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Why a Unity Candle?

Unlike most wedding traditions, the Unity Candle is a relative newcomer. Its appearance was first noted in the early 1970s, but it has become quite popular since then. The addition of the Unity Candle gives the couple’s mothers a place in the wedding ceremony, and adds a time within the ceremony itself for celebration and reflection.

The Unity Candle ceremony actually consists of three candles: two tapers with a pillar in the middle, all typically white. The taper candles, which are lit by the mothers of the couple at the beginning of the ceremony, represent the individual families from which the bride and groom come. Later, the bride and the groom each seize a taper and direct its flames into the Unity Candle, thus symbolically uniting their families Continue reading "Why a Unity Candle?" »

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Why give the bride away?

In most societies throughout history, marriage has been more about social and economic expediency than about love. Weddings were often arranged by a couple’s parents, when the bride and groom were still in early childhood, and were based on the families’ respective social standing and offerings. Even if the bride and groom had chosen each other, there were certain prerequisites before a wedding could take place. Sometimes the groom’s family was required to pay a "bride’s price," essentially purchasing the bride from her family and reimbursing them for their loss. For her part, the bride often had a dowry, or an accumulation of possessions and money that she took with her into the marriage. All terms had to be settled before the marriage ceremony could take place.

On the wedding day, the father of the bride would present his daughter to the groom. He would then "give her away", thus verbally acknowledging that all arrangements had been fulfilled and he was satisfied with Continue reading "Why give the bride away?" »

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Why throw rice?

Rice has long been seen as a symbol of fertility. Years ago, wedding participants would cover the newly wed couple with blessings for a productive marriage by tossing grain, nuts, or rice at them. The hope was that the couple would have plenty of children to help manage their farmlands.

Today, wedding participants shower the couple with blessings for long life and prosperity. Although traditional, rice is not typically thrown. Urban legend has it that uncooked rice harms wild birds, but this is myth only. A large amount of rice (or grain!) scattered on the ground, however, does present danger: it can Continue reading "Why throw rice?" »

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Why Toss The Wedding Bouquet?

Weddings have always been important days. They used to be considered among the luckiest of days, for the bride and groom were entering a more socially acceptable, and therefore more profitable, stage in life. The wedding day was particularly lucky for the bride, and she was considered the most lucky participant in the wedding. Guests who wished to appropriate some of that luck would attack the bride and tear off pieces of her dress, veil, or flowers as she and her new husband attempted to leave the ceremony. These objects supposedly transferred some of the bride’s luck to their new owners.

The tradition of tossing the bridal bouquet came first from self-defense: the bride would surrender her flowers to the pressing crowd in order Continue reading "Why Toss The Wedding Bouquet?" »

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Why Carry A Hanky – Hankerchief?

Although there are practical reasons for carrying a hanky (to dab away the tears of happiness) on your wedding day, there are also traditional reasons. A common wedding tradition goes like this something old, something new etc – the something old is often the wedding handkerchief that has been handed down through the generations. In Belgium, the bride is given a family hanky with her name embroidered on it for her wedding day. After the wedding the bride places the handkerchief in a frame and displays it until the next female family member gets married; thus passing it on to the new bride. In many Irish weddings a special wedding hanky is carried. After the ceremony the bride adds a few stitches to the handkerchief turning it into a Christening bonnet – when the child weds it can be convert back into a hanky.

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A Sixpence (Penny) In Your Shoe

Why do you place a penny in the bride's shoe? The wedding tradition of placing a penny in the bride’s shoe was made popular with a Victorian rhyme – something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe. Over the years, the term sixpence has been replaced with the term penny. In this rhyme, the penny was used to ensure the wealth and good fortune of the couple. In some European cultures, this penny was saved by the bride; later given to her daughter on her wedding day. In contemporary times, brides often have the penny made into a piece of jewelry after the wedding.

This wedding tradition may have gotten its start from the Scottish Penny Wedding. The penny wedding Continue reading "A Sixpence (Penny) In Your Shoe" »

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Bridemaids – Attendant Wedding Traditions

Why do brides have a maid of honor and bridesmaids? Many years ago in Saxon England, bridesmaids attended to the bride for several days before the wedding ceremony. They were responsible for decorating the table for the wedding feast and dressing the bride on her wedding day. The most senior of the group was primarily responsible for these duties and would be comparable to today's maid of honor or matron of honor.

