Have a fairy-tale wedding in a Disney dress
You’d think any bride-to-be would not want to be accused of staging a Mickey Mouse wedding, but apparently Disney disagrees, as the family entertainment giant has unveiled a line of cartoon-character inspired bridal gowns . The fashion line …

The Bride Show draws in exclusive names
Ronicka Kandhari and Vickrant Mahajan’s beautiful photographic services will only be launched at The Bride Show Dubai. The husband and wife team will be available exclusively to talk to visitors at the four day bridal and fashion event. Among them …

Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions

20 Expert Wedding Planning Tips
When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, like that trumpet skirts are all the rage or nosegays are making a comeback. Then, there are things you need to know — advice so essential that any bride who’s lucky enough to hear …

When to splurge and when to save on your wedding
NEW YORK – Khris Cochran splurged for her wedding seven years ago. The ceremony was in a rose garden overlooking San Francisco Bay. The cake was made by a star baker featured on the Food Network. The honeymoon was in French Polynesia. Then came the …

The right food and wine make for a memorable reception …
Your reception will most likely be the most expensive part of your wedding, especially if you opt for a sit-down dinner and an open bar. But there are other alternatives. Here are some tips to help you get the most bang for your buck. …

Groom Care

Inside the Groom’s Mind
We’re not selling grooms short: There are a lot of guys who count “expressing my feelings” as a forte, and who are engaged in the drama of a seating chart. Communication is a cornerstone of any good relationship, but the high tension, strange customs …

Wedding Showers for Men Rain Tools on the Groom
When Jonathan Morris’ daughter was planning her wedding, he thought the groom was getting overlooked. So he planned a guys-only “man shower” to welcome Brian Wigand into the family. The party included manly snacks, games and gifts. “It seemed like …

Wedding Trends: What’s Hot Now

I Do, I Hue
Blame Martha Stewart, bridezillas or whoever it was who begot the idea of The Perfect Wedding. Choosing a color scheme for the big day has become a very big deal. A bride is now invited to contemplate the question of color coordination across a wide …

8 Hot Summer Wedding Trends
Summer is a popular time for weddings, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the summer wedding tradition standbys. Read on for eight new ideas for your summer celebration. Trend: Dynamic Colors Bright hues are popular for summer weddings. But …

With Gay Marriage Could Come the Trophy Spouse
“Gay celebrities are probably just as likely to follow that trend — or not — as their straight counterparts,” said David Hauslaib, editorial director of the Web site Queerty.com. “I don’t find it unique to the gay community that people who are …

Big Spender story gallery – Los Angeles
Money can’t buy love, but it can buy a really, really extravagant wedding. Say goodbye to the one-night shindig that has guests leaving before midnight after a champagne toast and a few spins across the dance floor. The trend today? Weddings with …

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Church Weddings

As soon as you look outside of your own race, religious and social group, the wedding tradition can become very complex. Performed by a Christian priest or vicar, the Church wedding ceremony continues to be top of the list as a venue. Primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and the British Commonwealth, these ceremonies are known as white weddings.

Double Weddings

A different type occasion often difficult to arrange is where two couples are married simultaneously; typically, a person with a brother or sister might plan this type of occasion with that sibling.

Destination Weddings

A destination wedding is where the engaged couple and often guests travel to attend the ceremony; it doesn’t matter exactly where you travel to, whether it is in Egypt or just to Las Vegas it will still be considered a destination wedding.

Weekend Break Weddings

Some couples decide to have their wedding over the course of a weekend and this can ensure the occasion is less stressful for all concerned. Those with a themed element can also be very successful and the activity can be either built into the day or over the course of a weekend. Accommodation for these is normally arranged at the place where the service is going to take place and where the other events are also being held.

Weddings Online

Still in the early stages of evolution is the internet wedding where the couple is married online; internet based specialists are already available to help organize your ceremony. Marriages that are broadcast live online are also referred to as online weddings.

City Hall Weddings Local civil authority services are called civil weddings as they do not take place in a church and must be performed by a locally elected or appointed official. These ceremonies do not normally make any reference to God as they are a legal ceremony only. These services often take place in city halls, courthouses and other designated areas of town.

