Luhya Wedding Traditions

The Luhya community mostly resides in the Western part of Kenya with a population of about three million. Known for their elaborate ceremonies, the Luhya enjoy holding big parties to celebrate occasions. Luhya weddings are very elaborate and important occasions. They are accompanied with many wedding photos and celebrations. Before one gets married, the groom will have taken bride wealth to the bride's parents as a sign of gratitude. Unlike Toronto wedding ceremonies, bride wealth is meant to cement relations between the two families.

The first step before a Luhya traditional wedding can take place is payment of the bride price. The groom is expected to take a token of appreciation to the bride's parents to show that the parents raised their daughter well. Traditionally, this token would be in the form of livestock or farm produce. This token would act as a token to show how much the man cares for his future wife and show that he can provide for his future family as well. The Luhya community is known to love chicken and these are provided in plenty for guests to eat. On the wedding day, the man would go to the bride's homestead and call out the girl's name. If the girl responds, the ceremony can then go on. In the past, guests in attendance dress in special traditional attire with paintings all over their bodies and dance the whole night. The ceremony would last for about three days. The married couple would then proceed to their new home.

Present day Luhya wedding ceremonies are more modern and include celebrating the event in a church. Dancing and singing accompany most luhya weddings. Groups of women who sing praise songs encircle the bride. The wedding party normally arrives at the church a few minutes before the ceremony starts. The ceremony is usually recorded on video and wedding photos taken. This is one attribute that both Luhya and Toronto weddings have. Once the church ceremony is over, the wedding party goes to the reception venue for wedding photos and food. Luhya weddings have plenty of traditional foods to offer as well as western cuisine. Entertainment in a luhya wedding involves singing traditional songs and dancing to their tunes. Luhya dancing is quite vigorous and is a very entertaining activity. Unlike in Toronto, Luhyas can hold their ceremonies for as long as two weeks.

A Luhya wedding is not complete without speeches. The speeches normally come after gifts are given and wedding photos are taken but before the cake is cut. The theme of most wedding speeches is usually advice to the groom and his bride on how to take care of their new family. Grooms are advised to take care of the wife and the bride is advised to cook properly for the husband. Different people who may use a lot of proverbs and sayings to drive the point home give variations of the same message.

After the main event, the bride and groom go to their new home. The wedding photos taken serve as a reminder of the wedding ceremony. They can be passed down from generation to generation and act as a teaching aid to their children on the importance of marriage and families.

The New Trend of Wedding Silk Invitation Boxes

Silk synonymous with luxury. Now silk is a good trend in the fashion world or the other. In fact, there are now designs wedding invitations with silk materials.

The times of sending a simple wedding invitation postcard to the whole family are over. More and more brides choose the exclusive way and order one of various invitation products including silk invitation boxes, silk pouches, folios and even silk envelopes.

Thai silk is one of the signature products from Thailand.
No question it suits just perfect to make exclusive wedding invitation boxes with pure Thai silk. There are no limits in creativity and extravaganza. For example embellished invitations with silk flowers or brooches with rhinestone crystals carefully ensembles on a padded silk envelope or silk pouches. My favorite is the rhinestone crystal rings with ribbon bands combined with a gatefold silk invitation box.

To plan a wedding invitation is truly a time-consuming process. Maybe because there are so many formats and possibilities the invitation box can be made in. Padded, not padded, embellished, simple, with or without flower arrangement and so on. It's all up to your time and budget.

Select the right material to meet your budget
Generally silk invitations are made with pure 100% silk or if your budget does not allow with Faux silk (artificial silk). Thai silk looks just so much more exclusive if you hold it against the light, but more and more brides choose the cheaper version of Faux silk invitations. No question, nobody wants to pay the debts of an expensive marriage until the silver wedding. Don't miss to contact me if you need support finding the right wedding favor, silk invitation box or wedding gifts.

Contact your invitation designer early to avoid delays
Thai silk invitations are hand made, so each item needs time to finish. If you place the order late, the manufacturer may not be able to manufacture high quality products. To get the best result, inquire 2 month before you actually need the invitation or wedding favor to arrive your home. This way you have around 4 weeks to discuss the design and look of your dream invitation box or silk invitation holder and the manufacturer has another 4 weeks to produce the order.

By : phie

Silky Wedding Flowers

Marriage is one of the sacred and historic events in our lives. Of course before getting married a lot of things that must be prepared and considered.

