Wedding Ideas

(BNN) As the wedding season approches, couples prepare for their newlywed lives and households. Many look beyond traditional china, crystal and keepsakes for gifts they will use frequently in their new homes.

Following trends in fashion, a wide selection of informal, practical and useful gifts are well-suited to today’s purposeful lifestyles.

Gifts now span many product categories. Camping and sporting equipment, outdoor grills, home and garden tools, kitchen accessories, and everyday dinnerware are especially appreciated now. Unusual and useful gifts for almost every lifestyle and category can be conveniently ordered online!

• Kitchen Essentials: Lillian Vernon’s stainless steel tools to handle chores from chopping and slicing to cooking and serving, then go into the dishwasher. 42-piece set $90 www.lillianvernon.com. Krups coffee and espresso maker $99 at Crate&Barrel www.crateandbarrel.com. From IKEA, top-of-the-line SKÄRPT kitchen knife block. Set of 3 knives and a ceramic sharpener $70 www.IKEA.com..

• Outdoor Sports: Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), pair of sleeping bags with opposite zipper configurations that zip together. Perfect for inseparable newlyweds! $129 each. Also, a tent for two! The award-winning Half Dome Plus three-season backpacking tent $159 all at www.rei.com.

• Home Accessories: Traditional Cambridge mantle clock with roman numerals $129 at Crate&Barrel www.crateandbarrel.com. The Earthwise Clock, a John Duke design, displays the movement of the earth in relation to the passage of time showing both solar time and clock (universal) time. $95 at www.earthwiseclock.com. Garden Clock, rust and weather resistant, verdigris finish, gives time, temperature and humidity, $50 at Lillian Vernon www.lillianvernon.com.

• Everyday Dining: Hand-painted earthenware with creamy, ivory finish, fully glazed for durability, and easy care, microwave and dishwasher safe. 32-piece service for eight $110 at Lillian Vernon, www.lillianvernon.com. Reed & Barton Crescendo pattern stainless flatware––66-piece service for twelve at $140 Ross-Simons
www.ross-simons.com.

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Ahh, the honeymoon, whether it be a trip to Vegas or a quiet beach hideaway it will always be remembered as one of the best and most important vacations you’ve ever gone on. Here’s the Wedding Wonderful hotlist of great honeymoons.

NORTH AMERICA AND CARRIBBEAN

Las Vegas, Neveda– Las Vegas is like nothing else in this world. The lights, the gambling, the shows, the $4.99 prime rib, you’ll find it all here in Las Vegas like nowhere else. For the couple who enjoys gambling, seeing shows, and the night life this is the perfect trip.

Orlando, Florida– Orlando is not just for kids, Walt Disney World and the newer Universal Studios rank as one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. Not only does Central Florida have the draw of the theme parks, but also plenty of beaches and other attractions. This is the perfect trip for the couple who enjoys roller coaster fun in the sun.

Niagara Falls, New York/ Canada– Once the classic honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls is still a great choice for couples interested in sightseeing rather than laying on the beach. Both the American and Canadian sides are great, but most of the action, including gambling, occurs on the Canadian side and you have a better view of the falls.

Hawaii– The main destination of choice for today’s honeymooners, Hawaii offers the perfect combination of sightseeing and beach fun. We selected the Big Island of Hawaii for a place on our top ten honeymoon beaches list, but Maui, Oahu, and Molokai are great options too.

New York City– The everything capitol of the world. New York is full of exciting cultural and sightseeing opportunities. Our pick for the most romantic NYC activity? A moonlight horse and buggy ride in Central Park.

Hilton Head, South Carolina– Long known for being a golfing mecca, Hilton Head is quickly developing into one of the biggest northeast honeymoon destinations. The Old South is alive and kicking here both architecturally and in terms of hospitality and the white sand beaches are some of the prettiest you’ll find in this part of the country.

