of what to give really belongs to the gift giver,” Post says.

Putting all this information together, I say that you could let people know that you are saving for a down payment on a house (or whatever) in the same way you let them know where you are registered for gifts. But then, never mention money again, except to close family and friends.”

Author Description
Carolyn Bushong, a Denver,CO licensed therapist, helps couples and singles in her office, on-line, by phone. Author of: Loving Him Without Losing You, Bring Back the Man You Fell in Love With, The 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes. Has appeared on Oprah. http://www.carolynsays.com. 303-333-1888.soul mates

“A gift registry is quite essential for your wedding in a sense that it can give your guests a rough guide for the wedding gift they are going to buy you. By doing that your guests will certainly find it a lot easier to buy you the gift. However, the gift registry cannot be set casually. A badly drafted gift registry can lead to the problem of duplicated gifts. As a result, you should set up your gift registry with care. The followings are some tips for you to set up the gift registry.

When you are setting up your registry, the first thing you need to consider is your preference. You would certainly like to get something you want to get. This can be something missing at your home, such as an elegant alarm clock. It can also be something you will need when you and your spouse start the new life as a married couple, a double bed say.

However, you will have different choices even for the same item. You will need to think of your life style in order to decide exactly what you want. For example, you will prefer an alarm clock designed by Philippe Starck instead of a normal alarm clock.

In order to minimize any ambiguity, you will need to visit the shops or department stores to see the exact items. You will probably browse the catalogues of different items on the internet at the very beginning. You will then make a draft list of items or gifts you would like to receive. As we may be well aware, however, the images in the catalogues can be misleading. And this is why you will need to visit the shops to take a look of the items. It will be a pity if one of your friends buy you an item on the registry but you finally find that it is not as good as you see on the web.

You will also need to consider the price of the items listed. For example, a 43″ Plasma TV may be too expensive as a wedding gift. However, it can still be attained if the cost can be shared by say 15 different guests. Besides, you will need to balance the prices of the gifts. Since your guests may not really gather together and decide to buy you one expensive gift together. You may end up with a lot of duplicated gifts if you only have a few items which are not so expensive in the registry.

Lastly, you have to bear in mind that the gift is something your guests buy you to celebrate your love with your spouse, it is not a good idea to totally control the gift you will receive. As a result, you should have different varieties of categories of items for your guest to choose from. When you do this, you can on one hand get the items you want and on the other hand your guests can really bless you and your marriage with the gifts.”

Author Description
Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer based in Hong Kong. Leung has a great interest in Chinese Style Wedding Invitations. His works can be found from http://www.983wedding.com, some other vendors of wedding services can be found from http://www.imarry.org and http://us.imarry.org/dir.