Prepare Wedding Dresses: 09/01/2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Groom Wedding Speech - Wow the Crowd With the Perfect Words

The thought of standing in front of a crowd of people and saying the wrong thing was a constant fear and it was actually making me less enthusiastic about getting married believe it or not. Writing the perfect groom wedding speech is a fear for most men as I later found out. I just wish I had learnt that sooner.
Eventually I built up the motivation to write the speech and I did not know where to start. Do you go for a funny speech or something more emotional and sincere? How to get the balance write was very difficult. The best thing I learnt though was to get some words down on paper. When I started writing it got the ball rolling and the ideas started flowing.
If you are in a similar position my advice is to think about the story of your relationship and just start writing. Do not worry about the order of the speech yet, just think about your partner and the best moments of your relationship and put it all down.
I would highly recommend getting a guide to help you with the structure and tone of the content or at least speak to a friend who has been there before. This helped me greatly as a groom wedding speech presented in your home is much different from a crowded wedding hall. The main point though is to speak from

Wedding Traditions and Custom Made Wedding Dresses

Wedding ceremonies are steeped in centuries of tradition - in everything from the bridal bouquet to the glorious white wedding dress. It seems that when it comes to weddings, everyone is a little superstitious, and not just when it comes to white custom made wedding dresses. It's almost a guarantee a bride will do everything in her power not to see her fiancée on the morning before the wedding, and will absolutely insist on being carried across the threshold. So where do all these old traditions come from? There are long litanies of wedding traditions that curious brides can discover, with several interesting facts behind each one. Here are a few favourites.

Indian Wedding Customs - Eastern and Western Indian Wedding Traditions

Eastern Indian wedding ceremonies are not as opulent and extravagant as their North Indian counterparts but are equally elaborate in their own way. There are scores of simple but meaningful rituals, many of them very interesting and actually rooted in ancient logic and reasoning. Weddings in India are also an occasion where long-lost close friends and relatives bond and share memorable moments during this happy occasion
West Indian marriages
Western Indian weddings, especially Maharashtrian weddings, usually take place in the morning. Prior to this, the engagement ceremony, known as Sakhar Puda (exchanging of a sugar packet) takes place to formally declare the betrothal.
In the morning, a puja is conducted to worship Lord Ganesh (the elephant-headed God of prosperity). The groom's family arrives in the morning at either the bride's residence or the mandap and is treated to a lavish breakfast.

Fiji Weddings - Get Married in One of the Most Romantic Places in the World

If are considering getting married in Fiji, you have a myriad superb locations to choose from. You can also decide whether to have a simple traditional wedding ceremony, or you can choose a more exotic ceremony on the beach. There are many lovely churches in Fiji where you can get married. If you wish to have a Catholic wedding, however, you will need a Letter of Freedom from your church, along with your baptism certificate. These need to be given to the Fijian priest who will marry you at least 2 to 3 months in advance.
If you like, you can go for a more exotic Fiji wedding ceremony on the beach complete with costumes and tribal motifs. Dressed in traditional Fijian outfits you will be lead to an altar decorated with palm leaves and tropical flowers. Here a Fijian tribal elder will marry you as a beautiful village choir sings on.

Greek Weddings: The Tradition of Threes

In Greek Orthodox tradition an engagement ceremony is held before the wedding. The bride and groom exchange rings and it's common for the mother of a bride to present a dowry, primarily housekeeping items, to the newlyweds. The groom also asks the father of the bride's permission for his daughter's hand in marriage.
Wedding rings are blessed both during the engagement and during the wedding ceremony by a priest. Before being wed the bride and groom to be will wear their rings on their left hands, and will then wear the rings on their right hands after the second blessing.
While many traditions are being modernized, there are many that remain true to Grecian heart. In this article the basic traditions are named, though you may have experienced them differently at your own or another's wedding.

