The way we get married is somewhat different to 20-30 years ago. Back then we all got married in either a church or a registry office. So what else has changed in the way we wed and is it for the best?

The economic boom and emergence of Japan onto the global market during the 1980s, brought an additional change of bridal dress, the western style white wedding gown. Simply put, the point of a bridal shower is to give gifts. They cannot replace the problems of the wedding night, but perhaps they can ease the pocket book or send you a gift or even flowers to your bridal party, etc. My shyness about wedding-related attention mostly comes out when the topics of bridal showers or bachelorette parties come up. Every couple should offer their guests wedding favors, no matter the style, season or location of the wedding.

Great entertainment ideas for your wedding include; photographers, video graphers, disc jockey services, and thousands of resources categorized by city. Resorts and hotels in hot areas are becoming increasingly proactive in their wedding business by putting together packages and offering more services for those seeking wedding services. There are almost too many retailers of green gifts to mention these days, and many offer registry services.

The Best Man and Groomsmen leave the wedding reception to purchase decorations for the bride and grooms car. Weddings are an important day in the lives of the bride, groom and their parents. We have wedding information for the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaids, ushers, wedding venues, a wedding shop, directory of wedding suppliers, jokes, wedding speeches, traditions, myths, rings and much more. Wedding ceremonies often depended on when the groom could get a furlough or leave, and these were often scheduled on very short notice. Decide before hand if you are the type of bride/groom that wants to know about situations as they arise or want to be kept out of the loop and just enjoy the evening. The average bride in Australia is now 28 years old and her groom is 30. Too often, the bride and groom find themselves rushing around making arrangements, making sure the limousine arrives on time; that the DJ plays the right songs at the right time, that the right people get photographed at the best time, and they are not really enjoying a day that is supposed to be the happiest of their lives. It is also unlucky for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before until she arrives at the ceremony. And when you talk of Filipino weddings, you would know that weddings here in this country is not just a family affair—it’s a celebration that involves, most often than not, the entire clans of the bride and groom.

Brides, often out of necessity and sometimes out of patriotism wore practical suits or short day dresses during the wartime years. The bridesmaids each have a single leather rose to keep and they won’t ever wilt or die. As always though the bride loves to choose the most beautiful wedding petals

for the service.When in mourning, brides could wear a black, gray, or lavender color dress.

All I can say is I wish you the best of luck in planning your wedding, and a long and happy marriage.

All weddings are special and unique. Like snowflakes, no two are every like. There are and endless combinations of venues, ceremonies, wedding favors, and receptions. With all the dresses and flowers, you could never guess them all. Some couples, however, like to add special touches beyond unique wedding favors. For theses couples, the sky is the limit. All it takes is a little imagination and an open mind. You should take a moment and think about the things you have never seen but would love.

There are so many things that can be done to make a unique but some of it depends on the couple. For instance, if the couple is Catholic, you might want to have your wedding blessed by the Pope. All you have to do is send an invitation and a small donation to the Vatican. It is unlikely that the Pope himself will show up but he will send you a papal blessing that is even suitable for framing.
Maybe you want something in the ceremony that is not so religious but touching. You can have your florist add two small floral sprays to the bouquet. After the father of the bride walks his daughter to the alter and goes to sit down, the bride hands him one of the sprays to give to her mother. Then, as the couple starts back down the isle after the ceremony, she hands the groom’s mother the other spray. It makes for a very moving display.

There are a few other things you might want to add to the ceremony that can make it unique. One you will have to tell people about because if you don’t they will never know. Because of a new engraving technique, you can have your vows engraved on the inside of your wedding bands. There is only one company that can do it and it is still very new but it will strike envy in all the married ladies. Another touching thing to do with one of the mother’s wedding dresses if they like. The silk from it can be used to make the flower girl’s dress.

Have you ever seen doves released (balloons, bad! They kill whales,)? Well, if you are having an outdoors spring or summer wedding imagine, instead of doves being released, you released hundreds of butterflies! They are delicate and colorful. If it is a night wedding you could try moths but it might lose the effect and they will eat your clothes. And what about leaving your wedding? After that garden wedding, think of leaving the wedding on a horse drawn carriage. It it’s a fall wedding that you have outside you could have hay rides for the whole party. If there are a lot of kids there it will be a blast for them.

