Silk and satin cravats for weddings are excellent
Cheap Plus Size Wedding Dress Guide
Before you start looking for your cheap plus size wedding dress there is an important factor to know, the sizing on wedding dresses is normally smaller than your usual dress size, so instead of relying on the sizes you need to rely on your measurements instead.
The next strange but true factor when wedding dress shopping is that most bridal stores will not hold a great deal of plus size stock, some will not hold any. Instead they will show you the styles that you could have and pin a size 10 wedding dress on to you! This must be the maddest thing ever, you do not buy an important dress without trying it on first, you need to know if it looks good on you and if you feel fantastic wearing it.
Every bride wants to feel like a princess on their wedding day and there are some amazing plus size wedding dresses available in very good wedding stores and online, here is how to find them.
First you will need accurate measurements and with that information call your local bridal stores to see if they have your size in stock. You want to be able to try on the dresses not guess whether they are the dress for you.
Second, try on lots of dresses to find the dress of your dreams, but do not buy it the first time you see the dress, walk away from the shop with the details of the dress with you. Make sure you know if the dress has been altered.
Third, use the internet to find the exact same dress but at a cheaper price. Either buy it online or use this price to negotiate a better price at your local bridal store.
Fourth, realize that you will probably have to spend money on having your dress altered, most people do. If you choose a corset style wedding dress these are more forgiving as you can tie them tighter or looser if needed. Find a local seamstress that will be able to make any alterations you need and compare these prices to those that the shop are offering, use the best and cheapest! If the shop messes up they will have to replace the dress, make sure the seamstress is insured as well.
Fifth, your wedding dress should make you feel amazing, beautiful and confident, anything less and it is not the dress for you. Look to show off your assets and do not feel you need to go with a boring dress that covers everything up. Keep looking until you find the one.
Suzanne Daykin is the editor of http://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com Have a look at the latest cheap plus size wedding dresses available online herehttp://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com/cheap-plus-size-wedding-gown.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Daykin |
Print Your Own Wedding Favors
Every bride wants her wedding favors to be unique and extra special, however the only real way to achieve this is to make them yourself. Homemade wedding favors have an extra special touch to them and guests are more inclined to keep them as mementos of your wedding day because you have taken some much time to make them.
There are many different homemade favors you could choose from, but if you have a computer and printer at home and are good at desk top publishing then creating printed favors is an easy way to make beautiful, personal and unique favors for your wedding. Here are a few ideas for printed wedding favors:
Notecards - you can purchase blank cards from most stationers and craft stores and with a little adjustment to your printer you can print them with designs you have created. Put together small sets of five cards and envelopes and wrap them with a paper 'belt' to hold them secure.
Fridge Magnets - these are a popular choice for wedding favors and you can purchase magnet kits from craft stores so you can put them together at home. If you are not confident about doing them or need so many that buying the kits is too expensive look for online printers who will do them for you and offers a custom upload of your design.
Recipe cards - another popular wedding favor and it can be nice to coordinate the recipe to the time of year of your wedding. For instance home made lemonade for a summer wedding, or pumpkin pie for a fall wedding. Keep the recipes short and simple and after printing have them laminated so they can be wiped clean. It is also nice to have the cards shaped and to add them to a kitchen utensil which can be used in the making of the recipe, for instance a glass pitcher for lemonade or cookie cutters, whisks or wooden spoons!
Poems - feeling lyrical? Create your own poem which thanks your guests for joining you on your wedding day. Make sure you add in your names and wedding date too. A poem written by yourselves is a very special kind of wedding favor and one which your guests will treasure more than anything else!
Try to coordinate your printed wedding favors with your other printed wedding media such as your programs or invitations. If you have graphics on your invitations try to use the same ones on your favors or similar if you are unable to obtain the same designs. The internet is a fantastic resource for graphics covering many different styles, patterns and subjects. For a small fee you can obtain pictures and graphics which are free to use in any way you want. You may need a good editing software such as Photoshop to be able to use them effectively and to be able to change colors etc, but you the end result will be favors which wow!
