Learn five wonderful wedding traditions:
IRELAND- Emerald Isle: The Claddagh ring is commonly known as the traditional Irish wedding ring. The ring features a heart, crown and set of hands, symbolizing the love, loyalty and friendship between the couple. But a lesser-known Irish wedding tradition is the Emerald Isle wedding cake, a rich brandy-infused confection filled with a variety of dried fruits.
ITALY- Sweet Send-Off: Sweet-toothed nearlyweds will fall for this tradition! In Italian culture, brides & grooms are showered with sugared almonds (aka Jordan almonds) as they exit the wedding ceremony church. When wedding guests are seated at the reception, five sweet almonds adorn each place setting, symbolizing health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity (or five special wishes for the bride and groom).
JAPAN- San-San-Kudo: What better way to finalize your I Do’s than with a few celebratory shots! In Japan, marriage vows are made official after the bride and the groom each take three sips of sake from the same cup. This tradition (common in Japanese Shinto weddings) is known as San-San-Kudo and represents the spiritual world and bond between husband and wife.
MEXICO- Lasso: The Mexican lasso is a very long rosary, wrapped around the bride and groom’s hands by the priest as they recite their wedding vows. It symbolizes the unity of the couple and protection of their marriage.
POLAND- Money Dance: Polish brides and grooms have a leg up on bridging the wedding budget gap! For centuries, the money dance has been a staple Polishwedding reception tradition, where guests pin cash onto the bride and groom while they boogie down on the dance floor. Nigerian weddings and Filipino weddings also have their own versions of the lucrative money dance.
Feel free to share your thoughts! Which of these national wedding traditions do you love?
2012 brides are chic, practical and budget-conscious. And when it comes to their wedding shoes, they want an array of colors, styles and heel heights to choose from. Women’s Wear Daily interviewed folks from some of the top bridal accessoriesboutiques to find out what brides really want in their wedding day kicks. Here’s what they had to say…
Versatility—2012 brides want to walk down the aisle in a pair of shoes they can wear again! Makes sense, doesn’t it?! This practical desire is driving the colored shoe trend, and means more brides are searching for unique, non-traditional wedding shoe styles.
Jeweled Brooch Accents—Designers like Badgley Mischka offer swoon-worthy wedding shoes with dazzling brooch adornments on everything from peep-toe d’orsay pumps to kitten heeled slip ons. For brides seeking a more custom feel, bring an antique heirloom brooch into a reputable bridal boutique, and ask them to apply it to a simple pair of heels. If you buy the unadorned shoes from that boutique, they should do the brooch applique on the house.
Platforms—Brides tying the knot in 2012 are not afraid of sky high heels! Platform wedding shoes are more popular than ever, featuring gorgeous details like Swarovski crystals, textured rosettes and sheer, illusion fabric.
Bling, Bling—Crystals, rhinestones and sparkle, oh my! According to Kim Hall at Chicago’s Left Bank, “Brides are gravitating toward crystal-embellished shoes and putting their own personal style on simpler designs.” Shimmery metallics are still on-trend, with gilded golds, and dazzling silvers & pewters, dominating.
A Bold Touch—2012 brides are thinking beyond the white wedding shoe. They’re looking for styles that are semi-traditional, but with a funky, edgy pop. Animal prints, jewel tones and avant-garde details are on-deck for 2012!
Which 2012 shoe trend is right up your alley? What style of wedding shoes will you walk down the aisle in?
Make a statement in bold, beautiful bridal heels!
There’s nothing better than an unexpected pop of color from beneath your wedding dress. We’re talking, of course, about your wedding shoes! While many brides are still choosing traditional white or ivory heels, now is your chance to show off your style and personality when you walk down the aisle. Below are three chic alternatives to classic wedding white heels, so you can really shine!
1- Your Something Blue
Navy blue polka dot bridal shoes by Kate Spade
Blue Wedding Shoes- Me Too Jeanette Royal Blue Satin, $89
Make a statement in bold, beautiful bridal heels!
There’s nothing better than an unexpected pop of color from beneath your wedding dress. We’re talking, of course, about your wedding shoes! While many brides are still choosing traditional white or ivory heels, now is your chance to show off your style and personality when you walk down the aisle. Below are three chic alternatives to classic wedding white heels, so you can really shine!
