wedding-wonderful

Changing Your Name After Marriage

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:19:00 GMT

Are you planning on changing your name once you finally tie the knot? If you decide to do so, there are so many options. Do you hyphenate, keep your maiden name as your middle name, combine both names, or be traditional? Well whichever option you choose, the name change process can seem overwhelming. There are numerous forms to gather from many government agencies. You'll need a social security form, US passport form, driver's license form, voter registration form, IRS forms, forms to send to your employer, insurance company, utilities companies, and all organizations of which you are a member. Many brides put off the process and wait for months or even years to change their name. The process is really not that horrible. Once you gather your forms & complete them, most can be sent in through the mail. The only office you'll need to visit in person is the motor vehicle department.

If you plan on traveling overseas on your honeymoon, the name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport. Therefore, wait until you return to change your name and book your tickets in your maiden name.

The bride taking the groom's name is not the only way to go. A groom can also legally change his last name to the bride's. This is not as popular, but it does happen. A groom may have a long last name or a name he isn't fond of and decide he wants the bride's name.

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The Bridal Brunch

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:48:00 GMT

The bridal brunch gives the bride an opportunity to spend quality time with members of her family who have come from far and wide to be with her on this special day. It is not a time for her to visit with, or entertain aunt Mary down the street, or cousin Debbie across town. However, if the bride chooses to invite close members of the local family, it is not improper.

Needless to say, the bride who is so thoughtful to take this time out of her wedding day, to make others feel welcome and appreciated, will be remembered forever for her kindness.

Mothers, around the world, are well known for sharing the tears, joys, and triumphs of their children's lives, with both family and friends. It is likely that all the correspondence has been left to mom in the preceding years. The bridal brunch provides an opportunity to renew family bonds, become reacquainted, and begin building bridges to the future.

Another excellent reason for hosting a bridal brunch is many of these guests will arrive the day before the wedding, and the bride may not have another opportunity, for years, to visit with them, as they will likely have returned home before she and the groom come back from their honeymoon.

The Wedding Breakfast

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:45:00 GMT

The wedding breakfast is most often hosted by a friend or neighbor of the bride, in honor of all those who have come from out-of-town for the occasion. This breakfast is a wonderful way to occupy and entertain guests who may feel in need of a warm welcome.

Neither the bride, nor her groom and families are expected to attend the wedding breakfast, although it is certainly proper, if they chose to do so. The menu may be as simple as quiche, coffee and juice or as extravagant as a full scale breakfast buffet. Whatever is served is secondary to the feeling of being part of the festivities.

This is a good time to give a run down of scheduled events which surround the day. Proper arrival time at the church for photographs, transportation arrangements, childcare concerns and any number of other questions can be answered at this time, leaving no room for misunderstandings later.

How to make wedding table centerpieces

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:26:00 GMT

How to make wedding table centerpieces is important if you want to make the most of the space and add the best look to your wedding reception.

The first thing you need to think about is the overall look of the room and if you have a theme, ie butterflies or a color, how that will fit into your centerpiece idea. The best way to get ideas is to hunt through wedding magazines and online to get pictures of the designs that you like.

Next you need to see how much space you will have at your tables, a 5ft round with 10 people on won't have much space for an elaborate centerpiece unless you have height rather than width. Whereas a 6ft round with 10 people on will have a fair amount of space to fill. If you have rectangular tables or 'longs' then you will have lots of space one way and not much the other, in other words you will need to have long centerpiece designs. Have a chat with your venue so that you can see how much room you have. Ask to see a room laid for another wedding, they will happily show it to you before the wedding party arrives.

The other consideration is the amount of other stuff on the table; menu, wine, water jugs, glasses and place settings. I have seen tables where the centerpiece is lost behind all the other extras. Before you go very high think how your guests will see each other at the table, the only way to test this is to make a mock up of the centerpiece and then sit at a table with it. Can you see your opposite guest? The top table?

Remember that the centerpiece doesn't have to be flowers or candles it can be anything you want; favor boxes stacked in the middle, pictures, rose petals, tall glass vases with peacock feathers, even baskets of chocolates.

How to make wedding program fans

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:19:00 GMT

How to make wedding program fans. When I first heard about this type of program I have to admit I thought it sounded a bit of a faff, but at the time I had visions of those folded fans that used to make as a child!

rogram fans work really well when your wedding is in a hot climate, last summer I was at a wedding where the bride had chosen this program and they looked lovely. However only the women used them, the men passed them to their partners or just placed them on the side. So the lesson from that is - do you need to make one for everyone? Think about whether the men will appreciate this type of fan, you may be better off having a fan for the women and a plain card - same design for the men but less work!

