Archive for Weddings

Planning your honeymoon can be as simple as 1-2-3, if you are smart and do things in an organized fashion. Read on for some tips for planning your dream honeymoon.

-You can book your trip directly by way of the Internet or through a travel agent, regardless of whether you need to book plane fare or a trip on a cruise.

-When booking your trip make sure that you make it known that this is your honeymoon. This could mean that you will be granted a discount, will be upgraded or that you will get an extra of one sort or another.

-A visa is required to enter another country. Make sure you find out what other type of documentation you require before you book your honeymoon. If you already have a passport, make sure that it is current and will not expire while you are enjoying time with your new spouse!

-While the Internet can provide you with plenty of information to help plan your trip, it never hurts to buy a travel book such as Frommer’s or Fodor’s. Travel books can provide you with lots of valuable insights such as listings for various accommodations, points of interest and options for transportation.

-Knowing how to dress for the various places you plan to go on your honeymoon makes a difference. You do not want to be overdressed or underdressed for dinner after all!

-If you plan to change your name to your husband’s after you get married, then either book your honeymoon under his name or book it under your maiden name. You don’t want any confusion or problems to result if you book it under Mr. and Mrs. Ross. You will need to book the honeymoon before your wedding and your identification will reflect your maiden name as you will not have had the opportunity to change it just yet.

-If you plan to travel to another country for your honeymoon, familiarize yourself with the customs of the country in question before you go.

-Do not forget to do the obvious- take time off work to get married, and go on your honeymoon!

-Do you have travel medical insurance? Find out if the extended medical coverage through your workplace is enough. If it is not, consider buying some more. You can do this through your bank or through the travel agent.

The expression “go big or go home” does not apply to everything. This is particularly the case when it comes to your makeup and skincare routine on your wedding day. Read on for some scenarios to avoid as you prepare for your big day …

Appearance Enhancers

You want to look as good as you possibly can to wed your beloved but you do not want to go overboard with appearance enhancers too close to the wedding date. Professional teeth bleaching is a gradual process that needs to be undertaken in the weeks (or even a months) preceding the wedding. If you want a slight tan, go to a tanning bed well in advance of the wedding. The same is true if you wish to have a facial done or any type of facial rejuvenation. Do not do anything drastic too close to the wedding as it can spell disaster for your appearance. The stress you already are experiencing can serve to worsen the problem considerably. This is also true in terms of trying new skincare products, hair products or a new brand of makeup. This is not the time to experiment because some experiments can go terribly wrong!

Makeup Overkill

If you are not really a makeup person, then allow yourself to be talked into wearing just a little to give you the bridal glow. If you do wear makeup on a regular basis, then do not make the mistake of putting on too much. Your pretty face is going to be on display, and the last thing you want is to look like your face is ready to do battle!

In the same way, do not force anyone else to wear makeup if they rarely do. Let everyone choose for herself.

Trendy is not Bridal

Trends are fine but not for your wedding day. You should aim for a classic and neutral look that never goes out of style. Put away the flashy eye shadows, the glitter gel and the blue mascara. Choose matte colors, and blend them well.

Bridal Party Makeup

Be considerate of the differences in the appearances of the ladies in your bridal party. Allow them to choose makeup colors that complement their looks. Do not get caught up in matching shades of lipstick to dress colors and the like. Celebrate everyone’s individuality, and work with them to find color schemes that are harmonizing, not hazardous to their looks.

It is not uncommon for a bride or groom (or both) to suffer cold feet before the big day arrives. Also sometimes referred to as pre-wedding jitters or second thoughts, cold feet often revolve around uncertainty and fear. Some people suddenly question the decision they are making and find themselves lacking courage and confidence.

It is perfectly normal to find yourself at a point where you are stressed out, restless, anxious and unsure. Often cold feet are simply a culmination of all of the tension that builds up in preparing for a wedding.

Be aware that a case of cold feet can be a good thing. It provides you with the golden opportunity to take a serious look at your relationship and ask yourself what marriage means to you.

Individual Cold Feet and Relationship Cold Feet

Cold feet can be broken down into two types- individual cold feet and relationship cold feet. How can you tell the difference between the two? If you are dealing with insecurities and fears related to marriage in a general way, such as worrying about loss of independence once you become a married woman or hoping that you will make a good wife, then you are suffering from individual cold feet. Relationship cold feet on the other hand is when you have specific fears about marrying your partner.

