Wedding Favors And Showers, Past And Present

The ancient customs of Rome and Italy had their own way of
showing gratitude to their guests. Initially, fruits, nuts and
biscuits were given to guests before the ceremony. The Romans
blessed their couples with fertility. Fruits and nuts represent
this in their custom. The Italians were big on status. Therefore
giving luxurious items like silk scarves and incense was a
common practice amongst the wealthy. This showed that the
tradition of giving out favors had dated all the way back to the
16th century. And sure enough they had come a long way.

In today's world and time, favors are given as an appreciation
and token of gratitude for guests that has attended and shared a
special event. Be it for bridal shower, baby showers,
anniversary, birthday or even corporate celebrations favors have
evolved and expanded from mere weddings to all types of
functions, as a symbol of gratitude for participants.

Depending on where you are from, wedding favors diverse from
each part of the world in accordance with the culture and
tradition that is practiced. Different culture has different
impact and influence on the type of gifts newlywed present to
their guests. However, no matter how different the gifts are,
the rule of thumb in giving out favors is of course to represent
and symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility and
longevity.

Wedding favors play a big part in the wedding itself. A wedding
without favors is nowadays considered incomplete. Brides and
groom would more often than not give out gifts that are useful
like card holder, pen or letter opener. Though practical, the
gifts are made personal with the new technology, where brides
and grooms can leave their signatures on the gifts. Made in bulk
and surprising not at all costly, these favors are more likely
to make lasting impressions on the guests. With the growing
online companies specializing in personalized favors, getting
them done would be just the click of the mouse away.

Favors have been with us for a very long time. Nonetheless,
showers were also part of human culture a long way back as well.
It was said to originally start in the Netherlands. A young girl
from Amsterdam fell in love with a poor mill boy. Although the
boy was broke, he spent his life aiding the other poor and
needy.

The father objected to the marriage and they were later refused
of the custom dowry. With little to get by, they would not be
able to survive. In spite of this, the villagers came to offer
them things that they would need. The kindness of the boy was
repaid by the village people and soon enough they were able to
start a new life together. This was said to be the birth of the
tradition of wedding showers we know today.

Bridal showers are meant for the close friends and relatives of
the bride. Brides to be would sometimes assign a theme to their
showers like Hawaiian or Christmas theme but this would all be
affected by the budget. Indeed, favors given would need to
reflect the themes of the bridal showers. Whatever it is, brides
need to make sure that that the gifts given are sincere because
this would make it more meaningful. No matter how much you need
to spend on these shower favors, if they can appreciate your
little offerings, it would be always be priceless.

About The Author: Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in all
personalized gifts and has written a number of articles related
to baptism gifts, personalized photo mugs,
http://www.peculiarstuff.com/Baby.htm and so on.

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Choosing The Perfect Wedding Dress

The wedding dress is usually the centerpiece of the wedding
celebration. The wedding dress is not just another dress. It has
become the symbol of love and hope for the future. Wedding
dresses are literally the icing on the cake on every bride's big
wedding day. Your wedding dress should be unique to your style
and tell the world exactly who you are. After all it is your
special day. Your wedding dress is the key way that you share
yourself with your wedding guests, and of course, your groom.

The first thing you want to do before looking for the perfect
wedding dress is to have an idea of the way you want your dress
to look. Choosing a wedding dress will requires your valuable
time as well as your attention. Know what design and style you
like, and you should take images of the design you like with you
when shopping for your wedding dress. Just remember that the
perfect gown is the one that makes you look and feel your best.

Take a friend, or someone you trust, with you to get their
opinion as you try on dresses. You need to choose a wedding
dress design that will be appropriate and compliment your
wedding level of formality, décor, and venue.

Wedding dresses are available from a wide variety of sources.
There are specific bridal shops, both chain stores and
independent retailers. These shops specialize in wedding gowns
and bridesmaid dresses. These places can be a good start to
search for that perfect wedding dress you dreamed of.

If you are having a formal wedding, the bride generally wears a
long white or cream colored wedding dress with a veil and
gloves. In an informal wedding, brides have more flexibility.
They can wear wedding dresses of any color and they can be short
or long. Have a style in mind but don't get stuck on one
particular dress.

If you have a lot of time before the wedding, then look for
sales at wedding shops. Many wedding dresses go on sale after
the month of June. Wedding veils are cheaper than the wedding
dress, so go ahead and spend more on a great veil when you can
save money on the wedding dress.

