Exercise to treat depression

A number of studies in 1990 showed that half of the latest cardiovascular and strength or resistance to mild to severe depression. It turns out that exercise leads to an increase of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that makes us feel good immediately after preparedness, and a long-term change in mood when working regularly once started. These effects are partly due to the strong growth of brain cells. Regular exercise has positive effects onthe immune system, so that can promote health, especially in stressed and / or depressed people.

A study of 12 028 randomly selected people aged 20-79 have shown that increasing physical activity was associated with a 70% reduction in self-reported stress and dissatisfaction decreased life expectancy. Even 2-4 hours per week was associated with significant benefits on foot. Another study by a group of employees showed reductions in stress and depression, and Improvements in feelings of health and vitality compared to a 24 week program of aerobic exercise with a control group. One 1985 study examined 43 patients with depression, about half were treated with antidepressants for the condition. Patients were randomized to receive nine weeks of resistance training (aerobics for an hour three times a week to 50-70% of maximum aerobic capacity) or occupational therapy. Year was statistically significantly greater reduction in place> Depression), as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (a measure of depressive symptoms. In another study, 86 patients with depression, antidepressants have been treated, but not a therapeutic response were randomized to exercise classes or health education. Exercise loading exercise involved for 45 minutes twice a week for ten weeks of treatment. More patients with exercise had an improvement from an improvement of 30%, measured on a scale forMeasurement of depression called Hamilton Depression Scale (55% more with the practice compared to 33% without a difference that was statistically significant). In another study, 83 patients with major depression experience than aerobic training does not change what they were before. Physical education has been the improvement of depression symptoms improved symptoms of anxiety and not general, but.

Other studies have shown thatimpressive results of the exercise to combat or reduce the symptoms of depression. For example, researchers at the Free University of Berlin also found that 30 minutes a day significantly improved the mood of patients, nine had long suffered from depression months of the move. In a report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 12 patients with depression were 10 weeks of training on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day. There was a statistically significant point of reduction of 6 depressive symptoms, as measured by sales of the Hamilton Depression. The authors concluded, and I agree that exercise could be at least as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate depression.

One study examined 156 patients with major depression for over 50 years, were randomized to aerobic exercise, antidepressants (sertraline) or a combination of both for 16 weeks. All patients showed improvement in symptoms ofDepression> with an essentially identical response between the two groups (1).

A recent report in 2005 described the results of a study of 3 years, designed to test patients at 80 if the exercise is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depressive disorder and to what extent would the people had to be depressed, see a positive difference in the report in the Journal of Preventive Medicine (January 2005) published a half-hour of exercise a day six daysWeek is the ideal "dose" of depression, improve mood of the people who have mild to severe. The researchers compared two groups of depressed patients and found that while the group that 80 minutes was performed weekly movements have little or no mental health benefits (30% reduction with 29% in a placebo exercise "of group) by three hours a week, a significant group (47%) had reduced symptoms.
Exercise can also integrate the effects of antidepressants in depressedPatients. One study movement to antidepressant treatment in 17 patients who had complete response to antidepressants. The exercise has been prescribed according to the guidelines currently recommended by public health – at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day – with both meetings under the supervision and home care. There was a 10 point reduction in Hamilton Depression Scale (a clinically significant change) in eight patients who completed the study.

Exercise is verycheaper and more affordable drugs and psychotherapy. Plus has no side effects, such as sexual dysfunction as seen on some antidepressants. In fact, the "side effects" of the use of exercise as an antidepressant positively on general well-being: improving cardiovascular health, increased strength and weight loss.

1. Blumenthal, JA, Bayak, MA, Moore, KA Effects of endurance training in elderly patients with major depression. ArchivesInternal Medicine. 1999, 159:2349-2356.

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Wedding Flowers Ideas On A Budget

Millions of couples are saying their 'I do's' even with the economy in bad shape and with little or no money for a proper ceremony. Many brides are becoming frugal and thinking ahead about wedding flowers ideas so they will be able to save money for more important things like the reception food, the honeymoon or a place to live afterwards. Each bride wants her day to be perfect and having just the right foliage for each of the tables, the bridesmaids and the bride to carry is very important to the overall look of the celebration.

