Deyan Photography» Wedding Ideas

How to Get a Free Website For Your Wedding

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:12:53 +0000

Much has been said about what to put in a beach wedding website. And in truth, there are quite a lot that marrying couples can include in their website, such as photos and videos before and after the wedding, a link to the bridal registry, the entourage, and the like. A website can be an interactive way of sharing and announcing updates regarding the wedding preparation. It’s even better if it is totally free to create and use!

A beach wedding website is something that a couple can put anything and everything regarding the wedding. Guests want to know the love story of the couple, how they met and how they got engaged. Profiles of the bride and groom can be included, as some guests and family really want to know more about the newest member of their respective families. But make profiles brief and relevant, there is such thing as TMI (Too much information).

Do include the details and need-to-know about the whole beach wedding. Wedding websites can double as online invitations. Provide a link to the actual website of the beach wedding destination so that guests will marvel at how the place looks even before getting there (and even encourage their coming to the beach wedding!). Some sites include a gallery of the entourage and become a social network of the couple’s family and friends. The beach wedding website is perfect for facilitating travel plans among the people on your guest list, as well as accommodations or mapping out the entire trip for your guests.

This is the best place to include the link to the bridal registry. Some registry sites even offer free domains for couples who decide to register with them. The same is being by beach wedding destinations. Having a wedding website lessens the tackiness of having to put the registry itself on the wedding invitation.

A beach wedding website is another way to include guests who cannot make it to the beach wedding location. It is also an innovation for Save the Date cards. The couple should update the website promptly after the beach wedding, like posting photos and videos soon after and not a year later.

There are a lot of things that we can include, but there are a lot more that are best left unshared. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a private website, but do not include your intimate photos. A wedding website is where couples can share with everyone their story, not a blunt manifestation that they are more than just cheeky close. You two are getting married. We know that. But just what do you think is your 10 year old nephew’s opinion about these photos? Are we really sure Aunt Mary is not cringing right now? And what if Grandma has become web savvy within the five years you haven’t visited? It is best to keep the mood and theme of the website as wholesome as possible and include things that the guests will surely be interested in.

The complete freedom to put anything and everything on your wedding website can get a bit overwhelming. It is, after all, a website about you, your marriage and your wedding. The thing about wedding websites, you have to know when and where to stop!

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions

admin — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:30:40 +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. 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. Cascade – See Shower. 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. Chief Bridesmaid – See Maid Of Honor. Columns – See Pillars. 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. 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. MOH – This abbreviation stands for maid / man / matron of honor. See respective entries. Nosegay – See Posies. 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). Pageant Bouquet – See Presentation. 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. (See Train). 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 Moslem 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 Moslem 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. Train Bearers – See Pages or Page Boys. 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 Moslem wedding. Walima – This is the Moslem name for a wedding reception. Waltz – See Ballet. 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. CREDITS Matt Jacks is a successful freelance writer providing tips and advice for consumers purchasing or comparing perfect wedding dress, Christian wedding accessories and handmade wedding invitation. His numerous articles offer moneysaving tips and valuable insight on typically confusing topics. The “Glossary of Wedding Terms & Definitions” reprinted with permission. Net Guides Publishing, Inc.

Is There Room in Your Buget for a Wedding Planner

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:03:44 +0000

The cost of today’s average wedding has gotten so high, you might
think that the application of the word “budget” doesn’t apply.

Of course you’d be wrong.

Whether you’re spending $3,000 (far below average, even in the
least expensive areas of the Australia, US and Europe but I know several people
who’ve done it quite successfully) or you’re spending $30,000
(only a bit about the average cost of a wedding today, so average
means plenty of people spend more), you still need a budget.

A budget isn’t necessarily an attempt to spend less. It’s a plan
for where you’ll spend the money you do spend, regardless of the
amount.

I hope you’re among the lucky few who can afford to spare no
expense when planning the wedding of your dreams. On the other
hand, I know some fairly wealthy people, and I don’t know anyone
who didn’t angst to a certain extent over the cost of their
wedding.

Most people simply can’t afford or just would rather not to empty
their savings and run up their credit for their wedding.
Weddings have this somewhat scary habit of being rapidly followed
by even MORE expensive things to spend your hard-earned money on,
more permanent things, like buying a house and having a baby (or
2).

Trickier still is the fact that many brides (the traditional
planners of weddings) are marrying a bit later in life, when
they’re well ensconced in a career and don’t have their weekdays
free for interviewing wedding vendors and sampling cake.

Do Wedding Planners Cost or Save?

Of course professional wedding planners have to be paid, so in
that way they obviously cost you. However an argument can be
made (and is made, both by wedding planners themselves and by
brides who’ve been happy with their professional planners) that
having a professional wedding planner can save you money in other
areas. An experienced wedding planner is involved in several
weddings each year. This means that they’ll have ongoing
relationships with certain wedding vendors, and it behooves those
vendors to cut the wedding planner a break on prices, so that
she’ll continue to use their services at all of the weddings
she’s involved with.

-Aside -

Not that it affects your budget, but it also behooves wedding
vendors to keep wedding planners happy with the service the
vendor provides. As an individual, you’re not likely to see
these vendors again after you finish your wedding (at least not
for a good long while, preferably not ever). A wedding planner,
on the other hand, will see these vendors again and again; she’s
a repeat customer for them.

Vendors will, of course, value a repeat customer more than a one
-time customer. They will convey this value with financial breaks
and extra-good service. If push comes to shove, they may convey
it by giving a wedding planner something (such as service on a
popular date or that includes a hand-to-find item) that they have
to take away from an individual bride. I know a bride who was
promised a wedding venue for a specific date and then a week
later the venue canceled on her, because they had a “repeat
customer” who wanted that date and was willing to pay extra. My
friend was not given the opportunity to pay extra or to outbid
the repeat customer. She just lost the date.

-Aside -

If you find a wedding planner with a great reputation (with both
brides and local vendors), you may get the best of everything: A
wedding planner who can easily get you top-notch vendors and
negotiate powerful bargains.