Mae Andrea is a professional writer who collects wedding favors and wedding related articles. She is working with a wedding social networking company that caters to all the wedding needs of brides in almost every major center in America. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mae_Andrea |
The History of Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands
These days, many people take wedding bands and engagement rings for granted, and although they give these beautiful items of jewellery with integrity and love, they are often given with no real knowledge of the meaning behind them.
Both wedding bands and engagement rings are very special items of jewellery; in fact, they are more than just jewellery - they are the symbols of many emotions and promises such as:
- Love
- Commitment
- Fidelity
- Eternity
- Honour
But where - and why - did these popular and sentimental pieces of jewellery stem from?
The History Of Wedding Bands
These items of jewellery have a history that spans many centuries and passes through many countries from all around the planet. Below, you will find a brief history of the wedding and engagement ring, as reported from country to country.
EGYPTIANS
The now-famous wedding band is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt, where it is said that plant sections were fashioned in to circles to signify never-ending and immortal love. It was thought that the fourth finger (which we now know as the ring finger) contained a special vein that was connected directly to the heart, and therefore this became the official finger for the wedding band.
ROMANS
The Romans also agreed with the Egyptians with regards to the wedding ring finger and its meaning, but rather than offering wedding bands as a symbol of love, they awarded them as a symbol of ownership. Roman men would "claim" their woman with the giving of a ring.
ASIANS / ARABS
Puzzle rings were a complex type of jewellery that were once popular in Asia, and these jewels had the charming knack of being able to fall apart and put back together again - if you knew how to do this, of course. Wealthy Middle Eastern men then began to use these rings as wedding bands for their wives, who were often forced to wear a puzzle ring when their husband was away. The husband would know upon his return whether any of his wives had been disloyal by removing the ring whilst he was away, because the ring was designed to collapse upon removal and could only be put together again if you had the skill and knowledge required.
EUROPEANS
Several centuries ago, the Europeans became rather taken with what we would class as an engagement ring, but was then called a Poesy Ring. This ring was given to a loved one as a form of promise, and signified fidelity and love. The Poesy Ring was offered as a pledge of eternal togetherness, much as today's engagement rings are offered as a promise of eternal marriage.
AMERICANS
During Colonial times, all items of jewellery in America were prohibited due to their apparent moral worthlessness. Instead, a more practical thimble was given as a token of love and as a pledge of eternal togetherness. However, after they were married, the women tended to remove the bottom of their "engagement thimble" to form a type of ring.
History Of Engagement Rings
The engagement ring of today also has its own varied and interesting history, some of which is explored below. Engagement rings have been known by many different names, have symbolised a variety of different things and have not always been made of precious metals and stunning gems!
GREEKS
The ancient Greeks are thought to have been the forerunners in the rising of the traditional engagement ring. Given as a token of care and affection, the rings used by the Greeks were known as betrothal rings and were given before marriage. However, the giving of these rings was not always a pre-requisite to marriage and was often given in the same way as a friendship ring might be given today.
ROMANS
As seen by their use of the wedding ring, ancient Romans weren't the most sentimental of people, and the early version of their "engagement ring" were thought to have carved keys on them. It has been debated that this could have been to symbolise the woman's right to access and own half of everything following marriage. However, the more sentimental like to think that the key may have been a key to her husband's heart.
ROYALTY AND THE AFFLUENT
Engagement rings as we know them today - stunning gems encased in precious metals - became popular in around the fourteenth or fifteenth century, when the affluent and the royals began to exchange and wear these jewels. However, these items were so expensive that nobody other than the royals and the rich could afford to exchange them. It was to be many centuries before these engagement rings would become more popular or traditional.
Why a ring?
The purpose of engagement rings and wedding bands is to convey deep emotions of eternal love, eternal happiness, eternal commitment, and eternal togetherness. In fact, these rings signify eternity - between the giver and the recipient. A ring, of course, is a complete circle with no break and no end or beginning, which means that it just goes on and on - it is eternal.
