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This is part two in a series about different wedding traditions in various countries.

For good luck the Irish believe in the sun shining on the bride, to hear the cuckoo on the wedding morning, to see three magpies, and after the wedding ceremony it is important that a man, and not a woman, be the first to wish joy to the new bride. Some Irish people will wear a claddagh ring for a wedding ring. This ring was created by a master goldsmith. It symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship. When worn on the right hand, with the heart facing inward, means the wearers heart is unoccupied.. When the heart is facing outward, it means love is being considered. When worn on the left hand facing outward, it means the wearer is seriously committed to marry. At some Irish weddings, the groom is lifted in a chair (jaunting chair), to celebrate that he is a married man. For good luck, the newlyweds are given a horseshoe to display in their home, in the upward position. Read the rest of this entry »

Getting married is not only a commitment between two people, it is a celebration. The cost of a wedding, however, may put a damper on your celebration.

A traditional wedding is not cheap. At first glance, you may wonder how it could be so expensive. Well, the cost is in the details. Simply put, there are a surprising number of issues that you must deal with in a traditional wedding. Each of these issues, of course, Read the rest of this entry »

For most people their wedding is an exciting event.  Even though you are excited about your wedding there are many things you need to think about. Try not to stress out too much though, everything will work out just fine as long as you plan ahead. Read the rest of this entry »

Upon looking at wedding photos in different countries, it made me curious of the many different cultural traditions of each country. I hope you enjoy learning about them as much as I did. Read the rest of this entry »

Most brides can quickly end up spending thousands of dollars for one special day in their life. This is fin and you want everything to be the absolutely magical for your wedding. However if there are some ways to save money then why not? It is always great to save money and still look great. Cheap bridal shoes are a good way to cut costs.

Cheap bridal shoes do not have to look cheap, old fashioned or out of style. There are Read the rest of this entry »

Their big day has nearly arrived and you still haven’t bought the couple a wedding gift yet. Well, not to worry, here are 10 wedding gift suggestions that are a little more creative than suggesting you rush off to buy them a gift voucher for the home, garden and furniture store.

1. How about a painting. Obviously selection is according to budget. Consider romantic Read the rest of this entry »

The distinctive traditions like Claddagh rings, superstitions, a special toast, as well as kilts and bagpipes make it really easy to distinguish an Irish wedding from the wedding celebrations of other countries. Let’s take a close look at some of these unique components in the Irish wedding.

One of the most unique of all is the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring made to Read the rest of this entry »

When your best friend, officemate or relative is about to get married, and you’re invited, you might consider looking for a wedding gift to give. Although it is not compulsory, you might feel obliged to bring something. Sounds familiar?

Well, it might occur to you that once you are invited to a wedding, you should bring with you a gift. This is okay. However, the essence of wedding invitation is redirected to the Read the rest of this entry »

Receiving wedding gifts is always a very exciting part of getting married and it’s something that couples agonise over considerably before making any decisions.

First of all, you don’t wish to appear greedy.  Although many wedding guests expect to receive a wedding list with their wedding invitation, it feels quite pushy on the part of the Read the rest of this entry »

Are you searching for something unique for your wedding? Anything that could show how stylish, trendy, interesting, and fun-loving you are is most desired. Now, instead of bringing an ordinary usual boring flower wedding bouquet, carry with you exciting, unusual bloom bouquets and offer people something to gossip about.

Unusual does not mean that your bouquet will not anymore contain flowers. Of course, it Read the rest of this entry »

Ah, it’s finally here–wedding season. Every bride and groom want to be their best on the big day, but you shouldn’t rely on wedding-day magic to make all of your dreams come true. Like everything on your to-do list–from location to wardrobe to menu–looking and feeling fabulous requires planning.

Looking Great

Flawless-looking skin for your wedding won’t necessarily come out of a cosmetics jar. If Read the rest of this entry »

The wedding dress and wedding hairstyle you choose are the most important decisions you will ever make, that is of course, after you have chosen the right groom!

When it comes to your wedding gown, there is such a vast range of styles, shapes and colour. Naturally, the wedding hairstyle has to come second to the dress, although the 2 Read the rest of this entry »

These days, couples often plan, execute and pay for most, if not all, of their wedding. Traditionally there were responsibilities that the parents of the bride covered. They still do some of these things today.

