Add a Little Humor to Your Wedding Ceremony

I performed my “romantic” wedding ceremony for Cassandra Nelson and Marshall Grace at 4 p.m. at Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, Peoria, AZ on Saturday, November 7, 2009.

Their wedding was a “fun” wedding with a little humor to lighten things up. When the Groom took his place next to the Bride I looked at him and said, “Marshall, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say in this marriage can – and probably will – be held against you!” The guests burst into laughter. I guess the guests didn’t expect the Minister to have a sense of humor.

When I said, “If any of you can show just cause why this couple should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace” all eight of the Groomsmen produced signs that said, “Quiet Please!” and the eight Bridesmaids in unison all said, “Shusss” as if to say, “Quiet!

Another lighthearted moment came when I said, “You may now kiss the bride!” The Bride turned from the Groom while the Maiden of Honor came over to touch up her lipstick and fluff her hair while the Groom turned from the Bride and the Best Man offered him some breath freshener. At that point, the Maiden of Honor lifted a sign that said, “Applause!” Everyone applauded and laughed and then the Bride and Groom kissed.

Instead of doing the Blending of the Sands ceremony, we did a Water Ceremony. Two containers were filled with water and in the main vase there were 3 drops of blue and 3 drops of red cake coloring. When the two containers of clear water were poured into the main vase, the color of the water magically changed to a pale shade of purple to match the dresses of the Bridesmaids.

All eight Bridesmaids were barefoot with flowers on their right ankle color coordinated to match their dresses.

We also signed the Marriage License during the ceremony near the end. I do this quite regularly so the guests can watch as the Bride, Groom and two witness sign the license. That way I don’t have to try to get everyone together again immediately after the ceremony to sign the license. Often the witnesses are in a hurry to get their “social lubricant” at the bar and rounding them up again delays starting the photos.

At the very end of the ceremony I ask the guests to offer their congratulations at the reception and invite the parents to go before me so they can be with the bridal party to offer their private congratulations and be together so that pictures of the wedding party can stay on schedule.

For me, it was a refreshing change with brief bits of humor for which the guests indicated their approval and appreciation to me after the ceremony at the reception.

I thought this was a terrific idea for all the guests at Cassandra and Marshall’s wedding. A very nice fan (the weather was warm) was left on each chair before the wedding ceremony began. The photo shows one side of the fan that featured the names of the entire wedding party, and the flip side showed the bride and grooms names and the date of their wedding.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Grace!

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Tips to Help the Rehearsal Go Smoothly

If you have a rehearsal, please provide the Wedding Coordinator at your wedding venue ALL the details of the rehearsal, if any, BEFORE the rehearsal NOT at the rehearsal.

Example: Names of Groomsmen, Bridesmaids, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl(s), ushers (if any), who seats the parents & grandparents, are the guys walking up first or will the Groomsmen walk with the Bridesmaids, etc. Send the names, positions, etc., to the Wedding Coordinator by e-mail.

Groomsmen can double as ushers.

This will help make your rehearsal go much smoother and less time consuming. A well-coordinated rehearsal should not take longer than 30 minutes provided everyone arrives on time. Please encourage the wedding party and the parents to arrive on time.

Please bring your Marriage License to the rehearsal. The wedding coordinator can pass it on to the Minister or Officiant so he/she can fill out their part and bring it to the wedding ready to be signed by the bride and groom and two witnesses. According to Arizona law, witnesses must be at least 18 years of age.

To help you plan the time of your wedding, check the Arizona Sunsets list for sunset times and average temperatures for the Greater Phoenix area.

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Parents divorced?

Where to seat them an issue?

Try this: If they get along well, both of them can sit in the front row during the ceremony, with any new partners in the row behind them. If your parents don’t get along well, then the mother (and her significant other) might sit in the front row with the mother’s immediate family in the row behind; the father (and his significant other) would sit in the third row, with their family in the fourth row (all of this holds true even if your dad paid for the wedding).

If your mother and your father’s new wife absolutely do not get along at all, it is permissible to sit your stepmother outside the reserved section. The only exception to this whole arrangement might be if you have a much closer relationship with your father than your mother; then your dad would sit in the front row with his family in the second row, your mother in the third and her family in the fourth.

Wheeew!

