Wedding Registries at lnt.com

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

, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit

By Gregg Hall


The distinctive traditions like Claddagh Rings, superstitions, a special toast, as well as kilts and bagpipes make it really easy to distinguish an Irish wedding from the wedding celebrations of other countries. Let's take a close look at some of these unique components in the Irish wedding.

One of the most unique of all is the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring made to resemble a pair of hands holding a heart with a crown. According to tradition, these rings must be passed down from mother to daughter and since they are intended to be passed down through many generations it is considered improper to purchase one of these rings on your own. There is also a tradition that states how the ring is supposed to be worn. If someone is engaged, the ring is to be worn with the tips of the crown facing outward towards the fingertips. Someone who is not romantically involved would wear the ring in the outward position, meaning that the tips of the crown are pointing to the wrist.

Some of the other unique aspects of traditional Irish weddings are the strange superstitions that surround them. Although a rainy or overcast day is really unwanted at any wedding, it is even less desirable at an Irish celebration because according to tradition the sun must shine down on the bride so that the couple will be blessed with good luck. The Irish are very superstitious people; another sign of good luck for a new couple is the sound of a cuckoo or the sight of three magpies. When it comes to wishing the couple well and congratulating them it is bad luck for a female to be the first one to offer congratulations to the bride. This is why a relative or close friend of the Groom will always be sure that he is first.

No celebration in Ireland would be the same without the sound of Bagpipes and the presence of kilts. By tradition it is customary for the pipes to be played by family and friends of the couple as they walk into the church and also to the reception. In addition, these people who have brought their own bagpipes may also continue to play the pipes for dancing. It is a great opportunity for these individuals to dress in traditional kilts creating a truly distinctive occasion.

Superstitions a play a large role in a traditional Irish wedding and many of the traditional superstitions relate to objects or occurrences that are thought to bring the couple good luck. These events are festive celebrations that involve family, friends, lots of food and great music.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about Ireland and Irish Gifts Online at http://www.uniqueirishgifts.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall


Additional Wedding Planning Advice

http://merrybrides.livejournal.com

http://funweddings.blogspot.com

http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

http://weddingsbyashlee.com

http://funweddings.blog.com

By Lynn Marie Sager


Meet the SHELLFISH - Shellfish either find sharing pointless and uncomfortable, so they never say anything; or they are being passive-aggressive and are withdrawing their responses in order to teach you some lesson and force you to change. Silence is not necessarily a bad thing, until you have to work with them and you need them to contribute some information. Not to worry, you can use their own uncomfortable silences to encourage them to share. Here's how you handle Shellfish:

_____1. If you need Shellfish to open up, you must make their staying silent more uncomfortable than communicating with you.

_____2. Meet with them alone and tell them exactly what you want to discuss.

_____3. Ask an open-ended question to get them talking. An open-ended question is any question that cannot be answered with a yes, or a no. The best open-ended questions usually begin with who, what, when, where, why and how.

_____4. Once you have asked your question, keep quiet and wait for the answer. Use a friendly, silent stare to show them you expect a response and are willing to wait until you get one. If they still don't answer, or if they give you an unsatisfactory answer, you can ask another open-ended question designed to clarify what you want to know. Then, wait again. Above all, do not keep talking. Shellfish feed off your need to fill any gaps of awkward silence.

_____5. If they still don't open up, you can adjourn the meeting to a later time. But before letting them off the hook, always set the time for the next meeting. Make it clear that you expect them to be ready to discuss everything at the next meeting. Try to show them how the information will be used to their benefit. Don't let them think, for one instant, that you will let them get away with not providing the information that you need.

_____6. Shellfish are counting on your inability to wait them out. Once they see that you are willing to wait as long as it takes, they will usually open up in order to get you off their back.

_____7. If you are dealing with a passive-aggressive Shellfish-someone who is purposefully not communicating with you in order to punish you for some perceived wrong-then once they do begin to speak, they will attempt to tell you what you did wrong and how you need to change your behavior. At this point, you should listen to them and question them. However, you should not argue with them, you should not agree with them, and you should not apologize for your behavior-even if they are correct about your behavior needing to change. If you do, you will be rewarding them for the very passive-aggressive behavior that you are trying to correct.

