Finally, the big day is getting closer. You are only a few months away from your wedding and every detail counts. Of course, you want a gorgeous bridal gown, the most beautiful flower arrangements, a simply exquisite cake and the list seems to be endless, but, have you ever thought that the first impression of a beautiful wedding will be reflected through your invitations? You obviously wish things would be simpler, you wish you could go back to those days when wedding announcements were just that, something pretty, nothing special, but the truth is, times have changed. It’s unbelievable how many hundreds of styles and choices there are:

from a simple cute plain card, to the most sophisticated embossed, big size invitation with double hard and soft embossed envelopes

monogram seals covered with gold or silver leaf

monogram seals over a sheet of thin wood painted with powder of mother pearl, surrounded by a string of pearls

doubled panel cards with sheer satin windows

all kinds of hand made papers

all kinds of imported papers from Italy, Holland, France, India, Mexico, Philippines.

And regarding accents, what about those beautiful satin or silk ribbons to enhance the beauty of an invitation? But, wait a minute. Did I say ribbons? Watch out brides…always keep in mind that there are two persons involved in the wedding announcements, the bride and the groom. Ribbons are very romantic, but try to be conservative regarding bows; you don’t want your invitation to look feminine with a bow that takes the focus away from the announcement. When you select ribbons, make sure that they will be very discreet and still will look pretty but not too feminine, think about the groom also and make sure that he also will feel proud rather than embarrassed of his wedding invitations.

As I mentioned before, there are hundreds of styles to choose from, remember that you have a great advantage when you deal directly with a designer instead of ordering from a catalog, because the designer will have a lot of suggestions regarding what you both as a couple would like and will try to make something personalized, something very special for you both.

You can find other articles at: ReceptionsBG.com ReceptionsBG.com

You read all over the internet involving NEGATIVE OPINIONS on how Russian Bride agencies run their business. It almost seems that everyday there is a new conspiracy developing over such-n-such agency and how they DO BUSINESS. That their agency is a scam, the Russian women are fake and the forever thundering echo of “I’ve paid nearly $200 and not one girl has ever written me back!” I’ve even heard men say that almost all of the Russian Bride sites have the same girls, that a truly great agency won’t share their girls, etc. But my friends, there are always TWO SIDES to every story, and perhaps after reading this article, you will think twice BEFORE blasting out your own conspiracy theory….

CONSIDER THIS:

There are many dating sites that contain the same profiles. When I was a member of Match.com so many years ago, I used to see the same girls all the time on other sites as well, such as matchmaker.com, udate and yahoo personals. We all joined multiple sites to spread ourselves out — to have more options. And during that time, I can say that I joined nearly every site imaginable. So would you agree that all of these sites are involved in some kind of conspiracy because they have the same profiles?

A man searching for a Russian bride joins 2-3 sites at once, writes to many ladies, gets his photo in the site catalogue that is presented to Russian women… so that’s 3 site catalogues he is now a member of. The ladies see his photo in 3 different catalogues and begin to wonder… is he involved in a conspiracy then too, simply because he has joined 2-3 different Russian Bride sites?

A man describes himself as being wealthy, good looking and successful… and he sends out 400 emails telling Russian women how he is a God in bed, how women love him and worship the ground he walks upon. How he loves to have cybersex and invites all Russian women to join him in on the fun… yet not one letter was returned. Is this a conspiracy?

BOTTOM LINE:

Business is business — always has been and always will be. Part of the success to any dating site is having a large database to attract new customers. Profiles hardly ever get removed — and while some do remove the old profiles, most do not. My profile is still on many of the other dating sites and I can’t get them to remove it because I forgot the email address I used to sign up with. This was 5 years ago too!

Russian girls are human too — and they spread themselves out too by joining many different marriage agencies. Many of the Russian bride sites use real marriage agencies located in Russia, and many of these agencies are NOT exclusive to just one bride site. They are all in business to make money, so you cannot blame them for spreading themselves out too. And after a while, these same Russian girls forget which marriage agencies they joined up with, lose contact or whatever, and their profiles stay forever in the database. It’s part of the dating business and will always be like that. Nobody’s fault really — but don’t blame a dating agency for not deleting a profile simply because a user has forgotten to contact them and tell them to remove it.

Agencies are not the bad guys nor the good guys. They are a business, plain and simple. They have a list of over 30,000 clients — so do you really expect them to call every single women and ask if their still single? Does match.com do that? For the record, does any dating site do that? Of course not and it’s ludicrous to think that they should.

And what about writing those letters and not getting any responses? Well, what about it?!! Write some more and keep on truckin’! Not everyone is going to think you’re as great as YOU seem to know that you are. That’s life… get used to disappointment. I sent out probably thousands of letters in my 4 years of online dating, and at best, I might have gotten maybe a 15% return rate. In my opinion, that is actually pretty good too. Online dating is not easier, so don’t be a fool and think it is. It only gives you more options to meeting more people — but along side of that also comes more rejections.