Beginning with what the bride will carry with her down the isle, she could use a silk bouquet or a couple long stems of lilies or lilacs, something that does not require a lot of preparation nor needs a lot of them to look elegant. With just a few stems of large lilies tied up with a ribbon that matches the bridesmaid dresses, a bride will look and feel elegant. There is no need to go overboard on the bride's bouquet.

Depending on what the bridesmaid dresses look like, they, too, could tone down on their bouquets. Many people replace some of the blooms with ribbon loops or curls of lace to make them more festive or different then the traditional rounds full of blooms. Some of the bridesmaids even carry matching long stems like the bride or they opt for a small basket of ribbon and greenery to save on the cost of the fresh cut carnations or roses many bridesmaids carry down the isle.

The boutonniere for the groomsmen and the groom are also important but they are also typically smaller blooms. A rose bud with a single sprig of baby's-breath and a single leaf will look handsome on the men. If roses are too expensive at the time of the ceremony, then try carnations. They can be dyed in almost any color to match the color scheme of the matrimonial pairing and will look just as nice. Another way to save money is to leave out some of the uncles and less important men. Just have the fathers and grandfathers wear the small lapel bud.

One place not to skimp on is the arrangements for the church alter. These should be larger and real blooms. The bouquets for the church will be kept on the alter for several weeks after the ceremony. They are considered a gift or offering to the church from the couple so they should be done up right with lots of blooms and mainly the bigger ones so people in the back of the church can see them.

Table arrangements could be made with silk blooms and mostly greenery and baby's-breath with a little dash of colored ribbon thrown in for continuity. These are usually not real big for people want to be able to see each other while they sit at the tables and mingle, talk and eat during the reception. A lot of times, someone at the table will take home the arrangement so it's best not to spend a lot of money on the container either. There are hundreds of hobby shops that have floral arrangement bowls for sale that would be perfect for the tables. Sometimes to save money, a bride will fill the vases or bowls up with different colored marbles or the color theme of the ceremony and water and set the various greenery and blooms inside this mixture for a fresh look.

As soon as a couple has set a date, the bride should be thinking of wedding flowers ideas and trying to stick to their budget. There are many creative choices for a matrimonial ceremony in terms of the floral arrangements for the bride and bridesmaids to carry, the table arrangements and the church alter sprays. If a bride looks around at various hobby shops and discount department stores, she will be able to find various greenery and the blooms she wants in silk which are cheaper and will last forever.

If you want cheap, fast and reliable flower delivery that does both international and domestic flower delivery, then click here and I'll show you how to get one for the best prices: online florists

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What is it Worth to You?

By the time young women are of the "marrying age", most have uttered these words, "I always dreamed of a big, fancy wedding."

Most little girls do dream of big, fancy weddings. In fact, their play often involves placing a white veil on their heads - perhaps nothing more than a sheer curtain attached to a headband - and walking with a plastic bouquet down an imaginary church aisle. If no neighborhood boys or brothers can be coerced into playing the part of the groom, then the girls take turns being bride and groom.

Those dreaming young girls have no idea what the cost of a wedding might be, and by the time they come to that realization, they have their hearts set and daddy and husband-to-be aren't about to shatter the bride-to-be's dreams. Mom usually has a dream of her own - her beautiful daughter in a very expensive gown, walking down the aisle of a huge church. Afterwards, the dreams of Mom and daughter see a large hall filled with food and people, music and fun.

Still, most fathers make at least one attempt to persuade their daughters to consider taking a sum of money and either eloping or planning a very small gathering of friends and family, instead of spending so much on a grand wedding event. Perhaps more daughters should consider doing just that.

The wedding industry would disagree. Their pocketbooks are lined as the dream weddings are planned and performed. Why would they want that to change?

But each man and woman planning to be married should consider whether or not having one day that costs between $15,000 and $60,000 or more is really worth that amount of money. It is only one day, and it is the ceremony itself that is the important thing, not the glitter that tags along. The words exchanged, the love shared, the plans of a future together are the important things.

Weddings never go off as planned. There are problems, some minor and some major, in the planning and execution of every wedding. And in the midst of planning, lives are changed, feelings are hurt, harsh words are exchanged, and relationships are marred. Is having a huge wedding really worth all of that?

If the father of the bride offers money to help avoid all the pitfalls of having a gargantuan wedding, should the future bride and groom consider such an offer? Perhaps.

1) Would the money help pay off student loans, thereby relieving the couple of that debt?

2) Could the money be used for a good vehicle?

3) Would the money make a good down payment on a house or condominium? Or would, if placed into an investment plan or savings account, would the money be the foundation for buying a house at a later date?

Can a wedding be one that everyone will remember, even if it does not include using the best caterers in town and the fanciest ballroom? Of course. There are other halls available, and often family and friends can be even better caterers.

Must the bride buy her wedding gown from the most expensive bridal store in town? Of course not. Major retailers offer some excellent choices right off the rack.

Invitations can be simple and less expensive and still elegant. Flower arrangements and bouquets can be simple and elegant as well for those on a tight budget.

Some say that how you plan your wedding and spend money for that one day of your life affects how you think about money issues in the marriage. Learning to be frugal and wise from the beginning benefits any marriage relationship.

Even if the bride's parents can afford it, does it really make sense to plan a wedding that costs more than the average person makes in one year? Is it really worth the time, the inconvenience, and the relationship strains that come from spending months and months planning that picture perfect monstrous wedding, that will never be picture perfect? It's definitely something to ponder.

Marilyn Mackenzie has been writing about home, family, faith and nature for over 40 years. She is an author on Writing.com. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.kenzie.Writing.Com .

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

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What a Cute Little Pumpkin

I have always been attracted to the nostalgia of years gone by; the crisp look of a shirt with cuff links, the comforting crackle of an old time radio broadcast, the smell of a freshly painted white picket fence; all of these relics resonant with a warmth that reminds me of the goodness of America. The ties to tradition are entreating; homemade fresh apple pie, cheering the home team at a community baseball game, and sharing pictures of cherished children that make us swell with pride. Tradition has been turned on its head.

When proudly flashing the most recent photo received from your wife, most people would expect to hear something like,

"What a cute little pumpkin."

"I know, my wife took this picture during his soccer game. Isn't it adorable how his ruffled hair radiates the enthusiasm of youth?"

As the husband of a frugal freedom fighter, however, one is more inclined to hear something like,

"What a cute little pumpkin."

"Yeah, and my wife got it free when she purchased two boxes of stuffing with her coupon from Sunday's paper."

Such are the sacrifices made by the spouse of a coupon clipping bargain shopper. Rather than receive adorable photos of my sons playing ball or my daughter as she skips rope with her friends, I get Chronicles of Conquest. These are documentary photographs displaying towers of toilet paper, neatly stacked boxes of corn flakes, or an array of shirts and shorts...pristinely laid out on the floor... empty, rather than filled with any of our cute kids. All are accompanied with the phrase, "guess how much all this stuff cost me?"

Like the brawny woodsman with giant heads of antlered moose mounted to his log cabin walls, my wife loves to festoon my email in-box with photos of her latest shopping victory. With excitement that is filled with unfamiliar phrases like, "Using my BOGO coupon and applying my Easy Saver Rebate..." my wife intricately details how she was able to combine promotions and clearance sales with double coupons and a rewards program to get $200 worth of merchandise for only $1.67. While the concepts are sometimes hard to follow, like the intoxicating accent of a foreign movie star, her strange jargon and animated narration is addicting and adorable.

I will admit that coping with the almost alarming enthusiasm of someone who has just found a "Buy One Get One" free coupon can be a daunting task at first. Indeed, witnessing a bargain shopper discover that the local grocery store is honoring Double Coupons is akin to watching the frenzied stampede of wild horses that have been deprived of water, suddenly smell a nearby stream. It is best to get out of the way of such unbridled passion and just enjoy the beauty of the seemingly effortless bargain ballet. It really is almost a form of art.

For those who have just recently recognized that their beautiful bride has joined the growing ranks of the frugal fanatics, (a term of endearment) I have decided to offer some FREE advice. (That last sentence alone, containing the word "FREE", has likely triggered the Spidey Senses of coupon sentinels the world over, who, in countless homes across America, stopped in mid-sentence, lifted their head ever so slightly, and while sniffing the air whispered, "I sense the word 'FREE' has been posted on the internet. I must go investigate.")

Coupon Consciousness

The Sunday paper belongs to the mom. If your kids want to read the comics, or if you would like to check on how your favorite sports team faired, these are acceptable desires, but you must surgically extract these sections with the precision of a covert Navy Seals team, carefully ensuring that the ads are not disturbed and that no insert is misplaced. Trust me, she will know if a coupon is missing. She has already researched the matter and knows what coupons should arrive, how they will be incorporated into a comprehensive shopping trip, and whether they can be combined with any other offers resulting in stores paying her to take products from their shelves. (Is that legal?)

Once she has cut out the coupons and arranged them on the dining room table in preparation for the careful cataloguing that will shortly follow, do not disturb the staging area! The slightest breeze could blow these wispy coupon treasures from their stacks, causing a panic reminiscent of a government lockdown initiated after discovering that classified computer systems have been breeched. If your teenage son begins to run past the table as he heads off to a friend's house, tackling him to ensure that he does not create a draft may be the greatest display of love and concern for his safety that you could offer. Walking slowly, breathing lightly, and talking softly will all improve your chances of survival.

What's In Store

It may be prudent to sit down with your children and let them know that they do not live in a Target store. This can be confusing for some children who don't realize that just because there are shelves filled with endless stacks of deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo, their home is actually a private residence. Just because they are given a "shopping list" to go to the garage and get food from the abundant shelves to restock the pantry in the kitchen, does not mean that they will be required to wear a clerk's smock and don a nametag. Stocking up goes hand in hand with coupon clipping and bargain shopping, but you may consider investing in companies that sell shelving materials.

If you suddenly realize that your daughter is invited to a birthday party that you forgot about, don't worry. Head to the garage and select any one of the many toys that your wife has purchased from the last Christmas clearance sale or toy mark-down event. It may be a bit tricky selecting one toy from the large stockpile, but the birthday girl will never know that the gift actually only cost $3 even though it retails for $45. You may want to explain to your daughter, however, that the garage is not an actual department store, and they don't have to worry that another "shopper" will come in to purchase their bike or their roller skates.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Living with a coupon crusader means you get to be on the cutting edge. That is to say, you are essentially now a perpetual test market. As your bargain beauty gains greater proficiency, she often becomes the recipient of promotional and test market products. Pace yourself and be a support counselor for your children. While it is fun and exciting to sometimes get the latest product in their lunch, some "new" products are better than others. Pringle sticks are cool and some flavors are yummy, but when your son comes home and begs you to talk to mom about not packing the latest "all-natural" fruit bar, be understanding.

When you discover that instead of a Batman theme, your son is going to have a Juicy Juice themed birthday party complete with Juicy Juice gift bags and playing cards, it may be time for reverse psychology. Casually wonder aloud how much money a person could save if they handed out promotional freebies at Halloween to the little trick-or-treaters and let the money saving instincts kick in and do the rest. After all, you shouldn't be selfish and keep all the wonderful items to yourself.

All in all, being a part of the coupon community is wonderful. There is a certain camaraderie that exists on blogs like www.TheBargainJargon.com and similar sites. You will grow to love and be amazed by the creativity and resourcefulness of your wife. So if you are the victim of a bargain shopping relationship, hang in there. You can survive. Sure you may forget what your children look like because the only pictures you ever get are of great shopping excursions, but you will never run out of toilet paper, and with all the money your frugal freedom-fighter saves, you can go out and buy yourself a nice pair of cuff links to remind you of the nostalgia of America...as long as they are on sale.

Steve Palmer is not a regular author. He is just a guy that is writing an article to earn some brownie points with his wife.

