Planning A Wedding

Wedding Invitations, Wedding Favors and Accessories—Six Stores In One—The Occasions Group
THE OCCASION GROUP A cyber-space mini mall offering six stores in one, If its your wedding or another occasion, The Occasion Group can help you plan, invite your guests, serve and thank your guests, and being six stores in one they have developed the means to meet a very great variety of customer needs and preferences. Their products include holiday greeting cards, custom & print your own wedding invitations, wedding favors, wedding accessories, and more. They are one of the largest custom printers online.

• Jean M
Enabling you to be able to completely customize your wedding invitations. Perhaps creating destination invitations around such themes as: the tropics, seaside, the resort, or a wedding in the country, only to name a few. Or if you'd choose you can elect to focus the theme of your wedding around a season. Jean M makes these choices possible for you, also offering a new service they call Unassembled Invitations—where the do-it-yourself-bride can choose and compile all the elements of the invitation and then have them professionally printed.
• Rexcraft
Offering classic and traditional wedding invitations and stationery for the bride who is dreaming of a fairy-tale wedding. Rexcraft's classic and elegant wedding invitations and save-the-dates will invite family and friends to your special day with a style that is beautifully you? They also have matching wedding accessories for all your wedding-related events. They invite shoppers to request a free wedding invitations and accessories catalog to aide them as they shop their beautiful collection.
• Anne's Bridal Bargains
Visit Anne's and you'll see in action the wisdom of their slogan, "You can't put a price on love, but you can love a good price". They offer discount invitations, discount favors, discount, discount, discount! Yet they boast that planning the wedding of your dreams on a budget does not mean that a bride has to compromise style for budget! So that the bride can stop stressing over prices and start dreaming about her wedding. Anne's Bridal Bargains offers tips to save, a live chat line for the shopper's convenience, and the ability to contact by phone if that is needed.
• Invitations by Dawn
Where they boast the best and the most beautiful theme wedding invitations and accessories anywhere! From classic themes like roses, couples and sweethearts to newer additions like butterflies, colors, Disney® and Precious Moments®. Offering wedding invitations and coordinating accessories that can fit your wedding theme perfectly!Also they invite their guests to shop their Naturally Ever After collection to find earth friendly, recycled wedding invitations.
• Invitations by Dawn-Canada
The products and services of the US store, but catered to serve the Canadian bride.
• Now and Forever
Offering modern and trendy wedding invitations and accessories for the trendsetter bride. If you see yourself on the hip side of life then perhaps this is just what you've been looking for, and just the way you'll want it. Now and Forever offers contemporary wedding invitations and accessories you can customize to complement your modern wedding. You'll find the latest designs, papers and colors for everything from invitations to favors, and with all the necessities in between!

Gregory A. DeHart is a Bible teacher and entrepreneur, the sponsor of http://Weddingsaglore.com. Offering our visitors a connection to a full assortment of both wedding and honeymoon products and services. Gregory is also the proprietor of http://AllPointsTravel.blogspot.com. A travel guide and tips site where we talk about all things travel, and provide connections to help folks make their travel plans a reality. Please feel at home to visit our sites!