Even with a terrific wedding planner in your employ, you should
still do your own research and talk to your planner with a strict
budget in mind. If the planner can’t control costs
adequately, it’s always your responsibility to offer cost-saving
ideas of your own. If your wedding planner doesn’t stick to your
budget, then she’s the one who did a poor job, but it’s still you
who are out the money. The extra cost doesn’t come out of the
planner’s pocket!

Still, no wedding planner is likely to save you more than she
charges you. Hiring a wedding planner will result in higher
financial wedding costs for you. The area in which an excellent
planner will certainly save you, however, is in time. You’ll
need to invest far fewer hours toward organizing and ensuring the
details of your wedding if you hire a wedding planner than if you
don’t.

The question for you to answer is whether you have more time or
more money to invest in your wedding. Only you can answer that.

What’s The Cost

Wedding planners can charge you in any of three ways:

• A percentage of the total cost of your wedding

• An hourly charge

• A flat fee per specific services

Although it’s the least common, I recommend looking for vendors
who use the last of those options. The problem with the
percentage charge is that it creates an incredible conflict of
interest for the planner. In essence, the more your wedding
costs you, the more the planner gets paid. That’s the opposite
of how it should work, in my opinion! Most planners are ethical,
and they live and die by recommendations, so they’re unlikely to
triple your expenses just to increase their cut, but at some
level of consciousness, it’s just not encouraging them to watch
every penny in the way that I, personally, would like. If you’re
working with a planner who charges a percentage (15% is typical),
talk about paying them a percentage of your budgeted wedding
costs (rather than actual costs), plus a percentage of any amount
they can come in under budget. Essentially offer them a bonus
for coming in under budget. This will somewhat offset the innate
conflict of interest in the percentage-based payment structure.

An hourly fee at least solves the problem that the percentage fee
causes, but it causes an analogous problem with time. When a
wedding planner (or any vendor) charges you by the hour, they
lose their incentive to move fast, and you have very little
control over this. Since you’re not doing the work, it’s tough
for you to say exactly how long it should take. If you’re
working with a wedding planner who charges by the hour, set a
maximum number (or range) of hours you’ll pay for, while making
sure that the planner agrees that the maximum you set is an
adequate amount of time to plan your entire wedding.

Planners who charge a flat fee for each specific service they
provide give you great flexibility. You don’t have to hire them
to plan every part of your wedding. If you want them to handle
the venue and catering, while you hire your cousin’s band and
have your mom make your dress, you have lots of flexibility in
paying for just the services you need, but no others. Also, by
charging a flat fee per service, the planner maintains all normal
(and desirable) goals to get the work done quickly and
inexpensively. They don’t get paid more for failing at one of
those goals, as they do with the other payment methods.

Unfortunately, planners dislike this payment structure because
they fear that there will be something unusually difficult about
your wedding, and they’ll have to eat the cost of dealing with
it. Particularly wedding planners who are new to the field feel
uncomfortable trying to predict ahead of time how much time and
effort it will take to provide the services you require. If you
propose the use of this payment structure to a wedding planner
who normally charges differently, make it clear that you’re aware
of this concern and find it reasonable. Discuss the fact that
you’re willing to accept add-on charges (probably by the hour) if
an unusual situation, beyond the planner’s control, occurs. As
with all types of wedding planners, be sure to ask to speak to
references, and talk to these brides-who-have-gone-before-you
about exactly what the wedding planner did and didn’t do for each
service she provided.

Keep in mind that just because a particular wedding planner
usually charges clients a certain way, doesn’t mean they can’t
get paid by another method. Most wedding planners are freelance
agents, who can define their own rules for how they get paid.
Perhaps they’ve always charged percentages in the past, but that
doesn’t mean they couldn’t agree to get paid a flat fee for
specific services for your wedding, if that’s the only way you’re
willing to pay. Of course you must be aware that this also means
that they can walk away and not take you as a client, if they
really don’t want to accept the payment structure you’re
interested in.

Negotiate with a wedding planner just as you would with any other
vendor. Remember that you’re hiring them. They are your hired
help. If you don’t like their terms, you can find a different
wedding planner to contract with. You’re the one holding all the
cards. Play them.

–Debbie MacGuffie is a professional writer who saved almost $10,000 while planning and executing the wedding ceremony and reception of her dreams. If you’ want to discover the money-saving secrets that industry insiders would rather you never knew, get free instant access to the facts at Fire Your Wedding Planner!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_MacGuffie

Brides without borders

admin — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:53:09 +0000

April 12, 2008

More couples are choosing to marry overseas, not just honeymoon there, writes Genevieve Swart.

Once upon a time, couples went to a land far, far away on honeymoon. Now they’re going there to get married. It’s called a “destination wedding”. Couples may elope alone or invite guests to a big bash overseas, as James Packer and Erica Baxter did on the French Riviera. Holding the big day away eliminates much of the stress over guest lists, bridesmaids and seating arrangements. It’s sometimes cheaper, although it does add a burden of red tape, with visa and marriage licence requirements.

“Destination weddings are a rapidly growing trend,” says Victoria Black, publisher and editor-in-chief at wedding experts Wildfire Publishing, with titles including Modern Wedding magazine. Generally, she says, fewer people are invited and celebrations go on for longer.

“Modern brides and grooms want a wedding that will stand out from those of their friends,” Black says.

Online guides litter the internet like confetti. Britain’s weddingsabroad.com was launched in January 1999 by Karen Thornton-Brown, who lives in Newcastle Upon Tyne and was inspired to become an international wedding planner after she married at Sydney’s Curzon Hall in 1998.

She has had some bizarre requests. “Once we had a client ask if we could provide penguins for a wedding in Las Vegas. As you can imagine, that did not happen,” she says. A US groom-to-be once asked her to plan a surprise wedding in Florence and Thornton-Brown arranged everything from the location for the proposal to the bridal gown. “His unsuspecting girlfriend had no idea her holiday to Italy was going to be her wedding and honeymoon,” she says. “Thankfully, the big risk did pay off and the wedding was amazing.”