Green Reception Ideas For a Wedding - Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for green reception ideas for a wedding, then you need to read this article. Planning a wedding reception with a lower impact on the environment does not have to be more expensive or complicated than a conventional reception, in fact your guests may not even know the difference until you tell them. Once you have finished reading these common questions you will be able to plan your wedding in good conscience.
Are Flowers Bad For the Environment?
The commercial flower industry often uses harsh pesticides and poisons when growing their products. These chemicals unfortunately do not stay on the plant, they also run off into the soil and eventually contaminate the groundwater. To avoid this, consider shopping for an organic florist, which will source their flowers from growers who have committed to using all natural methods for their production.
How Can I Recycle My Wedding Leftovers?
Although many wedding decorations such as flowers are perishable, they will certainly still be beautiful in the days after your wedding. So many flowers and centerpieces are thrown away and end up in landfills, when they could bring happiness to others before their usefulness is gone. Consider donating your leftover flowers to nursing homes, hospitals, and other places where they will brighten someone's mood. The leftover food will be welcomed by a local foodbank or shelter.

Budget Savvy Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas

Decorations are extremely important to me because I truly believe they help set the overall mood of the events. Believe it or not, guests do take behavioral cues based on how the room looks. Sounds silly doesn't it? But, think about when something is decorated for kids; It's usually in bright, playful and vibrant colors that make you feel young again. Now imagine being in a room that is decorated for a formal event. Sitting at a table where there are three forks, three knives, and three spoons in front of you, doesn't make you feel like turning cartwheels. You will probably feel more appropriate sipping on some champagne and chatting with friends. So, reception decorations set the mood for all of your guests. But with so much to plan, where should you start?
You should always know what you want before buying or renting anything for your space. That doesn't mean that you must know every detail, but there should be certain buzz words in your head. Are you looking for simple elegance or over-the-top fabulousness? Are you going with a particular theme? Or do you have a motif that you want to use throughout the day? These are important questions to ponder in order to get great wedding reception ideas. It is also important to understand that your wedding reception décor should reflect your personality and the level of formality that you are looking for. So think about your buzz words, because they should sound off, in your head, whenever you look at any décor elements. For example, I am truly simple when it comes to decorating. I don't like things to be over-the-top, so simplicity is a really big buzzword for me. Although I want things simple, that does not mean I want a picnic in the park for my wedding day. I think more about a simple, sophisticated style because I think it reflects my personality. Thank goodness that my fiancé is the same way. Anyway, your buzzwords will help give great wedding reception ideas.
Now, I know that no one has to tell overly excited brides this, but you also need to flip through wedding books and magazines to figure out the look that you want. One of my favorite wedding pastimes is to go to the bookstore, get a stack of magazines, find a corner, and dream. Look at the décor elements featured in the magazine. Notice the tablecloths that are being used on the tables as well as the shapes of the tables. Think about the elements that you like and how you would want it to look differently. Pay close attention to how each detail sets the right mood. Browsing through these books, magazines, and online wedding websites helps to shape your wedding reception decoration ideas

Etiquette of Great Groom Wedding Speeches

Wedding etiquette is easily the most critical component of your wedding day. An excellent wedding ceremony for your bride-to-be and also the groom is imperfect without having mature assistance from their immediate loved ones in addition to close friends. For this significant celebration, the pair is anticipated to put on their finest conduct and conduct them selves in the absolute best manner. The wedding ceremony itself can thus develop into an extremely restless day for the couple they do not only need to panic about ruining it up on their own, but also about any embarrassment that might occur due to their guests.
While preparing for the wedding presentation, it is of vital importance that you are fully aware of the etiquette relating to the wedding speech. You should write your speech following proper etiquette's as not to embarrass friends, family members, your future wife and most importantly yourself.

The Groom Wedding Speech

The first thing you must do is to take a deep breath and relax. Creating a dialogue that outlines your relationship with your new wife, in a short essay, does not have to be stressful. Take some time to figure out exactly what you want to say, and how you want to say it. It can be serious, with a lot of conviction and sentiment, or you can give it a humorous twist that makes everyone laugh. The main point is to thank everyone, especially your wife for marrying you.
Once you have written everything down, practice saying it out loud. Stand in front of a mirror and read it over and over until you are confident in the way you want it to sound. Read it to your best man and get him to critique it for you. Sometimes running it by someone can give you a better perspective on whether it will be a success or a flop.
Keep in mind that you only have to speak for a few minutes; it does not have to be an hour long routine. Tell your story and keep each point brief. Be original and make your speech unique from your best man, because yours has to be better than his.

