Novelty: As the name implies, novelty candles are unique. They range from dragons and doves to perfectly formed seashells and flowers. An intricately carved novelty candle can make a stunning accent piece

Taper: Sold in may different sizes (from six to eighteen plus inches long), taper candles are perfect for candelabras and candlesticks. To make sure they stay put, hold the base of the candle 1 inch from the bottom of the holder and use a match or lighter to gently melt the bottom of the candle. After a few drops of hot wax have fallen into the holder, quickly stick the base of the candle down into the melted droplets. When they harden, the candle will stay perfectly straight. Many soy candles will not drip, but if you are worried about getting wax on the tablecloths consider getting bobeches, ornamental glass collars that catch the dripping wax.

Tea Lights: These dainty candles usually come in 1 ½” high round metal molds. Even though they are small, most tea lights burn for 4 to 5 hours: the perfect amount of time for most receptions.

Pillar: Typically at least 3” wide but available in a multitude of shapes and sizes, pillar candles may have elaborate coloring and more than one wick. They are sturdy enough to stand on their own, but should be placed on a heat resistant base, such as a glass or ceramic plate. They are also beautiful when nested in large glass vessels and urns, and are often displayed surrounded by springs of holly and other greens for an elegant winter presentation.

Votive: Votive candles are about 2½” tall and come in round or square shapes. Most votives have a burn time of 8+ hours. They do not usually come in holders, and because they burn completely, should be placed on a small dishes or in a glass or metal containers that have solid bases.

Arm: A slightly curved bouquet of long-stem flowers, often roses or calla lilies, that are held delicately in the crook of one arm.

Biedermeier: A bouquet consisting of concentric circles of different types of flowers often held together with a ribbon.

Cascading: As the name implies, a cascading bouquet is like a waterfall of flowers. Most cascades begin in a round cluster and descend to a point. Cascades are voluptuous and are used in formal or traditional weddings. Because they are so big, however, they can overwhelm a petite bride.

Hand-tied: Often thought of as the classic hand-held bouquet. The stems of the flowers are cut to the same length, and are often wrapped together with a thick ribbon for easy handling.

Nosegay: A smaller version of the ribbon-tied bouquet, often given to bridesmaids. The classic nosegay consists of many different types of flowers loosely assembled as if “just picked” from the garden.

Round: This style is created by making sure the tops of the flowers, often all the same type or color, are placed evenly in a dome shape.

1. Specific Flower Names. Make sure your florist includes the specific names of the flowers he or she will use. Flower breeding is an ancient tradition and there are hundreds of varieties of common types of flowers like roses. Because they can look so different it is important to be as specific as possible.

2. Color Preferences. If you have strong color preferences, these should be included in the contract as well. However, be aware that being natural often means taking what Nature provides! When I was planning my wedding, my friend Shoshi sent me story from CNN[footnote: Bride sues over flower color, October 16, 2007], about a bride who sued her florist for $400,000 when the florist “substituted pastel pink and green hydrangeas for the dark rust and green ones she had specified.” Hello Bridezilla.
If you have a very particular color scheme, make sure to give your florist pictures or fabric swatches along with acceptable substitutes should your desired flowers not be readily available on your wedding day. Some flowers, like hydrangeas, are very susceptible to changes in temperature and rainfall and their color can vary wildly as a result. If the bride above had wanted guaranteed burgundy, she should have opted for dahlias or nicotiana instead.

3. Ratios of flowers. Make sure the florist has a good understanding of your vision. It is wise to attach pictures of what you have in mind to the contract if you can. My sister-in-law wanted hydrangeas and roses in her bouquet and was extremely disappointed when the florist handed her a bouquet made up of 90% of hydrangea with a few roses tucked in —she had imagined a very different look but by then it was too late. Creating sample bouquets and taking pictures is another way to help your florist understand your taste and preferences.

4. List of Rentals. Most florists can provide vases, lights, candles and candleholders, and linens. Be sure you know exactly what is included in the price and what is not.

5. Labor Fees. The contract should break down the total cost by type of fee. This will allow you negotiate price more accurately if you make substitutions, or provide your own labor or materials.

6. Breakdown Duties. A list of duties should also be included. You want to make sure the florist will set up and clean up the arrangements, or he or she should give you a break on the price.