Superstition also played a part in the need for bridesmaids. Many believed that evil spirits would try to Continue reading "Bridemaids – Attendant Wedding Traditions" »

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Saving The Wedding Cake Tradition

Tradition Of Saving Top Layer Of The Wedding Cake

Often you’ll see a wedding cake with many layers. The top layer (the mini cake or top tier) is usually reserved for the Bride and Groom only and is removed and stored for the future. The wedding cake topper is often saved as well.

This tradition mostly likely has it origins from Rome, where the groom would toss cake over the bride in a fertility rite; this later evolved to crumbling cake over the bride‘s head. Somewhere along the time line, the Continue reading "Saving The Wedding Cake Tradition" »

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Arras Coins- A Hispanic Wedding Tradition

Arras Coins- A Hispanic wedding tradition of 13 coins.

Arras in Spanish means pledge. Thirteen gold coins (arras) are given by the groom to the bride during the marriage ceremony. The groom giving the coins signifies his willingness to support her and trust in her. The bride accepting them signifies her willingness to trust him and be prudent.

Some say the thirteen coins represent thirteen words; Love, peace, commitment, trust, respect, joy, happiness, nurturing, caring, harmony, wholeness, harmony, and cooperation. Others believe it is representative of the 12 Apostles and Christ. Yet, others see it as the lunar calendar of 12 months and the 13 as the honeymoon. Whatever the tradition stems from, it is a beautiful part of the Hispanic wedding ceremony.

The Padrinos (Godparents) are the ones to purchase the 13 coins for the groom. This signifies that the Continue reading "Arras Coins- A Hispanic Wedding Tradition" »

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El Lazo Wedding Tradition

El Lazo (the Lasso) Mexican Wedding Tradition

A lasso (El lazo) is used in traditional Hispanic wedding ceremonies to symbolize unity. This tradition probably came from seventh century Spain. A rope, ribbon, cord or large rosary is draped around the neck of the groom then the bride in a figure eight after they exchange vows. Often the Padrinos (Godparents) have the honor of draping the lasso during the wedding ceremony. In some ceremonies the lasso is draped around the wrists instead of the neck. To symbolize the forever binding of love and marriage, the couple wears the lasso until the end of the ceremony. After the ceremony the Lasso is removed either by the Padrinos (Godparents) or the priest. The Lasso is then given to the bride for her to keep as a memento of her status as mistress to her husbands heart and home.

This is one tradition that is very much common place in Mexican weddings, especially in Mexican-American weddings.

Wedding Styles for Different Venues

Every wedding is special and different in its own rites, but there are key differences that begin with the selection of a venue. From an elaborate rooftop ceremony to your childhood backyard, every detail should be personalized for the couple. We’ve compiled a list of venues and created a moodboard for each, from ceremony to unique details for each one.  Let’s jump right in!

Celebrating Milestone Birthdays

Planning parties for a milestone birthday is particularly fun, but there can be a lot of pressure to make it special. What traditions should be included in a 1st birthday party versus a 25th birthday? We've created a full comprehensive guide to milestone birthdays from year 1 to 100, including what decorations to consider, traditions to include, and a glimpse into the different life stages to celebrate.

Retro Rings: Decades of Style

The 1980s were a decade of design and elegance. As the transition began from the laid back vibes of the 70s, engagement rings from this era became bigger and flashier as they pushed boundaries and mixed tradition with trends. With geometric cuts to cluster settings, these pieces reflect a time where style was anything but simple. Let’s take a look throughout the years and explore the rings that presented us with unforgettable taste. 

Aesthetics Over Everything: Niche Party Themes

You may have already heard these terms and can bring to mind the aesthetic that comes with them. These niche parties are the latest go-to for a theme, perfect for bachelorette weekends, dinner parties, family brunches, birthdays, friend getaways, wedding receptions, and babymoons. The following themes have made their way from online to in-house!