I’ve met so many brides through the years that want to visit every wedding site in their area. Using the web does help to narrow your choices to those that fit your style, budget and guest list. This cuts down on your gasoline and emmissions. WeddingLinks.com has thousands of venues - both local and destination. The portal also has a Green Link area in each geographical menu that links businesses practicing Green Methods. Here are things we see being done.

1. Find venues for your wedding or honeymoon that have green attitudes. Linens changed every few days or weekly for long stays. The use of biodegradable cleaners.
2. Find caterers who use local, sustainable foods for your event.
3. On-site during your reception use re-cycle trash receptacles.
4. Set up car pooling to your wedding and use of limos that use alternate fuels. Many limo services have special vehicles today.
5. Use of water in bottles increases and you can find those bottled in biodegradable plastics.
6. Invitations made from recycled paper.
Please share your GREEN ideas and questions.

Over 90% of the brides today want to plan, hire and direct (manage) their wedding preparations. The “do-it-yourself” brides believe they will save money, maintain control of everything in the planning process, and many enjoy the experience of planning every detail. It can be a very creative project!

For some this works great and for others they meet pitfalls and problems and become bridezillas.

Our expert in the industry is your “Wedding Coach” She gives you the tools, knowledge and how-to every step of the way.

These bridal concerns are all addressed in the free 90-minute on-line wedding planning class at http://www.SuperStarWedding.com. Sign-up today!

So – why take the Free 90 minute class?

1. You gain your management forms and planning text called the “Wedding Manifesto”.

2. It jump-starts your wedding and sets you up for success!

3. It advises you “play by play” on how to circumvent problems in planning.

4. It is a green program that can be kept in your computer.

5. The COACH sets you up for success, lowers your stress and gives you a play by play formula.

1. Large Tents take special knowledge to set up. Size and lack of overhead wiring is important to consider, but wherever you place them it is important to know exactly where the sprinkling systems are placed.

2. It takes a trained team to raise them and take them down, so there are added costs for their services and not just the tent rental.

3. High windy areas do not respond well to tenting and the rental company may turn down a setting when they believe the safety is in question.

4. This is not a last minute decision. If you live in a rainy climate and want the outdoor event then get your name on the reservation list for an emergency tent. You might not get your first choice, but it is better than no choice at all.

5. We see tents used to add glamour and movement of the guests to the dessert area, the wine and beverage areas.

Many of the Party and Rental companies have tent teams who are trained to complete every detail. They have to consider where the electricity is coming from and how much it will take to complete the lighting and guest comforts. Also realize a bare piece of property will need electricity generators, water, porta potties and upon occasion, heaters. Great Tent & Party Rental Companys Linked on http://www.WeddingLinks.com

Purchase of wedding insurance is possible from a variety of reputable companies. While this minimal purchase is important for any type of wedding, it is very important for destination wedding couples and high budget weddings. Things happen, wedding cancellations and deposit losses due to illness, being called up for military duty, wedding dress damage or loss, gifts stolen, vendors failing to show up and of course the requirement often found with the wedding venue is LIABILITY INSURANCE.

1. Wedding Insurance is an affordable and quick on-line purchase from the company websites.
2. Event Location Liability covers property and guest welfare concerns. Many companies write these off of the “family home liability policies” as a rider for a specific amount to cover your one-day-event.
3. Wedding Insurance companies give you the option to include or leave out specific areas of coverage and most purchase of wedding insurance can be completed online quickly.

WeddingLinks.com offers reputable online insurance services.

Vendor Legal Concerns

4. Binding contracts to your date, time and performance of duties is very important with each of your wedding vendors/professional services is a very important part of your legal standing. These also serve to assist any insurance claim for damages.
5. When selecting your wedding vendors – it is important THEY have liability insurance for their business and all caterers have certification evidencing they are approved by local health departments and the limo service have specific legal licenses and insurance to operate their vehicle.
6. When lawsuits arise over a wedding day and lawyers are involved, it is their obligation to sue any and all involved in the wedding day process. When you stand up in lower courts to claim damages, your signed contracts - outline the agreements made. He said-she said does not hold up in court.

1. The locations must suit you and your goals. Use a wedding planning web portal where there are links to MANY venues and professionals for your selected area is important. Also if the portal indicates the number of guests for the venue - is a great assist and saves you time in reviewing links. Use a knowledgeable coordinator if planning a destination wedding. Bride’s generally understand halls, women’s clubs, park service and community centers are more affordable.

2. All-inclusive is very popular and can save funds. It is best to try the food and meet the professionals who will be working the wedding. Your wedding day comfort zone is extremely important in each area of your wedding….this helps you relax and feel confident.

