make your wedding wonderful

Dream Honeymoon in the Bahamas

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:51:00 +0000

The most exhilarating way to start your married life is to go to the Bahamas for your honeymoon. You can taste bliss as you sip frosty drinks on a soft sand beach. After the hectic activity of an exciting wedding you will find a new meaning of relaxation on a Bahamian holiday. There's no better way to start the new phase of your life than enjoying the fun, sun, and each other.

While planning your wedding you should give equal importance to the planning of your honeymoon as well. If you don't, you might have to resort to the traditional holiday and spend more than your budget permits. After the stressful events of the wedding you are likely to feel exhausted, annoyed and tense. A honeymoon should be a relaxing holiday for the two of you when you can leave all the problems behind and focus on your new relationship.

Make sure that you have enough money to take care of your honeymoon, as the honeymoon is as important as the wedding itself. You can also think of other ways to secure your honeymoon in Bahamas by choosing to take a Bahamas holiday trip instead of the traditional gifts such as the household items. In keeping with the trends there are many websites that have come up with a provision of registering for a holiday instead of the usual gifts.

Once you make up your mind on going to the Bahamas for your honeymoon, you will find various destinations, resorts, hotels, and vacation options to choose from. You can explore these options on the World Wide Web or consult your local travel agent to find the best vacation for you and is within your budget. Planning your wedding and honeymoon together can reduce the pressures and stresses of wedding planning to a great extent.

Many couples choose to take advantage of all inclusive resorts for their Bahamian holiday. These resorts are excellent ways to enjoy all aspects of the fun and sun of the islands while on a thrifty budget. All inclusive resorts include food and activity costs with the tradition room fees. Couples especially love these all inclusive resorts since they do not have to worry with keeping up the costs of food and sticking to their pre set budgets.

You can also enjoy your honeymoon on a cruise to Bahamas. And if you think that cruise is meant for the old and not so happening, you need to take a reality check as the cruise liners these days are bustling with vibrant and vivacious people. Not just this, but also the cruise liners boast of hip and happening night life, sumptuous cuisine and a gamut of entertainment options.

Bahamas wins hands down as the locale for a destination wedding. There couldn't be a place more exotic than this for exchanging the heartfelt vows. This also gives you the perfect excuse to include your close ones in your holiday plans. Bahamas also scores with families having children, as the children love the sea and sand that Bahamas offers.

All in all, the Bahamas is a great choice for your honeymoon destination. It's the best way to start your new life together. This beautiful island will open out to you as you relax on the beach, or indulge in the numerous activities. However, make sure you plan your Bahamian holiday properly. For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

Thinking of your Bridal Lingerie?

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:42:00 +0000

You've finished leafing through endless bridal and fashion magazines and enjoyed plenty of wedding dress fittings to find that perfect dress that's going to make you look absolutely fabulous on your wedding day. Now you and your perfect dress deserve something a little extra special, for your bridal lingerie to put that finishing touch to your wedding gown. With so much choice of bras, corsets, bustiers, basques, thongs, briefs and stockings, what do you choose?

A good starting point is to make sure that your measurements are correct; your bridal dress store should be able to give you your most recent sizes. If you feel that your measurements may have changed a little because your wedding diet and hard working exercise is starting to pay off, you can always get hold of a flexible measuring tape and just check your vital statistics.

With size in mind, where do you start? Remember that the gown and underwear must work together so think what would work well with your dress style. If there's already boning in the dress design and it is already been altered to give a snug fit, then a corset or bustier would be unsuitable. Likewise, if the dress is of a light material, corset support may well show through and look unsightly, then you may only need a light supporting bra with some briefs and a choice of hosiery.

If you need upper body support with some tightening of your torso to add some definition to your figure then a wedding corset or bridal bustier might be the answer. The corset is designed to be quite a rigid piece of underwear with bones or ribs to both reduce the waistline and place emphasis on the bust and hips, giving a slender hourglass look. When choosing a corset it should be a size or two smaller than you're regular sizing to allow it to pull in and reduce the waistline by a few inches, and ideally have a tie fastening to provide some adjustment. A bustier is a little more forgiving and still has the effect of pushing up your bust but by a lesser tightening of the torso. Even more flexible is the basque, which although going over the hips it doesn't provide as much body shaping as the more traditional corset or bustier.

If it's simply your bust needing some support or even uplifting to give them a little more emphasis, then a bra is all that's needed. The traditional uplifting bra or padded bra will be able to accentuate your cleavage for the camera. Remembering that with many modern dress styles being off the shoulder, then a strapless design will be best. There are several very good strapless bras and even strapless wedding corsets for just this occasion. Consider where the seams of the underwear will rest beneath the dress, especially if it's of a light material and tight fit. For the many brides out there with a slightly larger bust, there is a huge selection of sexy plus size bras available on the market, in a wide selection of wedding colors of ivory, cream, champagne and classic white, all giving comfort, support and that all important sensuous feeling.

When it comes to briefs there's maxi briefs, mini briefs, hipsters, high cut, low cut, g-strings and even mini-strings. A lot to do here is simply comfort and personal preference, making sure that whatever you chose any lace detailing isn't going to show through your dress along with that dreaded VPL. It's always nice to have a matching set and many bridal underwear collections often come with a choice of undies, not forgetting you may need the help of your newly married partner to help you out of your dress at the end of the day!

Lastly to consider is your wedding hosiery, stockings, hold-ups, suspender belts as well as the all important traditional garter for the classic thigh photo shot. Bear in mind that whatever you decide upon you'll be wearing for the whole day and probably dancing the night away, so comfort is essential. It's usually a good idea to have a spare pair of stockings or hold ups close to hand, just in case of any unwanted nicks or ladders.

There's also plenty of choice when it comes to colors so be sure to match the color of your underwear to your dress, just in case there's a runaway strap on show for a moment or two! Try not to buy your lingerie for both the wedding day and night, as more often than not, most modern brides will dress for comfort during their day, and change into something a little more sexy and seductive for their first wedding night.

There are several things to consider when deciding on what underwear style to choose. Firstly and probably most important is that it must be comfortable, and remain comfortable throughout the day, you certainly don't want parts digging into you or shifting and not providing the support it was designed to. So whatever you choose, if it's to support, push up, pull in or accentuate, then that's what it must do, and, remember, it must do it comfortably. The whole wedding underwear ensemble and bridal gown must complement each other to give a priceless, stunning look. It's so important to have your final dress fitting, complete with the bridal lingerie that you'll be wearing on the day, so you know how it will all look and feel , and also remove any little worries or doubts that might creep in.

With all of this in mind, get your bridesmaids involved and have fun, and be certain to buy your bridal lingerie a few months before the big day and definitely before your final dress fitting. Finally best of luck with your wedding day preparations and enjoy your wedding day! For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

86 Marriage Anniversary of Indian couple in UK

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:45:00 +0000

The longest-married living couple in the world have celebrated their 86th wedding anniversary.

