Feb 8, 2011
The word amazing has been bugging me lately and become sort of a pet peeve. I cringe whenever I hear it or read it.
This is the most excessively used word in the English language. Really it is – last tested on 9.30.10. Do you seriously take notice or believe when someone says “That was amazing” or “What an amazing time”? It’s completely lost any credibility and descriptive powers.
If it’s not too late, I would like to add this to my New Year’s resolutions – to stop using the word amazing!
This word has been used so much on this season’s The Bachelor, a late-night TV-show host couldn’t resist to make a drinking game out of the number of times it is said during an episode (hear amazing, drink – you get it). You feel your IQ shrink a little after watching this show.
I am sure I am guilty as well for overusing this word in describing past weddings (and probably even on this blog) but now that I am consciously aware of it, I am striking this word from my vocabulary. You will not see or hear it in any of my correspondence with my clients and colleagues – email or phone.
Let’s use our noodles a little and think of suitable synonyms for this word. Dust off that thesaurus or download an app – whatever you favor. Our English teachers will love us for it!
Feel free to comment about your opinion on this word, but please, try not to use the word amazing.
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Feb 2, 2011
Metallics are going to be hot. Whether you are a gold gal or a silver gal or something inbetween, there is a precious metal shade for you… platinum, copper, bronze, gold or silver.
Copper is a natural compliment to the fall hues, bronze looks stunning with vibrant colors (think of how great a bronzed, tan body looks in bright summery clothes…). Gold always adds a richness and sophistication to the design. Platinum brings a cool, classic antique elegance to the table while a shiny silver gives a sleek gleam.
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One of our brides added a bronze sash with beaded floral rosettes to her bridesmaids’ black dresses for a one-of-a-kind style. Simple touches like choosing a gold rimmed plate or gold rimmed champagne glasses will add detail.
It is easy to incorporate this fresh trend into your wedding style by selecting an embellished wedding gown, a metallic linen or a wedding accessory like a hair clip, shoe or belt with your favorite metal color. Groomsmen attire isn’t off limits either! Key focal points to consider include your invitation, your wedding cake as well as a multitude of elements in your tablescape.
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Credits: Clockwise from upper left – Jean Michael Cazabet, Lela New York , Melissa Jill Photography, Gold Cake, Brides of Leigh, Melissa Jill Photography – next three photos.
Center photo – Kate Webber Photography – Merrily Wed Wedding.
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There are so many ways to play with this metallic trend. Have fun with it!
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Jan 7, 2011
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Thinking about an engagement party? Read up on this Engagement Party 101… As a nice follow-up to our earlier post on “Announcing Your Engagement” and with so many engagements around the holiday season, we thought we would clear up the etiquette around engagement parties.
An engagement party is a time to celebrate the engagement of the bride and groom while spending time with close family and friends. Who wouldn’t want to do that?? I always think it is a perfect time to get everyone excited about the trip for the destination wedding (if they aren’t already!) as well as introduce possible single travel buddies to each other.
To clear up any confusion about the proper engagement party etiquette, here are 5 simple tips to help you….
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1. When should the engagement party be held?
There is not an exact proper time to have an engagement party but it should fall sometime after the couple is officially engaged and before the wedding. The engagement party should be closer to the beginning of the engagement than to the date of the wedding.
2. Who should host the engagement party?
Traditionally the parents of the bride host the engagement party. It is not uncommon anymore for the groom’s parents, siblings or friends of the couple to host the party. The bride and groom should not ask someone to host the party for them nor host the party themselves.
3. Where should the engagement party be held?
Engagement parties can range from being formal to very informal depending on the venue – a house or a restaurant are the most popular. Guests should not travel to the party, especially if having a destination wedding. Therefore having multiple parties are common when hosted in different towns or by different groups of family/friends.
4. Who should be invited?
Engagement parties are usually small and intimate affairs but can also be quite large. Generally close family and friends are invited to celebrate the engagement. Only guests attending the wedding should be invited to the engagement party.
5. Should guests bring gifts to an engagement party?
The couple should not expect any guests to bring gifts. BUT some guests may bring a gift so it is important to have a gift registry started before the engagement party.
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Here’s to all the newly engaged couples as they revel in this special time in their lives!
Live, Love and Laugh…
Dec 30, 2010
With all the gifts given this Holiday Season, chances are a few were a shiny engagement ring. The Holidays and New Year’s Eve are the most popular times of the year to become engaged (well, right behind Valentine’s Day…).
Once you are engaged then what? Who and how do you tell the big news? We know you are probably wanting to tweet it to the world but here are a few more practical PC ways for spreading the exciting news!
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WHO TO TELL FIRST?
Parents:
Your parents should be the first to hear the big news! Traditionally the bride’s parents are told first (if the groom didn’t already ask dad for her hand in marriage beforehand – very traditional etiquette) and then the groom’s parents. If both parents live nearby then you could tell them at the same time if you choose and if not, just make sure they are both told within a close timeframe so there are no hurt feelings.
Children:
If you have children, then they should be the first to know. If the child is from a previous relationship it might take them a little while to get adjusted to the big change. If they are from your current relationship, you will want to have your child hear it from you first and not from someone else.
Close Relatives:
After you tell your parents you should tell your close relatives. These should be any siblings, grandparents, and other relatives you are particularly close to. A great time to share the big news with these family members can be over the holidays when many of these family members will be together (if they didn’t happen to be present during the proposal!).
Friends:
Finally you can share the news with your friends! This might be hard for many of you to keep from your best friends and closest confidants. If you absolutely cannot wait, you can slip it to a few BFFs but make sure they keep it a secret until you have time to tell your immediate family.
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HOW TO ANNOUNCE THE ENGAGEMENT?
Formal Announcement:
The most traditional way to announce your engagement is by mailing a formal announcement. Be careful who you send this announcement – everyone who is sent an engagement announcement should also be invited to the wedding. This can double as a save-the-date if you have already set your wedding date.
Newspaper Announcement:
Announce your engagement in the society section of your hometown newspaper. Chances are you might not live in the same location as when you grew up and this is a great way to let all the people back home know of the wonderful news.
At A Party:
By announcing your engagement at a party you can tell a lot of people at once. This party is not to be confused with your engagement party when all of your friends are invited to celebrate during your engagement. If you are engaged around the holidays then a holiday gathering is another great time to let your family know. Please make sure not to announce it at someone else’s event so they do not feel upstaged by your big news.
Postcard:
A more creative way to announce your engagement is to have an engagement photo shoot with your new fiancé. Take one of your favorite photos from the shoot and turn it into a post card. You can do this on virtually any online photo service or where you locally get your pictures developed. On the postcard you can add a quick announcement or a more elaborate quote about love, the engagement and, if known, a wedding date. These postcards are a fun and easy way to announce your news and are now more commonly doubling as a Save the Date!
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We raise our glasses to all the newly engaged couples as they begin this magical and exciting time of planning a wedding! Happy Engagement!
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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