Weddings Archives - Page 12 of 92 - The Best Bridal Store - Your source for everything you want to know about weddings

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 3 Comments

Your essential After-the-wedding checklist

Your wedding day flew by like a dream, and you are finally a “Mrs.” The past few months may have been a whirlwind of activities, and you may be relieved that it is finally out of the way. However, there are a few pending tasks to complete, before you can put aside all your wedding responsibilities, and settle into your new life. Let us look at what they are.

Preserve your wedding gown

You may have worn your wedding gown just once, but it is a treasure trove of memories which has to be saved and put aside carefully. Who knows, it may serve you in the future when you renew your vows, or your daughter may someday want to get married in it! It is best that you do not attempt to do this yourself. Instead, have your wedding dress sent to a professional for preservation. Make sure you do this as soon as possible, so the stains and dirt do not set and become difficult to remove. If you will be going on your honeymoon soon after the reception, ask your MoH to take your gown to the cleaners, as early as is possible. Till then, store your gown in a dark and dry place, and keep it airtight and place it far from stains and dirt.

Sort out your gifts and send out your thank you notes

It is a good idea to create a list of the gifts as soon as you begin receiving them, and note down who sent what. This will allow you to prepare your thank you notes faster. Sending out a hand-written thank you note will be better appreciated than sending a printed one. Don’t delay mailing them, make sure your thank you notes are on their way within a month of your wedding. It will help you to have the stationery and gift list ready. You could even write them before the wedding, soon after you receive the gift, and get a head start on it.

Review your wedding photographs and videos

Get in touch with your photographer and videographer and find out how your wedding photos and videos are coming along. Review the prints and choose ones that you want to frame and display. Also, edit your video, so it doesn’t drag on for ever but includes the important highlights. While at your photographer’s, you may also want to get a few prints to share with your older guests who aren’t tech-savvy and cannot see your photos online. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Get your name changed

Now that you are officially married, it is time to inform all the necessary authorities of your name change. Collect your marriage license and visit the concerned government agencies to update your records with your change of name. Do the same at banks and other financial institutions. Also update your insurance plans and change beneficiaries where your deem appropriate, now that you are married.

Once these tasks are out of the way, you are all set to focus and enjoy your life together as a married couple. It is going to be a great journey ahead, so congratulations and all the best!

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us at Best for Bride.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 3 Comments

The unusual origins of some wedding customs

Traditional weddings brought together numerous wedding customs, many of which continue to this day. While we continue to practice several traditions that began ages ago, how many times do we actually consider where these practices originated? Today we will explore the tales and trivia behind some of the traditional customs. I’ll tell you this much before we begin, some of them are not only unexpected, but at times even bizarre. So, be prepared for some surprises along the way.

The wedding bouquet

Brides today have a tough time choosing between nosegays and posies, tulips and roses, local flowers and international blossoms. Would it have been easier if we kept to the original practice of carrying a bouquet of garlic and chives as we walked down the aisle?

Believe it or not, this was the original bouquet, and the herbs were believed to ward off evil spirits and keep away germs. Isn’t it a lot better today, when the bouquet is beautiful and smells more pleasant?

Bridesmaids and their dresses

Modern brides may have so much more to worry about bridesmaids stealing the limelight, so imagine how it would have been if they belonged to the Victorian age. During those days, bridesmaids dressed up to look just like the bride, dress, veil and all. The belief was that this would confuse the evil spirits of who the bride was, and thus keep her out of harm’s way.

“Do you TAKE this woman as your wife?”

Up until the 18^th century, brides were kidnapped by the groom, and hence the relevance of this saying. How Stuff Works mentions that the bride and groom went into hiding for a whole month following the abduction by when all the din surrounding it would die down. This interesting practice is also associated with the concept of the Honeymoon that follows the wedding.

