Merry Brides: Wedding Trends

Showing posts with label Wedding Trends. Show all posts

Wedding Ideas to Go Green, And to Give Back

By: Linda Ellison

Are you a "bride-zilla"? Hopefully not. This term was of course coined for the bride who goes overboard in her demands for her wedding, even throwing temper tantrums when things aren't quite going her way.

Fortunately, not all brides are like this, and not only are they absolutely joyful during "their" day, but some couples even use the occasion of their wedding to express their concern for others, and concern for the environment. Any bride and groom can use their big day as an opportunity to give back to the community and to show respect for the earth, with the right socially conscious wedding ideas. Here are just a few:

Stay simple and as small as possible. More guests mean more transportation, more food, and more energy. Fewer guests mean less waste and less consumption. Keep all your wedding ideas tasteful but modest.

Cut down on the auto emissions by using fewer cars to and from the ceremony. If you must use limos, use just one for the men and one for the women. Better yet, skip the limousines and use compact cars. If you can find a horse-drawn carriage, consider this as an eco-friendly wedding idea, not just a romantic one!

Many brides are setting up websites to share with friends and family all the plans they're making for the wedding and to post photos, the story of how the couple met, and so on. Another eco-friendly wedding idea is to use this website as a means of getting your invitation RSVPs as well, to eliminate both the paper used for the cards and the gasoline used to deliver them.

Use recycled material as much as possible. This means napkins, place cards for the seating chart, matchbook covers, and whatever other paper wedding ideas you have at your reception. You can even shop for invitations that are made from recycled paper as well; many invitation companies offer this option.

Avoid the word "disposable." This only refers to something that's going to be used once and thrown away. For some years, a popular wedding idea has been to leave disposable cameras at each table of the reception hall for guests to take candid shots, but this means several dozen disposable cameras thrown away within a few days. Multiply that by the number of weddings that happen across the U.S. every weekend and you see why the landfills are so … full.

In addition to recycled material, cut down on WHAT you use as well. Have one main menu for each table placed attractively in the middle rather than a separate menu for each guest. This principle can apply for all your wedding ideas that are printed – forego so many of the inserts in your invitations that are unnecessary, such as the blotter sheet, the inner envelope, and so on.

And the decorations are another area where you can be simple to conserve and cut back on energy usage. Everyone wants a breathtaking venue and reception hall and your wedding ideas may be something grand in scale, but consider getting creative with decorations that can be reused. For example, stringing lights around artificial trees can add a beautiful touch to any wedding – both the lights and the trees can be taken home to reuse.

Potted plants are better than cut flowers, balloons, and crepe paper, all of which will just be thrown away. Speak with your florist about what wedding ideas there are for blooming plants that will add just the right color and style for your location; guests can then take the plants home afterward. Use candles for the ceremony and reception as much as possible (being mindful of safety of course). This wedding idea will not only add a romantic feel, it will cut back on energy usage from lights.

Making things simple can also apply to your menu. Many couples forego a full dinner because of budget reasons, but think about how much energy is used to make a multiple-course meal for hundreds. To save some energy, make your reception wedding ideas simple. By having a smaller wedding later in the evening you can offer a simple appetizer and dessert menu, saving not only energy but money as well. Speak to your caterer openly and candidly about what you're looking for.

And be mindful of your wedding ideas when it comes to favors as well. Make sure you're choosing items that will be used and appreciated; many brides have given up the option of bottled water with personalized labels, as some fail to recycle the bottles. Whatever your choice of favors, be sure that it's something that guests will keep and appreciate.

And the most responsible and conscientious thing that couples are doing today with their wedding ideas is making sure that not even the leftover food goes to waste. Before your ceremony, get in touch with a local soup kitchen and arrange to have any leftovers donated, if possible. You can even get your guests involved and ask that they donate to a favorite charity in lieu of gifts to you, or choose gifts that can be given to a local children's hospital, homeless shelter, and so on. These are great socially conscious wedding ideas for the couple that is getting married after having already established a household, meaning that they have little need for the typical blenders, toasters, and so on.

