Being a Bridesmaid - How to Keep the Bride Happy

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The wedding bells will soon be ringing and you've found yourself wearing bridesmaid shoes. By asking you to be in the wedding party, the bride has invited you for to be a special part of one of the most important events in her life. As a bridesmaid, you will be responsible for helping the bride-to-be prepare for her wedding day. Sometimes, even the kindest of women can turn into the infamous "Bridezilla" during wedding planning. Help avoid bridal breakdowns by following these tips.

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  Realize It's Not Your Wedding: No matter how much you like being in control now is the time to practice restraint and let the bride to be call the shots. This doesn't mean that you can't offer your opinion or suggestions, but don't get upset or angry if she decides to go in the complete opposite direction. From the dress you wear to reception location your job is to be supportive of her decision.



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  Don't Take on More than You Can Handle: Part of being a brides maid is being there when she needs you. Your responsibilities can include anything from writing out invitation to helping her pick out her dress. While it is important to take part in activities she requests you do, it's also important to know your limits. If you think you're getting in over your head let her know. Taking on more than you can handle will leave her with tons of things that need to be done at the last minute and no one to do them. Basically, don't make promises you can't keep or take on tasks you can't complete.



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  Be Available: The fact that your in the wedding doesn't mean you need to put your entire life on hold, but it does me you should make plans to be available for things like dress shopping, the bachelorette party and the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Upon accepting the position as bridesmaid, speak to the bride-to-be and find out what she expects you to take part in.



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  Be Up-front and Honest: By asking you to be in the wedding party, the bride-to-be is telling you that she wants you to be front and center for this important part of her life and you should be honored by that fact. Unfortunately, weddings can be very expensive and depending on the bride, can require a very serious commitment on your part. If you don't feel you can live up to or afford your title as bridesmaid be honest and upfront from the beginning. She may be disappointed that you can't participate as a bridesmaid but she will be happy that you came to her and were honest instead of waiting until a month before the wedding.



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  Be Patient: The term "Bridezilla" wasn't coined and used for a popular television show for no reason. Women who are soon to be brides can do some crazy things. They can be emotional, angry, demanding, panicky, indecisive, or down right mean. While it's not always an acceptable way to act, it does happen and as a bridesmaid you may find your self biting your tongue more than once. Try to be understanding during this hectic time. There is no reason to let her walk all over you or other members of the bridal party, but if it does happen handle it as a mature adult by either addressing it quietly and calmly or simply letting is slip off your shoulder.

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Bridal Gown Designs For Pregnant Brides

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Long ago, bridal gowns are made for brides in different shapes and sizes. It was rare to design gowns for woman with bugling bellies. Now, you would see Brooklyn bridal gowns for pregnant brides. Truly, there is no limit of what the fashion world can offer to different brides.

A bride is still a bride despite the changing body shape. She still deserves to look her best during the most memorable and special day of her life. If you are a pregnant bride, you can choose to have it custom-made by dressmaker. This way, you will have control of how you want to look with your gown.

Here are some tips on how to design your gown and still look gorgeous.

• Choose maternity bridal gowns that cuts right below the bust line. With the popularity of baby doll styles or empire waist dresses, this design does not bluntly reveal the bulging belly.
• Design the gown in such a way that the embroidery and bead works are just within the bust. It creates a visual balance of the gown. You can also put accent just below the bust line.
• When meeting with the couturier or dressmaker, wear the shoes that you want to wear on your wedding day. This way, you will get the feel of your overall appearance. Since the heels would be in one to two inches, your couturier would be able to evaluate designs that will not make you look short and heavy.

Now that you have this design in mind, you can still look like a queen on your wedding day. And that is what matters.

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Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

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I love Tim Burton. He has the best imagination and is one of the most creative, and talented directors working today. Rarely does he disappoint and the Corpse Bride is no exception. Corpse Bride tells the story of Victor Van Dort (voice of Johnny Depp) a reluctant groom whose newly rich parents are searching for the one thing money can't buy - respectability. To reach their goal they're marrying their son off to Victoria Everglot, (voice of Emily Watson) a properly bred, well titled young lady whose old, highly respectable family is flat broke. Through a series of events and no fault of his own, Victor finds himself married to the Corpse Bride (voice of Helena Bonham-Carter), a pretty young woman who died under mysterious circumstances on the eve of her elopement.

Shot using stop motion animation, a painstakingly slow process that involves moving models in miniscule increments as you move from frame to frame, Corpse Bride is a refreshing break from the now all too common CGI. Not only are the images fun but the cast of characters from the bodiless bartender at the local hole in the wall in the land of the dead to the miniature pirate, are a source of great entertainment and good laughs throughout the movie. Actually in many ways they steal the show making the main characters seem a little dull and underwhelming.

Don't get me wrong, dull and underwhelming are relative in this movie. Johnny Depp's Victor Van Dort is an awkward, gangly, shy young man. His ineptness is humorous and endearing and you really hope things work out for him considering the set of parents he was given. Victoria Everglot is also shy and sweet and has parents that would make Cinderella's family look like saints. Their interactions are charming and engaging and to few for my liking. It would have been nice to see more of them together as the try to wade through the waters of an arranged marriage neither is quite ready for.

What doesn't work with Corpse Bride is that the story never quite gets off the ground. In many ways it felt like it was over before it began. Just when there is some real action brewing, we're already headed for the climax and the denouement is soon there after. An extra half hour of film time wouldn't have hurt. Also, you can point the villain out as soon as he is introduced. I know in animated films the good guys are supposed to look good and the bad guys bad but a little more subtle would have been nice. Not only was the villain predictable but the ending was as well. The movie left little in a way of a surprise ending, even in an animated movie it is nice to be a little surprised.

But those are minor complaints in a movie that was fun, imaginative and quite entertaining. Corpse Bride is good for the whole family, although it might be a little scary for kids younger than nine. So take the family and enjoy.

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The Running of the Brides!

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On your mark, get set, go! What is this crazed group of women doing? Why, shopping for a discount wedding gown, of course. One of the most unique and entertaining events in the bridal industry is the Filene's Basement wedding gown sale. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, but brides looking for an incredible deal on a designer gown swear by it.

The event is known as "The Running of the Brides" because the stampede of bargain-crazed brides and their friends looks a lot like the running of the bulls in Pamplona (only the bulls are less intimidating than the brides!). The tradition started back in 1947 in Boston, although it probably looked at lot different than the event does today (for instance, the ladies in the '40s were not likely to strip down to their underwear in the aisle to try on dresses). The sale happens twice a year in Boston, where it has become a world famous event drawing brides from all around the globe. Other major sales happen at the stores in Chicago, D.C., and Atlanta.

What is all the excitement about? Designer gowns marked down to $699 or less from original prices of up to $9000. Now that is a bargain! Brides are willing to get in line up to four hours before the doors open at 8am to get first crack at finding their dream dress for next to nothing. Think about it, if you saved $8300 on your bridal gown, that would sure leave a lot of money for your accessories. You could choose fabulous Swarovski crystal wedding jewelry, a beautiful veil, and awesome shoes, and still have room in your budget for the photographer, the florist, and maybe even your favors. You could even splurge a little and give a full set of wedding jewelry to each of your bridesmaids (especially if they were part of your dress hunting "team" - that qualifies as going beyond the call of duty.)

Ah, the "team" - they are a vital part of the Running of the Brides. This is not the type of scene where a bride should try to go it alone. You need grabbers, guards, dressers, and traders to give you a chance at snagging that perfect gown. The bride will actually gather her team for strategy meetings before the sale! It is also not uncommon for teams to wear wacky outfits, and carry walkie-talkies so they find each other in the crowd.

Finally it is time for the big event - as the store opens, hundreds of women race in and start grabbing gowns off the racks - as many as possible, without regard to size or style. The key is to get as many gowns as possible, so that you will have collateral to trade with later. It takes only a little over one minute for as many as 2500 gowns to be cleared from the racks. This is no place for the weak - brides and their teams push, shove, and do whatever it takes to get an armful of dresses.

Once all of the gowns are taken, brides strip down to underwear or swimsuits and try on dresses right there in the racks. One team member helps the bride dress, another guards her pile, and others are sent to trade the cast-offs. Clever brides will make signs describing their dream dress "ivory strapless, size 8", or even have the information printed on t-shirts for her team members to wear! It is madness, but there is a system, and many bridal teams are surprisingly cooperative with one another after the initial frenzy dies down.

