The Finney School of Real Life

When it comes to the perfect stag weekend, Prague is having its moment in the sun. For the better part of ten years the Czech capital has been the ‘it girl’ of the former Eastern bloc. And just like ‘it girls’ from Essex to Primrose Hill, Prague is being done like a dinner. Those who aren’t already going there are thinking of going there and everybody else already went in the 80s before, like, it became so popular. Now there’s nothing wrong with abandoning Bournemouth and Skegness in favour of a bit of Iron curtain history and culture, in fact it’s where the smart money is. But listen up people, there’s a whole map out there filled with quirky, exotic and down right crazy locations that are just champing at the bit to show you a good time. So let’s start with the new kids on the Eastern Bloc; Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn and Moscow. Think of them as best friends you’re yet to meet. Lovers you’re yet to kiss, you get the drift. So here are some handy hints, interesting facts, useless trivia and some slap-your-granny-you-can’t-be-serious exchange rates on places that you might want to consider upon organizing the mother of all stag weekends. Gentlemen, get your phrase books ready.

VILNIUS

S veiki atvyke Lietuvos! Welcome to Lithuania! It’s the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic republics also home to an annual cucumber festival, pea beer and the world’s finest (and only) Soviet-era theme park. Here in Lithuania a beer bicycle is not just a fantasy but a legitimate form of transport and stewed beaver a perfectly reasonable alternative to toad in the hole. They ditched communism to score independence in 1991 and are now eating lunch in the EU with the cool kids. They walloped the 2001 Eurovision song contest with a princely 13th place and, as Paul McCartney would say, things just keep getting better all the time. The small and quirky republic of Lithuania, perched on the Baltic Sea and sandwiched between Poland, Belarus and Latvia, is simply one of the hottest travel destinations of the moment and making a stag weekend of Vilnius has never been so easy. So polish your Kankles, get in, get down and get ready to party Vilnius Style. Where it’s always 1991.

Why in the name of sweet Monica Lewinsky* should I go to Vilnius for My Stag Weekend?

What all those earnest Professor Boring travel guides won’t tell you is that Vilnius is home to some of the best legal fun a man could ever want. And the best part is the hordes are yet to climb on the bandwagon so there’s plenty of Lithuanian goodwill still in the barrel to go round. This is a good thing to keep in mind when planning the mother of all stag weekends. Now technically your wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life, but that doesn’t mean that your stag weekend can’t be the best weekend of your life. So, for the greatest weekend of your life Lithuanian style here’s what you need to know:

It’s the Geographical Centre of Europe (Yes! Really!)

Thanks to the nice people of the European Union extending their warm Belgian welcome to Lithuania, it is now officially part of Europe. And not content to simply be a part of the action, it also home to the European Geographical centre. I know. It’s rather like paying twenty Euro for a chunk of cement said to have been part of the Berlin wall, little more than a tawdry marketing tool and barely worth the photo opportunity. But. Still. You’re drawn to the idea. Like one may be drawn to standing with your left arm in the Northern Hemisphere and the beer clenching right arm in the South, or going to Korea to moonwalk across the border of communism and capitalism. Or going to York. Period. In any case Lithuania has the honour of housing the centre of Europe. And like all fledgling capitalists worth their coca cola they have embraced the fact by building a commemorative park - the ‘Europos Parkas’ - just in case one mistook the precise yet indistinguishable point for an alien crop circle or Stalin’s summer mud bath cabana. So they’ve got the centre and nowhere else does.

*A fine specimen of Lithuanian-descended womanhood

Amalia Illgner is a copywriter for chillisauce.co.uk; a fully bonded tour operator specialising in memorable stag nights. Like the sound of that? Well there’s a whole map of possibilities for a great stag weekend, for some excellent adventure filled ideas check out chillisauce where they will tailor a Stag Weekend in Vilnius just for you.

Celtic wedding rings are beautifully symbolic, and are completely appropriate to wear whether one has Celtic roots or not. Knot work designs are physical representation of the weaving together of two lives into one mysterious circle, which in itself is symbolic of a balanced, committed relationship.

