Symbols! Weddings are full of them. Exchanging rings. Exchanging roses. Tying hands with ribbons. Merging coloured sands. Lighting candles. Releasing doves or butterflies. Ringing bells and kissing chimney sweeps. But when it comes to real drama, no symbol can match smashing a glass or two.

Of course, you don’t need a wedding if you feel the need to break something. Go to a Greek restaurant when they’re having one of their celebratory dinners. At the end of the night you, and the other diners, will be invited by mine host and hostess to pick up a plate and smash it to smithereens. Even though, as I understand it, the china is specifically designed for this, being more fragile and a great deal less expensive than that on which you have your meal, nonetheless it’s a highly therapeutic and exhilarating activity.

Films would have you believe that peeved wives are forever tossing their good china at erring husband. Perhaps in a screenwriter’s dream they do. In real life a dozen sensible questions would present themselves in defense of the innocent crockery. Is this piece expensive? Is it part of a set? Can it be replaced? Will it make a mess? Who’s the dummy who’s going to have to clean it up?

By the time you start looking for some less attractive alternative, he’s out the door, whistling down the stairs.

So the custom of that toast that a man makes to his bride, followed by smashing the glass in which the toast was made, is an intriguing one. Of course, it would be a tradition started by a man. He didn’t have to tidy up afterward. But even why a man could be so wantonly destructive is hard to fathom.

There is an apocryphal story suggesting that it could have started with a Russian Prince entertaining a hundred or so of Englishmen at the betrothal of his son to a minor English Princess.

They had all been poured a cup of tea – the Russians were almost as famous for their tea-drinking as their vodka-drinking – when the Prince rose to propose a toast. His cup was almost at his lips when he started and began to roar at an elderly servant standing near by.

‘What are you playing at, Katrina?’ he howled like a bear in a trap. ‘You call this tea?’

‘Why are you making a spectacle of yourself, Mihal Mihailovich?’ she returned unperturbed. Having known the man when he used to crawl around in his nappy, and sometimes without, she was in no way intimidated.

‘Look at this tea, woman,’ the cup was shaking in his hand, while his face was a volcano about to erupt. ‘It’s so full of tea leaves five flies could get bogged down and never be heard of again.’

‘One fly, perhaps,’ was the infuriating answer. ‘Five never.’

‘Why, why, you, you,’ like a Marat Safin on the losing end of a tennis match he had to let loose with something, and his tea cup being closest at hand he hurled it against the fireplace.

The Englishmen who hadn’t understood a word of this interchange, looked at each other in bewilderment and decided when in Rome. Dozens of the finest pieces of china which had managed to survive the Napoleonic wars, went flying at the fireplace. The room looked as if a bomb had gone off. And needless to say, the English Princess and her Russian Prince never did tie the knot.

Since that time men have taken the opportunity of their upcoming nuptial to smash their toasting glasses against any available fireplace.

Some would have you believe that this strange custom was started by a highly romantic Frenchman. However, while a Frenchman makes a romantic lover, he could never be accused of lacking common sense. Tossing glasses at a fireplace could never be attributed to anything but a temporary loss of sanity – or temper.

Vlady is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant. She is also an author of “Complete Book of Australian Weddings” and “The Small Organisation Handbook”. She is a member of Australian Civil Marriage Celebrants of Queensland and Celebrants Training Association. She is also a member of Australian Authors and Romance Writers of Australia association.

You can visit Vlady at her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com

Back in the days, renting a wedding gown for that special day seemed completely absurd and out-of-question! Now the gown rental trend is not only fully accepted, but in full swing and widespread among bridal shops across the country. Brides are simply looking at the practicality of a cost effective way to have that luxurious wedding of their girlish childhood dreams. And what’s wrong with renting instead of buying? In some cases, leasing can be one-third the price of buying.
Taking a cue from the growing acceptance of gown rental, other services are emerging that provide brides options for perfecting their “look” for their wedding day.

One of the newest and innovative leasing options for weddings is bridal jewelry leasing. This popular trend of leasing genuine, authentic jewelry at a fraction of the price is picking up steam with brides and their attendants. Brides, who appreciate fine jewelry and are searching for an elegant alternative to costume jewelry, are finding the affordable option of leasing their wedding jewelry to be a perfect solution. Like Hollywood celebrities, they get the beauty of a glamorous piece of jewelry around their neck or wrist for their special day without the expense. With the Internet at their fingertips, working with web-based companies like Adorn Brides is a convenient way to add some bling to their wedding day.

