Here Comes the.Wine!

(MS) - Your parents registered for the fine china, the sterling silver gravy boat and the patio furniture starter set. But, with today's couples marrying later, when they already have the essentials, newlyweds-to-be are asking for more non-traditional gifts. According to the 2006 "American Wedding" survey by the Condé Nast Bridal Group, these gifts include registering for wine, sporting goods, and recreational memberships or tickets to museums or sporting events. Gift-giving experts are saying that the bride- and groom-to-be are saying, "Give us a memory," rather than "Stock our china cabinet," and suggest thinking about the couple's hobbies when giving gifts. Foodies define wine as a memorable experience and often appreciate good wine and a starter cellar that offers a variety of delicious gifts.

Thanks to the assorted selection, guests need not worry about giving the same bottle of wine as other guests. Less wine-savvy consumers may be skeptical about giving wine, but can use the following guidelines and speak to their local wine shop for help in finding a variety that has an assortment of everyday bottles as well as wines that will be appreciated in 5-, 10- and 15-year increments (proper storage is essential, but easier than you think).

Suggestions for adding to the newlyweds' "cave," be it a small, cool apartment closet or a temperature controlled vault in the basement is easy with a few simple tips:

· Give a wine the recipient will drink: Select from wine regions that afford red, white and rosés for both everyday meals and special occasions, such as Rioja, known as Spain's leading wine region, which makes wines from tempranillo grapes. Adrian Murcia, assistant sommelier at New York's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, Chanterelle, explains, "Thanks to the tempranillo grape, the expressive and velvety rich Spanish classic, Rioja wines are renowned for their ability to complement many different foods."

· Don't break the bank: Select a gift that fits your budget but also reminds the couple of their wedding day. A series of tickets to theater or sporting events work well for some, but for the wine lover, some givers feel wine is only an acceptable gift when it is an aged bottle with a very high price tag. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Robert Eigen, owner of Premier Cru Wine Merchants in New York City says, "Rioja is always a good choice for a wedding gift because of the quality of wine and the value. With many varieties of wine from the region, there's something for everyone." The region of Rioja also has easy-to-understand information, as the bottles are aged and released from the winery when they are ready to drink. The back of each bottle features a seal indicating each wine's age: Crianza, the most popular house wine of Spain, is aged 12 months, or the deep, flavorful Reserva is aged 36 months. Better yet, such wines are affordable, with prices thatrange as low as a few dollars per bottle to no more than the equivalent cost of your run-of-the-mill gravy boat.

· Pick a theme: Whether it's eco-friendly wines (Rioja has several) paired with wine glasses made of recycled glass presented in a beautiful bag made of recycled materials or 12 wines to be delivered to the newlyweds' door each month for a year, the theme gives the couple something to look forward to and a great memory.

· Give advice along with gift: For wedding or party guests who truly want to give a unique gift, include ways to make a magical night with the wine such as concert or theater tickets or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Also, gift-givers might want to ask the manager of the store where they purchase the wine for a recipe or meal suggestion that perfectly complements the wine. In general, wine sellers are wine drinkers, so they're liable to have a host of suggestions ready. When giving your gift, attach a card or note with a few suggestions or even a recipe.

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Fun Links:

The Wine News top rated wines

The Wine Enthusiast - Wine Cellars, Wine Accessories, Wine Racks, Wine Glasses and more.

Connoisseurs' Guide top rated wines

Create your own bottle of wine! Design your wine label, personalized for any event or special occasion, to create the perfect gift.

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Additional Wedding Advice sites:
Merry Brides
Ultimate Brides
Fun Weddings
Create your own Wedding Website!
Weddings by Ashlee

To learn more about Rioja, Spain's greatest wine region, visit http://www.vibrantrioja.com/.

A Stress-Free Guide to Seating Plans

Do you enjoy puzzles? Well, when you engage in the task of creating seating plans, that's just what you'll be doing - tackling a puzzle. Only you won't get a finished picture after fitting all the pieces into place. Rather, you'll be rewarded with a wedding reception that goes smoothly for most involved. Follow an organized plan to make easier work of a challenging task.

The first thing you should do once you have the final head count for your reception is to make a seating chart. Draw large circles to represent the tables, dance floor, musical entertainment and entrances. (Or get a preprinted seating chart from your reception hall). Don't forget to find out how many guests can fit at each table. Then write everyone's name on a card or sticky note so you can play "musical chairs."

