If every industrial company would refocus their priorities I believe the planet
would make a complete turn around.  Why not make an effort to “Go Green?”  It is
not just a form of terminology that we throw out there to seem ecologically
savvy.  It is an actual action that requires dedication to change and a
motivational force inspired by the employees and the surroundings communities.
For industries as large as a nuclear plant or as small as a printing company
there are changes and advancements being made on a daily basis to transform the
past and create a more environmentally safe product.  Not only are the products
safer, but how they are created have also made huge advancements over the past
twenty years.  Take for instance the printing industry.  Green printing is a
very common term and is being implemented by all of the larger printing
companies.  This involves a multiple number of steps from recycling paper
products to finding environmentally safe cleaning products and using soy based
inks.  The main thing that we must remember that in no way can the product
standards be lowered.  From the forestry commissions to the chemical companies
everyone has a part to play.  I am proud to be part of this generation that is
truly trying to make a difference in our world.

“Congratulations! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness. Love Erica and Steve.” I put the flourishing touches on the inscription and passed the wedding guest book over to Steve to add something. He grabs it with a grin. Looking over his shoulder I read, “Don’t eat yellow snow.” I smack him upside the head, “Real classy Steve.” I get a sheepish look in reply. Boys.
Turning back to the party, I notice that the band has started to pick up their instruments. Looks like they’re back on for set number two. I drag Steve over to the dance floor, ignoring his muttered comments about wanting to go sit down with a beer. We’re at a wedding, and we had better get some good quality dance time in. This is the first time since our own wedding that I’ve been able to dance with my husband, and I’m taking full advantage. The music leaves something to be desired though. I used to take ballroom dance lessons, so a nice tango would be nice right about now. Anything other than this silly pop music that’s all the rage these days.

Today’s the day! I get to be in Auntie Lucy’s wedding. Mommy says I’m very lucky because I get to walk down the aisle, and everyone will be looking at me. I have two flower girl baskets, filled with red and white petals. And I have to be very careful and make sure that I take petals from both baskets, otherwise the wedding will be ruined. It’s a big responsibility, but I know they can count on me.
I’m actually six and a half today, so it’s good that I am able to get dressed up in my fancy dress, even if it is for Auntie Lucy and not for me. It’s such a pretty dress – all frilly and lacy, covered in bright pink rosebuds. I asked mommy if I can wear it to school on Monday, and she said we’ll see. That usually means no…maybe I’ll ask daddy. He sometimes says yes, if he hasn’t talked to mommy about it. Then she gets really mad and starts yelling, but I usually get my way.
I can hear my mommy calling me now. Got to go!

We are living in a world that is all about a fast paced lifestyle. We do not
want to be bothered with a lot of things that slow us down. We also are not
storing as many items as we once did. We are realizing how free it is to live
without the complexities of over stuffed closets and drawers. This is a great
thing if you are among the believers that state a crowded workspace or home
space means a crowded mind. We all know a crowded mind can not produce as a free
thinking mind can. Couples are being more creative with their wedding events as
well by using items that make sense to be used in practical ways. For instance
we are seeing more couples gift Disposable Wedding Cameras to their guests.
These are fun cameras to use. They are easy to operate so even the youngest of
the guests can get involved and they take fun pictures. This is a perfect
solution for couples to use when planning their wedding events because it solves
two issues. The guests can be a part of the wedding and they make great favors.

How can you explain the concept of marriage to a young couple with little or no experience in life?  Trying to describe the difficulties and joys, the tears and smiles, the failures and successes seem to fall on deaf ears.  Unfortunately it is the same from one generation to the next.  The older generation can’t possibly “understand” them.  We are clueless when it comes to how things really are in their life.  I can hear my parents’ words ringing back in my ears when I try to guide my children.  The loving couple can only see the happy, fairy tale side of the wedding.  The bride gets to dress up and choose her wedding decorations.  Deciding on the cake and flowers are always fun too.  The groom suddenly becomes a man and head of a house hold.  All of his friends are envious of this adventurer taking control of his life.  Little do they know that life is about to hit them right between the eyes.  All we can do as their parents is be there when they fall.  Next we dust them off, and send them right back out again. That is what life is all about.  I wish we could make it easier for them.

