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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Italian Wedding Traditions

1:33 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post

Ceremony
There are several charming Italian traditions to incorporate in your wedding ceremony. Roman Catholicism is Italy's primary religion. So a traditional Italian wedding ceremony typically consists of a full Catholic mass. In Italy, June is the favored month and Sunday is the favorite day for weddings. The Italian wedding tradition of tying ribbons to the chapel entrance, symbolizes a new wedding bond. The ribbons signify the tying together of two lives. The ever popular dove release is a relatively new tradition. It symbolizes the love and affection the newlyweds have for each other. 
Reception
Traditionally, the wedding reception begins with an antipasti course of cheeses, olives, mushrooms, and pickled sweet peppers. This course is followed by subsequent courses that include delicious pastas, savory meats, salads, soups, and succulent desserts like Farfallete Dolci, and italian cookie.  The drink of choice is wine and grappa.
The Tarantella is a dance performed at wedding receptions to wish the couple a long future together. Participants form a circle and dance in a clockwise direction, until the music speeds up and the dancers must change direction. The tempo changes several times, each time forcing the dancers to change direction and dance even faster. The Tarantella continues until it becomes impossible to keep up, and the dance falls apart. At the conclusion of an Italian wedding reception, it's customary to break a glass or vase. The number of shards is said to predict the number of happy years the couple will have together.
Bomboniere
Italian favors called bomboniere are pretty little baskets or boxes that come in a variety of shapes and colors. Sometimes a bigliettino or ribbon personalized with the couple's names and wedding date is attached. The bomboniere are traditionally filled with sugar-coated almonds or confetti to symbolize that marriage is both bitter and sweet. The number of almonds given is significant because odd numbers are considered lucky. Three almonds represent fertility, while five almonds signify wishes for wealth. Sometimes the confetti is thrown at the newlyweds in lieu of rice. Bomboniere can also be filled with chocolates or other types of candies. 
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African American Wedding Traditions

1:31 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post




Many African Americans choose to include their heritage in their special day. There are countless ways to honor your ancestors during your wedding ceremony and reception. You may also choose to add ethnic touches to the bridal shower and wedding party gifts. Wedding customs and rituals vary from region to region in Africa. Yet there are some customs that have a common thread in African values, views, and experiences which provide uniformity. In general, African marriages celebrate the uniting of two families. Introducing aspects of your culture during the wedding ceremony and/or reception is a way of celebrating your heritage and ancestry.
Tying the Knot
In some African tribes, the bride and groom have their wrists tied together with cloth or braided grass to represent their marriage. Today's modern couples may choose to have the officiant or a close friend tie their wrists together with a piece of kente cloth or a strand of cowrie shells during the ceremony while stating the wedding vows. 
Libation Ceremony
To honor their ancestors, some Africans pour Holy water, or alcohol, onto the ground as prayers are recited to the ancestral spirits. Some African American couples choose to incorporate a libation ceremony as an opportunity to honor those that have recently passed away.
Jumping the broom
This is a well-known tradition whose origin is up for debate. During the slavery era, since African slaves were forbidden to marry in America, they would make a public declaration of their love and commitment by jumping over a broom to the beat of drums. Today, this ritual's significance is agreed upon to be a symbol for the start of the couple making a home together. It has become very popular for African-American couples to "Jump the broom" at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony. The broom, often handmade and beautifully decorated, can be displayed in the couple's home after the wedding.
Kola Nuts
The Kola nut is most often used for medicinal purposes in Africa. It is also essential in most African weddings. The Kola nut symbolizes the couple's willingness to always help heal each other. In Nigeria, the ceremony is not complete until a kola nut is shared between the couple and their parents. Many African-American couples incorporate the sharing of a kola nut into their ceremonies, and then keep the nut in their home afterwards as a reminder to always work at healing any problems they encounter.
Tasting the Four Elements
In this Yoruba ritual, the bride and groom taste four flavors that represent different emotions within a relationship. The four flavors typically used are sour (lemon), bitter (vinegar), hot (cayenne), and sweet (honey). By tasting each of the flavors, the couple symbolically demonstrates that they will be able to get through the hard times in life, and, in the end, enjoy the sweetness of marriage.
Wedding Attire
Depending on where they are from, the African bride's attire will represent the area with exciting colors and meaningful designs. Some African-American couples choose to convey their heritage through clothing. The possibilities are endless. It can be as simple as bridesmaids wrapped in African shawls and groomsmen with Kente cloth cummerbunds and bowties, or as elaborate as the groom and groomsmen in traditional Nigerian garb called agbada. In Ghana, Kente is used as wedding attire for the bridal party. Nigerian brides and bridesmaids typically don a bubah, an elegant four piece ensemble that includes a long outer wrap and matching headpiece. Today's brides may also choose to wear an African-inspired gown with African Adinkra symbols included in the fabric. The brides may wear their hair in braids with ornaments on their wrists and necks bejeweled. 
Adinkra Symbols
AKOMAGYE NYAMEME WARE WOOSRAM NE NSOROMMA
Wearing an African-inspired gown with Adinkra symbols woven into the fabric is a special way to incorporate African tradition in your wedding. Adinkra symbols are common in Western African societies; specifically Ghana, a country situated on the Atlantic between Togo and the Ivory Coast. Adinkra symbols were adapted by the Asante people of Ghana. The symbols represent different concepts or ideas. Adinkra symbols can be found everywhere in Ghana including fabrics, walls, pottery and logos. Some common Adinkra symbols used in weddings include, Akoma, Me Ware Wo, Gye Nyame, and Osram Ne Nsoromma. Akoma is a heart symbol that signifies patience and tolerance. Gye Nyame signifies the supremacy of god. Me Ware Wo symbolizes commitment and perseverance. Osram Ne Nsoromma is a stands for the harmony that exists in the bond between a man and a woman. 
Cowrie Shells
Cowrie shells, indigenous to West Africa represent fertility and prosperity. Cowrie shells are a significant favorite used in bridal attire. Use of the shell design in favors, food serving, cakes and decoration or table centerpieces express the tradition.
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Jewish Wedding Traditions by Worldly Weddings

