Archive for wedding

Wedding vows

February 6, 2009 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , ,

The wedding vows are one of the best parts of a marriage ceremony. The bride and groom have the chance to express their love and commitment to the other person out loud. Many couple’s are really starting to write their own wedding vows, and it increase every year. If you really want to write your own vows, this article will help you out. Writing your own vow doesn’t have to as extremely hard as everyone thinks it is.

First, congrats for choosing to write your vows and making them personal. Your special someone will most definitely appreciate this. Many couples get afraid about finding their own words to express their love for each other. Do not let this stop you. There is nothing more romantic than hearing a loved ones feelings about the other. Who else is better to create your vows filled with your love than you?

 

I do

I do

As long as you are comfortable doing so, there isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t write your very own wedding vows. An important thing to remember is make sure that both you and your fiancé are comfortable with it. It won’t have the same effect if one of you doesn’t want to write their own vows. You have to be willing to write your feelings down and say them in front of everyone you know. It can seem daunting, but when the moment comes all you will see is the person before you.

If you are planning on getting married inside of a church, make sure that the church allows you to say your own wedding vows. Some churches don’t allow this to happen, so check before you start.

Next, both of you need to choose whether to work on the wedding vows together or individually. There are good and bad reasons to do both, but it is all up to what works for you. Some bride’s and groom’s decide to keep it a surprise; while others like to know what their fiancé thinks. It doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as you both are happy with the decision.

Most wedding vows are broken into three main parts, which can make them a little easier to write. These parts include the declaration, description, and then the vows themselves

Most people find that the declaration is the easiest to write. The declaration is just declaring your love for the other person to your guests and that you do intend to say “I do”. This part can be as fancy or simple depending on what you want to say.

The description is and should be easy. All you are doing is describing why you love the other person. If you are having a really hard time writing this part, you should definitely question getting married. You can place a little poem or a few lyrics from a song that makes you think of the other.

The wedding vows themselves are difficult for most people. They also happen to be the most important part of the whole thing. All a vow is, is a promise of your commitment to your significant other. In the vows you will tell them your promise to be faithful and/or protect them for the rest of the days of your life. Your wedding vows bind your relationship and shows your commitment to get married.

http://www.xuxu.tv/cat/17/1.html

Leave a comment »

White Wedding Dresses

January 21, 2009 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , ,

As a little girl… or even now… I am sure that you have laid about dreaming of marrying Prince Charming, looking gorgeous in your wedding dress. Of course, what color is the wedding dress every time you do this? I am guessing that more often than not it happens to be white and not red like some santa suits. Millions of women and little girls dream of getting married in a fairytale white wedding dress. But wait. Where did a white dress come from and why is it so popular?

Believe it or not white wasn’t always the traditional color for getting married in. Honestly, the tradition of a white wedding dress hasn’t even been around for ages and ages. A white wedding dress is something that every girl is instinctively born with today. You can’t get married in anything but white. Well, while this may be true for some and not so for others, white is worn to symbolize the virtue of the women and to just carry on the tradition. Not surprisingly, the white wedding dress came from a place full of legends, and where tradition is important.

So, low and behold, the white wedding dress was started in the English Monarchy. Queen Victoria was the first “celebrity” that was looked up too, who wore a white wedding gown. Because of her, the popularity of white dresses has become a true tradition among women around the world. The marriage of Albert of Saxe and Queen Victoria in 1840, was not surprising. The gown she wore though caused quite a stir. It was considered flamboyant and did not start the white wedding gown tradition instantly.

Many of the upper class women though, saw this as a unique fashion statement and had no issues in copying the Queen by marrying in white dresses. A white wedding dress though was worn to show wealth. Virtue was not in the meaning at all. If you could get married in a elegant white gown then you had to have money. White was not easy to clean, so a white wedding dress was something that you most definitely weren’t going to wear again. Spending money on a white gown was something that only the wealthy could do.

Only the wealthy and vain women insisted on being married in white. Most women still married in dresses of different colors and styles after Queen Victoria’s fashion statement. During the Edwardian times however, the white wedding dress gained popularity once more when Coco Chanel unleashed its brand new design….. a knee-length wedding gown, with a huge train in none other than white. During the world wars though, most women couldn’t afford to wear white.

Most just wore whatever they had when they were married. Only the rich kept wearing white wedding dresses. After the 1950’s though many Hollywood stars and royalty still wore white at their weddings. This sealed the deal and tradition of being married in white.