It’s practically impossible to find Celtic rings at local jewelry stores, and having them custom made can be cost prohibitive. When searching online, consider these two suggestions.
First, choose the style based on the quality of the design. For example, some patterns are about harmonious flow, while others suggest peaks and valleys. The meaning, which should be on the website, should match the nature of your relationship. The ring should have knot work that is clean and well defined. It should be available in 14K, 18K, platinum or some bi-metal, gold/silver or gold/platinum combination. Real jewelry designers can customize the pieces with diamonds or other precious gemstones.

Second, the company must have a proven track record with dozens of testimonials, a Better Business Bureau rating or something similar, and if possible, a brick and mortar location. The ring should be returnable and sizable. Workmanship must be guaranteed. Deal with companies from your own country with strong customer service. When ordering, you should be able to easily speak with someone.

The most important thing is that the rings should be beautiful, unique, and resonate with your own profound, sacred connection and commitment to your newly betrothed.

Marc Choyt

Marc Choyt Bio:

Marc Choyt graduated from Brown University in 1984 with
a degree in English. In 1995, he received an MA degree in
Humanities from St. John’s College. In 1996, he and his
wife, Helen Chantler, founded Reflective Images, a designer
jewelry company specializing in contemporary Celtic jewelry.
http://www.artisanweddingrings.com
http://www.celticjewelry.com Please send email requests to
marek@celticjewelry.com

Travel today is as easy as swiping a credit card and getting on
a plane. Thus, brides are traveling all over the United States
to say their “I dos.” However, traveling is the easy part.
Planning a wedding from a different city is hard enough, so how
does a bride plan a wedding from a different state? If a bride
doesn’t have the money for a wedding coordinator, she will have
to fend for herself in the vendor world. She can search online
and make phone calls, but she will still be racked with anxiety
that the vendors she hires will not show up on the big day. Las
Vegas is the world capital of weddings, and because of this,
some brides are taken advantage of and left without an important
service on her wedding day. A bride shows up to the chapel but
learns that the vendor she hired to make her cake simply doesn’t
exist, or the woman she hired to do her hair also hasn’t shown
up. For wary brides trying to create order out of the chaos,
here are some bad vendor signs to watch for:

#1. Doesn’t supply a clear contract The way a vendor handles the
contract is the same way they will handle your wedding day. If a
vendor doesn’t provide a contract at all, gives you one that
looks like a five-year-old wrote it, or says simply, “we don’t
need one,” that should be a foreshadow of things to come. Anyone
who has a legitimate wedding business should be able to provide
a quality written, legible contract in a timely fashion.

#2. Doesn’t answer your questions If a wedding vendor seems more
interested in getting paid than your wedding day, get out and
get out now. Don’t expect all wedding vendors to be sensitive
and caring to the point of tears, that’s what your parents are
for, but do expect them to care about their service to you and
your satisfaction. If they brush off your questions or make you
feel belittled because you asked them, they will not care about
your satisfaction on your wedding day.

#3. Bad communication The way vendors answer their phones and
return calls and e-mails immediately shows whether a vendor is a
winner or not. If you have a hard time getting a hold of them,
you don’t seem to understand each other or they don’t speak your
same language, get someone else. Plenty of great wedding vendors
want your business and you should be patient enough to find that
perfect fit like you found your perfect mate.

#4. Isn’t willing to meet in person If a wedding vendor isn’t
willing to meet in person it can mean a few things. One, their
business doesn’t exist; two, they only want your money; three,
they are so booked with weddings that they can’t concentrate
enough on any single one. Find a vendor who has time for you and
understands the importance of meeting in person.

#5. Too inexpensive A wedding vendor that is too inexpensive can
be more poisonous to your wedding than if a wedding vendor
doesn’t show up at all. This is because, usually wedding vendors
who charge little show up but perform poorly or get your
instructions wrong. Look for the good deal, but be careful.

