bridal favors : Why wedding favors?

Wedding favors are considerate souvenirs, keepsakes or mementos that the bride and groom give away at their wedding reception to their guests as a pleasant reminder of their Special Day and a classy way to say "Thank you" for joining us. They symbolize gratitude and warmth. Wedding favors, unique wedding favors, also bring a decorative touch to the wedding reception as they are placed on guest tables or skillfully displayed on a central table at the entrance or exit of the reception hall. Choose your wedding favors carefully!... Wedding favors do reflect a couple’s taste and personal style and leave a lasting impression on your guests. The national and international wedding favors companies listed below and the other wedding favors vendors in your state, province or country strive to provide you with elegant and distinctive wedding favors for your wedding... personalized and custom to your own style and preference. Congratulations!... In planning your Wedding, you will be looking to buy one or more of the following Wedding Favors or Favours, Wedding Favor CD, soap wedding favor, wedding favor, handmade favors, Party Novelties, Frames, Albums & Video, Placecard Frames, Personalized Favors, Bridal Favors, Candles, Keepsakes, Bridal Paper Goods, Baby Shower Favors, Gift Baskets, Candy Wrappers, Bell Token Card, Personalized Ribbons, Magnet Favors, Unique Favors, Wedding Reception favors. Copyright © 2001-2005 TopWeddingLinks.com... All rights reserved.

bridal favors : Bath and Soap Favors

Wedding Favors to Go's Bath and Soap Wedding Favors are as attractive as they are functional. These effervescent little works of art will add color and life to all of your guest tables. Not only are they great as wedding favors they also make fantastic party favors or bridal shower favors. Our selections are a fit for everything from an elegant bridal shower to a garden party. These bath and soap favors are the tops. You want your favors to not only thank your guests, but to one day remind them of you and your very special day. What better way than to give them these lovely packets of daisy-shaped bath confetti. This confetti starts out as handfuls of sunny yellow daisies which melt into a hot floral-scented bath. Bathing bliss! Each favor is packaged in a prettily-printed standing envelope that says Thank You?and tied with a sheer organza ribbon. Envelope measures approximately 4x4? Reminiscent of your overflowing gift table, these sweet gift boxes give a little something back to your generous guests. Stackable and charming little gift boxes are wrapped just so, and open to reveal a set of three aromatic gift soaps. Standing 3 inches tall, this sweet stack is tied with sheer organza ribbon and silver Thank You tag. A matching personalized tag is also available with this favo © Copyright 2006 - Wedding Favors To Go

bridal favors : WEDDING SHOWER FAVOR IDEAS

Give each guest a homemade cinnamon roll wrapped in decorative cellophane and tied with colorful ribbon...also popular are homemade sugar cookies (bell or heart shapes) decorated with icing or colored sugar. Bath oil beads, or small flower or heart shapednto a heart-shaped mold and place an 8 - 10 inch piece of thin ribbon near top of heart before wax starts to dry. Remove hearts from molds and tie ribbon at top to create a beautifully scented ornament that can be placed around your door handle or on a Christmas tree. Make your own wine charms (the type used to distinguish which glass of wine belongs to you). Purchase small silver or gold loops that close at the top from a craft or jewelry supply store, along with different colored beads and little charms of various types. Assemble each charm so that it is different from the other, so that guests will remember which drink is theirs. You can also make your guests their own set of 4 - 6 charms or purchase them already made for about $4 - $5 per set. Make your own gel candles...buy gel and materials from a craft shop, pour gel into small votives, martini, wine or champagnes glasses (do not use plastic) and add sand and sea shells or other small decorative items that are not flammable. Add a personalized favor tag or use as a table decoration. Gel candles burn a lot longer and there is no messy wax to ruin table cloths. Other popular favors still include wedding bubbles and wedding bell favors, placecards frames, the pewter placecard holder chairs are a favorite aow they have come out with placecard holder shoes, sofas and even little cars. Also useful items (for the couples that want to spend $3 - $4 per couple on a favor) include silver seal bottle openers or the silver slipper (shoe) bottle opener, the new "perfect pair" pear-shaped silver salt and pepper shakers, mini wedding cake candles and the best selling favor for 2004 was the silver pear salt and pepper shakers...also the silver heart coffee scoops copyright © 2005 Team Wedding.com