Leave a comment »

Father and Daughter

January 19, 2009 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , , ,

Many of our modern wedding traditions have their origin in times past. Here’s a sampling.

The Bridal Shower tradition has its roots in the 1800′s. The story is told of poor a miller who fell in love with a wealthy maiden. But, the father of the maiden was against the marriage. He refused to provide a dowry for her, and a bride could not marry without a dowry. The story goes that the bride had generous friends who “showered” her with so many gifts, they could forego the missing dowry.


Why “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” The “old” was usually a personal gift from mother to daughter, a symbolic piece of wisdom for married life. The “new” symbolized the new family being formed by the marriage. “Borrowing” is especially important since it is to come from a happily married woman, thereby lending the bride some of her own marital bliss. “Blue” has two traditions, ancient Roman maidens wore blue on the borders of their robes to denote love, fidelity and modesty, while Christians associate it with the purity of the Virgin Mary.

In very early days, fathers would offer daughters as peace offerings to warring tribes. Because of the hostility, the families were placed on opposite sides of the church so the ceremony could proceed without bloodshed. The ceremony united the two warring factions into one family, and the danger was resolved. Today, family members still sit on opposite sides.


Because the early Anglo Saxon groom often had to defend his bride from would-be kidnappers, she stood to his left, leaving his sword-arm free just in case. The “best” warrior in the tribe stood by the groom and was responsible for helping defend the bride, should the need arise. Thus we have the placement for the best man.

Ever wonder where the phrase “tie the knot” comes from? Supposedly this also goes back to early Roman times. The bride would wear a girdle that was tied in many knots, which the groom had the “duty” to untie. As a side note, this can also refer to the tying of the knot in Handfasting Ceremonies, which were usually done without the benefit of clergy.

In early times the bride had to be carried over the threshold because she was (or was pretending to be) reluctant to enter the bridal chamber. In those days, it was considered ladylike to be hesitant at this point. Another legend has it that the bride was carried over the threshold to protect her from any evil spirits which might be lingering there.

The term “Honeymoon” also originated centuries ago. It was the custom for couples to get married beneath a full moon. Then they would drink honey wine for thirty days in a row, to foster good luck. This created the term honeymoon.

The wedding cake originated from the ancient custom where a loaf of wheat bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize hope for a fertile and fulfilling life. The guests ate the crumbs which were believed to offer good luck. The custom found it’s way to England in the Middle Ages where guests would bring small cakes to a wedding and put them in one large pile. The bride and groom were expected to stand over the cakes and kiss.

Loud noises were said to drive away evil spirits, and during the ceremony the guests would make noises to keep the evil away. Today, it’s traditional that the bridal party honk their car horns and drag rattling tin cans while leaving the ceremony.

http://www.xuxu.tv/cat/6/1.html

Leave a comment »

How to Select a Wedding Date and Time

January 14, 2009 · Filed under wedding

Once you become engaged, the question you’ll here most often will be “when’s the big day?” Like Christmas and birthdays, your wedding date will hold a special place in your heart, year after year.

The reality is, until you set a date, all other planning is practically impossible. But beware of selecting the date and time of your wedding without careful thought. There’s more to this decision than you might imagine.

The first question to ask yourself is how much time do I need to plan the wedding? Be realistic, a large, formal wedding could easily require a full year of planning. Wedding consultants report approximately 200 hours are needed to plan an average wedding. Spread over a year, those hours can be easily managed; however, spread them over three months, and the result will be serious stress and exhaustion. On the other hand, a small, less formal affair could be smoothly planned within four to six months.


In selecting your month, ask yourself: What season do I prefer? Or does the season matter? Is there one time of year your family or the groom’s family would find particularly meaningful? Perhaps Christmas has always been special to you, so an early December wedding would fulfill your dreams. As an added benefit, seasonal weddings such as Valentines Day or Halloween can simplify decorating decisions.

Experts say the most popular wedding months continue to be June, August and September.

If saving money is of primary importance, think about having your wedding on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon. Wedding vendors and banquet halls will be much more likely to negotiate the price on any day but Saturday, their busiest day. There is a trade-off, however, as out-of-town guests may find it tougher to attend Friday or Sunday events.


