Wedding Ideas

By: Blake Kritzberg

Increasing numbers of American brides are thinking about doing something that used to be unthinkable — getting married in a bold red gown.

Not that red is a stranger to marriage. Hardly. Red plays a major role in Chinese, Hindu, and some Muslim weddings, and was a popular choice in medieval times. But for modern Westerners? Yes — we too are starting to marry in red. At least some of us.

It’s been happening more and more in Europe over the past decade. Maybe that’s because Europe recalls long stretches of time when wedding gowns weren’t white. For eons, a woman simply wore her best dress — one she could certainly use again — although to keep luck on her side she might gravitate to certain colors and avoid others. With all the choices, it was harder to keep the good colors straight, so the folk world offered a poem with a few fortunate outcomes and many poor ones:

Married in White, you have chosen right …
Married in Brown, you will live in the town …
Married in Blue, you will always be true …

Blue gowns were popular since early times, since blue represented purity and the Virgin Mary. This tradition continues in the “something blue” a bride wears today. White was less common, especially among anything other than the bluest bluebloods, because of its difficulty in coming clean in the wash.

But eventually, several big players popularized white, most notably the fashion hound Queen Victoria. Ever since — especially in a world where clothes are mass-produced and a woman can afford many dresses, even one she’ll only wear once — white’s been all the rage.

Yet even more recently, some have found this timeworn symbol of purity and affluence a little constricting. Some brides want a little less predictability and more choice. And not everyone looks good in white, as some brides point out.

While a percentage of European brides have snapped up dramatic red gowns for the past decade, Americans have been more cautious. It’s only been about the past four years that tentative pastel washes and small colored accents have made the scene here.

That’s beginning to change. A small but growing number of brides — and designers — are getting bolder. Formal, stunning, all-red gowns are making inroads into Christmas or holiday weddings, especially the cozy kind in front of a crackling hearth. You’ll see more red at Valentine weddings, rose-themed weddings, and Las Vegas weddings — not to mention second weddings where the bride’s more apt to select exactly what she feels good in, and nothing less.

Thinking of red for yourself? Maybe your forebears did too. During the American Revolution, it wasn’t uncommon for brides show their support for the rebellion by donning a red dress.

Fortunately, these days it’s not a political statement. A bride wears red because she wants to. She’s comfortable with herself and with the dress she finds most beautiful — even if that choice still raises some eyebrows in the back of the chapel.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is owner and proprieter of FavorIdeas.com. Stop by http://www.favorideas.com for a huge selection of wedding favors, Bridezilla’s weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date eCards, screensaver, wallpaper and web site templates.

For today’s red wedding gowns at a glance, please see: http://www.favorideas.com/red-wedding-dress.htm

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By: Blake Kritzberg

It’s a fact, however odd it seems, that some brides don’t like cake — and don’t want one at their wedding reception. Others like cake just fine, but prefer to serve something a little more distinctive for dessert. On the whole, brides pass up cake at their wedding because they:

- don’t like it
- want something nontraditional and edgy and are bored by “the norm”
- want something that more personally represents them or their geographical area
- attended too many catered weddings where no one touches the cake because they’d already had a full meal plus dessert
- have a venue that tacks on high cake serving fees

I must admit I’m tempted to stare when someone tells me “they just don’t like cake.” Because, as everyone knows, wedding cake is no longer just cake. Wedding cake has morphed into something that, in the right hands, borders on a religious experience.

Today’s chefs know that a good cake — one light years away from the “packing material” type of old — is full of delicious, creamy fat. And not that horrifying vegetable shortening, either. The modern wedding cake is loaded with real butter, moist base material (poppy seed cake, pound cake, carrot cake, banana, chocolate, red velvet and more) and tempting fillings (amaretto, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, raspberry, white chocolate).

The exterior, too, has gotten sleeker and lovelier in response to today’s streamlined bridal fashions. All the former hallmarks of questionable taste — fountains, pillars, mugging couples on a cake topper — are gone. So how can any bride resist?

Many don’t, but a few persevere in wanting something else. Fortunately, weddings these days are about personal choice and individuality — they don’t have to have one. And the alternatives to cake are many.

The secret to a satisfying wedding cake alternative is simple — presentation. Whatever you’re serving, stack it in tiers. Follow this simple tip and you can turn almost anything into food fit for the most special occasion.

