The honor of planning the stag do traditionally falls to the best man - the fellow you can count on through thick and thin, rain and shine, night or day, drunk or sober.. the chap who knows where to find the strippers, booze bars and paintball courts. If that’s you and you haven’t the foggiest notion where to start, here’s some handy tips to help get you started on the path to perdition - or at least the road to the boozy blast you know you can plot.

1. First things first. Know your mate. The stag do is meant to be HIS night of ignominy, not yours. Before you make arrangements to hire the 40 Salomes with seven veils between them, be sure it’s the type of thing he’ll appreciate.

2. Once you’ve got that part out of the way, it’s time to start figuring out where to find those Salomes… or something like that. If you’ve chatted it out and decided that nothing will do for your mate but a full-blown stag weekend, you’ll need to get right on the horn to start making arrangements. Stag weekends are big business, and many of the more popular activities and venues are booked up to six months in advance. Get those enquiries out, and be prepared to put down a few deposits to hold dates open.

3. One Month Ahead (Two if you’re doing an overseas stag weekend) - run the guest list past your stag, even if you don’t tell him that’s what it is. It’s only fair for him to actually LIKE the folks he’s spending his last free party with. Then… send out the invites to give everyone plenty of time to make plans to attend the stag do.

4. Two weeks ahead - confirm all the reservations for your stag night, just to be on the safe side. While you’re at it, either designate a driver for the night, or reserve a limo to do the honors. You want everyone at the wedding - not sitting in a lonely jail cell.

5. No matter how tempting it is, don’t accept too much help from your buds. The more hands there are on the wheel, the more likely it is that someone will drop the ball - or something like that. You’re most likely to get everything done and in place if you see to it yourself.

6. OR - get professional help. If you hire a professional tour organiser to put together the plans for your stag weekend, you can just see to it that everyone shows up with their embarrassing jokes and gags - and sit back to enjoy the best stag do you didn’t have to plan.

Brett Danielson works for chillisauce.co.uk, a tour operator
specialising in unique and unusual stag weekends and stag parties to UK and
European cities. For more information and help with planning a stag do or stag weekend, visit http://www.chillisauce.co.uk.

There are a few ways to accomplish this task that your jeweler will recommend and now some new processes available that increase the limits of the message that can be created on rings.

Let us review the traditional methods most currently being used in the marketplace.

First, there is hand engraving done by an artisan engraver using a hand tool called a graver. It is not a perfect process and the results will depend on the quality and skill of the craftsman doing the work.

Also commonly used is machine engraving which is much more precise but usually limited to one row of words using up to 20 characters to be engraved on the ring.

Now, a specialty process adapted to a not so new technology, called laser engraving, has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for wedding couples who are thinking of engraving their rings. Wedding bands are now being created with entire messages that are clearly readable and up to 225 character long. This allows the ability to write whole passages, even entire wedding vows, on the inside of the wedding bands. Currently, bridal couples are choosing from civil vows, gay partner vows, religious vows, love poetry, Shakesperean Sonnets, and even writing their own vows..

This sentimental and romantic addition to your wedding bands can forever be a reminder of your love and the commitments made, and add a special and unique touch to your wedding day.

Jerry Biern is a well known designer and developer of unique products, especially for the jewelry industry. Rhode Island based, Mr. Biern blends his matter of fact writing style with a thourough knowledge of the bridal industry to bring informative and interesting articles to to all readers.

Summer
One of the most popular Wedding trends is getting married on a beach, surrounded by only your closets friends and families. If you are getting married on a beach, chances are your dress is simple and your feet are bare. You want your bridal jewelry to match. Choose something delicate that won’t overshadow your dress. Maybe choose something with pearls to complete your ocean theme.

Sometimes a necklace just doesn’t go with the dress you picked out. Adding an elegant bridal bracelet or dangling bridal earrings to your outfit will help you look radiant.

These summer tips don’t just apply to beach weddings. Casual often works best for outdoor and golf course wedding ceremonies.

Spring Weddings
For a spring wedding you might want something a bit more sparkle. The sun is still shining, but it can still be wet. Our spring wedding jewelry collections are fashioned to compliment the weather. The lovely large Swarovski crystals catch the sunlight, but are shaped like giant raindrops. The flower motifs symbolize the new blooms and the start of your new life together.