Karam Chand was born in a small rural village in the Punjab in northern India in 1905. His family worked in farming and, in keeping with the custom of the time, he married at a young age. His bride Kartari was born in the same district in 1912.

Karam Chand, 106, and his wife Kartari, 99, of Bradford, tied the knot in a Sikh ceremony on January 6, 1925 in India, when the country was under British rule.
Their marriage is believed to have lasted four years longer than that of the current record holders, and their family are checking with Guinness World Records to confirm the achievement.

They have eight children, 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren and put their long marriage down to getting along with each other and enjoying life.
Mr Chand, a retired mill worker who moved to the UK in 1965 and enjoys a daily cigarette and a regular tot of whisky, said: ‘Eat and drink what you want, but in moderation. ’ Mrs Chand added: ‘Being married for 86 years is a blessing, but . . . we just get along with each other and are family focused – it’s simple.’

She added that she was looking forward to getting her telegram from the Queen next year and is conscious of the need to stay fit and healthy.
'We have always eaten good wholesome food, there's nothing artificial in our diet but things like ghee (clarified butter), milk and fresh yogurt are what we like.
'We know that being married for 86 years is a blessing, but equally we will be ready to go when it's time, it's all up to the will of God, but we really have lived a good life.

For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

Honeymoon - Tips to choose destination

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:34:00 +0000

One of the biggest things the bride and groom have to look forward to is their Honeymoon. The Wedding Day takes so much preparation and planning that the Honeymoon is the ideal way for the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their first few days or weeks of married life.

Where to go on your Honeymoon can be as big a decision as any of the other Wedding Day decisions you have just spent weeks if not months making. Do you both like the same things when on holiday or are you going to have to find compromise with your Honeymoon destination?

Some of the more popular Honeymoon choices are all-inclusive resorts where everything is paid for in advance. For a Honeymoon this can be the ideal choice after the expense of the Wedding. You can order snacks, meals and refreshments without worry about a final bill.

Many people envisage themselves on Honeymoon relaxing surf side with a cocktail in hand, the sun high in the sky and everything done for you. But if that's not your idea of a good time then why not Honeymoon somewhere that little bit different. Honeymoon in the mountains at a secluded ski resort has a certain appeal.

What time of year your Wedding takes place can have a bearing on where you choose for your Honeymoon destination. If you have chosen a winter wedding then you may want to continue the theme whilst on Honeymoon and a ski resort with roaring fire is ideal. Maybe you want the complete opposite and are looking for some winter sun on Honeymoon.

Whatever it is that you are looking for on Honeymoon spending time with your partner after the stress of the Wedding is the most important thing. Use your Honeymoon to unwind and relax and wherever you go.....have a ball!
For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

Packing Tips Good for Any Groom

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:32:00 +0000

Gentlemen, listen well. If you somehow think you can show up to your own honeymoon dressed like a slob, then you're in for a big shock. Somewhere along the way guys mistakenly began to believe that they could just show up to their honeymoon wearing whatever they feel like. Sadly, this is not the case. For many women, the honeymoon is an extension of the wedding itself. What this means for you is that the honeymoon is not your standard issue "run of the mill" trip. Any notion you had of packing a handful of items and darting out the door should be dismissed immediately for your own good. There is advice aplenty for what women should pack for their honeymoon, but men rarely receive any advice on what they should be packing.

This list should serve any groom headed to his honeymoon well. While it is not completely comprehensive, it should get any groom pointed in the right direction in terms of what he should take with him on this big, big, trip.

Skip the Rush: This is a very important tip. Any seasoned traveler will tell you that the last second "travel rush" is a simply beastly thing. Trips of any kind can be stressful, and the last second rush only makes things worse. With this in mind, you should strongly consider packing well ahead of time. Of course, this means that you will need to think about what you will be doing on your honeymoon as well. If you are going hiking or scuba diving, for example, you will need very specific gear. So take a good long look at your wardrobe at least a month in advance so that you will be certain that you are not missing anything vital. In terms of packing, a smart groom would have all the packing out of the way at least a week ahead of the big trip.

Dress the Part of a Gentlemen: Nothing makes the ladies swoon like a sharp dressed fellow. Keep this in mind when packing. A few slick outfits for your fine dining experiences is a very good idea. Your bride will also appreciate the effort you have shown as well.

Say No To Creases: The crease is your enemy. The last thing you want is to arrive at your honeymoon destination only to find that all of your clothing is completely creased. After all who feels like ironing after a ten-hour or even a twenty hour travel day? To keep this from happening, pack clothes that don't wrinkle easily. Consider dry-cleaning an outfit. Dry cleaned clothes are more resistant to wrinkles and creases.

Sexy, Sexy: Oh yes, your bride will appreciate a sexy surprise from you. A couple of pair of sexy men's underwear can go a long way.

Skip the Pharmacy Trip: Think through and plan all of your potential pharmacy needs, or to phrase it another way, make sure you have plenty of condoms and lubricants. Why not be prepared? Just imagine what a pain it could be to spend an hour or two searching for condoms in a strange city or even worse, a strange country.

Always Have a Back-Up Plan: An experienced traveler will tell you that all sorts of things can go wrong. In order to help safeguard you and your trip from disaster, think through what you pack in your carry on bag. If your suitcases get lost, a well-packed carry on can help you make it until you can replace your clothes or vital toiletries.

Use Your Hotel: Don't feel that you have to lug every toiletry that you might need. Usually hotels have an assortment of the most commonly used items, such as shampoo and soap.

For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

Tips to Stay on your Budget

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:03:00 +0000

Catering your wedding can be one of your largest expenses. Depending on your catering budget your guest list may either grow or get trimmed down. How do you get the best bang for your buck when it comes to catering? We have a few ideas that may help.

1. Make time to meet with several caterers. Interview them and ask for a tasting. Ask for ideas about what they can offer you that fits in your budget. (ALWAYS know what your catering budget will be!)

2. Choose items that will be in season during your wedding. Different fruits and vegetables are more readily at certain times of year. Ask your cater to help pick something that will cost less because it is readily available.

3. Maybe your caterer is already doing a nice chicken dish for another wedding the day before or after yours perhaps is you choose the same dish, you may be able to cut your costs (assuming the cater can get a better deal buying more of the same items in bulk). I can imagine two weddings for the same day and if yours has several of the same dishes as the other wedding, then your cater is only preparing those items once. Ask what other events they have booked near your wedding and what the menu is for those events.

4. Please don’t get exotic! Going to an event that has a soup that looks like cold snot and has a name you can’t even pronounce. it’s very difficult to enjoy the wedding when the food is strange. We know that it¹s nice to have unique foods to open our experiences but your guests don’t need to be forced to try new things because there isn’t anything else available. Plus, sticking with something traditional will most likely cost less and everyone can enjoy it.

