Wedding tips

2011-08-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Groom’s Survival Guide

Now while you might well be wondering how one apparently small question could have such massive repercussions just bare in mind what this day means to the lovely lady in question. Most guys have never really given much thought to their future wedding but for many women it is a day they have pictured from their earliest memory. When you were scuffing your new school shoes chasing a ball your bride-to-be was already dreaming of her future Prince Charming (although at the time he was probably wearing a cape rather than your favourite trainers and T-shirt). It’s an over used phrase that it’s the most special day in a girl’s life but it is true. And what’s more she expects it to hold the same significance for you. So while she’s buying a newsstand’s entire stock of wedding magazines and showing you the 27 different ways she’s thinking of wearing her hair she’s hoping that thoughtful look on your

face relates to your own ideas for the wedding rather than whether you’ll get to sneak out for a quick 18 holes this weekend rather than go to yet another wedding fair. Oh yeah… and she’ll wear a dress that will cost the price of a small family car. And then never ever wear it again.

Communication is key. Despite your beloved now having turned into bridezilla, in the words of Rudyard Kipling you need to “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs”. She IS going to get stressed. She IS going to get upset. You WILL have arguments concerning the wedding day. All this is perfectly natural and doesn’t mean you love each other any less it just means you’re planning a wedding and researchers say this is one of the most stressful events in a persons life. Especially for the bride.

One of the biggest complaints brides have is that their husband-to-be doesn’t seem to get involved enough or show enough interest. Yes there is an impossible list of questions to get through; What kind of flowers? What colour tie? What gifts do you get the bridesmaids? Should you sit Cousin Albert near the door in case he has one of his “moments”? While it’s true that what font you use on the place settings isn’t going to end world hunger or bring about piece in the Middle East these small details can make all the difference on the big day so get involved. Your wedding should be an extension of your personalities with all the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make the two of you so different. That doesn’t mean you have to dress as Smurfs or walk down the aisle to Iron Maiden but it means you should both be have a say in how you want the day to play out.

But you will need help to. Any bride has a whole support network buzzing around her keen to help out at every step and dress fitting. Us guys are never quite as willing to look for help but it’s not a bad idea to have someone on hand you can call when you need to head on a “fact finding mission” of you own to the nearest watering hole. Make sure your best man is the right man for the job who will sit with you and help you let off some steam when you need and also be the kind of friend that can help take some of the load off your shoulders when it comes to researching cars, musicians, DJ’s, etc.

So don’t just sit back ignoring the chaos, it isn’t going to go away and you’ll only add to the bride’s stress levels and if you bury your head for too long you might wake up on the day to find you’re travelling to the church in a pink stretch limo in a lime green suit. Make decisions, enjoy the process because despite some of the potential sticking points it should be enjoyable. After all this is going to be the most significant day of your lives, its your big day too.

Writing Your Wedding Speech

2011-05-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Could there be anything more terrifying? For many people speaking in public is the ultimate fear while others consider being in the spotlight their rightful place and crave any audience. However most guys fear having to write and deliver a wedding speech.

Traditionally the Father of the Bride gives the first speech, during which he ends by toasting the happy couple. It also seems to be tradition for the Brides father to give the longest and dullest speech possible and talk for longer than the ceremony lasted. This can be easily avoided with a few simple tips. Second comes the Groom who will publicly thank the bridesmaids, ushers and acknowledge both sets of parents. The Best Man’s speech is usually given 3^rd and there is an expectation that this is the main act of what can sometimes be a rather dull part of proceedings. This speech will either be celebrated as the high point of the wedding or he’ll be removed bodily from the building by the bride’s angry brothers while the bride’s mother looks on scowling. The best man should not only mention the bride but he also answers on behalf of the bridesmaids and ushers for the kind words of the Groom.

Timing

At many weddings the father of the bride’s has been known to drag out a bit, well it’s only fair, he is the one that laid out all the cash so that a load of relatives he doesn’t like and strangers he’s never met and will probably never meet again can have a free meal and party at his expense. However there is no need for him to be dull and there is help at hand (see below). Most Grooms don’t prepare their speech and try to rush through it as quickly as possible, seeing as its his party the Groom can get away with delivering his speech however he chooses. The perfect wedding speech should last around 7 minutes.