This brief article has tied to explain what wedding ceremony as carried out in the Western world.

By Henry Matthias

Henry Matthias – Discover how to choose wedding ceremony that is most suitable to your need …. and get your free no obligation wedding ceremony guide. Yours free for visiting http://e-cheap-wedding.com/wedding.html

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

What to Include
Basic elements every wedding program should include:

1. Bride and Grooms Names, Wedding Date, and Ceremony Location
2. The Wedding Party (Include the Minister, Parents, and the Bridal Party)
3. The Wedding Ceremony
4. Thank You to Guests

Sample Catholic Wedding Program Wording
In a Catholic wedding program the ceremony tends to take up the most space. The sample below is for a Full Catholic Mass wedding with communion; feel free to make adjustments to meet your needs.

ENTRANCE RITE
- Processional, “Canon in D”
- Entrance of the Bride, “Trumpet Voluntary”
- Opening Prayer, Bishop Catanello

LITURGY OF THE WORD
- Old Testament Reading, Genesis 2:18-24 ~ Read By Susan Kim
- Responsorial Psalm, “I Have Loved You”
- New Testament Reading, Corinthians 12:31-13.8a ~ Read By Thomas Jones
- Gospel Acclamation, “Celtic Alleluia”
- Gospel Reading, John 15:9-12 ~ Read by Bishop Catanello
- Homily, Bishop Catanello

RITE OF MARRIAGE
- Exchange of Consent
- Exchange of Wedding Vows
- Blessing and Exchange of the Rings
- Lighting of the Unity Candle “Ave Maria”
- Prayer of the Faithful
- Presentation of the Gifts to the Blessed Mother, Jean & Karen Jones
- The Lords Prayer
- Sign of Peace
- Communion

CONCLUDING RITE
- Concluding Prayer and Blessing
- Recessional, “Hornpipe from Water Music”

Thank You to Guests
Use the last page of your program to thank yours guests to being a part of your wedding day. It’s also a nice place to thank parents, family and friends for their hard work preparing for your wedding.

Here are some sample thank you messages from wedding programs:

Sample Thank You Message with Memorial:
Thank you all for joining us on this special day as we begin our new life together as husband and wife. Our thoughts are with those loved ones that could not be with us today but are here in spirit. A donation has been made to the Macular Degeneration Society on behalf of all of those that we love and deeply miss.

Sample Thank You Message with Thanks Parents:
We would like to thank you for celebrating with us here today. It means so much to us that we are able to share this amazing day with our family and friends. We truly appreciate all your love and support as we join our lives together. We especially would like to thank our parents for all the love and support they have given us through the years. We are so grateful to you for your unconditional love and encouragement. Thank you for all you have done to make this day so special.

Sample Thank You with Religious Emphasis:
We give thanks to our loving God who has blessed us so abundantly with family and friends. Your love, patience, prayers, and words of encouragement were instrumental and very much appreciated as we planned this special day. To everyone who participated in our celebration, we are eternally grateful. The sacrifices each of you made to share in our wedding day will never be forgotten. We pray for your safe journey home and ask that you pray for us as we begin our new lives together.

By Anna Skye

About the Author: Anna Skye prints and assembles handmade wedding programs from her design studio in Dallas, TX.
Visit http://www.AnnaSkye.com to view sample wedding programs and find more wording ideas.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Most people are so thrilled when a friend or family member asks them to be their wedding master of ceremonies. It’s only later that they wonder what does a mc do at a wedding?

The wedding master of ceremonies is basically responsible for ensuring the various events that take place during the wedding reception run in a smooth and orderly fashion and on time.

It is at this point many a prospective wedding mc will start to panic. There is a lot of standing up in front of the wedding guests and making announcements.

After all the wedding mc duties will include making announcements for the arrival of the bridal party, the serving of dinner, the cutting of the wedding cake, the bridal waltz, the tossing of the bouquet and the departure of the bridal couple.

And of course you will also introduce each person who is making a speech or toast.