How to Cope

It is necessary for you to dig deep into your psyche and explore the reasons behind your fears and insecurities. Certain fears may be “deal breakers” and will signal to you that getting married at the moment is not a good idea. On the other hand, some worries are smaller issues that you simply need to talk out with a family member or friend. Recognizing the existence of cold feet is important, but you must not overreact to it and make it larger than life.

If it is the groom who is suffering from a case of cold feet, then encourage him to write a list of the fears and insecurities that assail him. Doing this can bring the situation into sharper focus and can provide perspective when it is needed most.

Amid the craziness of planning for the wedding, make sure the two of you spend quality time together that DOES NOT involve talk of the upcoming nuptials at all. Enjoy a drive in the country or a simple walk in the park.

When it comes to choosing a wedding photographer, there are considerations that are extremely important. After all, you want these pictures to be unforgettable and to last for a lifetime.

Here are some points to consider when searching for a photographer:

How experienced is the photographer? Does he photograph weddings in his free time for extra money or does the person do it as a full time job?

It is important that you communicate to the photographer what your “photographic style” is, and then see if hers matches yours (or if you can find a middle ground). When it comes to photography there are many styles. What is yours? Some examples include classic, candid, formal, and so on. Some couples like the authentic and traditional look of black and white pictures and might want to have a series of these taken along with the more modern looking color photos.

Some photographers work alone while others work with other photographers. Make sure that the individual whom you hire to photograph your wedding is the person who will indeed be doing the work. Arrange a face-to-face meeting and request to see samples of the photographer’s work.

The personality of the photographer is important. Can the two of you get along and communicate effectively?

Following closely on the personality of the photographer is the person’s appearance. Is the photographer well groomed? How does he plan to dress the day of the wedding?

What does the photographer charge for her services? While price should not be the only factor in your decision making process, it is still significant. Just as you comparison shop in other areas of your life, it is smart to shop around and find different rates for photographers before you settle on the one you wish to hire.

What will the delivery rate be for the proofs for your pictures? What about your wedding album, bridal portraits, etc.?

Does the photographer offer a package deal or is everything separate?

What does the contract consist of? Read through it thoroughly before you sign on the dotted line. If you do not understand something, ask about it before signing.

Find out everything you need to about deposits, payments and the cancellation policy. Leave no stone unturned.

Ask the photographer for references, and then take the time to talk to others about him.

When it comes to a wedding dress, all brides want to look their absolute best and most beautiful on their wedding days. If you are finding your search for the right wedding dress frustrating, then put an end to your shopping at the malls and online by designing your own dress.

Designing your own dress does not necessarily mean that you have to sew it yourself! You can design the pattern that is so “you” and then have the dress made by a seamstress in your area.

Understand Your Body Type for Dress Style and Fabric

In order to design the most appropriate wedding dress possible, you have to familiarize yourself with your body type. Consider your height, weight and the shape of of your figure. You want a dress that will flatter both your unique body type, as well as your complexion and hair. Keep in mind that there are many wedding dress styles available. You can have a romantic wedding dress or a traditional wedding dress or you can go with something a little sexier. The choice is yours.

It is also essential that you choose the right fabric for the style of dress you choose. Be aware that the cut of the dress and how the fabric falls are closely connected. Avoid stiff unyielding material, and go for one that is wrinkle free.

There is a variety of wedding dress designs to choose from. Read on for a few of the most popular:

The basic A line is a winner for most women’s figures as it is very complementary. This style of dress is narrow on the top and then flares widely as it reaches the bottom. If this style seems too basic for you, then you can always enhance it with further decorations to the bodice.

This style is best for women who are in very good shape and are well toned. The skirt flares out at the mid calf or lower calf area and it features a fitted bodice. If you plan to dance at your wedding reception this dress might not be the best choice for you, as it restricts your freedom to move in a normal manner.

This style is very good at camouflaging figure flaws and is favored by many women. It has a fitted bodice and a skirt that is very full.

A beautiful wedding cake is often one of the focal points for guests at a wedding. Very few people leave the reception before having the opportunity to see and sample the cake. After all, the cake cutting at a wedding has been a very important tradition that has endured through the years.

Traditionally speaking, wedding cakes were made up of three tiers and royal icing was used to cover the entire cake. They also were made of vanilla pound cake. Wedding cakes today can be as creative and as imaginative (not to mention as wild!) as the couple wishes them to be! There are a multitude of designs, flavors and decorations to choose from. You can customize the cake to suit whatever theme you would like.

