Hillcrest United Church of Christ-La Habra

One of our FAVORITE places to film a wedding!!! If your looking for a venue with drop dead backdrops, and gorgeous sanctuaries,..this is it!! Give these folks a call and book your wedding here,..you will LOVE everything about the place!

http://www.hillcrest-church.org/wedding-chapel.html

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Caring for your Veil 101

Choosing & Caring for Your Veil

TRADITIONAL VEIL DEFINITIONS

BLUSHER - is traditionally short, shoulder length or shorter and is worn over the bride's face to hide her from the groom until after they are wed when it's pushed back behind the head. It is usually combined with another layer sometimes a different length. Despite tradition, blushers of today can be any length as long as they cover the face. Blushers can
be worn in formal or informal weddings.

ELBOW LENGTH - is usually worn with a gown without a train and is a little less formal.

FINGER-TIP LENGTH - is usually for formal and semi-formal weddings.

CHAPEL - is for a more formal wedding. A chapel veil falls to or near the floor.

CATHEDRAL - is for formal weddings. A cathedral veil extends on to the floor like a train and is usually worn with a dress with a train.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR VEIL

The great thing about being a bride today is that anything goes! Whether you want to do everything traditionally or just choose the style that looks best and suits your personality. The following are a few tips to help you in making your decision.

* Choose a simple veil and headpiece if your dress is very ornate.
* Consider the back detail of your dress. If you want to show off the back of the dress, you may want to choose a short veil (blusher or elbow length) a veil with less fullness to it (72" width, pony veil, or the ballerina headband and side veil).
* If your gown is very simple, you may want a very ornate headpiece and or veil to attract attention to your face.
* OR if your gown is very simple and your style is very simple and elegant, you may also want to wear a simple headpiece and or veil with minor details.
* Be confident in your decision! This is your day. If you feel confident, you'll beam with beauty. Congratulations!

CARING FOR YOUR VEIL

When you first receive your veil in the mail, immediately take it out and hang it up. The only way to ship your veil to you is to box it which will cause it to first appear very wrinkled and unattractive. We recommend that you hang your veil from the center so that it will hang straight down. Most of the wrinkles should come out over time from just hanging however, if you don't have time or it's still too wrinkled for your taste, try the following methods:

* Steaming the veil with a steaming iron
* Hot shower method - steaming the veil by hanging it in the bathroom with a hot shower on for several minutes to steam up the room.
* Dry cleaning - have an experienced bridal dry cleaner press or steam it.

By Peggy Mead
The Blissful Bride

GREAT article Peggy!

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Personalizing Your Wedding 101

Injecting your big day with a little creativity to personalize your wedding can be one of the most rewarding activities you undertake throughout the planning stages. Start by elaborating on your mutual interests or focus on the things that brought you together. If you met in a coffee shop, serve up some home-brewed, gourmet coffee during the reception or as unique wedding favors. If you were engaged while on a skiing trip in Colorado, decorate your reception tables with snowflake-themed elements. Though you have a lot of choices to make in the coming months, making your wedding day your own should be a special collaboration between you and your new partner.

Customizing your wedding day will always link your special day with you and your soon-to-be in your guests' minds. Though there are many things that happen behind the scenes, many of your choices will be dictated by your theme, color selection, and wedding date or place. Engaging your guests on your wedding day with relevant activities, dress code requests, menu selections, and unique wedding favors ensures that your families and friends will be talking about your wedding for years to come!

Select Customized, Unique Wedding Favors. The wedding favors you select are important because it's the memento your guests take home. Choosing a favor with utility in mind guarantees your guests will use the favor long after your wedding day. Coasters, candles, wine bottle stoppers, luggage tags, and personality boxes are all popular with the savvy bride who mixes and matches unique wedding favors to suit her guests' needs and interests.

Your own unique wedding favors can all be decorated with your colors or themes, tying your day together flawlessly. The decision to personalize wedding favors is always a big hit with crowds, with items that include photo albums, sticky notes and notepads. Personalize your wedding using favors such as tasteful crystal flutes, ribbons, luxurious fabrics, and boxes.
Choose a Theme Based on Your Interests. A theme is an excellent way to personalize your wedding and a fun way for guests to participate. Though they range from the eccentric – fantasy and sci-fi – to the elegant – seasonal and destination, a theme, complete with food, decorations, colors, and unique wedding favors, makes your wedding day a cohesive event that guests will long remember.

