Well, it was probably winter - no, it was definitely winter. And, it was really freezing. I certainly remember the day especially because it was raining a lot. Did you ever see rain in winter? It’s spectacular. And the breeze that was passing by definitely added a feeling of extra chill.

As usual, I was hanging out with friends after a basketball game. It was afternoon around 4p.m. We had a match, but actually, none of us felt like playing. There weren’t a few people - surprisingly many people came to watch the game. Probably because Sameer was playing - at least that’s why all the girls came all the way to watch a usual basketball game. Oh okay, I didn’t introduce you to Sameer yeah? Sameer is one of those good looking guys that you must have a second look at. A very fair complexion, and long straight highlighted hair which come down over his eyes, and an overall sharp outlook makes this macho guy a Greek God to every girl in town. Sameer got everything that a girl wants. A fancy convertible, lot of money to have a date anywhere he wants, one of those newest cell phone that has features that even our country can’t support and of course popularity. Well, that day he was talking to us with a lot of attention, usually he’s always busy with girls after the game. But that’s when Sara saw him.

Sara - my very old friend; back in school, we used to share our lunch. Our friendship was more than anything else. She came to see me playing, but she never regretted that day, because she got to meet the love of her life - or at least that’s how it was to her. Sara is one of those practical, fashionable modern teenagers of twenty-first century. Oh well, you guys are thinking what am I supposed to say now - Sara is extremely pretty looking girl? Well, no. That’s not how it is. Sara is prettier than you can think of. When she walks down the lane, every guy stares at her for as long as possible; when she used to enter the class, the class would go silent just to look at her. You rarely see a girl naturally so pretty around you. But that was not the best part about her. Her beauty was nothing comparing to her heart.

In fact, I think Sara had the biggest heart in the world. She was never late in helping someone even though he or she was a complete stranger. I recall once Sara punched this guy in 6th grade guy just because he was teasing me. Oh, I’m so stupid. I forgot to tell you people about me. Well, this will be boring. I’m one of those guys who are as common as possible. In fact, there was really nothing special about me. I was serious about studies, but never did really good. That reminds me I used to help Sara a lot. And she never stopped thanking me for all that. I loved playing basketball. And that’s how I made a lot of friends in life. But life never had a direction for me, and that’s why Sara would always tell me to get serious - I wish I really had listened to her. I saw a lot of cool people around, but it seemed so vague to me. What is the whole point of being so smart, when it sounds so stupid to me? May be that’s why I never go to be elegant enough.

Sara pointed at Sameer, and asked me who he was.

“Who? The tall guy? - That’s Sameer!”

“Sameer? Okay… cute guy…”

“Yeah, I know! Wanna meet him?” “Hey Sameer! Dude can you give me a minute?”

“Sameer, this is my very old pal, Sara” “Sara, this is Sameer…”

Sara was even my friend when my sister was born. Well, that’s back in 2nd grade actually. She used to come to study in my place. My mom taught both of us from childhood. So, it was almost like family. The day after my sister was born; she and her mom came to the hospital and brought all these gifts for her. I was happy for my sister, but I was really pissed at Sara. I got so pissed, that I didn’t even talk to her. Sara got to know I was mad at her, because she didn’t bring anything for me. She came and said sorry, I said I won’t ever talk to her. She almost began to cry. So I couldn’t help admitting I obviously will. We were kids back then, but we promised each other to be best friends forever.

“How come you didn’t tell me you know such a hot looking guy?”
“Yeah, all the girls are crazy for him…”
“No wonder….”

Sara got to know Sameer. Their friendship started from that very day. After almost two or three weeks, they started going out. Sameer asked Sara out, and the news was almost everywhere. Truly they looked like they were made for each other. They are so unique, so eye catching.

In my childhood, the best thing about my birthday was I get to decorate a room with balloon and all those stuffs. From days before I would plan for this. But, on the day of decoration, I would never be alone. Sara has to be there. She would come early in morning, and we two start blowing balloons and do all the decorations. I would never start without her. And it was the same for cutting the cake.

As long as I’m not in Sara’s party, or Sara is not in mine, we would never cut the cake. There was once when she left home after decorating my place, and after waiting almost for an hour I cut the cake; Sara came late and when see saw I had already blown the candles without her she was really sad. She went home and cried that night. Her mom told my mom, and that’s how I got to know. So the next day I had another birthday party where we cut the cake, blew the candles - and even Sara was there. From those days even after we got older, Sara never forgot my birthday, and the first call I would get is from Sara on my ever birthday. I wasn’t any less; I would always mark the date on calendar and always make sure I get to wish her on her birthday as well. We would not tell each other before, just to check if we do really remember each others’ birthdays.