Even though the wedding master of ceremonies does not make a speech (unless they are also the best man) the thought of speaking up in public fills many with fear and trepidation.

Here are some wedding mc tips to help

1. Don’t forget your notes and reading glasses if you need them;
2. Take some long deep breaths beforehand. As you exhale tell yourself to relax;
3. Hold your head up, look around the room and give everyone a big smile;
4. Don’t mumble. If there is no microphone speak loud and clear so everyone can hear you. In the days and weeks before the reception practice projecting your voice. If using a microphone make sure you know how it works.
5. Establish eye contact with a person, hold for a few seconds then find someone else to look at;
6. Keep your introductions short;
7. Wedding mc jokes must not offend or embarrass anyone;
8. Speak naturally and in terms all the wedding guests will understand;
9. Try to look confident even if you are not feeling it; and
10. Accept it is natural to feel a little nervous

And remember the more time you spend planning and organizing for the big day the easier it will be for you to relax and enjoy the occasion.

Learn wedding mc jokes and one liners that are sure to amuse, not offend, the guests;
Plan correctly for your wedding emcee role by using this checklist for mc at wedding;

Be organized, get templates covering all the duties of a wedding master of ceremonies.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Extravagant Wedding Symbolisms

White doves

White doves are chosen as the color white signifies purity in the same way does the
relationship of the newly married couple.

The two doves also signify the couple being released to start a new journey together. Equally important in the symbolism of the doves is their representation of the couple in that whatever happens in the couple’s lives, they will always try to seek the comfort of their home together. This is where they know that they will find love.

Many people raise doves for this purpose. The doves are like pigeons and return home after they are released from their cages. For many ceremonies, only two doves are released but sometimes the couple will request others as well, which tends to give meaning to the families supporting the newly married couple.

Whether choosing two doves or a flock of doves, you will also have the choice of release cages for the two main doves. The cages are quite beautiful and worthy of a wedding ceremony and you may choose to keep the pair in one cage or each one in a different cage, then releasing them to unite in the sky as you have united a few minutes earlier in the church.

Words of Caution when Ordering Dove Releases:
check with the city and state as it relates to the releasing of live birds
The birds must be bred to return home or they will die in the wild
the birds must be of a breed that has homing instincts so it is important to order your doves from reputable breeders

Releasing Butterflies

Releasing butterflies too has become an alternative to the more traditional wedding throws. In some instances, the couple releases a host of butterflies themselves or in other cases, the couple allows guests to release the butterflies individually. Indian folklore says that you can whisper a secret wish to the butterfly before its release and your wish will come true!

The butterflies are normally released from fancily decorated cages, boxes or baskets. A pretty white wicker basket covered in veil material tied with a white ribbon makes a lovely display when the bride and groom untie the ribbon and release their butterflies. Once all of them are released into the air, they make a truly spectacular sight with their wistful, floating wings and their magnificent colors all in a sea of beauty.

Words of Caution when Ordering Butterfly Releases:

Do not release the butterflies from envelopes as the inside of the envelopes damage the butterfly.
In the fall and winter months, temperatures may be too cold for the butterflies and you are only killing them.
Use companies that have been in business for some time and who actually raise the butterflies.
Make sure the company with whom you finally place your order provides adequate information up front about the delivery, storage and release of your butterflies
Check with your state of residence as some states do not permit the release of butterflies.

Releasing Balloons
Balloons of different colors and sizes and shapes are a beautiful sight when released together into the air. And there are several ways that the wedding balloons may be released. A huge bag of air-filled balloons may be opened and all the balloons are let out to rise to the top of the building or ceiling. Another pretty display is for each person to let his/her balloon go at the same time and see them all rise up together.

Because most areas will not allow you to release the balloons into the open, an idea that is more environmentally acceptable is to release the balloons inside. The guests may also attach their own personal sayings to the balloons so that later the bride and groom can read the sentiments from their well wishers.

