Sorry for the late post this month. Been a little hectic around here lately!

I found a few videos which I thought would help you in what to do and of course what not to do:)

Enjoy!

Who Doesn't Love a Man in a Kilt

So I have been tapping into my Scottish roots lately and thought that I would share some of the traditions and ideas that I have had for a Scottish wedding. The Weir clan is my own and here is my tartan. You can find your tartan at http://www.tartans.scotland.net/

Groom and Groomsmen

My suggestion would be only to wear a kilt if the Groom is Scottish. If the Bride is Scottish she can wear a gown that displays her tartan or wear a sash. The Groomsmen can wear Kilts if the Groom is wearing a kilt. And who doesn't love a man in a kilt. They can definitely wear something underneath if they are more comfortable :)

Jewellery

There are some beautiful jewellery options for Scottish weddings. The horseshoe signifies good luck and fertility. There are celtic knotwork and beautiful options for pins and brooches.

The Pipes

It would not be a Scottish wedding without the bride entering the venue and the Bride and Groom departing to the sound of the bagpipes. I love the sound of the bagpipes and when done right will send chills through me.

Sometimes though it is best that they are positioned outside of the venue to protect the ears of your guests.

Hand Fasting

Hand fasting is a Celtic wedding ceremony dating back to the middle ages. It was a temporary marriage that lasted for a year and a day. Couples would perform a hand fasting which legally bound them until a member of the clergy would pass through the village and could perform a ceremony. In modern ceremonies, hand fasting is incorporated as a way to honor their Celtic heritage. The couples hands are bound together in a cord or a tartan cloth during their vows. This is to show that from that point forward, they are no longer two, but are one.

Pinning of the Tartan

The pinning of the tartan takes place after the proclamation of husband and wife. This ceremony is customized to each family depending on whether the bride or the groom is being accepted into the clan. For instance if the bride is marrying into the clan, any member of the grooms family may present the bride with clan tartan in the form of a rosette pin or sash which is fastened with the clan badge. Often this presentation is pinned or dressed to the bride as acceptance into the grooms clan. Many times the groom himself will pin or dress the bride, but it is quite emotional when the grooms mother does the pinning.

I also thought it would be great. Instead of doing champagne for toasts, nothing says Scotland more than a wee dram. There are always different options to bring in culture and tradition into a wedding and I hope this will inspire you to look to your family and make your wedding unique and personal.

Happy Planning

le deagh dhùrachd! (with best wishes)

Jen

Presentation of the Sword

As listed above in the pinning ceremony, many celebrations may take place that also includes the “Presentation of the sword”. This is a beautiful tradition where the groom presents his bride with a family sword that will be given to their first born son or; the Brides family would present the Groom with their sword as an act of acceptance into the family and signifying the obligation and responsibility to now protect her.

The Fascinating Fascinator

Beautiful and Decorative Hairpieces can make any bridal attire a little extra special. From the simple to the extraordinary there is something for everyone.

Again, one of my favourite places for inspiration! Etsy has a vast number of fascinators for you to choose from. From the Bold to beautiful delicacy. Your guests will not only be looking at the dress when walking down the aisle in a stunning head peice.

I have been in love with Jennifer Behr's headpieces for so long I can't even remember when it started! The style and simplicity of her fascinators are stunning and give the elegance that you will want to wear again and again.

Feeling Crafty!! Fascinators are also the chance for you to do a little DIY. Supplies are available online and in craft stores for you to make the pieces you desire. Check out fabric stores for tulle and silk satins for veils and headpeices. Bead stores and Mokuba on Queen W are good sources for ribbon and jewelled pieces. The world is your oyster. The fascinator is a chance to throw in some of your personality.

Happy Planning!

Etiquette 101 - The Ceremony

So I am going to go a little Emily Post on all of you. Etiquette is a major factor in all weddings whether formal or casual. Finger food or knife and fork.

Rehearsal

Whether big or small, the organist or musician should always be at the rehearsal as one of the most important details is knowing the time to start the wedding march.

"A perfectly drilled wedding procession, like a military one, should move forward in perfect sep, rising and falling in a block or unit. To secure perfection of detail, the bars of the processional may be counted so that the muisc come to an end at precisely the moment the bride and groom stand side by side at the chancel steps. This is not difficult; it merely takes time and attention"

- Emily Post's Etiquette, The Blue Book of Social Usage

Traditionally it is bad luck for the Bride to take part in her own rehearsal, she is there to watch and to direct. But during the rehearsal she has a "stunt double". This is of course optional.

Processional

Catholic Wedding

The Priest and the Groom enter through the side door and wait at the alter. The groomsmen and bridesmaid walk done the aisle starting with the couple that will stand the furthest away from the Bride and Groom, then ending with the Best Man and the Maid/Matron of Honour. The ring bearer is next and then the flower girl (If included in your party). The Bride and her father/mother/close family relation are the last to walk done the aisle. he bride will walk on the left hand side and is escorted to the alter. If the Father is giving away the bride he will then sit next to the Bride's Mother.

