Archive for October, 2009

Choosing Your Ceremony Readings

Oct

Words of Love – Choosing Your Ceremony Readings

by Jean Neuhart

You’re getting married and you want the world, or at least your closest friends and family, to know what’s in your heart. Choosing ceremony readings that represent the beauty and love of your relationship is a wonderful and relatively easy way to share these feelings and personalize your ceremony. Your readings should be beautiful, moving and interesting to your guests, reflect the words and feelings in your heart, yet still adhere to the formality and “feel” that you want for your ceremony.

There are so many wonderful sources to find suitable readings. You can find them in scripture; (I Corinthians 13:4-8 – “Love is patient. Love is kind . . . ,” Ephesians 5:21-32 – “Honor Christ by submitting to each other. . . . And the two shall become one.”, Song of Solomon 6:3 – “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine . . . ”; from selections of poetry (Alfred, Lord Tennyson – “In true marriage lies, Nor equal, or unequal,” anonymous Chinese poet, Han Dynasty – “O, celestial beings, Let our feelings for each other, continue without diminishing,” ); or excerpts from literature, William Shakespeare from As You Like It – “ . . . no sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy . . . ”). However, since there are so many, it can get so overwhelming. Don’t let this send you down the simple route of merely looking at a list of possible selections (usually provided by your officiant or person who is helping with the ceremony), and picking a couple readings only because they’re on his/her list and therefore must be the appropriate choices. Visit your local library and look under topics such as poetry, literature, and wedding readings. Check your (and your fiancé’s) bookshelves, and music collection. Some of the most beautiful words of love are song lyrics.

Don’t be too quick to dismiss readings that have “been done.” If you find yourself hesitating over a particular selection because you’re afraid that your guests will groan, “Oh, no! Not this one again,” stop a moment and give it a thorough once over. Read the selection out loud, or have someone read it to you. The spoken word has a much greater impact than just seeing them on a piece of paper. You may need to back up a bit to include a preceding verse or sentence or two, or if you have someone who is creative with words, can write a suitable introduction. Including this intro can help make the “same old” come alive, becoming something that is new and fresh. In a beautiful introduction to Corinthians 13:4-8, an aunt of the bride described the differences between love and infatuation. An excerpt follows. “Infatuation is fleeting desire. True love is a friendship that has caught fire. Infatuation says we must get married right away, I can’t risk losing you. Love says be patient, don’t panic, plan your future with confidence. Infatuation might lead you to do things you will regret. Love never steers you in the wrong direction. God, in His amazing, infinite wisdom, said it perfectly in Corinthians.”

Of course, you’ll want to take special care in choosing the person(s) who will be your readers. Look for someone who is comfortable in front of a crowd, and can read in a good speaking voice. Even the most beautiful, emotion evoking words will lose their meaning if read in a droning, monotone voice.

Finally, to avoid any unpleasant surprises on your wedding day, make sure to obtain a list of rules and regulations from your ceremony site regarding what they do and do not permit for a wedding ceremony, and get your officiant’s okay before finalizing any choices. And remember, if worse comes to worse, and you aren’t allowed to use a reading that you just cannot imagine doing without – have someone read it at the reception. Words of Love aren’t just for the ceremony.

About the Author

Jean Neuhart is the owner of Weddings From The Heart. As a Professional Bridal Consultant, she helps busy brides and their fiances plan creative, personalized and stress-free weddings. Visit Jean at www.weddingsfromtheheart.net. You can email her at jean[at]weddingsfromtheheart[dot]net.

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Planning a Memorable Wedding Ceremony

Oct

Planning a Memorable Wedding Ceremony
by Jean Neuhart

Congratulations! You and your beloved have decided to get married. Romance and excitement fills the air as you think about what you will wear, what your bouquet will look like, who will be invited, and where the wedding reception will take place. But don’t forget the wedding ceremony. These days there’s so much emphasis on planning the “fun” parts of a wedding (reception, music, food, gown, etc.) the ceremony itself can easily become nothing but an afterthought.

