Do you want to get married in a civil ceremony?
Perhaps you do not feel comfortable with the idea of a religious ceremony or you come from different religious backgrounds. Whatever the reason is you can arrange a civil wedding ceremony.
Contact an officiant who is legally able to perform your wedding, such as a justice of peace, mayor, magistrate etc.
“I am spoken for”
The wedding ring symbolizes marriage. A spouse wears it to indicate a marital commitment to fidelity. This European custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond Europe.
In some countries the wedding ring is worn on the left hand’s ring finger, and in other parts of the world, it is worn on the right ring finger.
A plain gold band is the most popular wedding ring with the date and your spouse’s name engraved. Women usually wear narrow rings, while men wear broader rings.
Nowadays, there are many different patterns to compete with the gold band.
Today, gold is not the only material for engagement and wedding rings. Titanium and platinum have recently become very popular. It is also popular to design your own rings.
Engagement and weddings rings are exposed for much wear, as you wear them all the time. Therefore, be extra careful if your ring is set with diamonds. Water, detergents and solvents, can cause scratches on your ring.
Sometimes the woman is given a ring when the first child is born, a trilogy ring, usually displaying three brilliant-cut round diamonds, representing the past, present and future.
Remember following:
- Think timeless not trendy. Will you love this ring in 20 years as much as you do today?
- Eventually, make space for more than one ring.
- Wedding rings should reflect your personality and hands.
- Choose comfortable rings that you can wear all the time
If you are superstitious do not try someone else’s wedding rings.
“We are gathered here today in the presence of God to join this man and this woman in holy marriage.”
Uncountable couples have heard these words, which are full of promises for the future. Wedding bells, which seem to ring about the realization of dreams, happy homes and fulfilled hopes.
But happy marriages do not come easy, but is the result of hard work.
What makes a happy life-long relationship? Maybe, below thoughts can be to some help:
- Give each other consideration and tenderness from dawn to dusk.
- Praise each other.
- Settle your disagreements before you fall asleep.
- If someone must have the last word, make sure it is your partner.
- Never stop courting each other.
- Respect each other’s private life.
- Surprise each other with presents.
- Do not scream at each other.
- Ask for forgiveness, if you have done something wrong.
- Speak softly and kindly to your partner.
- Have fun!
The morning gift origins from a statutory right for the bride and was not a present from the bridegroom.
The morning gift was given to the bride the morning after the wedding night. The husband gave his wife a gift, which was an insurance or pension if he should die before her. The morning gift belonged to the husband until his death. It could only be released if the wife was a widow.
Today, the morning gift has only a romantic importance.
Gift ideas from bride to groom:
- Tie
- Watch
- Money clip with his initials
- Fountain pen
- DVD
- Books
Gift ideas from groom to bride:
- String of pearls
- Pocket watch with a cryptic message just for her
- Photo of you together
- Book of poems
Getting down on one knee while holding a ring box is of course very romantic.
You are in a relationship, and are thinking about getting married. Congratulations!
Today, both she and he can pop the question. The most important part of planning a successful proposal is to remember that this is not about your dream proposal it is about your partner’s.
Then you are planning keep your shared history in mind. Choose a meaningful day, perhaps the day when you first met.
All things considered, the when, where, and how is much less important than the who!
Sure, a proposal is going to be a pretty special occasion anywhere on earth.
Your guests want to celebrate you with gift giving. Have you created your wish list?
When you are invited to a wedding, you are expected to give the bridal couple a gift. Nowadays, it is common to create a wish list, which will be administrated by the store you have selected.
Together you decide what you need. Be sure to register for items in a wide range of prices.
To be considerate to your guests, your registry (or registries) should be available online. Make sure to update your registry (registries) often, allowing other guests to see what has been purchased. Have at least two times more items on your list than guests.
Tell everyone where you are registered so that when guests ask, they will be able to direct them. You can also ask the maid of honour to be responsible for the list.
Include your registry in your website as a link.