If you intend to have ushers seat guests at your wedding, the general rule-of-thumb is one usher for every fifty guests. If you’re inviting 100 people, you will have two ushers; for 200 people you will need four, etc. An usher’s responsibilities include seating guests, rolling out the aisle runner, and generally helping guests (“Where are the restrooms?”).

By the way, etiquette says the aisle runner should only be rolled out just before the bride enters. No one but the bride and her escort should walk on the runner.

Bonus Tip: Should you go to ex-spouse’s wedding? The short answer: probably not. The long answer: Yes. But only if you meet eight – and all eight – of the following criteria: Click here for more.

For fun. . . I have included the following from Maxim.com. Enjoy!

By the way. . . have a happy and safe Halloween!

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Send a “We’re Engaged” Video E-card

Announce your engagement with a video. . . starring both of you! Compliments of TheKnot.com.

Send your video e-card to your family and friends. It simple and free. Upload one photo of each of you and you have a playful video to announce your engagement.

While you’re at it, click the box to register to win wedding bands from Ritani. Ritani, a world renowned designer of Diamond Engagement Rings and other fine jewelry, engenders the expression of pure emotion derived solely when celebrating life’s most important moments.

Go to: Ecard Engagement Video!

. . . And just for fun, send me a copy of your “fun” video to CelebrateLove@cox.net. Enjoy!

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Add Larry James to your Facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/larry.james

Follow Larry’s “once daily” Relationship Tweet at: http://www.Twitter.com/larryjames

Follow Larry’s “Relationship BLOG” at: http://CelebrateLove.wordpress.com/

The Stages of Wedding Planning on a Budget

Amy J. Chung, Guest Author -
Ramblings from Amy Jean on her “Relentless Bride BLOG” (A bride-to-be) –

I was discussing with one of my BFF’s (MLL), wedding “research” and planning. We were going through the number crunching phase of one venue to see if it’s an option for her to put on her list of possibilities. MLL is in the “researching” phase of wedding planning, but this phase of “researching” that we are currently in made me realize that wedding planning has various stages that I think all Bride-to-Be’s (BTB) go through.

The First Stage is excitement! Yippeee… it’s FINALLY my turn. {Keep in mind “finally” is all relative and I think all BTB’s feel it no matter how young or less young they are when the day comes to start planning for one’s wedding.} Images of excited bride in her white dress on the “happiest day of her life.”

The Second Stage would be confusion. Where do I start? What do I want? WAIT, he wants WHAT? I didn’t think he’d care about that! What do my parents want? Where do I start? Just how this picture depicts a bit (or a lot) of confusion, i think we start off just sitting still in front of the computer “where do i start?” Maybe at this point you start asking close friends for advice.

The Third Stage is determination. Feeling equipped with a few good words from friends who have ventured into this arena before, google becomes your best friend and you are determined to find some possible locations to hold your ceremony and/or reception. Just like this Ronin Warrior, ready to go to battle, the bride-to-be is ready to tackle any thing that comes her way.

The Fourth Stage is overwhelm. This is where you realize how huge the wedding industry is and that the choices are endless. There are so many venues, so many packages, so many options, yet so few beaten paths that will actually work… You realize at this stage that you may need a little help… or make that a lot!

For me the Fifth Stage was the hardest. Realization of REALITY! This is the stage where you realize, holy crap… how am I… my family… I… we gonna actually pull this off? This is where all the times you’ve heard “weddings are expensive” or “just saying ‘wedding’ brings the price up” is very true… and you realize for the first time, and reality starts to set in!

This is where that time you went to that one wedding 5 years ago and you weren’t given a “plus one” and you complained… now you began to understand why the bride and groom did what they did. This is where you question… can we afford to pay over 25k for 250 people on just food and drinks (but not full bar tab)? This is the stage where the calculator gets busted out and then…

Stage Six doesn’t always express itself in the same way, but to make it easy to understand, we’ll just say its the stage of crying, angst or depression. This is where you just want to pull out your hair. You curse the wedding industry and all the people involved. You question over and over again “Why is it so expensive?” or you curse and say “It’s such a money making monster”.

Stage six can involve tears and sadness or complete anger aimed at your loved ones that you weren’t born into the Hilton family and able to afford anything you wanted. (Don’t worry, after stage six, you are very thankful you weren’t born a Hilton and regret even admitting that the thought crossed your mind). Stage Six needs to be expressed and I think any bride on a budget goes through some emotion during this stage.