3. Please be a due-diligence bride and review the contract, understand your agreement prior to signing and don’t expect someone to show up who you have not contracted with. Contracts are very important………even true of friends and family who are serving as one of your vendors during the wedding…. Being tooooo relaxed in this area can lead to nightmare weddings.

4. Bringing a second set of ears and make notes of the conversation can be a great asset when interviewing the wedding professionals. Often there are new words and concepts for the bride. After the interview, discuss all aspects of what was said with the “extra set of ears” and complete your notes before going on to the next person you interview - or you can get confused on what was offered. The nightmare here - please be clear with the “second set of ears” to listen and take notes. This can cause huge arguments if not communicated properly.

5. Call/e-mail and confirm your location, wedding professionals and attendants and family to be at the rehearsal and wedding ceremonies - a week in advance. People forget and some do not carry calendars. Texting, e-mail etc is still a foreign subject to some.

6. You may have noticed on the right side column of each geographical page on WeddingLinks.com the couple will find Activities++ Dining. A nightmare wedding can be those where the relationship weakens and real communication breaks down… because … to many planning issues. Please take the time to date during your engagement time - and not talk about the wedding.

Brides love the 3-line budget found in the creative tools given when they take the http://www.SuperStarWedding.com. A FREE 90 minute webinar class at your computer.

WeddingLinks.com - Thousands of Wedding Professionals, Venues & Honeymoon Locations

Who would think there are safety issues for weddings and events.  Actually they are a major concern and can lead to a number of law suits. For some reason, guests with children do not keep an eye on their children.  It does make for a better event if you have considered the following. So tuck this in your file for reference.

#1.  Safety of Children:  Who is working your event or wedding may be of major concern regarding the handling of children.  With  nannys or entertainment personnel, consider asking for or doing a background check. 

#2   Hosting events from a cliff top, adjacent to busy streets,  near water, or at locations where children are out of sight or hearing range, it is very important to assign watchful eyes and staff to take care of their needs and safety.

#3   Allergies and reactions to food can be a problem for guests.  Ask the catering staff to have a list available of what is in each of the foods.  This can be placed near the buffet table and ask that one of the staff be made available for these questions or that all the staff may answer questions.

#4    A first aid kit, fire extinguisher and phone connections are very important to have on-hand at any event.  Most caterers carry these. 

#5    When the off-site event/party includes children there should be one or more adults looking after their welfare.  Every exit and restroom requires supervision.  This is especially true of a public hotel or beach site where outsiders can walk in to your wedding day. 

#6    Stop serving alcohol at least one-hour prior to the end of the reception or event.  Serve coffee and soft drinks.

#7.   The Gift Table safetly.  Surprisingly when this is not watched,

Most of us understand timing for a wedding or event can run into some very hot circumstances.  There are methods for you and your guests to be more comfortable. The first is to plan your time schedule away from 1 to 4 pm in the afternoon. If planning to be outdoors - look for shaded wedding locations  and air-conditioned inside. You will find thousands of wedding venues on WeddingLinks.com with the term indoor/outdoor to assist you in your selections for rehearsal, ceremony and reception.  Please ADD your solutions & tips.

Prepartions & Solutions to Wedding & Event Planning Problems for hot summer and early autumn are:

1.  Beat the heat at your event by providing some of the great misters available from the party rental companies.

2.  Old fashion remedy under clothing is good old talcum powder. Especially helpful for hot wedding dress wearing.

3.  Awnings and tenting that provide shade along with umbrella tables work well.

4.  Colors - dark shades, black tuxedos or winter satin dresses make people hot and they do absorb more heat.

5.  Plenty of water.  In pitchers, punch bowls and bottled, will quell the heat. Alcohol heats up the body. A bottle of beer, hard alcohol drinks and a glass of wine all have the same alcohol content. 

6. Hand held fans are a fun favor to provide guests. They can be personalized with significant photos, dates and event info for the guests.

7. High necks on summer wedding and bridesmaid dresses gives them a visual hot look and feel 

1. There are two types of deposits on sites we see being done. One is to hold the date temporarily and goes toward your real deposit and is refundable if you decide on another location.

2. These are generally a flat fee, but you must get back to the site by a specific date or you lose your funds. So place this on your calendar - it is not their responsibility to warn you if your time is running out.

3. Booking deposits are sometimes flexible up to 50%.

4. The Booking Final Payments are paid complete - often required two weeks prior to you wedding day.

5.  Refundable deposits are iffy.  Read your contract carefully to understand their rules. If you need to cancel the wedding for any reason the deposits may not be refundable or only a portion is refundable