Weddings Abroad’s market research, based on couples in Britain and the US, has found about 16 per cent of first marriages take place in a far-flung destination. Include second marriages and that figure jumps to 60 per cent.

And it’s a worldwide trend. The New York founder of Destination Bride.com, Lisa Light, has written a book called Destination Bride: A Complete Guide To Planning Your Wedding Anywhere In The World. She’s been in the wedding industry for 16 years and planned her first destination wedding in 1997 in the Czech Republic. “Destination weddings really started exploding with the advent of the internet,” she says, adding that four in every 10 US engaged couples are now planning a destination wedding. “With the weak US dollar, destinations that are hot right now for US couples are Costa Rica, Mexico, the Grenadines and the Caribbean’s Turks and Caicos islands. We also plan weddings for Australians who want to come to the US, Canada, Latin America or the Caribbean,” she says.

Light’s unusual tasks have included planning a wedding on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for keen mountaineers, who then went on a safari honeymoon.

The top 10 most popular locations for Australian couples to have a “weddingmoon” are: Queensland islands, Far North Queensland, Fiji, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Thailand, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Disneyland-Los Angeles and Italy, according to a 2007 reader survey by Modern Wedding.

Narelle Williams, manager of Australian travel agency Global Weddings (www.globalweddings.com.au), says bookings for destination weddings have increased 48 per cent this year over last year and they send about 3500 people overseas for weddings a year, with an average of 30 people at each. Global Weddings’ most unusual request was a couple who wanted their dogs to be at the ceremony in Bali. “They decided not to go ahead with the dogs at the last minute as they have to stay in quarantine for six months on the return,” Williams says.

For better or for worse, the destination wedding has become a runaway trend and it can only be a matter of time before entrepreneurs start shuttling tourists to the International Space Station for a ceremony that is truly out of this world. Until then, here are 12 extraordinary options.

Hot-air balloon, Kenya

In the Masai Mara, flames from the balloon burners roar through the darkness before dawn and couples rise to the occasion in a rainbow-coloured hot-air balloon. Drifting over the great plains of Africa in a basket, watching herds of elephant, antelope and wildebeest below, while wrapped in a cocoon of otherworldly stillness, scores full points for romance.

Several Masai Mara lodges offer hot-air balloon wedding packages, including the luxury-tented Little Governors’ Camp (www.governorscamp.com). Packages include pastor and pilot, and when newlyweds come back to earth, a champagne breakfast in the bush. Tip Flights may be cancelled due to bad weather, so allow a few days to ensure the wedding gets off the ground. Time it to have a chance of seeing the great wildebeest migration, usually between July and October.

Drive-through, US

The trend in Las Vegas is to hold hotel weddings. Every big casino-hotel now has a wedding chapel, offering traditional and themed weddings to suit its theme. Luxor brides may come as Cleopatra; at Caesars Palace they’ll don a Roman toga. But these are sanitised versions of the Vegas wedding – for true seediness, couples must hit the street. This is where the land that gave us fast food still delivers fast weddings, with the chance to take away a bride or groom at drive-through ceremonies from about $US40 ($44) (must have own car).

McHappy couples will find chapels on Las Vegas Boulevard, aka The Strip. Basic deals at the Little White Wedding Chapel (www.littlewhitechapel.com) feature a simple ceremony, but super-size that for 12 photographs and a DVD. Considering its history – this is where Britney and Jason, Bruce and Demi, and Friends’ Ross and Rachel did the deed – couples might later like to plan a trip to Reno, conveniently located in the same state, and boasting of being the divorce capital of the US. Tip Don’t drink and drive-through.

Ice Chapel, Sweden

Brides at the Ice Chapel are almost certain to get cold feet. But grooms needn’t worry – the solution is to buy her a pair of gumboots. Such practical footwear is popular beneath flowing white frocks in a church where the temperature is a constant -5 degrees. The Ice Chapel is part of the famous Ice Hotel (www.icehotel.com) on the shores of the Torne River in the village of Jukkasjarvi. Each year, the hotel and chapel are rebuilt from scratch, with more than 10,000 tons of ice from the river and 30,000 tons of snow used in construction.

In spring (April-May), the buildings melt and water flows back into the Torne. Ceremonies are held in an ethereally beautiful cathedral of ice, like something out of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, with ephemeral ice sculptures carved by Swedish artists. The chapel has a new look every year – the 2007-08 design was a large, round dome.Tip Book far in advance as the chapel is popular and exists only a few months (usually December-April). Pack woollies – it’s possibly the only time when thermal undies are a boon to romance.

Bungy, New Zealand

Take the plunge with a bungy wedding in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adrenalin sports capital. After a ceremony on a platform overlooking the Kawarau River, thrill-seekers shout “I do!” and throw themselves off the suspension bridge where A.J. Hackett started commercial bungy jumping in 1988. Bound together for a seeming eternity of terror, newlyweds free-fall in love for 43 metres, before coming down to earth.Tip For a tandem bungy jump, the weight difference between both parties cannot be more than 30kilograms.

Handfasting, Ireland

Long before Ireland was troubled by Christianity, there lived the Celts and when a Celt asked a woman to “tie the knot”, he meant it. Preferably, with ribbon or cord. Remnants of the ancient custom of handfasting – in which the couple’s wrists are bound together – survive in services when the minister says, “Who gives this woman to be wed?” then passes the bride’s hand from father to groom. The Celtic ritual has been revived by neopagans. Those with a sense of historical correctness also hold handfasting rites in the Emerald Isle.

Today’s ceremonies – often in spring and held outdoors – are physically, but usually not legally, binding. Couples legalise unions at a civil ceremony. To find a freelance Celtic priest, see irishweddingsonline.com. Tip Handfasting goes hand in hand with other odd customs. Couples may be expected to jump over a broom, a branch or a small fire together. Long skirts are not recommended.

