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A wedding of an acquiantance is going to be held some time soon. You are now thinking of what gift you should give the newly wed. But do you know that there are gift giving wedding etiquette? Yes, there is such a thing. If you are contemplating on giving cash as a gift, read on first the gift giving cash wedding etiquette before you do such a move.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 1:

If a guest who receive an invitation can't make it to the wedding, they are not obligated to send gifts and much more cash gifts. Wedding etiquette dictates, however, that those who are unable to attend should send a congratulatory card for the groom or for both couples or a simple best wishes note to the bride.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 2:

Cash gifts or any gift items may be sent to the bride or groom's home before the wedding or to the couple's new home one year afterwards. This is a way of guests to lessen the burden to the newlyweds, such as how would they transport heavy gift items. Couple need not worry about renting a truct to transport the gifts to their new home. Also, your cash gift will be a great help to couples within their first year of marriage who are still in the stage of raising their own savings.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 3:

Giving cash gifts are not a violation of wedding etiquette. Couples need cash as a start up money for them. They need to rent a new apartment, bigger than their bachelor pad, if any of them has one, buy toiletries and groceries for the two of them, buy appliances and furniture that the two of them needs. These are just few among the many expenses that a couple would face in the first few months of their marriage which is why gift giving cash is a good idea to do and does not violate any wedding etiquette.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 4:

So how much should you give if you decide to give the couple cash as a gift?

It is a horrible idea that the amount or price of one’s wedding gift should equate to what the couples had spent on your dinner at the wedding reception. It is untrue. You can give as much as you want and as less as you want, if your budget is really tight. But in gift giving cash wedding etiquette, a guest's transportation does not count as a cash gift to the couple.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 5:

Also, don't stop yourself from giving cash gifts if the couple has listed their preferred wedding gifts in registry. Buying gifts from the wedding registry list are optional; you can either give the couple the gift of their choice or don't.

So, the gift giving cash wedding etiquette fact # 5 is that you can give cash gifts eventhough the couples have a wedding registry.

Here are gift giving cash wedding etiquette for couples:

Wedding registries are gaining popularity these days. But there are limitations on how much the bride and groom may direct gift giving. Gift giving cash is a wedding etiquette violation. You should not tell your guests that you prefer cash than gift items or request donations in cash to pay up a mortgage or ask them to give you cash to fund your honeymoon or that gift giving cash is preferred because you will send the money to charity.

Whether you like it or don't asking for gift giving in cash will make you look greedy, even if you claim that the money will go to charity. Also, your guests will fell less generous.

Gift giving of cash is an option to guests. They may opt to give cash as a wedding gift but wedding etiquette tells that you should not, ever, ask them for gift giving of cash. You may use the cash gifts in anyway you want.

If the bride and groom receive cash from guests, accept it and say your thanks, write them a thank you note the way you would do after opening a gift item.

A well-versed and well rehearsed wedding vow, especially when it comes from the heart, sends a certain chill to everyone who hears it. Vows have been a long time tradition in wedding ceremonies. The promise of a lifetime commitment to each other despite of difficulties and differences guarantee that true love really exists. Isn’t that a nice thought?

Both the groom and bride exchange wedding vows. Commonly, the vows would include a pledge of unselfishness, faithfulness, and unconditional love. If you are in the dark on what to write in your wedding vows, don’t be! You can find one of a kind wedding vow just by a click of your mouse. Surfing the internet for wedding vows proved to be a good source of ideas and tips that you can readily use on your wedding day. You may need to pay for the service on some sites, but you can scout one for free too.

Free wedding vows do away with the traditional and scripted promise one hears over and over again in common wedding ceremonies. The good thing about free wedding vows on the net, aside from the fact that they are free, they give you the freedom and flexibility to write what you want to say from your heart. You can modify the free sample vows or if you find the writing incredibly heart-warming, you can go ahead and use it without revisions.

There are different vows you can choose from. Like everything, vows can be customized according to the circumstances that you are in. There can be vows specially written for second marriage couples, couples with children, religious variations or wedding anniversaries. Using poetry as part of a vow is a common practice too. Those of Gibran, Keats and Browning are popular choices. You can browse on some internet sites that can even offer a free worksheet format and questionnaires that you need to fill out for you to easily modify your chosen wedding vow.  These will serve as your guideline so that you can re-evaluate what you want to say.

Before that big day, preparing your wedding vows is very crucial. Writing your vows together is a very special activity that is highly recommended.