Language

Swearing is a big “no no”. Just don’t do it. Remember this will be a very mixed crowd.

Jokes

Most of the time the real fun stuff comes from the Best Man however although he is there to ensure the groom gets a comedy roast what might seem really funny to a the Groom and his friends down the pub on a Friday night might not be the kind of thing that’s going to amuse the bride’s grandparents. If you are undecided about whether something is too close to the knuckle then its best to err on the side of caution.

The Basic Phases

All three of the wedding speeches can be broken down into phases, stick with this basic rules and you can’t go wrong. Here is an example of the Best Man’s speech phases.

Introduction. Introduce yourself and your relationship to the groom. This is a good place to try your first joke to relax yourself and your audience.
The formal bit. Reply on behalf of the bridesmaids, ushers, etc. Compliment the bride’s parents on the great day and their hospitality. And compliment the bride.
The Roast. A few gags or a relevant story at the groom’s expense.
Words of wisdom. Offer some words of advice or insights into marriage, this is a good place to deliver some killer jokes or quotes.
Time to be nice. Before you wrap up and now that you have given the groom such a hard time its then time to offer some sincerity and best wishes for the future.
Postman. Read out any messages or cards from those who couldn’t make it on the day.
Toast. Finish your speech by asking everyone to stand and raise their glasses to the newlyweds. This might have been done by the father of the bride but no one will mind toasting the happy couple a second time and it’s a great way to bring your speech to a close.

Speech Writing Services

The internet has numerous companies that offer to write your speech for you and while this may seem an easy option it isn’t a great idea. Firstly these “writers” don’t know you, everyone has a particular way of speaking and so there’s no way they can write for your speech patterns. Also they have never met the happy couple so how can they be qualified to speak to them? No matter whether you are the Father of the Bride, the Groom or the Best Man your speech should come from you.

If need be there are plenty of sites that can help providing you with a bonanza of one liners and ice breakers that you can weave into your speech without losing your own important words. But don’t be afraid to mix good humour with a hint of romance, there are many great quotes on love and marriage which can give your speech a touch of class. Let’s face it most guys have never had to write a speech before let alone ensure that it is littered with a few laughs to keep the crowd entertained.

Using databases to help bring your speech to life is a useful tip and can certainly fill in the blanks and give you some humorous hand grenades to throw when needed but keep in mind that ultimately it must be YOUR speech and YOUR words, it’s a special celebration and your chance to pay tribute to a couple who hold you in such high esteem.

Most of all don’t let the nerves get to you. A famous English comedian once commented that giving a wedding speech is a bit like making love to the queen, it’s a great honour but nobody really wants to do it. People recognise how hard it is to have to give a wedding speech, everyone at the wedding wants you to do a great job and so is on your side willing you to do well. So relax, enjoy and don’t let it give you too many sleepless nights. Stick to the basic rules and you will be celebrated as the hero of the hour. The Father of the Bride will have the adoration of his wife and beautiful daughter and admiration of his friends and relatives. The Groom will show why his new wife chose so wisely and be welcomed into the arms of his new family. For the Best Man…. Well get it right and you could well wind up with your pick of the bridesmaids!

For more expert tips and advice go to;

www.simplythebestman.com

www.simplythefatherofthebride.com

www.simplythegroom.com

2010-10-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Scorpio Bride

Ah, Madame Mystery. Guests from different sides of her family, or different groups of friends, are always amazed when they start swapping notes on the day.

The Scorpio bride keeps a lot of secrets, you see, and it’s only on her wedding day that amazed friends and family start realising just how much has been kept under wraps.

This is the bride most likely to skip the big wedding and have a private ceremony. This is also the bride most likely to wear black lingerie under her dress, or no lingerie at all.

Quickie sex just before, during or after the ceremony is not out of the question for the more outrageous Scorpio brides.

