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3 Amazingly Simple Ways to Propose

The wedding day is often spoken of as one of the most important days in a woman’s life. One of the most important days in a man’s life is when he proposes. The moment you pop the big question, you are officially declaring you want to spend the rest of your life with the same person. Make this day extra special so the memory will stay with you both in wedded bliss.

Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great way to propose. It is a fun way to create a proposal unique to one another as a couple. Select places that are meaningful to your relationship, like where you had your first date, or use places of interest to your significant other, like a library or coffee shop. You will have to do some planning, but the opportunities are numerous. Continue reading "3 Amazingly Simple Ways to Propose" »

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Bridesmaids' Luncheon

During the busy engagement season it’s easy to forget about scheduling time with your closest friends. Planning a bridesmaids’ luncheon is a great way for the women in your life to gather in celebration one last time.

A bridesmaids’ luncheon can be an elaborate party or a simple get-together. It’s typically a brunch, luncheon, or an afternoon tea. The luncheon is a special time to reminisce over sweet memories with your bridesmaids.

Who hosts it?
Traditionally the bridesmaids’ luncheon was either hosted by the bridesmaids honoring the bride, or by the bride honoring the bridesmaids. Today though the luncheon is almost always hosted by the bride and her mother as a thank-you to the bridesmaids.

Continue reading "Bridesmaids' Luncheon" »

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Wedding Traditions Around the World

Marriage is an ancient institution that even predates recorded history. Every country and culture holds their own traditions surrounding marriage and the wedding day. While love is always the common theme, the ceremonies and celebrations look vastly different.

Scottish Tradition
The “Pinning of the Tartan” is an ancient wedding tradition in Scotland. After the proclamation of husband and wife, a member of the groom's family may present the bride with the clan tartan in the form of a pin or a sash. This presentation is a symbol of the bride’s acceptance into the groom’s clan.

Photo courtesy of Blue Bonnet Tartan Weddings

Continue reading "Wedding Traditions Around the World" »

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Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old to Go with the New

Weddings just aren’t the same without something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new. This tradition has been around for years, leaving brides searching for the perfect blue jewel to throw in their hair or their grandmother’s pearls to wear around their neck, but where do these wedding traditions come from?

The saying “something borrowed, something blue” dates back to Queen Elizabeth’s era. It is often quoted with the last line missing, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a silver sixpence in her shoe. Each “something” has its own representation and meaning besides the modern meaning of strictly luck.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Something old represents tradition and continuance of their families past from one generation to another. This was also a great way to pass an heirloom down through a different family line if the bride’s family was only girls. Their line or heirlooms did not stop there; they were simply molded into another family.

Something new is a great way to celebrate the biggest day of the bride’s young adult life. Back in the 15th, 16th and 17th century, many brides were not accustomed to new items. These were often a treasured gift from their family or groom. Something new also represented luck in the future. This could be represented by new shoes, new undergarments, new lace or anything the family could afford at the time.

Something borrowed is meant to bring fortune and love from one happy couple to the next. Grandparents, parents or other relatives with a happy marriage would often let the bride borrow a piece of jewelry to bless them with the same love and happiness they have had the years of their marriage.

Something blue is often used to symbolize purity. Virgin Mary was often shown wearing blue. The bride can wear a blue garter, a blue sapphire, a blue sash or blue soles on her shoes.

Where Did They Come From?

Traditions didn’t stop there. Brides who carry a bouquet or wear a veil are carrying on a tradition that started in the 15th century. Brides carried flowers to mask their sweat, dirt and smell. Though most weddings were in June (only a month after their annual bath) the grooms were often given baths the night before. In that case, flowers it is.

Veils were worn for many reasons, religious and non-religious. The first reason was to keep the bugs away from the bride. Consider it your own small mosquito net. Religious reasons varied from the purity of the bride to protecting the bride from the eyes of the groom. They were also used in the empires of Rome and Greece to protect the bride from evil spirits who might try to take her purity away before the wedding. The veils were worn in red, yellow or white. Today, veils are more of a fashion statement seen in the version of white that matches the bride’s dress better.