1:29 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post
Jewish Weddings are rich with beauty and rituals. Some of the customs and traditions of a Jewish wedding are thousands of years old. Jewish wedding traditions will vary among the Orthodox, Conservative, Hassidic and Reform sects. However, the essentials are the same. A rabbi usually officiates the ceremony. A Jewish Marriage is a simcha, a celebration of joy.    
Ketubah
The Ketubah is a Jewish legal contract between the bride and groom. It is one of the oldest elements of a Jewish wedding. Traditionally, the Ketubah was written in Aramaic, a Semetic language related to Hebrew. Today, the Ketubah is a religious document; it comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Often, it is a reflection of the bride and groom's personal style and preferences. Some couples choose to hire a calligrapher to design a custom Ketubah. The Ketubah does not replace a standard civil marriage license which the officiating Rabbi will need in order to perform the ceremony. Rather, the Ketubah is a written pledge that the couple makes to each other. The Ketubah is signed by the Kallah (bride) and Chatan (groom), the rabbi or officiate, and usually witnesses usually before the ceremony. At Orthodox and Conservative weddings, the reading of the Ketubah occurs during the ceremony under the chuppah. After the wedding, most couples choose to display the Ketubah in a beautiful frame in their home.
Chuppah
The Chuppah is a wedding canopy that the bride and groom stand under during the wedding ceremony. The canopy represents the new home they will establish together. In some ceremonies, the bride's and groom's parents stand around the couple beneath the Chuppah to symbolize that parents are the foundation upon which the bride and groom will establish their own home. The Sheva Brachot are the seven marriage blessings recited under the Chuppah. Some couples choose to make their own Chuppah with four self supporting poles and a prayer tallis or shawl.
Breaking the Glass
Breaking the glass is a well known Jewish wedding tradition that entails the groom stepping on a glass goblet wrapped in fabric. Once the glass is broken, everyone shouts Mazel tov! which means Good Luck or Congratulations. The sentiment behind this ritual is a reminder of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.
Reception
Prior to the start of the wedding reception feast, a blessing called Hamotzi is offered over Challah, a sweet braided wedding loaf. This gesture represents the first breaking of bread as a new family. A traditional Jewish wedding reception often includes a Klezmer band. In a special dance called the Hora, the bride and groom are lifted overhead in their chairs and are carried around the room by guests. A Jewish wedding favorite tune is “Hava Nagila”, a traditional Klezmer song.
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Saturday, October 6, 2012