Here are some important factors to take into consideration when choosing the cake for your upcoming wedding:

Size of the Cake

The size you choose has to do with how many guests you expect will be attending. If you plan to send cake to those who are not able to attend, bear this in mind. If you are uncertain about the size of cake you need in relation to the number of guests, then speak to a local baker for suggestions.

Wedding cakes are generally several tiers but you can use your individuality to choose the shape and size that is best for your wedding.

Cake Design

Flip through wedding magazines to get ideas, and go online and visit any number of websites to see photos of wedding cakes. Another option is to visit bakers and confectioners in your area and go through their books to see samples. If you do not find exactly what you want, you might want to combine something you saw in a magazine with something that caught your eye somewhere else. Or you might even want to design your very own cake!

Cake Flavor

You want your cake to look good but also to taste good, too! Search around for a baker who uses only top quality ingredients. You can go with the regular vanilla or chocolate flavor or you might decide upon a cheesecake. Other delicious options include sponge cake, fruit cake or a cake with a mousse filling. If you like more than one flavor you can have different tiers of the cake made with different flavors to delight the taste buds.

For more information on wedding cakes visit http://topweddingsites.com/articles/cakes.html.

Ever wonder where some of our wedding traditions came from? Why something old, something new? Why throw the wedding bouquet? Why wear a veil? Let us take a look at some of the customs that have been passed down through the generations.

This tradition has its roots in a Victorian rhyme which went like this, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver six piece in her shoe.” The custom for a bride to carry or wear something old is a way for her family and her past to be acknowledged, while the new symbolizes the start of something that is fresh and just beginning to blossom.

There is an old English rhyme that is also believed to be connected to this tradition. This is how it goes:

“Something old and borrowed represents past traditions.

Something new will bring you luck in the future.

Something blue is a symbol of fertility and modesty.”

Wedding dresses are white because they represent innocence and purity. White is also the color that stands for celebration.

Today most wedding veils are made of lightweight tulle, but back in history they were made from a heavier cloth. The veil covered the bride’s face so no one could identify her until she stood before her husband-to-be. If any other man loved the bride, he would not be able to kidnap her on her wedding day thanks to her being concealed beneath her veil.

Weddings always have had tremendous significance, and they were believed to be one of the luckiest days for a bride and groom because they were entering a more profitable and more socially acceptable period of their lives. Brides in particular were considered to be very lucky on their wedding day.

Back in history, the guests at a wedding would attack the new bride and tear pieces of her clothing and veil as she and her new groom left the ceremony. Some guests grabbed for her flowers. They did this because it was believed that her good luck and fortune from her happy circumstances would be transferred to them through her clothing. This gave rise to the tossing of the bouquet, as the bride would do it as a form of self defense. If she gave up her flowers, then there was less of a chance that her dress would be torn.

Decorating your wedding reception when money is in short supply does not have to be a problem if you put to use some very simple suggestions.

Greenery

You can never have too much greenery at your reception. Decorate the reception area with swags of greenery with a few fresh flowers mixed in and/or some tiny white lights. Another excellent way to give greenery some glam is to mix it with tulle.

Tulle

Speaking of tulle, this item is inexpensive, comes in a variety of shades and can be used in a variety of manners at a wedding reception. Tulle is romantic no matter how it is displayed. Drape tulle along staircases, across doorways or archways, along balconies and fireplaces. Create tulle bows and tie them around table legs and chairs.

Lighting

Lighting lends itself to setting a particular mood, so bear this in mind when you decide upon the proper lighting for your wedding reception. Think intimate, think romance and think love and joy. Take small white lights and place them within swags of greenery. They can look fantastic practically anywhere you place them. In particular, they look great alongside a staircase or above a door. You also can take white lights and wrap them around small trees and bushes in a Christmas tree type of fashion.

Flower Arrangements

It is not necessary to hire a floral expert to make flower arrangements for your reception. You can make your own centerpieces for tables with a collection of different kinds of fresh cut flowers. You can buy elegant, inexpensive vases to grace the center of each table. One or two flowers can easily stand alone in vases and look beautiful. Flowers to use include lilacs, lilies, roses, tulips, carnations and daffodils.

Floral Centerpiece

The centerpiece you have for the head table does not have to be huge and it does not have to include just flowers. Design a centerpiece that is small, elegant and inviting. Some suggestions for items you could use to make it look as beautiful and eye-catching include mirror plates, ribbons and candles. Make sure you are careful using candles, however. You do not want the centerpiece to go up in flames at your reception!