The Running of the Brides is a once in a lifetime type of experience. For many brides, choosing their wedding gown in that kind of chaos is their worst nightmare. There are those, however, who thrive on the excitement and find the adventure to be a bonding experience with their bridesmaids. Best of all, most of them do come away from the day with a gown that they love at a price that they love even more.

Briget has many years helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Let us know if you would like her to write on a particular topic. Ley us help you find your wedding jewelry and the perfect bridesmaid gift for your bridesmaids.

Veil Alternatives For Brides

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The traditional image of a bride is a woman in a long white dress with an equally long flowing veil. Some women, though, do not want to wear a veil for their wedding, and yet a bridal gown is really not complete without something in the bride's hair. Luckily, there are many beautiful alternatives to a veil.

There can be a variety of reasons why a bride would not choose to wear a veil. She might think that it is too much for an informal wedding, or she might think a veil is inappropriate if she is a second time bride. Some brides just feel silly with a long piece of tulle draped from their heads. Whatever the reason for not wearing a veil, you will want to find a different option to finish off your look while still suiting your style and situation.

One alternative to wearing a veil is to wear a hat. At outdoor garden weddings, you sometimes see the bride wearing a large portrait style hat adorned with silk or fresh flowers. This is a particularly nice option for an informal wedding where the bride is wearing a very simple dress, perhaps with a touch of subtle handmade wedding jewelry. It makes for a very genteel look.

Hats can go to the other extreme, as well. An avant garde bride could wear an edgy one-of-a-kind hat, perhaps in a color other than white. Such hats can be adorned with feathers, bits of tulle, or anything else that catches your fancy. Yet another style of bridal hat is a small pillbox with a piece of open-weave netting. This look is both retro and chic at the same time. It would be ideal with a wedding suit or tailored sheath dress.

If hats are not your thing, there are many other types of adornments that a bride can choose. Ditching the veil does not have to mean forgoing a tiara, if you like the princess bride look. Tiaras can be large and ornate, covered in rhinestones and Swarovski crystals, or they can be delicate and airy, with more of an emphasis on pearls. You will want to make sure that they match the general style of your handmade wedding jewelry, so if your overall look is more glitzy, choose a crystal tiara, or if you are wearing pearl bridal jewelry, then a pearl headpiece is the right choice for you.

Not every bride feels that a tiara is right for either her taste or her wedding. A big crown is rarely a good idea on an older bride, or one who is being remarried. Those brides should seek more subtle and sophisticated hair jewelry. A very wearable option is hairpins. They can be tucked into any type of updo, from an elaborate wreath of curls to the most classic chignon. The nice thing about hairpins is that they give your hairstylist some flexibility; she can place them individually throughout your hair, or cluster them together for a more dramatic effect. If you are only pulling back the sides of your hair, then a decorative comb could be used in place of hairpins.

The final alternative to a veil is wearing fresh flowers in your hair. The most elegant way to do it is to tuck one large flower into the side of a hairstyle. Leave the floral wreaths for the flower girls. There are a few things to consider about fresh flowers; they will usually wilt over the course of the day, and there are limited options for blooms that will work. If you decide to go this route, keep a spare flower or two in water so that you can switch it out as needed.

Brides today worry less about doing what is conventional. They are more interested in expressing their personalities and being true to themselves. If you decide that a veil is not right for you, there are many other stylish alternatives.

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Handmade wedding jewelry will make any bride even more beautiful.

Ideas For a Successful Mother of the Bride Speech

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Blended families, divorced parents, there are any number of reasons that a mother of the bride be required to make a speech at the wedding. It could be as simple as the father of the bride not being comfortable speaking before large audiences, but whatever the reasons, you will want to come up with a winning speech that will touch the heart of the wedding guests and express how you feel about your daughter and her new husband.

You can begin your speech with an anecdote that relates to the bride and groom and their relationship. You can tell how you felt when they invited you to make a speech and the reasons behind your acceptance.

You can talk about what your daughter was like when she was just a little girl and about some of your happiest memories of days and times you shared together. A mother and daughter relationship is one of the most special you can be involved in and the most difficult part of your speech may be getting through it without tears.

You can tell about how your daughter has changed since she met her new husband and how it pleases you to see how happy they are when they are together. You can also include the memory of how your daughter first mentioned the man who was to be her future husband to you. This can bring lots of laughs from your audience, especially if the young man in question wasn't an instant hit with the bride.

Another thing all wedding guests like to hear is how the bride and groom met. Many times there is a humorous memory of their momentous meeting. How did other members of the family feel about the new man in your daughter's life? Did younger brothers and sisters torment them during their courtship; did grandma or grandpa mention marriage upon first meeting the groom? Did dad just scratch himself and grunt?

Many times a mother's wedding speech will focus on the importance of marriage and the commitment two people make to each other when they exchange vows. You can add your own reflections about what makes a successful relationship as well as mention all the wonderful qualities that the couple has.

Making a speech that will be long remembered is usually one that comes straight from the heart. Making your heartfelt emotions known to the happy couple and the other guests can have everyone reaching for a hankie. If you bring tears of joy, laughter or nostalgia to the eyes of those attending, you can be sure you did a splendid job.

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African-American Wedding Music

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What makes your wedding uniquely African-American?

It's easy to adopt Western traditions. Even in Africa, brides are choosing to go with Western-style weddings.

You can preserve your heritage in your wedding with African-American wedding music. What does this mean exactly?

Most couples have their own taste in music and that usually means the popular music of the day. But let's explore the roots of African-American music for your African-American wedding music...

Spirituals

Blues

Rags

Jazz

Swing

Perhaps these styles don't seem like they will fit into YOUR wedding, but look deeper.

If you are having a Christian ceremony, the spiritual fits well into the wedding. The spiritual is one of the most significant genres of American music. Yes, many of them are mournful, speaking of hope beyond present day circumstances, but many are stirring and uplifting, professing their faith. Try A little more faith in Jesus...

All I want, All I want, All I want is a little more faith in Jesus

Whenever we meet you here we say, A little more faith in Jesus

What's the order of the day? A little more faith in Jesus.

I tell you now as I told you before,

A little more faith in Jesus,

To the promise land I'm bound to go,

A little more faith in Jesus.

What an exciting way to start a joyous occasion!

The blues are another uniquely African-American musical form. Now you might think the blues are just way too depressing for a happy wedding day. Blues music reflected the newly-acquired freedom of slaves in America. There are many songs that have a sad origin, but in the context of a happy wedding, work well. Consider, for example, Can't help lovin' that man of mine from the movie "Show Boat." Yes, she lost her man in the movie, but he's all yours on your wedding day and the words convey a beautiful sentiment...

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly,

I gotta love one man 'til I die,

So I can't help lovin' that man of mine.

Rags or rag-time - another great African-American tradition. Ever heard of Scott Joplin? This pianist extraordinaire practically invented the idiom. If you saw the movie "The Sting," you heard a lot of rags. This style predated jazz and reached its popularity in the first two decades of the 20th century. Most rags are upbeat and could work as prelude music, and would be fantastic during the cocktail hour or during dinner. You could hire a pianist to play a selection of rags.

Jazz is the epitome of African-American art and is fabulous African-American wedding music. All you need to do is hire a great jazz band and your reception will be awesome. And don't forget that swing!

Jazz can work well in the ceremony as well. Embraceable You and The Nearness of You are great jazz vocal solos as the mothers are seated or when the bridal party is entering.

Drums - If you want something really exciting and truly African, why not process down the aisle to a traditional African drum beat with musicians dressed in traditional garb? Contact your local university music department, music union, or music store, and ask if they know of any African drum ensembles. Or do an on-line search for an African drum ensemble.

Make your wedding a true cultural heritage experience with African-American wedding music.

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Gift For Bride To Be

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The wedding marks a new journey, a new beginning for the bride and the groom.

After getting the marriage invitation, the next step for friends and relatives is to save the date and plan on what to wear for the wedding, how to go, where to stay, get leave sanctioned in advance, so that last minute you are not pleading your boss for leave to attend the marriage. Above that what gift for the bride to be given. Present her with something which will be of great use after marriage.

