MOB Karen
07-03-2006, 04:43 PM
Today's Weddings
http://www.weddingexpress.com/images/jaz/jen/2.jpg
Weddings today are a combination of sentimental traditions with a new age twist. While couples want to maintain many of the symbolic traditions, such as a white gown and the father of the bride giving his daughter away, they also want to make their wedding unique and a reflection of their personal tastes. The following are some of the growing trends that are emerging:
The groom is more involved than ever
To make the wedding day a true reflection of both the bride and groom, the groom has to be involved in the planning process. Where in the past it was the bride and her mother handling all the arrangements, today, it is more of the bride and groom managing the planning together. Grooms are getting involved in everything from selecting photographers to planning the menu. It truly is great fun to have the bride and groom work together to make the wedding their special day.
Less uniform bridal parties
Traditionally, the bridal party was evenly split between bridesmaids and ushers, with each member on either side dressed exactly the same way. In the new millennium that tradition is changing. Brides are selecting a specific color for the bridal party then allowing the bridesmaids to select their own particular dress. This avoids selecting one dress that doesn't compliment every participants figure and style, while it also gives each person a sense of individuality.
Couples showers
Couples are also crossing gender lines for the bridal party. Brides are having males stand up for them, while grooms are having female friends and family stand for them. There are no longer rules that dictate right from wrong regarding who is in your bridal party. Couples are including people that mean the most to them, regardless of gender.
Uneven bridal party
Lastly, the bridal party does not need to be evenly split. If there are more bridesmaids than ushers, or vice versa, that is perfectly acceptable. Again, what matters most is that the bride and groom have those that matter most to them involved, not the number.
Many more personal touches
There are many different ways that couples getting married today are adding personal touches to their special day, and it is being done at ceremonies and receptions alike.
At the ceremony, to add a personal touch, couples are doing things from reciting vows that they have written themselves to adding special music. Whether it be a friend that sings for them or having their favorite love song played, it adds a very special feel to the ceremony.
Many different touches are being added to the reception. One of the most common are receptions that take on a more ethnic flare. From the menu that the couple selects to the music they have played, the couple's combined heritage is reflected. Even the types of drinks served can enhance the ambiance of the affair and many couples are offering theme bars such as cappuccino, martini, or margarita bars.
Couples are also adding touches to the reception by having creative table assignments. For instance, if the couple likes to travel they have each table as a country and assign people to "the France table" or "the Italy table" and have each table with a theme.
There is any number of ways to personalize the reception, so couples should be creative and have fun...
While it is clear that the styles of weddings change over time, the meaningful symbolism of many of the old traditions remain the same. What is most important is that each couple captures those meaningful traditions in their own personal way. So couples should have fun, be creative, and make your affair a reflection of you.
http://www.weddingexpress.com/images/jaz/jen/2.jpg
Weddings today are a combination of sentimental traditions with a new age twist. While couples want to maintain many of the symbolic traditions, such as a white gown and the father of the bride giving his daughter away, they also want to make their wedding unique and a reflection of their personal tastes. The following are some of the growing trends that are emerging:
The groom is more involved than ever
To make the wedding day a true reflection of both the bride and groom, the groom has to be involved in the planning process. Where in the past it was the bride and her mother handling all the arrangements, today, it is more of the bride and groom managing the planning together. Grooms are getting involved in everything from selecting photographers to planning the menu. It truly is great fun to have the bride and groom work together to make the wedding their special day.
Less uniform bridal parties
Traditionally, the bridal party was evenly split between bridesmaids and ushers, with each member on either side dressed exactly the same way. In the new millennium that tradition is changing. Brides are selecting a specific color for the bridal party then allowing the bridesmaids to select their own particular dress. This avoids selecting one dress that doesn't compliment every participants figure and style, while it also gives each person a sense of individuality.
Couples showers
Couples are also crossing gender lines for the bridal party. Brides are having males stand up for them, while grooms are having female friends and family stand for them. There are no longer rules that dictate right from wrong regarding who is in your bridal party. Couples are including people that mean the most to them, regardless of gender.
Uneven bridal party
Lastly, the bridal party does not need to be evenly split. If there are more bridesmaids than ushers, or vice versa, that is perfectly acceptable. Again, what matters most is that the bride and groom have those that matter most to them involved, not the number.
Many more personal touches
There are many different ways that couples getting married today are adding personal touches to their special day, and it is being done at ceremonies and receptions alike.
At the ceremony, to add a personal touch, couples are doing things from reciting vows that they have written themselves to adding special music. Whether it be a friend that sings for them or having their favorite love song played, it adds a very special feel to the ceremony.
Many different touches are being added to the reception. One of the most common are receptions that take on a more ethnic flare. From the menu that the couple selects to the music they have played, the couple's combined heritage is reflected. Even the types of drinks served can enhance the ambiance of the affair and many couples are offering theme bars such as cappuccino, martini, or margarita bars.
Couples are also adding touches to the reception by having creative table assignments. For instance, if the couple likes to travel they have each table as a country and assign people to "the France table" or "the Italy table" and have each table with a theme.
There is any number of ways to personalize the reception, so couples should be creative and have fun...
While it is clear that the styles of weddings change over time, the meaningful symbolism of many of the old traditions remain the same. What is most important is that each couple captures those meaningful traditions in their own personal way. So couples should have fun, be creative, and make your affair a reflection of you.