bridal favors : Ideas for Wedding Favors

Over the years wedding favors have become increasingly popular. Guests often look forward to receiving a keepsake favor to take home with them after the wedding party. Wedding favors add to the decor and theme of the wedding, ranging from simple bookmarkers to elegant crystal or silver pieces for the bridal party that can later be displayed in a curio cabinet or on a fireplace mantle. Some couples prefer to give the guests something edible, such as Jordan almonds, available in colors white, silver or gold or a small box of mints, truffles or homemade chocolate wedding favors. Candy conversation hearts and gourmet coffee or tea are also favorites. Even the favor boxes alone come in a large variety of shapes and colors, ranging from heart, cone, pyramid and purse shapes that come in floral and embossed pearl papers. Boxes can be topped with a decorative bow or a colorful silk flower chosen to coordinate with your wedding colors. Prices usually range from 25 cents to over $1.50. The Jordan almonds can also be made into an elegant favor by placing each candy coated almond into the petal of an almond holder flower made of white netting, wire and leaves, a great favor idea! These can easily be assembled by the bridesmaids or purchased assembled for about $1.50. Organza bags come in a variety of colors and can also be filled with candy. Favors can also be designed with the season of the year as a theme...fall wedding favor ideas include autumn leaf candles or tulip bulbs wrapped in a sheet of tulle and tied with ribbon. Winter favors include mini cherub holiday ornaments, pine or cinnamon scented potpourri, floating poinsettia candles or silver bells. Any favor can be personalized with a unique thank you note or a short poem printed on a small card. Christmas weddings or holiday wedding favor ideas can be to use wrapped mini gifts of different shapes and sizes in your wedding colors and place at each table setting. Mini sleighs are available at most craft stores. Fill sleighs with Holiday candies, favors for the guests, or the table card. Foil wrapped Christmas trees, Other popular shower or wedding favor ideas include mini wedding cake candles Personalized Wedding Favor Candle Sets, Personalized Coffee Favors, heart-shaped cookie cutters with a sugar cookie recipe attached, crystal or silver bottle stoppers, butterfly wedding favors, place card holders, cake cutters, silver serving tongs, coffee scoops, mini teacups, crystal bells, small picture frames, silver dolphin bottle openers, bath beads or decorative soaps, small photo albums, candle holders, personalized golf balls, place card chairs, floating flower candles or personalized miniature bottles of wine or champagne. Search the internet for sites where wedding favor supplies can be purchased in bulk discount/ wholesale and then created by you together with your bridal party, friends and family members, a great idea if you are on a tight budget. The best way to select a favor that is right for your wedding is to determine your budget, number of guests, theme (if any) and what you might enjoy receiving yourself. © 2005 Team Wedding.com™ Home Of The Top Wedding Sites

bridal favors : Planning a wedding can cut into job

Who can say how many brides-to-be (and a few grooms, too?) are struggling with wedding details — all the while trying to keep the boss happy so they still have jobs when they come back from their honeymoons. Brides spend an average of 37 hours a month on wedding plans leading up to the big event, according to the Association for Wedding Professionals International. And can we just take a wild guess that more than a few of those hours are sliced off the workday? If you’re among those looking to keep both job and nuptials afloat, here are some tips from “Bridal Guide” magazine: n Talk to friends and relatives who have planned weddings of similar scope and estimate how much time you’ll need to be out of the office as the big day approaches. Let the boss know you hope to zip out to do this and that, and here’s how you’ll make up the time — come in early, stay late, do some weekend work from home. n If you’re floundering with the Post-It-note approach, invest now in a ring binder with folders for the ceremony, reception, vendors. Consider keeping a voice-activated tape recorder nearby to quickly (and quietly) record those important “to-dos” that pop into your mind at work. n Delegate jobs to friends, family and the enchanting fiancé. They can help with everything from place cards to researching favors and wedding-party gifts. (Two summers ago, I set up the hair appointments for my niece and her bridal party.) Here’s one last idea I thought I’d add: If the boss has been truly understanding, why not send him or her a thank you note when you mail all the others? After all, what better gift than his/her gift of time, just when you needed it most? By Patricia Kitchen

bridal favors : I DO’ WANT TO SAVE

Whether you’re richer or poorer, you and your mate can have an elegant wedding without breaking the bank. That’s the goal for Lori Marie Martin and Daniel Edward Leibbrand, who will take their vows later this month. “Cut a hundred dollars here and a hundred dollars there, and you end up saving a lot of money,” Martin says. “Lori spent a lot of time on the Internet, doing comparative shopping,” says her mom, Martha Martin. “She was very diligent, trying to find the best prices on things.” That’s because, as fun as weddings can be, it’s even more fun to have cash left over to put down on a house, buy a car or take a fabulous honeymoon. Say ‘I don’t’ to overspending •Invitations: Instead of mailing self-addressed, stamped envelopes, have people RSVP online. •Scheduling: June is a busy bridal month. Like anything else, competition drives rates up, so try another month. Also consider a mid-afternoon reception, serving hors d’oeuvres instead of an expensive, sit-down dinner. •Atmosphere: Instead of hiring a DJ, have a friend play your favorite CDs. Candles or flowers floating in glass containers covered in tulle and tied with ribbon make nice centerpieces or favors. Sugar-frosted fruit makes another simple, yet elegant, decoration. •Bridal wear: If you have the talent (or know someone who does), make your own wedding dress. Shop after big social events, like New Year’s Eve or prom, to find discounted formals that may work perfectly as bridesmaid dresses. •Know where to splurge: Lori Martin didn’t scrimp on photography. “For me, pictures are the most important thing,” she says, “much more so than the cake or decorations or other things that will only be around for that day.” •Do your own talent search: Sometimes the best decorator or coordinator is someone who already loves you. “Find out where your friends’ talents are, then plug them in where you need them,” Martin suggests. Some may be gardeners who can provide fresh flowers. Others may be great at doing hair. “Network and bring in people to help,” her mother, Martha, says. By CHERYL GOCHNAUER