Stage Seven is the resolve. You are now resolved to find an answer. You began to brainstorm and ponder various different alternatives. This is the stage where prioritizing things on your “must have at wedding” list becomes reexamined.

Stage Seven and Stage Eight overlap a bit, as Stage Eight is persistence. This is where you realize there has to be an answer and you just have to find it. You are resolved with your reality and persistence sets in so that you can continue to figure out your solution! You will problem find and there WILL be a solution!

Stage Nine is real wedding planning. This is where you now have a more realistic idea of what you want, need, must have, can do without. This is the whittling down stage. The guest list will have been whittled down. Your venue options will whittle down. The “to do” list will whittle down. Your “must have” list will whittle down and now you get your hands REAL dirty… you cut out places from mere glances at the package plan or you add them to the list. You visit venues.

You have a can-do attitude that is based on the realistic situation of the means allowed for this extravaganza… and you are OK with that. In fact even with complaints still abundant, overall you are ready to get this show on the road. At this stage you either have a wedding planner (which I highly recommend and please feel free to ask me why) OR you are your VERY own wedding planner!

Stage Ten is the actual Wedding. I have yet to really pass Stage Nine and often go back to Stage Six, so I can’t really elaborate on Stage Ten, but I can not wait to get there!

So, what stage are you in?

Copyright © 2009 – Amy J. Chung. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Amy Chung was born & raised in Orange County, currently living in Washington, DC by way of Indiana. She is a bride-to-be with a LONG engagement (23 months). She’s planning her wedding from DC with the help of her Wedding Coordinator, Paola Spagnoletti, owner of “Just Chic Events.” Visit Amy’s BLOG

So, What About a Prenuptial Agreement?

Is a prenuptial agreement a cynical admission that love comes second to money or simply a practical nod to reality? Typically, a prenuptial agreement is viewed as a negative element of marriage because it presents the thought of expecting failure within the marriage.

In my research, there are 3 times when a prenuptial agreement “might” make sense.

First of all, a prenuptial agreement, which couples mainly use to state how money will be divided if the marriage doesn’t work, can cost from $2000 to $25,000 depending on the circumstances. Is it worth it?

Maybe. . . if you have a family business and are getting married again. With a prenup you can cut the spouse out of business appreciation, says attorney Mitchell Karpf, “Otherwise he or she may be entitled to half.”

Maybe. . . if you have vastly more savings than your spouse. If you’d be unhappy splitting assets squarely in the event of a divorce, you may want a prenup to state a different arrangement. While a prenup can be a sensitive issue to discuss, you can also look at a prenuptial agreement as a way to allow you, as a couple, to make your own rules about the distribution of your finances, rather than leaving the decision in the hands of the court.

Maybe. . . if you have kids from a previous marriage. A prenup can back up the terms of your will by spelling out the assets that you don’t want your spouse to inherit upon your death.

A prenuptial agreement is a written contract between two people that defines the rights and benefits that will exist during the marriage and if the marriage ends. As a bilateral contract, a prenuptial agreement is harder to contest than a will. In the event of a divorce or death, a prenuptial agreement can determine your right to property, life insurance benefits, retirement plan assets and support payments. Without such an agreement, state laws will determine these rights and benefits.

The subject of a prenuptial agreement is a difficult one to bring up. It’s best to discuss this BEFORE the marriage. Does it raise a red flag that screams “I don’t trust you” or “I have my doubts this marriage will work?” It may, if you don’t present it properly, especially if you are a couple that doesn’t communicate well. (If the latter is true, you may want to seek some counseling before entering into a prenuptial agreement.)

If you decide to go the route of the prenuptial agreement, it is recommended that both you and your partner consult an attorney to assist you in the process. Do not attempt to do a prenup by yourselves.

While one of the best preventions to divorce is ensuring you and your soon-to-be spouse have similar expectations of married life – meaning you have to talk about things such as religion, child-rearing, money (joint accounts, etc.), sex, etc. – as well as being able to say “I’m, sorry. I was wrong.” when you really mess up.