All of these socially conscious wedding ideas are just some ways that brides and grooms can show their concern and respect for the environment and for others. Many are keeping in mind that while it's "their" day, it's "our" planet, and there's no better time to show your appreciation for that than with your own generous and original wedding ideas.

RECOMMENDED WEDDING LINKS

Dream Honeymoons; Destination Weddings!

Free Personalized Wedding Website

Win a Free Wedding Dress

Additional Wedding Advice:
http://merrybrides.blog,com
http://funweddings.blogspot.com
http://windsor.weddingwindow.com
http://merrybrides.livejournal.com

Article by:
Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.This article is available for reprint with author's resource box intact and all links live and clickable. Copyright is reserved by author.

The Bride Isn't Shy Anymore!

By Linda Ellison

Remember the phrase "blushing bride"? It was thought for centuries that brides were supposed to be demure, shy, quiet and reserved. This attitude was reflected in so many choices for her wedding – including the colors she chose for the bridesmaids' dresses, table linens, and everything else. Pastels were the norm, including soft pinks, pale blues, and mint greens. Everything, especially wedding colors, was subtle and seen as feminine.

Today's modern bride has redefined that word. She is probably someone that has worked, and worked hard. She juggles her own career ambitions while not giving up her desire for a home and family. A blushing bride she is not!

And this is being reflected in her choices for wedding colors, in accessories and other items. Over the past few years, colors have become stronger and deeper. Mint green has been traded for hunter or forest shades. Pale blue has given way to navy or royal. Everything has become bolder, deeper, stronger – just like the bride herself. It's not unusual to see the once taboo wedding colors choice of black or fire engine red to be worked into a wedding décor, and sometimes even those two colors together.

The choices for colors at a wedding are no greater indication of a bride's personality, and this trend of the strong and independent woman isn't going to go away anytime soon, and neither is the choice for stronger and bolder wedding colors.

However, this isn't to say that today's bride is so strong that she's become unapproachable, or that she is choosing strong colors just for the sake of how strong they are. One of the hottest trends in wedding colors today is shades of warm brown and tan. Even for wedding dresses, the bride herself may choose a sash or bow of russet or auburn shades.

The brown family of colors is closely associated with warm, nurturing foods– think of coffee, cocoa, and chocolate. Brown is often seen in nature, another element of nurturing and caring. Even in the application of feng shui, it's encouraged to use shades of brown in rooms where you want to feel relaxed and comforted, such as the living room or bedroom. By selecting wedding colors of these darker shades, the bride may be expressing her nurturing, caring, warm side.

The same could be said of the many shades of green that are fast becoming available. No longer does the bride only have the choice of mint or pale green, but now bridesmaids' dresses and table linens are being offered in stronger shades of celery, jade, and emerald. Hunter and forest greens are also popular, and also may be seen as strong but nurturing. These are two shades also abundantly available in nature, and the term "mother earth" was coined for a reason. When we think of nature or use shades found in nature, these are seen as warm and caring.

Jewel tones of any color are also very popular wedding colors, especially when planning a winter or holiday wedding. When choosing colors that are of a jewel tone, a bride can even mix up the shades for her table linens – emerald green and ruby red for a December wedding, for instance. Adding some sapphire blue and shades of gold can break up the colors and still keep the venue looking festive.

Of course, those brides who still prefer the softer wedding colors of the pastel family have a wealth of options for them. Softer colors never go out of style, and are still seen as being romantic and even passionate. Additionally, by choosing softer colors, the bride knows that they will not overwhelm the setting or theme of the wedding. If you have a large number of bridesmaids and a huge banquet hall, choosing colors such as red and black as your accent can be too powerful, and can even cause the bride herself to get lost in the pictures! The larger the venue and number of attendants, the softer the color shades should be. Of course, these wedding colors can be mixed and matched as well. A bride may opt for her attendants to be in soft pink while the maid of honor is in a darker shade of rose red or light purple. If opting for soft wedding colors, you don't want to make the mistake of having your venue or dresses look washed out or faded. A bride needs to make sure that there are some stronger accent colors to tie everything together.

