For An Alternative Rush

Confess; you do not wish to spend that much money on a telephone call. Sure, you miss your partner and all that, but 2 hours on the telephone when he’s in new york and you are in California doesn’t truly help your debts.

What if there was a route for you to chat to him without paying for it? Well, there’s : free telephone chat.

Free telephone chat has been about for quite some time now, but many people do not know that such technology even exists and that’s the reason why few have taken virtue of this great gift! All you need to do is be on the internet at the same time, have a headset with a microphone with you and you can start talking away!

The great thing about free phone chat is that it keeps the same clear and crisp connection that you get on any normal telephone. Free phonephone discuss is as simple as logging into any of the free chat sites and availing yourself of this great service. with free webcam chat, free phone discuss lets you connect to your family and chums on a completely different level. Writing to your friends is one thing. It’s another thing to see them. But when you add to this the capability to hear their voice and see them at the same time, this type of communication makes technology such a blessing for mankind.

The next time you find yourself separated from someone dear to you, think about free phone discuss. With the supply of free telephone discuss, you now don’t have to feel forsaken and miserable. With only a few clicks on your keyboard, you’ll be right away in contact with the voice that brings you comfort.

The most attractive facet of phone discuss lines is it is freed from cost. And it is mostly clear, with tiny turmoil. You can go on chatting for hours and not be anxious about mins, pulses or rate.

Find local dating phone lines at http://www.locallovepersonals.com/

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of needing an attorney, then you want to make sure it’s someone you trust. Sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of time and money to find such a person. But, it can be crucial to your case and your own peace of mind to find a trustworthy lawyer. Just making that extra effort can sometimes make all the difference. This can prove especially true when you find yourself amidst a divorce. Divorces are never easy, but the paperwork and legal issues that go along with them make them even worse. This is why it’s especially helpful to find an attorney you feel comfortable with. This person must be caring and compassionate; someone who can understand what you’re going through and be a reliable source.

A friend of mine who lives in California recently went through a divorce. He needed an attorney, so he typed San Diego Divorce Lawyer into a search engine and just picked the first one. The person he was assigned to was very rude, unhelpful, and only in it for my friend’s money.

If he had taken the time to carefully search through and find a decent lawyer, one who comes with strong recommendations, then he would have had a much better experience. Some feel that it is a waste of time, or that they don’t want to dwell too much on the legalities, as it is a sensitive subject and something they’d rather forget. But if you can remain strong, and spend those few extra minutes researching who’s available, it could make a huge difference in the amount of money you spend.

In order to be in a relationship you have to first start out dating someone. This means in some way shape or form you have to meet them. Meeting someone to date can happen by knowing someone who hooks you up on a date, or it could be by going through a dating service, there are so many ways to meet possible dates. When you are dating you might want to use the weight loss product Acceletrim so you can be lean and healthy for your date. The first date might not be that serious and could be very open and relaxed. If the two of you like each other then you will go out on more dates, and sooner or later you can meet your new partners parents. What is it usually like on the first time? It is usually pretty awkward just because you don’t know what they are going to be like. Are they going to be happy and friendly or look at you like a weirdo? Hopefully they will take you in with loving arms and make you feel like you are part of the family, and this is how it turns out a lot of the times. It is important on what you do for the first impression when you meet your partners parents, gifts can help, such as some flowers or a house-warming gift. Don’t get too nervous and be yourself because if the relationship works out between you and your new partner you want to make sure that you can be yourself around your new in-laws, you will be spending a lot of time with them in the future.

A fully alive marriage begins on the living, walking, and talking life of Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a perfect example of living marriage built upon the Rock of Love. Jesus didn’t only teach us how to love, but He showed us how to love through His actions of love. So it isn’t any wonder that if we base our own walk upon those same actions of love nothing can destroy marriage.

Many marriages are unhappy because they are wishy-washy; full of unprincipled actions and desires, mixed with unmet emotional needs that aren’t and can’t be met, all because the marriage is based upon the foundation of self. Many couples stumble into marriage not knowing or caring what their responsibilities and purpose for the marriage are. But these are the things we need to figure out for ourselves so we can walk the love walk.