1- Your Something Blue
One of our favorite ways for brides to knock out their something blue is to wear blue wedding shoes down the white aisle. And there are endless shades of blue perfect for your wedding day. From royal blue satin stunners to retro teal patent leather heels, your blue wedding shoes can be bright, bold or pastel. Check out the photos above to see some of our favorite blue bridal shoes!
2- Patterned or Embellished
Calvin Klein Olivia bridal heels
Your ‘Something Blue’- Badgley Mischka Lacie bridal heels
Fall wedding in Virginia by Kitt Creative
Feather-adorned BHLDN bridal heels
Heavenly bridal heels from The Wedding Suite
If you’re all about making a statement, a patterned pair of bridal heels might be the way to go. Classic brides will love Kate Spade’s adorable polka dot heels, and floral and lace prints are perfect for romantic and bohemian brides. Add opulence to your wedding day look with gold or silver metallic printed heels. and if you dare… walk on the wild side with a pair of animal print wedding shoes.
3- Bold Hues
Gold peep-toe Badgley Mischka wedding shoes via Endless.com
You’ve decided you won’t wear white wedding shoes. Now what? Choose a fancy pair of peep-toes, slingbacks or pumps in a rich, bold color that matches or coordinates with your wedding color palette. Some of our favorite hues for wedding shoes are green, purple, pink and red.
Will you step outside of tradition and choose non-white wedding shoes? If so, what do your dream pair of bridal heels look like?
Priceless bridal makeup tips from expert Laura Black
• Airbrush foundation is a must: airbrush foundation lasts all day, so you’ll stay looking gorgeous from the pre-ceremony photos to the final dance at your reception. It gives skin a clean even finish, and is a must for your walk down the white aisle.
• Emphasize your best feature: if you have knockout eyes like Sara, ask your makeup artist to play up your peepers. If your cheekbones are enviable, spotlight this with a complimentary hue. Think about your most captivating feature (and ask your hubby-to-be and bridesmaids, too), the showcase it for your big I Do’s.
• False lashes, single flair: in the words of our expert Laura Black, false lashes are the ‘best weapon’ in her bridal beauty arsenal. It’s really incredible what a few single false lashes can do to enhance your eyes. Just make sure a professional (or sidekick with experience and a steady hand) applies your wedding day falsies. A single touch up tip You need three things and three things only in your bridal purse to ensure a flawless face all day long. What three items are your bridal beauty essentials? Blush, lipstick and blotting papers.
Wisdom on hair extensions from celebrity stylist Sheila Ray Stone
• The power of extensions: hair extensions add body, length and help to support any wedding hairstyle throughout the day. Meaning, whether you have thick or thin hair, super long or shoulder-length hair, professional extensions will keep your bridal hair looking picture perfect. Extensions are especially helpful if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, or wedding on the coast, and for Windy City brides.
• Texture trumps color: I was surprised to learn that matching the texture of the extensions to the texture of the bride’s hair is actually much more crucial than a perfect color match.
• Go custom: Find an expert who can custom-make hair extensions for your wedding day. A true professional will be able to perfectly match your extensions to your natural hair. While this service will cost you, it’s definitely worth the splurge.
You’re getting married and you want to look fabulous when all eyes are on you. You already know you’re calling on a pro to do your bridal makeup; after all, you’re spending big bucks on a great wedding photographer and those photos are going to be around f-o-r-e-v-e-r!! But how do you choose the right professional makeup artist for YOU?
A bride’s first instinct is to get referrals from trusted friends, and that’s a great place to start. If you’re the first one in your group to take the plunge (so referrals from friends aren’t available), check out sites like OneWed and read reviews from past brides. When you find an artist who intrigues you and has glowing reviews, click over to her website and check out the portfolio. If you love the professional makeup artist’s work and feel her style fits with your style, set up a trial consultation to work out the bridal look perfect for you. Here are some things to consider as you decide who to hire:
Does the wedding makeup artist…
1. Ask you what makeup style you are comfortable with and what your ideal wedding day look is? Expect a good makeup artist to work out your look step-by-step and show you progress in the mirror at each point. This allows the artist to be sure they’re on the right track and get back on track if they’re not.
2. Ask about your wedding plans, colors, hairstyle choices and flowers to get a feel for your wedding style? Your makeup should make you look and feel gorgeous in the flow of the whole day.
3. Arrive on time for the appointment and stay pleasant? The lack of either will be a red flag for the actual wedding day!
