Something Borrowed, Something Blue

By Paul Duxbury

It is a time-honoured tradition that is supposed to bring the bride good luck that she should carry or wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Each one of these items represents something different and can fairly easily be incorporated into the bride's clothing in several different and interesting ways. The tradition goes back centuries and is still honoured by many brides today who are want to ensure a little extra bit of luck for themselves or who want to honour a tradition that has been passed on in their family for years.

Wearing something old is said to express the desire to retain your connections with your family after you enter into your marriage and begin your own family. One lovely way in which to do this is to wear a locket with a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day inside, which will remind you of your family and keeps them close to your heart. Another charming way to wear something old is to have a handkerchief used by one of your ancestors sewn into the lining of the skirt of your wedding dress. Incorporating this item into your wedding dress as a permanent feature is a special way to ensure that you will always remember your family and that they will always be a part of the new family that you and your husband create and which carries on the family into the future.

The tradition of wearing a new item on your wedding day reflects the fact that you and your husband are creating a new union that will endure forever. There are countless ways to incorporate something new into your attire. If you decided to have a picture of your grandmother on her wedding day in a locket that you wear, you might want to think about putting a photo of you and your husband to be into the other side as your new item. Another new item to consider is a piece of jewellery, besides your engagement or wedding ring that was given to you by the groom such as a necklace or bracelet. This is a special way to wear something new because it expresses the love that you and the groom have for each other.

Wearing a borrowed item on your wedding day is used to symbolise your love and admiration for the person from whom you borrowed the item. Wanting to wear something that belongs to a loved one lets them know that you want to include them in your wedding in a very special way by wearing something that either is held very dear to them or is something that represents them symbolically. One way to include a borrowed item into your wedding is to ask to borrow a friend's signature piece of jewellery. If you have a close friend who has worn the same necklace for as long as you have known her, you might consider borrowing this particular necklace for your wedding day as a reminder of your friendship assuming of course that they don't want to wear it to attend your wedding!

Wearing something blue on your wedding day is a symbol of fidelity to one another. It may sound as though incorporating blue into your wedding attire is a difficult task but it really is much easier than it might sound. One easy way to do so is to wear a necklace with a blue stone which is a beautiful yet inconspicuous way to wear blue on your wedding day. Alternatively you could chose to include blue flower in your headdress. Some brides also opt to wear a blue garter under their wedding dress as their blue item.

Brides have been honouring the tradition of wearing an old, a new, a borrowed and a blue item during their wedding for many centuries. Although wearing these items is supposed to symbolize luck for the bride, they are also just a lovely tradition that gives the bride an opportunity to express her admiration for special people in her life.

Choose a Tiffany Blue Wedding Theme

By ling Tong

The Tiffany blue wedding theme has been growing in popularity since about 2000 and has been used by many celebrities during their weddings. For example, Toni Braxton was one of the first people to really use the Tiffany blue idea in her wedding. The Tiffany blue name for a wedding theme is used along with robin egg blue or a light pale blue colour theme. When people first think about a Tiffany blue wedding they think of the famous jewellery store that gives a feeling of elegance and extravagance.

If you want to have everything at your wedding to follow this theme then you yourself, as the bride, can have the colours of tiffany in your flowers or you can have tiffany colours pinned to your attire. If you do not want to add anything to your dress then you can use the tiffany colours as accent colours in your jewellery and shoes. This goes the same for the groom; a blue boutonniere can be added to go with the tiffany theme.

When decorating for your reception you can choose tiffany blue china patterns and serving ware. This theme can even be extended in your food as it can be tinted with tiffany blue food colouring and you can even ask the caterers to serve foods that go with the blue theme such as blue cheese. For wedding and party gifts you can give your guests a copy of the famous novel reakfast at Tiffany?or you may choose to give a box of candies with the box of course being blue.

To make the tiffany wedding theme go even further you can order the Tiffany stationary on which you will print your invitations and have them hand delivered. This can also be used for your thank you cards as well. Using light blue printer paper for addition notes and maps can finish the invitation. When going with this theme for a wedding it is possible to go over board and it is important that you keep your use of blues under control. For example when choosing your flowers it is nice to get some of them in the tiffany colour scheme but you should combine this with other colours that keep the blue from being overpowering. Choosing an outdoor location for your wedding is also a good idea to keep the use of blue under control. The natural colours in the environment will complement the blues that you are using.