Protestant Wedding

The protestant wedding processional is very similar to that of the catholic. The Priest, Groom and his groomsmen enter through the side door (this is becoming common in all Christian ceremonies). The Mother of the Bride and Groom are seated after all the other guests have arrived. The reminder of the processional is the same as the above.

Jewish Ceremony

For Jewish ceremony the Rabbi or Cantor enters first followed by the Grandparents of the Bride and then the Grandparents of the Groom. Both sets of Grandparents are seated in the first row. The processional then has the Groomsmen walk in pairs followed the the Best Man and then the Groom is escorted by his parents to the Chuppah. Continuing the processional are the Bridesmaids, the Maid/Matron of Honour, Ring bearer/Flower Girl and then of course the Bride escorted by both her parents.

Happy Planning!

Etsy Wedding

Esty really is fantastic! You could virtually buy everything you need for a wedding...well the food might be a little limited, but it could be done. I have put together some of my favourite artist and thought I would share with you what they have to offer.

Invitations

You can find a variety of invitation from the fun and creative to the elegant and classic.

Letterpress , Elegant, Playful

Dresses

Whether you are going for a classic and traditional wedding or maybe you have a historical theme in mind. (Pride and Prejudice anyone...found your Mr. Darcy!)

From lovely to theatrical

Accessories

Compliment any outfit, be it for yourself, your bridesmaids. Going for the English tradition of buying a grand hat for the occassion.

headband, hat, Derby Hat, Boat

The Luxury of Personalizing

Personalizing can be done easily with Etsy. From the invitations to our bridal party gifts. Adding a little something different can make the wedding truly an expression of yourself.

Caketopper, purse, rubber stamp

The Details

It's the little details that go a long way. Think of small touches that will make your wedding truly unique

Seating Card, Chairs, Church Door, Moustache, Monogrammed Cork

I hope this has inspired you to take a look through the world of Etsy. You will be surprised in what you find.

Happy Planning!

Bridal Shower - The Afternoon Tea/High Tea

Thank you to all of those who made it out to the Original Wedding Soiree. It was really great to meet you all and I hope that you enjoyed the day.

The Bridal Shower is a chance for friends and family to come together and show the bride with affection and love by "showering" the bride with gifts.

The bridal shower began as an alternative to the dowry. A long time ago, there was a young girl who loved a young miller. The miller was a very kind and generous man but was also unfortunately very poor, therefore the maiden's father disapproved of the match and refused to give her a dowry. The village people loved the young couple and had desired their marriage. To make up the girl's dowry, each villager brought some treasured possession of his own until a chest had been filled with all household goods that a bride should have to make her new home. With these gifts they "showered" the maiden until even her father was won over and the young couple lived happily ever after.

The Afternoon Tea or High Tea is a lovely, elegant way to bring your friends and family together. One of my personal favourites is the Afternoon Tea at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. It's wide variety of tea and luxurious setting makes for a wonderful and soothing afternoon.

For us Toronto dwellers, The Windsor Arms Hotel is yet another beautiful and historic setting. Each teapot is different in colour and shape.

Afternoon Tea can be easily done at home. Your guests could all bring their own teapots and you could provide the tea along with sandwiches, (crust cut of of course :) ) a selection of cheeses and fruit and the most important, scones with devonshire cream. All piled high on a tiered serving dish.

Happy Planning

Jen

April 18th, 2010

Come visit us on April 18th for the first Original Wedding Soiree at the Mississauga Grand Banquet & Convention Centre located at 35 Brunel Rd.

There will be a variety of vendors for you to meet. You will be able to taste food, listen to music and see dresses up close.

Tickets are available at www.weddingsforher.ca or you can buy them at the door.

Forest Events will be giving away a full coordination package to one lucky winner. So come visit our booth and fill out a ballot. We will also have some giveaways and information for you to take home.

We hope to see you there.

Enjoy the beautiful weather! And happy planning!

Jennifer

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

The old adage still rings true, here are some ideas to keep the tradition alive.

Something Old is used to indicate a continuity in life with family, friends, traditions and habits. The way of life is to be the same but will adapt itself to change. The object is to symbolize what is left behind.

Ideas could be an old piece of jewellery that belonged to your mother or grandmother or a handkerchief that belongs to your father. If you don't want to wear your mother's wedding dress you can sew a piece from it onto to your own or create a beautiful necklace out of the lace.

Something New represents what you hope for in the future. It symbolizes the new life that is about to begin. A new wedding dress, piece of jewellery or your bouquet can be your something new.

Something Borrowed symbolizes friend and family and that the Bride has someone that she can rely on. The borrowed item should be from a happily married female friend or relative. It is believed that the person's happiness in marriage will bring you good luck in your own.

The item is usually a handkerchief or piece of jewellery.

Something Blue is a custom where it is said that those who wear blue have true love. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true." The wearing of something blue therefore symbolizes loyalty. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. The blue lace garter was considered during the American Civil War to be a symbol of virginity.