weddings

And The Bride Wore Red…Chinese Wedding Traditions (Happy Year of the Dragon)!

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Gung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year!  In honor of the Year of The Dragon, the next stop on our cross cultural tour of wedding traditions is China.

A pre-wedding beauty ritual observed by brides since ancient times sounds right out of a high end spa.  The bride would bathe in water infused with essence of pommelo (a variety of grapefruit) to cleanse her of her impurities, and a “good luck woman” would comb out her hair.  Not to be out-done, the groom also prepared by donning a hat made of cypress leaves.

One fun element, more seemingly suited for an episode of the Newlywed game than wedding day is the “Procession to obtain the bride” The groom and his party go to the bride’s house to collect her – but it’s not so easy as all that. The bride’s sisters “block” the door, and an obstacle course of trivia about the couple an other games must be navigated before the couple, with her parents’ blessing departs for the groom’s family’s home.

English: Bride and groom at a traditional Chin...
Image via Wikipedi

Last, we have what is a more contemporary tradition. Modern Chinese couples have taken to having elaborate “glamour shots” taken in their wedding clothes, and other outfits, in different settings.  Is this much different from any bride and groom? Do Chinese bloggers note the rise of the American tradition of the “engagement shoot?” Truly, we’re quite a colorful culture ourselves, no?

Be well, and love well.

-Dinah

 

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Back On the My Little Flower Shop “It’s A Small World” ( of Wonderful Wedding Traditions) Ride.

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In November, I blogged about my favorite Italian wedding tradition, jordan almonds. As I love finding ways for couples to honor their heritage, there was a whole series of traditions from other cultures  to come, right? Apparently, I spaced out and got off my mental “It’s A Small World” ride, but never fear, I’m getting back on.  Since we’re starting over, here’s the Italian info that started us off.   More to come this time around.

 

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like A Big Pizza

Pie…Our Favorite Italian Wedding Detail

November 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment (Edit)
A form of dragée: Jordan almonds (a.k.a. confe...
Image via Wikipedia

That’s Amore! Love! Amore! (let’s keep it true amore as opposed to the kind that is likely about to kill the political career of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi).

The Italian culture is passionate, full of beautiful art, fashion and design.  The food? Don’t get me started. What better place to find wedding inspiration? You could go a hundred directions with this – and we say run with it, FloJo – let that imagination loose.  Our favorite Italian wedding detail, suitable for any wedding, very pretty, and very easy: Jordan almonds.

Jordan almonds are candy coated almonds that you’ll find at any traditional Italian wedding.  Sometimes in little dishes on the tables at the reception, others cleverly packaged as favors (traditionally small tulle bags), or even sprinkled directly on a dessert buffet as part of the decor. Used in groups of five, almonds signify five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. Design bonus: they are available in any color of the rainbow, even silver and gold, so they can be perfectly blended with any decor.

Can’t say that about big pizza pies, can you?

Keep an eye on that moon.

-Dinah
Read more: Wedding Favors: All About Jordan Almonds – TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-favors/articles/all-about-jordan-almonds.aspx#ixzz1d50VE7Tl

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Internet-searching brides are still wild about centerpieces!

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Centerpieces, wedding centerpieces, orchid centerpieces. However they want to phrase it, it’s driving brides and shoppers to our website in search of wedding centerpiece ideas.  “Centerpiece” related search terms have been lighting up our statistics like crazy! So in order to make sure that they find the wedding centerpiece nirvana our readers seek, I’m posting photos from the eponymous section of the website with descriptions, and a little of the wedding centerpiece style inspiration behind them. No cookie-cutter floral design company catalog type jobs here… Enjoy!

Roses and fresh herbs in terra cotta pots add rustic beauty to an outdoor celebration

Imagine this at an afternoon wedding at a ranch or tuscan style villa.  Casual elegance can be just as “fancy” as black tie – it’s all in the attitude.

Tall calla lillies make an elegant statement for a modern bride.

These days, with interior design promoting mid-century modern and minimalist looks, a lot of brides worry about centerpiece flowers being too frilly, too “foo-foo.”  Modern looks can be achieved – and can be gorgeous.

A manzanita tree strung with pomanders of yellow roses, anchored in a box of white hydrangea. Stunnning.

Not every bride wants to color inside the lines. Or have everything be matchy-matchy. Maybe  pops of yellow make you or your groom smile, who knows what your inspiration might be? Let it out…we can work with you to make your vision come to life.

By now you’ve gotten the central centerpiece message.  Your wedding centerpiece can be whatever you want it to be.  Don’t let someone point at something in a book and lock you into a design if you don’t love it! The only thing that should be cookie cutter about your wedding? Cookies. And that’s only if you want to serve them. In order to be fabulous, you’ve got to be yourself.

Be well, and love well!

Dinah

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