Sara’s mom doesn’t really let her out with too many friends. But this one guy she would trust is me. And that’s why I was the only one who could help her. Sameer wanted Sara to always make it for long time, and she had trouble doing so. So, most of the times I had to take her with me, and make her meet Sameer. Only thing that I was scared about was her mom to suspect she was going out with me. When I used to take her to Sameer, she would ask me a million times if she’s looking okay. I used to find that so weird, because I never recalled a day when she was not looking okay. Sara never wanted to be late, because Sameer hated to wait. But once she was really tardy. It was actually because of me. I didn’t have a car, and that day I couldn’t find anything on time to pick Sara up. So I was almost half an hour late, moreover, the traffic made it worse. Sameer left, and later they had a huge fight. I felt so guilty because it was for me. Sara called me at night the same day, and told me how irresponsible I was, and because of me, she’s going through all this. Sameer stopped talking to her for a few days; so I decided to talk to Sameer and clarify everything myself.

On 7th grade, Sara and I got separated because we both went to different sections. So I didn’t have anyone to share my lunch with. But, you know Sara, she always figures something out. So we decided in break time we’d always meet in one specific place. I couldn’t believe classes can get so boring without a good friend. So I couldn’t wait to hear the bell for the break time every single day in my class. We would meet precisely at 11-05am. And both of us always used to rush as soon as the bell rang. Sara once got a detention for being talkative in class and she had to stay inside the class at the break time for one entire week. That was one of the times, I felt really sad. I never felt so alone before, and I knew what her closeness meant to me. I don’t know how Sara used to feel when she didn’t get to talk to me, but then again, after the school finished, everyday she would meet me for at least 5 minutes and we had so much to talk about at the end of the day. Although we were in separate sections, but we would talk about what happened in school all day. Sometimes I wouldn’t even care what she is saying, as long as I could feel her presence, I always used to be so blissful to see her. Maybe it was all because of her charisma.

Sameer accepted my confession. But that wasn’t everything. Sameer didn’t like Sara mixing with me so much. He had a feeling, I know her more than anyone, and he couldn’t stand it. I didn’t know all that; in fact I didn’t even know what Sameer told Sara that night; but I could guess, when I had her phone call. It was around 3a.m. and I really don’t expect calls that late at night; so I was surprised to see Sara calling me.

“You awake?”

“Well, I am now! So since when did you start missing me at 3 o’clock in the morning?”

“Funny! Listen, get serious, I need to talk about some stuffs with you”

“Okay, and I have this feeling it’s not good…”

“Umm… well, I don’t know how to put this, but well Sameer doesn’t want me to talk to you anymore…”

I really can’t recall what she said after that. But well, she decided that if Sameer determined that, she could do that much for him. Nevertheless, she loves him, so Sameer has the rights, he must have the importance. Well, what can I say? I thanked her for being free with me, and to let me know all this. So I determined to keep my distance. But I didn’t think that moment what I have really decided - I didn’t give it a thought how hard it could be without a person who has been my best friend since childhood.

Sara’s dad bought her a car when she was in 10th grade, and she learned to drive. It’s kind of funny, but I learnt to drive from her. Every evening she would take me with her, and showed me how to drive. I loved it. My dad can’t afford me a car, but Sara knew how much crazy I was about cars from my childhood. Tiny little cars were my birthday gift that I always got from her when I was a kid. And when I used to hold the steering of her, I could feel the electricity passing through my body. Nothing was more exciting to me, than to drive, and this dream could never come true without her. Sara’s parents knew that she was training me how to drive, so even though I dent her car a few times, her dad was okay with it. In fact, he would rather scream at Sara that she is not a good instructor.