Creating your first impression with wedding invitations
After you've decided who you want to invite, you should decide how you are going to invite them. Your invitations should fit in with the overall theme and mood of your wedding celebration. These little notes are your guests' first impression of your wedding. Invitations can be pricey, but you don't necessarily need to pay an excessive amount of money to craft the style and tone of your special day. There are thousands of invitations available in stationary stores, on-line and from catalogs. You could also opt to craft your own � an increasing trend for today's wedding couples. Think about all these options and choose the one that best fits your style and budget. If you can, use the same kind of stationary for everything in your wedding. Order all stationary material you need at one time and order more than the number of guests you plan to invite. Invitations are typically purchased in increments of twenty-five or fifty. If you're making your own invitations, order extra paper, velum, envelopes and anything else you would like to create them. It's less expensive to order more than you need the first purchase than to have to order more later because you ran out. There are many things you should be aware of when deciding on your invitations or researching about how to make your own invitations. Evaluate the weight of the paper, the color tint, font and size of wording, size of invitation and envelopes, general look and postage restrictions and costs. Think about buying your invitations on-line. You can frequently find the same invitations on-line for a fraction of the price you'll pay at your local stationary stores. Regardless of whether you plan on buying your invitations online, look at websites for ideas and price comparisons. It's a convenient place to research ideas without leaving your home. Choose exactly what you will be ordering and including with your invitation. There is no "wrong" or "right", but normally most brides order invitations, inner and outer envelopes, a reception card, response cards and response card envelopes. Other options include: pew cards, place cards, and accommodation information cards � even bridal registry cards. Invitations should be mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding. It's customary to all invitations by hand. If your handwriting isn't up to standards, ask some family members with nice penmanship to to assist you. You could also opt to have your invitations written by a calligrapher. Your invitations will need to include everything your guests should have to get to your ceremony and reception: date, time, address, exact name of site and reception room along with directions. Customs have changed as far as whose names should be mentioned on the invitation. It once was appropriate that invitations were given in the name of the bride's parents, even if she lived away from home or had been married before. If the bride's parents were divorced, the name of only one parent appeared on the invitation. If the parent remarried, the step-parent's name was listed on the first line followed by the daughter's to indicate relationship. These are still appropriate rules to follow but they are surely no longer considered the only way to write your invitations.

John has been a licensed and ordained minister for 41 years. He has served as wedding officiant for more than 1,000 <a href="http://www.mauime.com">Maui weddings</a> with his wedding planning business, Maui Me Inc. All of his ceremonies are original and he performed his first wedding 35 years ago. John has written almost 50 Christian books (which have been translated into eight languages). In addition to performing the ceremonies for <a href="http://www.affordablemauiweddings.com">Maui weddings</a>, he shoots most of the photography.

Unity Candles are a Wonderful Wedding Tradition

Unity candles are a huge wedding tradition that is seen in most wedding ceremonies. It has become increasingly popular in recent generations. The unity candle may symbolize different things for different types of ceremonies. In some cases there is one unity candle while in other ceremonies there are three.

A single unity candle is used in a ceremony to symbolize the uniting of the bride and groom. The unity candle is lit during a special portion of the wedding ceremony together by the bride and groom. It symbolizes, in most ceremonies, the friendship, loyalty, and love that is shared and will be honored by the newly married couple.

In cases where there are three unity candles, the families of the bride and groom are included in the lighting of the unity candles. Typically in wedding ceremonies, the mother of the bride will light one candle, and the mother of the groom will light another candle before the entry of the bride. The lighting of these two candles symbolizes the joining of two families together. The bride and groom then light their unity candle during the ceremony.

The unity candle lit by the married couple will be kept for years to come. On every anniversary, the couple will again light the candle to reinforce and even strengthen the vows made on the wedding day. By lighting the candle, the couple may also remember the beautiful day when they were joined in matrimony.

Unity candles are wonderful wedding tradition. It is a special, symbolic moment, both for the families, and the married couple. During the lighting of the candles, the families, and the bride and groom are given a moment to ponder the uniting of the new family and their new lives together. And the couple has a cherished part of their wedding ceremony to keep for their future.


Dawn Rowlett is an author for Dependable Printing, a full service provider of wedding invitations, discount wedding accessories, wedding decorations, and wedding candles. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of unity candles and wedding candles.

