Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Bride and Groom!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Our forefathers (and mothers) were a fearful bunch. They worried that when it started to rain, it might never stop. And worried again that when the rain stopped, it might not start again. Similarly, while they lived in daily fear that they might become a snack for some marauding animal, they worried even more if the animal decamped and they lost their own supply of food.

In such a world of fear and worry, it's no wonder that people were very much on the lookout for ways to avert disaster or promote good luck through all sorts of rituals. In particular, the wedding is full of them.

One of the stranger of these customs of good luck, is that surrounding the story of the Lucky Chimney Sweep. In themselves, chimney sweeps weren't particularly lucky. Some of them never survived their apprenticeship as six year old chimney sweeps. And as older chimney sweeps, so full of dust and grime that no amount of washing was ever likely to eradicate it, it is not to be supposed that they were society's darlings.

Ladies in their silks and satins weren't likely to say to themselves, 'I really must get an introduction to that irresistible chimney sweep. I'm sure that underneath all that soot lives a veritable prince'.

The more likely scenario was that the lady would pick up her voluminous skirts and run for her life, knowing just how expensive those skirts were, and how onerous the washing would be if they ever came in contact with that walking duster.

So why the Lucky Chimney Sweep?

Well, the stories are many and varied. But the bottom line is that a chimney sweep, sometime in the past, was lucky enough to save a prince from some severe physical distress. In his gratitude the prince rewarded the chimney sweep with enough gold pieces to make it possible for him to realise his dream. His dream was to make his sweet heart his bride. At this stage she was vacillating between a poor chimney sweep with personality, and a tradesman without personality but with a respectable bank account.

From then on it was circulated that a bride who glimpsed a chimney sweep on her way to the church, was bound to be lucky in love and in life.

Incidentally, the kissing of a chimney sweep in very much a twentieth century thing. No self-respecting female could have ever wished to get any closer to a chimney sweep then waving at him from across the opposite side of the street.

Julie Andrews and Mr. Disney have a lot to answer for.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorised to perform marriages in Australia. She also perform general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about her as a celebrant and an author visit vlady at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com

Creative and Informal Beach Wedding Dress Ideas For the Bride and Groom!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

There are so many fun choices that the bride can make for her beach wedding dresses when the plan is for a casual wedding. The theme sets the style of course, so the first job at hand is to decide if you want to stick to a specific theme, or simply keep it informal and casual on the day.

You can choose to be Gypsies for the day, with lots of velvet and satin. Maybe you fancy being Medieval with buntings and some fair maidens in long gowns and a horse to ride, or you might want to be a Hippie flower child with cheesecloth caftans and beads.

With a truly informal beach wedding dress you could even take the idea of Pam Anderson and wear a swimsuit in the colours you pick for the beach wedding them, and cover it with a sarong, or soft translucent caftan style sheath dress. Even the men can wear caftans over their more informal swimwear that way.

When the ceremony is over, everyone can have a swim to cool off before the reception begins! With all the attention focused on the bride when planning a wedding, it's easy to forget the other half of the happy couple. The groom and his groomsmen also need to be taken care of, especially attire-wise.

So, you are getting married in a few months and you've just chosen a beach theme for your wedding. You also want it to be a casual wedding, something which is not too formal. This calls for an informal beach wedding dress for the bride and groom, especially if you're having the wedding at the beach where practicality is more important than fashion.

So, how do you find the perfect beach wedding attire for men? Well, fortunately for you, it isn't that hard if you follow a few simple pointers.

1) Determine his type. You'll have to find out what style suits the groom. Is he tall? Is he stocky? What about his dress size? Is he a bit wide around the hips? All these questions need to be answered if you're going to find an informal beach wedding dress for the groom. A vest left unbuttoned is a great way to conceal a bit of a pot belly. Or to have a loose shirt left untucked and hanging loose over the trousers.

2) Follow the theme. Naturally, the wedding is beach-themed. However, there can be many variations of that theme. It can be tropical, where the attire should be bright and natural, or it can be nautical, with soft shades of blue and sea-like dresses. However you want the groom's wedding attire to be, you'll have to make sure it fits the theme. If you are choosing a 'flower-power' Hippie theme with beads and flowers the caftan is perfect for the men as well as the women, and are naturally flattering for all body shapes. The men can even be wearing their swimming trunks underneath for ultimate comfort and convenience. For the Tropical Island theme its simple to pick a Hawaiian style bright patterned shirt and comfortable trousers or board shorts worn with simple open sandals.

