The Unity Candle Ceremony

The Unity Candle Ceremony has become a very popular and symbolic aspect of weddings within the last 10 years. The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes the new union of a husband and wife, two individuals who are becoming one through marriage.
There is no standard way to perform the Unity Candle ceremony, nor is there a specific place where it will occur within the ceremony. It is very common to have the Unity Candle ceremony after the exchange of rings and before the pronouncement of husband and wife. But one very nice thing about this ceremony is that it can be customized and the individual details are completely up to you.
Here are some ideas to help you with the planning of your Unity Candle Ceremony:
Prior to the ceremony: The unity candle area is set up. It is often a good idea to light the wicks ahead of time then blow them out. A pre-burned wick is easier to light
Lighting the tapers:

• Some people have them already burning before the ceremony starts, to symbolize the bride and the groom as individuals.
• You can opt to have the mother of the bride and groom each light one candle with special music playing while this is going on.
• Lighting the center candle: The couple will move to the area where the Unity Candle is displayed. Each will take a taper, and together they will light the large center candle.

The Unity Candle Ceremony is non-denominational, which means it has no religious significance. This makes it a popular choice for both religious and non-religious ceremonies alike. One thing to keep in mind; many houses of worship may not allow this ceremony, so if you have your heart set on it, you may need to check with the appropriate people to see if this is allowed.

Why more people are saying 'I do' to a church wedding

The question of where to have your wedding used to be simple, but over 18 years it has resulted in a wide variety of answers. In 1994, theMarriage Act changed the wedding market forever, granting licences for civil marriages to venues as disparate as Manchester United's Old Trafford football stadium, Blenheim Palace and the London Eye. It opened up choice for couples who previously would have had to opt for either a church or register office ceremony.
Even those who may have preferred a church ceremony sometimes found it tricky. You could only be married in your own parish and, with so many couples already living together some distance from where they grew up, the chances of being allowed to go "home" to marry in the church where your parents or grandparents wed were slim to say the least. Regular church attendance was often carefully monitored, too – some vicars would stipulate that you had to attend services for two weeks out of every four – and for some couples it was simply all too complicated.
The result was that fewer and fewer couples decided to marry in church, choosing instead to exchange vows in a stately home, or a smart hotel. They could say "I do" and then smoothly move on to the reception in the next room. Over the years, more and more venues have become licensed, offering an often confusing choice for brides- and grooms-to-be. And the trend seemed set to continue, until now that is.
In difficult times – and this ongoing recession definitely qualifies – people often feel reassured by traditional institutions. It's comforting to know that the church is still there when you need it, even if you haven't always been there. Life's important landmarks – weddings, christenings and funerals – somehow seem much more significant when celebrated in church.

How to Indicate an Adult-only Reception?

It's completely legitimate to want an adults-only reception, especially for an evening affair. And most parents of young children will jump at the chance for a night out without the kids. Even so, this is a sensitive topic, and putting "adult reception" on invites is not the answer. It seems like the easiest way to deal, but it's a little too in-your-face, so you should take a more subtle tack. First, tell your parents, wedding party, and other close relatives and friends, so they can spread the word if any guests ask them.
Second, the people whose names are on your invitations are the only people invited to the wedding (i.e., "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe" means just the couple; "The Doe Family" means little Suzie can come too). Most guests will take note of this and RSVP for just themselves. Others are not so observant and will RSVP that three guests will attend, even though only two were invited. This is how you'll know if they think children (or random other people, for that matter) can come.
The next step is to call them and explain that because of "budget constraints" (always the best excuse, even if it's not true) you decided to invite only adults. If you meet with anger or exasperation -- and you might -- don't back down. It's your decision as to who's invited to the wedding. Whatever you do, don't make exceptions. Don't let Suzie tag along just to get off the phone with Jane Doe -- otherwise little Johnny's parents will notice.
This seems hard, but it's only awkward because many guests do not gracefully accept the fact that their kids aren't invited. Try to understand that some may be genuinely surprised or hurt, and be understanding, but don't give in. If it becomes a real problem with a lot of guests, look into hiring a babysitter or two to care for kids during the reception. They can have a pizza party -- way cheaper than having them at the reception, and everyone will be happy.

Weddings Good Things: Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

The often unquoted last line of the traditional bridal saying gives a hint at its origin. The complete phrase is: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe."
A sixpence is a coin made of silver and worth six pennies that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967, indicating that the wedding tradition of the bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue is English. Many sources say that it began in the Victorian era.
-Wrap an old handkerchief that belonged to someone close to you, like a grandparent, around your bouquet as you walk down the aisle.
-Print an old family recipe on lovely note cards as a simple party favor for guests.
-Wear a locket containing old family photos around your neck on the big day.
-Borrow a charm from a close friend or family member, and hook it onto your bouquet as you walk down the aisle.
-Place party favors for your guests in a delicate blue thank-you bag.
-Select a blue guest book or place cards for your guests.