_____8. Respond to everything that they say about you with open-ended questions. For example, if they say that they were hurt by something you did, then gently ask, "Why didn't you tell me when it happened?" Use your open ended questions to make them face their own passive-aggressive behavior.

The most important thing, while dealing with any problem behavioral type, is to not let their behavior pull you off course. In other words, don't let them pull you into inattentive, erupting, pessimistic, defensive, complaining, or passive aggressive behavior. Remember that these people act the way they do because their actions have worked for them in the past. You can't change their actions, so your best choice is to make their actions ineffective on you. Once they notice that their tactics don't work on you, they will hesitate before using them on you again. And with some people, the best that you can achieve is not allowing them to swamp your boat.

Sadly, most of the stress in our lives comes from extended interactions with negative and unhappy people. Certain people have the ability to make you tired, angry and frustrated if you have to spend any time with them at all. Moreover, researchers have discovered that the same "ten behavioral types" keep showing up to drive you crazy. To read more about the terrible-ten, you can visit http://www.navigatinglife.org and click on the Galley where you will find a shortcut to "Coping with Difficult People."

Living with the Passive-Aggressive Man

Wedding Menus

For Richer Not Poorer: The Newlywed's Financial Survival Guides

Wedding Window

Don't order Wedding Invitations before checking InvitationConsultants.com.


---





Additional Wedding Advice:

http://merrybrides.livejournal.com

http://merrybrides.blogspot.com

http://funweddings.blog.com

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

Kathleen Terrana is the owner of Beautiful Bridal specializing in discount tiaras, veils and bridal jewelry. This article is free for republishing Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_114651_41.html



 

 

You have done the research. You're an expert on ballgown silhouettes and sweetheart necklines. Now the time has finally arrived wedding dress shopping day! But like the rest of the wedding planning process, shopping for a wedding dress is slightly more complex than shopping for your basic pair of slacks. Know what to expect before you hit the stores! First, you must decide where you are going to shop; here are the most common options:

Independently Owned Full Service Bridal Shops

These stores offer a full range of services for the bride and the wedding party, with designers and prices ranging from moderate to high-end. While off-the-rack is possible, these stores typically special-order wedding gowns for brides and attendants, so you should be prepared to wait a few months for your gown to arrive. You will mostly likely be able to purchase all of your bridal accessories, such as shoes, veils, undergarments and jewelry, and an in-store seamstress will consult with you on custom alterations.

Couture Bridal Shops

Couture bridal shops represent a subsection of independently owned full service bridal shops. Offering the same range of services, they carry exclusive designer labels at higher-end prices. These bridal boutiques are usually found in major cities.

Department Stores

Department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and JC Penny offer wedding gowns, while others such as Lord & Taylor and Hecht's only offer bridesmaid dresses. These gowns are usually bought off-the-rack; however, your wedding dress may be specially ordered from another store if your size is not in stock. Most of these stores offer in-house alterations.

Discount Bridal Outlets

Discount bridal outlets offer a mix of discontinued national brands and privately labeled merchandise at reduced prices. While you will not find the same level of service found at privately owned bridal shops, you may be able to find the designer wedding dress of your dreams at an affordable price. Dresses are bought off-the-rack, so you may take the gown home the day your purchase it. Since these stores typically do not offer on-site alterations, make sure you can find a trusted seamstress.

Nationwide Bridal Chain Stores

Bridal chain stores manufacture, import, and sell their own private label wedding gowns. While the style selection is more limited than in other types of stores, the prices are usually lower. Be prepared for a lower level of service and little sales assistance, but the ability to buy off the rack at a reasonable price can be a good option for short engagements.

Custom Gown Designers

For a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, you can collaborate with a custom gown designer to specially create a wedding dress just for you. You can find such gown designers in most major cities. Be sure to select a designer whose vision you appreciate and trust.

What to expect once you're in the shop:

� Make an appointment, and, if possible, try to shop during a weekday. You will receive more attentive service if your sales associate can dedicate his/her time especially for you.

� Consider bringing the lingerie that you will wear at the wedding. This will help you determine exactly how the wedding dress will look and feel on the big day.