I called to wish Sara on her birthday, and she invited me to come at her place. She even added that, she asked Sameer, and he’s okay with it; so I don’t have to be anxious. Sara’s favorite gift was chocolates. As always, I took some for her. This was the first time, I was going to meet her, and was thinking if I look all right. Sara now has a lot of friends; most of them are unknown to me. I figured they were Sameer’s friends. Sara came to me as she saw me. It was months since I saw her last, and couldn’t take my eyes off her. She seemed like more attractive to me. She showed me her new cell phone that Sameer gave her as a birthday gift, it’s made of Titanium. She was really excited, and storing all the numbers. Well, I was asked for number too, but then Sara recalled I don’t carry one. Everyone was telling each other, how sweet Sameer was, and Sara must be really proud to have him. I kind of felt introverted showing her I got only chocolates for her, so I left that with the other gifts on table, so she can have a look at that later herself. Although she seemed really busy, I had a chance to talk to her. So I asked how come she forgot to wish me on my last birthday.

“Oh c’mon… we’re not kids anymore! You know I’ve been a bit busy. And it’s not like I forgot, but I was out with Sameer till very late at night, so couldn’t manage to call! Later, I thought you’d figure, so didn’t bother. I’m sorry though…”

Well, I could understand. So I smiled back at her saying, “That’s okay…”

Oh, I almost forgot my story. So where was I? Oh yeah, a really freezing winter morning. Well, I was out for an exam that I was having in my university. I was walking my way back home, and I just noticed this red sports car in front of my house. You know I’m always crazy about cars, so I ran to it. It’s the hottest BMW Z-4. I didn’t expect to see one on Dhaka; but more than that what concerned me is what is it doing in front of my house? So I rushed inside my house, and my mom told me that Sara and Sameer were here. I ran to the living room. Sara turned back hearing my footsteps,

“Hey! Where have you been busy man?”

“Oh c’mon, I went to the university - what you forgot that?”

“Hmm… big boy!”

She kept smiling and came close to me.

I have not seen her so much glad for a very long time, so I was thinking what could be the reason.

“So here it is… finally!”

She handed me a very trendy invitation card.

“What is it? Some big news?”

“Bigger than you can think! - Sameer and I are getting married!”

“Oh my god - really? That is so awesome!”

They stayed for a few more minutes; she said she will be getting married to Sameer in a month. And also decided to move to Sheffield, a city in Northern England; Sameer’s dad has some business there which Sameer will now take care of. Sara was sad when she was leaving, she said she would come to talk tome the next evening, as we have become so far apart.

Did I tell you about our favorite place? It was our rooftop, from where we could see the entire sky. And that’s where I was with her, that night. Well, that night was my big chance and all I did was just sit there with her watching the stars and talking about what I was going to do and what she was going to do. I looked into her eyes and listened to her talking about what her dream was. How she wanted to get married and settle down. She said how she wanted to be complete and successful. All I could do was to tell her my dream and cuddle next to her. She went home and I didn’t tell her how I was feeling. I thought of it that night and figured I was just a friend. All through school life and even through all these days we’re always together and of course, I thought of it as being friends. But I knew that I didn’t even want to confess to myself that deep inside that I really felt differently.

I wanted to tell her so badly that I loved her but I was too scared and frightened. I let my feelings go; I didn’t know if I should be happy that I got her as a friend in my life, or should I be sad if that’s all I had. I know that I could never be with her and that we could only be friends. I remembered the good times that we had together. Today, I can only use these words to express what was really in my heart, things that I could never tell her. Maybe real love is only felt when you lose that someone that you love more than yourself. It’s a long road in front of me, and I have to face it alone, the hand that I used to hold, won’t be there anymore. I always realized she is there, standing right behind, only knowing, she is not so far behind. I wish tonight, that I was in her arms, and she was telling me we’d always be alright.

The boundaries between friendship and love is defined by such credibility that I did not have; but then again was it really my fault that I fell in love?

I never realized how to live on myself, until that night. I loved her like no other person; may be I didn’t want much of anything; but, the one thing I needed from her was for her to always be there. The hardest thing to do for me was to be beside her all the time, looking at her knowing that she won’t ever be mine.

Remember me when you are gone, far to the beyond, away from me. A journey I cannot go with you on, even though you are going for good. I wish I could be at Sameer’s place that day, I wish I never had to let you go. I have tried for tears not to fall from my eyes, at least not in front of you. Keep alive the beautiful times we share, and take it to heart that my love for you is ever sure.