Find the Right Cruise for Your Honeymoon

A cruise honeymoon is a great choice for couples who want to visit different islands or cities in a relatively short period of time. But with so many options to choose from, how does one decide which cruise to take? Here are some things to think about before selecting a honeymoon cruise.
Time
Before you start thinking about a location, it’s a good idea to plot out how much time you will have for your honeymoon. If you only have a few days to spare, you can rule out cruises that require a day’s flight to get to the ship’s departure point. Also, take into account the time of year you plan to travel. Certain cruises may only be offered seasonally.
Budget
A cruise experience can range from a few hundred dollars to into the thousands per person. While you’re looking at cruise lines, take into account what’s included in the prices – you’re often not comparing apples to apples. Most cruises include lodging, meals, and entertainment in their per person cost, but often not alcohol, off-boat excursions, or other activities. Read the fine print whenever researching cruise lines.
Destination
Once you have your time frame and budget, start thinking about where you’d like to travel! Of course, Caribbean cruises are very popular, but consider locations like the Mediterranean, Alaska, even the Galapagos Islands or Vietnam. Research cruise lines on their websites, and read plenty of reviews to get a sense of each cruise’s offerings.
Experience
Take a look at the off-shore excursions that your cruise line offers. Are these activities you’d be interested in? Make sure the adventure level matches what you’re comfortable with.
Atmosphere
Do you want pure relaxation romance, lots of activity and adventure, or a 24-hour party? Again, it’s important to read reviews of cruise lines to get a sense of what each ship is like. Some cruises are super family-friendly, but do you really want lots of kids running around during your honeymoon? Other cruises may seem quiet and upscale, but this might mean that there’s a strict dress code. Make sure the cruise line you choose has the amenities you want – restaurants you’ll enjoy, a spa, shows, nightclubs, etc.

The Song and Dance of it All!

Music can gracefully and beautifully guide your ceremony.  It sets the mood and signals changes without announcements. From the walk down the aisle to the last dance, music naturally navigates all these transitions. Take time to plan what should be played when!
Ceremony
The ceremony music can be divided into four distinct sections:
Prelude - Entering the ceremony venue
As guests enter have gentle, ambient music playing while they are guided by ushers or find their own way to their seats. You will need at least 30 to 40 minutes of music and it is a good idea to have a few extra songs just in case things run late.
Processional - The wedding party takes their places
Mark the beginning of your ceremony with a change of music, guests will immediately know to take their seats. Processional music is typically characterized as joyful but expectant. Musically you are building towards that moment when the bride enters. Don’t have your music peak in volume, tempo, or energy before then.
The larger your wedding party the more music you will need, but in general plan for four or more songs to play while families take their seats and the wedding party takes their places.
Once the wedding party is in place, the big moment has arrived! The bride’s entrance should be marked by a change in song and people standing up. In a well-orchestrated ceremony, the music will have built a steady arc towards this moment, and then the music should make a fairly dramatic change. In traditional American ceremonies, the music often feels like a triumphant entry, grand but classy.
As with your entire wedding, you should do what is right for you and your family. If you have songs that will be deeply meaningful and personalize the ceremony in a way that a classical choice won’t, certainly choose it!
Interlude - music during the ceremony
Interlude music is specifically used for times of reflection, ritual, or transition. It is also used as a great moderator for setting the pace of the ceremony. Interludes keep things from moving too fast, but also enhance the importance of what is taking place. Great examples are playing an interlude piece after the vows or during the lighting of a unity candle. Your music choices should be conducive to playing these roles. Reflection time? Softer pieces with slower tempos, often without words, are commonly chosen. Ritual time? Choose music that reflects the ritual, there may be an obvious choice.
A common mistake for interlude music is to choose pieces that are too long. If the ritual you are performing takes 2 minutes but you have chosen a 4 or 5 minute piece of music, everyone just stares at each other for while, awkwardly.  It’s certainly not the end of the world, but something to be mindful of.
Postlude - You are now married!
You say I Do, give each other a big kiss, and then turn around to face friends and family as married couple for the first time! Mark the moment with a celebratory song as you walk back down the aisle. Plan for 1-2 songs to be played as you leave the ceremony venue, depending on how large your wedding party is. Go ahead and choose something loud, upbeat, and fun. Think about it like the ending song after a great movie. Look up the soundtracks from some of your favorite movies or some of the great epic movies to see what they play at the end.
Music Style
Consider what style of music you want for the ceremony. Popular choices are string quartets, soloists, Latin guitar duos, string trios, flute trios, or recorded music played over a sound system. Also, take note of any venue restrictions; many churches or synagogues will have limitations. They might also provide music such an organist, choir, or pianist. If staff is on hand to play music, see if they will work with you on song selection or if they have a list of songs they play.
The ceremony is also a great time to include musically talented friends or family into the ceremony.

Save The Date!

Oooh la la! You picked a wedding date and you booked your venue! Now you need to start lining up those wedding guests. The first step is sending out save-the-date cards to make sure all your friends and family are in the know.
What is the Save-The-Date card? It’s simple really, a small note telling guests they will be invited to your big day and when and where the event is taking place. Save-the-dates should only be sent to people you’re sure you are going to invite to the wedding. For anyone who could get cut from the final invite list, forgo the save-the-date to avoid hurt feelings.
Standard information includes…
-Your names
-The date of the wedding
-City or town where the wedding will take place
-A small line which reads, “Invitation and details to follow,” because save-the-dates are a new trend and some might confuse them with the actual wedding invitation.
-If you already have a wedsite include the url
Why bother, aren’t invitations enough? Not in the busy go-go-go world we live in today! You need to give guests time to plan, take off work, and arrange for travel. A good rule is the farther your guests are traveling the further in advance they need the save-the-date. For most weddings four-to-six months before the wedding is perfect. Destination weddings require 9-12 months warning and should include more information about the destination, lodging, and travel requirements. If your destination wedding takes place during a busy season or in a crowded tourist area make sure you include hotel names, phones numbers, rates, and information about blocked rooms.
Save-the-date cards are usually simple (very DIY-friendly), low-cost, done with offset printing, and informal. But, since it’s a new wedding trend the rules are still being written and you can do nearly anything you like! Feel free to stray from your wedding’s style and do something totally different, like a save-the-date video you can treasure forever. Popular Save-The-Date styles are postcards, magnets, booklets, or traditional note cards. Remember, you only need to send one to each household, not each guest; forget and you will over spend on printing and postage