Be gracious to your guests and send thank-you notes.
Make a personal album of your wedding, by using the scrap booking technique.
First you decide the theme for your album. To emphasize the theme you use textiles, buttons, ribbons, stamps, gold grains, coloured papers, personal notes, receipts, flower decorations, stickers, alphabet letters, beads, menus, poems, quotations etc together with your photos.
Scrap booking, is not only photo albums, but also greeting cards, invitation cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, memory pictures, birthday anniversaries etc.
Different themes can be: your family, your dog, your vacations, your house, your children etc and, of course your WEDDING!
It is important to use acid-free papers, glues and pens.
You can get ideas from scrap booking magazines or Internet.
If you are a little bit shy – flowers can tell what you want to say. The number and colour of flowers mean different things.The number
One flower - You are my everything
Two flowers - Let us go away
Three flowers - I would like to see you again
Four flowers - I look up to you
Five flowers - I do anything for you
Six flowers - I do not trust you
Seven flowers - I love you
Eight flowers - I am yours for ever
Nine flowers - I want to be alone with you
Ten flowers – I want to marry you
The color
White flower - I believe in your purity and virginity
Yellow flower - You are the sunshine in my life
Orange flower - I am your faithful friend
Pink flower - I am in love in with you
Red flower - I count the days until we meet again
Dark red flower - I miss you so
Purple flower - I wish you all success and luck in life
Blue flower - I want to stay by your side
Blue, red and white flowers - I want to marry you
Below gift ideas for wedding anniversaries
Year | Traditional gift | Modern gift |
1 | Paper | Clocks |
2 | Cotton | China |
3 | Leather | Crystal/glass |
4 | Fruit/flowers | Appliances |
5 | Wood | Silverware |
6 | Candy/iron | Wood |
7 | Wool/copper | Desk sets |
8 | Bronze/pottery | Linens/lace |
9 | Pottery/willow | Leather |
10 | Tin/aluminum | Diamond jewellery |
11 | Steel | Fashion jewellery |
12 | Silk/linen | Pearls |
13 | Lace | Textiles/furs |
14 | Ivory | Gold jewellery |
15 | Crystal | Watches |
20 | China | Platinum |
25 | Silver | Silver |
30 | Pearl | Diamond |
35 | Coral | Jade |
40 | Ruby | Ruby |
45 | Sapphire | Sapphire |
50 | Gold | Gold |
55 | Emerald | Emerald |
60 | Diamond | Diamond |
Photo albums are not the only way to preserve memories from the wedding. Below follow some ideas.
Already when you are planning your wedding you can start saving all your documents, such as notes with suggestions on different party sites, florist’s, hairdressers, photographers, wedding shops, rentals, bridal saloons etc.
Moreover, a nice memory is also to save all your notes in planning your wedding, for example whom you invited, the seating, the menu etc.
Of course, all photos taken at your wedding is the best memory. Try to find a very good photographer who you feel very comfortable with.
It is also very nice to give some of your guests Polaroid cameras and ask them to take photos of the party, guests, flowers, setting, wedding cake etc.
Invitation cards, reception cards, wedding programs, menu cards, place cards and wedding telegrams are beloved documents to save.
Later you can insert all in a beautiful wedding book. This will become a loving memory, not just for you, but also for your nearest and dearest and perhaps future children.
State the dress code on your invitation, and everyone will know the formality of your wedding.
Style for her
Informal daytime: short dress or suit
Informal evening: cocktail dress
Formal daytime: short dress or suit (hats and gloves optional)
Formal evening or black-tie: long or dressy short cocktail
Do not wear white because it competes with the bride. Do not wear black during the daytime. Do wear something feminine and appropriate. Do not wear sexy clothing it does not belong at a wedding.
Style for him
Informal daytime: dress shirt and pants
Informal evening: suit
Formal daytime: dark suit and tie
Formal evening: tuxedo (if invitation states “black tie”) or dark suits if women wear short dresses
Do not wear a tuxedo during the daytime. A dark suit and a conservative tie are always perfect.