bridal favors ; LuvSeals Soaps to appear at BAM’s

LuvSeals Soaps, a Brooklyn-based online retailer of handcrafted soaps, lotions, and skin care products, today announced that they expect to appear at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)’s “DanceAfrica 2006” Bazaar over the Memorial Day Weekend. “Having a chance to share our products at DanceAfrica with our customers, friends, and neighbors certainly gives us a boost of encouragement for what we do at LuvSeals,” commented Tee ‘Luv’ Sealey, Owner and Founder of LuvSeals Soaps. “To be able to do this alongside so many other vendors and also be part of such a great tradition is a real honor. We will have fun and will show our ‘luv’ to anyone who stops by.” Also in attendance will be the company’s VP & Chief Distributor, Rahim Sealey, who comments “We are making soaps and body butter around the clock, so there will be plenty in stock for whoever comes over.” They also intend to schedule live demonstrations of how their soaps are made at certain intervals over the three-day weekend. About BAM’s DanceAfrica 2006 Now in its 29th year, the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s DanceAfrica festival is a Brooklyn tradition that occurs annually during Memorial Day Weekend. The three-day event features a diverse mix of dance, live music, film, art, dance classes for all ages, and the unique DanceAfrica outdoor bazaar. The bazaar features more than 250 vendors from around the globe who all assemble on the streets surrounding BAM. The neighborhood becomes a diverse marketplace of food, fashion, and crafts honoring the African, Caribbean, and African-American cultures. About LuvSeals Soaps Founded in early 2006, LuvSeals Soaps is an online retailer based in Brooklyn, New York specializing in handcrafted soaps. Their company motto is “Handmade with the essence of luv,” which provides a testament to their diligence to creating quality soap items for all skin types and needs. LuvSeals also offers lotions, shower gels, body butter (a more concentrated form of skin cream) in various essential oil and fragrance varieties. They offer gift baskets, wedding, bridal shower, or baby shower favors, and are available for local “soap” parties and events. The company is a minority- and woman-owned business that is family-run and operated. Created by single mother Tee “Luv” Sealey and supported by her two sons, LuvSeals Soaps started as a part-time hobby that eventually evolved into a thriving small business thanks to the positive feedback and high demand for Tee’s soaps from local customers and friends. © 2005 Condesa, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

bridal favors : For the bridal party

Your bridal party consists of some of the most important people in your life. They have been there for you through the years and together, you have created numerous precious memories. As you prepare for your wedding day, they have been there every step of the way, helping you with both big and small decisions. To show your appreciation, be creative in your gift giving. Find gifts that have special meaning or reflect the way you feel about your loved ones. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be touched by your thoughtfulness and creative gift ideas. Below, you will find a selection of truly unique and high quality bridesmaids gifts and groomsmen gifts to help you say a big "Thank You". http://www.beau-coup.com/bridal-party-gifts.htm

bridal favors : bridal shower favors and decorations

A bridal shower is a fun and important part of all the wedding festivities. Whether it's an afternoon tea party or a poolside celebration, the bridal shower is always a looked-forward to affair. Bridal shower favors can be given by the bride herself, the hostess of the party or by the bride's mother or future mother in law. Any gift whether big or small is an ideal memento for a sure to be remembered event. Below, you will find an exquisite collection of unique party favors, table decorations and favors packaging ideas for your wedding shower. Our wide range of shower favor ideas will accomodate a variety of bridal shower themes. Please be sure to visit our wedding ideas gallery for more wonderful favor ideas. http://www.beau-coup.com/bridal_shower_favors.htm

bridal favors : Bridal Shower Favors

Bridal Showers are memorable occasions for unique Favors to celebrate your special moments in life. Give thoughtful favors with unique designs. Flower bridal shower favors are personalized to customize your favors. Plant your favors with symbolic hearts, butterflies or bookmarks with wildflowers, lavender, daisy or love-in-a-mist seeds. For Kitchen themed showers the herbal seed cards is ideal. Make your bridal shower unforgettable with a theme idea from your list below. Bridal Showers favors in All Shapes & Sizes. Bridal shower favors are chosen for their uniqueness and quality. Bridal Shower Themes for Memorable Bridal Showers Why not have a bridal shower with creativity and innovative ideas and create a memorable occasion? One way to create a distinctive bridal shower for your favorite bride-to-be is to choose a clever and unique bridal shower theme. ©2005 Tree & Floral Beginnings, Inc.

bridal favors: Theme Wedding Favors

The presentation of theme wedding favors to your guests on this special day is a memorable and gracious gesture of your thanks with Wedding favors for theme weddings. Choose from this these Unforgettable theme wedding favors from this exclusive Theme Collections. Choose from wedding themes of Garden Weddings, Beach Weddings , Heart Weddings, Silver and Gold Weddings, Winery Weddings or seasonal weddings for winter weddings, fall weddings and spring wedding themes. Welcome your guests with beautiful, quality keepsakes, inspired by Wedding favors for theme weddings that decorate your special occasion. ©2005 Tree & Floral Beginnings, Inc.

bridal favors: There’s a downpour of fun ideas for today's bridal showers!