Winter Weddings
My advice for a wedding is to go big and go bold! So much of winter is spent covering up, so why not go with a strapless dress and a chunky, sparkling necklace to set the room on fire. Adding a simple wrap across your shoulders will ensure you stay warm, but more importantly look fantastic!

For more information on Bridal jewelry, please visit:
www.jivejewelry.com

Jive Jewelry (http://www.jivejewelry.com) is an online jewelry store specializing in Swarovski crystal and sterling silver jewelry.

For the bride with a hectic schedule, this can be a challenge. What better way to say “thank you” than with an individualized gift basket that reflects the taste of each attendant. Sounds hard or expensive? It’s not. Organization is the key. Here’s the short cut to creating that special gift…

1. Set a budget for each basket. Decide on the overall budget. Leave 10% for containers and wrapping supplies and divide the remaining amount by the number of attendants.

2. Decide on a theme. Is there a favorite hobby or product they each love? This may make a great theme for their basket. On seperate sheets of paper write each attendants name, budget amount and theme. Brainstorm and jot down, on each sheet, a list of items associated with that theme. This will serve as inspiration while shopping for ideas.

3. Pick the items for each basket. Keep an eye out for bargains and interesting finds, then check them off the lists (along with the cost to track spending). Remember…the basket only needs a few items. It’s best to choose one or two main gifts then add a few knick knacks for volume. Adding a personal note on beautiful stationary to each basket is also a great way to make it special without spending alot.

4. Choose a container. A “basket” can be anything that matches the theme. A small planter for garden supplies. An oversize coffee mug for teas and assorted goodies. A cookie tin for cooking related supplies. A tote bag for the traveler. To keep costs down, check out local off-price retailers for interesting options. Remember… it’s better to have a smaller container that is brimming over with gift items!

5. Gather supplies. Most towns have a craft store, which is a wonderful place for the tools to build the basket…and inspiration. The most basic things include shred to fill the container, cellophane wrap to put the whole thing in, ribbon and bow for closing it and a tag.

6. Make the baskets. Schedule time to do it over the weeks or months before thewedding. The process of arranging the items is pretty easy. Face the items in one direction inside the container, add a bit of shred to fill it out, tie the cellophane up around the whole thing with the ribbon and bow. Add the tag. For more pizzazz…use a fancier cellophane paper, shred and ribbon. Maybe add a sprig of silk flowers in the ribbon loop. That’s it!

The fact that it is a hand-made gift based on something they love will mean so much to your attendants.

Many couples will hold the wedding ceremony at a house of worship, usually one that the bride, the groom, or some other family member attends. When this is the case, selecting the location is fairly easy, provided the date is available. But what happens when the bride- and groom-to-be are of different denominations? More tricky still, how is the situation handled when the couple doesn’t have any religious affiliation?

That’s when the couple needs to get together to discusses their wedding ceremony location options. And there are many. Selecting the location of the ceremony should happen well in advance of the wedding date, up to 12 months if possible. If you wait too long to reserve the location, you may find it’s already booked.

Besides a house of worship, wedding ceremony locations can be practically anywhere - at home, at a country or yacht club, outdoors at a local, national or state park, on a yacht, on a tropical island, at a mountaintop retreat, in a medieval castle, at Disney World - you name it, it’s probably capable of accommodating a wedding ceremony.

Before selecting a location, however, you’ve got to make sure it’ll accommodate your needs. Is the location large enough to accommodate all your guests? Are dressing rooms available? Are there electrical outlets for acoustics and/or music? Is the location easily accessible, especially for those with special needs? Can you find someone to officiate at the location?

The amount you’ll pay will vary from location to location. When you’re finding out the costs, be sure to ask what is included with the price. Make sure the items mentioned are written out on the contract, too. You’ll likely be asked to provide a deposit to reserve the date. This needs to be reflected on the contract as well as the balance amount and due date.

There’s more to consider about the wedding ceremony than just the location. The music and the vows need special attention, especially if you wish to break out of the ‘traditional’ mode. The music may be included with the location. For example, oftentimes a church will use its own organist. However, if your budget allows, you may wish to write your own wedding songs and hire a soloist and accompanist to perform them. Or you can hire musicians to match the theme of your wedding. If these types of arrangements are in your budget, be sure to reserve the talent far in advance, right after you’ve secured the wedding ceremony location.

You can also write your own vows or make modifications to traditional vows. This puts a truly personal touch on the event. Just be sure to give a copy of your version of the vows to the person officiating so that everyone knows what to say.