Poconos, Pennsylvania–Nothing screams heart shaped hot tub more than the Poconos. This once premiere honeymoon destination is still a wonderful choice for couples who want to relax and enjoy the great outdoors mountain style.

Puerto Rico– Puerto Rico has long been a hot spot for beach loving couples and buffs of history. San Juan is the oldest US-owned capitol city and the whole island is rich in Spanish culture. Nightlife including dancing and casinos abounds.

The Bahamas– The Bahamas is a string of 700 islands, the most popular of which are located just off the coast of Florida. Nassau, the capitol and any of the beaches on Grand Bahamas Island or Paradise Island are popular with honeymooners. Our Bahamas beach pick? Pink Sands.

Bermuda– The island of Bermuda and it’s infamous “triangle” are located about 500 miles off the coast of North Carolina. This string of 150 islands is famous for it’s pink sand beaches and unique pastel architecture. St. George is the main honeymoon destination.

Caymen Islands– The Caymens are located about 430 miles south of Miami and although these islands have become popular lately, they are much less commercialized than many other Caribbean destinations. This is the perfect trip for the couple who prefers quiet days in the sand and snorkeling to a wild nightlife. Grand Caymen Island is the most popular island.

Jamaica–Jamaica is famous for it’s white sand beaches and waterfalls as well as it’s regee culture. Although it is not quiet as popular as some other Caribbean destinations due to concern about crime this is still a great vacation for those who enjoy a tropical setting. Nergil Jamaica made our list as one of the top ten honeymoon beach sites.

The Virgin Islands– Half US owned and half British owned, the most popular Virgin Island destinations include St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Tortola. St. Thomas and St. Croix, both US owned are huge tourist destinations while St. John and Tortola are popular but less touristy. We picked the island of St. John as one of the ten best honeymoon beaches in the world.

Mexico– The beaches of Mexico are said to be some of the best in the world and like many of the Caribbean islands very snorkeling and SCUBA diving friendly. The most popular honeymoon spots include Acapulco, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta. Acapulco made our list of the top ten honeymoon beaches in the world.

EUROPE

Italy– Italy has long been the world center for romance and Italy is generally one of the most popular Europen honeymoon destinations. Want romance? Spoleto, Bellagio, and Todi are recommended by Frommer’s. For historical sites we recommend the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Pompeii, the Vatican Museums, and the Academy Galley art museum.

France– Whether it’s hitting the beach at the French Rivera or seeing Paris from the Eiffel Tower, France offers a great deal of romance. For history buffs, Château de Versailles is said to be the most opulent palace in the world and the Louvre contains some of the world’s most famous artwork. The vineyards of Bordeaux and the French Alps are terrific options for couples looking for a more serene scene.

London, England– London offers the cosmopolitan couple almost everything they could want in a honeymoon destination– culture, history, scenery, and a kicking nightlife. Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament are must sees.

Prague, Czech Republic– A piece of the Old World in modern Europe, Prague is an exotic and deeply historical city. This is the place where Mozart lived (the movie Amadeusreally was primarily shot in Prague) and is famous for it’s hundreds of spires. Romantic ideas include visiting the Prague castles and taking your own dinghie for a row at night on the Vltava.

Heather Greene is the head writer for Wedding Wonderful, a wedding planning site and online supplies store located at www.weddingwonderful.com. This article orginially appeared on Wedding Wonderful.

