Wedding Tips & Trends – Bridal Blog

Everybody knows the Wedding gown is the  dress of every woman’s life and with no doubt, one of the biggest traditions in a wedding ceremony. That’s because every woman dreams of it and imagines it for her entire life, thinking about the magic moment that will be captured in hundreds of pictures, and remembered forever.

In ancient times, there were no specific rules about the wedding gown. The only expectation was around the beautifulness of bride’s dress that should be the most graceful the family could afford. However, by the year 1406, Princess Philippa, daughter of Henry IV of England, wore a tunic with a veil in white silk with gray borders. That’s was the earliest wedding gown to be documented in our culture.

In the Eastern culture many wedding dresses are colored red, such as in China, India and Vietnam. For them this color represents good luck and fortune. South Indians traditionally use white or cream-colored saris as their wedding dresses; and in Japan brides usually wear three or more dresses throughout the ceremony including the traditional kimono.

In Western culture, after the Medieval era, weddings started to be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries; a matter of politics, not of love, exactly. Because of that, brides were likely to wear a dress that should represent the cast of their families, for they were not representing only themselves during the ceremony.  In order to comply with family and society expectations, brides of a wealthy family often wore rich and bold colors, layered of furs, velvet and silk.

The tradition of a white wedding dress was not popular until 1840, when Queen Victoria wore a white gown for her ceremony with Prince Albert. This tradition remains until today and there is a poem about how the color of your wedding dress can influence in your future:

“Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey,you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen. Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you’ll live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink” (Kelsey McIntyre, “The History of White Wedding Dress).

In a Wedding ceremony everything looks absolutely perfect when we think about the new life that is just starting. One of the most interesting moments of the ceremony is the Wedding Vows when the priest usually asks the bride and the groom to say their names and promise to be “lawful and loyal to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part”. That’s beautiful, of course, but seems to have a lack of reality about the life we live in the present moment.

Maybe the next suggestions could be a little bit more genuine. What do you think?

- I promise the passion is not going to make me an obsessive person, but instead to be respectful about the individuality of my husband/wife, because he/she doesn’t belong to me and if he/she is part of my life is because of his/her free will.
- I promise I’m going to be the best friend and the best lover my husband/wife ever had, being aware when I must be one or another, and still be a romantic person, at the same time.
- I promise to make our life together the best way to age together, not the best way to complain about dreams that could not become true.
- I promise to be happy being next to my husband/wife, just because he/she is the person who knows me the best, so he/she is my best helper, as much as I’m his/her best supporter.
- I promise I’ll allow my husband/wife to know everything about me.
- I promise to be gentle, kind and temperate, never using the everyday life as an excuse for my irritability.
- I promise to make sex without modesty, to have children because I want to, not because that’s what society expects from me, and I promise to raise them to be independent, intelligent, polite and aware of the life ahead.
- I promise never bad-mouth about my husband/wife.
- I promise the word “freedom” is going to have the same meaning I always believed in and I promise I’ll be in charge of myself without being dependent of my husband/wife.
- I promise I’ll always be the same person I was minutes before I enter for the wedding ceremony.

In this case, I now declare you husband and wife… You may kiss the bride…

Let’s talk about celebrities’ engagement rings! They are usually amazingly huge, sometimes almost as big as the bride’s finger (LOL)… Wow!

Names like J.Lo., Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Maddona and lots of other renowned ladies received from their grooms astonishing rings made exclusively for them.  Pink diamonds, Asher-cut diamonds in an art-deco mounting, white gold with .18 carats of diamonds, platinum Neil Lane ring with decorative band, colored gemstones, everything you can imagine. It’s actually a no ending list of assortment!

Most of the times, the emotion of the commitment is denoted by an inscription inside the ring. The traditional name of the spouse and the wedding’s date are also combined with little love notes (and sometimes with personal jokes), like Courtney Cox and David Arquette who reportedly have “A Deal’s a Deal” engraved in their rings.

But love is not only symbolized by huge engagement rings. Some classic engagement rings stand the test of time, like a single (solitaire) diamond set on a white-gold or platinum band. This kind of rings retain their elegant look making other engagement rings look out of date.

But, you don’t have to be a millionaire or a celebrity to buy a diamond, because classic engagement rings are available with diamonds (sometimes with three) in a variety of sizes and colors you can afford, even if your budget is under a thousand dollars.

What do you think about looking just like a celebrity with your wonderful engagement ring? I’m sure you can! Just use your imagination!

Last month, Madonna celebrated her 51st birthday in Italy with her family – Lourdes, Rocco, Mercy and David -, and her new boy friend, Jesus Luz.

In a moment of overwhelming excitement Madonna had told the guests Jesus was the love of her life. Could that be real or was it just a sensitive instant in her birthday party? Could Madonna be actually contemplating making a commitment with Jesus just a year after she broke up with her ex, Guy Ritchie and a multi-million-dollar divorce?

