Romantic Gifts for Brides

It is customary for the groom to give his bride a special gift before the wedding. This is a very important present, as it should be one that helps to show his soon-to-be wife exactly how much he cares about her. These are some wonderful ideas for romantic gifts for brides.

No gift is more romantic and cherished than jewelry, which is why wedding jewelry is one of the top gifts for a groom to give his bride-to-be. Perhaps one of the best things about wedding jewelry gifts is that they will last for a lifetime. On your 50^th wedding anniversary, the jewelry which you gave your wife on the eve of your wedding will look just as beautiful as it did the day she opened the present. Of course, this means that one should choose wedding jewelry gifts which are fine quality and made from timeless materials like pearls, crystals, gold, and silver. Choose pieces which suit her taste, but also keep classic design in mind.

Perfume is a lovely romantic gift from a man to a woman. A good place to start when shopping for a new perfume for a wedding gift is to take a look through you fiancee’s current collection of scents. Write down the names and bring them with you to the department store. Most women will consistently be drawn to similar types of fragrances, whether they are fresh and sporty, rich and exotic, or light and floral. A good salesperson will be able to get a sense of your bride-to-be’s taste in scents from her current collection and should be able to guide you to a new perfume that she will absolutely adore.

For the reader, a book of poetry could make a romantic wedding gift. Select a book of love sonnets or poems about marriage to make the present fit the occasion. Choose a beautifully bound hard-cover edition which your wife can keep and enjoy for the rest of her life. You can make this gift even more special by taking the time to go through the book and bookmark a few of the most romantic poems with ribbons. And of course, don’t forget to write a special inscription on the inside cover.

Heart Shaped Jewelry Gifts for Brides and Bridesmaids

There is no symbol more romantic than the heart shape, which is why it is a perfect symbol for a wedding. A lovely way to use a heart in a wedding is in the form of beautiful jewelry. Always romantic, and an enduring design which will be cherished for years, heart shaped wedding jewelry makes a wonderful gift for a bride or bridesmaids.

For a casual heart theme gift, sterling silver wedding jewelry is great. A heavy silver link necklace or bracelet with a Tiffany inspired heart tag charm is a wonderful way to thank your bridesmaids for being such a special part of your wedding. This is the kind of wedding jewelry which your attendants can enjoy wearing every day after the wedding, which makes it as versatile as it is thoughtful. Naturally, you will want to personalize each piece of silver jewelry with the recipient’s initials or monogram on the heart charm.

A lovely wedding jewelry design is a simple Swarovski crystal heart pendant on a silver chain. If you wish to keep the look elegant but understated, opt for a petite heart in clear or “ab” finish crystal. Or opt for an extra dash of femininity and romance by selecting a rose pink crystal heart. That makes a very sweet gift for everyone in the bridal party, including the bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, and flower girl. Another fantastic option is to choose a bright Siam red crystal heart pendant, which is the perfect expression of passion. The red hearts are especially appropriate for the bridal party at a Valentine’s Day wedding. They also make a touching declaration of love from the groom to the bride at any time of the year.

Large crystal heart pendants are truly spectacular. Swarovski offers its signature crystal hearts as big as a silver dollar, which is a marvelous when you want your wedding jewelry to make a statement. The largest sizes of crystal hearts are particularly favored by brides, who need their jewelry to have a presence. They are generally created to have a clear finish, to maximize sparkle and brilliance. This is a stunning look with a strapless bridal gown or any other open neckline. There is no doubt about it, hearts and weddings are a perfect match.

What to Pack for a Beach Honeymoon

The perfect honeymoon vacation all starts with a well packed bag. After all, you do not want to get to your destination and discover that you have forgotten something important, yet nor do you want to lug around massive suitcases stuffed with things you will never use. This is what you need to pack (and leave behind) for a beach honeymoon.

