Make Your Wedding Special With These Bridesmaids Tips

It is customary to honor your bridesmaids for their participation in your wedding with a gift of appreciation.  Traditional gifts include a piece of jewelry such as earrings or a necklace that complements their bridesmaids dress and can be worn on the wedding day but many bridesmaids will truly appreciate a more unique gift idea.  With careful consideration you may be able to give your bridesmaids gifts that show your appreciation for their assistance and also demonstrate that you understand their personality as well.

Camping is one alternative to the traditional bachelor party.  You may choose to either rough it by backpacking to a location with only the gear on your back to help you survive the elements for a few days or you could choose to drive to a spa facility that offers well appointed cabins and five star gourmet meals.  Whichever option you choose, you are bound to have a great deal of time relaxing and enjoying the company of the rest of the participants in your bachelor party.  A camping trip offers the groom a quiet atmosphere to reflect with his friends on the journey he is about to take.

Sporting events are another great alternative to the usual bachelor party ideas.  You may find that married life does not offer you as much free time to spend with your friends as you used to have so take this chance to enjoy a little bit of fun with your friends.  Whether you choose to partake in a sport of your choice or purchase tickets to see your favorite professional athletes it is sure to be a great opportunity to bond with your male friends in the last few days before your wedding.

It is wise to try choosing a sport that all of your guests will be able to participate in especially if you plan to include very young or very old guests.  In this situation playing a game of football may not be the best idea but taking everyone to play a round of golf might be an activity that all of the guest can enjoy.

Personalized cosmetics bags can also be used as unique bridesmaids gifts.  You could purchase attractive cosmetic bags and have them embroidered with your bridesmaids’ initials and the date of your wedding.  Another nice touch with this gift is to include a few items such as lipstick or nail polish that complement each of your bridesmaids’ style and complexion.

Co-ed bachelor parties that coincide with the bachelorette party are becoming increasingly popular as well.  One common practice involving these adjunct parties is to have the bachelors and bachelorettes meet at separate restaurants for dinner and then join each other at a nightclub to cap off the night with some dancing and a few drinks.  These types of parties can be a great deal of fun because they allow both the bride and the groom some time apart to spend time with their friends and then they reunite the couple at the end of the night in a chance for them to spend time with all of their friends without the pomp and circumstance that is likely to accompany their wedding reception.

Unique gift ideas for the bridesmaids can also stem from the wedding theme.  For example if you are having a beach themed wedding you might want to give your bridesmaids a gift of a tote bag, a beach towel and a novel to enjoy on the beach.  This unique gift idea ensures that your bridesmaids will remember your wedding fondly the next time they are at the beach.  Traditional bridesmaid’s gifts such as jewelry and jewelry boxes are always welcomed but if you have a large group of friends and most of them will be bridesmaids several more times as more of your friends get married it might be nice to give your bridesmaids a gift that is unique.  Unique gift ideas convey your message of appreciation but also let the bridesmaids know that you put a great deal of effort into choosing their gift.

Interesting Wedding Night Rituals from Around The World

Weddings are occasions of lasting traditions and rituals. All over the world, people’s beliefs, culture and history has affected this memorable event. It is common knowledge that wedding ceremonies are different all over the world, but did you know that the diversity extends even on the wedding night? Read this to know the interesting activities that couples, families and friends do before letting the newlyweds reach a night of wedding bliss!

It is customary in an American wedding for the bride and groom to hop into a get-away car with tin cans attached to the rear of the car, off to their secret honeymoon, immediately after the wedding. Did you know that this rooted from escaping a Celtic wedding night tradition?

In Gaelic cultures, it was a tradition for friends and family of the couple to mess with the couple’s wedding night. In the olden days, when couples spend their wedding night in a barn, girl friends of the bride would dress her for bed and ask each of the male guests to kiss her good night. The friends would do other things to prevent the groom from seeing her new wife. Even if the couple finally comes together, they would disturb the union by making noise outside the barn and even peep into the couple, while drinking the night away. The couple waits for everyone to get too drunk to eventually leave them alone. This kind of prank is something that newly weds want to get away from, thus, they keep their honeymoon destination a secret and speed away after the wedding.
More Celtic wedding night ritual come from Scotland: sleeping in the barn on the first night, sprinkling water on the marriage bed for luck and staying for a week with the bride's parents before moving into the newlywed’s home.

