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I love brooch bouquets. They are super fabulous and truly can last a lifetime. They are perfect for the bride that isn’t really into flowers. They can be personalized, styled and shaped in almost any way you like and they can range in costs from right around a hundred dollars to a lot of hundreds of dollars. like thousands of dollars

I am obsessed with BluePetyl.com designs. They make lovely designed brooch bouquets.

The brooch bouquet is being seen in every kind of wedding from Vintage to backyard. The appeal to have a bouquet full of beautiful unique little treasures is contagious. When I got married a few years back, I was not aware these were an option or I definitely would have had one. This is perfect for women that wants some bling and uniqueness on her wedding day. You can definitely use flowers as a base, or feathers or lots of other unique items.

The stems need to be sturdy because just like a hearty bunch of live flowers, your brooch bouquet can become a bit heavy depending on the size and quality of brooches and other items you use to create it. Doubling your wire stems and wrapping them tight will help you keep the shape your bouquet is supposed to have.

The DIY tips

Not ready to lay down that much cash for your brooch bouquet? Well you can definitely make your own and there are plenty of sellers on Etsy who sell the brooches in bulk. It looks like most bouquets don’t use more than 60 brooches. They tend to be around 25-35 on average with other little whimsical things added in to fill the spaces. Now your bouquet does not have to be all brooches, you can definitely add some brooches to your flower bouquet to add just a touch of bling using around 6-10 brooches. This is a great idea if your wedding party is going to have brooches on their bouquets and you go for the full brooch approach.

You can purchase your own brooches from sites like FabulousBrooch or on EBAY , DHGATE, WeddingFactoryDirect and TOGO, (If you want to purchase abroad you could use Alibaba or PandaWhole). Next, run on down to the craft store to get scissors, needle nose pliers, 22 gauge floral wire,(match the wire color to the brooch for seamless perfection and double your wire to make it sturdy). filler flowers (silk, synthetic, or real), You may want to also purchase Styrofoam balls or half balls. spray paint, (use spray paint to make the ball blend in with your bouquet), pearl accessories or other filler accessories.(the little accessories used to make favors also work fine)to fill any gaps between the brooches. Enamel flowers and accessories are also beautiful when used in your bouquet.

Choosing your brooches can be fun, emotional and kind of like a scavenger hunt. Some ideas to deciding what kind of brooches you would like is to first decide if your brooch is going to be connected to the theme of your wedding or be more personal to you. Are the brooches family heirlooms or do you like seahorses and pearls? Next use brooches that look good together. This may be certain metals, styles or colors. your filler accessories can be pearl topped pins, Christmas bobbles, acrylic flowers or artificial flowers. The combinations are endless. I also suggest getting a stand or making a stand to keep your bouquet in. It will definitely be a keepsake.

You can also use mixed metals but be careful so it doesn’t come out looking thrown together. Here’s a great example of it done right!

Adding up your dollars: If you are spending $5.00 per brooch and it takes 25 to make your bouquet, that puts you at $125 before you even start building the thing. If you are on a budget, try to get them for $1-2 each or less, to keep the cost down. Remember you still have to buy the rest of the stuff to make the bouquet. If money is no object, you can get very expensive brooches. They can range from 20.00 and way beyond if that is where your budget lies. The wire should be under five dollars and you many choose to use a wooden dowel for the handle. Pick those up from your local hardware store. Most of the time they will even cut them for you. Remember, these bouquets could easily be more expensive than traditional flower bouquets, but they will last forever.

The filler flowers

A lot of people use hydrangeas as the filler flower of choice. These can run from $3.49 for an average looking bunch to $10.99 for a really nice looking silk bunch. Depending on how much of the flower will be showing should help you determine how nice the bunch should look. It usually takes about two to three bunches depending on the size of the bouquet. Roses look really nice as well. You can use feathers, satin, organza, silk and tulle and just about anything you would see on a floral bouquet.

Don’t forget to reinforce your wire stems and cut them all even. Also wrap the stems in floral tape really well before wrapping the ribbon on the stem to make it smooth and even. Decorate the handle with bling to make the look even more unique.

I totally agree with and recommend pre marriage counseling. Now, I know there are many people and couples who feel they do not need others telling them how to feel or act in a relationship. We are adults right?! However, Counseling may address feelings, ideas or concepts about yourselves that may stem from other relations, beliefs, myths, etc. that may cause issues in your marriage later. If you love your partner but they have this thing they do that gets under your skin…consider counseling, please.

Or (my not so favorite response)… I have been married before. Um… can we say that should be your first hint? Now, I am not saying marriage counseling, pre or post, works for everyone, but my thought is if a few hours or sessions could possibly give you the tools you need to have a successful marriage, wouldn’t it be worth it? Still not convinced? Then do it for the money. Yes, pre-marital counseling gets you a $32.00 discount off the cost of your marriage license in Florida!

If you came from a family where divorce, abuse, or dysfunction was prevalent, marital counseling will give you options and tools to succeed in your marriage that you may not have ever been exposed to. Seriously, what would you have to base your ideal marriage on? Our first thought is to not be like our parents or friends, but if that is what you have been around, what example do you use to guide you?