The parents of the bride:

Plan and host the engagement party.

Help with the guest list and order invitations. By planning the list, they will know how many to order with a few extra in case of last minute invitees. Read the rest of this entry »

You’re a bride-to-be, certainly a revered title. Some might even say the envy of all hopeful marrieds….

But you’re bombarded…

Advertisements, to-do lists, future in-laws, the tiniest of mundane details – they all demand to be tended to – and the resulting stress can overpower what’s supposed to be a joyous time in your life. So how do you reduce stress? Emerge from the pile of fabric Read the rest of this entry »

Want something really unique and special that will set you apart from the other people getting married around the same time.  It is time to think about your wedding invitations.  Wedding invitations are a very important part of any wedding.  A wedding invitation is often the first impression that your guests will have of your wedding and they therefore set the tone and theme for the whole wedding.  It is important therefore to make sure your wedding invitations style, look and feel match your wedding theme.  If you truly want Read the rest of this entry »

Many people who choose to live their life by themselves experience tremendous loneliness.  Humans are social animals and it is a generic need to be a part of society, bond and marry. Marriage is a commitment where couples share the events in their partner’s life until separation. Apart from its many psychological aspects, marriage is a legal agreement that allows couples to live together, engage in sexual activity, coexist, Read the rest of this entry »

Every bride wishes to adorn the most stunning and expensive gown on her wedding day. However, not all brides can afford to wear expensive wedding dresses, due to a low budget and other financial constrains. It does not necessarily mean that the bride will not look good in a simple wedding gown that is affordable.

At least once a year, many bridal boutiques host an annual wedding gown sale. Even Read the rest of this entry »

Brides with a strong financial background can afford to get their wedding gowns designed from the very best in the industry. Shopping for designer wedding gowns is a treat for all brides, with unlimited resources. The choice of the designer depicts the bride’s dressing sense. The gown and the designer have to be chosen, keeping in mind the grand Read the rest of this entry »

As soon as your guests arrive, they will notice your bridal shower decorations. Whether they are simple and elegant or extravagant and showy, the bridal shower decorations will set the mood for the entire party. Be sure that they make the statement you want by planning ahead starting with the invitations.

If you want simple, but elegant bridal shower decorations, you may want to stick with Read the rest of this entry »

A wedding band is essentially a ring solemnizing the custom of marriage. It consists of a metal ring, which might be fitted with precious stones. A wedding band is usually worn on what is known as the ring-finger. The concept of the wedding band seems to have originated in Egypt. Plant sections were worn, symbolizing love and courtship. This custom has gained popularity across the globe. In early days in Europe, it was a custom Read the rest of this entry »

Do Wedding Favors Take the Place of Sending Thank You Notes?
You, the bride, have worked so hard planning your dream wedding. In a matter of six months you managed to fulfill your dream of having the most perfect and memorable wedding. After the ceremony you personally greet your guests during the receiving line or by visiting each table during the reception. As you greet each guest, you are sure to thank each one for coming to your wedding. As the bride, you even went a step further to Read the rest of this entry »

You have seen the pictures and you have heard the behind the scenes comments made by others about the plump bride. “Such a lovely face, too bad she is so overweight.” Or a remark such as, “How sad it is that at age 28 she is already this fat.” Not the nicest comments, but not entirely inaccurate either! How about you? Are you looking forward to your wedding day or will hurtful statements about your excess weight ruin your wedding or even impact your marriage? You can’t worry about what other people say about you Read the rest of this entry »

They have done so much for you, not only as a part of your wedding party but also as a friend and confidant over the years. How to even begin to say thanks? Start by presenting your wedding attendants with heartfelt gifts to express your gratitude.  This bridesmaid gift guide will steer you through the Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes the best things in life everyone knows about except you. The best surprise you can give someone is when everyone they know - family, friends, co-workers - all know about it first! The unsuspecting person is not only surprised by your gift, but Read the rest of this entry »

Well, the big day is approaching and there is so much to do.  Set the date, reserve the church, hire a band, get a dress, find a caterer, a photographer, a florist…the list goes on and on.  For many new brides planning a wedding can seem like an overwhelming task.  Don’t let it keep you from having the best day of your life, however, just follow my advice.