Tiered puddings and mousses

Pre-chill wine or champagne glasses, and fill with:
- Chocolate, chocolate orange, lemon mousse
- Rice, coconut rice or wild rice pudding
- Raspberry, hazelnut or regular tiramisu
- White chocolate, key lime, blackberry or biscotti parfaits
- Heavy whipped cream, topped with sweet in-season berries

If your budget’s ample, you can also stack up individual-sized
- Caramel, anise, pumpkin flan
- Crme brulee — regular, eggnog, blueberry, espresso, coconut

Tiered Pastries

Cream puffs are the staple — and for good reason. Remember that cream puffs don’t have to be round; you can use cookie cutters to fashion them into lots of creative shapes. You can also go beyond them and stack up:
- Gooey cinnamon rolls
- Funnel cakes
- Baklava
- Souffls served in individual custard cups
- Cream horns, clairs, St. Joseph’s pastries, sfogliatelle, cannoli, napoleons, baba rum

Straight from the Shelf

You won’t be the first bride to try this. Stack those tiers high and proud or create an entire freestanding “cake” with:
- Sno Balls, Suzy Qs, HoHos, Ding Dongs, Twinkies
- Krispy Kreme donuts, Moon Pies

Other Options

- Chocolate-dipped fruit
- Chocolate truffles
- A chocolate fountain
- Sugar cookies or brownies with your initials in cellophane wrappers
- Fancy pies: key lime, lemon, chocolate pecan, coconut custard, cranberry apple, macadamia nut, peanut butter and white chocolate cream.

Whatever you choose, try to retain the cake-cutting part of your ceremony. The cutting of the cake is an ancient ritual and a powerful symbol of unity between the couple and their guests. It doesn’t matter if you’re really digging into a lemon meringue pie — your guests will still want to ooh and ahh as you cut it together and feed each other.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of “FavorIdeas.com.” Stop by for a huge selection of wedding favors , Bridezilla’s weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date ecards, screensaver, wallpaper and wedding web site templates.
http://www.favorideas.com
http://www.favorideas.com

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By: Charlie Welf

Nobody can say with any amount of certainty when the tradition of giving anniversary gifts started. Most probably it evolved over time. Traditionally, each wedding anniversary is celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material. The first anniversary is symbolized with paper, and subsequently anniversary gifts become more precious or scarce to reflect the growing number of years a couple has remained together.

Some say calling the twenty-fifth anniversary Silver Anniversary and the fiftieth anniversary Gold anniversary may have originated in medieval Europe, where wives were given a silver wreath to celebrate their twenty-fifth year of marriage and a gold wreath for their fiftieth anniversary. Diamonds are traditional in both the sixtieth and seventy-fifth years.

The traditional anniversary gifts list may seem somewhat boring, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways you can turn each year’s theme into a special gift. The traditional paper and cotton gifts for the first years can include a lovely origami booklet, paper tickets to a movie or a scrapbook with a plush cotton cover, filled with memories.

A bit of creativity can twist tradition to give an enchanting new flavor. For instance, you can celebrate the yearly tradition even if you want to break away from it to give another type of gift. Or use the yearly theme to wrap your gift or trim it with any item made from that year’s material.

You can go a step further and make the theme material of your traditional anniversary gift a carrier for your gift, like tucking a ring in a leather wallet, or tying a cluster of roses together with a bracelet. You can even try hiding a necklace inside the pocket of a silk robe or fold a cozy woolen shawl around another gift.

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By: Amit Kumar

Wedding ceremonies are the stuff fairy tales are made of. Marriages are made in heaven, it is said. Keeping this age-old adage in mind, a heavenly atmosphere is created at the wedding venue. Aromatic smells fill the air. Guests decked in their Sunday best walk the red carpet with wedding gifts in tow. Giving gifts on the wedding day is part of the ceremony. A gift symbolizes the good will guests have for the newly married. Through these gifts, guests wish the couple a long and happy married life. Naturally, when wedding gifts are purchased the most important thing that one keeps in mind is their durability. It is usually felt that a wedding gifts should make a lasting impression.
Everyone wants to make a lasting impression. Here is how:

# FOR THE BRIDE: Jewelry is on the top of the list for wedding gifts for the bride. Simple yet elegant pieces will ensure surprise and fascination when your gift is opened. You can select from pendants, chains, necklaces, bracelets, brooch pins, hairpins and earrings.

