Societies have celebrated weddings for thousands of years, but the ceremonies of ancient Egypt or medieval Britain might be unrecognizable to today's bride and groom. Even the relatively simple weddings of our  great-grandparents bear little resemblance to the pomp and circumstance of the society affairs and posh receptions favored by many 21-century couples. However, despite all the changes in the cultural celebrations of marriage, tradition continues to reign supreme. Superstition and long-established customs take hold of even the most skeptical bride, so nearly every ceremony contains some feature passed down from unions of the past.

One of the earliest wedding traditions just happens to be a first step down the road to marriage: the engagement ring. Egyptians saw the circle, since it has no end, as a symbol of eternity that would result in an eternal union. The ring also represented a contract, requiring a financial sacrifice by the groom and a promise from the bride. The hope was that a man wouldn't enter into such an agreement lightly if it meant paying for a ring, and a woman would live up to her end of the bargain to avoid having to return the ring given to her.

Diamond engagement rings became popular in 1477 when King Maximillian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. The custom caught on since diamonds also have the symbolic significance of being the hardest and most enduring substance in nature, and hence would lead to marriages of similar fortitude.

There are two beliefs as to why engagement and wedding rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand. During a Christian wedding, the priest arrived at this finger - when starting with the thumb - after touching the three fingers on the left hand "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." The other possible reason for the rings being placed on this finger stems from the Egyptian belief that the ring finger follows the vena amoris - the vein of love that runs directly to the heart.

 

 

There are several traditions dictating a bride's attire on her wedding day. The well-known mantra of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in your shoe"  is a rhyme that originated in Victorian England. The five items each have meaning. Something old signifies continuity. This item should be something passed down from a member of the bride's family, such as jewelry or a piece of cloth from a relative's wedding gown. Something new offers optimism and good fortune and is often an article of clothing or the wedding ring. Something borrowed should be something once worn by another happy bride at her wedding to bring luck to the marriage. A blue item on the wedding day dates to Biblical times and symbolizes fidelity and purity. The lesser-known "six pence in your shoe" represents wealth - both financial wealth and a wealth of happiness. Today's bride often places a dime in her shoe before the ceremony.

After the advent of arranged marriages, veils were used to prevent the groom from seeing his intended wife for the first time and not finding her satisfactory, causing him to leave her at the altar. Many veils were opaque, so that a bride couldn't see her groom and do the same. So it was not only symbolic for her father to give her away as a piece of property - as daughters were viewed in ages past - but it was necessary for the father to walk her down the aisle since she couldn't see where she was going. To this day, Jewish grooms ritually "veil the bride" - a tradition dating back to the marriage of Jacob to Leah, when he thought he was marrying his true love Rachel, but was tricked into marrying her older sister. Brides in ancient Greece and Rome wore veils to ward off evil spirits.

Bridesmaids and ushers offered even more protection against evil. Attendants used to wear clothes identical to the bride and groom to confuse mischief-seeking spirits. Eventually, brides felt the need to stand out from the crowd, but the tradition of all her attendants remains - much to the dismay of bridesmaids everywhere who have been forced to wear less-than-flattering dresses.

After the ceremony, the popular tradition of cutting the wedding cake takes place. Romans saw this as a symbol of fertility and would bake a cake of wheat or barley then break it over the bride's head. All the guests would then scramble to eat the crumbs as they symbolized good luck. The size of the cake also was a display of the bride's popularity because guests brought layers of cake to the reception. These were then stacked on top of each other and the bride and groom had to kiss over the top of the cake without knocking them down. If the couple succeeded, it meant a lifetime of prosperity. The Greeks believed that cutting the cake together would ensure a fruitful life. It was also thought that if the bride kept a piece of her cake, she would have a loving and faithful husband. This is still a good-luck practice today as couples save the top tier of their cake until their first wedding anniversary.

The meaning behind the rituals may be unknown by most modern brides and grooms, but certain traditions continue to live on as the legacy of loving couples passed down through the ages.

 

What is Wedding Insurance?

 

Wedding Insurance is exactly what it sounds like – an insurance policy that covers your wedding and financially protects you against misfortune and mishap. Wedding Insurance policies are relatively inexpensive – a basic policy costs between $125 to $500 – and can help you have peace of mind.

 

Is Wedding Insurance Right For You?

 

The decision to purchase Wedding Insurance is a highly personal one – a financial decision that is an additional cost for your wedding budget, but will protect you from unforeseen disasters and mishaps. As the average cost of weddings rises, now $27,000 in the US, wedding insurance becomes more of a necessity. After all, you wouldn’t buy a new car that cost that much without insuring it against damage. If you are having a less expensive affair, or are a couple that likes to live with risk, perhaps you’ll decide to forgo the insurance. Keep in mind that you can get a less expensive policy that will only cover either a more intimate affair or a specific risky part (such as if you’re worried about your luggage getting lost en route to your destination wedding; wedding insurance could cover the cost of quickly replacing your gown and tuxedo.) What Wedding Insurance Policies Typically Cover(Be sure to read the fine print of your policy to make sure they cover these things!)