When brides choose their wedding flowers, one question they must ask themselves is: do I want real flowers, or silk?

Traditional brides always go for real flowers. Their delicate beauty can never be duplicated by artificial flowers. The mesmerizing scent of roses or lilies is a far cry from the artificially scented silk flowers. Scent is often associated with feelings or memories and a wedding is an emotional and memorable experience. And that is where real flowers score over silk ones.

Real flowers have their disadvantages, too. The main disadvantage with real flowers is their longevity. They wilt away very fast. Brides who want to preserve their wedding bouquets often settle for silk flowers. Moreover, brides who want exotic or out-of-season wedding flowers often opt for silk flowers because they are much more readily available and affordable. Silk flowers are also popular with brides who are allergic to real ones. No bride wants to be red-eyed and sneezing at her wedding.

Silk flowers have advantages and disadvantages too. Although not the traditional choice, silk is fast becoming a popular option. Silk flowers look almost as natural as real flowers and brides don’t have to worry about the availability of their preferred choice. Silk flowers are also much more affordable. Preservation of real flowers is very expensive, but not with silk. They always look as good as new.

Thus, both real and silk flowers have their positive and negative points. It depends on the bride to choose between them, according to her priorities.

By : Phie

Exotic Muslim Weddings

Anyone who has witnessed a Muslim wedding, live or on television, would be blind not to notice how colorful and exotic it can be. If there is one word that can describe one of these events, then it would be amazing.

What makes these occasions amazing is the fact that it follows years of tradition that has been passed from generation to generation. Muslim weddings are a lot different from Christian weddings not only because of their colorful attires but also because of the customs that are followed from the start of the couple's engagement.

While a Christian wedding is seen to be a romantic union of two people in love and united by the religious ceremony, a Muslim marriage is more of a social contract between the two families involved. Most, if not all of these marriages become possible due to the dowry system, which is more like an economic transaction rather than a romantic union. Here is how a Muslim wedding is celebrated in some parts of the world.

Iran

A wedding in Iran can last up to seven days. The focal point of the ceremony and the reception is the bride's home, which undergoes a customary banquet where the food is arranged so that it faces east. Iranian Muslims use a silk table cloth for the wedding table which has been passed from one generation to another.

Pakistan

An event in Pakistan can last up to three days, with the Mehndi taking place in the house of the bride and groom. It also follows a henna ceremony with the Nikah or the signing of official papers as its highlight. After the bride's family signs the papers in the Imam's presence, the family of the groom hosts a banquet as a way of formally announcing the marriage.

Malaysia

An affair in Malaysia is quite different in the sense that the henna ceremony takes place only for the bride. The signing of the contract is made in the presence of a Syariat Court official and is made official after a small amount of money is exchanged.

Singapore

A Muslim wedding in Singapore is characterized by the kidnapping of the groom by the bride's beautician and her family. The groom is allowed to enter only after he has given a reasonable amount of money as entrance fee.

Muslim weddings are celebrated in various ways depending on what country the couples reside. But whatever the differences, they will always be exotic and interesting to the western world.

Hairstyles For Brides With Long Hair

There is an old custom that when a woman gets engaged, she should start to grow her hair. There is no doubt that having long hair will give you a lot of flexibility in choosing both your hairstyle and headpiece for your wedding. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect wedding hairdo for long hair.

The first question is whether to wear your hair up or down. This will depend, in part, on just how long your hair is. Very long hair, while very pretty, also requires a lot of brushing to look neat over the course of a long day. This type of maintenance is totally impractical during a busy wedding day. If your hair is only sort of long, flowing waves can be a very romantic look.

A nice compromise is to pull some of your hair back, and let the rest be down. This is great for brides who love their long hair and want to show it off. It's also a nice idea if your fiance has always loved to see your hair long and loose. Pulling some of your hair back will also give you better options for anchoring a pretty piece of hair bridal jewelry, like a comb or delicate tiara. When your bridal hairstyle is all down, the only type of hair jewelry that tends to work is a wreath, which has pretty limited uses.

Many brides with long hair will choose to wear it up, and having it long means that it can be sculpted into all sorts of intricate hairdos. When you are thinking of an updo, it is very important to have at least one trial run with your hairstylist before the wedding. Your regular stylist might be terrific at cut and color, but not all of them excel at formal hairstyles. With long hair, you might need to seek out a stylist who specializes in working with your hair length.

