Too Young or Too Old to Get Married?

We all know that the average age to get married is the mid-20s. But people of all age find love and want to make a permanent commitment to their beloved. Is there one perfect age to say “I Do” or can a person follow their heart at any age? Can a person ever be too young or too old to get married?

When it comes to being too old, the answer is no. As long as both people are of sound mind, why shouldn’t they have the chance to enjoy a romance as seniors? I know a woman who creates custom bridal gowns, and she says that one of the sweetest brides she ever made a gown for was a woman in her 80s. She had been widowed for many years, and met a man in a similar situation through a place where they both volunteered. This man was a true gentleman, and courted her properly; he even asked the widow’s daughter for permission to propose to his sweetheart. She made a truly beautiful bride in her custom blue wedding gown and elegant bridal jewelry.

The other question is not so easily answered. The short answer is yes, people certainly can be too young to make the lifelong commitment involved in a marriage.  Readiness to marry is less a question of a particular age, perhaps, but one of the maturity of the potential bride and groom. That said, few people are truly mature before they have had time to live on their own, take responsibility for running a home, and gotten a little life experience. Statistics bear this out; couples who wait until their late 20s or early 30s to get married have a lower divorce rate than teen brides and grooms. So don’t go rushing off to marry your high school sweetheart just yet.

A final piece of advice for young engaged couples is to opt for a long engagement. Both people should definitely be out of high school; finished with college would be even better. After all, if it is true love, the relationship will last and grow into something even better over the period of a long engagement. And besides, every bride and groom should be able to raise a toast at their wedding.

Wedding Ceremony Checklist

Okay, the big day is finally here, and in mere moments the wedding ceremony will begin! At this point, all of the big stuff should be under control, but there are still a few finishing touches to be put in place. Make sure that you do not overlook anything with this wedding ceremony checklist.

First, the maid of honor or the bride’s mother should spend a few minutes carefully looking over the bridal ensemble.  Check to be sure that her veil is securely anchored and the headpiece is nice and straight. Have any clasps on pieces of bridal jewelry slid to the front? If the bridal gown has those little hanging straps, be sure that they are completed tucked into the side of the gown or better yet, just cut them out. Does the bride have her something old, new, borrowed, and blue? And finally, someone should make certain that the bride does not have any lipstick on her teeth!

The groom has a few last minute tasks to undertake as well before taking his place at the altar. Is his breath fresh? If not, he can quickly pop a mint or a piece of gum. But for goodness sake, take the gum out of your mouth before the ceremony begins! I have actually witnessed grooms chewing gum while reciting their vows, and it looks absolutely terrible. Speaking of vows, if you have written your own for the ceremony, be sure you have them in your jacket pocket. The groom should also take a moment to comb his hair, straighten his tie, and adjust his boutonierre, if needed.

The wedding party should also get themselves ready before the ceremony music begins. Bridesmaids, if you need to adjust your strapless gown, this is the time to do it! Please resist the urge to tug on your dress while standing at the altar. The best man has one incredibly important thing to check before the wedding ceremony, and that is to make sure that he has the wedding bands. He would also be a good person to make sure that the troops are in order: shirts neatly tucked in, boutonierres in place, ties straight, and so on. With everyone looking their best, the wedding will be ready to go!

The Order of a Wedding Processional

Organizing a wedding can be a bit confusing. In what order should everyone walk down the aisle? How do I line up my bridesmaids? What do I do with the mother of the bride? Do the groomsmen walk at all? These are some of the commonly asked questions by brides everywhere. To sort it all out, here is what you need to know about the order of the wedding processional.

Think of the wedding processional as more than a way to get people from one end of an aisle to another. It is an integral part of the wedding ceremony, not as important as the exchange of marriage vows of course, but still significant. The idea is that the processional builds anticipation until the grand moment when the bride is revealed in her beautiful white gown, long flowing veil, and dazzling bridal jewelry. This is why it pays to spend a little time to get it all right, and why wedding rehearsals are so important.

The processional begins when the groomsmen begin their march down the aisle. The groomsmen are followed by the bridesmaids. Traditionally, they walk in pairs, but in many weddings, bridesmaids will march single file, especially when the wedding party is not particularly large or the aisle very wide. The last of the bridesmaids to march is the maid of honor. If there is a ring bearer, he is next in line, followed by the flower girl, who traditionally scatters petals upon which the bride will walk.