Your swimsuits. Bring a few, so if you go swimming in the morning, you will have a dry one to slip into after lunch. It is a good idea to bring a few styles of swimsuits on your honeymoon. Definitely get one that is a little more daring that what you would wear for a family trip to the beach with your parents. It is your honeymoon, after all! Very cute are those bikinis which can be customized with “Mrs. ____” on the back in crystals; perfect for sipping tropical drinks poolside. If you plan to undertake any sporty water activities like scuba diving or waterskiing, a practical tank suit will also come in handy.

Sundresses and cute sandals. Even if your usual beach attire is shorts and tanktops, it is nice to dress up a little for your honeymoon. It is particularly nice to have something feminine to wear for romantic dinners together. Bring along some sassy strappy sandals (not your beat up flip flops) and any wedding jewelry gifts which he gave you to complete the look. Your new husband will love seeing you tan in a pretty dress, and he will also be glad to see that you liked his wedding jewelry gifts so much that you want to wear them again and again.

A camera. Surely you will want to have lots of photos by which to remember your honeymoon. But don’t bother emailing pictures home to your family and friends during your trip. While on your honeymoon, the focus should be on the newlyweds only. There will be plenty of time to share pictures when you get back home. And last, but not least, remember to pack your sense of romance and adventure to make sure that your honeymoon is the trip of a lifetime.

Romantic Italian Honeymoons

There are a number of excellent reasons to choose Italy for your honeymoon destination. For one thing, it is exotic enough to feel like you are really trying something new, but it is also a very easy place for Americans to get around. The people are very friendly, and at least in the metropolitan areas, most speak English (but they do still appreciate it when tourists make an effort to learn at least a few Italian phrases). And then there is the food, the art, the culture, the countryside, and the shopping; need I say more?

Each part of Italy has something interesting and unique to see. The breathtaking beauty of Tuscany makes it one of the top destinations for newlyweds. You can spend leisurely afternoons enjoying the Tuscan countryside and visiting world class vineyards. A cooking class is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany, as well.

Pay a visit to the Duomo, the impressive cathedral that is a central feature of Florence. Then hop over to the Ponte Vecchio, a famous shop-lined bridge. This is the perfect place to pick up romantic jewelry gifts for your new bride, perhaps something to complement her wedding set. If her wedding jewelry was created in gold, you will find it especially easy to buy coordinating gifts at this iconic shopping district. Speaking of shopping, no trip to Florence would be complete without a trip to the flagship Ferragamo store.

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it a perfect stop for an Italian honeymoon. Stroll arm in arm alongside the famous canals, and take a ride in a gondola. Sip an espresso in St. Mark’s Square. There are beautiful hotels and inns in every corner of Venice, but for the ultimate experience, book a room overlooking the splendid Grand Canal. Music lovers will enjoy an evening spent at La Fenice, the famous grand opera house. And for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head over to the island of Murano for hand-blown glass.

Rome is another popular destination for honeymooners. It offers incredible architecture and ruins dating back thousands of years. Many of the most famous sites in the world are here, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. While in Rome, also take a side trip to the Vatican to view St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel.Italy is such a romantic and fascinating place to take a honeymoon that the only hard part will be leaving!

Meaningful Rites for Non-Religious Weddings

When a couple begins planning for their wedding ceremony, they will be looking for ways to make it meaningful. If you are being married in a religious ceremony, it is quite easy, as the time-honored rites and rituals will already be in place. Couples who prefer to have a secular service, however, will have to make their own choices about what to include in their ceremony. These are some ideas on how to add meaningful rites to a non-religious marriage ceremony.

One way that many couples decide to make their ceremony personal is by writing their own vows. This can be a wonderful way to express your love for your intended, as well as a chance to talk about just what it is that you find so special about your bride or groom. If you do not have a way with words, you can always turn to beautiful verses of poetry to make your feelings known.

There are a number of rituals that can be included in a wedding ceremony that are not based on any one particular faith. The unity candle is a popular symbolic rite that many brides and grooms choose to have as a part of their marriage ceremony. Each person will hold one candle, which they will use to simultaneously light the flame on another larger candle, representing the idea of two becoming one.

Often in second marriages, there are children from a previous relationship. One idea is for the couple to jointly present the children with gifts of wedding jewelry that symbolize their union as a family, much as the exchange of rings between the bride and groom symbolizes that they are being joined as one. Gifts such as lockets with family photos are particularly appropriate for these symbolic wedding jewelry gifts.

