Archive for May, 2010
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Fortunes in Wedding Cakes
The history of wedding cakes is varied greatly by culture. In ancient Rome, a small barley cake was partially eaten by the groom who then broke the rest of the cake over his bride’s head to symbolize prosperity.
In England, cakes were stacked on top of each other and the bridal couple who was able to kiss over the top of them without toppling the cakes would also be able to look forward to a prosperous future.
However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that sugar was more plentiful in Europe and white icing began to appear on cakes.
The white color came from the whiteness of the sugar and it was thought that it also represented the bride’s virginity. Since sugar was still relatively expensive among the poorer members of society, it meant that the whiter the cake, the more prosperous the bride’s family.
What are Honeymoons Made of?
In the ancient past, after the wedding, the bride and groom would hide away from the bride’s family for a length of time. During that period, the couple would drink a fermented honey wine known as mead. Mead was originally developed by monks for medicinal purposes.
Due to its high alcoholic content, however, it also was thought to raise a person’s spirits and since brides were often kidnapped by grooms and forced into marriages, it was founds that the honey wine would make the bride more agreeable to consummate the marriage and, presumably, before the next full moon, she would become pregnant. Thus, the term “honeymoon” was coined.
Gift Giving: Dowries and Bridal Showers
In olden days a bride’s father paid the groom or gave him a dowry for marrying his daughter. The dowry could take the form of money but in general it consisted of a variety of items to help them start their household. It also could be livestock, a plot of land to start a farm or useful tools to help the groom be able to make a living.
However, if a man wanted to marry a woman and her father was poor and unable to provide a dowry, family and friends would often gift items to the bride and her father so that she could have a dowry and marry her young man. It is said that these gifts would be “showered” upon her. Hence, the custom of bridal gifts purchased for her bridal showers.
Its amazing what traditions we carry forward, often with knowing the original meaning or reason. Do you have any suggestions on which we should continue and which should fade into the past? Add your thought below.
Wedding Planning Tips Blogger
Tags: bridal showers, dowry, honeymoon, wedding cakes
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010
 Woman's Corset, Circa 1878, Wikipedia Tying the Knot
This expression came from the time when brides wore corsets which were tied in the back with many knots leaving it to the groom to undo the knots of her corset so that the marriage could be consummated.
Leap Year Proposals
Hundreds of years ago, under British law, February 29th had no legal significance. It was a day that was “leapt over” and consequently leap year was “born.”
Since the day wasn’t officially recognized, people came to believe that common social rules were to be ignored on that day. So unmarried women who had no likely prospects in their future could take matters into their own hands and propose marriage to the man of their choice.
 Be Careful, Clara, that's a Fine Specimen, Circa 1908, Wikipedia Bridal Attendants For Good Luck
The concept of bridal attendants stems back to a superstitious time many years ago when the bride and her female friends and family members would dress alike to confuse evil spirits who might try to attack or snatch away the bride since she was believed to be filled with good spirits and good luck on her wedding day.
Today, while the bride now traditionally wears white, her attendants often still dress in the same color and/or attire.
Are Wedding or Engagement Rings Returnable?
Thousands of years ago during the reign of the Romans, an engagement ring or wedding band was used as a “down payment” by the groom to show that he was legally promising to marry a young woman and therefore it served to “bind” the marriage contract.
Other cultures may use similar symbols but with different origins or meanings. What other traditions or versions of these traditions have you heard? Do you have any old bridal tips to share?
Tags: bridesmaids, engagement rings, leap year, tying the knot, wedding band
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
 Red Rose Today’s brides choose their bridal flowers for a variety of reasons. They may select certain blooms to represent their chosen colors, because of their favored fragrance or simply because they like certain flowers.
In the past, however, certain flowers were chosen because of their meaning. Here are some popular wedding flowers and some of their historical significances.
 Apple Blossom  Pink Rose
- Apple Blossom
- Promise of things to come
- Baby’s Breath
- Happiness
- Bird of Paradise
- Joy
- Bittersweet
- Truth
- Buttercup
- Childish whimsy
- Calla Lily
- Majesty
 Daisy  White Rose - Chrysanthemum (red)
- Love
- Chrysanthemum (white)
- Truth
- Daffodil
- Chivalry
- Daisy
- Innocence
- Forget-me-not
- Remembrance
- Honeysuckle
- Generosity and sweetness
- Hyacinth
- Loveliness
- Hydrangea
- Conceit
 Lily of the Valley  Tulip
- Iris
- Affection
- Lily
- Majesty
- Lily-of-the-valley
- Sweetness
- Magnolia
- Dignity
- Marigold
- Desired wealth
- Mimosa
- Sensitivity
 Orchid  Yellow Rose  Carnations
- Oleander
- Beauty and grace
- Orange blossom
- Purity and fertility
- Orchid
- Magnificence
- Periwinkle
- Friendship
- Primrose
- Promise of forever love
- Queen Anne’s Lace
- Femininity
- Rose (pink)
- Affection
- Rose (red)
- Love
- Rose (white)
- Reverence
- Rose (yellow)
- Joy
- Statice
- Lasting beauty
- Tulip
- Love
- Zinnia (pink)
- Lasting affection
You probably noticed that many flower images are missing . . . Are you able to find any of the flowers listed above on the internet?