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Is Jesus Invited To Your Wedding?
By Jeannette Tyson Gregoryr>
I’m sure that most young girls dream about that beautiful wedding day. You spend time fantasizing about a romantic storybook wedding as you and your husband ride off on a white horse and live happily ever after.
When the magic question is asked, “Will you marry me?” What is the first thing that enters your mind? How do you answer such a question that will change the rest of your life?
Unity is a good place to start. The definition of unity is to be in agreement with, harmony, to be on one accord. Does this sound like a description of your relationship with your fiancée?
If the answer is no, it sounds like you need to postpone the idea of marriage for a while.
It may be impossible to live in unity with a marriage partner who does not share the same belief or love for Jesus Christ that you have. He or she may be your best friend. He has beautiful eyes and her lips are shaped as perfect as a valentine but the ultimate foundation of any marriage that is in Christ is Jesus Himself.
However, all decision-making, child rearing, and life commitments for the Christian are all based on our life in Christ. Any person who does not share your love and faith for Christ can never fit into the most intimate part of your spiritual life. “Planning a marriage to an unbeliever will produce an imbalanced union that is to be avoided. The bible refers to this as being unequally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:14 - 15) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
To experience a happy union, the believer should connect with one whose ideals and visions center in Jesus Christ.
Jesus loves to attend weddings! John 2:1-2 records His first miracle took place at a wedding. He gladly attended and participated when He turned water into wine.
Wouldn’t you like to have Jesus at your wedding and reception and be the talk of the town? Can you see the headlines? Jesus Attends Local Wedding.
Can you imagine the gift that He would bring? In John 2:10 it states that the wine was the best. It was not cheap wine. If Jesus had not been there I’m sure the wedding feast would have been a disaster.
Jesus is more than happy to attend your wedding if you would just invite Him. Marriage is the beginning point for blessing in the human social order, and without it, families, churches, and society itself could not exist. The Lord instructs believers to seek a believing partner to ensure holiness in the marriage.
God has a passion for the covenant relationship of marriage. It is about more than,” I do” and a trip to the Bahamas. Marriage is a covenant relationship.
Let’s define the word covenant. It means, agreement, contract or promise.
God stands as a witness to the marriage, He seals it with a covenant that will remain with the marriage. Picture the covenant as an armed guard protecting the marriage from outside forces of evil.
Before you make any plans to get married, personally invite Jesus to your wedding. Discuss the young man in your life with Him. Seek His approval first.
Inviting Jesus to your wedding will be your first move toward a very prosperous and happy marriage.
I entered my engagement period at the age of 18 years old with the approval of my parents. On my Wedding Day I had only been 19 years old for 2 months.
Neither my husband nor myself knew Jesus, so He was not invited to our wedding.
I spent 8 years of my marriage without a relationship with Christ. Can you imagine the chaos that existed in our union for 8 years? No spiritual guidance or directions?
Thanks be to God when I accepted Christ things began to change and come to order.
When you make these kind of decisions without Christ your road to your destiny gets a bit crooked and distorted. You experience things that could have been avoided if you had just trusted God.
I dedicate this article to my daughters and all of the young people who have made the decision to leave Jesus out of your wedding. I present the question to you, if you have decided to get married, “Is Jesus Invited To Your Wedding?”

Founder of Writers Incubator, an organization where her main focus is youth and young adults learning how to develop their God given gifts, in the areas of writing and art. She is a published author of: The Corridor Of My Heart, What Does God Have To Say About Sex?, Sonshine For A Cloudy Day. She is also a recipient of The Editors Choice Award, for her poem The Little League Game. Teen Columnist for Evangelist Newspaper.

See more at www.chosenwordpublishing.com

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It’s been several years since I left the band I was with.

As I reflect upon my life –the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, (does that mean I’m getting old?), I look upon my experiences with the band with fondness and know that those memories will stay with me forever.

Music is in my blood. Every fiber of my being somehow has music attached to it. I think it’s a DNA thing. Both parents are musicians and teachers, both grandmothers were entertainers, my Nana a piano player back in the days of silent films and my Grammy a Broadway dancer. Seems to me that I wasn’t left with much of a choice in the matter!

When I was 30, (okay, now I’m dating myself), I joined what’s referred to as a GB (General Business) band. Our primary function was weddings. That’s how it started. For the first year we did weddings that were booked prior to my joining. Lucky for us these folks didn’t choose another band when they discovered that the singer they thought would be there was in fact going to be me. The singer they’d booked from the video tape had left and I was taking her place.