In the end of course wedding colors are going to be a bride's choice and will no doubt reflect not just her personality but the prevailing trend at the time. Whatever her preferences for the wedding colors – shy and sweet pastels, bold and strong reds and blues, nurturing browns and greens – she has a wealth of options available to her today, and no longer needs to be shy about expressing her true personality in her wedding party!

How to Select Cookware for Wedding Gift Registries -- Pots and Pans for Keeps

(MS) - From the moment you're engaged, there appears to be an endless number of decisions to be made - from setting a wedding date to picking bridal gift registry items that are just right for your home. Choosing cookware - a must-have for the newlywed kitchen - can be especially stressful with so many different kinds of pots and pans available. Given today's dizzying array of options in materials and styles, it's a good idea to understand the differences between them before visiting stores. That way, you and your beloved can make the best decision about what cookware will best suit your needs.

In considering cookware, it's helpful to keep in mind that 85 percent of the world's cookware sales come from three types of materials: stainless steel, aluminum and hard-anodized aluminum. Within those materials, there are other features that differentiate cookware. It is important to compare like materials to like materials as they each have their own unique properties.

Hard-Anodized Aluminum

Hard-anodized aluminum cookware is one of the most popular types of material, even though many people don't quite understand the construction. Hard-anodized aluminum is plain aluminum that has been processed in a series of chemical baths charged with an electric current. The result is a material that has the same superior heat conductivity as aluminum but is non-reactive with acidic foods, such as tomatoes, and twice as hard as stainless steel. Two drawbacks to hard-anodized cookware are that it is not dishwasher-safe and, because it is not magnetic, it will not work with induction range tops.

Recently, there have been advancements in the design of hard-anodized cookware. Infinite Circulon Cookware is the first cookware that marries the superior performance and ease-of-use of non-stick, hard-anodized aluminum cookware with two key features - the ability to be used with all types of ranges, including induction, and the added convenience of being the only hard anodized cookware that is completely dishwasher-safe.

Infinite Circulon incorporates a cookware base clad in 18/0 stainless steel, making the bottom magnetic with the ability to work on all types of stovetops, including induction. The pans feature a durable nonstick surface both inside and out, making it easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. The interior cooking surface incorporates Circulon's signature nonstick system, designed with circular grooves that take the abuse of utensils, while leaving the low lying areas on the pan untouched. The pans are finished with comfortable, hollow-core stainless steel handles that stay cool during stovetop cooking and make the pans oven safe to 500 degrees.

Nonstick Cookware

Nonstick cookware has made dramatic improvements in quality and durability since it was introduced more than 30 years ago. Nonstick cookware is a natural fit for health-conscious eaters looking for ways to prepare low-fat meals with the convenience of easy clean-up. With more than 80 percent of all cookware sold being nonstick, there are many choices. There are a few things to consider when shopping for nonstick cookware. Look first at the type of pan surface on which the coating is applied. Because they are harder and more durable, hard-anodized aluminum nonstick pans will last longer than plain aluminum nonstick pans. Second, look at the thickness of the pan. The thicker the pan, the better the heat distribution, which will, over time, protect the nonstick coating.