The more discreet merely think of their honeymoon and salivate. Passion is a big factor in a Scorpio union, and this is the sign of the zodiac ruled by Pluto, who governs sexual desire and forbidden fruit.

Scorpios love revenge as well. If she’s been spurned by an ex boyfriend, this wedding will be her equivalent of holding up two fingers.

Scorpio Groom

Why is it that when he and his bride are standing at the altar, all anyone can think about is sex? Maybe it’s the famous sizzling Scorpio vibes, seeping out from underneath his tux.

But in truth, no Scorpio can marry without putting sex up there on his Top Three Reasons list. Consequently, the chemistry between bride and groom is a little musky and obvious.

Don’t be surprised, either, if he makes a point of not inviting certain exes or old rivals and enemies. Excluding people he loathes from his wedding is one of his great joys in life.

Jealousy is one of the biggest emotions pushing the Scorpio male’s buttons. So when the priest says "Til death do us part" he thinks it means killing her if she’s ever unfaithful.

Lots of them marry young for this reason - it’s the only way the seething Scorpio heart can ever be satisfied that his beloved is not going to stray.

This is one of the most soulful ceremonies you will ever see. It’s not about cake, it’s about the depths of the human psyche. Expect to sweat a lot.

Wedding Rings

2010-10-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Selecting wedding bands certainly isn't an easy decision, however many couples find this to be a very meaningful part of their wedding planning journey since these simple rings symbolize commitment and unity.

In addition, the purchase of wedding rings should be a lot less time intensive than purchasing an engagement ring since bands are normally much simpler in design.

The most common question that arises when beginning to shop for wedding bands is: "What type of metal should we buy? Gold? Platinum? White Gold? Titanium?" While all are good options, here are a few things to keep in mind:

The biggest difference between the various metals is cost.
Traditional yellow gold is a timeless choice and the rings will last for a lifetime. Gold is a "soft" metal, however, so small marks or scratches may make the rings dull a bit over time - this is perfectly normal. The color itself will not change.
Platinum and titanium are heavier, stronger metals and therefore won't show marks as easily over the years. However, they are the most expensive metals and the cost may be as much as 4-5 times the cost of gold.
If you like the look of platinum or titanium but are on a tight budget, you might consider white gold - which has the same "silver" appearance. White gold is the least expensive choice of metals, but keep in mind that the color may change a bit after many years and become just a bit "yellowish".

Tip: Wondering whether the wedding band should be worn above or below the engagement ring? (You're not alone ~ this is a common question!) Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closer to the palm - or you may wish to remember this rule as wearing the wedding band closer to the heart.

Ali and Roberto Slow Down Wedding Plans

2010-10-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

“The Bachelorette’s” Ali Fedotowsky and fiance Roberto Martinez won’t be rushing to the altar as they originally thought they might.

“Nothing has changed – we’re still just as happy as we were,” Ali tells People.com.“When we were finished [with the show], we were so excited. We were like, ‘Oh, we’re going to get married right away.’ But if you’re rushing because you’re in love, why rush? [Just] wait. You’re going to get married any way. We’re both sort of enjoying life.”

The couple, who recently re-located to San Diego, says they are homebodies and that their wedding will probably be in California so they can stay close to home.

“We don’t want to have to travel to our own wedding,” she says. “We were thinking that maybe we’ll want to get married, then go home for a couple days, relax and then go on our honeymoon. We just came off like a three-month-long honeymoon on The Bachelorette. We were just in Tahiti! We’re tired of traveling like that.”

Kate Moss Secretly Got Married

2010-10-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Image by wenn.com

Kate Moss pulled a fast one on us! She secretly tied the knot to The Kills rocker Jamie Hince on August 7th!

Kate and Jamie have been dating since 2007 and she's always been super secretive about their relationship. A source said of the wedding: "It was quiet - but still very romantic."

"Kate’s had a fairly turbulent love life but she’s a romantic at heart. The plans were kept very quiet as Kate wanted the day to be low-key and purely a celebration of their love. She’s never been one for convention or tradition, but Jamie’s been there for her through thick and thin, and she simply felt the time was right."