Gay Weddings And Why They Are A Good Thing

We as people are always changing and have come a long way over the many years we have been on this world. We have learnt to tolerate each other and that the old ways of the church have been watered down for a modern world. Being gay is not the taboo it once was and they are living relatively free. New equality rights are being introduced all the time, one of which, is the right for same sex weddings.
The importance of this is vast and it brings us so very close to gay and lesbian people to have the same rights as the straight people. For a gay couple who have been together for a while and love each other, nothing would be better then to show their bond by making it official and legal.
For many many years gay and lesbian people have been fighting for these type of rights and have lived in fear and the feeling of being a second citizen. Having to live with this over many years, afraid that something could happen or say they didn't want them here, would of been awful and no way to live your life. Gay weddings have opened doors for full same sex rights in the eyes of the law. We call it a gay wedding but really it's a civil partnership, which isn't full marriage but close enough to it. Gay weddings finally show that people do recognize love between people of the same sex is acceptable and the love is just as strong as a straight couple.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Wedding Reception Ideas

Much of what you decide to do for your wedding reception party will have to do with your overall wedding plan - your theme. Sticking with a planned theme can often make planning your reception more difficult. For example, throwing a Western cowboy themed wedding makes it difficult to throw a reception at a cozy ski hill resort without breaking with your theme.
The best thing to do is to plan the majority of your wedding events around what you want - your wedding ceremony location and particulars. Since location is probably one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding, we suggest looking at unique locations first and ask yourself (and the owner) whether those places would fit your wedding reception idea.
Some ideas might be:
Romantic restaurants
Small cruise
Ranch or private home
Sports venue
Private or rented movie theatre
Ballroom
Amphitheatre or outdoor venue (good in sunny weather locales)
Ski Lodge
Cornfield clearing complete with tents and large awnings
There are many ideas for locations for wedding receptions (and weddings for that matter). Once you have selected the proper location, find out if the location supports the number of people for your reception - the entertainment, refreshments, food and people. Why not try customized refreshments, themed wedding favors, even reception games. By being creative with location and your wedding theme, you will find that the rest of the wedding reception planning will fall right into place.

Jewish Wedding Traditions

Filled with meaningful rituals and steeped in tradition, a Jewish wedding is symbolic of the beauty of the relationship of the husband and wife. There are many significant components of a traditional ceremony that will express the bride and groom's obligations to each other and the Jewish people. It's important to understand the traditions and the significance of following certain guidelines during the ceremony.
The wedding day is considered a personal Yom Kippur for the couple and allows them to have all mistakes forgiven as they merge their lives into one. There is traditional dress involved in this holy day. As guests arrive for the ceremony, the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) greet the guests separately, as they won't be able to see one another before the ceremony begins. This part of the Jewish wedding tradition is called the Kabbalat Panim. Next in the ceremony comes the Badeken. This involves the veiling of the bride and groom. The wedding ceremony will then take place under the Chuppah, or canopy. The Chuppah is symbolic of the home the couple will build with one another.
The Blessings of Betrothal, or Kiddushin, is the part of the ceremony in which two cups of wine are shared by the couple after being blessed by the rabbi. According to Jewish law, a marriage becomes official with the groom gives the ring to the bride. The ring is traditionally plain, with no stones or embellishments. The rest of the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony involves the Ketubah, or marriage contract, the Seven Blessings, breaking the glass, and the festive meal. Carefully following these traditions is important to a Jewish couple. These meaningful rites of passage allow the couple to enter into the sacred bond of marriage and begin their life together. This beautiful and sacred ritual is an important tradition to the whole family.