The Germans and the French do a similar tradition of “disturbing” the wedding night, called Chiverie, known in the US as Shivaree. They make noise outside the place where the couple spends their first night together. Some even play around with the room where they will stay, like put plenty of balloons, spread food all over the bed, and hide alarm clock everywhere, just for fun.
The Romans believed that it was bad fortune when the bride stumbles when entering the newlywed’s house for the first time. Thus, after the wedding, male friends of the couple would carry her over the doorstep. At present, the groom is expected to do the job himself.

In Benin, western Africa, they value virginity. The bride’s mother rewards her with cash if she’s a virgin at their wedding night! In the morning, the sheets that the couples used are inspected for bloodstains. Some mothers even fly the flag out the window, showing off their daughter's bloodstained nightgown. Seriously!

For the Chinese, at the night of the wedding, candles designed with a phoenix and a dragon is lit to drive the evil spirit away. The newlyweds will drink wine from goblets tied together with a red ribbon, while arms intertwined. Then the bride will be given half-raw dumplings, which symbolize prosperity.

Marquesasian (from Polynesia) brides have a notable wedding night ritual: they are expected to have sex with all the male guests and then saving the groom for last. Now that can make your wedding night … extremely unforgettable!

Dream Weddings Don’t Have To Cost A Fortune

It has finally happened - your partner has finally popped the question, you said yes and put on the ring, and now there is a wedding date hovering somewhere in the future. At this point, you may be asking yourself how on earth you are going to afford all the essential parts you have so longed envisioned as part of your dream wedding. The good news is that with the proper length of time, you can plan your wedding in such a way that you will find the best bargains possible and the proceedings do not cost you a fortune.

As in any money-saving endeavor, the most important rule in saving on the costs of your wedding is to shop around religiously. Remember to compare every price on every part of the wedding that you are going to be shopping for. This is especially important when considering the various service providers for your wedding, including the florists, the photographer, the caterer, and even the venue. Do not jump at the first price or location that comes along- the payoff of patience may be a lot of money.

Setting your date well ahead of time will often also allow you some wiggle room when it comes to many of the areas where you will be laying out finances for your weddings. Setting an early date will mean that you will not be desperate for any particular service when the time of your wedding comes along. Often the people who provide services for weddings begin to be booked up very quickly when it comes to specific times, such as the wedding “season” and around other occasions that are particularly geared towards the same services that might be used for weddings, such as graduations and even holidays such as New Year’s Eve. Planning and booking well ahead of time will mean that you are not desperate when talking to the agency, and thus you will not be stuck with one of the higher-priced options after having left the decision to the last minute.

You can also end up saving quite a bit of money for your wedding by choosing to do some of the tasks involved yourself. With the huge increase in the popularity of various crafts, and the subsequent rise in the number of craft stores, many people are now making a lot of their own paraphernalia for their weddings themselves. Wedding invitations, favors, decorations, and thank-you notes are all projects on which you can save money and add a unique touch by doing the work on your own, often with the help of your bridal party and other family members.

In order to save money on your wedding, you will also want to pay close attention to your networking possibilities. Many people know friends and family who just seem to have a knack when it comes to some of the skills that will be necessary for your wedding. Having friends who know what they are doing could significantly reduce your costs when it comes to decorating and even catering the weddings. Many friends will also be able to do the videography for your special day, although the photography is best left to a professional (and if you happen to have a friend who is a professional, so much the better!)

There are many ways to make sure that your dream wedding is a success without mortgaging you future. With the right amount of time, planning, do-it-yourself will and contacts, your wedding may be much less expensive than you would have believed!

Brides and Bloating – Prevent bloating before your wedding day

You have spent countless hours planning and dreaming about your wedding day which is now fast approaching. As you count down the days the panic begins to set in.  How do I prevent the all too familiar pre-wedding bloating experienced by so many brides on their wedding day?

Naturally, we as women may think, I will simply starve myself and not drink a lot of liquids for a few days before my wedding.  If I do so perhaps this will help drop a bit of weight and reduce some of that nasty cellulite on my body…right?   Wrong!