Bridal showers have an interesting history and are thought to have originated in Holland. According to popular belief, a poor Dutch girl fell in love and married a poor miller despite her father’s objections. The disapproving father refused to give the customary bridal dowry, but friends came to the couple’s aid and “showered” the bride with gifts to set up their home. While dowries are long gone today, the practice of giving gifts to the bride remains. However, the method of how showers are given has changed considerably since the poor Dutch girl got married. Today’s showers have fun themes and a wide selection of decorations and favors, according to Jessica Holland, a bridal coordinator. “They’re definitely coming up with a lot now for showers,” she said. Holland works at Events By Annette in Temecula, which stocks a few shower items and has catalogs for customers to order items. Some of the items are unique, Holland said. Personalized shower clothing can be ordered as well as neat favors like a heart-shaped wine stopper or a huge engagement ring keychain. One catalog has a keepsake shower plate that guests can sign with a silver pen and a wedding dress form that can be used as a table decoration or cake topper. Regarding cakes, Holland said bakers are being requested to make fondant ones that resemble the famous blue Tiffany jeweler’s box. “Most of the showers have had it this year. It’s pretty popular,” she said. Holland knows a lot about showers because of her job and the fact that she recently wed. “I actually just got married,” she said. “My shower was five months ago.” Her mother and maid of honor organized the shower, which was held at her mother’s house with 20 guests attending. The shower’s theme was pink because that’s Holland’s favorite color and what she chose for her wedding. When choosing a theme, Holland said hosts should consider the bride’s hobbies or interests. She commented that a popular theme now is Stock the Pantry, which requires each guest to give the bride their favorite recipe, plus the ingredients and utensils to make it. Couple showers are becoming popular too because more men are involved in the wedding process and don’t want to be left out of pre-wedding festivities. Holland said the maid of honor and best man host a shower for the couple at a restaurant, bar or other favorite place. “It’s getting to be more of a fad,” she said. At Holland’s shower her guests played games, including Bridal Bingo. “It’s a really fun game,” she said. “It’s all about weddings.” Bridal Bingo came on the market last fall and sells for $15. Holland said she’s gotten good feedback from customers about how fun it is to play. As for gifts, Holland said she got a lot of pink and heart-shaped ones, which matched her theme. Two of the gifts she received were a pink cookbook and a heart-shaped baking pan. While opening gifts, Holland said she didn’t break any ribbons because she was told that the number of ribbons she broke would represent how many children she would have. “I didn’t break any. I opened them very carefully,” she said, laughing. By Laurie Rathbun

bridal favors: Plan a Great Wedding at the Last Minute

When Raissa Wilson got engaged to the man of her dreams this past winter, they began to plan a fall wedding. Then they got devastating news: Her fiance, Stean Maas, a captain in the Marine Corps, was being called back to duty. "He's just amazing. He's just the kindest, most wonderful person," she said. "Our original wedding plans were to get married in Washington, D.C., in October. We got a phone call from the Marine Corps saying, 'We need you to go to the American Embassy in Kenya.'" With all their previous plans in disarray, Wilson had to move the event up to July, leaving six weeks to assemble her perfect wedding. "My first reaction probably was, 'I can't believe this is happening,'" she said. "I don't have a dress. I don't have a cake. I don't have flowers and I have no idea what to do about it." Know Where to Shop "Good Morning America" and Bride's magazine gave Wilson a crash course in throwing a last-minute wedding. The first stop was at a wholesale flower market where Wilson was encouraged to get creative and focus on her favorite colors. "Let's find things that appeal to you color-wise and let's use that as a building block," said Maria McBride, a wedding stylist for Bride's magazine. "When you choose flowers that are in season, you're getting things that look great but you're getting a much better price for your flower, too." Next, McBride and Wilson went to a bridal fantasy suite where Wilson satisfied her sweet tooth. The hottest trend in wedding cakes is personalization with customized cookies. Wilson and Maas' initials were painted in military colors; small button-looking cookies carried the Marine Corps eagle insignia. "Cookies make also … really fabulous favors. You can just put a few together in a little cellophane bag. That's really charming," McBride said. Copyright © 2006 ABC News Internet Ventures