Wedding Poems

Many couples like the idea of incorporating poems into their marriage ceremony, but may be unsure how to go about it. For some, the idea of writing their own love poem is a great romantic notion, but comes with just a bit of writer's block. For others, finding the ideal poem (already written) is greatly desired but feels like an overwhelming task. For these couples, the good news is that others have already done much of the hard work.
Multitudes of collections have been compiled for the sole purpose of weddings. The trouble is of course, finding time to go to the local library and read them all. This is where a bit of solid research comes in handy; some websites provide brief descriptions or group poems by category. Many also provide the complete poems with copyright information. Because a wedding is not a public service and couples are not charging guests for attending, a simple acknowledgement of the author and creation date in the program will suffice. There are also a number of books on the subject. These can be useful in that many combine poetry options along with vows or other related ceremonial options that can compliment the reading.
For those who are interested in composing their own poem, but do not feel up to the task, there is help here as well! For poets-in-the-making, choices range from enrolling in a poetry course (such as online or through a community education program), to using one of the many tools to create customized wedding vows and poems, to simply winging it. If there is time and inclination, a short course on poetry writing can be very informative, provide feedback from participants and the instructor, and help reduce nerves. However, this may be a bit much for some, which is why websites, books, wedding kits are available that walk the couple through the process of writing their own poems or vows. These can be useful in that the couple can work together in developing a theme or direction for the poems, which makes the writing process much easier.
Winging it is also an option, while considering a few thoughts. Not everyone can write elaborate poetry incorporating perfect rhyme and rhythm--which is why free verse was invented. Using free verse or other, shorter forms of poetry may be the perfect options for those who want to express their feelings in original words but cannot face the thought of composing a sonnet. Consider reading a book or two on poetry writing to get a feel for the variety of poetry styles.

Unique Asian Wedding Traditions Revealed

If you try to examine the word wedding, wed is a Greek word that means pledge and that strong word defines how they go on living together as husband and wife. Wedding rituals connote to a pledge made by the couple and there they start a brand new life.
In China, the bride wears a bright red gown symbolizing luck. It is elaborately adorned with golden phoenixes, chrysanthemums and peonies believing to bring wealth and good fortune. The groom, on the hand wears a traditional black silk coat over a robe embroidered with dragon. But before the grand day, a whole roast pig is offered as an engagement gift. And fireworks are famous from Chinese weddings to scare off evil spirits for better lives.
In Indonesia, reception festivities only begin when the couple greeted the whole guests in line. They receive their guests until the very last one. This is still followed by some Asians but today it is not necessary so. The bride and groom are brought to a room waiting for everybody to arrive ready for the grand entrance.
In India, the parents of the bride wash the couple's feet with milk and water to purify their souls. This is symbolic and up to now Indians practice the ritual. During the ceremony both holds grains of rice and oats and green leaves symbolizing wealth, good health and happiness.
These are documented rituals common to most Asians but being in the modern world directs thinking to a practical point of view but still, traditions stay.

Customary Traditions for Brides-To-Be in Asia

Asia is a land rich in literally thousands of cultures, all of which have their own traditions-especially when it comes to weddings. Each country, from Indonesia to Japan, Thailand to Korea all have customs and traditions each unique ad their own. Asia's land mass is surrounded by oceans and mountains, making it breathtakingly beautiful, no matter where you are. Asian marriage traditions are also as unique as the landscape. They don't simply connect the bride to the groom, but family to family. Wedding traditions in Asia are as varied as the many cultures and countries that make up the continent.
Let's look at 5 customary traditions for brides-to-be in Asia.
1. In Japan, many brides wear kimonos embroidered with purple flowers because purple represents love. Most ceremonies are in the Shinto religion where the natural spirits are asked to bless the couple's union. In traditional Buddhist ceremonies, a beaded string is braided together which symbolizes the two families becoming one.
2. In countries like India that have a Hindu culture, it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding and couples go to great lengths to avoid each other for days leading up to the ceremony. During the marriage service itself, it's tradition for the bride's parents to wash the feet of the bride and groom in milk and water. This is a symbolic act of purification to prepare the newlyweds for their life together. The couple will also hold items in their hands while the ceremony goes on - grains of rice, oats, and leaves, which stand for wealth, health, and happiness.
3. Gowns worn by Chinese brides are not white. Chinese believe that white symbolizes death. So, brides in this Asian country wear vivid red which is thought to bring luck to the newlywed. In addition to the bride wearing red, she will also typically have designs in her gown depicting phoenixes and flowers to symbolize wealth and fortune. The Chinese groom will don a black silk coat over an embroidered robe with a dragon on it. Firecrackers are set off during the wedding to ward off any evil spirits. Afterwards, expect a feast of roasted pig, a gift from the groom's family.
4. Back in the days in the Philippines, an intended groom would throw a large spear onto the front of the bride's house to show that she belonged to him. Today, the Filipinos stick to the more western tradition of a gold engagement ring. Although most Filipinos are of the Catholic religion now, some still follow traditions of old where the wedding lasts three day, with the couple declaring their love for each other each day and then finally being bound together with a chord to symbolize the final rite of marriage.
5. In Korea, they go all out on the wedding festivities. Oftentimes, a palm reader or fortune teller will be hired to gaze into the couple's future before they actually take their vows in order to see if they will live happily ever after. Because Korean weddings are so expensive and extravagant, they really want to make sure it's forever before signing the check for the party.

