Category: Weddings

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Wedding Traditions from around the world

Weddings are special in every country and community. It is perhaps the one joyous occasion in life, that the entire world deems worthy of celebration. Hence, there are traditional rituals associated with this occasion, that have been followed for ages, and continue to this day. Let us look at some wedding customs from various countries of the world, and understand how each culture solemnizes the union of man and woman.

China

China is a huge country with many ethnic groups. So, the wedding customs vary greatly from one region to another. The traditional style of matchmaking had matchmakers who took the proposal from the groom to the girl’s family. The wedding was fixed only after a fortune teller predicted whether the couple would have a happy life together. Traditional wedding attires of both bride and groom were in red. The bride and her party were expected to cry for days leading up to the wedding, as this symbolized her grief of leaving her home. After the wedding rituals, the guests were treated to a feast, that often had six or nine courses.

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India

Indian weddings involve several rituals and take days to complete. The traditional bridal attire includes heavy jewelry, elaborate hairstyles with flowers and beautiful dresses with plenty of golden embroidery and embellishments. The bride is adorned with turmeric during the Haldi ceremony, and her hands and feet decorated with mehendi (semi-permanent tatoos) a few days before the wedding. The groom’s family arrives in a procession and are welcomed by the bridal party. The couple exchange flower garlands to symbolize their acceptance of each other. In some cultures, the groom ties a necklace called the mangalsutra, around the bride’s neck and this has to be worn by the bride at all times.The couple circle the holy fire, as they vow to love and care for each other.

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Ghana

In Ghana, the wedding ceremony begins with the groom and his family members knocking on the door of the bride’s house and making their wedding proposal. They hand over gifts to the girl’s family, and if these are accepted it means their proposal will be considered. On the day of the wedding, the elders discuss dowry arrangements and then the bride is asked if she agrees to marry the groom. Once she does, the couple exchange rings and prayers are said. The guests are treated to a feast during the reception.

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Arab weddings

In Arabic weddings, the couple exchange rings on their engagement day. A day before the wedding, the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna and the groom gives the bride her mehr, or gold. The marriage ceremony or the Nikah begins with the religious representative reciting prayers and telling the group how husbands and wives should honor their relationship and each other. Legal documents are filled out and signed by the groom and the bride’s father, witnesses sign the contract and the marriage is official.

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Mexico

In Mexico, the couple’s Godparents sponsor their wedding. Flamenco-style ruffled dresses are the traditional bridal dress choice. The bride changes her outfit a number of times during the ceremony. The reception buffet includes traditional dishes like spicy rice and beans. The cake is a rich fruit cake, and almond cookies are an essential sweet treat served at the reception.

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For more information on weddings, or to buy your wedding dress or accessories, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Wedding Dress Styles for every Bride

Every bride wants to look beautiful on their wedding day. The main way that she is able to do this is by choosing the perfect wedding gown to fit her personality and style. However, there are so many different designs to choose from that it can be difficult for the bride to find her perfect gown. When you are in this situation, you should start by choosing the style that is the most beautiful to your.

Trumpet Wedding Dress

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This is a beautiful gown that works best for girls with an hour glass or rectangle shape. If you are a girl who is fit but curvy, this dress will look beautiful on you.

Princess Wedding Dress

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With this gown, women who are top heavy, or have the pear, hour glass or rectangle shape will be perfect for the design. It can also help to hide tummy bulges as well.

Empire Wedding Dresses

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This dress has a high waist line and is great for women with an inverted triangle, apple, pear or hour glass shape. It is very flattering and is also great for slim brides with small busts as well as for pregnant brides. It is an extremely comfortable shape to wear and many brides have chosen this design.

Column Wedding Dresses

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These dresses are form fitting and tend to hug the body. For women who are not as confident about their bodies, this may not be the best option for them to choose. It works great for brides who are slim and have balanced figures.

Ball Gown

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The ball gown dress is usually referred to as the fairy-tale wedding gown. This is the dress that you would expect to see Cinderella wearing. They are very dramatic dresses that flare out from the waist line. They usually come with a fitted bodice and work great for women with a pear shape, the hour glass shape, inverted triangle, rectangle or even apple shapes.

Making the Decision

When you are choosing your wedding gown, it is best to choose a style that you will feel comfortable with. Take into consideration your body shape and try on a few dresses in each style. Once you have found the style dress that you love the most, you can focus on the dresses that are available in that style range.