If you are stuck on what would be the best favor gifts for your wedding guests
there is an easy and affordable solution. You can use wedding favor bags and
fill them with all kinds of really fun stuff. There is the option to use really
delicious candies which are always a hit. Some couples like to use candies and
something else small such as a key chain or a picture frame inside of the bag as
well. The fun thing about favor bags is you can fill them with anything you
think your guests would like. If you are still confused on what to put in them
there are some really good suggestions online. You can shop through the more
inexpensive items and put together a favor bag your guests will enjoy opening.
We have been given many favor bags from the different weddings we have
witnessed. Some were filled with a multitude of fun items and others contained a
single gift that was enjoyed for a longer term. Either type of gift is fun to
receive. The idea of the favor is to show appreciation for sharing the event
with the couple. It is a simple thank you so it does not have to be something
substantial. It just has to say I appreciate your coming. With that sentiment
couples can go as elaborate as they choose to.

Life is filled with celebrations. It is the accomplishments of life that
provides us with many happy memories. We celebrate everything including births,
graduations, promotions and marriages to name only a few milestones. There are
small reminders we keep often to remind us of celebrations that have touched us
either by their significance or by emotions. Small tokens such as a pressed
flower from a dance or bouquet, wedding favors given at a friend’s wedding,a
lock of hair from a first hair cut are all keepsakes that hold no monetary value
but to the keeper they are priceless. It is very important for the human psyche
to have small physical reminders of celebrations because we are living in a
physical world. Often when someone has passed away we will find drawers of items
that make no sense to anyone why they would have been kept. It could be a broken
rubber band with ribbons attached or perhaps a pipe cleaner that have warranted
being kept by someone as a reminder of a special moment to them. Maybe a small
container of sand or dirt was found within this keepsake drawer. A special shell
from memories of the past may also stir an emotion for the keeper. Scraps of
wrapping paper all clipped with a gem clip obviously also held significance to
the keeper. It is not always about financial value. The value of something that
holds importance can be much more coveted to the keepers in the physical world.

Many of you are familiar with the traditional candle version of the unity
ceremony.  There are, however, more than one style to this concept.  The sand
ceremony is becoming extremely popular.  Different colored sands are blended
into one creating a beautiful container with the combination of two lives mixed
into one.  This sand blend can never be separated back into the original form.
Some couples choose to use different spices to blend into one representing the
two different personalities of the couple becoming one beautiful creation of
spices.  The salt ceremony has been around for centuries.  The theme behind this
style is the covenant agreement between two parties.  In ancient times salt
grains were exchanged as a commitment into a promise.  Each person, or couple in
this case, has their pouch of salt.  They both take a pinch from their pouches
and place it into the other couple’s  pouch.  Once blended you cannot retrieve
or take back your grains, or promises.  All of these forms still portray the
basic theory of two becoming one in a promise for eternity which cannot be
changed.  They are forever changed and bound by a cherished commitment.

Weddings can be a lot of work. There is so much planning and decision making
when it comes to orchestrating a wedding event. Wedding planners have their
hands full as they make their way from a blank slate to a wedding that will be
filled with memories and beauty. It is a huge undertaking to put together a
large wedding event. Beginning with the wedding invitations decisions need to be
made. It is the invites that set everything into motion. Once the date is set
and the people are invited the pressure is on to plan and design a wedding that
is filled with personality and romance on a timeline. Of course with all of this
work comes a lot of satisfaction on a job well done when the final product is
revealed. A wedding is a culmination of many ideas coming together to form a
single event. It should flow from the exchanging of vows to the reception easily
and beautifully. When it all comes together it is a masterpiece of a well
thought out design. For a wedding planner that is the prize that they strive
for.