bridal favors: Bridal Shower Favor Ideas

I'm planning a bridal shower for my brothers fiancee, and my mother's > on my case because I haven't thought of a "good" shower favor yet. The > shower is in April. Their colors are purple and gold, wedding's in June. > Their theme seems to be castles, as that's what is on their invitation, and > their wedding favors are castle picture frames (so I can't do another frame > for the shower). > Any ideas? Not counting my own, I've been to 1 bridal shower, and for the > life of me I can't think of what the favor was. Once you decide the theme of your shower, things like possible favors will clear up nicely. Keep in mind that most people need more knick-knacks like they need a hole in the head. If you can't think of something that won't just end up clutter for the vast majority of people, just don't do favors at all. They're not required, and people will thank you. Consumables are usually a good idea, for that reason. The key to any party planning is to have some kind of theme. It doesn't have to be a theme like you'd have at a kid's birthday party. It could revolve around a feel or an impression you'd like to create. For instance, you might do a tea, in which case a good favor might be a sachet of a particularly nice tea blend in a pretty little container. Perhaps you'd like to play off a flower--say, African violets since she obviously likes purple. In that case, you could use African violets to decorate with and then send one home with each guest. If you think about what she really likes, you should be able to come up with *some* kernel of an idea, and once you have that, it will help you choose everything from food to decor to entertainment to favors. From: Ericka Kammerer

bridal favors: Save on gifts for guests at wedding

The wedding dress. The caterer. The reception hall and band. You arrange these big-day essentials months, or often a year, in advance. But gifts for your guests are another matter. They're one of many wedding details that typically pop up at the end of your planning--and when your budget is starting to be stretched. "The sticker shock happens a lot when you're shopping at the beginning," said Alan Fields, co-author of "Bridal Bargains" (Windsor Peak Press, $15). "But it's really easy to add here and there and suddenly realize you've overspent by $3,000." In fact, 31 percent of couples do not stick to their initial budget, according to a recent survey of 500 newlyweds by American Express. And roughly half of couples said having more post-bash money was a top desire. With many weddings now costing more than $20,000 and more couples picking up all or a portion of the tab, you'll alleviate stress and avoid going deeper into debt with a little extra planning. Here's what to expect: Be ready for last-minute guests. Though guests typically RSVP by the given deadline, there's always a few no-shows--and unexpected arrivals. The cost for five additional people (at $40 a head): $200. Most caterers and reception venues can accommodate a few extra bodies, said Brooke Bandik, a wedding and event planner at Tying the Knot in Hinsdale. Because you can pay for those plates afterward, don't overstate the guest count. You won't get a refund. But you should leave a little room in your budget, just in case. Remember taxes and tips. Most vendor contracts will include taxes and gratuity. But if it has been a few months since the ink dried, double-check what's included in the total and ask if there could be any other fees. The cost: A gratuity can be as high as 20 percent of the bill. Also, on the day of the wedding, it's sometimes customary to tip vendors that don't charge a gratuity. Ask friends or your wedding coordinator what's typical in your area. "It's very common in the Northeast to have almost everyone get a tip," Fields said. Allow, say, $150 or more: $50 each for the maitre d', photographer and disc jockey. Avoid overtime fees. Don't underestimate that amount of time you'll want the band to play or the photographer to snap shots. Otherwise, overtime fees can be exorbitant. The cost: as much as $500 per additional hour. "Any sort of prior thought is better than a decision during your wedding because you'll have no pull with your vendors that day," Bandik said. Consider small details. Your bridal party stood with you as you got hitched. Mom and Dad helped with the planning and possibly gave some money toward the cost. And your guests showed up with gifts and good cheer. A small gift to all of them shows your appreciation. But favors alone average $2 per person. Add other touches, such as place cards, a guestbook and programs, and the total could add up to another $1,500 for a 200-person wedding. And don't forget any dress alterations that may be necessary. "A lot of brides lose or gain weight during this process," said Ali Phillips of Chicago-based Engaging Events by Ali. "It depends on how you deal with stress." Wedding coordinators recommend you allot another 10 to 15 percent of your initial budget for last-minute expenses. If you're planning a wedding on your own, online calculators, such as the one at weddings.theknot.com/budgeter, will help you account for these expenses, as well as track what you're actually spending. "Planning ahead is huge," said coordinator Bandik. "That's the main reason people overspend. If you plan ahead for what you know you want, there's often enough money in the end to have it all." Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

