Wise Girls

BraCore.com

2011-07-29T13:18:00.001+07:00

Bad Marriage Jokes

2010-08-23T15:20:00.000+07:00

Bad Marriage Jokes

Bad jokes on marriage!

Women are unpredictable. Before marriage, she expects a man, after marriage she suspects him, and after death she respects him.
There was this guy who told his woman that he loved her so much that he would go thru hell for her. They got married - and now he is going thru hell.
A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds : " Wife wanted". Next day, he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing "You can have mine."
When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife.
It's easy to tell if a man is married or not.. Just watch him drive a car with a woman sitting beside him. If both his hands are on the wheel, you can be sure he is married.
A man received a letter from some kidnappers. The letter said, " If you don't promise to send us $100,000, we promise you we will kidnap your wife." The poor man wrote back, " I am afraid I can't keep my promise but I hope you will keep yours."
"What's the matter, you look depressed." "I'm having trouble with my wife." "What happened?" "She said she wasn't going to speak to me for 30 days." "But that ought to make you happy." "It did, but today is the last day."
"Darling," whispered a frail little husband from his chair. " I'm very sick, would you please call me a vet?". "A vet? Why do you want a vet and not a medical doctor?" The husband replied. "Because I work like a horse, live like a dog, and have to sleep with a silly cow."

Interfaith Wedding

2010-08-22T02:22:00.000+07:00

Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies

What considerations are there to planning an interfaith wedding ceremony? How do you properly balance the two religions? What are some good ways to avoid problems?
Conducting an interfaith wedding can be just as rewarding as it is difficult. It's not easy for many interfaith couples to find a church and minister willing to conduct an interfaith service. And it's not easy to plan the service, either.

How can you make your wedding special for both your religions?
You want to incorporate as many of the traditions of both of your religions into the service as possible. You'll want to sit down with the minister you choose and talk with him or her about the two different types of traditions and customs and about how you might be able to merge them into one service that will be fulfilling for both of you.

One concern you may run into is finding a church willing to accept an interfaith service. Many religions and churches may allow you to hold a wedding at your church if you're marrying someone of a different faith, but conducting a service that joins the two faiths is often not permitted. If you find a church willing to help you out, great. If not, don't be afraid to hold your service at a nondenominational chapel, at your home, or at another non-religious location. This will permit you to have a service and use the traditions and customs that you see fit.

One thing you need to be sure to do when you're preparing for your interfaith service is to bring all the props, books, music, etc. The church or location you're having the service may not have the needed materials for both religions.

How do you find a minister?
Finding a minister to conduct an interfaith service is another trick. There are ministers who will do it, but you may have to do some digging. The best piece of advice may be just to ask around. If your minister can't conduct the service, ask him or her if there is a good minister in your area who might be able to do so. You'll want to start early on finding a minister and a location for your wedding, if you're planning on having an interfaith service.

Unusual Wedding Reception

2010-08-21T23:41:00.000+07:00

Unusual Wedding Reception Sites

If you're looking for a unique place to hold your wedding reception, what kinds of places to consider? This is a list of ideas for you.

You'll want your reception to be just as unique as your wedding. You want it to be a special celebration of the occasion and the life you're starting with your new spouse. There are many traditional places to hold receptions, such as your church hall or the local social hall. These definitely serve their purposes and are great places to hold your reception because they are easy to get to, all your friends know where they are, and they're large enough to hold the number of people you've invited.

But there are other places that you may want to consider when choosing a place to hold your wedding reception. If you're not afraid to branch out a bit and try something that isn't often done, perhaps one of these ideas will be right for you.

Theater. Why not have your reception on the stage of your local theater group. You'll be sure to have great lighting and a decent stereo system.
Historic home or estate. These make great locations, especially if you're having a period wedding or an especially formal affair.
A garden. These are already decorated with plenty of flowers and make great spring- or summer-time reception sites.
A historic battleship. Have your reception on board!
Aquarium. You'll be able to keep decorations to a minimum, as you'll have tropical and freshwater fish everywhere you look.
Beach. Why not set up a tent on a beach and let the wind blow through your hair? The scenery will truly be amazing.
Your college chapel. Did you both go to the same college? Consider having your reception–or even the ceremony itself at the chapel.
Fruit Orchard. This makes a great, colorful time.
Luxury hotel. They provide just about everything you need to have a great and memorable occasion.

Quaker Weddings

2010-08-20T14:20:00.000+07:00

Quaker Weddings

What are the customs of Quaker weddings?
Why do they do the things they do?
What do you need to know about a Quaker wedding before you attend?

Quaker weddings are simple worship services in which the bride and groom announce their decision to become husband and wife in front of God, their family, and their friends.