Wedding DJs in Michigan: Tips on Hiring the Right One
Congratulations on your engagement, it is now time to interview the different wedding DJs in Michigan! You may be a little overwhelmed with the options and probably do not know where to start looking for a professional entertainer, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind when interviewing disc jockey companies. 1.) The Reputation and References Some DJs in Michigan perform as full-time professionals, most work part-time and probably will not be as committed to your wedding reception. Make sure you can view or contact several references from previous clients from within the last year. You will be able to find out if the entertainer is dedicated to your day before you trust them with to much responsibility. 2.) Will You Get More with others or LESS? The basic stereotype for wedding DJs in Michigan is that they only play music. Some companies do more than just play music, but ask yourself out loud. Who will be responsible for my wedding coordination and other important details?!
Who will make sure that the other vendors are informed about my wedding itinerary?!
When I fill out my wedding itinerary is it easy, detailed, and planned online?!
How will my disc jockey play the guest song requests, is this done ahead of time?!
Will they give me Wedding Planning Advice, or just play music?!
Do they have an Online Music Area that I can browse AND sample songs from?!
What type of music selection will they offer me?!
Are their songs kept current with today’s trends for my guests?!
Do they have other options or services that other companies do not offer?!
Am I given a Wedding Song List where I can also sample formal dance suggestions?!
As you can see, entertainment accounts for more than just playing music, so the right question to ask is out of all the wedding DJs in Michigan, how can this company help personalize my day by saving me time and money! 3.) Who has the Right Attitude There is more going on behind the scenes than you can imagine. To find out if your DJ can hold up to your expectations ask yourself out loud. Are they the right company to represent myself, family & friends at my ONE wedding?!
Do they treat other professionals with respect and refer other vendors that they trust?!
Do they have the right personality to fit my vision and goals?!
Do they upgrade their equipment or invest into their company with new technology?!
Do they have the right customer service & reach me within 24hrs of me calling them?!
Do I get the chance to meet my DJ before my party?!
Do they specialize as a Michigan Wedding DJ?!
4.) Do they have a Commitment to Excellence Do not trust your top rate day to a second rate service. To find out if they can backup what they say ask yourself out loud. Is there a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE offered with their services?!
Do they go over the MONEY BACK GUARANTEE with me in detail?!
What is included in the MONEY BACK GUARANTEE?!
What happens if my DJ arrives late?!
Will they bring state-of-the-art backup equipment to my event?!
Do they honor or encourage positive music requests?!
Do they buy any important songs I might request beforehand?!
Will they be available for me to talk with them if I have questions?!
Have they ever had to enforce their MONEY BACK GUARANTEE before?!
5.) What They Do not Want You to Know about Prices Price and package selection are important, and should be a consideration when it comes to booking a wedding DJs in Michigan. There should be a no pressure approach when giving you information about choosing entertainment. You need to speak with several different companies to find a service that matches your budget and goals. When you interview DJs in Michigan, you will find a difference in pricing as well as the services offered. If their prices are average then will their services also be average?!
Are there hidden fees for setup, teardown, load-in, or the meetings?!
Are they sending a low rate DJ last minute to cover your wedding?!
Will they cancel on you the week of, to book a higher rate party?!
6.) And most importantly... Do not forget to have fun. This should be an easy and fun decision for you!

Robert Reno entertains wedding receptions, private parties, and high school proms. He has a vast exposure as one of the premier wedding DJs in Michigan. He is working for Encore Entertainment & Productions. For further information about <a href="http://www.encorepartydjs.com">DJs in Michigan</a> please visit our <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com/">Michigan Wedding</a> blog.

Wedding Accessories and Wedding Party Gifts

The wedding party is comprised of all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and ushers that the bride and groom have chosen to be by their side for their special day. They are the people that are closest to the bride and groom, and have been there for the couple long before the wedding day. Gifts for the wedding party are a special way to recognize their contributions.

Gifts for Groomsmen. There are a number of fantastic gifts available for groomsmen and ushers in the wedding party. Choosing gifts can depend on the individual interest of the men. If the group is interested in sports, there are a number of sports themed gifts including golf, baseball, and football. Other good ideas are cigar sets or a glassware sets. All these gifts can be personalized with the men’s names and details of the wedding. Engraving the personalization is a special and meaningful touch for the gifts for the wedding party.