She reportedly wore a see-through white dress and was barefoot for the ceremony. Her eight-year-old daughter Lila was one of three ring bearers at the ceremony.

The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “They planned the day..

Bridal Bouquet

2010-10-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

The bridal bouquet is just one of the symbols of purity and fertility that a bride carries with her on her wedding day. Though the traditional meaning of the bridal bouquet has been lost or taken for granted, most brides still bring one to the altar nonetheless, if only for aesthetic purposes. Of course, this aesthetic aspect is very important.

Keep in mind your body size and height, as you will not want a large flowing bouquet if you are very slim or petite. It will just exaggerate you. Same goes if your are voluptuous or tall. Choose something that keeps your looks in balance.

Cake Cutting Guide

2010-10-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

To cut oval tiers, move in two inches from the outer edge and cut across. Then slice 1-in. pieces of cake. Now move in another 2-in. and slice again until the entire tier is cut.

To cut round tiers, move in two inches from the tier's outer edge; cut a circle and then slice 1-in. pieces within the circle. Now move in another 2-in., cut another circle, slice 1-in. pieces and so on until the tier is completely cut. The center core of each tier and the smaller top tier can be cut into halves, 4ths, 6ths and 8ths depending on size.

To cut petal-shaped tiers, follow similar pattern as the round tiers diagram shows.

To cut hexagon tiers, follow similar pattern as with round tiers.

To cut heart-shaped tiers, divide the tiers vertically into halves, quarters, sixths or eighths. Within rows, slice one inch pieces of cake.

To cut square tiers, move in 2-in. from the outer edge and cut across. Then slice 1-in. pieces of cake. Now move in another 2-in. and slice again until the entire tier is cut.

Traditions

2010-10-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

This good luck saying dates back to Victorian times and many brides try to arrange their wedding attire accordingly.

Something Old represents the link with the bride’s family and the past. Many brides choose to wear a piece of antique family jewelry or a mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown.
Something New represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. The wedding gown is often chosen as the new item.
Something Borrowed is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. The borrowed object might be something such as a lace handkerchief.
Something Blue is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty. Often the blue item is the garter.
A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe is to wish the bride wealth.

Russell Brand and Katy Perry's Wedding to Be Clothing Optional

2010-10-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Russell Brand has absolutely no secrets to divulge about his upcoming wedding to Katy Perry. Well, maybe he can share a minor detail about the dress code.

"We are going to do the wedding naked! All the families will be naked!" Brand joked to PEOPLE at Sunday's 2010 Grammy Awards.

He's kidding. "We're still deciding what to do," he says. "There's no juicy details yet."

But actually, a naked ceremony is one of the less quirky visions Brand has had for the wedding day.

"All my dream weddings don't make sense," he says. That's probably because his dreams – the literal, nighttime kind – can be a bit hallucinatory.

"The vicar will start melting," he says. "The people in the front row will turn into people from my school. And then everyone will only say the word 'potato.' "

But in all seriousness, Brand, 34 – who recently threw an engagement partyin Beverly Hills with his fiancée, 25 – says life is firing on all cylinders.

"I'm getting married to a beautiful woman," he says. "I'm enjoying my work."

What could be better? "Nothing," he says."

Beach Party

2010-10-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

If you are holding a beach themed wedding, keeping the theme universal makes the planning and preparations much easier. When you begin planning the bridesmaid luncheon, why not consider combining the male and female attendants “thank you” party into one competitive and fun event. Planning the wedding attendant luncheon for your entire bridal party can be a great deal of fun and take very little effort as long as you identify your main goal of the event and create an entire afternoon around that activity. Since you are hosting a luncheon, a beach barbecue would be a thematic and fun.

An afternoon activity that would provide lighthearted fun and competitiveness between the two sides of the bridal party could include a “sand castle building” competition at your local beach. This unique and exciting activity would provide a great opportunity for everyone to meet and get to know one another and express their creative side along the way. Additional activities that could be included in the day’s itinerary could include a game of beach volleyball and a bonfire. However, if you intend to build a fire on a public beach it is often a good idea to check with your city council to discover if any special permits are necessary prior to hosting your event.