People who know Madonna say she’s actually in love with Jesus and thinking about getting seriously engaged with him by the end of this year. Her friends say she’s absolutely crazy about him.

Madonna met Jesus last December, in Brazil, during a photo shoot for W magazine in Rio de Janeiro and since then they’ve been constantly seen together with her family in New York. She reportedly said to her biographer Randy Taraborrelli: “He’s so sweet. He checks in with me all the time. I probably should do the same, but you know me. I think he gets it now that I’m a little – shall we say – self-involved”.

Jesus insists Madonna is just a friend… what do you think?

Fall Weddings are very popular, mainly in North America.  The season is full of romance, bright orange colors, but is also full of a little fall foliage and because of that you may have to be a little precautious about your Fall Wedding planning in order to make the ceremony an absolutely gorgeous event, without any inconvenient.

Everybody knows an outdoor ceremony completed with natural foliage setting sounds perfect. If you and your guests are ready for the elements, an outdoor fall wedding is completely possible and stylish. The changing leaves create amazing sceneries allowing to take astonishing pictures and since it’s not too hot like Summer, neither too cold like Winter, no one will be sweating through their clothing, but be careful of weather changes in order to avoid unpleasant (chilly) surprises.

When we think about fall the first we think is of harvest time and all the rich yellows, oranges, copper, gold, browns and peach colors. This can give you an idea about the color scheme of your fall ceremony and also an idea about the flowers you should use in the event. Try to keep away from out-season flowers. In-season flowers are a good way to keep wedding costs down and fall floral arrangements made with dahlias, chrysanthemums, orchids, gardenias, and asters built-in with fall fruits, vegetables and foliage – like crabapples, ornamental cabbage, cornstalks, some hay, maple leaves and peppers can be eye-catching and equally elegant.

Following the rich colors and harvest theme, you may need to consider using heavier fabrics in your wedding decoration – like velvet and linen, emphasized with candles and large hurricane lanterns as centerpieces.

The bride dress can be chosen from an endless collection depending upon the theme of your wedding. Just remember the weather in the fall can be unpredictable, so the bride and bridesmaids dresses can be strapless, but we suggest you to wear capelets, stoles or wraps to be prepared for an emergency. On a warm day, the over layer can be easily removed. You may chose in cream, ivory or white colors which will work with the bright scheme of a fall ceremony. The flowers in the bride gown would offer an angelic halo to your appearance, and for a delicate and shy look you may put white and purple orchids in your hair arrangement.

One last tip, remember travel costs are usually lower in the fall, since it’s not peak vacation season. It’s just one of the most romantic seasons to get married.

Okay, okay! You spent too much in your Wedding planning and ceremony and now you have just a little budget to use in your honeymoon. Don’t worry, you can make it affordable, unforgettable and simply amazing, at the same time!

Well, nobody said you must go to a honeymoon right after the wedding, so if you are considering this possibility in order to rebuild your cash, maybe you can be surprised with lots of attractive locations offering reasonably priced honeymoon.

Most of the time, Weddings are a collaborative effort with family and friends. Honeymoon, on the other hand, is usually the first big decision you make together as a couple. You have to decide on a budget, discuss your idea of a perfect vacation, pick your destination, take more money than you think you’ll need, schedule time to do nothing at all, be considerate of the wishes of each other.

How long you can get away, choose whether to fly or drive, if you prefer hot or cold climate, mountains or beach, city or country are some of the other points to consider. You must understand you won’t agree on everything, and based on the elements you agree on, you’ll have a profile on your ideal trip.

Regardless of the month you plan to take your honeymoon, it’s always a low season somewhere. If you had a Winter Wedding in North America, for example, places like New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Dallas are the best places to travel in January. Of course you have to forget about seeing the cherry blossoms if you travel to Washington DC in January. They only emerge in spring when hotel rates are the highest. If you’re planning to travel to Ireland or Netherland, February is the best month to a cheap honeymoon in these countries, following by Italy and Spain, in March. Places like Jamaica, Hawaii, Utah, Tucson, and Las Vegas are cheap from April to August. September is time to Japan and Orlando, meanwhile Costa Rica, Lake Tahoe, Dominican Republic, Germany and Greece are cheap between October and December.

One good option is a cruise. Usually cruises are cost-efficient vacations. They are all-inclusive for the most part, and the shorter the cruise, the less you’ll have to pay. Something about 3 to 7 days is a good time to celebrate your new life as a couple. What do you think?

If you love the outdoors and don’t mind doing about four hours of work daily you can stand for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). That’s ideal for who, in exchange of volunteering, receive food, a place to stay, and the opportunity to learn about organic living. It’s a little dirt choice, but completely affordable.