These bad vendor signs are just a few out of dozens to watch
for. Other signs to look for include: The vendor won’t give
referrals, he or she treats you poorly, he or she has a shady
location with a P.O. Box, or you start seeing hidden fees.

This article will tell you what you will need to consider when hiring a magician to entertain at your wedding. It helps you to consider when you can best use a magician in your order of events, and how to go about selecting a good magician for your wedding.

This information specifically relates to hiring a close-up magician to entertain the adult guests at your wedding. Some magicians specialise in entertaining children, and this can be a great way to keep children occupied throughout the speeches. However, these performers tend to be a lot more readily available, and a bit of asking around will help you source a good quality local childrens entertainer at a reasonable price. Similarly, some magicians specialise in stage presentations, but this sort of presentation is very rarely appropriate for a wedding, and the more ambient style of close-up magic is more generally suitable.

Booking a magician who specialises in entertaining adults is a very different proposition - there aren’t very many about who do it well, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The first thing to consider should be what you want to achieve by having a magician entertain at your wedding, and determine where this can best fit into your order of events.

When To Use A Wedding Magician

Close-up magicians are usually used to provide entertainment at two different points in the wedding day. The first is after the ceremony when the magician can mingling with guests while wedding photographs are being taken. The drinks reception is also usually held at this point, and having the magician perform at this stage acts as an excellent ice-breaker. This can then continue with the magician performing at the tables between the courses of the wedding breakfast up until the start of the speeches.

The other popular time slot is to have the magician perform during the evening. This means that day guests are entertained after the meal and speeches, and any evening guests are welcomed with a little entertainment to get them in the mood. One thing to bear in mind when using a magician at this stage is how the magic will fit with any music you may have planned. Usually most venues have a separate area away from the dance floor, such as a bar area, and the magician can be placed here to entertain any guests who aren’t interested in the dancing, and those who are just taking a break. Or, if there is no separate area, you can have the magician start following the wedding breakfast and perform up until the evening music starts. This helps the day guests to break with the formality of the days events and any evening guests are welcomed with a little entertainment to get them in the mood.

Of course there is a lot of flexibility here and a magician experienced in wedding entertainment will be able to work in with your plans for the day.

Things To Consider When Using Magicians At A Wedding:

Speeches and music are two key traditional aspects of a wedding which should be considered when using wedding magicians.

Speeches: No matter how carefully you brief the best man and the father of the bride to keep it brief, often as not speeches will overrun! Many people find it best to make the speeches a natural start or end point for the magic to avoid paying for the magician’s waiting time.

Music: You will need to consider how your magician will fit in with any music you have planned. Magicians rely on people being able to follow what is being said. Three things can help: having the music at a lower level, having a separate “quiet zone” for the magician to work in, or a large room where one end will be quieter. But if the DJ or Band is expected to be louder, you will get better value for money by changing the timing to avoid a clash.

Where To Find A Magician:

Avoid using a local Yellow Pages or a similar directory to find a magician for your party. Magicians who perform for adult audiences are a rare breed, and while you may get lucky and find that you have a very good magician in your area, the chances are that you will wind up interviewing magicians who are part time and have very little actual performing experience, or magicians who specialise in performing for children and have very little experience in entertaining adult audiences.

Instead, use a web search, or look to find a national directory of entertainers, and cast your net over a good sized geographic base - experienced performers are more than happy to travel to a booking.

Choosing The Right Magician For Your Wedding:

Once you’ve drawn up a shortlist, here’s what to look at before you finalise your choice.

References, References, References!

Cast a careful eye over any quotes from previous clients. Are they from recognised and reputable UK companies and identifiable individuals, or could they just have been gathered from friends and family?
The ability to astonish should come as standard, but you also need to make sure the references show that the magician you book also has the personality to interact with your guests. Look for someone who is more than just astonishing - hire a magician who is entertaining and, moreover, enjoyable to be around.

