Now that we are heading into a new year, it’s important that we compile a list of 2021 wedding trends as we look forward to the year ahead. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot of people who were forced to postpone or even cancel their wedding plans. Then there are those who had to downsize their weddings because of the restrictions that were in place. Much as things are still a bit gloomy, we still need to look at the bright side and give ourselves hope that we will have a better 2021 and weddings are going to happen.

So as we forecast for the year ahead, color palettes, wedding decor, floral inspiration, and new wedding reception trends should we expect and look forward to? Scroll on to find out…

Modern wedding decor and trends

Every year, wedding trends evolve. For that reason, wedding magazines and websites online have to tell us what the latest wedding trend is. We have been used to the excitement of weddings for years on end. Some are totally hyper-personalized. Now we cannot run away from the fact that the coronavirus has really screwed so many people’s weddings. The effects of the virus are definitely going to affect the 2021 wedding trends. So we cannot overlook the fact that now we need new wedding reception trends, newer experiences, in order for couples to be able to capture the memories of their special day.

The thing is, weddings are not coming to an end. What is happening is that people have to embrace our new reality. Trends usually develop from necessity. Now we have to consider doing weddings in a totally new way. So people now have to merge necessity with what is new. Well here are some trends we expect to see in 2021 that can serve as wedding tips as you plan your dream wedding.

The guest entry points

The new norm is hand sanitizing, washing hands, and social distancing. Well, at the guest entry points, we will definitely expect to find hand sanitizing points as well as some simple rules on how to stay safe and social distancing signs. We will expect to find ushers insisting on people to wear their masks at all times.

Right now the new wedding trend is the downsizing of weddings to much smaller, intimate, and manageable numbers. Since the numbers are smaller, people will start adopting a more guest-centered approach where the guests might even get a send-off package to carry home.

So at the wedding entry, we will expect well-designed welcome boxes or gifts. There are those couples who will are already designing masks for their guests to match with their wedding decor 2021. So these are some of the things we will find in those welcome boxes. So basically, these welcome packages are packed with things to ensure the guests attending the event will be safely housed. Masks, hand sanitizers are some of the things that will accompany the programs at the guests’ entry points.

Tents, twinkly lights, and outdoor events.

For 2021 wedding trends as instructed and recommended by the CDC and other health officials, we will be seeing more outdoor weddings. Already, they are happening. Not just in the US but all around the world. This new wedding trend has brought about a surge in the interests in wedding tents because of weddings being done outdoors. And with the tents also necessitates tinkly lighting in order to add some romantic ambiance to these special occasions.

For wedding decor 2021, people are leaning towards more fresh air as well as nature. Outdoor weddings have started and will keep stealing the show in 2021 as people move away from ballroom weddings. Wedding outdoors can be one of the perfect spring wedding trends. The thing is, outdoor events are safer because for one, maintaining social distancing will be easier. Also, that unlimited supply of air totally needed during these corona times.

So if you are planning a wedding in 2021, talk to your planner and ask them to recommend whimsical and elegant tented options. If the event will be going well into the night as most weddings do, make sure you have lighting technicians on standby to create both the ambiance as well as assist if there is any technical hitch. So on your wedding planning checklist, make sure to include some great drapery and lighting to decorate your tent. If your planner is good he or she will be able to turn that outdoor event into a bright, airy, elegant, fairytale affair.

Mini hors d’oeuvres

Smaller plates are now becoming more fashionable. For instance, we are seeing them served on grazing boards for each individual. The thing is we need to keep things safe and sweet. Couples and their planners are coming up with ways to ensure that safety is observed as they celebrate their unions. We are now preferring individualized bite-size portions. The other thing that we will see is fancy disposable serving plates. While they give the guests the reassurance of safety, they are convenient for the planners and the presentation does wow the guests too.

