7 Easy steps to Planning an Arabian Princess Jasmine Party Theme

1. Choose your color scheme and use it throughout the party.

2. Remember that the invitations are almost like a sneak peek of what the party will be like; a “teaser” is what I like to call it. Match the invite to the theme accordingly.

3. Pay attention to details that will bring the theme to life. Decorating is like telling a story throughout the party without words.

4. Choose a cake/food that will follow the same thread throughout.

5. Games such as belly dancing, “hot lamp” (instead of hot potato), Magical carpet (instead of musical chairs), and/or using jewels or henna tattoos for the girls will be fun, but most importantly it follows the theme.

6. Prizes and favors for the kids should also reflect the theme.

7. The music can play a huge role. For this theme I would play Arabian Night from Aladdin.

Crazy Wedding Traditions

After reading my books for Wedding Planning I learned so much about wedding traditions.

*A common belief was that good luck came to those guests who managed to rip a piece of the bride's dress. Over time, brides tried to divert the attention off their dress by tossing their garter. People would chase the garter and forget about the dress. Over time, the bouquet became the item being thrown. Now, the lucky lady who catches the bouquet will be next in line to marry supposedly.

* In ancient Rome, a loaf of bread was broken over the bride's head for good luck. The guests would then eat the crumbs and wish the bride a fertile marriage. Now, the cake cutting took over this tradition. The ingredient wheat flour used in cakes symbolize fertility. The superstition is if someone else other the bride would cut the cake, the bride would remain childless.

Flowers in Season for Weddings

According to: http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-flowers/articles/top-ten-seasonal-flowers.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Flowers For Spring
1. Cherry/Apple Blossom
2. Cosmos
3. Hyacinth
4. Hydrangea
5. Lilac
6. Lily of the Valley
7. Peony
8. Rose/Garden Rose
9. Sweet Pea
10. Tulip

Flowers For Summer
1. Anemone
2. Calla Lily
3. Casablanca Lily
4. Cornflower
5. Daisy/Gerber Daisy
6. Delphinium
7. Queen Anne's Lace
8. Rhododendron
9. Rose/Garden Rose
10. Stephanotis

Flowers For Autumn
1. Aster
2. Calla Lily
3. Chocolate Cosmos
4. Chrysanthemum
5. Dahlia
6. Parrot Tulips
7. Rose
8. Statice
9. Sunflower
10. Victorian Lily

Flowers For Winter
1. Amaryllis
2. Camelia
3. Freesia
4. Heather
5. Holly/Evergreen/Ivy
6. Lisianthus
7. Narcissus
8. Rose
9. Ranunculus
10. Violets

My two favorite wedding flowers are: Calla Lily and the classic White Rose.
The calla Lilly originated in Africa and symbolizes "magnificent beauty." The Rose is considered a symbol of beauty and love.

Ideas for a unique Wedding

Place cards can double as guest favors, such as a small photo holder that displays guest's name. Or use Prop "card" where the card is not a card, but a fun object like a river stone with guest name hand painted on.

Programs for ceremony can be really unique. Programs made from paper scrolls held shut with wax seals, or mini messages in a bottle.

Romantic stamps are a lovely touch that can tie in with your wedding theme.

You can consider hiring a courier to hand-deliver their invitations.

Your Body type+ Your personality= Perfect Wedding dress

Tips from http://www.gabriellanewyork.com/tips.html:

*If you have an hourglass or "curvy" figure, an A-line gown with a dropped waist and a sweetheart neckline is the perfect formula to flatter your figure. This shape will beautifully show off your waist and chest.

*If you are petite, you'll want to keep it simple by wearing a stunning sheath or modified A-line gown. Your small frame can get lost in a larger, more elaborate gown.

*If you are pear shaped, you'll want to stay away from sheath gowns and go for a gown that focuses on the top half of your body, such as a strapless ball gown or an empire waist gown.

* If you have a short waist, choose a gown that will make your body appear longer. Something fitted through the bodice, such as a dropped-waist silhouette will look gorgeous on you.

*If you have a voluptuous figure, try an A-line dress which is the easiest silhouette for most women to wear. You also have an option of a ball gown which brings the attention away from your lower half. Don't be afraid to try a strapless dress, with the correct undergarments, you will look fabulous!

*If your waist is undefined, try an Empire-waist gown, which flows from just under the bust all the way to the floor. This elongates your body and gives the appearance of a long and lean figure.

* If you are tall and thin, a ball gown will add femininity and shape to your slight figure.

*If you are short and thin, a sheath gown will be just the right dress for you.

Did I make the list?

Who is Invited to your special Day?

A wedding is a big party celebrating the union of two people in love. The guests at a wedding should be the people you can't see yourself getting married without! These people include parents, siblings, family members, the wedding party and their spouses/plus one,and close friends. Weddings have a tendency to draw people to you, people you have not seen since you were in junior high school. The "Hey am I invited," line will be exhausted by the time your date arrives. To these "Hey am I invited" group, you have to put your foot down and tell them that your guest list has been set and you cannot add anyone else. Remember the bigger the group the more money you have to shell out.

There are other dilemmas to a guest list:

*Should I invite kids?
My advice is a wedding is no place for kids to run around.

*Should I invite my mother's long list of distant relatives/friends?
It really depends if it is in your budget. Now, if mom's paying then let her invite whoever she wants (within reason).

*Should I invite her because she invited me to her wedding?
There is no written rule that states that you have to invite "suzy" to your wedding because you attended hers. Ask yourself if this is a person you consider a friend and see yourself being friends with ten years from now.

*Plus ones
One word...DRAMA. I still have a "friend" who talking to me because she did not get a plus one at my wedding. NOT EVERYONE WILL GET A PLUS 1. If you have 20 work friends you want to invite and they want to all bring a date then your guest list and budget will sky rocket. People who are married, live together, or have been in long relationships should get a plus one. The other single people, it is up to the bride and groom if they want to extend that plus 1.

Check Yourself

Wedding season is here and it is a domino effect. You get married, your cousin gets married, your friend gets married....You receive this gorgeous invitation in the mail which tells you pretty much what type of wedding it is. Mine invitation was a suede Jacket (so freaking cute) and it was a lilac color and it told my guest it was a formal affair, the colors of the wedding were soft purples, white, and silver. Now, that you have RSVP, you have to put some funds aside for the wedding-your outfit, hair, nails, accessories, shoes, and finally oh yeah a check for your friend as a present. This check can make or break friendships. Are you that guy who writes a 35 dollar check and came with five people? Are you that friend who received 200 dollars from a friend, but are only giving 50 bucks? I believe in all fairness, money should not define a friendship by no means. If your friend is not working and makes an effort to attend your wedding and can only give x amount that is fine. But the Wedding Etiquette is to cover your plate and your date and your kids as well.

What happens when you give a friend 35 dollars and they go ahead and add a zero to this amount. This is check fraud. How can you check yourself so that no one does this to you...

1. Don't leave blank spaces on the payee and amount lines.
2. "The type of pen you use makes a difference. Most ballpoint and marker inks are dye based, gel pens, like the Uniball 207 uses gel ink that contains tiny particles of color that are trapped into the paper, making check washing a lot more difficult."
3. Review and balance your bank statement as soon as you receive it to make sure the your friend cashes the right amount.
4. Just Give Cash in the first place and avoid the check situation!!!

*"Thieves steal something even more valuable than money or goods. They also steal trust."