Words of Caution when Ordering Balloon Releases:
Not all cities allow releasing of balloons into the atmosphere because some balloons are harmful to the environment. Look for alternatives such as recycled balloons. Do not take the word of the vendor that you may release the balloons in your city or even in the location you have chosen.

ewedding-tips.com
http://www.white-dove-releases.com
http://www.amazingbutterflystore.com
http://www.thebutterflysite.com/livesuppliers.shtml

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Husbands can create a loving environment and successful marriage by showing their wives how much they are loved and cherished.

In his ground-breaking book, “Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars,” John Gray outlined the important differences between men and women. One of his key findings is that wives love to be touched and held. Wives love to be told, in a gentle and humble way, how important they are to their husbands. One of the most touching ways that a husband can show honor and respect to his wife is to write a personal wedding song for her. No matter if a husband has been married for a month or longer than 50 years, he can renew his marriage every day with a personal wedding song.

“What me sing? No way!” most husbands may say. “I can’t carry a tune, let alone do a solo.” While it may seem challenging, a personal wedding song is simply a love poem set to music. I know from personal experience of writing, recording and singing a wedding song to my wife, that it can be done. When I started, I had no guidance, just a gut intuition. All it takes to get started is to know what steps to take and then take the first step. Here are six steps every husband can take to show his wife what a treasure she is.

Step One. Acknowledge Your Wife

Write down five attributes that you love about your wife and admire her for. What five would you choose? Is she, an excellent listener, your best friend? Does she have a friendly and warm smile or a hilarious sense of humor? Does she love to surprise you? If you can list ten or more things, all the better.

Step Two: Write Down the Special Things She Loves

What does your wife treasure? My wife Cheryl loves purple, she loves to hold hands and be hugged, she is very action oriented, she is so thoughtful, she never forgets a family member’s birthday. She loves greeting cards, music, plays, going out to dinner. She is very wise about relationships. A personal wedding song should focus on what is unique and special to your wife and your relationship.

Step Three: Put Yourself and Your Feelings into the Song

I wrote a personal wedding song for my wife after 14 years of marriage. I titled it “Song of Our Marriage.” I wrote a touching refrain that honored her with a title, her role in my life and what that has done for me. The lyrics to the refrain go like this:

“Teacher of wisdom, you’ve shown me God’s face, your strength is gentle and fine as white lace. You listen with heart strings that sing out a song, it’s your love that makes me feel strong.”

Using your list in Step 2, choose several of your wife’s best traits and write down what they mean to you. If you need help with rhyming, you can get a Rhyming Dictionary. Or you can read books of poems or search the Internet through a Google Search to get a starter idea. Make sure to personalize your words, though, so that they come from your heart. You want to be authentic; a cheap copy of someone else passed off as your own may work against you.

Step Four: Make It Simple: Two Verses and a Refrain (more if you can)

Make your personal wedding song easy to sing, but unique to your wife. For example, remember the poems that start, “Roses are red, violets are blue?” You can expand that phrase into a verse, like:

“Roses are red, violets are blue,

I can’t see myself living without you.
You are my wife, the crown of my life,
my life would be empty without you.”

Step Five: Use a Familiar Tune for the Music

Did you know that is acceptable to “borrow” a melody (as long as you don’t sell it or claim it as your own) for your personal wedding song? In fact, if your wife has a special song that she likes, you might learn how to write lyrics that go along with it. If you get serious, you could find a musician or studio to help. When I wrote “Song of Our Marriage,” I figured out the melody by humming it, plunking out the keys on a piano and then finding a studio that produced the accompaniment. Use the Internet to find someone who can help. With downloadable MP3 files, you can actually produce a song on your PC.

Step Six: Sing the Song to Your Wife and Frame the Lyrics

Now comes the most important part – the delivery. Don’t write a personal wedding song and then stick it in your golf bag. Perform it for your wife. Record it. Frame the lyrics and hang the song in your bedroom or kitchen. For “Song of Our Marriage,” I created even a photo album with pictures of my wife in Lilac Park, in Disney World, with her friends, and more in several sections. Each section of the album reflected the verse and refrain from the personal wedding song.

There you have it, six steps to writing a personal wedding song for your wife. It takes work. If I can do it, you can do it too. Go ahead, take a risk. Your wife will be deeply moved by your touching gift and care for her.