Last but not least, why does the bride’s parents fork out the cash for this ceremony? The modern tradition is for the bride’s parents to pay for the wedding ceremony and rehearsal and the groom’s parents to pay for the rehearsal dinner. This started when the bride’s parents had to provide a dowry to the groom’s parents. The groom, taking their girl as his bride, becomes her caretaker, her provider and her protector. These services apparently did not come free. The dowry was used as payment for these services.

Traditions are a wonderful way to pay tribute to history and your family. I just feel lucky to be able to bathe, to not have to worry about bugs attracting to me and my parents paying off my husband. It’s the little things that count.

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Wedding Traditions and Where They Came From

Weddings, in general, are very traditional. Even the brides who have "non-traditional" weddings incorporate traditions that they might not even be aware of! While planning your wedding have you ever thought, "Why am I wearing this?" or "What does this ring really mean?" Well, here are some fun facts about wedding traditions and why they were incorporated into weddings.

Why are wedding dresses white?

Wedding Bliss

In traditions past, wedding dresses were not white at all! People often believe that wedding dresses have always traditionally been white. Wrong. Blue was often the color of the traditional wedding dress. It's color signified purity.

It wasn't until 1840 when Queen Victoria wed Albert of Saxe clad in a white dress that the color white became popular. If you could afford a white dress that you would only wear once, then you were considered wealthy. That also goes for the amount of material on the dress. The more material, the wealthier you were.

What do wedding rings signify?

As we know, wedding rings are an outward sign of being "taken". The tradition originated in Europe when only the wives wore one. During the 20th century, men started wearing them too.

  • The circular shape signifies never-ending love with no beginning and no end.
  • It was also a sign of "sale" of the bride from the father to groom.
  • Wedding bands are worn on the ring finger because the Romans claimed that there is a vein in the finger that is connected directly to the heart.

Why does the wedding party dress in matching clothes?

In past traditions the wedding party would dress identical to the bride and groom to keep any evil spirits confused at who was the bride and groom.

What does Something Old, Something New signify?

This saying derives from an old English poem. Each piece signifies something special. The old represents the bride's past. The new stands for the bride's future with her husband. The borrowed represents the bond between the bride and her family. While, the blue symbolizes the loved shared between the bride and groom.

Why can't the groom see the bride before the wedding?

This custom comes from when marriages were arranged. Often, the brides were sold to the groom. The wedding would be their first meeting and it was known as bad luck to see each other before the wedding. The bride wasn't even supposed to see herself in the mirror on her wedding day because she might leave part of herself behind.

Why do we toss the bouquet and garter?

Wedding Accessories
The tossing of the garter stemmed from the royal family. To make it official, they wanted to see the garter or stocking from the bride. When others got word of this tradition, they followed and actually got violent. They would steal the garter or stocking from the bride with force. That is when the groom started taking the garter off to protect her.

Tossing of the wedding bouquet follows similar to the garter. The bride tossed the wedding bouquet into a crowd of wedding guests.

The tradition has been that the groomsman that catches the garter will marry next, making him a very lucky man. And the same with bridesmaid who catches the wedding bouquet, she too, would marry next.

Why are flowers incorporated in the wedding?

Traditional wedding bouquets were carried by the bride only. They contained garlic, herbs, grain and fruit blossoms to ward off evil spirits and symbolize prosperity. This custom was replaced with flowers as a sign of fertility, love and happiness.

Although these traditions stem from strange customs…They are still fun to blend into your wedding. It's just interesting to know where they came from!

This post is brought to you by New York Wedding Dress Providers.
Not in New York, NY No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding dresses near you!

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A Cultural Affair – Tips on Planning a Culturally Mixed Wedding

If you are planning a mixed cultural wedding there are several things you need to consider. Embrace both cultures to create a beautiful and unique wedding.

A Beautiful Ceremony
Most wedding traditions are based on religion, culture, heritage, and race. When you are cutting and pasting together a wedding, you need to decide which traditions mean the most to you and your fiancé as well, as your families.