Because of their abiding love for each other, they are willing to do whatever it takes to shore up the area of their marriage that was affected by erosion.

Even though both spouses know that marriage counseling is an important step, actually feeling comfortable with the counseling is a whole different story.

It’s often more difficult for men to seek outside help for their relationships. They hate not being able to figure something out on their own. Men, by nature, are trained to be independent and self-sufficient. They would rather learn from doing than from discussing. Therefore, it is more difficult for men to see a therapist.

So if the idea of having a male therapist makes a big difference to him, this would be good time to give in to his request.

For men who are uncomfortable with the thought of a one-on-one session, many therapists say group therapy is a good starting point. Sitting down in a group setting–with six to ten other individuals–can address feelings of isolation and improve their interpersonal skills.

Men in our culture typically have more fear of intimacy and are uncomfortable when it comes to revealing their emotions.

By helping people share their concerns and fears, groups can ease men past these barriers to problem solving. Therapy groups with a narrow focus can be especially appealing to men.

Remember, do whatever it takes to make it as easy as possible to seek counseling.

Your efforts will be well rewarded and you will realize that your journey through counseling not only helped resolve your initial concern, but your marriage relationship has broadened and grown to newer heights.

There are a few things you should think about when displaying your bouquet. In
particular, you must be very careful about displaying your bouquet next to a
window. But I’ll tell you more about that later…

Anyway, there are 3 ways you can display your bouquet: in a display cabinet; on a
shelf; or on a table.

Displaying In A Glass Display Cabinet

The ideal way to display your silk bouquet is in a glass display cabinet. This works
really well with a picture of your wedding behind the bouquet, so that your flowers
have a backdrop for other people to admire them in their full extent.

Displaying On A Shelf

Another place to display your bouquet is on a shelf. Try and use a high shelf, so that
the bouquet is out of the way - you don’t want people knocking it over! A couple of
small wedding photo’s either side of the bouquet will look great, and will really draw
the eye to the display.

Displaying On A Table

If you have a posy, then you can display it in a vase, on top of a table. Try and use a
table out of the way (A corner table, or dining table maybe), so that the posy doesn’t
get in the way of your everyday routine. If you place blue and white stones at the
bottom of the vase, it will give the impression that the flowers are sitting in water. It
looks spectacular, and is definitely worth a try.

Whichever way you to decide to display your bouquet, there are 4 simple rules you
should pay attention to:

1) Put the silk bouquet in a place where it will draw attention. A well displayed
bouquet makes a great talking point, and will remind you of the happy day every
time you see it.

2) Make sure the bouquet is out of the way. You don’t want to be knocking it over,
or pushing it aside all the time. Perhaps you’ll be careful, but what about your
children, or your pets?

3) KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid. Many people get carried away when setting up their
bouquet display, and add too many photographs and other wedding items. This
makes the display look cluttered, and the bouquet stops being a focal point. You
want the display to be VERY simple, so that eye is drawn to the the bouquet.

4) Be sure to avoid direct sunlight hitting the bouquet. Direct sunlight is very bad
for silk bouquets, and will make them fade and lose their color. Ideally you want
natural room light. If you have your bouquet anywhere near a window, make sure
the sunlight doesn’t directly hit it!

Peta D’Silva has been making silk bouquets for over 14 years. She is the webmaster
of http://www.visionsofsilk.com, a website featuring a catalog of bouquets that can
be bought, as well as easy-to-understand articles about creating your own silk
bouquet.

As a result, before you go scampering off to your closest lingerie retail shop here are a few tremendously valuable information that would make shopping for designer lingerie appreciably easier.

It is always clever to make sure that you remember their body form and lingerie size ahead of going shopping. The best means to check out what the best products are created for them is to learn about their body type in order to know what specific type of lingerie would help to bring out the wonderful sections of their body and keep everybody’s focus away from particular areas of theirs body that make them feel self-aware. Find affordable, gorgeous and stylish reversible venice tie bikinis, halter ring swimsuits and reversible venice tankinis from Moontide.

There are on average three lingerie sizes: thin, medium and size plus. The lingerie size that would complement a specific person is down to their body form. Their body size would also help determine the specific make of silk lingerie that would be wonderful for them, for example a garter set for someone who has thin, narrow hips and petite breasts or a halter bra for a person who struggles with petite busts.