(Article was published in my own msn group “club dhaka” under my alias Highbred Jammer)

M Saquib Hussain
saquib.h@gmail.com
+880187566907
Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Ah, Bristol! If any city deserves the name of Home of Comedy, it must be Bristol. Home to Jongleurs and Jesters, a pair of world-class comedy clubs, and birthplace of Lee Evans, Justin Lee Collins and laughing gas, Bristol offers some unique possibilities for stag weekend activities. A Bristol stag weekend can combine an afternoon of paintballing, quad biking or five a side with an evening of carousing and comedy at one of Bristol’s rightfully famed comedy clubs.

The traditional stag night of strippers and lap dances has more recently been replaced with an entire weekend’s worth of ‘guy fun’, often away from home so the scandalous naughty doings don’t trickle back to those who might care. If you’re planning a stag weekend for an upcoming wedding, a Bristol stag weekend offers many possibilities for memorable, unique stag activities. Among the many Bristol stag weekend activities that you might include are:

:: Quad Biking at a Bristol course

- An obstacle course run on quad bikes can kick off a stag weekend in Bristol with a bang. Get dirty, get the blood pumping and get the testosterone primed for a night on the town later.

:: Assault Course

- River rafting - upstream? A Bristol stag weekend favorite is an assault course that pits your team against the river - and other teams on a home-built raft made of articles bought in a ’ship’s store’. It’s another blood-raising activity that will prime the pumps for a hot night on the town later.

:: Bavarian Bierkellar

- Instead of a nightclub, take the Stag out for a beer-filled night at a mini-Munich Bierfest. With oversized steins of the best brews in the world, and lots of raucous fun, it’s a Bristol stag weekend standard.

:: Comedy Club

- Bristol is the home of comedy - and the comedians that play the Bristol comedy clubs are past masters at pointing the finger at stags out celebrating their last nights of freedom. No Bristol stag weekend would be complete without a night of gut-busting howlers at a Bristol comedy club.

Brett Danielson works for http://www.chillisauce.co.uk, a tour operator specialising in stag weekends in Bristol and other cities in the UK and Europe.

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Thanking your wedding party with special gifts is a favored tradition. Depending on the size of your wedding party it can be an expensive one as well. With so much money spent on the wedding ceremony and the reception, this can often be an aspect of the ceremony that you can have a hard time in deciding upon because it can be difficult to find inexpensive, original and thoughtful items that will be good enough to express your appreciation to your wedding party.

Here are some great and unique gift ideas that are not expensive:

• Personalized shot glasses

• Personalized candles

• Personally engraved items such as ornaments, plaques etc.

• Personalized musical CD recordings commemorating the ceremony and reception music such as bride and groom’s songs etc.

• Specially labeled wine bottles commemorating your special day

• A personalized picture frame of the wedding of the wedding party

• Make your own wine and give a bottle to each guest

• Make beaded bracelets with you and your couples initials on them and the date of your wedding

These are just some ideas. Take these ideas and expand them as there are literally millions of gift ideas that you could choose from or create with your own hands. Simply think to the way you would like to express your gratitude and take into account the budget you have to work with. Then let your creativity take over and create a personalized gift that can fit into your overall wedding budget.

Mia LaCron is the founder of Cut-Wedding-Costs.info - http://www.cut-wedding-costs.info - devoted to helping individuals live out the wedding of their dreams on a realistic budget they can afford.

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Weddings are expensive. I learned this myself three years ago when my wife and I were married. We only had about 60 guests, but when you add up the ceremony, reception, music, photographer, video, limos, tuxedoes and dresses, we still ended up spending over $15,000.

If you are planning on getting married in the near future, you should begin thinking about what is most important to you now. Sit down with your significant other and make a list of everything that you would like to have and rank them. Decide what you could live without, what you would really like to have, and what you absolutely must have. This will help you prioritize when it comes to allocating money.

Here are some things to consider if you are planning a wedding on a budget:

Food - Price and quality do not always go together when it comes to food. I’ve been to expensive weddings with horrible food (we once left so dissatisfied that we stopped at Burger King on the way home). And I have been to low budget weddings where the food was delicious. It’s very important to ask around for opinions and if possible go for a tasting before choosing a caterer. Also, buffets are generally less expensive than a sit down dinner.

Location - If you are looking to save money, consider having your ceremony in a park or other outside area, even a friend’s backyard.

Time - Weekend evenings are the busiest time for weddings and you will pay a premium for them. We got married on a Sunday at noon and it cost us half the rate of a Sunday evening wedding. We could never have afforded the evening wedding at such a nice place.