5. Some venues require inside catering. Meaning they provide the catering to you. This is nice as it will cut down on your interviews for a caterer. Still, ask for a tasting you want to know what the food will taste like before you commit to feeding all your guests. You can usually use the above ideas, and may even save some money because you are doing everything at the same place.

6. If you still need to try and cut costs then stick with the basics. Don’t add on a bunch of options or extras. Also, serving sizes can have a large impact on your costs if your guests get to serve themselves, they may take more than they can eat. Ask for servers to dish out an appropriate amount to each guest. You can even decide early on to have more salad and less of the main course served.

Plated dinners are nice as everyone gets what is on the plate. Remember though, the staff time required to bring and clear the plates. When counting the number of people to feed remember to include your other “day of” vendors; photographer, wedding planner, DJ, Photo Booths, etc. Each of these people are working hard to make your wedding run smoothly.

Remember, your guests are coming to celebrate you and your wedding! They really shouldn’t care what is being served they should just happy to be there with you. Depending if you choose a plated meal or buffet type dinner, everyone will have an enjoyable time. And hopefully you won’t break the bank feeding your guests.

For more Information on Honeymoon packages Read Kalka to Shimla

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part - 4

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Pages or Page Boys - These are small children (usually boys) who follow the bride down the aisle carrying some of her train. They can also be known as train bearers.

Pillars - These are the supports used to prop up the varying tiers of a multi-tiered wedding cake. They may be made from cardboard, plastic or wood. They are also known as columns.

Piping - This is a way of making shapes like bows, leaves, stars, flowers, or design patterns using icing. A pastry bag is filled with soft icing, then squeezed through a selection of different shaped tips onto the wedding cake, where it hardens. Royal icing is often used for this, as it can easily be colored and is not strongly flavored.

Pomander - This is a round ball completely covered by flower blooms. They are carried by flower girls in the bridal procession who hold them by a ribbon.

Posies - These are the small and roundly shaped flower bouquets that are tightly packed and also will include greenery, which can often be sweet smelling herbs. They are held together by a twine or sometimes a wire. A posy can also be known as a nosegay, as these are similar but generally a proper posy is slightly smaller.

Pouf - This is a piece of netting that is gathered up and attached to a headpiece or comb, to allow for extra height to the veil.

Presentation - This is an elegant bouquet of long stemmed flowers that the bride carries in her arms.

Qazi - This is the title of the cleric who holds a Muslim wedding ceremony.

Ring Bearer - This is a usually a small boy, sometimes a little girl, who walks down the aisle as part of the bridal procession carrying an ornamental cushion that has two rings tied to it. (Not the actual wedding rings).

Rukhsat - A ritual tradition in Muslim weddings where the father of the bride gives her hand in marriage to her groom, on the promise that he will look after her.

Semi-formal - At these weddings; a less restrictive choice of clothing applies, but you still can't get away with much.

Shower - A spray of long stemmed flowers, often mixed with ivies that cascades downwards as the bride holds it in her hands.

Silk - This expensive, lustrous, and fine but strong natural thread is used for the most costly of wedding gowns. Many different weaves are available, which are used for different parts of the gown as they vary in density, suppleness, and sheen. Satin, Organza, Chiffon, Shantung, and Velvet are some examples.

Snood - A snood is an knitted net the bride may wear at the back of her head to enclose her hair.

Stroller Coat - This is a semiformal jacket colored gray or black that resembles a tuxedo, but worn for daytime weddings.

Tails - This is an abbreviation for the tail coat worn for formal evening weddings.

Tiara - One of the headpiece options for the bride, a tiara is a thin jeweled semi-circular coronet with a higher front and sloping sides worn at the top of the head. Or if it is regular in height, then it may be worn at an angle.

Tiers - These are the numerous layers of a wedding cake, usually differing in size, they are supported in place by pillars. (See Pillars).

Topiary - This is the skilled art of clipping or trimming foliage or flower arrangements so that they take on the shapes of animals, lettering, numbers, or various but precise geometric forms.

Tossing Bouquet - A copy of the bride's bouquet which she throws over her shoulder towards bridesmaids and other female guests after the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, whoever catches this bouquet will be the next to wed.

Train - This is a long (or extremely long) extension to a wedding gown or other dress that trails along the floor behind the wearer.

Tulle - This is a fine mesh used for bridal veils, and sometimes in wedding gowns. Tulle is either made from nylon, silk or rayon (artificial silk).

Tux or Tuxedo - This is a formal or semi-formal men's black evening jacket that may be either single-breasted (1-4 buttons) or double-breasted (2-6 buttons).

Vows - At the very heart of the wedding ceremony, the vows exchanged between the bride and groom are promises of future loyalty, love, trust and support. There are many different ways to word these sentiments, some couples prefer to write their own, use traditional vows, or combine the traditional with some extra tweaking of their own. Vows may either be spoken as a statement or in response to the officiant's question, and may be the same said by both or individual to each.

Waistcoat (Vest) - For ultra-formal evening weddings, the gentlemen might wear a white tie and waistcoat.

Wali - These are representatives of the bride at a Muslim wedding.

Walima - This is the Muslim name for a wedding reception.

Wing Collar - This is the most formal type of collar, shirts with this are the standard choice for wearing with a tuxedo.

Wreath - A circle of flowers and / or leaves that is often decorated with ribbons and bows. Wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece of a decorated area, or are seen above doorways. A small wreath may also be worn by the bride atop her head, if she so wishes. It may also be referred to as a garland though there are differences. (See Garlands).

Yichud - This is a period of time in a Jewish wedding which occurs immediately after the ceremony. During this time the bride and groom are allowed to be alone together.

So, that's a collection of wedding terms given a meaning to. If you're having a wedding soon, then good luck for the big day, you're probably nervous, maybe been dieting. And if it is a simple affair, without much pomp and finery, don't let that worry you. All the extra stuff is only a way of showing celebration; people with more money will naturally spend more (Scrooges aside).

But all this doesn't necessarily reflect on the true magic of the occasion, which is the love between a man and a woman, that can shine through any setting, grand or humble. Money can't buy that, and never will.

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part -3

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Ganache - This is a mixture of chocolate and cream, used either to fill or garnish a wedding cake.

Garlands - These are flower and / or green leaves twirled into ropes or loops that are often hung from the likes of doorways, stairs and railings. The word can be interchangeable with wreath, but properly this is always circular, and a garland need not be so. A garland may also be worn by the bride as a headpiece. (See Wreath).

Groom's Cake - A smaller, second cake that may or may not be included in the wedding ceremony. If it is, then it is often served at the rehearsal dinner.

Gum Paste - This is a mixture of sugar, starch and gelatin. It's what many of those realistic looking flowers, fruits and ribbons are made of on a wedding cake.