Your family's opinions and vision of your wedding might create obstacles, especially if they are the ones paying for it! Creating a wedding that respects both family's religions and cultures can be done and be absolutely beautiful.

The first thing you need to do, before even thinking about the revenue, date or theme, is sit down and talk with you fiancé about which traditions are the most important to you. Being open with each other about what you want included and what can be left out will make things a lot easier.

The next step is to sit down with both of your families, preferably at separate times. Ask them for advice and let them know that you want to respect and honor the family traditions, but need to make this ceremony a fusion of both.

Although every couple is different and you want your wedding to be unique, you also want your wedding to show your personality and your heritage. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

One of the most common solutions for a mixed wedding is to have two separate ceremonies. However, when finances wont allow for two ceremonies, you need to be creative and find a way to mesh both cultures into one ceremony.

  • Invitations: Send out two sets of invitations. One in each language so that no one feels left out.
  • Location: If your religions clash, consider holding the ceremony in a non-religious venue. A park, a hall, a ballroom, a country or garden club are great options.
  • Programs: Two sets of programs, in the same style and theme but one in each language. You can even personalize them with a small note to your family in your native language on near the bottom.
  • Music: Alternate music throughout the ceremony from each culture. Sticking with instrumentals will make the transition from song to song smooth.
  • Readings: Alternate the readings from one language to the next. You don't want to do every reading in both languages because it will make your ceremony too long.
  • Vows: Recite vows in your native language, so that both set of parents and families understand completely.
  • Reception: Take care when arranging the seating, making sure that everyone is sitting with someone they can communicate with. (You don't want your Aunt Evelyn sitting at a table of non-English speaking guests).
  • Decor: Your set up should show both cultures. Including flowers, lighting and even positioning of the tables. Creating centerpieces with flowers and candles that represent both your heritages will make your families feel at home.

Give opportunity for everyone to mesh and mingle. The dance floor is the perfect opportunity for this! Again, you will want to alternate music from each culture to keep your guests happy and involved.

  • Menu: Finding the perfect food for everyone is a difficult task. However, you can arrange your buffets to have two separate stations catering to both cultures. Or if you are using a menu, have options designed around both cultures. Find a caterer in your area to help you design the perfect pallet for your reception.

Remember, your wedding is about you and your spouse. It is the beginning of a new and happy adventure that will take you places you have never been. Make sure to merge your style, character and personality as well as your spouse's! With a little planning and creativity your wedding will be beautiful, unique and respectful to both of your heritages.

This post is brought to you by Miami Wedding Planners.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding planners near you!

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Something Old, Something New…..

Something Borrowed, Something Blue…

Yes, we all know the tradition, even if you are not having a traditional wedding, this is a fun one to keep!

The saying itself derives from an old English poem. The old representing the bride's past, the new representing the bride's new journey with her husband, the borrowed representing the bond between the bride and her family and the blue symbolizes the love between the bride and groom.

Here are some creative ideas..

Traditional Wedding Pieces

The Old

  • Your grandmother's veil
  • Antique lace around the stem of your wedding bouquet
  • A locket with your grandparents picture inside
  • A family rosary
  • Your grandfather's handkerchief
  • Your grandfathers Military tags around the stem of your bouquet

The New

  • A new lingerie set under your wedding dress
  • A sparkling piece of jewelry
  • Your bouquet
  • A penny or coin minted the year of your wedding (hide it in your shoe!)
  • Your fabulous wedding dress can pass as the "new" too!
  • All new makeup! How fun!

The Borrowed

  • A family Heirloom (necklace, ring or charm hung from your bouquet)
  • Your mother's necklace or bracelet
  • A piece of your friend's jewelry that you have had your eye on
  • Your sister's or best friends shoes from her wedding
  • Your mother's perfume

The Blue

  • Garnish your garter with blue lace
  • Sky blue toe nail polish
  • A sapphire hair pin
  • Blue earrings
  • Blue flowers in your bouquet
  • Go all out with beautiful blue silk shoes

Chose what suits and reflects your personality. Have fun and get creative – the only limit is your imagination!