When you are looking for non-religious rituals to include in your wedding, don’t forget to research the customs in your heritage. Many nationalities and ethnic groups have special rites that they traditionally include in marriage ceremonies.

Bridal Shower Etiquette

Whether you are a bride, a bridesmaid, or the mother of the bride, you will likely be attending a bridal shower in the near future. Before you get started on the planning, though, there are some important things that you should know. Getting familiar with the proper etiquette of bridal showers in advance will help you to have a lovely event that everyone will enjoy.

An important thing that the bride should remember is that you cannot ask a friend to have a shower on your behalf. Planning a bridal shower is time consuming and expensive, and although one is usually organized by one or more of the bridesmaids, it is not one of their obligations. Chances are that one of your close friends will step up and offer to host a party for you anyway; just make sure that she does it willingly, not under pressure.

The guest list of a bridal shower should consist only of guests who are actually invited to the wedding. It is the height of rudeness to ask guests to come to a party and give you a gift without including them in the main event. The only possible exception to this is if you work in the type of office that has a cake for every imaginable event. If your co-workers want to get together and toast you before your wedding, that it their prerogative.

After the wedding, there is one final piece of etiquette to be observed: writing the thank you notes! It is the bride’s duty to handwrite a thoughtful note for all of her wedding gifts, from the most stunning piece of jewelry down to the lowliest potholder. And don’t put it off – this is a task that is easiest when it is tackled in the week after the shower. A good tip is to have someone make a list of the gift and the donor’s name during the shower. That way, you will be sure not to forget to thank anyone. After all, showing your heartfelt appreciation is always good etiquette!

Unity Candles and More

A unity candle is a beautiful addition to a wedding ceremony. The bride and groom each have one small taper candle that they use to light the flame of a larger pillar candle. It symbolizes the union of the two individuals into one, and can also represent the blending of two families.

There are plenty of alternatives to the unity candle, if you are looking for a different ritual with the same type of symbolism. One very pretty option is the sand ritual. The bride and groom will each have a container of colored sand. At some point during the ceremony, the couple will pour their sand into a larger vessel, mixing the two colors of sand as they are combining their lives.

Another custom to consider is to use rope or ribbon that is interwoven and knotted together. The hands of the bride and groom are tied together in a ceremony that is known as handfasting. This is an ancient Celtic tradition, so it would be a nice addition to the wedding service of a couple with Irish or Scottish heritage. Handfasting today is also often used in pagan wedding ceremonies, particularly when the service will be held outside.

When the marriage of the bride and groom will also mean the union of step-children into a blended family, it is a very nice idea to have a portion of the ceremony that involves the children as well as the newlyweds. One of the more popular rituals involves presenting gifts of wedding jewelry from the new step-parent to the child. The wedding jewelry gifts are often pieces with a symbolic design, such as a Celtic knot, or a sentimental piece like a locket with a portrait of the new blended family inside.

These are just a few of the unity rituals that you can include in your wedding. Most cultures will have their own customs, so take the time to look into the traditional rites of your own heritage. If none of the traditional rituals feel just right for your wedding ceremony, feel free to invent your own ritual to commemorate your union as husband and wife.

Honeymoon by Train

When most people think of travel, they think of cars and planes. We forget about taking a trip by train. Traveling by train is great for people who not only want to get from Point A to Point B, but who also want to enjoy the trip along the way.

There are a variety of things that can make riding a train a pleasant way to travel for your honeymoon. For one thing, neither of you will have to drive. This means no arguments over asking for directions, no backseat driving, no disagreements over when to stop, and therefore, no stress! When you travel together by train, the honeymooners can actually spend time enjoying each other’s company. You can get meals, play cards, or just relax and talk.

Since you are planning a honeymoon, you want to take a few steps to make your train trip as pleasant as possible. Definitely plan to reserve seats in first class or business class. Depending on the train, this can mean that you get your own little private cabin. Much more romantic than being stuffed in with everyone else. For longer journeys, such as cross-country, you will want to have a sleeping cabin (you are on your honeymoon, after all – you can’t spend your wedding night sleeping in seats!).