Say you and your new partner are big fans of bungee jumping; personalize your wedding by taking it to an extreme level – do a jump just after your first kiss as husband and wife. Or, for a more traditional touch, wear your grandmother's lovely silk wedding dress from the '40s and throw a big, vintage wedding bash complete with a live swing band.

A destination event is another idea that brides are using to personalize the wedding day. It's more like a vacation within a wedding, which gives your guests an opportunity to get away, see a new place, and attend your big day. Many couples decide to exchange vows in tropical climates, though this is by no means a requisite. Though destination weddings are a bit pricier than their traditional counterparts, it's an exciting adventure for both you and your guests. If you're short on money, turn your ceremony and reception into an homage to a destination or locale you both love. Serve inventive cocktails, unique wedding favors, and require everyone to show up in Hawaiian attire.

Use Colors, Flowers, and Food to Great Effect. Personalize your wedding by designing the menu with both of your favorites in mind, treating guests to a smorgasbord of decadent appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. For the main, anticipated dessert, some brides have elected to personalize the wedding cake by serving flavorful cupcakes with the couples' new monogram. You can also decorate the cake with unusual wedding toppers, bake with new flavors, or add colorful, vibrant frosting options.
If you are throwing a beach-themed wedding, for instance, your colors will consist of rich caramels, honeys, blues, and baby yellows. You can use these hues on the decorations at both your wedding and reception – drape chairs with silky honey fabric, place unique wedding favors in the shape of seashells strategically by the plate settings, and top your reception tables with sky blue table covers.

The colors you use to personalize your wedding will underscore your theme if used effectively, and flowers, too, can be useful if placed appropriately and will continue to echo your theme throughout the night. Though the most popular flower choices remain calla lilies, gardenias, and hydrangeas, all of which you can order to match your colors and theme, many other flowers, such as roses, birds of paradise, tulips, and hibiscus, will capture the romance and style of your wedding day as well.
Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative. Remember that, after all, it is your day. This is your time to plan an event your guests will never forget and a prime opportunity to let your personality and interests shine through. Use your creativity to select unique wedding favors, rich, vibrant colors, and exotic decorations. Don't be afraid to personalize your wedding by mixing the old traditions of the bride and groom's families with your new ideas. Though the day may be hectic for you, with your own blend of personalization and sophistication, it will be a day that you and your soon-to-be will never forget.

Cherie Johnson
Creative Bride

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Preserving Your Wedding gown!

Tips for Preserving Your Wedding Gown...
After the wedding, many brides struggle with what to do with their precious wedding gown that so fondly represents that special day. Since most brides prefer to treasure the memories of their wedding day by keeping their wedding dress (possibly handing it down to a daughter, special niece, god child or grand daughter, or even re-wearing it to renew their vows), it is important to understand the proper methods of cleaning and storing your gown so it can last for centuries to come.

Should I have my gown cleaned?
Whether you decide to keep your gown, donate it or sell it, it is important to consider having it cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to maintain its beauty and value. Caramelized sugar stains from cake icing, white wine, champagne or soft drinks will leave unsightly brown spots/stains if they are not thoroughly removed from the fabric in a timely manner. Perspiration, deodorant, hairspray, perfumes, body lotions and cosmetics can cause discoloration as well. Most of these are not readily visible to the naked eye can also cause damage to the fabric of the gown. Left untreated they can be difficult to impossible to remove over time. As a result, it is highly recommended that you have your gown cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional as soon as possible after your wedding.

What is the difference between dry cleaning and preservation?
Dry cleaning provides a basic cleaning of obvious dirt and stains. However, it does not protect against the long term yellowing, fabric deterioration, or invisible stains that can surface over time and ruin your precious gown. It is important to find a highly reputable and experienced preservation service that will carefully examine each gown individually under special lighting and hand treat all stains with gentle yet effective chemicals. They should also treat the fabric with against yellowing and other discolorations with an anti-sugar treatment. Proper cleaning and preservation will permanently remove both visible and invisible stains, as well as protect the fabric from deterioration, so your gown will look just as beautiful as the day you first tried it on.

How much will it cost?
Top quality preservation by a highly reputable company does not have to be expensive. Although some companies will charge upwards of $800 for museum quality preservation, you can get the same high quality for around $150 - $250 if you do your homework. Most dry cleaners will charge as much, if not more, for just basic dry cleaning alone.

