Category: Wedding Tips

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Some Interesting Wedding Practices and their Origins

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Weddings represent some of the best moments in a person’s life and that of his family and friends. Various cultures hold wedding ceremonies filled with all sorts of traditions, some which are controversial. Increase in globalization has led to common adoption of certain mainstream practices which may still have some local touch. The following practices are now common in most weddings around the world, but have you ever wondered to think about their origins? You could be in for a surprise!

The Wedding Ring

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Rings were valuable items often used in barter trade in the Middle East and Asia. They were made from precious metals such as Gold or Silver. Till today, rings are exchanged as dowry. However it was Pope Innocent III who popularized the wedding ring worn on the finger through a decree. There is some debate as to why it has to be worn on the third finger, but the popular belief is that it originated from an ancient Egyptian myth that this finger is directly connected to the heart.

Wedding banns or Marriage License

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Although the announcement of wedding banns is losing popularity in favor of marriage licenses, they are still quite common in countries with strong Christian following. It is believed that there were introduced to prevent incestuous relationships. During this time anybody could make a claim on the wedding not going ahead because of a possible blood relation between the couple. The modern marriage license only restricts weddings on legal grounds.

The “Best Man”

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Until the late 18th century it was common for the bride to be kidnapped from home before the wedding. The suitor/bridegroom often set out with a party of friends to conduct the kidnapping. The one who showed the most skill or bravery in the kidnap became the “best man” at the wedding.

The “White Wedding”

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This practice is so common in modern weddings that many may overlook its origins. In fact this practice never existed until two hundred year ago. The bride simple used to appear on the wedding day wearing her best dress. It was Queen Victoria who commissioned a white laced dress for her wedding to Prince Albert.

The “Honey Moon”

Couple on a beach

In ancient Rome, newly married couples would retreat to seclusion for a period of one month. During this time family members will take turns to deliver “honey wine” which was thought to aid fertility.

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Paying for the Wedding – What to Expect

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A wedding can be very expensive and there are many different areas to consider when planning a budget. The costs can be overwhelming when it comes to one or two people paying for the majority of the wedding fees, and for that reason certain traditions have been set up in regards to who is expected to pay for certain portions of the wedding.

Below, you will more about these traditions so that you will understand what is expected of each of the members of your family and wedding party. Knowing this information may help you to select certain members of your wedding party and will help everyone who is involved with the wedding determine the costs that are related to their specific responsibility.

The Rings

This is one of the lasting memories that comes with a marriage. While it is standard for the groom to purchase both the engagement ring and the wedding ring at once, the bride is typically expected to purchase the wedding ring for her husband later.

Gifts

It is also typical for the wedding party to receive small gifts when they become a member of a family member or friend’s wedding. Usually, the groom purchases gifts for the bride’s attendants and the bride purchases gifts for the groom’s. The bride and groom also normally purchase a gift for each other as well.

The Bride’s Family

Most of the expenses that are related to a wedding are paid by the bride’s family. Below is a list of some of the main items that are typically paid for by the family of the bride:

  • Invitations
  • Announcements
  • Attire for the Bride and the bride’s family
  • Flowers and decorations
  • Fee for the ceremony venue and reception
  • Food and Beverages
  • Photographer
  • Entertainment
  • Limo Rentals

The Groom’s Family

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In order to make the cost of a wedding more affordable for everyone involved, the groom’s family usually takes care of quite a few important elements as well. Here are some of the items that can be expected of the family of the groom.

  • Tuxedos for the groom and his family
  • Flowers for the bridal bouquet
  • Boutonnieres for the grooms attendants and family
  • Corsages for the mothers
  • Rehearsal dinner

The Bride and Groom

There are also some items that are specifically taken care of by the bride and groom. For example, the groom usually handles all of the honeymoon arrangements. Many make the decision to make this a surprise for their bride.

The bride, on the other hand, usually pays for the accommodations for her attendants if the wedding requires hotel rooms. However, the attendants are expected to cover the costs for their travel arrangements and attire on their own.

Conclusion

The costs of a wedding can be very expensive, but with everyone working together, it is more manageable to arrange a suitable wedding for the happy couple. When planning a wedding, it is best to sit down with everyone involved and set up a budget before anything is chosen. This way, no one will receive any surprises when they are expected to pay for a certain portion of the wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride can help keep your budget in place by offering you a wide range of wedding supplies that fit any budget. You will easily be able to find everything you need for your wedding in one of their four convenient locations.