Counseling myths:

Marital counseling does not make you a failure or give you a bad status. It shows quite the contrary: that you take your marriage seriously and have every intention on keeping your vows.

Not all pre-marital counseling has to be spiritual or religious. This is one of the main factors of couples skipping out on it.

You can go to a local family therapist and get counseling without religion. You may pay more for your session so be prepared.

Some suggestions:

Perhaps you can try this: have a romantic picnic lunch and over dessert, ask each other 5 questions, 1 question at a time. They have to be things that matter to you in the long run. Have a loving friendly discussion about the responses.

Or make it a kind of game: put little cards with questions in little spots around the house and each person has to answer the question they find in writing. Use different colors so they don’t get mixed up and leave the answers where the question was found. This way the other does not have to risk faking an answer for fear of immediate disapproval.

A popular tool most pre-marital providers use is the one thing question: What is the absolute one thing your partner could do to make you want to divorce them?… I will leave you with that.

Talk candidly with long term couples ask for their advice (if they still appear to be happy). Even couples who have always been together, 30,40,50 years have had their moments. See how they worked through those times, it may be something you can apply in your own relationship or marriage. Stay away from single advise.

And lastly, Be the type of person you want to marry.

[important]You can visit www.myorangeclerk.com for a list of court approved premarital providers in the local area.As an added bonus you will save money on the cost of your marriage license in the state of Florida.[/important]

by Sheri Thomson

Whether a wedding is big or small, they almost always make time and room for toasts to the newly married couple.

No matter how many weddings and cocktail receptions and full size receptions I attend, I am still amazed at the things people think are appropriate to share about the couple on their wedding day. I am by no means being judgy, just stating my wonderment at it all. Oh yeah and I am also saying TMI.

A good rule of thumb: Making Wedding Toasts are kind of like deciding what is appropriate (dress code) to wear to work. If you have to ask is this appropriate….well….it probably isn’t.

Here are three tips to make sure your toast is well received and appropriate:

1. Inside Jokes – Consider whether the inside joke should stay an inside joke. They are called inside jokes for a reason. Sharing an inside joke may embarrass the couple, reveal something that was not supposed to be revealed, bring up sensitive memories, or possibly go over everyone’s head leaving the rest of the guests and sometimes even the couple, baffled and confused. Can we say… Awkward! Stick to common knowledge and rated E for everyone subjects.

2. Make it heartfelt- Go ahead! Reach down into those deeply buried feelings of love and wonderment, appreciation and gratitude and draw from that wellspring to show the couple just how happy you are for them.

3. Don’t be a moment hog – It’s not all about you. Just because you have a ton of witty banter and stories, doesn’t mean you should share them all. Pick one relevant and short story, share it quickly and move on so the next person can speak. Remember this is not the time to roast the couple or shower them with a bunch of bawdy jokes. Keep it light respectful and remember this moment is a tribute to them. And remember it’s not about you boo.

Planning your Honeymoon

Part of the excitement of getting married is the accompanying honeymoon. Usually a few days to a few months depending on your work schedule, accumulated time off and to whom you have married, and how much you have set aside, this is the time to totally focus on just the two of you before the responsibilities of married life take over. A time to reconnect and refocus and enjoy the blossoming love of husband and wife or new couple.

Deciding where to go

The first thing you may want to do when planning for your honeymoon is choose a budget. then a location. Next determine if you will need a travel agent or if you feel comfortable doing your own planning, research and booking. Plan as far out as possible to have plenty of room to negotiate and check comparative prices. If you are having a destination wedding, decide if you want the honeymoon to be in the same place as the wedding. Will it be just the bride and groom or will it be a family get together? With family dynamics ever evolving, some couples already have children and the tradition of honeymooning becomes more of a Family-moon. It is still important to have some private times and activities to connect. Couples need time to themselves and a honeymoon is a great way to capture the allure of love and romance.

Choose a place where both can appreciate the amenities of the destination. If you are wanting a tropical vacation then going anywhere with a beach culture should suffice. History buffs may prefer Italy or Pennsylvania or the Capital. Adventurist may want access to the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours) and ecological tour (Everglades Airboat Tours Start at Just $48!). Always wanted to go to Disney, well Florida or California has got you covered. Keeping the honeymoon location a surprise? you obviously are a person who is especially attuned to your fiance and know how best to pick a surprise location for the honeymoon.

Once you have decided on a place to fit your needs, expectations and wants, you will need to go ahead and start the booking process. Talk to a qualified travel agent. If doing all the booking yourself, make sure you use reputable websites and also do some searching about the surrounding areas so you know how to get along, what other travelers are saying, what areas you should avoid and potential dangers to look out for. Decide if you want an all inclusive resort or cruise or not. All inclusive providers handle pretty much everything you need in one cost eliminating the need to carry lots of cash. Ask about the tipping policies.

