Tag: traditional

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The unusual origins of some wedding customs

Traditional weddings brought together numerous wedding customs, many of which continue to this day. While we continue to practice several traditions that began ages ago, how many times do we actually consider where these practices originated? Today we will explore the tales and trivia behind some of the traditional customs. I’ll tell you this much before we begin, some of them are not only unexpected, but at times even bizarre. So, be prepared for some surprises along the way.

The wedding bouquet

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Brides today have a tough time choosing between nosegays and posies, tulips and roses, local flowers and international blossoms. Would it have been easier if we kept to the original practice of carrying a bouquet of garlic and chives as we walked down the aisle?

Believe it or not, this was the original bouquet, and the herbs were believed to ward off evil spirits and keep away germs. Isn’t it a lot better today, when the bouquet is beautiful and smells more pleasant?

Bridesmaids and their dresses

Modern brides may have so much more to worry about bridesmaids stealing the limelight, so imagine how it would have been if they belonged to the Victorian age. During those days, bridesmaids dressed up to look just like the bride, dress, veil and all. The belief was that this would confuse the evil spirits of who the bride was, and thus keep her out of harm’s way.

“Do you TAKE this woman as your wife?”

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Up until the 18th century, brides were kidnapped by the groom, and hence the relevance of this saying. How Stuff Works mentions that the bride and groom went into hiding for a whole month following the abduction by when all the din surrounding it would die down. This interesting practice is also associated with the concept of the Honeymoon that follows the wedding.

The White wedding dress

The white wedding dress was originally introduced by Queen Victoria, when she was married to Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides just wore one of the best dresses they owned, on their wedding day. Following Queen Victoria’s wedding, the idea of white symbolizing virginity and purity became popular, and it became the favorite wedding color. This practice continues to this day, and most brides have difficulty associating any other color with a wedding outfit.

The tiered wedding cake

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There are several traditions that relate to the origin of the tiered wedding cake. The one we found to be most interesting was the French practice of piling up cake to as high a height as possible. The married couple would have to kiss above the cake to be assured of a successful marriage.

The practice of preserving the top tier of the wedding cake also has a story to it. During those days, it was expected that the couple would have their first child in the year that followed their wedding. So, the cake tier that was preserved would serve as the christening cake for the baby and avoid extra expense that way. Fruit cake was the choice at the time, as it was one of the few flavors that wouldn’t spoil.

Hope that was an interesting read. For more wedding related stories, advice and shopping tips, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Things to remember when booking your wedding photographer

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Your wedding day may pass too quickly, but photos of the event will help you remember every detail of the day for years to come. Hence, the relevance of a wedding photographer cannot be overlooked. In the hands of a professional, your wedding memories are safe, and captured as you wish to remember them.

There are various styles of photography available today, and not all styles may appeal to you equally. Find one that suits your taste, and ensure your wedding pictures will recreate the magic of your wedding day, every time you look at them.

Once you choose the style of wedding photography – traditional, photojournalistic, the mix of both or artistic, it is time to find the bridal photographer to handle the task. Here is a checklist of things that will help ensure that you find the right photographer and freeze your wedding memories perfectly.

First and foremost, plan your budget

As with all other vendors, different photographers have different rates. Before you start your search, you should know how much you can afford to spend. There are great photographers who can do your job beautifully, without your having to spend a fortune on it. Start early, and you will have time to find the right candidate for the job.

Obtain reviews of the service from previous clients

Don’t be taken in by smart advertising and pictures that are available on the photographer’s website. Check with clients who have actually used the photographer, and ask them for their opinions on the service provided. If you are satisfied with what you hear, book an appointment with the photographer.

Ask to see a range of pictures

Photographers will usually have a set portfolio, which they share with their clients. While this allows you to get a fair idea of the quality of work, you should also remember that these are usually the best ones they’ve taken. So, ask for more pictures than what is in their portfolio. Or, ask them if you could have a look at a previous client’s album. You can get a better idea of their style and ability by looking at more pictures.

Discuss, clarify and question

Ask what all pictures your package will include. Discuss the available options, take time to create your own list of must-have photos, which will include the list of group shots you want and share it with the photographer. Most good photographers will be ready to accommodate their client’s requests, but make sure you check this is, before signing your contract. Share the timetable of your wedding day, and tell your photographer where he should be at a specific time, so he doesn’t miss any of the special moments on your big day.

Get it in writing

Make sure that you include every single detail in your written contract. There should be clauses regarding how emergency situations will be handled, when and how the photographer’s fee will be paid, when you will receive your prints and the total price including all overhead costs. If you make any further changes to plan, add it to the contract and have your photographer countersign it. This will help you get the service you signed up for, without any hassles.

For more wedding tips and advice, and for all your wedding needs, visit us at Best For Bride.

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How to choose the right veil length for your wedding dress

The wedding veil is a classic accessory that has the capacity to transform any woman into a bride. With time, the designs and lengths of wedding veils have changed. Despite this veils are still very much in, and it is one accessory that most brides turn to in order to complete their bridal look.