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Fabulous Wedding On a Budget - Tips For the Wedding Of Your Dreams Without Breaking The Bank

While a wedding is a joyous occasion that should be celebrated to the fullest, many engaged couples are exploring creative ways for keeping their big day special, but within a reasonable budget. Today the average wedding can range in the tens of thousands of dollars, money that some couples feel could be better spent.

Here are some easy tips for having your dream wedding without spending a fortune.

Flowers

For cheap, but beautiful flowers, visit the local grocery stores, farmer's markets or roadside stands instead of opting for professional services by a florist. Some supermarkets even have wedding packages that are a fraction of the cost they would be at a flower shop. Also, almost everyone knows that crafty someone who would be more than happy to create bouquets and boutonnières for the bridal party and corsages for special guests.

Use silk flowers instead of live ones for the decorations and or the bouquets. Freshly cut greenery can be used to complement "fake" flowers at a cost that is considerably less than the real thing.

Attire

Most tuxedo rental stores offer free rentals for the groom if his groomsmen will also be getting theirs from there as well. Many times the groom only has to pay for his shoes.

The frugal bride may save a substantial amount of money by renting or borrowing her gown. Some women scour resale shops, bridal fairs, and outlet stores until they find just the right dress at the right price. Bridal shops also frequently have sales offering large discounts on sample gowns. There are also thousands of bridesmaids gowns in colors such as white, off-white, ecru, and ivory that can easily pass for a bridal gown, the only real difference is the price tag.

Food

Consider having your reception mid-afternoon, or even mid-morning to avoid providing guests with a full meal.

Enlist the help of family and friends and create your own buffet feast with a variety of dishes, desserts, and appetizers. Most people know at least one or two great cooks with some old family recipes, and staples such as chicken or potatoes can often be purchased already prepared at the grocery store. Some easy desserts and simple homemade cookies can spruce up the food tables and cost far less than you'd pay a baker.

Time and Location

Instead of the traditional setting for your wedding and reception, use a bit of creativity to find the perfect location that doesn't upset the budget. Most towns have parks that are available for weddings and outdoor celebrations and cost a fraction of what you would pay for a banquet hall or hotel ballroom.

The budget-minded may also want to consider the possibility of a "venue wedding" where all details are taken care of by a wedding coordinator at a hotel, inn, restaurant or similar setting. Package deals often include everything from the reception to the flowers to the photography. Just be sure to know ahead of time exactly what is included in your particular package.

The most inexpensive time of year to get married is between the months of November and January, with the costliest day of the week being Saturday.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of wedding favors such as, love glass coasters, two peas in a pod salt and pepper shakers and many many more. Yolandas Wedding Favors also carries many different cheap wedding favors and unique wedding favors such as guest books, unity candles, ring pillows, bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts and many many more.

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Cheap Wedding Tips and Tricks

My, how the cost of weddings has skyrocketed. In the U.S, $20,000 is not much beyond the average cost for a wedding. Granted, this includes your reception location, ceremony, clothes, food, alcohol, music, flowers, cake, decorations, favors, tips, sundries and honeymoon. Saving even a little across the board or a lot in one particular area can add to a significant savings in your wallet (or the wallet of the family members that are paying for the grand event).

Here are some great ideas for saving decent money on your wedding. Note that you will be making some difficult choices. There are very valid reasons to spend for the details and professional services of a once in a lifetime event that is your wedding. However, if your budget is very tight, then you can consider using one or more of the suggestions below and you will still have a memorable wedding. You may not be able to combine all of these suggestions, depending on your must-haves, location, and time frame, but using even one or two will help ease the money crunch.

Save on Your Wedding Gown - The bride can find a lovely wedding gown that is perhaps last years design, is a white or cream "prom" dress, has been handed down through her family or is an heirloom gown that she found on the internet or in a vintage shop. After some alteration and by adding jewelry, veil and headpiece, the gown is hers at a great savings.

Make Your Centerpieces - If you don't want fresh flower centerpieces, you or your wedding attendants can have a fun project day, before the wedding, creating unique centerpieces to fit your theme. Another idea is to use live potted plants that represent your theme or region. Potted small palm trees or Colorado blue spruce can be really fun, meaningful and environmentally conscious at the same time.

