"Strange & Popular Wedding Traditions Explained"

I ran across this cool article on MSN. It was explaining the origins of many wedding traditions that we know and do today.

Let's take a look at the explanations of some of the few strange and popular weddings traditions.

1. Wearing a white wedding dress

Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840 and she was the first to wear a white wedding dress. But before that brides wore the nicest dress out of their closet. In royalty, Queen Victoria traditionally was to wear a silver gown. She decided to go against tradition and wear a white satin gown, thus "unitentionally kick-started the tradition of the white wedding dress."

2. Having bridesmaids

Brides use to play a more serious role than throwing bachelorette parties and moral support. According to Roman Law, ten witnesses had to be present at the wedding to outsmart evil spirits. The bridesmaids would dress just like the bride so that the evil spirits would not know who the bride was and couldn't harm her. Bet you would think twice about being a bridesmaid now.

3. Wearing a wedding veil

Similar to the bridesmaids, the veil was to cover the bride's face so the evil spirit couldn't see her, therefore couldn't curse her.

4. Tossing the garter

Some historians believed that the removal of the garter by groom was symbolic of deflowering. But some believe in the superstition it represented. During the Middle Ages, the groomsmen and other men would bomb rush the bride to get the garter (off her leg under her dress). It was considered a prize, a good luck charm. I'm so glad only the groom gets the job of removing the garter.

Signature Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are given from the bride and groom as small tokens of appreciation for your attendance. The favors should reflect the couple's personality along with the wedding. Here are some of my signature favors.

These are one of the least expensive favors and can by DIY. The labels can be printed at home and filled with whatever candy the couple chooses.

This is one of the cutest favors. It is mints wrapped in burlap with a label and flower attached. The favors on right are very easy and affordable.

This is one the most creative, GREEN favors I know. Plus the guest would always have something to remember the couple's special day long after. 

I'm just in love with this favor. It goes great with a retro chic theme. The bottles are classic.

And you can't forget about the kids. This is great to keep them busy at the reception.

Bridesmaid Dresses Alternative

I'm sure you probably are aware that not all bridesmaid or wedding dresses have to come from a bridal shop. David's Bridal is one of the biggest bridal stores in America and a lot of brides go there to get gowns and dresses for the entire wedding party. But don't be limited to just bridal shops. A great and sometimes cheaper alternative is to shop at department stores in the dress or formal dress departments. Usually, there are more creative styles outside the norm bridesmaid dress and by famous designers. Here I provided examples of bridesmaid dresses from Nordstrom, Macy's, and JCPenney. 

Amsale Strapless Ruffled Peplum Jersey Gown
Was $280 Sale #109.97 Nordstrom

Calvin Klein Rosette Detail Strapless Chiffon Dress
Was $168 Sale $64.97 Nordstrom

   

           

Donna Morgan 'Amy' Crinkled Silk Chiffon Dress
Was $230 Sale $89.97 Nordstrom

           

Jessica Simpson Boutique Dress Sleeveless Sequined
Beaded A-Line Was 159 Sale $76.99 Macy's

Liliana Halter Top Gown
Was $130 Sale $45.99 JCPenney

Here are pictures of my lovely bridesmaids in their dresses. I love these ladies to pieces. 

It was a little windy!

Non-Floral Centerpieces

Flowers are expensive, even artificial flowers and consists of a good portion of your reception budget. Here are some examples of centerpieces that you can use to substitute using flowers and may help cut down on your wedding budget.

This would be great for the head table if using one. 

I like how the table number is incorporated as the centerpiece.

This centerpiece doubles as the wedding favors. 

City Hall Wedding

Most people frown upon a city hall wedding. But city hall weddings can be just as beautiful. People with a limited budget, I suggest having a city hall wedding that way your budget would be put towards the reception.  To be honest, the ceremony is for the couple and the reception is for your guests anyway. So having a small intimate ceremony with the parents and siblings is basically all you need. And then take, lets say $3,000 and throw a shebang reception including the extended family and friends. Hey if Carrie Bradshaw did it, surely you can do it.

courtesy of shefinds.com

Here are more pictures and ideas of a city hall wedding.

courtesy of ohhappyday.com

courtesy of Dominique Bader Photography

By it being a non-traditional site, the bride and groom gets to wear less formal attire giving them both room to be more creative in their apparel. And just think of all the photo opportunities you will have at city hall.

Wedding Songs

Here is a list of wedding songs that I gathered from different sources:

Ceremony:

Halo- Beyonce

I'm Yours- Jason Mraz

Angel- Robin Thicke

When I First Saw You- Jamie Foxx 

Reception Entrance:

For the introduction of the wedding party let them choose a song that represents them. This could be really fun. 