When choosing your cake you must think of the theme that you are using. For example you will want to choose a square layer cake that will resemble gift boxes. Then to finish off the theme of the wedding the cake layers will be wrapped in the signature colour. You can surround your wedding cake with beautiful blue flowers as well.

Blue is the central color of a Tiffany wedding, and it would be an elegant touch to have the bridesmaids dressed in blue. You can limit the favors and include some blue colors in your decorations, but if you overdo it, the colour will overshadow the wedding and you don’t want this to happen.

Some Ideas for your Wedding

by Nicholas Wilshire

Getting married is one of the most important parts of your life. It is a way to show that you are committed to the one you love and that you will stay with them for the rest of your life. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well there is an awful lot of planning that goes into a wedding (sometimes years!) and a lot of stress but it's all worth it when it comes to your big day.

Most women begin with the dress. The dress has to be glamorous, stylish and beautiful. Obviously different women prefer different dresses. Some like white while others like red. Some like traditional whereas others like modern. Wedding dresses do not come cheap so you want to make sure you have the one you love. Then comes the suits. The groom and his party (usually the father of the groom, best man and other male relatives) usually wear matching morning suits. There come accesorised with matching ties and waistcoats. After that you have the bridesmaid dresses. They have to match with the colour scheme of the wedding but shouldn't look better than the bride!

Once you've got everyone dressed it's time to sort out the venue. Some people like the idea of getting married in a church whereas others prefer a civil ceremony in a hotel or registry office. Whichever you choose don't forget the flowers.

Then comes the reception. This is the big party afterwards to celebrate your wedding. You may choose to have it at home or have a more fancy do. You will need to organise food and entertainment for a reception. Some people will have a sit down wedding breakfast, this entails making up a table plan too. Don't forget that some of your guests will have special food requirements too so be sure to check with them.

Of course you will need transportation to get to and from the wedding/reception. Most brides arrive in a limo but you can use a vintage car, motorbike or even horse drawn carriage. Then you need to get your guests from the wedding to the reception. A coach service would probably be the most cost effective way of this and you won't have people getting lost on the way! Then there is the bride and groom departure. This is not so important so feel free to use a friend’s car, a VIP coach, or even a taxi.

Finally it's the honeymoon. The holiday after you get married. It should be romantic and be somewhere where you can enjoy each others company and not have to worry about anyone else.

Then there are all the other little things to organise too such as the invitations, flowers, gifts for your wedding party, favours, the cake, and the list goes on! But even though you will be stressing out that everything has to go right, don't forget to enjoy it! It's the biggest day of your life so take pleasure in your family and friends celebrating with you and have a great day.

Silver Wedding Favors

By Mae Andrea

Unless you have a big budget then I am not talking about solid silver wedding favors here, but simply silver colored. That said, silver plated favors may be within your price range.

Silver favors can make very stylish gifts and one’s which your guests are bound to appreciate more than any other (except edible favors that is!). So if silver is your color then here is my suggestions for some stylish silver wedding favors:

1. Candle Holders: Ever popular candles make excellent gifts, particularly scented votive candles which are small enough to fit in most boxes or bags. So if you want to give candles include a stylish silver candle holder alongside it.
2. Trinket boxes: There are many styles and designs available so you should be able to find one to fit with your wedding style or theme. Try to find silver plated versions which keep their shine for longer and have a more quality feel to them.
3. Wedding Bells: Wedding bells are a common sight at traditional weddings and favor stores often stock a choice of sizes and style to choose from. Tradition has it that when the happy couple enters the room, the guests are to ring the bells and the couple has to kiss. If the idea of hundreds of ringing bells doesn’t appeal to you then be sure to buy silent versions!
4. Photograph Frames: One of the most common silver favors you will come across. There are many sizes and designs to choose from, although most will buy the frames that accommodate place cards and double them as favors as well.
5. Bottle openers: More silver colored than silver plated so try to find ones with a romantic design such as hearts or keys with a heart shaped top.
6. Bookmarks: Stylish and practical, there are many different designs of bookmark available from favor stores so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty in coordinating them with your wedding.
7. Bud Vases: These elegant vases were once a common sight on ladies dressing tables, into which would be place a single rose bud. Revive the tradition for your female guests with a silver bud vase and silk rose bud (or fresh if you can afford them).
8. Silver edibles: Ok so this may be cheating a bit! But silver colored candies can make a handy substitute if you cannot find a suitable favor made from the real thing. Try silver colored chocolate dragees or almonds in a silver box.
9. Silver Rings: Finally if all else fails you could tie two silver colored rings to your favor packaging with ribbon. You will find these available from craft stores in large packets, so they are an inexpensive solution!