Gifts for Bridesmaids. A bride has many options for choosing gifts for her bridesmaids. Jewelry is always a great idea. It can be worn during the wedding and after. There are some amazing sets of bridal jewelry available for the bridesmaids ranging from simple pearls to elegant diamonds. Cosmetics sets and cosmetics bags are a good idea. They can be given to the bridesmaids prior to the wedding and be used that day during wedding preparation. Handbags and jewelry boxes are also great gifts for bridesmaids.

There are so many options for wedding party gifts. The bride and groom should really consider the interests of their attendants when choosing gifts to choose one that truly suits their personality and will be a sincerely meaningful gift. Gifts can be lavish or just something simple to symbolize the appreciation the bride and groom have for their attendants.

In preparation for the wedding, the wedding party is truly able to bond with the bride and groom. Through all the events and all the preparation, those in the wedding party are able to help the bride and groom prepare for the most important event of their new lives together. Giving gifts to the wedding party is a wonderful way to thank them for all they have done throughout their friendship and during this special time.



Angela Oliver is an author for Dependable Printing, a full service provider of wedding invitations, wedding accessories, discount wedding accessories, and wedding party gifts. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding accessories and wedding party gifts.

Classic White Color For Bridal Gown
Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has remained the traditional color for wedding gowns and bouquets. A woman then used her dress for Court Presentation after marriage, usually with a different bodice. It has been accepted taditional color of the wedding dress, but wedding gowns were not always white. The marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin Albert of Saxe- Coburg in 1840 has had more influence on weddings than any other. Queen Victoria put the wheels in motion by marrying in white.

Though brides continued to wed in gowns of different colors, white was now set as the color of choice for weddings and has continued ever since. In Godey's Lady's Book, 1849, this statement was printed: " Custom has decided, from the earliest ages, that white is the most fitting hue, whatever may be the material. It is an emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one." There is an old poem about how the color of your wedding dress will influence your future: "Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey , you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you will wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you will live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you will live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink."

White is still the top favorite for wedding gowns an exclusive range of bridal gown in classic white color. Which have the''sublime''quality designed by couture designer Andy anand who believes that ‘'less is more'', these bridal gowns are made like a ‘'piece of art'' they are very light white and other shades of white color has been used to give it the classic touch yet they are modern.

Wedding gowns have not always been elaborate, as many are today. In the eighteenth century, poor brides dressed in simple robes. This symbolized to her future husband that she brought nothing with her into the marriage and would therefore not burden him with any debt. It wasn't until the mid nineteenth century that the all-white wedding dress became fashionable. Up until then a bride simply wore her best dress, regardless of its color. In 1840, Queen Victoria's pure white gown started the trend that many women follow today.