Thinking About The Gifts For The Bridal Party And Parents Of The Bride And Groom

1:24 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post

Thinking About The Gifts For The Bridal Party And Parents Of The Bride And Groom

If you have ever planned a wedding, you know that wedding planning could be a massive nightmare without the help of family and friends. These close people who offer you advice when choosing your wedding gown, help you assemble your wedding favors, and lend a sympathetic ear when the stress gets to be too much are by your side your support group. Show your loved ones how much their help has meant to you by presenting them with a thoughtful gift as a token of your appreciation.
Here are some unique (and affordable) gift ideas for everyone from your parents and in-laws to your bridal party:

  1. His or Her Parents

    No matter how involved they have been, make your future in-laws feel special by giving them something memorable and unique to them. If your in-laws are wine connoisseurs, give them a bottle from their favorite vineyard along with a handwritten card. If you know that your future dad is into outdoorsy activities, you could give him an engraved swiss army knife. Likewise your future mother in-law might appreciate a scrapbook filled with pictures of a special event. Get creative and if all else fails, ask your future spouse what they like to do and you might get some good ideas on a great gift.

  2. Your Own Parents

    Your parents have probably been just as stressed with wedding planning as you've been. Aside from that, they might have to get used to the fact that they will probably have less time to see you on an individual basis. With that in mind, give your parents a night (or two) to spend with you doing something you all love without any wedding talk, whether it's playing a rousing game of scrabble or taking in a baseball game. Write them a heartfelt letter telling them how much you care about them and how much their help has meant to you and present it along with a picture of you and your parents at the end of your familial date. It's a great way to remind your family that you will always be around, even if you'll be officially married shortly.

  3. Your Flower Girl or Ring Bearer

    Since little girls and little boys have the tendency to lose things, give them their own personalized candy jars with some jelly beans or chocolate inside. If you know their favorite color, you could even get the candy in all pink or blue. When the candy is finished, the kids can then use the containers for their small toys.

  4. Your Bridesmaids

    As the saying goes, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." In this case, present your best girls with an affordable, yet worthy substitute. Swarovski crystal bracelets would make great bridesmaid gifts because most "girls" love jewelry and they are versatile enough to be worn for both the wedding and any other special occasion.
    The great thing about choosing Swarovski crystals as bridal party gifts is that they come in a variety of colors, so you can pick the best color for each girl and truly make them unique.
    Along another line, you could also get your girls something that fits into their lifestyles. For example, if they like yoga, get them some personalized yoga mats or bags. For the bookworm, get her a first edition copy of her favorite book, or a novel you think she might enjoy, along with a personalized bookmark.

  5. Your Groomsmen or Best Man

    When choosing groomsmen gifts, be sure to keep their lifestyles in mind. Engraved cufflinks are perfect for the young professional and are probably something that he would never buy for himself. Your fiance's college buddy would probably love to have some personalized pilsner glasses and for the beer aficionado you could subscribe him to a beer of the month club or something similar.

  6. Your Maid or Matron of Honor

    Your maid or matron of honor has probably seen you through some of the toughest times in life, as well as throughout the planning process. When choosing her gift, make sure it's something extra special and that conveys just how much her help has meant to you.
    If you're a crafty bride-to-be, assemble a scrapbook filled with pictures, letters, and tickets from your good times together. You might consider planning a weekend for you both to indulge in some best girl time, such as a trip to the spa or even something adventurous like some snowboarding lessons. If you're on a tight budget, get her a little keepsake that references a great shared memory and give it to her after some bonding time over movies and wine.
Whatever you pick for your bridal party, remember that it's the thought that counts. You don't have to buy designer products to truly show everyone how much they ha
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What Else Can We Do With Wedding Favors?

1:04 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post

What Else Can We Do With Wedding Favors?

After attending numerous weddings, your placement spots are probably filled to the brim with all the wedding favors and other wedding souvenirs you've collected of the years!
When cleaning out, you may be consider throwing out some of these mementos, but many times, your old wedding favors gifts can be converted or reused as something totally different. With some creativity and some fresh wedding ideas, you can find several new uses for them.

Wondering What to Do with All Those Wedding Favors?

Bring new life to your wedding memorabilia with these useful wedding favor ideas:
  • Put your wedding place cards into a scrapbook along with pictures of your friends' past weddings.
  • Turn your old place cards into labels for other belongings or as a bookmark for your organizer or latest read.

