Typical Format For a Wedding Ceremony

Most western wedding ceremonies will typically follow the same basic structure. Of course every ceremony will have its own flavour and style, depending on your officiant and your religion. Beyond this you will be able to use customized readings, poems, or you could add a special symbolic ceremony such as a sand ceremony.

Prelude: Before the actual ceremony begins, the guests will start to file into the ceremony location, when they arrive they will be either seated by ushers or they will find a seat themselves. Typically this will begin about 45 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Processional: This officially announces the start of the ceremony. The music will change from the quieter prelude music to your selected bridal party processional song. The parents and sometimes the grandparents are seated last after all the guests. The groom and best man will enter and stand on the right side of the head of the aisle. The officiant will then take his place at the head of the aisle, followed by the bridal party, they may enter in boy/girl pairs or walk down the aisle in a single staggered line.  The music will then change to a more suspenseful and dramatic song for the bride's procession.
Welcome: The officiant will now welcome all the guests.
Giving Away of The Bride: The officiant will ask who gives this bride away, the bride's parents or just her father will typically respond.
The Asking: The officiant will confirm that each party (bride &groom) each came on their own will and someone will respond with I do
Exchanging Vows: The couple will recite their vows to one another and express their love and commitment to each other.
A Final Reading, Song or Poem (Optional): There are a plethora of special and romantic readings or poems you can choose to have at this moment in the ceremony. You could even ask a friend to sing a heartfelt song.
Ring Ceremony: The couple will now exchange their rings with some meaningful words for each other.
Pronouncement/ Deceleration of Marriage: The officiant will proclaim the couple as legally married, the groom is now told to kiss the bride!
Signing of The Marriage Register: At this point the officiant will ask the guests to sit quietly while the bride and groom sign the marriage register.
Recessional: This is the official exit of the ceremony venue. The newly married bride and groom will lead the recessional followed by the paired up wedding party.

AND that would be it, it may look daunting at first but it really is not. Just remember to smile for all those pictures, and really feel the moment, it only happens once after all!! :)

Outdoor wedding? I've found the perfect way to "Save The Veil"

Today I stumbled upon something very interesting, and very unique. Something I think all brides needs if you are planning on having your photo`s or wedding in an outdoor setting. They're called ``Save the Veil`` wedding weights, jewelry for your veil. Created by Sounthern California wedding planner Jill Watson from http://www.savetheveil.com .

They are magnetic and slip on easily, they're non permanent and will cause no damage to your veil. Using these beautiful weights will keep your veil in place while the wind keeps blowing, perfect for the outside photo-shoot.

Canadian brides can order them online from the save the veil website, so far they come in four styles, made with Swarovki crystals, and Mother of Pearl.

*Pictures taken from "Save The Veil" website*

Cash Bar Alternatives

More and More I am seeing and hearing of couples whom are on a strict budget, are choosing to have a cash bar. Now I am the first to suggest budget friendly ideas but having a cash bar is usually not the first money saving idea I would suggest to my clients.

If social correctness is the utmost importance then having a cash bar is an absolute "no-no". Wedding etiquette clearly states that a cash bar is very improper.

You are inviting your guests to enjoy this night with you, most likely they are travelling a distance, buying you a lovely gift and may have even taken the day off work. Put it this way, if you were invited over to a friend's house and they charged you for each glass of wine you drank, how would you feel?

So here I have prepared a few suggestions on how to cut cost for you big day while allowing your friends and family to have a worry free enjoyable time.

• First and foremost cut the guest list: Having a large guest list will really pull on the purse strings.

• Have a brunch wedding: People drink less earlier in the day.

• Have a standard bar rather than having premium top-shelf liquor

• Offer only beer and wine or maybe just have one or two signature drinks

• And of course the easiest: have a non alcoholic wedding. Nothing wrong with that.

If however none of these suggestions work for you and you have seriously considered what it means to your guests to have a non host bar, then by all means do the cash bar. Emily Post may not agree with this break from wedding etiquette, but times are changing. Just be sure to notify every guest that your wedding will require them to purchase their own drinks, you don't want guests showing up with no cash!

Wedding Insurance: WEDensure

All inclusive wedding insurance from WEDensure offered exclusively through NW Insurance Brokers Ltd in Vancouver, BC.


Why get insurance?
A lot can go wrong on your wedding day, and with wedding insurance you wont need to worry about it anymore!