Choosing a wedding dress is one of the bride's biggest
decisions, next to choosing her groom. Many brides start
searching for the perfect wedding dress as early as a year
before the wedding day. The perfect dress makes for the perfect
day.

About The Author: Denise Duncan has been involved in the
wedding planning business for a number of years, and is an
author and editor for http://www.mywedding-information.com/ .

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Choosing The Right Wedding Gift

You just received an invitation for a wedding in the mail
today. This means that you will need to get a wedding gift for
your family member or friend who is getting married. Usually
there are traditional registry lists that can help you find the
perfect wedding gift. Sometimes, registry lists can be confusing
or the items on these lists are just too much for your budget.
You might also find out that everything on the list has already
been purchased. Now what do you do? Here are some useful tips to
help you get the perfect wedding gift even on your budget.

You can go to the local stores to check the wedding gifts that
the couple registered to help you in your search for the perfect
wedding gift. Years ago, couples could only register in some of
the expensive department stores. The list of items included
expensive crystal, silver, and china. Today, it is entirely
different. Couples can now register at many their local stores.
These stores have gifts for those who are budget-conscious. It
is very likely that you will find a nice gift in your price
range. Most of these stores even have their own website to help
couples register online and for others to purchase inexpensive
gifts without leaving the comfort of their home.

Group wedding gifts are another way to get wedding gifts for
the newly weds and still be on budget. If you have mutual
friends of the wedding couple who are going to attend the
wedding, you can ask them if they would be interested in
chipping in a few dollars and buying something that is large on
the registry list of the newly weds. The bride and groom will be
very delighted to see the more expensive gifts they have
registered and it is cost-effective on your end.

You can also give a non-traditional wedding gift. What if it
took you until the last minute to decide on a wedding gift or
maybe you still haven't found the gift you really want to give,
you might think about giving a non-traditional gift instead.
This can be a creative experience. You could create a basketful
of goodies that the couples can use while on their honeymoon. A
scrapbook is another innovative gift. You can surf the Internet
and browse through the various websites to find a creative
non-traditional gift for the wedding couple. For example you can
help the newly weds get an exhilarating experience such as a
trip on a hot air balloon or maybe a relaxing experience like
spa treatments.

These are just a few ideas to help you choose the perfect
wedding gift. Whatever your gift may be, the bride and groom are
sure to thank you for the wedding gifts given on their special
day.

About The Author: Denise Duncan has been involved in the
wedding planning business for a number of years, and is an
author and editor for http://www.mywedding-information.com/ .

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Cedar Chest - One Would Be A Fantastic Wedding Gift

Your best friend's wedding is coming up and for a few months
now you have been searching for that perfect gift for the new
couple. Everything you can come across so far just does not seem
to fit the bill and now you are running out of time. Well, there
is no need to panic because a fantastic wedding gift that you
can give is a lovely cedar chest, it is a great way to show them
how much you care.

A cedar chest, also known as a hope chest, was once just used
by unmarried women to stores things that they would bring into
their marriage. Once married, she would then pass it down to her
daughter so she could use it for the same exact purpose.
However, now this lovely furnishing can be used by anyone to
store anything that they want, which is why it is such a
wonderful gift option for newly married couples and anyone for
that matter who needs an extra place to store their things.

You can put this furnishing almost anywhere throughout a home
including in a bedroom for stowing away extra clothes or
bedding, in a larger bathroom for placing towels, and even in a
recreational room where you can hide board games or your child's
toys. Basically, this furnishing would be a nice addition to any
room and some other options include a guest bedroom, or a den.

What is great about a cedar chest, is that along with being
practical, it is also very pleasing to the eye thanks to the
lovely cedar material that it is crafted from. Cedar has a
beautiful appearance that would really enhance the look of any
room that the chest is put into. Along with those crafted out of
cedar, there are also other options that are available and you
can even get ones crafted from oak and pine. Plus, a number of
lovely finishes are available as well and there are even
selections that have padded liners in them to keep things safe,
snug, and secure.

For a stress free way to find just the right cedar chest for
that new couple, or for yourself even, forget about jumping in
your car and heading to your local furniture or department
store. Instead, make a b-line for your computer and hit the
Internet for some online shopping. You can compare prices just
by the click of the mouse and once you do find what you, it is
shipped right to you. No muss, no fuss. You can even get it
shipped to the new couple's house if you want, that way to do
not have to worry about transporting it from here to there.

So, if you are in search of that perfect wedding gift, turn to
a wonderful cedar chest. It gives the new couple a nice place to
store their things, plus, it would be a nice decorative touch to
any room throughout their new home.