Fairytale Wedding: Planning the Wedding of Your Dreams

by juhlin youlein

Planning your Phoenix wedding is an exciting experience especially when it's a fairytale wedding. Fantasy weddings are probably one of the most popular themed weddings. Every single girl has dreamed for years of walking down the aisle to her Prince Charming in her stunning ball gown feeling like a real fairytale princess. It is a sight to behold and a pleasurable memory to relive in your wedding photography Phoenix. It is a long lived fantasy which will finally become a reality.

Fairytale wedding creates the atmosphere of royalty and romance. Let your imagination be your guide as you plan a fairytale wedding. There is absolutely no limit to the creative ideas you can incorporate in every aspect of the wedding. Here are a few ideas you can use to make that fantasy wedding seem like it came straight out from a fairytale book.

• A great idea is to arrive in the wedding ceremony in a carriage pulled by a white horse.

• When choosing for that perfect wedding dress, go for sophistication and glamour. Ball gowns complete with a petticoat will look absolutely beautiful. For a more full-out princess look, do not forget to wear a tiara, opera-length gloves and a floor length veil.

• The bride's hair with look romantic in a half or full updo with cascading ringlets.

• The shoes should be strappy and sparkly or you can still opt for wearing glass slippers for a more princess-like effect.

• For the bridesmaids, choose dreamy dresses that match your color scheme.

• Black tuxedos for the groomsmen will look stunning next to the bridesmaids. For the groom to stand out and look more like a Prince Charming, a white tuxedo is worth considering.

• The invitation is an essential element in depicting the fantasy theme. It can feature elements like carriages, castles or glass slippers. But if you refer something more formal, choose elegant fonts and style for the wedding invitations.

• To complete the fairytale experience, book your ceremony and reception in a castle. If you do not have the access to a castle then a ballroom is close enough.

• Centerpieces for this type of wedding should be grand. Sparkling ice sculptures are perfect centerpieces that can create a dramatic effect. If you live in a warmer climate and ice sculptures are not an option, use candelabras or towering vases filled with fantasy floral arrangements.

• Classic choices for flowers arrangements are usually used in this type of wedding. Roses are the popular choice. The bride's bouquet will typically be a hand tied bouquet of roses or a cascading style of lilies. Flowers and candles are essential in pulling off a fairytale look.

• Make a grand entrance at the reception by going down a spiral staircase or by using a spotlight. A romantic waltz for your first dance with your fiancé will definitely add a personal touch to the wedding.

• Do not forget to set the mood by your choice of music. Hire a harpist or a string quartet at least during the ceremony. Then later on, let the DJ play songs that will create a dreamy atmosphere.

Planning a fantasy wedding is an awesome experience. There are so many fairytales to choose from and it can sometimes be an overwhelming task. The plan is to create an atmosphere of fantasy and enchantment. Imagine how the whole illusion of a princess bride will look in your wedding photography Phoenix. It will be a wonderful wedding experience not only for you and your husband but all your guests as well.

Wedding Planning: A Must To Cherish The Memories Forever

Congratulations! Finally you are all set to enter into the wedlock. You have already finalized the date and now you are gearing up to plan your wedding ceremony. And I know, you want the occasion to be the best occasion of your life. For that you don't want to leave anything with imperfection. A wedding planning with assistance of a reputed wedding planner would be of great help in your quest to make your wedding an unforgettable event for not only you and your spouse but all guests.

The first and the foremost thing is to decide what kind of wedding you are planning for yourself. You must be clear about the theme that you would love to assign to your wedding.

Once you are clear about the theme of wedding you need to do your bridal preparation accordingly. Your wedding gown, your shoes and your make up all must gel with the theme. You can visit bridal stores to fetch out all that a bride needs on the occasion.

A theme wedding requires you to choose a venue that could be helpful in actualization of the theme that you have chosen for your wedding.

At the time of planning you would also decide on the type of floral arrangement on the venue. For that you may seek assistance of a florist having expertise in extending wedding services. For a theme wedding you are also needed to be very specific about the bridal bouquet. Orders must be given in advance.