Half Crown - An ornate headpiece for the bride which lies between a crown and tiara in size and weight.

Hattabin - These are the male friends and family of the groom at a Moslem wedding.

Honor Attendants - These are the best man and the maid (or matron or man) of honor.

Hora - A dance at a Jewish wedding where the bride and groom are lifted high on chairs.

Huppah - A flower bedecked canopy that is an essential part of a Jewish wedding.

Ikebana - This is an extremely dramatic and artistic form of flower arranging that originated in Japan, but is now popular all over the world and often seen at weddings.

Imam Zamin - This is a good luck tradition after a Moslem wedding where the mother of the bride ties a coin that is wrapped in silk around her daughter's arm.

Juliet Cap - This is a close fitting cap that is often decorated with precious stones sometimes worn as a bride's headpiece.

Ketubah - In Jewish weddings, this is the wedding contract between the bride and groom. It is usually highly decorated and often framed and put on a wall in the couple's home.

Koumbaro - This is the title of the best man in Eastern Orthodox Christian weddings. (See Crown).

Lace - A decorative mesh of interlaced threadwork which is plaited, knotted, looped and turned to make either simple or complicated patterns and raised work. There are many different styles of lace, which has a long history of romance, and in some form or other it is very often included on a wedding gown. Alencon, Chantilly, Spanish and Venise are just a few of the many lacework types available.

Latticework - An icing adornment on a wedding cake that zigzags.

Maid Of Honor - Known as the chief bridesmaid in some countries, she is the last bridesmaid to walk down the aisle before the bride herself. If the couple are exchanging wedding rings, then it is her duty to hold the ring destined for the groom, and hand it over to the bride at the right time, as the best man does in reverse. She will also hold onto the bouquets during the vows, and see that the bride's dress is properly turned out.

Man Of Honor - Some brides prefer to have a male friend attending to the duties of the maid of honor. If so, this is his title.

Mantilla - This is a Spanish word literally meaning 'little cloak.' It is a lace or tulle shawl that the bride can wear around her head and shoulders.

Marzipan - Made of sugar, egg whites and almonds, this substance can be used as a base for icing, or to mold decorative forms such as flowers from, on the wedding cake.

Matron Of Honor - This is the proper title given where the maid of honor is herself married

Oasis - This is the name of a specialist hard foam used by florists in bouquet holders or vases. Holes are made in it for the flower stems to fit into, as an oasis (as its name suggests) will preserve water for a long time. This will naturally allow for fresher looking flowers at the wedding.

Officiant - This is the cleric or secular official that carries out the ceremony. For non religious weddings, he or she might be a justice of the peace, magistrate or even the Captain of a ship (when onboard).

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part -2

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Calligraphy - This is an ornate highly stylized form of handwriting seen on expensive wedding invitations and other places.

Candle Lighters - These are children (hopefully responsible ones) who light candles at the altar when the bride's mother (who is the official hostess of the ceremony) takes her seat. Sometimes these candle lighters are uniquely dressed.

Cathedral - The longest of veils, this is three and a half yards in length.

Chapel - This is the name for a length of bridal veil that will reach the floor, extending two and a half yards from the headpiece.

Comb - A bridal headpiece attached to her hair with teeth like a comb. May be as ornate as the bride wishes it to be.

Cornelli - A complicated decorative form of icing which resembles a lacework on the wedding cake.

Corsage - A single flower bloom or a small spray of blooms which are attached to a lace and pinned to either the front of a woman's dress, or at her wrist. Orchids are among the most popular flower choices for corsages, and at weddings they are usually only worn by female relatives of the bride and groom.

Crown - One of the things a bride may choose to wear, it is a fully circular gemstone or bead adorned head piece that is larger than both a half crown and tiara. In Greek Orthodox Christian weddings; both the bride and groom have crowns placed on their head by the Koumbaro, who then swaps the crowns between the couple three times. (See Koumbaro)

Cummerbund - This is a broad sash worn around a man's waist on top of his shirt but under the jacket. They are usually black, but may be any color required.

Dais - This is a podium or platform raised from the floor. In wedding receptions, it is where the bride and groom are seated. The word is also used to indicate the flower display on the happy couple's table, which often tumbles over the front.

Damask - This is a linen or fabric with raised patterns woven into it. Brocade is similar but of a heavier weight. The word is derived from Damascus, the capitol of Syria.

Dotted Swiss - A method of decorating the wedding cake which involves small random dots of icing.

Double Tier - A two layered veil. Usually, one layer will be longer than the other.

Dragees Round - These are the edible and brightly colored balls of sugar seen on wedding cakes.

Elbow - A length of veil which reaches down to the bride's elbows.

Embellishments - These are extra adornments either sewn or glued onto a bridal gown. The additions may include; embroidery, lace, glass or crystal beads, ribbons, bows, shiny plastic circular pieces called sequins, fringes, pearls, and others.

Euro Tie - Often worn with a spread collar, this is a long tie that is more formal than a regular necktie, but less so than an ascot. (See Ascot).

Father of the Bride - He used to pay for everything at a wedding but nowadays both families often share the costs. What has not changed is his duty of escorting his daughter down the aisle in her last few moments of being single.

Favors - These are small inexpensive gifts that may be given to all guests at a wedding as a thank you for their attendance, and also to serve as a souvenir.

Fiancé - This is the title of the groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and the wedding.

Fiancée - This is the title of the bride between her engagement to her betrothed and the wedding day.

Finger Tip - One of the most popular lengths of veil, which as the name suggests, extends to the fingertips.

Fish Bowl - A centerpiece in floral decorations where flowers are together in a, ornate or otherwise, low and broad glass bowl.

Flower Girls or Flower Children - These are small children (usually girls) that pave the way down the aisle for the bride by holding a pomander or scattering flower petals from a small basket. (See Pomander).

Flyaway - This is a many layered veil that will barely reach to the shoulder.

Fondant - This is a sweet icing made from sugar, syrup and gelatin that has supple qualities which enable a layer to be draped over the wedding cake like a fabric. It is then used as the base for other elaborate decorations and designs.

Formal - At a formal wedding, dress codes come into force, so don't make a mistake guys, or your date will give you hell.

Fountain - This is the name of a veil style, where part is gathered up atop the bride's head and the remainder set loose to fall around her face. A fountain veil will reach to either the shoulder or the elbow, depending on preference.

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:36:00 +0000

All weddings are different of course, but nevertheless they also have many things in common, so here is a look at some of the terms and definitions that are associated with them.

It can be useful to know in advance what you might expect, whether you will be attending as a guest, a family member (who may be footing some of the bill for these things), or even looking for ideas if you are a prospective bride or groom.

