Posts Tagged ‘wedding’

Take a Look at Costa Rica Weddings

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

More people than ever are deciding to go for a combination marriage/honeymoon vacation these days. And many look to consider Costa Rica weddings as an attractive alternative to a more traditional “at home” affair for a number of reasons. The market for so-called destination weddings is something Costa Rica seems well-suited to play a role in, and the relative low cost combines to give the most value for a dollar, it seems.

Another good reason is that Costa Rica itself is located down in the tropical Caribbean sun and sand. This has to be attractive to many folks who want a wedding combined with a honeymoon in a part of the world breathtaking in its natural beauty. And the country has no end of attractive beaches and stunning nature to help frame the wedding environment.

And Cost Rica has no shortage of good wedding planning businesses, ready to handle all aspects of the activity, right down to the cake and wedding photos. Any of the good companies will offer a range of packages designed to fit just about every budget and taste, too. The picture just keeps getting prettier with each passing moment, doesn’t it?

For example, an all inclusive Costa Rica wedding package is referred to as an ‘elopement’ or ‘sudden decision’ package covers just about everything needed to have a wedding performed in the country. This includes an attorney to handle all the paperwork needed. Also, all activities associated with a wedding, including a beach site and even a bridal bouquet is covered. For those just wanting a honeymoon, every planning company has a range available from which to choose.

Costa Rica weddings can be an affordable option when it comes to looking at a wedding different from the older-style ceremonies many people still consider. Some even choose Costa Rica hotels in which a package “reception and stay” deal is offered. When combined with a honeymoon that can then be taken right after the ceremony, in a beautiful tropical location, it’s hard to see much of a downside. After all, warm tropical waters lapping up on a white sand beach is a nearly-unbeatable environment to top, when it comes to getting married.

You Should Not Adopt These African Wedding Traditions

Friday, June 12th, 2009

wedding ceremony

Every culture has their own wedding traditions, and these traditions seem completely normal to the people who grew up with them.  Because of this, wedding traditions from other cultures may seem very strange if you have never seen them practiced. The tradition of removing the garter and throwing the boutique probably seems odd to people from other cultures. However, some people incorporate wedding traditions from other cultures into their weddings. There are certain African wedding traditions that would be very strange to see practiced in the west.

Dowry is a very common wedding tradition in many parts of Africa. A dowry is basically a negotiated gift that the groom gives to the bride’s family. Although the amount of dowry can be determined a number of ways, it is very common for the dowry to connected to the bride’s overall desirability, as far as beauty, education, class, etc. In some cases, especially with arranged marriages, this can get out of hand and monetary value can determine who a girl gets married to.  

There are several African ceremonial traditions that would be considered outlandish in many parts of the world. One African tribe has a number of “good luck” practices that would be considered anything but that in most places. As part of the marriage, the bride must gather all of her possessions and set off for the groom’s home on foot, sometimes walking very far. To bless the marriage with good luck, the bride’s father will spit on her before she begins her journey. When she arrives at the groom’s home, the women of his family, once again as a good luck charm, will yell insults at the bride.

Other cultures have other ideas about the wedding night and when the marriage is final. Certain tribes give a lot of help with the actual wedding night experience. For instance, one tribe has an older woman give the bride tips on what to do on her wedding night, and they may even hide in the room in case the bride needs any help. In other parts of Africa, the marriage is not complete until they have two children, and some women enter into an agreement called a “temporary marriage,” in which they receive pay for being a wife, but they cannot inherit money if something happens to their husband.

If you are stressed because of an upcoming wedding, just remember that it could be worse. Unless things go terribly wrong, at your wedding you should not be spit on, insulted, or have your lovemaking skills critiqued on your wedding night. You also will not have to help your husband convince your family to accept whatever kind of dowry he can come up with.

Tips On How To Select Unique Personalized Wedding Favor Tags

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Personalized wedding favor tags are without a doubt one of the best ways of adding a personal touch to wedding favors. In fact, if you want your wedding favors to be special and unique, adding personalized wedding favor tags is your best option because not only will your wedding favor be appreciated by the recipient, but they will also stand out from the ordinary run of the mill wedding favors.

Fond Memories

Personalized wedding favor tags will certainly help ensure that when wedding guests take home their wedding favors they will immediately have fond memories of the special occasion. What’s more, the fact that your wedding favors were truly unique and nice will only make the guests feel even more appreciative of the wedding favor.

There are many different choices available when it comes to picking the right personalized wedding favor tags. For example, you can choose tags that are heart shaped or those that are round and even those that are diamond shaped. Once you have selected the shape of your intended personalized wedding favor tags you then need to think about a suitable design.

