Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Marriage Proposal Ideas

If you are going to pop the question soon, you are probably thinking about ways to do it. Some people like the traditional on bended knee type of proposal, and many women think that is the perfect way to do so. If you want something different, there are many marriage proposal ideas out there to make it something neither of you will ever forget. You may have seen unique proposals on television and you want to do this for the woman (or man) you love. With a little thought, you can come up with something meant just for the two of you.

When thinking of marriage proposal ideas, just think about what you have in common. What are your favorite activities? Where do you like to go? What are some of the inside jokes you share? Thinking of these things will help you come up with unique marriage proposal ideas. Don’t stress too hard if something does not pop into your mind right away. Sometimes, you just have to put it into your mind, and a great idea will pop out at you when you least expect it. I know a lot of ideas for just about anything pop into my mind just before I fall asleep. Keep a pen and notepad by you bed just incase this happens to you.

Still stumped? If nothing is coming to you out of the blue, you may have to put a little more thought into marriage proposal ideas. Ask friends for ideas, as long as you trust them to keep your impending proposal a secret from your intended. They may come up with something perfect and save you a lot of trouble. If you have thought to ask her dad’s permission, he may have some ideas for you. Her parents know her better than anyone, and they may be able to share a special memory from when she grew up. There may be a place that is special to her that you are not aware of, and this might be the perfect place to pop the question.

Brainstorming always works great for me when I need ideas. I sit and just write down everything that pops into my mind. This might work very well with marriage proposal ideas as well. Just start writing. You may find that something pops out at you as you go, or you can combine two things you never thought would go together. The most important thing in dreaming up marriage proposal ideas is to keep your personalities in mind. Proposing to her at a football game won’t work well if neither of you go to games. You’ll find something perfect, just don’t stress too much.

Great Proposal Idea

Hopefully, you will only have one occasion to ask a woman to be your wife. You can make the moment extra special if you consider unique marriage proposal ideas for the special event. There are many traditional approaches as well as wonderful ways to creatively pop the question.

We have all seen really interesting marriage proposal ideas in films and on television. These can be sources of great inspiration if you are trying to come up with an interesting approach. Of course, you don’t want to follow the script exactly but some of the marriage proposal ideas can spark some ideas of your own.

The perfect example of a great proposal idea is in the film Meet the Parents. Even though the whole thing didn’t turn out as planned, the concept was wonderful. The woman worked with children and the fiancĂ©-to-be had them hold up signs that spelled out the big question. This is among the best marriage proposal ideas for a few reasons.

What makes this approach so wonderful is that the man really took his future bride’s interests into consideration. She loved working with children and he used that as a vehicle for his question. Marriage proposal ideas that embrace your future fiancĂ©e’s passions and interests are very effective.

If you are a big fan of baseball but she only attends games just to be by your side, you may want to forgo using this as one of your marriage proposal ideas. You may be tempted to display the question as you might have seen done on television but you really only want to use this vehicle if she is a big fan as well.

When you use your own interests while ignoring hers you may be sending the wrong message. The union is about both of you. Using something that appeals to her communicates that you understand who she is as a person. Marriage proposal ideas that embrace her unique character and sense of humor are usually best.

I used to wait tables in an upscale restaurant. From time to time there would be a proposal of marriage in this lovely atmosphere and I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the best marriage proposal ideas while at work. I once served a diamond engagement ring as dessert. The gentleman requested that we serve it on a covered plate.

There are plenty of ways to pop the question but if you simply add a little thought into the process you will find that you will create a truly special moment. Marriage proposal ideas can help you make memories as well as a commitment.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Marriage Proposal Ideas

Most women dream of meeting a white knight who will sweep them off their feet and into a life of happily ever after. Although this is the stuff of fairy tales, it’s indeed a magical day when a man asks a woman to become his wife. The traditional method of having a lovely dinner at a four star restaurant with the man falling to one knee is certainly memorable, but there are many marriage proposal ideas that are unique and just as special.

Although everyone does enjoy the service and food at a great restaurant an inexpensive yet touching way to pop the question is to make dinner at home. This is especially nice when the man cooking the dinner, isn’t found in the kitchen too often. Marriage proposal ideas where the soon-to-be groom takes the time to cook something his girlfriend enjoys are always welcomed.

In order to make the dinner even more special the groom can place the ring in either a wine glass or atop dessert. If the woman isn’t expecting a proposal she’ll be delighted when she sees a diamond sparking in her champagne or decorating her cake. The types of marriage proposal ideas are inventive and will give the bride-to-be a treasured memory she’ll hold with her always.

If you want to do something more adventurous consider going on a horseback ride together. Rent two horses and then head out for an afternoon of fresh air and exercise. After arriving at a special destination, perhaps a clearing or near a lake, the question can be posed. The bride will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the location and how romantic it all is.

An incredibly fun idea is to involve an entertainer in the big question. A nightclub is a great place for these types of marriage proposal ideas. If the bride loves jazz music, the groom can invite her to a club where a musician will be performing. Before the evening arrives, he can speak to the entertainer and ask if he can help out with the proposal by saying he has a message for her, which will be the proposal. Other marriage proposal ideas like this can be done with a magician. During one of his or her tricks a ring can be pulled out as a surprise for the bride.