 

Wedding Planners are not just for couples with unlimited budgets.  We can actually save you money by offering more reasonably priced alternatives, negotiating better rates with vendors and carefully reviewing contracts before you sign.  We use our expertise to help you avoid costly mistakes and assure that your money is being put to the best use.

 

Your wedding will be an all-important day in your life.  You want it to be everything you have always dreamed about, down to the last detail.  That involves a great deal more planning and oversight than most people could ever imagine.  Ask anyone who has ever planned a wedding. They know the countless hours and work involved in handling all the details. 

 

The reality is you probably don’t.  So if you want your wedding day to be as perfect as possible, with the least amount of stress to you, consider hiring Everything's Perfect as your wedding planner.

 

A wedding consultant guides you through all phases of the planning process and wedding day itself offering you whatever assistance you need. 

Everything’s Perfect will develop a timeline, handle those endless phone calls to vendors, negotiate prices, keep track of deadlines and deal with last minute details. 

We will be on-site the day of the wedding to ensure your plans are executed to perfection.  My assistants and I will handle any and all problems that arise, thus leaving you and your family free to relax and enjoy the day!

 

But don't just take our word for it. Click here to read what recent brides said about using a wedding planner.

 

 

Will a Wedding Planner impose her ideas
on me?Any good consultant knows this is your wedding, not hers.  A planner’s job is to help lead the way and lend ideas and expertise, not impose her tastes or take control of the plan away from you. 

The final decisions will always be yours

 

 

 

1. Gowns that make a statement: Nicole Richie got the ball rolling on this one late last year with her Marchesa gown, which featured long sleeves, exquisite lace, and lots and lots of tulle. Detailing is in – think ruffles, flowers, feathers – so even dresses with simple lines will have a touch of flair. Either way, it’s all about dramatic dresses that help you make an entrance (and statement).

2. The Return of Romance: Ah, we couldn’t be happier that romance is back. We’re seeing wedding dresses that have soft, flowing lines with a distinct 20s and 30s feel (very Gatsby-esque). And rather than the more traditional white or cream, wedding dresses are showing up in a pale pink, which pairs perfectly with this season’s pale yellows and Pantone’s Honeysuckle, a very romantic, brighter pink. For men, let’s just say, seersucker and linen have never looked better or more timely.

3. Fusion weddings: Now we’re not saying every bride needs to employ an elephant in her wedding à la Katy Perry, but embracing and celebrating culture is definitely in (whether it’s yours or one you admire). It’s using bold colors, rich tones, and vibrant designs that give a nod to your East Asian roots while handing out leis to the wedding party to celebrate your husband’s.

4. Dessert bars: Candy tables will always have a place in our heart, but dessert tables are quickly burrowing their way in. Featuring down-home favorites like brownies, bars and different types of pies, they also often feature a modern twist on the wedding cake – several varieties of homemade cakes rather than just one large one.

5. Preppy chic: With the blazer taking over the cardigan’s throne, preppy is officially back. Look for the continued use of navy and yellows with the introduction of plaid in table settings, bridesmaid accessories and, of course, cool bow ties.

6. Keeping it Green: As eco-friendly goods become more mainstream and easy to buy, couples are continuing to make Green a priority in their wedding. In fact, young adults are more likely than any other group to pay more for green products, which we have to say, doesn’t surprise us a bit.

7. Making it yours: Whether it’s using terrariums as your centerpiece, hiring food trucks to cater the event, or hosting your wedding at the local diner, it’s still all about making your wedding day your own. And with some of our favorite stores and designers like Vera Wang for David’s Bridal, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, White House/Black Market creating affordable, interesting wedding dresses, it’s just gotten a little bit easier.

8. Luxe items: Rather than spending money willy-nilly, couples are responsibly spending money on one item that lends an air of luxury to the event – a fur stole, a jeweled bracelet, a pair of designer shoes…And with the royal wedding fast approaching, we can only imagine that tiaras might make their way onto the list.

9. Alternative registries: Registering for help with your honeymoon, a down payment on a house, or even for a charity that’s close to your heart continues to gain in popularity. And we’re starting to see more registry options, like the Registry Stop, that let you register online or on your phone at your favorite traditional stores, as well as your local mom-and-pops.

10. Outdoor weddings: Nature is this year’s most popular wedding décor. Couples are taking their ceremonies and receptions outside with garden weddings, wooded fairylands, and barnyard chic. Posing with the local goats and horses has never looked more in style, or romantic.