Bridal Cave, US

There are more than 5000 caves in Missouri but the most famous is the stalactite-studded Bridal Cave in Camdenton, the “Underground Wedding Capital of the World”, which has hosted about 2000 ceremonies.

Folklore says that centuries ago the Osage tribe discovered the rich honeycomb of caverns beneath Thunder Mountain. Then in the early 1800s, young braves kidnapped two maidens and hid in the caves. One girl made a fatal bid for freedom, jumping off a nearby cliff now known as Lover’s Leap; the other married her true love and captor, Prince Buffalo, in the Bridal Cave.

It is with this tale in mind that today’s brides promise their cavemen to always keep the fire of love alight. The rock cathedral is adorned with dripping stalactites, limestone “soda straws” and giant stone columns. Packages include pipe organ music, sparkling cider and a lifetime cave pass (www.bridalcave.com) Tip Throwing rice is discouraged as this excites the bats.

Hello Kitty, Japan

The cute cat character created by Japan’s Sanrio Company in 1974 has become an Asian pop-culture icon, appearing on everything from stationery to cars. She even has a cat of her own, Charmmy Kitty.

More troubling, however, is her incarnation as Cupid. Hello Kitty and her significant other, Dear Daniel, have taken to playing bridesmaid and best man, walking couples down the aisle.

Puroland, a huge Hello Kitty park near Tokyo, has long offered themed nuptials and in 2005 Japanese hotel chain Daiichi Hanyu introduced professionally styled “Princess Kitty Weddings”, branded right down to the rings, presented on Hello Kitty pillows.

Last year, on Valentine’s Day, a couple sealed their love at Hong Kong Station in the city’s first legal Hello Kitty wedding with two felines and thousands of commuters in attendance (www.sanriotown.com/kt-wedding) Tip Those with cat or cuteness allergies need not attend.

Castles, Czech Republic

Fly into Prague, the medieval “city of 100 spires” in the region of Bohemia (something which allows wedding planners to promise the affianced a “Bohemian rhapsody”).

Most castles are an hour or two’s drive away and are romantic venues at reasonable prices. For a castle. Packages at historic edifices such as the gothic fairytale castle Hluboka, stately Karlstejn and medieval Krivoklat (one-time seat of Bohemian kings, later a prison) are about $5000 for a small ceremony.

Fuelled by the influx of foreign brides, wedding planning has become big business in the Czech Republic over the past decade, reports a recent Czech Business Weekly article, titled “Agencies Say ‘We Will”‘. Agencies include PragueWeddings.com, the White Agency and L’Armonia. Tip Eastern Europe is a treasure trove of medieval castles. Shop around for even better deals in Hungary and Poland.

The Beach, Thailand

Moviegoers will recognise the turquoise waters, white sands and jagged cliffs of Koh Phi Phi from 2000’s Hollywood blockbuster The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. (Ironically, when DiCaprio filmed there, controversy erupted over environmental damage done by moviemakers; more recently he’s been on a mission to save the planet in the eco doco The 11th Hour.)

The beach was devastated in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, but resorts and livelihoods have been rebuilt and locals are welcoming tourists back to the islands. Several resorts have wedding packages.On offer are secular or religious weddings. Services are held on the beach, followed by sunset cocktails and dancing on the moonlit sands. Tip No cleavage, please, for brides paying respects to Buddha at a Thai wedding. Legs and shoulders should also be covered.

Weddings at sea

Hello, sailors. Nautical nuptials are increasingly popular, says the Cruise Lines International Association, with most major lines providing wedding packages, plus built-in honeymoons. Couples can sail off into the sunset alone or invite their guests – the big floating hotels-cum-shopping malls have a shipload of activities, from ballroom dancing to spa sessions, to keep families entertained.

Princess Cruises’ 109,000-tonne Grand Princess has its own chapel and the captain is authorised to carry out marriages at sea. Disney Cruise Line passengers may swear eternal devotion on the line’s private island, Castaway Cay. Royal Caribbean International has exotic options ashore – from ceremonies atop glaciers to intimate assignations on a beach in Barbados. Vow renewals are also popular. Tip Saying “I do” on the high seas sounds romantic but will be considerably less so if the wedding party suffers from sea sickness. Take motion sickness medication.

Outback, Australia

In the Red Centre, sweethearts say their vows on a sand dune with a view of Uluru at luxury wilderness camp Longitude 131. Then they may nip off on a helicopter or Harley ride, or take it slow on a sunset camel safari. The exclusive resort near the border of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park caters to just 30 guests and is camping deluxe, with white-domed roofs and fabric artfully draped to create the illusion of a tent. The luxury rooms, reminiscent of colonial Africa, are perched amid dunes and each has a glass front, so lovers can lie in their king-sized bed and star-gaze on dark desert nights or watch the sun rise over the Rock.

Prices start at $2500; see voyages.com.au. There are also Outback wedding packages at Alice Springs Resort, Kings Canyon Resort and Wrotham Park Lodge. Tip Avoid travelling in summer; extreme heat and flies are mood killers.

Disneyland, US

Finally, princesses who simply must have a fairytale wedding will find that their dreams come true at Disneyland, California (www.disneyland.disney.go.com). Before you can say Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, the theme park will supply a “fairy godplanner” to conjure up a magical event that could have brides pulling up to Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Cinderella’s coach. After vows exchanged beneath the stars, couples dance the night away at one of the park’s ballrooms.

Visit www.disneybridal.com to find strapless Cinders ballgowns made of silk tulle and duchess satin. And, if you’ve ever wished upon a star, makes no difference who you are as, after an outcry in 2007, Disneyland now welcomes gay couples.Tip BYO Prince Charming and Ugly Sisters.

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/10/1207420567123.html

sydney wedding photographer, sydney wedding photographers, sydney wedding photography, wedding photographer Sydney, wedding photographers Sydney, wedding photography sydney

Destination Weddings – Are They For You?
by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Home :: Articles :: Destination Weddings

Would you like to get married on your honeymoon? Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular with couples who are eager to skip the fuss of a traditional wedding and jump right into the fun. Around the world, you’ll find hotels and resorts that offer on-site help to plan your wedding, from details like the wedding license to extras such as music and photos. Whether the special day involves just the two of you or whether you’ll be inviting friends and relatives to join in the occasion, a destination wedding can be a way to create wonderful memories.

