A wedding is a once in a lifetime occasion. Of course, there are many who get married more than once in their lives and they have more than one great opportunity to celebrate. No matter if it’s the first or the third, each wedding is a pivotal affair in one’s life. No detail is overlooked in making it a special day so that the memory of the wedding stays long with the bride, groom, family and friends. Traditional weddings are therefore, passé now. Wedding ideas that are unique have gained acceptance by making a wedding event fun and memorable. Yet, in the zeal to have a unique wedding, many end up spending lavishly without having any memorable experience. You can have a top wedding with an appealing theme if you apply a little creativity.

Depending on yours or the wedding planner’s creativity, there will likely be an inexhaustible number of unique ideas for your wedding. It finally boils down to your tastes and the type of gathering you want. Unique possibilities can be created by the proper choice of a venue, such as an old castle, aboard a ship, a football stadium, mountain resort etc., as well as by the theme, wedding decorations and favors. Whether a winter wedding, summer, spring or fall wedding and even by the choice of wedding photography you choose to capture your big day.

To start with, your invitations can set the tone for a unique wedding, and the wedding invitation wording should be chosen carefully. Did you know that you can have your wedding blessed by the Pope if you send your wedding invitation to the Vatican? Now that is a great wedding idea. Just make sure that you are following the proper invitation etiquette. You can arrange to have the wedding party driven to the wedding venue by a horse drawn carriage or by limousine, and that would be a perfect wedding idea too. It is also possible to enhance your day by having wedding themes that are one-of-a-kind, and distinctive wedding decorations arranged to give the event a special touch.

You can enliven wedding programs with special music and dance. Honoring your parents and in-laws in front of everybody with flowers and gifts will create a unique and emotional wedding. Wedding favors allow room for as much creativity as possible to make for a unique wedding. Just make sure that the wedding favor is in tune with the wedding theme. Personalized wedding favors will show how much you care and love each guest.

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Giving plenty of gifts to a newly betrothed couple has been tradition for many centuries and is the main reason why the wedding gift business has remained profitable despite changing business conditions. A wedding gift is a tangible representation of support and love for the couple to help them start their new life on a positive note.

Wedding etiquette dictates that guests officially invited to the wedding ceremony and reception are required to send a gift, regardless they attend or not. However, those invited but live very far and have not been in close contact with the couple for several years have the option not to follow the tradition.

A guest requested to attend a shower should present a gift but does not have to if he/she cannot attend the event. A close family member of friend will likely send something despite not attending.

Engagement gifts are never compulsory but have started to become a requirement in some parts of the world. A guest who is not sure whether or not to present a gift to an engagement party may consult the hosts for guidance.

Ideal wedding gifts can range from expensive china, gift certificates, camping equipment, gardening tools and household appliances. Choosing a gift should be an enjoyable activity except for those “shopping-challenged”. The gift registry is very helpful in determining what to give the couple. Starting to become popular is the move of couples registering gifts with two or more retail stores, online shops or even brokerage houses and travel agents. Registry information is informally spread to guests and should not be inserted in a wedding invitation.

Putting a gift registry in an invitation is major turnoff for guests, as it will give more focus on the gift and less on the thought of inviting to the wedding. The guest’s should have the choice whether to give a gift. Sometimes the most memorable and sentimental gifts are those carefully picked surprises.

Normally, should be delivered to the bride’s home before the wedding addressed to her. Gifts sent after the wedding should be addressed to the couple’s new home or the house of the bride’s parents. Some cultures require the gift to be brought to the wedding home instead of sending it ahead of the ceremony.

Guests may send the gifts immediately after they receive the invitation. Doing this gift giving practice will spare the couple from worrying about how to transport huge packages coming from the reception site.

Proper etiquette dictates that the couple should immediately write a thank-you note to the sender upon receiving the wedding gift and before the fourth month after the wedding at the most.

FAQ’s on proper wedding etiquette on gift giving

When does the gift should be sent?

The gift for the bride should be given before the wedding or shortly after the couple. If the gift cannot be sent anytime soon, it must be sent before three months after the ceremony. This goes against hearsay that it can be sent even shortly before the first year anniversary of the newlyweds.

Are the gift options limited to those listed in the registry?

No, a registry only serves as a guide for the gift giver. Any wedding gift will as long as it comes from the heart.

Is there an ideal budget for a wedding gift?