This post is brought to you by Miami Wedding Planners.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy wedding planning directory to help you find wedding planners near you!

 

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Wedding Traditions: Everything You Need to Know About Toasts

Are you planning a wedding? Have you thought about the traditional wedding toast?

The wedding toast has taken an entirely different meaning today than in the past. Today, during a wedding reception, someone offers up a congratulatory "toast" to the bride and groom.

Did you know?

The name "toast," actually came from one of our favorite breakfast meals! In the past, the French put toast in their wine to catch the sediment from their wine, or they used spice toast in their drink to make it taste better.

Two Glasses Clinking
The "Clink"

Another tradition included clinking the glasses together. This would show all that the drinks were not poisoned. The host, usually the bride's father, would raise his glass and drink first, showing that the drink was good and not poisoned.

During the Middle Ages, many of the nobility were wanted dead.  What better way than to poison them then at a wedding celebration? People during this time did not always marry out of love, but out of duty and to bring clans together to fight other clans.

Throughout the ages, superstitious people would raise up a glass and clink them together during weddings to ward off evil spirits.  It was thought that the bell sound that glasses make when clinked would ward off any evil spirit that might stop the couple from having a great wedding night.

Wedding Toasts Today

In modern times, a toast isn't a cooked piece of bread, but rather about honoring someone.  Today, the father of  the bride is usually the first to offer a toast.  However, the best man and maid of honor often will toast the couple as well.  A new tradition that should become standard is for the bride and groom to offer a toast to their guests.  This is a way for the bride and groom to say thank you for participating in their special day.

Planning a wedding in Trenton NJ? Find all the resources you need at Wedding and Party Network including Trenton wedding planners.

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What Bouquet? Tossing The Bride's Shoes is an Age-Old Tradition

In the modern bridal wardrobe the dress comes first, then the veil or headpiece, and next are the shoes.  But what part, if any, did shoes play in the past?  The idea behind tossing the garter or the bouquet came from the times when brides were treated as property and guests would rip off pieces of her wedding gown to ward of spirits, and in hope to bring themselves good luck.

bridal shoes
As brides became less like a piece of property, brides took to throwing their shoes.  Then, as time passed, brides began throwing their bouquets.  I suspect the change came because of two reasons: shoes are expensive, and bridal bouquets hurt less when you're hit by them. In Egypt brides were considered property of the father. The father of the bride would give the groom the bride's sandals signifying that groom now has possession over her.

In jolly old England, the tradition of  something blue was done by wearing blue shoes. Queen Victoria in 1840 is credited with being the first famous bride to wear white shoes.

I am told that an old tradition in Armenia is catching on again.  Some one steals one of the bride's shoes, and the maid of honor and the best man have to pay a ransom to get the shoes back so the wedding can take place. Another old Armenian tradition is one where the bride writes her bridesmaids' names on her shoes, and as each gets married she cross their name off.

Shoes have played a supporting role in weddings since weddings have taken place.  I suggest one thing, whether your going with an old tradition or doing something non-traditional,  you should at least be comfortable.

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Tradtional Wedding Music: Notes for Today's Bride

Their are two popular pieces that brides have used to walk down the aisle to, the Wedding March and the Bridal Chorus.

In 1842 Felix Mendelssohn wrote the Wedding March.  He was commissioned by Frederick William IV Prussia to write orchestrated pieces for the play A Mid-summers Night's Dream, written by William Shakespeare.

The Wedding March was made popular when Victoria, The Royal Princess, wed Prince Frederick William of Prussia. For more than 150 years the Wedding March has been used in western weddings.

The Bridal Chorus just like the Bridal March was written for a play.  Robert Wagner, a German composer, wrote the music to accompany his play entitled, Lohengrin. The Bridal Chorus was written in 1850 and is commonly know as Here Comes the Bride.

Brides may choose to incorporate both pieces into their wedding using the Bridal Chorus as the bride walk down the aisle, and Wedding March as the recessional tune as she and her new husband walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

Both pieces are lovely and work well with both tradtional and non-traditional weddings.

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