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Wedding Tent Ideas

14 Apr

Wedding Tent Ideas

Outdoor weddings have been popular for years, but many brides-to-be remain concerned about bad weather putting a damper on their special day. If you’re planning on saying your vows outdoors but don’t want to take any chances, one of the best ways to ensure you’re not rained out is to set up tents to cover your guests and keep them dry.

There are many creative ways to make a stylish statement. Choose something simple like white linen for a contemporary look or go with a unique theme such as bamboo with Chinese lanterns.

You can choose between a pole or frame tent. Pole tents are for use on grass and typically have a more elegant appearance with higher peaks. The interior poles can be covered with smooth draping to soften the look. Frame tents are free standing but can be placed on any sort of structure such as asphalt or even a rooftop. There are no poles coming down from the center, and any aluminum poles holding up the material can be covered for aesthetic reasons. Frame tents tend to be a little more costly due to the time it takes to set up.

Consider the theme of your wedding when deciding on décor for the interior of your tent. Choices will include large tables that seat dozens of guests or smaller, more intimate tables that seat 4-6 guests each. For evening weddings, candles add a romantic feel, and some tents are able to support hanging chandeliers for additional soft lighting.

Some brides choose tents large enough to have a dance floor in the center and even a sitting area with couches and lounge chairs where guests can relax, mingle, and socialize with others.

Thanks to moon angel for the picture of a decorated wedding tent.

Holiday Travel with Kids

13 Apr

Holiday Travel with Kids

Holiday travel with kids can be tricky at the best of times, and when you combine the stress of flying with the business of parenting the results can be disastrous. If you have a trip coming up and are dreading taking your terrible two-some on an airplane for several hours, keep in mind a few of the best bribes that can keep your kiddo happy throughout the flight. Your fellow passengers will appreciate any attempts to thwart mid-meltdown tantrums and will probably applaud if your efforts are actually successful. When considering ways to avert the evil eyes that other rows are shooting in your general direction, it may just be time to pull out the credit card and offer a free round of drinks to every row within earshot of your darling daughter.

One of the best bribes for kiddos on airplanes and long, confined travel spaces continues to be the old standby: candy. Not just for Halloween, if sugar is rare in your child’s daily life, it will carry that much more weight when pulled out as a bribe to tame a tantrum. Be sure to pack any sort of food that your child likes a lot. A full mouth usually is a happy and quiet mouth. Even if it seems counterintuitive to give sugar to a kid you’re trying to calm down, the sugar bribe will have longer lasting effects than the sugar rush.
Also be sure to bring along your child’s favorite toy. For the lure of novelty, hide a few new toys in your carry on to pull out at opportune moments requiring distraction. Your iPhone or iPad is also full of kid-friendly apps and games that provide distraction and entertainment for curious minds. Keep these bribes on hand to ensure your holiday travel with kids is turbulence and tantrum free.

Holiday Travel Planning Tips

13 Apr

Holiday Travel Planning Tips For You

Whether through flight or via road trip, holiday travel is becoming more and more common. With extra holidays built into the work schedule, the kids off school, and snow pounding its way to your doorstep, this is a great time to take off to somewhere warm and tropical. Planning a holiday vacation does take a little forward thinking though.
First and foremost, if you have kids, plan how you will handle the presents. Will Santa come before you leave, or will he arrive at your vacation destination? If you opt not to do presents, make sure you kids understand this and know why.
Plan early. Travel during December is becoming more and more popular, and rooms, airline seats, and even events and attractions will sell out. The sooner you can book what is important to you, the better off you will be.

Consider using a travel agent to help you avoid any hiccups, like blackout conflicts, and make the most of any potential discounts, like group packages at your favorite resort. Using a travel agent will also take some of the pressure off of your shoulders as you plan.

Be sure to plan for unexpected weather. This might be a good time to purchase travel insurance, or plan a few extra travel days into your time off work. You do not want to miss out on the vacation of a lifetime because of a big snowstorm, nor do you want to lose all of the money you have invested because of the weather.

This time of year is a great one to vacation and make memories. With these holiday travel tips, you can do so with minimal stress or hassle.

Tagged With: wedding

12 Apr

Wedding Tent Ideas

Wedding Photographer Blunders

It’s a day every woman has dreamed about since she was a little girl. For many couples, the most important part of their wedding is preserving the memories for a lifetime and beyond. Choosing the photographer to capture your big day in photos is often as important as choosing the flavor of wedding cake. Whoever …

Breaking Down Budgets for a Bride

As the nation continues to recover from recent economic stress, some areas of spending are on the rise. Many Americans are enjoying more secure and stable jobs with better income and long-term financial stability. In turn, experts say wedding expenses and spending headed back up. 2008 saw record levels for bridal budgets with many couples …

5 Tips for Your Next Family Vacation

12 Apr

5 Tips for Your Next Family Vacation

Mother’s Day is less than a month away, so it’s time to start thinking about ways to show the moms in your life how much you care. Whether you need the perfect gift for your mom, wife, or mother-in-law, here are some tips to make their day extra special.

As a kid, I always wondered why the adults never seemed to be having a “relaxing” time during family vacations. Family trips can certainly be stressful, and while there are many lists available for what to pack and how to get there, many parents are left to fend for themselves once they arrive. Thankfully, a few simple tips can help save any family vacation.

Practice
If you have a new baby, getting them to sleep in a strange environment can be tricky. If you are planning to keep the little one in a playpen or travel bed at night, set up a makeshift camp in a different room at your house ahead of time. Getting them used to sleeping in the portable bed at home will alleviate a great deal of the stress that comes with adding too many new things to the schedule at once.

Unpack As Soon As Possible
Once you get to the hotel room or guest house, unpack your baby’s things right away. Setting up feeding stations, beds, and changing areas before they’re needed can avoid a multitude of crisis situations down the line.

Stay Organized
Designating play spaces and sleep areas, and keeping them relatively maintained will help calm everyone’s nerves. Settling in and have an organized space can help your little one relax and you stay sane throughout your stay.

Walk
Many babies will refuse to nap in a strange environment or unfamiliar bed. That’s where strollers come in handy. Make sure to bring a stroller or baby carrier, and plan events around long walks so your little one can nap.

Persevere
No matter how much you might want to throw in the towel and give up after a sleepless night with an inconsolable baby, persevere. Many babies have a difficult time adjusting to their new surroundings at once, but after a few days they almost always settle in. Power through the rough starts, and be rewarded with a fun and rewarding vacation for all.

Perfect Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

12 Apr

Perfect Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

1. Do Her Chores

Nothing says “I Love You” more than a little extra help around the house. Between work, kids, and getting dinner on the table, housework is the last thing any woman wants to worry about. Doing the dishes doesn’t cost a thing, but it’s a simple gesture that is worth its weight in gold.

2. Spa Day At Home

While a day of pampering at the spa is a fantastic treat, splurge on some high quality bath and beauty products that she can use well into the future. Put together a gift basket of her favorite lotions, scrubs, bath bombs, soaps, and scented candles so she can find her happy place any day of the year.

3. Special Delivery

If you’re struggling for gift ideas, sign her up for a wine, cheese, or fruit-of-the-month club. Not only will she be reminded of you each time her package arrives, a grocery-inspired gift will save her loads of time and money throughout the year.

4. Her Favorite Perfume or Nail Color

If she won’t splurge on herself, surprise her with a bottle of her favorite perfume, or a set of designer nail polish colors. Take a trip to a boutique or browse online for exotic brands. If you’re not sure what she likes, invest in a set of luxury makeup brushes, a gift any woman is sure to appreciate.