The budget is entirely up to the gift giver. One’s love for the bride and groom should serve as the basis on how much a gift should cost.

Is money an appropriate gift?

Money is the traditional gift in some cultures. Giving a gift certificate to their favorite store is a nice option if you are comfortable giving cash.

What if I did not receive a thank you note from the bride and groom?

While it is an awkward thing to do, the best move is by calling the bride and groom and asking if they have received your wedding gift. If the gift came from a store, call your contact salesperson and verify if your purchase was delivered on time and to the right recipients. Become concerned only if the thank you note does not arrive within three months after the wedding.

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Every single member of the wedding party has an important role, including the very youngest of attendants, adorable the ring bearer. Here is a helpful guide to choosing your ring bearer, what’s expected of them, and how to prepare them for this most special of occasions.

Choosing Your Ring Bearer

Nephews, brothers, cousins, and godsons are usually chosen for the ring bearer, however, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a young female serve as one if desired, or if there isn’t a little boy in the family to fill the role. Or, if you’re having difficulty choosing one child over another, avoid any possible conflict and ask both of them to serve as dual ring bearers as there’s no set rule or standard for the number of attendants one should have in their wedding party.

One of the greatest things about planning your wedding is that it’s YOUR wedding, and although there are numerous traditions and rituals that commonly take place, ultimately it’s up to you and your fiancé to decide what you’d like to have included as a part of your special day.

Although ring bearers are usually under the age of eight or nine, with some as young as two or three years old, keep in mind that you’ll want the child to have a good understanding of what’s going on, and what they’ll be expected to do during the ceremony. The child should be old enough to actually participate, as well as be able to interact with strangers, but remember, if at the last moment he or she chooses not to cooperate and throws a temper tantrum, simply smile, move on, and enjoy your day.

When choosing your ring bearer, you’ll also want to make decisions regarding who is responsible for paying for or ordering the child’s outfit, depending on if they’ll be wearing a rented tuxedo, or a plain suit and tie.

Preparing Your Ring Bearer for the Big Day

The ring bearer should be present at the wedding rehearsal, and also given some extra time and plenty of patience when practicing and preparing for the big day. Ask your fiancé to recruit one of his groomsmen on the big day to serve as a buddy or friend for the ring bearer to look to for help, or just for some additional reassurance if need be. And, if your ceremony is on the long side, or if your ring bearer is very young, it’s helpful to have the parents sitting close by and allowing the child to take a seat instead of standing up with the rest of the wedding party.

The Role of the Ring Bearer

The ring bearer has the important role of carrying the rings down the aisle after the bridesmaids, either with or without the flower girl, usually on a decorative pillow. In most cases, the rings attached to the pillow are plastic, serving as replicas for the real wedding rings that will be held safe by the Best Man until it’s time to present them to the groom during the ceremony.

After the ceremony is over and the pictures are taken, the ring bearer’s duties are complete and won’t be needed in the receiving line, or required to sit at the bridal table at the reception, except in the case of a parent also being a member of the wedding party. Also, allowing the children to change into more comfortable, and less expensive, clothing is a good idea to consider, especially in the case of rented tuxedos.

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Although both males and females serve as ring bearers, as the name implies, only little girls should be appointed the role of flower girl. Flower girls are usually between the ages of four and eight, although it’s not uncommon to see children as young as two toddling down the aisle, scattering petals of flowers as they go. For the best outcome, it’s always recommended to choose a girl that’s old enough to understand what’s happening, what’s going to be expected of her, as well as one who will be comfortable around strangers without becoming frightened.

Preparing Your Flower Girl for the Big Day

In many regions throughout the world, some brides are choosing to have all flower girls in their bridal party instead of bridesmaids as their attendants, but this does add the responsibility of helping with the planning of the wedding, and all of the other details the adult bridesmaids usually take care of.

There is no also set rule regarding the number of flower girls that should be in a wedding party, so if you’re having difficulty choosing between two nieces, why not ask both to be a part of your special day?

While the bride is the one who decides what the flower girl should wear for the wedding, it’s generally up to the child’s parents to pay for the outfit, shoes, and whatever accessories may be needed. Considerate brides will be sure to choose a dress that the child may be able to wear again to another important event, or one that’s reasonably priced. However, it’s not unusual for the bride and groom to offer to pay for the flower girl’s dress as a gift or token of their appreciation, while this is a nice gesture, it’s certainly not a requirement.