The weddings were fun. I loved singing the bride and groom’s special songs and somehow added to their day. I liked being the emcee. I enjoyed having to be upbeat and “on” even on those days when I felt “off”. It was good therapy! Oh, and let’s not forget the singing part. Yes, that’s my heart and to me one of the best forms of self expression going.

As I think back, I suppose I liked the attention, too. I didn’t want too much, but when someone came up to me on my break and said how wonderful the music was, it felt good.

The band and I had excellent chemistry. Chemistry is there or it isn’t — you can’t force it just as with any relationship. I think I laughed more on my gigs than at any other time. We’d joke on stage or the keyboard player would make “funny” sounds with his keys while I was in the middle of a song, TRYING to make me laugh and sometimes succeeding. Imagine singing “Crazy” while “burp” sounds are going off in the background! Boy, did I have to bite my tongue a lot! Sometimes, it didn’t work and I actually lost it during a song. Oh, when that happened the entire band was in stitches and all I could do was muster up the self control needed to keep going, hoping that the folks dancing didn’t notice. Sometimes, they did, and they laughed at us having such a good time! But, don’t let that give you the wrong impression. We were definitely professional. A little laughter didn’t take that away.

Whenever a wedding ended, I got a great feeling when the bride and groom thanked us for doing a great job. What a feeling of satisfaction that was! Even with aching feet, a tired body and a worn voice, I was uplifted by their comments.

Now, you may be saying, “Hey, if this was so great, why did she leave?”

I say, “Good question.”

Life is change — change is life. We finished out the wedding bookings for the year and began doing club work more and more and got a few wedding bookings from that. Things were a bit unsteady when our guitar player left; so the leader of the band held off on doing a promotional wedding video. Now, that’s important if you want more wedding gigs. When prospective brides and grooms go into a function hall and want to see videos of bands, they want to see who is with the band NOW, not 2 years ago. Otherwise, they have to go to the club where the band is playing to hear how they really sound. That can be a slight inconvenience, especially if they lived a distance from where we were playing.

Needless to say, without a promotional tape, our weddings decreased and the clubs increased. It got to the point where we were doing three or four weekends in a row; as opposed to the two or three weddings per month. Also, the pay at a four hour wedding is much better than working four hours, two nights in a row, (eight hours total) at a club. Not that money was my motive. It wasn’t. But, it was nice to work a wedding and make what I’d bust my “you know what” working a whole weekend at a club!

So, after about a year and a half of the bookings increasing, (the clubs loved us), I had to make a choice.

Everything in life, (and if you’ve read some of my other material you’ll know I mean this), requires balance. Working most weekends was tiring and was putting a strain on my fiance and I. He went to a lot of gigs with me because working in a club environment is much different than doing a wedding. You know, there’s a bit more trouble to be found. Luckily, my experience with the band was pretty much trouble free. Although I must say that there were many folks at weddings who’d tip a few too many and loved to jump up on stage, grab the microphone and belt away! (Those times were funny, and there were some people who were pretty damn good)!

Back to the choice. It was a tough one. If only…but we don’t live in an “if only” world. The bookings were not going to lighten up — as a matter of fact it was the opposite. We had definitely become a club band — no longer doing weddings as our primary gigs. And, the music was getting a bit stale, although I introduced a lot of new material to the band. I also play keys so I could work out tunes at home.

I digress.

On New Years Eve, 1999-2000, I sang with the band for the last time. It wasn’t an easy decision, but one I had to make. Although painful at the time, I must say that with pain comes growth. I never would have started my e-book and landed a contract if I were still with the band. I wouldn’t be a contributor on various writing sites if I were still with the band. I had to put my creative energies somewhere and they landed upon the cyber pages of the Internet. I am glad for that.

And music hasn’t left me. It can’t. It would be like cutting off my right arm. I still play, still sing, still sit in occasionally. I even reunited with the band at my sister’s wedding this past November and it was GREAT! Just like yesterday. That same ol’ chemistry was there, not to be broken by time. We laughed just like we always did.

