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Wedding Invitations: Carrying Out The Task Of Spreading The Word

Did you know that in ancient times, the task of informing guests regarding the details of an upcoming wedding is not done through wedding invitations? Yes, back when paper and stationery sets are not yet invented, spreading the word about tying-of-the-knot events were done using different means.

The Town Crier

When the printing press was not yet in existence, weddings are announced using a Town Crier. Typically, he is a gentleman with a loud voice and who roams around town to inform everyone about an upcoming wedding. Basically, everyone who has heard about such an announcement is invited to the wedding. In other words, one’s sense of hearing is a guest’s wedding invitation.

Calligraphy

Then during the medieval era, illiteracy was rampant. Because most people cannot read and write, the use of wedding invitations was only limited to the members of the nobility and to the affluent. Wedding invitations are done by using the services of monks and other people who are skilled in the art of calligraphy.

Because only the rich and affluent could afford the services of these skilled professionals, those in the lower and middle class had to make do of the town criers still.

Engraving

When engraving was invented in 1642, quality wedding invitations became accessible to the middle class. Engraving here means handwriting the text in reverse to any metallic object with the use of a carving tool. This engraved metal is then used to mass-print the wedding invitations.

Perhaps, this became the roots of mass wedding invitations that you see today.

“Double Envelopes”

When wedding invitations were to be hand delivered by a “horseman,” the possibility of damage is high. This gave rise to the idea of putting wedding invitations in two envelopes in order to protect these precious papers. Today, you can still see invitations placed in double envelopes because these are still to be sent to other parts of the world using a courier service provider. Of course, if you are the bride, you don’t want your guests receiving dilapidated and crumpled bits of paper.

Wedding invitations

The Modern Means

After the World War II, the use of “fine wedding stationery” came about. This then led to how you see wedding invitations today. This was also coupled with a number of different printing techniques including thermography, letterpress printing and laser printing. The third is promoted by many wedding experts because it is said to be the least expensive printing method.

Wedding invitations

You see, as with the other aspects in a wedding ceremony preparation, wedding invitations have also evolved. It has travelled from being a lowly auditory function to an elaborate written material that features different font types, styles, colors, sizes, and even scents.

You can see that even before, when the world still lacked a touch of modernity, the task of spreading the word about weddings was still carried out. You can see that people have used their creativity and ingenuity in making special announcements.

Today, however, you can still make use of that creativity – but not anymore in how the prehistoric people handled it. Creativity can be poured in your unique design of wedding invitations.

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Unleash Your Creativity: 10 Unique Wedding Favors

Unleash Your Creativity: 10 Unique Wedding Favors

Bored of getting the most common wedding favours? Now that it’s your turn to give out one, why not do away with the usual bride-and-groom figurines, key chains and small picture frames? It’s time to exercise your creative juices when choosing wedding favours for your beloved guests.

When selecting wedding favours, you have a very wide array of choices. The most important thing to remember is that the wedding favours you’ve chosen are within your budget. And, of course, these little keepsakes would be in line with the theme of your wedding.

Here are a few wedding favour suggestions with a flair for uniqueness and creativity.

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Wedding Cakes: Tracing Their Rich History

The history of wedding cakes and the tradition attached to them are rich. Before wedding cakes came to be what they are now, they’ve passed a lot of stages, all of which are equally interesting and intriguing.

Wedding cake

During the Roman times, the concept of elaborate wedding cake decorations and icings was not yet a reality. For instance, the groom is supposed to eat part of the wedding loaf. He would then break the remaining portion and it must be broken over the bride’s head. This symbolizes the groom’s dominance over the bride. This tradition, however, has long been eradicated possibly because of its chauvinistic implications.

Also, in the olden times, small cakes (more like today’s cupcakes) are stacked to form the wedding cakes. The notion of a white wedding cake is also very popular and was connected to affluence. Because ingredients used to make up the white icing are hard to come by, only those who can afford to travel to other places just to get hold of these cake “materials” can come up with white wedding cakes.