This matter should definitely be decided long in advance so that everyone is clear of what’s expected of them and to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion.

There many books on the subject of flower girls and their role in a wedding that are written with young children in mind, designed to ease their fears and also completely explain what they should expect. Also, having a talk with your littlest member of the bridal party, and of course with her parents, giving everyone plenty of time to ask questions if necessary should be on your list of things to do when planning the wedding.

On the actual day of the wedding, ask another bridesmaid, or perhaps a junior bridesmaid to “buddy up” with your flower girl, just in case she needs a little help, an encouraging smile, or a hand to hold.

The Role of the Flower Girl

Traditionally, the flower girl precedes the bride down the aisle, and then stands with the bridesmaids during the wedding ceremony. Some brides choose to have the flower girl follow the bridesmaids, while others decide for her to go first, or be accompanied by the maid of honor.

While flower girls should be present at the wedding rehearsal, it isn’t necessary for them to attend the rehearsal dinner, or to stand in the receiving line at the wedding. After the pictures are taken, they should be free to enjoy the wedding with the rest of the guests, and many parents find it incredibly easier to bring along another outfit for the reception for the child to change into, saving her dress, and also allowing for extra comfort.

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As if there weren’t enough decisions to make, now there’s the issue of digital versus film photography to add to the mix. Many photographers are now opting to shoot all of their weddings with digital cameras as opposed to the cameras that use film which have been the traditional choice until just recently. However, both mediums have nearly an equal amount of adamant supporters who feel that one is significantly better than the other, and here are a few of the main reasons why along with some pros and cons of each type of photography.

Digital Photography

Digital photography has definitely come along way in the last decade. At one time, digital cameras tended to produce grainy images that when enlarged, became distorted or pixilated, but many of the advanced models of today have made that a concern of the past.

Because the technology is relatively new as opposed to regular film, there are those photographers who are leery about making the transition and have little experience with digital photography. If you’ve decided on hiring a photographer who uses digital cameras exclusively, first make sure they’re experienced enough in the technology to produce the results you’re looking for. Don’t ever be hesitant about asking to see samples of their work, and inquire if they also have samples shot with regular film so that you can compare the differences between the two.

Digital wedding photography does offer the ability to instantly see the pictures after they’ve been taken, allowing for retakes or adjustments if necessary. Photojournalistic wedding photography refers to taking many shots in various types of ambient lighting, and with the digital camera, the photographer is able to make those changes in lighting or experiment with different settings, expressions and backgrounds quickly and easily.

Also, depending on the size of the memory card or cards used, the amount of pictures that can be taken with a digital camera as opposed to one that uses film can’t be compared.

Film Photography

Pictures are one of the most important parts of the entire wedding as they allow you to cherish your memories long after that special day is over, which is why many couples want to have as many photos as possible, and with as many settings and poses as possible. One of the main drawbacks to opting for film photography for your wedding as opposed to digital is the cost involved, as quality film tends to be rather expensive.

Processing time is another concern for some overly anxious couples who may not want to wait the few weeks it may take to have their pictures developed using traditional film. Also, film doesn’t allow the photographer, or the bride and groom to see how the pictures look, allowing for adjustments to be made.

Regardless of the medium you choose, one of the very most important things is whether or not you like the style and demeanor of the photographer. Some questions to ask yourself before making your decision include:

• - Do you feel at ease around them?
• - Can they be trusted?
• - Do they seem confident about their work and abilities?
• - Do they have “a following” with referrals and glowing recommendations from past clients?

While the type of film and camera used are indeed important choices to make, the rapport you have with the photographer and their professionalism and talent should also weigh heavily in your decision.

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You’re getting married and cannot wait to plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed about, but there’s just one thing that’s keeping you from being too excited, the financial end of things. It’s definitely no secret that weddings can be incredibly expensive events, but that’s only if you allow them to be as it’s certainly possible to have a beautiful wedding with all of the things you want, but without breaking the bank and starting out your married life under a mountain of growing debt.

Setting a Budget

No wedding should be planned without a concrete budget in place. Even if you aren’t sure of the exact amount you will have to spend on everything, a ballpark figure or estimate should be considered before the planning phase even begins. The budget doesn’t have to be anything fancy, a few simple sheets of paper in a notebook will suffice, but if you are computer savvy, by all means use one to create your wedding budget for the easiest and most convenient option.