About the Author

Dave Pipitone is a business owner, author, parent, husband and professional communications manager, writer and editor. Visit http://www.songofourmarriage.com

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

*In Jewish tradition, a bride and groom are akin to king and queen and sit on chairs that are highly decorated to resemble thrones. It is a Mitzvah – commandment and an obligation, to cause the bride and groom to rejoice. This is why in many Jewish wedding celebrations the bride and groom are lifted on their special chairs, by their friends who sing and dance with joy. The best way to rejoice with the bride and groom is to express your joy, love and best wishes.

Chuppah
The actual Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted under a Chuppah or canopy.
The chuppah, which is either a tallit – prayer shawl, or a decorated* square of cloth held up by four poles, symbolizes the new home being created by the couple. It is open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open all sides to welcome friends and relatives in unconditional hospitality. It is customary for the bride and groom to honor four of their best friends and – or siblings ro hold the poles during the ceremony. This adds love, warmth and intimacy to the ceremony. The bride and groom stand under the chuppah during the ceremony, with the bride to the right of the groom. Traditionally, Jewish wedding ceremonies were held out doors under the stars as a reminder of God’s blessing, bestowed upon Abraham that his children shall be will be as numerous “as the stars of the heavens.”

In Orthodox Jewish weddings that separate men from women, the groom is led to the chuppah by the 2 fathers or other 2 male relatives, while the bride is led by the mothers. In Conservative and Reform – less restrictive Jewish weddings, the groom is accompanied to the chuppah by his parents and the bride is accompanied to the chuppah by her parents.

Under the chuppah, the Rabbi recites the marriage blessings and a blessing over wine, and then a blessing that praises and thanks God for giving us laws of sanctity and morality to preserve the sanctity of family life and of the Jewish people.
Both the bride and the groom then drink from the wine.

*If you are looking for a great chuppah idea, read the article “Wedding Quilt – Chuppah, A Gift of Love” But instead of creating a quilt, create a chuppah.

Circling the groom
Traditionally, though it is not obligatory that the bride alone or with both her mother and the mother of the groom circle the groom. That is go around and around him. Because the number 7 is so significant in Judaism 7 circlings have become the norm. The most beautiful explanation is that in circling him 7 times, the bride enters the 7 spheres of her beloved´s souls.

The Wedding Ring
The groom, now takes a plain solid gold ring and places it on the index finger of the bride’s right hand and in the presence of two witnesses, recites “Behold you are sanctified to me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.”
The ring symbolizes the concept of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. After the ring was placed on the bride’s index finger, the Ketubah is read aloud and given to the bride.
At this point, the bride can place a ring on the groom’s finger.
The ring symbolizes the concept of the wholeness of th union and of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. The reason for the solid plain unblemished gold ring is three fold.

If the groom is too poor, someone from the community would buy it for him, as the ring given to the bride must belong to the groom and no one else.
After the ring was placed on the bride’s finger, the Ketubah is read aloud and given to the bride.

Seven Blessings
The Rabbi recites seven blessing over a full cup of wine. After this, the couple again share in drinking the cup of wine, and the groom breaks a glass by stamping on it.

Breaking a Glass in Jewish Weddings
This custom puzzles many who seek explanation. Actually, this custom dates back to Talmudic times, to remind us of the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem. Another interpretation given is that the smashing of the glass is irrevocable and permanent. So too should the marriage be. As the bride and groom bond together, the glass should be the last thing to break, between them. Yet another interpretation is that uniting a man and a woman and creating a new family is divine. Thus, even at an occasion of such great rejoicing, one must take measures to ensure that the celebration remains within bounds of propriety and holiness.
After the breaking of the glass the musicians play and the guests shout “Mazal tov! Mazal tov” – Good Luck. When the bride and groom arrive at the reception, as Mr. and Mrs., everyone joins in dancing around the “king and queen.”

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Jewish Tradition
Ever wondered about the Chuppah, Ketuba,
and other Jewish wedding customs?