Taking time to locate beach themed wedding attendant gifts for each member of your wedding party is actually easier than you might think; many online and retail wedding planning outlets have unique and creative wedding party favors to give to your friends and family on this special day.

Taylor Swift Is Wedding Crasher in New Single 'Speak Now'

2010-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

A follow-up to 'Mine', the title track of the October 25 release follows the story of a woman who crashes a wedding of her loved one and stops it before it's too late.

As a follow-up to lead single "Mine", Taylor Swift releases title track of her upcoming third studio album "Speak Now" on iTunes. The country music singer once again tells a story like she always does in her previous songs. This new track, however, is not based on one of her own personal experiences.

Still having a feeling for her ex-boyfriend and hoping to win him back, Swift sneaks into his wedding and surprisingly finds that the song played in the church "sounds like a death march" to her. She pleads, "Don't say yes, run away now/ I'll meet you when you're out, of the church at the back door."

Although "not the kind of girl, who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion," Swift decides to stop the wedding. "There's a silence, There's my last chance/ I stand up with shaking hands [and] horrified looks from everyone in the room," she tells music fans in a catchy country/pop composition.

"The song was actually inspired by one of my friends. She was telling me a story about her childhood sweetheart-crush guy. They were together in high school and then went their separate ways," she said in an interview. "She comes in and tells me that he's getting married. He had met this other girl who was a horrible person. She made him stop talking to his friends, cut off his family ties, and made him so isolated. And randomly, I was like, 'Oh, are you going to speak now?' "

"Speak Now" was unveiled as part of 3-week iTunes countdown ahead of the worldwide release of the album on October 25. After the wedding-crasher song, "Back to December" and "Mean" are scheduled to be offered as the album's pre-cursor with an interview preceding each of the song's release.

Is Lady Gaga about to walk down the aisle?

2010-10-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

According to reports from Lady Gaga’s entourage, the US pop sensation could be about to walk down the aisle with on-off boyfriend Luc Carl this Christmas.
The news is extra exciting for British Lady Gaga fans as rumour has it, she’s planning to say “I do” in a quintessentially English castle.
A source close to the 24-year-old singer says Gaga has talked openly about her plans to wed this winter to those around her. The Bad Romance singer is due to finish the European leg of her tour at London’s O2 Area on December 17^th, after which she has a two month break. The source revealed, “the timing is perfect for the wedding.”
Despite her love of the wild and wacky, when it comes down to it, it seems Lady Gaga wants what most girls want for their big day; a fairytale wedding. According to reports the loved up star wants to arrive in a horse drawn carriage on her big day, and exchange vows in a romantic castle. Although in true Gaga fashion, she’s also got a few unconventional ideas up her sleeve, one of which is to have burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese jump out of a cake.
The New York born singer first started dating barman and aspiring musician, Luc Carl, back in 2005 before she hit the big time. The pair have been on/off for years, but finally got their romance back on track over the summer when they were pictured together on a number of occasions.

Brides-to-be seeking bargains

2010-10-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Dahn helps daughter Lindsey Dahn, 19, complete her bridal look by assisting with silver shoes before the start of the Bridal Spectacular fashion show at Memorial Coliseum on Sunday

Hundreds of brides surveyed linens, checked out china and sampled wedding cake at Sunday’s Bridal Spectacular at Memorial Coliseum.

Dreams were big, but they were also tempered.

With the economy sputtering, many brides were on the lookout for the best deal.

“The cost of things makes a big difference,” said Lindsie Rorick, who plans to marry in October 2011 in the Freemason’s Hall, a venue she found affordable. “The economy is affecting who we choose to use.”

Brides-to-be and guests paid $5.50 for the Bridal Spectacular, which will return in early January. The show featured dozens of vendors, many of whom were offering discounted packages for brides looking to cut costs.

To attract customers, Braden Gruchow said his one-stop online registry called Simply Gourmet had to replace some of its more expensive merchandise with more affordable options.

“People are wanting a bargain,” he said.

Kristy Vest, a consultant with David’s Bridal, agreed.

