Choosing Your Flowers
Should
I have camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas or roses, gardenias and hyacinths,
or perhaps gerberas, tulips, delphiniums and arum lilies? Which? The choice of
your bouquet and floral arrangements depends on what you're wearing and your own
taste and style. However, your choice of flowers can be limited depending on the
season in which you hold your wedding or function.
Roses
last longer in winter but are not always available in certain colours. Some
flowers such as camellias and orchids are more delicate and susceptible to
bruising and breaking in winter months.
Flowers
are so unpredictable. If you decide to have native flowers and your wedding or
function is in November, you may find it difficult to get them. Remember it
doesn't hurt to have a second choice.
You
should shop around between florists and establish if they can supply the types
of flowers you want. It is also important to have a theme in mind when choosing
your floral arrangements, which carries from the ceremony venue through to your
bouquets and flowers at your reception. Your florist should give you good advice
on how to care for your flowers before the ceremony. It is a good idea to keep
your flowers in a cool room otherwise they will wilt and damage easily. When you
decide which florist you would like to help with your floral arrangement, make
sure you have discussed every facet of selection and appropriate care conditions
for your flowers.
Once
you have decided on the flowers you want, order them early and make sure you
know what you are getting. Keep the lines of communication open so
misunderstandings don't occur. After the wedding, you could have your florist
dry and press the flowers from your bouquet and arrange them in a photo frame
for an everlasting memory.
Ten
years ago, decorating your wedding or function venue was unheard of. Today
decorating seems to be essential in creating an ambience and atmosphere like no
other.
Flowers,
balloons, fabric drapes, wrought iron candelabra, tulle and fairy lights are
just some decorations that could be used to design your own special effect.
Also, not unlike your floral arrangements, you need to establish a theme in
decorating your ceremony and reception centre.
If
you have a limited budget, you can still decorate without paying a small
fortune. Hiring equipment and decorations is the best way. Some inexpensive
materials you could use are ribbons, bows, ivy and fabric. Terracotta pots with
flowers are simple but effective way of decorating reception tables. Topiaries
placed at the entrance of the church, and pew decorations are also great
inexpensive ideas.
A
great way of keeping decorating costs down is to plan your wedding on the same
day as another couple and share the decorations and the costs. You can also use
the same decorations you have at the wedding ceremony for your reception.
Make
sure you talk about your ideas with your decorator so they can help you design
the effect you want. Remember to give your decorator plenty of time to prepare
and set out your decorations in the venues you choose and take a look at the
display 12-24 hours before the big day so everything is to your liking.
Most
rooms can be transformed and made to look how your want, however don't feel
restricted to existing venues-with a little imagination you can transform almost
any area! Your garage, wool shed, rumpus room or simply your back yard could be
just what you need to create the setting.
For
hundreds of years weddings have shared one thing in common - Music. The
tradition continues today and couples have many options.
Music
gives you the opportunity to personalize your ceremony. At the ceremony you may
choose a church organ, a choir or the gentle sounds of a string quartet. Or you
may wish to have a song that is of particular importance to you which could be
played during the signing of the wedding register. You can also allow your
personal taste to influence the songs and hymns that are sung during the
ceremony.
At
the reception you may have live bands playing everything from calypso or
Caribbean music to country bush music. Or you may decide to have a jazz trio, a
pianist, a guitarist, a rock band, mobile disco, a Celtic duo or even a chamber
orchestra. It's your party, so you can choose the music you like.
To
make sure you like the entertainment it is a good idea to see them perform
before you book. If that isn't possible, ask to see a video of one of their
performances.
When
discussing your needs with the musicians you choose, determine the length of
time they will be playing, the number and length of breaks they will take, their
fee for the engagement, if they have suitable equipment and if they have
appropriate songs for toasts and the bridal waltz.
As
some wedding receptions continue longer than planned, ask how much it will cost
for extra time. Ask them if they have particular songs you like and if they
don't you can always get it from your own collection or a friend's.
Also
make sure that they are prepared to liaise with the Master of Ceremonies and
follow directions.
As
modern trends drift away from traditional rules, wedding etiquette has become an
area of confusion. What does the bride and groom do together, what do they do
separately, what duties should the best man perform and do the parents have a
role to fulfil? Here is an easy guide to show couples what roles are performed
by whom, but these need not be strictly adhered to:
Bride
& Groom-The
bride and groom set the wedding date and book a place where the wedding will be
held whether that is a church, garden or hall. They also choose the music they
wish to be played at the ceremony and reception and start the dancing at the
reception.
Bride-The
bride must choose her matron of honour, bridesmaids and flower girls and decide
on the style of their dresses as well as her own. The bride is also responsible
for organizing the decorations and flowers for the wedding and reception. She
buys the groom's wedding ring and, at the reception, throws her bouquet before
she and her new husband leave for their wedding night. After the couple returns
from their honeymoon, the bride writes thank you notes to those who have given
gifts.
Groom-The
groom chooses his best man, decides what type of suit he and his best man will
wear and arranges transportation for the wedding party to the wedding. The groom
buys the bride's wedding ring and the bouquets. As a thank you gift the groom
also buys a present for his attendants. Finally, the groom plans the honeymoon
and makes a speech at the reception followed by a toast to the bridesmaids.
Bride's
Mother-The
bride's mother compiles the invitation list and sends out the invitations. She
oversees the catering arrangements and greets guests at the reception.
Bride's
Father-The
father of the bride escorts his daughter to the church and gives her away. He
also makes the first speech after the meal and proposes a toast to the bride and
groom.
Matron
of Honour-The
matron of honour arranges the 'hen's party' and/or kitchen tea' and helps the
bride when getting dressed for the wedding. She also holds the bride's bouquet
during the ceremony and helps the bride get out of her dress before the newly
married couple is about to go on their honeymoon.
Best
Man-The best
man arranges the attire for himself and the groom and organizes the 'buck's
night'. He makes sure the wedding is running on time and that nothing has been
forgotten. He holds the wedding rings for the service, tickets and passports for
the married couple's trip, responds to the toast to the bridesmaids and returns
any hired suits after the wedding.
One
of the key means of ensuring that your wedding is unforgettable is to record it
on film. Still photographs achieve enduring images that can be treasured and
shared for a lifetime.
You
would be wise to seek a professional, congenial photographer who will deliver a
quality result, respecting your style, wishes and budget.
Allow
yourself plenty of time to find the most suitable photographer for you. Since
popular photographers are in high demand you will need to book early to secure
the photographer of your choice. The photographer should be an experienced and
qualified professional who uses quality professional equipment and can show you
a portfolio of other weddings covered. Neither the cheapest nor the dearest
photographer is necessarily the best value or the right choice.
It
is worthwhile to enquire whether the photographer belongs to a professional
organization such as the Professional Photographers Association (PPA) or the
Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). Also, it is well to
discuss arrangements for dealing with negatives (particularly ownership and
storage of the negatives), the cost of reprints and enlargements, whether travel
costs apply and the number of venues covered. Ensure that you are clear about
what you are getting and paying for.
If
you decide to book with a photographic studio, make sure you book a particular
photographer whose work you have seen or arrange to see the photographer's work
before booking. Your photographer/studio should be prepared to discuss artistic,
technical and financial aspects of your wedding photography plan.
Once
you have engaged a suitable photographer you will then be able to relax and
enjoy proceedings. You can then safely look forward to a satisfying photographic
coverage of the occasion and soon receive a record of it to be treasured for
many years to come.