Marriage is not an experiment, littered with prenuptial agreements; gushy platitudes and an attitude of “Try me! If it doesn’t work, you can always bail out!” Your vows must mean something for your relationship to prosper. This kind of commitment demands discipline and perseverance.

Remember, relationships are something that must be worked on all the time, not only when they are broken and need to be fixed. Marriage is tough work – it does not “just happen.”

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Wedding Planners: Friend or Foe?

Valerie Bolitho, Guest Author

You finally met your match. You might have met your true love on a love dot com dating site or passing through on an elevator. Now it’s time to make sure everyone knows this is serious. Of course, you say ‘yes’ and the planning begins, which is where you begin to wonder where to start?

You could spend your time during lunch breaks, weekends, after work, and taking your sweetheart around to all the fun venues as part of your planning. But be honest, you might not have the time needed to plan a wedding, and it’s THE day to be remembered forever.

What does your wedding day look like in your mind? The real questions are: How do you get in touch with the best vendors? How do you still have your dream wedding with a budget in today’s economy? How do you arrive on your wedding day without family tears and frustration? Have you started to think about the budget for your wedding?

All of these thoughts seem overwhelming, right? Have you considered a wedding planner? For many brides, the thought of letting someone else control their day is unmentionable. You might know exactly what you want, plus, some believe a wedding planner will cost you money in which you did not originally budget for. Here are some truths you should consider.

Friend: A wedding planner is an expert at weddings much like a dentist is an expert with teeth. They know the remedy for all your ailments and setup a plan or remedy. It’s easier to imagine a painless day especially on your wedding day when you have everything planned out.

Friend: I’m sure you don’t plan on spending close to 200 hours researching venues, caterers, florists, photographers, and really the vendor list goes on. Truly, no one wants to spend all their days finding vendors and finding the wrong ones. A wedding planner has a network of reputable professionals in their trade readily at their fingertips.

Friend: The cost of a typical wedding is about $25,000 and this doesn’t include your honeymoon. A planner can help establish your budget, including the cost of a wedding planner, and network with other vendor’s part of the Association of Bridal Consultants (www.bridalassn.com) to get an affordable vacation spot.

A wedding planner is your friend on the most important day of your life. Today’s economy only helps shape the perception of your reality and what you can afford. Let the expert help you plan your day that captures the best moments of your life.

Copyright © 2009 – Valerie Bolitho. Valerie Bolitho is the owner of Blueprint Affairs, Wedding & Event Planning. As a wedding planner, she can assist with everything from day-of-event coordination to full wedding planning. With attention to detail and never settling for anything short of your vision, Blueprint Affairs strives for excellence and will truly make your event one to remember. At Blueprint Affairs, Your Vision is Our Blueprint. Visit them online at www.blueprintaffairs.com

We Get LoveNotes!

I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done. Everyone I spoke with after the wedding just loved your service. I kept hearing “I felt inspired” and “it really touched me”. That is exactly what we wanted. It is nice to know that due to your beautiful service, our friends and family will always remember it.

You left an impression on me years ago when I first heard you, and even then I knew if I ever got remarried, I wouldn’t want anyone to perform it but you. The first time I heard your service, it moved me, it made me think about all the wonderful things that Damian and I share and I how much he means to me.

My girlfriends, Sadie, Gwen & Ali attended, and neither one of their husbands was able to accompany them. They sat next to each other, and when you mentioned holding a hand of a loved one or friend, they told me that they grabbed each other’s hands in friendship, it was so nice to hear that your words moved them, as they seem to have moved most of our guests, and that’s exactly what I wanted.

My grandmother felt at ease all night long, my aunts and uncles just loved your words. I look forward to hearing more comments from my friends and family as well.

You truly made this day special, memorable and more than I could have ever hoped for. I never understood what it meant to have a “perfect” wedding, but during and after the service, I finally understood what it meant to me. How special the day was, and even now, your words still linger in my brain as I’m sure they will for the next few days.

I will never, EVER forget my wedding day because you put that special touch into it. Even now as I write this e-mail, I can’t help but smile because you truly made it wonderful. Thank you again for all that you’ve done, I will never forget you or the great gift of your beautiful wedding ceremony. I do hope I see you again at the Boojum Tree.