Unlike many other religions, there is no minister leading the Quaker wedding service, and believe it or not, there is no set order of events in the proceedings. Someone briefly explains to the guests that the meeting is about to begin, and there is an announcement in which it is asked for anyone who feels so inclined may present a special message or a prayer. Usually about 15 minutes into the ceremony, the bride and groom take it upon themselves to stand up, turn to each other, hold hands, and exchange marriage vows. Later in the Quaker wedding, a person designated as an Overseer asks the couple to sign the Marriage Certificate to make it legal. Then someone reads the certificate to the group. Finally, once again, guests are permitted to say whatever they want, offer a prayer, or their holy thoughts. Then everybody shakes hands with one another.

The Quaker religion is among the simplest of all religions. They don't take it upon themselves to spend a lot of money on a fancy wedding ceremony, nor do they feel they need to particularly dress up for the occasions, although they can if they feel so inclined.
If you're about to attend a Quaker wedding, be ready for simplicity. It doesn't get much simpler in weddings than this. But the couple that marries in the Quaker church takes each other freely and equally as life-long partners. They make a commitment to stay together throughout their lifetimes, dedicating themselves to each other and to their God.

Pre Wedding Relaxation

2010-08-19T09:09:00.000+07:00

Pre Wedding Relaxation

Rent a cool car for the day and take off with your spouse-to-be. A vintage car or an expensive sportscar will make you both feel like you’re leaving the world behind without having to spend a fortune.

Pack a picnic lunch and drive for hours. (don’t forget that men are most comfortable speaking their mind when they’re behind the wheel). Call your state or provincial tourist office and tell them where you are. Ask what there is to do within an hour of home. You’ll be surprised what new and exciting things you can find in your own backyard. Go fishing, bowling, or miniature golfing together! Playing and laughing will soon make you forget the stresses that a wedding can bring.

Alcohol Served At Your Wedding

2010-08-18T20:32:00.000+07:00

How Much Alcohol Should Be Served At Your Wedding?

What things do you need to consider when deciding how much alcohol to serve at your wedding reception?
How do you decide how much alcohol you need to make sure everyone has a good time?

You want for you and your guests to have as good a time as possible at your wedding, and you've determined that that includes serving alcohol. So how much do you need to plan on having on hand in order to ensure that a good time is had by all?

The first consideration is money. How much can you afford to spend on alcohol for your guests? And what kinds of alcohol will you serve? You certainly don't want to run out of alcohol, or you may be sending your best man for a beer run. And depending the time of night that he would be looking for alcohol, he may not find a place that would still sell him what he's looking for. So you want to be sure to have enough on hand, but you don't want to have so much that you'll be housing bottles upon bottles of alcohol for months and years to come after the wedding.

There are certain guidelines you can follow to make sure you'll buy enough alcohol--but not too much–for your party. A typical adult guest will have between four and five drinks throughout the night. If you buy a fifth of liquor, you'll get about 25 drinks, unless, of course, you're making each drink a little stronger than normal. But a typical drink calls for one ounce of alcohol. A case of liquor has 12 bottles. So if you use one-ounce of alcohol per drink and you buy a case, you'll get about 300 drinks per case. When it comes to wine, consider that if some people in your group are die-hard wine drinkers, plan on each of those people to drink the equivalent of one full bottle.

And for your beer drinkers, if you get a keg, you'll have about 520 eight-ounce glasses. One rule to note here is that 14 cases of beer is the same as a keg. Keep in mind, also, that you can buy just half a keg, if your group will be smaller.
Many liquor stores will actually buy back your unused, unopened alcohol. But you'll want to be sure to check with them ahead of time before you buy too much and are not able to return it.

Bridal Accessories

2010-08-17T19:38:00.000+07:00

Bridal Accessories

What accessories does a bride need for her wedding gown?
What are they used for?
Do you really need them?

The item of bridal wear that always gets the most attention is the wedding gown, of course. And rightfully so. It's a prime item in any wedding. But there are many accessories a bride needs to fit the role and play the part. You don't have to have these items, but many brides believe it adds to the style of her look and her appearance on her important day.

* Gloves
This is an item you'll want to try to rent if you can. This is not an item you'll ever wear again, and quite frankly, they are rarely worth altering to fit your future daughter or sister, when it comes time for them to get married. You'll want gloves that match your gown. Bridal gloves come in varying lengths, also. You'll want your gloves to fit tightly, but they need to be easy to remove when it's time to exchange rings.

* Veil Some religions actually require that the bride's face be covered at some point during the ceremony. You'll want to check with your chaplain about that, and find out what kinds of rules there are for the veil. The veil is a traditional part of the wedding ensemble. It's meant to fend off evil spirits for the bride before she's presented to her groom. The groom traditionally lifts the veil to verify that he's marrying the right woman, just before they are pronounced husband and wife.