Program fans can be either strips of card held together with a ribbon or the card with what looks like a large ice lolly stick as the handle.

How to make wedding program fans at home, for the strips fan, you will need colored card, a hole punch and ribbon. Design the program on the computer, if you want the fan to have alternate colors then have a color sheet for the first piece and for each section. A good way to organize this is to have different details on each section. Names and date on the first, followed by readings by, songs, and names of the wedding party, plus any other details you want your guests to have. When you have printed the card, cut each section out and hole punch at the bottom, collate all the pieces for a fan and then tie with ribbon. As you will need to have fairly hard card you may want to take these to a printer to print rather than breaking your own printer!

The more simple and easier design is the card with a stick attached as the handle, you may want to curve the edges of the card to make it look more decorative, print the details, the same as the previous fan design and then glue to the sticks. I would use ribbon to decorate the stick otherwise it looks too plain. If you choose this design you have more room for the wedding program details and could even include a photograph of the two of you.

Just incase your creative edge has left you I have found some great wedding program fans where all you have to do is type the words that you want displayed and they do the rest. The price quoted is for 100 fans!

How to make wedding menus

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:12:00 GMT

During my time working in hotels I put together a lot of wedding menus, so my first tip has to be - check with your venue, will they do them for you? You may find that they will for a corporate dinner but don't for a wedding, mainly due to color being so important at weddings. You will find that they have a standard menu cover that will probably have the venue name on, have a look at them and see if you would be happy to have them on your tables. If the color is not right for you then ask if they will print the inserts, this will leave you with just the cover to do.

When you are making your own wedding menus think about your tables, how many menus will you need? I would have 2 per table of 10, not everyone is going to look at them and then you will not detract from the centerpiece or other decorations.

A folded A4 card works well, you can use artwork from your invitations, or plain color card with menu, the date and your names printed, or you could have a picture that adds to your theme. To add an extra color you can tie the menu with a color ribbon. Recently I have noticed more and more people are having black and white photographs printed on the covers, which is a fun addition to the table decor.

If your wedding menu is for the buffet table, it would be worth having A4 or even A3 sized card with the details of the dishes. Have copies at the beginning and also spaced through the buffet tables. You may want to have a starters menu and then a mains menu at the appropriate points otherwise you could end up delaying your guests as they read what is on offer.

My advice would be to keep it simple and keep it fit for purpose, how to make wedding menus is by telling your guests what they are going to eat!

Make your own wedding items!

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:07:00 GMT

Make your own wedding items can be enough to tip the balance from a sane well organised bride-to-be to one that is stressed to the max! The best way to avoid this is to be honest with yourself on what you are good at and what are your patience levels! Sticking 300 mini bows onto boxes can be very frustrating, if not just plain depressing. Where do you start? My way would be to ask all of your friends and relatives if they would mind helping with a few craft projects for your wedding. Invite them all round for snacks and drinks, the more the merrier! Get them involved in your ideas and they will get caught up in the wedding fever. What talents do they have? Ask away and you will be amazed at how many people want to help and be involved.

Invitations are a great place to start, you could set up a mini production line in your kitchen, one to stick the bows(don't give me that job!), one in charge of the printer, one to write all of the envelopes - choose the one with the best handwriting - you get the picture, the more helpers the quicker this will get done.

How to make wedding invitations

How to make cheap wedding invitations with some glue and your printer is a fairly easy way to save yourself some money in your wedding budget. For the picture on the invitation you have lots to choose from.

You could have old photos of you both, either as children or when you first met, with the classic line "Guess who is getting married?" underneath.

A photograph or drawing of where you are getting married if it is a more formal wedding, a caricature of you both if you are having a fun relaxed wedding.

Or you could have photos of flowers, confetti, wedding rings, wedding cake, the list is endless.

Make sure you print the photograph using the right photographic paper for your printer, maximise the paper by fitting as many copies as you can on one sheet.

Use your printer to print out the wording for the front of the card and the insert, again maximise the paper!

When you have all your bits, you need to stick them onto your card, you can buy ready folded blank cards which are great, and normally come with all the envelopes. Definately shop around as you can pay more for the blanks if they are labelled with wedding rather than just a blank card - but there will be no difference.