When it comes to deciding upon the wedding favors that are most appropriate for your wedding, bear in mind both the mood of your wedding as well as the style. Are you having a formal wedding or will it be more casual and relaxed? Is there a theme to your wedding or not?

A theme can be an excellent starting point for your favors. If it is a beach theme, then wedding favors that celebrate that theme would be fitting, such as a small token of appreciation wrapped inside of a small seashell. Let your surroundings and the ambiance of the setting for your wedding determine what type of wedding favors would be best for your guests.

The average couple spends two to three percent of their wedding budget on wedding favors. It is important to know what type of budget you have to work with and from there come up with an approximation of how many guests will be attending the reception. Once you know these things you can then figure out how much money you can afford to spend on wedding favors.

Another important consideration is the colors for your wedding. A color scheme is an important aspect of most weddings. If your color scheme is pink, you might choose to decorate your reception in a variety of shades of pink, everything from light pink to darker shades of pink. You can use the color pink for your flowers and for your decorations and to beautify the tables at your reception as well as the entryway. Even the bathrooms can get a boost from the color pink. On the other hand you might decide to stick with only one shade of pink if you are a more traditional and classic type of couple.

The options for wedding favors are many. Explore your options. It is always nice to personalize each wedding favor with a tag that gives the name of the couple and the date of the wedding. Some suggestions for wedding favor themes include home décor, nautical, western, holiday, bath and body, food and garden.

When I first heard that my friends Tom and Michele were getting married, I was delighted. Even better, they invited me to provide one of the readings for the wedding.

The only problem was that the wedding was taking place in Nashua, New Hampshire, about 3,000 miles away from my home base. And with two small kids of my own, I had to minimize my time away from home.

Thus, I embarked on my wedding odyssey.

Friday, 9:30 PM Pacific: Leave home to drive to the San Francisco Airport.

Friday, 10:00 PM Pacific: Arrive at long-term parking. Rates have risen again. Now it’s $13.95/day. Crap, last time I flew, it was $8.95. Damned inflation.

Friday, 10:30 PM Pacific: Arrive at the airport, hurry through security, and make it to the gate.

Friday, 11:19 PM Pacific: My flight takes off.

Saturday, 12:00 AM Pacific: I slip on my eyeshade and try to get some sleep. I doze fitfully until 3:30 AM, by which time I’ve entered the Eastern time zone, and dawn is streaming in through the windows.

Saturday, 7:30 AM Eastern: Touch down in the D terminal of Washington Dulles. Immediately set out for my connecting flight, which is scheduled to depart from A terminal. 15 minutes later, including a bus ride, I arrive at the gate to discover that my flight has been moved to…D terminal. Another 15 minutes later, I arrive at the gate.

Saturday, 8:30 AM Eastern: My flight takes off bound for Manchester, New Hampshire.

Saturday, 10:00 AM Eastern: Arrive into Manchester, and call the groom. 10 minutes later, he and his two sons pick me up, and we spend the 10-minute drive to the house discussing the latest developments in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Apparently JP and LJ (who are 12 and 7) are big fans of military contractors like Raytheon.

Saturday, 10:20 AM Eastern: Arrive at Tom’s house, and get the grand tour, including a visit to see the famous chickens. Tom’s 18 “girls” have really grown. He proudly tells me that the coop is self-sustaining, and that he only has to clear out the dung once a year. JP and LJ show me their toy room, which contains enough LEGO, radio controlled vehicles, and Nerf weaponry to equip your average elementary school. Clearly I was born too early.

Saturday, 11:30 AM Eastern: We drive over to the wedding site, which is Unum’s, the hottest restaurant in New Hampshire. Owner Steve Williams, a former high-tech CEO, has built a dream team, including an award-winning chef and Jared, the world’s greatest bartender. I later sample a Midori/coconut concoction that confirms his mark of distinction. JP engages me in an earnest conversation where I attempt to convince him that the conflict between the US and Japan in World War II was not inevitable, but rather the result of poor decision-making by the Japanese military brass. Naturally, I point out that the great Admiral Yamamoto warned the high command that Japan would lose a war with the United States, but carried out the attack on Pearl Harbor regardless.