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Perfect Japanese Dress For Your Wedding - Choosing a Traditional Dress

Every country has different traditions and customs that is why during the wedding ceremony the bride and the groom wear their traditional dresses. Weddings are celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in Japan. The close family members and friends of the bride and groom are invited to the wedding and the ceremony is mainly organized in a very simple manner. Most of the weddings in Japan are held in autumn and spring and organized in a Shinto temple. Before the wedding is planned an auspicious date is chosen so that it can bring luck for the bride and groom.
In this article, I would mainly like to tell you about the Traditional Japanese dress and the accessories that are worn by the Japanese bride.
1. The wedding dress
On the wedding day the Japanese bride looks extremely beautiful because their whole body is painted white. It is a belief in the Japanese culture that painting the bride white, would bring luck and prosperity in her married life. The wedding dress for a Japanese bride usually consists of a complete white kimono which is generally white in color. The kimono is known as shiro-maku. In order to get the perfect look for their wedding day, the brides also make different and elaborate hair styles that are done with the help of various hair accessories and comb.
2. Wedding accessories
Various different accessories are used for dressing up the Japanese bride. A hood is used for covering the head of the bride during the ceremony. This hood signifies that the bride would make a very patient and understanding wife. It is a tradition in Japan that the bride has to carry some additional accessories that are either borrowed or given to them by their elders. The accessories that they usually carry are the sheathed dagger which is known as the kaiken and a very delicate sack purse which is known as the hakoseko.
3. Simple and elegant
The Japanese bridal outfit is very simple and elegant. During the ceremony the bride also wears the tsuno-kakushiover which marks her eagerness to enter into this great institution. During the reception the bride has to change her clothes a number of times. The brides wear the uchikake during the reception and it is usually made of silk and dyed in red color.
I am sure this article would certainly be able to provide you all the information that you need about Japanese wedding dress.

Asian Style Wedding and Wedding Guest Favors

When one says "Asian-themed wedding", it means in the most of cases Japanese or Chinese traditions that took roots far in the past. Spring and fall are popular seasons for nuptial ceremonies in Japan. The traditional Japanese matrimonial ceremonies are Shinto-style that is held at shrines (jinja). In a Shito-style wedding ceremony, the bride wears a traditional kimono for the event, and the groom wears montsuki haori hakama. Usually, only the family members and close relatives of the couple will attend the Shinto-style ceremony. This includes sake drinking rituals, exchanging wedding rings, and more on. There are neither bridesmaids nor a best man, and the older married couple called nakoudo (matchmaker) visits the ceremony.
Most of weddings in Japan are held at hotels or wedding halls. Chapels and shrines are conveniently located within the facilities, and couples can choose the style and favors for their ceremonies. A Japanese ceremony can be of Christian, Buddhist, Shinto, and non-religious styles. The style of the ceremony doesn't necessarily match with one religion; the Asian-themed style assumes the mix of traditions. Non-Christian couples often have their matrimonial ceremony at chapels.
After the wedding ceremony, the reception party is hosted. The style and scale of favors at receptions vary depending on the place. Typically, relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors attend the reception. When you receive an invitation card, you must return the enclosed card and inform immediately whether you can attend or not for accounting reasons.
If you are going to attend a Japanese wedding reception, you are expected to bring cash as the gift for the bride and groom. The amount depends on your relationship with the wedding couple and the scale of ranks, though the fixed amount may be indicated in the invitation card. The average is 30,000 yen for a friend's wedding. It must be said, that the cash is enclosed in a special envelope, and your name is written on the front. When you go to the party, you give this envelope to the person at the reception desk and sign your name in the guestbook. People usually are formal dressed to attend a Japanese wedding reception. Female guests could wear dresses, suits or kimono, while male guests wear only white shirts and black formal suits. With the above it is then necessary for the couple to give the invited guests favors to reciprocate for their gifts of money.
During the reception, the special couple sits on a stage taking delight of the guests' speeches and performances which form part of the events favors to the attending guests. The most amusing speech may be specially rewarded by extra favors. Sometimes people are asked to perform something at the reception. Many couples sing their favorite songs as gifts. The couple after cutting a large wedding cake, then walking around the room, greeting guests and lighting the candles a full course meal is often served at the table.
At the wedding reception, souvenirs favors called hikidemono are prepared in bags for guests to take. The common favors are tableware, sweets, interiors, and other useful things, especially candles, napkins and dishes, mostly in red and golden colors, are accepted at the Asian-themed matrimonial events. In recent years, special party favor catalogs from which couples can choose presents have become popular for selecting the favor gifts.