Among the different design options to choose from you should look at cupids, cosmopolitan, Grecian, classical, Victorian, contemporary and baroque as well as gardens. Once you have decided on a particular design for your personalized wedding favor tags you will then need to select an appropriate color.

Among the different colors worth checking out don’t miss out on reds, blues, pale yellows, periwinkles, burgundy, light blues, ballet pinks, lavenders, pinks, hot pinks, sage, pearl grays, mint, and deep lilacs as too corals.

Now, after having chosen the shapes, designs and colors of your personalized wedding favor tags you will then need add dates as well as your name and that of your partner in life. Once you have attended to these details you can be sure that your personalized wedding favor tags will look more special and will prove to be an ideal way of commemorating that very special day in your life.

It is also possible to use personalized wedding favor tags that are available for free or those that are sold at hugely discounted rates.

Personalized ribbons for wedding favors are an excellent means of decorating your wedding favors; especially those that are made from satin. With so many options you need to stop procrastinating and do something about using special personalized wedding favor tags to make your wedding favors stand out, be appreciated and be reminders of a very special day in your life.

Go here for more about wedding planning tips and wedding flowers.

Suggestions For A Chocolate Wedding Party Favor

Monday, May 25th, 2009

Weddings nowadays almost always have wedding favors to give away to guests. There are many different types of wedding favors to choose from as giveaways. A chocolate wedding party favor is now a popular choice for giveaways. A chocolate wedding party favor comes in different styles and will depend on what the bride and groom prefer for their party favor.

The Bar And Other Shapes

A chocolate wedding party favor can come in the shape of a bar of chocolate, a rounded piece of chocolate, in the shape of kisses and many others. People who make chocolate wedding party favors have different wrapping that can be suitable for some of the more popular brands of chocolate in the market today. The reason for this is because there are many couples who have preferences when it comes to the brand of chocolate is used for their chocolate wedding party favor.

Bars are usually chosen for those who wish that the chocolate wedding party favor label is where the thank you is written as well as the place and date of the wedding. In most cases, the label is the one printed on and the original chocolate label is taken off. The customized label is then attached with the pertinent details.

In the case of smaller chocolate shapes, such as kisses or balls, they are usually placed in containers and tags are added to the containers. Tags for these kinds of party favors are similarly worded as the chocolate bars except that these tags are smaller. Some tags are tied to the containers with golden or silver cord.

The chocolate wedding party favors in the shape of kisses, balls or small bars are sometimes repacked in foil with complementing colors to the wedding. Containers for the smaller chocolates are usually cardboard boxes. These boxes can be shaped as hearts or squares depending on the preferences of the bride and groom. Other containers for the chocolate wedding party favor can be a wedding party favor bag, pouches, plastic wrap, small glass canisters or paper origami.

Care should be exercised when going with a chocolate wedding party favor since chocolate can melt when stored in the wrong way or place. Ants and other insects might also find their way to the chocolate which is why it is best to store these in an airtight container. Handling the chocolate wedding party favor frequently can also instigate melting. Putting these in containers can help to minimize the impact of melting.

Go here for more about wedding planning tips and wedding flowers.

Top 20 Items for Your Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Your wedding will be a whirlwind day filled not only with love and laughter but also the unexpected.  Make sure you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances by keeping the following items in a handy bag to which you or your bridesmaids will have access.

-sewing kit
-safety pins
-tissue paper
-lipstick
-a mirrored compacy powder case
-breath mints
-pantyhose
-pen and pad
-list of vendors’ telephone numbers
-bandages
-deodorant
-barrettes and/or bobby pins
-perfume
-eye drops
-aspirin
-glue
-toothpicks
-any prescription medication you currently take
-comb and/or brush
-drinking straws, so you can drink water without messing up your lipstick

This list is far from a complete list, it’s simply a list of the minimum things you should consider adding to your emergency kit.  By all means add more items you deem neccessary.  Just don’t overload the bag to the point where it will be a real burden for the bridesmaid who will be carrying the bag.

Hopefully you’ll never need to use any of these items on your wedding day, but rest assured you’ll have piece of mind knowing that they’re close by you.  And if something should happen, then you’ll be better prepared to handle any situation that arises. You’re then free to return to your wedding and continue celebrating. 

You can purchase a special bridal bag to hold these items, but that’s not necessary…especially since you will not be the one carrying it.  You can save time, money and effort by using a simple bag.  Ask a bridesmaid to be in charge of keeping the bag by her side at all times.  It’s best to have a bridesmaid hold the bag as they will be with you at all times, including the photography session. 

Wedding days are usually filled with chaos. From making sure the vendors are doing their jobs, to making sure the wedding favors are in place, and making sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, it’s easy for a bride to be overwhelmed.  With an emergency kit, you can ensure that you can also handle any surprises that come your way.