Music - DJs are generally much cheaper than live bands. Or if money is especially tight, consider not having music or just playing your own. A friend of our’s had a sit down dinner for about 20 guests when she got married. There was no dancing but we all had a great time.

Flowers - Prices for flowers can vary wildly from florist to florist. It really pays to shop around. Also, if you use flowers that are in season and available locally you will save money. Out of season flowers have to be shipped from other parts of the world and you will pay considerably extra for them.

Photographs - Pictures are a sentimental memento of your wedding day and I encourage you to have pictures taken. But the cost can be prohibitive. A professional photographer will cost several thousand dollars. Prices will vary depending on the size of your package.

A less expensive option is to buy a bunch of disposable cameras and leave one on each table so your guests can take pictures for you. The downsides are low quality and lack of the ability to control the pictures taken. If you use a professional you can give her a list of the photos that you can’t live without.

Video - Prices and quality vary with videographers as well. My wife watches our video all the time so it was well worth the cost. But if you are planning a wedding on a budget you can probably live without it.

Limos - Skip the Hummer or Rolls Royce models and stick with a standard limo and you’ll save considerably.

Mike Collins is the owner of www.saving-money-and-living-debt-free.com, a friendly guide to saving money, making extra money, and getting out of debt.

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You are getting attracted. You think about him/her. You want to be with your object of love. You are showing all the signs of being in love. But is it love? Or is it infatuation that will go away after some time?

Let us examine this in little more detail. What is the difference between love and infatuation? The first difference is that infatuation is short lived. It disappears soon.

How will you test it? Think about all the qualities that are making you fall in this love.

Now think of another person. Imagine that the new candidate has all the qualities in greater measure. Think deeply and imagine as much as you can. Are you still in love, or you are shifting your allegiance to the new candidate?

Take another scenario. Imagine having a bad fight with your lover. Imagine of him/her calling you different names and arguing furiously with you. Are you still in love? Will you go back next day to them? Or you already hate them?

Take this test. After many years, your beloved is losing physical charm. Pick up photographs of some movie stars when they were young and compare with the way they look now. Do something similar with your lover. Are you still in love? Will you love them after so many years when they would have lost most of their physical charm?

Love is a feeling that lasts despite years. Love can take fights in its stride. Love cannot be easily defined, but in love you care for your beloved more than yourself. You become very selfless with your true sweetheart. Do you have that feeling? If yes, it is love. Otherwise you need to think more.

The author C.D. Mohatta writes articles, advice and ideas at http://www.yourromanceguide.com/ on topics like love, dating, marriage, relationships, break-ups, etc. He also writes for screen-savers and desktop wallpapers at http://www.screene.com/ on topics like nature, spirituality, motivation, love-romance, holidays, animals, etc. The third site, the author writes for, is http://www.ecarduniverse.com/ - it has free ecards on holidays, birthday, love, friendship, family, expressions, celebrations and all events and occasions.

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The fifth affair I outline in my book, “Break Free From The Affair” is called: “I Want to Get Back at Him/Her.” This is the revenge affair.

It occurs in a marriage in which one feels slighted in some manner and seeks revenge by engaging in infidelity. It is less a movement toward the other person and more a movement away from one’s spouse.

Key Points:

1. The affair may be a direct response to the affair of the spouse. “I’ll show you! Take this! I want you to hurt as much as I hurt.” Or the affair may be revenge for some other form of cut-off or perceived emotional injury: “I’m not getting enough here, so I’ll show you!” Or, “There, I got your attention!”

2. This typically occurs in a marriage where effective personal confrontation does not happen or happens ineffectively. There is a mistrust of expressing one’s self fully to the other person. The marriage relationship usually is marked by civility, but the two, in essence, do not know each other very well. They are polite, but there is no fire. They may want more, but are not sure how to get more.

3. The fire that does exist is a smoldering tension under the surface of the marriage. The tension may be the result of the frustration that one or both experience when they believe their needs are not being met. There is a genuine desire for more - from the spouse - but it’s not happening.

4. This form of revenge affair serves as a wake-up call for the relationship. If, and I use the word if advisedly, the couple can “get it out” - drain off the tension - and begin talking about needs, yes, the relationship stands a very good chance of turning into something wonderful. One or both must say with a great deal of passion, “I REALLY want you! I no longer will settle for the boiling frustration and seeming indifference to my needs. This is what I need and expect…..”