Jewish tradition does not considers the wedding ceremony and the ensuing marriage as a mere social arrangement or contractual agreement, but as a full commitment to “sanctification” or “dedication.” The Hebrew word kiddushin, stems from the word kadosh meaning holy. It indicates that what is happening is a holy spiritual bonding and that as of the wedding ceremony and throughout their lives, the couple have an exclusive relationship, that involves complete dedication to each other.

Engagement
When a Jewish couple, gets engaged to be married, the families usually announce the occasion and the wedding date with an engagement party. There is an almost un-heard of ritual performed by the bride’s and groom’s mothers to emphasize the seriousness of the commitment of the man and the woman who formally announced their plan to marry.
It is, the act of breaking a ceramic plate. Customarily, the bride’s mother and the groom’s mother, drop the well wrapped plate onto a hard surface. Breaking the plate indicates that just as breaking the plate is final, so too the engagement is final, not to be terminated.

It is customary, though not frequently practiced, that at that time of the engagement party, the families sign a contract, that declares the obligations of each side concerning the wedding. In the more traditional Jewish Circles, the bride and groom stop seeing each other, one week before the wedding. This, in order to have them miss each other. Thus, enhancing the joy of seeing each other at their wedding.If the ketubah is lost, a new one must be written.

Before the wedding
It is customary that on the Shabbat morning before the wedding, the groom is honored by being called up to the reading of the Torah in the synagogue or temple. After he recites the last blessing, members of the congregation throw candies and raisins at him to wish him a sweet life with his wife.
Tradition calls for the bride and groom to fast on the day of their wedding, until after the ceremony. Though the reason given is so they purify their souls, the actual benefit is that though they may be nervous, neither will suffer a queezy stomach.

Witnesses
One of the most essential elements of the legal aspect of a Jewish wedding is the presence of witnesses. Proper witnesses are needed to observe the signing of all documents and contracts, the actual ceremony when the groom places the ring on his brides finger and recites the prescribed statement, and when the bride and groom now Mr, and Mrs. enter the celebration – reception.

Ketuba
The first thing usually done by the groom upon arrival, is the completion, signing and witnessing of the Ketubah – marriage contract.
The authentic text of the Ketubah is the text written by Simeon ben Shetach in 80 B.C.E. and is in Aramaic, the language used by Jews during that period. Thus, historically, the ketubah marked a great leap forward in the thinking about the rights of women.
You may call this contract an ancient pre-nuptial agreement since it details not only the husband’s obligations to his wife concerning food, clothing, shelter and pleasure, it also creates a lien on all his property to pay her a sum of money and support, should he divorce her.

The document is signed by the groom and witnessed by two people. It has the standing of a legally binding agreement, that in many countries is enforceable by secular law. If the ketubah is lost, a new one must be written.
Like everything else, Ketubot (plural) have evolved in their form.
In all but Orthodox Judaism The Ketuba can be presented in the traditional Arameic, Hebrew and – or English and both bride and groom can commit and sign. However, they still need two witnesses.
The Ketubah is a document of the highest importance yet, thorough out history, it was proudly and prominently framed it and displayed in the home. Hence, since at least the fourteenth century, the Ketubah has evolved into a wonderful form of art. It is often calligraphed on an illuminated and illustrated manuscript that becomes a treasured family heirloom, to pass on to the following generations.

Unveiling the bride
After the signing of the Ketubah, light snacks and some hard liquor for the Lechayim – To Life, are served. Remember the “To life – Lechayim,” scene from the Fiddler on the Roof?
In Orthodox Jewish weddings, during this time, in another room, the bride sits like a queen*, on a throne-like, especially decorated chair. She is surrounded by her family and friends, receiving her guests. Following the Lechayim, the groom together with his father and future father-in-law, musicians and male guests walks over to his bride, whom he has not seen for a week and covers her face with her veil. This ceremony is so the groom identifies his bride before the wedding. If Jacob did so, he would not have been conned to marry Leah instead of his beloved Rachel.

Click here for part 2 of the article.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Are you looking for that little extra-special something that takes your wedding from great to fabulous? Then think about writing (or paying someone else to write) a custom love song to perform at your wedding. What could be more romantic than hearing your song, and knowing that it’s really your song? What better way to capture the freshness and ferocity of your love for one another than to capture it in the timeless framework of music?