Mismatched seats

This is one of the wedding colors 2021 trends that has got no connection to the coronavirus pandemic. Asymmetry is becoming very fashionable. I am sure you have been to or have seen one wedding in a magazine where bridesmaids are wearing mismatched dresses. Suddenly when we talk about modern wedding decor, planners and wedding organizers seem to have pushed this craze to mismatched seating under those outdoor tents of theirs. Now, wedding tables and seats are no longer matchy-matchy. Mismatched seems to be the in-thing.

The other thing is there is some asymmetry to the whole wedding affair. Before, when you looked at the seating area, for instance, all chairs and tables were standardized. For instance, if they settled on square tables, all tables in the seating area would be square. Today, we are seeing more mismatched themes. The tables are mixed. So you would find some that can accommodate two people, other tables 6 people. Maybe they are a reflection of the times where for instance, a family coming to the wedding from the same household are can be lumped together. One thing for sure about these 2021 wedding trends is that they photograph spectacularly.

The toasts are diminishing too

As the wedding attendances shrink to more intimate sizes, one of the spring wedding trends that we will see is that the guests are also being very intimate. This means we expect to see guests at a wedding who have very close relations with the couples. Now even if a lot of people would get up and give their toasts, next year we are going to see tiny toasts where only close family members will be sharing memories of and about the couple.

Imagine how intimate and casuals the wedding speeches will be knowing that the people you are addressing share lots of common memories with you. The wedding parties will stop being so formal, with formal speeches and they will have a casual, dinner party feel. So no more need for guests to prepare and rehearse those speeches. Just keep them small, simple, and casual.

Cafe style entertainment

Seeing as weddings are now moving to more semi-formal and relaxed settings and environments, the entertainment also has to match this feel. Right now the entertainment and performances at weddings are going bistro or cafe-style.  Most wedding planners and magazines are expecting a surge in acoustic performances and more relaxed performances. You can also hire a DJ to play bistro songs.

Colors with a fresh flair

Wedding colors 2021 are leaning towards fresh color palettes and prints. The 90’s trend seems to be gaining popularity. We will see couples in 2021 incorporating fresh and nature-like hues in their wedding decor. We also expect bold, colorful, and unexpected colors as people dismiss the usual and expected whites and creams. The wedding decor is moving away from dull to fun, happy, and bright!

The outdoor lounge

With the 2021 wedding trends, we will be seeing couples taking the living room outdoors. What we will be seeing is couches, microfiber,  plush pillows, and throws being perfectly used outdoors. No much modification to the living room settings. They will look like they have been plucked straight from the living rooms and placed in an airy field. It’s all about making the outdoors be as comfortable as the indoors can be.

So ask your planners and coordinators to pick out comfortable chairs and lounge-seating furnishing offering comfort and warmth outdoors. If you opt for the lounge setting for your guests, then make sure that besides them being beautiful, they should also be plush enough to offer comfort because chances are your guests will be seated for longer.

Even with the outdoor lounge, incorporate some greenery and make it cozy by adding other natural elements. Just let your living room decor blend seamlessly outdoors and you and your guests will for sure have a wedding worth writing home about.

Planning a wedding soon. Don’t sweat it. Visit Love is All Colors for more wedding articles and tips.

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Are you looking for eloping ideas to make you feel free to get married wherever you want and however you want? Whether near home or at a totally new place, you can have a wedding that makes sense to you, or one that fits your budget if money is the issue. Plus, what is a marriage? It’s a commitment between two individuals. So it’s up to the two of you to do what works for you. You don’t need the pressure that comes with having 300 people at your event. It’s your event. It’s your marriage. So if you don’t want the drama that comes with wedding ceremonies, then, by all means, elope!

Love is All Colors brings you some of the ideas to consider. Read on…

Best elopement ideas to consider

What you can opt for is to either do it near home or go far away from home. White dress? Something colorful? It’s all up to you. Do you want loved ones present or you just want a private wedding ceremony for two? Well, it is all up to you. The thing about eloping is the freedom that comes with it. Well here are some unique eloping ideas to inspire you as you figure out how to plan an elopement.