When writing a wedding vow together, set a specific time and place where the two of you can have some privacy. You can jot down your promises on a separate sheet of paper and agree to compare what you’ve written after an hour or so. First, write a letter professing your love for your partner. Do not hesitate to elaborate what you are feeling. Be creative and be sure to take note of your favorite and memorable times together, either good or bad. Some suggestions are the first time that you met, the moment  when finally said ‘yes’ or when a trying situation happened but still your love for each others endure. Grab sweet lines from songs, books or scriptures that translate your love for your partner. After writing down your letter, get back together and read each other’s writings. Reading the letters can be truly heart-warming. Prepare to share a laugh or even occasional crying. Share your thoughts on the best part of the letter and from there start your outline for your vows.

The secret of a good wedding vow is making it a personal commitment to your other half and make sure that the message you convey are made clear and simple. Nothing beats anything that genuinely comes from the heart.

Having a perfect wedding is a dream of most couples. They want to have their wedding day as the most perfect event of their lives.

No wonder why many people are so engaged into wedding planning because the numerous details of the wedding should never be taken for granted. From the invitations down to the reception, every detail must be meticulously considered.

Take for example the wedding centerpieces. For some events, centerpieces are not that important and may not take much of preparation and consideration. But with weddings, these beautiful embellishments usually found in the reception are extremely important as these items, likewise, set the mood in the area.

Wedding centerpieces are not necessarily the “center of attraction” in the event. But they do complement the bride and the group along with the other details of the wedding.

Normally, wedding centerpieces are not included in the reception or the catering; hence, it is a must that you hire the best provider of wedding centerpieces.

So, for people who wish to obtain some tips on choosing wedding centerpieces, here are some pointers that you could use:

1.  In most cases, flowers are the best wedding centerpieces. They add color and life in the reception area.

Best of all, flowers can enliven the spirit of those who are present in the reception. It gives a homey feeling, thus, making the reception program more fascinating.

2. Do not just go with the flowers. Consider the arranger as well. The flower arranger could also be the same arranger you have hired to decorate the church.

The wrong flower arrangement, color, and types of flowers used as centerpieces can do more harm than good. Hence, it is a must that pertinent details like this one should be considered seriously.

3. Shop around

Do not be constrained on one establishment only. It is best to shop around and get more ideas on wedding centerpieces. Flowers are not the only thing that is considered as good wedding centerpieces. You can also have some candles, glass bowls, floating and scented candles, etc.

4. Choose the kind of ambiance you want to project in the reception

If you want a more classical yet simple wedding centerpiece, it is best to try using flowers or other ornaments. In the event that your wedding and the reception has a different venue, deviated from the typical church and restaurant venue, it is best to choose a wedding centerpiece that is suitable to the venue.

For example, if it is a garden wedding, then it is best to use nature as centerpieces like miniature birdhouses, flower baskets, etc.

5. In choosing flowers, it is best to consider the color, style, and the availability of the flowers. There are instances wherein the type of flower that you want to use as a centerpiece is not available.

There are many varieties of flowers so you can choose an alternative. Just keep in mind that it must complement the color and the setting of the wedding reception.

6. For budget conscious couples, you can opt for a cheaper wedding centerpiece but still adds elegance to your wedding reception.

You can use fruits as wedding centerpieces. Fruits are very affordable items and can be used as attractive wedding centerpieces.

With a little creativity and imagination, you can make something wonderful out of these fruits.

The bottom line is that wedding centerpieces need not be very expensive. What matters most is to have them as embellishments in the table, which adds up to the merry-making of the memorable activity in a couple’s life.

The dress is always the highlight of all wedding fantasies and make-believes.  Ever since their youth, people will most often dream of a beautiful princess-bride in a snowy white, ethereal wedding dress of stunning beauty.  It comes as no surprise that choosing the perfect wedding dress for your wedding will prove to be one of the most challenging and exciting part of planning your wedding.

Marriage is – ideally – an once-in-a-lifetime event. There isn’t much leeway to practice or make mistakes. So to make the bride’s entrance down the carpet perfect and memorable, one must take great pains to ensure that everything is done correctly – down to every little detail on the wedding dress.  

From watching fantasy-like weddings on TV, or reading about them in books and magazines, or hearing about them from other people, many brides-to-be form an image in their minds of the kind of wedding dress they would like to wear on their wedding.  Many people take a watch and learn stance as they formulate, plan and dream up their ideal wedding dress.