To stick the photo and the words onto the card I would recommend using glue dots or foam craft pads if you want a 3d effect, this way you avoid messy glue spillages!

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Beach Weddings

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:53:00 GMT

There are few places on this planet as a source of inspiration for our beaches. The endless ebb and flow of water, shellfish tucked into the sand, sunlight dancing on water, and the horizon that seems to last forever - it is absolutely intoxicating and romantic. Many couples decide that a beach wedding is the prefect way to start their married life.

If you set your heart to marry on the beach you'll need to plan carefully to make your day as perfect as you imagine. First, you must select a beach for wedding perfect location. There are many stunning beaches in the world where it is possible and legal to get married. Stretching in the world of classical locations in Florida, Hawaii, California and the Caribbean by far the deserted beaches in Australia and tropical paradise in Fiji or the Cook Islands. Many destinations around the world offer at the top or cliff overlooking the ocean marriages - where you can marry outside overlooking the beach, but with facilities and comfort of a private villa or hotel. Santorini in Greece and the Amalfi coast in Italy are a couple of excellent examples of this type of beach-style weddings.

Things to consider are heat - the largest number of beach destinations marriage can become very hot - especially in mid day. On many beaches that face west May it be convenient to have your marriage just before sunset - which will reduce the heat factor and also make a spectacular backdrop for the romantic ceremony and wedding photos.

Many couples decide to go to paradise beach resorts that offer weddings and ceremonies while combining their honeymoon. Often, these stations will have a beautiful region kiosk or set aside for weddings near the beach. Often, married in a city near the beach reduced some problems that may arise with a ceremony on the sand. Often, hotels will have private beaches to marry on so you can get privacy. Furthermore, they will have facilities - like the shade, drinks, etc. which will make the ceremony will be good for everyone. These stations can provide reception on a beautiful terrace - photos of marriage, but can still be taken onto the beach. Many stations also offer ceremonies taking place on the beach and reception facilities.

For a ceremony on the beach you can make beautiful decorations to make the day truly special. It is wise to use a local expert Wedding Planner to help it and the legal - in many places, there are some really talented wedding planners who can create beautiful beach wedding decorations - but it is often possible to organize everything yourself. Planning to wear what is important - light fabrics are essential - for both bride and groom and guests. Flat shoes - not always popular with customers - is also essential. Do not forget to have plenty of fluids to keep everyone updated.

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Jewish wedding

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:04:00 GMT

A Jewish wedding is one of the cornerstones of the Jewish life cycle and as with all religions, is a great cause for celebration. Although there are many laws and traditions associated with the wedding itself, other rituals take place in the weeks leading up to the big day.

The wedding itself can be held on any day of the week apart from during the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday, or on major Jewish festivals such as the Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year (when Jews are required to refrain from work). In the UK, Sunday is the most popular day for Jewish weddings to be held - in countries such as the US it is also common for weddings to be held on Saturday night after the Sabbath (this is more popular in the winter when Sabbath ends early). Ultra-Orthodox couples often hold ceremonies on weekdays.

Significance of the number seven

Number seven important in the Jewish wedding - seven glasses of wine and drank during the rituals and celebrations afterwards. This is because God created the world in seven days and in that, the bride is figuratively building the walls, several new home.

During the service, the bride and groom to drink the first of seven glasses of wine, and a few prayers were said for a couple of binding together. One of the most important parts is giving the ring. The ring must belong to itself, the groom - must not be borrowed - and must be a complete circle without pause, to emphasize hope for harmonious marriage, and must be plain without stones or decoration. This is not a condition for the groom wears a wedding ring, but many people do. As with other religions, the ring is the best man held until it is time to groom that the bride is ga. When the groom give the bride the ring he recites the following verse:

Here you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel.

During the ceremony, the officiator of the service, usually Master, will make speech about the couple and bless them as they begin their new life together. This service also includes prayer, is usually sung Cantor, sadness about Jewish people and the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. As the engagement ceremony, Jews, remember that even on their luck to the marriage, they still Remember this, and the fact that other sad events have occurred in Jewish history, and to pay respect to those who have suffered.

The ceremony ends

The ceremony ends with the breaking of glass by the groom, who is also connected to the memory of the destruction of the Temples. Many people joke that the breaking of glass also symbolizes recently married a new man will always be able to put his foot down! When the broken glass, congregants will convey their congratulations to the couple.