Finding the right stylist is particularly important for brides whose hair is very long, like waist length or even longer. A true story: the day of my wedding, all of my bridesmaids had come to my salon to have their hair styled. One of my bridesmaids had exceptionally long hair, and when the stylist saw it, he looked at her and said, "What am I supposed to do with this?"! Fortunately, a different stylist stepped forward to take care of her, and she looked beautiful in the end, but not before a few tears were shed. It is bad enough to see this happen to a bridesmaid, but imagine if it was you on your wedding day. That is why trial runs are so critical.

Another great reason to have a practice hairstyle is to see how it feels. If you have a lot of hair, or it is thick, having it all piled on top of your head can actually give you a headache! For brides who find that to be the case, a low bun at the nape of the neck can be a more comfortable option, as can wearing the hair half down.

There are so many wonderful looks that you can create for your wedding with long hair. One very pretty style is to have a series of braids woven into a bun at the lack of your head. A classic chignon is another lovely updo for a bride. It is a great idea to go through magazines and pick out a few looks that appeal to you. Don't limit yourself to wedding magazines, either - you can often find the most chic looks at celebrity events.

Long hair will give you so many choices for your wedding. All you have to do is narrow it down to your favorite look, whether it is classic, romantic, or cutting edge. With so many wonderful options, you are sure to find a style that makes you feel absolutely beautiful.

Wedding Decoration Favors - Why Favors Are Important to Weddings

Although there is a lot that goes into planning a wedding, one of the aspects that should be given the respect and time that it deserves is the wedding decoration favors. There are a few reasons why favors should be thought out carefully. The first reason is because it shows your thanks and gratitude to your guests. They took time out of their lives to watch you begin your new life with your partner. In addition, it is the best way for your guests to remember the wedding. For the guests that are not close to the family, it might be their only reminder of the event.

Because there is so much meaning attached to favors, they should not be overlooked as something you have to get. You should want to get the best keepsakes because you want your guests to have the long lasting memory of your special day. There is a reason why you invited this group of people to your wedding in the first place. You wanted them to share in the most important day of your life. Why not give them great wedding decoration favors? One of the newest trends in keepsakes is to give useful and practical gifts. So often people end up tossing their favor because they have no use for it, so you might as well get your money's worth.

Even if you are on a limited budget, there are great ways you can get wedding favors that can be used again by your guests. One of the easiest ways to do this is to give candles. If you have a specific theme or color for your wedding, you can incorporate that into the candles. If you have a beach wedding, you can make the candles be sailboats or seashells. The point is for them to be relevant to your wedding, or at least to the couple.

In addition to giving practical keepsakes, another popular trend when it comes to wedding decoration favors is to give items that relate to the bride and groom. If you both share a hobby, then tie that hobby into the favor. If there was a specific place the two of you met, then make that be the gift. It could be a photo of the place or a memorabilia from the place. It is a cute way to remind your guests where you met.

Bridal Dresses

Brides wear specially designed gowns or dresses during their wedding ceremony. These are known as bridal dress and play a very important role in a wedding. It is important for the bride to select a wedding dress of a precise color, fashion and traditional importance often based on the religion and cultural background of the bride.

White has come to be known as the customary color of a wedding dress, but this was not the case in earlier times. This trend was started with the marriage of Queen Victoria to her cousin, Albert of SaxeCoburg in 1840. Her marriage is said to have had more influence on weddings than any other.

Bridal dresses are incomplete without a headpiece. A bride could choose to wear a tiara, a short headpiece, a veil covering her face or a flowing headpiece. The bridal dress may also have a train, a part of the wedding dress that trails behind the bride. This practice came into being from parallel trains worn by kings and queens. It is advisable to order a bridal dress well in advance. Once a wedding dress is selected, one must allow extra time for modifications or unexpected delays.

The range of bridal dress color choices may be perplexing. For example, eggshell, ecru, ivory, diamond white, candlelight and champagne are just a few common shades of white one can select. The cost of a wedding gown can be exorbitant, as well, and is something brides should take into account when choosing their dresses.

One of the most important purchases for a bride is her wedding attire. The gown and headpiece should match the occasion and her personality perfectly. It is important to shop for a gown that is stylish and just right for the bride. A wedding is a social event and many brides choose to take advice from a friend or family member who has previous experience with bridal dresses.