 Wedding on water

There is nothing as romantic as having waves crashing in the background, as you exchange your vows. Or the idea of the smooth sand under your skin as you breathe the crisp clean coastal air with some sun on you. One of the best elopement ideas is having a beach wedding. Beach weddings are perfect because they are very romantic and easy to pull off. All you need is any beachy destination when planning to elope that suits the kind of ceremony you want.

If eloping abroad is what you have in mind, then Hawaii ceremonies are the best. And one thing that makes them special is the fact that you can integrate elements of  Hawaiian wedding ceremonies making the elopement unique. One of them is the lei exchange ceremony which is a significant symbol on important life occasions. Lei represents beauty, unity, and completeness. Basically, the couple places a lei around each other’s necks symbolizing a coming together of two beings into one.

The good thing with most beaches is that they are lively and are surrounded by restaurants, bars, and places to stay making them the perfect escape to celebrate with your brand new spouse. So if you are looking for a really romantic wedding, we recommend sunset ceremonies.

City park weddings

Parks can make for beautiful wedding eloping ideas because of the old trees and their beautiful landscapes. They are also easily and affordably accessible. Most have structures like gazebos, bridges and old trees which are great ceremony sites. Being in close proximity to businesses and parking lots, you can celebrate your union at a nearby spot after the ceremony.

Mountain elopement

Mountain weddings are some of the fun ways to elope. Besides the adventure in them, a couple is surrounded by beautiful views of fantastic natural formations. This is an experience and scenery you will treasure for the rest of your lives.

You will need hiking boots for this mother nature exchange of vows. Some of these mountains have diverse landscape features to choose from… for instance, lakes, parks, mountain views that make for lovely ceremony spots. Most mountains have truly spectacular landscapes. Imagine the photos that you will take for your memories.

City elopement ideas

Wondering how to make an elopement special? Well, the beauty of eloping is that you have the freedom to get married anywhere. Remember the first place that you two met and had your first date? Well, this is your chance to create another memory there? How about just going to City Hall? You can do it there. The thing is, the city has vast buildings and elopement ceremony ideas for those planning to elope. Not only are public spots and buildings convenient, but they are also pocket-friendly with most of them providing fun ways to elope.

Let’s take City Hall for instance. Most have beautiful staircases that can be perfect for your seemingly endless photo illusions. The thing is, cities are bursting with elopement venues. And much as some spots might seem like unlikely wedding spots, they can be beautiful backdrops for taking photos. All you need to make your day memorable is a little creativity and a lot of love to transform any spot into a lovely wedding venue.

Micro weddings

When looking for eloping ideas, eloping doesn’t have to be just about the two of you. You can invite a few people that you hold dear to your heart. That way you can have a few loved ones to witness your ceremony. It can be formal to incorporate a small wedding party or you can make as simple as just having your kids join you at the wedding if – you have kids that is.

You don’t need to feel the pressure of having everyone you know witness your special day. You have the decision to have whomever you choose – even if it is your pets – at your elopement.

The moment you decide who is on the list, then you will get to choose a venue that works for that group.

Vegas baby!

Yes. It’s been done and done. But you know what, Vegas still works because of the fun you get to have before and after eloping. Vegas has and still continues to be the most magnificent places to elope because its Vegas baby – fun, excitement and the engaging atmosphere. This is one of the elopement ceremony ideas where you might get too smashed to even remember the event or where you might end up spending all your honeymoon money gambling.

Eloping abroad

If you are looking for unique eloping ideas and you have some savings set aside that you just want to spend on the two of you, then consider eloping abroad. This way, you get to kill two birds with one stone – a wedding and honeymoon combination.