If you are a close relative or a close friend of the bride, then you can feel free to ask the bride her choice of gifts after telling her, your budget. It is advantageous for both, the bride and you, because you don't have to break your head thinking what to buy, whether she will appreciate it or like it. If it is a slightly bigger thing, you can transfer the money in her account, and whenever the bride is free she can go with her bridesmaid or parents and do the shopping and your gift is ready. The other option is you can get the gift of her choice by yourself and bring it with you and give it on the wedding reception.

If you are not so close to the bride to be, then you can buy good useful gifts depending on your budget. You can go for a jewellery made of gold, either a gold necklace, or a chain, or a bangle or earring. You can also go for a slim digital camera, a good gift certificate, a good book, monogrammed goodies like towel, keep safe jewel box where her new initials can be engraved, a nice honeymoon gift, lingerie, engagement memories like a beautiful musical photo album.

Women are more attached and quite particular about their kitchen. Good kitchen appliances like a microwave oven, a blender or a juicer, or a tea kettle or coffee maker can be useful. Cookery items like dinner set, coffee set, cutlery and crockery can be given as they are some of the best gifts to be given for a bride.

After marriage, the bride likes to set her home sweet home with lots of decorative items, like lampshades, paintings, musical clocks, wall hangers etc. Make-up sets, travel bags for honeymoon are wonderful gifts. Designer hand bags and shoes can be also given. If your budget permits, you can sponsor a trip on a cruise or liner to some exotic location.

Whatever may be the gift whether big or small, it should be given with lots of love, affection and best wishes to carry the bride through a happy married life.

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Brides To Be Top Ten Pre-Wedding Mistakes

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Planning a wedding can be one of the most exhilarating, yet stressful times of a woman's life. Whether you are going extravagant, or just keeping it simple, there are many details that must be addressed, and often, little time to do them. This time constraint is often the source of many common mistakes made by brides before a wedding. Lack of research is another contributing factor. This, however, is often due to the fact that most brides have never planned a wedding before, so the process can prove a bit daunting. Below are the top ten mistakes commonly made by many brides-to-be, and how to avoid them.

Not sticking to your budget. Often times, couples will set a wedding budget, then make further plans without keeping it in mind. This can be a big mistake. While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and frenzy of planning a wedding, it is important to follow your budget. Failure to do so can either result in spending more money than what you have, or being disappointed when you can't pay for something you are set on doing.

Messing up the marriage license. There are a number of rules and regulations surrounding this process that it is easy for couples to make a mistake. Because the bride often plans the wedding, the groom usually takes care of this detail, but it is always something the couple should do together. It is a good idea for the bride-to-be to get involved in this one so both parties know what is needed and when to do it.

Ordering the wedding gown too late. If you have your heart set on a specific gown, you will want to take care of this early on in the planning process. Even if this detail is not as important to you as it is other brides, it is a good idea to have this one taken care of early. Most times, the gown must be altered, sometimes even more than once, so attention should definitely be given to this major detail.

Waiting to book hotel rooms. A common mistake made by many brides is waiting too late to book hotel rooms for wedding guests. This is especially important if you are getting married during a busy time of the year, or would like your guests to stay in a particularly busy hotel. This detail should be taken care of soon after the wedding date is set. It's much easier to re-book a room in advance than it is to find a room at the last minute.

Inviting too many guests. When choosing a place for the wedding and reception, make sure these sites can accommodate the number of guests you would like to invite. This is crucial because you often take care of this detail well in advance, certainly long before you have received notice of who is and isn't coming to the wedding.

Indulging in last-minute beauty treatments or crash diets. Getting a facial the day before the wedding can be a bad idea. Instead of rejuvenating your skin, it can actually lead to break-outs, especially if you have never before used the products included in the facial. Because of this, you have no idea what they may or may not do to your skin, so take precautions. The same goes for crash diets. You want your dress to still fit the day of the wedding, and going on a crash diet could result in its being too big.

Failure to understand invitation postage. Many brides are not aware the invitations often require additional postage, therefore, these items are often sent out without it. If this happens, the postal service will return your invitations to you, and you will be responsible for including the proper postage and sending them again. This, of course, can significantly delay the entire process, not to mention add stress to your wedding planning.

Ignoring religious restrictions. Skipping pre-marital classes or failing to wear the appropriate wedding attire can result in your wedding officiate refusing to marry you when the big day arrives. To avoid this, make sure you understand what will be required of you and your husband-to-be prior to the actual wedding. This is especially important if you do not practice the same religion.

Trying it on your own. If you are lucky enough to have been offered help by friends and family members, take it. There are so many details to attend to that it can easily become overwhelming and you may find you will need all the help you can get.

Forgetting to focus on what it all means instead of just the actual event. Yes, the wedding is important, but you should always keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together. Brides be good to your grooms and grooms to the same to your brides.

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Latin Mail Order Brides

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Mail order brides are women who agree to allow male foreigners to choose them as brides-to-be. The process usually takes place with a marriage agency, where the groom can select the woman from a catalogue. The man usually comes from a more developed country than that of his bride.

Latin women tend to be a popular choice for bride-seeking males because of their natural beauty and exotic looks. Given that the men have no prior familiarity with the women before browsing through their photos in catalogues, physical appearance is the primary means used by male foreigners in selecting their bride. And since signing up as a mail order bride means that these women are readily available, rejection is almost not a possibility. Given that many Latin American nations are not doing well economically, many of the Latin family members welcome the union.

Usually, men who come from Western countries, such as the United States of America and Canada, are the ones who seek brides in this manner. This is attributed to the lax immigration laws of these places, especially when it comes to fiancés and spouses. In many Latin American families, marriage is the preferred method to enter a foreign country.

There have always been misconceptions that the women who eventually get married via mail order bride agencies would eventually be maltreated physically by the husband. They are perceived to be sex slaves and domestic helpers rather than wives. In fact, there are countries that set up laws to protect their citizens from becoming a mail order bride. But contrary to popular belief, marriage spawned from mail order bride agencies is about 80 percent successful.

The mail-order bride business is something not limited to Western countries alone. In Asia, Taiwanese men seek women from China to be their wives.

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Bridal Party Introduction Songs

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Music plays an important role in any wedding ceremony, especially from the point where the bride enters, right up to the moment when she and her groom are declared as man and wife. Traditionally, the groom is initially made to stand at the end of the aisle by the bishop. The bridal party is then allowed to enter through the doors, including the bride. The introduction of the bridal party is generally accompanied by a sudden shift in the music that is being played to what are referred to as the bridal party introduction songs. The selected song is played from the moment the bridal party begins to enter and is played till the point of time when the bride finally reaches her destination down the aisle.

The wedding party does not merely consist of the bridesmaids, the best man, the ring bearer and the bride. The family of the bride, especially her parents, is also considered as part of the wedding party. The bridal party, on the other hand, consists of the bridesmaids accompanied by the maid of honor. The maid of honor is also called the matron of honor. It is customary for the bridal party to enter just after the selected number from the bridal party introduction songs has started playing.

Weddings today are heterogeneous. According to the kind of atmosphere that a wedding ceremony bears, the bridal party introduction songs can also be different for different weddings. Traditional weddings tend to employ the traditional tune of "Here Comes the Bride". Stylish and modern weddings often employ more easygoing tunes from different genres of music. It is interesting to note that even casual party musical numbers are occasionally used as bridal party introduction songs nowadays. Some prefer romantic tunes, while others are more inclined towards playing light, hip-hop tunes.

Selecting proper bridal party introduction songs can be difficult. A number of web sites have alleviated this problem to a certain extent by providing lists of suggested tunes that can be played as bridal party introduction songs. One must choose a song carefully, for a wrong selection can destroy the entire atmosphere of a wedding.

It is said that every single aspect of a wedding can contribute significantly to the remembrance of those fond memories in the future. This is true even for bridal party introduction songs. Hearing a song that had been played during one's wedding ceremony can revive the old passion years later. After all, what can touch the human heart more deeply than music?

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Simple Wedding Dresses Can Be Simply Stunning

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For all too many brides the choice of a simple wedding dress is an economic reality. Getting married is a costly business and, much as we would like to, we can't always afford that dress of our dreams. Or can we?

With a little imagination and not too much extra expense simple wedding dresses can be turned into stunning wedding outfits that will have you looking like a princess as you walk down the aisle.