The Japanese Wedding Culture

Until recently Japan was considered a land of mystery. American movies, unfortunately, did not depict the delicate and intricate workings of the Japanese society. Today, some Japanese couples have western-style ceremonies, just like American couples, but in former years this would have been considered unacceptable. Older pictures show beautiful, slim women in kimonos, their black hair in a bun on top of their head, walking on wooden clogs. The farm women were shown in black, padded pants and tops. Mainly, what the Americans knew about these people they read in books.
In Japan there is an ancient myth that all things, including Japan itself, were created by the marriage of male and female gods, similar to Zeus and Hera. Although, today, many Japanese weddings are conducted in a Western-style, in previous year's marriage was conducted in a strict Shinto ceremony.
Once a boy or girl attain the age of marriage a search for a suitable partner began. Often times marriages were arranged between overlords who wished to strengthen their power. In these cases often the couple had not seen each other until their wedding day.
Sometimes there was a Mi-Ai interview whereby the future groom managed to obtain an invitation to the house of someone he was interested in. At that time he would leave a token, such as a fan to indicate his interest in the woman. If the woman was impressed she was seen using the fan. This was just an indication that they were interested in getting to know each other, not necessarily an invitation to marriage.
The bride always wore an all-white wedding kimono which symbolized a new beginning as it was believed the bride 'died' as a member of her family and was 'reborn' into her husband's family. Her face was painted a creamy white. The bride changed her clothing several times during the wedding; one of the kimonos indicated that she was a young, unmarried woman. This was the last time she could wear this outfit. The groom wore a black kimono with the family crest in white and wore white sandals. He carried a white, folded fan.
The wedding ceremony was strictly, Shinto, in that it honored the natural world spirits. After a purification ceremony, the priest called on the gods to bless the couple. The ceremony ended with the sharing of sake from three flat cups stacked on top of one another. This was usually done according the family's custom; the groom takes three sips from a cup, followed by the bride taking three sips, then passing it to the family for the same routine. The first sip represented three couples (the bride and groom and their parents), the second sip represented human flaws, and the third sip represented deliverance from the human flaws.
The Japanese wedding banquet food was very special, representing happiness, prosperity, many children, and happiness. The food was served in special ways to represent these attributes. For example, clams were served with the shells together representing the couple's solid union; fish was formed in a circle to represent solidarity; etc