Now of course if you want to have a unique wedding you have to have some unique wedding favors. A nice one again for garden weddings are a special cards personally thanking each of your guests. The cards are made of a special paper that is planted as a whole and watered and it will grow and bloom. Better yet, make the favors yourself if you have the time. The guests will leave with something special just for them. Even bought favors can be unique if you pick out just the perfect one for your wedding.

With the summer wedding season fast approaching and many couples looking for ways to cut back on the cost of their nuptials, outdoor weddings are enjoying resurgence in popularity.  Not only does an outdoor event drastically reduce the amount spent on church and reception hall rental, but it also opens up a multitude of other cost cutting opportunities.  With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of five easy ways to save money when planning your outdoor wedding.

1. Choose a month other than June.  June is by far the most popular month for weddings, and with good reason; the weather is usually beautiful.  But June isn’t the only calendar month with nice weather, and by choosing an earlier spring date or a fall date, you can save a lot of money with various vendors.  Many photographers, caterers, and rental suppliers will charge a premium for weddings during the busy month of June, simply because demand is so high.  If the date will work for you and your fiancé, consider an April or October wedding instead.

2. Consider a morning wedding.  Most weddings are held in the afternoon or evening, but there’s no reason you can’t have a wedding in the morning.  Morning weddings are often a great way to cut back on expenses, for several reasons.  First, you can serve breakfast instead of dinner.  This eliminates the need to worry about expensive appetizers and alcoholic beverages.  Generally speaking, breakfast foods are less expensive anyway.  Furthermore, you may be able to negotiate some discounts with your service providers, since morning weddings aren’t that common, and you may also have an easier time booking the providers you want.

3. Choose a low cost outdoor venue like a friend or family member’s backyard.  While it’s true that outdoor weddings are generally less expensive than indoor events, some outdoor venues can be pricey to rent.  For example, if you were hoping for a very popular state park with a scenic overlook, don’t expect it to come cheap.  By holding your event in a smaller or less formal outdoor space, not only can you save a lot of money on the location, but it can also afford you more flexibility with decorating.

4. Plant some flowers!  Assuming you have chosen to hold the wedding in a space where you have some flexibility and control, consider planting some flowers a few months before the event to cut back on the florist’s expense.  Planting flowers is also a great way to ensure that you’ll have exactly the variety of colors and textures you want when your big day arrives.

5. Buy decorations that can be used in your new home after the wedding is over.  Outdoor weddings are often decorated with items that can be reused later in the couple’s new yard.  For example, consider a large wedding arbor or pergola as the backdrop for your photos or the focal point where you’ll recite your vows.  Garden trellises can also make a nice backdrop, as can large urns of flowers or planter boxes.  If you have the ability to set these items in place a month or two in advance, go ahead and do so and plant some climbing flowers and vines like morning glory or nasturtium that will grow up the structures before your event.  When the wedding is over, the items can be used to landscape your new home’s yard, and over the years, they will hold a very special sentimental value to you and your spouse.

These are just a few of many ways you can save money on outdoor wedding planning.  With a little creativity and thinking outside the box, you can plan a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank.

After years of working on weddings, there is one character that I have come to pity: the mother of the groom. Most of the attention at weddings, aside from that given to the couple, is placed on the mother and father of the bride. The parents of the groom are largely left out of the planning process and the wedding day seems structured to lavish attention on the bride and her family: her mother helps her to get dressed, her father walks her down the aisle and everyone recognizes the bittersweet nature of the day for the parents of the bride. While the day is just as bittersweet for the parents of the groom, their participation is typically limited to a cameo during the processional. For my part, I have made it a priority to arrange time prior to the ceremony for the parents of the groom to spend a few quiet moments with the groom. But I’ve also taken to strongly encouraging brides to forge a relationship with the mother of the groom during the planning process.