4. Use good hygiene standards? Clean brushes, disposable sponges/applicators, a fairly organized makeup kit— all indicate the artist takes pride in protecting their clients and their professional reputation. Which leads to the next question…
5. Have a professional demeanor? The makeup artist should be friendly and relatable but maintain a professionalism that will stand up to the often fast-paced and sometimes chaotic wedding day prep time atmosphere.
6. Really listen to what YOU want and not try to force you into any look you are not comfortable with? It’s your big day to feel special and happy. When YOU feel pretty, everything is good!
When you like the artist and the look – sign the contract & check it off your wedding planning checklist! Special thanks to Barbara at Bridal Artistry in DC for sharing these invaluable bridal beauty tips!
People love the wedding kiss, and they have definite opinions about how a couple should seal the deal. Here’s how to make your kiss memorable and heartfelt.
When Prince William gave his new bride, Kate, a brief kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace last spring, the crowd of thousands wasn’t satisfied.
“Kiss again!” they chanted. When the two shared a slightly longer kiss, onlookers erupted in cheers.
Few other wedding kisses will ever be subjected to so much scrutiny. But there’s a lesson here: People love the wedding kiss, and they have definite opinions about how a couple should seal the deal. Some want passion; some don’t. Some like staged moments; others want to keep things natural. Everyone wants the kiss to be heartfelt.
“There are extreme thoughts about the kiss,” said Kristin Koch, a senior editor at the wedding Web site TheKnot.com. “Some people think it’s too public and they don’t want to do too much. Others think, ‘This is your big declaration of love!’ “
Here are some tips to make The Kiss cheer-worthy instead of cringe-worthy:
• Talk about it. You talk through everything else about the wedding, from the guest list to the bridesmaids’ dresses. You and your partner should talk about what kind of kiss you want to share, or even whether you want to share one at all. Chatting beforehand can help things go more smoothly on the big day.
Chelsea Kopperud, 26, who is planning a wedding for next June in her hometown of Rushford, Minn., said her parents weren’t comfortable kissing in front of everyone when they got married, so they waited and kissed at the back of the church. But Kopperud and her fiancé, Jeffrey O’Donnell, do plan to kiss at the end of the ceremony, and they’ve already agreed on what the kiss should look like: classy and loving.
“We agree that it shouldn’t be just a quick peck, we want it to be more intimate than that. It is our first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.,” said Kopperud, who coordinates accounts for an industrial supply company. “I would guess it will probably be about five seconds long.”
• Practice. It sounds silly. After all, most couples have a lot of practice kissing. But you might want to put in a little practice time, especially if you’re doing something you’re not used to, like having the groom dip the bride.
Hope Bourgeault, 21, a social work student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, says she and her fiancé, Jeff Betterman, are planning to do a dip at their wedding next August. They’re already practicing so it won’t look awkward.
“I could imagine without some practice he’d either drop me from being nervous or else I’d bend a certain way to dip and he’d think I was leaning the other way and it would just be a mess,” she said.
• Or don’t practice. Some people insist that the kiss should be natural, and that you should do whatever you feel is right at that moment. Andrea Fassacesia, a New Yorker who’s getting married in April, said she and her fiancé have decided to “wing it.”
“A rehearsed kiss looks rehearsed,” she said. “It should be natural, intimate and romantic. And, while it’s in front of hundreds of people, it should just feel like the two of you.”
An informal poll of members of The Knot found that just a third of the 71 respondents planned to practice the kiss. Most — 61 percent — said they’ll go with whatever they’re feeling at the moment.
• Do something you’re both comfortable with. Don’t plan a dip or any other acrobatics if you’re not sure you want to go through with it. Koch said grooms often feel more pressure than brides about the kiss, since tradition dictates that it’s something the groom initiates. Koch says you should remember that you may already be nervous when you’re on the altar, and you don’t need the added pressure of a fantastic kiss.
• Don’t be gross. Just about everyone agrees that extra-long, over-the-top displays of affection are a no-no. They can look forced and make guests squirm. Remember Al Gore’s long, sloppy kiss with Tipper at the 2000 Democratic National Convention?
“Have fun with it, be true to you, but a huge make-out or a tongue kiss is just not appropriate, especially if grandma and grandpa are watching,” Koch said.