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Veils can have different lengths: very short, shoulder length, elbow length, fingertip length, knee length, floor length and royal length. This brings us to a very important piece of advice: you should never buy a veil without first trying it on. A veil that is advertised as knee length may be finger length on some women, due to their height. The effect of a veil may also change depending on how high or how low you attach it. So check this out first.

A veil not only to completes your bridal look, but also highlights the most interesting features of your bridal outfit. By choosing the appropriate length for your veil, you can draw focus to the bodice, skirt or neckline of your dress. Let us look at which veil length will be most suitable for you, based on what features you wish to emphasize.

Very short veils

Similar to visors, these end at the chin. It draws focus to the upper half of your dress. If your wedding dress has an interesting neckline, this would be a good choice to consider.

Shoulder length veils

When the veil ends at the shoulder, it reveals the details on the back and neckline. It is a perfect choice for illusion back dresses. Shoulder length veils are not really traditional fare, so you may want to consider another option if you prefer a traditional bridal look.

Elbow length veils

As the name suggests, these veils skim the wedding dress at the elbow. The positioning near the waistline will draw focus to the skirt. If your dress has detailing on the back, it would be a good idea to go for one in sheer fabric so these details aren’t lost under the layers. It looks great with ball gown dresses and A-line skirts, with embellishments at the waistline and beyond.

Fingertip length

Fingertip veils fall below the waist and emphasize the details on the bodice. It goes well with fitted silhouettes and fit and flare dresses, but can be used with most wedding dress types. These veils create a dramatic bridal look and are perfect for formal weddings.

Knee length veils

Ending at approximately knee-length, these veils are good with dresses that end at mid-calf or those with a long train. You can dress up a simple wedding dress by choosing a veil that is textured and has elaborate embellishments.

Floor length veils

As the name suggests, these veils flow from your head to your toes and gently skim the floor. We suggest that this veil be considered if your dress doesn’t have a train, or you would lose the details on the train beneath this veil.

Royal veil

The most dramatic of veils, it spreads out to several feet behind you. Unless it is sheer, the veil can hide the back details of your dress. Consider it if your wedding dress is very traditional and has a noticeable train.

We have pretty veils in all lengths and in various designs at Best for Bride. Check out our collection today to find the one that is perfect for your wedding.

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Unique Commitment: Embracing Engagement Rings Beyond the Diamond Sparkle!

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Aren’t diamonds the first thing that come to mind, when we think of engagement rings? It seems like diamonds have always been the obvious choice for an engagement ring, and the bigger and brighter it is, the more lucky you are thought to be, to flaunt it on your finger.

An interesting fact, however, is that although we have always been led to believe so, diamonds weren’t the traditional choice. In fact, these stones were available to the public, only after mining operations for this stone were successful in the late 1800’s. It was then popularized by smart advertising campaigns and ingrained into the minds of the common man, that it finally became synonymous with engagements. Remember that our ancestors were all getting engaged and married, long before this happened.

Now that you know the story behind diamonds, you should realize that diamonds needn’t be your only choice for an engagement ring. Plus, if the price of a stunning solitaire is delaying your engagement, welcome the alternative. Do it in style with a different, but equally befitting and colorful choice.

A word of advice here; rather than fix a particular stone, you should choose the colour that your lady loves and look at the various options in that color to find the best ring available. Depending on your choice, you may even be able to afford a bigger stone this way, than you would if you were going for a diamond. Another benefit of choosing a colored stone is that you have the option to have it all by itself, or even set with other smaller stones for a stunning effect.

Let us now take a look at the various other options you have.

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Romantic Red: The color that symbolizes love itself, it is noble and signifies friendship, loyalty and devotion. Choose garnet for an earthy, rustic stone, or ruby which is considered the King of Gems to strengthen your bond of love and eternal friendship.

Blissfully Blue: The color of nobility and youth, you have a variety of choices in blue, depending on the hue you like the most. The deepest blue is for saphire, and the stone is rich and lustrous too. For a lighter shade, choose topaz or aquamarine.

Glamorous Green: Green gems represent the power and beauty of nature itself. Emeralds are the perfect symbol of love, believed to bless the wearer with faithfulness, fertility and fortune. For an individual twist, you can also opt for peridot or tourmaline to add a vibrant pop of color to the ring finger.

Pretty pink and Purple: For that perfectly feminine touch, try pink or purple with stones like quartz, tourmaline or amethyst. These stones have a rugged natural finish, representing new love like yours, that will mature over the years.

Glitzy Gold and Stunning Silver: If you aren’t really keen on stones, you can even choose to have a gold or silver band with a significant icon such as the love knot on it. Choose a matching pair of ear studs and you have the perfect engagement set, that will form an excellent jewelry set for all occasions in your married life and a wonderful heirloom.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us at Best for Bride.