When my father plays his solo gig in a small restaurant/bar, we go see him and I’ve been know to sit and play/sing a few at the end of the night. It brings back wonderful feelings and I love making people happy. When I hear, “Could you sing ‘this or that’, it feels terrific. (However, it’s quite embarrassing when I don’t know the tune….)

Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll pick up a solo gig somewhere…
© Ellen M. DuBois

Ellen M. DuBois, MA - Ms. DuBois is engaged and has a dog who loves to critique her work. She is published in vol.2 of God Allows U-Turns with her piece, “The Angel in the Dumpster”. She writes to touch the hearts of others. Please visit Writings of the Heart, her award winning writer’s resource site- http://writingsoftheheart.homestead.com/index.html

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Prepare for anything to happen on your wedding day!!

No matter how much preparation you have given to your wedding or reviewed the details; some things can just happen.

One week before my wedding, my father announced he was going in for a major colon operation. Unfortunately, there was no way he could re-schedule this operation and there was also no way we could re-schedule the wedding.

We just had to go on. The operation was a success but by the time the wedding hit he was still in the hospital and was only able to come to the wedding to walk me down the aisle. The poor guy helped pay for the party, had tons of friends there and had to leave. It sucked but there was absolutely nothing we could do about it. It was just the way things played out.

You can never know what might happen. But, the main thing is to go on. My dad not being at my wedding was a huge glitch in my day but it also helped me overlook all the other things.

Say for example:

¤ My fiancé getting a black eye the day before the wedding while kickboxing

¤ The spa screwing up my booking for my pedicure and manicure (on the positive, they did get the bridesmaid’s correct)

¤ My aunt spilling a full glass of red wine all down the front of my mothers (pink) dress

¤ Scrambling for a place for pictures as the weather wasn’t cooperating for outdoor pictures as planned

¤ And the best, a bell man screaming at my husband and I to open our door on our wedding night as he thought we were having a huge party (it was next door) –although my husband always likes saying we made way too much noise that night.

In hindsight, it’s all really humorous (well except my dad part)! Make sure you grab your humour on your wedding day about all the things that are out of your control! If you can’t seem to find the humour, try to do a few relaxation techniques such as:

¤ Tighten the muscles in your toes. Hold for a count of 10. Relax and enjoy the sensation of release from tension.

¤ Breathe deeply and slowly.

¤ Get a quick breath of fresh air! A quick walk can give you a much-needed “time-out” which will release some tension.

Try to also designate someone to take care of details that you just don’t need to worry about. For example, have a friend in charge of the catering or someone for the music etc. When a
problem arises, the bride usually hears and then you can just tell your friend and forget about it. You don’t need to be wasting your time fighting with the catering or disc jockey.

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Kari White is an experienced event and wedding planner. As a result of numerous requests, she has now completed the Unique Theme Wedding Planning Guide which can be found at her web site along with a free weekly newsletter. Do yourself a favor and check it out today.

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If you’re a parent, your son or daughter’s wedding day is the day that you’ve simultaniously dreaded and looked foward to ever since the day they were born. On one hand, you may be excited that your child is about to embark on a whole new life, on the other hand you may feel a sense of “losing” them to their new husband or wife and their family. Without a doubt, the next few months will be a busy, exciting, and emotional time for both you and the soon-to-be married couple, that’s why we’ve created this special section on parental roles and what both parents and children should expect when planning a wedding.

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DUTIES
The mother of the bride (MOB) is usually very involved with the wedding day plans. In fact, we’ve heard more than one story about a MOB trying to take over her daughter’s wedding. Moms, it’s important to remember that this is really your daughter’s special day and although she’ll probably appreciate your suggestions and help, you should try to remember that this (hopefully) will be her only chance to plan the wedding of her dreams. Brides, just remember that your mom only wants the best for you and since she’s probably paying for some of the wedding, she does deserve some imput. That being said, we’ve made a list of some common duties MOB’s take on.