If your time has come, and you are shopping for the perfect dress to make your wedding dreams come true, then you have come to the right place.  Here are a few tips to help you get over the wedding dress hump will less sweat.

1. The Dress Comes First

Although it may go both ways, the theme of your dress should follow your desired theme – or vice versa.  Some couples choose a theme before choosing a gown, and in effect, they make the gown fit the theme they have chosen.  But for some people, the choice of gown comes first, and the theme of the wedding follows the gown’s theme.  So if the gown that catches the bride’s fancy is ultra beaded and formal, then the wedding may tend to be more formal. If the bride chooses a less formal dress, then the wedding may follow a less formal route.

2. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Choices

Yes, it may be tempting to try every gown that comes your way.  But what if you find yourself buried under a pile of 20 or so gowns you think you really like and can’t make a decision?  That sort of scenario will prove to be a terrible headache – not to mention a great source of stress.

To avoid this, try making decisions in stages.  You could try an ‘American Idol’ style way of choosing a gown.  You could vote off the least liked one and then reevaluate the remaining gowns.  

Another method is trying 5 gowns and then choosing two of the best.  These ‘champions’ will be pit against 5 more new gowns. Continue the tournament until you get to the perfect gown.  

It may become tempting to say, “Aw, but that other gown might have been better.”  Try to make sure you make your final decision among 5 gowns.  If you end up with too many to choose from you may get overwhelmed and end up choosing an inferior gown, or choosing the perfect gown but forever asking yourself whether you made the right decision or not.  

Choose Wisely

And choose a wise companion; take along one or two of your closest friends or confidants who know a thing or two about wedding dresses and style.  Their advice will come in handy when choosing a gown. Also, make sure you check the durability and quality of the gown, the material and the accessories. You don’t want your gown falling apart on you during the ceremonies.

Wedding poems are a great way to get your joy and happiness over this special occasion, across to your audience of wedding guests. Of course, not everyone can pull it off and some people might find that the words of the poem stick in their throats. In this case, stick with what you’re best at, and give a good wedding speech. Leave the wedding poems to somebody who can pull it off.

In most cases, this will not include the father of the bride, the groom, or the best man, unless of course, the father of the bride has a poem which is special to both himself and to the bride. Then again, you might find that a groom is reciting from a book of wedding poems because he left it too late to write a proper speech, or maybe because he knows that it is the favorite poem of his new bride.

The best man himself might recite a poem, but in most instances you can be sure that it won’t be something that will bring you to your knees in tears of sentiment! That said, wedding poems can be a wonderful way of expressing all you are feeling, and what takes it that extra mile and makes it extra special is if you write the poem by yourself.

Wedding poems which are an outpouring of the owner’s thoughts are ones that are a treasure to remember, and this is especially so if the person who is reciting the poem is a close friend or relative. However, even if you don’t have a poetic bone in your body, in the sense that you are unable to write one, you can still find a suitably fitting poems to recite if you so choose to do so.

And there is no need to panic at this thought. You will find that there are books full of wedding poems which you use and refer to if you feel like it, or these are also good places to get inspiration from for your very own poem. Of course these are best used in moderation and only to help you if you feel like writing your own string of wedding poems!

The internet is also a great source of finding wedding poems which you can use. Most sites will offer these for free, and you will find that your needs are fulfilled nicely with these. As you can see there are a few different ways for you to get your hands on wedding poems which you can put t good use.

Irish wedding toasts are becoming more and more the norm these days. Not because it is only Irish couples getting married, but because many people have finally seen the timeless elegance and beauty of traditional (and even non traditional) Irish wedding toasts.

It is not unusual to hear a “Sláinte!” (meaning good health and pronounced something like “Slawn-tche”), at a wedding these days. In fact it has become so popular that you will even hear some of the guests replying kind – even if they aren’t Irish.

Some examples of good Irish wedding toasts are, “May the light of friendship guide your paths together, may the laughter of children grace the halls of your home, and may the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.”

You can also have something along the lines of, “May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, quick to make friends. But rich or poor, slow or quick, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.”

There are other good Irish wedding toasts to be found, such as, “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more. And may nothing but happiness come through your door.”

This is a twist on one of the more often heard Irish wedding toasts, “In your life I hope you do four things: lie, steal, cheat and drink. When you lie, do it to save a friend, when you steal, steal someone’s heart. When you cheat, cheat death, and when you drink, drink with me.”