* Jewelry
This is an item that is sometimes borrowed from your family, perhaps an heirloom that has been passed down when previous women in your ancestry have tied the knot. If not, you'll want to find the jewelry that is right for your wedding day. You can rent jewelry, too. But before you go and buy or rent that special piece, find a way to ask your groom if he'll be buying you any wedding gift. Jewelry always makes a nice gift.

* Handbag
You won't be carrying this down the aisle with you. But you'll need a small bag in which to put your lipstick and tissues before the wedding. This also makes a nice accessory for when you're leaving the church to go to the reception.

* Shoes Traditional
wedding shoes are silk or satin. And they're made to specifically match the color of your gown. You'll want to either buy your shoes at the same place you're getting your gown, or have them dyed to specifically match the color.

* Under garments
Buy hose that are a champagne or nude color. Don't buy white, because they generally don't look right. You'll want to buy undergarments that can be worn with your wedding gown. This may require a push-up or strapless bra and new panties. Depending on the type of gown you'll be wearing, you may also need to buy a slip or corset.

Appropriate Wedding Attire

2010-08-16T06:17:00.000+07:00

Appropriate Wedding Attire

Appropriate wedding attire for the various members of your weedding party during the ceremony and reception, the rehearsals, and etc. Sometimes when you get caught up in all the planning of a big event like a wedding, it's easy to just find gowns you think will be appropriate. But you really should put some thought into which gowns the ladies in your wedding party will wear and which tuxedos the guys will have. Once you've decided the style of your wedding, whether you'll be wearing formal or casual clothes will naturally fall into place. Here are some guidelines to follow for a typical formal wedding ceremony and corresponding reception.

Bridesmaids
Before you hit the road for your favorite bridal salon, you might want to actually stop by a couple nice department stores and check out their formal departments. You may be surprised if you find something you like at a fraction of the price you'd pay at a salon.

When it's time to pick out the gowns for your bridesmaids, you'll want to find something that will be comfortable for them to wear and that they won't feel out of place in. It is customary for all members of the bridal party to wear the same style of gown. But that isn't necessarily a rule. If you want, you can pick out one particular color that each bridesmaid needs to stick to and have them choose the style that fits her individually.

Groomsmen
It's much easier to find what would be appropriate for the groomsmen than it is for what would be appropriate for bridesmaids. Groomsmen normally wear the same style of tuxedo as the groom. Again, this isn't a rule, just what customarily happens. You do, however, want all your groomsmen at least wearing the identical tuxedo. To add a bit of style to your wedding, you may want to even consider having them wear bow ties that would match the color of the bride's maid's gowns.

The Mothers
The bride's mother traditionally picks out whatever gown she wants to wear. Then the groom's mother follows by choosing a gown of similar style. However, choosing the same style is a definitely fashion no-no.

The Fathers
The fathers of the bride and groom have what is possibly the easiest job of all of those in the wedding party. They can choose to either wear a tuxedo like the ones the groomsmen wear, or they can wear a nice suit.

The little people in the wedding party
If you have a little boy or girl in your wedding party, they can wear outfits like the bridesmaids and groomsmen, or they can branch out on their own a bit. For girls, a nice white frilly gown is always nice. And for the boys, feel free to let them wear shorts and tennis shoes. That will make them look quite adorable.

What should you wear during a wedding rehearsal?
Generally, wedding rehearsals are casual occasions. If you're in a wedding party and aren't sure what you should wear, ask the bride or groom. Generally for guys, a nice pair of jeans or khakis and a button-down shirt is appropriate. For the ladies, a nice blouse with slacks will do you just fine.

Resolving Marital Conflict

2010-08-15T17:56:00.000+07:00

Resolving Marital Conflict

Here are some things you can do to resolve marital conflict and stay happy together
It's inevitable. At one time or another all humans involved with close relationships get into argument seven spouses. The goal is to argue without appearing as if you're arguing. Try to keep things civil. Yes, a good marriage takes work. But if you try to work things out with your spouse, rather than spending all your time arguing, you can do yourself a favor in a long run. Here are some things you can do to argue with your spouse but remain civil.

Listen carefully to what your spouse is saying. When you're arguing, understand carefully what your husband or wife is saying. It's important to look past the yelling and anger and understand what it is your spouse is upset about. That's the first step. Be empathetic with your spouse. Once you understand why your spouse is upset, be sympathetic. Then respond by saying how much you understand what your spouse is angry about. A little empathy goes a long way to solving problems.