3) Don't forget to ask his opinion. It's his wedding after all. Asking for his thoughts can give you ideas on how you'll want to dress him up. Finding the perfect informal beach wedding dress won't be worth anything if he doesn't want to wear it on the wedding day. So, make sure there are clear communications between the both of you early on.

In many cases, when you look at the wedding photos of the beach wedding attire for men, you see that the men simply wear trousers with shirt unbuttoned at the neck, sometimes with a vest left open, and sandals without socks. The colors can be sand themed soft linens, or simple black trousers, white shirt and even a bright colored vest in red for example if using a bright theme, or gypsy theme for your informal beach wedding dress.

Free to Brides! Drop in to get our free ebook on "Tips for Planning your Beach Wedding" and get dozens of great ideas for your own beach wedding from a site dedicated to giving you creative Beach Wedding Ideas and also and lots of Beach Wedding Dresses designs to check out here http://www.squidoo.com/beach-wedding-dresses

Speeches - Groom, Best Man, Father of the Bride - Who Says What?

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The Wedding Reception, originally called the Wedding Breakfast, was originally a way of celebrating the marriage and the joining of the two families. The usual format is a greeting and drinks on arrival, then a meal, several speeches, and the cutting of the cake. There may then be a less-formal celebration such as a dance or disco.

But wait! What did I mean by "several speeches"? Who makes a speech? What should you say? And in what order should the speeches be? Giving a speech is high on many peoples' "must avoid" lists, but because the speeches are such a central part of the wedding reception you have to make sure you get it right!

The first point to make here is that the order of speeches at a wedding reception is tradition, and not the law! Use the order I describe here as guidance for what often happens, but you do not have to stick to it. What you do have to do is decide well in advance who is going to make a speech, and what order they are going to be in. And make sure they all know what that order is!

Traditionally, the order of speeches at a wedding reception is:

• Father of the Bride


• The Groom


• The Best Man

If you have any other speeches they will normally follow these -- but there don't have to be any other speeches.

The order of speeches is normally as follows:

Father Of The Bride's Wedding Speech

The Father of the Bride is normally the first to speak -- but if the father of the bride is not present, this speech is usually given by the person who escorted the bride down the aisle. In his speech the Father of the Bride should thank the guests for attending, and thank anyone who contributed financially to the wedding. He should compliment his daughter on how she looks on this her special day, congratulate her on her choice of husband, and welcome his new son-in-law to the family. He should normally finish his speech with a toast to the bride and groom.

Groom's Wedding Speech

The groom then responds to the Father of the Bride's speech on behalf of his new wife and himself. He will thank the bride's father for his toast. He will then thank the guests for coming (making special mention of those who have travelled far) and for their wedding gifts, and he will thank both sets of parents. He should make sure he compliments his bride, thanks his best man, and then he thanks and toasts the bridesmaids.

Best Man's Wedding Speech 

The best man will then respond to the Groom's speech. He will thank the groom for his toast to the bridesmaids. In his speech the best man should also congratulate the bride and groom, and read any messages (cards, letters, telegrams) from those unable to attend the wedding. His speech finishes with a toast to the bride and groom.

Other Speeches

Usually the wedding reception speeches finish with that of the best man. Sometimes other members of the bridal party may wish to make a speech; if this is the case, their speeches should follow the best man's speech. If the bride wants to make a speech, she will normally follow the best man, and she will thank the guests for coming, thank her parents and bridesmaids, compliment her groom, and she will propose a toast (to whom would be a matter of the bride's own choice). The chief bridesmaid can then respond to the bride's toast and thank the bride, compliment the ushers and propose her own a toast (again, to whom would be up to them). Any other speakers would follow these.

If the bride is not making a speech, then any other speeches, for example the Father of the Groom, follows the best man's speech. Each speech should finish with a toast and be responded to by the following speaker. Finally, if there are further speeches after the best man's then it is usual for the final response to be made in a short speech from the Chief Bridesmaid, concluding with a toast to the bride and groom.