And, since folklore has it that the fourth finger of the left hand has a vein leading directly to the heart, it is only natural that both engagement and wedding rings would be worn on this particular finger, which was once reputed to be a direct route to the heart.
Summary
In short, it is clear that the giving of a ring in honour of a union, betrothal, and marriage has been going on since ancient times, and although it may not always have been as glamorous and romantic as it is today, it was still a way of exchanging a contract of betrothal or marriage.
Thankfully, today's wedding bands and engagement rings are not made of hair, grass, plants or twine as they may have been in ancient times, but of beautiful metals set with stunning gems, such as platinum, titanium, white gold, gold, sapphires, diamonds, rubies and emeralds. These incredible items of jewellery are likely to remain as popular as ever as the centuries go by, and even as the rest of the world advances in to a futuristic and technological age, it's hard to imagine a day where a beautiful diamond engagement ring doesn't melt the heart of its recipient.
About The Author: Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reno_Charlton |
Promotional Tips For a Wedding Photography Studio
One of the most essential elements of a wedding is the photography. This element preserves the memory of the couple's special day forever. Wedding photos record every detail of that day beginning with pre-wedding preparation, ceremony, reception, and the couple's send-off. Wedding photography also involves a wide range of photographic skills and equipment. Skills involved include a keen sense of timing as photographers must watch out for the ideal lighting condition, a heartfelt moment, an unforgettable expression, and the perfect shot of the bride and groom.
Wedding studio promotion can encounter several challenges due to competition with numerous other photographers. Studios need to learn how to stand out from the rest using effective marketing materials and strategies. Since the product or service sold is photographs, printed marketing materials are essential in conveying the concept and philosophy behind the studio's style.
The following are examples of printed promotional materials for wedding photography studios.
Booklets - Booklets are practical and handy marketing materials for a wedding photography studio. These materials can feature a collection of photos and captions illustrating the studio's concept. For studios with several wedding photographers, booklets can feature sections of the photographers' work including profiles, a list of services, equipment used, and field of expertise. Bulk orders of booklets can easily be printed through online commercial printing companies.
Catalogs - Catalogs can be used as helpful, in-house informational and promotional materials for a wedding studio. Studio owners can print them with larger photo prints accompanied by descriptions of suggested themes and details such as type of wedding, equipment used, venue, and date of wedding. A catalog can also be used to show several profiles of photographers in a wedding studio. Customized catalogs can be printed through the services of online printing companies.
Posters - Poster printing can serve as large-format, in-house promotional materials for a wedding studio. They can feature the studio's best wedding photos combined with powerful taglines. They can also be used to promote the studio at wedding fairs, trade shows, and exhibits. Online poster printing companies offer customized poster printing using digital or offset printers.
For more resource information on online poster printing and poster printing, visit UPrinting.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikki_Sabato |
How To Plan A Nautical Theme Wedding
Above deck! Dead ahead is the wedding ceremony of the decade. Are you a sailor? Absolutely love the water? This may be the wedding theme you've been searching for. Read on for how one bride created the nautical wedding of her dreams.
Start off by sending save the date and invitations that have a nautical look and feel. Sailboats, shells, lighthouse - whatever evokes the feeling of being at the ocean.
You can hold your nautical wedding in a country club, dockside, or around a crystal blue lake. A beautiful red, white, and blue color scheme makes it easy for you to start off the planning of your wedding. No frilly white dress for you - you're a practical sort of woman. One who wants to be able to move and enjoy her wedding day. A classic empire waist wedding gown sets the tone for your elegant nautical wedding. Your beautiful A-Line cut dress with pearls and Swarovski crystals spread across the bustline accents your athletic curves. After all, you're in fantastic shape from sailing and spending long days on the water. Your light summer tan provides you with a beautiful base and you glow throughout the day naturally.