Once everyone else has completed their trip down the aisle, the bride and her escort begin their march. As this is a central moment in the ceremony, they should wait until all the last member of the bridal party has reached the altar and is standing still; no one wants their view of the bride blocked by a bridesmaid. Then it is time for the bride and her father, or both parents in the case of a Jewish wedding, to make their way to the altar, and the marriage ceremony can begin.

Balancing a Wedding With Work or School

Timing, as they say, is everything. There is no doubt that as soon as he pops the question, most women start thinking about having the wedding and getting married. The idea of putting off your nuptials due to the other things going on in your life can seem downright unromantic. On the other hand, if you know that you are in a hectic part of your life now, but that in a year things will have settled down, a long engagement might be well worth the stress saved.

Balancing school with planning a wedding can be one challenge. Although it seems very exciting to graduate from college in May and get married in June, the truth of the matter is that you might have more fun with both your senior year and your wedding planning if you push the wedding back to the following year, or at least until the autumn. After all, you don’t want to feel rushed when you are shopping for your wedding gown or bridal jewelry because you have an exam looming that you need to study for. Nor do you want to miss out on the best venue or band because your weekends were so tied up with school that you did not get anything booked.

Women with demanding careers would be wise to determine if the workload is temporary or ongoing before jumping into the wedding planning process. In other words, if you are finishing a medical residency, you would be insane to try to plan a wedding at the same time, but waiting is not so terrible, because there is a definite end to that particular work situation. On the other hand, if you are trying to make partner at your law firm and eighty hour weeks will be the norm for the foreseeable future, there is no point in waiting, since things are unlikely to change.

When a demanding career is the norm for you, the best possible thing which you can do for yourself is to hire a wedding planner.  Better yet, plan a destination wedding at a beautiful resort. They are used to taking care of most of the details for their long distance brides, and when you are working a grueling schedule, a trip to a tropical paradise is exactly what you need! You can have your dream wedding and a relaxing vacation, all in one. What could be better?

Where to Meet a Mate

All humans crave companionship. Especially as people approach certain milestones, like turning 30, they may start looking for a person with whom they can settle down and build a life. This can be particularly stressful for women, as they watch their friends get to have the fun of being brides, picking out a bridal gown and jewelry, flowers, etc. Many a woman, no matter how independent and successful she may be, has watched all her friends go down the aisle and wondered when she will the one picking out bridal jewelry and bouquets.

So how does a man or woman set about finding a person with whom they can settle down? Personal introductions are still a great way. There are certain types of establishments of which it is said that “the house makes the introduction”. What that means is that the people that you meet there are not exactly complete strangers, more like friends that you have not met yet. Churches and schools are the most common of these places.

Believe it or not in the era of Internet dating, there are still old-fashioned matchmakers out there. I once met one at a party, and she had a very high success rate of putting together couples who would eventually get married. The nice thing about a matchmaker is that, unlike a dating service, she spends time will all of her clients individually; since she gets to know them personally, she is much more able to match up compatible people than a computer. Matchmakers often specialize in certain religious or ethnic groups; the one I met worked exclusively within the Jewish community.

Then there is the Internet. Many people have certainly found their future husbands or wives through an online dating service like eHarmony or Match.com. There is no longer the stigma that used to be attached to finding a spouse this way. Online dating sites, however, have some definite disadvantages to them, including potential safety concerns. Exercise caution before meeting anyone you meet on the Internet in person.

Finally, keep your eyes and heart open to other possibilities. If you are having a hard time meeting people, think about signing up for an interesting class or volunteering. You may meet that special person, and even if you do not, at least you will be enriching your life.

Affordable Tin Cup Necklaces for Brides and Bridesmaids

The floating pearl necklace worn by Renee Russo in the movie “Tin Cup” made a huge impact on the fashion world. Today, the pearl tin cup necklace is one of the favorite designs for brides and bridesmaids alike. Yet not everyone can afford to shop for their jewelry in Beverly Hills, which may leave one to wonder, it is possible to find affordable tin cup necklaces?