Casual generally means anything goes, but jeans, t-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate on a wedding.
It is important that the gentleman partner at table takes care of his lady. He brings her to her place and invites her to his first dance.
First of all he finds out who will be his lady partner at table and then he escorts her to her place. She sits on his right side.
During the dinner, the gentleman partner at table, make sure of that his lady is well taking care of.
His first dance is reserved for his lady partner.
Greece is considered as the homosexual native country. Homosexuality is nothing new, it has probably always exists. There are a huge number of histories from more or less the whole world, that tells us about same-sex love, several of thousand years back.
The wedding ceremony
Not all countries and states have legalized same-sex marriages. If you cannot make the trip to one of them, you can plan for a commitment ceremony instead. A judge or justice of the peace can sanction your union symbolically. Also a dear friend or relative can do you the honor. If you want a religious ceremony, you have better ask somebody in the congregation to which you or your partner belongs. The ceremony structure will probably be quite similar to a traditional wedding, including ring exchange, pronouncement of marriage and the kiss!
The party
Naturally, it is not easy to apply to tradition at a same-sex wedding party. Regarding the dinner seating it is easiest to have relatives nearest the newlywed couple, then friends and fellow-workers.
The honeymoon
If you are planning for a honeymoon, check the destination carefully. Be sure you choose a destination that accepts same-sex love
The bridal bouquet is most often beautiful as a piece of jewellery. If you preserve your bridal bouquet it will be a decorative piece for your home.
For best results, the bouquet should be dropped off at the preserving establishment as soon as possible after the wedding. Transport the bouquet in a Styrofoam cooler with tissue paper on the bottom and around the bouquet to prevent it from moving and bumping.
To cut down the cost you can preserve just a few selected blooms instead of the full bouquet. It is important for the preservationists to receive the bridal bouquet in prime condition. Store the bouquet in the refrigerator and stick the stems in water if it is a hand-tied bouquet before you transport it to the preservationist.
Receiving the preserved bridal bouquet will take about 6-12 weeks depending on what method you choose.
The bridal couple can expect their bouquet to last a lifetime.
Write a quote on your wedding gift. Here are some suggestions:
“The man believes that he chooses the woman, but it is almost always the other way round. It is the woman that chooses the man who will choose her.”
/Paul Géraldy/
“Marriage is popular because it combines maximum of temptation with maximum of occasion.”
/George Bernard Shaw/
“Keep your eyes wide open before you are married, but close them when you are married.”
/Benjamin Franklin/
“Neither love nor cough can be hidden.”
/Latin proverb/
“Love is a disease that cannot to be hidden. A word, a glance, yes even the silence betrays it.”
/Pierre Abélard/
“Tenderness is passion in rest.”
/Joseph Joubert/
“We cannot get enough of love. And we never give enough of love.”
/Henry Miller/
“Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.”
/Jeanne Moreau/
“Love is not blind – it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.”
/Rabbi Julius Gordon/
Getting remarried? Here is what remarrying couples need to know.
It is not your first wedding!
Perhaps you are planning a wedding in the city hall, or a grand gala of your dreams, or an intimate party with friends and family. This time anything goes. Remember, what feels best and most comfortable to you cannot be wrong. When remarrying children is often a common addition.
First of all, tell your children about the upcoming wedding. Let them be ushers, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, best men, pages, or organizers. Seat your children at your table during the reception.
If you want to wear a white gown, do so. It is just a myth that you cannot wear white if you are remarrying. You can also wear a veil if you want to, although the veil still symbolizes purity.
Make sure that the wedding becomes just as you have dreamt of. There is only one rule: Have fun!
The remarrying couple may not need all the home stuff that many first-time bridal couple receive, as they probably already have a fully equipped home. Why not give them an event, such as a SPA-weekend, dance course, mountain climbing course, wine course etc.