The thing is, weddings should be a celebration for two people. And there are various reasons why couples choose to elope which range from wanting the wedding to be a secret because the family doesn’t approve, to money issues, to just getting tired of the pressure that comes with planning a wedding. Whatever the reason, it is important that both of you be on board with the decision.

The thing is, you can actually exchange vows just the two of you and have a party later where you flaunt your ring around and celebrate the union with family friends. There are lots of eloping ideas to choose from. We hope that the ones above will serve as a guide and show you that the best idea is one that works for you.

Have you suddenly changed your mind about eloping and have no idea on how to plan your wedding? Check out our ultimate wedding planning checklist.

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There are essential wedding tips that a bride-to-be needs to know to make that day perfect. Read these tips so you don’t miss a thing…

Top Wedding Planner Advice to Follow

Everyone wants their wedding day to be the stuff of fairy tales. For most people, a perfect wedding day would go something like this: A beautiful bride to rival all the Disney princesses combined. A teary groom who can’t believe his luck. Super loving, supportive and well-behaved guest (and it won’t hurt if these guests sniffle into their hankies during the exchange of vows.) Your perfect day should have all these elements and more.

There are a few wedding tips and ideas you’ll have to add to your arsenal to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. To learn more, scroll on…

Consider your budget

Your budget will decide if you should have a carnival wedding complete with elephants, fire-eaters, and belly dancers, or if you should just hike to the courthouse and get your license with minimal fuss.

Fear not! There’s a middle ground between big and small. And your wedding budget can fit in wonderfully well! All you need are a few wedding planning tips to point you in the right direction.

Sort your money

When it comes to your wedding budget, every little thing matters. But your wedding location is obviously more important than the artsy Just Married sign you saw on eBay. Forget whatever rustic wedding planning tips and ideas you picked up on Pinterest. The trick is to rate your spending on a 1 to 10 scale – 1 being super-vital stuff and 10 being “eh, do I really need this?”. Sometimes the best wedding planning tips for brides are those that can’t be found on wedding inspiration sites.

No rain on your parade

Dear beautiful bride-to-be, please check the weather before you fix a date. This is one of the most important wedding tips. You don’t want your beautiful outdoor wedding to get disrupted when the rain comes and everyone has to scamper off to find relief from the downpour. How on Earth will you get the perfect wedding photos if you’re getting married in a storm?

Unpopular opinion: Your guests are important…

Of course, you are the star of your wedding. But if you are searching for the best wedding planning tips for brides, your guests will influence most of your decisions. First of all, decide on the number of guests you want. Then, using this number, decide on your venue, the menu, the music, and just about anything else. This way, everyone wins.

You might have to cut down the number of guests to reduce costs, and that’s totally fine. The important thing is that you plan your wedding around your guest list.

…But some guests are more important than others

Let take this example:  Your Aunt Matilda will certainly rate above Justin from work. Aunt Matilda, because she is high on your VIP list, should naturally be entitled to a front row seat and limitless flutes of champagne. Justin from work will be fine behind the huge flower arrangement. This is one of the wedding tips no one discusses out loud, but you should definitely consider this.

Draw up a list comprising of family and friends and rate them in order of importance. Should you ever need to trim your guest list, you will naturally start dropping people at the bottom.

Expect hidden costs

Hidden costs are sneaky. And they’ll surely take you by surprise no matter how many wedding planning tips you know. You might have to fork out some money to buy more wine or pay for a wedding décor emergency. The trick is to allocate some funds to beat whatever sneak ups arise. Be prepared!

Kids or no kids?

Decide in advance if you want kids at your wedding. Whatever you decide, make sure the rule applies to everyone except the kids on the bridal party. This will help prevent family drama from flaring up because party A left her kids at home only to find that party B was allowed to bring his adorable babies to the event.

If you opt for a child-free wedding, you could offer childcare services in the hotel or some other venue close by.

