Category Archives: Pre-Wedding Parties

Engagment Customs

Posted on May 8, 2011 by

Engagements have always been about a time of preparation for the bride and the groom. There is much to be decided – where to live, meet the families and what to select to furnish a new home. While the needs are similar, there are many different cultural customs to help couples make those decisions.

The engagement ring or betrothal ring dates back to the days of marriage by purchase. It served as both a down payment on the bride and a symbol of the honorable intentions of the groom to be. In some cultures, the ring came in three parts. The bride to be wore one, the groom to be wore one and a witness wore the third piece until the wedding day. At the ceremony all three pieces were reassembled on the bride’s finger as her wedding ring.

The bridal shower traces its history back to Holland where legend has it a young maiden fell in love with a poor miller. Her father forbade the marriage, thereby denying her the traditional bride’s dowry. So the miller’s friends “showered” her with gifts to help the young couple set up housekeeping.

In many cultures, a matchmaker determined if the astrological signs were compatible. In Uganda, the bride’ selder brother and paternal uncle usually spoke to prospective grooms and negotiated for the family. While those customs seem strange in America, it might be fun to fine a way to honor someone who introduced the couple, or someone who was a very supportive friend with a special place at the wedding, or with a corsage, small gift or thank you toast at the reception.

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Best places for a Bachelor party

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

This is the night men are waiting for during the entire planning process. They can’t wait to have a night (or a weekend) out with their guy friends right before the big day. In traditional times, this would be a trip to the bar to wash away some of the jitters. Now a days, it’s a full weekend trip.

Here are some of the most popular destinations for “away” bachelor parties

  • 68% of “away” bachelor parties take place in Last Vegas. This one is probably the most common place for the West Coast United States by far. It has cheap hotels, gambling, and nightlife. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the strippers. What more could a guy ask for?
  • 11% of “away” bachelor parties take place in New Orleans. The New Orleans strip has almost just as much to do as Las Vegas, and like Las Vegas, New Orleans doesn’t sleep either. 
  • Other favorite places include Montreal Canada, Miami, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Some would actually argue that Montreal is a higher ranked location than New Orleans for Bachelor parties. The others all depend upon the geographic location the bride and groom are from.

 Now that bachelor parties can include up to a weekend of fun, there are a much wider variety of destinations that can be appealing such as the Bahamas, Cabo, or what about Vancouver or Whistler, Canada.

For unique, try driving a real NASCAR experience in Oregon. This is masculine and a once in a lifetime event. Don’t want to engage with strippers or get completely plastered every night in Vegas while gambling your money away. Try the NASCAR Racing Experience. Go to www.nascarracingexperience.com for more info. I know a few people who have actually experienced this and they have told me it was unreal, like nothing they have done before.

Another idea, is to take a skiing or snowboarding trip. Obviously this would depend on what time of year the bachelor party is scheduled, but this could be a real bonding experience with the boys and would be a great way to relax and get away for the weekend. Try going to Mammoth Mountain or Lake Tahoe in California or Aspen, Colorado.

Leave a comment and let me know what you or your fiance is planning to do for their bachelor party.

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Posted in Pre-Wedding Parties, Wedding Planning | 3 Comments

Savor Your Moments – As an Engaged Couple

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

The average engagement time is about a year and a half. This may appear to be a long wait to tie the knot. However, there are so many thigs to do before the wedding, time end up flying by faster than one can handle.

The engagement period is a time to get to know each other on another level. This is a time to enjoy and really explore the outside world as a couple, but before reality of the real world strikes. Take mini vacations such as staying at a Bed & Breakfast, or explore the outdoors with each other. Get to know one anothers hobbies and interests as well as their flaws and habits. Acknowledging your significant others’ flaws (that you may see) and habits are important so you are aware and know how to accept them before the big move. Everyone has their own flaws, but it is the uncertainty and unawareness that can be the shocker after the ceremony.

It has always been a tradition to stay living separate until married. In more recent times, this tradition has evolved, because couples have began to acknowledge the need to know if they can live together. Although, the mystery is still desired by many, this is not uncommon.

Enjoy life and get excited about your upcoming wedding!

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