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Posts Tagged ‘Weddings’

Taking A Romantic Cruise In Paris

February 28th, 2011

If you are feeling romantic and you want to be alone with your loved one in a romantic place far from petty distractions, why not go to Paris and take a cruise? The cruise ships are beautiful and offer haute cuisine with fine wines and a wide selection of dishes. Service on board is excellent and if they know that it is a special trip for you, they will go out of their way to make it even more special.

Just by selecting the city of Paris as your venue, you will be conveying the impression of romance, because as everybody knows, Paris has the reputation of being the capital of the world of romance.

So, how do you go about booking one of these cruises? Well, clearly, first of all, you have to be in Paris. This is not a difficulty, if you live in Europe as there are flights and sleeper trains. If you are American, you will have to take the longer-term view and start saving for next year.

Once in your hotel in Paris, you can either ask reception for details or go to one of the many Tourist Information Centres, where everybody speaks English. The cruise line staff will pick you up from your hotel on the chosen day, so that you will not have the hassle of having to find your way through a strange, busy city alone.

Once on board, the pampering starts with your welcoming on board and a free drink to ignite the fires of romance. You will enjoy four or more hours of this, depending on which cruise you decide on, but they are all fantastically romantic voyages aboard beautiful cruise liners.

Generally speaking, the cruise will start on the left bank of the river Seine, usually in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower. Some of these boats are made of a kind of perspex, so that your view of the streets and monuments is unimpeded. And of course, all the sights are lit up at night and in quite a spectacular manner too. You will also be able to gaze downwards into the water itself.

As you cruise on this glass boat you will be entertained by some of the finest musicians that Paris can offer you. Solo instrumentalists; quartets; classical music; solo artiste singers or a duet. There are also cruises with more modern music as well, but I don’t find them as romantic as the more traditional stuff. However, you can take all these details into account when you book your romantic cruise in Paris.

You will not only pass by celebrated landmarks, you will also pass very close by them and even underneath them. Famous bridges; Notre Dame; the Louvre, and many more. Not only that, but you will see all these fantastic historical monuments while being pampered by the best hosts that Paris has to offer and drinking fine wines and champagne, seated at the bow of the cruiser in luxury.

Once your romantic cruise and your meal are over, you will be taken to a sumptuous show on the Champs Elysees, where you will be given a half bottle of champagne on entry. There is no need to worry about driving, so let your hair down and enjoy yourselves.

When you have had enough of the high life, you will be taken back to your hotel, in the same manner that you were picked up. However, there are other options too. You may want to go back to the hotel on a romantic horse and carriage, it will sustain that romantic mood.

Once you get back to your hotel, why not both get in the bath together? Light a few scented candles, open another bottle of wine and play some soft music. It will be an evening you will both remember for the rest of your lives, I promise you.

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Is a Unique Wedding for You?

February 6th, 2011

We’re all familiar with the traditional wedding day accoutrement– the big white dress, the big white cake, the big white flowers– and there’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but the deamnd for updates and new ideas is understandable when one considers that many of the traditions surrounding the wedding day are quite old and do not take our modern age into account.

Wedding rings are a big part of this, as the wedding bands are the only item featured on the day of the wedding that the couple continues to use or wear when that day is over. Plain gold or platinum wedding rings in half-round or flat shapes have stood the test of time fairly well, but there is an indisputable demand for different and more modern wedding ring options as well. Different shapes like concave and beveled edge rings, black and two-tone wedding rings, and gem-heavy eternity styles present a new world of options, as do new and unusual materials like titanium and tungsten.

Tungsten rings or, more accurately, tungsten carbide rings, are a distinct gunmetal gray color that sets them apart from other types of rings in appearance. Their special properties don’t stop there, however– tungsten carbide is much stronger and harder than standard jeweler’s metals and is incapable of tarnishing. Tungsten carbide rings are also extremely difficult to scratch and lend themselves well to other modern elemnts of design, such as tension setting and laser etching.