It is important to know ahead of going to the stores the exact areas of their body that they would like to be improved or emphasised with a specific women’s lingerie piece. For instance push-up pads for the corsets or bra would aid someone who wants their breasts to give the impression of being considerably bigger, whilst someone with a pair of gorgeous long legs would look amazing with long stockings.

Something like that doesn’t just happen. You have to dedicate time, effort and energy to create the perfect wedding. You can do it, but make sure you give yourselves enough time–and money!–to create the most memorable, beautiful, perfect wedding for each of you. After all, the memory will last a lifetime!

A year is the usual amount of time recommended to accomplish this. The budget is whatever you two decide upon, remembering that you do have a year to put aside money from time to time.

Use the checklist below as a guide for your perfect wedding. The items are listed in order, so that the first ones should be accomplished right away.

1-Church or Civil Wedding? If it’s a church wedding, talk to the appropriate church officials as soon as possible. There are lots of details to go through just to get this part right. Be patient! It’ll be worth it!

2-The Reception This may take a long time to arrange, so start arranging it right away. Talk to different caterers and go see the possible venues. Gather all the costs and information you can!

3-The Dress If you haven’t got a theme yet for your wedding, you may want to fix on one at this point. A Renaissance theme, for example, is a popular one, and it makes all your decisions easier, such as the type of Dress–and tux!

4-The Pictures Some of the best wedding photographers book over a year in advance, so get right on it!

5-The Flowers They can be as meaningful as you want. Set aside some time to research the meaning of flowers, as well as the cost.

6-The Rings No single wedding-related objects are as important. Spend the time and money you must to get the rings that will express your love for a lifetime.

7-The Invitations The guest list can make or break a wedding and reception celebration. Take your time on this one!

8-The Honeymoon You can dream about it throughout the year, but at some point you will have to decide. Make it a place you both are crazy about, then book it!

If you’ve gotten this far, the rest is only logic. Follow through, and it’ll be a piece of (many-tiered?) cake!

“Most marriage failures are courtship failures” — PAUL H. LANDIS

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

And that’s true. A good courtship makes a good marriage. But the problem is that some do not even know the purpose of courtship, and when to begin it.

Most courtships are no less than crushes — an infatuated love for a favorite teacher, pop star or some other celeb. And this starts earlier in girls than in boys.

These daydreamers, however, end up sick and depressed. Because the truth is that they may never get to meet such one in person, all their life. Even when they do, there is little chance that the love they crave for such “idols” will be returned. In most cases those “idols” are not even aware of the “love.”

So be real about your date. And this would involve asking yourself some personal questions that will help you to find out if you are not deceiving yourself. These questions are: How well do I really know this person? Am I blinded to his personal flaws? Is the person perfect? Have I fallen in love with an image? Would I ever get to meet this person in my life?

If the answers you get make you think that you are on the wrong road, put your automobile in the reverse, fast. Do things that will keep you busy. Stop romanticizing. Seek help from your parents, or friends.

Then someday, you will find the “real love”, and your right date. But before you start seeing each other, you have to be warned of the dark side of dating.

The Dangers of Dating

Do not date for fun. Dating should start when you are ready for marriage. In fact it is part of the process of getting the right marriage mate.

Teenagers and others, who dated for the fun of it, have ended up committing sexual immorality before knowing it. It normally starts with holding hands, an innocent kiss, then fondling with intimate body parts, and finally, sex.

Then one day the relationship breaks up, leaving the couples to suffer the emotional trauma. Some end up in hospital beds, or psychiatric homes, some commit abortions while others commit suicide. Others live for life with a wounded conscience. Would you want that to happen to you? Of course not.

Dating itself is not wrong. But it is wrong to date for the wrong reason. The following questions will help you to have a successful courtship.

Why am I dating?

It is okay if you are dating with marriage in view. But it is wrong when you are just flirting around with a member of the opposite sex, just to get attention.

Would dating help me to grow emotionally?

Limiting yourself to a boy-girl relationship will hinder your social and emotional development. This will not help your maturity and prepare you to select a mate.

Do you want to hurt yourself?

If you pursue an unrealistic relationship, you will hurt yourself later. You may be disappointed by the other person. And it may take you some time to regain your composure.

What do my parents and others say about the relationship?

Your friends or parents may draw your attention to the dangers in your relationship. Would it not be wise for you to take a hard look at the facts, and pack it up? After all, they have affection for you, and your parents who are older and wiser, should know better.

Will I be able to keep my courtship honorable?