Final Tips

• Make sure everyone has a drink before starting the speeches


• When making your speech, make eye contact with the bride and groom


• Relax and stand still -- don't sway or make any other movements that distract from your speech


• Make your speaking slow and deliberate -- much more so than your normal speaking speed


• Prepare your speech well in advance, and use notes -- but don't spend your whole time looking down at pieces of paper during your speech

So: follow these tips, practice until you feel comfortable, and your speech will be a fantastic success! Good luck!

Need help FAST with speeches - groom, best man, father of the bride, or anyone else? You need to visit my page at http://www.squidoo.com/speeches-groom right now!

Wedding Gifts - Not Just for the Bride and Groom!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

With most contemporary weddings there is a huge entourage of individuals who are extremely important to the success of the big day. Bearing this in mind, it seems only fitting that these people should be recognized for their time and effort with specifically chosen wedding gifts all of their own.

Who Should Receive Wedding Gifts?

The obvious answer is anyone who helps out to the extent that the bride and groom feel that they deserve special wedding gifts. Typical individuals who should be considered for such wedding gifts include bridesmaids, best men, ushers and the parents of the bride and groom.

Wedding gifts are also often given to the professionals that help make the day happen, such as your hairdresser or the wedding planner, although these gifts are more token gifts and can be as simple as a nice card or a small bouquet of flowers.

With larger weddings, it is also common practice to offer a small gift to every guest in the form of a favor, placed at each place setting. Due to the large quantity of these wedding gifts that you are required to purchase, they tend to be much smaller and cheaper such as sugared almonds or small chocolates.

Choosing Wedding Gifts

Of course, your choice of wedding gifts depends largely on the known likes and dislikes of the people whom you have invited to attend your wedding party. If you have a small number of people involved you may be able to purchase individually chosen, more expensive wedding gifts such as a special ornament or piece of jewelry. But remember that it is the thought which counts, and token wedding gifts such as cufflinks, teddy bears and mugs can be just as effective.

As part of the wedding speeches, bouquets of flowers are often given to the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom; this is particularly the case with more traditional wedding ceremonies.

A great cheap way to please the wedding party guests is to offer them pictures of the day as well as any attire that you have purchased especially for them. It is very difficult to think of anything else to do with the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry, so why not use them as unique wedding gifts?

By giving the critical members of the wedding party wedding gifts you will ensure that your important helpers feel that their efforts have been noticed and they will feel that they have truly been a vital part of your big day.

Giving wedding gifts to guests may seem a little odd, but why not share the good fortune of your day and spread a little happiness?

Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now http://www.weddingfinery.com

Creative and Informal Beach Wedding Dress Ideas For the Bride and Groom!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

There are so many fun choices that the bride can make for her beach wedding dresses when the plan is for a casual wedding. The theme sets the style of course, so the first job at hand is to decide if you want to stick to a specific theme, or simply keep it informal and casual on the day.

You can choose to be Gypsies for the day, with lots of velvet and satin. Maybe you fancy being Medieval with buntings and some fair maidens in long gowns and a horse to ride, or you might want to be a Hippie flower child with cheesecloth caftans and beads.

With a truly informal beach wedding dress you could even take the idea of Pam Anderson and wear a swimsuit in the colours you pick for the beach wedding them, and cover it with a sarong, or soft translucent caftan style sheath dress. Even the men can wear caftans over their more informal swimwear that way.

When the ceremony is over, everyone can have a swim to cool off before the reception begins! With all the attention focused on the bride when planning a wedding, it's easy to forget the other half of the happy couple. The groom and his groomsmen also need to be taken care of, especially attire-wise.

So, you are getting married in a few months and you've just chosen a beach theme for your wedding. You also want it to be a casual wedding, something which is not too formal. This calls for an informal beach wedding dress for the bride and groom, especially if you're having the wedding at the beach where practicality is more important than fashion.

So, how do you find the perfect beach wedding attire for men? Well, fortunately for you, it isn't that hard if you follow a few simple pointers.