Wedding cake

Interestingly, in the 17th century, the idea of sleeping on a piece of cake became very popular. They say that if you put a piece of the wedding cake underneath your pillow, you will dream about your future spouse. In the 18th century, this tradition on wedding cakes evolved into the brides passing tiny cake crumbs through their wedding rings. These crumbs are then placed underneath the pillows.

Later on, the traditional wedding cake slicing that we see today came about. The bride, with the help of the groom, creates two slices, and together, they eat that part of the cake. As this is the first task that that the couple does together, this act symbolizes their never-ending promise of supporting each other for the rest of their married life.

Then came the multi-layered and elaborately designed cakes of many colors that we see today. Wedding cakes are not only white in color; today, the couple can experiment with different colors, usually making it consistent with the theme and the motif of the wedding.

Still, another interesting fact about this tradition is that the couple tries to save the topmost tier of their wedding cakes. They preserve and freeze it for use during their first anniversary. But you don’t get to see this anymore today as the elaborate decorations make the cake more vulnerable.

What proved to be a traditional and simple creation of cakes — or loaves of bread as in the olden times — now became a design extravaganza. Numerous cake and pastry houses specialize on the design of wedding cakes. The internet even has a wide selection of wedding cakes.

In conclusion, just like the wedding ceremony itself, the history and tradition of wedding cakes have come a long way. Some practices have long been eradicated while others survived the test of time and modernity.

If you prefer a traditional wedding, then you’d surely insert some of the practices that survived in the ceremony and at the reception. Otherwise, you can skip these and just go directly to the sole purpose of the occasion. The most important thing however, is that you’ve respected the solemnity of the event and the importance of this sacrament.

BestForBride.com is all about weddings – from wedding favours to designer wedding dresses and wedding cakes. Visit us today.

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Plus Size? Take Those Worries Away and Look Super on Your Wedding Day With Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Yes, it’s the fault of the magazines and fashion shows. They always feature slim, skinny and Miss-Body-Beautiful ladies as the bride. However, this is not always the case. What if you are not that gifted in terms of body size? What if you are not slim? Don’t you have the chance to look fabulous on your wedding day anymore?

Of course you do! Thank goodness for shops that feature and sell plus size wedding dresses! Yes, you read it right, there are bridal boutiques that take pride in making women who are not that skinny and not that slim look fabulous on the most important day of their lives. There are bridal shops that specialize on plus size wedding dresses.

But how do you know that you’ve done everything you can just so you can take the full benefit of plus size wedding dresses? Here’s how.

Plus size wedding gown

You’ve Considered your Body Type

Women differ not only in terms of weight but also in terms of body type. Look at yourself and assess. There are bodies that are just “too voluptuous” while others are cone-shaped. Still, others are shaped like a pear.

Once you’ve identified your specific body type, then it would be easier for you to select from many styles of plus size wedding dresses. There are specific styles appropriate for each type of figure.

Better yet, to make your trip to your bridal shop more efficient, research in advance the style that you want. The Internet is a rich source of plus size wedding dresses that fit every body type. Also, your couturier could give you all the help that you need in coming up with a fabulous wedding dress.

Wedding dress

In relation to body type is height. Make sure that in choosing from among many plus size wedding dresses, you’ve considered how the dress would score against your height. Remember, if you are not that tall, you must avoid floor-sweeping gowns. You should carry the gown, not the other way around.

You’ve Considered Simplicity

Wedding dresses have the license to bear frills and ribbons. These accents are best for slim and skinny women. However, these decorative indulgences are a no-no for plus size wedding dresses. Rather than making the wearer look more fabulous, these extras would add weight to plus size women.

The best plus size wedding dresses are the simplest ones. You just need to know your asset so you would know what part of your body to emphasize. The others could then be well concealed by stylish layers of clothing.

You’ve Considered Comfort

Needless to say comfort should be among your primary criteria in choosing your bridal gown. In your effort to look slim, you may choose a gown with a corset bodice. But this might create inconvenience for you come eating time. Thus, to make you look more fabulous on your wedding day, consider plus size wedding dresses that let you walk, eat and dance comfortably.

Every woman should have a shot at her own happy ending — regardless of size. Thanks to plus size wedding dresses, even women who are not that slim can still look great on the most important day of her life, her wedding day!