Wedding Decoration Tips With Balloons

A balloon arch is ideal way to add up flair to your celebration or wedding. The simplest way to make this piece is to buy a pre-built wedding arch made of white metal. If in case the wedding arch is not available, you could even build an arch using strong bendable metal wire. Just be sure it is strong enough to stand on its own.

After placing the arch appropriately, just attach full balloons onto the arch using wire tires or string. Wrap the tie it up around the bottom of the balloon and then onto the arch. It is best to begin from the top and work your way down both the sides consistently to crate a wonderful look. This can also be done with multihued balloons or one shade of balloons. Balloons need to be filled with helium however. The more balloons you attach, the superior the piece would turn out.

The completed balloons arch could be used in varieties of places. Some brides prefer to place the balloons arch outside the way in to the ceremony. This permits guest to walk through the arch in addition to the bride and her attendants. Other brides prefer to use the balloons arch as a ceremonial highlight. They want to place it in the ceremony area so that they could stand under it while they are saying their vows. Lastly, many brides also feel this decoration is superior suited for the reception area and should be decorated for the after-ceremony event.

Tips for balloon arch decorations

• Make sure the hall is free before time - decorators would surely require time to setup. Some halls would have other events as well before yours, making it complex or impossible for decorators to finish their job.

• The higher the ceiling is better the look would be. Halls that have tall ceilings permit for more remarkable balloon arches and designs.

• Grand ballrooms have wide ceilings, use five balloon clusters on available tables, in its place of three. Increases the height of balloons as it makes the event more festive.

• Almost every hall puts off balloon decorators from attaching fixtures to walls or any ceilings. This might even prevent a balloon drop being rigged.

• Additional charges - Since stands, poles, bases are used to make these designs, a charge is accumulated, for setting up and then for removing. Balloon decorators would have to return to gather their materials, so a payment is almost forever charged for breakdown.

Balloon decorations for weddings are magnificent ways to add up fun and creativity. Brides could also make the decorations themselves with their family and friends. These ideas might be low-cost, but the end product surely looks beautiful!

Indian Bridal Saree

India, poppular with the saree.

Almost all Indian women wear.

Saree is considered to be the most elegant traditional Indian outfit of women. Indians believe wearing saree is a part of their tradition. As t defines the beauty of a woman, women in all over the world wear it in different special occasions. It is a simple and unique garment having various beautiful designs and colors which adds to her beauty.

A Saree--sari or shari--is a strip of unstitched cloth. It extends from four to nine metres in length. It is draped over the body in different styles. But obviously, the style of wearing a saree differs from place to place. The most common style to wear a saree is to the saree to be wrapped around the waist with the other end of the drape worn over the shoulder. This garment does not cover the abdomen part of our body. A blouse also known as choli or ravika forms the upper garment over which the saree is worn by women. This blouse has short has short sleeves and a low neck. It can be decorated with mirror or embroidered to make it more fancy and attractive so that it can be worn in different special occasions like on the wedding day. The saree is worn over an underskirt or a petticoat (pavada in south and shaya in east India). It helps to hold the saree and tuck in the pleats of the saree in it. The color of the petticoat must also match the color of the saree which is essential as it affects the whole presentation of the saree. If the whole saree and blouse is mirrored and embroidered, it would be best to wear it in various occasions especially, on the wedding day.

The Bridal saree is given very importance by any Indian women. It is available in different fabrics like cotton, silk, georgette, crepe, etc. A lot of different beautiful works are done on the bridal sarees like zari, embroidery, zardosy, organza, mirror work, cut work, patch work, pearl work, kundan, kasab and sequence that more beautify the bridal saree. The Bridal saree is available basically red in color. The Bridal sarees have their own unique style, designs, works, glamour and fabrics which looks extremely beautiful and unique when worn by a bride and this also adds to her beauty.

By : Phie

Elegant Handbags For Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids will take good care of their hand bags when you present them with elegant bridal style clutches in satin, velvet, faux suede or leather. They say a beautiful purse completes the perfect outfit, and you can tell she loves it when she buys her next evening dress to match her handbag! Bridesmaids' handbags in different gorgeous colors are an ideal way to express your thanks to your bridesmaids. Check out these 5 handbags:

Bridesmaid's Pink Monogram Tote Bag - Pretty, pink, and personalized, this bag is perfect for your bridesmaids. A decidedly pink personalized tote bag is for the woman who thinks pink will never be out of style. Made of 100% polyester, you can also have it monogrammed with her initials. It also features black handles and a black monogram design, and has inner and outer side pockets for more storage.