Camping is another great idea, if the two of you love the outdoors. The major expenses are going to be transportation, camping supplies, campground fees and food that you can cook or eat in restaurants. That’s a good idea for a cheap honeymoon.

Actually you can honeymoon anywhere you like or anywhere you can afford. The most important thing to think about is how to make the occasion something absolutely divine and romantic in this new life that’s just starting.

Have fun!!!

Last August 22^nd, 2009, the actress Milla Jovovich and director Paul Anderson get married in an intimate outdoor ceremony at their own home in Beverly Hills, California.

The ceremony was simple but absolutely gorgeous. They invited about 50 guests including “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Patrick Dempsey and his wife Jillian.

The “Resident Evil” actress, Milla Jovovich (33) met Paul Anderson (44) on the set of the film in 2002 and have been inseparable since then.

Their lovely daughter, Ever Anderson, 20 months old, was the cute flower girl and reports say Milla designed her own wedding dress with a 60’s inspired look.

Congratulations to the happy newlywed.

What could be more captivating than a song that tells us about love?

I love this one! Hope you too!

When I fall in love it will be forever

Or I’ll never fall in love
In a restless World like this is
Love is ended before its begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart it will be completely
Or I’ll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you.

(Victor Young & Edward Heyman, by Nat King Cole)

Songs are gifts themselves, and they can transmit through tones and lyrics the love and desire, the longings and commitment a couple experience, the same feelings they want to share during their wedding day and for the rest of their lives. The following wedding favors appear as unique reminders of such unique love.

About the rice guests throw over the newlywed we found that in China it’s a tradition used for more than 4000 years (about 2000 B.C.).

For the Chinese people it means prosperity for the new life. This tradition began when a rich Mandarin ordered his subjects to make a “Rice Rain” after the Wedding of his daughter. Since then, this tradition exists to wish long life and wealth to the newly married.

Double Happiness Keepsake Candle

Look at this unique favor you’ll fall in love with, just as your guests. This is a classic keepsake with an exquisitely designed block candle embellished with happiness.

This shiny candle is absolutely amazing, designed in gorgeous red and black and engraved with the Asian-inspired double happiness symbol in luminous gold. Usually, the double happiness character symbolizes love and success, and it’s widely used in Chinese weddings and Asian engagement parties and events.

This one is presented in a clear gift box with a shimmery gold ribbon, these candle favor also shows off a gift tag that says “Thank You” in both, Mandarin and English. Complement your Asian-themed wedding or bridal reception with this unique and exceptional candle. Measures 11/2 x 11/2.

Everyone knows the Wedding Day is a very special day that will set two different stages in the bride and groom’s life. From then on, they are going to have different responsibilities that were not usual in their single lives. With regard to this commitment, the bride looks for her Enchanted Prince, the perfect husband, her ideal partner; the groom looks for an enchanted, intelligent and sincere wife, his perfect match.

To marry someone is to be part of the other person’s destiny for the rest of his/her life and the authentic spirit of this commitment is to accept the other just the way he/she is. That’s a big challenge, but with true LOVE, everything is possible and absolutely grateful.

Love Letters Letter Opener In Personality Box (20 Styles/Colors) (Set Of 4)

It’s all about Love! So, think with me… what is more symbolic of romance than the classic love letter? Who never dreamt about receiving a love letter from the beloved one? Well, now with the combination of letters of LOVE we’ve captured the enchantment and romance in this unique and elegant LOVE letter opener.  I know you’ll find this an irresistible favor, too!

This “Love Letters” letter opener is made of solid silver chrome and it’s not just romantic and charming, it’s also practical and elegant. This item makes wonderful guest favors that your guests will appreciate for years to come.

With the Kate Aspen personality boxes you can create your own packaging to highlight your decoration and style. Choose from 20 different box designs and colors. ITEM IS SOLD AS A SET OF 4.

Everybody knows the Honeymoon is the unforgettable moment in every newly married life, a holiday of a lifetime. Nobody knows exactly how this tradition started, but its origin can be one of the next:

Possibly the first mention about honeymoon is in the Bible: “When a man is newlywed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family; to bring joy to the wife he has married.”  (Deuteronomy 24:5), enforcing the man must be with his new family to enjoy the beginning of his new life and to learn more about everything around it.

The tradition could have also been started with the German people, who used to marry in New Moon. At the ceremony the couple drank a mixture of water and honey to attract good luck for their new life as much as fertility and happiness.

Some experts say this tradition has been started in Rome when the guests threw drops of honey in the entrance of the newly married house wishing them a very “sweet life”.

Another ancient story about honeymoon tells that in ancient times a man kidnapped his beloved woman, and took her to some remote place for about one month, exactly the period between one Full Moon and another. During this time, the man offered to his future wife an aphrodisiac drink sweetened with honey, until she fell in love with him.

