So imagine this...your recently engaged friend is "planning" her wedding scheduled for sometime in the far future(12-14 months from her engagement). She decides to throw a New Years Eve party with her groom-to-be to ring in the New Year....
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Military Wedding Details and Etiquette
In honor of our men and women in uniform on this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, today's blog post is about Military Weddings.
Many people who have affiliations to the Armed Services may want to incorporate their respective military organization into their big day. I was actually surprised at the lack of information available about the etiquette and particulars of planning a military wedding. While not a completely comprehensive manual, here are three important aspects to keep in mind when planning a military wedding.
Attire
For the groom and any active military male bridal party participants, the ‘correct’ dress code depends on their rank and the formality of the wedding.
For a Black Tie wedding, commissioned officers can wear either their dinner or mess uniforms. For an even more formal white tie and tails wedding, groom and groomsmen should sport their evening dress uniform. If any male attendants are members of a different service than the groom, they just wear a uniform of comparable formality to his.
Whether the wedding is formal or informal, non-commissioned officers should wear dress blues or Army green. Military attendants who are part of the sword or saber ceremony are required to wear white gloves. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings. Boutonnieres are not worn with uniforms; instead, officers wear their military decorations.
Active military brides (and bridesmaids) have the option to wear either their military dress uniform or a traditional bridal gown.
The Sword or Saber Ritual
The grand finale of a military wedding ceremony is the formation of a sword or saber arch. Immediately following the pronouncement of marriage, before the couple heads down the aisle, the honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword" or "draw sabers," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers and return them to a carry position. Depending on your particular church’s rules and branch of service, the arch can be formed either outside or in the foyer of the chapel, synagogue or church.
The tradition of the bride and groom walking through the arch of swords is meant to symbolize the couple's safe transition into their new lives together.
If the bride is a civilian, another tradition is a gentle sword tap on the rear that she receives from the last swordsman as one of the attendants tells her, “Welcome to the Navy (or the appropriate military division). Grooms, should you decide to adhere to this custom, it would be prudent to inform your bride about the possibility so that she isn't unpleasantly surprised!
Cutting the Military Wedding Cake
Finally, at the wedding reception many military couples choose to use the groom’s sword or saber to cut the wedding cake. Make sure the sword/saber is cleaned before the cake is cut and is cleaned, once again, before it’s placed back in its sheath.
Lastly, if in doubt about the correct military protocol, simply defer your questions to the nearest military base personnel; I guarantee that someone there can point you in the right direction.
Source: US Marriage Laws, Weddings for a Living
Photo: Pinterest
Attire
For the groom and any active military male bridal party participants, the ‘correct’ dress code depends on their rank and the formality of the wedding.
For a Black Tie wedding, commissioned officers can wear either their dinner or mess uniforms. For an even more formal white tie and tails wedding, groom and groomsmen should sport their evening dress uniform. If any male attendants are members of a different service than the groom, they just wear a uniform of comparable formality to his.
Whether the wedding is formal or informal, non-commissioned officers should wear dress blues or Army green. Military attendants who are part of the sword or saber ceremony are required to wear white gloves. The groom and best man do not wear gloves because they will be handling the rings. Boutonnieres are not worn with uniforms; instead, officers wear their military decorations.
Active military brides (and bridesmaids) have the option to wear either their military dress uniform or a traditional bridal gown.
The Sword or Saber Ritual
The grand finale of a military wedding ceremony is the formation of a sword or saber arch. Immediately following the pronouncement of marriage, before the couple heads down the aisle, the honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword" or "draw sabers," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords or sabers and return them to a carry position. Depending on your particular church’s rules and branch of service, the arch can be formed either outside or in the foyer of the chapel, synagogue or church.
The tradition of the bride and groom walking through the arch of swords is meant to symbolize the couple's safe transition into their new lives together.
If the bride is a civilian, another tradition is a gentle sword tap on the rear that she receives from the last swordsman as one of the attendants tells her, “Welcome to the Navy (or the appropriate military division). Grooms, should you decide to adhere to this custom, it would be prudent to inform your bride about the possibility so that she isn't unpleasantly surprised!
Cutting the Military Wedding Cake
Finally, at the wedding reception many military couples choose to use the groom’s sword or saber to cut the wedding cake. Make sure the sword/saber is cleaned before the cake is cut and is cleaned, once again, before it’s placed back in its sheath.
Lastly, if in doubt about the correct military protocol, simply defer your questions to the nearest military base personnel; I guarantee that someone there can point you in the right direction.
Source: US Marriage Laws, Weddings for a Living
Photo: Pinterest
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
8 Creative Uses for Wheelbarrows in Outdoor Weddings
It's amazing how with a little creativity and love, the most ordinary and mundane things can be converted into extraordinary works of art. A wheelbarrow is a fun prop you can incorporate into your outdoor wedding in so many fun ways!
Complete your romantic setting with a display of floral extravagance set upon a vintage wheelbarrow...
Or substitute welcome mats...
Complete your romantic setting with a display of floral extravagance set upon a vintage wheelbarrow...
Use it as an outdoor cooler to serve refreshments...
Use it in place of a gift table...
Use it in place of a stroller...
Or in place of a getaway vehicle...
They make great rustic candy buffets...
And accent pieces...
What are some other ordinary objects you love using at weddings and events?
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
What Your Color Scheme Says About Your Wedding
Ensure that your guests will get the right message by knowing what different colors mean and the emotions they invoke. Then, just like your wedding décor, use color in creative ways to support your message and to create something memorable in your guests’ minds and eyes.
Blue: Peace, Trust, Dependability, Calm, Intelligence, Dreams, Thoughts, Imagination and Tranquility
Purple: Royalty, Luxury, Creativity, Spirituality, Wealth, Emotions and Devotion
White: Purity, Innocence, Empowerment, Goodness, Cleanliness, Humility, Reverence and Simplicity
Yellow: Hopefulness, Cheer, Optimism, Energy, Positivity, Purity, Clarity, Truth, Sustenance and All Things Wholesome
Green: Nature, Health, Renewal, Growth, Healing, Harmony,
Hope, Youth and Bounty
Source: Biz Bash
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