Should You Write Your Own Vows?

The most important part of a wedding is one that is often given very little thought – your wedding vows. After all, without the exchange of vows, there would be no marriage, just a big party. Take the time to carefully consider whether you want to use the traditional vows or write your own unique ones.

Writing your own vows can be very difficult. You want them to be personal - but not so personal that you make the guests blush, romantic but not sappy, and contemporary yet timeless. That is a tall order!

Inspiration for your vows can come from anywhere, but they should be in keeping with the overall spirit of your wedding. For example, if you are standing barefoot at the beach wearing a simple dress and earthy handmade wedding jewelry, you could draw on nature or the ocean as a metaphor. Other good sources for ideas include your favorite poem or Biblical verse.

The most important thing about custom wedding vows is that they reflect who you are as a couple. The whole point of using your own words is that they will be meaningful to your spouse. And be honest with your fiance - if the thought of writing your own vows is terrifying, it is fine to use the traditional ones. After all, couples have been using them for a long time with good reason.

Be Prepared - Wedding Emergency Kits

Even perfectly planned weddings have little mishaps. Your strap broke, you have a spot of lipstick on you dress, or you lost the earring back for your wedding jewelry? Be prepared for all these predicaments and more by making a wedding day emergency kit.

The number one thing to include in your kit is safety pins. They can pull up a lost zipper, tack up a fallen hem, and so much more. In case of other gown related emergencies, be sure to pack a sewing kit with needle, thread, scissors, and a seam ripper.

Beauty crises can be easily solved if your kit contains hairspray, booby pins, clear nail polish, a comb, and a spare lipstick. No bride should leave home without a package of tissues, band-aids, and feminine products, as well.

Other key items for your survival kit include: saline, stain removal wipes, deodorant, and baby powder. If you fancy yourself the type to swoon, go ahead and include some smelling salts, just in case. And don’t forget to toss in a bottle of champagne and some plastic flutes for a pre-wedding toast with your bridesmaids.

Your maid of honor or wedding planner should be in charge of the wedding survival kit. Brides should not be responsible for toting their own luggage – this is your day to be treated like royalty! Once your wedding emergency kit is ready, you will be able to relax and enjoy your day, knowing that you are prepared for any predicament.

The Bridal Registry

Bridal registries are a very convenient way to let your wedding guests know which particular items the bride and groom need. One big advantage to registries for the newlyweds is that they help to avoid duplicate gifts items and also make for easy returns. For the guests, the best thing about a bridal registry is that it eliminates the guess work about what to send as a wedding present.

There are two ways that the couple can establish their bridal registry: online or in person. Both have their merits, and often couples will do a combination of both. For instance, if you are registering for items like china or sheets, it would be nice to see them in person before making a selection. Then register for things like a toaster and coffeemaker online, so that you can read the customer reviews before making your selection.

Today, people sometimes opt for non-traditional bridal registries. Options include registering for the honeymoon, donations for a charity, or even a down payment on a house. While those are lovely ideas, what you are essentially telling your guests is that you only want cash. It takes away their ability to personally choose a gift, which lessens the pleasure of gift-giving.

Bridal registry details should never be included in the wedding invitation (it looks like you are charging admission!). Don’t worry; if people want to find out where you are registered, they will ask. And for the guests: it is fine to look at the registry, and then buy the item elsewhere if you can find a better price, but call up the registry and ask them to mark off that item. If the bride and her guests abide by these simple rules, the bridal registry will serve its purpose very well, and everyone will be happy.

When the Groom Plans the Wedding

Uh, oh, you may be thinking, what would happen if a man planned a wedding? Do you picture groomsmen in tuxedo t-shirts, kegs of beer, and catering by the Hooters girls? Don’t worry, that is not what we are talking about here! Many men are actually quite capable of planning a tasteful and elegant wedding.

Some brides either lack the time or frankly, the interest in wedding planning. Other times, the woman may start to make the arrangements, but become overwhelmed and stressed out by all of the minutia. If this sounds like you, and your fiance is organized and detail oriented, why not hand him the reins?

One part of planning a wedding that interests all grooms is the food. When a man makes the reception arrangements, you can expect to have great food, a delicious cake, and a free-flowing open bar. If he is not as interested in details like centerpieces and bouquets, do not be concerned; that is why you hire a good florist – she will know what to do.

Even if she has left everything else to the groom, the bride will have to choose her own wedding gown. Most brides prefer to keep the gown a secret from the groom. If you decide to allow the groom to see your gown, at least keep the final result a surprise from him. Once you add a beautiful veil, a sparkling tiara, and fabulous bridal jewelry, you will be transformed from a woman in a lovely dress to a real bride, and at least he can be surprised by how you look when the whole ensemble is pulled together.

As long as your fiance is willing and able, trust him to make your wedding day as wonderful and memorable as you have always imagined it. Allowing the bride to simply show up on the day of the wedding, radiant and stress-free, might be the best gift that a man could give to the love of his life.

Romantic Reception Ideas

Your wedding is the most romantic time of your life. Nothing else is quite like the bliss of the day you marry your true love. Why not make some extra special memories by surprising your new spouse with a romantic gesture at the reception?

One of the sweetest moments I ever witnessed was a bride who serenaded her new husband with a touching song that she had written just for him. It turned out that the bride had been practicing for months in preparation to surprise the groom with a very special declaration of her love for him. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

If you cannot sing, there are still romantic things that you can do for your new spouse. Surprise your bride with a special gift, like custom bridal jewelry. Another idea is to set up a video feed with a close family member who could not attend the wedding. It is a wonderful way to show your bride or groom that you care about their family. A simple, but much appreciated gesture, would be to take ballroom dancing lessons with your fiancee so that you can do a romantic tango as your first dance.