5. There is another kind of revenge affair that holds less hope and is more destructive. A revenge affair may be the result of long-standing and unresolved anger or rage toward the opposite sex. There is a persistent pattern of the person pushing others away with rage or anger. There also is a great deal of projection, or this person blaming others for his/her situation.

6. This form of anger is more rage than frustration. The rage emerges from a desire to hurt rather than from the frustration of needs not being met. This person exhibits little concern, as well, for the other person. Whereas someone more frustrated because they want their needs met, is usually more considerate of the other person.

Tip: Begin to make distinctions between rage and frustration. Determine the type of revenge affair you must face. If it is rage, learn to protect yourself and set boundaries. Begin to take exceptional care of yourself. Begin to say no! If it is an affair of frustration, begin looking at your needs. Identify and express those needs. Take a risk. Turn up the passion button. Dare to engage about needs, both yours and the others.

Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: http://www.break-free-from-the-affair.com

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Have you ever wondered if what you know about wedding flowers is
accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you
know to the latest info on wedding flowers.

The florist that you choose for your wedding may play a
significant role in your wedding so it is important to choose
your florist wisely. Just a few areas where the florist plays a
role in the wedding include the bouquets that are carried by the
bride and her bridesmaids, the flowers carried by the flower
gift the flowers the groom and his ushers wear in their lapels
and the flowers that decorate the ceremony locations. In
addition to all of that the florist may also design center
pieces for the tables at the reception and decorate the cake
with fresh flowers. The use of flowers throughout the ceremony
and reception makes it critical that the couple exercise caution
and choose a competent and creative florist.

One of the most effective ways to choose a florist for your
wedding is to find a florist who is recommended by a trusted
friend or family member. Wedding planners and others in the
wedding planning industry may have a vested interest in
recommending a particular florist for your wedding but a friend
or family member makes their recommendations simply because they
were happy with a previous performance by the florist. If you
have been to a number of weddings in your area and were pleased
by the floral arrangements you may want to consider contacting
the host of that wedding to find out who they used as their
florist. When it comes to choosing a florist, previous
performance is the best indication of how the florist will
perform in the future.

While the aesthetic appeal of the flowers is important, price
will also likely factor into your decision to choose a
particular florist. It is important to establish a budget for
flowers before you meet with potential florists for your
wedding. When you do meet with them get a detailed estimate and
discuss what is included in the estimate that they have
provided. It is also important to find out if there are any
additional fees that have not been included in the estimate such
a delivery charges and set-up fees. If possible try to negotiate
having these fees incorporated into the estimate to avoid any
unexpected charges.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not
immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

It is also important to consider whether or not the florist
specializes in weddings. A florist who regularly completes
arrangements specifically for weddings is much more likely than
another florist to be aware of everything that is involved with
being a wedding florist. They will not only know all that is
required of them but they will also likely have established
relationships with local venues.

Another important consideration in choosing a wedding florist is
how much support they are willing to offer. Some florists may
simply deliver the flowers to the destination and will not take
care of setting up the flowers. You will want to find a florist
that is willing to send a representative along with the delivery
to ensure that the flowers are set up correctly and that they
look fresh and attractive. It is ideal to have your florist
remain onsite throughout the wedding and reception to ensure
that there are no issues with the flowers but if this is not
possible you should have a florist onsite at the very beginning
of the party as minimum.

The delivery system employed by the florist is also important in
determining whether or not to choose a particular florist for
your wedding. Many florists employ independent contractors to
take care of their delivery needs. The delivery person drives
their own vehicle and operates independently from the florist.
While this situation may work out very well for the florist, it
could be the recipe for disaster at your wedding. It is
important to remember that if the delivery personnel are driving
their own vehicles then it is likely that the florist does not
have a backup vehicle in case something happens to the delivery
truck. However, if the florist employs their own delivery
personnel who drive company supplied vehicles then the florist
most likely has a contingency plan for when a vehicle breaks
down.

Choosing a florist for your wedding is very important. Seeking
opinions of friends and family members is one of the most
effective ways to choose a qualified florist. Careful review of
recommendations is another important step in choosing a florist
as is understanding their payment structure.

Knowing enough about wedding flowers to make solid, informed
choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve
just learned about wedding flowers, you should have nothing to
worry about.