While renting or leasing wedding gowns and jewelry are very intimate items for brides to lease, there are many other accoutrements that brides may rent to add the perfect touch to their special day. Here are 4 other wedding rental options to consider for that special day:

1. Wedding Limousine Service

You can’t forget the limousine. Renting a limousine service for your wedding day can not only be a wonderful way to travel on your special day, but a great convenience to planning the travel arrangements for everyone involved in the wedding party. Depending on the size of your wedding party, more than one limousine may be necessary.

2. Wedding Facility in a Spectacular Location

So many couples go with the usual wedding facility – from the local church hall to the upscale country club ballroom. Why not rent your facility in a vacation spot for all your guests to enjoy a vacation in a beautiful or exotic place? Lake Tahoe is often referred to as the perfect year round vacation and wedding destination with terrific weather and breathtaking scenery. And if that doesn’t work, why not a unique facility like a local botanical garden, city owned mansion, a lighthouse or historical castle that rents for weddings. The wedding can even be arranged at the place where the couple had their first date – a vineyard, a park, the beach or even the zoo!

3. Wedding Arch or Chuppah

Many couples deciding on outdoor weddings will rent the wedding arch or chuppah to accessorize their “altar” area. The wedding arch or chuppah canopy can be decorated with flowers, plants or balloons that match the floral and color theme of the wedding. The arches come in a variety of shapes and sizes – lattice, brass, heart shaped, round, square – and even gazebos to rent for the outside wedding “altar”. The decorations and accessories to the arch or Chuppah are many. Beach weddings can also rent torches leading up to the arch – creating an “aisle”, garden weddings can rent railing structures that can be configured many ways around the wedding arch to make room for a whole wedding party.

4. Unique Dome Tents

Why not become the talk-of-your-town by thinking outside the “box” tent and renting a unique “dome” tent for the wedding? These futuristic structures are an all-in-one facility for that special day. >From design concept and planning to setup and teardown, dome tent renters are available to work out all the details to pulling off the perfect wedding. Dome decorations can be spectacular and most dome tents provide built in media projection screens with natural acoustics, will coordinate in-house music, lighting and interior design to your specifications.

Besides the usual tuxedo, table linens and chair covers, these are just a few more innovative wedding rental options to considering when planning your special day.

William Stouffer, Founder of Adorn Brides is helping brides fulfill their dream of “adorning” themselves with the finest jewelry on one of their most special days – at a fraction of the price. Adorn Brides’ concept of wedding jewelry leasing has rocked the wedding industry and brides are flocking to www.adornbrides.com/Leasing_Our_Jewelry.aspx to check out their discounted prices for the wedding season.

You have finally said, “Yes.” This is the start of your life as a couple. And prior to that much-awaited big day, you, both the bride and groom have so many decisions to make and wedding-related tasks to complete.

Preparing for your wedding day need not be stressful. On the other had, it should be fun and memorable. And to do this, start off by putting together a wedding timetable.

A short list of wedding-related tasks as well as a rough estimate of when the activities should be done follows. It presents tips and guidelines to keep you organized and help you think of all the matters that you must take into consideration in the course of planning for your big day. Of course, these are mere suggestions. All activities and schedule are still up to the couple to decide on depending on their priorities.

At the Time of the Engagement
- You must tell your parents the happy news as soon as possible that is if they don’t already know. If you were having an engagement party, it would be good to keep your close friends and relatives in the know, too.

- An organizer would be best to have in handy. This will help you keep track of all the appointments, payments and other wedding-related activities that you must attend to.
- Have your engagement photo taken. This would be nice to have as a keepsake of this wonderful occasion.

6 to 12 Months In Advance Before the Big Day

- The couple should have already picked and decided on the wedding date. Do the reservation for the venue where the ceremony and reception is to be held.
- Set an appointment with the wedding officiant.
- Establish a budget for the wedding, and try as much as possible to stick to it.
- Prepare a wedding guest list. You wouldn’t want to leave somebody uninvited unintentionally.

- Look around for a photographer, florists, musicians, and a caterer. Obtain estimates for these services.

- Register at the bridal gift registry.
- Pick a wedding dress and accessories to go with it. If you are having a seamstress make you one, this is the time to have it arranged. Several fittings may be required for this.
- For the bride, select your bridesmaids. Set a date for ordering dresses for them.

4 to 6 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Have the invitations, stationeries, and thank you notes ordered.
- The photographer, florist, musician, and caterer should have already been chosen. Go over details with each of these services to make sure that everything is as agreed upon.
- For the groom, select attire.
- Honeymoon reservations should be made already at this point.
- Confirm the delivery of the bridal gown.