“People are scaling back,” she said. “They’re not spending as much on the dresses. They’re hitting the clearance rack.”

Though some vendors said they had to lower their prices to attract more customers, some said the sluggish economy had actually helped business.

Linda Ashtari of Warsaw Party & Rental, a vendor that rents tuxedoes, centerpieces, linens and tents, said she’s had the busiest September in 10 years.

“Instead of reserving a hall and everything, people think they can do it themselves,” she said. “So they’ll rent a tent and set up in the backyard.”

Steve Staley of YOLO, an event center that arranges services as varied as the reception and limousines, said he was also benefiting from the economy.

“We’re a one-stop shop,” he said. “We put a package together that offers it all.”

All-inclusive deals appealed to bride-to-be Kristine Cramer, who was looking into restaurants and hotels – places that would take care of every aspect of the event while offering discounted food or affordable rates for guests to stay.

Economic concerns also affected the location of her wedding, she said. She’s from Michigan, and chose Ann Arbor, a place that relatives could easily and affordably reach.

Zac Fischer and Chad Fischer, both wedding photographers, said the economy actually led to the creation of their business. To earn extra money, they each decided to take on a second job. They thought the wedding industry would be “a pretty healthy market.” And, they say, they haven’t been proved wrong.

“When it comes to the brides’ special day, there’s sorta a ‘spare nothing’ approach,” Zac Fischer said.

Though Cramer was watching her budget, she thought they had a point.

“I want a really nice dress,” she said. “I think I’m willing to compromise on that.”

VH!´s new reality show is "Jersey Shore" meets "Bridezillas"

2010-10-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Imagine if "Jersey Shore" and "Bridezillas" smushed and made a baby. Scary, right?

Or it could be the makings of a hit reality show -- at least, that's what VH1 is hoping. The network announced Thursday that they'd added a new series to their lineup: "My Big Friggin' Wedding."

From the producers of "Jersey Shore," the show will follow five over-the-top East Coast couples (two from Long Island and three from New Jersey) in their drama-filled journey to "I Do."

Forget improperly discarded feminine napkins and uncooperative bridesmaids. These couples will encounter surprising prenuptial agreements; they'll watch as bridal showers unexpectedly turn into, um, baby showers; they'll face drama with smoke machines and laser machines and there will be plenty of fighting along the way (10 episodes, actually).

Here's a look at the couples attempting to make it down the aisle:

-- Tammi and Danny: she's a Long Island princess who has a slight obsession with her dog and wants a visit from the stork. He's a divorced father with three kids who has a prenup waiting to be signed.

-- Amanda and Matt: He's a mama's boy with her faced tattooed on his back to prove it. She's a Dominican gal with a temper and a meddling mother-in-law.

-- Megin and Johnny: He's the "Meatball King of New Jersey." No, really. Oh, and he's unemployed. She, meanwhile, is hoping to give birth before the big day so she can fit into her dress.

-- Alyssa and Tyler: They're party animals that come from a long line of partiers. Will they stay sober long enough to make it to the altar?

-- Sandra and Joey: The couple lives with Joey's parents. She's not fond of cooking or cleaning -- mostly because most of her time is spent worrying about whether her derriere will fit into her wedding dress. He's mainly just fearful of her prying family.

"My Big Friggin' Wedding" will walk down the TV aisle on Monday, Nov. 1 at 9 p.m

Hillary Duff

2010-08-18T10:04:00.001-07:00

Hilary Duff marries hockey player Mike Comrie in Montecito

Pop star and actress Hilary Duff married longtime beauMike Comrie on Saturday evening, a new report says.

After three years of courtship, the couple wed in front of 100 guests at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, according to OK! magazine.

Duff, in a Vera Wang mermaid bridal gown, was given away by her mother, Susan Duff (in Badgley Mischka). Hilary's sister, Haylie, served as maid of honor, with four bridesmaids completing the bridal party.

Comrie is a professional ice hockey player who took up with Duff in 2007. This is the first marriage for both.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie attend a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2008. Credit: Noel Vasquez / Getty Images

Beach Party

2010-08-12T15:38:00.000-07:00