Lighting the Unity Candle in Your Ceremony

The act of lighting a unity candle is packed with symbolism, a tradition that joins the families of both the bride and groom in an act meant to show the union of matrimony. The bride and groom's mothers will both light a candle, and occasionally the grandparents will join in, lighting their own candles. Each set of parents will pass their flame on until it reaches the bride and groom. Then the bride and groom will take their own candles and light the unity candle. They may choose to blow out their candles to symbolize the union of a new individual, or leave them lit to symbolize that they retain their personalities even in marriage. The ceremony usually takes place after the vows are read.

As for where the ceremony came from, the origins of the unity candle are still a little hard to peg down. Sometime in the last 50 years or so in America it began to spread, igniting a trend that was quickly adopted by many Christian marriages.

The Calla Lily Unity Candle Set pictured above is from www.weddingmountain.com

A modern twist on the unity ceremony is the ever popular Unity Sand Ceremony. Couples take turns pouring colored sand into a central vase, which represents the union not only of them but their friends and families as well.

The separate sands once poured into the unity vase can never be put back into their separate vases. They are forever entwined just as the lives and loves of the bride and groom.

After the United Sand Ceremony, the couple has a keepsake to remember their wedding day.

Visit www.unitedsandceremony.net for ideas or products.

Multi-purpose Centerpieces

A great way at your next Celebration is to be creative and save money is with a multi-purpose Centerpiece.

These can be anything from the standard picture frame/place setting to some more creative ways.

Here are two examples for your next event:

The Puzzle Party Platter is a new, creatively designed product that solves the puzzle of how to juggle a cocktail and a snack plate at a social event -- and it doubles as a uniquely shaped interlocking serving platter as well.

The Puzzle Platter’s generous surface size provides party guests plenty of space for hors d'oeuvres, and it allows them to simultaneously handle a drink glass and have a free hand as well. The Puzzle Platter offers an easy to hold, elongated handle on one end, and an open notch on the opposite end that securely holds any size wine glass. This new party accessory makes it easy for guests to roam about the room or patio with drinks and snack in hand.

As an added bonus, the innovative design allows for the Puzzle Platters to be connected together in a daisy chain-like pattern for a visually appealing buffet setting. The hand-crafted Puzzle Platters are made entirely from eco-friendly bamboo, so they are lightweight yet sturdy. They are coated with a food-safe, maintenance-free finish for easy cleanup and reuse.

Another that works as a favor and centerpiece are called Wanderfuls.

This is a concept that you personalized from the colors, size and type of candies to create your own unique centerpiece. They are great as both your theme colors and a favor for your guests to take home.

This works for Wedding, Proms, Sweet 16, Quinceanera, Anniversaries, etc. This saves also on what to do with your Centerpieces at the end of your event.

So get creative and save at your next Celebration!

www.totallybamboo.com

www.wanderfuls.com

Weddings on a Budget

It is always a challenge to stay within your budget, especially during these economic times.

Even in the best of times Wedding Budgets tend to grow like the proverbial Kudzu!

There are several steps the Wedding Couple can take to stay within their means and still have a wonderful Celebration.

Like a house or any other big purchase there is an emotional attachment to your Wedding. You should strive for that perfect day just keep it in perspective.

On average, US couples spend $24,066 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $18,050 and $30,083. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring. Understanding wedding cost now can help you with your wedding budget later.*

The most costly part of the Wedding is not the clothes or place but the size. Remember that most places will charge a per person cost for food and beverage. Keep your numbers in line. You can always have a casual, larger reception for all of your guests that you could not accommodate at the Wedding or Reception.

To further understand and get a handle on your Budget visit sites like www.costofwedding.com.

Remember that you can have it all in moderation.

Good Luck and Congratulations on making it within your budget!

*www.costofwedding.com .

Wedding Traditions that Stand the Test of Time!

We all want our Wedding to be unique and memorable. However there are some items that should be included in every Wedding. Below is a list that can be tweaked to make it your own.

• Father walking bride down the aisle (If you have more than father or person who means the most to you offer to have both walk you down the aisle).
• Throwing the bouquet of flowers- or giving it to a special person as a gift (50^th anniversary, etc.)
• Best man speeches- How about a Maid of Honor Speech also
• Emotional first dance- Another place to offer that dance if you have more than 1 person to celebrate with!
• Bride and groom cutting the cake- Have another celebration with the Groom’s Cake cut by someone special in both your lives.
• Signing a guest book- or signing something special to both of you (special book, etc.)
• Party favors- tie them into the celebration as centerpieces, etc.
• Bouquet of flowers for mothers of bride and groom- They don’t have to be just flowers.
• Group photos-Perfect time to also have family/holiday photos.
• Man proposing on one knee. Remember you don’t have to over due this. This should be special not a media event.

Meanwhile traditions like having a drink before walking down the aisle, asking the bride's father for permission, changing into going-away suits for honeymoons that immediately follow weddings, throwing confetti and decorating cars with "just married" signs, and carrying brides over thresholds are nearly extinct. Compare what's in and out, and you can see how extravagant weddings have become.