Marital issues will not get the attention they deserve when couples do not apply the proper foundation to get the matter resolved appropriately. Therefore, more problems arise, resentment ensues, hearts become hardened and divorce settles in. At this point, the grass can seem greener on the other side of the fence. But is it? No! It’s only a mirage.

A typical scenario of a self-based marriage goes something like this. Couples wonder around aimlessly to find contentment, and some sort of direction to stabilize their chaotic lifestyle. Something is missing from their life and the more they try and sponge the missing pieces off their spouse, the more that spouse feels confined, confused and empty.

Marriage needs giving of each other, not sponging off of each other. When we constantly only want to get rather than give, we are literally pulling the life out of our spouse.

After awhile, neither spouse will get the love they so desperately need, and eventually one or both will seek outside influences to fill their emptiness. Whether through infidelity, over-eating, pornography, drinking, negative emotions, etc. But these things pull couples even further away from each other emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

I encourage you to think about and do those things that you can do for the marriage that will pull you closer to one another. Working on ourselves is the first step towards being a loving and giving person.

Ask yourself. What do I value about myself? Is it my job? My career? My looks? My house? What about valuing yourself as a child of God and then working on being that person? Ask yourself? What do I really need for myself to make me happy? Attention from others, love from others, food, drugs, alcohol, another spouse?

No, these things don’t make us happy and content! These things control and overpower the person we are. Don’t you see? We put so much trust in these material and physical possessions and feelings, and then use them for anchors when times are tough. What has God made for us? What anchors can we apply into our marriage that is made by God?

The Rock of Love is a living and beautiful part of our walk in life, if we so accept it. Everything else is dead. Ask yourself. What do I believe in for my marriage? Divorce? Infidelity? Trust? Respect? Commitment? Do I believe in what I see in the world to be right for my marriage? What is my real purpose for my marriage? What responsibilities and duties does God want me to fulfill for my marriage?

If you are a Child of God, then choosing to love God first would and should be your first priority, which is taking care of yourself! Then you can finally go back and walk the love walk with the person you married.

Angie Lewis is the author of two marriage books.
“Journey on the Roads Less Traveled”, a book about love, life, addiction, and marriage.

“Love The Man Your Married. This book tackles areas in marriage that couples need to know and understand and apply for a successful marriage. This book is a most reliable resource for married couples, from infidelity issues to complete forgiveness.

For more information on these books visit Angie’s website and signup for the free monthly newsletter while you’re there! http://www.heavenministries.com

Make your upcoming event the most memorable ever by adding butterflies to your special day. Butterfly Releases are a perfect way to celebrate all of the important occasions in life. They are wonderful additions to weddings, anniversaries, funerals, memorials, birthdays, holidays, ceremonies, and even corporate events.

Since the butterfly symbolizes new beginnings, releasing butterflies is a wonderful way to add a special touch to celebrations. There is an old Indian legend that is often read at butterfly releases as the guests make a wish and release their butterflies.

Each release will have it’s own unique memories and can become a tradition that is passed down from parent to child. Children and adults alike will marvel as the butterflies are released into the wild. Sometimes the butterflies fly right off and sometimes they linger - maybe to share a special moment with the one releasing them.

Butterflies may be released in their own individual container or they may be released from a mass release container, depending on the occasion and the design you find most appealing. Butterflies should only be released outside on a sunny or overcast day with a temperature of around 70 degrees. A release held in a warm, sunny, flower filled area is best. Nature has given us many beautiful wonders. None are more spectacular and memorable than that of the butterfly in flight. Experience the extraordinary - Release a bouquet of butterflies at your next celebration.

Contact a butterfly farmer near you, inside your state (or nearby state if there is currently no butterfly farming operation in your state), to help you coordinate your extra special occasion for an absolutely beautiful butterfly release. www.butterflybreeders.com

Tammy Spivey is the owner of http://www.butterfliesabound.com and is a proud member of the International Butterfly Breeders Association http://www.butterflybreeders.com. Tammy raises Florida native butterflies for release at weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all of life’s memorable moments. Remember your moments and watch your dreams take flight.

This article may be reprinted in its entirety so long as the bio box and url are included.