The answer is absolutely yes! While some tin cup necklaces are indeed very costly, savvy brides can find the same fantastic look in a fine quality necklace for a reasonable price. The best place to start your search is the Internet, although there may also be some local boutiques with good prices. Many of the more affordable floating pearl necklaces are every bit as beautiful as those which go for two or three times the price in designer jewelry stores.

A fantastic way to get the gorgeous look of a tin cup bridal necklace at a good price is to select a necklace which is handcrafted with freshwater pearls rather than more costly Akoya pearls. Today’s freshwater pearls can be just as round as the traditional salt water ones, and also boast a fabulous luster. Happily for brides on a budget, you give up none of the beauty of the pearls by choosing freshwater instead of Akoya. The only thing that is different is

Typically, a bride will be inclined to splurge a bit more on her own wedding jewelry, but will try to save what she can on her bridesmaid jewelry gifts. After all, when you have to buy 5 or 6 sets of jewelry, it can add up, no matter how reasonable the price is. For this reason, a very popular idea for bridesmaid gifts is to purchase tin cup necklaces which are handcrafted with beautiful Swarovski pearls. With an even lower price than the already affordable freshwater pearls, Swarovski pearls can be a fantastic option for a bride who has to give gifts to a large group of attendants. Not only is the price right, but a Swarovski pearl tin cup necklace can be created in a color which complements the bridesmaid dress.

The classic elegance of a pearl tin cup necklace is within reach of brides with every budget size. By carefully choosing the right jeweler, type and size of pearl, you can find stunning floating pearl necklaces for every member of your wedding party.

Does Your Wedding Need a Makeover?

If you love wedding shows like I do, you have probably seen “My Fair Wedding”, the one where a famous wedding planner comes in and totally remakes weddings at the last second. The results are crystal clear: the “afters” are always way more fabulous, elegant, and chic than the “befores”. Now, most brides are not going to get any last minute guidance from a celebrity wedding designer, but every bride can make her own wedding more beautiful with the right tools. Read this article to figure out if your wedding needs a makeover.

Your wedding might need a makeover if…fake flowers are the main form of decoration. In fact, this has been a common theme on the episodes of “My Fair Wedding” that I have seen: rather than investing in fresh flowers, brides hope to get by with the fake ones. Most of the fakes are not at all natural looking, either, generally coming in too-bright colors or not resembling the shape of genuine flowers at all.

Your wedding might need a makeover if…you spend most of your waking hours with a hot glue gun in hand. While there are certainly any number of lovely diy wedding projects which a crafty bride can undertake, it is also all too easy to go way over the top with the homemade decorations. Here is the key: if your efforts look like you made them at home with a hot glue gun, they are not elegant enough for a wedding. One of the worst examples I saw of this on television was a bride who hot glued fake flowers (two strikes!) to everything in sight, including the bridal hair jewelry for her bridesmaids. Flowers can be a pretty theme for bridal jewelry to wear in the hair, but only if they are delicately handcrafted – never humongous and stuck to a stretchy headband.

A wedding should always feel magical, which means that your guests never see the behind-the-scenes stuff taking place. The good news is that it is never too late to make the small changes which will yield big improvements in the style and beauty of your wedding day. From decorations, to attire, to the reception, you have the power to make everything absolutely gorgeous so that you will be able to enjoy the dream wedding you deserve.

Makeup Mistakes That Brides Make

They say that you are never fully dressed without a smile, and how better than to show off that happy smile than with the perfect makeup? That said, the right makeup can enhance, but the wrong makeup can look artificial and just plain bad. These are some of the most common makeup mistakes that brides make, and how to avoid them.

One of the most typical makeup mistakes that brides make is not to wear enough, or any at all. Even the most natural and earthy bride needs a little makeup to look her best on her wedding day. If you are unaccustomed to wearing makeup on a daily basis, work with a makeup artist (either in a salon or at a department store) who understands how to apply makeup with a light touch. A very sheer foundation, sometimes called a tinted moisturizer, topped with a light dusting of sheer powder will give your skin a flawless finish that will photograph beautifully.