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Both the centerpiece of your evening and the delicious dessert, your wedding cake is a significant element of your wedding reception. It should be eye-catching and fabulous. (tasty too!) I’ve narrowed the process of selecting your wedding cake into three easy steps. Follow these, and you will have the confection that suits your personal style and budget.

Step 1: Determine your Wedding Cake Style
As the focal point of your reception, your cake should represent the theme of your wedding and reflect your overall vision. Consider the style, shape, color and adornments. Browse and collect photographs of cakes that inspire you. Make a list of qualities you like and don’t like. View Elegala.com’s wedding cake gallery for inspiring ideas.

Make it Last
Don’t forget to consider the longevity of your cake when making your selection. It may look like a work of art, but it is still food, and certain types will hold up better in extreme climates. If you will be holding an summer outdoor reception, opt for fondant icing over buttercream. While buttercream is tasty, it doesn’t keep well in heat or humidity.

Step 2: Factor Cost
Cake cost is based per slice and is determined by how complex the overall design. The typical range is usually $2-$15 per slice. As a result, there are 2 easy ways to keep your cake within budget.

The first way is to choose a more simple design with minimal adornments. Fresh fruit and flowers are the cheapest, while handmade gumpaste or sugarpaste decorations are more expensive.

If you have your heart set on an intricate design you saw in a magazine, don’t worry that the associated cost will break your budget. You can always improvise a complex design. Most wedding cakes featured in magazines use fondant icing, which creates that sought-after smooth look. Fondant icing is more expensive than buttercream, so ask your cake designer to create a similar look using buttercream icing. Many brides can opt for a smaller, intricately designed cake to showcase at their wedding, while the site holds simple sheet cakes in the kitchen to serve to guests.

When determining the cost of your cake, don’t forget about additional costs such as shipping your confection. Some venues also charge a cake cutting fee of about $1.50-$3 per slice, which can significantly add to the cost of your cake.

Step 3: Choose your Baker
Before commencing your search for a cake designer, first determine whether or not your reception site allows an outside baker. If your reception site is the exclusive baker, sometimes the case with country clubs and hotels, you can skip this step - your work is done. If the site does allow an outside baker, pick a few local cake bakers and book appointments to view their portfolios. When meeting with potential bakers, consider look, taste and price. The one you choose should be able to create the beautiful masterpiece you desire at a price you can afford, and it should taste scrumptious as well. Ask to taste some samples to determine the talents of your baker.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

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Ever got stuck trying to come up with the “ultimate” wedding gift? Well, you are not alone. Each day thousands of people rack their brains trying to come up with unique wedding gift ideas, only to throw their hands up in frustration and buy any of the common wedding gifts being sold out there.

Below are some wonderful wedding gift ideas most people don’t think of that you can use:

1. Gold-Plated Picture Frames - the perfect way to display favorite photos of their special day. Have them engraved with the couple’s names and the wedding date for a treasured memory.

2. Etched Wine Glass - Have their wedding invitation, or other special verse engraved on a glass sculpture. This will be treasured for years to come, and definitely unique. Or, for a little variation, get the actual invitation, and mount it on a glass plate and finish it with matching colored paint.

3. Honeymoon Photo Album - this could be made out of wood, with something like “A Honeymoon to Remember” engraved on the cover a perfect place to capture those wonderful honeymoon memories.

4. Gift Certificates to a spa for the bride and groom are great before or after the wedding. The wedding day is often stressful, so you could offer a day at the spa to prepare them for the wedding day. Or, they could use it just after their honeymoon, as they prepare to resume their regular activities.

5. Keepsake Box - As time goes by, memories begin to fade, and what better and more unique gift than a special box where they can safely store all those precious mementos that become more cherished as the years go by This box is perfect for things like marriage license, special photos, place cards, vows, and all those other special keepsakes that often get lost as time passes.

6. Couples’ Home Spa Kit - As an alternative for the day at the spa, you could give them a spa in a basket, including monogrammed robes, towels, and a few other relaxing items, like candles, bath and body lotions, some romantic music, and even engraved wine glasses accompanied by a bottle of wine for a special evening at home.

Now, who says coming up with the perfect wedding gift idea is hard? The next time you go to a wedding, try picking up any of the above wonderful wedding gift ideas and you would be surprised at how well it works!

Mark Anthony is a wine gift enthusiast. He owns many wine-related sites, including Red Wine Secrets, Wine Cellar Secrets and Great Wine Clubs.

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