Submitted by: Jennifer from Missouri
Since junior high my best friend and I have prayed for a very specific sign that would let us know whether or not we were supposed to marry our current boyfriends. We call it our "pact with God." Part of the intimacy of this is that no one knows what the sign is except for us and God.
Well, the man of my dreams finally made his way into my life several relationships down the line. My Continue reading "Wedding Story: I Needed A Sign From Above" »
A party isn't really a party without food … at least not in my book. Maybe I'm food obsessed. When ever I receive an invitation to a party, I always wonder what types of yummy food they will serve. Now I know I'm not the only one who thinks about these things; you know you do too. Whenever I host a party, I try my best to incorporate as many foods as possible or at least some interesting combinations.
A New Twist On Birthday Or Theme Party Food Ideas
One of my go to places for unique food ideas and twists on old stand-bys is my local caterers. These guys Continue reading "3 Great Party Food Ideas" »
Wedding traditions are charming ways we hold on to our heritage and ethnicity. When we are able to incorporate even minute details of our heritage it makes our wedding day that much more special. But what if you don't have a direct relationship to a particular heritage or ethnicity? Can you follow their traditions? Remember imitation is the best form of flattery. So why not incorporate the traditions of an ethnicity or culture that you admire. For me some of the wedding traditions that began with the Italian culture are the most special.
In fact, Italian wedding traditions are easily incorporated into any wedding celebration. If you’re a bride who Continue reading "Infusing Italian Wedding Traditions Into Your Special Day" »
I would not consider myself a party expert, but I do love to entertain, and have hosted my fair share of holiday parties. In my rookie years of party hosting, I was a mess. I never looked up from the oven or kitchen sink to enjoy the actual party. Now that I have a few under my belt, I have made a standard list of “musts” that I abide by when hosting any kind of party. I will be glad to share these with you; so, you can Continue reading "Holiday Party Tips" »
Sometimes creating a wedding registry can seem like a daunting task but it really doesn't have to be. In fact, it can be one of the most enjoyable activities that you have when planning a wedding. Selecting the items that will help the bride- and groom-to-be create a happy home should be a fun and exciting event enjoyed as a couple. It is often the first activity that the newly betrothed couple makes as a couple and is a great time to spend some extra time with the person that you love. To make sure that the items that you want are on your wedding registry, here are a few (15) things to know when creating your registry. Continue reading "How To Create The Perfect Wedding Registry" »
Jordan almonds have been a longtime favorite wedding favor. Well, these and other candies such as gourmet chocolates, sweetheart mints, gumballs and others have also seen a rise in popularity.
The natural evolution from individual treats has progressed into a candy buffet bar for the wedding reception. This wedding trend is really picking up steam as modern brides search for unique and eye-catching ways to decorate the wedding reception. Continue reading "The Sweetest Part of New Wedding Reception Trends" »
Who Walks The Bride Down The Aisle
Blended families are a normal part of life these days, but when it comes to deciding who walks the bride down the aisle—father or step-father—it can be anything but a "normal" decision. However, there are some guidelines to follow to help make the decision.
Guideline for Walking Bride Down Aisle:
The first thing to keep in mind is that walking the bride down the aisle or "giving the bride away" is a Continue reading "A Walk Down the Aisle: Father or Step-Father?" »
Colors! Cake! Flowers! Music! So many decisions! Anyone who has witnessed or is planning a wedding can attest to the multitude of design decisions to be made when planning a ceremony and reception. It’s a list that goes on and on. The location sets the tone for the event; the flowers add whimsy; photos, pets, and music add personality. Today, the amount of the opportunities for conveying individuality is ever increasing as the wedding industry has begun to acknowledge and cater to the qualities of each couple rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all ceremony.
Almost every aspect of a wedding day is available for tweaking. This includes the flowers, vows, bridesmaids dress, and endless other details. The reception carries this trend with everything from centerpieces to entrées, and even napkins. However, few parts of this day can be preserved and taken home as a souvenir of the launch of a new life.One item that has become a shining example of personalization-meets-tradition is the wedding cake and more specifically the wedding cake topper. It was once the epitome of mass-produced tackiness that was the demise of past wedding ceremonies, and it is now a traditional piece used to display the couple’s identity, whether it is goofy, geeky, or glamorous.