Another option is to go high-tech. There are now wedding-planning software packages that have a seating-arrangement tool. Store guests names and digitally manipulate where they will be seated.

In general, place guests in spots that suit them. Your friends will want to be near the band, bar or dance floor. Keep the elderly away from the band or DJ's speakers. Family and friends should be closest to your table. Acquaintances and your parents' friends should be placed farther away. Separate people who do not get along. Place handicapped guests in easily accessible spots that are close to exits.

As the happy couple, you have a few seating options. You can sit at a head table or dais, which is traditionally long and straight and faces the reception tables. Arrangement at the table can vary. The bride and groom usually sit front and center, with the maid of honor on the groom's left and the best man on the bride's right. The other attendants are seated male and female.

Still, you can stray from the norm. You can have the wedding party and their dates sit at one table while you and your new spouse sit at a table for two at the front of the room. You can also sit at a table with only the maid of honor, best man and their dates. Or you can sit at a table with your parents. Do whatever fits your style and makes you most comfortable.

Parent seating is flexible, too. Both the bride's and groom's parents generally sit together near the newlyweds. Siblings not in the wedding, grandparents and other relatives may also sit nearby. If your parents are divorced or don't get along, separate them. Your mother and her guests can sit at one table and your father can have his own table on the other side of the room. If you're unsure how to seat them, consult both your parents and in-laws to see what would they would prefer.

For family seating, it seems natural to sit people of the same side of the family together to guarantee that they'll be comfortable. Or mix and match: Consider sitting the bride's cousins with the groom's cousins so they can get to know each other. Put family members with a history of squabbles on opposite sides of the dance floor - you'll be happier for it.

Seating friends allows you more creativity. You can sit people who know each other together or you can play matchmaker by seating singles who have never met at the same table. Some opt for "singles" and "couples" tables, while others feel this seating creates awkwardness. Again, don't forget about people who don't get along. If your two college buddies aren't on speaking terms, now isn't the time to try to patch things up by seating them at the same table.

Sometimes, there are just some people who don't fit anywhere - your friend from camp, your boss whom you didn't think would show. Whatever the case may be, avoid seating all the random guests at one table; they'll know they're the misfits. Get creative. Consider ages, interests and marital status.

Now that you have everyone in place, identify each table. You can keep it simple with numbers or letters, or identify tables by themes or colors. Guests' names and their table assignments should be placed on place cards (Consider having a calligrapher write these cards, or print them on your computer.). Set them in alphabetical order on a table near the entrance.

You can't please everyone with the seating assignments, but you can try your best to make everyone enjoy hearing the words, "Please be seated."

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Weddings: Etiquette and Customs

(CL) - Wedding ceremonies may be civil or religious rites. The civil rite generally implies a simpler event, while the religious rite is governed by more traditional rules.

Precise traditions exist regarding the sharing of expenses. Of course, if Cinderella marries a member of the Rockefeller clan (or vice versa), the Rockefellers will no doubt undertake the higher share (if not the entire share) of expenses.

Bride's family expenses: The brides' family is responsible for paying for the wedding invitations, the bride's trousseau and dress, reception and ceremony expenses, the guest party favors, and the automobile and chauffeur (which does not necessarily need to be an expensive limousine service. he may just be an uncle driving his fancy car). If the wedding ceremony is a religious rite, the bride's family's expenses will also include church flowers and decorations, music, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, ring bearer suits, and the fee for the minister or officiant of the ceremony.

Groom's family expenses: The groom's family is responsible for paying for the rings, the bride's bouquet, the honeymoon, and the future house furnishings.

Wedding invitations: Wedding invitations should be sent approximately one month before the wedding. The bride and groom, with their respective families, should prepare the guest list. In general, the standard layout is as follows: on the left the bride's parents announce their daughter's wedding, while on the right the groom's parents announce their son's wedding. In addition, envelopes should be handwritten.

If the bride and groom are not that young, they can announce their wedding themselves.

Ceremony: The groom's family sits to the right, and the bride's family to the left. Friends may sit wherever they like. The groom should arrive at least 20 minutes before the ceremony begins, and should await the arrival of his bride next to the officiant (minister, justice of the peace, etc.). The groom's attendants stand to the left, and the bride's attendants stand to the right. The bride arrives accompanied by her father and sits to the groom's right.