If so, please add a comment below by copying and pasting the link to the flower’s image into your comment.
Also, we need the the name of the flower so please add it to your message.
I appreciate your flower expertise and help!
Wedding Planning Tips Blogger
Tags: Flowers
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
 She not only saw that your special day went off without a hitch, during your wedding planning process she listened to your fears, gave you great advice about worrisome situations and went above and beyond your expectations of what you hired her to do. In short, she wasn’t just your wedding planner; she was your friend. So how do you thank her for making your wedding everything you dreamed of and more? Here are some thoughtful ideas to go along with your thank you note.
Picture This
While she undoubtedly took photos of your wedding for her portfolio, a framed photograph of you and the groom is something she can display in her office and cherish for years to come.
Pretty, Practical and Personal
Wedding planners are always carrying swatches, portfolios, photos, product samples, her computer and more to meetings. Why not give her an elegant, monogrammed portfolio bag that she can use to carry with her when she meets with future brides.
Something Extra
Chances are you’ve tipped your caterer, entertainers and other vendors. Giving a bonus to your wedding planner is a thoughtful and generous way to tell her that you appreciate all the extra things that she has done for you.
Buy Something for Yourself
Gift cards are always appreciated. You can be practical and give her a gift card to a local office supply store or you can pamper her with a gift card to a local spa, salon or restaurant. Even a card for her favorite coffee shop is something she’ll enjoy.
Any thoughtful gesture you choose is something that will remind her that she not only gained a client but she gained a friend.
What are you considering or have given to a wedding planner as a thank you gift when she gave you terrific service?
Tags: gift ideas, wedding planner
Posted in Gift Ideas, Planning a Wedding | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Unveiling the Bridal Veil
Like most ancient traditions the explanation for its origin is multi-fold. One belief has it that when marriages were arranged, the groom could not see his bride’s face before the wedding so that if her looks displeased him, he could not back out of the marriage. Others say that the veil represents the blanket that was thrown over the bride when she was kidnapped by the groom to be his wife. The final theory is that the veil was used to confuse evil spirits and shield the bride.
Bride to the Left; Groom to the Right
The reason that the bride stands to the groom’s left dates back to ancient times when men would go to a neighboring town to capture a young woman away from the protection of her family. To ensure that if her family members tried to fight him, he would hold the bride with his left arm so that his right arm was free to sword fight for her.
The Best Man
In ancient times to ensure that the groom was able to kidnap his bride, he often brought his strongest friend (or best man) with him to help him achieve his goal. If his fear was great that he would have to fight many for his chosen woman, he would bring other males with him as well (ushers or groomsmen). It was not unheard of for the best man to stand sentry at the wedding chamber to guarantee that the marriage would be consummated so that the bride could not be returned to her family.
Carrying the Bride over the Threshold
When the future bride was being kidnapped, she would be carried off kicking and screaming. This tradition has evolved to a more loving meaning where the groom welcomes the bride to his/their home.
Have you a tradition in your family? Tell us about it by adding a comment below. Otherwise, feel free to continue browsing more of our wedding planning tips.
Tags: best man, bridal veil, carrying the bride over the threshold
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Tossing the Bouquet
This tradition dates back to ancient England. It was thought that on her wedding day, the bride was filled with good luck. After the ceremony, people would come and tear at her clothes to grab a piece of fabric so that some of her good luck would be shared with them. To prevent this, a bride would toss out her bouquet instead so that she and her husband could slip away without her dress being torn or her getting mauled.
In modern day, tossing the bouquet also means that the bride is sharing her good luck in finding a husband and that is why it is believed that the single woman who catches the bouquet will be the next to wed.
Tossing Rose Petals
Rose petals are tossed at the bride’s feet as a symbol of fertility and to repel evil spirits from the ground below her feet who might try to rise up and snatch the bride and drag her to hell.
Bridal Bouquet
Before flowers became popular, bouquets were made of herbs and spices. There are several theories as to why this was carried. Some historians suggest that these strong-smelling plants were carried to ward off evil spirits.
Others believe that they were meant to wish the couple a bountiful harvest. Further theories include that they were meant to make the bride smell pleasant since regular bathing was not practiced in ancient times and fragrant oils (perfume) was only worn by the very rich.