If going abroad make sure you have made arrangements to get your passports well in advance of your actual wedding date so that you are not having to drive for hours to get it done last minute. Make sure you are properly immunized and have a general awareness of American politics in the area. While most people have wonderful honeymoons, you don’t want to take unnecessary risks or not be familiar enough with the traditions that you diminish or insult your host state or country. When drinking be responsible.

Paying for the honeymoon

Decide up front how you are going to finance the honeymoon. Honeymoons are traditionally paid for by the groom or by the parents of the bride and groom. But again, with all of the changing family dynamics, many couples are funding their own weddings and honeymoons and some use the registry process as a way to help finance the trip.

Once you have chosen a honeymoon destination. You will want to get packing. Start by making a list. Use one of the popular cell phone apps like androids Google keep, Evernote, Iphone’s Awesomenote, 2Do or Todist. also install a great calendar app to keep your planning on target and never forget any activities you have planned.

Immunizations

Make sure you are up to date on your shots. It also wouldn’t hurt to begin a regimen that helps to build up your immune system at least 30 days in advance. Take vitamin C, E, D and B vitamins or whatever regimen you are already doing, don’t stop.

Let’s get Packing

A strategy that works well is packing for him, her, and children. Consider the activities beyond the wedding you have planned. Before packing and choosing your luggage, research what is acceptable to pack and carry on flights. You want to be aware and responsible if flying. Below are simply suggestions.

Your luggage

Less is well… actually less. With the rising cost of carrying luggage you will want to pack smart. Use large pieces that are well compartmentalized. Also make sure you have a well packed carry-on.

Your Valuables

Be safe. Use the safes provided or leave them at home and wear faux jewelry or none at all. Look into travel insurance that would cover you in the instance of loss or theft.

Your electronics

Plan your trip with smartphones, gps, online maps of travel route and area visiting.

cell phone, cell phone accessories, chargers, cables,

usbs and sd cards, cameras, lenses, camera cords, batteries

e-cigs, headphones, mini speakers, mp3, I-phone, travel alarm clocks

personal massagers, grooming products like shavers, electronic toothbrushes as well as manual toothbrushes, batteries

laptops, tablets, handheld electronic games, stylus, cases

translator app or a language book

Your medications, medical devices and personal items

Pack all prescription medicines you have to take including birth control

Antibiotic creams, cortisone creams for bug bites

Aloe, sunscreen, and sunblock (preferably waterproof)

insect repellent

anti-diarrhea, something for motion sickness, antacids

lubricants, massage oils, condoms

pain relievers

glasses, glasses case and possibly an extra pair pf glasses, sunglasses

cpap, oxygen, canes, braces for knees and elbows, diabetes test strips, etc

asthma inhalers

allergy medicines

antibacterial wipes

tampons and pads

douche

lip balm

toothbrush, floss

baby powder

acne or blemish products

scrunchies, rubber bands, hair clips

facial cleansers, make up removers

tweezers

make up , lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, concealer, moisturizer, primers, exfoliate, mascara

deodorant

blow dryer- although most hotels have one

additional sheets and towels

bedbug spray

first aid kit

Documents and Money

• Valid Ids, Passports

• Address list for emails and sending postcards, writing thank yous

• Business cards

• Auto insurance and registration (if driving at any point)

• List and/or (photos)of all of the items you have packed- useful in case of theft or loss

• Marriage License

• Medical history if necessary

• Emergency contact list and Embassy address if going abroad

• Frequent flyer cards

• Airline tickets

• Cash for emergencies, tips, currency trading, and shopping

• Pre-paid phone card

• Travelers checks

• Itinerary (also leave a copy with someone you trust in the case of an emergency)

Clothing

Anything you wear at home, you would wear on vacation except for the addition of wedding clothes

For Her

• shorts, blouses, tank tops

• pants, casual and dress, jeans

• shorts, skorts, capris

• bathing suits, cover-up, wrap, sarong

• lingerie and shape wear, spanx

• wedding dress

• panties, thongs, bras

• socks

• shoes, sandals, flipflops, dress shoes and casual shoes athletic (Lee Newman)

• pajamas, robes

• work out clothes

• sunglasses

• purses, clutch, backpack

• combs and brushes

• toothbrush and floss

• curlers

• wide brim hat

• books, puzzles, (something to do during downtime)

For Him

• shirts, casual and dress

• pants, casual and dress, jeans

• suit, tux, vest

• shorts

• swimming trunks

• underwear, undershirts, t-shirts, boxers and/or briefs

• socks, dress and athletic

• ties, belts, suspenders, cuff links

• pajamas, robes

• sunglasses

• Sandals, Sneakers (adidas) (Reebok)

• Work out clothes

• Shaving Kit, razor

• combs and brushes

• baseball cap, wide brim hat

Remember when packing for little ones that may accompany you on your trip, they need exactly the same stuff you do in addition to

• their favorite toy and/or blanket.

• snacks

• bottles and formula,

• diapers

• rash ointments

• pacifiers

• strollers,carriers, slings

• diaper bag

• breast pump