A wedding glossary can also be used as a precautionary measure as well, as if something goes wrong on such an important occasion; then blame will surely have to be placed somewhere, and if you find yourself not knowing what's what - then that somewhere might just be you!

Ascot Tie - This is a wide type of necktie that is reserved for the most formal of daytime weddings and occasions. It is worn with a gray cutaway (morning) coat that is longer in the back than at the front and gray striped trousers.

Backpiece - This is an often highly decorated comb that sits on the back of a bride's head and is used for attaching her veil.

Ballet - Also known as a waltz, this is a veil length that drops below the bride's knees, but above her ankles.

Basket Weave - A type of decorative piping on the wedding cake which features interlinked horizontal and vertical lines of icing.

Best Man - The best man will have numerous duties, the most important of which is to keep the bride's ring safe until it's time for the vows, when he hands it to the groom for putting on her finger. His other duties include announcing speeches at the reception and making his own. He will also sign the marriage license, and make sure the groom gets to the wedding!

Biedermeier - A type of posy where the flowers are arranged in rings according to their color. (See Posies).

Blusher - A short, single layered veil that covers the bride's face before the ceremony.

Bomboniere - This is an Italian word which is sometimes used to refer to wedding favors. (See Favors).

Boutonierre - This is a single flower or flower bud or a small group of flowers or buds; worn by the groom, best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom, on the left (over the heart) lapel of their jackets.

Bow Tie - The most popular choice of tie to wear with a tuxedo. May also be known as a 'dickey bow.'

Bridal or Bride's Bouquet - The bunch of flowers given by the groom to his bride.

Bridal Procession - Every girl's chance to be a princess. Resplendent in her gown, and on her doting father's arm, the accompanying entourage can be as lengthy as she wishes (venue and cost permitting).

Bridesmaids - These are the gals who are good friends with the bride, supporting her emotionally both before and on her big day. Although they pay for their own gowns, the bride should give them an idea as to what sort of styles and colors she expects them to wear, as some in this group may try to outshine the star of the show.

Buffet - A self service style of meal at a wedding reception, where the food and drinks are presented on a long table, or a series of tables, and the guests collect a plate and help themselves whenever they wish (queues permitting). A buffet is usually the most affordable option as considerably less waiters are needed (if any), but the costs can rise as less control over food portions can be exercised.

Buttercream - A soft and creamy icing that can be colored, flavored and used for decoration or filling for a wedding cake.

Preserve Those Memories

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:21:00 +0000

hey say all good things must come to an end. But, there are ways newlyweds can savor the memories from their wedding day. Here's some advice for keeping the wedding gown, bouquet and cake intact for the future.

The Wedding Gown

Time is especially important when handling your dress after the wedding. Take the garment to the dry cleaners as soon as possible, no longer than one month after the ceremony, so stains can be removed. If you wait, the stains may adhere permanently to the material.

Inquire how the dress will be handled and packed. The gown should be cleaned individually and turned inside-out to avoid harm to the beading and embroidery. Stains should be treated by hand. Some stains, such as sugar, cannot be dissolved by most dry cleaning fluid, so check into this, if necessary.

The best storage option would be a acid-free box with acid-free tissue paper. The window of the box should be acetate, which is also acid-free, rather than plastic. Glue, metal and rubber parts in the headpiece can produce brown stains on the dress, so request it be stored in a separate box. You can ask to see the gown before it's packed away to inspect it for problems. If you choose to do your own wrapping, remove all padding from the shoulders or bust. Wrap the garment in a clean white sheet or piece of muslin.

All gowns, whether they are prepared professionally or wrapped by you, should be laid flat, not hung, in a dry area with a constant temperature. Attics or basements may not be a good idea, as they can be too hot or too damp. It's also a good idea to check the dress once a year, for any damage or stains.

The Cake

The tradition of eating a piece of wedding cake on the first anniversary can be followed if proper steps have been taken before freezing it. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

Encase the upper most layer securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Beware of using foil alone as it can leave the cake with a nasty, metallic taste. Store the cake in the back of the freezer where the temperature remains constant so the cake will retain its original flavor.

The Bouquet

Flowers can be dried, turned into potpourri or individually pressed within the pages of a book. To properly preserve a bouquet, don't delay, begin the drying process before leaving on your honeymoon.

Turn the bouquet upside down and hang it in a dry, dark place for about two weeks. By that time it should be completely dried out and ready to decorate a wall or shelf.

To make potpourri, remove fresh petals and place in a bowl out of sunlight, for about 2-3 weeks. After the petals are dry, add a drop or two of floral-scented potpourri oil.

Pressed flowers or just the petals can be used to adorn the pages of a wedding album, placed in a picture frame or used on stationery. Cut fresh flowers close to the base and place them inside a folded piece of wax paper. Then, place it all within the pages of a heavy book. Check back in two weeks.

Changing Your Name After Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:19:00 +0000

Are you planning on changing your name once you finally tie the knot? If you decide to do so, there are so many options. Do you hyphenate, keep your maiden name as your middle name, combine both names, or be traditional? Well whichever option you choose, the name change process can seem overwhelming. There are numerous forms to gather from many government agencies. You'll need a social security form, US passport form, driver's license form, voter registration form, IRS forms, forms to send to your employer, insurance company, utilities companies, and all organizations of which you are a member. Many brides put off the process and wait for months or even years to change their name. The process is really not that horrible. Once you gather your forms & complete them, most can be sent in through the mail. The only office you'll need to visit in person is the motor vehicle department.

If you plan on traveling overseas on your honeymoon, the name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport. Therefore, wait until you return to change your name and book your tickets in your maiden name.

The bride taking the groom's name is not the only way to go. A groom can also legally change his last name to the bride's. This is not as popular, but it does happen. A groom may have a long last name or a name he isn't fond of and decide he wants the bride's name.

Neither He nor you can Dance

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:16:00 +0000

What to do

Dancing with another person is fast becoming a lost art. It’s just not part of our upbringing anymore, and dancing - as in the kind of dancing you did in high school - isn't the kind that is envisioned when it comes to your husband-to-be and your first dance.

Since I assume you aren’t trained in ballroom dancing, and - because I'm a guy - I know that neither is your fiancé, you will want to figure out how, or whether, you are going to tackle this glaring omission in your bridal resume.

First, you should figure out whether there will actually be dancing at your wedding reception. Many couples are shying away from a traditional reception with a band or DJ in favor of no dancing, at all. (In fact, that's the choice my wife and I made). Furthermore, you may still feature some dancing, but no 'first dance'. At a recent wedding I attended, the bride and groom dragged everyone on to the dance floor to have a communal first dance. (For the record, the first dance song was "I Like To Move It". We did.)

If you are envisioning a traditional first dance featuring a song that you both love, it's a great idea to take dance lessons so that you don't feel completely awkward when under the gaze of all of your friends and family. You'll want to prepare far enough in advance of your wedding to get the benefit of the lessons, but not too far that you forget how to do the waltz. Six to eight weeks is a good guide. Practice makes perfect (or at least, passable.)