So what is a wedding ceremony? It is a rite of passage in the form of a public exchange of vows. Note the keyword here – “public.” Two people state their vows in the presence of their guests, who are active witnesses, and an officiant. It is interesting to note that the officiant (minister, pastor, judge) doesn’t actually marry the couple, instead they marry each other, by means of stating their intent, reciting their vows, and the other formalities customary to the wedding ceremony. The officiant is merely the formal representative of your witnesses. Your officiant can also lead you through the customs and rituals associated with the ceremony.

Does this mean that you have to have hundreds of “witnesses?” Of course not. You may have your heart set on inviting hundreds of friends and family members to celebrates, and have a maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, jr. bridesmaids and groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls. Then again, you may prefer to have a simple ceremony in front of your immediate families with only have a maid of honor and best man. Some areas only require your officiant to be the official witness. Be sure to inquire at your marriage license bureau to see what local rules apply.

Sit down with your fiancé and decide what style of ceremony will be the most appropriate for both of you. Do the two of you prefer a religious, non-denominational, or perhaps civil ceremony? Do you want readings, and if so, would you prefer them to be from scripture, literature or from another source? Are there any cultural or ethnic customs you want incorporated into your ceremony? How many guests do you want? Don’t forget to think about your parents, and the expectations, if any, they may have for your wedding day.

Adding personalized touches to your ceremony is fun, and can make for a much more meaningful event, not only for your friends and family, but for you and your fiancé. Personalization can make the difference between a cookie cutter wedding and one that is charming and expressive.

The variety of ways to add personalization is easy and abundant. You can include a special reading or prayer. A special hymn or song can be played. You may choose to compose all of your vows, or just a portion. The observance of ethnic or family customs is a nice touch. Perhaps you can carry a handkerchief or pin that was carried by your grandmother or mother when she got married or incorporate a flower that was in your sister’s bouquet into your own . . .

Be sure to inform your guests as to the meaning behind any unusual or particularly special personalization, or cultural rituals. Keeping your guests informed during your wedding ceremony, and allowing them to understand and appreciate the events happening before them will make your event more meaningful and memorable for everyone. One of the easiest, and inexpensive, ways to provide this information is by using a program, which also makes a lovely keepsake of your special day. With the use of a home computer, a color printer, and some pretty paper from your local craft store, you can easily design and create a unique program for your wedding.

But regardless of how simple or how elaborate your wedding ceremony will be, please give it some serious thought while planning your wedding. After all, your ceremony is the reason for the day, and the celebration that follows, isn’t it?

About the Author: Jean Neuhart is the owner of Weddings From The Heart. As a Professional Bridal Consultant, she helps busy brides and their fiances plan creative, personalized and stress-free weddings. Visit Jean at www.weddingsfromtheheart.net. You can email her at jean[at]weddingsfromtheheart[dot]net.

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Unique Wedding Ideas They’ll Never Forget

Oct

A Wedding to Remember: Unique Wedding Ideas They’ll Never Forget

There are very few once in a lifetime events quite like your wedding day. From the flowers and dress to the flavor of the cake, the option to plan and personalize your wedding with your own unique wedding ideas is truly in your court. And we’ve all been to dozens of weddings that follow the standard format – the rehearsal and subsequent dinner, the wedding ceremony where the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and couple walked formally down the aisle, and, finally, the reception, where dancing and dinner is bound to follow.

And yes, points are given to the couples that take the time to personalize their wedding with fun favors, unusual refreshments, decorations, and other unique wedding ideas. But have you ever thought about shaking up your own wedding, perhaps even changing the very structure of it? With a little ingenuity (and planning), you can personalize your wedding in a way that’s fun for everyone!