Should you choose a holiday weekend? On the plus side, your guests may appreciate a wedding on a long weekend, since it gives them an extra day for travel time and recuperation. On the other hand, some family members may already have other plans for those special weekends. Again, you face a trade-off.

To cut down on conflicts, plan around major events in your area and significant events in your family. You don’t want to worry about your cousin’s college graduation falling on the same weekend as your wedding. Check with the local convention & visitors bureau to make certain no big conventions will be in town on your date, taking up all the hotel and banquet space. If you can’t avoid a busy weekend, lock-in your hotel rooms as early as possible.

Be sure to take weather into consideration. Many a bride has planned an outdoor summer wedding in chilly January, forgetting to take into account that July weather can be unbearably muggy and 95 degrees. I still marvel at photos of myself, a bridesmaid at an August wedding, with sweat running down my face and wet hair sticking to my forehead–not a pretty picture. Likewise, in some parts of the country, a wedding in January could be hindered by eight inches of snow on the roads.


Wedding and reception times do matter, especially when it comes to feeding your guests. In times past, ceremonies were often held in the morning and guests sat down to a wedding brunch afterward. Morning weddings are much less common now. For example, a 2:00 p.m. wedding is an appropriate time if you’re planning to serve only punch and cake. But a later wedding, such as 4:00 p.m. or after usually means the guests expect substantial food. Serving complete meals will have an impact on your budget, so take that into account when setting the time.

By now you must be thinking…how can we ever settle on a date, but take heart! You will find a workable day to exchange vows and with a dash of deliberation all your family and friends will be on hand to share your joy.

Leave a comment »

A Dream Wedding Dresses

December 31, 2008 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , , , ,

Is there a bride who doesn’t look beautiful? Probably not, for love, and her special day give her a glow that makes her look lovely … almost no matter what. All of which doesn’t mean that the delightful task of finding the dress of your dreams should not be approached in the same organized way with which you will address all the details of your wedding.

BEGIN THE PROCESS EARLY

Whatever you do, you don’t want to make a decision under pressure. This is one of the most pleasant aspects of your wedding, so make and take the time to enjoy it. In most cases you will need to order your gown anywhere from four to six months before your wedding date. Most consultants suggest that you begin your shopping at least nine months in advance of your wedding date. It usually takes twelve to sixteen weeks for the gown to be made. Then it comes to the salon where two or three fittings will be required. Since fittings “happen” up until right before your wedding, give yourself as much leeway as possible. The only glitch in ordering so far in advance is any severe change in weight (up or down), but dressmakers do wonders within normal weight change ranges. Do not make the error of ordering a gown a size smaller based on your promise to yourself to loose weight. It’s still generally less expensive, and safer, to take the gown on a bit rather than making it larger.

USE THIS CHECKLIST FOR SELECTING A BRIDAL SALON

1. Is the shop clean and well lit?

2. Is the shop well lit?

3. Who will be assisting you? In some shops you’ll be dealing directly with the owner (this may be a plus). In some shops, you’ll work with a salesperson. Find out if she works on commission? Some salons have a trained bridal consultant to assist you at the salon.

4. Are alterations done on the premises? Is there a professional seamstress to do the fittings and alterations?

5. Will the shop store your wedding gown (at no charge) until right before your wedding?

6. How much of a deposit is required? More than 50% is excessive and should be a warning sign.

7. Will you receive a written contract? It should include: the deposit you paid, when the balance is due, alteration agreements, manufacturer, size and style number of the gown, promised delivery date, any prearranged details (such as additional services and/or charges)


MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO TRY ON GOWNS

So that you will have all the time you need, most bridal salons recommend that you allow  an hour and a half for gown selection and that you make an appointment, in advance.

USE THIS CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

1. Ask questions. You’re paying not only for the gown itself but also for the expertise and advice of the shop.

2. Don’t be bashful and don’t be embarrassed. Try on as many gowns as you like. Dresses on the hanger always look different on you!

3. Set a budget maximum before you go shopping. Tell the consultant or shop owner what your budget is. With all the gowns there are to choose from, there is no reason why you can’t find the perfect dress and still stay within your budget.

4. On your first visit to the bridal shop, you’ll do well to pare down the many choices you’ll be given to just three. Have your choices recorded in the shop and then go home and think about your exciting day. When you return a second time, try the three gowns on again and try again to narrow your selection. If you start well enough in advance of your wedding date, you can even take three trips to make your decision. This is probably the most money you’ll ever spend on a dress, so don’t let anyone rush the experience for you.