Frugal Favors - Some wedding favors can be purchased for about $1 a piece from internet sites. As favors are a token for your guests to take home, they shouldn't be cheesy but they don't need to be ornate or expensive either. Surprisingly, you can also check a "dollar store" or the $1 section of Target or another discount store for items that may fit your theme and style. I've seen that Target's wedding section (near the stationery in my store) has inexpensive sets of wedding bubbles. An alternative to purchased favors, especially for a nature themed wedding, is something as simple as giving small clay pots with seed packets. Or offer little taffeta bags of Jordan Almonds - almonds coated with a pastel colored sugar shell - a tradition in Mediterranean weddings.

Send Evites - You can send electronic invitations to those who are computer savvy and modern-thinking and send paper invitations to your other guests. This saves on postage and helps the environment too!

DIY Calligraphy - If you are artistically inclined, buy nice paper, envelopes and card stock and do your own calligraphy for your invitations and place cards.

These are but a few ways that you can save on your wedding costs and still have a great wedding!

Copyright 2008 by Mindy Makuta.

Mindy and her husband own a small resort in Lyons, Colorado where they host outdoor weddings and family reunions. For a ton more ideas on saving money on your wedding, see weddingsandromance.com/wedding-savings.html on her web-site which covers topics of concern for before, during and after the wedding. You may also like information on planning a Colorado wedding at http://www.168colorado.com/weddings. This site helps plan Colorado weddings, retreats and vacations, including referrals for where to stay and what to do when you get there.

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Wedding Economics - What and What Not to Cut

No wedding should be a financial burden on the engaged couple or their families. Nor does the wedding need to have a budget look or feel to be economically savvy. There are areas that can be trimmed and some others that can be sheared to lessen the financial load and still have the dream wedding that will have guests talking for years.

The Dress:

Yes, the dress is important. However, there are ways to get a dream dress that is not a nightmare price. The first place to begin is with an open mind. Preconceived ideas about the dress will run the price up quickly. Secondly, where you shop can make all of the difference. Resale shops, consignment shops, and designer clearances are all places that can yield great results for a beautiful dress at a bargain price. Don't shy away from resale and consignment stores because you don't want a used dress. Remember that stores often donate their end of season-after the big sale-leftovers to different charity stores. Brides who have called off their weddings or changed their mind about the first dress they purchased will sell them at consignment shops to recoup some of the funds from their mistakes. Just remember: if you don't anyone tell EXACTLY where the dress came from or which route it took getting there, no one will know.

The Venue:

Since most of us are not blessed with an estate to host 250 guests, where the wedding and/or reception will be held can be a budget maker or budget breaker! A church or synagogue are the traditional choices for many brides and while there is a cost usually associated with these, compared to the 'for profit' choices, it is nominal. Some churches allow people outside the membership to use the church, while others do not. If you do not have a church home but wish to marry in a church, ask around. A small wedding in a large church has the same appearance as a postage stamp on a large wall. If you are planning a small gathering of only close friends and family, you should check into the availability of a chapel or other smaller area that will have the intimate feel that make small weddings grand.

Art museums, community centers, planned neighborhood community rooms are options for the reception that will usually not break the bank. Ask friends and family who live near your area to suggest spots. Several factors to keep in mind: Kitchen/food service facilities, available bathrooms, parking, lighting, sound systems, distance between ceremony site and reception site and any need for security. What looks like a real steal on paper might end up costing far more than a traditional venue when you add in the extras.

The Cake:

To stay on a budget and still have an elegant cake keep these thoughts in mind. The taste of the cake is as important as the look...  ask to sample! Yummm! A creamy cake with your choice of fillings can be ordered from high end grocery stores, usually for much less than from a conventional bakery. Wedding cakes from specialty cake stores cost a fortune. Sometimes. Shop around. A simple cake adorned with fresh flowers and a stunning cake topper of the couple's initials can make a much grander statement than cakes that are overly busy with piped icing and a million buttercream flowers. And they cost so much less since every flower is accounted for in the final price of most cakes.