The White wedding dress

The white wedding dress was originally introduced by Queen Victoria, when she was married to Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides just wore one of the best dresses they owned, on their wedding day. Following Queen Victoria’s wedding, the idea of white symbolizing virginity and purity became popular, and it became the favorite wedding color. This practice continues to this day, and most brides have difficulty associating any other color with a wedding outfit.

The tiered wedding cake

There are several traditions that relate to the origin of the tiered wedding cake. The one we found to be most interesting was the French practice of piling up cake to as high a height as possible. The married couple would have to kiss above the cake to be assured of a successful marriage.

The practice of preserving the top tier of the wedding cake also has a story to it. During those days, it was expected that the couple would have their first child in the year that followed their wedding. So, the cake tier that was preserved would serve as the christening cake for the baby and avoid extra expense that way. Fruit cake was the choice at the time, as it was one of the few flavors that wouldn’t spoil.

Hope that was an interesting read. For more wedding related stories, advice and shopping tips, visit us at Best for Bride.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 6 Comments

A Beginner’s Guide To Your Vow Renewal [2025]: Checklist and Everything You Need To Know

A Beginner’s Guide To Your Vow Renewal: Checklist and Everything You Need To Know

“Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.”

This quote by Jennifer Smith is an apt representation of what marriage means and entails. Every couple who has been married for long should know that they are in a special relationship that has stood the test of time. Such a marriage is definitely worth a celebration, and vow renewals are the perfect way to do it.

Whether you want to celebrate your love, or wish to reaffirm your commitment to each other, you can always have a vow renewal ceremony. It can be as small or as elaborate as you wish.

Although planning a vow renewal isn’t as stressful as wedding planning, there are a few things that can make it even easier. But before we look at that, let us first look at something that is very important when planning such an event: Vow renewal etiquette.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 3 Comments

Cherished Moments: Your Comprehensive Guide to Planning a Cozy and Intimate Wedding!

What does your wedding actually signify? Isn’t it all about the moment of being declared man and wife; of feeling excited and overjoyed in the midst of those who really love you?

Do you think that this would be better realized when you have a small and intimate wedding, where all those who attend have your best interests at heart and really mean a lot to you. This doesn’t mean that you have to limit your budget.. It is just that you can use your money better and not have to cut down on anything you wanted because it stretches your wedding budget. If you have been thinking along these lines, this post is one that will be very useful for you. So, let us get into the details of how to plan a small wedding, and do it well.

The guest list

A small wedding can be as small as you wish. The number could be 20, 50 or 100; it is up to you to decide. All you have to remember is that you should be inviting only those who personally mean a lot to you (and your families, if they are sharing the expenses).

The venue

Depending on the number of guests, choose a venue where you will be seated in such a way that everyone can mingle and meet the others. With a smaller wedding party, you can make the most of your budget by opting for a luxurious or picturesque wedding venue, instead of a huge banquet hall. For very small gatherings, you could even have one in your own backyard or garden, provided you are able to deck it up and arrange it well.

Splurge on what is most important

If you always wanted a designer wedding dress with all the works, a small wedding allows you to indulge yourself. Comments on how great you look will sound more meaningful and heartfelt, when they come from your dear and near ones, than from someone who barely recognize them. A small event also allows you to throw a lavish spread of delicious food, get better wedding favors and decorate your venue to perfection. Fix your priorities, and spend your money accordingly. If you want to hire the services of a wedding planner, the fact that you are having a small wedding shouldn’t hinder it. There are many wedding planners who specialize in small events, you just have to find them.

Handling protests

There will certainly be a few people who feel let down by your decision. Tell them this was because you were having a very small wedding, which in fact is true. You can always have a party after the wedding, when you can invite them. Keep it casual, but use it as a chance to introduce yourselves as a couple to the rest of the world. But do so, only if you really want it.

Whether you have a big wedding or a small one, don’t forget that the most important thing is that you enjoy it. For more wedding tips, advice or for all your wedding shopping needs, visit us at Best for Bride.