Weddings and music have gone hand-in-hand for centuries. In fact, traditional western ceremonies and receptions typically involve a play list of up to 16 different songs … everything from Interlude and Prelude music to Garter Toss and Dollar Dance tunes.

So, as you can see, there’s plenty of room to weave your own, one-of-a-kind wedding ballad into the musical mix. When it comes time to write the lyrics (don’t worry – it’s not as hard as it sounds), here are a few tips to keep in mind…

• Look for ways to acknowledge and highlight the facets of each other that brought you together – and the ones you hope to build your future dreams on.

• Think about the special pastimes or enthusiasms that you both love and share (the outdoors, fine coffee, Paris …). Can any of them be included in your lyrics?

• Each of you (or just one of you, if it’s a surprise gift) should work hard to stick close to your own voice and feelings and emotions. Don’t make the mistake of trying to sound like a classical poet.

• Keep it simple, and don’t go crazy– you don’t need to write an opera. Stick to two stanzas and a refrain.

• If you’re not a musician yourself, it’s perfectly legal to sing along to someone else’s tune (think Karaoke music), as long as you aren’t selling the result or claiming it as your own.

• Can you both sing? Be honest! If so, get up there and sing your hearts out to one another (be sure your guests have plenty of tissues on hand). If not, forego the personal stage show and let a wedding singer belt this one out. Either way, preserve these lyrics – design the layout, print them out and frame them. It’s a powerful gift that’s both of yours forever.

But even if you can’t pen a note or carry a tune in a bucket, there’s still hope. Believe it or not, it’s simple to find a pro who can write and record (and possibly even perform) your personal song. Do a search engine search for terms like “freelance songwriters,” “customized wedding song,” “unique professional wedding song writing” — or go to a freelance talent pool like www.Guru.com, where pros are willing to bid on your project needs.

Wanna Really Wow Her?

Grooms are always on the hunt for extraordinary ways to express their affection when the wedding day nears. If you’re looking for the ultimate in romantic shows of love, have your new song encoded in a real, tangible music box. Websites like http://www.gueissaz.com/luxury_gifts/custom_music_boxes.htm reveal exactly what a custom Swiss luxury music box looks like. Not only would this beautifully accent any new home (and it’s a surefire way of impressing the in-laws), but what better way to end arguments than to foxtrot in the living room to a song written just for the two of you?

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor of http://www.favorideas.com. Check out our newest wedding favors (updated daily) — and our new hand-picked line of Heart and Love wedding favors.

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.

If you have been thinking of writing your own wedding vows, you’re probably wondering to yourself that with everything else you have to take care of, when will you possibly have the time to write your vows? It may actually be easier than you think to write your vows because they come from your heart.

The best thing about writing your own wedding vows is that it’s a fantastic way to personalize your wedding. A great way to get started is to sit and jot down what you love about the person you’re marrying. Is she kind? Is he thoughtful? Is she a good listener? Does he go out of his way to help others? Really think about what you found so charming when you first met.

Next, think of other weddings you attended where the bride and groom read the vows that they wrote. What did you like about them? What did you not like about them? Were the vows too long? Were they too mushy for you? Again, your vows have to represent you as a person. If you try to write like someone you’re not, the vows won’t be representative of how you really feel.

Now that you’ve got your list and you know what vows you prefer, take a look around the internet to see what others similar to you have written. Many vows are published free that you can take and modify to fit you and your fiancé. One of the most popular wedding vows is as follows:

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. And now faith, hope and love abide and the greatest of these is love.” —–Author unknown

No matter how many times I’ve heard this particular verse read at a wedding, it always sounds like the first time because of the feeling that the bride and groom bring to the ceremony. It’s a great beginning or ending that may be used with your own personalized vows.

Whatever you decide to do with your wedding vows, remember it’s from the heart and that is what matters the most. Congratulations!

About the Author

Advice on Marriage, Brides, Diamonds and Weddings. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.