One excellent non-stick cookware option is Anolon Advanced, which features hard-anodized construction, durable nonstick inside and out and tempered glass stainless steel rimmed lids, which seal in flavors while allowing for monitoring of the cooking process without having to lift the lid. The pan's handles are made of stainless steel and silicone rubber for a soft, cool, secure, grip.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a versatile cookware option that's highly durable and looks great. It is heavy-duty, resistant to dents and dings, non-reactive with acidic foods and dishwasher safe. Unfortunately, stainless steel by itself is not a good heat conductor. In order to make a stainless steel pan conduct heat evenly, it is combined with another conductive metal like copper or aluminum. This is done by attaching a disc to the bottom of the pan or by combining layers of stainless steel with a conductive metal to make a clad pan. If choosing a pan with a disc bottom, look for a thick disc that spreads to the edges of the pan. This will prevent a ring of burnt food around the edge of the cooking surface, as well as eliminate hot spots and improve heat distribution.

KitchenAid's® Gourmet Essentials Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware is an ideal option for cooking couples. Each piece features an aluminum disc base for fast, even heat distribution. The base is fully encapsulated in stainless steel to resist staining and prevent marks on ceramic tiles or sinks. The brushed stainless steel exterior provides long-lasting beauty while the gleaming, polished stainless steel interior is ideal for a variety of food preparations - from searing and sautéing to frying and boiling. CoolGrip handles, made of stainless steel encased in soft silicone rubber, provide a firm yet comfortable grip.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a terrific heat conductor that heats evenly across the bottom and up the walls of the cookware. Generally, the thicker the aluminum cookware, the better the heat distribution and cooking performance. A good quality aluminum pan will give excellent cooking performance at a moderate price.

Farberware Affiniti - a collection of fashion-forward, nonstick aluminum cookware crafted in six luminescent metallic hues, including Cardinal, Black, Copper, Bronze, Amethyst, and Pewter - offers convenience without compromising on good looks. Farberware Affiniti Cookware features even-heating aluminum construction and a nonstick cooking surface that makes it possible to prepare dishes with little or no added fat for healthier eating. The new cookware's dazzling exterior is crafted with a highly reflective, metallic design in a rainbow of vibrant hues to match any kitchen décor. Ergonomic stainless steel and silicone handles, riveted to the pan for long-term stability, provide a soft, cool, confident grip. Break-resistant tempered glass, dome-shaped lids allow for constant monitoring of the cooking process without loss of heat, flavors or nutrients. Perfect for recipes that require oven cooking, Farberware Affiniti Cookware is safe to 400°F.

Unlike your partner, you're not marrying one type or style of cookware. You can even mix and match cookware to suit your particular culinary needs. In fact most food professionals work with a variety of cookware materials, depending on the type of cooking they're doing. Fortified with basic cookware knowledge, you'll be well prepared to select cookware for your bridal registry that will add years of delight and success in the kitchen.

Irish Wedding Rings

By: Martin Smith

There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.

The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.

Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.

The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.

In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.

The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.

The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.

The design is the clasped hands of the 'fede' or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It's simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.

Wedding Planning Links

Claddagh Irish Jewelry

Claddagh Jewelry from Ireland MyWeddingFavors.com

Irish Shopping - The Premier web site for Irish Gifts, Jewelry and other Items

Wedding Planning Advice
http://merrybrides.blogspot.com http://funweddings.blog.com

Author Bio
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Wedding Ring and and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

Weddings: Etiquette and Customs

(CL) - Wedding ceremonies may be civil or religious rites. The civil rite generally implies a simpler event, while the religious rite is governed by more traditional rules.

Precise traditions exist regarding the sharing of expenses. Of course, if Cinderella marries a member of the Rockefeller clan (or vice versa), the Rockefellers will no doubt undertake the higher share (if not the entire share) of expenses.

Bride's family expenses: The brides' family is responsible for paying for the wedding invitations, the bride's trousseau and dress, reception and ceremony expenses, the guest party favors, and the automobile and chauffeur (which does not necessarily need to be an expensive limousine service. he may just be an uncle driving his fancy car). If the wedding ceremony is a religious rite, the bride's family's expenses will also include church flowers and decorations, music, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, ring bearer suits, and the fee for the minister or officiant of the ceremony.

Groom's family expenses: The groom's family is responsible for paying for the rings, the bride's bouquet, the honeymoon, and the future house furnishings.