Organizing Your Budget

Much like a wedding needs to have a set budget, that budget must also then be broken down into categories with dollar amounts assigned to each. Instead of saying you have $8,000 to spend on the wedding, break that down by expenses such as the food and cake, the reception site, the wedding gown, the invitations and decorations, and don’t forget to add a section for the honeymoon.

Planning the Wedding Yourself

By enlisting the help of family and friends, as well as your fiancé, you can easily plan a wedding of any size without the need for a professional wedding planner. This enables you to spend their fee, which depending where you live, can be rather steep, on something else needed for the wedding. Consider assigning specific tasks to different people, checking in with each periodically to note their progress, and when planning the wedding yourself, be sure to start as early as possible as the longer you wait, chances are the more money you’re going to end up spending.

Paring Down the Guest List

There’s no set rule that says you must invite every person the both of you has ever come in contact with during your lifetimes to your wedding. And, as far as coworkers are concerned, it usually just isn’t feasible for both of you to include everyone in the office or everyone you work with so it’s important to set a “rule” as to these guests and who to invite. Some couples settle on inviting only their bosses or immediate supervisors while others on a strict budget opt for omitting coworkers from the guest list altogether.

Shopping Smart

When buying what you’ll need for the wedding, such as wedding favors, invitations, decorations and the bridal party’s attire, you’ll soon notice that those things marked with the words “wedding” or “bridal” are mysteriously more expensive than other similar items.

For this reason it’s important to be creative in your wedding planning efforts and think outside of the box and instead of heading to the bridal shops, first begin your search online where you have the opportunity to save a considerable amount of money as well as a lot of precious time. Check your local dollar and discount stores as well as the newspaper to find a host of bargains.

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Although unfortunately many of the traditional rituals and customs that were once an integral part of Chinese wedding ceremonies have been forgotten or overlooked throughout time and the ages, with a bit of creativity, it’s completely possible to merge two cultures together, honoring both while having your own unique and beautiful Chinese-American wedding.

Tea ceremonies, Chinese wedding banquets, and Western buffets or traditions can all be included in your special day, provided you’re open minded and willing to explore all of your options when planning this momentous event.

Combining Tradition

Before attempting to plan a Chinese-American wedding, take the necessary time to fully understand the meaning behind the customs that you’d like to incorporate into your wedding ceremony. Often times, second and third generations don’t know of or understand the rituals and customs that were, and are so very important to their ancestors.

Modern Chinese-American brides usually wear at least three different outfits on their wedding day, which is actually quite a decline from the 20 or 30 dresses that brides in years past used to wear. And, while white has always been a color that’s reserved for funerals, and red is worn for good luck and happiness, many brides today have chosen to eschew these traditions and wear whatever color they like most.

Chinese-American Wedding Decor

Thanks to their sheer beauty and elegance, and also the recent boost in popularity, Asian themed decorations are in abundance and rather easy to find. Following tradition, Chinese wedding favors and decorations are lively in color, with plenty of vibrant reds as this color holds deep meaning, symbolizing love, prosperity, and joy. .

Red banners, also known as happiness banners, are an important part of the decorations used in both the reception, as well as in the newly married couples home, and feature words of praise and congratulations written on both sides, usually in traditional Chinese lettering. .

The Flowers

The flowers are yet another way of incorporating your culture into your wedding day. While you will want to choose flowers that fit with the overall theme of the wedding, or those that may be favorites of yours, you may also want to include some of the following that are often used in traditional Chinese weddings:

• Daffodils: Also known as jonquil and narcissus, these flowers represent joyful change and are best for weddings held during the spring months.
• Lotus Blossoms: The lotus represents four different virtues in Buddhism, loveliness, purity, scent, and softness, and these flowers hold a rather important place in Asian cultures. Use in bouquets, or floating in glass bowls of plain or colored water.
• Orchids: Orchids are the Chinese symbol of fertility and love, making them the perfect addition for a wedding. Besides decorative bouquets, these flowers also make excellent corsages.
• Peonies: These beautiful flowers symbolize renewal and are perfect for decorating with as they can be found in many colors and in several interesting varieties.

Using just a bit of forethought and planning, you can be sure to honor both of your cultures at your wedding, merging them together into one beautiful union on this most important day in your lives.

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