Wedding DIY Do’s and Don’ts

There are so many aspects of a wedding that can be done yourself, while still looking great and without getting stressed. Often times, youâ??ll enjoy making things for your wedding and take a certain sense of pride in giving your day that personal touch.

However, there are certain things about your day that should be handled by a professional. One reason is to keep your stress level down– in some situations, you wonâ??t even save that much money by doing things yourself. Another reason is that some services require a certain level of expertise– you might think that some of these things are easier than they really are.

This list will take you through different wedding categories and how you can best utilize your own versus professional services for your big day.

Wedding DIY Doâ??s:

Makeup

You do your makeup a certain way every day because that is the way that you like to look. Iâ??ve always found that a makeup artist who doesnâ??t know me makes me look like a completely different person. Itâ??s either way too dark or I just donâ??t like the colors on me. Iâ??ve always been happier doing my own makeupâ??when I get it professionally done, I usually end up wiping it off and fixing it myself anyway.

Save the Dates

Save the dates are a really fun way to get creative and let your personality shine through. There are a ton of options that can be printed online very quickly and easily, including magnets, postcards, photos, etc. You can also feed cardstock through your own printer and design them your own way.

Gifts/ favors

Gifts to your parents, each other, and wedding party should be personal. If you enjoy art, you might consider painting wine glasses or a picture frame with a nice photo in it. If you are beach people, you might fill a nice jar with sand and shells, etc. Think about what people appreciate about you and try to incorporate that into your gifts and favors. Favors can be as simple as buying bulk candies and scooping them into little sachet bags. If you are both really into music, you might want to make wedding mix cds to give out as favors. The sky is the limit!

Flowers

In season flowers can be picked up from local farmers markets for very reasonable prices. You can make your own bouquets and centerpieces that will look beautiful! All you need is flowers, some greenery, florist tape and ribbon. While you hold the flowers together, someone else tapes them together. You may want to consider ordering boutonnieres or nixing them altogether because theyâ??re a little more complicated, but there are a ton of step-by-step tutorials on the internet if youâ??re feeling ambitious. Centerpieces are especially fun to make because you can get creative with things like lemon wedges, sand, shells, sea glass and many other accents.

Music

It is always nice to have a DJ or band to not only handle the music for your reception, but also to announce the various events. However, if you are on a tight budget, you could make a playlist on your iPod ahead of time (one that will last several hours) and ask an outgoing family friend to â??em-ceeâ? the events (announcing the wedding party, tossing the bouquet, cutting the cake, sending tables up to the buffet, etc). You can rent speakers and a microphone for less than $300 for the weekend, which is significantly less than a DJ or band would cost.

Video

Videography is a service that many couples choose to forego altogether. Many people are more concerned with photography. Wedding videos can be expensive if you choose to have the footage edited. If you just want to see snippets of the entire day, you could ask a family member or friend who has a video camera to try to record the big parts of the day so you will have something look back on besides pictures.

Wedding DIY Donâ??ts

Catering

A lot of people who have been involved in the restaurant or catering business have a hard time handing the work off to someone else when they know they could do it themselves for half the price. This is your dayâ??you should not be worried about the timing and temperature of food for 100+ people. Itâ??s simply too big of a task to take on without sacrificing the precious time that will fly by on your wedding day.

Cake

Baking a birthday cake is simply not the same as the mastery involved in creating a wedding cake. The design itself is just one aspect of it. When baking a cake for a large number of people, there is a lot of structural work. Think of a wedding cake as a piece of construction- if the building is not put together properly, it will surely topple over or collapse. If you wouldnâ??t try to build your own house, donâ??t try to make your own wedding cake.

Invitations

Printing your own invitations sounds like a great idea but it can be a nightmare of a headache. Things go wrong with formatting and you will become stressed out very quickly. You can easily find invitations (with response card, envelopes, etc) for less than $3 per invitation online. Itâ??s worth the extra $2 per invite to have someone take care of it for you. This is one area that you should save yourself the hassle.

Photography

You might have several friends who enjoy photography as a hobby and are great at it. However, I would strongly consider their ability to shoot all types of settings before asking them to take your wedding pictures. These are pictures that you will want to look back on for the rest of your life. You want them to be perfect! Your friend might have an incredible talent for shooting nature and scenery, but that doesnâ??t necessarily mean that they know how to capture a wedding. Just make sure you look at several portfolios and are happy with what you see.