Wedding invitations: Wedding invitations should be sent approximately one month before the wedding. The bride and groom, with their respective families, should prepare the guest list. In general, the standard layout is as follows: on the left the bride's parents announce their daughter's wedding, while on the right the groom's parents announce their son's wedding. In addition, envelopes should be handwritten.

If the bride and groom are not that young, they can announce their wedding themselves.

Ceremony: The groom's family sits to the right, and the bride's family to the left. Friends may sit wherever they like. The groom should arrive at least 20 minutes before the ceremony begins, and should await the arrival of his bride next to the officiant (minister, justice of the peace, etc.). The groom's attendants stand to the left, and the bride's attendants stand to the right. The bride arrives accompanied by her father and sits to the groom's right.

What the bride and groom should wear: If the wedding ceremony takes place in a church, tradition demands that the bride be dressed in white and the groom in a classic tight. If the ceremony is not formal, he may wear a dark suit. If the groom is in the military, he may wear his uniform. The bride may choose a romantic, practical, or sophisticated style, but whatever the style, if she does not wear a veil, she must at least have an elegant hairstyle, with flowers or some other sort of special embellishment.

What the guests should wear: Men should ware a dark suit. Women should wear something according to the season, either a fine dress or an elegant tailleur. There are no specific rules regarding guest attire. The best advice is to stay within the bounds of good taste and common sense. Of course, female guests should avoid wearing white in order not to compete with the traditional bride. Hats are allowed, but it is advisable not to overdo jewelry (in other words, you do not want to look like a Christmas tree). In addition, it is best to avoid provocative cleavage, even if the wedding is held in the afternoon.

Reception: A wedding reception celebrated in a country house after a ceremony held in the town's church is charming and romantic, but not always possible. In general, the reception takes place in a hotel reception room or at a restaurant. The reception can also take place at the bride's home if it can accommodate all the guests. Depending on the hour of the reception, breakfast or lunch should be offered. These days, the breakfast-lunch combination-or brunch-is also very trendy. Afternoon and evening weddings are generally more formal and are followed by receptions held at more elegant venues, with a sophisticated menu. Food selection is purely subjective. But regardless of the wedding hour or style, the champagne and the wedding cake should not be left out.

Unforeseen events: It sometimes happens that, after sending out all the invitations, the bride and groom decide not to get married after all or decide to change the date of the ceremony. In either event, if the invitation has been sent only to a few close friends, they may be notified by phone. The mother or a friend can be very helpful with this task. If, however, the guest list is extensive, a note or an e-mail message should be sent immediately. If the wedding is cancelled indefinitely, any gifts already received should be immediately returned to the guests. However, the bride and groom are not obliged to give an explanation for their decision or to justify their actions. People's fantasy will take care of looking for a reason.

Wedding Planning Resources:

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Wedding Placecard Holders and Placecard Frames

Wedding Supplies and Favors

Wedding Articles: http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://merrybrides.blogspot.com

Chocolate Fountains Add Sweetness to Wedding Receptions

By Benjamin Cohen

There's so much that goes in to planning a wedding reception. Choosing the venue, the menu, the music, the cake...it's all enough to make a bride-to-be go crazy.

If you've been toying around with ideas for food but haven't gotten anywhere, why not consider having a Chocolate fountain at your reception? Chocolate fountains have grown in popularity over the past few years, and they're showing up at all kinds of events from bridal showers and wedding receptions to corporate events. It's an attractive addition to just about any special event.

With a spread of fruit and other dipping foods to go with it, it would be a place for your guests to gather other than the bar, and it would be a nice contrast to other finger foods. When they're running, chocolate fountains look like liquid chocolate sculptures, which make them like edible centerpieces. Plus, they're fun, relatively easy, and will be a hit with kids and adults alike.

If you like the idea of having a chocolate fountain at your reception, here are a few ideas of what you can do with it.