Music is another major point to consider. The classical standards by Mendelssohn and Pachelbel so often associated with weddings are still popular and an excellent choice, as long as that’s what you want. But one should never feel confined to doing something in one way simply because that’s how it’s always been done. I’ve been a bridesmaid and maid of honor more times than I care to admit– let’s just say Katherine Heigl and her 27 dresses have nothing on me– and some of the most meaningful and memorable ceremonies were so because the couple dispensed with the status quo in order to do what made them happy and reflected their interests. Movie soundtracks, novelty songs, and performances by the couple’s musically inclined friends were all on the table, and it always worked because the intention was sincere.

The rules have changed regarding wedding flowers as well– the white roses and baby’s breath of traditional bouquets are now often edged out by bright colors, exotic plants, and non-floral accents like ribbons and crystals. For the wedding I discussed above, the bride carried a bouquet of flowers sculpted from metal and glass while we bridesmaids held bunches of peacock feathers.

The point is, in this modern age where we can be and do anything we dream of without being limited by social convention of the past, our dream weddings are within reach as well.

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Unique Groomsmen Gift As A Form Of Sincere Gratitude

October 18th, 2010

Where do you usually find a unique groomsmen gift? In weddings, of course. When you speak of this event, the word ordinary will not come across your mind because in every respect, each wedding is made distinct by the couple who have been wed. Remember that although there are similarities to tastes, the couple always owns the event and they do so by incorporating a part of themselves generously in the eyes of guests who are friends and relatives alike. Seeing the bride walk down the aisle is quite a standstill as everyone pause to admire the radiance that she exudes as she walks up to the man she will be one in union with in a matter of minutes stretching to an hour. That span of time alone could make a difference, and such is a display of love that can only happen at least once in anyone’s lifetime.

With the number of people attending a wedding, is there any way that they will remember the event with more than just a vague memory? That would be answered with a yes if we speak of the tokens. Meanwhile, people who are part of the entourage surely are the ones closest to the couple, thus a unique groomsmen gift could serve well in showing an extra special gratitude.

However, you do not even need to think so much of the cost because it does not require you to buy expensive items. In fact, you can depend on your personality and creativity to create quite a masterpiece. Think of customization and along the lines of it. You can ask around from your creative team some concepts that you can play around with to come up with something fun and exciting that they will surely enjoy receiving. Also, with the kind of expenses that you are obliged to handle as the soon to be newlywed, you cannot just add to the pile of financial strains. Thus, be very resourceful enough that you create the best out of a limited budget but not let it appear that you are giving away something cheap just for the sake of the limits.

To convince yourself that although adding some extra expenses won’t hurt but it will be better to stay safe with the finances, make a roll call of the expenses on a typical wedding and count them off in your head. Probably the major expenses would go to the rental of the venue of the ceremony and the reception area where you have to pay for the rental and the catering service for the food. Next would be the gown for the bride and the outfit of the rest of the entourage. Then, when you add all the littlest details like the accessories for a perfect look, the guestbook, flowers, ribbons, drapes, candles, almost anything included and it would still sum up quite big.

See? These expenses are never easy to handle, all the more if they have to be paid in cash basis. Thus, be resourceful enough to find great uses for the simplest things so that they will be appropriate to be given as presents as well, like a unique groomsmen gift. Think of the possibilities of being able to be as imaginative as you can as you incorporate your personality into something that people that would surely like. With a good event that has transpired, they will bring the good memories with them no matter where they go.

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Traditional Indian Wedding Favors

October 11th, 2010

Weddings held in every country follow specific traditions, culture and customs. Following these is important as this reflects the national pride and respect for one’s family. In India, weddings are considered the most special social event for the family. Well-off families in India spend millions in grand wedding celebrations. But even if the wedding is held outside India, every single aspect of the wedding truly reflects Indian heritage.