1) Determine his type. You'll have to find out what style suits the groom. Is he tall? Is he stocky? What about his dress size? Is he a bit wide around the hips? All these questions need to be answered if you're going to find an informal beach wedding dress for the groom. A vest left unbuttoned is a great way to conceal a bit of a pot belly. Or to have a loose shirt left untucked and hanging loose over the trousers.

2) Follow the theme. Naturally, the wedding is beach-themed. However, there can be many variations of that theme. It can be tropical, where the attire should be bright and natural, or it can be nautical, with soft shades of blue and sea-like dresses. However you want the groom's wedding attire to be, you'll have to make sure it fits the theme. If you are choosing a 'flower-power' Hippie theme with beads and flowers the caftan is perfect for the men as well as the women, and are naturally flattering for all body shapes. The men can even be wearing their swimming trunks underneath for ultimate comfort and convenience. For the Tropical Island theme its simple to pick a Hawaiian style bright patterned shirt and comfortable trousers or board shorts worn with simple open sandals.

3) Don't forget to ask his opinion. It's his wedding after all. Asking for his thoughts can give you ideas on how you'll want to dress him up. Finding the perfect informal beach wedding dress won't be worth anything if he doesn't want to wear it on the wedding day. So, make sure there are clear communications between the both of you early on.

In many cases, when you look at the wedding photos of the beach wedding attire for men, you see that the men simply wear trousers with shirt unbuttoned at the neck, sometimes with a vest left open, and sandals without socks. The colors can be sand themed soft linens, or simple black trousers, white shirt and even a bright colored vest in red for example if using a bright theme, or gypsy theme for your informal beach wedding dress.

Free to Brides! Drop in to get our free ebook on "Tips for Planning your Beach Wedding" and get dozens of great ideas for your own beach wedding from a site dedicated to giving you creative Beach Wedding Ideas and also and lots of Beach Wedding Dresses designs to check out here http://www.squidoo.com/beach-wedding-dresses

Lucky! Lucky! Lucky! Bride and Groom!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Our forefathers (and mothers) were a fearful bunch. They worried that when it started to rain, it might never stop. And worried again that when the rain stopped, it might not start again. Similarly, while they lived in daily fear that they might become a snack for some marauding animal, they worried even more if the animal decamped and they lost their own supply of food.

In such a world of fear and worry, it's no wonder that people were very much on the lookout for ways to avert disaster or promote good luck through all sorts of rituals. In particular, the wedding is full of them.

One of the stranger of these customs of good luck, is that surrounding the story of the Lucky Chimney Sweep. In themselves, chimney sweeps weren't particularly lucky. Some of them never survived their apprenticeship as six year old chimney sweeps. And as older chimney sweeps, so full of dust and grime that no amount of washing was ever likely to eradicate it, it is not to be supposed that they were society's darlings.

Ladies in their silks and satins weren't likely to say to themselves, 'I really must get an introduction to that irresistible chimney sweep. I'm sure that underneath all that soot lives a veritable prince'.

The more likely scenario was that the lady would pick up her voluminous skirts and run for her life, knowing just how expensive those skirts were, and how onerous the washing would be if they ever came in contact with that walking duster.

So why the Lucky Chimney Sweep?

Well, the stories are many and varied. But the bottom line is that a chimney sweep, sometime in the past, was lucky enough to save a prince from some severe physical distress. In his gratitude the prince rewarded the chimney sweep with enough gold pieces to make it possible for him to realise his dream. His dream was to make his sweet heart his bride. At this stage she was vacillating between a poor chimney sweep with personality, and a tradesman without personality but with a respectable bank account.

From then on it was circulated that a bride who glimpsed a chimney sweep on her way to the church, was bound to be lucky in love and in life.

Incidentally, the kissing of a chimney sweep in very much a twentieth century thing. No self-respecting female could have ever wished to get any closer to a chimney sweep then waving at him from across the opposite side of the street.

Julie Andrews and Mr. Disney have a lot to answer for.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorised to perform marriages in Australia. She also perform general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about her as a celebrant and an author visit vlady at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com

Be A Fabulous Mother of the Bride (or Groom)!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

At any wedding, it is naturally the bride and groom who are the center of attention. The mothers of the couple being wed will also find themselves in the spotlight at times during the ceremony, and will certainly want to look their best for the occasion. With a few simple tips, the mothers of the bride and groom can be sure to feel fabulous on their child's special day.