Guess what: you can do it yourself

You may be looking at your wedding budget and wincing at the cost of hiring a chocolate fountain company for your reception. Fear not. Like most things with weddings, you can save yourself a lot of money if you do it yourself instead of farming it out.

You can find chocolate fondue fountains for sale online at sites like Liquidationexpress.com, and you can find the chocolate to melt inside them the same way. Look for chocolate with a minimum of 34 percent cocoa butter to make sure that it will run smoothly in the fountain.

If you're worried about spills and such, ask a friend to watch the fountain for you. That way you'll have somebody you trust over there, and you'll be able to enjoy your receptions without worries.

Appetizer or dessert?

Chocolate fountains can work as an appetizer or a dessert, so your decision on when to do it depends on what kind of food you're having at your reception. If you have lots of heavy hors d'oeuvres at the beginning of your reception, you might want to save the fountain for the end. If you've got relatively light finger foods, then you can use your fountain at the same time.

What to dip?

The wonderful thing about chocolate is that you can dip just about anything in it. Well, you may want to avoid tortilla chips, but anything that typically tastes good with chocolate, you can serve with your chocolate fountain.

Fruits like strawberries, bananas, pineapples and kiwi, or snacks like cookies, pretzels and marshmallows are all good ideas. Steer clear of juicy fruits like watermelon, or soft things like cake, which may crumble when dipped and ruin the flow of the fountain.

Get thee to a chocolate fountain!

You don't have to break the bank to have an elegant, tasty chocolate fountain at your wedding reception. With a little planning ahead, you can do it yourself and have that little extra sweetness on your special day. No doubt, friends and family will be gushing over it for months and years afterward.

Recommended Products

LET THE FUN BEGIN

Everything you need to create your very own scrumptious Chocolate Fountain

The Chocolate Fountain Headquarters

Additional Wedding Advice

http://merryweddings.livejournal.com
http://windsor.weddingwindow.com
http://funweddings.blogspot.com
http://merrybrides.blogspot.com

About the AuthorBenjamin Cohen is the president of LiquidationConnect.com, which provides consumers with fun, unique, affordable gift items. If you want a chocolate fountain at your reception, we have a wide selection to fit just what you need. To see our complete line of chocolate fondue fountains, visit http://www.LiquidationConnect.com today.

Here Comes the.Wine!

(MS) - Your parents registered for the fine china, the sterling silver gravy boat and the patio furniture starter set. But, with today's couples marrying later, when they already have the essentials, newlyweds-to-be are asking for more non-traditional gifts. According to the 2006 "American Wedding" survey by the Condé Nast Bridal Group, these gifts include registering for wine, sporting goods, and recreational memberships or tickets to museums or sporting events. Gift-giving experts are saying that the bride- and groom-to-be are saying, "Give us a memory," rather than "Stock our china cabinet," and suggest thinking about the couple's hobbies when giving gifts. Foodies define wine as a memorable experience and often appreciate good wine and a starter cellar that offers a variety of delicious gifts.

Thanks to the assorted selection, guests need not worry about giving the same bottle of wine as other guests. Less wine-savvy consumers may be skeptical about giving wine, but can use the following guidelines and speak to their local wine shop for help in finding a variety that has an assortment of everyday bottles as well as wines that will be appreciated in 5-, 10- and 15-year increments (proper storage is essential, but easier than you think).

Suggestions for adding to the newlyweds' "cave," be it a small, cool apartment closet or a temperature controlled vault in the basement is easy with a few simple tips:

· Give a wine the recipient will drink: Select from wine regions that afford red, white and rosés for both everyday meals and special occasions, such as Rioja, known as Spain's leading wine region, which makes wines from tempranillo grapes. Adrian Murcia, assistant sommelier at New York's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, Chanterelle, explains, "Thanks to the tempranillo grape, the expressive and velvety rich Spanish classic, Rioja wines are renowned for their ability to complement many different foods."