What the bride and groom should wear: If the wedding ceremony takes place in a church, tradition demands that the bride be dressed in white and the groom in a classic tight. If the ceremony is not formal, he may wear a dark suit. If the groom is in the military, he may wear his uniform. The bride may choose a romantic, practical, or sophisticated style, but whatever the style, if she does not wear a veil, she must at least have an elegant hairstyle, with flowers or some other sort of special embellishment.

What the guests should wear: Men should ware a dark suit. Women should wear something according to the season, either a fine dress or an elegant tailleur. There are no specific rules regarding guest attire. The best advice is to stay within the bounds of good taste and common sense. Of course, female guests should avoid wearing white in order not to compete with the traditional bride. Hats are allowed, but it is advisable not to overdo jewelry (in other words, you do not want to look like a Christmas tree). In addition, it is best to avoid provocative cleavage, even if the wedding is held in the afternoon.

Reception: A wedding reception celebrated in a country house after a ceremony held in the town's church is charming and romantic, but not always possible. In general, the reception takes place in a hotel reception room or at a restaurant. The reception can also take place at the bride's home if it can accommodate all the guests. Depending on the hour of the reception, breakfast or lunch should be offered. These days, the breakfast-lunch combination-or brunch-is also very trendy. Afternoon and evening weddings are generally more formal and are followed by receptions held at more elegant venues, with a sophisticated menu. Food selection is purely subjective. But regardless of the wedding hour or style, the champagne and the wedding cake should not be left out.

Unforeseen events: It sometimes happens that, after sending out all the invitations, the bride and groom decide not to get married after all or decide to change the date of the ceremony. In either event, if the invitation has been sent only to a few close friends, they may be notified by phone. The mother or a friend can be very helpful with this task. If, however, the guest list is extensive, a note or an e-mail message should be sent immediately. If the wedding is cancelled indefinitely, any gifts already received should be immediately returned to the guests. However, the bride and groom are not obliged to give an explanation for their decision or to justify their actions. People's fantasy will take care of looking for a reason.

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Fun Links

Wedding Registries at lnt.com

Bid on airline tickets and more at SkyAuction.com

The Honeymoon Boutique at Bare Necessities

Gifts for Any Occasion from The Wine Messenger!

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Responsibility of Being Best Man and Maid of Honor

(CL) - A popularity contest often comes into play when an engaged couple is selecting friends and family members to be part of their wedding party. Often there is great speculation surrounding who will be bestowed the honor of being a bridesmaid or groomsman and who will win the coveted spots of best man and maid of honor. The pressure could ultimately become a cause of undue stress for the happy couple.

Before making the decisions based solely on who is a best friend or favorite cousin, consider the responsibilities the maid of honor and best man must uphold according to tradition. This may make pairing the right person with the job that much easier.

BEST MAN

This is the groom's right-hand man. He has a series of responsibilities, none which should be taken lightly.

· Oversees the groomsmen, making sure they are on time for the ceremony, properly dressed and have their boutonnieres on the left lapel.

· Ensures that the groom is dressed and ready for the ceremony. The best man may actually help the groom to dress in his tuxedo.
· Introduces people and breaks the ice.

· Holds the wedding rings until they are blessed. If a ring bearer will be used, it is suggested that faux rings be tied to the pillow and the best man continues to hold the real things.

· Takes care of payment to the clergy and other financial contributions after the ceremony. He may also tie up any loose financial ends with the reception staff.

· Ensures that the groom has the marriage license and will subsequently be one of the signatures on that document as a witness to the marriage.

· Makes sure that honeymoon travel arrangements have been made and may transport the couple to the airport if necessary.

· Returns the groom's tux (and any from irresponsible groomsmen) to the rental place.

· Arranges the bachelor party if one will be held.

· Writes and issues a toast at the wedding ceremony.

· Dances with the maid of honor.

MAID OF HONOR

The maid of honor - matron if the woman is married - will handle a number of functions for the bride and wedding party to reduce the amount of stress on the bride.

· Helps address announcements or wedding invitations with the bride.

· Arranges the bridal shower with other members of the bridal party and possibly the bride's mother.

· Makes sure the bridesmaids are aware of dress fittings and any responsibilities the bride has given them to do.

· Assists bride with her train during and after the ceremony.

· Holds the bride's bouquet during ring exchange or other moments during the ceremony.

· Assists the photographer with identifying key members of the family who will need to be photographed.

· Witnesses and signs the marriage certificate along with the best man.

· Helps the bride and bridesmaids with dressing.

