Backyard Weddings

Backyard weddings are simple, solemn and sentimental. This is because a most memorable event takes place in a setting very close to the heart of either the bride or the groom. There are a lot of couples who opt for a backyard wedding and rightly so, as there are several advantages to doing this.

Backyard Weddings Advantages
When you have a backyard wedding, you are more in control the situation. You are having it right where the family is and everything you might need for emergencies. You can be very flexible with the lay-out and decorations to suit your needs. There is more control over the flow of traffic of the guests and even the backdrop for those memorable wedding photos.

Of course, let us not forget the cost. It is significantly cheaper to have a backyard wedding, even if you hire a caterer for the reception. The decorations can be done by family and friends and according to your own specifications. You can even have a big decoration day just before the wedding – a special time to hang out with friends who have meant so much to you and your spouse-to-be.

You will also be doing away with the hassle of reserving, booking, and paying for a venue. And, Lord forbidding that the wedding gets canceled or moved, there is no need to cancel or re-book anything. Sometimes, the ambiance you get in an intimate setting like your own backyard is even a lot better than in a hotel or a restaurant.

Lastly, a backyard wedding involves everybody you love. All the members of the family and close friends can all have a share in your special day – the decorations, ushering, reception arrangements and other details.

Backyard Wedding Disadvantages
The possibility of a disagreeable weather is always there if you opt for a backyard wedding. You should be prepared to move the whole event indoors, or at least, have the capability to set-up canopies.

Another downside to having a backyard wedding is the limitation in size. If your backyard is not big enough to hold the ceremony and the reception, you run the risk of limiting and constricting the movements in your wedding. You should plan the lay-out carefully, making sure that there is room for the wedding march and the dancing that might ensue later on. If this is the case, it is wise to set-up the reception table on the opposite side from the ceremonies to give ample space in the middle for the traffic.

Lastly, the location might pose some problems, too. For example, you can not help it if a neighbor chooses to turn on those speakers to maximum volume when you are about to recite your solemn wedding vows.

At the end of the day, your wedding is all about making beautiful memories and tender moments. If it happens right in a familiar backyard, it makes it doubly special.

Ten Years Wedding Anniversary Party Favors

If you can not decide what to prepare for your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors, know that you are not alone in that dilemma. A lot of people are in a similar situation. For how can one really pinpoint the best item to symbolize 10 years of togetherness?

There are a lot of memories and meaningful things that a couple of 10 years have shared. Picking out the best to symbolize those years of partnership is pretty tough. To start that decision-making process, read the following tips on how to choose 10-year wedding anniversary party favors.

10-Year Wedding Anniversary Party Favors Need Not Be Expensive
Party favors are given in appreciation of the guest’s presence to share a special occasion. Your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors should show recognition of your guests’ effort to be there. At the same time, these should reflect the theme of the party and should be somewhat memorable or special to you and your spouse.

These items need not be costly at all. Traditionally, the 10th year is symbolized by tin or aluminum but the more modern symbolism goes for diamonds. You might want to opt for any item with these elements but of course, you know the cost implications if you go for the modern symbol.

A safe option is to give out an item that you and your spouse find significant for your 10th year like a shared hobby that you recently took up. You can also have a miniature/replica of your gifts for each other made to order to give away as your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors.

10-Year Wedding Anniversary Party Favors That Can Be Used By Guests
A practical approach is to think of something that the guests can bring home and actually use later on like wine glasses or coffee mugs with your names engraved on them. You can actually engrave anything you want on them – a message, a thank-you note or a meaningful poem. If you have the time and are resourceful enough, you can actually make your 10-year wedding anniversary party favors like embroidered items or baked goodies in romantic likeness like hearts or cupids.

Imagination is all you need to settle for the best 10-year wedding anniversary party favors to give away. And if you were able to last that long in a relationship and is still in a party mood, you must be an imaginative and resourceful person.

At a time when there are as many divorce cases as there are weddings, 10 years of marriage is already a feat. So go ahead, celebrate and give away 10-year wedding anniversary party favors that will make your guests believe in marriage again.

Write Your Own Wedding Vow

In your wedding ceremony, there are two things that make your marriage official. The first one is the exchange of wedding band. The second one, without any surprise, is the wedding vow. Your wedding vow reflects the love to your spouse. Some couple may choose to use the standard vows provided by church or other officials. Some other couples, on the contrary, may decide to write their own vows. This article will give you some tips when you are writing your own vow.

Confirm that you can use your own vows before your write it
You have to firstly confirm that you can use your own vows in your wedding ceremony. You need to consult the minister or registrar before you make the decision to write. It is certain that you have to use the standard vows if it is not allowed to use your own vows. It will be unwise to spend so much time on writing it and eventually you are not allowed to use or read it.

Write it from your heart
The best vow is a vow which tells your true feeling and story. When you are reading the vow, you are telling all the guests, and most importantly your spouse, about your true feeling. You have to bear in mind that you are not an actor in a movie and you do not need to make it like a touching story. The most touching story is a true story that expresses your feeling and love to your spouse.

Recalling the good old memories
You can recall some memorable stories. For example, if one of your friends helped you in your love affair, you may try to mention it in your vow. The advantage of doing this is that your vow can help to make a connection between your guests and your marriage. And at the same time it is also a way to say thank you to your guests.

Try to be humorous
When you decide to write your own wedding vow, it is assumed that the vow will not be an extremely formal one. You can be humorous when you are writing vow. You should bear in mind that reading a wedding vow can be quite boring to the guests. As a result a sense of humor may continuously draw the attention of them. Of course you will also need to read it with that sense of humor.

Practice reading the vow
It is always true that practice makes perfect. You will need to practice reading the wedding vow before your big day. It will be a pity if you have written a beautiful vow but you cannot read it smoothly.

Start writing the vow as early as possible
Concerning the time to write the vow, there is no doubt that it will be prefect if you can start to write once you confirm that you can use your own vows. You will certainly need some time to research and revise the vow. It will not be a good idea to write it in a rush. You should at least leave two to three months for yourself to write and revise the vow.