It is important for a mother to strike a balance between looking smashing and not upstaging the bride. That means following simple guidelines like never, repeat never, wearing white, and matching the formality of your dress to the bride's. For instance, if the bride is wearing an informal linen gown for a country wedding, her mother should not bedeck herself in sequins, which would make her dress more eye-catching than the bridal gown. Anything risque is also a bad idea. Just as a mother should avoid white, rule out black as equally inappropriate. The color is too strongly associated with funerals in our culture, and it would provoke suspicion among the guests that the parents do not approve of the match. (Oh, you're from New York, and you always wear black? Sorry, you still have to pick another color - try navy or aubergine if you are afraid to wear brights.)

Traditionally, the mother of the bride gets to choose her ensemble before the groom's mother. This is because she holds a higher place in the hierarchy of a wedding, and to ensure that the two moms do not show up in the same outfit (the horror!). This is fine, but if the bride's mother is having a difficult time making her selection, it would be gracious of her to tell the mother of the groom to go ahead and pick first.

Once you have found an an outfit that you love, the next step is to find the right accessories. The mother of the bride or groom will want to choose her wedding jewelry as carefully as the rest of the bridal party. Look for unique and sophisticated pieces, like a stunning strand of peacock pearls. Another terrific option is to have your wedding jewelry handmade with Swarovski crystals to match the color of your dress. That would be gorgeous for an evening affair.

One thing the mother of the bride or groom need not do is try to play down her own natural beauty and style. You do not have to look dowdy to avoid the concern of "competing" with the bride. Your child will surely want you to feel pretty and confident on the wedding day, and you can do so tastefully without stifling your own personality.

Bridget Mora 's articles help you make good choices in many areas of planning your wedding. Come see us at SilverlandJewelry and we can help you find the right wedding jewelry set for either the bride or for elegant bridesmaid jewelry gifts.

Wine Stopper Favors - Crystal Ball, Bride and Groom, Crystal Heart Stoppers

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Wine stopper favors make an excellent addition to any cocktail hour. There are many different wine stoppers that you can choose from the possibilities are endless. The bottle stoppers will add an upscale feel to your event. You can set the bottle stoppers next to all of your bottles of wine and have your guests pick up their stopper favors on way out.

Below on going to outline many different stopper favors that you can choose from that will make an excellent addition to your cocktail hour.

Crystal heart bottle stopper favor:

This heart-shaped bottle stopper is carved in an excellent pattern that will reflect the light in a sparkling detail. This is one of the most upscale bottle stopper favors I have ever seen. It comes excellently displayed in a silver box with satin inside with organza bow and matching thank you tag.

Bride and groom bottle stoppers:

This is a truly unique to reside it wine bottle stopper. The bride is on one side and groom is on the other side. It has a hand-painted heart-shaped top base designed with a brides dress on one side of the stopper and groom's tux on the other side. It is beautifully displayed in a clear box with a black bottom, allowing for full view of this unique bottle stopper. It has a organza bow and a designer, heart-shaped thank you tag.

Crystal Ball bottle stopper:

This is one of the most I can team bottle stopper favors that will make an excellent addition in to almost any of it. The favorite features in acrylic, Crystal Ball ornament tapered on top of the chrome bottle stoppers to him. Each bottle stopper is displayed in a clear box with a black top, allowing for a full view of this unique bottle stopper favor. It is topped off with a white organza bow and a heart-shaped thank you tag that is attached to the favor. This is one of the most unique and elegant upscale bottle stopper favors I have personally laid eyes on.

These are just a few of the many bottle stopper favors that you can choose from to add a bit of upscale, elegant feel to your occasion. The stopper favors are great for the cocktail hour.

If you are looking for some wine stopper favors we got you covered. We have many to choose from. We have a nice crystal ball bottle stopper, chrome heart shaped stoppers, crystal heart shaped wine stoppers and many more.

We also have many different wedding favors such as beach themed, candle favors, silver wedding favors and many more favors that will be perfect for your event.