After that, it is traditional for the newlyweds to spend some time alone, together in a special room before greeting his guests. As with all communities and religions, such as Jews to film their wedding and take photos, and often it was done between the ceremony and wedding party. Sometimes, especially in the case of evening weddings, official photographs will be taken before the ceremony to make the best use of time available.

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part -2

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:38:00 GMT

Calligraphy - This is an ornate highly stylized form of handwriting seen on expensive wedding invitations and other places.

Candle Lighters - These are children (hopefully responsible ones) who light candles at the altar when the bride's mother (who is the official hostess of the ceremony) takes her seat. Sometimes these candle lighters are uniquely dressed.

Cathedral - The longest of veils, this is three and a half yards in length.

Chapel - This is the name for a length of bridal veil that will reach the floor, extending two and a half yards from the headpiece.

Comb - A bridal headpiece attached to her hair with teeth like a comb. May be as ornate as the bride wishes it to be.

Cornelli - A complicated decorative form of icing which resembles a lacework on the wedding cake.

Corsage - A single flower bloom or a small spray of blooms which are attached to a lace and pinned to either the front of a woman's dress, or at her wrist. Orchids are among the most popular flower choices for corsages, and at weddings they are usually only worn by female relatives of the bride and groom.

Crown - One of the things a bride may choose to wear, it is a fully circular gemstone or bead adorned head piece that is larger than both a half crown and tiara. In Greek Orthodox Christian weddings; both the bride and groom have crowns placed on their head by the Koumbaro, who then swaps the crowns between the couple three times. (See Koumbaro)

Cummerbund - This is a broad sash worn around a man's waist on top of his shirt but under the jacket. They are usually black, but may be any color required.

Dais - This is a podium or platform raised from the floor. In wedding receptions, it is where the bride and groom are seated. The word is also used to indicate the flower display on the happy couple's table, which often tumbles over the front.

Damask - This is a linen or fabric with raised patterns woven into it. Brocade is similar but of a heavier weight. The word is derived from Damascus, the capitol of Syria.

Dotted Swiss - A method of decorating the wedding cake which involves small random dots of icing.

Double Tier - A two layered veil. Usually, one layer will be longer than the other.

Dragees Round - These are the edible and brightly colored balls of sugar seen on wedding cakes.

Elbow - A length of veil which reaches down to the bride's elbows.

Embellishments - These are extra adornments either sewn or glued onto a bridal gown. The additions may include; embroidery, lace, glass or crystal beads, ribbons, bows, shiny plastic circular pieces called sequins, fringes, pearls, and others.

Euro Tie - Often worn with a spread collar, this is a long tie that is more formal than a regular necktie, but less so than an ascot. (See Ascot).

Father of the Bride - He used to pay for everything at a wedding but nowadays both families often share the costs. What has not changed is his duty of escorting his daughter down the aisle in her last few moments of being single.

Favors - These are small inexpensive gifts that may be given to all guests at a wedding as a thank you for their attendance, and also to serve as a souvenir.

Fianc? - This is the title of the groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and the wedding.

Fianc?e - This is the title of the bride between her engagement to her betrothed and the wedding day.

Finger Tip - One of the most popular lengths of veil, which as the name suggests, extends to the fingertips.

Fish Bowl - A centerpiece in floral decorations where flowers are together in a, ornate or otherwise, low and broad glass bowl.

Flower Girls or Flower Children - These are small children (usually girls) that pave the way down the aisle for the bride by holding a pomander or scattering flower petals from a small basket. (See Pomander).

Flyaway - This is a many layered veil that will barely reach to the shoulder.

Fondant - This is a sweet icing made from sugar, syrup and gelatin that has supple qualities which enable a layer to be draped over the wedding cake like a fabric. It is then used as the base for other elaborate decorations and designs.

Formal - At a formal wedding, dress codes come into force, so don't make a mistake guys, or your date will give you hell.

Fountain - This is the name of a veil style, where part is gathered up atop the bride's head and the remainder set loose to fall around her face. A fountain veil will reach to either the shoulder or the elbow, depending on preference.

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part - 4

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:46:00 GMT

Pages or Page Boys - These are small children (usually boys) who follow the bride down the aisle carrying some of her train. They can also be known as train bearers.

Pillars - These are the supports used to prop up the varying tiers of a multi-tiered wedding cake. They may be made from cardboard, plastic or wood. They are also known as columns.