This means that your relationship should not cross from seeing each other, to having premarital sex. So if your date decides to call off the relationship, you would still have kept your chastity and moral integrity intact. The reverse is bad news.

The following are the rules of dating.

Do not date until you are old enough and ready to get married.

Do not date someone you don’t love.

Keep your relationship chaste.

Do not go to your date alone. Have a chaperon by you.

Be properly dressed, and be on time when you visit your date.

Keep your visit informal and relaxed. Converse and listen well.

Try to know as much as possible about your date.

Do not dodge sensitive matters. Discuss them.

In your discussion, find out how you are to live. Ask questions like these: Where are we to live? How many children shall we have? What type of birth control method shall we use? What is your role in our marriage? What type of work shall we do? How are we going to save our money? Do you have any health problem? Did you live a promiscuous sex life? Can we do a medical check up? Do you owe money? What is your life or religious goal? And many more. . .

Spend time with your mate in recreation and working together. Do daily chores like shopping, cooking, cleaning, and washing — practical things that will help you later in the marriage, and see how your mate fares.

Watch to see how your mate treats his parents and friends.

Observe him when in the company of other people.

Watch him unobserved.

Do not be hasty in your courtship. If there are flaws in the person you are dating or flaws in the relationship that you think you cannot live with; break it up.

But now, how do you know that you are ready for marriage?

Chapter Five “Those who are very young when they marry have three strikes against them.” –PROFESSOR MARCIA LASSWELL.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Are you ready for marriage? Hold your answer until you know whether you are qualified to go into it. First, know that there is nothing like trial marriage. When God instituted the first marriage between our first parents, Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, he did not tell them to try it first, and dump it afterward. It was for life; and nothing would break it excerpt adultery, or perhaps death. (Genesis 2: 18, 23, 24; Matthew 19: 3 — 9) So know that this union is for life, and that you will even go through “tribulations” in course of the marriage. — 1 Corinthians 7: 28.

Now, how do you answer the following questions:

Do I have great expectations?

That is the first major problem. Because you are not going to see that Wonderland that you expected after the honeymoon. The scales will fall from your eyes. Consider these life experiences.

“We thought that we could come and go, do as we pleased, . . . but it isn’t that way.”

“Many teenagers get married to play house. . . . but that’s not the way it is.”

“After I got married I found out that the great thrill of sex wears off very soon and then we started having real problems.”

So do not have great romantic expectations. Childhood marriages — physical immaturity, may blur your vision and understanding of married life.

Am I ready for my roles?

Some people enter marriage without even knowing their roles in the family. The husband fails to provide material support, and the wife neglects her housekeeping role.

Married men are reported to be still hanging out late at night, drinking with friends, away from their wives. Even those who work hard to maintain the family are frustrated. “This is hard work,” said one. “Will I ever get some relief?”

Can I solve money problems?

This is the greatest cause of marital problems. Some can not provide money to support the family, and where money is available, the problem is overspending. In the end, families have become heavily indebted, while others pack to live with their parents. In extreme cases, divorce becomes the solution.

Do I have a compatible mate?

Being compatible does not mean that you and your partner must agree on everything under the sun. Or that your mate should be able to play baseball since you are a baseball star. No.

But if you are miles apart on almost everything — work, recreation, attitude, and beliefs, you should know that you are not equally matched.

Consider one woman who thought that her marriage must work because her partner was “so handsome, so strong, such a good athlete and very popular.” Was she being realistic? No. She was dreaming of Shangri-La, or building castles in the air, as they say. The marriage collapsed!

Have I thoroughly examined myself?

So ask yourself if you are the type that can make vows and keep them. Ask if your goals in life will affect your marriage. Find out if you can support or manage a household. Check to see if you are mature to handle trials that will surface later in the marriage.

If your answers are positive, if you think that you have the physical, mental and spiritual maturity to go into marriage, then ask yourself this question; what are the keys to family happiness? Do you know them?

Now, let’s see.

(EXCERPTED FROM THE BOOK, “SUCCESSFUL DATING AND MARRIAGE.” THIS TEN-CHAPTER BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE. INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT THE AUTHOR.)

ARTHUR ZULU is an editor, book reviewer, playwright, and published author. He also writes short stories, scripts, essays, and poems. For his works and FREE helps for writers, goto: http://controversialwriter.tripod.com mailto: controversialwriter@yahoo.com Web search: Arthur Zulu