Since the dining car on many trains isn’t anything special, it would be nice to break up your train trip with some overnight stays in the cities along the way. Call ahead, and book a romantic dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town. Be sure to bring along some nice clothes and jewelry so that you can dress up for the occasion. The bride can bring along the wedding jewelry gifts that her husband gave her when they got married. If the new husband wants to make a very romantic gesture on the honeymoon, he could pick out another piece of jewelry that matches the wedding gifts he gave her. That would make a fabulous surprise on either the first or last night of the honeymoon.

When planning your honeymoon, look for trips that will allow you to relax and take it easy with your new spouse. Taking a honeymoon by train can be a very nice way to travel at a more relaxed pace and to see the country at the same time. All Aboard!

Jilted at the Altar!

It is every bride or groom’s worst nightmare: to be jilted at the altar. Fortunately, it is a very rare occurrence. On the outside chance that it happens to you or someone you love, here is what you need to know…

What is the protocol? The first step is for a family member (usually one related to the party who has backed out) has to make an announcement to the assembled guests that the wedding will not be taking place as planned. After the initial shock dies down, it is up to your families whether or not you want the reception to take place. It is not uncommon in these situations for the guests to be invited to attend the reception, because frankly, at this point it is already paid for, so someone should get to enjoy the party. The bride or groom would generally not be in attendance.

After getting through the wedding day, there will be many more questions to be answered. One of the most immediate concerns will be the honeymoon. If a refund is not an option, the jilted person may choose to take the trip anyway, usually bringing along a close friend for moral support. After the humiliation of being publicly jilted, they may be happy to get out of town for a few days and have some time to collect his or her thoughts.

There are also some practicalities that must be addressed. One of the biggest issues concerns the gifts. In some cases, it is very straightforward. Wedding gifts should be returned to the senders with a brief note thanking them for their good wishes.

Etiquette says that if the woman breaks off the engagement, she is obligated to return the ring, along with any other wedding jewelry gifts. When it is the groom who gets cold feet, the woman is not technically required to return the ring to him. The exception is when the jewelry in question is a family heirloom. In that circumstance, it should absolutely be returned to the family from whence it came.

Breaking off a wedding is not easy under any circumstances. It is certainly even harder to accept when it happens on what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life. All that you can really do is console yourself that this marriage wasn’t meant to be, and that the right person will come along one day when you least expect it.

Great Ideas for Wedding Gifts

Choosing the perfect gift is not always simple. You want it to be unique and impressive, while still being affordable. Luckily, there are many great ideas for wedding gifts.

A good place for wedding guests to start is with the couple’s bridal registry. It would be a very rare couple who is not registered somewhere. If you do not know the couple very well, picking something from their registry can be the easiest way to go. Sometimes a group, such as the groom’s coworkers, might decide to chip in together on one larger gift instead of buying smaller gifts individually.

Another source of inspiration is the couple’s hobbies and pastimes. If you know that the bride and groom love to travel, a wonderful wedding present would be a good set of luggage, perhaps with their monogram. Gifts do not have to be objects either. If the bride and groom share a passion for a sports team, then tickets to a big game would make a much appreciated gift.

A close family member might prefer to give something personal. One of the most cherished wedding gifts that a bride could receive would be a piece of jewelry from her new mother-in-law. Gifts like wedding jewelry show the recipient how much they mean to you, and are a gracious way to say “Welcome to the family!”.

Sometimes a great wedding gift can be the practical things that you would never think to buy for yourself, but will really be able to use. When I got married, one of my bridesmaids gave me a set of storage bags designed to protect all of my new fine china. It may not have been the most thrilling gift, but it was something that I was grateful to receive.

When looking for just the right gift, keep in mind what you know about the couple. Select a gift that you know will suit their taste, encourage their hobbies, or remind them of good times that you have shared together. If you put your heart into the wedding gift, you can be certain that it will be absolutely perfect.