So the next time you hear a negative”Opinion” about how Russian dating agencies are handled, just remember one thing… they are in business to make money; and whether or not the practices of certain agencies might be argued as being ILLEGITIMATE, you always still have the choice of NOT JOINING. If you believe a certain agency carries a lousy reputation, then why bother joining it in the first place? Just move on and find another site to join that you feel more comfortable with. Good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mitchell Smith has successfully met and married a Russian woman through the internet. He now operates many Russian Bride sites that offer advice and tips on how you can marry a Russian woman too. Visit russiangirlscq.com Russian Girls CQ, wannabebride.com Mail Order Brides and blog at rgcq-en.blogspot.com Russian Girls, Women and Mail Order Brides

Introduction

When the “relationship contract” has been broken by an infidelity in a gay couple’s partnership, the foundation of trust and respect has likely been damaged. Some men opt to sever their ties, unable to cope with the boundary violation that’s occurred, while others decide to work at rebuilding their relationship. Each couple must decide for themselves which option best suits their needs and will be determined largely by the level of investment and commitment each has to endure through the painful tasks involved in recovering from an affair.

Surviving and healing from an affair is possible and requires both partners to take responsibility and channel all their energies into repairing their relationship. Part 1 of this 2-part article series addressed the possible reasons why we cheat and the impact this can have on a relationship. In this article, specific tips and strategies will be offered for those couples who are motivated to overcome the non-monogamy that has occurred in their relationship, thereby promoting their chances for a successful resolution to this crisis.

Tips For The Man Who Was Cheated Upon

* You are likely experiencing a lot of emotional ups and downs as you process what’s happened. Give yourself time to grieve the loss of the relationship you thought you had with your partner and be kind to yourself. Ease the pain with self-nurturing activities. Also manage any triggers that may signal unfinished business from the past for you (eg. being cheated on by a former boyfriend) so this doesn’t contaminate your current relationship.

* Especially in the beginning, anticipate a period of obsessing and being preoccupied with the affair and its details. This is normal as you come to make sense of what’s happened, but set limits with yourself so as not to let it become all-consuming. Keep your focus on the fact that your vision is to come through this a stronger couple. Work hard at countering negative thoughts.

* It could be easy to get stuck into feeling like “the victim.” Avoid this by identifying the role you may have played in the affair’s existence. While you’re not responsible for your partner’s choice to cheat, how may you have contributed to the unfolding drama? Become an active participant in making things better between the two of you.

* Your partner made a mistake and is trying to make amends now. Don’t make any unfounded accusations or assumptions. Avoid blame, verbal aggression, passive-aggressive “pay-backs”, or behaviors aimed at making him feel guilty or attempts to punish him. This will only create more division and nobody will feel any better. Find healthy outlets for your anger and hurt. And don’t turn on yourself either. Identify what you need to be able to forgive him and yourself.

* Your biggest challenge is going to be risking being emotionally vulnerable again with your partner. This will take time. Pace the relationship at a rate where you can gradually “let him back in” again. Have your boundaries to protect your heart, but not so solidly-built that he has no chance of proving his trust and commitment to you. As time passes and your trust strengthens, the boundaries can loosen.

Tips For The Man Who Cheated

* First and foremost, end any and all third-party relationships. No more contact! Your relationship won’t have a chance if it’s competing for your attention and energy. You may need time to grieve the loss of your relationship with your lover depending on if there was an emotional attachment.

* You’re human and made a mistake. Avoid beating up on yourself and channel that energy into your partner and rebuilding a relationship with him. Take responsibility for your indiscretion and identify the reasons behind the affair. Develop a plan of action so it never happens again.

* Your partner is hurting and requires your support. He will likely go through a period where he asks you a barrage of questions about a whole host of issues pertaining to the infidelity. His distrust in you will take such forms as suspiciousness and insecurity. Even when you feel like you can’t take it anymore, it’s important to tolerate his moods and answer his questions honestly and non-defensively. This is part of his healing process that he needs to go through and helps to plant the seeds of his beginning to trust you again.

* Be aware that your partner will most likely be afraid to re-commit to you. Focus your efforts on regaining his trust, communicate more, acknowledge and validate his feelings, and help him to feel special and wanted.

Tips For The Recovering Gay Couple

* Make your relationship the #1 priority! Work hard at identifying and meeting each other’s needs, increase communication, and negotiate your differences. Never take the relationship for granted again and keep it alive with shared, meaningful experiences and rituals. No more secrets!

* “Court” each other all over again. Set a “first date” and build from there. Encourage each other and share your appreciations for one another frequently.

* Be cautious about telling too many of the people in your support system about the affair. This can create additional stressors for you with the possibility of torn loyalties being created and your relationship not being supported. Keep your boundaries on this private couple issue and be very selective in who you confide in.