What does it cover?
**Taken from the WEDensure website**

1. Cancellation or Postponement Expenses 
   A large concern for any bride and groom is the wedding being cancelled or postponed. WEDensure will cover the expenses that result from the cancellation or postponement of a wedding. We will pay for any deposits that were placed before your wedding and lost due to a delay or cancellation. For example, if you placed a non-recoverable deposit on transportation and hotel accommodation before the wedding was cancelled, we would pay for the deposit.
2. Additional Expense Incurred to Avoid Cancellation:
   WEDensure will pay for expenses that are used to avoid a wedding cancellation. For example, if the groom is traveling on a plane to the wedding and the flight is cancelled, WEDensure would pay for another ticket so that the groom can attend the wedding.
3. Failure of Suppliers 
   WEDensure will pay for any non-recoverable deposits from a supplier who fails to provide their services as agreed upon. For example, if a photographer is unable to attend a wedding due to an unforeseen circumstance, we would pay for the cost of another photographer.
4. Wedding Attire
   WEDensure will cover any damage to your wedding dress or suit after it has left the supplier and before the conclusion of the wedding. For example, if the bride's wedding dress is damaged, we will pay for either the tailoring or replacement cost of the dress.
5. Wedding Rings
   Similar to the wedding attire, this coverage will pay for any damages to the wedding band. The band is insured starting from seven days before the wedding until the conclusion of the event.
6. Wedding Gifts
   WEDensure will pay for any damages to your wedding gifts up to 24 hours after receiving it. The gift must be either at your house, the reception, or in transit between your house and the reception.
7. Transportation
   WEDensure will reimburse the non-recoverable deposits that were paid to a transportation supplier if they fail to meet their contractual obligations. For example, if the limousine that takes the bride and groom away from the reception cancels their commitment, we will pay for the costs of another transportation vehicle.
8. Photographs, Video, DVD, or other Medium
   WEDensure will reimburse the expenses incurred to correct, take, or retake the wedding photographs or videos within 90 days of the wedding.
9. Wedding Cake and Flowers
   WEDensure will pay for any direct loss or damage to the wedding cake or flowers seven days prior to the wedding until the conclusion of the reception.
10. Wedding Stationery
    This coverage will pay for any direct physical loss or damage to wedding stationery prior to the wedding. Examples of wedding stationery include: invitation cards, RSVP cards, menus, name cards, itinerary, etc.
11. Rented Property
    WEDensure will provide reimbursement for direct physical loss or damage to any rented property used during the wedding or reception.
12. Honeymoon
    WEDensure will reimburse you for any pre-paid, non-recoverable costs of travel arrangements for the honeymoon due to the cancellation or postponement of the wedding.

 Also included in the WEDensure program is Host Liquor Liability.

What does it cost?

Policy premiums or payments will range from $500 to $2,625 based on your budget and whether you want a $1 million General Liability or $2 million General Liability policy. 


How do I buy?
Call NW Insurance Brokers Ltd. toll free at 1-888-603-1931 or 604-602-1931

United Kingdom Building
Suite 1610 - 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 1T2

Dress quality: Helpful tips

To the blushing bride the most important purchase leading up to her big day may be her dress. After all there is only one perfect gown!

Dress' can cost in the 10's of thousands of dollars, but for most of us, we will not be purchasing anything with four 0's in the price tag. Ideally you want the dress with uncompromising quality and a price tag friendly on the wallet.

Here are a few things to look for when shopping for a quality dress:

First how does it feel when it's on? Does the material already feel uncomfortable, is it itchy?

All seams should be uniform, tight and lie flat. They should not look like they are about to burst.

The zipper should zip without a struggle, also the zipper should be hidden.

All the fine detailing such as beading, or sequins should be individually sewn in, not glued. While crystals should be clear all the way through, if they appear dark they may be fake.

If you're looking at a satin dress, a high end satin will look less shiny. The more shine the cheaper the satin.

Take a look at the inside of the dress make sure it looks completely finished. (loose thread, raw seams etc..) If it's unfinished on the inside it makes me question how much effort has went into the dress.

In the end remember saving money is great but you don't want to end up with a dress that needs costly repairs!

Get a manicure for the big day, you may regret it if you don't.

Some thing you may not have thought about:

Even if your not the type of person to get manicures or French nails, your wedding is the one day you definitely should. There are going to be a lot of photos with your hands, pictures will last forever and when you look at them you don't want to keep seeing unhealthy, chipped and discolored nails that can ruin a beautiful shot.

Second reason to have your hands in good shape: Your family and friends will ask a million times over to view your beautiful new rings. You don't want to feel self conscious of your roughed up hands,  show those babies off!
:D :D

Your hands don't get a lot of loving, a manicure can be a really relaxing experience so enjoy it the day right before.

Make it a treat for your bridesmaids, they have probably helped you out a lot in the last few months.

Money Saving Tip

When buying your wedding dress, never tell the sales associate your full budget. Quote her around 80% of your actual budget, you still need to pay for alterations, shoes, and accessories. You don't want a nasty surprise later, it is always better to plan ahead!!