-Helping the couple select a ceremony and reception site, plus picking vendors.

-Helping the bride pick out her wedding gown.

-Contribute to guest list planning. In many cases, the MOB is the one in charge of the guest list and will need to consult with the couple and the groom’s family about the list.

-Make sure you tell the Bride’s relatives and family where the couple is registered if the MOH hasn’t

-Talk to the MOG about your dress. Your dresses should compliment each others.

-Attend the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. In many cases, the MOB helps plan the shower.

-You will sit in the first pew in a Christian ceremony or be present at the huppah in a Jewish ceremony. In a Jewish ceremony, both parents walk the Bride down the aisle.

-If there is a receiving line, you will probably be standing at the front of it.

-Generally support the bride as needed.

MOTHER OF THE GROOM DUTIES
Years ago, most of the pre-wedding “Mom duties” were left up to the other of the Bride all the mother of the Groom (MOG) needed to do was show up at the ceremony looking pretty. Now in days though, MOGs are much more involved with the wedding, particularly when the groom is more involved in the planning.

-When the engagement is announced you should call the Bride’s parents ASAP. If you live close to each other, you should definitely try to get together sometime soon.

-Offer to help with ceremony and reception site planning as well as vendor finding.

-If the Bride does not know your son’s family well you should host a dinner or get together so she can get to know them better before the wedding.

-Make up a list of people you would like to invite to the wedding and consult with the couple and possibly the MOB about it (depending on who’s organizing the guest list).

-If possible, attend the bridal shower.

-Make sure to tell the groom’s relatives and friends where the couple is registered if the MOH has not.

-Talk to the MOB about your dress. Your dresses should compliment each others.

-Traditionally, the Groom’s parents host the rehearsal dinner.

-In a Christian ceremony you will be seated in the first pew, in a Jewish ceremony you will escort your son down the aisle and stand with him at the huppah

-If there is a receiving line, you will be in it.

-Dance the mother/son dance at the reception.

-Be there for moral support.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE DUTIES
For most dads, just thinking about their daughter’s wedding day will make them get all choked up. This is a special day for your daughter and there’s a lot you can do to make it even more special.

-The Bride’s family is traditionally the one to foot the wedding bill. Many couples today are opting to at least pay a portion of the expenses though.

-Offer to help with ceremony and reception site planning.

-Don’t know much about flowers or wedding cakes? Offer to help pick out the wedding music, food, or alcohol instead.

-Help out with out-of-town travel arrangements. The couple may need your help in giving guests directions, chauffering on the wedding day, and booking hotel rooms.

-Attend the rehearsal dinner. Many fathers give a speech to the groom at the rehearsal dinner.

-Travel to the ceremony site with your daughter. In both Christian and Jewish ceremonies the father of the bride traditionally escorts her.

-If there is a receiving line, you will stand beside your daughter.

-You may give a toast at the reception.

-Dance the father/daughter dance at the reception.

-Be there for moral support.

FATHER OF THE GROOM DUTIES
Father of the Groom– it’s a role you almost never hear about when people talk about weddings, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t play an important role in your son’s wedding.

-Your son may need advice about proposing, be sure to give him the support he needs.

-Once the engagement has been announced, be sure to welcome the Bride to your family and tell her how pleased you are that she will be part of it.

-Offer to help with ceremony and reception site planning.

-Ask the couple if the Father of the Groom or Best Man needs any help with travel arrangements for out of town guests.

-Traditionally, the Groom’s family hosts the rehearsal dinner.

-In a Christian ceremony, you will sit in the first pew. In a Jewish ceremony you and the Groom’s mother will escort the Groom down the aisle and stand at the huppah.

-If there is a receiving line, you will be in it.

-Make sure everyone is holding their liquor well and that the bar is either stocked or closed down (if too many people are getting out of control drunk).

-Be there for moral support.

Heather Greene is the head writer for Wedding Wonderful, a complete wedding planning web site at www.weddingwonderful.com.