Still
photography uniquely captures and records images which can bring you and your
loved ones a life-time of satisfaction and pleasure.
A
wedding video has become a very important part of most weddings. In fact, in
metropolitan areas such as Sydney, a professionally produced and edited video is
considered essential. tRather
than replace the photographs, it complements them. You should be prepared to pay
around the same for your video as you do for your photography.
A
video tells the story of your own very special day in a way that no other medium
can. It captures the sights and sounds in living colour, with all the tears and
smiles and laughter.
While
most of us know someone who has a good video camera, it is important to
understand the benefits of having a professional video of your wedding. A
domestic video camera format is usually Video 8 or VHS-C. While this is OK for
family holidays, once copies are run off the quality diminishes rapidly (around
30 percent). The colours change and the picture becomes drab and grainy. You
deserve better for your wedding! Because professional cameras have far better
light sensors, the picture is much clearer to begin with, and the copies you
receive are much better.
It
is also important to know if a master copy is kept. This way copies can be
obtained for friends and relatives, or if something disastrous happens to your
copy. The master should be on Betacam (television format) or the newer digital
tape format. These formats provide copies that are hard to distinguish from the
original tape.
Another
important point to consider is the experience of your wedding video person.
There is so much happening on the day that it needs someone with experience to
be at the right place at the right time. Even if Cousin Fred or Aunty May
attends the rehearsal the night before, they still may miss some very important
part of the proceedings. It's not enough to know how to use a video camera. What
if the batteries go flat or if the tape runs out? Is it really worth the risk?
Also
check whether copies are available later, and how much they cost. See if titles
and background music are included.
Once
you have checked these and found a video person to your liking, make sure you
view some of their work. It is important that you find someone you can rely on
to do their job professionally and competently.
A
Venue to Suit
Whether
you choose a function centre, restaurant or garden setting for your reception it
should create a unique atmosphere that sets the mood for your special day.
An
evening reception shouldn't be your only option. Daytime parties-wedding
breakfasts, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, are great alternatives. These
options give you the entire day to celebrate, not just a few hours in the late
afternoon or evening.
Also
keep in mind off peak times such as during the week as they often mean more
economical rates.
Don't
think the only venues available to you are halls and restaurants. That
unconventional venue could make your wedding reception truly unique. Such places
could be libraries, museums, town halls and art galleries or a courtyard. Don't
be afraid to be different.
Restaurants
are the perfect choice for smaller receptions and functions. Often a key feature
of restaurants is not only their interior but their locations and views. Look
for those restaurants that actively seek functions and have prepared menus and
package because they are most likely to have function experience.
When
choosing a venue for your wedding or function, always keep in mind the mood and
atmosphere you want to create because the right setting and style of that venue
will go a long way to achieving your goals. Some function centres are intimate,
beautifully maintained houses or cottages, others are large, specially designed
buildings with large grounds and parking facilities.
Whatever
the venue, inspect it first and discuss your needs with the proprietors.
The
bridal gown would have to be the highlight of most weddings. A great deal of
time, energy and not to mention money, goes into making the perfect wedding
dress. And so there should because every bride wants her wedding dress to be
beautiful, unique and unforgettable.
There
is no limit to the amount of money you could spend on the dress of your dreams.
You may want hundreds of sequins and pearls painstakingly hand sewn onto your
satin dress, an eight foot train and a tiara to offset a delicate tulle veil.
Then
again, you may wish to do what many brides are doing today - choosing a wedding
dress that is in a fashionable colour and style that can be of use after a
wedding. A versatile outfit of this nature is a three-piece suite - jacket,
skirt, and blouse. Another sensible alternative is to purchase a pre-loved
wedding dress.
Always
shop for the best bargain, especially after Bridal Fairs/Wedding Exhibitions.·
Ask for the "style number" of the gown so that you can recall it
straight away instead of remembering which gown was which.
Ensure
that when you decide on a gown that is "off the rack", to not just
choose the one that is literally on the rack as it has been tried on various
times and also dry-cleaned.
Another
important accessory is one that your guests will not see - your lingerie. The
most important thing about the lingerie you wear is to make sure it fits
perfectly. Bulges and pinched lines are not attractive.
If
this is your second wedding and are not sure about wearing white, don't be
afraid to do what you feel comfortable with, it's your day. A bride of the 90's
has much more freedom to do what makes her feel very special.
For
every bride-to-be, knowing what style of gown ideally suits her body shape is an
endless quest. The tall and athletic bride has different needs to the petite
bride, and both just want to look and feel fantastic on their big day. For the
best advice visit a bridal designer's salon, and discuss your needs with their
expert staff.
Bridal
designers and couturiers can help you design a gown that highlights your best
features whilst minimises imperfections, and Australia's bridal couturiers are
recognised as some of the best in the world. Before commencing your hunt for the
perfect gown make sure you have a clear self-appraisal of your body image in
mind. Don't plan any crash diets during fittings and always keep in mind your
personal style and what you will be most comfortable wearing. Whatever your body
shape, endeavour to find a gown that is ideally suited.
Petite Brides-For the petite bride, the close fitting sheath is a
great option because the slim shape of the sheath gives the illusion of length
by following the natural lines of the body at close range. Another option for
the petite bride, wanting to achieve a more defined and pronounced shape for her
wedding day, is the princess line gown, which gives the illusion of length by
two vertical seams that run from the shoulders to the hem of the gown.
Alternatively, an A-line gown could be ideal, particularly if the bride wants
the fullness of a ball gown but couldn't stand the weighty appearance of one
that pulls in at the waist. An A-line gown is fitted through the torso but
doesn't pull in at the waist, it then neatly falls into an A-shape, elongating
shorter waists and adding the illusion of length.
Pear-shaped Brides-Pear-shaped
brides are best suited to gowns that balance the hips with the shoulders,
detracting away from the hips by creating a balance in symmetry. An
off-the-shoulder gown with a sweetheart neckline that brings attention to the décolletage,
arms and bust line is ideal. If your waist is narrow, then you could definitely
go for the corseted look with a narrow waist and full skirt with bustle that
will hide the broad hipline. It's probably wise to select a solid fabric as
opposed to a sheath and steer clear of clingy fabrics and straight seam-line
gowns, as they will only enhance the pear-shape.
Plus-size Brides-Plus-size brides should celebrate their
curves when they are searching for the perfect wedding gown. Do not attempt any
crash diets leading up to your wedding day, it will only create imbalances both
inside and out, possibly ruining your gown and the big day. If you are serious
about loosing some weight then you should consult your physician as soon as you
can, to avoid any serious health risks and disappointment. Although it may seem
difficult for plus 20 brides to initially find gowns in their sizes, there are
specialist boutiques that are designed for larger women, and bridal designers
can always accommodate your dress size if you are having the gown made from
scratch. Fuller brides should avoid any body hugging garments and should seek
inspiration from the full regale of the Victorian era. Big skirts with bustles,
longer sleeves and maybe just a touch of cleavage. You can be as cheeky or
formal as you like but make sure your wedding gown suits your signature style
and your wedding's theme and formality. Open necklines are a great option as
they bring attention to your décolletage, creating a feminine and soft
appearance.
Tall Brides-Tall brides look fantastic in sheath gowns that reveal
their stream lined bodies. Accentuate long, thin arms with a strapless gown, or
one with shoestring straps. Either a bustle or box-pleat skirt would look
fantastic, as would a close-fitting long skirt.
