Should You Have a Big or Small Wedding
Posted on April 29, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
Once you have decided to get married, you will have a lot of decisions to make about the wedding ceremony. The first is whether it should be big or small.
A wedding ceremony is one of those events that have always been steeped in tradition. In the classic version, all the people that are important are invited. On top of that, all the people in your extended family are also invited. This includes all such people for both the groom and the bride. Once you put it all together, you can be looking at a wedding with 200 people or more. This can result in a wonderful celebration of your bond, but it has some downsides.
A wedding with over 200 people is going to be expensive. If you doubt this, take a moment to consider the simple cost of feeding 200 people at the reception. Now also take into account the size and cost of the location for the ceremony. How about the reception? Simply put, it can quickly add up. The total cost of a wedding of this size can easily come in at $50,000 or more. Obviously, you can trim here and there when planning it, but you should still expect a significant expense.
One step more and more couples are taking is to forgo the traditional wedding. The thought of spending so much money on a one day event is simply too much. Instead, the couples usually look to more practical uses for the money in their new life together. The primary practicality is using the money for a down payment on a new home where they can live and start accumulating wealth as the home grows in value.
So, what is the correct choice? Well, it depends on your personal taste. For some couples, the wedding represents the most glorious day of their lives and they want the celebration to be the ultimate representation of their commitment to each other. For others, a more subtle celebration is enough with the purchase of a home being a better way to get their life together off on the right foot.
At the end of the day, the decision is really yours to make. If you want a big wedding, then do it. If you prefer to use the money in other ways, go ahead. As long as you both are happy with your decision, it is the right answer.
Fernando Bellingham is with Wedding Yeti - a directory of wedding photographers and other wedding resources.
Tags: big, cost, down payment, expense, marriage, money, small, traditional, traditions, weddingWedding Traditions
Posted on April 8, 2008 - Filed Under wedding
The wedding traditions we know today are either borrowed from other cultures or superstitions. Cultures around the world have their own, unique customs. But we’ll touch on some commonly used in the United States here.
The diamond engagement ring has been around since the 1400s. It comes to us from Medieval Italy. Centuries ago, the ring was considered a partial payment for the bride. The diamond eventually became the symbol for betrothal due to its clarity and brilliance symbolized purity and innocence. Ancient Greeks believed the fire of the diamond represented the flame of love and considered them teardrops of the gods. Ancient Romans believed diamonds to be shards of the falling stars that tipped the arrows of Eros, the god of love. Engagement, as well as wedding rings, are worn on the third finger of the left hand. It is believed that the vein running from this finger runs directly to the heart.
With roots in Holland, bridal showers were a way of providing a dowry when the bride’s father did not approve of the groom to be. Her friends would “shower” her with what she needed in order to have her dowry and marry who she wished.
In 1499, Anne of Brittany wore a white dress for her wedding to Louis XII of France. Until then, women generally just wore their best dress. Brides have always worn white in Japan and China. The color of mourning, white was considered appropriate for the bride leaving her family to begin a new life with her husband, a symbolic death. White is viewed in different ways, Early Romans thought white a symbol of celebration. It stood for purity in the twentieth century. Today, it symbolizes happiness.
When the groom lifts the veil at the end of the marriage ceremony, it symbolizes male dominance. Should the bride do the lifting, she is showing independence. Originally, the veil stood for a bride’s innocence, virginity and modesty.
Carrying a bouquet dates to ancient times when carrying strong-smelling herbs was thought to ward off evil spirits, bad luck and bad health. In Roman times, the bride and groom wore garlands symbolizing new life and hope of fertility. In the Victorian Ages, lovers would send messages to one another utilizing particular flowers and foliage for their meanings.
This touches on but a few of many traditions over the ages. Although some of the meanings behinds these traditions are mostly lost to us when thinking of, or planning a wedding, we still carry on with them.
Nikola lives and writes in Oklahoma. She is involved in her local Citizen Police Adacemy Alumni and Volunteers in Policing. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking and spending time with her two dogs. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.
Tags: marriage, traditions, wedding