Never walk away from a fight with your spouse. Sometimes when couples fight, one of the pair feels as if he or she wants to walk away and either leave the room, or even the house. This is the worst thing you can do. Always resolve your conflicts face to face. If you run away, you prolong the agony on both ends. You should always work things out the best you can as soon as possible.

Don't insult your spouse. During an argument, no matter how upset you are, never insult your spouse. Insults hit harder and do more damage than just about anything other part of an argument. Instead of insulting, try to ask your spouse a favor. Turn the would-be insult into a request for him or her to change a bit from time to time.

If you're feeling upset with your partner, ask for a scheduled time to talk about the problem. Don't bring up your concerns at a time that may be bad for the other person. Tell your spouse that you're upset with him or her and that you'd like some time to talk with him or her about it. That generally works best.

Spend plenty of time with your spouse. If you spend enough quality time with your spouse, you can often avoid any unwanted arguments that may arise.

Wedding Stress

2010-08-14T16:26:00.000+07:00

Wedding Stress

What do you need to know about coping with wedding stress?
What are the best things you can do in order to stay as calm as possible during this most trying of times?

If you've ever been involved with the planning of a wedding, you know that the months leading up to the big day can be quite stressful. Grooms and brides are running everywhere, taking care of plans, ordering cakes, hiring bands, finding a florists, choosing the guest list, not to mention going through all the requirements–both legal and religious–they need to take care of in order to make the wedding official. Families and friends of the bride and groom often chip in to help out with the duties and responsibilities, which only often adds to the stress, because they think the reception should be held at one place, the couple thinks it should be somewhere else. The arguments never cease, and everyone cannot wait until the magical day is over with.

That's why it's important for everyone who's involved with wedding plans to take ample time to relax and de-stress themselves daily. Here are some tips on how to remove the stress from your wedding-filled life.

Get plenty of rest. Always sleep as much as you can every night. Put the wedding books and plans away at a set time each night and leave it alone.
Exercise. It's important that you spend at least a half-hour three times a week exercising. Get your heart rate up, relieve some of that built-up tension and energy. Find a buddy to work out with; that always helps you work out on a consistent basis.
Try to avoid arguments. Remember, your family just wants your wedding to be as perfect for you as you want it to be. You're all on the same side. The best way to handle wedding-decision conflicts is to have everyone submit their ideas to the sponsoring family and to the bride and groom, and then make educated decisions with calm discussions. It's not worth breaking the family up over. Remember, your family is on a budget and you need to stick to that budget.
If you don't like how something is being handled during the wedding-planning process, give careful consideration as to whether it's even worthwhile mentioning. There's already enough stress throughout the months leading up to the wedding, do you really want to add more stress to the occasion?

Wedding Vows

2010-08-13T15:15:00.000+07:00

Writing Wedding Vows

How should you go about writing your own wedding vows?
What kinds of things can you do to bring out the deepest in meaning and love in your statements?

Traditional wedding vows can often be some of the most rewarding words a couple ever says to each other. They have deep symbolic and religious meaning. But they may not personalize your wedding like you think your wedding should be conducted. You may even consider writing your own wedding vows.

What should you consider before writing your own vows?
There are a few questions you definitely need to know the answer to before you go off and write the most magical message of love you've ever created. The most important thing you need to know is whether your religion allows you to write your own vows. Many religions have strict guidelines as to what can and cannot be said or read or changed during a wedding service. The other thing you need to consider is whether it's truly what you and your prospective spouse want to do. Once you've been given the go-ahead by your chaplain and your bride or groom, it's time to get out the pen and paper.

What should you say in your vows?
Your personal vows are not something you just jot down and be done with. You need to make sure they come from your heart. Here are some things to consider when you sit down to write your vows.

Ask yourselves why you love each other.
Ask what it was about the other person you first noticed when you met that put that sparkle in your eye.
Ask whether there was one particular event in your relationship that caused the two of you to turn toward marriage.
Ask what you think of when the words "commitment," "love," "marriage," and "trust" enter your minds.
Ask what your feelings are about what life will be like when you grow older with each other.
Ask what your feelings are about religion. Find out whether there's a common religious bond that you want to mention.

Marriage License

2010-08-12T00:04:00.000+07:00

Marriage License Requirements

What kinds of things will be included on your marriage license?
What process do you need to go through to obtain one?
What else do you need to know about marriage licenses before you sign on the dotted line?

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, will need to have completed blood tests (to make sure you are not too closely related or have any kinds of diseases you should know about), and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

Unique Wedding Rings

2010-08-11T11:13:00.000+07:00

Unique Wedding Rings: Choose The Right Ones

Finding unique wedding rings - How do you go about choosing the right ones, and what do they mean?
Although the rings are blessed by the minister in a church ceremony, the giving or receiving of a wedding ring is not a legal requirement, however it is seen as the maid focus and heart of a marriage ceremony.