Whether you are planning an over the top wedding with glamourous dresses or something a little more budget friendly, you will be able to find dresses in each style that will fit well with your budget. Make sure that you take your time and find the dress that will make you feel the most beautiful. With the nerves that you will be experiencing on your big day, the last thing that you need is a dress that will make you feel uncomfortable.

Don’t forget to visit Best for Bride to find the wedding gown of your dreams. The store offers options for every bride, every budget and every preferred wedding gown style.

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Unique Wedding Venues

Are you looking for a wedding venue, but don’t want to go with the traditional options that are overused and boring? Instead of settling for a beach wedding or one in a church, why not try some of these beautiful wedding venue options that will definitely be a memorable choice.

A Chapel

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A chapel is a tiny church that is usually in a secluded location. They are small, so if you have a large invitation list, this will probably not work out for you. However, these venues make for some adorable pictures and the ceremony can be intimate and personal. Plus, you can always have a large reception later on if you wish.

Country Club

Many country clubs have some pretty amazing locations for events such as weddings. Since they typically cater to those who have a bit more money than the rest, they tend to have much nicer facilities than other locations. Keep in mind that these places do tend to be a bit pricey, but if you are already a member, you may be able to get a decent price.

A Winery

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Between the wine and the vineyards, there is something magical about having a wedding planned in a winery. This is also a great location for beautiful pictures and they are a great place for receptions as well. If you don’t live in an area that is known for wineries, check around. Just about every area has a winery around somewhere.

Historic Buildings

Museums and historic buildings are also a great place to hold a wedding. Not only will they be beautiful and memorable, but they will also showcase a special part of the city that you are choosing to be married in. Although they may be difficult to find, consider checking with group that owns the building to see if a wedding can be held there.

Extreme

Do you have a passion for something, like rock climbing or sky diving. This can make a very fun wedding that will get your blood pumping. Naturally, with these types of weddings, your guest list will need to be kept to a minimum, but you can always have a formal reception after the wedding. Pretty much any hobby can be turned into a wedding opportunity, so make sure that you keep your options open.

Castle

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There is nothing quite as romantic as having your wedding in a castle. Of course, you will probably need to travel to find a traditional castle, but you may look around to see if there are any replicas in your area. Some businesses have designed buildings to look like a castle and these are the perfect location for a beautiful and romantic wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride is a fantastic store to find all of your wedding day supplies. From wedding gowns, to décor to dresses for the wedding party, Best for Bride has everything that you will need to make your wedding beautiful and memorable. Be sure to stop in when you are making your wedding day plans.

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Alternatives to Open Bar Receptions

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Not every bride is interested in having an open bar at their reception. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fun alternative. Open bars are expensive and they can easily put your budget over the top. Instead of going for one of these lavish affairs, try out one of these options that are budget friendly. With the dangers that alcohol places on drivers, you will also be keeping your guests safe as well.

Juice Bar

Another fun option is a juice bar. With this, you can offer different types of juices and flavors for your guests to choose from. Offering a sparkling water option to mix with the juices can also be a fun way for guests to enjoy the bar. You can also offer water, coffee, milk and soda as well so that everyone will have something that they enjoy drinking.

Coffee Bar

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Coffee is one thing that many people have in common. Instead of serving alcohol, try this option instead. You can offer different types of coffee along with special flavors and things that people can add to their coffee, like special creamers. Don’t forget about the kids that will be attending as well and add a hot chocolate option for them to enjoy.

Punch

Punch has long been a staple for parties and other events. You can easily make a punch that matches the colors of your wedding and display it in a pretty punch bowl. Don’t worry about buying a punch bowl that is large enough for all your guests, because you will be able to rent one from a part supply store. Just make sure that you have plenty to restock he punch bowl as it becomes empty.

Alcohol Options

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For those who are still wanting to offer alcoholic beverages at their wedding, but do not want the expense of an open bar, there are many things that you can do. For example, you can only offer champagne when it comes time for the toasts. Another great idea is to only have the bar open during certain times of the reception.

You can also have a limit that your guests can consume from the bar. For example, you can give guests tickets that they can turn in for drinks or only allow alcohol to be served until a certain price is reached. Another option is to have signature drinks to choose from and if your guests want something different, they must pay for it themselves.

Conclusion

There are many options that couples can use to replace an open bar at a wedding. While many couples choose to have an open bar at their weddings, they are definitely not a requirement and you should never feel obligated to offer one to your guests. Instead, you should choose an option that fits with your budget and wedding style.

Don’t forget to check out all the great options that are available at Best for Bride. They offer a wide range of décor items as well as wedding attire for your special day.