. . . And if I know of anyone who is thinking of getting married, your name will always be mentioned. – Charlene & Damian Tate

Charlene Owen and Damian Tate – Married @ 6:00 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2009 – The Boojum Tree’s Hidden Garden, Phoenix, AZ

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

Getting Married in Arizona? Here’s the Latest Scoop!

Getting married in Arizona? It’s not called the “Valley of the Sun” for nothing. However, you rarely will find yourself freaking out about the weather in Arizona. Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful.

The ideal weather encourages lots of couples to plan a destination wedding in the Greater Phoenix area. Most wedding vendors are experienced in handling all the details of your wedding by telephone and e-mail. For a stress-free destination wedding hire a wedding consultant. Do that and you can sit back, relax and enjoy your wedding.

Keep hydrated. Drink lots of water. Everyone knows water helps keep you cool. Give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated.

Given the right weather conditions and location, an outdoor wedding can be as romantic as it is beautiful. It may seem like a no-brainer, but sunscreen is a must. Remember to apply it before you put on your makeup (for the rehearsal and the wedding).

Can you take the wedding inside? Make sure you have accommodations available, such as a tent or indoor facility, for possible inclement weather. Always have a “plan B.” With only 7.66 to 8.32 inches of rain per year, our area offers an ideal setting for outdoor weddings. The Greater Phoenix area has more than 325 days of annual sunshine.

If the forecast is for rain the weekend of your wedding, a good alternative is to have a brief rehearsal inside – just in case. The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside.

Probably the most confusing and often debated weather event in Arizona is our so called “monsoon”. During the wet monsoon (July, August and September) we get 32% of our normal yearly rainfall. Average monsoon rainfall (July, Aug. and Sept.) is 2.45 inches.

Finding the best place to hold a wedding ceremony in Arizona can take time because many top wedding venues and wedding locations book up months or years in advance. The near ideal weather in Arizona allows for many outdoor wedding venue options. Country clubs, resorts, golf clubs and private gathering spots are abundant in Arizona. If you want to get out of the sun, you can choose hotel, convention center or other large scale wedding facilities.

I am happy to share my “Preferred Wedding Venues” list as my way of assisting you in selecting the perfect venue for your wedding. It has been my experience that the staff of these venues are easy to work with and will do everything they can to make your special day memorable. For a list of “Preferred Venues” click here.

Check my handy “Arizona Sunsets” page. I have listed 52 weeks of approximate sunset times for Saturday plus average temperatures for Greater Phoenix Area.

It is wise to plan for approximately 25 to 30 minutes of sunlight after the actual sunset time. If you will be taking any pictures “after” the wedding ceremony, you may want to begin the ceremony about an hour before sunset.

Unlike parts of the United States in the Midwest and East, Arizona has two wedding seasons. When everyone there is having June weddings, I usually take some time off in June or July because most of my weddings are outdoors and those months are when things begin to heat up here. The busiest months for weddings in Arizona are March, April and May and October, November and December.

In the desert, we do December differently. The winter grass is growing, the palms swaying are in the breeze. We decorate our houses and the cacti in our desert yards with chile pepper lights while wearing our t-shirts and shorts. We also drive around town looking at the Christmas lights in our convertibles with the top down.

Arizona winters (December & January) may require heating for an outdoor evening wedding and cooling is a must if your wedding day falls in the heat of summer (June, July & August). Yes, those months are the hottest, but fortunately it really is also a dry heat. The humidity is usually very low.

Here’s the breakdown. On Average:

• July is the warmest month.
• December is the coolest month.
• March is the wettest month.
• June is the driest month.
• June has the most clear days.
• December has the most cloudy days.

Records:

• The highest recorded temperature was 122°F in June of 1990.
• The lowest recorded temperature was 16°F in January of 1913.

For a brief audio weather report on current conditions in the Greater Phoenix area, go to:

Copyright © 2009 – Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry’s Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most “Romantic” wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Call to check availabilty: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 430 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (90 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com. Check Larry’s availability.

Subscribe to Larry’s FREE monthly “LoveNotes for Lovers” eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695. – CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com

NOTE: All articles, “LoveNotes” and wedding tips listed in this Wedding BLOG are available for reprint in magazines, periodicals, newsletters, newspapers, eZINEs, on the Internet or on your own Website. Click here for details.