Hair

Unless you are wearing your hair very simply (all down or just a bobby pin or something like that), you should really consider getting your hair professionally done. You donâ??t want to get frustrated if you arenâ??t able to get it the way you like and the last thing you want to do on your wedding day is become stressed out. Itâ??s also a really nice relaxing way to be pampered on your big day.

Of course, if you are on a really tight budget, you can find ways to make these situations work on your ownâ??but if itâ??s simply a matter of prioritizing where you spend your money, I recommend following the outline above. Iâ??ve listed both the doâ??s and donâ??ts in order of what I think are most important. So, the top of the Doâ??s list are the easiest things to make DIY projects. The top of the Donâ??ts list are the things that I would say absolutely do not do yourself.

I hope this helps you in planning your big day!

Online Dating Safety – Dos and Don’ts With Hooking Up

Hooking up online can definitely be thrilling and exciting, but it’s also important to be smart about it. Here are some steps to help make your new encounters safe and memorable ones.

Discuss Hook-Up First

Whether you’re setting up a date online or over the phone, it’s important for both parties to be on the same page. Talk about what you both expect to happen. This will avoid any misunderstandings during your encounter. It could be extremely awkward if you’re meeting with someone and thinking that it’s just the two of you, and they’ve invited another person for a threesome. It’s also of the utmost importance to disclose to one another if either of you have any STDs (remember to always use protection on hook-ups).

Meet in a Public Place

While it’s tempting to get straight to the action, it’s good idea to meet your date at a public place first. This way, you can get a sense of what the other person is like offline. Also, you can make sure the other person really looks like their photos. Do not rely on your hook-up for transportation on the first date. If things don’t work out, you could be screwed. Find a way to get there and back, even if you have to take a bus or have a friend give you a lift. The meeting doesn’t have to be long: just long enough to know that you’d feel safe to be alone with your date. If you meet for drinks, never leave your drink unattended – it could be tampered with. Have an exit plan prepared in the event that the date goes south. If you’re still not sold on the idea of meeting in public first, think of it this way: it could intensify the experience when you finally are able to get your hands on each other in private!

Tell a Friend Where You’re Going

While you may want to keep your hookups private, it’s strongly recommended that you tell at least one friend of your plans…just in case. Always have your cell phone with you, and make sure it’s fully charged.

Disclose Personal Info Sparingly

Be cautious with the personal information you give out to your new online hook-ups. Give out your actual email address and phone numbers only when you feel comfortable doing so. It’s a very painstaking task to have a phone number changed if you happen to meet someone who won’t leave you alone (you may also want to check into getting caller ID and call blocking, if you don’t already have them). Also be sure to keep your personal belongings with you at all times. The last thing you want is to become a victim of Identity Theft or have to deal with unauthorized credit card charges.

Use Protection

You only have one life – why put it at risk by not using protection and getting an STD? Hook-up as much as you want, but always make sure to always protect yourself. Again, we can’t reiterate enough to talk to your future hook-ups about your sexual histories. It’s the responsibility of both parties to disclose if either person has an STD. And if you’re not sure if you’re clean, go to your doctor or to a clinic and get an STD test.

Trust Your Gut

If there’s something about the date that doesn’t seem right, go with your gut. If you don’t feel comfortable with the other person, or if you fear for your safety, leave immediately. Do not allow your date to pressure you to stay or engage in an activity that you do not feel comfortable doing. It is okay to say no.

Keeping these dating safety tips in mind can help make your future romps safe and pleasant. The most important thing of all to remember with online hook-ups is to use common sense, trust your gut, and protect yourself. Have fun, and be safe!

Do’s and Don’ts of Free Online Dating

Things to keep in mind during free online dating

Millions of people of all ages are getting online in the hope of finding true love. Some are lucky and succeed at the venture, while others are not so lucky and continue to struggle along the way. Remember, there is no right or wrong on the way to finding love online. It is all about what works and what does not, depending on the circumstances. We spoke to many successful and unsuccessful daters who have experienced the joys and sorrows of free online dating. In doing so, we have gathered for you a handful of pearls of wisdom which might make a difference to your journey.