# Gift accessories include exquisite evening bags, tote bags, handbags and clutch bags. Evening gowns and formal dresses are ideal clothing items.

# Jewelry boxes, perfumes, make-up kits and bags are among other gift articles.

# Diamonds are considered to be the ideal gift grooms can give their respective brides. Otherwise any of the above mentioned items would be considered worthy enough.

# FOR THE GROOM: Formal gifts include ties, tiepins, cufflinks (gold, silver or diamond studded ones), wristwatch and pocket watch among others. Suits and shirts are formal wear that can be given as gifts.

# Informal gifts include golf club sets, baseball sets or musical instruments like guitar.

# FOR BOTH BRIDE AND GROOM: Gift articles for both the bride and groom can include funny and naughty items. However, such gifts can be given only by those who know both of bride and groom from close quarters. Otherwise such gifts can be deemed impolite. The list includes just married goggles, T-shirts, hats, caps, flip-flops and toilet paper (!). Naughty gifts can include wedding night kits, honeymoon kits, marriage certificates, towels and robes.

# DECORATIVE PIECES: Such gifts help the couple beautify their homes. Paintings, wall hangings and show pieces come under this category.

# PERSONILIZED GIFTS: Names or even photographs of the bride and groom can be embossed on a variety of items like pillow cases, pillows, albums, wedding plates, photo frames etc. to give a personal touch to the gifts.

# FRESH FLOWERS: Sweet smelling flowers are a natural choice for any occasion. Flowers impart joy to both the sender and receiver. To enhance the impact of the wedding gift you have selected, send some fresh flowers along with it. They are bound to catch the eye of the couple.

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By: Tanya Turner

Wedding rings and bands arent just pieces of jewelry, they are a symbol of your love and devotion to each other. Remember, you will have to wear your wedding ring every day for the rest of your life, so the ring should not only be beautiful but also comfortable to wear and a true reflection of your style. So what are your options?

First you will have to decide whether you want identical rings for yourself and your beloved or if the bride and groom will have different rings, to suit their individual personality. Then you will have to decide on the material and style.

These days you can find a stunning variety of wedding rings and wedding bands. The days when a wedding ring had to be yellow gold are long gone. Titanium, platinum and white gold rings have become incredibly popular. The reason white rings are in fashion is because they look modern and go with virtually any outfit. Diamond solitaire rings, diamond solitaires with accents and/or other germ stones, and Celtic wedding rings are also currently in fashion. See comparison of wedding rings styles

If youre looking for a top-quality ring that would look great for a long time, then a platinum wedding ring is the best choice. Platinum is an elegant metal, which is very popular these days because of its white, shiny look and durability. Platinum doesnt glitter as much as gold, either, which makes it look very chic. The only drawback to platinum rings is that they are rather expensive.

White gold rings are another popular choice for modern couples. A lot of people prefer the brilliance of a white gold wedding ring, so white gold solitaires are very fashionable now. You can get 10K, 14 K or 18K white gold rings but, since you expect your wedding ring to last for many years, it is best to go with a better quality 18K white gold ring.

Titanium is a durable, strong, hypoallergenic and very light precious metal, which makes it great for wedding and engagement rings. It looks similar to white gold and platinum rings, but feels much lighter. Titanium is also less expensive than platinum or white gold so, if you are on a budget, a titanium wedding ring would be an excellent choice.

Celtic wedding bands are also very popular. They can be made of yellow or white gold, platinum, titanium or silver. Celtic rings feature elaborated knotwork designs in one or more colors. If you dont want a plain ring, a Celtic style wedding ring might be a suitable alternative.

These wedding ring choices are the most popular todays - but bear in mind that you and your beloved will wear your wedding rings for many years. Ring fashions can change. So it is best to choose the ring that you really like and best suits your personality.

Tanya Turner is a wedding jewelry expert and a founder of www.Man-Wedding-Rings-Guide.com, where you can find unbiased information about all types of wedding rings with pictures of most popular styles of wedding rings

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By: Tanya Turner

Selecting a wedding ring isnt as easy as it looks. You are going to wear your ring for the rest of your life, so it should be something you wont get tired of in a couple years. You will have to look at and try on many different rings before you come to a final decision and, being an intelligent consumer, you should know what your options are.

First, you will have to decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, with your budget in mind, choose the material you want your ring made of.