The official origin of wedding cake toppers is unknown, and there are as many stories as there are choices. However, most historians agree that cake toppers can be traced back to the 19th century when the tradition of the bride and groom in formal attire symbolize atop the cake began. The trend took hold in America in the 1940s and has become a staple in wedding cake design ever since.
Like many elements of today’s weddings, the demand for unique wedding cakes and wedding cake toppers has led to a tremendous amount of choices ranging in everything from the quirky and humorous to the elegant and traditional. Even once a couple decides on a direction for their cake topper, they’re still left with a dizzying array of choices to further enhance their wedding cake design.
A popular option for many cakes today is to top them with a monogram of the either the couple’s combined initials or the first letter of their last name. It is a sophisticated way to display individuality and the uniting of two people. Couples can choose the font, size, and material of the piece. Ideas monogram toppers include for etched glass, cut mirror, or metallic materials. Some choose to take it a step further and add rhinestones, flowers, or crystals to add extra glitz to their cake.For a wedding on a beach, a tropical-themed cake topper would be a great way to tie-in the wedding cake with the nature of the ceremony. Ceramic figurines depicting a couple in their favorite beach attire is a light-hearted touch to a normally casual event. There are also sculptures of beach scenes and items like shells and palm trees in a variety of materials. Like most other toppers, the design of these can be incredibly detailed, showing facial expressions, sand on the beach, or patterns in clothing, or they can be monochromatic, lyrical pieces full of movement and grace.
Wedding cake toppers for an avid hobbyist are ideal for laid-back ceremonies or grooms’ cakes. Golfers, baseball fanatics, and car enthusiasts can all find a topper to suit their interests and are sure to make guests chuckle. Geeks can also find their niche by choosing geeky groom toppers such as sci-fi themed or techie options. The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the perfect topper to match a matchless personality!
Other themed wedding cake toppers choices include those for the sportsman, fisherman, musician, and the farmer. The list never seems to end! A great idea for a musician is a microphone-shaped cake topper or a music note. And the fisherman is sure to get a kick out of a bride and groom donning waders and fishing poles! Brides who enjoy shopping can find a number of choices of shop-a-holic brides, and grooms who enjoy a friendly game of golf can find a golfing groom to complement his game.Religious cake toppers are another choice for couples who are devoted in their beliefs and want a wedding cake that reflects their faith. For example, grooms wearing kippahs are available for Jewish ceremonies, and lovely items, such as crosses and doves, are offered for Christian weddings.
What’s more, members of the military can even find a cake topper to suit their needs. If the groom wears his dress blues in his wedding, he can find a cake topper to match. Usually, highly specialized cake toppers such these are sold alone. By opting for the interchangeable cake toppers, couples can find a perfectly suited arrangement the fit their personalities to a tee.
Every couple is unique and together they possess a dynamic unlike any other. Modern wedding planning seeks to display that special something that makes them work so wonderfully together. Each aspect of wedding can contribute to this goal, including the cake. Choosing a wedding cake topper is another step towards making a wedding one-of-a-kind.
Contributor: Ashley Slayton
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Wedding Songs – Perfect for the Ceremony, First Dance and Reception
With so many songs to choose from, the thought of deciding on ceremony music, a song for the first dance, and memorable songs for the reception, might seem overwhelming. You might worry, "What if I am forgetting some good ones?" No need to run out and buy every "Wedding Music" CD that you can find just to get some good wedding songs. There are several songs appropriate for the wedding festivities. In fact, there are even some Wedding and Party Network favorites. After much discussion with friends, family and co-workers, I came up with a pretty good list of popular wedding songs and the artist who sings them. You Continue reading "Top 10 Wedding Songs" »
Jungle themed parties are, in my opinion, one of the best theme ideas for kid’s birthday’s or celebrations. Appropriate for all school age children, both boys and girls, jungle themed parties are exciting, creative and actually easier to plan than you think.
Party decorations would be the main focal point of the "jungle themed" party venue, so decorations need to be the first priority. You can do this several different ways, depending on the Continue reading "Jungle Theme Parties–Creative Kid's Celebrations Made Easy!" »
