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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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Congratulations Gents! Pretty soon, you’ll be caught up in planning for your wedding, for the honeymoon, and for a life together. Chances are if you are like the typical guy your fiancé will take care of the bulk of the arrangements, but that won’t leave you without at least some additional stress. Stressors that can bring you much worry, aggravation, and even weight gain if you are not careful. Speaking of weight, are you satisfied with how you Read the rest of this entry »

It is traditional to give your groomsmen a gift as a token of your appreciation for participating in your wedding.  Coming up with a great wedding gift for the groomsmen is not always easy though especially with all the other wedding duties you already 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 »

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 »

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 »

Some future grooms say early on, “Just tell me when to show up and what to wear and leave me alone” and he leaves the work of the wedding to the bride. This is not as typical now as it was in past years. More and more men are getting involved in and enjoying the process of planning their wedding. Some men still think that it is a “girl thing” and not a “guy thing.”  Give me a break! A wedding is a “couple thing” and should have equal participation of both the bride and groom.

Approaching your wedding as a twosome can give you the best results in less time. It is also a fairly good predictor of how the marriage will be. It answers many questions that will be important to the marriage, questions such as:

Who makes the decisions? Are they joint decisions or does one of you always have to have his or her way? Is one of you always right? (This implies that the other is always wrong). Does one of you usually have to agree just to get beyond the impasse and get on with it? Is one of you “The Boss” and the other the “Bossed?” Does that work for you?

Are your management styles compatible? Does one of you micro-manage and one of you use a broad brush approach and does that work for you? Sometimes this is highly effective because the broad brusher generates the creative ideas and the micro-manager can work out the details. It takes both. On the other hand a broad brusher can drive the micro-manager crazy and vice versa.

Are you willing to yield to the expertise of the other? Can you divide up the workload evenly and not second guess each other, but trust that it will be done correctly and on time? What do you do when you have a huge disagreement? Do you have a plan to work things out, to negotiate until you find a common ground of agreement? Does one of you hold a grudge if the decision doesn’t always go your way?

How do you handle money? Is one of you “tight-fisted” with money and the other an impulse spender? Can you agree on an amount you can spend independently without consulting the other? What happens if one of you doesn’t abide by the agreed upon amount? How do you resolve the issue?

Do you have similar likes and dislikes? Do you find that you almost always pick the same thing, even though you aren’t together at the time? Do you, for example, generally like the same colors, music, style? If not, do you know and appreciate what the other one likes? Is it o.k. to like different things?  If not, does one of you always have to capitulate or do you find ways to work out who gives in now and who gives in later?

If, as you get closer to the wedding date, you find that you are at each others throats and are playing the “blame game” or the “poor me, the martyr” scenario, it’s time to stop and take a good hard look at your relationship. Marriage is made up of multitudinous compromises by each of you. It requires give and take, yes and no, me and you in equal proportions.  If the problem is a matter of exhaustion or the “jitters” that’s one thing. But if you simply cannot work together, take some time to think it over, even if it means postponing the wedding. Some pre-nuptial counseling may be of help before you proceed.

http://www.yourscottsdalewedding.com

Let’s face it, not many of us have the kind of skills or experience to write truly poetic wedding vows. Or do we? Here’s the truth: Even if you don’t know Dylan Thomas from Bob Dylan, and you’re pretty sure T.S. Elliot was that guy who wrote the words to Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Cats,” all is not lost! In fact, there are ways to learn to write the words you want. With four simple steps, you can take what you feel in your heart and make it come out as sweetly as any Shakespearian sonnet. Read the rest of this entry »

My theory is that there is no such thing as an ugly bride and this has held true for me over the past seven years and several hundred weddings. As a wedding officiant I see brides in all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnic origin. I see women who have irregular facial features, bad teeth, unruly hair, big noses, eyes too close together or too far apart – whatever you want to describe as less than beautiful. I have seen short brides and tall brides, brides who were too fat or too thin or who thought they were too fat or too thin. I have seen pregnant brides, old brides and very young brides. All were beautiful. Read the rest of this entry »

Hey – it’s all about you; take back your ceremony!

It is a ritual – time honored and sacred – but that does not mean your wedding ceremony has to be like every other…yawn. Of course, some couples choose to be extremely original and opt for exchanging vows on a roller coaster, while bungee jumping or even dressed as trekies. I say – good for them for such uninhibited displays of originality. But even if you prefer a more traditional and “scream-free” wedding ceremony, you can still find creative ways to infuse your ceremony with elements that are distinctly you. Browse my favorite ceremony ideas: Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to weddings, the focus is usually on the bride. Everyone thinks of it as her special day, that event she’s been looking forward to since she was a child and the time when she’ll be the center of attention as she embarks on a new life. But what about the groom? It’s his day too, and one that he should plan just as carefully as the bride. Ideally it will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for both bride and groom, so they should share the planning and the enjoyment of that magical day equally! Read the rest of this entry »

I hear it all the time. Couples come to me after going through every other marriage improvement method under the sun and tell me they experience a brief sense of relief from a certain program, but with passing of time, they fall back into their old ways. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you skeptical that preparing for a wedding can be a spiritual experience, rather than a stress-filled journey of details? Put our timeline to the test and watch your engagement become the most spiritual time of your life.   Read the rest of this entry »

Marriage is a partnership. Is yours going to be an equal one?

All partnerships exist because each party brings something to the other that is needed and desirable. No partnership is exactly equal because the issues are so complicated that it is impossible to figure out their relative values. But the degree of respect each partner gives to the other can be pretty close to equal with a little care and love. Read the rest of this entry »

A wedding band is a ring made of precious metal, worn on the ring finger to symbolize marriage. A wedding band is indicative of the fidelity of the spouse. It is usually worn on the left ring finger. It was a Greek belief that the vein in the left ring finger goes directly to the heart. The vein was called vena amori. However modern medicine has proven the belief incorrect. Read the rest of this entry »

Traditionally (don’t you sometimes resent that word?) the groom appears in a tuxedo with a cummerbund and perhaps a bowtie and vest that matches the brides colors or the theme of the wedding. And, yes, it is elegant. A man who lives in Levis or in shorts and T shirts is completely transformed in appearance when he puts on a tux and people are wandering around looking for the groom because they don’t recognize him. Even if you’re used to seeing him in suits, there’s something exceptional about the way he looks in a tuxedo. We have to admit that a man in a tux looks awesome. Read the rest of this entry »

A couple engaged me to be their wedding officiant simply because I asked them, “Why do you want to get married?” They said I was the only one out of five  prospective officiants they had interviewed that asked them that question, and it was very important to them that their officiant be interested in them as a couple and not just in the wedding fee. It is a good question that needs to be asked before the engagement but certainly before the wedding. Read the rest of this entry »

Making a Wedding Speech can be a very stressful event for those involved. To stand up and make a speech in front of any group can be nerve racking but when you consider that those about to make a Wedding Speech are about to stand up before friends and family then it can bring on a whole new set of nerves!! Read the rest of this entry »