Wedding ring materials can be:

14K or 18K yellow gold, classic and still very popular for wedding and engagement rings
white gold, which is gaining popularity because it looks stylish and very modern. Also white gold can be worn with silver or platinum jewelry and it goes with most fabrics
platinum is one of the hardest metals, which in itself makes platinum a suitable symbol for enduring love. It is also very pure: while 18 K gold contains only 75% gold, most platinum jewelry is 95% platinum. Platinum rings look similar to white gold, are very elegant and stylish, dont scratch and dont loose their look with the passing years. Platinum rings are the most expensive but, considering that you will wear your ring for the rest of your life, that doesnt really matter for many couples
titanium is long lasting, light and not very expensive, so it has recently became a very popular material for wedding rings. Titanium rings are similar in appearance to white gold rings but they are so light that you can hardly feel one on your finger. Titanium is a particularly popular material for mens wedding rings

When choosing the material, think of what would work best with your clothes and the other jewelry you usually wear. Is your jewelry box filled with gold or silver? If your favorite pieces are silver, it is a good idea to get a white gold, titanium or platinum wedding ring. Alternatively, you could get two tone ring - usually made from white and yellow gold. This type of ring would match silver jewelry as well as gold.

Some women also want to match their wedding rings with their engagement rings. This is certainly something to take into consideration, if you plan to wear both rings on the same hand. Another option is to wear your wedding ring on the left hand and your engagement ring on your right hand - in which case they should probably still be the same color, but dont have to match so closely.

Which wedding ring style to choose?

There are many styles available, so everybody can find a ring to suit their tastes. When it comes to style, though, the first thing you have to decide is if you both will wear similar rings or if each will select one that expresses his or her personality. The most popular styles are:

Traditional plain bands - even though they are plain, they will always be stylish and fashionable. These are also best suited for men who arent accustomed to wearing jewelry
Bands with beaded edges are a little more elaborate
Two-tone bands which can be worn with either gold or silver jewelry
Celtic wedding rings are really hot how. Covered with ancient knotwork designs, they look really stylish
Solitaire rings with a single precious stone
Solitaries with accents - rings with a large stone and several smaller stones around it
Channel diamond rings

The best gem stones for wedding rings

Diamonds are unbeatable favorites for wedding rings and with good reason - not only are diamonds the most beautiful and expensive of all precious stones, but they are also the hardest. Other hard stones are rubies and sapphires. Gemstones like amethyst or aquamarine are too soft, which makes them unsuitable for a wedding ring that you are going to wear every day.

No matter which style and material you chose, you want a ring that would be comfortable on your finger. For this reason it is always best to go with a ring that is smooth around the edges.

Tanya Turner is a wedding jewelry expert and a founder of www.Man-Wedding-Rings-Guide.com, where you can find unbiased information about all types of wedding rings with pictures of most popular styles of wedding rings

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By: Tanya Turner

Every bride would agree that her wedding dress should be perfect - not only does she want to look her best, on her special day, but her wedding dress also is the center of everybodys attention. But how would you select the best one for you? Here is advice about selecting the best dress for your wedding.

Your wedding dress style should much the wedding style

Do you plan a very formal wedding in a cathedral or is it going to be an informal beach ceremony? Before deciding on the dress, you should decide how formal your wedding is going to be. A long and puffy princess style wedding dress is no longer your only option - informal weddings and beach weddings are progressively becoming more popular. So now you can find all kinds of cheap wedding dresses - short or tea length dresses, colored wedding dresses and even white sarongs, for a Hawaiian wedding. See diferent wedding dresses styles at http://www.cheap-wedding-dresses.info/

One advantage to an informal wedding dress is that it is much cheaper and more comfortable. Also, while a formal wedding gown almost always needs serious alteration, an informal dress is much easier to fit. So if you dont have that much time left before you wedding, an informal dress could be a good choice.

How to chose the right bridal salon.

If you want to find the best dress, you will need to spend a couple of days visiting different salons. However, before you visit a bridal shop it is a good idea to call them and ask a few questions - this will save you trips to places that would only waste your time. When ringing a bridal salon you should ask:

- Can you just come to the shop or is an appointment required?
- What dresses styles do they have and what is the price range?
- Are alterations free and, if not, how much do they cost?
- If they dont have dresses in your size, can one be ordered?
- Do they also carry bridal accessories, like hair decorations, veils and shoes?
- Can they hold a dress you like for a couple of days?