Susie Satin Bridal Bag - Think confection candy colors and satin roses... this bridal bag is made just for bridesmaids. Include bridal jewelry, earrings or necklaces for a special gift to thank your bridesmaids for the part they play in your wedding. You will want to ask your wedding photographer for some photos of your bridesmaids carrying these beautiful purses. Furthermore, your flower girl will also look angelic holding a pink satin purse.

Marites Personalized Evening Clutch - This clutch is the perfect accessory and bridesmaids gift to help your lovely ladies transition from ceremony to reception. This polished personalized gift compliments your bridesmaids' evening look, and has plenty of room for their lipsticks, compact powder, and other essentials. It can be personalized with an elegantly scripted initial in sparkling Swarovski Austrian crystals to create a truly unique gift. This elegant purse is available in black satin polyester and features a snap closure and optional-use chain shoulder strap.

Adriana Personalized Evening Handbag - This evening handbag makes a wonderful bridesmaids gift. Give your bridal party these sleek, formal, personalized purses that will compliment any dress. These beautiful item, embellished with a splash of genuine Swarovski Crystal, will look stunning in your bridesmaids' arms at your reception.

Nancy Personalized Evening Purse - This evening purse was designed as an evening accessory that sparkles. Your bridesmaids will have a classic versatile evening bag that can also be carried as a clutch for other formal celebrations.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Elegant-Handbags-For-Your-Bridesmaids&id=1212752

Bridal Bouquets

Your wedding should reflect your personality. Are you always the center of attention? Do people give you strange looks because you are one of those creative types? If that is the case, your wedding should be different too!

Every article, every book, even every piece of advice from Aunt Mary or mom is for the traditional bride; but what about the rest of you? Are you an actress who treats your wedding as a performance? Or, are you the artist with a baby- not a human one, but your work of art? The puppeteer who includes her puppets on the guest list? (Ok, I'm kidding about the last one- you need a doctor) Read on, this is for you.

As all brides know, it is all about the dress. It is all about one other tiny thing, too. What other detail besides your beautiful face and dress show up in your photographs forever?
The bridal bouquet!

Here are a few bridal bouquet ideas to make your wedding unique:

The Hollywood Starlet bridal bouquet

Who doesn't love anything embellished with Swarovski crystals! Attach these beautiful crystals to the petals of your flowers for a snazzy look. This alternative is most affective with a simple bridal gown with very little detail.

Starlight Star bright first star I see tonight... bridal bouquet

If you are having an evening candlelight ceremony: Arrange a string of lights in your bridal bouquet. (And you thought you could only use your Christmas lights once a year?) Adding the lights will pull together the whole candlelight theme and attract more attention to you!

One in a Million bridal bouquet

Let your guests know you are his "one in a million" with this special bouquet. This bouquet consists of one single red rose amidst all white roses. Share the message of your love story. White roses represent purity, and red roses stand for love. Convey how "true love waits".

Pick one of these bouquets and you will give guests something to talk about... at your baby shower! Oh, and the best part? Knowing how much this will aggravate your frazzled Aunt Sally, who is always telling your mom you need a normal job!

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Bridal-Bouquets-for-Creative-Brides&id=773495

Celtic Knot Triple Moon Phases Genuine Rainbow Moonstone 17" Necklace

The Three Phases of the Moon are Powerfully Displayed with Symbolic Celtic Knotwork and Genuine Rainbow Moonstones. 10mm Round Moonstone and a 5x7mm Pear Rainbow Moonstone. Adjustable From 16" - 17" - 18" in Length. Central Setting is 1" Wide with a 1.5" Drop. Detail

Sterling Silver Leaf Design Peridot Necklace

Drape your neck in golden green with this beautiful leaf design peridot necklace. Marquise-shaped peridots are arranged in a wreath-like pattern extending all the way to the clasp. The stones are prong set in 925 sterling silver, and the 18-inch necklace is finished with a box clasp and safety. This simple, elegant design is easy to dress up or down. The spring green peridot, August's birthstone, is a bright and beautiful gemstone for any season. Detail

Emerald and Diamond Ring

This beautiful May birthstone ring is available in your choice of 10 karat white or yellow gold and highlights a gorgeous created emerald stone with a checkerboard faceted cut. The rich green cushion-shaped stone is held in a graceful raised prong setting and framed by polished rhodium beads and two genuine diamond accents (.01 cttw). Emerald's gorgeous green color has earned it the nickname "queen of the gems." Detail