How long can I wait to have my dress cleaned and preserved?
Since stains can cause damage to a fabric over time, it is recommended that you have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved as soon after the wedding as is practical. Generally, you can safely wait up to six months after the ceremony. Some brides have waited longer, but it is not recommended as it may start to yellow, the fabric may begin to deteriorate and some stains may not come out at all as they settle into the fabric. Until you send in your gown to be cleaned and preserved, it is best to keep it in a dark (unexposed to sunlight), dry place, folded or rolled in a clean white sheet. Hanging your dress on a hanger is not recommended as it can cause stress to the fabric and create distortion. Do not store your gown in plastic such as a garment bag. Plastic can emit gases that will tend to yellow the fabric.

Will my dress be vacuum sealed if I have it preserved?
Vacuum sealing is never recommended for preserving fabrics of any kind. Professional textile curators always recommend that a fabric be allowed to "breathe". Vacuum sealing traps moisture in the box, promoting mold and mildew growth, which will stain and weaken the fibers of your dress. If stored in plastic that is not acid free, as time passes it can accumulate gasses that will harm the fabric, causing it to yellow and deteriorate. A reputable preservation service will use special acid-free or PH balanced breathable cardboard and tissue, or museum quality muslin, to package your gown, as well as an acid free window (to see your gown) for these reasons.

How should I store my gown after I have it preserved? Once your gown has been cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional it is also important that you continue to store your gown properly. Your gown should be stored in a room where the temperature and humidity levels are constant, such as a guest room or spare closet. Never store your dress in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity. The storage box should also lay flat if possible. If you decide to remove your gown from the preservation box, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling the gown to protect the fabric from natural oils on your hands. Check on your gown once a year to make sure it is still in good condition. Most companies will provide a guarantee against yellowing and will restore your gown for free if you have stored it properly.

Other Options Although most brides keep and treasure their wedding gowns for a lifetime, if should you decide to part with your precious gown, below are some resources for selling or donating your wedding dress that may help contribute to making someone else's dream wedding come true.

Donations:
Making Memories - Brides Against Breast Cancer
I Do Foundation
Heavenly Angels

Sale of Used Gowns:
Sell Your Wedding Dress.com
Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses.com
Consignment Shops
Craig's List

Author: Madelaine Melberg, Affordable Preservation Company, www.affordablepreservation.com

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The Miracle of Walking!!

iMemoryfilms starts the new year off with some health, travel, and good-to-know news!

This is the first habit in the 2011 Longevity Program, a yearlong plan of monthly activities that come from the habits of centenarians from around the world. The idea of this program is that by choosing a simple activity and doing it every day, you will gradually develop 12 new healthy habits by the end of the year. Would you like to do the whole year program? Look at my previous Yahoo! Blog “The Longevity Resolution: Live to 100”.

If you are interested in a more formal longevity program, check out my new book Secrets of Longevity 8-Week Program, a journal that will transform your health and lengthen your years.

January’s Habit: Walk (or exercise) 20 minutes every day

Here’s why: In my two decades of investigating the daily activities of centenarians, I found that every one walked for at least 30 minutes a day, and most walked more than an hour. Aside from the proven benefits for your heart, walking is the perfect gentle exercise for cleansing your lymphatic system, increasing your circulation, and improving your digestion by helping food move along the digestive tract.

Your body is naturally equipped with a self-cleaning process. But too much sugar, caffeine, processed foods, stress, environmental toxins, and too little exercise can slow the body’s natural detox function to a slow pace. Your body will process and eliminate many of the toxins that enter it, but overflow gets stored in the liver, lungs, kidneys, fat cells, intestines, blood stream, and skin -- which can result in chronic illnesses down the line. Physical activity unclogs your body’s systems, helping it to eliminate wastes more efficiently. Even though walking is a gentle exercise, it is still enough of a physical activity to enhance bodily functions and help detoxify the body.

The directions say 20 minutes a day, but of course, you can always increase the time to 30 minutes or more, as long as the exercise is gentle on your body.

Reward Yourself

First of all, think of a way to reward yourself if you successfully walk/exercise almost every day. It you give yourself a goal with a perk in sight, you will be more likely to follow through. Some rewards could include a fun outing or purchasing a brand new pair of walking shoes.