bridal favors : Yoga parties breathe new life into old traditions

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, it's time to party. Around the area, partygoers are gearing up for bridal showers with cheesy games, bachelorette parties that end in regrettable debauchery, wallflower-filled cocktail parties and banal backyard bashes. Perhaps it's time to dig deep into the creative vault and try something new. "A yoga party is a really nice way to celebrate," says Angela Gargano, owner of Fitchburg's Bliss Flow Yoga. "There aren't a lot of alternatives to the bar scene and people get really tired of the traditional party. A yoga party truly offers something different." Andrea Russell, an instructor at Bliss Flow and other sites, adds, "Yoga parties nurture your well-being." A new Madtown mantra Started on the East and West coasts where yoga reigns, these parties are just starting to blossom in Madison. "There is a fringe awareness of yoga parties," says Jules Stenzel Wolf, owner of Monroe Street's Yoga Wolf. "Word has just started to get out in Madison." While bridal showers and bachelorette parties are no-brainer candidates, yoga parties can celebrate anything. "People can always find a reason to have a party," says Stenzel Wolf, who has hosted and instructed yoga parties for birthdays, anniversaries and, most recently, a group that won a skating competition. Christine Bellport, co-anchor of NBC 15's The Morning Show had a Friday the 13th yoga party. She loves to throw parties, so on Friday, Jan. 13, she invited 25 of her friends to Bliss Flow Yoga to celebrate the new year and good health. "It was a great way to introduce my friends to yoga," says Bellport, who moved to Madison two years ago. "It was a way for (my friends) to experience yoga in a safe environment and not make them nervous." It also gave her friends - many of whom didn't know one another - a way to connect. "It gave people something to talk about. There was an instant bond," says Bellport. For all, by all A yoga party isn't all about mantras, mudras and asanas, and it isn't a carbon copy of a traditional class. It is about celebrating with those around you in a healthful, enlightening and joyful environment. "Yoga can have a real sense of fun," says Stenzel Wolf. "But I can also tailor a class to meet your needs. I can do something new, playful, fun, meditative or even recuperative." No previous yoga experience is necessary to be part of a yoga party, says Russell. A good instructor will assess the experience and abilities of the group and make it fun for all - Mom and Grandma included. More than Down Dog At a yoga party, don't expect to just do a couple of Downward-Facing Dogs, some Cobras, a Warrior, and maybe a Triangle. It's the bells and whistles that help make the party memorable. Gargano, whose family owns Peppino's Restaurant, plays up the "party" aspect. She offers post-practice appetizers such as mini quiches with fresh asparagus and chicken empanadas with green olives; menus can be customized to suit the crowd or party theme. Or, customers can add a manicure, pedicure, massage or chocolate-tasting. Stenzel Wolf, who worked with heart-health guru Dr. Dean Ornish and owned a catering business in California before moving to Madison, offers menu design and chair massage and also will sell mats and yoga straps so the hostess can give them away as favors. Russell also offers snacks and chair massages. Bellport highly recommends yoga parties and says her Friday the 13th fete was the best party she's thrown since moving to Madison. "I'm always searching for new party ideas...but I'd rather give something lasting like yoga." by AMANDA N. WEGNER

Bridal favors: A wedding fair

The splendor and cherished legacy of Filipino weddings will be relived during the forthcoming "Wedding Festival" at the Festival Supermall’s Carousel Court from May 26-28. This unique wedding fair will showcase both modern and traditional wedding essentials, the latest fashion trends in weddings, entertainment, floral decorations, special effects, venue set-up and innovations in wedding photography. Food caterers and wedding receptions will also be featured. The event, which aims to help couples, soon-to-be couples and remarrying couples prepare for the big day has endeavored to bring the best selection of wedding planners, suppliers and services available who will present detailed preparations of the actual wedding ceremony as well as post-wedding services. The festival will feature everything from ethnic to simple motifs and the most elegant wedding ensembles. The Wedding Festival will be the year’s biggest gathering of the best in the field and will prove to every couple that marrying in the Philippines is truly inspiring and memorable. COPYRIGHT 2004 © People's Independent Media Inc.

Bridal favors: Wedding planning

Wedding planning, and preparation, from the engagement, the proposal and the beautiful diamond ring... to the vows, etiquette, announcements, wedding music, program and wedding traditions... to the romantic weddings and honeymoon locations, popular getaways, spots & vacation resorts and the most beautiful travel places, locations, weddings and honeymoon destinations... pave the way to an ultimate journey of joy for the bride and groom on their... wedding day!... So, you're getting married and you need a lot of wedding advice, wedding planners, bridal help and wedding tips!... With shopping options, discount services and vendors galore, some cheap, some not so cheap, from wedding invitations, bridal gowns and tuxedos to bridal favors, to veils and headpieces, to bridal gifts, chair cover rentals, decorations, bridal jewelry, jewelers, wedding photographers, wedding flowers and florists, wedding DJs, wedding pianists, live bands and live music entertainment, invitations, bridal accessories, banquet facilities, ceremony sites, wedding reception sites, officiants, priests, rabbis, hotels, gift registry, catering, wedding photographers, weding photography, videographers, rentals, party rentals, gown preservation, cakes, limousines, restaurants, weddin planners and software for, weddings.... the brides and grooms quickly realize that life does not come with a how to book or an instruction manual for weddings!... Wedding Invitations, favors, accessories and wedding gifts can now be ordered online. Photographers and Videographers now use digital media and DVD technology to further enhance the memories of your wedding day. Wedding Planners have become more sophisticated and able to offer you what you want. Copyright © 2001-2005 topweddinglinks.com ... All rights reserved.