Experience

Plenty of positive references show that you’re looking at a magician with broad experience. It can be a good idea to hire a magician who has worked UK-wide and, ideally, internationally because this usually shows a depth of experience.
You may also want to consider whether the magician is a full time performer. While there are a number of very good part-timers in the UK who shouldn’t be overlooked, the fact that a magician is a full-time performer will generally act as a good indicator of experience and ability. You can’t always glean this from a website so it’s a good idea to ask.
Look to hire a magician with experience with weddings. For example, some specialise in close up magic for adult audiences in hospitality situations. Others have a more general approach, performing at children’s parties, as a corporate speaker, on stage, etc. Each of these different performing situations requires different skills and abilities, especially when it comes to audience interaction. Be sure that the references that you rely on relate to events and functions similar to your wedding.

Style and manner:

Consider what will work well for you. Some acts are based on poking fun at the audience, but, for a day of celebration like a wedding, consider whether it may be more appropriate to look for someone who creates fun for your guests and maintains a more relaxed atmosphere.
If you are expecting a wide variety of guests at your event, look for someone with references that indicate a breadth of appeal. Conversely, if your guests are quite similar, for example in age group or background, you may want to hire a magician with references that relate to that particular type of guest.

Memberships

It is a good idea to hire a magician who is a member of a recognised international magical organisation such as the UK’s The Magic Circle. The Magic Circle, in particular, insists on members being tested by examination before being allowed to join. However, don’t make membership of such an organisation the sole basis of your decision - this simply indicates a basic level of technical ability. The above information shows how to look at experience, personality and performance style.

About the Author

This advice was developed by Professional Magician Mark Cairns. Mark is the ideal wedding entertainer to use in the UK, with over five years experience as a full-time performer. A specialist close up magician for adult audiences, Mark uses these skills at corporate events, weddings and private parties, and performs while either mingling with guests or working at the table. Mark is a member of The Magic Circle.

Contact Mark today to talk about how you can make you big day one to remember! Mark can be contacted via his website at http://www.markcairns.co.uk.

So your not one of those fabulous actresses or models who has the luxury of the finest gems and diamonds being loaned to them by the likes of Harry Wintson. No matter, you can add a little sparkle and look extra-ordinaire in your gown on your wedding day. Here’s some helpful tips on how to shine on your most important day!

Faking It is Fine! It doesn’t matter if you cannot afford to adorn yourself in diamonds and pearls. The quality of Faux diamonds, gems, and pearls is amazing.

Gone are the days were anyone could tell real from fake. Only your gemologist will know real from fake. You can sparkle like a million dollar babe and you won’t break the bank.

The best way to choose earrings is to try them with your gown. The best styled earring will depend on the neckline of your gown, the type of necklace you are wearing, and how you will be wearing your hair. You want your earrings to be seen but you do not want them to be overpowering.

Drop earrings or short dangle earrings work well and pearls or diamonds [real or fake] add elegance and sparkle. If you’re not wearing a necklace you may want to wear more dramatic earrings. If your dress is beaded and sparkly then you’ll want to choose a more subtle earring so as not to detract from your gown..

Diamonds are a girls best friend, Pearls are truly a bride’s best friend. Pearls never go out of style, but this season they aren’t just in style, they are “hot”.

Not only are they “hot” they are very versatile. Pearls have been worn by fashionable women for ages. You can choose to spring for cultured pearl or purchase quality imitation pearls for a fraction of the cost.

When buying pearls you will need to choose a strand length that enhances the neckline of your gown. The best size pearls to choose are in the 5 to 7 mm range. There are many length choices with pearls.

A pearl collar is usually made of 3 or more strands and measures 12-13 inches. A pearl collar will hug the middle of the neck so it works well with a v necks, plunged necks or off the shoulder gowns.

A choker measures 14-16 inches and is the most versatile length to own. It will work with any gown neckline. The 17-19 inch

Princess with either very high or very low necklines. There are longer lengths of pearls available however they are not very suitable for wedding gowns.

If your lucky enough to have a fabulous piece of jewelry that’s a family heirloom, your wedding can be the perfect time to wear it. Feel free to ask family and friends to borrow a piece of jewelry you adore.

They’ll be honored that you asked. It’s also a great way to cover the “something borrowed.” Wearing jewelry that’s close to your heart is extra special because of emotional attachments.