Bring a New Scent to Candles and Soaps

Many of the  candle wedding favors are too small to use as a centerpiece for your home decor, but if you hide them strategically around your room or bathroom, they can give your living areas a subtle fragrance. You can also put scented candles or personalized soaps that you have yet to use into your dresser drawer to leave your clothes smelling sweet.
Another option is to actually use the items as they were meant to. Create a DIY home spa and light some of your scented candles for a relaxing atmosphere.
Unscented candles can also be grouped together to create a centerpiece for dinner parties and smaller candles can be placed in tea light holders for a whole new look.

Let Them Hang Around!

Keychains and charms can be reused in several ways. You can remove the personalized tag and use them by themselves. You can also customize them to become a bracelet or necklace pendant. You can also add them to your phone as a phone charm or a cute way to decorate your bicycle basket or car rearview mirror.
Be resourceful—these things could worth more if you turn them into something new. You can also help your friends shop for unique wedding favors that are bound to be used for their purpose and don't forget to take advantage of all the wedding favor promotions such as free shipping to be had!
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Presenting Your Wedding Favors With Style

12:47 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post

Presenting Your Wedding Favors With Style

Wedding favors, bridal shower favors and  wedding gifts for men can be just as much a part of the table decorations and overall look of the reception as flowers, settings, and linen. It is your way of saying thank you to each person attending your wedding or shower, so the presentation as well as the gift itself should reflect your intentions. Some thoughtful touches and creativity can speak volumes.
  • Use pretty favors packaging. Beautiful wrapping (gift boxes,ribbon, custom labels, etc.), and taking the time to make wedding favors look clean, and tasteful will show the effort no matter how simple the gift is inside.
  • Personalize it. Giving wedding favors is a gesture of thanks, and mostly it is the thought that counts. Make wedding favors more personal by engraving, using personalized ribbon, or printing your names and wedding date, or a unique message. Hand printing gives it an added personal touch, but if you do not have the best handwriting, many people hire professional calligraphers to pen a message on their wedding favors, or favors packaging. Laser engraving also is a classy yet inexpensive option, such as personalized wedding favor chopstick sets.
  • Let your wedding favors also be functional. Attach a tag with the guests' names, and their table numbers to the wedding favors, and set them out on a table near the entrance to double as escort cards.
  • Tie a hang tag to the wedding favors with your new monogram, or the date of the wedding. Tags can be any shape, size, or color, and are another great way to get creative. Make them yourself for that personal touch.
  • A popular idea is to have breakaway centerpieces, where the centerpiece is made up of several elements that come apart, each part able to be taken home by guests as wedding favors. Breakaway centerpieces are often an arrangement of flowers in several smaller vases. You can do this with packaged wedding favors, stacking the boxes in the middle and inviting guests to each take a favor before heading home.
  • Save space on the table for the food, and instead, hang wedding favors from the chair. This is a creative way to present your wedding favors, and also dress up the reception chairs.
    Use a bag with handles to package the wedding favors, or find a way to attach ribbon to the wedding favors in order to hang it on a chair.
  • Have a wedding favors tree. This idea works really well with Christmas weddings. Give mini classic silver place frames as wedding favors, or something lightweight, like a bookmark, or a charm. If a Christmas tree is out of season, get a potted tree. Make your own wedding favors with glassine bags filled with candy. Punch holes in the bags and string them up with twine around the branches of a tree. Wedding guests can untie the bags at the end of the evening for a sweet memento.
  • Pile wedding favors in baskets set by the door with a note reminding guests to take one before parting.
  • Give the kids something helpful to do at the wedding reception. Ask them to walk around with baskets of wedding favors and pass one out to each wedding guest. Make sure they make it to each table and do not leave anyone out.
  • Candles make classy wedding favors and are a brilliant approach to lighting for the wedding reception. They are romantic, decorative, and cost effective. With the a huge selection of sizes, styles, colors, designs, and scents, you can fit candles in with just about any wedding decoration theme.
    Match candles, or candle holders to your wedding reception colors. Create a monochromatic look with different shades of your favorite color. Or choose colors that boldly contrast each other.
  • If you're having a floral centerpiece, opt for tea lights so they don't compete with the flowers.
  • You can also use candles instead of flowers for the centerpiece. Try a cluster of chunky candles in varying heights.
  • Votives and votive holders also make great wedding guest favors. Get them personalized, or just choose a stylish votive holder that your wedding guests would care to bring home and reuse.
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A Little Wedding Favor Etiquette

12:17 PM | Posted by Unknown | | Edit Post

Your most celebrated day, your wedding day wouldn't be quite as fun and memorable without all your supportive friends and family who traveled to be with you on your most celebrated day. Expressing your appreciation with wedding favors that are meaningful and will be appreciated by your guests is important. Don't waste your money on gifts your guests will surely and quickly dispose of, or leave on the tables before the end of the night. Giving wedding favors is an age-old tradition that has evolved over the years. Today, couples are using their creativity and presenting favors that are thoughtful, personal and memorable. There are no set rules of etiquette in presenting favors, however we wanted to share with you a few simple guidelines to help you get started.