The days of the full blow traditional white wedding are receding and more and more couples are choosing altogether simpler weddings which allow them the flexibility to let their own true personalities shine through. For the bride this also means a departure from the full and fancy white ball gown wedding dress and the adoption of a much simpler style of dress. This in turn, can also lead to a considerable cost saving.

The traditional wedding dress relied very much on its sheer bulk to create an impression with elaborate headdresses and veils, long trains, a full skirt, bows and yards of lace. But does this really create any more of an impression than many of the much simpler dresses that we see today at high fashion events such as the annual Oscar ceremony?

The secret is to start with a simple dress which best suits your figure and which accentuates your best features and hides the bits you don't want people to see. If you have beautiful legs then why not wear a dress with a short skirt. If your arms are your best feature then what's wrong with a sleeveless dress. Is there any real reason today to walk down the aisle looking like a meringue or trusted up like a turkey?

If you would choose to go out to dinner is a backless dress, or with a low neckline that shows off a little cleavage, then why shouldn't this style of dress also be suitable for your wedding?

Once you've found a dress that suits your figure there are a variety of things that you can do to personalize the dress and to make it very much your own. You might for example add some beading or some lace to it. You could also add such things as bows or silk flowers. The possibilities are endless and are really only limited by your imagination.

Don't forget too that you can further enhance the effect of your wedding dress by the addition of various accessories including jewelry, a hairpiece and even decorations for your shoes.

Picking a dress from the wide range of simple wedding dresses available today is just the starting point. The careful choice of a dress to suite your figure combined with your imagination and a little sewing can easily and cheaply create a truly stunning dress that you will be more than happy to wear down the aisle.

More information on simple wedding dresses [http://talkingweddings.com/cheap-wedding-dresses.html] can be found by visiting Talking Weddings

Dressing For the Occasion - Christmas Weddings

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Any wedding during the Christmas period is guaranteed a magical feel to it, but how can you make your Christmas wedding that little bit more special and unique? From seasonal colours to seasonal buttonholes, there are lots you can add to your Christmas wedding to suit any budget.

Grooms

• A nice seasonal touch is to add some holly into the grooms buttonhole. It's a subtle but very effective way of bringing Christmas into the wedding.


• For the ultimate Christmas feeling to the grooms attire, you could have him in a deep coloured waistcoat, or even a decorative cravat, i.e. Christmas print, but definitely stay away from the Santa ties.


• Subtle changes to the normal groom attire would be to get some Christmas cufflinks.

Bride

• Apart from the obvious where the bride could wear a deep red dress. As not everyone is as brave, some suggestions would be that the bride could wear a deep red or green velvet hooded cape over her gown. The contrast between white/ivory and the dark cape is stunning and adds even more magic to the beautiful bride.


• The bride's bouquet is certainly somewhere you can introduce a Christmas theme, fire ice roses teamed with red roses and a dash of babies breath is a very effective. There are lots of flowers out there to chose from that would look fantastic in any Christmas bouquet.

Bridesmaids

• Having your bridesmaids dresses in deep burgundy or very dark green is perfect for any Christmas wedding, but if they aren't colours you would feel comfortable with, you could alternatively chose a neutral colour and add some seasonal coloured ribbon around the waist, depending on the style of the dress of course.


• Poinsettia, The Christmas flower. This elegant bold flower would look perfect in the bridesmaid bouquet. Even alone this flower makes a statement. Though be aware; the poinsettia should be prepared by someone with knowledge of them, as they can secrete a substance that causes allergy in some people.


• Alternatively the bridesmaid and or flower girl could wear winter hand muffs instead of carrying a bouquet.

Guests

• Holly and mistletoe is beautiful as a wedding buttonhole or added to the corsages.

Hair

• For the bride some holly could be incorporated into her hair on the day. The same applies to the bridesmaid and flower girls.


• 
  
  Another idea would be to add some florist wire to the hair, i.e. the very decorative pieces that florists can put through bouquets in either gold or silver.

Got some Christmas tips you'd like to share with our brides? Email editor@realweddings.ie

Fiona Fagan
Editor
http://www.RealWeddings.ie

The History of Mail Order Brides

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The mail order bride system commonly in place today is by no means a new one. It is said that the early settlers of the American continent, the major portion of whom were men, were not able to not find brides in their own country. Therefore, they had to turn to Europe with the expectation of securing a bride. Many years later, during the World War 2, American GIs started writing love letters to women they had never met with the same expectation in mind. Arranged marriages in this fashion have been carried out for thousands of years and they continue to be a common way for people to be married.

In the early 1980s, it was seen that there was an increased tendency for Western men to look beyond their own country to find their soul mate. This was done, as the western men believed that extending their search would speed up the whole process of meeting that special someone, ensuring a perfect match.

Early on, Asian women were predominantly the ones advertising themselves as mail order brides, with Thailand and the Philippines being the main countries involved. The false notion of the typical mail order bride transaction being a Westerner buying an Asian woman stems from these origins.

The fall of the Iron Curtain saw the creation of a completely new resource of mail order brides, looking for the possibilities of meeting a Westerner with a view to settle down. The number of Russian brides that participate in the mail order system has greatly increased in last few years.

Initially, the mail order bride system was paper catalogue-based, which were often printed only once. This was a more limited way for people to interact.

The introduction of the Internet in the 1990s revolutionized the mail order bride system, making introductions faster, easier and reliable. This system was more time-efficient and enjoyable than the earlier one, as well as attracted a substantial number of affluent men.

The future of the mail order bride system seems geared to move online entirely. This system is becoming an increasingly popular mode of meeting people, ideally suited to the time, lifestyles and resultant expectations of both parties.

Mail Order Brides provides detailed information on Mail Order Brides, Russian Mail Order Brides, Latin Mail Order Brides, Asian Mail Order Brides and more. Mail Order Brides is affiliated with Online Russian Brides [http://www.i-RussianBrides.com].

The Sad But Momentous Day for the Father of the Bride!

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For the father of the bride, the wedding day is typically a day of mixed emotions. On one hand, there is pride and joy at the fact that his beloved daughter is getting married to someone she loves. At the same time, it is mixed with the sadness that comes with the realization that his daughter has grown up and is no longer daddy's little girl.

One of the most important things that the father of the bride does on the wedding day is to give away the bride. As per custom, once the congregation has been seated, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father while the groom waits for them at the altar. This tradition is rich with emotional undertones. The father who has looked after his daughter is now symbolically handing over the care of his daughter to the new man in her life.

Of course, there are many who feel that this custom is no longer relevant today when most women have a career and are no longer under the care of their parents and are unlikely to be under the care of their husbands. On the flip side, the sight of the father of the bride escorting his daughter down the aisle to the uplifting notes of "Here comes the Bride" still resonates with many of us and captures the transition into marriage beautifully. Ultimately, whether this custom is included in the ceremony or not must be decided by the father of the bride and the bride herself.

Once the wedding ceremony is over, the father and mother of the bride leave for the reception venue. Since they are the hosts of the reception, it is important that they arrive there ahead of the guests so that they can welcome the guests as they come in. During the reception the father of the bride will be called on by the Best Man to make a speech and propose a toast. Once the reception is over, the father of the bride is expected to stay until the end of the party to help with any final bills or to make last-minute arrangements.

The level of involvement of the father of the bride in the wedding planning and preparation depends on the decision of the bride and groom and their parents. Sometimes the wedding is held in the house of the bride's parents - at such times, it is natural that the father of the bride ends up deeply involved in almost every step of the wedding preparation.

At other times, and especially if the wedding is being held far away from the bride's parental home, the involvement of the father of the bride in the wedding preparations may be minimal. However, keep in mind that most fathers would love to be involved in their daughter's weddings in some way or the other so do ask them for their help whenever it is needed.

Traditionally, the father of the bride also shoulders the cost of the reception. However, this trend is changing, partly due to the fact that both the bride and the groom are earning members and partly because of the rising costs of a reception party. The accepted practice nowadays is for the cost of the wedding and the reception to be jointly borne by the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom and the couple themselves. However, if the father of the bride offers to foot the bill, the gracious thing to do would be to accept the offer.

