Here in ethnically diverse Northern Virginia, multi-cultural marriages embody the best of customs and traditions. Here are just a few: CHINESE The color red is considered a symbol of happiness and luck. It is often used on invitations. GREEK The bride carries a lump of sugar to ensure a sweet life. Ivy in her bouquet represents endless love. HINDU Prior to the wedding day, the bride is tattooed with henna on her hands and feet, known as Mehndi. She wears a red sari embroidered in gold to symbolize abundance and fertility. PERSIAN During the ceremony, married women place a white satin cloth above the couple’s heads. Two cones of sugar are placed in the cloth and rubbed together to represent snowflakes of sweetness and joy. LATIN-AMERICAN A cord called “el lazo” is placed around the couple during the ceremony, signifying they are bound for life. ITALIAN On her wedding day, the …
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To keep you on track with your floral needs, here is a brief checklist: Bride’s Bouquet Maid/Matron of Honor Bouquet Bridesmaids’ Bouquets Flower Girl’s Bouquet or Basket Floral Headpieces Hostesses’ Flowers Mothers’ & Grandmothers’ Corsages Fathers’ & Grandfathers’ Boutonnieres Groom’s Boutonniere Best Man’s Boutonniere Ushers’ Boutonnieres Ring Bearer’s Pillow Ring Bearer’s Boutonniere Altar or Chuppah Flowers Aisle or Pew Decorations Reception Room Flowers Head Table Centerpiece Guest Table Centerpieces Cake/Buffet Table Decorations Toss Bouquet
Image Courtesy of Amy’s Bridal Boutique As the cost of weddings rise, as well as the age of today’s bride and groom, many couples find themselves sharing the cost of their wedding, with little to no help from their parents. Although there are benefits in being able to make the wedding completely unique, along with showcasing the couple’s styles and personalities, the groom’s financial obligation has opened the door to the vast world of weddings. The groom now has an opinion on something he has never thought of before, while the bride has been following her favorite wedding blogs for over two years now. In preparing to go on the wedding planning journey together, it is very important that the couple find an effective communication tool to make the experience one that brings them closer. And both parties must compromise in order to have key elements that are important to each of them. A great way …
Use the following Dos & Don’ts and you’ll have all your fashionable “ducks in a row:” 1. DO choose accessories that work with your dress style. Don’t wear an elaborate necklace with a gown that features an already adorned neckline. For a sleeveless dress, try a simple bracelet rather than big bangles. Avoid excessive hand jewelry – keep a clean pallet so your wedding ring will shine. 2. DON’T over accessorize. The only distraction from the dress should be your glowing face. All accessories should complement the dress – not compete with it. 3. DO keep jewelry classic, yet elegant. Pearls, diamonds, neutral-colored metals and stones are always safe choices. You may choose to abandon this rule for themed weddings, or if your dress is non-traditional or avant-garde. 4. DON’T distract from beautiful hairstyles with too much “stuff.” Consider jeweled hair pins, a mother-of-pearl comb or a diamond tiara – and just choose one. 5. DO enhance a backless …
By Emily Yu Wedding cakes are a centerpiece for the reception — they balance a bridal couple’s style, palette, theme and creativity. And couples are now mixing tradition with contemporary elements to create unique designs. Here are some helpful tips when choosing your wedding cake. Find your comfort zone: It’s important to be comfortable with your wedding cake vendor, whether it’s a full service bakery or dedicated wedding cake specialist. You should be offered a consultation where you are able to taste various flavor combinations, browse through a portfolio of their work and begin to create your cake. Celebrate with style: Gone are the days in which wedding cakes had to be round and covered with a thick white icing with tons of piping. Brides and grooms are now incorporating color, shapes, sugar flowers, height and even cupcakes. Consider having …
By Amanda Causey Baity Social media is embedded in our day-to-day life; for most of us, social media facilitates the majority of our daily interactions with others. We use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay in touch, share updates and celebrate milestones; it’s only natural that social media has found its way into wedding celebrations. That said, before uploading a photo of the happy couple saying “I Do,” it is essential to remember your social media wedding etiquette. HERE COMES THE HASHTAG A particularly social couple may utilize social media to engage and communicate with their guests from the first RSVP to the last thank-you card. While the majority of couples still choose to mail out paper invitations, many opt for electronic RSVPs: a cheaper, more environmentally friendly option. It’s also a more efficient option for guests. Wedding websites and blogs are also commonly used to share updates and information about the wedding …