The traditional version of this toast goes along the lines of, “There are four things in life that you must never do: lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love, If you must steal, steal away from bad company, If you must cheat, cheat death, And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.”

One of the best Irish wedding toasts though is this very traditional one where the bride and the groom give the toast, and the guests reply to it. “Friends and relatives so fond and dear, ‘tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest memories will always last. So we drink a cup of this Irish mead and ask God’s blessing in your hour of need.”

The response to this very traditional of Irish wedding toasts, goes along the lines of, “On this special day, our wish to you, the goodness of the old, and the best of the new. May God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always fill your every need.”

If there is one thing that is going to lift a wedding speech from the very depths despair, it has to be some patented wedging humor. Weddings are great places to find all sorts of humor and jokes running amok and if you naturally have a funny bone in your body, you would do well to let it loose, especially if you are deep in the throes of writing a speech.

Wedding humor is also great in that, applied generously and appropriately it can breathe life to just about anything that you say. Of course, wedding humor is also a double edged sword. You will need to keep it as clean as possible to account for any children and people with easily offended sensibilities who are listening in, and who might be lurking in the audience.

If you have rowdy or bawdy jokes which are best left in the locker room, leave it for a more appropriate time, and for a group of people who would definitely appreciate those sentiments. Another thing that makes wedding humor a double edged sword is the very nature of the humor itself. Your humor and jokes might be great, but have you ever heard of such a thing as, too much of a good thing?

Yes, there are limits to humor as well, and if you are slated to give a wedding speech, using the clichéd, and non-clichéd, bits of wedding humor can be a great thing and can keep your audience awake for the entire time. But remember to only give a veritable dusting of humor, sort of like the icing on a cake.

Wedding humor can also be a great way to break the ice when you’re placed next to someone you’ve never met before, at dinner. Just remember the punch lines, remember to make it funny and most of all remember to whom it is you’re talking, and about what you’re joking.

If you’re not someone who is comfortable with using humor, and you have trouble delivering a punch line with the appropriate panache, then use it as sparingly as possible. Even wedding humor and jokes can go awry if not delivered in the manner that it needs to be.

That said, if you can bring yourself to deliver even gentle lines of wedding humor, you will find your speech taking off, your conversation skyrocketing and your outlook on life become brighter. Just remember to have a smile on your face, and pretty soon without your even realizing it, it will become genuine and you will find it easier to laugh and make jokes.

Contrary to popular belief that there is no such thing as “free”, with the spawn of the internet, many things are available “free”. Of course, not all of these things are worth much, and in some cases you get exactly what you paid for – nothing. But in the case of the many different websites and people offering you the use of free wedding toast ideas, you will find that most of the time you have hit a gold mine.

Of course, these are free for a number of reasons which we won’t get into now, but suffice it to say that with a little bit of judicious searching, you will be able to find the perfect free wedding toast to suit the occasion perfectly. Of course, as these are free, and many other people might have had the same thought as you, you might also want to keep another free wedding toast (or two) up your sleeve, just in case.

That way, if someone beats you to the punch and gets in your favorite free wedding toast, you can always resort to using one of the other ones which you have. Then again, you might find that a free wedding toast just isn’t your cup of tea. You might instead be tempted to change and combine a few of these to make a really good wedding toast, that other guests will most definitely not have waiting in the sidelines to trump you.

Remember, these sayings and toasts are free for a reason. They are tried and true, and just about everyone in the world knows about them, or has heard of them at some point in time. This is the reason they are free. There is no copyright license on many of the free wedding toast and quotes because no one knows for certain exactly where they originated from.

In fact some of them come down from the times of antiquity and most definitely the owner has long since given up right to these. In fact, they have also changed so much in the retelling, with so many personal twists and tales, that they might be unrecognizable from the original.

Whatever it is, and whatever free wedding toast you use, don’t forget to make it personal. It might be a toast and not a speech that you are giving, but that doesn’t make it any less important in the eyes of the bridal couple, and for this reason alone you need to make it special, to suit the special occasion.

Indeed, modern brides are truly lucky because today, weddings—no matter how unconventional are they—are socially accepted. One of the most popular themed weddings today is the beach wedding. And because of this popularity, more and more designers and bridal shops are offering a wide array of beach wedding dresses that brides—as well as grooms—can choose from.

What you need to know about beach wedding dresses

Because of the popularity of beach weddings, beach wedding dresses have occupied a large number of racks in various bridal salons and stores. If you are one of those brides that are considering a beach wedding for her big day, you must familiarize yourself with everything about it first.