Vintage jewelry is hot right now and can lend an added dimension to your bridal look. So if you have a favorite piece you’d like to borrow - ask. If you spot a wonderful must have piece to buy, don’t hesitate - it’s a hot statement this season!

Colorful jewelry is a great way to spice up your wedding day ensemble. Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires [real or fake] can add some punch to your wedding jewelry.

This season, colored pearls are a very “hot” fashion statement, available in a wide range of color from silver to bright pink. Just remember a little color is very good, but don’t go overboard and take away from your beautiful gown.

Dare to Be Bare. The options in jewelry can be overwhelming. How do you know which length necklace looks best with your wedding dress? Is your trendy four-strand pearl collar strung on wires a bit too trendy?

One way to go is to keep it simple. As for necklaces, you might decide to skip them altogether. This allows you to show off your dress’ stunning neckline whether it’s strapless or high or in-between.

And it allows you to show off your neck, which you might not want to show off in 30 years. You can also completely forego bracelets. Especially if you’re going to wear gloves, a bracelet can look funny and get in the way.

The norm is to not wear a watch unless it is elegant and delicate enough for wedding day attire. However, these day’s even your watch can count as a piece of jewelry.

There are some fabulous fashion watches available, many look like a bracelet. So if you just can’t bear not wearing a watch, go shopping.

The choices for your hair jewelry are endless. Tiara’s are very “hot” right now, however adding a necklace with the tiara might be a bit much. Sparkling crystal and rhinestone clips or pins are a nice touch to the brides hair adding a subtle sparkle.

The most important thing to remember is to keep your gown the center of attention. What ever jewelry choice you make, be they trendy, traditional, or funky be certain they work well with your gown and compliment it not over power it.

Jewelry is an important accent on your wedding day, but make sure it doesn’t become center stage.

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

“Here comes the bride, all dressed in white”, go the lyrics of the song as the bride walks down the aisle. Everybody else involved in the wedding gets to wear colors. Usually, the entourage are all wearing outfits in a single shade, chosen by the bride to complement a chosen theme.

How do the brides choose? Some brides choose to use their favorite color and then blend it with a complimentary color. For example, if they love yellows, they may blend it with other pastel shades like pink and a light green.

The setting might dictate the color. For example, if the wedding theme is burgundy and neon green and the reception is held in a venue with purple walls, the guests might wish for blinders. This is why neutral colors such as cream, yellow, white or beige are common favorites.

Some people choose, based on luck. For example, black is considered unlucky as it is perceived as the color of death so most brides do not want it at a wedding. They may also follow such thing as feng shui to determine the best color to bring in prosperity and happiness to their life as a couple.

Having a wedding planner is a really good idea. They are well informed on what are the current trends in color themes and are usually familiar with the appearance of your possible wedding venues. They can help you make a compromise between all the possible factors on making your choice.

Don’t forget to ask the groom if there’s a color he’d like. They too may have a dream wedding they’d like to have and the color plays a part in that.

What is love? What is attraction? Why do we love someone? Why do we say that we love someone? Why don’t we say that we like someone or are getting attracted to someone? This is all because love is becoming a common word to be used for all kinds of attachments and relationships. Have you quizzed yourself about how much looks matter to you in love?

Will you love an ugly looking person even if she/he has every other quality in plenty? Or you will accept somebody better looking but missing in some qualities? What if you are told that the best looking person of the opposite sex has fallen for you and wants love in return? When you develop relationship, you find that person missing in many essential qualities and values that you respect. What will you do?

Quiz yourself about your relationships. Many of the relationships break because we are attracted by looks but as we get closer we find the other person difficult and break the relationship. It happens with most of us. We all go for looks in the beginning. Very rarely, we give points for other qualities in a logical manner. We look at a attractive person and say-I am in love. Quiz yourself and you will realize why many of your relationships broke? We may deny that. But the main attraction is always great looks. Quiz yourself about this and probably you will come to know more about what are your priorities in relationships and love.