The
Bridesmaids
Don't
waste money in renting your bridesmaids dresses, why not buy them or have them
made and that will also be their gift from you, as well as all accessories.
Consult
with your bridesmaids and ask them what they would like to wear, how they would
like their hair styles, make-up done etc…after all they must feel comfortable
on the day too.
You may also find that they will cooperate more if they are consulted, not told.
Depending
on the style of bridesmaid dress, why insist on identical shoes, eg if the dress
requires black shoes most women will have at least 2 pairs already in their
wardrobe.
The
Groomsmen
Don't
let them go out drinking the night before the wedding, you will only be asking
for trouble!
Ensure
you pick up the suits two days before the wedding minimum, to give you a chance
to take them back if they don't fit
The
Page boys and Flower girls
It
is not compulsory to have a Page boy and a Flower Girl. A lot of people have one
or the other or even opt to not have any children in the Bridal Party at all. It
is totally up to the couple.
If
you do have children in your party, do not children under the age of 4. Children
at this age are much easier to handle and compromise with than toddlers.
Remember
to take plenty of refreshments and snacks for the children as it is a long day
for the adults, let alone the children.
Invite
the children's parents along to the photo shoot as the children may behave
better, or may settle down more in the presence of their parents.
The
Parents
Consult
with both mothers on what they are wearing, ensuring that they are not wearing
the same colour.
Keep
in mind that this can be just as stressful on the parents as well as the bride,
so have a bit of compassion.
On
the day, let your parents relax and enjoy the day as much as they would want you
to, don't what other people are going to think.
Please
don't forget to thank your parents during the speeches, you'd be surprised at
how many couples actually do!
Setting the Date
When
deciding on your wedding date, it would be any idea to keep in mind the time of
year you are looking at booking in, i.e; does your proposed wedding day fall on
a special event of the year. The most significant dates to look out for are
Valentines Day, Mothers Day and the weekend in between Christmas and New Year.
The
main thing to consider if you are thinking of having your wedding on or around
the time of these special days is the cost involved. For example, should you
want to have your wedding day on or around Valentines Day or Mothers Day, be
prepared to possibly pay double or in some cases triple the normal price for
flowers. One bride who got married on Mothers Day was quoted $645.00 for her
flowers because of Mothers Day. When she found a florist who worked from home
(less overheads involved) she was quoted just $250.00 for the exact same
arrangements.
The
weekend between Christmas and New Year is a time to help you save some money on
the reception. You see, that weekend is in most cases the hardest weekend to
book in the reception industry. A lot of reception venues will offer discounted
rates for that time of the year. This could mean hundreds or thousands of
dollars saved!!!!!!
In
essence, if you would like to save some money, try and book your wedding the
weekend AFTER Valentines Day or Mothers Day and consider getting married in
between Christmas and New Year. You may be pleasantly surprised at the
savings!!!!!
Careful
planning is a must so your wedding day will be a raging success. A checklist is
a good way to make sure nothing is forgotten and eases the stress of wedding
preparations.
After
the Engagement
Consider
date options convenient for bridal party, family and closest friends.
Check
availability of essential wedding services - clergy or celebrant, reception
venue, photographer and so on. Consider any guest accommodation requirements.
Choose
a date.
Consider
relationship guidance.
Set
a budget.
Book
ceremony and reception venues.
Book
photographer and videographer.
3
- 6 Months before the Day:
Consult
with your matron of honour, bridesmaids, flower girls, best man and so on. Value
their participation and input.
Order
gowns, suits and accessories.
Compile
wedding invitation list.
Decide
on a gift coordinator or registry.
Order
invitations and other wedding stationery.
Make
arrangements for transport on the wedding day.
Order
marquee, tables and chairs if required.
Make
honeymoon reservations and obtain passports if required.
2
Months before the Day:
Mail
invitations.
Finalize
menu, alcohol and overall catering arrangements.
Choose
music and book musicians after discussing with your minister or celebrant the
service or ceremony you agree on. Be prepared to make suggestions about readings
or prayers and musical input that may be particularly special for you. Do a
wedding program that can be copied and handed to your guests on the day.
Choose
wedding rings and decide on any engraving.
Choose
and order wedding cake.
Choose
and order flowers.
Confirm
transport/car hire arrangements.
Consider
hairdressing, manicuring, pedicure, massage and make-up requirements.
1
Month before the Day:
Appoint
Master Of Ceremonies (MC). Discuss reception program and roles.
Book
appointments at hairdresser, manicurist and beautician. Organize a pre-trial,
say, two weeks before the wedding.
Have
dress fittings and finalize arrangements for accessories.
Notify
the caterers or reception venue as to numbers. Provide a list of guests to
assist with seating arrangements.
2
Weeks before the Day:
Try
on gowns and suits. Dress Up.
Rehearse
or run-through the wedding ceremony (Optional), music arrangements and
proceedings for the reception as convenient with your bridal party.
Finalize
details with caterers, photographer, videographer, florist and musicians.
Pack
honeymoon clothes and confirm any honeymoon accommodation and travel plans.
Check
seating plan for reception. Attend to any decoration details.
Consider
seating, decoration and parking arrangements for a church ceremony. Seek the
assistance of ushers.
1
Week before the Day:
Send
announcements to newspaper.
Pay
balance of moneys for wedding services.
Relax..
Everything is in hand for a happy and memorable occasion and do pamper yourself
so that you will feel confident and relaxed as you should to enjoy your wedding
with your loved ones and friends.
While
running around making plans and organizing the most important day of their life,
many brides often forget to look after themselves because they're living up to
the needs and expectations of others.
Begin
by increasing your water consumption. Drinking plenty of water helps to wash out
toxins and bad elements in your body. Cut down on tea, coffee and cigarettes as
these dry the skin. Replace these beverages with herbal teas such as rosehip and
lemon grass.
Try
to eat sensibly minimizing your sugar and fat intake from foods such as
takeaways and fried foods. Limit your snacks to fresh fruit and vegetables -
they are a great natural source of vitamins. Also, introduce a multi-vitamin to
your diet.
To
quell those pre-wedding nerves and stress, 20 minutes a day of relaxation
exercises or meditation will help control butterflies and tension. A 15-20
minute walk each day or some form of gentle exercise helps to improve
circulation. Keep up daily skin care programs and cut down on late nights before
your wedding day. This will help result in clear eyes, clear skin and relieves
stress and tension.
Very
important tip- waxing facials should be done a full week before the wedding to
prevent red patches on the body and spots and pimples on the face.
Foundation
is the most important part of a bride's make-up. The idea is to look clean,
fresh and desirable.
Match
the foundation shade to your throat, not your chest and your concealer should be
slightly pale than your natural skin tone so your face reflects the light. Apply
with a sea sponge for an even finish.
So
your skin stays shine-free for at least four to five hours, apply translucent
powder loosely with a brush or puff.
The
strength in your make-up should come from your lip colour not your eyes. Choose
a subtle earthy shade and blend it all over the lid and just underneath the
bottom eyelashes. Waterproof mascara is the best choice for your emotional
wedding day, and your eyebrows should be defined, not over plucked. Choose a
soft blush, similar to your eye shadow shade and gently contour. Stripes and
obvious circles look tacky.
When
choosing a lipstick, pick one which best suites your personality, and preferably
a matt lipstick, for staying power. Moisturize your lips before you apply your
lipstick so dry skin doesn't show.