It seems almost second nature to want to create a wedding website. You can share your love story, post your engagement session photos, keep your guests in the loop and drop not-so-subtle hints about your gift registry. And your website provides a great icebreaker for bridal party members who haven’t met yet. “How to build a wedding website” nets over 31 million (yes, million!) results on Google. Templates make design easy and hosting is often free. The basics of your wedding website should include: • An “about” page, which is the story of how you met and fell in love (a great place to put your e-session gallery). • A “cast of characters” that includes your bridal party and why they play a role in your wedding. • Details (date, time, location) for all events. • A registry page which you can easily update. • Guest accommodation information with links to hotels. • A way for …
ARBOR: An arch of branches, vines and/or flowers that the bride and groom stand under to say their vows. Also sometimes called a “wedding arch.” BUSTLE: Fastening the wedding dress in back to lift the train off the ground. This is usually done for the reception to allow the bride to move and dance more easily. Bustling the dress is often accomplished with hidden buttons, hooks and/or strings. DAY-OF PLANNER: A wedding coordinator who works with you primarily on the day of the wedding to make sure everything goes smoothly (as opposed to a full-service planner who works with you throughout all of the months leading up to the wedding). DESTINATION WEDDING: A wedding that takes place away from the couple’s home. Often, a destination wedding takes place in a dream vacation spot. ELOPE: Long ago, eloping meant getting married without telling your family, usually because they …
Perhaps the biggest decision you’ll make in regards to your wedding – besides the engagement itself, of course – is your venue. By locking down a location, you’re also making a final selection on your date, and therefore, your wedding season, which is a huge step toward hosting your nuptials. As with all aspects of your event, the decisions that you make will have their benefits and consequences, and this notion is particularly the case when the timing of your vow exchange is concerned. You may have your heart set on having your celebration during a certain month, but it’s important to do your research on what problems you may encounter before you sign that contract. Choosing the perfect season for your wedding reminds us of the scene in Grease 2 (if you have not seen it, we suggest that you do!), ‘A Girl for All Seasons.’ For the talent show, the Pink Ladies dress for each …
By Christopher Baity When planning a wedding, you may feel obligated to include every family member, friend and second cousin twice removed. However, as most dog owners consider their family dog a family member, these beloved companions are often left at home and not included into the festivities. After ensuring the venue will allow a non-Service Dog, your first consideration is temperament and training. Does your dog have what it takes to remain obedient and focused during a onetime attempt as a ring-bearer or as a member of the wedding party? If your dog can or has completed a basic obedience test (e.g., Canine Good Citizen(CGC)) they may have the obedience and ability to perform during the ceremony. Typically, a well-trained family pet needs several weeks of specific training to conduct a few simple tasks during the ceremony. Two of the easiest would be an escort of a groomsman or bridesmaid, …
Food and catering typically comprise one of the largest portions of a wedding budget. Whether it’s a local vendor who provides cuisine specific to your wedding theme or a full-service caterer equipped to help make your day seamless, asking the following questions can help to ensure your wedding food and reception will be unforgettable for you and your guests: Do you specialize in a certain type of food or serving style? Whether you’re looking for a certain serving style or a specific cuisine to coordinate with your wedding theme, it’s important to find out how your caterer typically handles receptions. Ask if menus are set or if there’s the option for customization. Can you make a family-favorite recipe for our reception? Some caterers are willing and able to recreate the dish on a large scale for all of your wedding guests if you provide them with the recipe. Have you previously worked at our wedding venue? Many …
Brides & Weddings Magazine