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These days, it’s becoming more and more common for couples of different religious backgrounds to get married. Many religions have embraced this fact– in two of the four major Jewish sects, interfaith marriages are regularly performed, most Protestant clergy are willing to officiant interfaith marriages, and more and more Catholic priests, Conservative Judaism rabbis, and Islamic leaders are conducting interfaith ceremonies. Ask other interfaith couples in your area for recommendations if you’re having a hard time finding someone yourself. Or, you could have your wedding performed by a non-religious officiant. You will still have the opportunity to incorporate religion into your ceremony if you do this, but it will eliminate the hassle of finding a religious officiant who’s views about interfaith marriage are the same as yours.

It may not be easy pulling off an interfaith ceremony. Your relatives may be upset that you are straying from tradition and even you and your fiance may have some different ideas about how the ceremony should be run and which traditions and rituals should be part of the ceremony. You will need to take a lot of time to consider exactly what marrying someone of a different faith means to you and how you will handle your differences on the wedding day and beyond. With some compromising and understanding though, we’re sure you’re interfaith wedding will go on without a hitch.

Since there is no traditional interfaith ceremony format, we can not recommend one that you should follow, but below you will find some tips for how to incorporate two religions into your ceremony.

Involving Both Families– Chances are, if anyone is upset about you having an interfaith marriage it’s the older generation– your parents and grandparents. The best thing you can do to help them come to terms with your decision and understand it is to have both families participate in the ceremony. Unity candles are a wonderful idea to involve both parents and in this case, the candle lighting will have extra symbolism as you are not only joining your two families, but also your two faiths. At many interfaith marriages involving Christian and Jewish grooms and brides you will notice that the couple is taking a cue from the Jewish religion and having both parents walk the bride and groom down the aisle. This is sure to make both sets of parents feel special on the big day.

Neutral Ground– It’s important for many couples and their families to have a completely neutral ceremony. Many officiants steer clear of using non-inclusive language and avoid using mentions of things unique to one religion (for example, mentions of Israel, Jesus as a savior, etc.) and instead focus on God’s love and the theme of unity and togetherness. In general, we’d advise against having the ceremony in a place of worship unless it is special to both the bride and groom.

Music and Readings– Incorporate music and readings from both your faiths into the ceremony or you can have faith neutral readings and music. We have several suggestions for readings as well as tips for readers weddings in our ceremony section.

Programs– Wedding programs are almost a necessity at an interfaith wedding if you will be incorporating aspects of two faiths into your wedding. A good program will explain the meaning and origin behind any religious rituals that take place at the wedding, that way, none of the guests will be confused about what is going on (your guests may not have attended a wedding outside of their faith group).

Having two officiants– Many interfaith couples are now deciding to have two officiants present at their wedding ceremonies, one from each religion. By having two officiants, you’ll be making everyone more comfortable, plus two heads are always better than one and two officiants can give you more ideas about conducting and interfaith ceremony than just one.

Heather Greene is the head writer for the wedding planning site, Wedding Wonderful located at www.weddingwonderful.com. This article originally appeared on Wedding Wonderful.

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Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day. Selecting a dress that will make you look and feel great is an important first step. But what happens when you look in the mirror and notice trouble spots like saggy arms or unsightly folds in your back? When this happens it’s not uncommon for brides to try quick-fix diets to help them get in shape. Unfortunately, many dieting brides make fitness mistakes that not only prevent them from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary stress and sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs! Here are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some tips to help you avoid them.

1. Too much, too late.
One of the most important things to remember if you are trying to lose weight is to start early. For example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just tone up) gradually. So if you’re dream-wedding day includes you being in great shape, then include fitness as a “to-do” on your overall wedding checklist. That way it will be a priority in your wedding planning.

2. Setting unachievable goals.
Many women get engaged and begin imagining themselves drastically thinner or more sculpted. Be realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically transform just because you are getting married. And, do you really want to look so different on your wedding day that most people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize you?