Get a second opinion on your wedding dress

TV shows like “Say Yes to the Dress” have become hugely popular because all brides need help with their wedding day fashion. Yes, you need help too. And that’s why you should add this to your list of wedding tips. No matter how fashion savvy you are, extra sets of eyes can help you pick out a great wedding dress.

Your girlfriends will happily tag along on your dress hunting expedition. You can even take your family along because, honestly, sisters and moms exist mainly to help with choosing great wedding dresses. Your crew could just have the wedding planner advice you need when scouring the shops for the perfect dress.

Take your time

Wedding planning is a hectic process! Everything can become a messy blur if you don’t know how to pace yourself. Have a checklist and tick off items you’ve successfully accomplished. Doing too many things at the same time can result in a catastrophic situation where everything goes out of control.

Start with the important things:

• Confirm your date before you hire vendors.
• Book a venue before you settle on the décor.
• Have your guest list ready before you even think of finding a suitable venue.

There will be rejections and adjustments

Some guests will RSVP and not show up. Some vendors will show you glossy pictures of their services and end up performing below your expectations. Basically, it’s a wedding. So expect your own version of the viral “what I ordered vs what I got” meme.

A great wedding planning tip is to remember not to let anything steal your joy. Calm down and celebrate your love because love is all colors!

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself

You risk becoming a bridezilla when you forget to enjoy this (hopefully) once in a lifetime experience. This is the wedding planner advice to add to your list of wedding tips. Of course, vendors will test your patience and your wedding planning cost could acquire some extra commas and zeros. Stay calm and relish the process. Breathe! If anything veers off your plan, find a way to fix it while also remembering that perfection is boring.

If you are a lesbian couple, read this article on how having a lesbian-friendly wedding planner can plan you the perfect lesbian wedding.

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An intercultural wedding can be quite fascinating mainly because its a mix of cultures and traditions. This can be very enriching for the couple’s big day and life ahead. Read this story of an Indian – German wedding and how the two families fused two cultures into one beautiful day.

How a Couple Nailed their Intercultural Wedding Ceremony

Antje and Rajat are a German and Indian couple whose wedding was a typical intercultural wedding showing their cross cultural wedding traditions.

The couple lives in New York but Rajat’s family lives in India. The day before the D-day, the bride had beautiful henna tattoos drawn on her arms and feet along with other women (adopting her husbands-to-be culture). They ate a plethora of Indian vegan meals. Indian pop music buzzed everywhere. It all made their pre-wedding day worthwhile.

Their special day started with a morning of observing agreed Indian wedding traditions that sort of prepared them for the day. The ceremony lasted for about three hours portraying rich Indian culture before fresh food and drinks were served. After the traditions were observed, a wedding photo shoot followed with the couple in Indian traditional attire.

On the same day, a reception was held according to the German wedding culture. The German bride switched her attire quickly into a stunning, white dress with the Indian groom in a well-tailored suit. They had another series of a breathtaking photo shoot before moving on to the venue where many guests from both parts of the world waited to celebrate the couple… German style.

With a beautifully decorated venue and well-set tables with lots of flowers and vegan food, this couple’s wedding day culminated into a successful intercultural wedding of two people and two cultures, but with cultural differences that they never allowed to kill their joy.

Want to know how to perfectly fuse two cultures together? Keep scrolling…

Things to Remember When You’re Marrying Two Cultures

When two people of varied backgrounds and cultures get married, families and values are as well brought together. At such weddings, beautiful aspects of each culture come to the fore, giving the wedding ceremony a unique touch and feel.

When choosing a marriage mate, you should have decided to accept and respect your partner’s culture and traditions. You need to have learned what is allowed, what is commonly practiced, how it is done and appreciated the uniqueness of such variety. With that in mind, it is usually best to plan an intercultural wedding from the mindset of representing both cultures.

To accomplish this, some choose to have two wedding ceremonies on the same day whereas others chose to do one earlier than the other, with each ceremony representing each culture.