Your groom's outfit preparations should also go hand in hand with your preparations. Your wedding planning also includes the number of guests that you would love to invite and accordingly you need to order invitation card. Seeing expected number of guests you should decide on reception and wedding return favors that you would offer to departing guests.

Decision on a wedding cake perfectly suited to the customized wedding is a difficult task. For that you will have to wander from one confectionery to another. Choose a cake that is in consonance with the personalized theme of wedding.

All wedding accessories must be shopped in advance at least two or three days prior the wedding.

However you must plan your wedding as per you budget so that you may not fall short of finances in the midst of preparations. If you really want the memory of your wedding to be cherished by your guests, you need to be very attentive towards pettiest things of the occasion. Music that goes well with the occasion and a beautiful wedding ambiance can add to the beauty and elegance of your marriage. A wedding poem or a beautifully sculpted wedding speech could turn on your guests.

I suggest you to plan out the best for your wedding. A well planned wedding would result in a perfect wedding ambiance with every thing perfect around. And I am sure you would love to get back to your past to enjoy beauty of your wedding moments.

Hawaii Weddings

Can you imagine anything more romantic than Hawaii weddings? Just thinking about tying the knot in paradise makes many people rush out to make it happen. How should you go about doing this? If you are interested in having a wedding in Hawaii than this is the article you need to read. In this article we will cover how to plan the perfect Hawaii weddings, and how to get the most out of having a wedding in Hawaii. Make no mistake after reading this article you will know everything you need to know about Hawaii weddings.

The Internet will provide you with all of the resources you need when it come to Hawaii weddings. You should first start with a search for a local wedding planner. They will have experience in booking reservations and flights to the island. If you are feeling adventurous you can always book the flight yourself online as well as the hotel reservations. Make sure that the hotel will have openings when you want to go, Hawaiian hotels book up months in advance so you may want to start your search there.

If you are budget conscious than maybe planning your nuptials around air fare deals and off-tourist times would be the best solution for you. Mid-April through Mid-June is considered off-season for Hawaii and is the prime time for deals on hotels and flights to the island. The weather is also the most beautiful during this time in Hawaii most tourist don’t get to experience this because they visit during the high season from mid-December to March. You can find great deals all over the island if you plan ahead. Who wouldn’t want a June wedding in Hawaii?

If you are taking a group of people with you, try and find a hotel that will give you a discount for the volume of your party. During the off-season you should have no trouble finding a hotel that can accommodate the number of guests in your party. You may have to book between to hotels depending on how many people are in your party. Whatever you do make it a point to find out in advance and have all confirmation emails well in advance of your trip. It would also be in a good idea to call the hotel and double-check your reservations while you’re at the airport.

Most hotels will have a “wedding package” including a place to hold the ceremony. This is the best option for many people, as the hotel will provide all of the food, beverages and even staff to make the day incredible. If this isn’t a concern for you, then perhaps a simple beach ceremony with a local justice of the peace is in order. Call in advance to find a J.O.P. that is willing to accommodate your request.

Hawaii weddings are truly special. This article covered how to plan the perfect Hawaii weddings, and how to get the most out of having a wedding in Hawaii. Now that you have read this article you know everything you need to know about Hawaii weddings.

BY Elle Wood

How to Plan a Green Wedding

Sure, green weddings are all the rage, but you'll need to go the extra mile to make yours stand apart from the rest.

Green Weddings – Things to Consider:
Simplify
The overarching theme here should be simplification. There are eco-friendly versions of most wedding products, but the best option is usually to forego the items altogether. Reuse wherever possible - and save not only resources, but cash too.

Weigh the expenses
That said, some items you just can't live without, and usually the green version is more expensive than the original. You'll need to factor this into your wedding budget. To keep your budget in check, determine which areas you're willing to spend more on for a good cause (i.e. organic cuisine), and where you can save to make up for that added expense (i.e. forego the wedding dress or favors). This wedding budget guide offers even more budgeting advice

Patronize
Many new companies have entered the growing green weddings market. Before booking your vendors, check out businesses that claim to provide green services and confirm that they really do.

Inform
One green turn deserves another. Let your guests know the steps you've taken to plan your green wedding, and show them that an elegant event doesn't have to be harmful to the environment. Who knows, many of your guests may be inspired to do the same.