From the invitation printed in scrolls, to the wedding favors, everything can easily be recognized as Indian themed. If you are holding an Indian wedding or helping someone organize one, here are some traditional wedding favors that you can give away.

As in Indian cuisine where spices are used in everyday meals, you can give spices packed in small packets as favors. Honey jars and dried fruit are also other edible wedding favors where you can have more options when it comes to packaging.

For practical and decorative favors, you can have incense gift box, soaps or candles. You can have the soaps and candles shaped as elephant or elephant heads, or have images of elephants printed in the incense gift box. Bracelets that are intricately designed and packaged in an elegant manner also make for great favors for the women. Silver coins, meant to bring luck, are also traditionally given.

While these are the traditional favors, you can also give more contemporary favors such as coasters or almonds. Pack these wedding favors using boxes or ribbons, but most preferably in organza bags where it has both elegance and ethnicity in them as well.

A little research will truly be appreciated as your efforts to make everything right will truly be seen. Giving Indian themed favors are great but what’s most important is that you follow Indian customs and traditions to show your respect and reverence for their culture. Be sensitive enough to know that when you follow a certain tradition, culture, or custom, it’s either you go all the way, or refrain from doing them altogether. If you practice them but not as thoroughly, you might miss some important details and thus you may end up disappointing them.

But if having an Indian wedding is just one of those wedding ideas that you can’t let go of, then by all means go ahead and throw one. Your Indian wedding guests will be happy, and you can consider it an accomplishment for being able to throw this type of wedding. Indian culture is interesting and fun and you can never go wrong should you choose to have an Indian-inspired wedding.

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Charm Your Wedding Guest With Wholesale Favors

July 24th, 2010

Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. The giving of wedding favors is evidenced to date back to the 16th century. The practice of giving gifts to show appreciation for sharing their special day with them spans over many different cultures. Over time favors have evolved and changed. There are more choices than before for a bride and groom to express themselves through their favors. Some brides and grooms want to celebrate their roots by having their cultures traditional wedding gifts.

In Malaysia guests are given a symbol of fertility in the form of a hand painted egg. A traditional Italian wedding favor is candy covered almonds, also known as confetti. They are placed in small baskets or boxes. Or beautifully wrapped in lace or tulle then tied with ribbons. The sugar-coated almonds, Jordan Almonds are the Middle Eastern favor of choice. As well as many other cultures. They are considered to symbolize both the bitterness and the sweetness of a marriage. They are often given in packages of 3 or 5. Three almonds stand for the husband, wife and the future child. Five almonds stand for health, happiness, fertility, longevity and wealth. The Greek also use the sugar-coated almonds, they call them koufeta.

Many times gifts given to guests are commonly known as kind gestures that are shared in cultures worldwide. Wedding favors have become a part of wedding reception planning, especially in the United States and Canada. Wedding favors are diverse and usually complement the theme or season of the event. Classic favors can range from the classic sugared almonds or individual chocolates to candles and scented soaps. Modern gift trends include: CDs with the favorite music of the bride and groom, shot glasses filled with colored candy or silver picture frames with a photo of the couple. Gifts may also be personalized with the couple’s names, initials or wedding date. It’s always a good idea for the favors to match the theme if you are planning to have a themed wedding. If you are having, for example, a Princess wedding, then fairy tale-themed favors would be an excellent choice. Likewise, a winter-themed wedding could have crystals or fine goblets as favors. Simple favors are an inexpensive and easy way to handle the favors decision. Affordable gifts like candles or flowers would be high on the list of simple things you could choose, but there are many different options available. Therefore, you can still choose the color and style you want for your special day.

Try Selecting gifts that uniquely reflect your personal sense of style and will create a lasting impression with your guests. Gifts that your guests can actually use are always appreciated. Some couples provide cultural favors that reflect their heritage while others choose gifts that will bring a smile and highlight their sense of fun. There are many online wedding accessories’ stores where you can have all your needs.

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