Your
hands will be the centre of attention during and after the wedding ceremony. To
ensure your hands and nails look good moisturize your hands and nails daily.
It's
a good idea to have a make-up artist do your make-up before your wedding day so
you can see what colours you should use and to get some tips for the best way to
apply your make-up if you are doing it yourself.
Make
sure you get your attendants to help you into your wedding dress so you avoid
getting make-up on your gown, and put a make-up bag with lipstick, mascara,
brush and tissues in the bridal car to touch up your make-up if it's required
throughout the day.
Let's
face it; your wedding is probably the biggest (and most expensive) party you'll
ever throw. Cutting back on costs does not mean cutting back on style and the
following budget tips will help you save a few pennies on your way to the altar.
1. Don't leave anything to the last minute. If you can, put aside at
least twelve months to plan and prepare for your big day. You will find that if
you leave things until the last minute you'll be forced into purchasing the most
readily available items or products as opposed to items that offer real value
for money.
2. When shopping for your wedding gown remember to look at formal evening
wear and bridesmaids' dresses; you will find that wedding gowns are generally
more expensive than the other two.
3. Buy a gown that is not finished with sequins, pearls or beading.
Embellish the gown yourself or entrust the services of a sewing savvy friend.
4. Check out gowns made of less expensive fabrics. Silk and raw silk are
commonly regarded as the most expensive wedding gown fabrics.
5. Buy a gown off-the-rack as opposed to having one custom made by a
designer or couturiere.
6. Couturieres are generally more expensive than designers or dress
makers.
7. Rent your wedding gown. You'll be surprised by the variety of rental
gowns in the market today, have it dry cleaned and it should look and feel as
good as new.
8. Wear your mum's gown and have it altered to fit your body shape.
9. Get creative and make your own wedding accessories. It's relatively
easy to whip up your own ‘Table' bag for your beauty essentials and one each
for your bridesmaids.
10. Wear costume jewellery as opposed to the ‘real' thing.
11. Order your wedding gown and your bridesmaids' dresses from the one
designer as you might be able to negotiate a group discount.
12. Don't spend money on new shoes, particularly if you are wearing a
floor-length gown and you can't even see them. Have an old pair of shoes dyed by
a shoe technician.
13. Sew a dress for your flower girl, or if sewing isn't your bag,
entrust a creative friend to do the honours for you.
14. Save your pennies and apply your own make-up as opposed to employing
a make-up artist on the big day, and beforehand for a trial run.
15. See if a friend, or your matron-of-honour, can help you do your
wedding day hair.
16. The groom and groomsmen should rent their tuxes as opposed to buying
them new.
17. Have one attendant each as opposed to the usual three.
18. Ask the attendants to pay for their own wedding attire.
19. Your groom and his groomsmen can wear their customary ‘suit' shoes
instead of buying special ones for the big day.
20. Create your own boutonnieres from flowers in your garden.
21.
If you or a friend has a blooming garden, why not pick your own bouquet and
small arrangements for your bridesmaids.
22. Choose flowers that are in season.
23. Manage all of your own wedding details as opposed to employing a
wedding consultant to help you out.
24. Decorate the ceremony and reception venues yourself.
25. Take your ceremony decorations along to your reception venue.
26. Minimise costs by holding your ceremony in a park or your own back
garden.
27. Local halls are generally less expensive than ‘reception' venues.
Do your research well before the big day to find the best venue in your price
bracket.
28. Use candles as centrepieces as they are generally a lot cheaper than
flowers.
29. Use plain white haberdashery without any detailing.
30. Make your own place cards or have one central display listing the
seating arrangements.
31. Enlist the services of a musical friend to perform at your wedding
ceremony. If you don't know of anyone personally, check with friends or
telephone a student conservatorium and book a student.
32. Check out new talent when it comes to booking a DJ or band for your
reception.
33. Make your own compilation of songs and burn them onto CDs to create
your own wedding music entertainment.
34. Most churches and houses or worship have in-house musicians whose fee
is usually included in the price of the venue.
35. DJs are usually less expensive than live bands.
36. For the really budget savvy, cater for the wedding yourself with the
help of family and friends.
37. If a friend owns a catering company see if you can negotiate a deal.
38. Have a caterer arrange the main meal, and serve a homemade soup or
salmon salad for entrée that you prepare yourself.
39. For a formal sit down dinner, serve three courses as opposed to five.
40. Have a buffet banquet instead of individually served meals.
41. Have a wedding cake that doubles as a dessert.
42. Have a friend bake your wedding cake or bake it yourself.
43. If you're having a multi-tiered cake have less detail and
embellishment.
44. If you want to keep a tier make sure it's made of traditional fruit
cake and stored in an air tight freezer bag after the celebrations come to an
end.
45. Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch as opposed to dinner. For
breakfast you can serve Champagne, freshly squeezed orange juice, pastries, eggs
Benedict, fresh fruit, tea and coffee.
46 Serve only wine, beer and soft drink at an open bar, and have a round
of Champagne served by waiters to drink during the toasts.
47. Order invitations online.
48. For weddings with less than 50 guests, formal invitations are not
required and you can hand make the invites yourself.
49. For an engraved look and feel on your wedding invitations consider
thermography as it's far less expensive.
50. Create your own wedding invitations and stationery items including
the reply card and place cards on your home PC.
Bomboniere & Bridal Party Gift
Ideas
Bomboniere -Sugared
almonds wrapped in tulle-Little
boxes-Cupids /
Cherubs-50mL
bottles of spirits-Chocolates-Port Glasses-Photo Frames-Vases-Baskets-Pens-Wish
Bones-Flowers-Silverware-Pot Pori-Bells-Horse Shoes-Matches-
Bridal
Party Gifts-Glassware-Silverware-Lighters-Alcohol-Goblets-Frames-
Pewter-Jewellery-Clowns
Gifts
for the Parents-Glassware-Silverware-Alcohol-Pewter
Tips,
Traditions and Superstitions
1.
Wearing White -
White is still the most popular colour for bridal gowns. Cream roses, white
tulips, white ribbons, white wedding cars - white runs through all aspects of
ceremonies. Most people believe that the white of a bride's wedding gown has
traditionally represented virginity. In fact, bridal white is a relatively new
concept having only become really popular after Queen Victoria wore white to her
wedding in 1840. Before this, it was traditional for brides to wear their best
clothes, which could be of any colour, or combination and which, more
practically, could be worn again on any number of occasions.
Although white has come to suggest purity, the notion that the white of a
wedding gown represents the sexual status of the bride is a dubious suggestion.
In 1499 when Ann of Brittany wore white to her wedding there was controversy
over the suggestion that the white wedding gown was such a blatant indicator of
the bride's virginity. Clergy of the time thought it unpropper for a bride to be
making such a crass statement in such a public display. The Catholic Church of
the time required that a bride be a virgin to marry, it was assumed that she was
virginal without the bold statement of a white wedding dress.
The popularity of the white wedding dress today can mainly be put down to
tradition and a desire to wear something completely different on you wedding
day. Many modern brides are used to donning the suit and picking up the
briefcase for everyday work-wear and love the chance to dress up like a fairy
princess on their wedding day.
2. Flowers and Bouquets - Traditionally, flowers and plants used in
wedding ceremonies have carried certain significance as symbols of love,
fertility and good luck. Ancient Roman brides carried herbs, usually Rosemary as
a symbol of fertility and fidelity. In Greece, brides would carry Ivy as a
symbol of eternal love. These days, people go to great effort and expense to
decorate weddings with flowers mostly for aesthetic value. While the rose, a
symbol of true love popularised at weddings in the Victorian era, is still seen
at contemporary weddings, the significance of the latest fashion in wedding
flora such as gerberas and tulips is yet to be decided.