Popular Asian Wedding Traditions

An Asian wedding is as colorful as the festivities this region is popular for. Asia is very respectful of its traditions and customs. And while there are many Western cultural influences already, during special occasions such as weddings, the people pay homage to the meaningful and colorful traditions of their nation. Here are some popular Asian wedding traditions that reflect the heritage of each country.
Japan - Wedding celebrations in Japan are very much filled with veneration and wishes of blessing to the couple. Traditionally, as the bride and groom's families enter the ceremonial hall, they bring offerings of fruit, salt, and water for the couple. These are the items that they associate with wealth and good fortune. They also offer sake or rice water to the ceremony. The wedding color for the traditional Japanese ceremony is purple. The bride wears a purple dress or kimono and is also usually adorned with images of purple iris flowers.
China - It is customary for the groom to give a whole roast pig to the bride's family. This serves as a good engagement gift from the groom to the bride's family. This is aside from the other gifts that the groom is expected to give to the bride and her family. The wedding color for the traditional Chinese wedding is red. This is the color that they associate with luck. The bright red gown of the bride is also usually adorned with images that depict good luck, fortune, and wealth. These symbols are golden phoenixes and peonies. Towards the end of the reception, firecrackers are being shot and are intended to drive away evil spirits that may harm the couple.
Philippines - Called 'pamamanhikan', the groom-to-be with his family visits the home of the bride at least six months before the wedding to formally ask for the bride's hand for marriage. This is the opportunity for both the bride and groom to discuss their plans for the future with their families, and the families in turn can give words of advice.
Korea - On the night before the wedding, it is customary for the groom to journey to the house of his bride using a lantern. The use of the lantern is very prominent in Korean culture, and this journey of the groom is intended to glorify this Korean tradition through their union in marriage. The groom also brings with him a chest full of gifts for the bride and her family.
In some parts of the ceremony and reception, there are other traditions that are not just interesting but meaningful as well. These traditions are intended to bring nothing but good fortune for the couple. While there are changes or infusions of these traditions, the essence of the event remains the same. Weddings are not just unions of two people, but they are also ways for the bride and groom to pay homage to their family, to their country, and to their culture. Asian weddings are not just filled with fun and joy, but also with good wishes and respect.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Unique Wedding Traditions

Guyana is a nation state located on the mainland of South America. English is the official language. In addition, Amerindian languages like Arawak, Macushi, Akawaio and Wai-Wai are spoken. A small minority speaks Guyanese Creole, which is English with African-Indian dialects and syntax. There is no standardized grammar in Guyana. In Guyana wedding celebrations, the African heritage can be seen. This is especially the case during the Black History Month and the anniversary of Emancipation. However, this seemingly rich cultural heritage has a range of misconceptions and a degree of superficiality.
Their significance from an African setting has a much wider meaning since these are seen as artistic performances or as cultural shows that offer theatrical performances, with a variety of dance, music and drama. Thus, these and other celebrations are seen as artistic exhibitions that are never taken seriously unlike Toronto weddings. They do not cover the ways of people's lives in their clothing, agriculture or manners. Cultural traditions have faded drastically and many people are now unaware of the symbolism where these are displayed.
Just like nuptials in Toronto, cuisines are a necessity. It is common to have Guyana cuisines in the weddings. One of the Guyana delicacies is the pepper pot. The dish has been around for generations and many are fond of it. It is therefore no surprise that it forms part of the Guyana wedding traditions. The dish is served with crispy cassava bread. Duck curry is another food common tradition in Guyana weddings. In addition, one may find fried rice, puri and chowmein being served at the events. Just like in Toronto, a traditional wedding in Guyana will usually be done in a church. Alternatively, it can also be done at home. A home marriage ceremony is usually done by Guyanas who live far or outside Guyana in order to give them the freedom to enjoy an authentic Guyana environment. A backyard will usually do it.
After meals, guests are invited to participate in Guyana dances. Guyana music has maintained traditional elements from Africa, India and Europe and this mix of native elements has become important in influencing Caribbean, Brazilian and American music. Just like in Toronto, popular musicals will usually be played on wedding ceremonies while the Guyana couple dances. However, recently many Guyana weddings have hired live bands to play traditional songs. These bands use traditional woodwinds, prominent horns and other instruments that have been replaced by stringed instruments.
Many bands in Guyana are talented enough to entertain the audience with authentic Guyana traditional music. One of the most popular music in Guyana is Calypso. This type of music is played in a satirical lyrically oriented style in wedding celebrations. It will usually be accompanied by traditional musical instruments like sitar, harmonium, dholak, tabla, dhantal and tassa drums. Most of this music can also be based from Hindu songs called filmi or bhajans. One of the traditions that have remained is called tan singing, which is a unique singing style found among native Guyanese of the Indian community. Evidently, Guyanese wedding traditions have lost much of their authenticity, but they continue to be unique celebrations in our current world.

