Archive for the 'Wedding Customs & Traditions' Category

Top Ways to Save on Wedding Invitations (By: Michael Ferrell)

Friday, July 14th, 2006

Some of the first things youll spend money on when you decide to get married (besides the ring) are the wedding invitations. While you want your invitations to be classy, unique and of good quality, youll probably also want to find ways to save on wedding invitations as well. Here are the top ways to send out invitations that you can affordand that your friends and family will be impressed with.

Keep your guest list small.

The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations youre going to have to send out, so take a little time to create a guest list that you and your spouse will be satisfied withand one that will fit your budget. Let your friends and family know when youll be getting married as soon as you can, so that they can tell you if theyll be able to make it. For those who wont be able to attend, you can send alternate invitations on different paper that may be a little less expensive, so that your loved ones can still keep a reminder of your special day. Now is not the time to be extremely politethis is your day, and you deserve to have the people you love at your ceremony. Just because people know that youre getting married, doesnt mean they all have to come to wedding. Remember, the more invitations you send out, the more people that will show up, the more reception dinners youll have to pay forand the list goes on. Keeping your guest list small will help you to save on other wedding costs as well, so choose wisely.

Make your own invitations.

If youre especially crafty or know exactly how you want your invitations to look (and havent seen this look in stores or online) you may want to consider making your invitations yourself. This way, you can save money, and add your own special touches to make an invitation that really is unique to your ceremony and your relationship. Of course, you may still have to ask for help, but if you need friends and family to give you pointers on the invitation design or provide supplies for you to use, you wont have to pay for labor. You can also be sure that no one will have your invitations, and this will be another way to give guests the impression that your wedding will be an event to remember. You can also look online for wedding invitation templates to follow if you want to keep things a little more traditional, or arent quite ready to try your hand at such a crafty task. Here are some sites that may help: www.southworth.com, www.yourinvitationplace.com, and www.theweddingplace.com.

Use less paper.

Your invitation doesnt have to be two or three pages; you can save the story of how you met for the wedding video or the wedding programs in order to cut costs. A single sheet invitation will usually save you money, and looks very classy and sophisticated. If you want to add photos to your wedding invitations, you may want to use a photo of wedding rings, or a picture of you and your fianc as a backdrop, and include all the information about the ceremony on the same sheet. Using one ink color and a smaller border can also help to save money. The key is to make your wedding invitations look interesting and tasteful enough for people to want to attend the ceremony, and you can definitely do this without spending a whole lot of money. After all, you want to save for that fabulous dress and great receptionthese are the things that will keep your guests remembering your day for years to come.

Michael Ferrell is the owner and operator of PerfectLoveLetters.com - Discover how you can quickly and easily create a romantic love letter in only 3 minutes guaranteed to swept your lover off their feet- without writing!

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Should You Send Save the Date Cards to Your Guests? (By: Sara Haese)

Friday, July 7th, 2006

Youve probably heard about Save the Dates since they have
become quite popular with brides but you might not know
exactly what purpose they serve.

Peoples lives are getting increasingly busier and more
tightly scheduled so thats where Save the Date
announcements come in handy. You want to make sure that
your guests, especially family and close friends, keep the
date of your wedding open when planning their schedules. To
ensure this, youll want to consider sending out Save the
Date notices shortly after you have set your wedding date,
especially if its several months in the future or around a
holiday.

Proper etiquette doesnt dictate that these advance notices
have to be sent but in todays world it helps your guests in
their planning so they can be sure to be with you sharing in
the celebration of one of the most important days of your
life. If you do decide to send them out, you are not
required to send them to every one of your guests but youll
probably want to at least include close family members and
friends. Guests who will have to travel to be in attendance
will find them especially helpful for giving them plenty of
travel preparation time particularly if you are having a
destination wedding.

Its easy to be creative when sending out your Save the
Dates since there are so many different varieties and
designs available.

Magnets have become a favorite selection and why not since
your guests can easily stick them onto their refrigerator as
their reminder. Some magnets have the option of including a
photo and some actually show a calendar of your wedding date
month with your date circled for easy reference.

Scratch Off Cards are a fun, unique way of announcing your
wedding date. Your date will only be visible to guests
after they have scratched off the appropriate area on the
card similar to lottery tickets. They come in great playful
designs sure to make your guests smile.

Announcement Cards can be as creative or as simple as you
like. They come in varying designs, colors and themes from
whimsical to more traditional. Some of them even come in
creative shapes.

All designs are printed with your wedding date and names and
some even give the option of including the wedding location.
Blank white mailing envelopes are usually included in the
price no matter which design you choose. Be sure to list at
the bottom of your Save the Date the added line, invitation
to follow, so guests wont assume that this is the actual
wedding invitation. This is also why its imperative that
everyone who receives your Save the Date will also receive
your wedding invitation.