Dos of free online dating

â?¢ Do a thorough bit of research before you register with any free online dating service.

â?¢ Make sure the site has privacy and security policies in place and will not divulge your personal information to a third party

â?¢ Do a background check on the online dating service for any unpleasant incidents associated with it

â?¢ Do ensure that the dating site caters to your locality

â?¢ Do some research and compare the various features provided by your chosen free online dating service before you register

â?¢ Do spend time to create an innovative user name for your profile

â?¢ Do write an interesting headline and introduction to attract more singles to your profile

â?¢ Do fill complete details on your online profile. It increases your chances of being short listed when someone does a search on the site.

â?¢ Do upload your recent color photograph on your online dating profile. It will increase your chances of getting responses from singles on the site.

â?¢ Do trust your instincts when making friends online

Donâ??ts of free online dating

â?¢ Donâ??t register on too many free online dating sites all at once. It does not help to be totally lost when you start out.

â?¢ Donâ??t make your user id or your profile sound desperate. No one likes to hook up with desperate loners

â?¢ Donâ??t give half baked or untruthful information about yourself on the profile. You will not attract the right person into your life. Even if it works initially, sooner or later, the truth will come out.

â?¢ Donâ??t upload celebrity pictures or someone elseâ??s pictures or any other pictures on your free online dating profile. People like to see who they are speaking with. It is best that someone decides to speak to you for who you are. If the person rejects you for your looks, then that is not the kind of person you want to date anyway.

â?¢ Donâ??t be in too much of a hurry to divulge personal information or meet with your new online love. Get to know the person better before you decide to do either of this. It will give you time to understand the person better and decide if they actually are your type. This will even give you a chance to see if the person is genuine or a fraud.

Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah Save the Date Cards – Top Do’s and Don’ts

A bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah ceremony is meant to be shared with friends and loved ones.  As your son or daughter comes of age in the Jewish faith and you are planning the celebration for this rite of passage, you may want to consider sending save the date cards.  These announcements can give your guests the advanced notice they need to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements.  So, what do you need to know about bar mitzvah save the date cards?  Here are the top dos and don’ts.

Do mail your bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah save the date cards at least four months to a year in advance.  Simply put, people have busy schedules.  They make plans well ahead of time, schedule vacations, business trips and family obligations.  You want to make sure that your guests know about your child’s bar mitzvah date before they make those other plans.  It is also a courtesy to people from out of town, so that they have enough time arrange for discounted air fares and hotel rooms.

Do include the important phrases “save the date” and “invitation to follow” on your bar mitzvah save the date cards.  Whether you’re making your own cards or ordering them from a professional, it is important to emphasize that these are not invitations.  Bar mitzvah save the date cards are a relatively new innovation, so it is possible that some of your recipients may not understand the purpose of the card, unless you are very clear.

Don’t add RSVP to your save the date cards or enclose a reply card.  This can really confuse people.  You just want to alert them to date of your child’s bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah ceremony and celebration, so they have time to plan ahead.  A response is not necessary.

Do include your child’s bar mitzvah website address to your save the date cards, if he or she has one.   You can update the website with travel and hotel information, as well as the plans you are making for this big event.  If you don’t have a website, you can always print a list of hotels in your area, with their 800 numbers, and slip it into the envelopes for your out of town guests.

Don’t forget to send a formal invitation to every last person who received one of your bar mitzvah save the date cards. You don’t need to send a save the date card to everyone you’re inviting.  But if you send one, you must follow it up with an official invitation.  If you’re not sure someone will make it to the final guest list, don’t send them a save the date card.

Do consider photo bar mitzvah save the date cards.  The latest trend is to include a photo of your child on the card.  You might even want to use more than one photo of your son or daughter at different ages.  This is a fun way to give your guests a glimpse into how your child has grown! 

Do send bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah save the date cards that will stand out.  Shop around until you find a design that reflects your child’s personality.  Whether you go with your own handmade creation, a store-bought card or professionally custom made postcards, magnets or photo cards, the object is to grab your potential guest’s attention. 

In this hectic society, it is a nice gesture to alert your friends and loved ones to this upcoming event.  It shows consideration of their busy lifestyles and allows them to plan ahead. As a result, those who receive your bar mitzvah save the date cards will be likely to reach for their calendar and save that special date.