Whatever you as the couple choose regarding the costs of the whole event, remember the day is for celebration and significant day for the father of the bride. It is a day where he relinquishes his daughter to a another man and where the groom resumes the responsibility of caring for her. The father of the bride will be sad on one side but will know that his daughter will always be daddy's little girl no matter what.

Shirley Tan is currently the owner of My Groomsmen Gifts, known for having unique and specialty groomsmen gifts at inexpensive prices. At http://www.MyGroomsmenGifts.com, you will find many stylish and distinctive gifts for the groomsmen in your wedding.

If you have any questions regarding any of the products seen online, please email us at info@MyGroomsmenGifts.com or call them at (888)381-8869.

Headpiece Styles For Short Hair

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When you start looking through the bridal magazines, you will likely notice that most of the models have long hair. This allows them to wear any type of hairstyle, from an updo to soft and flowing. Long hair can also be styled to accommodate any type of headpiece. But not every bride has long hair, and there are certainly some wonderful headpiece styles available for short hair.

One great style to shop for is a headband. This type of headpiece fits to your head, and doesn't need the hair to provide an anchor. A headband could also serve as a base for a veil instead of the usual comb. Headbands come in numerous styles. A wide fabric covered band has a classic, innocent 1950s look. A dainty headband can be covered in Swarovski crystals and pearls for a more contemporary look. A great idea is to coordinate the details of your headpiece to your custom bridal jewelry. If you are choosing to wear a headband, beware of styles with flowers attached, as they can make you look like a flower girl.

Another easy-to-wear style for short hair is a wreath. Wreaths tend to work best for brides with an earthy style, or those having Medieval themed weddings. They can also be a terrific choice for a tropical destination wedding. Fresh flowers are one possibility, but they can be the toughest to pull off. One reason is that fresh flowers can just be too big to wear on your head, and there is the wilting issue, as well. A better option is tiny paper or porcelain flowers. They can be woven to create a wreath that is much more dainty and wearable. A wreath made of lasting materials is also nice if you have a sister or friend who might want to borrow it for their wedding in the future.

Depending how short your hair is, there are additional types of bridal headpieces that may work. If you have enough hair to pull the front back, you will have a world of options. Your hairdresser can use a clear ponytail holder to sweep back the front section of hair, which will give you a place to anchor your headpiece and veil. Pieces attached to combs will tend to work very well with this hairstyle, and they are plentiful. You will have your choice of a wide variety of designs.

For a formal wedding, a comb adorned with beautiful materials like crystals and pearls will be perfect. It can be low to the head, or have more height like a tiara. If your custom bridal jewelry is more glitzy, then choose a comb with crystals and rhinestones. A more demure bride could select a piece handmade with sterling silver flowers and tiny seed pearls. If you coordinate your headpiece to your bridal jewelry, it will look perfect.

A full tiara may not be the best choice for a bride with short hair. For one thing, it will be difficult to stabilize the weight of the piece without a lot of hair to put the side combs into. The other factor to keep in mind is that a giant tiara will just be overwhelming if you do not have a big hairstyle to balance it out visually. Brides with short hair will also definitely want to rule out hairpins as their ornament. The ends of the pins are likely to show, and they are sure to fall out of your hair in short order.

Having short hair does not mean that a bride cannot wear a headpiece or veil. Happily, there are numerous styles from which to choose. Whether your style is classic, contemporary, or earthy, there will be a perfect headpiece for your wedding day.

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts, reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Custom bridal jewelry is a wonderful choice for the bride looking for something unique for her wedding.

Unique Gifts for Mother of the Groom

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A wedding is a joyous occasion, and an occasion when gifts are exchanged among many different people. Guests and bridal party members give gifts to the bride and groom. The bridal couple gives gifts to the wedding party and to the bride's mother. Some couples do not give a gift to the mother of the groom. It is entirely proper to do so, however, and will go far toward alleviating feelings that the mother of the groom is in the background.

Unique gifts for the mother of the groom may be purchased, but the most unique gift a bridal couple can give her is personal attention. Only you can show that you have time for her on your special occasion. Before you get too caught up in the day, plan a heart-felt gift that only you can give.

The French custom of the groom walking his mother down the aisle is a lovely, unique gift that she will always remember. The bride and her father walk the aisle together. Give similar attention to the mother of the groom.

Order a lovely bouquet of her favorite flowers to be delivered the morning "after" your wedding. She will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Be sure it includes a sincere thank you for her part in the wedding.

In addition to your personal touch, give her a unique gift you have purchased. We've gathered a few ideas here to help you.

Unique Gifts for Mother of the Groom - Sentimental

Since the mother of the groom will usually cry at the wedding, give her a unique gift that is sentimental, and that she can cherish forever. A dainty handkerchief in linen and lace can be embroidered with the words, "Mother of the Groom" to make it uniquely hers.

A necklace with a tiny bouquet of silver forget-me-not flowers is another unique gift. Its gentle message is that she will not be forgotten, even though her son is married and starting his own family.

Visit the CafePress store online, and create a unique gift featuring Mom's favorite photo of the couple, or simply a gift bearing your wedding date and names. Use your imagination to style a mug with the words "Mother-of-the-groom" and a photo of Mom.

Your personalized keepsake is always a unique gift. Write a poem, or choose one that expresses your feelings. Add your names, and have it etched on a scalloped block of clear Lucite with a display stand.

Unique Gifts for Mother of the Groom - Stylish

If the mother of the groom is a business woman, and regularly carries business cards, a unique gift might be a personalized business card case. Have it engraved with the initials, MOG. Few people will understand the initials, but she will think of you every time she uses it.

Purchase a decorative crystal bud vase and have it engraved for a unique gift. You might put her initial in flowing script near the top, with your names and wedding date at the bottom.

For a mother of the groom who always has a key in her hand, give her a heart locket key chain. Be sure the heart locket is large enough for an engraved message such as "Our hearts are always with you." Put your photo inside, and you have a unique gift that no one else could give.

Unique Gifts for Mother of the Groom - Amusing

If the groom's mother has a sense of humor and enjoys a good play on words, you might give her a lovely make-up set for "groom"-ing. Ornate, silver-tone make-up brushes in a black satin case would make a unique gift. A silver compact, engraved with her name, would also be fitting, either with the brushes or alone.

A medal of honor might also be appreciated as a unique gift for the mother of the groom. The Bridal People website offers an amusing medal of honor to be awarded the mother of the groom for surviving the wedding. Hanging from a ribbon, their medallion weaves together the initials M.O.G., and spells out Mother of the Groom in small letters across the top.

Tip: Unique gifts for the mother of the groom, or for anyone, are usually a result of coupling your imagination with your knowledge of the gift recipient.

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about unique gifts at http://www.distinctivegiftsandcards.com. Anna has posted additional information on that site about wedding gifts. If you would like to learn the etiquette on sending wedding gifts, visit Anna now.

Fun Things For Brides

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Being a bride is one of the most fun times in a young woman's life. Besides the best part (marrying the man your love!), there are so many other things that make this time a blast. Go ahead and indulge yourself with some of these fun things for brides.

When you start looking at bridal magazines and websites, you will probably notice things that you had no idea even existed. There are many products, often personalized, to help you get into the spirit of being a bride. It would be fun to treat yourself to a few of these little novelties that you can only have while you are a bride.

One popular idea is to get a t-shirt that has the word "Bride" emblazoned on it in crystals. Now this may sound a little silly to some, but you have to admit that it is kind of cute for a bachelorette night on the town. By the way, there are usually matching undies available - get them in blue to wear under your wedding gown for "something blue".

What many brides will do is to get the coordinating shirts for their attendants that say "Bridesmaid" or "Maid of Honor". It makes for fun gifts to give each bridesmaid. Something that has such limited use should not be your main bridesmaid gifts, but it could be part of a bigger gift, perhaps tucked into a monogrammed tote bag that they can use again.

Along this same theme are customized things that you can order with your future name on it. Imagine a bikini for your honeymoon with "Mrs. Smith" on the tush in crystals. Also popular are hoodies that say "The future Mrs. Smith" on the back. To get the groom into the act, you can also get shirts or hats that say "Just married" on them.

Don't forget about the children in your wedding. What little girl wouldn't love a pink t-shirt proclaiming her status as a "Flower girl"? For the little boys in your bridal party, you can find shirts declaring them to be "Official Keeper of the Ring".