3. Garter Wearing - Many among us, while witnessing the bawdy wedding
tradition of the groom removing the bride's garter with his teeth before
flinging it into the crowd, may wonder just who exactly thought up this saucy
tradition. Quite apart from having it taken off with the groom's teeth, many a
bride may have wondered exactly why she is inclined to wear a garter on her leg
in this day of technologically advanced pantyhose. The answer seems to date back
to the Order of the Blue Garter, the oldest order of knighthood in Europe. The
costume of these noble knights included a blue garter worn just below the knee.
The connection between the garter and weddings is probably linked to the fact
that the only women originally permitted in the Order of the Blue Garter were
princesses and queens who after they were married were allowed to wear the
garter around their lower leg.
4. The Honeymoon - While the honeymoon itself has obvious and practical
purposes, the origin of the name is a little more curious. It has been tradition
for the bride and groom to go away together for a period of time after the
wedding to revel in their happiness and try to start a family. The period of
time spent together in seclusion dates back to Attila the Hun and his wife
stealing habits. Not being the type to ask if he could do anything before he
went ahead and did it, Attila was inclined to steal his wives instead of
courting them. Having kidnapped them from their families, Attila would hide away
with them for a month, or one cycle of the moon, with only his closest
confidante knowing where they were. During this time the pair would drink
honeyed wine known as mead or metheglen every day which would act as an
aphrodisiac. At the end of the month, the pair would emerge with the
"bride" inevitably pregnant at which time Attila would begin
negotiations with her parents over a bride price. It can be seen that the honey
refers to the mead which was drunk over the period of the cycle of the moon.
5. The Kiss - While many think it is merely an appropriate way to end a
wedding ceremony, the kiss has historically been the most important part of a
wedding. Early Roman law had it that the wedding was not legally binding unless
the couple had kissed. If one of the wedding couple were killed before the kiss,
then all gifts and services that had already changed hands were to be returned
to the family of the deceased.
6. Old Shoes and Tin Cans - Many have wondered as they see newlyweds
drive off in their wedding car, about the tin cans tied to the back making that
god-awful racket. An early 20th century tradition from America, tin cans were
tied to the back of the wedding car to ward off evil spirits as the couple drove
off on their honeymoon. The related but even more peculiar custom of tying old
shoes to the back of the car is linked to the long association weddings have had
with old shoes. Shoes have been used in weddings as a phallic symbol, as a
symbol of exchange and ownership and as a fertility ritual. Old shoes have been
commonly thrown at wedded couples as a sort of confetti as they leave the church
or, as in Tudor times, the people would shower the Royal bridal carriage with
old shoes as a wish of good luck.
7. The Trousseau
or Glory Box - A
Western version of the dowry, the trousseau originated in France where the term
means "bundle". The trousseau or "glory box" as it is known
in Australia is a collection of treasures the bride takes with her into marriage
and may include items of clothing, household appliances and other treasures. The
modern trousseau is more likely to be a fat bank account courtesy of a lot of
hard work on the bride's part. Up until quite recently however, the expression
"a little something for your glory box" was quite prevalent. Women
would keep jewellery and precious heirlooms inside their glory boxes to take
with them into the marriage.
8. The Ring Finger
- The fourth finger of the left hand is the chosen ring finger for 70% of
Western brides. The tradition comes from ancient Egypt where they believed that
this finger has a vein that goes straight to the heart.
9. The Veil
- The veil has served many purposes and represented many things over the course
of its history. The veil represents a bride's modesty as a single woman and her
submission as a married woman in many Eastern cultures. The veil's history in
Western culture and its survival today has more to do with fashion than
symbolising deference or submission.
10. Matching
Attendants - The
tradition of the bridal party wearing the same outfit as the wedding couple
(more common with groomsmen these days) comes from an ancient tradition of
protecting the bride and groom from evil spirits. It is believed that if the
couple is dressed the same way as their attendants, the evil spirits will become
confused as to who is the real bride and groom.
1.
Chicken Gizzards - Just in case you were considering serving chicken gizzards at
your wedding reception, stop right there. According to South American tradition,
the bride eating chicken gizzards is definitely bad luck. This will be
immediately evident by the quick departure by most of your guests as soon as
dinner is served. Apart from this, they will turn her lips blue to say nothing
of what it may do to the groom.
2.
Crying in the Chapel - Many brides (and grooms) have been known to shed a tear
or two at their wedding. Nothing could be better according to farmers who say
that crying on wedding days means rain for crops. Bawling your eyes out as you
fumble through your vows is supposedly also meant to signify that you will never
again have cause to weep for the duration of your marriage. The bridal hanky is
a valuable hand-me-down that should be carried through the generations for as
long as it will last. The bridal hanky carries the tears of brides from
generation to generation and should be kept somewhere safe after use so as not
to drain it of its powerful history.
3. Mirror, Mirror - Coco Chanel famously said before you go out you must
take a last look in the mirror and take something off. This is completely
contrary to the superstitious rules set for the bride. According to tradition,
she must never look in the mirror after she has finished dressing. If she does,
she will leave a little of herself in it, it is said.
4. Pins and Needles - It is said to be very bad luck to have not ensured
that every pin and needle used to secure the bride's dress and veil has been
removed from her body after the ceremony is over. If the bride changes from her
gown into clothes to go away in and has not ensured this, bad luck will surely
befall the groom shortly afterward.
5. Spiders - The bride may be a screaming mess if she sees a huntsman any
other day, but on her wedding day, a spider is her best friend. It is said to be
very good luck to find a spider on your wedding dress. The bigger and hairier,
the better.
6. Clumsy Washing Up - It has been said before that if a girl is washing
up and splashes water on her stomach then she is doomed to marry a drunkard. If
this is the case, there must be many young girls around attached to lecherous,
pub-crawlers around the world. One can only guess as to how this superstition
came about. It may have been that a girl who cannot wash up neatly is only fit
for a drunkard. Or perhaps at some time in history there has been an over-supply
of drunkards and, grasping for reasons as to why their angel ran off with a
drunk, families have had to clutch at straws to explain the coupling. Of course,
the logical extension of this is that girls who keep their bellies dry during
washing up will marry decent, sober men. This leaves the question as to what way
does a girl have to wash up to ensure that she will have a husband who will take
over the duty?
7. Keep the Cake - Sometimes a big, expensive wedding and a couple of
gold bands aren't enough to make a girl feel comfortable that her new husband is
going to stay faithful. According to tradition the real insurance for a faithful
husband is to keep a slice of the wedding cake. Exactly how long one has to keep
it for is unclear, as is whether the fidelity of the marriage is dependent on
the cake's tendency to perish. Someone, somewhere, must have thought that
hanging on to a fruitcake for years after the wedding was a good idea for the
bride who also is expected to keep one tier of the wedding cake until her first
child is born.
8. Rain - Some people think rain on your wedding day is a bad omen - on
the contrary. Just as the bride's tears on her wedding day are a signal that she
will be happy forever more, rain on your wedding day is said to represent blue
skies for the rest of your days. It is also seen as an indicator of fertility
and good fortune.