Accent your wedding dress with an elegant, yet simple classic pearl and Swarovski Crystal bridal jewelry set. Your bridesmaids look positively radiant in the shimmering dresses you've selected - the exact blue of the sea that you love so well. To finish off your bridal party's gorgeous look, select jewelry for bridesmaids in blue crystal These bridesmaid necklace sets make a great thank you gift for the support and help they've provided you in getting your day pulled together.
Your guests are having the time of their life drinking Blue Hawaiian Cocktails and nibbling on crab cakes with fruit and cheese appetizers while waiting to enter the ballroom. Your carefully selected music sets the mood for relaxing and having a good time. Think Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and throw in some Bob Marley for a reggae beat your guests are sure to move to.
Your red, white and blue theme looks absolutely stunning to your guests as they enter the room designated for dinner. Each table has red, white, and blue tablecloths with alternating red, white, and blue napkins on top. Your guests are treated to a great nautical candle wedding favor at each place setting.
Your gift table also carries the red, white, and blue nautical look with your white wedding card holder sitting majestically in the center. Your stunning wedding cake has red roses cascading from the top down to the bottom layer.
The food you serve should remind guests of a trip to the beach. A great shrimp pasta dish is the perfect main course but be sure to offer a chicken pasta dish for your guests that don't eat seafood. If you prefer a buffet, the meal will be even easier. Think carving roasts and turkey breasts with various cold salads. Sprinkle seashells throughout the buffet table.
After dinner, kick off your heels and head to the dance floor. Your guests are sure to quickly follow since the music you selected makes you want to get up and dance. If you're holding your reception outdoors, this is the perfect time to launch red, white, and blue balloons to get the party rolling.
Now head off to that tropical beach for your honeymoon in delicious lingerie sure to bring a smile to your husband's face. Enjoy your honeymoon because you've certainly earned it!
Denise Sanger is the owner of BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com which has a diverse catalog of Wedding Favors and Baby Shower Favors along with a library of party planning resources. We are located in Sunny North Florida. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Sanger |
Best Wedding Decorations Tips
What to Wear for a Beach Wedding?
Your good friend is getting married and has invited you to attend her wedding ceremony. She has chosen the trendy beach wedding held at one of the most pristine beaches in the country. Scouting through your wardrobe, you realize that you have no idea on what to wear for the event.
For a summer beach wedding, the wedding theme itself entails a casual feel. You want to look casual and smart, yet not too causal that you feel that you are not respecting the bride and groom. Thus if you are thinking to go in a jacket suit, it is a no no.
So what is the appropriate attire for the event? You want to look chic and good. If it is a day event, one good choice is to have a summer dress that flatters the body shape. You could add on accessories such as a hat and a clutch purse or bag. The color of the hat should match the palest color of your dress and not the darkest. You could also wear simple accessories such as a bangle or a necklace.
If you intend to be trendy, you could try to mix pieces of similar colors and patterns. Your hat then could be a fun loving piece but not too over bearing. Wear sexy shoes like silhouettes but make sure that they are comfortable and don’t sink easily in the sand. Try not to wear any piece that is made of the denim material or anything that will crease badly during the ceremony such as linen. Denim sort of symbolizes the lack of respect for the event. If you don’t wish to portray that message, do drop these off the list.
If the beach wedding is an evening affair, choose a dress that is sexy yet appropriate for the event. Try not to come in a tweed jacket or anything that is too formal. Wear something which you feel comfortable and you are able to hit the dance floor after the event to join in the fun! Try to coordinate the colors so that it is soothing and not loud. Brown shades are great for the event. Don’t come in an evening gown as you might look weird. Try a knee length or a three quarters skirt. Style your hair and wear matching accessories.
If you take note of the above, you should be well prepared to have fun in that beach wedding!
Beach Wedding Planning Guide provides detailed information on beach weddings, beach wedding destinations, beach wedding favors, beach wedding dresses and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Lim |
A Wedding Ring for Her
Top Wedding Decoration Themes - Easily Make Your Own Decorations for Cheap!