Remember this: It is true you have been married before, but not with each other. Treat your big day as a unique and special event. Good luck with the planning!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a penny in your shoe come from an old English rhyme. If you are superstitious, you better feature one item from each category in your wedding ensemble.
Something old – continuity
In memory of the bride’s previous life and family. It can be a jewel from her grandmother or her mother’s wedding gown.
Something new – optimism for the future
It is common to choose a new wedding gown, but also an accessory to the wedding ensemble, such as weddings shoes or lingieries.
Something borrowed – borrowed happiness
It is important to borrow something from a happily married friend. Their happiness will be transmitted to the married couple to be. Perhaps a handkerchief from the bride’s mother or a jewel.
Something blue – fidelity, good fortune and love
Most common is to wear a blue garter or a veil with blue decorations. It can also be a blue flower in your bridal bouquet.
A penny in your shoe
This symbolizes richness, not just economical but joy and happiness.
Inform all your friends and acquaintances that you have married.
Surely you want to put in the advertisement as soon as possible after your wedding. Try to arrange this directly after the wedding and before your honeymoon.
The newspapers have completed forms to fulfil and send together with the wedding photo.
Information that is needed is
- size of advertisement
- wanted publishing day
- personal records such as name, home town, site of wedding, dates, officiant and photographer
- a personal greeting to the wedding guests
“Hope for marriage”
Formerly, the content in the wedding chest was the bride’s dowry. The traditional chest is a wooden trunk or box that is used to store special articles of clothing and other household goods for a bride to use after her marriage.
This tradition originates from the time when marriage would include an exchange of property between the two families. A wealthy prospective groom’s family offered the bride’s family money, land, or even business ownership in order to win her hand in marriage. In turn, the bride’s family provided the bridal couple with everything they needed to start their lives together. The dowry included linens, china, silverware, glassware, kitchen items, and even furniture.
In families of limited means, the mothers taught their daughters at an early age how to knit, embroider, sew etc in preparation for marriage. Their chests were filled with lingerie, hand-embroidered linens, towels, and other handicrafts.
Many fathers built their daughter’s chest, which was then passed on from mother to daughter.
The chest is also the traditional place for a bride to store her wedding dress to hand down to her daughters.
This tradition has survived the centuries, but nowadays in a romantic sense.
The wedding ceremony is one of the most romantic moments in your life and the pefect place to express your feelings towards your fiancé(e).Not all of us are poets, and to write your own vows may be harder than you think.
Below are some ideas for wedding vows.
Civil Ceremony Wedding Vows
(Name), I take you to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband). Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, as I offer myself to you with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
Or
I, (Groom’s/Bride’s name), take you (Bride’s/Groom’s name), to be my wife/husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honour you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.
Personalized vows
(Name), our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together. I enter into this marriage with you, knowing that the true magic of love is not to avoid changes, but to navigate them successfully. Let us commit to the miracle of making each day work together. Respecting each other, we commit to live our lives together for all the days to come. I ask you to share this world with me, for good and ill. Be my partner, and I will be yours.
Remarriage Vows
(Name), we take our vows together today. We will be changed forever, and I take them gladly, and without reservation. I promise to honour you, believe in you, protect you, and do everything in my power to make your life happy and fulfilled. This is my promise. Take my hand as we go with joy into our new life together.
Later in life vows
(Name), I offer you not the "summer of my life" but the autumn, brisk and vibrant. I promise to be a companion worthy of your precious friendship. I pledge you compassion in good times and bad, encouragement in sickness and health. It is my intent that our life together includes our large circle of friends and loving families. We'll cherish the memories of our individual pasts; and create our new life as we go now together.
Traditional Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near.
Traditional Vows
If your wedding is religious (Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Muslim weddings, etc.) you usually have a few already established wedding vows to choose from.
If you are blessed with a beautiful singing voice, why not sing "your song" for your future wife / husband.
Some suggestions on the beautiful love songs:- Annie´s Song
- Because You Love Me
- From This Moment On
- Hello
- The Way You Look Tonight
- Your Song
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There is a lot of things to learn about wedding.
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