A more subtle thing that a bride can get is personalized footwear. There are some shoe designers who will put your initials and wedding date in crystals on the sole of your high heeled bridal shoes. Other couples will get the flip flops that say "Just married" on the soles to leave an impression in the sand - perfect for that beach honeymoon.

Speaking of things that you can have customized, did you know that you can actually get postage with a picture on it? How great would it be to put your engagement photo on your invitations or save-the-date cards? You could even get one of your wedding pictures made into postage to use on your thank you notes. Now that would be sure to impress!

Being a bride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are so many fun little trinkets that you can pick up to make the whole thing even more fun. Don't worry about being silly - this is your chance to indulge in a few things that make you smile. Besides, you know that you secretly want those "Bride" undies!

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Bridesmaid gifts should be something that you know your attendants will enjoy for many years, such as jewelry.

Father of the Bride Speeches - Make Her Day Memorable

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Weddings are such lovely occasions. They are just the perfect place for love, laughter, romance and tears. There is a very magical and exciting feel about weddings. Everyone enjoys a wedding. It must be because of the gorgeous ladies in their beautiful dresses and the handsome men in their stunning tuxedos, or it might be because of love and romance all around which makes it so attractive.

Maybe it's all that is stated above and more.

During the wedding, the bride's father is in a complex position, where he has mixed feelings of love, happiness and sadness because he finally realizes that his little child is going to have a life of her own with the person she loves. He has to give his daughter away to another man.

Father of the bride speeches are a formality but they are a great way for the father to accept that his lovely bud has now blossomed into a flower and it is time to give her away. It is also the best time to welcome the new man. It isn't that easy to express your feelings in limited words, so just let your heart guide you. Father of the bride speeches should be memorable, humorous, witty and sincere. Whatever you write in your father of the bride speech won't be found anywhere, for it is exclusive.

Father of the bride speeches are usually touching, heartfelt and warm. Walking down the aisle with your daughter can be the proudest but a very heart rending moment for a father. He has to accept the fact that he has been sweetly nudged by his daughter to obtain the second position for the most important man in her life.

However you have to prepare a speech and show her how happy you are for her. All father of the bride speeches are serious with a pinch of humor. When it comes to giving that wonderful father of the bride speeches, you should be very careful not to embarrass anyone, especially your daughter. It is fine to talk about her young age, her growing up years, and such sweet moments like a family outing, or her first step, teaching her to ride a bike etc. Try and keep the stories short and sweet.

Another aspect that should not be ignored in the father of the bride speeches is the topic about your son in law. Everyone loves a little humor and stories; this is normally expected in the father of the bride speeches. Be sure to compliment the groom and welcome him and his family to your own and even let him know how he makes your daughter happy.

You should write the father of the bride speech well in advance, and even get a second opinion on the format. Practice is very important; if you are the nervous types it will help you gain confidence. Speak clearly so that everyone can hear and appreciate your speech. Father of the bride speeches are elite, make it your best.

CLICK HERE here to find out how I made my daughter's day with my Father of the bride speeches.

The Bride Diet Guide

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Did you know that nobles had nutritionists make a complex bride diet custom tailored for the bride? It was crucial that the bride looked perfect and was energetic and cheerful to point to the well being of the house she represented. That's why the utmost care was taken to select what and how much she would eat.

So how about getting your own custom-tailored diet? A wedding is just such an energy drainer, people need every piece of vitality they can muster to properly enjoy the celebration, especially the broom and bride. And with the photos coming from all direction, the last thing you need are wrinkles or a tired face, effects that are so common to bad diets.

Nowadays there is just this huge amount of diet recipes out there, some of them ridiculous (like the "eat everything raw"diet), others actually dangerous (like the "lemon cleansing diet"that is known to lead to serious problems like gastritis and stomach ulcer).

What is the best bride diet out there? There isn't one, because every bride has her own. What's the trick? Well, doing it like noblemen did it, having it custom-made for your needs. This is where meal planners step in. These are programs based on research in nutrition each year that take into consideration up-to-date data on food and parameters that are individual to you (age, weight, height, blood type). This means that you will never eat too much or too less for your needs but you will still be on your way to melting fat away.

So what's the best meal planner out there? "Strip that fat" is the best selling meal planner according to internet sales giant clickbank and is guaranteeing to make you shed 6-7pounds in the first 2 weeks and 50 pounds within the first year just by sticking to the meal plan.

What's nice is that they give out a free report on weight-loss companies secrets. You can get your free report here.

Thanks for reading and good luck in finding the bride diet that's best for you.

The Runaway Brides ( & Grooms)

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The 1999 Julia Roberts movie 'Runaway Bride' is about a woman who gets nervous about marriage and runs away at the last
minute, leaving the groom at the altar. If you thought this happened only in reel life, the running away recently of Jennifer Wilbanks, a 32-year-old from Georgia who concocted a kidnapping story to escape the wedding, should prove otherwise. The incident caused a lot of discussion in the media, with many discussing similar wedding jitters that caused them to break off their wedding at the last minute.

Running away from marriage is getting more common in urban India, though perhaps in different avtaars. Parents in
many traditional families, where arranged marriages are still the undisputed norm, do not understand the needs of their
children and often impose their own decisions. Shubha took an instant dislike to the man her father wanted her to marry.
Though the man had a good job, he was uncouth, unromantic and rough. Shubha could not put down a firm foot, as she feared
upsetting her father who had hypertension. "My intuitions were right. The man wanted sex all the time and was quite fierce if
I refused," says Shubha, who returned home within ten days of her marriage and refused to go back. Why could she not be more
adamant and refuse to get married in the first place, I asked. Shubha says she had taken a chance; besides she could not risk
the shame the cancellation of the marriage would have caused. Very Wilbank-like. I fear; yet I dare not .

Marriage phobias are even more intense amongst people who choose their own partners. Some develop cold feet; being
indecisive, they postpone indefinitely getting married. Sowmya, a dentist who practises in the city, met Aravind, a marketing
professional in an MNC. Both seemed to get along well and had the right "chemistry"; but when Sowmya pressed for an immediate
marriage, the trouble started. As Aravind kept her hanging for a "yes", he told her different stories at different times - he
was not yet ready for marriage because of office pressures; he needed time to convince his unwilling parents; and so on. Soon
Sowmya was to find that all his explanations were untrue.

"If he had said he did not want to marry me, or if he loved somebody else, things would have been simpler. His parents
actually liked me, but Aravind had some excuse or the other," says Sowmya, who then consulted a marriage counsellor.

"Probably Aravind suffered from commitment phobia. He was also too possessive to let go. Finally my counsellor helped me
to analyze the situation and come out of the relationship and the mental turmoil I was in."

Whether it's the so-called love marriage or an arranged one, men and women are too cautious to say 'I do', and choose to
float in a commitment limbo, with one foot in the relationship, and the other at the door. With a growing cynicism about
marriage and the possibility of being trapped in a less-than-perfect relationship, people are wary of being caught in the
'claustrophobic' confines of a life-long marriage. They subject the relationship to constant review: is he/she the best for me, or is there a better person? They dodge the decision to commit, so that they can retain the moral right to scan the horizon for a better deal.

The institution of marriage is no more considered a pairing of a cash-producing father and a home-building mother. Women,
once marrying for financial security, are now more educated and working in better jobs, freeing them to be more selective.
Yet men and women have only a fuzzy concept of an ideal partner in their minds, being confused by the notion of an ideal soul
mate infused by popular culture and the media. Because the early phase of a relationship is marked by excitement and
idealization, many romantic, passionate couples expect to have that excitement forever. Longing for the charged energy of the early days, people look elsewhere or split up.

"A relationship can evolve and flourish only if you accept others' imperfections. You need to have tolerance. The notion of 100% compatibility is misleading. You can enrich the relationship by giving each other some space for differences," says Raja Reddy, the counsellor at 'Helping Hands', a counselling center in Bangalore.

Many psychologists argue that there's no such thing as true compatibility. "Marriage is about adjustments," says MJ Thomas, a psychologist at the Bangalore's Sagar Apollo hospital. "All couples disagree about some thing or the other. We have a highly romanticized notion that if we were with the right person, we wouldn't fight." Discord springs eternally over money, kids, sex and leisure time; but long-term, happily married couples disagree about these things just as much as couples who divorce. The magic is to develop binocular vision, to see life through your partner's eyes as well as through your own."