Of course there’s also a lot to be said for asking for her parents’ blessing. If the bride is from a close knit family, it’s a lovely gesture to have her parents present when the question is asked. She’ll feel wonderful being able to share a once in a lifetime moment with everyone she loves.

Making Of Good Henna Designs

If you have ever had the opportunity to travel to certain parts of India, you would have come across an art form that is still used by millions of Indian women to beautify their bodies. It is known as henna and the henna designs of the country are legendary. It is really not much to look at, but good henna designs do much more than make the hands and feet of the wearer appear exotic. Most marriages in the northern states of India feature henna designs as an essential part of the bride’s attire. Most festive occasions all over India warrant the application and display of henna designs on the hands and feet of the womenfolk. Henna designs have been studied at length and it has been proven that they contain certain medicinal properties.

What goes into the making of good henna designs? To start with, one must have the right ingredients. Good henna is compulsory for great henna designs. The henna leaf needs to be sourced from reliable growers, who don’t pluck it off the branches when it is too young or too old. Henna needs to be sourced when it is just right. Only then will the henna designs get the rich color that they are so renowned for.

The next thing about great henna designs is the other ingredients that go into the mixture. Some practitioners of henna designs swear by the use and efficacy of lemon juice. While others sing the praises of materials like lime and sugar. Still others claim that good, clean, potable water makes for the best binder. These ingredients are poured into well ground henna paste and mixed to get a pasty concoction. With the change in times and the unavailability of time in the hands of most people, a sort of henna powder has replaced the freshly ground paste. But traditional practitioners of henna designs will never use the powder method if they can help it. Whatever the case may be, different practitioners of henna designs have their proprietary methods and swear by them.

Finally, the one thing that makes for great henna designs is the artistic capability of the henna design artist. A good artist can make even the most simple of henna designs appear fantastic. And a bad artist can make even the simplest designs a disaster. The trouble with henna designs is that once the paste has been applied, it leaves behind a reddish shade that will not disappear for days on end. So getting the application right the first time around is critical to say the least.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Jewish wedding

I have always been pretty ambivalent about my beliefs. I grew up Jewish, but not very religiously so. My parents were essentially atheists, but they believed in celebrating the holidays for the sake of tradition. They wanted to keep a sense of connection to their own people, and anyway they were used to the trappings of Judaism. So when I was getting married, I was very ambivalent about having a Jewish wedding. On the one hand, I didn't really see any need for it in my own spiritual life. I thought that I had my own relationship with God, and I didn't need any particular religious doctrine telling me what to do. On the other hand, however, I did not want to upset my relatives. My grandmother in particular would have been crushed if I hadn't had a Jewish wedding.

The problem was that the woman I was marrying was not Jewish. This alone ended up causing some scandal in my family, as neither of us intended to convert. Eventually my grandmother had forgiven me, but it had taken a long time. After much discussion, we decided to have a Jewish interfaith wedding. Half of it would be according to Jewish custom, the other would be according to Catholic custom. That way, we could keep both of our families happy.

Planning for the Jewish wedding was my favorite part of it. Although I have never had much of an appreciation for the religion, I have, like my parents, a certain respect for the cultural trappings. I love Jewish ceremonies, Jewish food, and Hebrew prayers. I even like the tuneless chanting of the cantor. It makes everything seem old, holy, and serious. To me, this is not a religious appreciation, but rather a nostalgia for the customs and traditions of my childhood. All kids like that stuff, and some of it sticks with you as you grow older.

We did not sign a Jewish marriage contract or use Hebrew wedding vows, but in many respects it was a traditional Jewish wedding. All weddings are festive occasions, but Jewish weddings are quite a party. My favorite part is when they lift the bride and groom up on chairs, carrying them around. The songs are beautiful, and the atmosphere is pleasant. As the drink started flowing, all of the controversy over my wedding vows began to dissipate. By the end of the day, everyone was happy with the way the wedding went.

Italian wedding favors

Italian wedding favors have been in vogue for decades. Brides and grooms from various backgrounds find these items to be the perfect additions to their guest tables at receptions. The traditional feel of Italian wedding favors, their heart-warming stories and their attractive presentations make them ideal for any wedding reception.

The most well-known of the traditional Italian wedding favors is the Jordan almond. This confection is wonderful to present to guests for a number of reasons. These treats are common to weddings for their sweetness and for their symbolic meaning. You can find Jordan almonds at many weddings but they never seem to lose the guests’ interest.

The meaningful reception treats are presented in decorative boxes or in attractive, colorful bags that are attached with ribbon. The almonds themselves are available in a number of different colors as well which makes them ideal for adding that extra special touch to the overall presentation.

Each guest traditionally receives five Jordan almonds at the reception. Each almond represents a wish for the bride and groom. These Italian wedding favors serve as romantic reminders of the union as well as the well-wishers at the event. This makes the treat a lovely choice that many brides embrace.