Did you know that water retention is directly linked to what you eat, drink and your daily habits?

Bloating is caused primarily by dehydration. The loss of water in the body can cause constipation.  And the corresponding lack of bowel movements creates the tummy bulge.

Here are six tips to follow for at least 1-2 weeks prior to your big day:


1.  Drink 8 – 10 glasses of water a day. Drinking less fluid will not cure water retention and can actually make it worse. So drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body. Cellulite is a form of fat with retained water. When the body cannot get rid of the wastes and toxins it tends to store cellulite.


2.  Try to eliminate salts and refined sugars from your diet.  If you can’t eliminate these types of foods then at least cut down on their use as much as you possible can.


3.  Get some exercise. Go for a brisk walk, even if it is just 10 minutes. Movement helps you lymphatic system drain and gets the blood pumping which increases circulation. Did you know poor circulation can cause water retention?


4.  Don’t skip meals.  Much as you may think this is wise, low calorie diets have been shown to increase water retention. But do avoid high fat foods. Incorporate protein in your daily routine. While you are running around getting all the last minute details finished remember to reach for a yogurt, some cottage cheese or make yourself a protein shake. One of the most important nutrients to prevent water retention is protein.


5.  Cut down on caffeine and alcohol.  These liquids cause dehydration, plus they are empty calories.


6.  Take a good multivitamin.  Find one that has a high content of Vitamin B (12 and 6). Stress robs your body of essential vitamins, plus you are probably not eating as healthy as you should. Vitamin B is especially good to take when you are under stress, or have bloating.  I always take a daily multivitamin but supplement them with a good B vitamin.


Of course it goes without saying that you should also try your best to get proper and sufficient sleep during this stressful period.

If you can follow these six simple, natural yet highly effective guidelines then you’ll look better, feel better and be as radiant as a bride should be on her wedding day.  Take charge and eliminate that unnecessary and unwelcome pre-wedding bloating!

Bridal Gowns – How To Find The Perfect Wedding Dress

Style, colour and ceremonial importance of the bridal gown worn by the bride during the wedding ceremony depends upon the culture and religion of the couple getting married.

White is the preferred color of the bridal gown among the westerners. Creamy shades such as ivory, ecru and eggshell are also used in making bridal gowns. Queen Victoria of England, wore a white bridal gown when she got married to Albert of Sax-Coburg in the year 1840. Since then the white bridal gown became the norm in all marriages. In the earlier years, bridal gowns were made in any colour except black. Innocence of the childhood and purity of heart was symbolized by the white bridal gown.

A bride to be can spend weeks and sometimes even months looking for a perfect bridal gown because of the variety of designs and styles available. Determine three things – theme of the wedding, time of the year the wedding is held and the budget – with these three things finalized, picking up the correct gown will become easier.

Choose a gown style depending upon the style and formality of the wedding function. In a formal wedding it is better to wear a formal bridal gown. Besides a white bridal gown, another appropriate choice is ivory which is also considered as a formal wedding gown. Bridal gowns in pink, peach and ice blue are also becoming very popular.

The average retail cost of a bridal gown is around $700. Prices of designer and premium gowns start from $2000.

Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri, Marisa, Pronovias, Mori Lee, Davinci, Demetrios, Bonny, Eden Bridals and Mikaela are some of the popular designer bridal gowns.

When selecting the bridal gown, take someone close to you and who knows what is best for you. This will help in getting a gown which is not radically different from the usual style suitable for you.

It is better to ensure the bridal gown is comfortable and it is not restricting your movement. Getting a bridal gown can be a demanding process so initiate the process well in advance. Compare the designs from various fashion magazines and also go through family photo albums to know which will be the most suitable style.

Prior to committing yourself on a particular design, try different types and designs. If the bridal gown is custom made, allot six months for the making of the gown. Too many friends accompanying you during the shopping for gowns will only confuse you and you may end up making an incorrect selection.