But, first, the down side. Destination weddings aren’t for everyone. If you’re in love with the idea of a large wedding with all your friends and family, skip this idea. Even with a year of planning, it’s just about impossible to get everyone’s schedules coordinated for this kind of event.

But many couples are saying “I do” to the idea of destination weddings not only as a way to make the occasion more special, but also as a means of simplifying the whole process. “Just say the word, and we’ll take care of everything,” explains Ava Burke-Thompson, Director of Guest Services at the Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island, Bahamas. “We can arrange for the marriage license; minister, priest or rabbi; the florist and the photographer; the wedding cake and champagne; and the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.”

At resorts like the Sheraton Grand, on site wedding coordinators take care of every last detail, some with just a one day notice. “We do it all the time,” says Burke-Thompson. “It’s now legally possible to get married in the Bahamas with 24 hours’ notice.”

POPULARITY OF DESTINATION WEDDINGS

Destination weddings have caught on for several reasons. According to hotels and resorts around the world, they’re especially popular with:

couples on a budget who don’t want the expense of an elaborate wedding.
couples who don’t want the fuss of a wedding and all that goes with it at home.
couples on their second marriage looking for something a little different.
those on their second marriage who’ll need to bring along children on the honeymoon. The children’s programs at many resorts offer privacy for the couple and a chance to enjoy a vacation with their new family.
couples who are bringing a small wedding party. Sometimes the bride and groom stay at one resort and the wedding party at a neighboring resort, giving everyone privacy.
couples who are bringing a sizable wedding party and would like to take over a resort.

Many small resorts like Florida’s Little Palm Island offer groups the option of taking over the entire property. This type of stay must be arranged far in advance. The wedding party has the run of the resort for their stay, with plenty of room to party and play. “Little Palm Island is a really private, secluded getaway for wedding groups,” explains Susan Belanski, Director of Sales. “We close off the entire island.” When wedding parties take over an entire property like Little Palm Island, regular house rules, such as no guests under age 16, are suspended so wedding parties can invite anyone of their choice.

DETAILS, DETAILS

Before you say “I do,” plan to do a little research into the “do”s –and “don’t”s — of the local marriage laws. Many countries have loosened their marriage regulations, making it easier for foreigners to tie the knot. Even so, you’ll need to do some research.

“The reason some couples have problems with their overseas wedding is that they are unfamiliar with the marriage laws, rules and regulations of where they want to be wed,” explains Ruth Keusch, co-owner of Ottley’s Plantation Inn, located in Caribbean federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. In researching your destination wedding, Keusch recommends that couples make sure they learn:

if their home country will recognize a wedding in the designated country as valid.
the minimum residency period before the marriage can be performed.
what paperwork you’ll need to bring from your hometown house of worship if you’re planning a religious ceremony
what proof is required if you’re divorced or widowed
if blood tests are required and, if so, if you can bring them from your home doctor or if must they be performed locally
if there will be English-speaking staff members available to assist you
costs and fees
typical weather during the month of your wedding
special hotel rates for members of the wedding party
what previous experience the hotel or resort has in planning foreign weddings

Destination weddings can also lead to another joyous celebration: destination anniversaries. Couples who wed on their honeymoon can revisit the very spot where they married and share the memories of that occasion.

Creative Wedding Ideas

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:19:14 +0000

Wedding planning can either be a joy or an absolute nightmare and it really depends on what type of person you are, how much support you will get from family and friends, your budget and probably above all, how much time you have.

The best way to plan a wedding is to allow yourself as much time as possible before the big day. Not days or weeks or even months but preferably a year or two. You will be surprised how fast the time will fly and suddenly the big day will be looming up only a few weeks to go and unless you have planned everything down to the last detail you will undoubtedly start to panic which in turn will cause you to stress and become ratty with everyone.

Allowing plenty of time before your wedding will allow you time to dream up some wonderful and creative wedding ideas which will have your guest talking and remembering your wedding for years after.

Creative wedding ideas do not need to be expensive and it is normally the tiny details such as having personalized balloons or maybe giving everyone a lottery ticket instead of or as part of the wedding favors. Having unique and creative wedding ideas does not mean you have to break your budget it just means you can come up with ideas, themes or events that will reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.

Weddings are of course steeped in tradition from cutting the wedding cake to throwing the bouquet but sometimes if a wedding is too rehearsed and too traditional then however flashy or expensive it may be it will not leave a lasting memory with your guests and could even become dull especially if it is the umpteenth wedding they have attended that year.

So make sure you come up with some creative wedding ideas to spice things up a bit and leave a lasting impression with your guests. Depending on what type of people you are you could always base your wedding ideas around your hobbies and interests?

For instance if you are both sporty people you could get married in your favourite teams shirts or colors and have all your guests where football shirts.

Alternatively if you are music lovers and say rock and roll is your bag your wedding ideas could take on a fifties theme with bright pinks and blues and over the top glittery decorations. Maybe your creative wedding ideas could have a disco theme leading to some big hairdos, platform shoes, flashing lights complete with mirrored disco ball.

Whatever creative wedding ideas you dream up the main point of the day is a celebration of two people getting married so make sure you have fun at the ceremony and enjoy it.

Vicki Churchill is the owner of Wedding Ideas, a site that specializes in Wedding Ideas, Creative Wedding Ideas, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs.

Beach Wedding Theme

A beach wedding is an all-time favorite wedding theme of many couples, and often different from traditional weddings. A beach themed wedding is typically viewed as a relaxing and comfortable marriage celebration. However, to plan for a beach themed marriage, unlike traditional weddings that don’t require too much, beach weddings are quite challenging to prepare. Included are some considerations like the weather, capability of guests partying on the sand, amenities and more.