The experts at California DJs know all the secret elements - and
the “not-so-secret” ones too - all to help you plan the ultimate
wedding reception that is perfectly you! Use these 10 essential
elements to create the perfect day for you and your guests.

1. Generously Invite

Writing the guest list… what a challenge! How do you agree on
whom to invite and still stay within your budget? Here’s the
bottom line. You are preparing for the most magical day of your
life and in the end only one thing will matter - the public
declaration of your love and commitment… and each and every
person there to witness it.

We encourage you to invite every person you love. Your guests
are the focal point of this very special day. Cut back on the
cost of the dinner, limit the hours of the open bar, but don’t
cross off names. As you fondly remember your wedding day, you
will not remember the per-person cost. You will remember glowing
faces of the people celebrating your union… the buzz at the
reception… the clink of toasting glasses throughout the room
congratulating your marriage! The extra veggie platter, shrimp
apps, and extravagant centerpiece won’t be the center of
attention - the people will be.

2. Designate Your Celebratory Space

Before you plan your reception know exactly where you want
people to mix and mingle. Fantastic receptions brim with family
and friends who feel comfortable, meet, talk, dance, and become
acquainted with one another. Don’t let guests leave early, slip
away to check out the impressive surroundings of your location,
or run outside for a smoke and then never come back to join the
party. Define the space with ribbons or closed doors. Don’t be
afraid to close off certain areas or rooms. The liveliest
receptions have a common area where guests are mingling and
activities are taking place. A designated space ensures guests
catch and capture each wonderful moment as it unfolds.

3. Special Activities Just For The Joy Of It

Remember, 80% of your guests won’t know each other. The greatest
wedding memories are the new friendships and extended family
bonds created at your wedding. Use interactive games, specialty
dances, bold announcements, or fun activities during the
reception to break the ice and help people get to know one
other. Suddenly you’ll see people laughing and enjoying
themselves instead of feeling shy or retreating on the sidelines.

4. Let Go, Have Fun & Toss Your Worries Aside

The bride sets the stage and the tone for reception party. This
is the time and place for all brides to let go, have fun, and
toss any last minute worries aside. Let the months of planning
and masterful professionals you’ve selected take over and do
what they do best. You only have one job - to be the most
radiant and loveliest guest of honor. Show up and celebrate! If
you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, your guests will sense
it and feel uncomfortable too. You have the power and pleasure
to give your guests permission to let loose and have a great
time!

5. Dance Your Little Heart Out

One saucy shoe must be the first to step out on the dance floor.
Guests will be looking to you for permission and timing to
dance. As soon as you get up and dance, they’ll let loose and do
a little rumba too! People are typically shy and most guests are
very careful not to offend or overstep their boundaries. Plan to
play music you love so you are comfortable. Your physical cues
can create a safe space for them to dance, toe-tap, celebrate,
toast, and party. Watch friends and family get up and dance,
thoroughly enjoy themselves, then talk about what a fabulous
reception it was in the morning.

6. Embellish, Adorn, and Decorate

The décor sets the mood at the reception. Simple décor is not
only best, it is marvelously elegant. Elegant doesn’t have to
mean expensive. Think sentimental instead of expensive and
you’ll amaze yourself with the brilliant ideas that come to
mind. Since flowers are typically 15% of the overall wedding
budget, you can save money by intermingling silk flowers. Want a
discount, ask for one! Many places give quantity and wedding
discounts. Use your imagination and let your creativity take
over.

7. Invite Groups of People That Know Each Other

No doubt your guests will be coming from many different walks of
life - but the more people you bring together with common bonds
- the more alive the reception will be. People feel safest when
they are surrounded by people and situations that are familiar
to them. Watch the twinkle in the eyes of your family members
sparkle as they greet familiar faces from way back when. Notice
work friends create a “tribe” of sorts and fill up the dance
floor. Birds of a feather flock together. Invite groups of
people that know each other and see a warm, wonderful, and happy
vibe wash over the reception.

8. Serve Thirst Quenching Libations

Every reception should have beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages
available. Hesitant??? Think again. Cocktails loosen people up
and lessen inhibitions. Even people who do not drink, often make
exceptions at weddings. Your wedding is a once in a lifetime
event and rules can and will be broken. Keep the cost down.
Serve beer on tap, inexpensive bottles of wine (Charles Shaw for
$1.99/bottle), or have a “cash only” bar with free soft drinks
and water. All the fun at a fraction of the cost.