Are wedding favors mandatory?

While wedding favors may not be as important as the wedding cake, they are a small but creative and wonderful way to thank your guests and give them a lasting memory of your wedding. A couple should definitely think about giving favors if their budget allows it. Favors do not need to be extravagant or expensive…it really is the thought that counts. The small things.
When selecting a wedding favor, aim to be original and choose a favor that is meaningful to you and your family. Or if you have chosen a wedding theme, favors are a great way to complement your theme. Personalized favors are extremely popular because it is a fun way to add your personal stamp to the wedding day. You can also look to the favors you have received attending other weddings to gauge current trends and fashions and get a few ideas, but remember to be unique with yours!

What Should I spend on bridal shower and wedding favors?

Review at your budget, decide out what you can afford and then what you want to potentially give to your guests. Many couples share an inexpensive, yet personal, favor to every guest, while other couples present a more expensive favor to each couple or family. Your creativity is key…check out our Fresh Wedding Favor Ideas series for some ideas. When you decide to give one favor per guest or per couple, be sure to have extra wedding favors on hand. Some guests may want (and take) more than one or you may have unexpected last-minute guests in attendance. Many couples also send favors to friends and family who were not able to attend their wedding.
If you are giving one favor per guest, present each gift at each place setting or as part of the table centerpiece. If you decide to give each couple a favor, label the wedding favors with the couple’s or family's name and place them on a table so that guests can pick them up upon entering the reception.

My budget is pretty tight, and I ant every guest to have a favor. Any suggestions?

Wedding favors can be a single flower that is meaningful to the couple or a handmade paper booklet of how the couple met. The true value of wedding favors is the significance behind the gift and the lasting memory guests will have of the wedding. We suggest browsing our favors sorted by price if you are constrained by a budget. Putting inexpensive custom labels, personalized ribbon or hang tags on almost anything will add the personalized touch to your wedding favors. If personalization isn’t something you want, a small gift wrapped in pretty boxes or accented with beautiful ribbon can often make a big impact. Place card holders can also double as wedding favors. Simple picture frames or place card holders are practical favors that guests can take home and enjoy.

Should kids receive favors too?

Children are usually given the same wedding favor as adults, but many couples have opted to give special favors that children will enjoy. Present a bag of the couple’s favorite candy in a clear cellophane bag with a personalized label that says “Life is like Candy” or something similar, or give personalized cookies, whether creative, classy or elegant, that you know the children will enjoy. Our adorable wedding bubblegum buddies are always a favorite among the little guests.
If you are unable to find wedding favors that are pleasing to both men and women, consider giving each gender different favors.

What's the best way to present my wedding favors?

Wedding favors have become a part of the table decorations and overall theme of the reception just as the flowers, settings and linen. Alway remember, it is your way of saying thank you to each person attending your wedding, so the presentation as well as the gift itself should reflect your intentions. Some thoughtfulness and creativity will speak volumes. For some presentation ideas, visit our article on ideas for presenting and displaying wedding favors.

Choosing favors. Traditional or unique?

This choice is completely personal. Jordan almonds beautifully wrapped in tulle or Italian favor wraps with personalized ribbon are just as classy and meaningful as personalized mint tins. As long as the wedding favors show a couple’s personal style, anything goes!

Ultimate advice on wedding favors etiquette.

Plan ahead! Whether your guest list is an intimate twenty or an super ambitious four hundred, selecting the perfect wedding favors takes time. Give yourself or the charge responsible for the wedding favors plenty of time. Make sure to research the different retail stores, online sites and other options you have. Your perfect dream wedding favors can and will come true if you put your thought into it and plan accordingly. Wedding favors is a wonderful way to share your love and add that special finishing touch to your wedding day. Afterall, it's all in the details and t's the small things that count!
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