· Don't break the bank: Select a gift that fits your budget but also reminds the couple of their wedding day. A series of tickets to theater or sporting events work well for some, but for the wine lover, some givers feel wine is only an acceptable gift when it is an aged bottle with a very high price tag. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Robert Eigen, owner of Premier Cru Wine Merchants in New York City says, "Rioja is always a good choice for a wedding gift because of the quality of wine and the value. With many varieties of wine from the region, there's something for everyone." The region of Rioja also has easy-to-understand information, as the bottles are aged and released from the winery when they are ready to drink. The back of each bottle features a seal indicating each wine's age: Crianza, the most popular house wine of Spain, is aged 12 months, or the deep, flavorful Reserva is aged 36 months. Better yet, such wines are affordable, with prices thatrange as low as a few dollars per bottle to no more than the equivalent cost of your run-of-the-mill gravy boat.

· Pick a theme: Whether it's eco-friendly wines (Rioja has several) paired with wine glasses made of recycled glass presented in a beautiful bag made of recycled materials or 12 wines to be delivered to the newlyweds' door each month for a year, the theme gives the couple something to look forward to and a great memory.

· Give advice along with gift: For wedding or party guests who truly want to give a unique gift, include ways to make a magical night with the wine such as concert or theater tickets or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Also, gift-givers might want to ask the manager of the store where they purchase the wine for a recipe or meal suggestion that perfectly complements the wine. In general, wine sellers are wine drinkers, so they're liable to have a host of suggestions ready. When giving your gift, attach a card or note with a few suggestions or even a recipe.

Fun Links:

The Wine News top rated wines
The Wine Enthusiast - Wine Cellars, Wine Accessories, Wine Racks, Wine Glasses and more.

Connoisseurs' Guide top rated wines

Create your own bottle of wine! Design your wine label, personalized for any event or special occasion, to create the perfect gift.

Additional Wedding Advice sites:
Merry Brides
Ultimate Brides
Fun Weddings
Create your own Wedding Website!
Weddings by Ashlee

To learn more about Rioja, Spain's greatest wine region, visit http://www.vibrantrioja.com/.

Unity Sand Ceremony - A Hot, New Wedding Trend

By: Sharon Vaz

If you've attended many weddings lately, or read trendy magazines or newspapers, you've undoubtedly noticed that the ceremonies are no longer just your Grandmother's and Grandfather's typical church wedding.

The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one.

This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, "The Bachelorette." Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.

The ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend.

The flowing sand and blending of the colors symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals.

A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity Candle
Ceremony has long been a tradition for marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, there is a single candle that both bride and groom light from a flame of their own single candle. Parents or other members of the wedding party often join in the candle lighting ceremony.

The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.

In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.

Hawaii has been a popular destination for weddings since airplanes became the preferred mode of travel. Its mild weather and sandy beaches create a perfect environment for the entire wedding party to be barefoot on the beach while witnessing the Unity Sand Ceremony - a tradition as old and exceptional as the islands themselves.

Not going to have a wedding on a beach? Don't worry. Sand is available online, or the couple can use sand from a destination they've visited or that has a special meaning in their lives. Distinctive containers designed to fit any religion or lifestyle can also be purchased online.

Many couples write their own vows for the ceremony, but passages from ancient Hawaiian or Native American weddings can easily be found on the Internet for the portion of your wedding relating to the Unity Sand Ceremony.

Whatever your dream wedding entails, consider incorporating the Unity Sand Ceremony into the celebration. You'll be sure to create memories that your guests will talk about for a long time to come.

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Source: http://www.wedding-wisdom.com
Sharon Vaz is founder of www.mydivinewedding.com. Every bride dreams of having the perfect celebration on the day she gets married. At My Divine Wedding, we provide accessories and enhancements that add a personalized touch to your unforgettable event. Everything you need for your special day – from wedding favors to elegant unity sand ceremony kits – is here at your fingertips.

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