Great Wedding Decoration Themes
Are you planning your wedding on your own? This scan be a huge undertaking but also a lot of fun. It will allow you to customize and create every tiny detail for that special day. One of the most difficult parts of planning a wedding is the wedding decorations. If you are planning out your wedding already then you are probably the do it yourself type of person and will want to find ways to make your own wedding decorations for cheap. However you don't want them to look cheap. Below are a collection of different ideas that you can use while planning your wedding decorations.
Wedding Decoration with Balloons
When done carefully balloons can be a wonderful decoration for a wedding. They set a light and celebratory mood for the guests and are yet very classy looking. Typically you will want to stick with white and pale or pastel types of colors for the balloons. You might want to plan the balloons to match the colors or theme of your wedding and even the bridesmaid dresses. Keep in mind that this does not have to be an exact match of colors but you want colors in a similar range. So if the bridesmaid dresses are a dark purple then you will want the balloons to be in a range of purple colors.
Another great benefit of using balloons for as part of the wedding decorations is they can easily be taken from the church to the wedding reception. In fact if you really want to save money while still looking classy you can easily do a large balloon arch at the wedding and then break the arch down into smaller pieces or groups of five or six balloons and then make these into table centerpiece for the reception. This comes with one piece of advice though. If you are the bride and groom don't try to take the arch down yourself, instead enlist the help of a few friends.
Wedding Decorations using Flower
Of course everyone has seen the flower as part of a wedding decoration. This is honestly nothing new. However many people really like a more traditional look and something more timeless then the light and fun environment created by balloons. In that case flowers are the way to go. You can easily by flowers in bulk from a local florist or even a grower and then make your decorations including table centerpieces, decorations for the pews and alter and so on a day or so ahead. This will be a little more expensive typically then balloons but the mood that it sets in the chapel or church and again at the reception is well worth it. Again if you plan ahead some of the decorations from the church can be broken down into small pieces and then used as table decorations.
Wedding Decoration and Pictures
Pictures are a wonderful way to really add to the decorations both at the church and the reception. Often the wedding guests have not sent he bride and groom for a while and seeing updated and recent pictures of the couple together can be a nice touch. It makes those long lost cousins and relatives feel like they have shared a part of your life. It does not take much but a few well placed large pictures of the bride and groom can really add a lot. You will most likely want to vary the pictures, poses and setting that the pictures were taken in. it is nice to mix both formal pictures with fun family photos also. This gives the guests a real feel of sharing in your life. Once again pictures are a easy decoration that can be used again at the reception. In fact you might not feel comfortable using the pictures at the actual wedding and if that is the case don't worry just use the pictures as wedding reception decorations.
Butterfly Wedding Decoration
A trend that has been growing for many modern weddings is a butterfly release. Instead of throwing the traditional rice a release of butterflies as the new couple exists the church can be a wonderful and classy touch. The butterflies will make for wonderful wedding pictures, this is harmless to the environment and it creates a beautiful display of color. You might want to pick up on the butterfly theme even more and use butterflies and butterfly graphics in decoration the reception room. There are a ton of places online and in local craft stores that you can find all kinds of great butterfly resources to use for decorating a reception hall. For example napkin rings with butterflies in them can easily carry the theme. It is often just a light touch and a few nice quality pieces are all that is need to carry a theme.
These are just a few of the fun ideas that you can use to make your own wedding decorations for much cheaper then buying them. Often if you search around the internet for wholesale or discount wedding decorations you can find great deals on things. By being creative and putting in a little elbow grease yourself you can easily save a ton of money and have a completely original wedding. Unique wedding decorations really add the extra touch of class that everyone will rave about for a long time to come.
Best Guides Wedding A great resource for: wedding planning articles including wedding decorations using butterflies, balloons, pictures or flowersand more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Ryerson |
Shop Your Wedding Band
Unique Wedding Color Combinations
Most weddings are still designed around the classic colors, such as white, ivory, and pink. If you are looking to create a more lively and unique wedding, then using less traditional colors is a great way to do it. When you choose bold and interesting colors and pair them in unique combinations, you are sure to have a wedding that is fresh and memorable.