5. If you can, bring a friend or two, whose opinion you trust, along with you. More than two may actually make your choice more difficult and the process frustrating.

6. When the gown you have ordered arrives at the shop, go to check it out immediately. Mistakes happen and so you’ll want to make certain that the style and the size are correct. If there’s an error, delaying may be critical.

KEEP YOUR HAIRSTYLE IN MIND


Also, keep your hairstyle in mind. Both the length and style of your hair will impact on what headpiece is becoming. Experiment with several “looks” to see which you like best. Be careful not to go overboard so your look becomes unbalanced. Keep in mind that your veil, whichever you select, should sit comfortably and securely. Make certain to give it several trial runs in the store before you buy it. When you bring it home try it on and secure it as you will on your wedding day. Your hairdresser, if you are using one, will also be able to show you how to secure it firmly for the big day.

Make the selection and purchase of a gown the wonderful, emotional, experience and can and should be. Give yourself time. Give yourself good company and advice. Give yourself the right to be who you are and pick what makes you comfortable, happy, and feeling lovely.

Leave a comment »

Wedding Hairstyle

December 26, 2008 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , ,

“How will I wear my hair?” Every bride faces that predicament. Your wedding day hairstyle is a significant aspect of the total bridal look, worth some thought. If you have a bad hair day, the photos to prove it will be around for years to come. On the plus side, it’s a great opportunity to do something really special with your hair.

Wedding Hairstyle

Wedding Hairstyle

Do a “test run” with hair and make-up, just the way you plan to wear it on your wedding day. Have someone take several pictures from different angles and with different facial expressions. Then, look closely at the pictures. Do you like what you see? Is there too much make-up or not enough? How do you feel about the hair style–too much height or not enough?

If something doesn’t seem right, start again and do another test run until everything comes together. It’s important to actually take photos of yourself because it can give you a different perspective rather than just looking in the mirror.

During the “test run,” walk around with the hairstyle you plan to wear to determine its comfort level. A good rule is: the simpler, the better, since pins can hurt, and intricate styles are often delicate and apt to fall. The photos, wedding and reception could last as long as ten hours, will the hairstyle stand the test of time?

So Many Styles

Consider the time of day and type of wedding when choosing a style. Loose styles are appropriate for informal or daytime weddings, while up-do’s portray a formal, evening look. Strive for balance. The hairstyle and headpiece needs to look balanced to the dress and body type. Like a puzzle, all the pieces fit together to make a lovely picture.

Remember some hairstyles can add inches to your height, and shorter brides may want to use this to their advantage.

Perfect Wedding Hair

Perfect Wedding Hair

One option is to let the texture of the hair determine the style. Thicker and coarser hair stays up the best, while slicker or finer hair is better with the front up and the back down.

Will you be wearing a veil? If so, your hair style and your veil must work well together. It might be a good idea to get your veil first, or at least have some idea of the type veil you want.

Tiara headpieces continue to be popular. They look their most elegant atop a romantic style updo. That way, you can choose to wear a veil for the ceremony, but remove it for the reception if you wish, and show off the artwork of your updo!

The Salon

Schedule your wedding day hair appointment at least eight weeks ahead. But, don’t expect to get your regular stylist to do your wedding hair if you desire an intricate up do. This is a specialty service and best left for the resident expert, so request the right person for the job.

Stylists and makeup artists do their best work in their own environments with their own tools, so have your wedding party meet at the salon a couple of hours before they need to be at the ceremony for pictures. This increases efficiency, and usually costs less!
If you do arrange for them to work in your home, provide adequate space with good lighting.

General Wedding Hair Suggestions

General Wedding Hairstyle

General Wedding Hairstyle

It’s best not to go overboard with hair spray. “Helmet head” is not an appealing look for any woman.
If your stylist tells you to show up with dirty hair for your wedding day, don’t be too surprised. Some styles work best when the hair isn’t too clean, depending on your hair type. Just washed hair can be fly-away and less manageable.

Remember to wear a button down shirt when you’re getting your make-up and hair done. Otherwise it’s either mess up your finished look or cut off your shirt! When you’re ready, step into your gown, rather than pulling it over your head.