First Dance Songs:

At Last- Etta James

Come Away With Me- Norah Jones

Two Love Birds- Robin Thicke

God Bless the Broken Road- Rascal Flatts

Father/daughter dance:

Because You loved me- Celine Dion

Daddy- Beyonce

Isn't She Lovely- Stevie Wonder

My Girl- The Temptations

Mother/son dance:

A Song for Mama- Boys II Men

Dreamer- Carl Thomas

I"ll Always Love My Mama- The Intruders

Cakecutting:

How Sweet It is (To be loved by you)-Marvin Gaye

Lips Like sugar- Echo & the Bunnymen

That's Amore- Dean Martin

Bouquet toss:

Single Ladies- Beyonce

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper

Garter toss:

Theme from Mission Imposible

Let's Get it On- Marvin Gye

Big Pimpin- Jay Z

Wedding Emergency Kit

No one expects or plans to have any mishaps on their wedding day. But things don't always goes as planned. That's why as a wedding planner and a bride it is always important to have a wedding emergency kit and to improvised. (More on improvising in a later post.)

Wedding emergency kits can be purchased from retailers. Here is the link to the kit below on Amazon.com.

If you would like to create your own wedding emergency kit, here are a few essentials to include.

Health:

antacid

cold medicine

ibuprofen

band aids

cough drops

pepto-bismol 

anti-gas medicine

tampons and pads

sunscreen

breath mints

Beauty/grooming:

hair spray, brush, bobby pins, hair bands

hand lotion

kleenex

makeup

perfume

nail polish and remover

toothbrush and toothpaste

antibacterial hand sanitizer

Attire:

earring backs

buttons

ballet slippers

pantyhose

safety pins

masking tape

small sewing kit

Miscellaneous:

directions to reception with copies

phone numbers of all service personnel

small flashlight

something to drink (bottled water, juice)

straws (avoid lipstick smudge)

Wedding Myths Exposed

The majority of brides are opting not to have a traditional wedding. When planning a wedding many people will say "you have to do this, or you have do that or have this."  But its YOUR day and you can celebrate how you want. Here I am going to expose 5 of the many wedding myths.

Myth #1: The bride's family pays for everything (majority).

With most couples waiting later to get married and cohabiting before marriage, many men and women have already established careers and have become very opinionated on what they desire. So the couple then pays for their own wedding day with little or no help from either the bride or groom's family.

Myth #2: The bride's dress has to be white.

White symbolizes purity and that is to be incorporated into marriage. But like I mentioned earlier, many brides are not going the traditional route. Its also common for brides to choose a beige, off white, or cream dress. Why not consider a champagne color dress. Or go all out and choose a mint green dress like singer Kelis.

Myth #3: You have to have a groom's cake.

So is the "main" cake considered the bride's cake? Point taken. Two cakes are not necessary especially if that money can be used for something else. (Disclaimer: I did have a groom's cake only because I was afraid of what people would say or think if I didn't. That is something else that needs to be debunked. Who cares what others think. Its your day.)

Myth #4: You have to hire a DJ or band.

A popular trend that is growing is having a iPod or customized CD played at the reception instead of hiring a DJ or band. The bride would designate someone to press play, pause, and stop for different parts of the reception. With this option the couple has full control of what music is played at there reception and save tons of money.

Myth #5: You have to purchase a wedding band/engagement ring.

I personally would rather just have the engagement ring and not the wedding band along with it. Its too much on one finger. That's just my personal preference. Also colored stones and diamonds are very pretty and unique outside of the regular diamond for the engagement ring.

Groomsmen Each With Different Ties

The bride and bridesmaids get to have fun with styles in their dresses, shoes, jewelry, makeup, hair, and even the bouquet. The groomsmen style is sometimes overlooked. How about having the groomsmen choose their own tie within the color palette. This would add some variety to the groomsmen wardrobe.  Usually the bride or groom picks out the attire for the groomsmen without their opinion. This way the groomsmen get to have one say so in their attire. 

courtesy of Katelyn James Photography via katelynjamesblog.com

Seasonal Weddings

One of my projects for my certification I had to create ideas for seasonal weddings. I decided to share it with you.

Winter

via variety of Pinterest


Spring

via variety of Pinterest

These were the colors of my actual wedding. It screams spring!

Summer

via variety of Pinterest

Autumn

via variety of Pinterest

I couldn't resist using the colors of my alma matter- Auburn University. War Eagle!

First Blog Post

Welcome to my blog. I hope that you find this blog interesting and you keep coming back for the most chic wedding ideas and suggestions. This is truly my passion and I love what I do.  I became certified as a wedding and event planner this year and you can find more information on my About page. The experience has taught me so much and opened my mind to so many ideas. So feel free to comment or email me anytime and sign up to receive emails on new posts. Thanks!!

Here's a picture of my husband and me on our wedding day, May 14, 2011.