Wedding rings can be a traditional type, possible a family heirloom or perhaps a birthstone. The rings will be worn constantly so it is important to choose and find the right rings for you both. Rings do not have to be identical, but most are sold in packages for both the bride and groom.

When first choosing a jeweller, make sure that he has a good reputation and is not just a retailer. Discuss your budget limitations with the dealer and stick to them. Most jewellers have ranges to suit all tastes and budgets. It is prudent to start shopping as soon as possible and give the jeweller at least a month for any alterations before the wedding. Often jewelers are able to re-size jewelery in-house, whereas retailers need to send the rings to another party for alterations. When choosing a size remember that it is fine to have it a little tight on your finger as you will hardly ever take it off, whereas a little loose will only cause problems such as not sitting properly on your finger and even slipping off.

Many couples choose to have a birthstone (one for the bride and one for the groom) placed in their rings or even an engraving to make them that more personal. Birthstones correspond to the month that you were born and are said to symbolise their characters:

January Garnet Constancy
February Amethyst Sincerity
March Bloodstone Courage
April Diamond Innocence or lasting love
May Emerald Success or hope
June Pearl Purity
July Ruby Love and contentment
August Sardonyx Married bliss
September Sapphire Wisdom or repentance
October Opal Hope
November Topaz Fidelity
December Turquoise Harmony

The choosing of the wedding rings is usually a joint decision and is something the couple does together.

Muslim Wedding

2010-08-10T22:12:00.000+07:00

Muslim Wedding Ceremonies

What are the customs of Muslim weddings?
Why do they do the things they do?
What do you need to know about a Muslim wedding before you attend?

Muslims conduct arranged weddings. They are decided on by the parents of the boy and girl through negotiations. Muslims are allowed to marry whomever they want, but generally a woman is chosen based on her beauty, religion, societal status, and money. The parents of the couple determine the how much the girl is worth, and the wedding will take place over a period of a couple days.
The ceremony itself is quite brilliant. Many colors are used throughout the facility. Henna is placed on the bride and groom's hands. One day at the groom's home, where Henna is put on his hands, and another day at the bride's home, where the same thing is done to her.

The first ceremony is called The Mienu. This is when family and guests arrive completely outfitted in yellow. Some holy scriptures from the Koran are read. It is Muslim tradition for the groom to give his bride a gift referred to as "mahr." This gift can be anything he wants it to be and can be valued at any price he would like. The name of the official ceremony is The Shadi. This is when friends and family sit in a circle with percussion instruments and sing and play music all evening while feasting. The Nikah is performed by a priest, as the official time the bride and groom join together in matrimony. They sign the paperwork in the presence of the priest.

The final event of the last day of the wedding is called the Rokhsati, the time when the bride exits her parent's house to go live her new life with her new husband. That night the marriage is to be consummated, so that the next day the "Walima" can be celebrated. This is the day when the groom's side invites all the guests over to celebrate the consummation of the marriage.

Wedding Shower Ideas

2010-08-09T21:11:00.000+07:00

Inexpensive Baby Shower And Wedding Shower Ideas

We all want a wonderful wedding or baby shower, but we don't want to spend everything on it.
Here are a few ideas to get you started on your shower that aren't too hard to do and less expensive than that!

The cake or food definitely makes the shower. (After all, short of bringing the present, most people just come for the food!) At my wedding shower we had a lavish feast for next to nothing. How? DO IT YOURSELF! Here's what you do:

For cheese and crackers tray, veggie tray, and chips and dip tray: Most delis charge a ton for the same thing you can do at home. Buy the trays as inexpensively as possible. My friend worked in a deli and I got huge trays for $0.50 apiece! Buy cheese, crackers, chips and dip on sale and use coupons! (Search coupon exchanges and you may even be able to find coupons for free items that you might need!) For the veggies and fruit, if it's too late to grow your own, go to a fruit stand. They are tons cheaper than a grocery store.

We had a watermelon cut out like a basket with a handle. We scraped out the melon and filled it with slices of strawberries, kiwi, oranges, grapes, apples and a few other choice fruits. This looks great as a centerpiece for your food table, so there goes the expense of buying an expensive floral arrangement!

Also, I made the punch myself. Find a recipe and buy the ingredients as cheaply as possible. Then, borrow a punch bowl and glasses instead of renting or buying them. My best friend's mom had a wonderful antique china set that worked perfectly!

My cake was another thing I saved a ton on. My best friend's mom makes cakes professionally and she was honored that I asked her to make mine. She didn't even charge me! So, if you know someone who makes cakes, ask them. Even if they do charge you, more than likely they will give you a discount. If you don't know anyone who makes cakes, shop around until you find the cheapest rates, then order that cake.

