New Wedding Inspiration

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Candles are really great for any party, especially romantic celebrations because they can create an amazing atmosphere of romance that will inspire you and your guests to really get into the feeling of love at the wedding. Candles will enhance any theme and will bring to your wedding reception the true meaning of love and the closeness of everyone in the room. The candle represents your vows and your eternal bond that you have just entered into with your new spouse. You can definitely find candles to match any kind of theme, like these examples of butterfly patterns that will be amazing with a summer or nature theme.
Also, they can be used in flower themes because as we all know butterflies are really attracted to flowers and this will look like a creative little encounter that you have set up between beautiful butterflies and stunning flowers. The flickering light of the candle imitates the quick movements of a butterfly to really enhance this theme even more and impress your guests with the ethereal beauty of the light that the candle casts on the wedding table. Here are a couple of examples of the types of things that you can find by looking online for just a few short minutes in your search for the perfect favors and decorations.
Silver Butterfly Candle Card Holder:
This is a truly amazing piece because it has a lot of different functions. First of all, it is aesthetically pleasing. Secondly, it is a functional decoration because it has a stem and a swirly butterfly at the top that is definitely capable of holding a place card. This will be a really creative way to use some place card holders to tell everyone the number of the table and who is sitting there. The added benefit of the frosted glass votive candle holder makes this awe inspiring.
Crystal Butterfly Candle Holder:
This candle holder has a gem like butterfly that is cut out of crystal and placed on the front of a frosted votive candle holder. The light from the candle is captured in all the small facets of the crystal and is then projected outwards, creating a truly elegant effect. You can get this candle holder with either a clear or a pink butterfly depending on the effects you want it to have and what you color scheme is. This is a really versatile decoration that your guests can take home as favors.
Enchanting Butterfly Candle Holder – Clear Stones:
Your event plans will be flying high when you choose these enchanting butterfly design candle holders as your favors Uniquely combining the warmth and charm of a heart design with the graceful elegance of the stunning butterfly, these outstanding candle holder favors really have it all!
Perfect for all occasions, each 1″ x 4″ x 2 ¼” favor has a clear glass tea light holder with a poured white candle inside. The holder rests in a heart shaped white pearlized resin base with a detailed butterfly with embedded clear sparkling rhinestones dramatically perched on the side.
Each comes packaged in a white gift box for presentation.

Why couples choose to write their own wedding vows varies, but ultimately it is to infuse a true reflection of their personality into the ceremony. Though it sounds so romantic and unique, when it comes to putting pen to paper the task can seem a little daunting. If writing your owns vows is a desire, follow these simple tips to make the process easy, fun, and something to cherish for a lifetime.
• The first question to ask yourself is will the bride and groom recite the same or different vows. Knowing this will help with the next tip.
• Decide ahead of time if you plan to write them together or separate. If you plan to recite the same vows it is often easier to do this together. If you prefer each to have their own unique vows it may be easier to do this alone. Many couples that want to have unique vows from one another like to keep the revealing of them a secret until the actual ceremony. This tends to add a bit of romance and raw emotion to the ceremony.
• Next, ask yourself w hat is the overall goal of writing your own vows. Once you determine why it is so important to you it is often easier to come up with material. Also, answering this one question will often spur ideas and act as an inspiration for what you will say.
• In order to have some consistency among the vows , determine ahead of time if there will be a theme, ie religious, not religious, serious, funny, or witty, etc.
• Once you put pen to paper, it is often helpful to answer the following questions in the vows:
o Why are your marrying them?
o Why do you love them?
o How do they make you feel?
o How do you plan to show your love eternally?
o What is your favorite attribute/memory about them?
• In order to keep it personal, try to write it as though you were writing a note to your fiancé.
• For inspiration you can utilize words from a meaningful song that you share.
• If you are having trouble finding words to accurately express your feelings, consider using quotes that are significant. Also, you may find helpful information at weddingvowtoolkit.com .
• Remember to keep it concise…they are vows not speeches!
• Have others read it before the ceremony if you feel comfortable with sharing them ahead of time.
• Practice reading the vows out loud and in front of a mirror to watch how your facial expressions convey what you are saying.
• Write the vows down and use your notes during the ceremony. Nerves often set in and you may forget what you are wanting to say. The day is not about how well you can memorize lines and recite them…save that for your audition on Days of Our Lives. The vows are a time to express to your love in front of the world how much you love them.
There are many ways to write your vows. Remember the wedding isn’t about everyone in attendance…it is about the couple. No matter what you say or how you say it, the other will love you until the end of time. After all, that is why they are marrying you!
For additional must know wedding secrets visit www.verysupersexylingerie.com

Wedding unity candles are a traditional part of any wedding ceremony and celebration. Unity candles comes in many styles to suit any occasion. Below are just a few of the most popular Unity Candles.
The Modern Square Pillar Candles and Taper Candles, in whites and dulls go with any color tone and any party theme. These truly create a sensual and lovable ambience for the occasion.The Double Ring Unity and Taper Holders in sparkling brass and silver metals, give an elegant base and a rich artistic support for various designer candles to hold on until the last burn of the wick.
The melting wax that falls on the holders further enhances the effect and adds a tint of antiquity to the wedding party. Accessories including the interlocking rings at the base and the taper holders render a must-have appeal for ring bearers and bridesmaids.
The Sweethearts Forever Ceremony Candles bear artistically created hearts inspired by the hand colored photographs of ace photographers. The perfect background illustrations and lace details with ribbon and mauve resin flowers featuring the base, provide a resplendent ambience, besides a unique appearance on the wedding tabletops. A western panorama is created in your wedding ceremony with specially themed Western Fringe Ceremony Candles.
These unity pillar candles are nicely draped in special silk cord, silk rope miniature white Stetson and two horseshoes that symbolize good luck and fortune in future endeavors. The silver-plated unity candle holder with a heart motif is yet another unique way of expressing the relationship of love, passion, and idyllic communion amidst an atmosphere that is full of fun and frolic.
Completely styled for those rare occasions of your wedding ceremony including bridal shower and ring bearer occasion, are the set of frosted votive candles rightly imbued with the spirit of Love, Joy, Hope, Faith, and Trust. The Clear Glass Candle Holder is an ideal match for frosted votive candles that not only provide a stringent support base to this tender and subtly designed candle, but also inspire a romantic and passionate mood for the special day.
These are most sought after gift ideas for guiding the way of guests through the aisle, besides garden settings in a traditional wedding ceremony.The tarnish resistant Silver Plated Interlocking Heart Taper Candle holder has a tough and antique looks bearing two subtly designed heart shapes interlocked to symbolize unity, love and affection.
The exclusive candle gift ideas also include winter wonder ceremony candles, to become one unity candle, 50th anniversary unity candle, pearl unity candle, double heart ivory unity candle, enchanting moments white unity candle set and many more to give the your wedding ceremony that extra flavor and sparkle.For the traditional Church ceremony these wonderful and elegant
Unity Candles are just the perfect choice. When the meaning of two that become one “Unity Candles” these candles make great keepsake items of your special day. Candles represent the meaning of everlasting life. The Unity Candle as stated above represents the meaning of two couples that become one for everlasting life.

Candles give off such a romantic ambiance that it is almost impossible to imagine a wedding without them. Giving out candles as wedding favors has a lot of symbolism attached to it because it represents your eternal flame of love and the fact that you want everyone at your wedding celebration to never forget that you and your new spouse have entered into a new life together that will last forever. Although candles are so great, they are often used at weddings and you don’t want to become just a copy cat. So get really creative and find the most unique candles possible and then use them in unique ways that represent your personality and decorative flair.
You can light the candles at the tables and then have your guests bring them home at the end of the night as special reminders. Try asking them all to light their candles when they get home so that all of your loved ones will share the common experience of your love. These candles may even inspire new forms of love in the households of your various guests. No matter what you do, it’s impossible to go wrong with some great candles and to set the perfect atmosphere for your celebration.
Grape Design Candle Favors:
These wedding favor candles are truly perfect for any occasion and bring the sophisticated atmosphere of wine into your theme. Grapes represent joy, merriment, and hope for the future. The everlasting symbolism of your new relationship will become compounded with the grapes and the flame of the candle. The vibrant colors will also enhance any theme because it will add to anything from a summer to a harvest theme. Try putting these candles into adorable wedding favor bags to make it much easier for your guests to enjoy in their own homes.
Happiness Keepsake Candle:
These candles are truly unique and you will impress all of your guests with your decorating prowess. The candles are in a classic Chinese theme of red, gold, and black and are in a square shape. The symbol for “double happiness” is written on each face of the square to show everyone how much enjoyment you and your new spouse will have in your new life together. These candles will inspire good cheer throughout the reception hall with a single glance from the eyes of each of your guests. You can also use these to add a cultural touch to any theme.
Hand Painted Glass Candle:
This Hand Painted Glass Candle features two glass candle holders that are ornately decorated by hand painting colorful flower sprays set at an attractive angle around each frosted candle glass.
A generous gift that your wedding guests will truly appreciate, this Hand Painted Glass Candle will bring a cheerful light into any home décor color scheme. A popular economical powerhouse, this set of 2 Glass Candle with Hand Paint offers budget options that few people pass by. These beautiful floral sets will double your gift-giving purchasing power! Split the set, and accent each piece with a bit of ribbon, and your gift giving tasks are complete at half the cost, and in half of the time!

Planning a wedding? Then you know how hard it is to find a venue for your reception. After awhile all those hotel banquet halls begin to look alike. Why not put your creative thinking cap on and expand your thinking? Why not try something unique? Why not try a museum? Museum Wedding Venues

Many museums rent out their spaces for weddings and other events. And, if you think having your wedding at a museum would be boring, think again. Consider the attractions your guests would be surrounded by at some of the following museums:Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois

For a unique wedding venue in Chicago, consider the Museum of Science and Industry, located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. The Museum of Science and Industry has so much to offer that it’s hard to know where to begin. You have your choice of numerous unique spaces within the Museum, such as the U-505 Exhibit, where your guests will have the opportunity to dine alongside a 252 ft. submarine. But not any submarine. This submarine was the only German submarine captured during WWII. Seating capacity is 120 guests.

Another space within the Museum is the Rotunda, which is a spectacular hall of marble, featuring a 120-ft. domed ceiling. The seated capacity in the Rotunda is 800 guests.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago also has several themed venues within their space which would make any wedding or reception stand out. These include “The Bronzeville Blues Club” with a theme of Chicago’s musical roots. Entering through the Rotunda, guests will enter the “Bronzeville Blues Club” awash in candles and blue lighting; dine on Creole inspired hors d’oeuvres, while enjoying the sounds of an authentic Blues Trio.

Or, perhaps you’d like to try the “Hollywood Canteen” – a recreation of The Hollywood Canteen, which opened its doors in 1942, and quickly became a hot spot for servicemen and Hollywood’s biggest names. Your guests will be welcomed into this recreation by a long red carpet, lined with red velvet ropes. The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

Located in Central Phoenix, the Heard Museum has been a Phoenix institution for more than 75 years. Encompassing more than 130,000 square feet of gallery and education space, the Heard Museum has one of the finest collections of Native American art and cultural exhibits. And, the exhibits aren’t the only things worth seeing at the Heard; there’s also the interesting architecture and grounds, which include arched walkways, brick patios and lovely courtyards, which serve as picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos. The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts

The Higgins Armory Museum is the only museum in the Western Hemisphere devoted to arms and armor, housed in an Art Deco building with a vaulted Medieval Great Hall. Talk about a unique wedding venue! How many people have their wedding amid suits of armor from the Renaissance? Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida

This tropical wedding venue is historic as well as beautiful. You can get married on a bridge overlooking a koi pond, then provide your guests with a private tour of Ernest Hemingway’s home. For guests who cannot attend, they can watch the wedding on the Museum’s live web cam.The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newberry Park, California

For those history buffs who love stagecoaches and the American pioneer period, the Stagecoach Inn Museum is for you. Located off the 101 Freeway halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Stagecoach Inn has a rather long history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is actually a replica of the original Stagecoach Inn built in 1876, as well as spacious grounds which feature replicas of a pioneer home, a Spanish-Mexican adobe and a Chumash dwelling. Live oak trees, flower gardens, wooded areas and rose arbor grace the lawns. Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia

The Poe Museum is dedicated to, who else, Edgar Allan Poe, the American author of short stories, detective fiction, poetry and science fiction. Imagine the theme wedding one could have by getting married at the Poe Museum! Treat your guests to a wedding and reception in Poe’s Enchanted Garden, which can accommodate up to 100 guests. The garden was inspired by one of his poems, “To One in Paradise.” Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

If the two of you are into football, why not consider the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Instead of a bouquet, the bride can toss a football. Well, it’s just an idea.

No matter where you live there is bound to be a museum near you that hosts weddings. Museums offer a truly unique venue which your guests will remember years after the wedding. The museums can be historical, fun, or downright odd and you’re sure to find one which suits your tastes. Now, if only the Spam Museum would offer weddings…. Oh, well, one can’t have everything.

Today’s weddings are all about options that reflect your personalities and style. Here is a list of top picks for non-traditional or unexpected wedding ideas to incorporate into every aspect of your big day. Ceremony Ideas 1) Location – If you don’t host your ceremony in a house of worship or in the same location as your reception, you can get creative with your ceremony location and exchange vows at sunrise on the beach or at sunset from the rooftop of the tallest building in your metropolitan area. Get more ideas for unique ceremony sites. 2) Refreshments – Use the season or your location as an opportunity to greet guests with a refreshing drink. Lemonade and sweet tea will quench your guests’ thirst while gathering in the blazing sun, or serve hot apple cider to warm your guests during chiller months. 3) Grand Entrance – Make your entrance especially grand by being escorted by your pet dog or by arriving on a white horse. 4) Vows and Readings – Not a new concept, but speaking from the heart by writing your own wedding vows or incorporating personalized poems and weddings readings into your ceremony will surely grab the attention of your guests. Flowers & Decor Ideas 5) Color Scheme – Try pairing a few uncommon colors together or featuring varying shades of the same color throughout your space. 6) The Food Pyramid – Fill cylindrical glass vases with fruits and vegetables reflecting your colors. Oranges, lemons, and limes have been done so try a unique, more contemporary look with mangos or coconuts or tie it to the season with texture-rich earthy vegetables like husked corn, acorn squash, or artichokes. 7) Au Natural – Consult Mother Nature for inspiration, and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pinecones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception décor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance. Lighten Up – Floating candles in a shallow bowl adds lighting and elegance to your tabletops. Or arrange multi-level candles on a mosaic of mirrors or tiles and surround them with seashells or flower petals. Placing coffee beans or red hot candies at the bottom of a vase or bowl to hold the candles steady also adds an aromatic effect. 9) Consult your Inner Child – For the kid at heart, fill decorative bowls with your favorite candies – such as jellybeans and M&M’s – in your wedding colors. Find even more inspiring ideas for unique wedding decorations in this complete guide to wedding flowers.Entertainment Ideas 10) Ceremony Music – If “Here Comes the Bride” doesn’t suit your style or personality, choose a song that does. There is no written rule that states you can’t make your grand entrance to a rendition of your favorite Beastie Boys’ song. 11) Non-traditional Instruments – If you desire live music over a DJ, consider tying your musician selection to the theme or location of your event. A beachside bash naturally lends itself to the sound of steel drums, while a trumpet quartet will sound impressive in an elaborate cathedral. 12) Themed Music – Take it one step further and zone in on the music that is indigenous to your wedding location. Guests attending a Mardi Gras-themed event in New Orleans will bask in a cocktail hour of Dixieland jazz. 13) DJ and a Band – Can’t decide which you would rather have? Have both to ensure that all types of music are represented throughout your day to please both your 85-year-old grandmother and your 21-year-old cousin. Photography Ideas 14) Photojournalism More and more brides are leaning toward hiring a photographer who specialized in a photojournalistic style. These photographers shy away from posed shots and aim to capture all of the candid moments that you’ll always want to remember or may have never seen. 15) Creative Shots Hire your photographer to follow you throughout your entire day (leading up to the “Do Not Disturb” sign, of course). While it may make you feel anxious to have someone photograph you as you get ready, these shots will help you to remember the joy and anticipation of every part of your big day. Cake Ideas 16) Minimal Adornments – Some brides believe in the “less is more” adage. A simple cake minimally ornamented can make a bold statement. 17) Square Tiers – Looking for a subtle way to break away from the ordinary? Square tiers make a modern presentation. Whoever said “it’s hip to be square” must have been in the cake business. 18) Cake-free – If cake isn’t your favorite dessert, then don’t feel the need to serve it to your guests. Apple crisp, peach cobbler, pumpkin pie, cupcakes, or even glazed doughnuts are a hit at the dessert table. 19) Sugar-free – The end-of-meal offering doesn’t have to be made of flour and frosting. Think savory instead, and visit your local cheese shop to have them construct wheels of cheese in tiers and stacked to look like traditional wedding cake. Attire Ideas 20) Wardrobe Change – Today’s brides are opting to wear not one dress, but two! Wear an elegant gown while you exchange vows, then slip into something a little more comfortable to round out the evening. 21) Anything but White – A white wedding dress symbolizes innocence and purity, but if that’s not your style, feel free to bring out your colorful personality by adding a splash of color to your attire. You can be as subtle as a colored sash and jewels or as bold as a fuchsia-colored dress. 22) Something Borrowed – Anything retro screams chic these days. So why not consider donning your mother’s vintage gown as a tribute to a family legacy. A few alterations can make it your own. Stationery Ideas – 23) Ethnicity – If your heritage is important for you to represent on your big day, do some research and find a stationer who offers multi-cultural invitations and announcements. 24) Creative Touch – For more intimate, casual gatherings, request the honor of your guests’ presence in an innovative and entertaining way. Here’s an idea – have your invite printed on a balloon so guests have to blow them up to receive the message. 25) Programs – Do something a little different with your programs by including personal photos or by printing them on something that serves a dual purpose – like a fan. 26) Storybook – Get the most bang for your program buck by including stories of how the two of you met, who introduced you, and your relationship to everyone in the bridal party. Think of all the time you’ll save by not having to explain all of this to your husband’s childhood neighbor during the reception! Transportation Ideas 27) Grand Entrance – If the size of your bridal party doesn’t warrant a stretch limousine, consider arriving on horseback, on the back of your husband’s motorcycle, or in the passenger’s seat of your dad’s antique car.

Get even more creative wedding ideas at Elegala.com – Elegant Galas Made Simple

Over the next twelve months, roughly 2.4 million Americans will spend 70 billion dollars (US) getting married. Green and socially responsible weddings can have a huge impact for the better on local economies and ecologies. Here are ten ways to express your commitment to the interconnectedness of life on earth during your wedding day.
1. Eco Engagement Rings and Eco Wedding Rings
It can take up to twenty tons of rock to produce a single wedding ring, yet there is more than enough gold available now for the entire jewelry industry. Some jewelers offer rings that are made from recycled gold. The ethical jeweler who has committed to using recycled gold will more than likely have a selection of conflict free diamonds or other gemstones that are responsibly sourced. Start your search locally, but realize that ethical wedding rings have not reached the mainstream yet and may be difficult to find.
Here are several online ethical jewelers, arranged by price range, for your consideration:
low-mid price range
high price range
Here is a guide to buying green wedding rings.

http://www.articles-collections.com/culture-and-society/consumer/ten-tips-to-purchasing-green-ethically-sourced-wedding-rings-online.html

2. Greening Your Guests
Consider reducing the numbers of people who have to travel for your wedding. This is NOT easy, but then again neither is a commitment to the earth, much less to your spouse-to-be. If you decide to have a larger wedding with many guests coming in from out of town, consider donating some money to an organization that offsets the carbon imprint of the travel.
Here is a wedding carbon dioxide offset calculator:

http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/index.html

Here are some US companies that offset carbon emissions:
TerraPass

http://www.terrapass.com/

Native Energy

http://www.nativeenergy.com/

MyClimate

http://www.myclimate.org/index.php?lang=en

3. Greening Your Invitations
Another reason that reducing your number of guests is significant is that you will also reduce the amount of paper required for printing. There are often save the date announcements, actual invitations, wedding handouts for each guest and then all the thank you letters. Be sure you’re using recycled paper or – if you can – use email as much as possible.
Here are some great sources for recycled paper:
Twisted Limb Paper – 100% Recycled Invitations

http://www.twistedlimbpaper.com/

Invite Site – Eco Invites

http://www.invitesite.com/

Green Field Paper – non-tree paper, 100% recycled paper

http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/

4. Your Green Venue
The marriage should take place somewhere that is beautiful, inspirational and resonant with your green values. Look locally for meeting houses, farms, retreat centers, community gardens, parks or a building that supports a cause you believe in. Further, make the location central to the majority of your guests. If possible, consider having two ceremonies if you have large groups of guests at opposite ends of the country.
If you choose an indoor location, talk with the building managers about the energy efficiency of their facilities. If they are working to meet LEED standards for high-efficency buildings then you’re in good shape. Ideally the place will have outdoor and indoor space, allowing for different weather contingencies. Try to choose your venue as far in advance as possible; the best places book up quickly.
Wilderness Weddings (location suggestions from the Sierra Club)

http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/weddings.asp

Learn more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

http://www.usgbc.org/

5. Your Food and Drink
A wedding is – for the majority of the attendants – a great big party. Buy organic food that is, if possible, locally grown. There are now excellent organic, and often locally produced, wines and beers. Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding, but this is part of your gifting to the community that witnesses your vows. If you can’t afford an entirely organic menu, then consider going with organic meat, or choose a vegetarian option. Another idea is to ask friends to help prepare the feast.
Local Harvest: Find Organic Food Near You

http://www.localharvest.org/

Green Restaurant Association: search for green restaurants for catering

http://www.dinegreen.com/restaurant_guide.asp?page=search

6. Green Wedding Clothing
To purchase dress that will only be worn on one occasion for the wedding ceremony does not make a lot of sense. Purchase clothing that you will enjoy wearing on special occasions after the wedding. Organic fabrics are still limited, but you can choose to purchase clothing that is not made in a sweat shop. You can also rent your outfit or buy something that was worn by someone else once or twice.
Get Conscious: Hemp Wedding Gowns

http://www.getconscious.com/

Faernyn’s Grove: Green Bridal

http://mycorset.com/bridal.htm

Rawganique: Hemp, Organic Cotton Clothing

http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm

7. Gifting And Being Gifted
The experience of gifting and being gifted is an integral part of any wedding ceremony. You can decide to make your party favors environmentally responsible products. Look for locally made regional products that visitors from out of town might appreciate. People want to gift the bride and groom. Everyone wants their gift to be appreciated. So it is best to open a Green Gift Registry. Those who feel as if they have everything they need may want to ask that, instead of gifts, money be donated to a particular environmental organization.
I Do Foundation: Charity Registry

http://www.idofoundation.org/

Vivaterra

http://www.vivaterra.com/

Branch: Sustainable Design

http://branchhome.com/

GAIAM

http://www.gaiam.com/

Send Us Off: request donations towards your green honeymoon

http://www.sendusoff.com/ecofriendly.htm

8. Dishes, Recycling and Redistributing
It is more environmentally sound to rent your dishes and glasses instead of simply using disposable paper products. Ask your caterer to use earth friendly soaps when cleaning up. Also, make sure that you have bins for recycling all aluminum and glass products. Look in advance for a food depot or soup kitchen that can take the left over food and distribute it.
Nat-Ur Store: Biodegradable Cups, Cutlery, Garbage Bags

http://w5inter2.hivelocity.net/biocorp/cart/showall.asp

Recycline: Green Table Ware

http://www.recycline.com

Second Harvest: Donate Perishable/Preparred Food

http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/perishable_food.html

9. Support Your Local Economy
Purchase locally from small businesses whenever possible. Buy local and organic flowers, which reduces transportation and pesticide impact on the environment. Or consider growing your own! Hire a local band or DJ who does not have to travel far to your venue.
10. Your Green Vows
This is the most important part of your wedding ceremony and it needs to be deeply considered. Spend some months and meditate on what is in your heart and what you can commit to. Write it out. Talk to friends who have been married a while. Include life affirming commitment to living in balance with the ecology. I was married by an Apache Medicine Woman, and she had us publicly state what my wife and I brought to the marriage-our good qualities and our flaws. For my wife and I, this exercise in front of our friends and family was a powerful expression of our humanity. Your vows are also your opportunity to spread the idea of eco-friendly values to your guests.
11. A Green Honeymoon
You will want to go to a place in nature that can restore and inspire you. Many people are familiar with ecotourism, yet know nothing about geotourism. The Geotourists has opportunities to improve the places that they visit and have meaningful experiences of local culture.
Here are some links to sites that offer green honeymoon opportunities:
National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable
The International Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org
Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com
Travel By Train

http://www.seat61.com/

Green Hotels:
GreenSeal Approved Green Lodging

http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#lodging

Green Hotels Members

http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm

More Green Wedding Resources:
Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning Magazine

http://www.portovert.com/

Ethical Weddings: Forums, Blog

http://www.ethicalweddings.com/

Green Wedding Planner

http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/index.html

Co-op America: Green Businesses

http://www.coopamerica.org/

Green Confetti

http://www.ecoparti.com/toec.html

Organic Flowers Online

http://www.organicbouquet.com/

In CA: California Organic Flowers

http://www.californiaorganicflowers.com/

Conscious Living Tips

http://www.newdream.org/

Other Green Wedding Guides:
A Green Wedding

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/96/wedding

How To Green Your Wedding

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php

10 Steps to a Green Wedding

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_steps_to_a_g.html

Guide to a Growing Trend: The “Green” or Ecological Wedding

http://www.americanbridal.com/gutogrtrgore.html

Wedding Industry Stats (2002)
http://www.theknot.com/au_industrystats.shtml

The holidays have arrived. You are in high spirits. And then it happened. An unexpected gift, but a wonderful surprise was an engagement ring. Blah! Blah! Planning a wedding ceremony is a daunting thought.
It’s the normal story. You are from different cultural backgrounds and faiths. One or both of you have demanding and overly involved family members. Your job schedules are busier than ever. Matter of fact, neither of you like to plan parties. Make the wedding planning itself and the wedding ceremony simple for both of us. ELOPE!
Nonetheless, you do not want to have a quickie, unoriginal, and clichéd wedding ceremony. Take the time, while traveling to your destination, to write your wedding vows together. This will make your day special, stress-free, and one to remember.
To help you get started, try a vow writing exercise for inspiration. Think about the wonderful times the two of you have spent together. Write as much, or as little, as you feel.
1. I love my partner because………….
2. Marriage means the following to me…………
3. When I realized I was in love, it felt like…………..
4. One of our favorite songs is ……………………
5. My partner made me laugh so extremely hard when………..
6. Write down any nicknames you call your partner……………..
7. The following adjectives describe my partner……………
8. My partner has taught me…………….
9. My partner inspires me to……………………………….
10. The kindness/ love/ generosity shown one time by my partner that I will always remember how it touched my heart deeply was………
Once you are finish reading your answers to each other, choose a few of your favorite words or phrases and start writing your wedding vows:
I, ………, choose to have you ………. to be my……….. from this day forward because…………
You will be deeply moved by what you hear from each other. Now that’s an exceptional wedding ceremony and a day to remember!

In order to get what you want and plan the wedding that you are longing for, you need to first be clear on what it is that you DO want. If you feel wishy-washy, overwhelmed, or think that you may have TOO many good ideas, you need to get inspired and get focused.  

Get inspired with a “Tear Out Session” to figure out what it is that you really do want. This will help you determine underlying colors, shapes, lighting, textures, style, and atmosphere that appeals to you.  In the past many of my brides have said that seems too simple. And actually, in planning, it’s usually the easiest answers that provide the best results.   

Your Fab Bride Assignment:  

Take a stack of your favorite magazines (including those you already subscribe to). I suggest wedding, lifestyle, design, home, gardening, fashion magazines and more…The more variety, the better!

Go through each and every magazine and tear out every single page that appeals to you, not thinking about what it is or why it appeals to you. Make a stack of your tear-outs, get a good pen and sticky note pad. 

Go through each torn page, and place your stickies on the page, noting what it is that you love (colors, flowers, textures, lighting, dresses, and more). You’ll find that after you do this, you have a very definite pattern of what you’re drawn to and what makes you happy.  

These commonalities are exactly what your wedding theme will be…and will show you what you really want. It works EVERY single time!  

It’s so easy and fun!! Now you can have a grand time getting inspired for your wedding! 

© 2008 Soirée! Ltd./Natalie Bradley Events 

Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? No problem! But here’s what you MUST include:

Wedding and Event Planner Natalie Bradley publishes the “Fabulous Planning” weekly e-zine. If you’re ready to take your wedding from Mediocre to Fabulous, get your F*REE report and tips now at www.NatalieBradley.com. 

Canada is blessed with its natural beauty that makes it a popular destination for couples looking for a place to have a wedding filled with the aura of romance. Canada with its rocky banks, snow-covered mountains and lush green mounts is almost a dream setting for a romantic wedding.
Canada too has some of the most beautiful beaches. Arbutus Cove, Hanlan’s Point Beach, Long Point, Wasaga Beach, Jericho Beach and Sunset Beach are just some of the spectacular beaches in Canada. With these beautiful beaches, beach-themed weddings are certainly something to seriously consider.
The gentle breeze on your face as you watch the waves crashing into the sandy beach and the sun setting is a sure way to lift the romantic mood in anyone. Weddings on beaches are not all as relaxing as the atmosphere for careful wedding planning is needed to make it happen and here are some of our tips to for you to follow.
Decide what atmosphere it is that you want to create- formal or informal.
A formal wedding might require you to wear a traditional wedding dress but an informal one allows you the freedom of choosing the dress you like be it sea-inspired prints or colored attire.
Wedding arches are must have décor for weddings however, if you predict that the wind will be very strong, you better do without it. Candles should be skipped altogether for it will not lit up completely in the presence of wind. You can have torches instead of candles but make sure that the strength of the wind is no more than 10 mph.
Wear the proper footwear. Shoes are not advisable to wear if there is no runner, otherwise, shoes will be filled up with sand.
GO for colors that blend in with the environment.
Don’t forget to provide chairs for your guests. No one is keen on having to stand around the whole time.
If you’re having an evening beach wedding, be sure to have power source available so that your ceremony can be equipped with proper lighting. Having a wedding in the dark will not be thrilling. The pathways should be cleared of all wirings so that accidents can be prevented.
Don’t have the wedding in the middle of the day when the Sun is at its mightiest. This is not good for everyone because of the harmful sunrays. You don’t want your elderly guests to suffer from sunstroke. Early morning or late afternoons are the best times to hold the wedding. It’s good to have a tent or tiki hut standing by for shelter.
There are many beach or sea-inspired wedding favours to give to your guests. You can choose from seahorse and starfish frosted glass coasters, shell-inspired spreaders, candleholders with resin shell base, starfish bath soap, sailboat picture frame, flip flop floating candles to engraved rock paperweight. All these will create fond memories of your wedding in the minds of your guests.
A bride wearing pearl jewelry will always look stunning and elegant. No matter if you’re having a formal or informal wedding, pearl can work for any type. Pearl is great for beach wedding because it is sea inspired. Pearl jewelry can match just about any wedding gown too.
Pearl necklaces vary depending on the length. It may be a choker, rope, princess, collar, matinee and opera. A pearl choker is 14-16 inches long. The pearl rope is 40-72 inches or longer. The princess is 17-20 inches which looks good at both plunging and both necklines. The collar is 12 to 13 inches comprising of three stands of pearls at the least. The matinee is 20-25 inches and it looks best on high necklines. For brides who’ll get married for the second time, matinee is ideal. The last is opera which is 27-36 inches. This pearl is long enough to reach the waist so it can be wrapped into two strands to create a choker.
Don’t just consider pearl necklace as there are pearl earring that you can wear too. You can wear the classic stud pearl earring for the elegant looking gowns and wear dangling ones for the simple gowns.
Thoroughly plan your beach wedding in Canada, select a practical and enduring wedding favor and look fabulous in your pearls.