The bitter-sweet nature of marriage is represented in the contrasting flavor of the almonds and the sweet sugar coating. This reminds the couple to take the good with the bad and it offers the comfort in knowing that the sweets are sweeter when paired with a little bitterness.

The five wishes presented in these Italian wedding favors include health. This may be the most important wish that anyone can give a couple. This almond is very valuable for its symbolic representation for a healthy life for the bride in groom to share. Another almond in the Italian wedding favor wishes for longevity which pairs with good health.

The third wish for the couple is fertility in the hopes that a baby will follow after the marriage. Just about every couple appreciates this wish. Wealth and happiness are two very important wishes that are represented in the Italian wedding favors as well. These all work together to help the well-wishers embrace the mood of the very special occasion.

No matter what kind of event you are planning you really can’t go wrong with choosing these very popular Italian wedding favors. They are not only lovely to look at they also represent such beautiful wishes as well.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Dream Weddings

Dream Weddings

Every woman has a fantasy of having this huge beautiful dream wedding in a romantic exotic location with a dream honeymoon to go with it. You don’t have to be a celebrity, nor does your celebration have to cost a fortune. Dream weddings can take place in your own back yard as well as on a tropical island in the Caribbean, and you don’t have to have a guest list a mile long. Maybe you envision just the two of you, a couple of witnesses, and the officiant of the ceremony standing near a majestic waterfall with dense tropical vegetation surrounding you on the edge of a scenic overlook. Everyone’s vision is different of course, because we are all very unique in our relationships, and our choice of wedding ceremonies reflects that. A wedding doesn’t have the same meaning for all of us; to some it is just tradition, and to others it really is the first day of the rest of their lives, sharing everything and hiding nothing, becoming one yet remaining an individual. It can be quite challenging.

Dream weddings can take place most anywhere in the world; it just depends on the amount of time and money available. Tropical wedding destinations are always a popular option, especially if the weather’s not so nice where in your neck of the woods. The Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Italy, the Virgin Islands, Brazil, Belize, the south of France, the Bahamas, the list goes on and on. Start your search for the most beautiful dream weddings online by visiting numerous sites that specialize in wedding and honeymoon packages, including planning and consulting services, catering, floral arrangements, photography, wedding attire, proper marriage documents, and most anything else to make your wedding everything you want it to be.

Here is a list of great sites that specialize in dream weddings for those desiring a wedding or honeymoon in a paradise on earth, like www.fijiweddings.com in beautiful Fiji, www.cancundreamweddings.com on the Mexican Caribbean, www.dolphindreamweddings.com in Maui and www.tropicaldreamwedding.com in Kauai, Hawaii, www.australianwedding.com, www.bahamasvacationguide.com, or www.dreamweddingsinitaly.com for people who want to get married in the wonderful surrounding Italian countryside. These sites feature lots of great ideas for dream weddings any couple would love. When you find what you both like, be sure to book well ahead of time and utilize the expertise of the wedding professionals there to assist you in planning your dream wedding, the first day of the rest of your lives together.

Exotic Weddings

Exotic Weddings

You and your sweetie have finally decided to tie the knot, and you’ve always dreamed of having a beautiful exotic wedding in a romantic location. Luxury destination weddings in Mexico and the Caribbean Islands are very popular, as well as Fiji’s Turtle Island, Bali, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and many others. Some couples choose a beautiful white sandy beach for their exotic wedding or a scenic mountain backdrop lush with tropical vegetation. Many fine resorts offer all-inclusive wedding packages and professional wedding consultants, in addition to everything you need for a magical, romantic, enchanting day. This is the biggest day ever for both of you, and it needs to be extra special, with every minute detail addressed.

If the two of you haven’t yet decided on where you would like to have your exotic wedding, start your search online or enlist the help of an experienced wedding professional to help you plan your romantic destination wedding anywhere in the world. There are literally hundreds of locations to choose from, and since this day is only supposed to happen once, you’ll want to be absolutely, completely delighted with your final choice. Do lots of research on popular locations for exotic weddings, and keep track of what you like and don’t like about each one. This will help you narrow down your choices once you feel you have looked at all that appeals to you. Make a list of questions you want to ask so that you approach your planning in an organized matter. Your time will be spent more efficiently, and when the time comes to make the reservations, you’ll have everything you need at hand.

Most all-inclusive wedding packages include the marriage license, flowers, photographer/videographer, music, wedding cake and champagne, and much more, as well as superb honeymoon accommodations. Exotic weddings at stunning venues around the world with everything the two of you need to have the most special wedding ever. Get married on the beautiful Mexican Riviera, unique Turtle Island, tropical Costa Rica, the Hawaiian Islands, or plan an exotic wedding and honeymoon in India. Once you’ve chosen the destination, book well in advance so your first choices are available. Go online to find themed wedding invitations and accessories for every exotic location too. And just remember, if you get too overwhelmed, let a professional wedding planner help you with your exotic and romantic destination wedding, so all you and your sweetie have to do is get married and celebrate!