My Favorite Memorable Ideas for Unique Weddings

Consider the rehearsal dinner. Whereas most couples elect to run through the standard ‘meet and greet,’ practice their walk down the aisle to get rid of those pre-ceremony jitters, and then sit down to a light repast, some brides and grooms choose to infuse this gathering with their very own unique wedding ideas. One example I’ve heard of is eliminating the sit down dinner entirely, which is usually more formal in nature anyway. The brides then invite the rehearsal dinner guests over for a picnic (in warmer months) or a potluck supper (great any time). This option not only takes away a lot of wedding stress, but also encourages the guests to interact more.

The wedding ceremony itself is, of course, meant to be solemn and respectful, but that doesn’t mean before or after the priest or minister marries the couple you can’t infuse the ceremony with your own unique wedding ideas. One of the more unusual examples I’ve heard about is the entire wedding party dancing up and down the aisle to the delight of the guests who get in on the act. Without so much as a hint as to what is going on, an upbeat tempo begins playing and guests start clapping. The bridesmaids and groomsmen get footloose up and down the aisle, making way for the groom’s and bride’s grand entrances. After all, a lively entrance is certainly one way to personalize your wedding and make sure guests never forget your nuptials!

Another way to personalize your wedding is seating guests at round tables at the wedding venue itself (serving as both the ceremony and reception area). Though it appears to be the reception, the guests actually watch as the bride and groom are married while seated at tables, and then after a quick swap out, the area becomes a beautiful reception. The perks? The bride and groom save lots of money because there’s no need to secure two venues, and your guests don’t have to travel.

And, of course, if you choose to have a wedding theme, you can incorporate all sorts of unique wedding ideas. Take the idea of a renaissance-themed wedding. Both the bride and groom, for instance, will be wearing flowing fabrics and unique headpieces, while the entertainment could feasibly be even more entertaining. Couples have hired ‘court jesters,’ ‘jugglers,’ and ‘dancers’ to lighten the mood, carry on the renaissance theme, and personalize their wedding in a unique way. However, whatever your wedding theme may be, just remember to explore all the unique wedding ideas and possibilities available to you. If it’s historical in nature, do your research! If it’s hobby-themed, ask your friends to share their ideas. Not only will collaboration on unique wedding ideas help you to envision a better wedding, you’ll also have the support of your friends.

At your reception, just about anything goes. It’s your day, so plan and personalize your wedding reception how you want. Some brides feel as though they have to please their guests. Bottom line – if you plan and personalize your wedding activities and events, your guests will want to stay all night long. Consider, for example, the buffet or sit down style dinner served at most weddings. A few brides have elected to have wait staff circulate with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages or have had multiple refreshment tables set up around the room. Usually, one of the most popular attractions at these refreshment tables is the giant chocolate fountain, with fruit and pretzels for dipping.

Another one of the more unique wedding ideas I’ve heard about is a groom’s cake made entirely of meat. Ideally, the groom’s cake is meant for him and his right-hand men, so, in many ways, it’s appropriate. And you might just have a lot of extra ‘cake’ left over to enjoy later!

Memories that Last a Lifetime

These examples of unique wedding ideas are just a few of the more memorable highlights I’ve seen at weddings over the years. Regardless of how you choose to personalize your wedding, it will always be a special day – a celebration of love and romance with your closest friends and family members. And if you ultimately decide to play it on the traditional side, don’t worry – you have those beautiful memories to last a lifetime.

About the Author: Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors, helping countless couples and families make their big events a success. Cherie’s wedding advice has appeared on several websites including Women Of, Wedding Lenox, and The Wedding Guide. Before she launched her company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and groom’s big day. For more information on Creative Bride or to find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.

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$30,000 smile makeover contest

Oct

1-800-DENTIST is giving away $30,000 worth of free dental care!

All you have to do is be willing to share your story with us – and America – from start to finish. America will help choose the top contestants and 1-800-DENTIST will select the winner!

There’s no fee to enter the smile makeover contest. Contestants need to simply to upload a short video explaining their dental problems and how it affects their lives. Entries must be received by November 10.
Details can be found online at http://www.1800dentist.com/my-smile-bites.