Usually, couples that are beach bums are the only ones who prefer beach wedding. This is because they would like the beach to be a special part of their union just like what it was during their dating stage. But today, even those who are not really into beach life can opt for this type of wedding if they want to. All they need to do is plan everything out carefully.

In a beach wedding, the major consideration is the venue or the beach itself. Since you will be inviting guests, it will be wiser to choose a nearby beach to save you and your guests from hassle in getting to the place. Also, it is best to choose a beach in a tropical country because the climate is warmer and better all throughout the year.

For brides, the next major consideration would be the attire. Here comes a variety of beach wedding dresses to choose from. In choosing beach wedding dresses, keep in mind that they should not be formal since the celebration itself has a casual mood. There is no need for full and formal skirts or elaborate headpieces. What is called for in this occasion are and sleek style—perfect for a beach backdrop. Ideal beach wedding dresses are those that have simple yet classes and elegant design. Here, minimalist look will work best since there is no need to over accessorize.

If you look in various bridal shops that offer beach wedding dresses, the staple designs would be strapless or tube, sleeveless, and halter. These beach wedding dresses are designed that way not only to show off the nice figure of the bride but also to give her utmost comfort during the rites. Most beach wedding dresses come in these styles but there are also variations in terms of length and body type of the bride.

When it comes to accessories, beach wedding dresses require very minimal and casual ones. In fact, compared to the gowns worn on traditional church weddings, beach wedding dresses don’t even require a veil. Since the overall feel of the theme is casual, you can choose dainty accessories such as a ring of flowers and use it as a hair band or barrettes that match your beach wedding dress and your other accessories.

For the hair, easygoing styles such as simple ponytail would do. For the footwear, there is also no need to wear high heels since it doesn’t match the dress and the location. Opt for dainty pair of flip-flops or sandals with soft and intricate straps. If you truly want an authentic feel of the beach, you can go barefoot. Just make sure that there are no stones in the sand so you won't hurt your foot as you go your way.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you were the one who will design your own wedding dress on your big day? Of course it would be. This is because you get the chance to make a statement with all the variations you want to create in your wedding dress.

Today, because of the advent of technology and easy access to knowledge, more and more brides-to-be are getting into designing their own wedding dresses. Unlike before when knowledge is limited in terms of design and its technicalities, modern brides can have their dream wedding dress created by themselves. Now, they can see their dream wedding dress created before their very own eyes the way they want it to be.

Considerations in designing your own wedding dress

If you are the type of bride who would want to look totally unique, then you should learn how to design your own wedding dress. This task might seem daunting at first, but if you really want to do it your own way, you will overcome that "I couldn’t do it" mentality and start working.

One of the major considerations if you want to design your own wedding dress is time. This is because the task itself would require so many time especially if you don’t have inborn knack for designing. If you are dating and would want to design your own wedding dress in the future, now is the best time to get started on it. If you think you have more than enough time to design your own wedding dress, then you must familiarize yourself with the basics.

The first thing that you need to do if you have finally decided that you will design your own wedding dress is to conduct a research. This research should include the different body types for each wedding dress, various wedding dress shapes, materials that can be used, styles that are in trend, cuts that will fit you, colors, and basic sewing information.

If you are done with the research, you can now proceed to the design proper. Before you proceed, it is very important for you to determine your body type in order to know which dress shape would look good on you. If you have a tall frame, almost any style of wedding dress would look good on you. If you are petite, it is better to stick with clean style and cuts because too many intricacies in the design can be overwhelming for your frame. If you are pear shaped, it is safe to stick with A-line princess cut wedding dresses to avoid exposing your waist. If you do your research intently, you will discover that there are so many simple remedies when it comes to physical flaws.

You should also familiarize yourself with different dress shapes and cuts for wedding gowns including straight line, empire cut, ball gown, mermaid, and others so you can create your own variation if needed.

The next consideration would be the fabric to be used. Since you are just starting, it is best to consult a seamstress or tailor what is the best fabric for your dream wedding gown. Their suggestion can be of much help to you because you don’t have to be confused when you go to a fabric and textile store. This would also ensure that you wouldn't be buying the wrong type of dress for your dress. Other important considerations include the color of fabric, embellishments to be used, and the sewing process.

If you want to design your own wedding dress, you can do it in two ways: by traditional sketching or using the "design your own wedding dress" programs in various bridal sites in the Internet.