When you get to the shop, try as many dresses as necessary, until you find the perfect one. Dont listen to the sales person, when they say that the first dress you try on is great and you should take it. Remember they want to sell the dress and it is their job to say it looks great, even if in fact it is hideous.

When you finally find the dress that you always dreamed of, ask them to put it on hold; dont let them convince you that you should buy it straightaway. Return to the shop the next day and look at your dress again - you would be amazed how often something that seemed perfect, after trying on 10 different dresses, wont impress you when you see it with a fresh eye. However, if you look at your dress again and feel yes this is the one, than it is time to buy it.

Tanya Turner is a fashion expert and a founder of www.Cheap-Wedding-Dresses.info where you can find unbiased information about wedding dress styles, what is in fashion and how to get your wedding dress at a reasonable price

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by Lucinda Lane

When it comes to your wedding services alone, nobody wants to spend an arm and a leg on this and still have to foot the bill for the reception. Really it depends on where you want to your wedding to be and what type of service that you are hoping to have. With careful wedding planning, you can save a small fortune!

When you are planning your wedding , there is a way to satisfy all types of weddings as long as you know what your options are. Lets take a look at the different types of ceremonies that you can choose from that can save you a great deal of money.
Church Ceremony

When you are planning your wedding ceremony to be in a church, you will often have to pay for the rental and the priest or minister to perform the ceremony.

Some churches will decorate for you while others will not. If this is an issue, be sure to ask first. How much money you will pay for the ceremony will vary and will depend on how the policies of the church. Careful wedding planning requires you to discover all the costs upfront so you can make an informed decision.

Here are some tips on how you can save money on a church ceremony.

* Look for a church that offers complete services or all inclusive packages rather than separate fees
* Try to bargain deals for outdoor weddings
* Rent the church alone and hire your own minister
* Have your services on a day where there are no church services because it may be cheaper
* Decorate the church yourself
* Offer to volunteer at the church for awhile in exchange for a discount
* You can save some money by hosting your ceremony in the church basement rather than in the worship center.
* Churches will often offer more inexpensive prices if you are a member of the church.

These wedding planning tips should give you something to think about for now!

In the next instalment, I will be showing you how you can save money and have fun with some creative, unconventional wedding planning ideas that will allow you to express your individuality (nobody will suspect you are actually saving money by doing things this way!)

If you can’t wait for the next instalment of my wedding planning tips, check out my links below for some links to ideas you can get started with right away!

Lucinda Lane has written a complete guide to cheaper weddings available at www.weddings-information-guide.com

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Catherine Leonard Photography
New york wedding photographer. Portraits and events. Timeless and classic images to record your special event. Available in the tri-state area. Call 800. 292. 3092

By: Ispas Marin

If you’re not being able to pay for a wedding catering service to fully cater your event you can save with some low-cost ideas. If presented with flair, even the simplest of foods can be special. Don’t forget about the wedding cake and the beverages. As a rule of thumb, buffets are cheaper than sit-downs because of less staff needed by the catering service.

Here are four ideas that can help save on the catering services.

1. Salad Luncheon/Reception
If the wedding is late morning you can provide a wonderful salad luncheon. It’s cheaper than a sit-down meal and you can offer a wide selection of salads with salads dressings, fruits and breads.

2. Hors d’oeuvres Reception - Deli/Party Trays Reception
This event is best placed between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM or after an evening wedding. Light finger foods should be provided, like fruit and vegetable platters, chips and dips, and crackers. You can also provide more substantial foods like meat and cheese trays, oysters, shrimp cocktails chicken wings and egg rolls.

3. Decadent Dessert Reception or Dessert Party
It’s appropriate between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM and after an evening wedding. An extensive assortment of rich desserts should be served, and beverages like coffee and tea.

4. A Simple Cake and Punch Reception
As long as it’s not during meal time you can let your guests serve cake. You can have a simple and elegant cake and punch reception. The planning should be for the mid morning, afternoon or after an evening wedding. You should make sure that your guests are informed in time that they will not receive a full meal.

There are a lot more ideas that you can find online about how to reduce the cost on the wedding catering services and still have an enjoyable event, just search on google and you’ll see.

Visit http://www.catererfinder.com We can help you find catering service that suits your requirement.

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