About The Author: Jesse Akre, owner of numerous online
specialty shops, shares his insight on bombe chest, ottoman
storage, and cedar chests. Find information and how to's to
update your home decor - Click http://chestsandcabinets.com/.

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Wedding Planning Ideas

When you are planning your wedding, you want to take your time
and not rush things. You would want to get everything right.
After all, it is hardly everyday that you get to have a wedding.

There are several wedding ideas that you could check out and
see if it fits you're idea of the perfect wedding for you.
Themed weddings is one of the most common wedding ideas. This
wedding idea used to be a financial challenge way back when, but
nowadays it is not. Cheap air travel and the easy availability
of exotic products have made theme weddings a good wedding idea.
It's something to think about when thinking of planning a
wedding.

A lot of people have done theme weddings. Rockstars, movie
idols, and maybe even someone you know have done a theme
wedding. Now don't go thinking that this is one of these
overdone wedding ideas. There are many options for wedding
themes. Some ideas include a 1920s revival wedding theme, a
Victorian wedding theme, or even a Cinderella wedding theme!
Wouldn't that be a delight for the child within! Every girl
wants to be a princess!

Another good wedding idea to look into is a destination
wedding. For this wedding idea you're going to need to be a bit
more financially flexible. Destination weddings are a great
wedding idea. To celebrate it in an exotic place is one of the
best ways to make a wedding memorable. Think about it, there is
no way you are going to soon forget a Mediterranean wedding.

This kind of wedding idea is more difficult to set up, however.
You will have to coordinate with the wedding participants as
well. After all, the wedding location isn't just a couple of
blocks away. Depending upon the location there could also be a
problem with the local custom of your wedding location. Some
places will require a lot of work before a wedding can be held.
Other locations may not allow a wedding there unless one or both
of the parties (the bride and/or the groom) are residents of the
area. Location weddings can be a bit harder to plan and execute.

Whatever wedding ideas you are considering, try to remember
that your wedding day is not all about the pomp, but it is about
the meaning of a wedding. Form your wedding ideas around the
idea that a wedding is about you and your beloved joining your
lives together as one. Don't go too traditional, either. Let
your wedding be as naturally as the bond between you and your
companion.

About The Author: Denise Duncan has been involved in the
wedding planning business for a number of years, and is an
author and editor for http://www.mywedding-information.com/ .

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Filipino Wedding Traditions

The Engagement

After the couple has decided to marry, the first order of
business is the pamanhikan, where the groom and his parents
visit the bride's family to ask for her hand in marriage.
Wedding plans are often made at this time, including a
discussion of the budget and guest list. Don't be surprised if
the groom-to-be is expected to run some errands or help out
around the bride's house. This tradition is called paninilbihan,
where the suitor renders service to his future wife's family to
gain their approval.

The Wedding Outfits

The white wedding dress has become popular in the last hundred
years or so with America's influence in the Philippines. Before
that, brides wore their best dress, in a festive color or even
stylish black, to celebrate a wedding. Orange blossom bouquets
and adornments were a must during the turn of the last century.
For men, the barong tagalog is the traditional Filipino formal
wear.

It is a cool, almost transparent, embroidered shirt, made from
silky pina or jusi, two native ecru fabrics. It is worn
untucked, over black pants, with a white t-shirt underneath.
These days, a Filipino groom might wear the conventional black
tux, but Filipino male wedding guests will usually show up in
their finest barongs.

The Ceremony

In pre-colonial days, a wedding ceremony lasted three days. On
the first day, the bride and groom were brought to the house of
a priest or babaylan, who joined their hands over a plate of raw
rice and blessed the couple. On the third day, the priest
pricked the chests of both bride and groom and drew a little
blood. Joining their hands, they declared their love for each
other three times. The priest then fed them cooked rice from the
same plate and gave them a drink of some of their blood mixed
with water. Binding their hands and necks with a cord, he
declared them married. The majority of Filipino weddings are now
Catholic weddings, but some native traditions remain. Most have
special "sponsors" who act as witnesses to the marriage. The
principal sponsors could be godparents, counselors, a favorite
uncle and aunt, even a parent. Secondary sponsors handle special
parts of the ceremony, such as the candle, cord and veil
ceremonies. Candle sponsors light two candles, which the bride
and groom use to light a single candle to symbolize the joining
of the two families and to invoke the light of Christ in their
married life. Veil sponsors place a white veil over the bride's
head and the groom's shoulders, a symbol of two people clothed
as one. Cord sponsors drape the yugal (a decorative silk cord)
in a figure-eight shape--to symbolize everlasting fidelity--over
the shoulders of the bride and groom. The groom gives the bride
13 coins, or arrhae, blessed by the priest, as a sign of his
dedication to his wife's well-being and the welfare of their
future children.