Brides, imagine for a moment how your future mother in law must be feeling. She has tirelessly and selflessly worked to ensure that her son was taken care of and has watched him grow into the man that he is today. And now she must give him over to the new lady in his life. Her feelings about your groom are as strong as your mother’s feelings about you. This is also a person, like it or not, with whom you will have a lifelong relationship. So why not start the bonding process by allowing her to participate in your wedding planning? Granted, there are experiences that you might want to share exclusively with your mother, but there are several ways to include your mother in law as well.

Have a Moms Luncheon

Soon after your engagement, reach out to your mother in law and ask her to join you for lunch. If you’d like, you can also invite your mom to this meeting as well. This is the opportunity for her to get to know you outside of your relationship with her son. Tell her that you would like for her to be involved in the planning as much as possible. This sets in place a positive foundation on which you can build throughout the planning process.

Keep her in the loop about your plans

Be sure to include your future mother in law in your wedding related emails and/or newsletters and ask for her input on wedding details (i.e., bridesmaid dresses, flowers, vendors, etc.)

Invite her to vendor meetings

As previously stated, there may be moments that you wish to share alone with your mom, most notably your dress fittings, but there are also several places where your future mother in law can assist. Invite her to important meetings such as the tasting with the caterer, the walk through of the venue, and meetings with the florist. During the meetings, make a special effort to ask her what she’s thinking about your plans.

Allow her to assist in planning the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner

Of course, you will not be involved in planning your bridal shower, but you should mention your desire to include your mother in law in the planning to your maid of honor or designated planner. Traditionally, the groom’s parents are in charge of the rehearsal dinner however, many couples are now taking on this responsibility themselves. If this is the case, be sure to ask for input from your mother in law and definitely give her the chance to have words at the dinner.

Keep in touch after the wedding

After the wedding is over, you should continue building your relationship with your mother in law. Don’t limit your interaction with her to times when your husband is involved. Take the initiative to call, visit and hang out with her on a regular basis.

Like any relationship, your relationship with your mother in law will take some work, but it is certainly worth it in the end. A great mother in law can be a good friend, shopping partner and someday, the perfect babysitter!

It doesn’t matter if you’re building a Target bridal registry or a registry at Bergdorf Goodman, the same etiquette principles will always apply. You should provide your guests with a range of price points, options and variety that reflect you and your personal style.

To learn more about what you should and shouldn’t be putting on your Target bridal registry, along with some simple registry etiquette rules and answers to your frequently asked questions, keep reading.

How much should I register for?

It may feel greedy, but you should actually register for slightly more gifts than you think you ought. Your guests will like that they have a range of choices and budget options from which to choose rather than being constrained by a seriously limited wedding registry. Before you set out, have a mental number in your mind that includes the number of wedding guests or couples who will be bringing gifts and the guests at your shower.

The best way to approach it, though, is to only choose items that you will love, use and cherish. Guests would rather give you cash than buy something you’ll never touch.

Should Target be my only registry?

Just having a single registry at Target will certainly make your life simple, but you might also find that they don’t have the full selection you’re looking for. Many brides will register at a store like Target for everyday items and then a more expensive merchant for items like fine china or stemware.

Can I have too many inexpensive items on my registry?

It is. The basic rule of thumb is to give guests a range of options. You want a sprinkling of high-end, expensive items and then an equal number of mid- and low-priced options. Having a few higher-end items on your registry allows close people like your grandparents or parents to buy a larger gift.

That said, inexpensive items are an essential part of a registry and make a great pool for shower gifts. When you do pick lower-priced items, be sure to choose gifts that people will actually want to give.

When should I send a thank you note?

Thank you cards can start going out as soon as gifts are received. In fact, writing your thank you cards in small batches will help you get a handle on a major time task and help keep track of who gave what gift.

That said, according to traditional etiquette rule, you have up to one year from the date of the wedding to write and send your thank you cards. It’s also acceptable to send one card for both the wedding and shower gift, but you should mention both items in your note.

How do I tell guests that I’m registered at Target?

The most important rule is to never include the information with your paper invitations – it’s considered to be in poor taste. Instead, you can include a link to your Target bridal registry on your wedding website or simply rely on your maid-of-honor, best man and parents to spread the word.