7. Date, Place, and Time of Delivery. This seems like a no-brainer but you would be amazed. A friend’s florist announced that she would drop off the large and heavy arrangements at a delivery area in the back of the reception hall for someone else (who exactly?) to place on the tables and bar area. As you can imagine my friend was not at all happy with this plan. Make sure your contract includes set up if you do not want to have to do it yourself.

8. Rain Plan. If your plans are going to be different depending on the weather, make sure the florist knows and signs off well in advance. Also think about how the florist will find out which location is going to be used, and know where the flowers go at each venue.

9. Cancellation Policy. If the wedding gets cancelled for any reason, or if the florist goes out of business, what happens? You do not want to get stuck trying to put the flowers together for your wedding at the last moment.

10. Payment Schedule. Because the florist will need to buy or rent at least some of the materials ahead of time, it is appropriate to pay 75-85% of the money owed before the wedding. My father, an experienced businessman, recommends never paying anything in full until the goods are actually delivered. It is important to have leverage/incentive for contractors to finish the job – and to do it well. This does not mean you should withhold payment, but you can and should negotiate a contract that saves a percentage for a final “day-of” payment

Buttercream: This is the classic creamy cake frosting you probably ate your weight in as a child. It is thick and sweet – made primarily from butter, sugar and eggs – and is a general crowd pleaser. It can also be used as filling and can be dyed a number of fun colors and used to form basic shapes, such as piping, dots and flowers. It is not a good choice for a hot outdoor wedding as it will melt fairly quickly in the sun.

Fondant: Fondant creates a leathery smooth coating that can act as a “canvas” for all sorts of intricate designs. It is extremely beautiful and hard to work with, making it more costly. Unfortunately, it is often more aesthetically pleasing than it is delectable and may have bland taste or slightly chalky texture.

Ganache: Ganache is a rich buttery dark chocolate frosting with a thick delicious taste. It can be used as filling or as a decadent icing. The up side is any chocolate lover will be ecstatic, the down side is that it cannot be easily formed into any fancy shapes. If you use ganache you should supply your baker with ribbon, sprinkles, or flowers to create an elegant wedding cake look.

Royal Frosting: Often implemented to create intricate embellishments, royal frosting is used sparingly because although technically edible, it is hard and flavorless.

Marzipan: This is the substance those small realistic almond flavored fruits are made from. Marzipan is great for sculpting surprising edible features, and is sometimes used as a layer beneath fondant to provide more flavor.

For every gallon of gas you burn you release about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you take a 1,000-mile road trip, this adds up to 10 tons of CO2 pollution. That is why getting good gas mileage, especially on a long road trip, is so important. If you are planning on doing any serious driving for your honeymoon, the following tips can help you get better gas mileage and decrease your overall environmental foot print.

Get a Tune Up. Before you hit the road, take your car in for a full tune up. According to The Green Consumer, by Elkington, Hailes and Makower, a well-tuned car can get 10% better gas mileage than poorly tuned one.

Inflate Your Tires. Before you leave and at least once while you’re on the road, check your tire pressure. A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that more than 25% of cars are driving with at least one “substantially underinflated” tire. In addition to being hazardous, low air pressure can decrease gas mileage by 5%. Over long distances this can really add up, causing more pollution and costing you money.

Shed Winter Weight. Unless you plan to drive through snowy areas, the lighter your car is, the better in terms of gas mileage, so take those bricks out of the trunk before you leave.

Responsibly Change Your Oil. Just one quart of oil, when poured down a storm drain, can kill fish and other aquatic life and contaminate up to 2 million gallons of drinking water. Instead of changing your own oil by the side of the road, take your car to a reputable business.

Get Better Road Side Assistance. Instead of using AAA, join the Better World Club (www.betterworldclub.com), which provides the same services: emergency roadside assistance, insurances, and free maps to both motorists and bicyclists. The difference? The Better World Club doesn’t spend your money lobbying congress for lower emissions standards.

Use Alternative Fuels. If you have a diesel car, find a station that sells plant-derived biodiesel. If you’re traveling in California or Arizona, you can find fueling stations for all kinds of alternative fuel vehicles with Clean Car Maps.

Bow Ties:Traditional bow ties were a ribbon of fabric that the man tied himself. Today, most bow ties are pre-tied and close with a clasp around the back of the neck. Bow ties can be worn with tuxedo, suit or dinner jacket.