Uma Shankari is a freelance writer. She loves to write on development issues.

The Sad But Momentous Day for the Father of the Bride!

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For the father of the bride, the wedding day is typically a day of mixed emotions. On one hand, there is pride and joy at the fact that his beloved daughter is getting married to someone she loves. At the same time, it is mixed with the sadness that comes with the realization that his daughter has grown up and is no longer daddy's little girl.

One of the most important things that the father of the bride does on the wedding day is to give away the bride. As per custom, once the congregation has been seated, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father while the groom waits for them at the altar. This tradition is rich with emotional undertones. The father who has looked after his daughter is now symbolically handing over the care of his daughter to the new man in her life.

Of course, there are many who feel that this custom is no longer relevant today when most women have a career and are no longer under the care of their parents and are unlikely to be under the care of their husbands. On the flip side, the sight of the father of the bride escorting his daughter down the aisle to the uplifting notes of "Here comes the Bride" still resonates with many of us and captures the transition into marriage beautifully. Ultimately, whether this custom is included in the ceremony or not must be decided by the father of the bride and the bride herself.

Once the wedding ceremony is over, the father and mother of the bride leave for the reception venue. Since they are the hosts of the reception, it is important that they arrive there ahead of the guests so that they can welcome the guests as they come in. During the reception the father of the bride will be called on by the Best Man to make a speech and propose a toast. Once the reception is over, the father of the bride is expected to stay until the end of the party to help with any final bills or to make last-minute arrangements.

The level of involvement of the father of the bride in the wedding planning and preparation depends on the decision of the bride and groom and their parents. Sometimes the wedding is held in the house of the bride's parents - at such times, it is natural that the father of the bride ends up deeply involved in almost every step of the wedding preparation.

At other times, and especially if the wedding is being held far away from the bride's parental home, the involvement of the father of the bride in the wedding preparations may be minimal. However, keep in mind that most fathers would love to be involved in their daughter's weddings in some way or the other so do ask them for their help whenever it is needed.

Traditionally, the father of the bride also shoulders the cost of the reception. However, this trend is changing, partly due to the fact that both the bride and the groom are earning members and partly because of the rising costs of a reception party. The accepted practice nowadays is for the cost of the wedding and the reception to be jointly borne by the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom and the couple themselves. However, if the father of the bride offers to foot the bill, the gracious thing to do would be to accept the offer.

Whatever you as the couple choose regarding the costs of the whole event, remember the day is for celebration and significant day for the father of the bride. It is a day where he relinquishes his daughter to a another man and where the groom resumes the responsibility of caring for her. The father of the bride will be sad on one side but will know that his daughter will always be daddy's little girl no matter what.

Shirley Tan is currently the owner of My Groomsmen Gifts, known for having unique and specialty groomsmen gifts at inexpensive prices. At http://www.MyGroomsmenGifts.com, you will find many stylish and distinctive gifts for the groomsmen in your wedding.

If you have any questions regarding any of the products seen online, please email us at info@MyGroomsmenGifts.com or call them at (888)381-8869.

Father of the Bride Speeches

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One of the most important parts of the wedding reception to the bride is her fathers speech. Other than wishing everyone health and happiness and thanking everyone for attending his daughters wedding, this is the chance for the father to sing his daughters praises and to take a walk down memory lane. With this great honor, you do not want to disappoint your daughter. This article is going to give you some tips for writing father of the brides speeches.

After introducing yourself, one of the first things you should do is to take a walk down memory lane. You could talk talk about your daughters childhood. Examples could be the first time she rode a bike or her senior prom. You could also tell a humorous anecdote about something in relation to her growing up. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser and will touch your daughter's heart.

You should welcome your new son to the family and talk about something dealing with their relationship. You could speak about their first date or when he proposed. This would also be a good time to offer your new son advice about taking care of your little girl.

At the end of your speech, you should offer a toast to your daughter and new son-in-law. This toast will be very special to your daughter, so try to make it special.

This article listed some tips for writing father of the brides speeches. You should try to stay calm and collected on your daughters special day.

Angela Wade is a professional writer who researches and writes on a variety of topics.

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Traditions To Bring You Good Luck After Marriage

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Regarding to wedding, there is an old saying "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe." Although many people may have heard of this, not many of them will know the meaning behind these items. In fact, all these are items that will bring good luck to the couple.

Something Old

This essentially means that the bride does not to break away from her old ties, although she will have a new life after marriage. And this also shows the connection between the old stuff and the new stuff. Practically, the bride will usually wear something that her mother or grandmother used before. For example, the she may wear the wedding rings of her mother on her right hand. On the other hand, she may also choose to put a piece of lace from the gown of her mother to her new gown.

Something Borrowed

The bride will also wear something which is borrowed from the others. She will borrow something from a person that is extremely important to her. And this is the way to show the importance of the once who lends to the bride. Usually this person will be her best friend or close relative. It is not difficult to imagine that there people would be very important to her. Particularly, brides will borrow from the best friend of her mother or grandmother. Again, items such as wedding rings will be borrowed.

Something New

It is not difficult to understand the notion of Something New. And at them end of the day the couple will certainly have to buy something new. Here it implies that there will be a new life after the marriage. And this is true because the brides and grooms will start a different life as a married couple after the wedding.

Something Blue

The idea of Something Blue has a biblical origin being associated with the Virgin Mary and stands for 'fidelity'. In the past, brides in Rome would wear a blue wedding gown. This is symbolizing the notion of purity and faithfulness. As all of us are well aware, we do not wear blue gowns anymore. Instead we will usually wear gowns which are white in color. And nowadays brides will take the idea of blue color to carry this tradition. Many brides will choose to have blue garters. Some other brides may even choose underwear which is blue in color!

A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe

Many people will just neglect this last item nowadays. In fact, there is a custom to put a silver sixpence into her left shoe. This is in fact a Scottish tradition. It is indeed a blessing to the couple, which wishes them wealthy.

The above items are all about the luck of the couple. It is meant to bring good fortune to the couple. And these items are mainly for the brides. From this you will know the importance of the bride in order to have good fortune after marriage! Of course the good luck is not only for her, it is also for the groom and the new family formed.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs Contemporary Chinese Wedding Invitations. Be sure to check his Ideas on Unique Wedding Favor. You can also find Poems for Wedding Vow Renewal from his website.

Budgeting Wedding Costs - Who Pays For What?

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In today's society which is formed by many different cultures, religions, and preferences, it's important to note there really isn't a specific protocol designating which party is responsible for paying for particular wedding expenses. With wedding costs skyrocketing and many couples waiting until their careers are established before getting married, there are several options that can be considered. Sometimes the couple will pay for all of the expenses themselves or ask the families to chip in for the ceremony flowers or bridal attire. Perhaps one of the easiest options may be to divide the total expenses into thirds: one-third for each set of parents and one-third for the couple.

The following is a summary of anticipated wedding expenses for budgeting purposes indicating who traditionally pays for what, while keeping in mind nothing is set in stone:

Bride or Bride's Family:

First engagement party
Bridesmaids' Luncheon
Location Fee
Ceremony Accessories
Reception venue and rentals
Food and Service
Beverages
Cake
Bride's Dress and Alterations
Headpiece and Veil
Bridal Accessories
Hair, Nails, and Makeup
Bridesmaids' Bouquets
Flower Girl's Flowers
Additional Boutonnieres or Corsages
Reception Decorations
Ceremony Decorations
Favors
Ceremony Musicians/Organist
Reception Band/DJ
Photographer's Fee
Videographer's Fee
Additional Prints and Videos
Personal Stationery
Invitations
Response Cards
Thank You Notes
Save the Date Cards
Announcements
Groom's Ring
Limousines and Car Rental
Guest Shuttle/Car Parking
Gifts for Bridal Attendants
Gifts for Parents (Bride and Groom)
Wedding gift for Groom

Groom or Groom's Family:

Second engagement party
Rehearsal Dinner
Marriage License
Officiant's Fee
Groom's Tux
Groom's Accessories
Bride's Bouquet
Mothers' Flowers
Groom/Groomsmen's Boutonnieres
Bride's Ring
Gifts for Groom's Attendants
Gifts for Parents
Wedding gift for Bride
Honeymoon

Wedding Attendants:

Wedding attendants are generally expected to pay for their own attire, travel, and lodging, as well as for the bachelorette/bachelor parties. However, if someone needs financial assistance and it's important to have them to participate in the wedding, then the bridal couple or their families usually help to defray those costs, which would also need to be included in the budget.