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Mission Point Resort Hotel
Wedding receptions on Mackinac Island (sometimes referred to as Mackinaw Island) should be flawless. Most brides have their engagement at one of the many banquet halls in Mackinac Island because of the casual atmosphere and gorgeous surroundings. The last thing you should worry about would be the service that the hotel would give your wedding vendors and guests attending the celebration. Since my recent wedding reception at Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan, I was very disappointed with the service and unnecessary stress I received.
Mission Point Resort Hotel Personally, I have had the pleasure of entertaining thousands of wedding receptions here in Michigan. We take a very personalized approach when dealing with our clients and wedding vendors. From what I can recall, I have never experienced a situation so unpleasant when working with a so called reputable banquet facility. Mission Point Resort almost ruined my entire weekend by costing me hundreds in avoidable travel expenses and canceled meetings. I feel that our 200,000+ visitors a year might find the following Mission Point Resort Hotel Mackinac Island review beneficial. Vendors beware; Mission Point Resort in Mackinac Island is a headache for dealing with logistics. Before arriving on the Island, our client told us that the company equipment would be delivered directly to the Summit Room. Our equipment was left outside in a damp environment (can you imagine if their negligence would have affected your reception). Since we were not allowed to use the elevator, we had to carry the equipment to the room ourselves. The assistance that we were guaranteed was not available and after talking with the staff, they were not forthcoming with help. Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan is Unorganized One word for Mission Point Resort Banquet Hall is unorganized. Honestly, there is no room to drop the ball on a couple who are investing time and money into your facility for their reception. One of my main concerns when dealing with the wedding reception was the logistics of our equipment. I remember talking with several employees and getting several conflicting answers. One employee told me we would have to come back to the hotel in the morning JUST to carry the equipment onto a dolly to be transported to the dock. Another employee told me that the bell staff would take care of this entire inconvenience for us. Since he was a representative of the company we took his word for it, knowing everything was handled. We were prepared to dock the Arnold Line ferry at 3pm the following day. I had a business meeting in Detroit at 8pm with a bride so our equipment was already suppose to be in Mackinac City. At 2:55 I decided to make the phone call to Mission Point to make sure that our equipment was delivered to the dock on time. And guess what... the equipment was never delivered! Why should I have to worry about this? I was told by two different employees it would be there at 2pm. My company name and phone number were placed on every bag. They had two hours to reach me if there was any issue, no follow-up procedure was done! If I would have went on the ferry, Mission Point Resort would have: A.) made me take the last ferry back across to the island my equipment was still on
B.) walk 20 minutes across the island ONLY to carry it onto a dolly since it was an insurance liability
C.) since we would have missed the final 4pm ferry, we would of had to spend money on an over night hotel/bed & breakfast
D.) cancel my meeting with my bride in Detroit at 8pm
Why is this considered an insurance liability, when you can take care of my equipment in transit between the dock and your hotel? For your info, we had to wait several hours for the next ferry which cost me my meeting with my bride... thanks Mission Point. Manager James Salem One person that could have rectified this entire situation was Mr. James Salem (aka Jimmy or Jim). Manager James Salem could care less about my dilemma. I made attempts to contact him about what I should do. Jimmy Salem of Mission Point Resort was very reluctant to providing solutions to the problem. My understanding from our conversation was that if I was a guest he would of helped me. Since I was a wedding vendor Jim did not have time. This very impersonal approach towards weddings is the complete opposite of professional integrity. If Jimmy treats wedding vendors like this, how do you imagine he would treat guests on your special day? I think Mr. James Salem needs to go back to customer service school :( Guest Review Mackinac Island Mission Point Resort Hotel We were told from locals on Mackinac Island that the service we encountered was not uncommon for Mission Point Resort Hotel. Bags are constantly lost and damaged when falling off their shuttle. Guests have often missed their ferry due to lost luggage at docks and bags left behind at the hotel. Guest missing ferry rides are forced to find alternate solutions. This includes having to stay an additional night on the island which completely screws up someone's vacation. How would you feel if this happened to you after trusting them with your personal belongings? No bride, vendor, or guest should have to deal with the confusion that Jimmy Salem put me through. Bottom line Book your wedding reception at ANY place besides Mission Point Resort Hotel in Mackinac Island Michigan. I would never treat a bride or wedding professional in any way comparable to their standards. They care about your money and not your memories.

Robert Reno works for Encore Entertainment. His team provides DJs and lighting for Michigan wedding receptions. Visit the following links for more info about <a href="http://encorepartydjs.weblog.com/2008/10/Mission-Point-Resort-Hotel-Mackinac-Island-BRIDES-.html">Mission Point Resort Hotel</a> or your <a href="http://www.encorepartydjs.com/">DJ Mi</a>.