Couples who opt for beach weddings have different options to choose from. When it comes to planning and preparation, a plethora of choices for location, favors, decoration, menus and other wedding accessories are available. Perfect wedding supplies can be bought whether or not your wedding is simple and intimate, or even for a large formal beach ceremony. Wedding favors in particular, are known as a great medium to add overall appeal to your wedding theme. To incorporate favors with your beach environment celebration, you must choose first favors that also have a beach-like theme. Just like other favor options, beach themed favors also have different varieties to choose from. The important thing while choosing such favors is to narrow down themed selections until you already have the best pick among the rest.

Edible favors like chocolates, candies and cookies are not relevant enough to link with a beach wedding theme. But think outside the box, you could have chocolates, candies or cookies formed into sea creatures. Usually, these ideas are made first out of simple ingredients, then they are molded to form desired shapes and figures. You may consider chocolate shells, cookie crabs and more. Present them in a fun, small clear containers like glass boxes and even small bags with extra design of ribbons and beads.

Another beach wedding favor idea: picture frames. Choose decorative frames that have a beach-themed look. Usually, picture frames are used as party souvenirs in different occasions, and during weddings, these items are an ideal remembrance to all your guests. One cool thing about picture frames is they can be bought blank that allows your creativeness to shine, or if not, you could always buy them with decorations already. Whether you’ve done high decoration or not, picture frames are still very versatile and practical wedding favors.

Candles are also perfect for beach weddings. Candles can make very classic wedding souvenirs that add solemnity to such marriage rituals. You can choose your favorite candle favor out of different designs, styles and shapes. And to add fun, look for candles that are molded from different figures of sea creatures.

Other options you may choose are rubber slippers and sandals. These cool favor ideas are perfect while walking on the sand. Your guests may bring them home unused or might as well use it until the party is over. If you opt for unique beach wedding guest favors, consider a personalized gift like Sand and Shell Bottle Wedding, Personalized Wedding Mint – Beach Design or ‘Beaches’ Tin Pail Candle with Authentic Shells Wedding Favors. These ideas are as cool as sea breeze, well coordinated to your beach themed wedding.

Marriage compatibility isn’t just about personality. It is also about maturity.

How old are you? How old is your fiance or fiancee? Are you or they under the age of 25?

There is no magic age to get married. Younger couples and older couples alike can have very happy and successful marriages. However, on average, couples that get married under the age of 25 are significantly more likely to get divorced than their older counterparts. Statistics show the younger you are when you marry, the more likely you are to split up.

After 25, age stops having an impact on your chances of getting divorced.

Why is it that those who marry young have a harder time staying together?

Partly, it is just that people are like fine wines: it takes them years to mature! Wisdom comes with experience and experience takes time. The younger you are, the more likely that you lack some of the emotional development and communications skills needed for a lifetime relationship. There are rare exceptions of course: some are more mature at 16 than others are at 60!

And part of the explanation is probably money. Struggling financially is stressful, for you and your relationship. And the people most likely to be struggling are those who are just starting out in the work world. (Maybe with big student loans on top of it all.)

Also, many younger married couples are tying the knot for the wrong reasons. Perhaps an unplanned pregnancy, perhaps a desire to leave the family home and suddenly seem “grown up”, or perhaps it just seems like the right thing to do because you really love the other person. It also might be the case, especially for many younger women, that they are caught up in the fairytale ideal of being a bride and a wife.

If you are under 25 and are getting married, what can you do?

I’d recommend one of the following to give yourselves the best possible chance at success in marriage:

1. Wait a few years before getting married, if possible. If you are in love enough to get married, a year or two shouldn’t matter.

2. Hold off on having children for the first few years. That will give you invaluable time to enjoy yourselves as a couple, before the demands of parenting. Actually, this is good advice for most couples. But the younger you are, the more freedom you have before the biological clock starts ticking.

3. Do some kind of marriage preparation through your church or synagogue, with a counselor, or through an online service. There are also lots of good books on the subject, if you honestly think you’ll read them!

At the very least, ask yourself (and be honest): What is the rush? Am I really getting married for the right reasons? What is the worst that would happen if we didn’t get married right away?

Above all, remember EVERY marriage takes effort and you will get out what you put into it.

Heather del Villano, the marriage prep diva at CouplesQuestions Online Marriage Education — http://www.couplesquestions.com

Click here for a free Marriage Compatibility Test

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Del_Villano

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you’re looking for beach favors, visit the website Americanbridal.com and browse their collection. Find unique wedding favors to make your wedding extra special!

Pre-wedding Day Chinese Wedding Customs

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:42:44 +0000

Selection of auspicious dates 看日子

Auspicious dates are required for the chinese wedding, the betrothal and installation of the bridal bed. A chinese monk, a temple official or a fortune teller are able to advice on a suitable date based on the couple’s birth dates and times. Some may also refer to the chinese calendar or almanac for good days. Usually, even numbered months and dates are preferred and the lunar seventh month is avoided as it is the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

After the selection of the auspicious dates, wedding details such as types and quantities of betrothal gifts, return gifts, bride’s price 娉金, and number of tables at the wedding banquet provided by the groom’s parents for the bride’s parents’ guest are agreed.

Betrothal 过大礼/纳彩

Up to a month and at least three days before the wedding day, the groom and a friend or a matchmaker will deliver the betrothal gifts on the auspicious date chosen.

Western and chinese wedding cakes, peanut candies, together with two bottles of brandy, at least six tins of canned pork legs and even number of oranges are included in the wedding gift baskets. Two pairs of dragon and phoenix candles 龙凤烛are also included. Also included is gold jewellery from the groom’s parents to the bride such as the cantonese’s dragon and phoenix bangle 龙凤琢 or the teochew’s four items of gold四点金.

Some include the bride’s price with the betrothal gifts whereas some will only present it when the groom fetches the bride.

In the return gifts, the 2 bottles of brandy will be replaced with 2 bottles of orange syrup. An even numbered portion of all the other gifts are returned to the groom’s family together with the 2 phoenix candles. The bride’s side will light the 2 dragon candles and the groom’s side the phoenix candles on the morning of the wedding day.