Piping - This is a way of making shapes like bows, leaves, stars, flowers, or design patterns using icing. A pastry bag is filled with soft icing, then squeezed through a selection of different shaped tips onto the wedding cake, where it hardens. Royal icing is often used for this, as it can easily be colored and is not strongly flavored.

Pomander - This is a round ball completely covered by flower blooms. They are carried by flower girls in the bridal procession who hold them by a ribbon.

Posies - These are the small and roundly shaped flower bouquets that are tightly packed and also will include greenery, which can often be sweet smelling herbs. They are held together by a twine or sometimes a wire. A posy can also be known as a nosegay, as these are similar but generally a proper posy is slightly smaller.

Pouf - This is a piece of netting that is gathered up and attached to a headpiece or comb, to allow for extra height to the veil.

Presentation - This is an elegant bouquet of long stemmed flowers that the bride carries in her arms.

Qazi - This is the title of the cleric who holds a Muslim wedding ceremony.

Ring Bearer - This is a usually a small boy, sometimes a little girl, who walks down the aisle as part of the bridal procession carrying an ornamental cushion that has two rings tied to it. (Not the actual wedding rings).

Rukhsat - A ritual tradition in Muslim weddings where the father of the bride gives her hand in marriage to her groom, on the promise that he will look after her.

Semi-formal - At these weddings; a less restrictive choice of clothing applies, but you still can't get away with much.

Shower - A spray of long stemmed flowers, often mixed with ivies that cascades downwards as the bride holds it in her hands.

Silk - This expensive, lustrous, and fine but strong natural thread is used for the most costly of wedding gowns. Many different weaves are available, which are used for different parts of the gown as they vary in density, suppleness, and sheen. Satin, Organza, Chiffon, Shantung, and Velvet are some examples.

Snood - A snood is an knitted net the bride may wear at the back of her head to enclose her hair.

Stroller Coat - This is a semiformal jacket colored gray or black that resembles a tuxedo, but worn for daytime weddings.

Tails - This is an abbreviation for the tail coat worn for formal evening weddings.

Tiara - One of the headpiece options for the bride, a tiara is a thin jeweled semi-circular coronet with a higher front and sloping sides worn at the top of the head. Or if it is regular in height, then it may be worn at an angle.

Tiers - These are the numerous layers of a wedding cake, usually differing in size, they are supported in place by pillars. (See Pillars).

Topiary - This is the skilled art of clipping or trimming foliage or flower arrangements so that they take on the shapes of animals, lettering, numbers, or various but precise geometric forms.

Tossing Bouquet - A copy of the bride's bouquet which she throws over her shoulder towards bridesmaids and other female guests after the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, whoever catches this bouquet will be the next to wed.

Train - This is a long (or extremely long) extension to a wedding gown or other dress that trails along the floor behind the wearer.

Tulle - This is a fine mesh used for bridal veils, and sometimes in wedding gowns. Tulle is either made from nylon, silk or rayon (artificial silk).

Tux or Tuxedo - This is a formal or semi-formal men's black evening jacket that may be either single-breasted (1-4 buttons) or double-breasted (2-6 buttons).

Vows - At the very heart of the wedding ceremony, the vows exchanged between the bride and groom are promises of future loyalty, love, trust and support. There are many different ways to word these sentiments, some couples prefer to write their own, use traditional vows, or combine the traditional with some extra tweaking of their own. Vows may either be spoken as a statement or in response to the officiant's question, and may be the same said by both or individual to each.

Waistcoat (Vest) - For ultra-formal evening weddings, the gentlemen might wear a white tie and waistcoat.

Wali - These are representatives of the bride at a Muslim wedding.

Walima - This is the Muslim name for a wedding reception.

Wing Collar - This is the most formal type of collar, shirts with this are the standard choice for wearing with a tuxedo.

Wreath - A circle of flowers and / or leaves that is often decorated with ribbons and bows. Wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece of a decorated area, or are seen above doorways. A small wreath may also be worn by the bride atop her head, if she so wishes. It may also be referred to as a garland though there are differences. (See Garlands).

Yichud - This is a period of time in a Jewish wedding which occurs immediately after the ceremony. During this time the bride and groom are allowed to be alone together.

So, that's a collection of wedding terms given a meaning to. If you're having a wedding soon, then good luck for the big day, you're probably nervous, maybe been dieting. And if it is a simple affair, without much pomp and finery, don't let that worry you. All the extra stuff is only a way of showing celebration; people with more money will naturally spend more (Scrooges aside).