The gesture can be large or small, public or private, as long as it is something sweet that will make your beloved smile. Your wedding day is the perfect time to show your spouse that you will always go that extra mile to make him happy.

Dealing with Wedding Advice

People love weddings! They also love giving their opinions on weddings. Every couple getting married knows that unsolicited advice comes with the territory.

The first thing to do is consider the source. Sometimes the advice might be good, especially if it comes from someone who is in the wedding business. But beware of anyone telling you that you “must” do something because everyone else is doing it. After all, isn’t the point to have a wedding that is uniquely your own?

Sometimes you receive advice from a person that you don’t dare offend, like your future mother-in-law. If the suggestion is one that you disagree with, you must politely change the subject instead of starting an argument. Try something like, “Hmm…that’s interesting. Say, how is your search for a rehearsal dinner dress going?”. Most people love to talk about themselves, so this tactic usually works quite well!

Just remember, your family and friends only give you advice because they care about you and want your wedding to be perfect. In the end though, it is up to the bride and groom to decide what will make their wedding a dream come true.

How to Pull Off a Multi-Cultural Wedding

Marriage is the union of two people, their families, and their cultures. Paying tribute to your cultural heritage is a way to make your wedding feel more meaningful. However, it can pose a challenge when the bride and groom come from very different ethnic backgrounds. With a little creativity and an open mind, it is possible to blend two contrasting cultures into one fabulous multi-cultural wedding.

The main areas to consider spicing up with your culture’s traditions are the food, attire, and décor. The best way to handle a variety of flavors is with individual serving stations. That way, foods from different backgrounds can co-exist, but they don’t have to inhabit the same plate (it would be pretty unappetizing to serve, say, Tandoori chicken and haggis side by side!).

For attire, the bride may wish to wear the classic white American wedding gown during the ceremony, and then change into another dress for the reception. Choose a second dress that is representative of wedding garb in your culture, such as a red dress for Chinese heritage, or a beautiful sari for an Indian bride.

Strong marriages are built on compromise and acceptance of differences between the husband and wife. Your wedding is the ideal time to start building this foundation. Instead of favoring the heritage of one person over another, with a little planning, it is possible to combine the cultures of both the bride and groom into one fantastic multi-cultural wedding.

Are You Ready to Get Married?

Marriage is a very special thing, but it is not something that should be jumped into blindly. It is all too easy to get swept up in the romance of it all and get married either to the wrong person, or to the right person before you are ready.

Consider waiting if:

• You are too young to drink at your wedding.
• You think that butterfly tattoos make awesome bridesmaid gifts (they don’t - stick to something that won’t look ridiculous in ten years, like classic pearl jewelry).
• Your mom has to tell you to take the gum out of your mouth before walking down the aisle.
• You are getting married to escape your parents’ house.
• You think that your marriage will be as perfect as the ones in the movies.

Marriage is wonderful if both people have an understanding of its meaning. The commitment to your relationship will deepen your love and strengthen your bond with your spouse. There is also a feeling of security that comes with marriage, as well as the pleasure of becoming part of a new family (hopefully you get along well with your in-laws!).

Spice Up Your Gown with Color

For some brides, the plain white dress simply will not do. If you are looking for a gown with drama, personality, and a custom flair, spice up your wedding gown with color.

A bridal gown does not have to be white or ivory. If pink is your favorite color, choose a lustrous silk gown in the palest of pinks. Or maybe your skin is washed out by white, but would be radiant in a golden bridal gown. Ice blue would be a cool. sophisticated color for a wedding dress.

A lovely way to add interest to a simple white wedding gown is with a colorful sash around the waist, flowing down into tails in the back. Embroidery is another detail that can be done in luscious colors. Delicate floral embroidery covering the bodice of a gown is beautiful in a pale blue or pink. A very hot trend right now is bold scrollwork designs embroidered in black thread on a white gown.

Brides who love sparkle can add beadwork in their favorite color to their gown. Scatter colored Swarovski crystals over your bodice, or have a row of beading around the waistline of your wedding dress. Whatever color you choose, carry it into a stunning set of crystal bridal jewelry for a beautifully coordinated result.

Adding a dash of color to your bridal gown is a terrific way to make the dress reflect your personality. It is a also a great idea if you want to make a simple gown more eye-catching. Not only can you make your gown more beautiful, but the color you choose can be used as a theme throughout your whole wedding to make it really show your style.

Fun with Bridesmaids!

Bridesmaids can mean a lot to a bride. They help her with the fun stuff, like wedding gown shopping, the tedious tasks like stuffing gift bags, and the emotional moments, like when her mom is driving her crazy. It is great to take some time away from wedding activities, and just go do something fun with your bridesmaids.

You can do something really simple, like try out a new restaurant or the latest hit play. Anything involving pampering is good, too. A pedicure party is a wonderful way to relax and indulge yourself for an afternoon. It’s also the perfect time to give your attendants their bridesmaid gifts. Slip pretty pearl bridesmaid jewelry into a monogrammed makeup bag, in keeping with the spa setting.

Active women might enjoy a hike, a cycling class, or a private yoga session. Another fun idea is to take a wine tasting tour or have a lesson with a famous chef. Pick something that reflects the interests of your bridesmaids, and the day is sure to be a blast.

The time you spend just relaxing and having fun with your bridesmaids will be time well spent. It is a great idea to take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and focus on enjoying yourself with your friends. You will feel refreshed, and your attendants will see that you still love them as friends, not just as bridesmaids.