· Organizes a bachelorette party if one will be held.

· Helps the bride and groom depart for their honeymoon.

· Takes care of returning the wedding gown to the bride's home or to be cleaned.

· May present a speech at the bridal shower.

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Fun Links:

Personalized Bridesmaids Gifts

Personalized Groomsmen Gifts

Find low cost and unique bridal shower favors and bridesmaid gifts at My Wedding Favors.com. Low price guarantee.

Bachelorette.com helps you plan a great bachelorette party.

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Showing Your Gratitude to Out of Town Guests

Photo: Gourmet Fruit Basket with Wine

By: Kathleen Terrana

Friends and relatives that live in other cities or states, and possibly overseas, may be invited to share your special day. They will incur expenses such as hotels, meals, gas, and car rentals, just to name a few. These expenses are in addition to bridal shower and wedding gifts.

Why not do something special to show this group of people your gratitude? These are some small and subtle ways to show your appreciation:

· Deliver gift baskets to the hotels where they will be staying, that they will receive upon arrival. Include a small bottle of wine, crackers, and candy. Put a small note inside, including directions from their hotel to your house, the church, and reception. Include several postcards/brochures about areas of interest in your hometown.

· Have the father of the bride and groom make a special toast at the reception, and have the out of town guests stand up and receive applause.

· Make a basket with fruit, cookies, and chips, to enjoy on their return home.

· Send them postcards from your honeymoon.

· When you get back from your honeymoon, make a personal call. Leave a message on the answering machine, if necessary.

· Thank them by e-mail, and tell them about some of the beautiful sites/restaurants/hotels that were part of your honeymoon.

· On the bottom or back of your wedding program, an expression of thanks to out of town guests is very appropriate and makes for a lasting keepsake.

"We are blessed today to express our love in the presence of God, our parents, our brothers and sisters, family, and friends. Our hearts are filled with gratitude, especially for those who have traveled far to be with us. May God grant you a safe and happy journey home."

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Fun Links:

Gourmet Fruit Baskets

Mrs. Beasley's Gift Baskets

Mrs. Beasley's Cookie Baskets (Highly Recommended-Delicious!)

Send Only the Best in Flowers and Gifts 1 Stop Florist

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Additional Wedding Advice
http://funweddings.blog.com http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

Author: Kathleen Terrana is the previous owner of Elegant Rentals and current owner of Beautiful Bridal. http://www.bestweddingarticles.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathleen_Terrana

Alcohol and Wedding Receptions-Everything You Will Need to Know

By: Jean Bachcroft

Sure you want your guests to enjoy themselves at your wedding reception, but if you don’t want to break the bank or the law here’s what you will need to know, including how to calculate how much to buy.

Unquestionably, one of the hottest topics that must be dealt with when planning a wedding reception is whether to have an open bar or a cash bar. Why does this particular topic tend to be so controversial?

Well, for one thing, some people will tell you that it would be rude to invite guests to your reception, then ask them to pay for their own drinks. On the other hand, an open bar—at which your guests drink for free, perhaps into the wee hours of the morning if they last that long—could leave you with a bill that will forever remain etched in your memory.

Both points of view are well taken. It’s true that one wouldn’t ordinarily invite people to dinner or a party with the expectation that they will pay for what you serve. But it is equally true that people tend to be overly indulgent, not to mention downright wasteful, with alcohol they aren’t paying for. They will take a sip or two, set their glass down and begin talking, then walk away. Later, instead of returning for their glass, they will head for the bar to order yet another drink. So, what’s the answer?

Options, Anyone

There really isn’t a correct answer, but there are options. You could:

*Serve free champagne punch. Since it is relatively light in terms of alcohol content, your guests aren’t as likely to become obnoxious, even if they’ve had more than their fair share.

*Have an open bar for the first hour or two. This approach will prevent you from feeling, and looking, like a cheapskate but will allow you to keep your bank account in the black.

*Have each table set to include the allocated bottles of wine or champagne. For example, a table seating six to eight people might be decked with two bottles of wine or champagne. Since you can expect each bottle to hold between 4 and six glassfuls, everyone will have one to two glasses for dinner and the toast. (Obviously, you will want to have the toast as early as possible to avoid an embarrassing situation in which guests will be forced to hold up empty glasses.)

*Use the open-and-shut-case approach. This requires purchasing beer kegs or cases of good-quality beer, plus several cases of good-quality wine. Since you have purchased the supply in advance, you will determine just how much is being spent on drinks.