Guyanese Wedding Traditions

Caribbean Wedding Traditions

Weddings in the Caribbean islands sometimes borrow from American wedding traditions, but for the most part, they carry a distinct flavor all their own. For this reason, many couples come to the Caribbean islands from all corners of the globe to be married. The unique blend of European and African cultures on the islands lends to some very distinctive traditions that generally are not seen elsewhere. The traditions vary between the different islands, but most of them revolve around the same basic features. Any couple journeying from other countries to be married in the Caribbean should be prepared to participate in Caribbean traditions.
Traditionally, Caribbean Wedding invitations are sent by word-of-mouth, and only a few very special guests actually receive written invitations. However, the weddings are not as formal as in other cultures and just about any person who shows up is welcome to join in the celebration, even if they were not invited. It is common for the bride and groom to both dress in their finest clothing and walk from one of their houses to the church as everyone from the area lines up along the street to view and comment on their apparel, communicating whether they approve or disapprove. As the couple begins their walk to the church, the priest will ring the church bell to announce the wedding to the entire village.
Much like American tradition, the father of the bride, or sometimes both parents, escort the veiled bride down the aisle. The groom does not have a best man, although sometimes the bride will have a maid of honor. Since the main religion of the Caribbean islands is Roman Catholicism, the ceremony consists of elements of Catholic, Mayan, and African culture. At the end of the ceremony, the groom will lift the veil of his new wife and kiss her while the crowd looks on and celebrates.
Caribbean Wedding receptions often last through the entire night, while guests drink rum punch and ginger beer and dance to the steel-drum island music. The night is filled with toasts to good health and happiness. Any man who is lucky enough to dance with the bride pins money to her dress in order to help with the expenses of the honeymoon. The bride and groom receive a multitude of gifts, many of which are hand-made, such as quilts or furniture. It is also a custom for the bride and groom to bestow a favor on each guest so that they may always remember the joyous occasion.
The food at a Caribbean Wedding consists of traditional Caribbean food like curried goat and fried plantains. The wedding cake, however, is the center of attention at the wedding reception. It is called "Black Cake" and it is a pound cake recipe handed down by the women of each generation and improved upon to suit each recipient's tastes. "Black Cake" is composed mainly of flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and fruit. All of the fruit is soaked in a rum-filled crock pot for anywhere from a few weeks to a year, and the cake is served with a hard rum sauce topping. On some islands, the wedding cake is topped with a tree sapling so that the couple may plant the tree at their new home.

Scottish Wedding Traditions

There is nothing better than a good Scottish wedding with kilts by the dozen and a lively ceilidh band. There are lots of traditions surrounding the day and the weeks before it which add to the spectacle of a wedding in Scotland.
It is good luck to hide a sprig of heather in a brides bouquet and the luckiest color of heather to have is white. Heather is also added to the buttonholes of the grooms' and best mans jackets. A luckenbooth is a silver brooch which is traditionally engraved with two entwined hearts and given as a gift on the day of the wedding. The Luckenbooth is traditionally used to pin the blanket of the couples first child.
The traditional wedding outfit for the groom and other male members of the wedding party is the kilt with the most common one being worn with the Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket. Bagpipes are commonly heard outside the church at a Scottish wedding and most wedding venues will include a piper in their wedding package. The bagpiper will often play the newly married couple on their way out of the church.
For the reception a ceilidh band can really make a wedding Scottish. A ceilidh band will consist of anything from an accordion player and a snare drummer to a six piece band including a fiddler and full drum kit. Ceilidh bands will play group Scottish dances like Strip the Willow and the Dashing White Sergeant as well as couple dances like the military two step.
A rather odd Scottish wedding tradition is the ominous sounding blackening. A blackening can be done to a bride or groom by their friends in the build up to the big day. It involves the bride or groom (or sometimes both) being caught by their friends, and covered in all sorts of sticky substances like treacle, eggs and flour. They are then driven around the town paraded to all.