What to do about Wedding Underwear
On your wedding day you’re going to want to find just the right wedding underwear to accentuate the curves you already have, or fake the ones you don’t, and hide any flaws that you may not want to be seen. Here are some tips on how to find the right style of wedding underwear for you and your wedding gown. So you’ve already found the sexiest lingerie ensemble for your wedding night sure to wow your groom. That’s great, but you’ll want to change into those after the wedding. Your wedding underwear is going to a little different as it they will need to perform as a functional addition to your wedding dress. Your wedding underwear should be well-fitted panties that will boost and tuck all the places that your body may need a little extra help, creating the dream figure you imagined in your stunning wedding gown Let’s start with the different styles of dresses and examine the different options of wedding underwear you will have to choose from. Backless Dress A backless dress is a favorite of mine as it will always look elegant and beautiful, but finding the right wedding underwear poses a bit of a challenge. • You should experiment with different styles wedding underwear to find what options you have as far as comfort and functionality. If you need a little lift in the chest area, there are bras that stick only to your breasts and can give you the lift you need. • Another option for wedding underwear underneath a backless dress is a backless bra with see through straps. This will give you great support. • Do NOT under any circumstances have any bra straps showing unless you want to make it into the white trash wedding category. • For wedding underwear needed in the slimming your figure a bit, there are hold-you-in-pants that will give you a flawless figure underneath your beautiful gown. Fishtail Skirt The fishtail skirt is the perfect shape to show off your sexy curves and flatter a variety of figures. . • To further enhance your figure, there are many varieties in supportive wedding underwear • For a little extra cleavage, a seamless push-up bra is an excellent choice for wedding underwear. • For a natural looking hourglass figure, wear a wedding basque or wedding corset • For a little lift of your bum, underwear shorts will do the trick giving you a perky sexy behind Wedding Dress with Sleeves This type of wedding dress gives you the widest variety of choices when it comes to wedding underwear. • You have a great deal of choices for wedding underwear so go for comfort • To keep everything tight and in control, a bust-shaping body slip will do the trick • If your sleeves are sheer, choose a bra with translucent straps • Keep that bum tight with lifting wedding underwear Bias-cut Wedding Dress This gown choice will give you the most beautiful silhouette, hugging your body tightly in the places you want to show off, but be careful; wedding underwear is extremely important for this dress. • Because the dress is so form-fitting, a bra that boosts and enhances will make an elegant and beautiful addition • Be sure to bring your wedding underwear with you to fittings, especially your final fitting • A body slip will make curves perfect and any bumps smooth as can be • For slimmer thighs and hips, and a perky bum, thigh-slimmers are a great addition to your wedding underwear Wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a full skirt This type of dress will also give you a bundle of options when it comes to choosing the right wedding underwear. • You don’t want to see any texture from your wedding underwear underneath your dress, so be sure whatever you choose is seamless and smooth • Lace underwear, though it may not be seen through the dress will be nothing but uncomfortable • A push-up bra is a quick easy fix to give a little extra cleavage • Hole-you-in pants will smooth any imperfections and give your body a flawless appearance Wedding gown with a halter-top Halter-tops are a popular choice in wedding gowns and create just the right amount of added glamour. • Wedding underwear such as your bra should also be a halter-top, or you can opt for a corset, or bustier. • A pretty but comfortable thong will work for wedding underwear in this type of dress • Slimming pants will lift and tighten in all the right places

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How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Dress
Many brides have envisioned their wedding dress since they were little girls. Although they may not have known exactly what the dress would look like, they generally have some idea of what style and material they would like. For others, they simply have no idea what type of dress they are looking for. With all of the choices on the market today, the possibilities are endless.

As the bride walks down the aisle on her wedding day, all eyes will be on her, she will be the center of attention. The first step in finding your dream wedding dress is to set up a budget. Having a budget in place will help you greatly when you begin searching for your beautiful gown. If money is tight, a great time to buy your wedding dress is between January and March. Last years gowns will be drastically reduced, in order to make room for the new dresses that will be arriving.

When you begin looking for your wedding dress, be sure to keep your options wide open,at times, a dress that is less than appealing hanging up, may just be the perfect dress for you. No matter what type of wedding dress you choose, you will want one that enhances your best features, while camouflaging any flaws you might have.

The style of your wedding dress should coordinate with the overall theme and style of the wedding. If you are having a beach wedding, a gown with a long flowing train might not work well. On the other hand, if you are having a winter wedding, a strapless, mid-length gown may look out of place. Therefore, it is important to give the style of your wedding, as well as your dress, a lot of thought.