* Becoming sexual again with each other could be a “loaded” issue here because of the infidelity. Ease into this if you’re not comfortable and start with nonsexual expressions of affection first to re-establish the foundation of intimacy. Be sure to communicate your expectations about monogamy vs. non-monogamy in your relationship moving forward.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy, but relationships do triumph over infidelity, and you can even come out better and stronger if approached the right way. Don’t hesitate to contact a couple’s therapist who specializes in gay relationships if you still struggle with “putting the pieces back together” again. View the affair as a wake-up call to attend to the unmet needs and unresolved issues that likely exist between the two of you. Finally, patience and dedication is key and keep focused on your vision for the type of relationship with each other that you’re ultimately dreaming of…and make it happen!

©2006 Brian L. Rzepczynski

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included:

Brian Rzepczynski, Certified Personal Life Coach, is The Gay Love Coach: “I work with gay men who are ready to create a road map that will lead them to find and build a lasting partnership with Mr. Right.” To sign up for the FREE Gay Love Coach Newsletter filled with dating and relationship tips and skills for gay singles and couples, as well as to check out current coaching groups, programs, and teleclasses, please visit TheGayLoveCoach.com

Please also include with the article the words © Copyright and prominently display a link to our main page at the end of the article. Any feedback would be appreciated and can be sent to brian@thegaylovecoach.com. Thank you!

Brian Rzepczynski holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University and is also a Certified Personal Life Coach through The Coach Training Alliance. He launched his private coaching practice, The Gay Love Coach: Man 4 Man Coaching Services ( TheGayLoveCoach.com TheGayLoveCoach.com), in 2003 and works with gay men, both singles and couples, on developing skills for improving their dating lives and relationships. He publishes a free monthly ezine called “The Man 4 Man Plan” that has helpful articles, tips, resources, and an advice column relating to gay relationships and dating. He is also the co-author of the 2005 self-help book “A Guide to Getting It: Purpose & Passion.”

They have been there for you through all of the planning and stressing. They gave you a bridal shower, threw you a bachelorette party, were a shoulder to cry on at times, but also a friend to laugh with; they are your dearest confidants.

These friends have been chosen as your bridesmaids, special women in your life who have been there for you. You honor them by letting them play an integral role on your wedding day. They will be there to support you, adore you, and be beautiful figures to garnish your wedding party.

And for these reasons, these special women are deserving of a fitting harrismichaeljewelry.com/bridesmaid-gift.html bridesmaid gift, specialized to their liking, and personalized from your heart. Among the many purchases the bride must spend for her wedding, she doesn’t have to go for broke to buy her bridesmaids a personalized gift. Affordable or not, the giving of a bridesmaid gift shows your appreciation and consideration to these women. Here are some ideas for a bridesmaid gift to accommodate your budget.

Photo albums

Photo albums are great gifts to the bridesmaid who frequently takes pictures and these visual memories are worthy of being displayed. How many times have you developed your pictures, only to maintain the majority of exposures hidden away in storage? The five photos you decide to frame are spotlighted in your home while the rest of your pictures are collecting dust. Photo albums are the solution to preserving and acknowledging these visual memories.

Your budget can be flexible with photo albums, available at most stores and at various prices. Considering her favorite colors or designs will get you in the right mode to pick a fitting photo album for your bridesmaid.

Perfume

Fruit-scented body splash or celebrity-endorsed perfumes are just a few degrees of body scents that you can give your bridesmaid. With the economical choice of body splash, you can throw in some other favors like lotions, soaps or scrubs, turning it into a gift basket. If you’d rather resort to an exclusive choice of perfume, department stores offer a wide selection of perfumes to choose from.

Choosing perfume for your bridesmaid is a luxury that she might not indulge on unless it was a gift. The perfume you give your bridesmaid will be a refreshing scent as she uses it to wear on all occasions.

Jewelry

If your want to go a little further into your spending budget, your bridesmaid will always look splendid in jewelry. A way to honor her is by looking into a charm as a bridesmaid gift. A small charm will commemorate her role in her friend’s wedding. If your bridesmaid has a charm bracelet, this special friend charm will be a great addition to her many charms.

If she doesn’t have a bracelet, giving her a charm bracelet will encourage her to start collecting charms of some of her favorite treasures, starting with the friendship charm from you.

Years after your wedding, your bridesmaid will remember the sentimental gift you’ve given her because it was thoughtful, not because it was expensive or low-priced. The budget you have set for a bridesmaid gift should be carefully considered, but just remember the wise belief that it is the thought that counts.

Whatever harrismichaeljewelry.com/bridesmaid-gift.html bridesmaid gift you choose, your bridesmaids will know that it comes from the heart when it comes from harrismichaeljewelry.com Harris Michael Jewelry.