This first phase of marriage must be the sweetest, nothing but tenderness and pleasure which would allow the couple to start knowing each other and shaping a new life as beautiful as they have dreamed for so long.

The tradition says the bride must use Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue. The blue means Purity and Fidelity, and that’s the way to take apart envy from some single friends or guests.

The tradition also says if you want to reinforce this protection, you must use Something Old, usually a jewel, a veil, or a dress from any relative; Something New to bring luck for the new life, and Something Borrowed from a happy woman to bring happiness to your new life, as well.

Remember! Just follow the rhyme: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.

Something Blue Gift Box Candle In Pearlized Box With Satin Printed Ribbon

Believe me, this cute gift is a candle! As the tradition says, If you already have Something Old, Something New, and Something Borrowed, but you’re missing Something Blue, then this is the favor you need to complete your great event.

This lovely miniature blue candle has a floating, heavenly, airy scent and it’s detailed with striking white outlining, making each square candle be shaped likes a wrapped present. The bow atop the candle makes the effect more realistic.

Every single candle is individually wrapped in clear plastic and enclosed in a showy 1.75″ x 1.75″ box tied with a blue satin ribbon reading “Something Blue.” The perfect keepsake for gift giving, it’s a truly traditional finishing touch, and the perfect way to add a charming hint of color to your Wedding.

Something Blue!

That’s the truth! They use to spend millions of dollars to create their fabulous Weddings, sometimes more than 50 to 100 times as much as an average bride and groom can afford. What is so fascinating about a celebrity Wedding? Sometimes they spend as much time during their Wedding planning as the time they are together as a couple. That’s absolutely amazing!

As a matter of fact, if sometimes their marriage don’t stand the test of time, their Weddings remain in our memories and they can give all brides around the world lots of good tips & trends on how to turn their dream day in a truly fairytale.

We’d like to share with you some of the ideas and photos about some of the most remarkable Weddings in the celebrities’ world.

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

On Saturday, November 18^th of 2006 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes get married in one of the most remarkable celebrity Weddings of the decade. The ceremony took place at the Odescalchi Castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy, and around 150 guests were invited, including some Hollywood stars.

The Scientology ceremony was short, lasting only 15 minutes, but the wedding was “absolutely beautiful”, said a guest. The reports said that if the ceremony was short, the Wedding kiss went on forever, almost a three minutes kiss that was only stopped by the guests who started shouting “Stop! Stop!” (Wow! That’s a lot of love… LOL).

Outside the castle, real fireworks announced the beginning of the party; meanwhile inside the castle, after cocktails, guests were served Italian hors d’oeuvres, followed by a multi-course meal, including bass and steak, before the five-tiered white chocolate cake, decorated with marzipan roses, and studded with white chocolate chips (sounds delicious, doesn’t it?).

They were serenaded by Andrea Bocelli, himself, and that’s certainly a great Wedding gift for anyone.

Katie wore an off-the-shoulder Armani gown with an ivory silk train adorned in Valenciennes lace and Swarovski beaded crystal embroidery (just wonderful!). The veil was an ivory tulle floor-length and ivory silk shoes, and some rumors say Tom himself helped design the dress. Also Katie’s bouquet of calla lilies was outfitted by Armani, as well as a champagne evening gown she wore at the reception.

Armani also outfitted Tom with a navy blue tuxedo by his Hand Made to Measure collection. The jacket label read, “”Giorgio Armani for Tom Cruise.”

The rings were white gold Cartier with diamonds, and they spent around $2 million dollars to fulfill their dream event.

The couple slipped off in the next morning for their romantic honeymoon in the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, accompanied by their baby Suri.

Some of the celebrity guests included Will Smith, David Becker and Victoria, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and Kelly Preston. Other wedding guests were Katie’s family, Tom’s mother, his children Connor and Isabella, the couple’s 6 month old (at the time) Suri, Jennie McCarthy, Andrea Bocelli, and hundreds more.

If Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have inspired you to have a destination wedding in Italy, you might also do the same, or maybe look at this top ten most romantic wedding locations in the World we found:

1. The Grand Hotel in Florence, Italy
2. New Zealand
3. Le Château d’Esclimont, France
4. Le Saint Géran & White Sand Beaches, Mauritius
5. The Cathedral Park Hotel in Drakensberg, S.Africa
6. The Tandjung Sari Resort in Bali, Indonesia
7. The Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland
8. The Legion of Honor in San Francisco, California
9. A Dramatic Cave in South Wales, Britain
10. And, believe it or not: Central Park in New York   Photos by Robert Evans

Now it’s your turn to choose a romantic place to get married and make your Wedding day a dream come true, just like Tom & Katie.