9. Early Notice and Save The Date Announcements

Your invitees won’t want to miss your big day, but with very
busy schedules advance notice is not a luxury - it’s required.
Invite people well in advance. 30% of guests that don’t show
decline because they didn’t get enough advance notice. Send an
electronic “save the date” message via email or try a unique and
money saving “save the date” photo postcard for as little as
$.65 a card including postage. Avoid disappointing “Will Not
Attends’ that arrive late in the mail or worse yet embarrassing
“Yes” response cards from people who don’t show up. As rude as
this is, people hate to say no. Giving people advance notice - a
minimum of 3 weeks - will minimize disappointment and
embarrassment and bring all your favorite people together.

10. Use The One Hour Gathering Rule

Party “kick-off” starts one hour after the official start time.
Many people will show up late so use the one hour “gathering
rule” to account for lateness and all the other influences out
of your control… traffic, distance, directions, babysitters,
weather, and other unknowns. Begin with an intimate one-hour
cocktail or champagne reception to entertain before the party
officially starts. Play inviting music and host an open bar if
you choose. Because most guests will arrive late, serve food or
appetizers toward the end of the “gathering hour.” This will
give the effect of a perfectly planned and welcoming entrance.
Bonus Tip: Plan for a Grand Entrance Showcasing You!

We call it the dazzling “ta-da” entrance! This is where it all
comes together. You arrive relaxed and ready to have fun. Your
mood is joyful and sets the tone for an utterly enjoyable
reception. Your guests haven’t waited longer than one hour.
You’ve planned ahead with the photographer and the photos are
archived in the camera forever. Now before your big entrance,
remember all the love you feel inside and visualize the joy
inside of you sweeping guests off their feet.

Hear the melody of your favorite music fill the room and feel
the anticipation of the guests expecting your arrival. Let every
bit of warmth, happiness, and radiance come through as you
flitter into the room. Your grand entrance will set the tone and
prepare your guests for one of the most talked about wedding
receptions of the year. Create ambiance and fun by lining the
walkway with fresh petals, a bubble machine, or doing something
personal, silly, or heartwarming that is uniquely you.

Then, let the DJ do what he does best. You’ve hired the best and
planned well in advance. Let your vision come together as the
reality of this marvelous day unfolds. Hear each and every guest
say,

“It was the best time since we can remember!” Andrea Wolf

A recent series of interviews revealed that wild undergarments are definitely the phenomenal yearning proven to enable today’s girls to feel sexy. Indisputably at the top end of the exclusive intimate apparel trade, Myla is a London, Great Britain headquartered famed company subscribed to outfitting today’s girls to feel handsome and self-possessed in wild ladies’ undergarments. The Myla lineup of products features inviting fishnets, body lace garters, including, to boot, brassires, prepossessing sleeping apparel including, to boot, great sensual bed-chamber pleasure accessories.

Focused on the absolute in tempting joy the Myla store tenders the most inspiring undergarments exclusively produced from rich materials which extends to silk, chiffon, dentelle de Calais including, to boot, sheer mesh. Directed at coy modern women you will see open bras plus, of course, thongs, bras plus, of course, fitting frilled thongs and braces or, simply, prepossessing coltish babydoll negligees exclusively produced from chiffon and dentelle de Calais. Of course, this great mass of articles tenders structured lace basques, silk & lace thongs, sheer chemise camisoles including, to boot, long satin halter pajamas. If targeting crashing inviting appeal, the aficionado will decide on a racy 1/4 cup brassiere or preformed padded plunge bra with harmonizing silk & lace thongs and a garter belt rounded off by hold-up stockings. As a great insider tip for the lovers’ den, there basically are pure structured silk satin and lattice tulle bodices, thongs, cache-sexes, lace & freshwater pearl g-strings and fasteners.