The easiest way to learn to dance is to support your local dance studio. Having reviewed several "Learn to Dance" Web sites and DVDs, I'm confident that there is no better way to learn than to receive personalized instruction. Just as you didn't learn to drive from a book, dancing requires that you (and your flatfooted fiancé) develop muscle memory.

The Bridal Brunch

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:48:00 +0000

The bridal brunch gives the bride an opportunity to spend quality time with members of her family who have come from far and wide to be with her on this special day. It is not a time for her to visit with, or entertain aunt Mary down the street, or cousin Debbie across town. However, if the bride chooses to invite close members of the local family, it is not improper.

Needless to say, the bride who is so thoughtful to take this time out of her wedding day, to make others feel welcome and appreciated, will be remembered forever for her kindness.

Mothers, around the world, are well known for sharing the tears, joys, and triumphs of their children's lives, with both family and friends. It is likely that all the correspondence has been left to mom in the preceding years. The bridal brunch provides an opportunity to renew family bonds, become reacquainted, and begin building bridges to the future.

Another excellent reason for hosting a bridal brunch is many of these guests will arrive the day before the wedding, and the bride may not have another opportunity, for years, to visit with them, as they will likely have returned home before she and the groom come back from their honeymoon.

The Wedding Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:45:00 +0000

The wedding breakfast is most often hosted by a friend or neighbor of the bride, in honor of all those who have come from out-of-town for the occasion. This breakfast is a wonderful way to occupy and entertain guests who may feel in need of a warm welcome.

Neither the bride, nor her groom and families are expected to attend the wedding breakfast, although it is certainly proper, if they chose to do so. The menu may be as simple as quiche, coffee and juice or as extravagant as a full scale breakfast buffet. Whatever is served is secondary to the feeling of being part of the festivities.

This is a good time to give a run down of scheduled events which surround the day. Proper arrival time at the church for photographs, transportation arrangements, childcare concerns and any number of other questions can be answered at this time, leaving no room for misunderstandings later.

How to make wedding table centerpieces

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:26:00 +0000

How to make wedding table centerpieces is important if you want to make the most of the space and add the best look to your wedding reception.

The first thing you need to think about is the overall look of the room and if you have a theme, ie butterflies or a color, how that will fit into your centerpiece idea. The best way to get ideas is to hunt through wedding magazines and online to get pictures of the designs that you like.

Next you need to see how much space you will have at your tables, a 5ft round with 10 people on won't have much space for an elaborate centerpiece unless you have height rather than width. Whereas a 6ft round with 10 people on will have a fair amount of space to fill. If you have rectangular tables or 'longs' then you will have lots of space one way and not much the other, in other words you will need to have long centerpiece designs. Have a chat with your venue so that you can see how much room you have. Ask to see a room laid for another wedding, they will happily show it to you before the wedding party arrives.

The other consideration is the amount of other stuff on the table; menu, wine, water jugs, glasses and place settings. I have seen tables where the centerpiece is lost behind all the other extras. Before you go very high think how your guests will see each other at the table, the only way to test this is to make a mock up of the centerpiece and then sit at a table with it. Can you see your opposite guest? The top table?

Remember that the centerpiece doesn't have to be flowers or candles it can be anything you want; favor boxes stacked in the middle, pictures, rose petals, tall glass vases with peacock feathers, even baskets of chocolates.

How to make wedding program fans

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:19:00 +0000

How to make wedding program fans. When I first heard about this type of program I have to admit I thought it sounded a bit of a faff, but at the time I had visions of those folded fans that used to make as a child!

rogram fans work really well when your wedding is in a hot climate, last summer I was at a wedding where the bride had chosen this program and they looked lovely. However only the women used them, the men passed them to their partners or just placed them on the side. So the lesson from that is - do you need to make one for everyone? Think about whether the men will appreciate this type of fan, you may be better off having a fan for the women and a plain card - same design for the men but less work!

Program fans can be either strips of card held together with a ribbon or the card with what looks like a large ice lolly stick as the handle.

How to make wedding program fans at home, for the strips fan, you will need colored card, a hole punch and ribbon. Design the program on the computer, if you want the fan to have alternate colors then have a color sheet for the first piece and for each section. A good way to organize this is to have different details on each section. Names and date on the first, followed by readings by, songs, and names of the wedding party, plus any other details you want your guests to have. When you have printed the card, cut each section out and hole punch at the bottom, collate all the pieces for a fan and then tie with ribbon. As you will need to have fairly hard card you may want to take these to a printer to print rather than breaking your own printer!

The more simple and easier design is the card with a stick attached as the handle, you may want to curve the edges of the card to make it look more decorative, print the details, the same as the previous fan design and then glue to the sticks. I would use ribbon to decorate the stick otherwise it looks too plain. If you choose this design you have more room for the wedding program details and could even include a photograph of the two of you.

Just incase your creative edge has left you I have found some great wedding program fans where all you have to do is type the words that you want displayed and they do the rest. The price quoted is for 100 fans!

How to make wedding menus

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:12:00 +0000

During my time working in hotels I put together a lot of wedding menus, so my first tip has to be - check with your venue, will they do them for you? You may find that they will for a corporate dinner but don't for a wedding, mainly due to color being so important at weddings. You will find that they have a standard menu cover that will probably have the venue name on, have a look at them and see if you would be happy to have them on your tables. If the color is not right for you then ask if they will print the inserts, this will leave you with just the cover to do.

When you are making your own wedding menus think about your tables, how many menus will you need? I would have 2 per table of 10, not everyone is going to look at them and then you will not detract from the centerpiece or other decorations.

A folded A4 card works well, you can use artwork from your invitations, or plain color card with menu, the date and your names printed, or you could have a picture that adds to your theme. To add an extra color you can tie the menu with a color ribbon. Recently I have noticed more and more people are having black and white photographs printed on the covers, which is a fun addition to the table decor.

If your wedding menu is for the buffet table, it would be worth having A4 or even A3 sized card with the details of the dishes. Have copies at the beginning and also spaced through the buffet tables. You may want to have a starters menu and then a mains menu at the appropriate points otherwise you could end up delaying your guests as they read what is on offer.

My advice would be to keep it simple and keep it fit for purpose, how to make wedding menus is by telling your guests what they are going to eat!

Make your own wedding items!

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:07:00 +0000

Make your own wedding items can be enough to tip the balance from a sane well organised bride-to-be to one that is stressed to the max! The best way to avoid this is to be honest with yourself on what you are good at and what are your patience levels! Sticking 300 mini bows onto boxes can be very frustrating, if not just plain depressing. Where do you start? My way would be to ask all of your friends and relatives if they would mind helping with a few craft projects for your wedding. Invite them all round for snacks and drinks, the more the merrier! Get them involved in your ideas and they will get caught up in the wedding fever. What talents do they have? Ask away and you will be amazed at how many people want to help and be involved.