When you are choosing your wedding color palette, the inspiration can come from almost anywhere. Perhaps you have always loved the bright and bold effect of an offbeat flower combination, such as orange lilies with purple lisyanthus. Or maybe you had planned to go with a muted color palette, but fell in love with a bridesmaid dress in a sassy color. However you come to it, if you opt for a lively and fun color combination, it will add a lot of character to your wedding design.
One pairing to consider is straight from the fashion world: aqua blue with bright scarlet accents. The aqua is a fun and festive color, and the red will really pop as a detail color. One of the best ways to use this color combination is by featuring a print that has an aqua background with a red design, such as a bold geometric. This color pairing can also work very well for a seaside wedding: think blue ocean and red coral.
Another interesting wedding color palette is tangerine and celadon green. These two colors are more matched in intensity than the aqua/red palette, but they are still a great contrast. The yellow undertones in the celedon green and the tangerine help to make these colors compatible. They will make a strong statement, but they do not clash.
Other brides prefer to mix a strong color with a neutral. This is a great way to allow one color to be the focal point, but to keep it from being overwhelming. When your guests reflect back on your wedding, you want their first thought to be how beautiful everything was, not how loud the color was! When mixing a neutral and a bright, be creative. Sure you could combine your main color with something safe like white or ivory, but that is not going to be so interesting. A much fresher and updated approach is to mix a bright color like lime with a neutral such as brown. Another fun and funky pairing to check out is yellow and gray.
Once you have decided on a color combination for your wedding, all you have to do is decide how best to use it. One of the most natural places to use colors together is in the floral arrangements. You can mix and match the colors in your bouquets, centerpieces, and other floral displays. To keep the look pure, use only the two colors that you are featuring; don't dilute their intensity by mixing in a rainbow of differently colored blooms. Of course, not every color is available in flowers (like the aqua), so you can also do a single colored centerpiece and then use your second color for the centerpiece vases or the ribbons on the bouquets.
Your bridesmaid ensembles are another terrific place to showcase your wedding palette. It is very easy to either find a dress that uses your two colors, or to add a dash of color to a solid dress. For instance, if your bridesmaids are wearing yellow dresses, you can give them gray pearl bridesmaid jewelry to wear. Add a gray sash at the waist, and you will be good to go. If your color palette is aqua and red, why not dress your attendants in beautiful aqua dresses, and then give them gifts of custom bridesmaid jewelry featuring aqua and scarlet Swarovksi crystals - fabulous!
Your wedding is your chance to express yourself. And while it can be tempting to do something neutral and safe, you can really add so much to your wedding by being more bold with your color choices. An unusual and unique color palette is a great way to make your wedding one-of-a-kind.
Guy has been writing about society and weddings for a long time. If you have a topic you would like to know about. Let us know at SilverlandJewelry.com. Bridesmaid jewelry makes a thoughtful gift from the bride. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Antonelli |
Wedding bands for men
Great Scottish Wedding Traditions
Whether you are getting married in Scotland, or being married abroad, here are some great Scottish Wedding Traditions that can add a taste of Scotland and a touch of luck to your wedding!
Luckenbooth Brooch
Give your love a Scottish brooch, called a "Luckenbooth", as a token of your love or as a marriage gift. It is usually made of silver and is engraved with two hearts entwined. Many couples will then pin this to the blanket of their first baby for good luck.
Show Of Presents
Every lady who sent a wedding present is invited by the bride and her mother to their house for tea and cakes (or something stronger). All the wedding presents are opened and laid out for everyone to see. Scottish men have long suspected that this is just an excuse for a party. However, so far, there has been no actual evidence to substantiate this outrageous and scurrilous claim.
After The Show of Presents
The bride is dressed up by all her friends who parade her through the town, while banging pots and pans. Although embarrassing for the bride, it was financially rewarding as onlookers were encouraged to throw a coin into a bucket or pot for good luck.
The Stag Night
A few days before the wedding the groom is taken out on the town by his friends to celebrate his last nights of "freedom" by having "few" drinks. Depending on his friends, this can also lead to a blackening...
