Private Moments for the Bride and Groom
In the hustle and bustle of a wedding, it is all too common for the newlyweds to spend very little time together alone. The whole wedding day passes in such a whirlwind that you may well get to the end of the reception and realize that you have not shared a quiet moment with your new spouse once all day. Don’t let that happen to you! Use these suggestions to plan some private moments that the bride and groom can share on the day of the wedding.
Are you superstitious? If not, the time before the wedding ceremony might be a good opportunity for the bride and groom to grab a few minutes alone before everything gets underway. For couples who have no qualms about seeing one another before the ceremony, this is an ideal time to share a quiet moment together. Plan to get together about twenty or thirty minutes before you have to be in place for the ceremony to just take a deep breath together and reflect on the journey which you are about to undertake together. Religious couples could use this moment to say a prayer together requesting blessings for their marriage. This would also be a very nice time for the groom to present his bride with a special piece of wedding jewelry, and for her to give him a nice piece of wedding jewelry, such as a watch with an inscription.
In the Jewish tradition, it is customary for the newlyweds to spend several moments alone together in a yichud (seclusion) room. This is an absolutely marvelous custom, as it allows the new spouses some time together to celebrate their union and to absorb what has just taken place. Having a pause between the public ceremony and public reception gives the newlyweds a rare quiet moment alone, away from the spotlight. This Jewish tradition is one that brides and grooms of any faith would be wise to borrow for their own wedding.
Make a pledge to one another to grab a few moments alone during the rest of your wedding reception. Take a brief stroll together outside or hide up in a balcony for a few minutes to watch your guests. The idea is not to avoid your guests, but just to have a few moments of quiet together to soak it all up. The intimate moments that the bride and groom share can end up being among the most meaningful parts of the entire wedding day.
Filed under Uncategorized, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: newlyweds, private moment at wedding, Wedding Jewelry | Comment (0)A Newlyweds’ Guide to Domestic Tranquility
Once the wedding and honeymoon are over, you will find yourself settling into your everyday life as a married couple. For some people, this is a smooth transition, but not all newlyweds find the early days of marriage to be quite as blissful as they had expected. To help avoid common problems, take a look at this newlyweds’ guide to domestic tranquility.
When you are used to living on your own, learning to share your space with another can be challenging. You and your new spouse likely have different habits around the house, and these differences can easily give rise to arguments. Many newlyweds find that it is the little pet peeves that are the most aggravating part of married life. The best way to keep small irritants from growing into big problems is to nip them in the bud. Frank communication tempered with a sense of humor is your best bet, whether it is his habit of leaving wet towels on the bed or her forgetting to replace the empty roll of toilet paper that is causing grumbling.
Something else that newlyweds need to work out early on is how much time they will devote to one another versus how much time each person wants to spend with his or her own friends. For instance, if the new husband has a standing Tuesday night poker game with his buddies, there is no reason that he should have to give that up just because he is now married. However, he might not be able to also keep up with the Thursday night bowling league, Friday night happy hour with the co-workers, and Sunday afternoon golfing expeditions. A reasonable compromise must be reached between giving up all pre-marriage activities versus spending no time at home with your new spouse.
Keeping the spark and romance alive is another key to a happy home life (not just for newlyweds, of course, but this is a good time to lay the foundation). Make time to do something special together. Many couples like to have a standing date night once a week or once a month, in which they go out for a romantic dinner. It is a fun opportunity to dress up and go someplace nice together; the new wife can even use date night as an excuse to break out her bridal jewelry to wear again. And a tip for the new husband: if you really want to keep the spark alive, it wouldn’t hurt to occasionally surprise your wife with a treat, such as a bouquet of her favorite flowers or a little trinket that matches her bridal jewelry set. With these tips in mind, you will be well on your way to having the happy household that you envisioned when you said, “I do”.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, newlyweds, relationships | Comment (0)A Newlywed’s To Do List
Thank You Notes. If you haven’t done them already, you really need to get on top of your thank you notes immediately after returning from your honeymoon. This is one of those tasks that only gets harder as time goes on, so do not procrastinate. Get some pretty stationery (perhaps personalized with your new monogram), a good black pen, a book of stamps, and start writing. The notes do not have to be long nor particularly original, as long as they are gracious and heartfelt. If you really have a big pile of notes to write, get your husband to sit down with you and write some too. It is a really small thing to do for all those well-wishers who spent the time and money to buy you gifts.
Update Insurance. Does your current homeowner’s policy have enough coverage for all those aforementioned gifts? Is your new spouse the beneficiary on your life insurance policy? (Do you even have a life insurance policy?) Have you asked your agent to add your wedding rings and bridal jewelry to your policy? Many insurance companies require separate riders to cover your valuable articles, like fine bridal jewelry or original artwork. It may also be worthwhile to transfer all of your policies to one insurance company, if you and your new spouse previously had them in different places, because you can take advantage of large multi-policy discounts that are often available.
Change Your Name. If you have decided to take your husband’s name, you will need to go through a few steps to get this done. Check with your local agencies to be sure of their requirements before beginning the process. In general, the place to start is by getting a new Social Security card with your married name. Be sure to bring along all of your I.d. and documents in your maiden name, as well as your marriage license. Once you have your new Social Security card, you can work on changing your name on your driver’s license, at the bank, on your credit cards, utilities, and so forth.
Clean and Store Your Wedding Gown. Don’t leave your wedding gown hanging in the plastic bag from the bridal shop for an extended length of time. Within a few weeks of your return from the honeymoon, you should have it professionally dry cleaned by a company that specializes in wedding gowns (most do not). Even if you do not see any stains or marks, it is wise to have the gown cleaned, because invisible spots from perspiration or Champagne will oxidize and turn brown or yellow over time, causing irreversible damage to the gown. After it has been thoroughly cleaned, your bridal gown should be loosely stored in an archival quality acid free box and tissue, never sealed in plastic in one of those boxes that some dry cleaners still offer.
With these four tips in mind, you will be on your way towards being a happy and organized new husband or wife!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, newlyweds, post wedding, thank you notes | Comment (0)