9. Wearing the Dress - No matter how many fittings you have to go to,
superstition dictates that you must avoid wearing the full outfit before the day
of the wedding. Wearing your bridal outfit before time is said to be far too
presumptuous on the bride's part and an invitation for bad luck. The bride
should also be stitched into her gown with the last finishing stitches being
added once she is about to leave for the ceremony and has looked in the mirror
for the last time. And whatever you do, don't wear a green dress! Green dresses
are apparently worm by women of loose morals who earn the colour by spending all
their time rolling in the grass. Sixteenth century England was a strict place on
such issues as these.
10. Something Old - The superstition that dictates women wear
something old is due to the belief that it will protect future babies. Something
New - Something new is meant to represent the couple's new life together and
faith in the future. Something Borrowed - The borrowed item should
traditionally come from a previous bride, which passes on good luck to a new
bride. Something Blue - Blue is said to represent fidelity for the bride.
Ancient Israeli brides wore blue trim on their wedding gown or in their hair to
symbolise love, modesty and purity.
1.
Bride Left, Groom Right
- Whenever you see a bride and groom standing at the altar or on top of a
wedding cake, the bride will be on the left while the groom stands to her right.
Or at least, they should be. Christian tradition has placed the bride to the
left of the groom so as to keep his right hand free to ward of any feisty
objectors. In the event of potential suitors approaching the wedding couple to
sabotage the ceremony, the groom is bound to snatch his sword out of it's
holster with his right hand and slay the dastardly intruder. As for the protocol
when a shadowy figure from the groom's past approaches, we just hope the bride
has a mean left hook.
2. Garter Tossing - Many among us, while witnessing the bawdy wedding
tradition of the groom removing the bride's garter with his teeth before
flinging it into the crowd, may wonder who exactly thought up this saucy
tradition. Flinging the bridal garter became a form of ammunition for newlyweds
in Medieval England who used it to distract lecherous crowds who would follow
them to their wedding bed. While this seems a viable explanation, the success of
the tactic has not been recorded. More recently, the garter toss has evolved
into the male equivalent of the bouquet toss with grooms in America getting into
the habit of sliding the garter off the bride's leg with their teeth and tossing
it to their best buddy in the crowd. It was believed the garter catcher was
certain to get lucky with a bride all of his own very soon.
3. The Honeymoon - While the honeymoon itself has obvious and practical
purposes, the origin of the name is a little more curious. It has been tradition
for the bride and groom to go away together for a period of time after the
wedding to revel in their happiness and try to start a family. The period of
time spent together in seclusion dates back to Attila the Hun and his wife
stealing habits. Not being the type to ask if he could do anything before he
went ahead and did it, Attila was inclined to steal his wives instead of
courting them. Having kidnapped them from their families, Attila would hide away
with them for a month, or one cycle of the moon, with only his closest
confidante knowing where they were. During this time the pair would drink
honeyed wine known as mead or metheglen every day which would act as an
aphrodisiac. At the end of the month, the pair would emerge with the
"bride" inevitably pregnant at which time Attila would begin
negotiations with her parents over a "bride price". It can be seen
that the honey refers to the mead which was drunk over the period of the cycle
of the moon.
4. Carrying the Bride over the Threshold - While many modern
chiropractors may gasp in disgust at this old tradition, many grooms will still
carry their brides over some threshold at on their wedding night. The tradition
comes from a superstition that if one trips over when first setting foot in the
newlywed's home many years of bad luck will follow.
5. Seeing the Bride - A popular tradition stipulates that the groom must
not see his bride before the wedding. Most couples spend an anxious night apart
the day before their wedding, which is meant to increase the excitement and keep
the bride's dress a surprise. The origins of this tradition are, however, not so
charming. Where arranged marriages have, or still do exist, the custom is not to
let the bride and groom see each other before the wedding lest they don't like
what they see and pull out of the arrangement. In these cultures, the bride and
groom see each other for the first time as they are going through the ceremony.
For contemporary Western couples arranged marriages are scarse, and therefore
not seeing one another the night before the big day is more of a fun tradition
than a calculated plan.
6. The Ring - It is only since the Second World War that Western men have
really taken to wearing wedding rings. The Greek Orthodox faith introduced male
wedding bands in the 1300s but it did not catch on for Westerners until the wars
which saw many couples opt for a dual ring ceremony so each partner got a ring
to remember the other by through times of separation. It has almost become
commonplace for grooms to wear rings these days with dual ring ceremonies being
the most popular with contemporary couples.
7. Matching Groomsmen - It is still quite common to see the whole male
bridal party dressed in the same outfit. While brides usually distinguish
themselves from their maids, if the groom distinguishes himself at all it is
probably by wearing a slightly different tie, cummerbund or vest. The origins of
this are to confuse evil spirits who come to posses the wedding couple. It is
believed that if the entire bridal party is wearing the same outfit, the spirits
will not be able to distinguish the bridal couple from the attendants.
8. The Buck's Night - If you think that your modern buck's night is a
wild party, think of the original bucks in ancient Rome who started the
tradition. The first buck's parties were held by Spartan soldiers to celebrate
their friends' departure from bachelordom.
9. Posting Banns - These days, the wedding notice usually appears in the
paper as a proud statement for interested onlookers and friends who may not have
been told of the engagement. The custom originated for much more practical
reasons and the first banns were posted to ensure that the marrying couple was
not related to each other. In the ninth century, aristocratic European
bloodlines were becoming sullied with genetic flaws and even madness. The
problem was put down to inbreeding. There began the custom of wedding
announcements to find out if anyone knew of familial connections between the
couple.
10. Groom First - Traditionally it is always the groom at the church
first waiting for his bride (for an average of eight minutes!). The groom
arriving at the church before his bride is a symbol of his duty and
responsibility to lead her through a life of happiness. He is also the first to
say his vows, which is meant to reaffirm this commitment or responsibility.
These days, it is usually the bride who is setting the pace with the groom often
left waiting nervously until she shows up.
1.
Half past - It is
far luckier, according to Chinese tradition, for couples to be married in the
second half of the hour, when hands on the clock are pointing up. The ceremony
must start after half past the hour so that any time that passes during the
ceremony will be pointing up!
2. The Groom's Cake - Most people are familiar with the bride's cake,
more commonly known as the wedding cake. The bride's cake is the big, tiered
number that sometimes bears a striking resemblance to the bride's dress. Less
commonly recognised is the groom's cake which is often heavier and not quite as
decorative (most often being a mean chocolate cake). The groom's cake is the
cake that is sliced into portions and distributed to guests as they leave the
wedding. Superstition has it that if the single women at the wedding sleep with
the groom's cake under their bed, they will dream of their future husbands.
3. Cuckoos and Magpies - A country wedding is set to hold the couple in
good stead due to Old Irish folklore. It is said that it is very lucky to see
three magpies on the morning of a wedding, while it is even luckier to see a
cuckoo. For Australian couple's, this would be very lucky indeed considering
there are none of these birds in the wild in Australia. The Irish also consider
it bad luck for a woman to be the first person to congratulate the bride after
the ceremony.
4. Peeling a Husband - If a young girl wants to know the identity of her
future husband, all she need do is take an apple and peel it in one continuous
length, then throw the peel over her shoulder. The peel should drop on the
ground in the initial of her future husband. Richards, Antonys and Xaviers were
often left on the shelf when this custom was popular.
5. Pearls - Whatever you do, don't get the bride-to-be pearls to wear on
her wedding day. In Mexico, the wearing of pears on your wedding day is strictly
taboo as they are said to be too similar to the shape of tears.