Blackenings
Either on the stag night or any other time, the groom is stripped to the waist (or more) and covered in treacle, soot, feathers, or flour. He is then paraded through the town with much noise and hilarity.
The purpose is to embarrass the groom as much possible - and it never fails to do that!
A Sixpence in the Bride's Shoe
Traditionally, a small silver coin (called a sixpence) was placed in the bride's shoe for good luck. As sixpences no longer exist, this has been replaced by a penny or any modern "silver type" coin.
A Sprig of Heather
Another custom to encourage good luck was to hide a sprig of heather in the bride's bouquet.
The Bride's Wedding Dress
Traditionally, the bride would always wear a white dress to show her purity. Little touches of tartan are also nice.
The Groom's Clothing
Either full Highland dress or modern day dress. The modern version of the kilt wedding outfit consists of a short, Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket, a waistcoat, a kilt, white socks with tartan flashes at the top, brogue shoes, kilt pin, skean dhu (Scottish Dirk knife), sporran, black belt with buckle, and a winged-collared shirt with a black bow tie. A sprig of white heather is usually worn on the lapel for luck.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
This is absolutely essential for any good Scottish bride.
Something old can be a piece of jewelery from the bride's mother, something new can be the wedding dress, something borrowed can be jewelery or clothing from relatives, and something blue could be a blue garter, which symbolizes love.
Buttonhole Flowers
Traditionally, it is white carnation buttonholes for the groom, best man, and ushers. Red carnations for all other male guests. The female guests can wear buttonholes of carnations, orchids, or camellias.
The Bride Leaves The House With Her Right Foot
When a bride leaves her house, on the way to her wedding ceremony, she should always step out with her right foot for luck.
Scottish Quaich or Loving Cup
The Scottish Quaich or Loving Cup is a traditional way of involving all your family and friends in the wedding. After the ceremony, the bride fills this two handled bowl with whisky and passes it around the guests so they can all have a celebratory "dram".
Creeling
This is where the bride and groom are "creeled' as they leave the church. Two people, on either side of the door, hold up fishing basket with ribbons. The happy couple then cut the ribbons and the basket falls to the floor. This is done to bring health and wealth to the couple.
Throwing The Bouquet
After the ceremony, the bride throws her bouquet over her shoulder and the first girl to catch it, will be the next to marry. In older times, they used to throw a shoe.
The Tying of The Shoes
As well as the obligatory tin cans or balloons, you should always tie some shoes to the back of the "newlyweds" car. Lady readers will be glad to hear that as well as being essential to your health and happiness, shoes are also a symbol of good luck. In fact, in Tudor times, the guests used to throw shoes at the bride and groom for luck. A very useful fact to tell your husband when you buy that next pair of shoes that you "just had to have"!
Lucky Horseshoe
The traditional symbol of good luck. After the ceremony, a page boy will present the bride with a horseshoe as she leaves the church.
The Wedding Scramble
This is a great wedding tradition for children and is said to bring financial good luck. As the bride and groom are getting into the car after the wedding ceremony, the bride's father throws a big handful of silver coins onto the grass for the local children to "scramble" over.
Traditional Grand March at the Wedding Reception
This is where the bride and groom are piped in to the top table at the wedding reception. They are followed by the maid of honour and best man, both sets of parents, and finally all the other guests.
Feet Washing
The bride sits with her feet in a tub of water while all her friends wash them. Usually a married woman would throw her wedding ring into the tub. The first girl to find the ring would be the next to get married. It could be a great party game!
The Groom Carries The Bride Over The Threshold
Everyone knows this one. The groom does this to prevent evil spirits or bad luck entering their house.
Finally, however you do it and wherever you do it, have a great Scottish wedding!
Michael Breck is a professional Magician and Entertainment Agent in Scotland. He has been entertaining at weddings and booking entertainment for weddings for over twenty years. For more ideas about wedding entertainment go toEntertainment for Weddings or Magical Entertainment Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Breck |