Some hokkien family will also request for a bunch of bananas and red dates to be included in the return gifts. A red packet for the groom’s parents to buy shoes is required. The bride will also present towels to the parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles and groom’s siblings.

After the betrothal, the chinese wedding invitations are distributed.

Deliver the bride’s dowry 送嫁妆

The bride’s parents may include the bride’s dowry with the return gifts on the day of betrothal or deliver the dowry a few days before the wedding. The chinese dowry typically include

- beddings such as pillows, bolsters, comforter set, blankets, bed sheets, etc., all tied with red ribbons;

- new clothes in a suitcase for the bride (in the past, wardrobes or wooden wedding chests are used.);

- tea set for the wedding tea ceremony;

- baby bathtub, potty, face washbasin, tumblers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mirror, comb;

- two pairs of red wooden clogs wedding slippers or bedroom slippers;

- sewing basket with even numbered rolls of colourful thread, needles, pincushion, scissors, and sewing wax with auspicious words on it;

- gold jewellery given by bride’s parents.

Install the bridal bed 按床

A good fortune woman will install the bridal bed in the bridal room up to 12 days before the wedding day on an auspicious date. New red or pink bedsheets are used and a plate of dried longans, lotus seeds, red dates, persimmons, sprig of pomegranate leaves together with 2 red packets are placed on the bed. A pair of bedside lamps is lit to symbolize adding sons to the family.

Hair combing ceremony 梳头

Good fortune women will conduct this ceremony for the bride and groom in their respective homes the night before the chinese wedding. After showering with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves, the bride and groom will change into a new set of clothing and shoes. The good fortune women will bless them aloud as they sit in front of an open window with a visible moon or in front of the mirror.

The four blessings are:

一梳梳到尾，(First combing, together all your lives)

二梳百年好合，(Second combing, harmony in your marriage)

三梳子孙满堂，(Third combing, blessed with many children and grandchildren)

四梳白发齐眉。(Fourth combing, blessed with longevity.)

Sweet pink rice ball soup汤圆 will be served after the hair combing ceremony to wish the couple a complete and sweet marriage.

Chinese wedding decorations 大喜装饰

Double joy 双喜stickers will be placed on all wedding items such as the betrothal gifts, dowry, the couple’s toiletries and cosmetics. The bridal room furniture, especially the mirror and cupboards will also be decorated with the double joy or other wedding paper cutouts such as pairs of mandarin ducks, dragon and phoenix, etc. Such red wedding paper cutouts will also be put up on the main door, bridal room door and generally around the house.

A red banner 红彩帘 will be hung across the front doors of the two household to announce the joyous event.

Jina Boo is the editor of http://www.chinese-wedding-guide.com, a website dedicated to preserving chinese wedding customs and culture. The website features:

- significance of chinese wedding custom and traditions,
- the items and persons needed to perform them, and
- suggested timeframe for preparation of chinese wedding.

A guide for drafting your own chinese wedding invitation is also included.

Click on http://www.chinese-wedding-guide.com/ezinearticles to visit the site to learn more about chinese weddings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jina_Boo

Spring Time Weddings

admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:26:54 +0000

Sonja says: “Springtime has always been a popular choice for weddings as the weather warms up, the flowers go into bloom, and the overall season a lovely representation of new life, renewal, beauty and love. And with blossoming all around, Spring wedding themes tend to incorporate many stunning floral arrangements, intricate centrepieces and splashes of colour throughout. If you’re planning a Spring wedding, read on for some inspirational ideas on how to brighten up your special day.”

Spring wedding themes

Popular choices for Spring wedding themes revolve around flowers, birds and butterflies as they all represent the meaning and essence of the season. If you decide to choose one of these themes, you can carry it throughout your entire wedding from your invitations, to your cake, to your decorations and bonboniere.

Cake ideas:

If you would rather not pick a specific theme, you can make use of candelabras, flowers, vases and drapes throughout your decoration scheme.

Table decorations

The colour combination of pink and green together is perfect for Spring weddings. Whether you choose to use pink roses with greenery, incorporate pink, white and green into a candle arrangement, or select a taller more striking centerpiece, with this colour scheme you can’t go wrong. However don’t be scared to mix it up a bit, vibrant color is also in. Deep red, hot pink, cool and dark greens, gold and black can all be incorporated into Spring weddings beautifully.

Outdoor Spring Weddings

Springtime is a popular choice for outdoor weddings due to the usual warm, pleasant weather and fragrant and colourful blooms. However, Spring weather can sometimes also be unpredictable, therefore if you are planning an outdoor wedding ensuring you have cover is always a good idea, and if not a back-up plan in case it rains.

Having said that, some of the most beautiful weddings are held in Spring; weddings held under modern, white marquees decorated with floral arrangements, tea light candles, lanterns and striking centrepieces make for beautiful photos.

And you can also have fun with outdoor ceremonies held in the afternoon sun. Parasols as props, rose petals thrown at the new bride and groom rather than confetti, and butterfly releases are just a few special touches to make your day even more wonderful.

Spring flowers

Flowers that are in season during spring include gerberas, roses, lilies and tulips- some of the most beautiful wedding flowers available. Multi-coloured calla lilies also look striking in Spring floral arrangements.

Flower ideas:

With your floral centrepieces or bouquets you could be more creative by incorporating the idea of wicker baskets, and for outdoor weddings you could use flower-filled clay pots, surrounded by rose petals or candles, for a great effect.

Spring bonboniere

Beautiful scented candles, butterly-embellished keepsakes, fragrant soaps and creative ideas like plant bulbs to symbolise the beginning of the married couples’ new life together all make wonderful Spring wedding favours for guests.

If you have decided on a theme make sure you incorporate it into your bonboniere.

Bonboniere ideas:

“So if you’re a Spring bride looking for inspiration first pick a theme, then everything else should flow more smoothly afterwards. Getting married in the season of love, beauty and new life should be a wonderful time in your lives.’

