Jun 23, 2011
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Mention Father of the Bride and images of Steve Martin come to mind, but not everyone can deal with stress and pressure by making us laugh…
The Father of the Bride is a role that can be left out during the wedding planning process (except to keep up with all the payments). He is expected to be experienced enough to cope with his nerves and expected to be strong enough to cope with his emotions. Giving your daughter away can be a very difficult and bittersweet moment. We thought we would help.
Take a moment and if you know someone in this role, pass on our advice!
1. Getting Over The Nerves
Nerves about the ceremony, speeches and toasts can be overwhelming. Don’t worry all of these nervous can be settled with a little preparation. Make sure and make it to the rehearsal that way the only thing to worry about during the ceremony is giving away “Daddy’s little girl”. Also make sure to write and practice your speech well before your daughter’s big day. A little preparation can go a long way when it comes to easing nerves.
2. Prepare for Your Speeches
Preparing your speeches in full before hand is the best thing you can do to ease your nerves, don’t wing it! For more tips on how to write a great speech take a look at MW’s “Cheers Worthy Toast” post. The Father of the Bride sets the tempo, welcomes his guests, new members of the family and speaks about his daughter while trying to not embarrass her! Remember…Practice makes perfect!
3. Plan Your Advice
One of the most important tasks of the Father of the Bride is to pass on advice to the couple. This advice can be in a toast, in passing, or in a letter. Make sure to prepare what advice you would like to give the couple, many couples will remember what advice you gave them for years to come. Remember what you’ve learned throughout your years and share it with them!
4. Be Ready for the Emotions
Men sometimes try and hide their emotions from the rest of the world. Make sure and take some time with your daughter before the wedding to talk about what she means to you. Many Father of the Brides believe that they will come up with the perfect thing to say when the time comes but never do. By doing this you can remorse for never getting the chance to tell your daughter how you feel or be overwhelmed by emotions during the ceremony.
May 27, 2011
Are you in love with color, lots of color?, and can’t decide on just one shade for your bridesmaid dress? With a floral bridesmaid dress you can have it all. It is fresh and playful but can also be sophisticated depending on the colors and floral design you select. Add a carefully chosen bouquet and you have created a stunning and unforgettable look for your wedding party.
The floral design is ideal for garden weddings but with the right pattern, it is equally at home at an outdoor wedding on a vast lawn or with a tropical twist, a beach wedding. Nothing seems more cheery in the summertime!
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You can even carry the floral pattern over to the groomsmen with matching ties for a coordinated, polished look.
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How to accessorize? By pairing your bridesmaid dress with a monochromatic bouquet you have a winning look. Maybe you are drawn to patterns and like the look of a black and white design while color spotting your bouquet? Subtle flowers, vibrant flowers or a retro pattern – this is where your wedding style comes into play.
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Mix it up by selecting one floral pattern yet have different dress style/cut options which allows your bridesmaids to chose the style that flatters her the most. Project Runway competitor, Jesse LeNoir, designed these one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses for his wedding in March 2010. Each dress was designed to complement each bridesmaid’s body type and personal style.
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Personally, I love this look when pulled off correctly and even selected it for my own wedding. I chose a simple silk Tommy Bahama dress with a subtle tropical pattern – after all, we were in Maui! My gals carried green cymbidium orchids with callas which were slightly smaller than my own bouquet. One of my favorite getting ready pics below.
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Our Top Picks:
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BHLDN Bubble Floral Dress
Chiffon Orange/Pink Floral Pretty Bridesmaids.com
Chiffon Floral from Pretty Bridesmaids.com
Long Version of Chiffon Pretty Bridesmaids.com
BCBGMaxAzaria - Ivory Dress with Floral Adorned Rosettes
Poppy Galore by Tommy Bahama
Anemones Dress by Tommy Bahama
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Mar 16, 2011
Dogs for many of us are our loyal companions giving us unconditional love every day and are an intrinsic part of our family. It is only natural to want to include your canine in your wedding day. It has become more and more common for dogs to be included in the wedding ceremony instead of a flower girl, ring bearer, groomsmen or bridesmaid. Or better yet, create their own role in the processional as Top Dawg!
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Not only can your dog be a memorable and personable part of the ceremony but they just look so adorable. Wedding style and color palette does not stop here either. Don’t miss another opportunity for adding detail!
Options range from color coordinating the leash and collar to adding a floral collar, a bow tie or even accessorizing with a leash made out of ribbon. Your pooch will be sure to look their best. We couldn’t resist these photos of a few our top dawgs that have graced our Merrily Wed aisles.
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Your family portrait on your wedding day wouldn’t be complete without man’s best friend, so add a spot in your wedding party for your top dawg! The memories and photos will last a lifetime…
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Dec 17, 2010
It’s hard to miss the signs that this holiday season is in full swing – all the cocktail parties, sweet treats, festive decorations and, thankfully this year, lots and lots of snow in Tahoe. I love this time of the year!