For the streamers and balloons, catch them when they're on sale. After a holiday is the best time...if the colors match your choices, that is! Otherwise, shop around for the best deal or ask a friend who recently had a shower if she has any decor left over. I used the same streamer for my wedding and baby showers both separated by two years!

The invitations will lend a more personal touch if you buy or make blank ones and fill them in yourself instead of ordering printed ones. And, of course, it costs less!

Instead of buying expensive games, invent ones yourself, or search the internet for free ideas. More than likely you'll find cool games for nothing well, except costs of gifts. Of course, if you have a talent then you can make your own gifts. I make soap and for my sister's wedding shower, I made decorative soap to give as gifts. Everyone loved it.

You can drastically cut the costs of a shower and you'll find that instead of diminishing from its finished glory, you will be more satisfied with yourself and your efforts if you save in the end.

Overseas Weddings

2010-08-08T20:10:00.000+07:00

Overseas Weddings

The romance and mystique of an overseas wedding can beckon many. But just how much is involved in actually making it reality? An overview of the legalities and logistics of getting married in a foreign country.
There's a lot to be said for tying the knot overseas the glamour, the romance, the mystique! Not to mention that the money saved from not having to feed 300 mouths at a stateside reception can be put to better use; specifically, your honeymoon.

Before you and your beloved pack those passports and head for the nearest castle, however, there are some legal and logistical issues you need to consider first. Fortunately, the accessibility of information available via the Internet can make the entire fairy tale come true without ever leaving your keyboard!

DON'T GO IT ALONE

Unless you're especially intrepid or one of you is already well versed in the laws of your country of choice, it's well worth the cost to retain a solicitor who practices there or a bridal consultant who specializes in overseas nuptials. Retaining the services of either one for the duration of the planning stages can be a godsend in navigating bureaucratic hoops and filing all of the necessary paperwork. With everything else you'll have to think about as the date approaches, the last thing you need is to travel 6,000 miles only to discover upon arrival that you've left one of the requisite documents back home!

IS THIS LEGAL?

When in Rome, or anywhere else for that matter, it's important to learn the rules before you go. Marriages performed outside the United States are recognized as 'valid' under the laws of that particular country but may not necessarily be 'legal' everywhere else. If in doubt, be sure to request information from the pertinent consulate regarding the current rules, regulations, and who is authorized/licensed to perform marriage ceremonies in that country.

RESIDENCY AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

Certain countries require that one or both parties actually reside there for "x" amount of time prior to the nuptials. Belize, for instance, requires 3 days of residence; England and Ireland call for 15; France is high with a total of 40. Likewise, there are differences in how long the notice period must be, not unlike the tradition of "posting banns," in which adequate time is allowed between the announcement of the impending union and the chance for anyone to step forward with objections. How one applies for a foreign marriage license is also subject to variation. While many countries allow for application by mail; others, such as Barbados, Germany, and Italy need a live body present to file the appropriate paperwork.

CIVIL vs RELIGIOUS?

Do your homework in deciding the type of ceremony you want. Vows exchanged before a county magistrate are easier to arrange than those which require, literally, a church blessing. You'll also need to research the various permits and payments required for ceremonies conducted in public settings as opposed to a private home. Two additional considerations to be aware of when using public facilities involve the use of flash photography and the selection of your own caterer. Woe to the newlyweds who "assume" that it's permissible to take photos in a vintage chapel or that having two dozen pizzas delivered to the castle's Great Hall isn't a big deal. Due to the increasing popularity of historic and exotic locations for American lovebirds, the hosting cities have grown wise to the practice of insisting that their own staff provide the needed services (for a very large fee). It is prudent to either inquire at the outset whether this will be the case in your circumstances or else have additional funds on hand for the last-minute "gotchas."

WHO TO INVITE

As stated earlier, tying the knot at some distant location has the distinct advantage of not having to feed and entertain hordes of well-wishers. (If you really feel the need to throw a party, you can always do so when you return and have settled down into married life.) On the other hand, perhaps one or both of you have relatives who live overseas and who might not have been able to attend a wedding in your hometown. Another alternative is to pick a spot on the globe that's neutral territory for everyone to converge on. Weddings, after all, are a wonderful excuse to plan a vacation and get out of town to someplace new.

A FINAL NOTE

There is just as sound reasoning behind the concept of simply marrying in the US first, then using the trip for glamorous photo ops. Not to rain on the matrimonial parade, but transportation disasters are a reality. In the absence of marriage or a will a surviving fiancé could be displaced by the deceased's next of kin. Stress is another huge factor in orchestrating transcontinental details. The knowledge you're already married can lift the pressure of missing paperwork, unforeseen expenses and inclement weather.