For great sensual bed-chamber appliances the aficionado will decide on nipple tassels, lace stilettos, hold-up stockings, braces and erotically scented flirt candles. Bewitch and fascinate with feather ticklers, fluffy satin tie ups, silk blindfolds, enlivening mild massage oil, body paints or a coltish paddle. Focused on the absolute great sensual pleasure accessories, the Myla store tenders a product line of risque toys exclusively crafted by a selection of upmarket designers. The aficionado will choose amongst a comprehensive range of products which extends to Tom Dixon’s contemporary sleek look Bone, American designer Scott Henderson’s C-Shell or Paris based Marc Newson’s unbelievably seductive Mojo.

For Myla luxury women’s sleepwear click here…

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to
center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been
thinking you need to know more about weddings, here’s your
opportunity.

Recently the number of out of town guests attending weddings has
been on the rise. Years ago, young people grew up and got
married in the town they had lived in all their lives but
nowadays couples are attending out of state colleges and
accepting jobs far away from their hometown. This travel leads
to more and more out of town guests attending weddings as the
couple may have friends from their hometown, friends from
college and friends from the new area where they live and work.
Wherever the couple opts to get married there are bound to be a
number of guests who are traveling from out of state for the
occasion. As the attendance of out of town guests is a
relatively new phenomenon, there are not many established
traditions regarding out of town guests and the couple has some
leeway to deal with the situation as they see fit.

It has become commonplace for the couple to reserve a block of
rooms at a hotel that is near the wedding location for their out
of town guests. Many hotels will offer a discounted rate if you
block out a certain number of rooms. Knowing that you can assure
the hotel of a number of guests, gives the hotel the ability to
offer a lower rate because they are assured a certain number of
booked rooms. Out of town guests will appreciate this gesture
because they are receiving a lower rate than they would have
found on their own plus they are spared the hassle and
inconvenience of trying to find a hotel in an unfamiliar city.

One increasingly popular trend for accommodating out of town
guests is to prepare a package featuring brochures and
information regarding some of the points of interest in your
city and mailing this package out to all of your out of town
guests a few weeks before the wedding. Since many out of town
guests may try to schedule a vacation around the wedding, this
packages offers them a good starting point in their research by
highlighting some of the tourist attractions in the area. You
could also include a listing of local restaurants and personal
recommendations for your guests.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of weddings, let’s turn to
some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Guests who travel from out of town to attend your wedding are
making a sacrifice to do so and it is important to let them know
that you appreciate the effort they are making to attend your
wedding. There are a couple of ways to do this. One way to do
this is to find out where your out of town guests will be
staying and when they will be arriving. Once you have this
information you can prepare a welcome bag for the out of town
guests and drop them off at the hotel and instruct the staff to
give them to your guests upon their arrival. As your guest are
likely to be tired from their trip, some suggestions for items
to include in these welcome bags may include a light snack
featuring local specialties and relaxation items such as bath
salts and candles. This small gesture really lets your guests
know that their presence is appreciated.

Another option to consider for accommodating out of town guests
is to include them in the rehearsal dinner. This is a lovely
gesture because it sends the message that you are glad that they
have traveled to attend your wedding and that you are interested
in spending additional time with them. If it is not economically
feasible to include all of your out of town guests at the
rehearsal dinner you should consider making another effort to
spend some additional time with them such as inviting them over
for drinks and hors devours or even making a concerted effort to
spend quality time with them at the reception. Although the
reception can be hectic and virtually fly by, it is important to
spend a little extra time with your out of town guests who have
made a sacrifice to attend your wedding.

The secret to accommodating your out of town guests is to make
every effort to ensure that they know their attendance is
greatly appreciated. Small gestures such as reserving a block of
hotel rooms or putting together a list of tourist attractions as
well as more significant gestures such as preparing welcome
baskets and making an extra effort to spend time with your out
of town guests all contribute to making your out of town guests
feel appreciated and welcomed. It is important to let your out
of town guests know that you realize that they have made
sacrifices to travel to your wedding and that you appreciate
them just for being there.

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about weddings into
just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to
your understanding about weddings, and that’s time well spent.

Choosing wedding invitations has become just as important as
choosing your bridal gown, because it is your official
announcement that will beautifully display your names together
and the date of your upcoming union. An invitation could be
cherished forever in a frame or scrapbook and will be seen for
generations to come.