The Do’s & Do Not’s of Working Successfully with Your Wedding Vendors

In the busyness of planning a wedding it is sometimes easy to forget the business of doing it, too. Mrs. Hancock’s Wedding Consulting and Planning Services has very graciously provided the following tips for making the best of your relationships with your vendors.

The Do’s & Do Not’s of Working Successfully with Your Wedding Vendors

Mrs. Hancock & Mrs. Amy Bacon, Wedding Consulting Services, guest authors

Many of us forget the genuinely appreciated niceties that show our genuine level of caring for others. All successful relationships, love or otherwise begin with kindness and respect. So let’s take this to the next step…

As a Bride and Groom we know you have a lot on your plates. Please realize, your vendors do, as well. All wedding vendors want to do the very best job we can for you; it’s what we do and what we do depends on making you happy. If you’re not happy, any referrals you may have been willing to send will not come our way and our livelihoods depend on your A+ rating.

Here are a few suggestions that will let your vendors know you respect their time and their expertise. Keeping these in mind will surely go a long way in cementing your relationship and will ensure you come across as kind and considerate, as well:

1. Always keep scheduled appointments, please. Emergencies are just that and one may pop up on either side at any time and we understand! When you schedule an appointment, be diligent about writing it down in your calendar, please. If your spouse-to-be needs to be in your meeting, put it on his calendar, too.

A suggestion: send a text to him the morning of reminding him where he needs to be and at what time. As our time is very valuable, it may take us 40 minutes to get to you one-way and then we may need to be on the other side of town after our meeting with you. Or it may be that our calendar is booked steadily for a particular afternoon. When you cancel, are late or reschedule at the last minute it can cause us great professional harm.

2. Please always return phone calls promptly from your vendors (same day if possible). Our policy at Mrs. Hancock’s is from 7am to 12 midnight (unless it’s an emergency!). Afford us as many contact numbers to reach you as you’d like.

3. When requested to provide information please be thorough and organized. Nothing is worse than making out seating cards and misspelling a guest’s name for example. Take your time with the details.

4. Always be on time for meetings! Punctuality is a sure sign of respect and good will.

5. Graciously accept you vendor’s input and suggestions. You’re always the final decision maker; but vendor’s are trained to think outside the box hopefully saving you time and money. No talented planner or coordinator will ever push their will on you.

6. Please budget for your down payments, due dates and final payments accordingly, always paying on time. Post dated checks handed off to your vendor will allow you ease, without having to mail or drop off a check to ensure it arrives when due.

7. Please respect your budget during planning. We can be miracle workers, but if you continue to add services or time, remember we may have to charge you additional fees.

8. Further, please don’t use the “I’ll call you on Tuesday” or I’ll bring your deposit next week”. If you’re not interested in working with a vendor, that’s fine; we can take it! Not everyone will be a great fit and that’s what meetings and interviews are for. Please don’t string a possible vendor along.

9. Have a question? Ask, please! No question or issue is too small or too mundane for a professional coordinator. It is our job to inform and educate you.

10. Ask for references; always! A good vendor will be happy to provide you with strong references. Be on the look out for business who cannot provide references.

11. Communicate openly and honestly with your Vendors. Things will always come up or change; but we can’t assist you if we don’t truly understand your needs and/or concerns.

12. At a meeting consider paying for your Vendor’s coffee! Such a seemingly small gesture goes a long way toward letting your new employee/vendor know they’re appreciated.

Using these simple tips will keep your relationships running smoothly with your vendors and you’ll find, treating them with respect and kindness will go a long way to ensuring the planning process is as much fun as it can be!

Copyright © 2009 – Mrs. Hancock & Mrs. Amy Bacon. Reprinted with Permission. You will find Mrs. Hancock’s Wedding Planners and Consultants, kind, professional, knowledgeable, helpful and excited to be of service. They won’t break your budget either! Please contact their office at 602-234-1200 and speak with Mrs. Hancock or Mrs. Amy Bacon for a free consultation. Visit their Website at: www.MrsHancocks.com

This article was originally written for Marcia: The Art Of Photography, Scottsdale Wedding Photographer BLOG. We appreciate the opportunity to be a guest blogger for Marcia Mauskopf. We also had the opportunity to do head shots with her. We had a great time and she did a wonderful job! – Mrs. Hancock & Mrs. Amy Bacon