Gifts For a Destination Wedding

2010-08-07T19:09:00.000+07:00

Gifts For a Destination Wedding

Planning a destination wedding is often a bittersweet experience. There are many differences between a destination wedding and a traditional wedding held in your own hometown. The first and most noticeable difference is the length of your guest list. Most destination weddings have a shorter wedding guest list, as it is not realistic to expect everyone you known to pay the expenses required to attend a long distance wedding. Additionally, the individuals that you have asked to participate as wedding attendants will not only have the traditional expenses that are associated with a wedding but will also need to pay for the travel and accommodations necessary to attend the wedding.

As you shop for the groomsmen and bridesmaids gifts for your wedding party, take time to purchase gifts that are not only sentimental but also representational of the fun and exciting location that you have chosen for your destination wedding. For example, if you are headed off for a destination wedding to Alaska, why not buy cuff links for the men with an image of a salmon. Sport fishing is a large industry in Alaska and this specialty cuff link would be a fun reminder of the wedding for each of your groomsmen. This is a great accent to each groomsman’s tuxedo and a personal memento for each of the men from your wedding day. For the ladies, why not purchase monogrammed cashmere scarves to reflect the warmth of your friendship and as a special reminder of your Alaskan winter wedding.

At the arrival luncheon, which you and the groom host for your wedding party, use name pinecone shaped place card holders to arrange and identify your seating chart. These place card holders can later be used as individual photo frames to hold a treasured picture from the destination wedding adventure that you all share.

Unique Wedding

2010-08-06T06:35:00.000+07:00

Unique Wedding Ideas

How can you customize your wedding in order to make it special and unique to the two of you? What kinds of things can you do to make it unique?

It's quite possible for you to allow your wedding experience to be a unique and rewarding one for you, your wedding party, and those who attend your wedding as guests.

The first thing you should do is decide whether you want your wedding to have a theme. Ask yourselves whether there's something special that makes your relationship glow. Is there a special song? A location? Your ancestry? Hobbies? If there is something that you would like to call the theme of your wedding, put that on your invitations, cards, thank you notes, programs, and everything associated with your wedding. You, of course, can decide to make your wedding a "normal" ceremony. But it is often the ones that are personalized that make a wedding memorable.

Once you've chosen your theme, the next step is to find out how many ways you can incorporate that theme–and other things that are special to you and your soon-to-be spouse--into your wedding. Some ideas to consider include playing a special song for your parents during their part of the processional. Have a special solo sung of a song that's particular important to you and your spouse. Have the first flower the groom gave the bride as the centerpiece for your entire ceremony. Consider even having that particular flower everywhere in the church and in the reception hall. Give your guests programs that describe why this flower is important and why you're doing some of the personalized aspects of your ceremony. Consider getting your guests more involved with the ceremony by allowing them to sing along with certain tunes.

At the reception, try certain games that are characteristic to your heritage. Perhaps have a drink of the beverage that best characterizes your relationship. If you are the outgoing type, ask your disk jockey or band if you could sing a song karaoke to your spouse to surprise him.

The important thing to remember is that a specialized wedding truly makes your wedding special. It's what you'll remember about the ceremony that separates it from all other wedding ceremonies and makes the occasion one that you and your spouse will never forget.

Myths of Marriage

2010-08-05T17:25:00.000+07:00

What Is Marriage; The Myths

Marriage is always getting a bum rap. Marriage is a wonderful union that should be portrayed in a positive light. Here are 5 Myths about marriage dispelled.
Marriage is always getting a bum rap. Jokes like "it's the old ball and chain" are all too common. More people need to come to bat for the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is a wonderful union that should be portrayed in a positive light. Here are 5 myths about marriage dispelled.

1-Marriage always gets monotonous and boring.
False. Marriages don't get boring, people get boring. Change is a fact of life. People change and grow, so there is no way for a marriage to get boring if the two are constantly changing. The secret is to learn to change and grow together, not apart. The magic that happens when a couple is first married and in their newlywed stages does not last forever. But it never goes away completely. It will simmer, then ignite intensely from time to time. It sort of changes from a hot and heavy passionate roaring fire to a more subtle, even-keeled, warm, glowing, smaller fire. You get out of something what you put into it. Don't wait until you FEEL romantic to do romantic things. Do what you feel are romantic things, the romantic feelings WILL follow. The past holds the key to what attracted you to each other in the first place.

2-Everybody gets fat and unattractive.
False. This is simply another generalization that holds no merit. There are just as many overweight single people as there are married. Conversely, there are just as many thin married people as there are single. Married women can remain as fit, beautiful and attractive as they were before they were married. Why do you think there are so many married women getting "hit on" out there? Men and women can and should continue or develop a regular exercise routine, preferably together, as well as eat a healthy balanced low fat diet. Many people maintain their same weight as when they were first married. Others lose weight and say they became healthier and more fit than they have ever been in their lives.