You are wondering how you will know what you need or where to find stuff.  Well, take a Read the rest of this entry »

Weddings require a lot of planning, even traditional weddings that are intended to include particular ceremonies. Here are a few tips you may find helpful when including any ceremonial practices into your special day.

Wedding Rings

A wedding ring is a symbol of wholeness, unity, and eternity. Some couples choose a double ring ceremony or a single ring ceremony, regardless there is usually some type of Read the rest of this entry »

Are you: 

• Arguing with your fiancé more than normal?
• Finding it increasingly difficult to make decisions?
• Finding it increasingly difficult to focus on a task?
• Minor things irritating you more?
• Frequently feeling lethargic?
• Having trouble sleeping?
• Suffering from headaches?

If the answer is yes to more than 3 of these questions, then chances are you’re suffering from stress.

Most of us have a broad sense of what stress is and how it can positively or negatively Read the rest of this entry »

Quite a few newlyweds choose to get matching wedding bands for their big wedding day. The history of the bride and groom wearing matching wedding bands dates back many years and is still very much alive and well today.

Many couples prefer to design their own matching wedding bands. They may consult with a jewelry design professional who will take their vision and use it to create two rings that Read the rest of this entry »

The wedding ring is a ring that will often be made from precious metals, and it will be worn on the left ring finger. It is also worn on the right ring finger in countries such as Norway or Russia. The purpose of a wedding ring is to represent a marriage. Both spouses will wear rings to show that they are commited to each other. The custom originated in Europe, but has spread to many other countries which are outside of Europe. In some cultures the wedding ring is only one of three rings that will be given when a couple is in the process of getting married. Read the rest of this entry »

For most women a wedding dress will be the most important, and often the most expensive, single garment they will ever purchase, and every woman seems to have her own ideas as to what constitutes the perfect wedding dress.

No matter what your taste or budget is, it’s important to shop around as much as possible in order to find that one wedding dress that makes you truly feel like a princess in a fairy tale. Read the rest of this entry »

The short answer is a resounding YES. Getting married without pre-marriage prep is like starting a business or any important venture without preparing. Half of all marriages end in divorce, and only half of those that endure are truly happy in the long run. Many happy engaged couples assume that they won’t be contributing to these statistics. But, if you just wing it and count on your luck to make your marriage a success, your odds are only one in four. There is another way. Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve all heard the expression: “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Where do these traditional wedding phrases come from? Today’s bride pays very little–if any–attention to such phrases. But for the longest time these wedding traditions were embraced by the sentimental and superstitious. Let’s take a look at some of the traditions that may or may not be utilized by today’s bride: Read the rest of this entry »

The search for the perfect wedding dress begins - with a long, honest look at the mirror. What is your body shape? Even though you swear you’ll lose ten pounds before the wedding, you can’t drastically modify what Mother Nature has given you. And why should you? There are so many styles and materials available, there’s bound to be something that will make you look absolutely gorgeous, just the way you are. Read the rest of this entry »

A few weeks ago I went to a bachelor party of one of my old time high school buddies, since almost everyone there came from different backgrounds and economical situations it was very interesting to see the group of young men discussing many different issues, from foreign policy to buying engagement rings.

Yes, that is right, one of the main issues of the bachelor party was the dynamics of purchasing a engagement ring. It all started when one of the guys asked the soon to be married bachelor how did he decide on the engagement ring, and if he did it alone or used anyone to help him choose the ring. Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s face it – the world just isn’t as big as it used to be. As a testament to the earth’s seemingly shrinking waistline, more and more young men and women are finding true love outside their faith – and making it work. Yet no matter how progressive you and your families may be, the peaceful merging of two religions can prove an ambitious undertaking. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that love is the end goal, and get ready to celebrate a marriage made in heaven, er, make that two heavens. Read the rest of this entry »

Your wedding is a very special day and you of course want everything to be perfect. There are so many things to do it can make your head spin. But, if you allow enough time to really research everything, then you are well on your way.

In this article I want to address hair. It is important to get it right because it can make or break the entire look you are trying to achieve. Read the rest of this entry »