Photography:

No, don't skimp on quality here. Find the best photographer you can who shoots the type of photos that you like. Just hold off from ordering the most expensive package he or she has to offer. Make a list of the photographs that you want to have and who should be included. Use his samples of past weddings as inspiration. Then adjust that list so that all of your special moments will be captured, but the 'cute' shot of the bartenders chugging the champagne or the ring bearer and junior groomsman going head to head in the church playground can be left out. Save those snaps for your amateur friends.

If you know someone who takes pretty good pictures or, even better, great pictures, ask if they will take the candid shots at the reception. If these are digital, they can be emailed to you and then later developed at picture kiosk near you. Also include on the guest tables at the reception disposable cameras so that your guests can take photos of each other. These can be some of the best candid shots of your guests. The cost of the table cameras and developing should be compared to the cost of the photographer to calculate your true savings!

Food:

A buffet service will cost less in the long run than a seated dinner. The menu will determine the price as well, with a dinner that includes a meat entrée being at the top of the price point. Depending on when and where you are hosting this reception, a full meal is not expected mid or late afternoon or after the 'dinner hour'.

Keep in mind that presentation is everything and the simplest of offerings can look grand when placed on a lovely tray with a doily and pretty garnishes. 'Building up' the display is a trick caterers and event planners use and can be copied using stands or pedestals that create height. Even bricks can be used and dramatically draped with the same fabric as the tablecloth to give interest. Get inspiration from reception magazines and from online photos.

Flowers:

Another potential budget breaker, flowers really set the stage for a lovely wedding. The main consideration when you are planning the look of your wedding is to stay true to your season. In other words, a winter wedding should not feature tropical flowers unless you live in the tropics. Why? It looks silly for one thing, but more importantly out of season flowers are huge budget biters. In winter consider using evergreens and berries, in spring there are endless choices. Summer is easy with so much available. Fall offers the opportunity to use foliage, squash, pumpkins and gourds.

If you have talented friends, they may donate their services to arrange cut flowers for you. Grocery stores, farmers markets and wholesale clubs offer cut flowers at considerable savings... if you can find someone to arrange them for you. These stores will also be able to tell you what will be in season when you are planning your colors and theme and some will even special order for you. Use lots of greenery in season, but keep in mind that fern is not the only greenery suitable. Look outside and see what is available. If you have a green thumb and the patch of dirt, grow your own! Flowering trees such as crepe myrtle make a dramatic statement and have the added bonus of being used in the garden afterwards. In some locations, large trees and plants can be rented.

A sneaky cost savings? A wedding the during Christmas week (but before New Years) will allow the frugal bride to take advantage of the decorations already available in the church and to remember that country clubs and restaurants are also decorated. This savings alone may allow you to have the reception at a venue previously thought to be out of your budget range. Mix and match!

Favors:

Not surprisingly, more and more brides are not only offering a favor from the wedding, they are offering an entire selection of party favors. Favors are the 'thank you' from you to your guests for coming to share your special day. Do it yourself favors don't break the bank and offer an opportunity to gather friends together to help! If you have budget issues, you don't have to have more than one favor per guest. This isn't the Oscars so you need not have a red carpet gift bag. A simple box tied with a lovely bow can house the treat of your choice, from a handful of your favorite jellybeans or mints to home baked cookies or brownies. A soy candle wrapped in tulle or tissue and tied with a bow and a card is a lovely gift. By getting creative and buying in bulk online, you will be able to say thank you to all who came to share your day.

Weddings are a joyous occasion. Planning and judicious shopping will yield a wedding to remember... and not because you are paying for it for years! Best Wishes for a beautiful wedding!

About the author: Marilyn Lewis is a professional Interior Designer with over 27 years of experience. an event planner, and owner of the online retail shop http://www.LovedTheParty which features favors, decorations, invitations and gifts for parties and events. Marilyn has been been planning, designing and executing weddings, fundraisers, debutante parties, birthday and corporate events for her clients for more than 20 years.

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