Beach Wedding Party Favors For Summer Bridal Weddings

Beaches can be one of the most romantic settings for a wedding. Many girls (and boys) dream of a wedding at an exotic location such as a beach or a mountaintop. And what better season than the summer to hold your wedding outdoors in such exotic locations. Beach wedding parties could be among the most enjoyable and memorable. Imagine the cool moist breeze blowing across your face and caressing your hair, the roar of the waves, the splashing water droplets and the sand castles and dunes, and you have an idea of how exciting and memorable it could be.

A beach themed wedding requires its own planning to make it really good. Among the things that you will need to bestow a lot of attention are your party favors. You should select your party favors to suit the theme of the beach wedding.

Party favors as a custom date back several centuries. In our present society, these have blossomed into a beautiful expression of appreciation for the presence of our guests. People select wedding favors that reflect their culture. Wedding party favors also make a personal style statement. To make the entire event harmonious it is important that the favors are in sync with the theme that you have chosen. It should also be something that can be preserved over the years and related to with pride and joy. The selection of party favors is thus a very important part of your planning for the wedding.

What are the possibilities for beach wedding party favors that will incorporate all the above considerations?

One of the first things that come to mind when we talk of beaches is a seashell. Objects made of seashells are among the obvious choices. A seashell bookmark is something that your book loving guests are sure to appreciate and keep with them for a long time. You could attach these to the placeholders or keep them in a tray for the guests to pick up.  Seashell wine bottle stoppers form another good item that is made of seashells, blend with the theme and will be useful to your guests.

Talking of seashells, you could also consider them, in their own right, as party favors. You could select attractively colored and shaped seashells and pack a few of them in small bags, making each of them a gift by itself. There are stores that can give you attractively packed seashells that you can use right away.

Starfish tea light candles can make for an attractive decoration that fits into your theme as well as form a unique gift item. You could combine these two ideas, and decorate the tables with these and also give them away as gifts, so that your guests get what they see!

Another thing that you could consider is a bag of artificial sea creatures. It could be a charming gift that would add to the fun, accentuate your beach theme and is sure to be maintained as a memento. Crafted pieces that contain other sea creatures, and are utilitarian, can also be considered. For example, a dolphin wine stopper would provide good utility value and be an attractive sea based theme for the gift, involving one of the most loved and talked about sea creatures. .

Cookies and mint tins that blend with the beach theme are other things that can be considered. For example, a carefully designed tin that has beach scenery, or pictures of items found along beaches, could make for a very useful and artistic item.

There are many other themes and items that you can consider. You can use your imagination and come up with something unique yourself. We hope that the few examples that we have given above will give you a lot more fresh ideas to help you in this.

American Wedding Practices

Living in the US makes one feel free - free to do anything, free to live, free to love, free from traditions.  While this is true, there are still many practices done during wedding that renders this memorable event with a distinct American touch.  Here are some:

Starting from the engagement, Americans can think of unique ways to personalize their wedding.  As there really isn't any engagement tradition, the more unique the marriage proposal is done, the better.

For most wedding preparations, the engaged couple visits their parents to inform them of their recent engagement.

At times, the engaged couple hosts an engagement party.  The engagement party costs less than a wedding reception since most of the time, the menu will only include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.  Therefore, if the couple is on a tight budget, they can just invite more guests to the engagement party if they plan to limit the number of guests during the wedding.

Most wedding preparations have a bridal shower given by the maid of honor and the bridesmaids.  The groom may also have a bachelor party the night before the wedding but he has to be careful not to drink too much.

Wedding invitations should include response cards to quickly inform the couple whether the person has accepted or declined the invitation.  The wedding invitations should also be sent within four to six weeks before the event.

Usually, there is a rehearsal dinner in which the wedding party and guests came from far places to be present at the wedding attend.  It was practiced that the groom's parents pay for this dinner.

A bridal luncheon may be hosted for the bride's attendants during the wedding day.  However, time constraints may not permit this to be part of the schedule for the wedding day.  Likewise, the groom may also host a groom's dinner for his groomsmen.

Interestingly, even if the couple is not very religious, they still prefer a religious ceremony.  However, this may pose a problem since in America people of different faiths and religious backgrounds get married.

Even if there are few people who believe in bad luck, some couples still make sure that the groom does not see his bride until she starts waking on the aisle.

It is still practiced that the groom and his groomsmen enter the church through a side door.  The bride will then walk down the aisle with her father.  In some cases when both her father and stepfather brought up the bride, she may ask them both to escort her.