� Bring someone with you whose opinion you respect and trust, but avoid bringing an entire brigade of "experts." Too many opinions will distract you.

� Many bridal boutiques will not simply allow you to browse through the selection of wedding dresses; rather they will bring gowns to you one at a time. At these boutiques, a sales associate will sit down with you to discuss your style and will bring you dresses that reflect your vision.

� That said, allow them to bring you many styles. While you may have an idea of what you want, you never know what looks best on your body style until you try it.

� Most likely, you will not try on dresses in your actual size. Stores typically carry sample sizes (8-10), and the sales associate will pin it to your body.

� Remember that you will have to be fitted - up to 3 times - before your wedding dress fits perfectly. If the store has an in-house seamstress, ask for an alterations estimate.

� Wedding dresses tend to run small, so be prepared to order a size that is larger than you normally wear.

� Go with your gut! If you need to be convinced that a wedding dress looks good on you, it's probably not "the one."

� If there is a specific feature you want changed, you can usually request it. Keep in mind that any design changes will increase the cost of the wedding gown.

� When determining the cost of your wedding dress, remember to factor in the cost for the veil, which can run up to $500 and beyond, and other accessories such as shoes, headpiece etc.

� Sleep on it. Most stores have a no return policy, so you need to be sure before making your final decision.

� Once you have found "the dress" and made your final decision, you will usually pay a 50% deposit on the dress.

� Afterwards - the store will take your measurements to order size - don't be tempted to order one too small in hopes of losing weight.

� Remember that the dress usually takes a few months to be made, so make sure you leave enough time for alterations.

My Favorite Wedding Resouces:

Create your own Wedding Website!

Buy Bridal Lingerie at HerRoom.com

Wedding Dress Discount- Learn how you can get 75% off your wedding dress.
More Great Wedding Advice articles
Merry Brides
Ultimate Brides
Fun Weddings
Weddings by Ashlee


For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com/, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

This article is free for republishing Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_63129_41.html
Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering a comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and their recommended vendors, along with planning articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries. http://www.elegala.com

(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.

Gifts for Any Occasion from The Wine Messenger!

---

Additional Advice : http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com http://merrybrides.blogspot.com

 

Find the perfect invitation for your special day. Choose from hundreds of designs, customize your text, preview and order online.

The Only Diet Created Specifically For The Bride To Be.
Click Here!

Discount Wedding Bands Huge selection of fine 14k gold and platinum wedding bands.

CL) - Some say that a wedding without flowers is like a birthday without a cake. Without a doubt, flowers frame and enhance a marriage celebration in a very special way. But not everybody thinks this way, and many couples prefer to save on the cost of flowers and invest that money in the honeymoon. It is a question of taste or-in some cases-of limited budget.

Sometimes people try to save some money by buying the flowers, preparing the flower arrangements, and decorating the church and reception area by themselves. Although not a bad idea, it is simply not worth the risk for such a special and memorable event as a wedding.

It is highly advisable that a professional florist be hired to prepare the flower arrangements and decorate according to his or her judgment. Remember that flowers are delicate and demand certain conditions in order to remain fresh. Professional florists have the necessary equipment for this task.

In order for your flowers to stay fresh, they must be prepared on the day of the wedding. Will you and your family have the adequate time to carry out all this heavy work, and also make the bride look beautiful, radiant, and refreshed for the wedding? Almost certainly not, and trying to achieve this may turn into a nightmare and lead to bad memories of this unique day in your life. The only exception might be if the flower arrangements are so simple that they do not require professional labor.

Once you decide to hire a florist, there is a series of steps to be followed before dealing with him or her. The florist must be hired and notified at least four months before the wedding in order to ensure that he or she is available on the wedding day, as well as to give you enough time to discuss the details. Here are some timely, practical, and useful tips for making this important decision:

· If you are planning a wedding on a budget, you should get several estimates or quotes from various suppliers, including a breakdown of what items are included in the cost. There are many items that, although part of the decoration, do not belong to the bride and groom once the event has finished, such as candlesticks, vases, amphoras, tablecloths, and cutlery, among other things. Decorators often lend these items, or they may rent them. Therefore, if the bride and groom want their guests to be able take the centerpiece or flower arrangement home with them, they should make sure that they will not have to pay an additional amount later on.

