Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish everyone a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be taking the rest of the week off, but thought I would share with you a little blurb about the history behind us celebrating Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday every November. I know I usually post this every Thanksgiving, but it is well worth repeating. Enjoy!

In the fall of 1863 the Civil War raged across this country taking the lives of the best young men that this land had to offer and threatening to tear the nation in two. In the midst of such chaos and bloodshed it would have been easy for the country's leader, President Abraham Lincoln, to raise a defiant hand toward heaven and question the wisdom of God. But, that is not what President Lincoln did, instead, he sat down and penned the following words.

"The year that is drawing to its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of such an extraordinary a nature ... (that) No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It is seemed to me fit and proper that they should solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens ... to set apart the last Thursday in November ... a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings ... and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union."

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo credit:  Food Network

How to Choose the Best Date for Your Wedding

In my series, Beginning Planning Tips, to date, we have covered your budget and the guest list.  Today, I will help you determine the perfect date for your wedding.

Many factors are involved when trying to choose a date; the month, the actual day of the week and whether your guests can or cannot attend.

As you are determining the date that will work best for you, think about the following points:

Holidays.  Holiday weekends, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, could work fantastic because people usually have extra vacation days which would make it easier for families to come together.  However, keep in mind, holidays could also mean higher costs at your chosen site because of being a busy time of year.

Speaking of vacation days, think about your and your fiancé’s schedule.  Can you both take off a week or longer at the time you would like to have your wedding?  Special projects you may be involved in may not allow you to take a full week or two off.  If that’s the case, consider delaying your honeymoon for a later date.  Plan ahead if you are considering going during peak months.  Hotels and flights get booked up well in advance for the more popular months and locations.

Location.  When choosing a date, you must consider where you would like to have your wedding and reception.  If you have your heart set on the museum you have admired and dreamed about for your reception, you need to call and verify whether the date you have in mind is available.  Places like that get booked well in advance – sometimes two years out.  Therefore, you need to have other venues in mind as an alternative.

Day of the week.  We all know Saturdays are the most popular and the most customary day of the week for weddings.  However, there are only 52 Saturdays in a year.  Therefore, consider a Friday evening or a Sunday as an alternative.  Especially, if you want that museum.  You may still be able to have your location you’ve always wanted, but just have to have it on another day of the week.  Another benefit of having your wedding on a day other than Saturday, is most sites and vendors will give discounts for the “non-popular” days in order to get the business they may not have had otherwise.

In relation to choosing a location, it is best to have your wedding and reception held in the same place.  However, this is not always feasible.  If your wedding and reception do need to be held at two different locations, you must ensure your date is available at both places before making any deposits, which are usually non-refundable.

Weather.  This is always a concern for choosing a date if your dream is to have a beach wedding or outdoors on the lawn of a beautiful estate.  You must have a “Plan B” in place.  Weather is the one thing that is uncontrollable and, therefore, having an alternative plan will allow you to relax and be stress-free.

Family.  When you are thinking of a date, consider other milestone events happening within your family, such as other members of the family getting married, a golden anniversary or significant birthday.  If you are really set on your date and it happens to be on or near the same date as one of these milestone events, ask those family members if they would mind having your wedding on or around their event.  You could even acknowledge them at your wedding with a special toast or dance.

Considering the above points, you will find the perfect date.  Once that’s set, now the fun begins with planning out all the details.

For next week, look for ways in finding the perfect site for you.

photo credit:  marthastewartweddings.com