6. Clean your Teeth - It is always a good idea to keep your teeth clean
on your wedding day. Good, clean teeth are a sign of a good lover according to
modern women's folklore, and it is reflected in Indonesian customs. In Indonesia
it is believed that the teeth hold animal instincts such as jealousy and lust.
Both the bride and groom's teeth are filed down for the wedding day, which is
said to remove these instincts from their bodies.
7. The Weight of Marriage - Many cultures associate marriage with an
increased responsibility and sometimes burden. The Scottish Highlander ritual of
"Creeling" is symbolic of this. The groom is loaded with a sack full
of bricks, which he must carry around the town. If his bride-to-be comes out of
her house to kiss him, the burden is lifted and he is free to leave the heavy
load and go with her. If she does not come out of her house, the groom must
continue to carry the stones around the town.
8. Mondays for Health - An ancient English rhyme had its own ideas about
what day and month you should marry, and it seems that the Saturday wedding was
not so popular back then:
Days
of the Week
Monday for health
Tuesday for wealth
Wednesday best of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all
Months of the Year
Married when the year is new,
he'll be loving, kind and true
When February birds do mate,
you may wed, nor dread, your fate
If you wed when March winds blow
joy and sorrow both you'll know
Marry in April when you can,
joy for Maiden and for Man
Marry in the month of May
and you'll surely rue the day
Marry when June Roses grow,
over land and sea you'll go
Those who in July do wed,
must labour for their daily bread
Whoever wed in August be,
many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine,
your living will be rich and fine
If in October you do marry,
love will come but riches tarry
If you wed in bleak November
only joys will come remember
When December snows fall fast,
marry and true love will last.
9. Needles and Pins - It is said to be very bad luck for the groom if the
bride has not removed every pin and needle from her gown before she lies down on
her wedding night. This superstition seems to have its root firmly planted in
practicality! Very bad luck for the groom indeed!
10. Rain on the Wedding Parade - If all you ever wanted was sunshine on
your wedding day and you get rain, don't despair. Rain on the wedding day is
said to be a sign of fertility and good luck and also an indication that the sky
is bursting with joy.
Married
in February's sleepy weather, life you will dread in time together
Married
when March winds shrill and roar, your home will be on a distant
shore
Married
beneath April's changing skies, a chequered path before you lies
When
May blossom's flit, strangers around your board will sit
In
the month of roses - - June, life after marriage will be a
honeymoon
In
July with flowers ablaze, bittersweet memories on for days
Married
in August's heat and drowse, lover and friend is your chosen
spouse
Married
in September's golden glow, smooth and serene your life will go
Married
when leaves in October glow, toil and hardship is what you'll know
In
veils of November mist, fortune your wedding ring has kissed
Married
in days of December cheer, love star shines brighter year after
year
Never
get married on one of your birthdays
The
Bride Wears a Sixpence in her Shoe
For
the Irish, it is believed that wearing a sixpence in the bride's shoe the day of
the wedding will bring the couple luck and money
Never
let the groom see the bride on the day of the wedding before the service
Never
let the groom view the wedding gown before the wedding
Married
in White, you have chosen right,
Married
in Grey, you will go far away,
Married
in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married
in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married
in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married
in Blue, you will always be true,
Married
in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married
in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married
in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married
in Pink, your spirit will sink.
Real
Life Wedding Stories
My
brother was picking up the bouquets and then meeting us at mum’s house as he
was giving me away. When he arrived stating he had completed his task we
were mystified as to where all the bouquets were. It didn’t matter - a
quick trip to the reception hall and our bouquets were safely in our arms.
When
the videographer showed up at our house we began to worry about the
photographer. As it got later and later, the videographer’s wife pulled
out her camera and began to start taking shots. Luckily for us, she was a
professional photographer and our photos turned out beautifully.
We
hired a hall for our reception. The night before the wedding we went to
the hall to set up. The only problem was the lack of tables. Those
in charge of the hall had forgotten to leave out all the tables and so the next
morning, in between hair and makeup, it was up to mine and my husband’s mum to
hire tables, have them delivered to the hall and get back there themselves to
set up the bridal table - imagine that….a wedding reception with no bridal
table!!
After
constant car trouble caused several stops on the half hour drive from mum’s
house to the church, we were mystified as to why one of the cars stopped just
before the church at a convenience store. Out hopped a bridesmaid, who
flew into the shops and came running back out. It seems her choker had
broke along the way and there was just enough distance left for a DIY quick fix
in the car.
Our
wedding was traditional. We did everything right, even down to selecting
our own MC who had known the family since I was a baby and was a public speaker.
However, during our introductions into the reception, our MC managed to make a
mistake of every single name of our bridal party and both sets of parents.
He did get our names right which I guess is the most important thing!
My
fiancé wasn’t a good public speaker so I was kind of nervous about his
speech. I shouldn’t have worried, he delivered his speech beautifully
and it was so well written it brought tears to my eyes. Only later was I
informed that he had copied the speech straight out of a speech book on the way
to the church and had the best man’s dad rewrite it for him during the
reception so that he could read the writing. After all my praise, didn’t
I feel like the blushing bride!!
At
a ceremony held near a lake, the celebrant’s elderly wife was singing on the
bridge. At the completion of her psalm she made her way to the edge of the
bridge and promptly fell flat on her face. Meanwhile the celebrant
continued talking and mingling with the guests. She was helped to her feet
by some guests standing nearby.
A
rather largish bride was encouraged to have a photo taken with the groomsmen
holding her lengthways. She tried to dissuade the photographer but in
vain. The men picked her up and after a few shots - dropped her!
While
exchanging rings the groom held his hand out and the bride knocked it aside and
took the other hand. However the groom was right and the minister
corrected her mistake.
During
the ceremony the little ones were the life of the party. The page boy
dropped the rings so the best man was forced to crawl around looking for them
while the flower girl decided to climb up on an empty pew at the side of the
church. She fell but luckily a bridesmaid was quick to the rescue and
grabbed her arm before she really did some damage.
During
the speeches, the best man nervously rose before the guests and placed his cue
cards on the bridal table next to him. The page boy however thought he
could place them in a better order and continued to mix the cards throughout the
duration of the speech.
My
aunt just got married. It was near a pond and it had a little pier over
it. The wind took her veil in the pond. Not thinking about it, she
went in after it!
Because
of our budget, we decided to do our own invitations, reply cards and envelopes
on my parents computer. I recruited my sister who was my maid of honour to lick
and stick and stuff. The night I went over she had to go to a dance so I talked
my mother into helping me out, figuring it would be nice to make her feel
included. she was very quick putting the invitations, reply cards, self
addressed stamped envelopes in the outer envelope. I was very impressed. I asked
that she would mail out the first batch in the morning before work. I had a
horrible sleep that night thinking something went wrong. It did. The next day I
went back to my mothers, the invitations were sent out, I was pleased. My sister
was sitting on the couch so I decided to get her help for the rest of them.
As we were sorting through the rest of the items to be stuffed, I came across a
response card in the envelope addressed to one of the guests that we had already
sent out, then another, and another, then we were short on the response cards
and envelopes of the persons to be sent out. My mother had not taken care to
match up the names on the response envelope to those on the invitation envelope
so Betsy's mom got Sue's brother response and soon. the next day we had to send
out apologies and corrections to those we had sent out already. It costed us
more in the long run then it would have to have them done professionally. Please
don't skimp for something as important as invitations.