Bridal favors :WEDDING ACCESSORIES

Our selection of wedding accessories includes some of the hottest designs, colors and themes available from some of the top designers in the wedding accessory industry. You will have a choice of over 3000 products from which to choose including wedding favors, personalized wedding party gifts, jewelry, wedding collections, bridal & bridesmaid apparel, flowergirl accessories, ceremony keepsakes and 100s of other items to make your wedding day truly memorable. WEDDING FAVORS This season we carry some of the most desirable designs in wedding favors. You can choose from bridal favors in several popular themes like: beach, romantic, castle, fairytale, calla lily, roses Copyright ?1998-2006 Wedding Accents

Bridal Favor: Sachet Bridal Favor

Sachet Bridal Favor- These silk pillow sachets make striking favors for any wedding or shower event. Each silk pillow sachet is filled with a classic blend of white flower hyacinth and lily to produce an elegant floral scent that is sweet and light scent. The silk pillow sachets are package in groups of 3. Each 3 pillow sachets are bundled for a beautiful presentation, using a matching silk ribbon and adorned with a silk rose in full bloom. These favors can also be used as place card holders or to direct guests to tables. Size: Sachet measures 3" x 3" x 2.5". Minimum order 12 pcs. Copyright © 1998-2006 Wedding Favors by AmericanBridal.Com,

Bridal favors: wedding party attendant gifts

Your bridal party consists of some of the most important people in your life. They have been there for you through the years and together, you have created numerous precious memories. As you prepare for your wedding day, your wedding party attendants have been there every step of the way, helping you with both big and small decisions. To show your appreciation, be creative in your gift giving. Find attendant gifts that have special meaning or reflect the way you feel about your loved ones. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be touched by your thoughtfulness. Below, you will find a selection of truly unique and high quality gifts for your bridal party. Bridal favors Copyright © 2006 Beaucoup Wedding Favors,

Bridal favors:3 oz Thick Bottom Shot Glasses

Here is a stylish promotional item that shows you like to have fun. Customize this handsome shot glass with a special message for your clients or the date of your big event. Shot glasses are an entertaining and unique gift with a sense of enjoyment to them. Choose from a variety of colors and designs, or customize your shot glasses with a company logo. We ordered two sets of these shots glasses so that we could each put a personal message on them when we gave them away as wedding favors. Now, all of our closest friends and family have a shot glass to remember our special day. How nice! Yila D., Arizona Thanks for rushing this order. We were so worried that these weren’t going to arrive in time for the wedding and after someone else had given us all shot glasses as wedding favors at their wedding, we thought it was a great idea and really wanted to also give shot glasses out as wedding favors. © Copyright 2003 Discountmugs.com All Rights Reserved.

French Spring Soup

I make this during asparagus season when my husband's patch is producing a lot. It is very fresh tasting, and the longer it sits, the better it is." Original recipe yield: 10 servings. Prep Time:25 MinutesCook Time:35 MinutesReady In:1 Hour Servings:10 (change) INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup butter 1 pound leeks, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 quarts water 3 large potatoes, chopped 2 large carrots, chopped 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice 4 teaspoons salt 1/2 pound fresh spinach 1 cup heavy cream DIRECTIONS: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the leeks and onion, and cook until tender. Pour water into the pot. Mix in potatoes, carrots, asparagus, and rice. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes, until vegetables and rice are tender. Stir spinach and heavy cream into the soup mixture, and continue cooking about 5 minutes before serving. Submitted by: Luanne

Buying Decision A Matter of Choice

Believe it or not, buying a home stereo is one of the biggest investments you might make. While its monetary value might not approach that of your home, car or education, the value and usefulness that it should bring you is surely very high. Your home stereo will certainly influence how you perceive your musical choices, and impact how you relax, recreate and entertain. With that as the case, there are many things that come into play with regard to choosing the piece or pieces that compose this system. The first and most often asked question by persons new to home audio is: “Should I buy components and hook them up or buy a system?” Well, this buying decision is dependent solely on your personal tastes and situation. If you goal is quick and easy sound on a budget, an all-in-one or pre-packaged solution is the best one. However, ff you have special needs (for example maybe you inherited a collection of 33-, 45-, or 78-rpm records) the component-based stereo system is likely to be your only solution. But with the recent arrival of truly excellent all-in-one systems, the case for buying components, which used to be quite compelling, is no longer as strong as it once was. Granted, most separates will outperform many all-in-one solutions, but as technology moves ahead, particularly digital, the race is certainly tightening up. by Anthony Armstrong,