The most important detail to pay attention to when choosing a
wedding invitation is the company who will be making them. Is it
a respectable company? Are they capable of doing good work and
paying attention to even the smallest details? Do they have a
good reputation of getting the invitations sent out at a
reasonable time and are their fees acceptable? Once you have
found a good stationary company to order your invitations
through, they will be able to help you decide the wording to use
and the etiquette to use in unusual situations.

Choosing a wedding invitation will be based on the tone you want
set for your wedding. It should match the style and theme,
whether it is casual and light or a more formal ceremony. You
may also think about applying wedding colors to the ink of
invitations. This will give guests the hint of your wedding
colors when they want to buy you gifts that reflect your special
day.

For unique styles when choosing your wedding invitation, think
about having your stationary company put a black and white photo
of you and your soon to be groom on the invitation. There are
also many different types of clip art you can add. For a more
formal wedding, add ribbons and bows to the invitation, which
can be tied on by you after printing is done.

When choosing your wedding invitations, think about what
information you will want to include. Be sure there will be
ample room for what you want to say. A typical invitation
includes the bride and grooms names, parent’s names, date and
time of wedding and the name and address of the church. You may
also want to include any plans of a reception with times and
address. Response cards can be added with the invitations for an
additional fee which will ask the guest to send back an answer
to whether they are attending and how many there will be in
their party.

Once you have chosen your wedding invitations, give yourself
plenty of time to order them so you can proofread the writing
and have them corrected if necessary. Be sure to have an
accurate guest list so that you do not run short on invitations
when sending them out. They should be sent out no sooner than a
month before the wedding and no later than two weeks before. By
sending them out too soon, guests may lose the invitation and
forget your big day and by sending them out too late, many
people will have a hard time attending because of prior
obligations.

When choosing invitations remember to pick the one you feel fits
your wedding and style, pay attention to wording, order early,
and proofread. Always save an invitation back for yourself for
you and your spouse to read in the years to come.

Almost there! This is the third lesson of my “Invitation Anatomy 101″ list of articles. Remember, this article continues the listing of common Optional Components typically seen in invitations. While many examples are directly relevant to wedding invitations, I’ve tried to be broader to include the general invitation and corporate invitation components as well.

If you haven’t already done so, I highly encourage reading my article “Invitation Anatomy 101 - Typical Components” first. This article continues from “Invitation Anatomy 101 - Optional Components I”:

Optional (or Additional Components) CONTINUED:

6) Seating Cards

• Seating cards may be used to identify the proper spaces each guest should be seated at. These cards may be made for both the ceremony/formal event and reception. For weddings, ceremony cards are also known as ‘pew cards’, whereas reception cards are considered ‘place cards’.
• There are many variations of seating cards. Some seating cards are simply number cards, while others may only discern ‘bride’s side’ and ‘groom’s side’, or main auditorium, balcony level (for annual meetings), etc. Some seating cards can even state each guest’s full name.
• Seating cards are usually small in size and may be folded horizontally. They usually match the invitation style exactly or coordinate with the theme and colours of the event or company logo (for corporate events). There are countless style options and variations available.

7) Thank You Cards

• With respect to weddings, it is not only proper etiquette, but an expectation that the newlywed couple sends out Thank You cards. Your guests’ wedding or shower gifts should be acknowledged in this form (even in addition to other personalized expressions of gratitude).
• Thank You cards have evolved over the years. The traditional card used to be a small book-fold card no bigger than 3″x 5″ containing a small handwritten expression of gratitude on one side, and a wallet-size wedding picture on the other side.
• Some modern alternatives include: Postcards that features a collage of wedding pictures on one side and a gratitude expression on the reverse; Cards that emulate the style and format of the invitation but contain the gratitude expression instead (picture may or may not be included); or the utilization of digital picture printing or even electronic Thank You cards.

Note: Electronic Thank You cards should always follow in conjunction with printed cards.