These Are the “Don’ts” for Dating Russian Women on the Internet

If you have spent any time at all looking around the world of internet dating, the odds are pretty good that you have come across websites that specialize in dating, meeting and in some cases marrying Russia women. Maybe you have even checked these sites out and been amazed by how attractive most of the women on these sites are; and, if you have, you are certainly not alone. Millions of people frequent online dating and marriage services on a weekly basis, and tens of thousands of men and women log on to sites that specialize in introducing men to Russian women every day. By some estimates, services that specialize in dating Russian women is one of the fastest growing segments of the online dating industry, with more and more new customers signing on to these sites every day.

The reasons for this are quite understandable. Russian women are beautiful and exotic looking; they are friendly and funny. While some minor issues might arise from time to time regarding more complex words and phrases, most of the women who frequent these sites speak and understand English on a better than conversational level. And, of course, as Internet access tends to be universal (and in many cases free) throughout the now independent states of the former Soviet Union, they have no difficulty getting online at all times of the day or night.  These women (of all ages) are eager to form friendships, romantic connections and, in some cases, life partnerships with men who they meet online.

Finding the right site to help you start dating Russian women is a matter â?? in most cases â?? of personal preference, and common sense. You want a site that is verified secure, a site that is upfront about what and how they charge for their services, a site that offers a variety of services (instant messaging, live streaming video, webcam, etc) that you are interested in and, most importantly, a good selection of attractive Russian women who are interested in meeting you. Once you have found a site that you are comfortable with, the odds are that you will find articles and tips on how to approach, talk to, and form a relationship with Russian women. If, for some reason, the site you have chosen to use doesnâ??t offer a good sized database of such articles, you can easily find many by doing a simple Google search (and you might also thinking about switching services!). The majority of these articles will deal with the â??Doâ??sâ? when it comes to dating Russian women. Below are a few â??Donâ??tsâ? that you will also want to keep in mind as well.

* Donâ??t Assume an Abundance of Beauty Means a Lack of Brains: One of the most common mistakes that newcomers to the world of Russian dating make is thinking that simply because the women who use the sites are more attractive than the women they meet in every day life this also means that they are less intelligent. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Education is highly emphasized in the now independent states of the former Soviet Union, and many of the Russian women that you find on the websites speak three or more languages at a conversational or better level. In most cases you will find that these women are interested in (and knowledgeable about) politics, world affairs, music, movies, fashion and a host of other topics. Not only are these women fun to look at, but they are fascinating to talk to as well!

* Donâ??t Confuse Russian Dating Sites with Mail Order Bride Sites: With over six hundred â??Russian Mail Order Brideâ? sites known to be operating on the internet, many men find themselves confusing these sites with Russian dating sites, or even with sites that specialize in introducing men to Russian women for the possible purpose of marriage. It is important to make certain that any site you use for meeting and dating Russian women â?? whether just for fun or with an eye towards a possibly deeper relationship â?? not only allows you live contact with the women in question, but also offers the women who use it the same rights and privileges that it accords its male customers. For the most part, communication between parties at the Mail Order Bride sites is limited to email only. You will want to make certain that any site you use offers you the options of direct communication through the site by means of chat rooms, instant messaging, or live webcam.

* Donâ??t be Shy: One of the most common comments made by newcomers to the world of Russian dating is along the lines of: â??What on earth would a woman who looks like that want to have do with a guy who looks likes me?â?Â  In actuality, the answer is â?? just as much as they would want to have to do with you if you looked like Brad Pitt (okay, maybe not QUITE as much, but you get the idea). Traditionally, Russian women do not place anywhere near the importance that American women place on a manâ??s looks. In general, they are more interested in a manâ??s mind and â??heartâ??. They are looking for men who they enjoy spending time with, not who they enjoy looking at.

* Donâ??t be Taken: Unfortunately, as with any form of internet dating, there are those people out there whose sole purpose for using a site is to separate you from your money. In most cases, after chatting with a guy a couple of times, the person in question (who, in many cases isnâ??t even a woman) will start asking for money â?? a little at first, and the progressively more â?? usually for â??worthyâ? reasons such as an ailing relative or even to help pay for a trip to see you. In virtually all such cases, these people are simply scamming you, and should be reported to the administrators of the service you are using immediately. To cut down on incidents like this, it is recommended that you only use services that have a zero tolerance policy towards scamming, and who employ some form of identity verification for the women on their site.