Invitations are a great place to start, you could set up a mini production line in your kitchen, one to stick the bows(don't give me that job!), one in charge of the printer, one to write all of the envelopes - choose the one with the best handwriting - you get the picture, the more helpers the quicker this will get done.

How to make wedding invitations

How to make cheap wedding invitations with some glue and your printer is a fairly easy way to save yourself some money in your wedding budget. For the picture on the invitation you have lots to choose from.

You could have old photos of you both, either as children or when you first met, with the classic line "Guess who is getting married?" underneath.

A photograph or drawing of where you are getting married if it is a more formal wedding, a caricature of you both if you are having a fun relaxed wedding.

Or you could have photos of flowers, confetti, wedding rings, wedding cake, the list is endless.

Make sure you print the photograph using the right photographic paper for your printer, maximise the paper by fitting as many copies as you can on one sheet.

Use your printer to print out the wording for the front of the card and the insert, again maximise the paper!

When you have all your bits, you need to stick them onto your card, you can buy ready folded blank cards which are great, and normally come with all the envelopes. Definately shop around as you can pay more for the blanks if they are labelled with wedding rather than just a blank card - but there will be no difference.

To stick the photo and the words onto the card I would recommend using glue dots or foam craft pads if you want a 3d effect, this way you avoid messy glue spillages!

Beach Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:53:00 +0000

There are few places on this planet as a source of inspiration for our beaches. The endless ebb and flow of water, shellfish tucked into the sand, sunlight dancing on water, and the horizon that seems to last forever - it is absolutely intoxicating and romantic. Many couples decide that a beach wedding is the prefect way to start their married life.

If you set your heart to marry on the beach you'll need to plan carefully to make your day as perfect as you imagine. First, you must select a beach for wedding perfect location. There are many stunning beaches in the world where it is possible and legal to get married. Stretching in the world of classical locations in Florida, Hawaii, California and the Caribbean by far the deserted beaches in Australia and tropical paradise in Fiji or the Cook Islands. Many destinations around the world offer at the top or cliff overlooking the ocean marriages - where you can marry outside overlooking the beach, but with facilities and comfort of a private villa or hotel. Santorini in Greece and the Amalfi coast in Italy are a couple of excellent examples of this type of beach-style weddings.

Things to consider are heat - the largest number of beach destinations marriage can become very hot - especially in mid day. On many beaches that face west May it be convenient to have your marriage just before sunset - which will reduce the heat factor and also make a spectacular backdrop for the romantic ceremony and wedding photos.

Many couples decide to go to paradise beach resorts that offer weddings and ceremonies while combining their honeymoon. Often, these stations will have a beautiful region kiosk or set aside for weddings near the beach. Often, married in a city near the beach reduced some problems that may arise with a ceremony on the sand. Often, hotels will have private beaches to marry on so you can get privacy. Furthermore, they will have facilities - like the shade, drinks, etc. which will make the ceremony will be good for everyone. These stations can provide reception on a beautiful terrace - photos of marriage, but can still be taken onto the beach. Many stations also offer ceremonies taking place on the beach and reception facilities.

For a ceremony on the beach you can make beautiful decorations to make the day truly special. It is wise to use a local expert Wedding Planner to help it and the legal - in many places, there are some really talented wedding planners who can create beautiful beach wedding decorations - but it is often possible to organize everything yourself. Planning to wear what is important - light fabrics are essential - for both bride and groom and guests. Flat shoes - not always popular with customers - is also essential. Do not forget to have plenty of fluids to keep everyone updated.

Jewish wedding

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:04:00 +0000

A Jewish wedding is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish life cycle and as with all religions, is a great cause for celebration. Although there are many laws and traditions associated with the wedding itself, other rituals take place in the weeks leading up to the big day.

The wedding itself can be held on any day of the week apart from during the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday, or on major Jewish festivals such as the Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year (when Jews are required to refrain from work). In the UK, Sunday is the most popular day for Jewish weddings to be held - in countries such as the US it is also common for weddings to be held on Saturday night after the Sabbath (this is more popular in the winter when Sabbath ends early). Ultra-Orthodox couples often hold ceremonies on weekdays.

Significance of the number seven

Number seven important in the Jewish wedding - seven glasses of wine and drank during the rituals and celebrations afterwards. This is because God created the world in seven days and in that, the bride is figuratively building the walls, several new home.

During the service, the bride and groom to drink the first of seven glasses of wine, and a few prayers were said for a couple of binding together. One of the most important parts is giving the ring. The ring must belong to itself, the groom - must not be borrowed - and must be a complete circle without pause, to emphasize hope for harmonious marriage, and must be plain without stones or decoration. This is not a condition for the groom wears a wedding ring, but many people do. As with other religions, the ring is the best man held until it is time to groom that the bride is ga. When the groom give the bride the ring he recites the following verse:

Here you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel.

During the ceremony, the officiator of the service, usually Master, will make speech about the couple and bless them as they begin their new life together. This service also includes prayer, is usually sung Cantor, sadness about Jewish people and the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. As the engagement ceremony, Jews, remember that even on their luck to the marriage, they still Remember this, and the fact that other sad events have occurred in Jewish history, and to pay respect to those who have suffered.

The ceremony ends

The ceremony ends with the breaking of glass by the groom, who is also connected to the memory of the destruction of the Temples. Many people joke that the breaking of glass also symbolizes recently married a new man will always be able to put his foot down! When the broken glass, congregants will convey their congratulations to the couple.

After that, it is traditional for the newlyweds to spend some time alone, together in a special room before greeting his guests. As with all communities and religions, such as Jews to film their wedding and take photos, and often it was done between the ceremony and wedding party. Sometimes, especially in the case of evening weddings, official photographs will be taken before the ceremony to make the best use of time available.

Bachelor Party Do's & Don'ts

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:27:00 +0000

Whether you're the bride, the planning of a party or a guest, it is good to know the "rules" of fun, friendship-filled pre-Wedding Fete is known as bachelor party. If you need to know some basics of bachelor party, start here.

Do's Make sure that everyone is invited to the bachelor bash is invited to the wedding. But do not worry about the invitation of all women on your wedding guest list to your girls night.

Make sure that your fiance's female relatives are invited, even if you are sure that they will not participate. If you do not want them to feel obliged to attend, you or your fiance can tactfully let them know that the decline does not hurt your feelings.

Are you looking for group rates - for food, entertainment, wellness tips and so on. Many companies offer such discounts.

Find out who is doing the planning and how you can help. This is true whether you're the bride, a bridesmaid or a guest. Typically, the maid of honor plans the bachelor party, but it's appropriate for the bridesmaids to help out, and for the bride to help with the guest list, if asked.