When looking for your wedding dress, be sure to consult with a professional. They are able to make recommendations as to what style of dress would look best on you. Since professionals help brides pick out their gown, they are experts at what would enhance your beautiful day with the most gorgeous wedding gown to suit you. For many brides, nothing is more important than the look and feel of her wedding dress. Chances are you will spend a great deal of time looking for and deciding on the perfect gown, but with all your plans and preparation, you will find the wedding dress of your dreams.

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Ask The Right Questions Before You Book Your Wedding Reception
Think saying "I do" is going to be the most emotional moment in your wedding? Probably so, but putting down a deposit on your wedding venue could be a close runner-up.

Reception costs consume almost half the budget for the wedding, which these days means you can expect to lay out almost $13,000, including food. And the venue you select can not only limit your choice of caterers or bakers, it's sure to affect how much you spend to "cover up" its weak spots or accent its highlights. Most stressful of all, the popular venues book far in advance, forcing brides to make the big decision almost as soon as they set the date.

For that reason, the savvy venue-hunter wants to know what questions to ask before she walks in the door, much less signs the contract. Here are a few ideas:

Do you have a pre-set list of caterers I can use, or can I choose my own?

Some venues -- high-end ones with their own catering staff, or small-town ones with little competition -- require you to use the in-house caterers or choose from a small list of "approved" vendors. It can be difficult to get taste-tests or otherwise put this type of vendor through its paces. If you're stuck with such a list, search high and low for brides who have "been there, done that" and can give you their honest opinions.

Any restrictions on decorations?

Many venues have them, but rules vary widely from place to place. Common restrictions include: no open flame (or no flame whatsoever), no tape or tacks on the walls, or no confetti. When linens are provided, some halls will prohibit the use of pins. Ask if the hall can provide any decorations themselves, especially around holidays. Useful centerpiece items such as hurricane lamps or Eiffel vases are not uncommon.

Can we bring our own liquor, is there a "corkage" fee, and do we need a license?

If the liquor's to flow freely at your wedding, you'll save an immense amount of moolah by bringing your own. But some venues prohibit this and require you to buy from them. Even worse is the venue that says "yes" to bringing your own alcohol, but charges you a mandatory "corkage fee" to serve it -- which typically starts at an unbelievable $10 per bottle or more! You'll want to be crystal-clear on the fine print regarding alcohol before you commit to a venue.

As for licensing, many states consider wedding receptions to be an "unlicensed social function," meaning you don't need one as long as you're not charging anyone for the alcohol. But be sure to check your local regulations before moving ahead -- and ask your venue if they know of any licensing requirements.

Is there a cake-cutting fee?

Some venues even limit your choice of bakers, but most don't. A more common (and sneakier) tactic is to charge you a cake-cutting fee, which like corkage fees, can really add up -- often at $1 per slice!

DIY Detective Work

These, of course, are only a few of the questions you'll want to ask a prospective venue manager. A few more tips while you're checking out the place:

- Bring a tape measure. Get the dimensions of the room, the tables, and the distance between any features that might impact your decor, like windows. How many outlets are there and where are they located? What kind of climate control is available to you?

- Check the kitchen. Does it look clean, roomy and suitable for your catering staff to work from?

- Check the hall itself. Where will you put the band, the cake table, the coffee service? Are there coat racks for your guests? Is a sound system available?

- Check out the parking. Is it ample? Is it paved, or can it get muddy in the case of rain? Is there handicap access?

One final thing to get clear before you autograph that contract is your venue's cancellation policy. But hopefully, with these helpful tips, you'll have done enough homework to rest easy in your choice and not worry about having to cancel. Now that you've signed, take some time to sit back and relax ... before you tackle the next task in that thick wedding planner!

Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by <a href="http://www.favorideas.com" target="_blank">http://www.favorideas.com</a> for wedding favors, theme ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures.