How To Make Your Own Cookie Bouquets

We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmet cookies, individually wrapped in shiny, colored cellophane, with bows and ribbons. They come in many styles and with different treats, toys or gift items attached to or inside a basket or vase of some sort. They make a terrific and edible gift idea. After all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly, they can be very expensive gifts, especially when considering that cookies don't cost a whole lot to bake.

Here's how to make your own cookie bouquets at home without spending a fortune!

What You Will Need:

Chopsticks or Wooden Skewers - Make sure they are heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, then popsicle sticks would also work.

Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that makes larger size cookies, (your favorite or your gift recipients favorite will do fine)

Container - This needs to be a sturdy container that is a bit bottom heavy, especially if you plan to include more than a few big cookies. You can try putting some pebbles in the bottom to make sure the container won't tip over, if needed. Some ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.

Cellophane - The shiny, colored kind looks best, but the colored plastic wrap you get at your local supermarket would work too.

Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. Any colors you like.

Decorations - Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever you find at the local craft store.

Block of styrofoam or florists foam - You know that stereo you bought last December? You probably kept the box, just search your garage for some spare, clean, stryofoam.

Something to cover up the stryofoam or florist's foam - You can use a big ribbon, some moss, plastic grass, tissue paper crumpled up or whatever else you have handy.

Instructions:

1. When you place the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, press the dough down a bit to flatten it so that it doesn't spread too much while baking and so that the stick can be inserted properly. Before you bake the cookies, you must insert the chopstick or wooden skewer into one side of each cookie. Push it in almost the length of the cookie without going out the other end. This is an important step, as if your cookie is too big and your stick is not sturdy enough, the stick won't hold it and the cookie may fall apart when you pick it up. When baking big cookies, you probably won't be able to fit more than 3 cookies with their sticks to a cookie sheet.

2. After baking the cookies with their sticks, cool the cookies thoroughly, then wrap each one with the colored cellophane. A different color for each cookie would be ok, or all the same color appropriate to the occasion. Tie each one with some curly ribbon at the base where the stick comes out of the cookie. Tie it very tightly so the cookies will stay fresh on the stick. You can adorn each cookie with additional, larger ribbons or bows at this point. When using curly ribbon, don't forget to curl it!

3. Now cut your styrofoam or florist's foam to the size of the top of the container you chose. Then fit the foam in so it is nice and tight and near the top of the container. Remember, you can place something heavier in the bottom of the container so that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work well for this. Remember that the sticks will poke through the foam and into the bottom of the container.

4. Here comes the fun part, let's assemble the cookie bouquet! Take each of your cookies and stick them through the foam so they go all the way through the foam and further, near to the bottom of the container. You can assemble the cookies in any manner you like, but most cookie bouquets have one cookie at the center that is taller than the other cookies, so keep that in mind. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be attached with additional ribbon to the container or the sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun (if appropriate).

5. Give your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as possible after you have assembled it, you don't want the cookies to go stale!

Tips:

Make sure you bake enough cookies for your container, if baking small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a large container. Always bake more than enough. Surely your extras won't go to waste.

Bake both large and small cookies and use them both in the bouquet for a nice varied look, like a more traditional flower bouquet.

More Ideas:

Some cookie bouquets use cutout cookies, these can be fun to make and decorate. Use your favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe and cut into shapes appropriate for the occasion. For cutout cookies to work, you may want to double your sugar cookie recipe as the cookies need to be nice and thick for the stick to go through them. For this type of cookie, wooden skewers will work best, chopsticks may be too thick. Then decorate the cookies with frosting or icing. The icing should be the kind that hardens a little so that it won't stick to the wrapping. No need for colored cellophane with these cookies, use regular plastic wrap or clear cellophane so that the beauty of your hand decorated cookies shines through.

Remember, your cookie bouquet doesn't need to look professional, it's the homemade touch that makes it a truly special gift.

Ricky Alberta is a baker and one of the editors of Cookie-Recipes.net. Cookie-Recipes.net is a site devoted exclusively to cookie recipes. Includes a recipe exchange forum, baking tips, how to's, articles, a blog, as well as hundreds of tasty cookie recipes. http://www.cookie-recipes.net.

info@cookie-recipes.net

 

How To Make A Candy Bouquet In A Coffee Cup

Oh No! Its your Aunt Sally's 60th birthday, and she's coming over to see everyone. Normally you would think this is good news, but no-one told you, and you don't have a gift for her!

Don't Panic! There's a simple gift you can make her that she will absolutely love... It's a candy bouquet in a coffee cup, and you can make one using a coffee cup, some leaves, and some flower shaped candies!

Step 1: Find a suitable coffee cup...

Most people have lots of coffee cups in their house. Maybe you have a cup from an old coffee set that got broken?

Try and find a nice looking cup, as it will ruin the effect of the candy bouquet if you use an old tacky, chipped cup!

Step 2: Prepare the coffee cup to hold the candy...

Take some dried oasis and push it into the coffee cup. If you don't have an oasis, you can stuff the cup with cellophane, but an oasis will work much better, as it will hold the flowers up much more firmly.

Before placing the oasis into the cup, place a square of cellophane in at the bottom. This will make it easier to clean later, as any flakes that fall off the oasis will be caught by the cellophane.

Step 3: Add the leaves for the candy bouquet...

Place some leaves around the outside edge of the cup. Make sure that the leaves overlap slightly as this will give a nice fanned effect. Try and space the leaves out evenly, but don't worry too much if the aren't spaced perfectly... it will make the bouquet seem more natural.

Step 4: Insert the candy flowers...

The next step is to place the candy flowers into the cup. Start in the middle and work your way out until all the candy flowers have been used. Depending on the size cup, and candy you are using, this could be anywhere between 5 to 11 candies.

Step 5: Fill the gaps with leaves...

When you give the candy bouquet to Aunt Sally, you don't want her to see the oasis inside the cup, as this will ruin the effect. So fill in any gaps where you can see through to the oasis, with leaves.

Step 6: Add some ribbon...

Personally, I like candy bouquets that have some ribbon. Place some ribbon around the cup, and maybe even add a figure-of-eight-bow to soften the bouquet a little.

That's it, all done! Very quick and easy, I think you'll agree! This Candy Bouquet looks great, and will make an ideal present for anyone, especially Aunt Sally! Just don't be surprised if it's half eaten next time you see it!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website at www.visionsofsilk.com has lots of free information on Candy Bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on How to make a candy bouquet in a coffee cup

Online Florists: Nationwide Floral Gift Delivery Service

Nothing says, ?I Love You? like flowers, and online florists can deliver anywhere. Most even offer same day delivery. As much as your loved ones mean to you, and as much as you think of them, it has happened to us all. A loved one crosses your mind, and suddenly you realize you have forgotten an important gift. Beautiful floral arrangements, ordered online, are a perfect solution for the gift that slipped your mind. They are also a great way to let someone know, in a special way, you are thinking of them.

When loved ones live far away, or you need a gift for someone who seems to have everything, shopping can be difficult, but a gift card can seem too impersonal. A floral arrangement from an online florist, can be carefully chosen for the individual, and when sent with an attached card saying, ?Please enjoy the gift card I sent you, by treating yourself to something special!? (Though you might need to make arrangements a little earlier, if you plan to arrange for the gift card and the arrangement to arrive at the same time) a beautiful arrangement from online florists can be the personal touch that changes an impersonal gift into one that is quite personal and thoughtful, while being very convenient as well.

Sending flowers from online florists is extremely convenient, and there are a multitude of sites from which to choose. Most online sites are reputable, and offer a money back guarantee. Just exercise a little caution and follow these tips, to be certain you get the best deal from a florist you can rely on.

Consider overnight flowers shippers to economize, if you don't need same day delivery, and know the recipient will enjoy arranging the flowers. Pick a company with experience, credentials, secure ordering, and guaranteed satisfaction. Stick to the medium and larger providers, who have the best ongoing relationships with their growers, shippers, and carriers. Just in case any question or problem should arise, avoid using any shopping site that doesn?t clearly display a phone number for your use.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Huge selection of grower direct Flowers Delivered right to your door by local florists or by the flower grower.

How To Select The Perfect Florist For Your Wedding

Most people are not aware of the vast difference and variety of flowers that exist until they decide to get married. It is at this moment that the stature and importance of the florist takes on new meaning. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through your decision process.

It Stems From References?..
The best place to start is with references. Take time out to ask family, friends, and trusted business associates to recommend someone they have used in the past. Another option that can be considered is attending bridal shows, the more the merrier. If all else fails, let your fingers do the walking and use the yellow pages.

When you have received your references and suggestions, you should review these and decide on at least three different florists. By all means, choose more, if you so desire. Then once you?ve decided, visit the shops and take a look around.

?and a keen eye
You do not have to be a botanist or a flower connoisseur of sorts to make a good selection. Take note of the different floral arrangements in each store. Does any particular one stand out? How many of the floral arrangements on display actually catch you eye? What is the condition of the flowers themselves? Are they healthy and have vibrant full blooms? How about the store location itself? Is it well kept and clean?

Your ideal florists should have an impressive portfolio that reflects their experience, design styles, and skills. A professional florist?s portfolio will have photographs of floral arrangements used in previous weddings. As you review this portfolio, look for the variety in styles and occasions. Make sure you are not looking at a lot of pictures of the same floral arrangement or the same wedding. Make it a point to notice if the portfolio included photos of all bridal bouquets and centrepieces used in each wedding.

Don?t be afraid to ask questions. Get proactive. When you plan to visit a potential florist, make sure to carry fabic swatches of the wedding apparels for the entire wedding party. You can even start to collect clippings of flower arrangements you find enticing and take them along on your visit to the florist. I recommend that you develop a clear idea of what you want.

Are they Listening?
As you present your ideas and suggestions to the florist, pay attention to their receptiveness and the quality of their responses. Are they really listening to what you want? In addition, make sure the individual that you are questioning so thoroughly is the same individual that will be responsible for making your floral arrangements.

It is also recommended, by industry consultants, that you book your florist at least 6 to 8 months in advance. Not to mention, some wedding consultants suggest signing a contract with your florist about 4 to 6 months before the scheduled wedding day. When it comes to the actual contract itself. Ensure that you have all your desires and expectations clearly printed in writing.

There is some information you need to have available for your florist. Your florist of choice will need to know the location of the wedding and the reception, and how many floral arrangements will be needed to decorate it. Additionally, every florist needs to know what color schemes are being used at the venue, so that the final flowers arrangements won?t clash. If you opted for centrepieces, you will need to know exactly how many. Your florist must know the number of bridesmaids, groomsmen, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, program participants, and special guests will be attending. Most importantly, the colors of the wedding party remain crucial information for your florist.

Remember!
Remember to make decisions that complement the environment you will be in. Hence, if your wedding will be outside, make sure your selected floral arrangements can withstand the elements of nature.

In an effort to avoid last minute misunderstandings, ask your florist the following questions:

What are the least expensive flowers that will be in season during my wedding?
What is the most successful idea you have had for a past wedding?
Do you deliver and set up the floral arrangements?
Are there any extra delivery or set-up charges?
How long does the set-up take?
Are there any additional or hidden costs I should know about?
How long do I have to add, subtract, or change floral arrangements?
Can I have an itemized estimate of the services we discussed?
What is your minimum deposit, and how soon do I have to put down a deposit?

There you have it, all the sound guidance you need to find a florist that is the perfect match for your perfect day. Have no fear, the water?s fine. Dive right in.

Chris Morton ran hotels and restaurants for 17 years - catering for 100's of weddings. His wife Sue is a wedding planner with 10 year's experience. Together they have established http://www.TheWeddingWizards.com to provide unbiased help for brides and grooms.

Florist Amaryllis - Dutch vs African

Dutch marketers have grown and offered for wholesale and mail order flowering bulbs for centuries throughout the world and for many years in the United States. Because the climate of the Netherlands was similar to the Northern United States, many of their catalog bulb favorite flower bulbs grew and thrived year after year. In many humid, arid, or warm areas of the United States, these flower bulbs can perform and grow as an annual plant, but generally will not reappear the year following flowering.

The most common Dutch flower bulbs marketed at first were Daffodil, Scilla, and Tulips, however, after World War II, the Dutch began to market Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), Daylily, Pineapple Lily (Eucomis), Amazon Lily (Eucharis grandiflora), and Gloriosa vine lily (Gloriosa rothschildiana).

Amaryllis bulbs have been hybridized by inter crossing different native species from several continents. The amaryllis group of flower bulbs is among the great advancements of hybrid bulb improvement in color, size, flower form, flower number, flower bloom stalks, and repeated blooming cycles. The knowledge that cold treatment, heat, and forcing amaryllis bulbs to flower at the desired time has produced a flower bulb with an exact behavior that blooms at a predictable season. Christmas amaryllis flowers, anniversary gifts and presents, and various holiday occasions are greatly enjoyed by the predictable flowering patterns of amaryllis. Before World War II, amaryllis were hybridized in Florida using various species from South and Central America. The resulting amaryllis hybrids were moderately cold hardy and could be planted outside in zones 7-11, where the bulbs readily multiplied into clumps of spectacular flowering beauty that would rebloom reliably every year.

The Dutch hybridizers developed a long line of clear colors in amaryllis, some solid colored amaryllis and others with various colors of alternating stripe patterns. The Dutch amaryllis bulb market was directed toward the florist trade and growing amaryllis by forcing early flowers to bloom for the holiday season. The Dutch colorful amaryllis of red, pink, white, purple, and orange flowers won the marketing war between the Florida amaryllis growers and the Dutch growers. The Florida outdoor hybrid amaryllis market in the 1950's collapsed and the Dutch became the winners. Many huge clumps of Florida (South American hybrids) can be found blooming throughout the South in yards during late spring, however, there is no company offering these bulbs for sale anymore, only backyard growing flowers remain.

Amaryllis flower bulbs are usually marketed retail with a designation of bulb size diameter given in the metric system, but cm (centimeters) is a term not understood by most American gardeners. Huge amaryllis bulbs (mother bulbs) are 40cm in size or about the size of a grapefruit. The mother bulb amaryllis can produce as many as 4 flower stems, some stem clusters containing six flowers. The mother bulb amaryllis are rare and expensive but well worth the extra money for a flower lover. Guaranteed African amaryllis flowering can occur on flower bulbs as small as 22cm, and some of the miniature (dwarf) amaryllis new hybrids from Africa will bloom on 12cm bulbs, producing tiny stems and small flowers. The African bulbs of amaryllis will rebloom more and will produce more flower stems than Dutch amaryllis. Florists find that African flowering amaryllis are easier to flower for the Christmas season than Dutch amaryllis. African amaryllis often produce 2 flower stems at once, but Dutch bulbs don't. African amaryllis bloom in many unusual pastel colors of pink, lavender, red, white, and striped.

The Dutch hybridizers have introduced a new amaryllis flower color: yellow, and many pastel colors with a doubling of the petal count on an amaryllis flower called a "double amaryllis." These double amaryllis flowers normally grow 12 petals instead of the normal 6. Improvements of petal count to an increase of 18 petals is called a "triple flowered" amaryllis.

Other notable improvements that were made on the amaryllis flower by the Dutch were: larger amaryllis flowers, more blooms per stem, more stems produced by an amaryllis bulb and repeated blooming. Clones of amaryllis bulbs were hybridized that could be chilled to predictably flower during the holiday season of Christmas by planting the amaryllis in a measured and controlled light, heat, and moisture condition at a precise date (most cultivars bloom 3 weeks after planting). After flowering, most Dutch amaryllis bulbs can be planted outside in the yard in zones 8-10, but the bulbs may freeze in the ground if planted in cold zones.

The Dutch hybridizers have also established hybrid amaryllis colonies in Africa, where different varieties (clones) have been developed to satisfy the needs of the American florist trade. These floral amaryllis bulbs are called African amaryllis, named after African, the continent where they are grown in huge fields for the commercial florist market in Europe and America. The wholesale market of the African amaryllis is tightly controlled by Dutch bulb distributors, who have dominated bulb wholesale and retail sales throughout the United States and the world. The flower clusters of the African amaryllis are short and more compact. The leaves of the African amaryllis begin to appear simultaneously with the flowers, whereas the Dutch amaryllis period of flowering is often finished before the leaves appear. Florists prefer leaf foliage and flowering to occur at the same time. Many Dutch flower stems grow extra tall and that makes the weight of the flowers top-heavy. Occasionally this problem causes the amaryllis pot to turn over.

Miniature amaryllis have been developed for the florist appeal for a colorful, fragile bloomer. Yellow or gold colored amaryllis have been bred for florists with a flair for the dramatic, however, red amaryllis are by far the most popular color.

Some hybridizers, especially the African hybridizers, have developed fragrant amaryllis with a very pleasant scent. It appears likely that the quality of fragrance will be incorporated in future plans for improving amaryllis flowers further.

Visit TyTy Nursery to purchase the trees mentioned in this article, or many others that you may be looking for!

Melbourne Florist Advises On Care Of Fresh Flowers

Melbourne Florists chief florist Francine Rizza says that it is important to purchase your fresh flowers from a florist who stores their flowers within their store and not on the street. Fresh flowers will last a lot longer when not exposed to the elements, as flowers are sensitive to ethylene gases produced by passing traffic.

Most good florists purchase only premium quality flowers. You will not find this quality by purchasing cheap flowers from service stations, supermarkets or fruit shops. It is false economy to purchase flowers from such suppliers. At Melbourne Florist our flowers are purchased on demand from our high quality supplier, "Tesselaar Flowers", specialist wholesale florist Melbourne. You can be assured of our flower quality.

With proper care fresh flowers should attain a vase life of 10-14 days, depending upon the cultivar. Lillium, chrysanthemum, gerbera and Australian native flowers are among the longest lasting flowers and can last in excess of three weeks. Firstly choose your flowers skillfully. Avoid buying flowers with yellowing or transparent leave. Examine stems looking for small brown blotches. These are signs that the flowers may be affected by botrytis. Botrytis blight or gray mold is a fungus disease that can affect a wide variety of flowers and plants.

Care and Handling. Remove all packaging materials such as cellophane. Trim stems under water. Strip leaves from lower stems, taking care no foliage will clutter the vase water. Place flowers in a clean container containing a properly prepared solution of fresh flower food. Melbourne Florist advises that you clean your vases using hydrogen peroxide. Domestic cleaner, "white King" is a good choice. Do not overcrowd your vase as flowers need breathing space to survive just as you do! Avoid using water with high fluoride levels, if possible, flowers such as alstroemeria which are susceptible to fluoride damage. By repeating this process of flower care every 2-3 days you can greatly extend the life of your cut flower arrangement. Flowers arranged by the florist in florists foam known as oasis floral foam should by kept topped with fresh water containing a good quality flower food such as "CHRYSAL" Which is supplied by reputable florists. Do not place your fresh flowers in "hot spots" such as near windows or on top of heaters as the life of your flowers will be severely effected.

It is important you do not use flower food for any bulb flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths and tulips as the flower food will cause the stems to grow too much and become weak. Bulb flowers are unique as their food is stored in their bulb

The Melbourne flower shop offers a diverse range of stunning fresh flowers to the Melbourne area including interflora

The Tossing Of The Bridal Bouquet: A Tradition That Still Lives Today

Even though it is a well-liked tradition recognized at lots of weddings, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that you, the bride can choose to either have or leave out of your ceremony. Its representative custom says that the single woman who catches the cascading bridal bouquet will be the next to get married. Even if there are no guarantees, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is an amusing way for one lucky guest to take home a one-of-a-kind cascading bridal bouquet memento.

The tradition of tossing the cascading bridal bouquet began with the early belief that good luck herbs were inside the cascading bridal bouquet. In an effort to pass her good fortune on to her wedding guests, the bride would throw her bouquet to one lucky female guest at the end of the wedding. Nowadays, that belief remains intact and so it is recommended that brides who plan to toss the bouquet should have a small, matching cascading bridal bouquet created especially for this tradition so that they can keep the original. I did it at my wedding.

There are more than a few options to consider when tossing the cascading bridal bouquet. If there is a special person that you wish to present the cascading bridal bouquet to, you can get her in private with you and offer her the cascading bridal bouquet memento. Another fun alternative to tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is the fake-out. You, the bride, would select a woman who you wish to catch the cascading bridal bouquet and aim your cascading bridal bouquet directly to her. Of course, the other choice is the fair toss.

Tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that can be included in your wedding, but never feel as though you have to follow any rules. The loveliness of your wedding is that it is your special day and you can decide which customs to use and which others you would prefer to leave out. If you are planning to have a cascading bridal bouquet designed in particular for tossing, you may want to think about using silk flowers so that the woman who catches it will be able to preserve this precious memento. Of course, fresh flowers are beautiful, but they will not last. Superior silk flowers, however, will last forever if taken care of accurately. Also, silk cascading bridal bouquets can be arranged to look just as gorgeous as the real thing.

Bonnie Ray is an experienced wedding floral designer with more than seventeen years experience in the wedding industry. To learn more about the traditional cascading wedding bouquet visit her site at http://www.mysilkweddingflowers.com/cascading-bridal-bouquets.htm

6 Tips For Making Your Own Wedding Flower Bouquet

The key to making your own wedding flower bouquet are the three P. First you have to Plan. Then you must Prepare. Finally, Practice makes Perfect. Use these following tips in order for you to make your wedding flower bouquet arrangement a memorable experience.

1. Get tons of ideas. Flip through magazines and books. Drop by floral shops. Take pictures of the floral arrangements you see whenever you are out in public.

2. One of the best places where you can get inspiration are 5-star hotels. If you're free on a Saturday, that's the best day you can go because there are weddings set up and are about to take place there.

3. The more ideas that you have in your head, the more inspirations you have which you can incorporate into your own wedding.

4. Now that you have tons of idea in your head, go through it by not being clattered. Put all of it in place and in a single perspective. Jot it down on a notebook because it is such a waste if you lose an idea just because you are not organized. Put the flower pictures in an envelope. When you're ready to decide which arrangement you prefer, then throw the photos you won't need anymore.

5. Decide on a color. Different flowers can provide you with the colors you prefer. From roses to carnations, orchids to iris, their colors can complement the motif you are in your head. It all depends on the flowers that you choose and can afford.

6. Get help. Flowers are perishable, therefore they must be prepared, arranged and fixed when the wedding is a minute away. If you have tons of flowers, you will also be needing a lot of help.

Gather the materials you need in one box so it is easy for you to access. Make sure that you have sets of supplies which can make you and your helpers work faster and smoothly. Get clippers, floral tape, floral moss, rose strippers and ribbons. Soon enough, you are good to go.

To learn more ideas for wedding flower arrangements, visit http://www.weddingflowerarrangements101.com

Wedding Plans - Guest List, Caterers and Florist

When you prepare for your wedding, be assured that it will be an enjoyable but hectic and potentially difficult task. Therefore it is advisable that you make a list of all the important things to remember and accomplish, such as the wedding budget, the guest list, invitations, and the caterer, just to name just a few. Really itemizing the important things that concern your wedding will help get you go through the wedding process easier and without any hitch. Decide on your guest list, caterers and florist.

You should prepare the guess list preferably months before your wedding. When you prepare for your wedding, you must always prioritize the guest list. Planning this list can be difficult. But the one important thing to remember is to just invite the people that are closest to you. You do not need to invite all of the people in the company that you work for because most of them will not come anyway. And, how do you choose? You cannot choose one person without offending another and, of course, you cannot invite them all – that would REALLY blow your budget! You must likewise have the invitations ordered four months or so before the wedding - and you should mail these Invitations four to five weeks in advance. This is to make sure that the invitations get to the receivers on time. Also make sure that the invitations are sent with sufficient postage lest they reach the invitee too late for them to make appropriate arrangements – especially if they live a good distance away. Invitations do not have to be written by a pen – although it makes a nice touch. Some try to avoid computerized wedding invitations.

Choosing a caterer is another important task to do when you prepare for your wedding. It is imperative that before hiring your caterer, try and sample their food. If your caterer is a restaurant, then it is best to have dinner there – go incognito if you must! Food and reception is an important part of a wedding and if the food that is served is bad, then you will get some guests complaining which is not good for them and is not good for you.

What would a wedding be without flowers? Choose a florist who can deliver what you envision for your wedding. Again, if you are going to meet with a florist for the flowers, state your available budget. Also provide the florist important details such as the color and motif of the wedding.

Planning starts from the very moment you decide to get married. Adequate planning can reduce your stress and helps to ensure that you won’t find too many last minute hitches.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on weddings and visit our associated site articles for free.