Here are some things to consider when planning mixed culture weddings:

Choices

Without both of you, a wedding won’t hold. It is your wedding. Plan it without taking into account unnecessary advice from other people. Weigh your options as a couple carefully and decide which choices will be best for you as a couple. Then see how it will be accepted by those who matter. These choices will be dependent on the location, cost, and other things things that each partner holds dear about their culture. When making these choices, deep thought is required. When presenting it to family members, do so respectfully. Try not to discard all their suggestions. Accept the ones that are logical and practical.

Cost

Do an estimation of what it would cost to hold the ceremonies separately. Cross cultural marriage ceremonies can be expensive to hold. So, consider these costs. Think carefully about what is important and plan within your budget. You can choose to have one ceremony that will highlight the best of both cultures or have both ceremonies on the same day at the same venue. This takes out the cost of having to rent out two separate venues at different times.

If the distance is a real problem for family members and friends from both sides, you can decide to hold your wedding ceremony at two separate places and at different times. It all depends on if you can bear the cost. If you don’t have enough money for two separate ceremonies, you can choose to have a small wedding which would cost less, yet have those who really matter present. Those who love you will show up for you no matter what.

Location

It is usually best to choose a central location for a wedding when marrying two cultures. Choose a place that will be easy for both sides to reach, should you decide that the wedding ceremony is held in one place. On the other hand, you can choose to hold it at two different places.

Engage both cultures

Decoration, food, music, even wedding rituals should portray a fusion of both cultures. This way, no one feels left out.

Couples in an intercultural relationship should note that mixing two cultures in a wedding involves a lot of plans. So, start planning earlier.  Get the necessary help you need and try to stick to what has been decided.

You can borrow a leaf from Antje and Rajat’s experience. But remember, they did what was best and non-controversial for them, and they showed that love is all colors. Look carefully at your situation and do what’s best for you.

Do you think paying dowry is a thing of the past? Click on the link.

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Wedding planning can be quite stressful for the bride-to-be because of the pressure for it to be perfect. Check out this guide on love is all colors and see how to spin things…

Comprehensive wedding planning guide

A wedding is a celebration of love, mutual understanding, and commitment. Couples pledge their undying love and loyalty towards one another with a promise to stand by each other through thick or thin. And every couple wants that day to be as perfect as ever.

From picking your venue and managing a budget and guest list to nailing down your wedding planning timeline, you’ll want to have every detail accounted for to make your big day perfect. Sometimes, omitting or failure to plan for even the tiniest detail may lead to a tad of frustration or a feeling of imperfection for the couples involved. Hence there is a need to have a wedding to do list and start planning for the big day early.

The best time to start planning for a wedding is immediately after the engagement. The second best time is after reading this article!

Whether the wedding is planned by the couple, family or a professional wedding planner, a wedding planning checklist is essential. This checklist serves as a guide and time manager to even the tiniest of details. I could remember when I planned my wedding, had it not been for my checklist, my fiancé would have totally forgotten to buy the drinks. Thanks to the checklist, a lot of about-to-be-forgotten items were eventually accounted for.

With a good wedding checklist, the wedding planning will turn out a very easy. Below is a comprehensive 12 months wedding planning checklist to guide you to plan splendidly for the big day. Yes, we may not all have the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kind of wedding, but we can sure do great with the one we plan.

Here is a 12 month wedding checklist to aid you to stick to the wedding planning timeline.

12 months prior to the wedding date

• Book the venue and set the date

Book the wedding venue ahead of time and seal all arrangements regarding the paperwork for the venue. The availability of a venue will determine the date of your wedding.

• Get a wedding budget ready

You could do this personally, or call a professional to help you craft out a budget for the wedding. Big items such as catering, wedding destination, costumes should be the first thing on your mind. Other items such as cleaner fee, vendor gratuity, decorations should come in as well. The way you prioritize goes a long way to ensure the success of the wedding.