All in the Details – Green Wedding Ideas
Invitations & Stationery
1. Recycle - use recycled paper or paper made from alternative fiber – such as hemp or bamboo. Check out these resources for an array of custom, recycled papers: Custompaper.com or JamPaper.com
2. Splurge on calligraphy – calligraphy may cost more, but it saves inks, toners, solvents and chemicals involved in printing.
3. Condense – save trees by minimizing inserts and other paper products. Always print on front and back, and try to fit it all on one sheet.
4. Go completely green – send all correspondence via email. The etiquette gods may swoon – but if you're dead set on being green, electronic mailings are the most earth friendly way to go.

Location
1. Rent for a cause - find a venue that will benefit from your site rental fee – such as a museum, gallery or other cultural organization. Confirm how that venue will use your fee.
2. Go outside - a beach, the woods, gardens – they all make an ideal setting for a green wedding (just be sure to leave it as you found it).
3. Find a green venue - some venues are demonstrating a commitment to saving water and energy, reducing waste, or serving locally grown/organic menus. Check out these resources for green minded venues:
- Green Hotels Association (www.greenhotels.com)
- Green Seal (www.greenseal.com)

Décor Elements
1. Use candlelight – not only are candles energy efficient, they also create a soft romantic glow for an elegant reception. Better yet, look for soy candles - they're cleaner and longer burning since they're made from a renewable resource.
2. Use bamboo – one of the most sustainable materials on earth, bamboo is an eco-friendly décor option with an organic, modern feel. Use bamboo stalks for centerpieces or other décor elements.

Flowers
1. Think double duty – invite your ceremony arrangements to the reception! You can use them to decorate your cake or gift table – you'll waste less and save money doing it.
2. Buy organic, locally grown blooms – organic flowers are grown in an environmentally friendly way, without pesticides.
Getting locally grown ones will save the fuel burned from transporting the flowers. If you can't find a local florist who can provide organic blooms, order yours from OrganicBouquet.com
3. Conserve cut flowers – using cut flowers just once is a waste. See if you can share yours with another wedding taking place on the same day.
4. Skip cut flowers altogether – top your tables with potted arrangements for guests to take and plant in their yards after the wedding.

Menu
1. Think organic – ensure that you, your guests and the staff won't be exposed to pesticides. Many caterers specialize in organic foods, and almost any caterer can provide an organic menu if you ask them.
2. Think local – if you're concerned about the cost involved in a completely organic menu, go local instead. Serving locally grown food eliminates fuel reliance and supports local farmers. Check out Localharvest.org or Localfoodworks.org to find farmers markets, farms and other sources of local food.
3. Reuse utensils – find a caterer who recycles materials and/or uses linen and china instead of disposables.
4. Donate the leftovers – work with your caterer to send leftovers to a food shelter or other organization.

Cake
1. Sub ingredients – have your baker use organic and/or local sugar, flour, butter and eggs. Some bakers even specialize in organic cakes.

Attire
1. Go secondhand – a used gown reduces fuels used in creating a new one.
2. Get green fibers – natural fibers like silk and organic cotton are better for the environment than synthetic ones.
3. Go couture – if your wallet can afford it, couture gowns are usually made from natural fabrics.
4. Donate – provide a green gown decision for another bride when you give or sell yours after the wedding.

Favors
Avoid wasteful trinkets - donate to a charity in the name of your guests

Transportation
1. Limit long distance travel – have the wedding in a location where few guests will have to fly to get there.
2.Walk - host your room block, ceremony and reception at the same site – or within walking distance
3. Carpool – organize car pools for your guests in hybrid vehicles
4. Getaway in low emission style – get creative and use a non-motorized vehicle for your final sendoff – bikes, horseback, sleds, skates, wagons, or any old school conveyance will do.

Other Green Ideas
The truth is – no matter how great your green intentions are, most weddings have a huge environmental impact from the fuel used transporting your guests – via car or plane – to your wedding. Since this is extremely difficult to avoid, the "greenest" brides are purchasing carbon offsets to reduce their wedding's footprint.

How it works: calculate the mileage guests will travel, and offset their carbon dioxide emissions by donating to programs that plant trees or preserve rain forests. TerraPass.com is a website that does this for you – you enter your wedding details, and the site calculates your footprint, charges you accordingly, and then invests the money for you in energy saving technologies.

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Article Author:
Cori Russell of Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine