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Archive for the ‘Wedding Traditions’ Category
Thank You Cards…
Friday, October 2nd, 2009Viewed as a chore, a challenge, or possibly both, all wedding couples face the same daunting task of putting a pen to paper and writing out their thank you notes or cards. However, there are simple ways to make this essential after wedding task a breeze.
The key to thank you note writing is good organization and planning. Before you even being to open your gifts, make a list of all the people who you invited, including those who didn’t attend as they may still send a gift. Next to their name, make a column for their address, another column to check off if they attended the wedding, and a final column for you to jot down notes including what gift they gave to you. Keep this list handy, whether it is in an organization book or in your address book, you will need it to write out your thank you notes. This task is essential to ensure the right gift giver is thanked for the right gift.
Couples usually handle the opening of their wedding gifts in either one of two ways: either they open them the minute they arrive, or they wait until after the wedding and open the stack all at once. No matter which method you decide to open your gifts, use the list you made to check off who sent a gift and what the gift was. If it is something unique, make sure you jot it down on your list, this way it will refresh your memory when you actually write out your thank you notes. If two guests sent you a similar gift, but one was engraved, make not of that so you can mention that in your note. If writing down everything is too time consuming between gift opening, ask one of your wedding party attendants (who has legible handwriting) to help you.
When writing your thank you notes, not only thank them for the gift, but also thank them for attending your ceremony and being a part of your special day. If the gift giver travelled or had a special role in your ceremony, make sure you mention your gratitude first before thanking them for their gift. When writing your thank you notes, add a personal touch to them, specifically mentioning the gift they gave you and how you plan on using it. For example, “The crystal vase you gave us is beautiful and adds a wonderful sparkle to our dining room”, which is much more personal than, “Thank you for your thoughtful gift”. This personal touch will be noticed by your gift giving guests.
Timeliness is just as important as the note itself. Wedding thank you notes should be sent out no later than four weeks after the wedding. However, it is impossible to do so because many photographers can take months before your wedding photography is ready. In this case, make sure you mention the reason for the tardiness of your thank you note so people do not think the delay was due to tardiness or laziness.
The proper etiquette for thank you notes is a handwritten note. It may be time consuming task, but it is one that is very necessary. Your thank you note acknowledges both the person and the thought behind their gift.
Erica Tevis is the owner of Little Things Favors Little Things Wedding Favors. Visit them on the web and check out their large supply of wedding favors, themed favors, invitations, and wedding accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Tevis
Wedding Tradition – Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Sunday, September 27th, 2009You have probably heard the popular wedding tradition saying before, but not every bride to be knows exactly where it originated from or what the meaning behind the saying is. It is a darling saying and is one of the only wedding traditions in today’s society which makes some sense. It is a cute tradition – one which is performed to bring good luck to the newlywed couple.
The traditional saying is:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. This wedding tradition can be traced back to England, and many sources say that it began sometime in the Victorian Era. Each item in this sort poem represents a good luck token for the bride – if she carries them, it is said her marriage will have good fortune.
Something Old: The old item has several different meanings, but one general theme: a link of continuity from the bride’s past. Some say this is a desire to remain connected with your family even after you established a family of your own. Other sources say it represents the life you are leaving behind. Another idea is that the tradition of family values and the connection family brings is being passed down to you. It is safe to say that all of these assumptions are correct; the bride is leaving behind her past to start a new beginning, but not to forget where she has been. Things you can use for the something old theme are: jewelry from your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother, an old wedding photo from your family, a love letter from your father to your mother, a picture of your parents in your purse, an old handkerchief, a childhood pillow to hold your rings, a piece of lace sewn into the hem of your gown.
Something New: means optimism and hope for the future. It conveys the message that you and your husband are creating a new union that will endure the test of time. Many brides choose to use their wedding gown, flowers or rings to symbolize the “something new” in this tradition.
Something Borrowed: Again, there are several meanings behind borrowing an item from a friend or relative. Some sources say borrowing something is borrowing happiness from a happily married woman, so that their happiness will carry over to the new bride. Other sources have said it is symbolizes the love and adoration you have for the person from whom you have borrowed the item from. If you borrow an item from your happily married grandmother or mother, you can fulfill both of these meanings. Doing this lets your parents (or grandparents) know that you admire their marriage and the respect they have for each other and that you hope to have an equally happy marriage. The borrowed item also signifies to the bride that she can always count on her friends and family for support. Items that can be used for the something borrowed theme could be: family jewelry, a prayer book from your mother or grandmother, strands of pearls, or your parent’s cake cutting set.
Something Blue: The color blue has been connected to weddings for centuries as a symbol of love, modesty, fidelity, good luck, purity and loyalty. Many brides incorporate this color into their clothing, by either wearing a blue stoned jewelry item or wearing a blue garter. However for a modern spin, you could use blue toe nail polish, blue eye shadow, a blue ribbon tied into your flowers, blue underwear, even wear light blue shoes! The possibilities are endless and limited only by your imagination.
A Lucky Sixpence: A sixpence in the bride’s shoe represents wealth and financial security. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be worn in the left shoe. This tradition may date back to the Scottish tradition of the groom placing a silver coin in his shoe for good luck. Many companies sell keepsake sixpence pieces for weddings.
Brides have been honoring the something old, new borrowed, blue tradition for centuries. Although these items are supposed to bring good luck to the bride, many brides are following this tradition to honor people close to them on their wedding day.
Erica Tevis is the owner of Little Things Favors Little Things Wedding Favors. Visit them on the web and check out their large supply of wedding favors, themed favors, invitations, and wedding accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Tevis