2 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Plan your rehearsal dinner.
- If you are having out-of-town attendants, arrange for their lodging.
- Make an appointment with your chosen photographer for the shooting of the bridal portrait.

- Order the wedding cake.

1 Month In Advance Before the Big Day
- The couple should decide on a wedding band set.
- Mail the invitations.
- Check the apparel for the wedding party.
- The couple attends showers.

2 Weeks Before the Wedding.
- It is time to apply for marriage license and attend to other legal matters, especially for the bride – name and address changes on bank accounts and other official documents.
- Plan a wedding hairstyle and make-up with your stylist.
- Check with the caterer and the reception venue for last minute changes.

1 Week Before the Wedding
- Do your honeymoon packing.
- Wrap gifts for the groom and attendants.
- Schedule the wedding rehearsal.
- Remind the wedding party of the exact time and place for the occasion.

On Wedding Day
- Take breakfast! Fainting on the aisle wouldn’t be cool.
- Have your hair and make-up done.
- Shake off all your wedding details worries and enjoy your day.

For a free course on planning discount weddings and where to find the best discount wedding invitation supplier, visit www.discountweddingguide.com/ today.

Once upon a time, thankfully not ours, women were considered property. Marriage contracts were usually a financial transaction. A lot of bargaining would take place before a marriage to settle on the bride price, with the poor female the pawn of it all. They had little choice in the matter of whom they would marry. “Love is for the poor for they do not care if they starve, because they already are”, was the belief.

When they were led down the altar, they would seem to be so docile. The truth is that some were usually drugged so that they wouldn’t run away. The practice of being veiled was embraced as a way that the groom wouldn’t see the bride’s tears. The women would have to say out loud that they would love, honor and OBEY the man who now was their husband and that was that.

Thanks to women’s lib, this is no longer the case. The ladies may choose their mates, be it for financial gain or for love; maybe even both. They are considered equal partners of the men they will marry and as such the vows have been changed to love, honor and cherish.

Of course, you don’t need to use those vows either. You can make your vows completely personal and from the heart. It can make your wedding more memorable for both of you. Just check first with your officiant if you can go ahead and do this, some may be really strict and insist on the basic vows (though they are rare).

“Traditional Marriage” is a term that you surely have heard, while the definition may be unique to each person, the general summation of the term has one partner working and supplying for a family while the other stays at home cleaning and taking care of the family. Today’s world “traditional marriage” has become less frequent with the immergence of the “equal marriage”.

An “equal marriage” is not inherently the opposite of a “traditional marriage”, but still remains very different. Here, both partners work outside of the home and expect equal duties when it comes to the home and family. Money is considered “our money” providing both partners the same control over the funds, even if different banking accounts exist. Despite the monetary contribution figures, there is no tab kept when it comes to who pays the bills more. This makes no difference, because the money is “our money”.

When it comes to spending the money in an “equal marriage”, purchases and time of purchases become mutual decisions. Debt situations are also mutual decisions. Purchasing decisions usually pertain to “bigger” purchases.

Money is the obvious contingent in an “equal marriage” but not the only. Household chores are also considered. There are no rules on the division of housework or similar duties. Rules can be set, letting the only discrepancy to be the quality of the work.

When children exist in an “equal marriage” neither partner is designated the role of primary caretaker. It is important to remember that neither partner’s job is of greater importance than the other. Each partner is to consider their work situation and divide the duties in accordance to their ability to spend time doing the caretaking. This may be the hardest part of participating in an “equal marriage”. But if a proper schedule can be determined an “equal marriage” can be a successful relationship that can encompass all of the important aspects of the “traditional marriage”.

Some of the first things you’ll spend money on when you decide to get married (besides the ring) are the wedding invitations. While you want your invitations to be classy, unique and of good quality, you’ll probably also want to find ways to save on wedding invitations as well. Here are the top ways to send out invitations that you can affordand that your friends and family will be impressed with.

Keep your guest list small.

The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations you’re going to have to send out, so take a little time to create a guest list that you and your spouse will be satisfied withand one that will fit your budget. Let your friends and family know when you’ll be getting married as soon as you can, so that they can tell you if they’ll be able to make it. For those who won’t be able to attend, you can send alternate invitations on different paper that may be a little less expensive, so that your loved ones can still keep a reminder of your special day. Now is not the time to be extremely politethis is your day, and you deserve to have the people you love at your ceremony. Just because people know that you’re getting married, doesn’t mean they all have to come to wedding. Remember, the more invitations you send out, the more people that will show up, the more reception dinners you’ll have to pay for…and the list goes on. Keeping your guest list small will help you to save on other wedding costs as well, so choose wisely.

Make your own invitations.