About the Author:

Charlene Davis ( http://thewriteessentials.com ) is an internationally published writer specializing in business, e-commerce, spirituality, parenting, and food. For more great tips and articles for today's busy women, visit her blog at: http://www.busymomstips.com.

(c) Copyright - Charlene Davis. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Where Did That Wedding Tradition Come From?

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Symbols

Wedding ring

The unending circle of a ring was thought to symbolize eternity; a wedding ring held the hope that love would last forever. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans believed that a vein in the third finger travels straight to the heart. Medieval Christian grooms were said to place the ring part-way on the thumb, then index finger, then middle finger of the bride while saying the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. The next finger was the "ring" finger -- and the groom left it there, presumably while saying, "I do."

White gown

Until the late 19th century, American brides wore formal dresses during their weddings. Black was the color of choice. Queen Victoria popularized the wearing of white gowns in England, when she broke cultural norms and donned one at her wedding. At that time, white outfits were reserved for funerals and grieving. (They still are for Eastern cultures.) Some fashion historians say white represents purity and virginity but, by all accounts, wearing white first symbolized unabashed joy. Americans fell in love with white bridal gowns sometime during the early to mid 20th century.

Bride's veil

At least three reasons are given for why brides wear veils during the wedding ceremony. Superstition led some to believe a veil would protect a bride from evil spirits. It's also thought that brides wore veils to hide their faces from grooms during arranged unions. Today, the veil symbolizes a bride's modesty.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
Wearing something old, usually given to the bride by a relative married for many years, was thought to guarantee a lifelong marriage. The "new" represented the beginning of married life. A borrowed item imparted the happiness of the giver to the wearer. The bride showed her modesty by wearing something blue.

Flowers

Flowers and herbs were important features in the pagan ceremonies which joined men and women long ago. Each variety, herb and color had its own significance. We further the tradition today when the bride carries a bouquet down the aisle or decorates the wedding and reception areas with floral arrangements.

Cake

In ancient times, the breaking of cake, like the breaking of bread, was seen as a fertility rite when performed during a joining ceremony. The practice of layering several cakes, one on top of the other, just to the tipping point, began much later. The bride and groom were expected to attempt a kiss above the precariously-perched cake. Their success in kissing without toppling the layers would result in a lifetime of good fortune.

Rituals

Candle lighting.
In some Christian faiths, the bride and groom each hold a lighted candle and together light a third, known as the "unity candle". It is a solemn ceremony symbolizing the joining of two souls to make one.

Kiss

In ancient times, Roman agreements were sealed with a kiss. A bride and groom are thought to exchange souls during their kiss in many of today's cultural traditions. Once the kiss is performed, the marriage contract is said to be binding.

The toast

Hold onto your lunch. It's called a "toast" because the French used to place a piece of bread in the bottom of a wine goblet, to impart flavor. Each celebrant quaffed and passed the goblet to the next hardy soul. The person for whom the toast was given would drink the goblet dry while slurping up the toast. Not just for breakfast, anymore!

Garter toss

In the 14th century, it was customary for the Groom to remove the Bride's garter and throw it toward the single men in attendance. Legend said that whoever caught the garter would be next to marry. At the often-rowdy party following the wedding, a few drunk and impatient men would occasionally try to remove the Bride's garter before the Groom had his opportunity. This ritual is being replaced by gentler, more modern affairs.

Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions http://www.mikestaff.com an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit's most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF.

© Copyright 2007. Mike Staff Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Veil Alternatives For Brides

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The traditional image of a bride is a woman in a long white dress with an equally long flowing veil. Some women, though, do not want to wear a veil for their wedding, and yet a bridal gown is really not complete without something in the bride's hair. Luckily, there are many beautiful alternatives to a veil.

There can be a variety of reasons why a bride would not choose to wear a veil. She might think that it is too much for an informal wedding, or she might think a veil is inappropriate if she is a second time bride. Some brides just feel silly with a long piece of tulle draped from their heads. Whatever the reason for not wearing a veil, you will want to find a different option to finish off your look while still suiting your style and situation.

One alternative to wearing a veil is to wear a hat. At outdoor garden weddings, you sometimes see the bride wearing a large portrait style hat adorned with silk or fresh flowers. This is a particularly nice option for an informal wedding where the bride is wearing a very simple dress, perhaps with a touch of subtle handmade wedding jewelry. It makes for a very genteel look.

Hats can go to the other extreme, as well. An avant garde bride could wear an edgy one-of-a-kind hat, perhaps in a color other than white. Such hats can be adorned with feathers, bits of tulle, or anything else that catches your fancy. Yet another style of bridal hat is a small pillbox with a piece of open-weave netting. This look is both retro and chic at the same time. It would be ideal with a wedding suit or tailored sheath dress.

If hats are not your thing, there are many other types of adornments that a bride can choose. Ditching the veil does not have to mean forgoing a tiara, if you like the princess bride look. Tiaras can be large and ornate, covered in rhinestones and Swarovski crystals, or they can be delicate and airy, with more of an emphasis on pearls. You will want to make sure that they match the general style of your handmade wedding jewelry, so if your overall look is more glitzy, choose a crystal tiara, or if you are wearing pearl bridal jewelry, then a pearl headpiece is the right choice for you.

Not every bride feels that a tiara is right for either her taste or her wedding. A big crown is rarely a good idea on an older bride, or one who is being remarried. Those brides should seek more subtle and sophisticated hair jewelry. A very wearable option is hairpins. They can be tucked into any type of updo, from an elaborate wreath of curls to the most classic chignon. The nice thing about hairpins is that they give your hairstylist some flexibility; she can place them individually throughout your hair, or cluster them together for a more dramatic effect. If you are only pulling back the sides of your hair, then a decorative comb could be used in place of hairpins.

The final alternative to a veil is wearing fresh flowers in your hair. The most elegant way to do it is to tuck one large flower into the side of a hairstyle. Leave the floral wreaths for the flower girls. There are a few things to consider about fresh flowers; they will usually wilt over the course of the day, and there are limited options for blooms that will work. If you decide to go this route, keep a spare flower or two in water so that you can switch it out as needed.

Brides today worry less about doing what is conventional. They are more interested in expressing their personalities and being true to themselves. If you decide that a veil is not right for you, there are many other stylish alternatives.

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Handmade wedding jewelry will make any bride even more beautiful.

Mail Order Bride Thailand - The New Trend in Finding Thai Brides on Dating Sites

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Are you in search of a Thai bride? This article will tell you exactly how to find a Thai bride and avoid the numerous scam sites.

When you type mail order bride Thailand into your favorite search engine it will reveal hundreds of sites where you can supposedly contact Thai women wishing to be brides.

The truth is most of these sites are a scam. There is a much better way to find a bride and it need not cost you any money.

The traditional mail order bride sites you find on your search advertise numerous women. Most of the time these women are fake. The site owner will buy photo content of Thai women and make fake profiles. Sometimes, when they are real people, the adverts are out of day; the women have found a husband but the site owner has kept the advert up because it lures people into joining his site. So after you pay what is usually a huge membership fee you will be, on the whole, contacting fake or out-of-date adverts of women. You have just wasted a lot of money.

Did you know there is a growing trend of Thai women using popular dating sites to find a husband? They do so because they can use the sites for free and more people use them so they have more chance of becoming a bride. Now that you know about this trend you can use the information to easily find yourself a Thai bride.

Instead of typing mail order bride Thailand into a search engine just get a free account at a popular dating site. On your profile state that you are looking for a Thai bride. Go to the search page and search for women in Thailand looking for husbands (you can put these exact keywords into the search) and you will find thousands of results. Now all you have to do is visit their profiles, look at their photos, decide which you like best and email them and send a friend request. Within a few short hours you will have dozens or hundreds of Thai women sending you messages and it has not cost you a cent.

Get a FREE account on one of the largest dating sites with over 8 million members. Visit my dating site and meet women in your town: http://www.ampersonals.com/