This is also a spiritual time for many and a time to reflect upon their faith. Along with each different faith, there are certain beliefs and traditions of which influence the couple’s wedding ceremony. These ceremonies can differ as widely as a bride’s personal style but they have one common purpose of uniting two individuals.
This past summer Merrily Wed planned a wide variety of wedding ceremonies. We had a Persian, a Jewish, a Catholic and a Buddhist ceremony all in the month of July alone! Just like our couples, each of these ceremonies was very unique and we had a fabulous time making sure every detail was just right. We would like to share some of the highlights with you!
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Dave Getzschman - MW Wedding
Persian Wedding Ceremony:
The Persian wedding ceremony is known as the aghd. During the aghd, the bride and groom are seated before a spread of traditional items, called the sofreh. On the sofreh facing the bride and groom is a mirror, illuminated by candles on either side. Many other items are placed onto the sofreh and each has its own symbolism with regard to prosperity that it may bring. The married women in the family hold above the couple a canopy of fine fabric and grind two cones of sugar over their heads, to hope for a sweet life.
Unlike traditional western weddings where the bride and groom state “I Do,” the Persian tradition is more elaborate and entices the bride to agree to marry the groom. When the officiant asks for the bride’s hand on behalf of the groom, the bride does not speak at first; instead she remains silent, which represents the pursuit of the bride by the groom. The third time that she is asked, the bride speaks up and gives the affirmative response of “baleh!” (yes). The officiant then directs the question to the groom, who answers yes without hesitation.
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Keoki Flagg Photography - MW Wedding
Jewish Wedding Ceremony:
Before a Jewish wedding ceremony, the ketubah (marriage contract) is signed in the presence of two witnesses. The ketubah describes the husband’s responsibility to his wife: clothing, food, and marital relations. This is often written as a manuscript and is framed and displayed in the couple’s home.
A traditional Jewish wedding ceremony takes place under a Chuppah – a wedding canopy. The Chuppah symbolizes the new home being built by the couple when they become husband and wife. It is traditional for the face of the bride to be veiled during part of the ceremony. The veil is removed by the end of the ceremony, in a ritual called Badeken.
In the ceremony, “Seven Blessings” are recited by the Rabbi, or by honored members of the bridal party who are called up individually. The groom holds a cup or glass of wine during these blessings, and drinks from it after each blessing. At the end of the ceremony, the groom breaks a glass, crushing it with his right foot, and the guests shout “Mazel tov!” which means good luck. After the ceremony it is custom to leave the bride and groom alone for 10-20 minutes, where the couple retreats to a private room.
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Kate Webber - MW Wedding
Catholic Wedding Ceremony:
Catholic weddings are very traditional, rarely straying from their original customs. The ceremony consists of biblical readings, a sermon, the exchange of vows and rings followed by additional prayers. A very important element of a Catholic wedding ceremony is the Sacrament of Matrimony, a public sign that the couple gives oneself totally to the other person. Catholic weddings must be held in a church and are not allowed to be held outdoors, to be valid with the church.
The processional is a key aspect of the Catholic wedding ceremony. This usually consists of altar servers, the priest, witnesses, bridesmaids and groomsmen. The bride is traditionally led down the aisle by her father.
The priest blesses the rings, then the vows and rings are exchanged by the couple. Couples having a Catholic ceremony can choose whether or not they desire to include Mass. To conclude the ceremony, the priest gives a final blessing followed by announcing the couple for the first time. The couple starts the recessional by walking back down the aisle together, followed by the bridal party.
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Lisa Leigh Photography - MW Wedding
Buddhist Wedding Ceremony:
There is no standardized Buddhist marriage ceremony; however wedding ceremonies can be Buddhist if they are centered on the main beliefs of Buddhism and include traditional Buddhist elements. There are two main areas of beliefs to add to your ceremony to make it a Buddhist ceremony.
First is the acknowledgement of the present moment, many of life’s special moments occur in the present. Including the acknowledgement of the present in the ceremony is very traditional for a Buddhist wedding ceremony. The second belief that should be a part of the ceremony is the feeling of interconnectedness. Ceremonies are intended to mark important events, allowing attendees to express their true feelings and share them with others is important to those attending a Buddhist ceremony.
Other traditional elements in the ceremony include having a short period of silence that allows all in attendance to have time to reflect on the wishes they have for the couple. Another element is repeating a refuge or precept after the officiant. The refuge or precept can be unique and re-written by the couple. Adding poetry into the ceremony is another aspect of a Buddhist ceremony. Lastly, having prayer flags around the ceremony is said to bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity.
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Although all of these ceremonies are different, they also have some similarities – a processional, vows are read and rings are exchanged which represent the vows. The last and final common tradition is ending the ceremony by the groom kissing the bride. What better way to ending a ceremony then by sealing it with a kiss?
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Oct 28, 2010
After finding your dream wedding gown (and possibly falling in love again…), don’t forget about your main squeeze and his entourage. The formality of your gown will easily dictate what your groom and his groomsmen should wear. At MW’s lakefront weddings we have seen different types of attire ranging from formal to semi-formal to casual. There are so many choices for the men to choose from so take care with these details and they will be sure to look amazingly dapper!