Stay on track

Now, to really stay on track, ask yourself these questions every day. It will help you stay motivated to keep a written record of daily answers.

• Are you doing 20 minutes every day? How was the experience? Did you look forward to it or did you resist it?

• How did you feel today compared to yesterday? Also, look at your overall energy level. If you have more energy, it indicates that the exercise is having the desired effect of cleansing your body.

• What are the obstacles that are keeping you from exercising 20 minutes every day?

Consider having a friend or family member hold you accountable for your daily exercise; they can simply ask you how it’s going every few days. Better yet, have a friend do it with you!

How to make it happen: An answer for every excuse

• Missed a day? If you miss a day or two, don’t feel like a failure! Forgive yourself and examine the reasons behind the break. What could you do differently next time? Then, recommit and continue where you left off the next day. Never give up!

• No time! First, see if you can find any wiggle room in your schedule. If time truly is an issue, find ways to work exercise into your schedule as it is. Park farther from your destination so that you will be walking ten minutes to and from. Walk to your errands. Take the stairs whenever you can.

• Winter is too cold. Bundle up, put on your boots if necessary, and take a walk, enjoying the winter nature. Another option is to walk indoors around a local mall. Also, you can try a different indoor activity.

• Not a fan of walking. If walking is just not for you, get your blood circulating with a daily 20 minutes of dancing, cardio, yoga, swimming, or other indoor activity that really interests you. An all-around excellent choice is tai chi, a gentle practice that can be done at any age and improves cardiovascular capacity, cultivates balance, lowers blood pressure, and relieves arthritis. Find a teacher in your area or learn with an instructional DVD. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to warm up before and cool down after exercise to avoid wear and tear.

• Too out of shape. If you are recovering from an illness or just feel completely out of shape, begin gently by exercising only five minutes a day -- but do it every day. Incrementally increase the time by five minutes each week. By week 4, you’ll be up to 20 minutes.

On January 31: If you have been walking every day, you have most likely created a new habit. Keep up the good work and stay tuned for February, which will focus on practices for restoration! Look for my monthly articles to guide you through a healthy and happy 2011.

You can find many more ways to live to 100 in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle.

I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

—Dr. Mao

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Wedding Cake Tips

Happy Endings - Your Wedding Cake

When you think of wedding receptions, what is the one thing that they all have? A "stately mountain of snowy frosting and royal icing blossoms," (from "The Perfect Wedding Cake" by Kate Manchester), aka the wedding cake! Not bad for a dessert which has its roots clear back to the Roman Empire. But back then, there was no beautifully decorated, sweet confection. Instead, a loaf of barley bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize her fertility. Can you imagine picking crumbs out of your hair? As the barley bread evolved into today’s wedding cake, the symbolism of the cake and the cake cutting ceremony evolved into your first joint act as a married couple, your commitment to provide for each other, and the sweet life you will share together.

Your wedding cake should taste absolutely wonderful, however, it is not just dessert. Your wedding cake will be an integral part of the reception decor, so place it in a strategic location where all of your guests can easily see it. How about in the center of the dance floor? It can be removed after the cake cutting ceremony - table and all - so you have room for your first dance as husband and wife. Just be sure that someone carefully cleans up any stray icing that may hit the floor which can be very slippery and dangerous. Or how about placing your wedding cake in a corner with pin lights or a small spotlight highlighting its glory?

The Statue of Liberty has its pedestal, a queen has her throne, the cake table needs to be worthy to hold such a beautiful creation. Like a beautiful frame that surrounds a lovely painting, the cake table should be decorated to complement the wonderful confection that it holds. Decorating the cake table needn’t be time consuming nor expensive. You may already have something appropriate in your closet or on the dining room table. A lace tablecloth would be lovely draped across the cake table. A length of tulle loosely billowed on the top of the table gives the impression of your cake floating on clouds. Or, swag the table with tulle, organza, lame, or garlands of greenery and flowers.

If your motto is "Life’s too short, eat dessert first," then you may want to go all out with your desserts. Have a dessert bar with trays of different scrumptious delicacies – iced cookies, brownies, mini bite-sized cheesecakes – with your wedding cake as the centerpiece. And speaking of centerpieces, if one large cake to feed hundreds of people isn’t your thing, how about a small (only big enough for two) cake which you and your new spouse get to cut and feed each other, and in place of the more traditional floral or candle centerpieces for each guest table, have a single tiered cake that serves 8-10 people.

by Jean Neuhart,
Weddings From The Heart

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Should I Let a Friend Videotape my Wedding?