· Select the florist through friends or family references.

· If you do not know the florist and do not have any references, you should ask for samples with pictures of decorations and flower arrangements from previous weddings. This will help you judge the type of work of which the supplier is capable, and samples will reveal his or her taste, talent, and-even more importantly-the quality of his or her work.

· In order to get a better picture, you should ask for the contact information of other couples who have hired this florist before. This will enable you to get references from a closer, more direct source.

· Most florists are willing to do some practice floral arrangements before the wedding, according to the bride and groom's taste and the details agreed upon.

· Do not forget to ask for recommendations regarding color combinations and flower selection. Remember that many flowers are seasonal and often more expensive if purchased outside their season.

Likewise, try to select flowers that tend to stay fresh and attractive longer

• Royal Doulton - The ultimate in Luxury
  

• Find the perfect Wedding Invitations at InviationBox.com!
  

• Planning an autumn bridal shower? Fall favors have arrived at My Wedding Favors at guaranteed low prices!
  

Additional Advice :

Merry Brides Fun Weddings Wedding Window-Create your very own Wedding Website Weddings By Ashlee Sweetheart Weddings Great Wedding Ideas

By: John Morris

Whether you are looking for a quiet, laid-back stay or an action-packed vacation, chances are you will find a destination that suits the desires of you and your partner for a romantic honeymoon in the United States.

1. Hawaii

With its pristine beaches, tropical scenery and wide variety of foods, activities and tourist spots to keep you busy, Hawaii is a popular choice for countless honeymooners from around the world. Hawaii offers a number of tourism options for the various types of guests it hosts each year. Some visitors might opt to rent a car or take a guided tour around the island they are staying on. By exploring the islands of Hawaii, guests will enjoy discovering serene waterfalls and spectacular views of the beautiful beaches that lace the outskirts of the islands. Perhaps one of the most romantic Hawaiian pastimes comes in the form of watching a sunset with your new spouse. For the active couple, Hawaii offers a number of top golf courses that honeymooners can enjoy. One of the more popular activities is to attend a Hawaiian luau.

2. Niagara Falls

Couples can register to get a guided boat cruise around the falls. For a fun night out, honeymooners can visit Casino Niagara, conveniently located right across from Niagara Falls. For honeymooners who enjoy day trips the scenic Catskill Mountains are not located far from the falls. There are two "sides" of the falls, the US side and the Canadian side. The Canadian site give you a much better view of the falls so don't forget your Passports!

3. Florida

Vacations in Florida are ideal for honeymooners. Disney World offers special honeymoon vacation packages to cater to those looking for a romantic getaway. There are even a number of Disney resorts that attract couples rather than families. If theme parks are not your cup of tea, consider a trip further south to Key West or Miami. These areas offer classy resorts, sprawling beaches, and plenty of attractions that will keep both you and your significant other happily busy.

4. Las Vegas

If you have money to blow and you're feeling lucky, Las Vegas is the place for you. In addition to gambling, you will find shopping, nightlife, and even a short drive to the Grand Canyon where you can sit in your car and look out over the moon.

5. California

California here I come! There is a reason the Beachboys wrote so many songs about the California coast. There are so many potential honeymoon destinations it's hard to name them all. If you want a more quiet honeymoon you can visit Carmel or Santa Barbra. If you want a more adventurous honey moon you can visit the L.A. area where you can visit Universal Studios, Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain.

• Las Vegas Hotels - up to 60% off!

• SkyAuction Luxury Travel

• Bid on airline tickets, hotels, cruises and packages at SkyAuction.com

• Great Hawaii Discounts

• Los Angeles Hotels - up to 60% off!

Additional Advice: http://funweddings.blogspot.com, http://merrybrides.blogspot.com http://merrybrides.livejournal.com, http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

About the Author: For more great honeymoon related articles and resources check out http://123honeymoons.info

By WeddingSolutions.com

• Luxury Travel
  

• Keep your family and friends up-to-date with your very own Wedding Website!

   

• Discount Wedding Gowns