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Know these DO NOTs when choosing your wedding dress

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To do things right, we also need to know what not to do. While you research and plan before shopping for a wedding dress, you should also spend some time studying the related “Do Nots”. Over the course of this article, we will reveal what a bride should avoid doing, to make her dress shopping a roaring success. So, let’s start.

Do Not get caught up with the trend

Ruffles or figure-hugging silhouettes may be the hottest wedding dress trends of the day. However, it isn’t wise to pick your wedding dress based on the trend of the moment. Although these details are important,it is more important that you find a silhouette that suits your body type, and a dress that reflects your personality. Your wedding gown should make you feel beautiful, rather than just being the fashionable choice.

Do Not forget about comfort

You may look splendid in a wedding dress, but realize that it is not the one for you if it feels uncomfortable in any way. Since you will be spending several hours wearing it, make sure to avoid choosing one that wouldn’t allow you to relax. Pay particular attention to the top and neckline. Do you feel the plunging neckline of the dress is too revealing for your comfort, or a snugly fitted corset just isn’t for you? If yes, it may be better to continue looking.

Do Not be fixated on specific ideas

Trust your bridal consultant. They are the best people to help you find the dress that flatters your body. Not all dresses possess hanger appeal. So, it may be a good idea to try on that dress before you write it off for how it looks at first sight. Be open to suggestions, and listen to your consultant’s recommendations for silhouettes or patterns that you may not have considered. When you work with an expert, don’t be surprised if you walk away with a dress that you least imagined as “The” one.

Do Not bring too many people when you go shopping

More isn’t merrier, as far as wedding dress appointments go. Too many people mean too many opinions, and all this does is confuse you further. Choose a few favorite girlfriends, maybe your mother, or bridesmaids, who know you best. They should be honest with their opinions, and have good dress sense. Only then can they actually contribute to the experience.

Do Not continue searching, once you find “The Dress”

You will know it once you find the right dress. Trust your instincts. It may perhaps be the first dress or even the tenth one you tried on, but stop looking once you do. Don’t worry about not feeling all emotional about it. Enjoy the moment, make the purchase, schedule your fitting appointments and proceed with the rest of your wedding plans!

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Unique DIY Wedding Reception Decorations

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When you are planning your wedding, you will find that one of the most expensive pieces is the wedding reception. During the reception, you will need food, drinks and decorations for everyone and this can quickly add up. However, there are many things that you can do to help keep your wedding reception budget low and still have an awesome time.

One of these ways is to create some or all of your own wedding reception decorations. You will find many options online through a number of websites and will find that there are many that are easy to recreate on your own. Below are some simple and inexpensive ideas that you can use to decorate for your wedding reception.

Tissue Paper Pom-poms

These are extremely easy to make and you will not need to worry about spending a lot of money on them. They are also great because you can easily make them in any color that you choose, as long as you can find the right color of tissue paper. For instructions on how to make these cute and romantic additions to your wedding, you can easily find videos online that will help you with the simple process.

Paper Lanterns

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This is another DIY item that is typically used at weddings where a tent has been incorporated into the design. They can be purchased at your local craft store for about $3 – $5 each, but you can make them yourself for around $1 – $2 each. These fun additions to your wedding reception create a fairy tale look for you and your guests.

Wheat grass

This is a popular decoration that can be used for spring weddings. The best thing about it is its cheap and easy to grow. You can add this to your décor so that you give your reception a modern and clean look. Just plant a few wheatgrass seeds in your containers a few weeks before the wedding and you will be ready to go with this decoration.

Candles

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Candles are always a popular addition to weddings and easy to use because they are so readily available. They are also something that comes in a variety of sizes and colors, so you won’t need to worry that you won’t be able to find the right style for your wedding. You can also light them to create a romantic feel for your wedding reception.

There are many ways that you can create a wedding reception that is budget friendly and still beautiful. By adding a few of these elements to your wedding, you will have memories to enjoy for many years to come. Plus, your guests will love the way you put your own unique touch onto the wedding design.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride is a bridal shop that will help you to create the wedding of your dreams. With wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and wedding décor, you will find everything that you need to create the wedding look that you had in mind.