Another makeup mistake that brides often make is to wear way too much makeup.  The goal of wedding makeup is to enhance your features, not to take over your face. I once knew a gorgeous bride who was wearing a custom bridal gown with very delicate hand beading on it. Her mother talked her into wearing a full face of heavy pancake makeup with bright red lipstick and heavy eye makeup, as well as very heavy looking bridal jewelry. What she needed was a soft romantic look with delicate bridal jewelry to bring out the beauty in her face and her gown, but what she got was makeup so overpowering that it was all you saw when looking at her.

The best way to ensure that you avoid these wedding makeup mistakes is to practice, practice, practice. After a few times of wearing your wedding makeup, you will discover what holds up over the course of a long day, and what photographs well or does not. By the time the day of your wedding rolls around, you will know exactly how to wear your makeup to look your absolute best.

Modern Wedding Centerpieces

Are you looking for a way to set your wedding apart from all the rest? Then try using fresh and unique design elements for your reception decorations. These are some great ideas for modern wedding centerpieces that are sure to make your wedding look amazing.

When you are looking for an update on the standard vase of flowers, the key is to think creatively. Your flowers do not have to be displayed in a plain glass vase; for that matter, you don’t even have to use flowers as your central decoration. There are so many fun alternatives to consider. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by options, think about what the general tone of your wedding will be like, and then build from there. For instance, if you were planning to host your reception in a grand ballroom, while wearing an elaborate ballgown and opulent bridal jewelry, you would want to design modern centerpieces that are equally luxurious and glamorous.

One of the hottest trends for wedding décor is to bring in lighting. This can be a terrific idea for fresh and modern centerpieces. Instead of floral arrangements, set up lamps on the reception tables (an especially great look on long rectangular tables). Use chic lamps with a touch of 1930s glam: heavy rectangular crystal bases with square silk dupioni lampshades in an ice blue or a deep espresso color.

Another modern approach to wedding centerpieces is a mixture of items, rather than one main display. You can really have a lot of fun arranging groupings that are slightly varied from one table to the next. Incorporate elements that have visual interest and contrasting textures or colors. For instance, one idea would be to take an assortment of clear glass square vessels and fill them with items such as smooth river rocks, floating lotus blossoms, and simple ivory pillar candles.  The original modern centerpieces will be sure to make your reception look incredible.

Festive Jewelry for Holiday Weddings

Get into the spirit of a holiday wedding with festive jewelry! Special earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with a holiday twist are the perfect way to set the stage for a Christmastime wedding. Unique jewelry with a holiday theme is ideal for everyone from the bride to the bridesmaids to the flower girl; read on for suggestions on how to pick the perfect pieces for your wedding.

One fantastic idea for holiday wedding jewelry is pieces which have been handcrafted with Swarovski crystal snowflakes. The carefully shaped crystals twinkle and glimmer, just like a frosty winter day. They are perfect for anyone in the wedding party (or for the wedding guest looking for a festive pair of earrings to complete her outfit for the big event). The Swarovski snowflakes are so intricate and beautiful that they look best in a simple design, such as on a pendant or as the main decorative element on a pair of drop earrings. They make fabulous bridesmaid jewelry gifts, and are also wonderful for the bride and the mothers of the bride and groom. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy a set of Swarovski crystal snowflake jewelry all winter long.

If you are planning a true Christmas theme wedding, complete with poinsettias, holly, amaryllis, and evergreen boughs, you will want equally traditional holiday themed jewelry. A marvelous idea is Swarovski crystal earrings which are handcrafted to look like tiny perfect Christmas trees! They are absolutely unique, and will be a real conversation starter. Green crystals are layered to form a “tree”, and then finished off with a crystal trunk and a red “star” topper. These precious earrings make ideal gifts of jewelry for a bridesmaid, junior bridesmaid, or an older flower girl. They would be spectacular with red or green bridesmaid dresses.

Everyone loves a snowman, and that is another fun motif for winter wedding jewelry. Little snowman earrings are great for a wedding in any winter month, not just December. They are handcrafted in either Swarovski crystals or pearls, complete with black crystal “top hats”. Unique snowman earrings are not only wonderful for the wedding party, but they also make sweet thank you gifts for anyone involved in your wedding, from the bridal shop owner to your wedding coordinator. These special pieces will help to make your entire wedding party get into the spirit of your holiday wedding. Best of all, holiday theme jewelry can be enjoyed over and over each holiday season.