There is a reason why Russian dating sites represent one of the fastest growing segments of the online dating world, and that reason is that they provide many people with exactly what they are looking for out of their online dating experience. There are plenty of legitimate sites out there, and with just a little research and common sense, you can develop the tools to help you find one that is perfect for you. So, what are you waiting for!

Do’s & Don’ts of Your Dating Resume

Before every audition, an actor prepares.

Before meeting with an agent or a director, he submits a headshot and resume.

Before the meeting, the agent/director will determine if the actor will be called in…or end up in the trash.

The same is true in dating.

The headshot and resume on your dating profile make your first impression. Often it determines if someone will meet you or delete you.

On-line dating resumes publicize what you want to attract, but most people don’t know how to market effectively.

Even if you’re not auditioning on-line, a dating resume gives you a chance to uniquely define your role and what you’re looking for.

Five directions to keep in mind when scripting your dating profile:

1. DO Have a Fantastic Headshot

The Wall Street Journal reported that 30% of people dating on-line don’t post photos! Without a photo, you have the least likely chance of meeting someone.

Take a good professional photo and use it!

DO NOT use a dark photo with your friends (or your ex) at some party where you look like you’ve had a few too many and there’s a palm tree growing out of your head!

2. DO Create Your Own Character

Use Vivid, Bold descriptions! Make every word count.

Marketing your long slender legs, milky skin, deep sea-green eyes and million dollar smile gets attention.

Creating a character separates you from the masses!

3. DON’T List All the Qualifications for Your Co-Star

Telling us your mate must be gorgeous, intelligent, wealthy, sexy, healthy, romantic, sensitive, spiritual, charismatic, well-mannered, potty trained, and a non-smoker is waaayyy too much!

Limit yourself to three NON-NEGOTIABLES that are definable, attainable and communicable.

4. DON‘T Lead With Your Worst Lines

Letting us know that your ex is an alcoholic or you’ve only dated self-absorbed jerks in the past so you don’t want any more of “those people” responding isn’t your best introduction.

Please…save it for later…much later…if at all!

(This seems obvious, but you wouldn’t believe the number of resumes I’ve read with this kind of info!)

5. DO Proof Your Profile

Read your resume for spelling and grammar. Expecially if you want to be taken seriously!

For more dating techniques and to learn what to do and say in your relationship (so you don’t blow it)…Order The Role of a Lifetime: How To Star in Your Own Love Story Home Study Course today!

For more articles by the Dating Director go to: “Love Life & Looking Good” Article Blog.

The Dos, Don’ts, and Common Mistakes of Dating Online

Now that you’re about to enter into the foray that is online dating, what are the key things that everyone needs to know? What are the dos, don’ts, and common errors of many fist time online daters? Read on for a few ideas about how to take your first steps into the exciting world of dating online.

To start out with, pick an online dating service that is right for you. The good news is that there are a lot of free sites for dating online these days, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from, without having to worry about paying for multiple memberships. Select a service that looks like there are members who might interest you (but beware that not all the profiles used to tempt you to sign up are real!), and a site that looks like it will suit your online dating goals.

Next, it’s time to make your profile. The importance of your profile cannot be stressed enough. This will be your introduction to the rest of the members on whichever dating service you sign up for. Lots of first time online daters are wary about posting pictures. If you’re uncomfortable with it, you can wait, but remember to post a picture eventually (this will multiply the number of response you’ll get). Also, keep your profile light and friendly and be honest with everything you write in your profile. If you embellish or lie (unless its obvious that you’re joking), the truth will come out eventually if you meet someone special, so it’s better to be truthful from the get-go. Even though your profile is important, don’t take it too seriously. Remember that above all, you’re here to have fun and hopefully that sentiment will come across to other people. Also, remember to be honest with people you’re messaging back and forth with. There’s nothing worse than thinking that you’re getting to know someone, then meeting then and realizing that they misrepresented themselves. Try to make everyone’s experience when dating online, whether yours or others, positive.