Weddings: Decisions, Decisions

Once you begin planning a wedding, you'll quickly encounter lots of options and choices for which you need to make decisions. These range from flower arrangements to destinations. Even then there are more choices! For example popular wedding destinations include Cancun, Hawaii, Australia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Greece, Italy, France, Fiji, the Maldives, Thailand, Bali, Bora Bora, and anywhere in the Caribbean. How do you make the choice? You'll need to consider the music played during the ceremony. What will you choose and why? The music played during the ceremony includes prelude, processional, ceremony, recessional, and postlude music. The newlywed's entrance is grand and spectacular so it needs to have music that complements the entrance; your friends and family will be watching so choose the right music for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Also, consider the reception music and who will play it. The type of wedding cake is a big, delicious decision. Size, shape, color, quality, style, etc. are all facets to consider carefully. Should it be round, square, themed, or heart-shaped. Do you want it made or flavored with the best chocolate, carrot, lemon, rum, vanilla, or other exotic taste? How many tiers do you want? What about the filling? Remember, you'll be saving the top tier for the first anniversary of your wedding. Slice it off before the cake is cut - neatly, and wrap it in several layers; next, store it in the freezer until your first anniversary arrives. A local bakery can deliver the best quality. Don't necessarily rely on a hotel because they can leave you wanting on quality. Even then there are even more choices! For example, there is the wedding videographer or, at least, a freelance photographer. Today's wedding videos are much different than former ones. They can be edited, produced, and have music, sound effects, slow motion, and other "special effects" put in for fun. Smaller, more light-sensitive cameras are available to today's videographers. This means less anxiety and cumbersome cables and cords. You can get a documentary-style video of the day just how it happened, or you can make it more cinematic. Furthermore, the cinematic approach to the wedding can be reflected in a wedding with a lot of glam, posed shots, and royal fashion. Book the videographer several months in advance, usually about 9 months minimum. Don't pick the first videographer you come across. Instead, look through his past work for samples. A good portfolio of videos speaks volumes about what you'll see. Look at the brightness, quality of sound, the picture, and other indicators. A good videographer should have some samples for you to look through. Always look through bridal publications and do a lot of interviewing yourself beforehand. But what about the flowers? Pink, purple, orange, red, white, yellow, or any of numerous beauteous shades will be used for the bride's bouquet, the bridesmaids' hairpieces, the flower girl's hairpiece, the bride's going away corsage, the tables, e.g., head, guest, buffet, punch, the groom's boutonniere, the maid of honor's hairpiece, the alter candelabra, and the aisle pews - to name but some. If all else fails - or if you just want a little extra help - contact a certified wedding planner or wedding consultant. About the Author: Eric Hartwell is involved in The World's Best Home Page - visit to share opinions on weddings and marriage.