Let’s Elope!

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:36:45 +0000

There’s always a feeling of romantic rebellion when eloping is mentioned. It can be a good way to save money, but you should keep in mind the pro’s and con’s of eloping.

Although it might be a good idea at the time, will you regret not having a wedding in the years to come? You might want to keep in mind a few of the things below:

PROS

It’s cheap – Eloping is significantly cheaper than the traditional wedding. Would you rather spend money on the reception hall rental, or on plane tickets to the Caribbean? Of course, there is the cost of the rings and the honeymoon, but these last beyond the few hours that the average wedding ceremony and reception go for.

It’s simpler – You don’t have to spend a year on wedding planning

The Style – You can marry whenever and wherever you like
It’s Fast – If a fast wedding is what you are looking for, eloping might be the way to go.

CONS

It only happens once – Your wedding day will be one you will remember for the rest of your life.
Regret – Will you look back on it and regret not having your friends and family there with you to share this special day?
Memories- Although eloping might be a good idea, will you miss not having the memories of a wedding day in the years to come?
Friends and Family – There will be disappointment among family and friends when they’ve learned you eloped. Your parents will almost certainly regret never being there when you get married. If your parents’ wishes are a concern, you may want to think twice before eloping.

Contracting Vendors for Las Vegas Weddings

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:52:38 +0000

Contracting vendors for Las Vegas weddings can become scary, especially for out-of-towners. Couples sometimes look online for vendors and have to fend for themselves if the vendors for Las Vegas weddings aren’t as good as they should be. Here are a few contracting tricks to help with your wedding day.

Proper Planning of Las Vegas Weddings

Planning ahead for weddings is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself calm and on track for your beautiful wedding. If you don’t plan ahead and have a good organizational system in place, you might lose track of important details or become too stressed out over your wedding arrangements. Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, even though your wedding will be one of the most special days of your life. There are many details to keep track of and a lot of people that are involved from the mother of the bride to the ring bearer, plus all of the vendors you’ll be working with. With proper planning, weddings can be exciting and rewarding instead of stressful.

Choosing Vendors for Las Vegas Weddings

The best wedding vendors will call you back within 24 to 48 hours. If you choose vendors without getting recommendations or verifying their credentials, you may get stuck at the last minute without vital items or services you need for your wedding to take place. You’ll be working with many people to put together your nuptials. Several of them will be vendors that will provide products or services that you’ll need for your wedding.

The Official Contract

To give yourself an added layer of protection, you should get several of your contracts with vendors in writing to ensure that you will get what you have paid for. Weddings are planned in advance to make sure everything runs smoothly. Make sure the contract isn’t unclear or written in “legalese.” A professional contract says everything about a professional service vendor. A contract or agreement should include what the provider will deliver, when delivery should take place, how much of a deposit you put down on your items or services, how much money is due, payment due dates, and related information.

Saving Money on Las Vegas Wedding Vendors

Saving money on weddings can help you to save money for your honeymoon or put it away for a rainy day. Brides and grooms need to think about floral arrangements, catering, photography, music, honeymoon plans, booking a church and reception hall, and dozens of other details that make weddings so special. If you pay full price for everything you want at your wedding, you may end up spending more than you bargained for. Planning a wedding is one of the most special times of life, but it can also be the most difficult because of the many details you need to take care of and the expense of various the arrangements. However, there are assorted ways to save money on your wedding expenses and still have the beautiful wedding of your dreams.

Celebrity Weddings

admin — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:25:29 +0000

Most people love a wedding, and when you combine that with the obsession we have for celebrities…

Every so often, after reading about some celebrities wedding and what it cost, I would wonder why they even bothered. These lavish weddings really amaze me. Some celebrities spend millions just to wed and pamper their guests only to get divorced within a few years. Granted when they are saying “till death us do part” they are not planning a future divorce in the back of their minds, well not normally, but so many of the marriages end in court cases.

I have to admit, I love to look at photos of glamorous celebrity wedding days. I enjoy gazing at the gowns and decorations. The cakes are unique and extravagant; I always imagine they taste as wonderful as they look. I also love to see pictures of the guests to see how many other celebrities were attending. The weddings of celebrities are always a top priority for the media as they attract more attention than they probably deserve. Of course, some of the weddings have resulted in what appears to be a “happily ever after” story book ending. There are some famous couples who have been together for a very long time, which is an encouraging thought.

Many of the weddings are held out of the country in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi and media frenzy. They try to keep wedding dates and locations top secret to further avoid the attention. Sometimes they are successful, but, once the media has even the whiff of a wedding, they will camp out for days in the hope of a photo opportunity. Let’s face it, the wedding will provide some photographer with a great deal of money. When photos do surface from these weddings, brides-to-be cut out the photos and carry them around with them. They want their cake to resemble some celebrity or another’s cake; they want their hair to be done like the celebrities was. Brides want to wear dresses that a particular celebrity wore. It seems to be not uncommon for people to abandon having their own unique wedding in order to copy that of a celebrity. In fact many fans planning their weddings will find out where the celebrity couple spent their honeymoon and attempt to visit there too.

Something I have always wondered is, if you are invited to celebrities wedding, what in the world do you take as a gift? After all you are attending a wedding of a celebrity – what can you get them that they don’t already have? Personally I’d just like to have the money that is spent to have one of these lavish celebrity weddings. I’d even take a quarter of the money. Or, if any celebs are out there reading, how about an invitation?

Deyan Photography» Wedding Ideas

How to Get a Free Website For Your Wedding

Related posts

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions

Related posts

Is There Room in Your Buget for a Wedding Planner

Related posts

Brides without borders

Related posts

Creative Wedding Ideas

Related posts

Pre-wedding Day Chinese Wedding Customs

Related posts

Spring Time Weddings

Related posts

Let’s Elope!

PROS

CONS

Related posts

Contracting Vendors for Las Vegas Weddings

Related posts

Celebrity Weddings

Related posts