The Food

The Filipino wedding feast is elaborate. One feast celebrated
at the turn of the last century involved these foods: First was
served cold vermicelli soup. The soup was followed by meats of
unlimited quantity--stewed goat, chicken minced with garlic,
boiled ham, stuffed capon, roast pork and several kinds of fish.
There were no salads, but plenty of relishes, including red
peppers, olives, green mango pickles and crystallized fruits.
For dessert, there were meringues, baked custard flan, coconut
macaroons and sweetened seeds of the nipa plant.

About The Author: Rafi Michael Babylon Productions Wedding
Center Wedding Photography & Video Productions Toronto we
specialize in individually tailored Wedding Photography, Videos
and DVD's, offering an experienced, highly professional and
affordable service. Vist: (
http://www.videobabylon.ca/services.html )

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Saving Money on Your Wedding

Perhaps you've been dreaming of your wedding day since you
were a little girl, the princess gown, your handsome groom,
a beautiful spread and the entire town there. Or perhaps
it's something you never even contemplated…who me?
Getting married? Oh my gosh, this is really happening!
Where do we begin?

Although it's very easy to wish for the perfect dream
wedding, sometimes, if your salary is somewhere in the
thousands of dollars, not the millions of dollars, you have
to prepare a budget. But I'm here to tell you, having that
dream like wedding isn't as unrealistic as you think, as
long as you're informed and smart about it.

The first step in planning a wedding is to determine your
wedding budget. It is important for you to know what you
can realistically spend. Wedding costs can easily add up.
If not monitored properly, you may find that you are
spending much more than you had anticipated. By tracking
your expenditures, you can cut back on things less
important to you and allocate money to the more important
areas. I recommend a good wedding planner/organizer such
as Beverly Clark's, "Planning a Wedding to Remember". This
is an amazing tool for planning your wedding budget and
even provides an interactive budget planning tool available
online.

One way of trimming off the expenses is to consider
printing your own invitations. Often people don't
anticipate how expensive wedding invitations can be. A
homemade option is cheaper and can still look wonderful.
Purchasing fine paper and envelopes can save you, and
they're just waiting to be customized with some
professional techniques available with quality software
programs. If computers give you jitters, you're sure to
find someone artsy willing to help out for such a special
occasion.

Oftentimes, designer gowns, wedding favors, gifts and
accessories can be found on line at a fraction of the
prices in boutiques. Just be wary when shopping. Ask
questions, make sure the gown is in new shape and that the
size is correct. Correspond with the seller and make sure
the dress hasn't been damaged. As a form of etiquette,
reputation on these sites means everything, so if you are
not completely satisfied with your purchase or the seller
was misleading, you can reiterate this by providing
feedback. Check your newspapers, local re-sale stores, ask
at bridal boutiques for dresses that are no longer being
made, discontinued, or clearance dresses. You may find a
gem!

Although you may have envisioned thousands of guests
attending your special day, you may have to consider
trimming down your guest list. As a result, you will be
spending much less on food, drinks and the venue. Start by
making a list of family members from both sides of the
family, including children, then friends and acquaintances.
If the bride and groom are paying the full expense of the
wedding, they should have control over the invites, however
if they are accepting money from the parents they may have
to give them some say in the matter.

A suggestion could be to invite certain people to the
ceremony and dinner only (especially older relatives as
they may not want to attend the reception for various
reasons) and then invite more casual friends to the
reception portion of the day. Provide a cash bar, snacks
in the mid-evening, and all the festivities one can handle.
Keep in mind too that this can be catered by family
members consisting of cheese, veggies, cold meats, salads,
pickles, buns and dessert trays.

Remember too, that this day is for you and you want to
share it with all of the special people in your life. Time
passes quickly and you want to be able to enjoy all of your
guest's company, so keeping the numbers realistic and
within your budget will make your special day more
memorable for everyone.


About the Author:

Essential Wedding Favors is a company founded by Paul Darch
and Tracey Spencer in 2006. Wanting to provide a bride and
groom a source to find as much information about planning
their wedding, inspired them to create a website dedicated
to just that.
http://www.essentialweddingfavors.com