We are planning to write about other wedding traditions. If you have some suggestions of traditions that you would like to learn more about, please add a comment below and we will research it. In the meanwhile, feel free to browse our bridal tips.
Tags: bridal bouquet, tossing the bouquet
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Something old, something new…
“Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in her shoe”
(Last line variations: “And a penny in her shoe” or “That’s what every bride should do”)
Almost every girl has recited this popular poem at one time in her life and certainly she remembers it to serve as a reminder of the way to achieve good luck in her marriage when she’s planning her wedding. But what does this little rhyme mean?
The rhyme itself is believed to come from the Victorian era and each line has its own significance.
- Something old – stems from the belief that by carrying or wearing something old, the bride is remembering her ties to her family and her old life.
- Something new – symbolizes her future.
- Something borrowed – is meant to represent the good luck that the person who has loaned her the item wishes for her.
- Something blue – dates back to ancient times when blue represented faithfulness and purity. The blue was often worn as trim to the bottom of the bride’s garment.
- A sixpence (or penny) – represents the wish for wealth in the bride’s future.
Ring Placement
Why the engagement and wedding bands are placed on the third finger of the left hand has two theories. In ancient Christian/Catholic cultures, it was thought that the third finger (not counting the thumb) represented the Blessed Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The more popular belief comes from ancient Egyptian culture which states that the vena amoris or the “vein of love” runs from that finger to the heart.
This is the beginning of a series of posts on wedding traditions. If you have any to share, please add a comment below!
Tags: something blue, Traditions, wedding rings
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Thursday, May 6th, 2010
The easiest way to reduce stress when you’re planning your wedding is to get organized.
There are few things more frustrating when you’re working on your wedding than having to try to dig out contracts, proposals, fabric samples and brochures from the piles of paper and mail you may have strewn around your home or on a too-full desk.
With a quick trip to your office supply store you can easily become organized and greatly reduce the stress you may be feeling when planning a project as big as your wedding. An extra-large three ring binder and plastic sleeves to hold all of your important documents are great organizational tools. Use colorful dividers to arrange the major components of your planning: venue, attire, décor, gifts, honeymoon, transportation, and so forth.
 Portfolio or Laptop Computer Tote You also can find binder accessories specifically designed to hold a calculator, pens and pencils, business cards, promotional CDs, calendars, address books, hole punch, stapler, photos, and other important items you’ll want to bring with you when shopping or meeting with vendors. To add a touch of fun and class, try to find accessories in your wedding colors.
To add additional ease to your organization, toss your binder and any other items that you are most likely to need for your appointments into binders and folders that fit into a distinctively-styled and monogrammed tote bag. You’ll be calm, cool, collected, organized and chic. And isn’t that the way you always want to look when you’re planning your wedding?
What do you do to keep your records and wedding samples organized in a fun or colorful way? Add your favorites below!
Tags: Planning a Wedding
Posted in Planning a Wedding | Add a comment »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
 Whether it’s a second marriage or an older bride who has already been out on her own or living with her fiancé and who doesn’t need a lot of “things,” finding the right bridal shower gift is sometimes stressful.
Here are some unique gift ideas for brides that are not only useful but are things she will love!
Flaunt Her New Name
When her name is joined with his, let her show it off with a monogrammed cosmetic bag, personalized purse, or a monogrammed bridal bag or wedding tote. She might also appreciate new stationery with her new name and address.
Gift Cards
While not fancy, these practical gifts will come in handy for a wide variety of purchases the couple will make as they begin married life. You can buy a generic gift card from major credit card companies that can be used in any store or you can purchase a gift card for their favorite restaurant, theater, home improvement store, wine shop, book store, or even select a gift card that will allow her to upload her favorite music.
Getting Crafty
What’s her hobby? Does she like to sew, knit, scrapbook or make jewelry? A trip to a local craft or fabric store will allow you to buy her a collection of items that will fill her hours now that she no longer has to spend her free time planning her wedding.
Call Ahead
Do you know where they are going on their honeymoon? Call ahead to the resort and order a welcome gift basket or fill their room with flowers or a bottle of wine.
Top Chef
People who like to cook always love new gadgets and cookbooks no matter how well-stocked her collection may already be. If she has favorite TV chefs, chances are you will be able to purchase one of their cookbooks or something from their line of cookware.
With a little imagination you can add some personal flair to your bridal shower gift that will make the bride delighted that you are a part of her special celebration.
Do you have any unique bridal shower gifts ideas? Add to this list by making a comment below – we would all love to hear them!
Tags: bridal gift, gift for the bride
Posted in Gift Ideas | Add a comment »
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