Wedding invitations play an important role in planning your
wedding, and in todays society, Save the Dates are becoming
increasingly popular because of your guests busy schedules.
You want to do everything you can to make sure family and
friends will be able to share in the joy of your wedding
day.

Sara Haese owns http://www.PrintedCreationsWeddingStore.com where you’ll find a fantastic selection of wedding invitations as well as save the dates and wedding accessories. Sign up to receive the FREE Wedding Invitation Guide.

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Guide to the Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony (By: Emmanuel Mendonca)

Wednesday, June 28th, 2006

The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an ancient and beautiful ceremony, which has been celebrated in its current form for centuries. The wedding ceremony is full of symbolism and is a great experience if you have never attended one before, because it is likely to be quite different from other weddings you have attended in Western Europe. The service is also rather unique because the bride and groom do not make vows to each other their presence together in the church is taken to mean that they are serious about getting married.

The Beginning of the Wedding

In most cases the wedding guests will wait with the groom outside the church until the bride arrives (a few sneaky wedding pros will go into the church early to secure a good seat). In the Summer, when most weddings take place, it is not unusual for ceremonies to be arranged back to back, so the guests attending a marriage will often stand around with those who have just attended the previous wedding as they prepare to leave. Wedding dress commentators among the crowd will get to consider and discuss at least two brides and maybe even a third as they leave the church bargain! Meanwhile, the nervous groom waits for the bride at the entrance to the church, often holding her floral bouquet. He hands it to her as they meet and they then go inside together followed by the guests. There is no separation of the guests into guests of the bride and guests of the groom everyone sits together and in the case of small churches, many people prefer to stand in a spot where they can get a good view of the proceedings.

Service of Betrothal

The wedding ceremony itself is in two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. The exchanging of rings is the focus of the Service of Betrothal. The priest blesses the rings by holding them in his right hand and making the sign of the cross over the heads of the bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right hands. The Koumbaro, the couples religious sponsor, then swaps the rings over between the bride and grooms fingers, three times. A number of rituals in the ceremony are repeated three times and this symbolises the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage

This Ceremony consists of several key parts. First, several prayers are said and then as they come to an end, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. Their hands remain joined until the end of the wedding ceremony, which symbolises the couples union.

The Crowning

The bride and groom are crowned with thin crowns, or stefana, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The crowns symbolise the glory and honour that is being bestowed on them by God, and the the ribbon symbolises their unity. The Koumbaro then exchanges the crowns between the heads of the couple, three times.

The Common Cup

The crowning is followed by a reading of the Gospel, which tells of the marriage of Cana at Galilee. It was at this wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine, which was then given to the married couple. Wine is given to the couple and they each drink from it three times.

The Ceremonial Walk

The priest the leads the couple, who are still wearing their stefana, three times around the altar on their first steps as a married couple. The Koumbaro follows close behind the couple holding the stefana place. At this point the couple (and anyone standing nearby) is usually showered with rice, which was earlier handed out to the wedding guests. The priest will often make use of the bible he is holding to give himself some protection!

The Removal of the Crowns

When the Ceremonial Walk has ended, the priest blesses the couple, the crowns are removed and he then separates their previously joined hands with the bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.

Wedding traditions

Much of the information available on Greek Orthodox wedding traditions is a little outdated and contains generalisations that give the impression that certain traditions are followed by everyone who gets married. Some of these traditions are set out below

  • Rolling a baby on the marital bed to encourage fertility.
  • The throwing of money onto the marital bed.
  • The pinning of money onto the bride (and sometimes also the groom) at the wedding reception.

Although these rituals are seen as traditional, fewer and fewer young people marrying today are following them, because they are seen as old-fashioned. Many people do not wish to put their guests through the ordeal of other people being able to see how much money they pin on the bride, for example. Although money is still a very common, as well as practical, wedding present it is often given to the couple before the wedding day or to a third person at the wedding reception, for safe-keeping. Greeks living in the more remote parts of Greece and abroad, who will naturally feel more strongly about doing things the traditional way, are more likely to follow these traditions than those living in Athens, for example. Like weddings everywhere, Greek weddings are changing. At the time of writing, there is a growing fashion to go and get married on an island and I recently heard someone say that he was looking into getting married in a ski resort. He was wisely advised by a friend You had better first ask the priest if he wants to perform a marriage up a mountain!

