If soon-to-wed couple is not having a wedding party and concern like what should they do with the rings; who should hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony?

Traditionally, the bride hands her bouquet to her maid of honor, who stands closest to her during the ceremony, and the best man is responsible for the rings. In the absence of a wedding party, however, there are several alternatives.

One option is to ask a family member or close friend to perform both tasks. This person can remain standing at the side while bride and groom exchange vows, or that person can be seated until it’s time to return the bouquet to the bride. Just be sure to reserve a front-row seat for whom-ever you assign this role.

If rather not involve another party, the couple can ask the officiant to hold the rings, or can carry themselves. The groom can place the ring in his pocket (best to keep it in its box, so he can find easily), and can wear his on your thumb. In either case, a small table placed near the altar will provide a convenient resting spot for the bride’s bouquet while exchange rings.

The best way to find a florist is to ask for recommendations. Consult your caterer or wedding coordinator for suggestions, and talk with recently married friends about their experiences. Then have an introductory meeting with a few florists to see samples of their work and photographs of weddings they have done in the past. Be especially attentive to the florist’s style. If all the arrangements are overflowing with wildflowers and you are thinking of a tailored, formal look, that florist is not for you. Also, be honest about your budget. Prices can vary widely among vendors, and you will want to find one who can accommodate both your vision and your budget.

During your first meeting, discuss your ideas, and if possible bring pictures to illustrate them. A florist with wedding experience is preferable, since she will know to ask you about things you may want but could otherwise overlook, such as petals for your flower girl to toss.

After an introductory meeting, a florist will usually follow up with a proposal, which can then be fine tuned. If you want flowers on your cake, arrange for your florist to work with your baker. Establish what, if any, other decorations the florist will provide. All these details should be included in the contract.

A room or an event venue in the dark is not a beautiful place no matter with what exquisite care it has been decorated.

A decorating scheme, like a stage set is not complete until it has been properly lit.

By day, nature controls the lighting, and if it have decorated a place for use in daytime it should be considered how nature will light it and have developed a décor to accommodate nature’s lighting plan for the place.

But by night, and on days when nature’s light is too low, you are the controller of the lighting. The effects you can achieve are not the same as natures but the range of mood and effects to be created is just as wide.

Lighting is a necessity. But is also a major decorating and styling element. It should take full advantage of its possibilities.

The decorator or event stylist who thinks that lighting consists of providing a few lights of good lines and colors to go with the decorating or styling scheme is missing an important point. The true professional gives a lot of thought to the great potential effect of lighting upon the décor, as well as lighting to meet the client’s or project’s needs.

On an average day, you might take cylinders for granted. They are, after all, everywhere that you look. In nature think tree trunks. In architecture think columns. And in your own kitchen pantry think humble tin cans. But on a special events like wedding, birthday, or your own house party, cylinders can have a place too for they are crafted from glass, the familiar form takes on a clean and unexpected beauty.

Glass cylinders are wonderfully versatile and practical. They are easy to find. Look in any florists or floral supply shop and are relatively inexpensive. They come in dozens of widths and heights that suggest as many uses. Large, tall cylinders lend themselves to dramatic flower arrangements that can frame an entry or designate a ceremony site. Wide cylinders are a perfect place for displaying programs and favors, or for floating flowers. They can even be used as serving dishes for food or turned upside down to become pedestals. Equally beautiful are short cylinders, which can be filled with votive candles or diminutive flower arrangements. Leave the cylinders unadorned to celebrate their smooth, round form, or trim them with fabrics, ribbon, or paper to echo one of the party’s decorative themes.

How you arrange these vessels can have as striking an effect as how you fill or decorate them. Stack them, set one inside another, place them in neat rows along an aisle, scatter them across a bar or arrange groups of them in the center of each table.

However you choose to use glass cylinders, they are sure to be appreciated. In fact, whether the containers are plain or spruced up, guests will likely make off with a few of them at the end of the night.

Ready to head off on the jaunt of your dreams? Here’s the suggestive checklist that will keep you right on course.

6 months
•    Discuss and agree upon the type of honeymoon you both want (like beach, cruise, island-hopping, etc.) and set a budget you’ll stick to.
•    Start reading up on potential destinations. In travel books, magazines, newspapers. Consult a travel agent or travel websites for more ideas and suggestions.

5 months
•    Finalize your destination. Be sure to thoroughly research hotels, airlines, car-rental companies.
•    Ask your travel agent, the resort directly, or check out relevant websites about the many terrific honeymoon packages out there that are especially cost effective.

3 months
•    Make your reservations and send in all necessary deposits. Keep a record of confirmation numbers.
•    Ask what official travel documents you may need (like passport, visa, etc.)

2 months
•    Make sure have adequate luggage, as well as travel essentials like voltage converters, travel irons, etc.

1 month
•    Buy or borrow a camera if you need one, plus film, extra batteries, sunglasses and sunscreen.
•    Purchase trip insurance.
•    Pay off your credit cards.
•    Make a copy of your travel itinerary, plus phone and fax numbers where you can be reached, and leave this at home for an emergency.
•    Write up a list of everything you’ll want and need to pack, including clothes, toiletries and accessories.

1 week
•    Reconfirm travel arrangements.
•    Get travelers’ checks and/or a small amount of foreign cash.
•    Pack medications, a change of clothes and toothbrushes in your carry-on bag.

Day of departure
•    Make sure you have your tickets, passports and money in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage in the event it gets lost.
•    Reconfirm your flight before leaving home. Be sure to arrive at the airport early.