By DEE-ANN DURBIN (The Associated Press)
Strawberries, white tablecloths, smoked salmon, champagne, wedding cake…these can make a lovely wedding reception. But you could also set up a fabulously draped tent, scatter huge pillows everywhere, set out brass platters of hummus and pita bread, and turn your event into a Moroccan fantasy. Theme weddings can be tons of fun, and they are often more interesting than those that take the usual route. Of course, you will want to pick a theme that connects with the way you live, but here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
Western wedding
Think about the wedding taking place in a small-town country bar and barbecue setting- the sort of place that has a big grill set up in a large open space, a dance party with at least half a dozen bands turning the event into an old fashioned hootenanny.
South sea paradise
Transform any backyard into a Polynesian paradise. Hand out leis at the door, rent lots of potted palms, and light the yard with lots of flaming tiki torches. Set up portable huts around the bar and the buffet, and make sure to have lots of tiny cocktail umbrellas and cherry-and–pineapple garnishes on hand for drinks. Hire a surf band or get a DJ to spin lots of classic exotica music and Hawaiian slack-key guitar tunes.
Arabian nights
Piles of silky cushions take the place of chairs here, or you can cover couches and banquettes with oriental rugs. Serve finger foods like olives, stuffed grape leaves, hummus with warm pita-bread triangles, and baklava on round brass-colored trays. Then bring out delectable platters of lamb and swordfish kebabs. Finish with wedges of melon and grapes drizzled with rose water. Spicy incense and North African and Middle Eastern music completes the festivities.
Cocktail groove
Sparkle plenty at this glamour theme. No sitting down here-keep guests on their feet so they can get maximum schmoozing time. Suggest elegant cocktail attire on your swanky invitations. Have a few waiters on hand to keep those yummy snacks coming-from tasty grilled shrimp to mini-burgers. And make sure everyone’s got a brimming glass of the night’s signature cocktail! Some good grooves in the background will keep the party going well into the wee hours of the morning.
Into the woods
Have a setting in a sunlit forest grove. Set up tables under the trees and drape them with sheer white linens. Let ivy and flowering vines trail over the tables, and serve food connected to the earth: wild-mushroom tart, grilled quails, a salad sprinkled with edible flowers, a rich walnut cake. A small quartet can provide ambient music, or just let the wind blowing through the trees supply the background sound.
Where the wild things are
Create an altar with willow branches woven with berry-laden boughs, and decorate it with moss, acorns, and leaves. Cluster small tables on the grass, each draped in a different shade of fabric and decorated with birdcages filled with toy animals. Encourage guests to come in casual dress, and slip off their shoes when they arrive. Mandolin and dulcimer music will maintain the fanciful mood.
Your wedding day hair style is your crowning glory to your entire wedding outfit so you need to make sure make the right decision regarding style and accessories. Check out these top wedding hair tips when it comes to the time to choose your wedding hair style.
For many brides the first thing they think about when they begin their wedding planning is their wedding dress. Whilst you may thin finding dream wedding dresses is as simple as taking a trip to your local bridal boutique, there are several things you will need to consider before you step out of your front door! Follow these tips to help you find the most important dress you will ever buy.
Style: Dream wedding dresses come in many different styles, shapes and sizes. Depending on the style of your wedding – traditional, formal, informal etc, your dream dress should coordinate in terms of style, shape and color. Decide on whether you want a formal dress or something less conventional.
Figure: Your dream wedding dress needs to flatter you like no other outfit! Choosing a dream dresses relies on you picking dresses which will suit your figure. The assistant at the bridal store should be able to give you some pointers, but often it is better to simply try on as many different dresses as possible of all shapes and styles till you find the best one for you figure.
Simplify your Search: Peruse as many magazines and online galleries as possible to find wedding dresses which you like. It can shorten your search time if you have some idea beforehand of the kind of dress you want or particular designers you like. The internet is a great resource for this as most designers will have their collections available to view online along with a list of retailers.
Make Appointments: Most bridal boutiques work on an appointment only basis if you want to try dresses on. The process of finding your dream dress is one which should not be rushed so do make appointments at boutiques where you will get undivided attention from the staff and for the most part, the privacy of having the store to yourself for a couple of hours.
Order in Time: Your wedding dress will need to be made to order unless you are buying it off the peg or in a sample sale. This can take time and most will need some alterations to ensure the best fit. Order you dress around six months before the wedding date to allow for fittings and alterations.
Accessories: Once you have found your dream dress you will need to think about your accessories such as shoes, lingerie, veils and headpieces. The trick with accessories is to coordinate key pieces rather than draping yourself in every available adornment! Once you have found your accessories, take them with you to your next fitting so you can see how they work with your dress.