Cravat: Cravats range in size and shape, but usually resemble slightly poofed out neckties or silk scarves. They go particularly well with tails or period clothing.

Cummerbund: A cummerbund is a pleated sash worn around the waist. It can be worn with either a bow tie or a regular tie.

Ties:Ties come in all shapes and sizes, from super skinny and black to wide and patterned. They are extremely versatile and can be worn with a tuxedo, suit, evening jacket or just a shirt.

Vest: Vests can be worn in place of a cummerbund under a dinner jacket or under a coat. They are nice because when the groom gets hot he can take off the jacket and still look very formal. Vests are often sold in sets with a matching tie or bow tie.

Waistcoat: Waistcoats are similar to vests but are cut lower in the front. Waistcoats are considered very formal and are often paired with a cutaway or tails.

Cutaway: Also known as a “Morning Coat,” a cutaway has sections that have been “cut away” in front to create a smooth line form the button at the waist down and around to a long coat in back.

Dinner Jacket: A dinner jacket follows the traditional tuxedo cut but usually comes in white or ivory. A dinner jacket is traditionally paired with dark pants and works well for semi-formal or formal evening events.

Frock Coat: The Frock Coat is also known as the “Price Albert Frock.” It buttons at the tailored waist and has knee length or sometimes ankle length skirting. It was popular in the 1800s and has a period look.

Morning Coat: See Cutway

Spencer Coat: A Spencer Coat has is a short coat cut at the waistline and is worn open without buttons.

Stroller Coat: A Stroller Coat is similar to a tuxedo jacket but usually sold in daytime colors, like gray or navy.

Tailcoat: Like a mullet, a tailcoat is short in the front and long in the back. Unlike a mullet, a tailcoat is extremely classic and elegant. They come in one and two tail varieties.

Tuxedo Jacket: Comes single or double breasted with one of three lapels: peaked (a broad V shaped lapel that points up and out at the neck line), notched (a triangular shape is cut from the lapel where it meets the collar), and shawl (a rounded lapel that goes all the way around the neck in an unbroken line). Tuxedos are the most formal men’s attire and are usually paired with black satin-striped trousers. They are appropriate for late afternoon and evening affairs.

Engraving is the most complicated, and most expensive, form of printing. First, the printers create an etched copper plate with the text of the invitation. They then use the plate as a stamp – pressing the paper from behind to create raised letter with corresponding indents on the reverse. Engraving is traditionally used for formal affairs with very large guest lists.

Embossing uses the same method as engraving but without ink. It is extremely elegant and works best with light color paper (because the shadows are what make the letters really pop visually).

Letterpress is also known as block printing. Plates of raised type or images are pressed onto paper to create a relief. Letterpressing is the oldest printing method and looks wonderful on thick cardstock.

Offset printing is also known as “flat” printing or “Lithography.” It is done with a rubber cylinder and ink. Offset printing is used for most colored brochures and many standard invitations.

Thermography is very popular because it imitates the engraved look at a fraction of the cost. The technique uses a resin and heat to create raised letters. The front looks the same as engraving but the back is smooth instead of indented. Becomes of the process, thermography can be done in many different colors and is still considered quite elegant

Buffet: In buffet style, caterers offer one or more tables laden with different types of food. Modern buffets often incorporate a “hot station,” where the catering staff either serves food kept warm in terrenes or actually prepares food cooked to order while guests wait. Buffets are considered less formal than sit-down meals, but ensure every guest will find something they enjoy. They also allow you to skip reply menu cards and can make donating leftover food easier, added bonuses from an environmental standpoint.

Family Style: Family style offers a sort of hybrid between the sit-down meal and the buffet with large platters served to each table. Guests’ then help themselves. Family style meals feel more intimate than formal sit-down dinners, but allow those notorious double dippers to wreak havoc if communal dips and sauces are included in the spread.

Food Stations: A less formal and more versatile version of the buffet, each food station offers a different type of food (meat, fish, pasta, etc) or a different themed selection (South West, Israeli, etc). Food stations are fun because they offer a lot of variety but require more staff and more space to set up than a traditional buffet, often increasing cost.

French/Russian Service: These styles are similar to family style, but waiters bring around large serving dishes and either serve guests (French Style) or have guests serve themselves (Russian Style). These styles are considered very elegant, and offer the benefits of a buffet without the lines.