3-One person could never be enough to satisfy sexually, another person's need forever.
False. A woman's passion and sexual arousal and desires grow as she gets older. When her husband is monogomous, desiring only her, it makes her feel very passionate toward him, increasing her sexual desires and perhaps her sexual capabilities with and for him alone. As a couple gets to know each other exclusively, they feel more comfortable and familiar, and are thus, able to open up to more variety and experimentation in their sex life, which can be very rewarding and exciting for them.

4-Everybody fools around, infidelity is inevitable.
False. This is simply not true. For infidelity to occur, there has to be something already lacking within the marriage union. His or her needs are not being met. Men and women both have basic needs which are most important to them and which are DIFFERENT from one another. Often a woman gives a man what SHE needs, not what HE needs and visa versa. If a husband loves his wife and is committed to her, then by meeting her needs, he can be assured that she will not stray. The same holds true for the wife. Temptation is rampit in this day and age. But those in the marriage union who are dedicated to their life long love partners, must resist temptations and focus on channeling all of love and desire and passion toward their spouse. Also, at one point or another, in a long term relationship, such as marriage is, there may be a questioning of feelings or commitment between spouses. Sometimes you have to feel the fear of the possible death of a relationship and loss of that person, to FEEL your feelings again, sort of like a wake up call. To know that you could lose them, makes you realize again, how much you couldn't live without them.

5-Marriage is a ball and chain, a burden, holding you back.
False. Marriage is a partnership, but it should be interdependent, no co-dependent. You are two individuals, but together as one. This does not mean that you feed off of each other like leeches, bringing each other down and usurping all of each other's resources as human beings. It means that, as individuals, you are filled up in and of yourself, then you bring to the marriage covenant all that you have, and offer it to the one you love. You freely give to one another out of love, not take from one another, selfishly. As the wife, your partner cannot fulfill all of your needs. You may need God for spiritual matters and female friends for girl matters. As the husband the same holds true for spirtual matters, perhaps work for fulfilling personal goals, and male friends for competitiveness. Couples should do things together, perhaps have common interests or activities, such as tennis or golf or art, movies etc. But they should also have friends of the same sex. Men need other men to do the male bonding thing. Competitive sports are also important to a man. Women love to talk. Women need other women to release emotional stress and bond. Interdependence is a vital key to a strong and healthy marriage.

Wedding Theme Ideas

2010-08-04T16:07:00.000+07:00

Wedding Theme Ideas

If you're looking to have a theme to your wedding but not quite sure how to make it special, what do you need to know? This is a list of some interesting theme ideas for your reception and how you can make them happen.
If you want to add a special flare to your wedding, try a theme that is important to both you and your future spouse. This theme truly can be anything. But here are a few ideas for you to consider.

Western-style wedding

Deck the groom and groomsmen in cowboy boots and hats, maybe even a bandana. Add western-style gowns for the bride and her bridesmaids and you've got a western wedding. You may also want to bring in horses for a nice touch. Maybe you and your spouse will travel from the wedding to the reception in a horse-drawn carriage. Consider even having barbecue at the reception, and plenty of square dancing and country-line dancing to entice the crowd to get into the western mood.

Ethnic wedding

If you're African-American, Asian-American, or have some other deeply rooted heritage, how about an ethnic wedding? Wear gowns that highlight your heritage. Make sure the groom and groomsmen are wearing ethnic clothes, too. Decorate the church and reception hall with items that would characterize your theme.

Period wedding

Try a wedding that emphasizes a different period in American"or even a foreign country's" past. What about a 50's wedding? Consider having the wait staff at your reception wear roller skates. Or maybe you'd prefer a Victorian wedding. Make sure you can find the costumes that will give your wedding a definite style that you and your guests won't forget. You may even want to consider an English, Scottish, or French-style wedding.

All-night wedding

Remember slumber parties when you were a teenager? How about an all-night wedding? This gives you and your guests a chance to truly party the night away. This can easily be done by having a party after your wedding reception. Perhaps you'll rent out another hall where people can go for a second party. Or maybe the party continues at your home. The all-night wedding party usually ends with breakfast the following morning.

All-weekend wedding

The all-night party not enough for you? Want to party all weekend, eh? The all-weekend wedding celebration generally is set up as a vacation for you and your guests. You'll go to a resort area in a distant place that can be enjoyed by all for a nice, relaxing get-away. You, of course, can set this up in your area, too. Just plan several events and parties throughout the weekend you're getting married.