3. Radical diets or fitness programs.
Brides typically are short on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets that promise quick, drastic results with little effort from you. You should avoid any programs that suggest taking “diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals (like eating only cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying dangerous things, like laxatives.

4. Not exercising.
It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet and exercise should always go hand in hand. Consider them to be like yin and yang. Without activity your body can’t burn as many calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise in small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. Plus, if you are tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you back some energy.

5. Skipping Meals
It’s not uncommon to get caught up in your planning and then realize at 9 p.m. (as your head begins to ache) that you haven’t eaten a thing all day. While it may not be an uncommon scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping meals unhealthy, it can lead to binge eating. That often means eating very fattening foods and/or overeating all at once. To avoid this, try packing light snacks to keep on hand throughout the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese strings, peanut butter on crackers, etc.

Getting in shape doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t require a lot of time. If you are trying to lose weight or firm up before your wedding, below are some sample plans to help you get started. Keep in mind that the most important thing is for a bride to feel good about herself. And no matter what size or shape, all brides are beautiful on their wedding day!

Sample Exercise FITscription:

20-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (3-5 time per week)

Example: 2-5 minutes of brisk walking, 2-5 minutes of jumping jacks (repeat for 20-30 minutes)

20-30 minutes of strength training (2-3 times per week)

Example: Dumbbell exercises for both the upper and lower body (like bicep curls, tricep dips, squats, etc.)

Sample Meal Plan:

Eat 5-7 small meals per day (meals should include protein, grains, vegetables, etc. to meet the food pyramid daily requirements)

Example: Small, grilled, skinless chicken breast

Slice of whole wheat bread
Slice of cheese

Mixed Vegetables

Glass of Water (2 or 3 would be even better)

Written by Lynn Bode, founder of WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You provides affordable online exercise programs to help even the busiest of brides lose weight, tone-up, sculpt muscles and more via the Internet. Let our certified trainer help you get your dream-body in time for the day you’ve always dreamed about. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout.

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It is your wedding. Your own very special day. Make it a one-of a-kind event.

Congratulations! You just set the date for the most important day in your life. Your wedding day.

Many bridal couples become overwhelmed by all the ‘must do’s and instead of enjoying the journey get stressed out. Don’t be one of them. Here are a few suggestions that will make the preparation fun.

Keep within your financial limits. Budget your wedding carefully. You do not want to start your joined life in debt. If you are organized have a plan and are creative, whatever your budget, a wedding to remember is do-able.

When you look at the tasks at hand in preparing for your wedding, the list may be overwhelming. . Don’t try to do everything all at once. Break your list it into small manageable portions that you can successfully accomplish.

Always remember that it is YOUR wedding. Be sure that it reflects YOU. No one can or should dictate to you what to do and how to do it. Though you may seek advice, the final decision is yours. On the other hand, don’t be shy. Accept assistance when offered and solicit involvement from those you believe will be an asset.

Your wedding is a deeply serious and intimate moment declaring your love and commitment to each other. Add your personal touches. If you have children you may consider making them an important part of your wedding. (Read the article ‘Make your children a part of the wedding’ http://www.a-weddingday.com/archives.html

Make your wedding truly a one-of-a-kind event. Pick a few aspects of your wedding and make them personalized. The personal touch is what makes a wedding most meaningful and memorable to the bridal couple, their attendants, family and all invited guests.

Also, fill your day with cherished moments and keepsakes. Whether you choose a favorite theme, a special setting or an intimate gathering of friends and loved ones, enjoy the road leading to it because, sad to say, the wedding itself will be over before you know it. Yet the memories and keepsakes will stay with you forever. Treasure them! Good Luck!

Copyrights Nily Glaser, Gan Publishing and a-wedding Day.com 2000-2002
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and / or a website link. Please E-mail to:
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Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day, http://www.a-weddingday.com
A very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center. She is also the publisher of the free A-wedding Day newsletter.
E-mail: nande@a-weddingday.com

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