If you’re especially crafty or know exactly how you want your invitations to look (and haven’t seen this look in stores or online) you may want to consider making your invitations yourself. This way, you can save money, and add your own special touches to make an invitation that really is unique to your ceremony and your relationship. Of course, you may still have to ask for help, but if you need friends and family to give you pointers on the invitation design or provide supplies for you to use, you won’t have to pay for labor. You can also be sure that no one will have your invitations, and this will be another way to give guests the impression that your wedding will be an event to remember. You can also look online for wedding invitation templates to follow if you want to keep things a little more traditional, or aren’t quite ready to try your hand at such a crafty task. Here are some sites that may help: www.southworth.com, www.yourinvitationplace.com, and www.theweddingplace.com.

Use less paper.

Your invitation doesn’t have to be two or three pages; you can save the story of how you met for the wedding video or the wedding programs in order to cut costs. A single sheet invitation will usually save you money, and looks very classy and sophisticated. If you want to add photos to your wedding invitations, you may want to use a photo of wedding rings, or a picture of you and your fiancé as a backdrop, and include all the information about the ceremony on the same sheet. Using one ink color and a smaller border can also help to save money. The key is to make your wedding invitations look interesting and tasteful enough for people to want to attend the ceremony, and you can definitely do this without spending a whole lot of money. After all, you want to save for that fabulous dress and great receptionthese are the things that will keep your guests remembering your day for years to come.

Tuxedo formal wear suits are available for your purchase and for your rental needs. Who is going to be purchasing or wearing a tuxedo in the coming months? If you are off to a formal wedding or if you are heading off the to prom you most likely are going to need a tuxedo formal wear suit that is going to make you look your best while you are out on the go.

Going out on the town for a splashy evening meal with a hot date, you can look your best in a tuxedo. She may not expect you to be so dressed, but the ultimate effect is one that will give you an appeal that she just can’t refuse.

A tuxedo formal wear occasion is any occasion that you feel you need to dress up for. When a regular suit, and tie are just not going to cut it. Get in to the social world by dressing the part, and this will include a tuxedo that is tailored to fit your personal size and your personal preferences.

A tuxedo can include the use of a shirt that has ruffles on the front of it or it could be that the shirt is flat on the front. The tuxedo shirt is going to be stiff, with the smaller corners of the front of the shirt ironed so they fit nicely over the jacket.

The cummerbund is going to be a color of your choosing. You can keep a wide stock of cummerbunds in your closet if you wear tuxedos quite often, and you want to match what ever your date or your wife is wearing. Tuxedos their selves are also found in different colors, ranging from shades of black, to blue and even white. White tuxedoes are hard to care for because they can get so dirty but there are those special occasions that are going to call for white.

If you are getting ready to go out on a date with a star you most likely are going to need tuxedo formal wear. If you are getting married, if you are in the wedding party or if you are parents of the bride and groom chances are you need a tuxedo as well. A tuxedo is worn to the prom, to the special ball, to the sweet sixteen parties you are going to attend, and to the bar mitzvah and the special holiday occasions that you will be planning for family. Take a look at the many sizes, shapes, colors and the types of tuxedos you can rent, purchase or consider now.
You can find more info about tuxedo formal wear on http://www.all-about-tuxedo.com/

Kenneth Langlet is the owner of the site www.all-about-tuxedo.com/ where you can find more about tuxedo formal wear.

Eat your heart out Cinderella because the true belle of the ball is about to make her presence known to all who gathered here today. No midnight strike to say that her choice of wedding gown was to give her the fairytale wedding she had always dreamed of.

The bride`s dress will always highlight the occasion. If your wedding plans were carefully thought through then dreams can come true where the perfect wedding will now take place.

Marriage is a one time happy and glorious occasion where the wedding service will stay in the married couples mind from this day forward. When planning your wedding always make sure to outline every little detail you require for this special day to run smooth. Most future brides have an image of the wedding gown they would love to wear at their wedding but you need to remember at this point not all images conjured up in the mind is a guarantee that the vision you see is the style for you. Do not despair because fairy godmothers do exist in the form of a seamstress. The style you have pictured in your head can be altered to look similar to that of your imaginery mirage.

Aside the groom the wedding gown will come first and foremost in the bride`s thoughts. If you are to have a theme based ceremony then your dress can be designed and tailor made to compliment the topic.

Problems that may arise when choosing the perfect wedding gown is deciding which one it is to be. It can be time consuming and stressful trying on dresses due indecisive moments and the endless stunning designs that make your task even harder. This is why the importance of planning your wedding well in advance is vital. Ask a friend to accompany you to the bridal shop. Make a day of it and have a meal together and by doing this you can both discuss what other wedding plans you have. Bridal shop staff are there to assist with your needs. When choosing the bridal outfit eliminate the wedding gowns you wouldn`t be seen dead in this will lesson the number for you try on.