Emmanuel Mendonca moved from London to Athens in 2004 and is getting to grips with life in Greece. Emmanuel publishes Greece travel and living articles at http://www.athensroom.com/greece_travel_guide.html

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How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Band (By: Hana Lee)

Monday, June 5th, 2006

Styles and choices in wedding bands have changed drastically over the past few years. Because everyone seems to be looking for something that is unique and different, jewelers are offering more choices than ever before. This leads to a small dilemma, however. With so many different styles now being offered, how do you know whether the band you choose is truly unique? People dont want something that is just a non-traditional style anymore. People want something that no one else has anywhere. This can be a tall order to fill. Still, even if you cant manage something completely unique, at least you can find a wedding band that is different enough it will get attention and possibly turn a few heads.

Custom Ordering

This is perhaps the best way to find a truly unique wedding band. It is also one of the most expensive. Although the Internet makes custom ordering much more accessible than it ever was before, you can still expect to pay more for your custom ordered band than you would for any other type of wedding ring. If you are completely set on having a truly unique wedding band, however, this is the way to go.

Tension Set bands

A very interesting style of wedding band that has started becoming popular is the tension set wedding band. These rings are not a traditional solid circle but instead have a split in the design. In this split a stone is set so that it is held in place by the tension of the opposing ends of the ring. There are positive and negative aspects to choosing a ring with a tension setting, but it is a design that gets noticed. Tension set wedding bands can be custom ordered as well, so the opportunity is still there for something truly unique.

Celtic Wedding Bands

Wedding bands with attractive Celtic design patterns have been rising in popularity, but are still far from the norm. With so many different Celtic braid and weave designs available, it is easy to have a ring that at least appears to be unique. There are a lot of companies that can do Celtic designs according to custom specifications as well and, because these companies specialize in this type of work, a custom ordered Celtic wedding band is often less costly than other types of custom bands. When looking for a unique wedding band, a Celtic design may be the way to go.

It is often said that there is nothing new under the sun. This old adage may be true, but there are at least options in every situation. The search for a unique wedding band need not be fruitless. Even if you cant find or afford a true one-of-a-kind ring, the options and differences in styles available will at least help you find something that is unique to you. And isnt that really all you could ask for? If your wedding band is consistently admired and you hear the question Whered you get that quite often, you can feel satisfied that youve found a unique wedding band.

This article provided courtesy of http://www.nuptials-planner.com

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Wedding Gown Styles

Sunday, April 9th, 2006

By: David Chandler

The wedding gown is most important choice for a bride during her wedding. Every bride dreams of an enchanted wedding and a beautiful gown is what can make the bride look like a princess.

Choosing a wedding gown that flatters your figure and body type is something that should be remembered. Make sure that the dress matches your personality. Your selection of wedding gown should be based on what looks good on you and not necessarily, what the current fashion is.

Your wedding gown should be in theme with your wedding. If you are having a traditional and formal wedding, you should choose a very formal and full-length wedding gown. If you are having a casual wedding, such as a garden wedding or a teatime reception, then your wedding gown should be less formal. This would include a trendy wedding gown, that is less formal and more fun.

Here are some bridal gown words that you will want to know before hitting the bridal stores, knowing these words will allow you to choose a dress that is right for you.

A-line: a fitted bodice that flares out to the hem creating an A shape.

Ballroom: This is the classic Cinderella type gown, full skirt, off -the-shoulder and a natural waistline. This type of gown is great for the full-figured bride.

Basque waist- the waistline begins below the waist, forming a U or V shape: slenderizing: a good choice for brides with wide hips.

Empire: Cropped body, high waist, slightly flared skirt: not a good choice for brides that are large busted, along with clingy fabrics and heavily decorated body.

Miniskirt- The hem is above the knee, and typically has a train either short or long.

Princess: Slim fitting body with emphasis on the waist. Typically worn by people to give the appearance that they are smaller than what they are.

Sheath: Fabric continues down the body from the shoulders to the ankles for a close-fitting look, with no waistline.

Picking up your dress: It is actually very smart to leave the dress at the bridal shop even if the dress is ready far in advance of the wedding day. The bridal shop should be better equipped to store and keep the dress fresh and pressed.

For more information, go to: www.WeddingGownsInfo.com

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The Monogram Theme Wedding

Monday, April 3rd, 2006

By: Blake Kritzberg

Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point where they feature strongly in some, and in others, provide the actual theme. And whats not to like about monograms? Theyre elegant, understated, versatile, and a dramatic visual reminder of your new life together.