I was recently at a wedding where, during the ceremony, there were probably 7-8 people crowding around the bride and groom. Each person was armed with a palmcorder or handycam, jocking for a good spot and nearly pushing the photographer, a paid professional, and myself out of the way. She, the photographer, had to kindly inform someone that she was getting paid and had to ask them to move. I noticed that over half of the seated guests were pointing either digital cameras or cell phones at the bride and groom and, even though the ceremony was outside, on a sunny day, the repeated auto-flashes, strobing and beeping was enough to cause a headache.

With that many people holding a camera of some sort, it made me wonder why anyone would hire a professional videographer. With digital technology becoming less expensive and more accessible, and with it getting easier to share pics and video clips with anyone in the world that has internet access, it seems that just about anybody could, possibly, shoot a decent and watchable wedding video.

So, should you let a friend or family member shoot yours? Chances are, you probably know a few people that own a camera and probably own one yourself. Why not let someone you know do it for you? They'll enjoy having a chance to be creative and you'll save some money.

The benefit of having a friend shoot your wedding video is that while you might have to give them a few bucks for tapes, you won't have to spend anywhere from $600 to $3000, or more, to hire a professional. With a professional, though, they know what they're doing. That's not to say that your friend isn't capable of producing a quality video that you'll enjoy watching, but more than likely, a professional has gone to school and received training, or both, for specifically this kind of work, has shot numerous wedding videos, has years of experience, and has spent literally thousands of dollars on pro-grade equipment.

Some real-life examples:

My partner took a job where the groom used his own camera to shoot he and his bride's wedding video. During the ceremony, the camera was mounted on a tripod and positioned at the back end of the room. You could see everything in the frame, albeit, not clearly. The bride and groom looked like a couple of blurry dots in the background, which was probably due to the camera being set on auto mode. And, since the built-in, on-camera microphone was used, the sound was almost unbearable to listen to. There was a continuous noise that sounded like tape hiss throughout and the guests seated on the back rows, talking and sniffling, were about the only thing that could be heard. The exchange of vows was missed entirely. Those important words, "I do" and "I now pronounce you husband and wife," were completely inaudible.

Another couple wanted their wedding video put on DVD. They had also asked someone they knew to shoot it for them. It seemed that there was an almost endless amount of footage that was mostly boring to watch. Aside from having some bad footage and bad audio (again, the built-in mic was used), the couple didn't have the proper tools and skills to take the footage from their tapes and transfer it to DVD. They also didn't have the right tools or know-how to edit the video in order to make it more interesting and enjoyable to watch. A professional videographer is, in many cases, an editor as well, and would normally allot 20-30 hours just for editing a wedding video.

These are just 2 examples, and quality isn't necessarily everything. You could purchase a digital videocamera for $200 or $300 and spend $40 or $50 on a simple editing program, and either do it yourself, or have a friend or family member do it for you. But, hiring a professional videographer, one who is equipped with the right gear, may be a better choice than handing a camera to someone you know and trusting that they'll produce a video that you'll actually want to watch. Professional camera, sound and editing equipment can cost more than a new car and it takes a considerable amount of time, training and talent to learn how to use it effectively and proficiently.

A consumer-end camera manned by a friend would get the job done. You would definitely have a document of your wedding day, but here are some questions you might ask:

If the picture and sound quality were poor, would you watch the video once and store it on a shelf or in a box somewhere?
Would you be able to even watch it once without fast-forwarding to the good spots?
Would your friend be able to hold the camera steady and keep the subjects, you and your soon-to-be husband, in focus?
Would your friend simply put the camera on a tripod and hit record, hoping that the camera's automatic functions do the job and that the picture and sound are clear?
Would you end up with an artistic, cinematic video that runs between 45 minutes and an hour long, which tells only your story and shows exactly what you would want to see, or would you end up with 3 to 4 hours of raw footage, where only a small portion is interesting to watch?

There are many other factors to consider when trying to decide if you want to hire a professional videographer or go with a friend, but the key thing is whether you would want to basically be the star of your own movie, or if you would rather have a home video.

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