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Festive Fall Wedding Favors

Oct

Fall in Love with Festive Fall Wedding Favors

When it comes to picking favors, seasonal products still give you limitless options. And fall wedding favors are no different! There are candle holders, bottle stoppers, bookmarks, champagne flutes, and so many more things that are designed specifically for autumn themed weddings.

Fall is the season of rich colors, warm lighting, and cozy, inviting spaces – all the things you want to emulate throughout your wedding day and reception. And it’s easy to carry on that theme with appropriately selected fall wedding favors – favors that evoke the spirit of the season and give your guests a beautiful reminder of your wedding day.

When choosing fall wedding favors, remember your theme or color set. Bright yellow sunflowers are always big for autumn themed weddings as are rich red, brown, yellow, and orange autumn leaves. However, fall wedding favors with bright, deep colors will help set the stage at each person’s plate setting. But today’s bride wants to give more than just mints or candy; she wants to offer her guests a little gift to thank them for coming – one that is not only functional but well worth the price.

Our Favorite Favors for Autumn Themed Weddings

Here are our favorite fall wedding favors that incorporate both the beauty of the season and show your guests how much you appreciate them coming!

1. Wildflower Seed Favors: Give your guests a way to look forward to warmer weather – as well as integrate more green initiatives into their routine – with wildflower or tree seed favors. The younger set will especially love this, and it will give them a chance to plant a beautiful garden with the help of their parents. Seed favors are ideal for environmentally-friendly brides and grooms who want to make a difference at their autumn themed weddings or simply serve as a way for couples to celebrate the birth of something new.

2. Glass Coaster Sets: Everyone loves coasters. They keep furniture free from water stains and can be customized with names, dates, or special pictures as well as pastoral fall scenes that are the perfect backdrop to autumn themed weddings. We suggest glass in particular because it fits with almost everyone’s design scheme and is a decidedly elegant option for fall wedding favors.

3. Wine Bottle Stoppers & Bottle Openers: Functionality is the name of the game for many brides who are shopping for autumn wedding favors. And guests love favors that they can use. Many wine bottle stoppers or bottle openers are painted in lovely, vibrant fall colors or are embellished with a beautiful sunflower or autumn leaf as the decoration.

4. Fall-themed Photo Albums: Many couples nowadays provide disposable cameras at each table so guests can snap away at events the bride and groom may have missed. If you and your loved one are more sentimental about the images your guests capture, why not provide everyone with a fall-themed photo album, so they can put their own pictures from the wedding in it? And whenever they browse through the album, they’ll remember your happy day and the role they played in it.

5. Cookie Cutters: With the holidays right around the corner, cookie cutters – either in autumnal shapes or other fun shapes you choose (hearts, doves, stars) – are an excellent gift to give guests at autumn themed weddings. After all, functionality plays a role – and your guests will admire your “good taste” when they find these lovely keepsake fall wedding favors at their plates.

6. Candles and/or Tea Light Holders: Flickering candle light is oh-so-romantic, so shouldn’t you share that essence of fall with your guests? Adorn your reception tables with pretty fall leaf shaped candle or tea light holder, and you’ll be hearing, “What a wonderful favor!” all night long. These fall wedding favors allow your guests to bring the memories of your special day as well as the warmth of fall into their home.

Autumn Themed Weddings Are Meant to Be Warm, Cozy Affairs

The mystery and beauty of the fall season creates the perfect setting for autumn themed weddings. Fall is the season of transformation – an ideal that likely carries over into your marriage vows. From invitations and decorations to the cake and gown, you have all of your ducks in a row so to speak. But choosing fall wedding favors doesn’t have to be complicated, and you certainly don’t have to match your theme exactly. Just don’t forget to spice up each table at the reception with thoughtfully chosen wedding favors that showcase the fall season – and your wedding’s style – appropriately!

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