• Nowadays, less couples are opting for the inclusion of photographs in their Thank You cards. Since the trend is towards smaller more intimate weddings, supplying photographs has become a permissible omission.
• Companies may also wish to send out “Acknowledgement cards” to express appreciation to their guests for attending their event. I have seen the use of Acknowledgement cards/Thank You cards for smaller, more elite VIP events where guest lists may include diplomats, industry leaders, top company executives, politicians, and other dignitaries. Besides being a great reminder and advertising opportunity, it’s also proper etiquette. Oftentimes, an appropriate gift accompanies the Acknowledgement/Thank You cards.

Residence Cards (or Change of Address Cards)

• For the post-wedding couple: Residence cards (also called “At Home Cards”) are an elegant way to communicate your new home or residence together to all your friends and family.
• These are small cards that may be sent with invitations or shortly after the wedding. They should include your names, your new home or residence address, phone number, and move-in date.
• For companies: Change of Address cards are critical to companies planning a major location change. Change of Address cards can stylishly inform your key business partners and clients of your new location. Address Cards have a better chance of getting noticed and acknowledged over common email, faxes, etc. They can easily save a lot of aggravation, time, and money - not to mention added exposure to clients and potential clients.

9) Website Cards

• First, a bit of background: Many companies offer ‘free web space’ on the internet where you can design a website using some generic templates. Some companies are wedding-themed and offer couples an easy and ‘low-tech’ way of constructing a “wedding website.” The advantages of a “wed site” are numerous. You can personalize a space on the internet that is accessible by anyone in the world. You can update it with pictures, wedding details, gift registry information, quotations, letters, stories, and even solicit creative contributions from family and friends.
• Website cards are physical cards that can be included with your invitations directing your guests to your “wed site”. Essentially the cards contain your names, the website address (http://www.) and your email address(es).
• For companies: By now, most companies have websites (those that don’t will surely get one to stay competitive). However, when companies first launch websites, a lot of money often gets thrown towards creative ways to market the website to the desired audience. Website cards - created much like miniature Announcement cards could be elegant and stylish and like Change of Address cards, they would get noticed. Nowadays, since most companies have a website and plaster it everywhere all over their letterheads, promotional items, and literatures, website cards have a role as a revived nostalgic marketing tool from the past.

10) Electronic Cards

• Theoretically, any of these components - including invitations - can be created and sent electronically. While the possibility of exploring electronic alternatives to physical cards is a tempting one, it is not recommended. The dreams of a “paperless society” remain just that. What I mean is that nothing appropriately replaces stationery and physical invitations.
• Also, the proliferation of spam, unsolicited emails, virus email attachments, ad-ware, and spy-ware poses problems for the future of Electronic cards: 1) Filtering software may inadvertently delete an electronic card attachment or notice before its received, 2) Email is still not accepted as a ‘formal’ alternative to traditional invitations, 3) Given the ‘cyber-battle’ with spammers, email invitations suffer credibility and image problems, 4) Email screams frugality which undermines the nature of formal invitations.
• Weddings are still considered formal and traditional events. Even if every one of your guests is an active user of the internet, electronic cards and greetings (if sent) should always be sent in conjunction with traditional invitations.
• Acceptance of electronic cards as substitutes for invitations or invitation components is not yet a reality and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.

11) Registry Cards

• Not just for weddings anymore - gift registries can be made for baby showers, graduations, retirements, anniversaries, house-warming parties, etc.
• Many retail companies accustomed to registries print and offer their own special ‘registry cards’ that displays their logo. A registry card announces an active registry with a retailer.

NOTE OF INTEREST: There is still some controversy over whether information regarding gift registries is better communicated through word-of-mouth rather than through invitations. At present, gift registry cards are quite normal and ubiquitous in the wedding invitation world. Ultimately, it is a personal choice to make.

Again, the list could truly fill several more pages easily. New components are being created all the time to fill the need to communicate specific messages through an invitation method. Also, other factors such as religious and cultural traditions may be incorporated into these or additional component of your invitation. Remember, part of the uniqueness of custom invitations is the personalized elements that make your invitation - uniquely yours!

Laura Paladino’s work has been featured locally and nationally across print and television. Her public and commercial clients range from brides to wedding and event planners to celebrities in Canada and the United States. For additional articles and resources, information on Laura Paladino, her invitation design collections, or her select bridal boutique products and studio services, visit http://www.laurapaladino.com