Now Don't

Don't organize this party too close to the date of marriage, unless a relative, a close friend of the bride who lives 3000 miles away should simply be there - and it can not fly until just before marriage. If so, a plan for two days before the big day, not before nightfall. Even better, if possible, a plan for a week or two before marriage, if there is the slightest chance of injury (a ski trip, whitewater rafting), leave several weeks.

Don't plan anything that will embarrass the bride so much she'll be upset or angry. A stripper is fine if you're sure the bride will laugh and enjoy the act. Forcing her to take the stage with a bunch of Chippendale dancers just because she's had one (or two or three) too many champagne cocktails may be seen as cruel when she recovers from her hangover. So we hope you will have a wonderful bachelor party.

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:27:00 +0000

Getting married is going to be one of the most important times in your life and like all brides you want to look and feel special for your wedding day.

The proposal has taken place, the date of the wedding has been set and the search for the dream dress has only just begun.

What style and what colour to choose is daunting enough and as exciting as it all is the hardest hurdle is going to be the price of that dress you have often pictured yourself in walking down the aisle while the man of our dreams is waiting for you.

With dresses that cost almost if not more than the honeymoon or could quite easily cover the cost of the reception choosing your dress wisely could be one of the hardest albeit the most exciting thing you will do for a long time.

You may have considered going down the second hand route where it is possible to purchase designer dresses that have been worn only once in a fashion show or somebody has sold it back to the shop to be re-bought!

Wedding Dress from Charity Shops

Secondhand wedding dress shops are popping up in most towns within the UK and are being very popular with the budge wise bride to be.

Secondhand, or used, wedding dresses are easy to find from charity shops, online auctions, dress agencies and online bridal stores.

Shops are now available that sell used designer dresses. These could have been used in a fashion show or as display models and are then considered second hand.

On looking for a second hand wedding dress take extra time to look it over for stains and snags. Remember this dress will have been worn and those with long trains and full skirts will have been dragged along the floor by the previous bride.

Check that if needed, it can be dry cleaned or if a stain is too bad you could disguise the markings with beads and/or crystals.

If the second hand dress you intend to buy says one size, you need to take into consideration that it may well have been altered before and will therefore not be a true size that is stated on any tags.

If you are intending to buy a dress before you have had a chance to try it on, don’t be scared to ask the buyer as many questions as you feel is important because once you have purchased the dress ‘as seen’, chances are it will be unlikely you will see a return of your money if the dress is no good for you.

Bargains are there to be found and even if you do buy and wear a second hand dress for your wedding, it will still be one of the happiest days of you life whether you are wearing a dress that cost you £100 or £10,000!

Chinese weddings

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:48:00 +0000

Chinese have been around for long periods and well, we live in separate regions. Therefore, each region has its own food, dialect, and naturally, its own wedding customs. In this small site, I would like to share with you some Chinese customs, which could have some local flavor.

Procedures

This is the elaborate process on the groom's parents' part to provide the right kind of bride for their family. Families are great for a bride can take care of household finances and most importantly, give birth to sons inherit the wealth of the family. families are poor for a bride, can work hard in the fields, and birth to sons to help on the farm.

In the old days, marriages are arranged so that it is quite normal for parents to dominate the bride-seeking. Girls from wealthy families will be provided by other rich and poor families is likely to marry girls in poor families. Hence the Chinese proverb: Bamboo door to door bamboo as a wooden door is the wooden door.

Picking up the Bride

On the day of the wedding, the groom will send a carriage over to the bride's family to bring the bride home. The carriage is decorated in red and is carried by four servants. Musicians will accompany the procession and they will play wedding music all the way. A lot of gifts are also brought to the bride's family at the same time.

At the bride's home, the bride will put on her bright red wedding gown and the bride's parents will give her jewelry to wear.

Bride Leaving Home

As the groom's procession arrives, the groom's spokeswoman will enter the bride's house and will carry the bride on her back. The bride cannot touch the ground with her feet until she arrives at the groom's house. In some regions, the bride's relatives will throw rice into the air, hoping that the chickens around will eat the rice instead of pecking at the bride. Sometimes, a red umbrella is used to shield the bride as the opening of the umbrella will symbolize her bringing many descendants to the groom's family. As the bride leaves the house, her parents and her relatives will bid her farewell as she rides the carriage and leaves home. Wealthy brides often have servant girls who will follow her to the groom's family and continue to serve her. These maids are known as ones who 'accompany the marriage'.

Bride Arriving at the Groom's Home

After the bride arrive at the groom's house, the couple will again worship the ancestors and worship the heavens and earth. Then they will serve tea to the groom's family according the their seniority and the relatives will give them red packets or bridal jewelry in return.

The Wedding Banquet

To celebrate the marriage, the groom's family will throw a wedding feast as large as they can afford. In the old days, some villagers may use up to seven continuous days to entertain the relatives during a wedding. Every night, delicious food is being served to all the guests.

Accessories for the Groom- The Wedding Belt

noreply@blogger.com (aru) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:18:00 +0000

It is believed that belts were first worn by both men and women as far back as the Bronze Age.

However its usage never really flourished as a fashion accessory until the Middle Ages where women held their dresses with belts tied around their waists.

The Grooms belt may seem a rather insignificant accessory for his wedding attire, but choose the wrong one and it could seriously compromise an otherwise fantastic outfit.

The belt still had some way to go before it was given a place in the fashion wardrobes, although it has always remained an important feature in the uniform of the military. During the time of the First World War it was common place to see officers wearing thick wide belts worn tightly around the waist on the outside of the uniform, with the aim being to emphasize the broadness of the shoulders.

By the 1920's the belt took its rightful place in the fashion wardrobe, due to the introduction of the belt loop to civilian mens trousers.

How to Wear your Wedding Belt with Style

Where a belt which matches your shoes.

Make sure you invest in a good quality leather belt.

Make sure you wear the correct size belt for your waist.

Choose a plain black belt that is approximately an inch and a quarter thick with discreet stitching and without any special motif. The aim here is the belt is there as an accessory not to dominate your wedding outfit.

If you are going to where jewellery such as a dress watch, try and coordinate the colour of the watch strap with your belt buckle ie. A silver watch strap works well with a plain classic silver belt buckle. Try and steer clear of gold belt buckles unless you want to create an impression of 'bling'.

Caring for your Belt

On purchasing your leather belt spray it with a water and stain repellent.
Store your belt in a wardrobe by allowing it to hang from its buckle, either on a belt or tie rack.
Never fold your belt or leave it hanging in your trousers as this will cause the leather to crack and deform the belt.
Avoid hanging your belt in direct sunlight as this will cause the belt to fade.
Store the belt in a ventilated room as too much moisture and heat can cause the deterioration of the belt.