During a formal reception, there is usually a bridal table where the couple and the attendants sit.  Also, food and drinks should be served as the guests appear at the reception.

Before, gift giving used to depend on what the guest will feel useful for the couple.  Now, it is better to register for gifts so the guests will know what to bring that the couple will need.

Upon receiving an engagement or wedding gift, it is better to send a thank you note apart from saying "thank you" to the giver.  This should be sent within two weeks upon receipt of the gift.  Make a personalized thank you note, instead of using an impersonal generic thank you note.

These are just some American practices during weddings.  Whether one chooses to this or prefers to have a very different wedding, what's more important is that American's still believe in the wedding vow, "For better or worse, 'til death do us part."

10 Must Have Gift Ideas For The Wedding Party

It is traditional for the bride to give the groom a gift on the wedding day.  Although the wedding rings that the couple exchanges can be considered gifts, many brides choose to honor their groom with an additional gift that suits his personality.

The gift of the bride and groom exchanging gifts is beginning to fade as many couples who spend a great deal of money on their wedding or honeymoon may decide that there is no need to exchange gifts in addition to the wedding and honeymoon.  If you do decide to honor your groom with a gift on your wedding day, it is more important to choose an item that he is sure to enjoy than it is to spend a great deal of money on the gift.

A photo album complete with a picture of you and the bridesmaid or the entire wedding party can be another unique gift idea for the bridesmaids.  You could purchase photo albums with the date of your wedding engraved on the front cover and start the photo album with a picture of you and the bridesmaid.  This is a wonderful gift idea because the bridesmaid can place her photos from the wedding day in the album and will always have a precious souvenir from your wedding day.

Gift certificates to a spa or a salon also make unique gift ideas for your bridesmaids.  Your bridesmaids most likely spent a great deal of time and energy in helping you to plan your wedding.  The week prior to your wedding was also probably especially hectic with a great deal of last minute details to attend to and errands to run.  While you will have your honeymoon to relax and renew your energy your bridesmaids do not have this luxury so by honoring them by presenting them with a gift certificate to a spa or salon you are giving them the gift or being pampered and the gift of relaxation.

A few more unique gift ideas for your bridesmaids’ gifts include handcrafted or homemade gifts.  For example you could put together a CD of some of your bridesmaids’ favorite songs.  You could make the CDs different for each bridesmaid and include a photo of the two of you on the cover and include a heartfelt poem on the inside of the CD cover.  You could also create a scrapbook for each of your bridesmaids.  You could either make the scrapbook a memory of your entire friendship together and include photos and other items from your various adventures throughout the years or if you plan ahead and take many photos documenting your wedding preparations, you could create scrapbooks as a remembrance of the wedding planning that you shared.

Any item that relates to a specific hobby that the groom enjoys is a great idea for a wedding gift for the bride to give to the groom.  This is a popular choice because giving a gift that relates to one of his hobbies demonstrates that you understand his likes and that you want him to continue to engage in activities that he enjoys.

Another unique gift idea for a bride to give to her bridesmaids is a gift certificate to a local restaurant.  Assisting in your wedding preparations was probably extremely stressful and time consuming for the bridesmaids and they certainly deserve a night on the town and the opportunity to not have to cook for a night.  This simple gift lets your bridesmaids know that you appreciate their efforts and that you want to thank them for all that they have done to support you.

Unique gift ideas for the bridesmaids can also stem from the wedding theme.  For example if you are having a beach themed wedding you might want to give your bridesmaids a gift of a tote bag, a beach towel and a novel to enjoy on the beach.  This unique gift idea ensures that your bridesmaids will remember your wedding fondly the next time they are at the beach.

Although the tradition of the bride and groom exchanging gifts on their wedding day is beginning to fade, many couples still wish to honor this tradition.  Many couples spend so much money on their wedding and reception that they feel as though they cannot afford the additional expense of buying gifts for each other.  While it may be true that the couple cannot afford one more extravagant gift it is also true that a truly thoughtful gift for the groom does not have to be overly expensive.  If the couple is partaking in this tradition it is advisable that they exchange gifts that truly reflect the personality of their spouse.