Ways to include monograms

Youll find them popping up in more and more places throughout the reception, and sometimes even prior to it. Here are some ways that brides include monograms:

- embossed, stamped or printed bridal stationary
- custom postage stamps (see www.funstamps.com)
- stationary seals or stickers

- painted aisle runners
- printed bridal bouquet ribbons
- bridal underwear or garter
- bridal handkerchief
- accent to bridal train, veil or gown
- ring bearers pillow

- stamped or printed out-of-town bags
- bridesmaids totes

- guestbook
- engraved guestbook pen
- tablecloths
- chair covers
- place cards and menus
- cocktail napkins
- coasters
- centerpieces
- engraved cake server set
- cake embellishment
- wood, wire, metal, chocolate or acrylic monogram cake topper - monogram wreaths of silk or real flowers
- fabric wall or door banners
- champagne flutes
- bottled water labels
- tears of joy packs
- monogrammed wedding favors: cookies, ornaments, shot glasses, votive candles, chocolates, petit fours, notepads, favor boxes - dance floor gobo projections

How do I get a monogram?

You make it! Many brides find they can roll their own using a readily-available software program such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. If youre a graphic designer or have access to high-end tools, youd probably prefer Adobe Illustrator, but Word or PowerPoint are also fine. If youve played around but dont like the results, call on an arty friend.

To design your monogram in Microsoft Word:

Choose Insert -> Textbox. Type and format the letter the way you like it. Do this three times. Now click on all textboxes and choose Format->Textbox. Choose Color: No Fill (so you can overlap letters) and Line: No Line. Select all letters, right click, and choose Group to lock in the arrangement. You can now copy your image into Microsoft Paint and save in several formats, such as JPEG.

To design your monogram in PowerPoint:

Youll want to use Word Art to create your letters. Click on the blue tilted A on the bottom toolbar for each letter. Format them to your liking. When youre done designing, select all the letters, right-click, and choose Grouping->Group. Now you can click on your image and right-click for Save as Image. PowerPoint lets you save directly in formats like JPEG, PNG and TIFF.

Some more design tips:

The brides initial goes first in a monogram. When the bride takes the grooms last name, the order is: brides first initial, shared last initial (usually larger), grooms first initial.

If the bride keeps her own last name, one option is four-initial monogram (brides first, brides last, grooms last, grooms first). Or just join the couples first names with an ampersand (Jenny & Mike).

Some etiquette tips:

Its somewhat frowned upon to use your couples monogram before youre actually married. So, your receptions clearly a green light, but you might want to skip using it on your invites. The ceremony itself is sort of a Ms. Manners gray area. Some brides uphold the spirit (if not the letter) of the law by including the monogram in a not-so-public ceremonial spot, such as a garter, or inside the dress.

Of course, these being modern times, some brides just include the monogram wherever and whenever they want!

Great places to get the fancy fonts brides crave, for free: www.dafont.com/en/
www.chank.com/freefonts.php
www.abstractfonts.com/fonts/
instant.coffeecup.com/content/fonts/
www.1001freefonts.com

An easy project: the DIY monogrammed aisle runner
Its not hard to create your own monogrammed aisle runner, and it makes a big splash. If you have a sewing machine, you can buy and hem the fabric for next to nothing. Now you just need some fabric paint in black or your wedding colors, a pencil, an exacto knife and some cardstock. You also need to decide where you want to place the monogram. Some aisle runners feature a monogram at the bottom, where the procession begins; the top, where the couple stands; and in the middle.

Print out your monogram and blow it up to your desired size on a copying machine. (If your aisle fabric is on the sheer side, you can now trace your monogram directly onto the fabric with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint, and youre done.) Otherwise, tape the enlarged monogram onto the cardstock and cut out the shape with an exacto knife. Trace inside your new template lightly with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint. Follow the same procedure to make your own monogrammed table runners or even chair covers.

The dance floor monogram

A dramatic and memorable way to include your monogram is to project it onto the dance floor during the reception. As fun as this is, though, its not cheap and sometimes not easy. To project a monogram, you need to buy a custom metal plate, called a gobo. Custom gobo manufacturers are easily found online. The gobo itself usually costs over $100, but once made, you then need specific lights equipped with a pattern holder to use the gobo. Its possible that your venue, or your DJ, will be able to provide these lights or help you locate a place from which to rent them.

A final tip

Now that you have some ideas for incorporating monograms in your wedding, remember the essence of elegance is restraint. Its easy to overdo monograms, so mix them up contrasting touches, such as soft and romantic floral arrangements, to warm up the monograms cool and classic feel.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor at “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 web site templates.
http://www.favorideas.com

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The (American) Bride Wore Red

Friday, March 31st, 2006

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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The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts

Saturday, March 25th, 2006

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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10 ideas for a perfect wedding gifts

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006

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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Wedding Ring Styles - What is in Fashion?

Sunday, March 19th, 2006

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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