Charming New Flower Girl Trends

Flower girls have been in the spotlight lately. The quartet of adorable young ladies at the Prince William and Princess Catherine’s royal wedding this spring first brought the idea of having several little ones in the bridal party. This was followed by Kate Moss’s wedding, in which she was accompanied by a bevy of sixteen girls aged two to fourteen. The idea of having lots of flower girls in the English custom instead of a big group of bridesmaids is a wonderful idea for any wedding.

Another delightful flower girl trend is for them to carry signage. There have been some darling pictures coming out recently of flower girls bearing signs that say, “Here Comes the Bride”. A single flower girl can carry a sign on a post or a pair can carry a small banner between them. It is a whimsical detail full of charm. They would carry the sign instead of a basket or posy of flowers. To help them live up to their title of “flower girl”, give the little ones wreaths of blossoms to wear in their hair.

The ballerina look is a fun idea for flower girl attire. Very young girls will be beyond adorable in very full short tutu skirts over tights. They can even wear butterfly or fairy wings, if you like. Tiny crystal butterfly pendants make lovely wedding jewelry gifts to complete this sweet look. For a slightly older flower girl, a tea length ballet inspired tulle skirt would be wonderful. She can wear a wrap cardigan over a leotard on top, and ballet slippers for shoes. Shades of pale pink or blush are just as pretty as white for this type of flower girl outfit. For the wedding jewelry gifts for the older flower girls, petite pink crystal heart earrings will be perfect.

There are many other fun trends for flower girls right now. They can carry fairy princess wands or floral pomanders instead of baskets, wear sparkly ballet flats, and let their hair be loose and flowing rather than plaited. Your little flower girls are sure to add so much charm to your wedding.

Honeymoon Theme Wedding Centerpieces

The best wedding centerpieces are those which have a special meaning to the bride and groom. Whenever you can personalize your wedding decorations, they will add so much more to the feeling of the reception. A great source of inspiration can be your honeymoon destination. These are some creative ideas on how to design honeymoon theme wedding centerpieces.

Think about your honeymoon destination – for what is it famous? What is the vibe of the place? Is is a laid back beach, a glamorous city, or a rustic camp? These are great ideas to help you begin brainstorming centerpiece designs which are inspired by your honeymoon. Let’s say that you plan to go to Paris for your post-wedding trip. Instead of a regular vase of flowers, set a small replica of the Eiffel Tower in the center of each table. Weave a few fresh orchid blossoms around the tower for color. Then for your wedding jewelry gifts, give each of your bridesmaids silver Eiffel tower charm bracelets. What a unique and pleasing idea!

The flowers for which your honeymoon site is best known can be another starting point. Using the example of a French trip again, you could create centerpieces from lavender, which is a signature fragrance of France. Or if Hawaii is where you will be headed, use tropical blossoms like plumeria and hibiscus for your table arrangements. The vivid colors will brighten up any space and set a festive tone for your reception. Couples headed to England could adapt this concept by creating floral displays that look like they were cut from a rambling English country garden the morning of the wedding. When you say it with flowers, you can be as subtle or obvious as you like.

If a camping trip is on the agenda, how about a charming woodsy centerpiece? Use bark vessels to hold ferns, fiddleheads, and dark purple flowers like violets. Arrange moss in the bark vases around the flowers for a great look. If you wish, carve your initials in a heart into the bark for a romantic touch. You can take this idea even further with a coordinating chocolate wedding cake frosted to look like bark. Perch a charming pair of handcarved wooden squirrels on top in lieu of a bride and groom cake topper. Your guests will enjoy your original and clever centerpieces. And you will enjoy seeing them and anticipating your upcoming honeymoon trip!

Tips for the Mother of the Groom

If there is one piece of advice that every mother of the groom needs to hear it is to learn to let go of her son. It can be hard to accept that another woman is taking over your role as the primary female influence in your son’s life, but when he gets married, that is exactly what is happening. Fighting to remain top dog will only put your son in a terrible position of being torn between his wife and mother, and your relationship with him will inevitably suffer. The more you push, the harder his new wife is likely to pull him in the opposite direction.

Another thing that all mothers of the groom should do is to make their future daughters-in-law feel welcome in their new family. All those old terrible stereotypes about overbearing mothers-in-law aside, there is no reason at all why the groom’s mom and his wife cannot become good friends. No matter how confident she may appear, the chances are that your son’s fiancee is nervous about winning your approval. Give it to her clearly and frequently.

When it comes to planning the wedding, the mother of the groom often ends up feeling like a second fiddle. There are plenty of ways that the mother of the groom can become involved in the wedding. You might offer your home as a place for some of her bridesmaids to stay when they come to town for the big event. If finances permit, it would be very gracious to offer to pick up the tab for the florist or the bar bill at the reception. Sometimes mothers of the groom like to welcome their daughters-in-law to the family with special gifts of wedding jewelry.

One last piece of advice to the mother of the groom is to always look appropriate for the wedding…but not so fabulous you will upstage the bride or her mother. Always ask the bride what type of attire she would like you to wear for her wedding. The mothers of the bride and groom do not need to wear the same color, but it is customary for the bride’s mom to select her dress first so that the mother of the groom can choose a dress which will look attractive next to hers. Being considerate of family feelings is an excellent idea for all members of the bride and groom’s families, including the mother of the groom.

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.