But all this doesn't necessarily reflect on the true magic of the occasion, which is the love between a man and a woman, that can shine through any setting, grand or humble. Money can't buy that, and never will.

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions part -3

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:43:00 GMT

Ganache - This is a mixture of chocolate and cream, used either to fill or garnish a wedding cake.

Garlands - These are flower and / or green leaves twirled into ropes or loops that are often hung from the likes of doorways, stairs and railings. The word can be interchangeable with wreath, but properly this is always circular, and a garland need not be so. A garland may also be worn by the bride as a headpiece. (See Wreath).

Groom's Cake - A smaller, second cake that may or may not be included in the wedding ceremony. If it is, then it is often served at the rehearsal dinner.

Gum Paste - This is a mixture of sugar, starch and gelatin. It's what many of those realistic looking flowers, fruits and ribbons are made of on a wedding cake.

Half Crown - An ornate headpiece for the bride which lies between a crown and tiara in size and weight.

Hattabin - These are the male friends and family of the groom at a Moslem wedding.

Honor Attendants - These are the best man and the maid (or matron or man) of honor.

Hora - A dance at a Jewish wedding where the bride and groom are lifted high on chairs.

Huppah - A flower bedecked canopy that is an essential part of a Jewish wedding.

Ikebana - This is an extremely dramatic and artistic form of flower arranging that originated in Japan, but is now popular all over the world and often seen at weddings.

Imam Zamin - This is a good luck tradition after a Moslem wedding where the mother of the bride ties a coin that is wrapped in silk around her daughter's arm.

Juliet Cap - This is a close fitting cap that is often decorated with precious stones sometimes worn as a bride's headpiece.

Ketubah - In Jewish weddings, this is the wedding contract between the bride and groom. It is usually highly decorated and often framed and put on a wall in the couple's home.

Koumbaro - This is the title of the best man in Eastern Orthodox Christian weddings. (See Crown).

Lace - A decorative mesh of interlaced threadwork which is plaited, knotted, looped and turned to make either simple or complicated patterns and raised work. There are many different styles of lace, which has a long history of romance, and in some form or other it is very often included on a wedding gown. Alencon, Chantilly, Spanish and Venise are just a few of the many lacework types available.

Latticework - An icing adornment on a wedding cake that zigzags.

Maid Of Honor - Known as the chief bridesmaid in some countries, she is the last bridesmaid to walk down the aisle before the bride herself. If the couple are exchanging wedding rings, then it is her duty to hold the ring destined for the groom, and hand it over to the bride at the right time, as the best man does in reverse. She will also hold onto the bouquets during the vows, and see that the bride's dress is properly turned out.

Man Of Honor - Some brides prefer to have a male friend attending to the duties of the maid of honor. If so, this is his title.

Mantilla - This is a Spanish word literally meaning 'little cloak.' It is a lace or tulle shawl that the bride can wear around her head and shoulders.

Marzipan - Made of sugar, egg whites and almonds, this substance can be used as a base for icing, or to mold decorative forms such as flowers from, on the wedding cake.

Matron Of Honor - This is the proper title given where the maid of honor is herself married

Oasis - This is the name of a specialist hard foam used by florists in bouquet holders or vases. Holes are made in it for the flower stems to fit into, as an oasis (as its name suggests) will preserve water for a long time. This will naturally allow for fresher looking flowers at the wedding.

Officiant - This is the cleric or secular official that carries out the ceremony. For non religious weddings, he or she might be a justice of the peace, magistrate or even the Captain of a ship (when onboard).

Glossary Of Wedding Terms And Definitions

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:36:00 GMT

All weddings are different of course, but nevertheless they also have many things in common, so here is a look at some of the terms and definitions that are associated with them.

It can be useful to know in advance what you might expect, whether you will be attending as a guest, a family member (who may be footing some of the bill for these things), or even looking for ideas if you are a prospective bride or groom.

A wedding glossary can also be used as a precautionary measure as well, as if something goes wrong on such an important occasion; then blame will surely have to be placed somewhere, and if you find yourself not knowing what's what - then that somewhere might just be you!

Ascot Tie - This is a wide type of necktie that is reserved for the most formal of daytime weddings and occasions. It is worn with a gray cutaway (morning) coat that is longer in the back than at the front and gray striped trousers.