To ensure your hair looks healthy on your wedding day, take good care of it in the months prior. There are plenty of affordable deep-conditioning treatments available for at home use. But don’t use one the day of your wedding or your hair could end up looking flat and greasy. The same holds true with chemical treatments. This is not the time for surprises!

One of the newer trends is ornamenting your hairstyle. Check the bridal section of your local craft store for creative options. There are also many decorative hair sticks, barrettes and bobby pins to add to your hairstyle.

http://www.xuxu.tv

Leave a comment »

Checklist your Honeymoon

December 24, 2008 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , ,

http://www.xuxu.tv As your wedding day approaches, so does your long-awaited honeymoon. Finally, no more guests and no more planning, just the two of you alone in a romantic getaway. Below is a checklist of items you may need to help prevent some potential mishaps:

1. Passport and visas if you are traveling overseas – make sure you have applied for these items far in advance. Remember that security is now extremely tight and unyielding. While you are on your vacation, keep your passport and visas in a safe location, so you won’t run into any complications during your return trip.

So happy

So happy

 

2. Adapter for small appliances like your hair dryer or curling iron – if you are going to a foreign country, remember that your electrical plugs may not be the same voltage as required for the electrical outlets available.

3. Prescription medication – anything that is crucial to your well being will help make your trip that much more enjoyable. If you have allergies and forget your medication, you may have constant attacks during your time away.

4. List of credit card and traveler’s check numbers kept in a separate and safe place – if your wallet gets stolen, you’ll be able to call and report your cards and checks stolen. Unused traveler’s checks can be reissued, so you won’t be stranded with no money.

5. Inoculations – certain diseases are prevalent in various parts of the world. Check with your doctor to receive the appropriate vaccinations before you leave for your destination.

6. Extra pair of contact lenses or eyeglasses – if you lose the only pair you have, the rest of your trip may literally be a blur.

7. Health insurance card – in case of a medical emergency.

8. Clothes for the climate – if you live in Buffalo and your honeymoon is in Cancun during March, remember that shorts and bathing suits are appropriate but not winter wool coats.

Leave a comment »

A white Wedding

December 22, 2008 · Filed under wedding · Tagged , , ,

http://www.xuxu.tv/cat/2/1.html As a little girl… or even now… I am sure that you have laid about dreaming of marrying Prince Charming, looking gorgeous in your wedding dress. Of course, what color is the wedding dress every time you do this? I am guessing that more often than not it happens to be white and not red like some Santa suits Millions of women and little girls dream of getting married in a fairytale white wedding dress. But wait. Where did a white dress come from and why is it so popular?

Hurry up

Hurry up

Believe it or not white wasn’t always the traditional color for getting married in. Honestly, the tradition of a white wedding dress hasn’t even been around for ages and ages. A white wedding dress is something that every girl is instinctively born with today. You can’t get married in anything but white. Well, while this may be true for some and not so for others, white is worn to symbolize the virtue of the women and to just carry on the tradition.

Not surprisingly, the white wedding dress came from a place full of legends, and where tradition is important. So, low and behold, the white wedding dress was started in the English Monarchy. Queen Victoria was the first “celebrity” that was looked up too, who wore a white wedding gown. Because of her, the popularity of white dresses has become a true tradition among women around the world.

We are so happy

We are so happy

The marriage of Albert of Saxe and Queen Victoria in 1840, was not surprising. The gown she wore though caused quite a stir. It was considered flamboyant and did not start the white wedding gown tradition instantly. Many of the upper class women though, saw this as a unique fashion statement and had no issues in copying the Queen by marrying in white dresses.

A white wedding dress though was worn to show wealth. Virtue was not in the meaning at all. If you could get married in a elegant white gown then you had to have money. White was not easy to clean, so a white wedding dress was something that you most definitely weren’t going to wear again. Spending money on a white gown was something that only the wealthy could do.

Only the wealthy and vain women insisted on being married in white. Most women still married in dresses of different colors and styles after Queen Victoria’s fashion statement. During the Edwardian times however, the white wedding dress gained popularity once more when Coco Chanel unleashed its brand new design….. a knee-length wedding gown, with a huge train in none other than white.

During the world wars though, most women couldn’t afford to wear white. Most just wore whatever they had when they were married. Only the rich kept wearing white wedding dresses. After the 1950’s though many Hollywood stars and royalty still wore white at their weddings. This sealed the deal and tradition of being married in white.

Leave a comment »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.