Yellow Gold Crossover Hoop Earrings

These hoop earrings feature tubes of yellow and white gold that crossover one another with the easy grace of a circus acrobat. The contrasting colors are a perfect balance between opposing forces--one frames the other so it becomes more startling. Both fun and elegant, these 14k gold earrings are perfect for any occasion. The posts are on a hinge and snap into a "U" shaped fixture on the back of the earring--forever relieving worries about lost earring backs and, in turn, lost earrings. Detail

Winter Wedding Locations and Ideas

Where will you celebrate your winter wedding ...???

Quite possibly you have dreamed of a winter wedding full of snow, but if you live in many areas of the world, you know that no matter what date in the winter you schedule your wedding for, Mother Nature cannot guarantee that it will be a white wedding. However, there are many places in the world in which you can travel to for a snow filled wedding day. Destination weddings aren't only reserved for tropical locations and warmer climates - you could have a destination winter wedding too.

If you would like to say within America, there are plenty of ski and snow resort destinations and lodges. Most of them have wedding packages, group rates for your guests, and can "guarantee" snow for your big day - even if it is manmade. Imagine how fun and romantic it could be to have your reception in a log cabin setting, with a roaring fire going, sipping champagne, red wine or hot apple cider. After your wedding your guests can enjoy skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, ice skating or sleigh riding. You can look for resorts in areas such as New England, the Adirondacks in New York, Lake Tahoe, Colorado, Alaska and Utah.

If you are located outside of the United States or if you're the adventurous type, how about not only traveling to a snow filled location but also a unique wedding destination? In Europe, Canada and even the United States, there are "Ice Hotels" and snow igloo hotels in which you can get married in a venue completely made of ice or snow. These hotels give an almost crystal-like atmosphere, reflecting light and are often filled with unique one of a kind works of art by artists. Locations such as the ICE Hotel in Sweden, Igloo Village in Finland, Hôtel de Glace in Canada and Chena Hot Springs in Alaska will provide the romantic and unique wedding location you may be searching for. Many of these locations also are the in area where you can view the Northern Lights, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some people and will provide both you and your guests a memorable experience.

Of course, if you are planning a winter wedding near or far, do not forget to give your guests a winter wedding favor to commemorate your wedding. Some great ideas are snowflake bottle openers, snow globes, hot coca packets, picture frames, or crystal items. These will all be appreciated by your guests to remember such a wonderful event.

By : Phie

Winter Wedding Decorations

Decorations such as whether you will make during the your winter wedding ..???

Here are some entries for you:

You can be a snow princess at your winter wedding. It is simply a matter of which decorations you choose to create your winter wonderland.

Begin with a white horse and carriage for your arrival instead of a limo. It will feel like a fairytale. Reminds you of a very popular Disney princess named Cinderella, doesn’t it?

Consider the colors royal blue, deep red, or forest green for your bridesmaid dresses.

Silver and white is a beautiful color combination for pew bows at a winter wedding.

Do you want a true winter wedding? Let your flower girl scatter snowflakes instead of flowers. You can either purchase small plastic snowflakes or create your own with paper or poster board and some glitter! This is such a creative idea! Your wedding will definitely stand out with this simple wedding decoration.

Isn’t the harp is a beautiful instrument? Consider having a harpist play before and during your ceremony; this will encourage the warm winter theme.

Have you thought of having your reception in a quaint cottage or a log cabin with a fireplace? My sister did this for her winter wedding. A location like this will definitely add charm to your reception!

Offer hot apple cider to your guests. It is a popular holiday beverage. Apple cider truly makes winter complete!

Can you imagine you and your new husband arriving at the reception-walking into a huge tent lighted by candles and numerous strings of white lights? Decorate the backs of the table chairs with large black or red velvet bows. This will compliment the lights. Consider laying out candy canes on the table tops if you are having a December wedding.

Do you want to give unique favors? If you are having a Christmastime wedding, give out ornaments. Here is my favorite idea: A holiday cookie cutter with a cookie recipe attached that says, “Truly cut for each other” along with your names and your wedding date.

And, lastly, if you live in a cold northern state where it actually snows, you have the very best winter wedding decoration for a true winter wedding!

By : Phie