Backpiece - This is an often highly decorated comb that sits on the back of a bride's head and is used for attaching her veil.

Ballet - Also known as a waltz, this is a veil length that drops below the bride's knees, but above her ankles.

Basket Weave - A type of decorative piping on the wedding cake which features interlinked horizontal and vertical lines of icing.

Best Man - The best man will have numerous duties, the most important of which is to keep the bride's ring safe until it's time for the vows, when he hands it to the groom for putting on her finger. His other duties include announcing speeches at the reception and making his own. He will also sign the marriage license, and make sure the groom gets to the wedding!

Biedermeier - A type of posy where the flowers are arranged in rings according to their color. (See Posies).

Blusher - A short, single layered veil that covers the bride's face before the ceremony.

Bomboniere - This is an Italian word which is sometimes used to refer to wedding favors. (See Favors).

Boutonierre - This is a single flower or flower bud or a small group of flowers or buds; worn by the groom, best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom, on the left (over the heart) lapel of their jackets.

Bow Tie - The most popular choice of tie to wear with a tuxedo. May also be known as a 'dickey bow.'

Bridal or Bride's Bouquet - The bunch of flowers given by the groom to his bride.

Bridal Procession - Every girl's chance to be a princess. Resplendent in her gown, and on her doting father's arm, the accompanying entourage can be as lengthy as she wishes (venue and cost permitting).

Bridesmaids - These are the gals who are good friends with the bride, supporting her emotionally both before and on her big day. Although they pay for their own gowns, the bride should give them an idea as to what sort of styles and colors she expects them to wear, as some in this group may try to outshine the star of the show.

Buffet - A self service style of meal at a wedding reception, where the food and drinks are presented on a long table, or a series of tables, and the guests collect a plate and help themselves whenever they wish (queues permitting). A buffet is usually the most affordable option as considerably less waiters are needed (if any), but the costs can rise as less control over food portions can be exercised.

Buttercream - A soft and creamy icing that can be colored, flavored and used for decoration or filling for a wedding cake.

Preserve Those Memories

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:21:00 GMT

hey say all good things must come to an end. But, there are ways newlyweds can savor the memories from their wedding day. Here's some advice for keeping the wedding gown, bouquet and cake intact for the future.

The Wedding Gown

Time is especially important when handling your dress after the wedding. Take the garment to the dry cleaners as soon as possible, no longer than one month after the ceremony, so stains can be removed. If you wait, the stains may adhere permanently to the material.

Inquire how the dress will be handled and packed. The gown should be cleaned individually and turned inside-out to avoid harm to the beading and embroidery. Stains should be treated by hand. Some stains, such as sugar, cannot be dissolved by most dry cleaning fluid, so check into this, if necessary.

The best storage option would be a acid-free box with acid-free tissue paper. The window of the box should be acetate, which is also acid-free, rather than plastic. Glue, metal and rubber parts in the headpiece can produce brown stains on the dress, so request it be stored in a separate box. You can ask to see the gown before it's packed away to inspect it for problems. If you choose to do your own wrapping, remove all padding from the shoulders or bust. Wrap the garment in a clean white sheet or piece of muslin.

All gowns, whether they are prepared professionally or wrapped by you, should be laid flat, not hung, in a dry area with a constant temperature. Attics or basements may not be a good idea, as they can be too hot or too damp. It's also a good idea to check the dress once a year, for any damage or stains.

The Cake

The tradition of eating a piece of wedding cake on the first anniversary can be followed if proper steps have been taken before freezing it. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

Encase the upper most layer securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Beware of using foil alone as it can leave the cake with a nasty, metallic taste. Store the cake in the back of the freezer where the temperature remains constant so the cake will retain its original flavor.

The Bouquet

Flowers can be dried, turned into potpourri or individually pressed within the pages of a book. To properly preserve a bouquet, don't delay, begin the drying process before leaving on your honeymoon.

Turn the bouquet upside down and hang it in a dry, dark place for about two weeks. By that time it should be completely dried out and ready to decorate a wall or shelf.

To make potpourri, remove fresh petals and place in a bowl out of sunlight, for about 2-3 weeks. After the petals are dry, add a drop or two of floral-scented potpourri oil.

Pressed flowers or just the petals can be used to adorn the pages of a wedding album, placed in a picture frame or used on stationery. Cut fresh flowers close to the base and place them inside a folded piece of wax paper. Then, place it all within the pages of a heavy book. Check back in two weeks.