The Roulette Wheel

The roulette wheel is a marvel of engineering and logic and has been of great interest to gamblers for a number of years now. Behind it's simple design lies a complex arrangement of numbers and characteristics, placed in just the right way to ensure the random element of the game. The wheel is basically a large bowl with slanted walls falling to separate compartments, which are just large enough to hold the marble once it comes to rest. These compartments, or pockets, are colored alternately red and black, with the zero-pocket colored green. While the number arrangement around the roulette wheel is the main predictor of randomness in Las Vegas, playing online is a little different. Where the ball lands in an online roulette wheel is wholly dependent upon a piece of software called a Random Number Generator (RNG). An online casino's RNG is quite similar to an RNG chip found inside a slot machine. It produces thousands of random numbers each second, and those random numbers are extracted when an event occurs (such as a roulette wheel being spun) and then mapped to an end result (the ball landing on 14), via a set of rules that correspond to the odds for a game. This way you get randomness and appropriate odds, exactly what you need for a proper game. Many questions regarding roulette revolve around the differences between an American roulette wheel, and a European roulette wheel. The only difference worthy of note is the fact that an American wheel has two zero pockets, one marked 0 and one marked 00. This difference represents a significant difference in the house edge between the two types of wheels. On a European roulette wheel the house edge is approx. 2.70% - much lower than the American wheel at 5.26%. Golden Palace Online Casino is pleased to offer an outstanding version of European roulette for our visitors. This game features the low house edge serious roulette gamblers are looking for, along with the security and quality our players have come to expect from GoldenPalace.com. To download and play our free roulette game for fun or for real money, simply click the "Download Now" link at the top of this page. Copyright © 1997 - 2006 GoldenPalace.com. All Rights Reserved

Encyclopedia of Asian Food

Every adventurous cook has had the frustrating experience of being intrigued by some unusual Asian ingredient but being unable to discover its English name or use. Charmaine Solomon makes that frustration a thing of the past with this comprehensive volume, which is a must for serious cooks. The Encyclopedia of Asian Food is both a practical guide to Asian food and a reference book on the subject. It contains all that cooks will need to identify, prepare and use Asian ingredients, as well as over 500 recipes, including the classical recipes of each country. Charmaine Solomon has over thirty years' experience writing, cooking and exploring the breadth of Asia. In this lively text she provides advice on every facet of the ingredients and the cuisine of each Asian country, as well as explanations of cooking techniques and guides to special utensils. This wealth of information is peppered with colorful anecdotes and reminiscences from Solomon's travels. She offers delightful details such as how to add flowers to a menu, how to recognize the fragrance of gingelly oil, how to best enjoy exotic fruits like rambutan, pulasan and mangosteen, and how to use ingredients decoratively. Entries also include nutritional properties, dangers and curiosities of many common foods, as well as their names in various Asian languages. The illustrated index provides detailed color drawings of vegetables, fruits, nuts and spices, and the book includes a recipe index and a comprehensive index that includes non-English terms. Written and researched with the absolute thoroughness and dedication that has made Charmaine Solomon the most respected authority on Asian food, The Encyclopedia of Asian Food is the culmination of a lifetime of experience and is the definitive guide to the mysteries of Asian cuisine. Charmaine Solomon emigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia over thirty years ago. Through newspapers, magazines, television, cooking schools and over twenty-five books, she has infused the Western world with her passion and knowledge of Ascuisine. By Charmaine Solomon

Gulf breezes

TO ESCAPE THE SUMMER CITY heat and yellow fever epidemics in the 1800s, New Orleanians and Mobilians flocked to the breezy Gulf Coast. Today they're still coming to the shores of Mississippi and Alabama, along with vacationers from everywhere in the USA. Thirteen casinos (and more to come) with their high-rise hotels have transformed Mississippi's Gulf Coast into a year-round Las Vegas of the South. Aside from round-the-clock gaming and fresh seafood served at mega-buffets, several casinos are destinations in themselves. The Beau Rivage in Biloxi, for example, pampers guests with spa treatments, a boutique shopping mall, and star entertainment. Work progresses on the Beau Rivage's Fallen Oak golf course, built amid pecan orchards and live oaks adjacent to the DeSoto National Forest. When finished, it will join more than 20 courses along the Mississippi coast. The sidewalks of Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian, east of Biloxi, invite strolling past classic Gulf cottages, galleries, and restaurants where everyone seems to know everyone. This smalltown neighborliness extends to Long Beach, where an enormous live oak was only a sapling when Columbus discovered America. Legend says that those who stand beneath the shade of the Friendship Oak (its branches spread over 151 feet) will remain friends for life. Near Bay St. Louis, the John C. Stennis Space Center offers free tours. Shuttle vans depart from the Mississippi Welcome Center at I-10 near Louisiana's state line. Nesting seabirds shelter amid dunes along Mississippi's 26-mile-long, manmade beach. Kiosks rent beach buggies, umbrellas, chairs, and Hobie-cat sailboats. In Gulfport a new community sail training school is being built next to the Ship Island ferry. The school is part of the Mississippi Sound Historical Museum, which opened last year. Gulfport's Lynn Meadows Discovery Center--three stories of educational challenges and activities--is a hit with hyperactive youngsters. Another family favorite is the Marine Life Oceanarium next to Gulfport's Banana Port and Grand Casino, where dolphins splash front-row viewers during performances. by Carolyn Thornton