Sit-Down: The sit-down style meal is served like you are in a traditional restaurant where waiters bring out various courses one place setting at a time. Some vendors require guests to pre-order their meals, while others offer a limited menu card and come around to take guests’ orders. Many sit-down meals are preceded by a cocktail hour where hors d’oeuvres are either passed, served buffest style or offered in both formats.

Accident/Medical: Covers the costs of medical expenses incurred while on a trip. Good medical insurance also provides emergency transportation coverage and has a hotline you can call from your destination country.

Baggage/Personal Effects Loss or Delay: Provides money for lost or damaged baggage and often includes a stipend for buying essentials in the event your baggage is delayed.

Delay Insurance: Covers the cost of hotel and traveling expenses incurred due to unforeseen delay.

Supplier Default: Covers all or a percentage of money lost due to a travel provider going out of business. This is important, because although most providers offer their own insurance, many supplier protection plans pay nothing if the company goes bankrupt. If you purchase a supplier plan make sure to read the fine print!

Trip Cancellation: This is the most common type of travel insurance. It typically covers non-refundable deposits and expenses but only if the trip is cancelled or interrupted for an unforeseen reason external to the traveler (like an earthquake).

Blusher: A blusher is a short, single layer veil that is worn over the face and lifted back during the ceremony. Because the bride needs to be able to see with it covering her face, a blusher must be made of translucent fabric.

Cathedral: A cathedral veil is the most formal and most romantic kind of veil, stretching out many feet behind the bride. Like the chapel veil, a cathedral veil may have multiple layers and a blusher. It is usually worn with a formal dress that has an equally long cathedral train.

Chapel: A chapel veil is a formal veil that cascades down the bride’s back and touches the floor. Chapel veils are usually worn with a formal gown that has a sweep train. The most elaborate chapel veils have multiple layers and a small blusher layer as well.

Fingertip: The fingertip veil is probably the most popular these days. It usually has several layers of material that extend, as the name implies, down to the bride’s fingertips.

Mantilla: Mantilla veils are traditionally fashioned from a circular piece lace or tulle with lace edges that is draped over a comb that frames the bride’s face. Mantilla veils are used in formal and semi-formal weddings and come in various lengths. They are becoming quite popular again because of their ethereal elegance.
Tier. Tier veils, like the name suggests, often have two layers, usually of different lengths, one of which may be the blusher.

1. Date, Time and Location. Make sure to include all the basic information about the wedding, including the date, time, and exact location (e.g. The Garrison Resort, the Wingate Room). Include information for all pre and post wedding events as well.

2. Transportation options. Your website should have information about the closest airports, train stations and car rental companies. If you have set up a carpool website (see transportation section of chapter 7) or contact person, include this information as well.

3. Driving Directions. Always include comprehensive driving directions along with a link to an interactive map service like Mapquest. Make sure to test the directions before you post them.

4. Contact Information. Make sure your website has contact information for the two of you (a.k.a. where to send gifts), and for any hotels, restaurants or other locations that you will be using for the wedding.

5. Lodging Options. It is polite to do the legwork for your guests and include a number of different lodging options in the area. Try to find a good range, from cheapy cheap to high-end. Many hotels will hold blocks of rooms for your party at a discount if you make arrangements ahead of time. Include a note (e.g. “be sure to mention you are with the Harrison-Muchnick party”) along with a contact person for each hotel and make sure to release any unbooked rooms before you are charged. The cut off date will be different for each place, but is usually several weeks before your wedding.

6. Schedule of Events. Especially if your wedding is a multi-day affair, be sure to include a comprehensive schedule of events with their location and start times.

7. Dress Code. It is nice to include a quick note about appropriate attire so your guests can plan accordingly.

8. Packing List. Along the same lines as the dress code, consider including a packing list – especially if you are having a destination wedding or a multi-activity event.

9. Registry Information. Include a link to any registry sites you have set up, so guests know what to get you and don’t have to bother your mother or father.

10. Engagement Story. It is nice to add either your engagement story or the story of how you two met. This will give guests who do not know you or your fiancé well a chance to learn more about you and will give them something to talk about at the wedding.

11. Pictures. Pictures of the two of you, pictures of your families, pictures of the bridal party members with bios, pictures of the wedding site, really any and all pictures you want to include will make the website more interesting and fun!