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Formal:
The most classic attire is the tuxedo or Black Tie. The tuxedo usually includes a black coat, trousers with stripe on leg seam, white tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, black bow tie, cuff links and black leather dress shoes. For a quirky spin – ‘Creative Black Tie’ – on the traditional tuxedo, replace the black bow tie with a fun color that compliments the color palette of your special day or sport a black shirt for a modern look.
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Photo Courtesy of Ben Chrisman Photography, Dave Getzschman of Ben Chrisman Photography & Jennifer Baciocco Photography - All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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For the utmost formal event, it must be White Tie complete with a white bow tie, vest, possibly jacket with tails and a white tuxedo shirt.
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Semi-Formal:
The most common style that we see at lakefront weddings is semi-formal. Semi-formal usually includes a well-planned suit and tie. This style can be personalized by using a different color suit besides black. Some of the popular suit colors we have seen besides black are: navy blue, charcoal gray, chocolate brown and tan.
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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Kate Webber Photography, Lisa Leigh Photography, Mulberry Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Another fabulous look we love is a “By the Lake” style by combining a navy sportcoat and khaki slacks. This nautical trend is a favorite for many reasons including the adaptability to fit your personal taste.
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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Christa Hoffarth Photography, Jennifer Baciocco Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Don’t forget the details!! All of these semi-formal styles can look great paired with a tie that pulls from your wedding color scheme.
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Kilt:
Another dapper look for those willing enough (and with the legs!) to pull this ensemble off is the kilt. A kilt is a classic Scottish and Celtic garment. It is a knee-length garment that is pleated in the rear and made from wool in a tartan pattern. Many grooms choose to wear a pattern in their family clan’s tartan to represent their Scottish or Celtic culture on their special day. Tradition has it that nothing else is worn underneath the kilt…
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Photos Courtesy of Photography by Monique, Organic Photographs and Ben Chrisman Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Semi-Casual:
A semi-casual wedding calls for a more relaxed style. A khaki linen suit or pairing a nice collared silk shirt and slacks are perfect looks for a laid back feel. If it gets chilly during the evening, a sportcoat is a great addition to the shirt/slack combination.
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Photos courtesy by Ben Chrisman Photography. Merrily Wed Wedding.
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Your groom and groomsmen are sure to look as unforgettably stunning as you (well, almost as smashing!) with just a little care in choosing their stylish look.
Oct 20, 2010
Have you ever wondered where certain wedding traditions came from? We picked seven common wedding traditions and found their origins. It is interesting to see how these have evolved over the years into today’s widely popular and accepted versions.
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1. The Wedding Party:
During Ancient Roman times it was believed that demons were out to get the couple about to be married. The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen was created to help protect the couple. The wedding party dressed similar to the bride – bridesmaids used to wear white – and the groom so the demons could not tell who was getting married.
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2. The Veil:
The veil worn by the bride was not always sheer or made of lace; it used to be made from a much heavier cloth. This opaque material was a precaution in case there was another man in love with the bride. The veil would hide whomever was under the veil, and her other admirer couldn’t kidnap her before she was wed.
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3. Bride on Left & Groom on Right:
During the wedding ceremony the bride traditionally stands on the left and the groom stands on the right. The origin of this tradition goes back to when the groom used to kidnap his bride. The groom would stand on the right in case he had to fight another suitor, this would allow the groom to hold the brides left hand and still have his right free to be able to use his sword.
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4. You May Now Kiss the Bride:
Sealed with a kiss? There was a time, under Roman law that a kiss was legally binding. In fact, if the couple did not kiss at the end of the ceremony, the marriage would be null and void. The kiss is now for more romantic purposes and, hey it is just plain fun, than it was in those days!
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5. The Grooms Cake:
The tradition of having a groom’s cake in addition to the traditional wedding cake started in the South. The groom’s cake is not only so the groom can reflect his own interests and hobbies into his special day, it also is popular with the single female guests. Legend has it that if a female guest takes a slice of the groom’s cake and places it under her pillow while she sleeps that night, she will dream of her future husband.
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6. Cake Cutting:
Sharing the first piece was a traditions created by the Romans. It was believed that eating the first piece together creates a special bond between the bride and groom. The sweet cake was thought to bring sweetness to all aspects of the couple’s new life together. The wheat used in the cake was symbolic of a fruitful union and fertility.
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7. The Honeymoon:
The honeymoon is a very old Scandinavian tradition. After the ceremony the bride used to be captured by her groom and held hostage until her family called off the search for her. The term honeymoon refers to the time that follows the capture of the bride. This also relates to the origins of a ‘best man’, the best man was supposed to stall the bride’s family until the couple had escaped.
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These wedding traditions have been around for a long time and have evolved into their more modern versions. You now know the originations of these popular traditions so at the next wedding you attend, you can dazzle your friends with your handy knowledge!
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Photos (in order) courtesy of Annie X Photography, Catherine Hall Studios, Jennifer Baciocco Photography, Ben Chrisman Photography (three photos) and Organic Photographs. All from Merrily Wed Weddings.