For guests who insist upon drinking until the cows come home or would like something stronger, make a cash bar available.

*Have waiters and waitresses serve drinks from a tray. This approach is not only stylish, it is also quite cost effective because you remain in control of how much is consumed.

Choose a few different drinks to be served, including beer and wine. Then have the staff circulate throughout the reception area at pre-scheduled intervals. Perhaps the waiters and waitresses might offer drinks when the reception starts, then just before or during dinner, then a few times later in the evening but not throughout the night. With tray service, you guest will not pay for their drinks, but this will still be a lot cheaper than having an open bar.

At-home Receptions

If you are planning to have your reception in a home or backyard and you will not be using a caterer, here is what you will need to know.

In this situation, a cash bar is simply not one of the available choices. It is against the law to sell alcohol without a liquor license. (You wouldn’t want to spend your honeymoon in the pokey.)

If the home is not equipped with one, you will need a rented bar (or a sturdy table or two, dressed to the floor or ground with linen). Plan to stock the bar or table(s) with beer, vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila, cordials (liqueur), brandy, gin, wine, sparkling juice, and possibly punch.

Offering a sparkling white wine is also nice. If you are planning to serve champagne (Although only a sparkling white wine made in the Champagne region of France can be truly called champagne, people often refer to any bubbly by that name.), expect to pay more. A decent bottle (You will only disappoint the true connoisseur, and they are a dying breed.) will cost between $10 and $12 and will serve seven to eight glasses. Even at these prices per bottle, you may want to reserve it for the toast.

Borrow or shop for a bartender’s guide (Mr. Boston Deluxe Official Bartender’s Guide, for example). For your mixologist, you might also stock such things as lemons, limes, celery, maraschino cherries, and olives. You’ll also want to have soda water, tonic water, sparkling water, coke, ginger ale, and a few other soft drinks, plus swizzle sticks and cocktail napkins. Last, but not least, remember to have an ample supply of ice (crushed and cubed) on hand.

Standard Guidelines for Consumption

Expect each guest to have four to five drinks at the reception. You’ll get twenty-five drinks from a fifth of liquor, providing you’re using a one-ounce pony to make them with one ounce of alcohol each. Using one and a half ounces of alcohol (that is, a one-and-a-half-ounce jigger), you’ll get eighteen drinks per fifth of alcohol. A single case of alcohol contains twelve bottles. Assuming that you’re using one ounce of alcohol to make every drink, then one case will yield 300 drinks.

If you would like to serve beer on tap, half a keg will yield 260 eight-ounce glasses of beer. Seven cases of beer will yield the same amount.

With regard to unopened bottles of alcohol, don’t be too concerned about over stocking. It is better to have too much, rather than not enough. Besides, unopened bottles of alcohol can usually be returned to the store.

The Law and Your Liability

Needless to say, it is against the law to serve alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age. The sobering fact is that courts have consistently ruled that restaurants, caterers, and hosts are financially liable when minors who are served alcohol are injured, become involved in a car accident, or break the law.

You can also be held liable for an adult who suffers an injury, become involved in a car accident, or step outside of the law after drinking too much in your home. Caterers and restaurants are subject to the same liability.

Your best protection against legal liability involving alcohol is to plan ahead and react sensibly. If your reception is to be catered, discuss a plan of action with the caterer before hand. He or she undoubtedly will cooperate.

Avoid serving salty foods since they make people thirsty. Foods high in protein—such as meat, fish, eggs, and cheese—will help to keep your guests sober.

Once a person is drunk, it’s too late to reach for the pot of coffee. Giving your happy drunk coffee will only make him or her hyper and jittery. If you need to sober someone up, try to get the person to drink water, which will dilute the alcohol in their system and flush it out.

By no means, let that person drive—no matter what they say. Instead, call for a taxi or find another driver to take the person home.

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Fun Links

Wine Enthusiast top rated wines

Personalized wines for weddings. Create a lasting memento with fine wines personalized for your wedding day.

Planning an autumn wedding? See the elegant new fall favors at My Wedding Favors.

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Additional Wedding Advice:
http://merrybrides.wordpress.com/ http://funweddings.blogspot.com/
http://windsor.weddingwindow.com/ http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/ http://merrybrides.blogspot.com/

About the Author :
Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels. For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains http://www.bestweddingarticles.com