Remember if there was no decision made on that day then return for a repeat performance till you find the perfect wedding gown. Bessie bunter plump and rounded women should stay clear of figure hugging wedding dresses, comfort is a main factor for looking beautiful on the day. If you are of the olive oil frame then add extra layers of the material in your gown.

If you are adamant on having the wedding gown of your dreams then have your fairy godmother wave her needle and cotton to make the dress. If he/she is notably known then you can benefit from his or her experience on any advice given related to materials designs and styles.

Now that we have the perfect wedding perfected by the careful wedding planning tactics let us make this duo a match made in heaven. Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

A fabulous site for all wedding essentials is www.your-wedding-planning-help.com Nights of passion can take its toll so unwind and relax the easy way www.want2yoga.com

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about outdoor weddings, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about outdoor weddings.

The outdoors can be an absolutely beautiful setting for a wedding. Natural backdrops of trees, mountains or oceans are unparalleled by any decorations that can be utilized in an indoor setting. Additionally the natural lighting that is provided by an outdoor wedding makes for truly glorious pictures. However, there are careful considerations that need to be made in planning an outdoor wedding.

The first tip for having an outdoor wedding is to choose your location carefully. You might want to consider a venue that is capable of providing a contingency plan in case the weather affects your wedding and prevents your original plan from occurring. Although you may prefer an outdoor setting, it is wise to choose a location that has an indoor facility that would be available for your use in the event of a storm that would otherwise cancel your wedding.

Dressing appropriately for the conditions is also important if you plan to have an outdoor wedding. For example a strapless gown made of a lightweight fabric would not be appropriate for a fall or winter wedding if the temperatures are usually low at these times of the year. Likewise a dress with long sleeves and a high neck would not be appropriate for a summertime wedding in a warm climate. You will want to be comfortable on your wedding day so dress according to the weather.

Another tip for having an outdoor wedding is to plan your wedding for a time of year that is unlikely to have inclement weather. It’s important to give yourself the best possible chance of having good weather for your wedding. Try studying the weather history in the area that you plan to have your wedding and choose a time that has a relatively low chance of snow or rain.

In setting up for your outdoor wedding, one important tip is to set up the area where the ceremony will be held in a way that keeps the sun at the guests’ backs. For example, for a morning wedding, you will want to position the seating so that the guests are facing to the west. This is important because the sun rises in the east and having the guests facing to the east would result in the guests having to squint into the sun.

If you choose a summertime wedding in a warm climate, be sure to have plenty of drinks available for your guests. You might want to consider having refreshing beverages such as water and juices available throughout the ceremony and reception to prevent guests from dehydrating.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole outdoor weddings story from informed sources.

One of the most problematic aspects of an outdoor wedding is the acoustics. Guests at an outdoor wedding are often unable to hear the proceedings. Additionally, if a wedding video is made, it often is unable to pick up the words of the officiant or the couple reciting their vows. For this reason, you may wish to utilize a public address system during the ceremony to ensure that all guests are able to hear the ceremony.

If you have a lot of out of town guests who will be attending your outdoor wedding, you may want to prepare a package to mail to them detailing the weather expectations for your wedding date so that they can prepare for the trip. Although the past can be a good indication of what type of weather to expect, you might also want to consider sending your out of town guests a weather prediction update a few days prior to your wedding in case the meteorologists are predicting unseasonable weather.

The outdoor setting you choose may also affect the color choices for your wedding. You may wish to choose colors that accent the natural surroundings. For example choosing a bright pink for your bridesmaids’ dresses may seem out of place if you are holding your wedding against a mountain setting. The loudness of their dresses will disrupt the serenity of the natural setting.

Another tip for an outdoor wedding is to consider hiring a live band instead of a DJ for the entertainment. A live band will blend in better with the surroundings in an outdoor setting. Also, the natural music of a live band is also a better fit then the synthesized music of a DJ.

One final tip for having an outdoor wedding is to try to provide your guests with as much shade as possible. You can do this by either providing a large tent or canopy for your guests or by choosing a setting with a number of large trees and planning your wedding for a time and date that would ensure an abundance of shade in the area.

Taking a few precautions and planning wisely will ensure that your outdoor wedding is a success. It is important to make a few adjustments to your usual planning and making provisions that will keep you and your guests comfortable throughout the ceremony and the reception.

Now that wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word on outdoor weddings.