Saturday, 12:00 PM Eastern: The wedding commences, with a ring ceremony, my speech (reprinted at the end of this post), and the Native American blessing that seems to have become de rigeur. I don’t think this is the right time to point out that this ancient Indian blessing was actually written for a Christian Slater movie in the 1990s.

Saturday, 12:30 PM Eastern: Steve and his team serve a magnificent four-course feast. My personal favorite? The spinach and ricotta gnocchi, with mustard cream, Jones ham, smoked honey drizzle, and garlicky breadcrumbs.
(I may be locked in a struggle to the death in my biggest loser competition, but food like this demands to be eaten.)

Saturday, 3:30 PM Eastern: I leave the wedding for Logan airport, hitching a ride, ironically enough, with the newlyweds. Since Tom promised to get me to the airport, the easiest thing to do was to share their limo.

Saturday, 4:30 PM Eastern: Arrive at Logan Airport. Logan is surely one of the world’s worst airports, and driving to the airport brought back all sorts of unpleasant memories (I have probably flown into and out of Logan over 100 times, which is 100 times too many).

Saturday, 4:45 PM Eastern: My god, $1.99 for bottled water? Airport merchants should just write checks directly to the TSA.

Saturday, 5:00 PM Eastern: After 15 minutes of searching, I finally spot a water fountain. I wonder how long it will be before they rip that out too.

Saturday, 5:30 PM Eastern: Board plane for flight to San Francisco.

Saturday, 6:00 PM Eastern: Find out that the plane’s engine has a *hole* in it and that there are no other flights to San Francisco on any other airlines.

Saturday, 6:30 PM Eastern: Find out that the airline has been able to secure another plane, so we’ll be able to depart (hopefully) at 8:30, 2.5 hours late.

Sunday, 12:30 AM Pacific: Arrive back in San Francisco.

Total travel time: 26.5 hours from departure to return.

Time in the air: 13.5 hours.

Time spent in airports or limos: 7.5 hours

Time at the wedding: 4 hours.

It might seem like madness to travel 7,000 miles in 25 hours to spend 3.5 hours at a wedding, but such are the bonds of friendship!

Appendix A: The Wedding Speech

About 90 minutes south of here, Professor Tal Ben-Shahar of Harvard teaches a course on happiness that, in a few short years, has grown into the most popular class at the university. He writes, “For a human being, the ultimate currency is not money, nor is it any external measure, such as fame, fortune, or power. The ultimate currency for a human being is happiness.” In other words, all the other things we pursue…money, power, fame…all of these are ultimately simply means to an end.

Our history and way of life are founded on this principle. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote that the three inalienable rights possessed by all are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yet even today, in this, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, many of us fail in Jefferson’s quest.

We pursue happiness indirectly and ineffectually, throwing our energies into chasing the means, when if we had the clarity and courage, we could reach out and earn the ultimate currency directly.

Both Tom and Michele have achieved much in their lives.

Tom has been an All-American athlete, politician, has built and sold business since his teen years, and helped build a multi-billion-dollar company.

Michele excelled in school, earned degrees in both criminal justice and education, and as a teacher in her childhood school, taught nine classes, and led both her library and her union.

But worldly success, no matter how great, cannot guarantee happiness.

Yet despite all the achievements and events in their lives, both Tom and Michele felt, in the immortal words of U2, “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

The science of positive psychology tells us that there are three things above all others that bring us happiness. The first is finding work that uses your abilities and engages your imagination. The second is being able to feel a sense of personal growth. And the third is finding a life partner with whom you have a close and loving relationship.

Many aren’t lucky enough to find any of these things in their lives. Most aren’t lucky enough to find all of them. And rare indeed is it for two people to find them all in each other.

I’ve known Tom a long time. I’ve worked with Tom and spoken to him on a daily basis for over eight years. It’s been great to see how finding Michele has energized him. He’s found work at which he excels and which he truly loves. He’s grown a tremendous amount in the past year. And he’s found in Michele a wonderful partner. I’ve never seen him happier–even after a good night at the poker table.

While I haven’t known Michele as long, I’ve had the pleasure of working with her this past few months, and I’ve seen how they make a wonderful team. As all of Tom’s friends and family know, the last words you’d ever use to describe him are “careful” and “diplomatic”. Michele balances his zest for life with level-headed responsibility–even when the responsibility for 18 baby chickens are thrust upon her.

We are gathered here today to both commemorate and celebrate their decision to pursue happiness together. May they always be rich in the ultimate currency…though getting some of that green stuff along the way never hurts.