Here
is a list of wedding telegrams.
Don't
spring on the inner spring this spring or there'll be an off-spring next spring.
She
offered her honour, he honoured her offer, and all night he was on her and off
her.
Congratulations
on your special day, Love Pa Farkin, Ma Farkin, and the whole Farkin Family.
We've
tried him in every position, hope you have more luck. The {local} netball team
Don't
keep him in the dog house too often or he might give his bone to the girl next
door.
You
weren't born in a tent, so keep your flaps shut.
If
the stork brings babies which bird won't? A swallow.
There
are three rings in a marriage: The Engagement Ring The Wedding Ring And The
Suffering!!!
The
wedding night should be like a good chicken meal - - a little bit of breast - a
little bit of leg ........and a lot of stuffing ! ! !
Treat
the bride like a new car....Go easy for the first 500
Forecast
for the Wedding.....Expected development of Warm front With extreme turbulence
and moisture in lower regions. Good possibility of six inches overnight Sun
(son) is expected later on
Love
is a thousand miles long......But it comes in six inch instalments Easy on the
throttle Steady on the gears Roll her over gently And she'll last for many years
If
you don't what the stork to come..... Shoot it in the air
Hope
your honeymoon is like a train ride through the Khyber Pass...One long hard
route
Don't
go on your honeymoon for longer than 5 days...Or you will get a weak end
(Weekend)
Take
heed from those who know Tie your nightie to your toes Close your eyes - hold
your nose Then see how it goes
Treat
him like a flower... Grab him by the stalk
We
are curious to know why you both wanted to borrow the black leather boots and
bull whip?
Please
remember that Brandy makes you Randy Whisky makes you Frisky But it's a good
stiff Johnny Walker that makes you Pregnant
Sorry
I cannot be at the wedding... Please send me a photo of Bride and Groom mounted
Congratulations
Rots of ruck Sideways is great
Confucius
say man who sink into woman's arms soon have arms in woman's sink
Don't
buy your bed from Grace Bros They stand behind everything they sell
Hope
all your tries are not converted
Remember
Pearl Harbour....Have fun before the nips come
A
honeymoon should be like a table... Four bare legs and no drawers
"I
was engaged myself once. To a contortionist. But she broke it off."
Go
west young man get up the Darling as far as you can
And
the story of the man who called his son Vendetta because he always had it in for
him
The
trouble with being the best man at a wedding...is that you never get to prove it
The
groom, upon his engagement, went to his father and said, "I've found a
woman just like mother!" His father replied, "So what do you want from
me, sympathy?"
Your
TV viewing on your wedding night will be... Firstly, The Marriage Game, Followed
by, Great Temptation, The Untouchables, Mission Impossible, The Time is Right,
Rawhide and Bonanza
They
were married on the cricket field That night they were quite wicket The bride
said with a happy smile I'm sure this can't be cricket
A
lifetime in snooker my dearest, it's happened to you, so don't forget to chalk
his cue and the first game you play make sure it's at the end of the day
Two
passing ships making matrimonial knots while fouled in each other's stern line
recommended inter between course 69 STOP Happy voyage, bottoms up
See
you when tea is ready (Read it out loud!)
Congratulations
on finding a socket outlet for your plug
Advice
to submariners -if torpedo overheats, load tube, go deep and eject
May
the blue bird of happiness crap all over your wedding cake
Confucius
say wife for life is better than wife for strife
Don't
be too liberal at the country party or you'll wind up in Labor
Be
sure to tie your nightie to your toes 'Cos you know where the wild goose goes
Sorry
I can't make your wedding I'm half full under the table
Congratulations
on the termination of your isolation and may I express an appreciation of your
determination to end the desperation and frustration which has caused you so
much consternation in giving you the inspiration to make a combination to bring
an accumulation to the population.
From
the {local name} football club we found he was useless in any position hope you
have more luck
After
a moment of quiet repose It's tum to tum and toes to toes After a moment of
sheer delight It's back to back for the rest of the night
Dear
{bride} Isn't it funny how history repeats itself {Age of bride} years ago your
mum and dad were putting you to bed with a dummy - and now it's happening all
over again
To
Submarine Commander {groom's name} Please report depth and position at midnight
To
the groom, {Bride's name} legs are like the cemetery gates ...Always open and
waiting for a stiff to go in!
Let's
Make a Speech
One
of the hardest things that people find to do is to write and deliver a speech.
This is quite normal as public speaking can be quite scary. Here are a few tips
to help you with writing and delivering a good speech.
The
usual order for wedding speeches are as follows:
~
Welcome by the MC - Close family friend or even the DJ at some weddings
~
Toast to the Bride and Groom - Bride's father or close family friend or relative
~
Response and toast to the Bridesmaids - Groom
~
Response on behalf of the Bridesmaids - Best Man
~
Toast to parents of the Bride - Family friend
~
Response - Bride's father
~
Toast to parents of the Groom - Family friend
~
Response - Groom's father
~
Reading of Telegrams - Best Man or Groomsmen
~
Any others
The
first thing to consider is what you are actually going to say. Keep in mind that
you have been chosen by the bridal couple because they feel confident that you
will deliver a good speech. Wedding speeches usually reflect on the relationship
between the bride, groom and the person giving the speech. If you went to school
with the bride since Pre-School, reflect on the friendship that has built over
those years. If you are an uncle or aunty you could aim your speech at the way
you saw the bride or groom grow.
A
great way to relieve the pressure of standing in front of all the guests is to
introduce humour into your speech. This can work quite well but it can also
destroy a good speech if not thought out carefully. Try to give any jokes or
funny stories a personal touch by adapting them to the occasion. A great way to
introduce comedy into your speech is with funny quotes from the bride or groom.
When delivering your speech, try to keep it moving without rushing it. A lot of people spoil a good speech by rushing through it. Remember that you are at a celebration; enjoy your time in the limelight. If you find that you cannot lift your head from your notes, try swiveling around so that you are facing all the guests. This can work quite well even though you are not looking at them. Before you start your speech, look into the eyes of a close friend, this can do wonders to calm your nerves. Distractions are almost certain to happen during your speech so be prepared. Maybe have a little one liner handy or if you are too nervous to remember one, try taking a deep breath and then letting out a little giggle. This shows the audience that you are not really concerned by the distraction and are actually enjoying the break.
Marriage
Relationship Programs
Marriage
is a big step for anyone; after all, you want it to be for life.
But
during your married life together you will meet many challenges and
disappointments as well as the joy and happiness.
We
can probably all say we don't put enough serious thought into meeting the
challenges that life throws at us. We would all rather be caught up in the love,
romance and dreams of a rosy future. So it's important to be prepared to meet
the challenges together.
One
way you can be prepared is by under taking a marriage relationship program as
part of your wedding preparation. A Relationship Program does not dwell on the
negatives, rather it teaches you how to grow strong in your relationship and
together become a dynamic and effective team. They are designed to improve the
quality of a your relationship.
Relationship
Programs are relevant to all couples marrying (whether living together or
marrying for the first or second + time). They can provide a snapshot of the
your relationship as it is now, indicating what issues are relevant to you. The
relationship program enables you to explore your expectations together on a
range of issues that marriage presents, under the guidance of someone who cares.
The programs provide an opportunity for you to look at the foundations of your
relationship and strengthen those foundations by providing you with the
necessary skills.
A
wedding day is the first day of your marriage, so be prepared. A relationship
program can help to establish more solid foundations.