• Hire a wedding planner

Please note that you can’t do all the things by yourself, so I advise you hire a wedding planner on time. They have done it before so they know the drill.

• Draft the guest list

Start making the list of who you want at your wedding early. Trust me, you do not want to forget the most important guests on that day.

• Plan for other intricate wedding items

Remember to plan for things such as wedding style and color palette, booking of the reception, and selecting the desired ensemble. We do not want a repeat of the movie ‘Bride’.

8-10 months before

• Sort out the details of the wedding theme with your planner.
• Plan the food and bar menu for the wedding reception
• Hire an excellent wedding photographer and videographer. Discuss all photo options beforehand and ensure the photographer is reliable.
• Make preparations for additional rentals.
• Do not forget to request time off from work. This is very important especially if the venue and honeymoon are far from your workplace.
• Send out the invitations. It is essential to give guests heads-up on time to enable them to plan their schedule before the said date. Send save-the-date cards. This is a particularly good idea if you’re marrying during a tourist or holiday season or having a destination wedding.

6-8 months before

• For the bride, order your gown. The groom should also start making preparations for his Tuxedo.
• Decide the entertainment for the day and ceremonial details.
• Get in contact with a reliable and excellent florist.
• Get in touch with the officiant so you can know what is expected of you.
• Choose the bridesmaids, flower girls and their respective male counterparts.
• Start planning ahead for the honeymoon. Yes, many couples wait till the last month before making arrangements for the honeymoon. I hate to break it to you, but there’s a high possibility you might end up not going for your dream honeymoon. Start early to book for necessary travel location and tickets.

4-6 months before

• Depending on what you want, you can go for premarital counseling. Much as most people ignore this, it really helps in dealing with issues in your marriage.
• Purchase the wedding rings. The wedding ring is the most intricate ornament for a wedding occasion. Couples are advised to get their rings early, proofread the engravings and adjust the size before the wedding date.
• Book venue for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Decide how and where you want to spend the wedding night. Make reservations beforehand.
• Renew all expired passports in preparation of whatever trip you intend to make.
• Sign up for dance lessons if you aren’t that great on your feet.

3 months before

As the wedding date gradually draws near, there is a need to go over the wedding schedules and checklists to ensure every activity has been accounted for. Here are things to consider…

• At this point, preparations and order for the wedding cake should commence.
• Schedule and have your shower, so it doesn’t interfere with the main activity.
• For the groom, get ready with all the groom’s and groom’s men formal wear.
• Hire the transportation and other cars for the wedding.
• Hire an artistic calligrapher for the personalized envelopes, place cards and menus.
• This might come as a surprise, but it is wise to plan for your exit routes on the wedding day. With all the guest clamoring around you, the couple needs to prepare how to get away from all that when they intend to leave for the venue.

2 months before

• Write your wedding vows.
• Mail out the invitations to your guests.
• Make some last minute adjustments and convey all the necessary information about the dates and details to the vendors for the last time.
• Design the wedding program for the guests.
• Get your fiancé a wedding present.
• Book a makeup artist and go for a trial run.

1 month prior

• Apply for a marriage license.
• Go for the final fitting of the dresses and tuxedos.
• Purchase just-in-case items.
• Track RSVPs.
• Prepare a seating chart and name cards.
• Take a 3 day holiday and celebrate your last days of being single.

1-2 weeks prior

• Do a final review of the RSVPs and call guests who are yet to respond.
• Confirm the availability of the videographer, DJ and photographer.
• Get the last pre-wedding haircuts and color

1-2 days before

• Make calls to confirm all arrangements are in place.
• Get the wedding dress pressed or steamed.
• Write off all necessary checks.

D-day

• Wake up happy and lovely and prepare on time.
• Present each other with gifts.
• Walk down the aisle.

Follow the link to download our printable wedding checklist.

Did you hear the story of how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned wedding gifts worth 7 million? Check it out.

The post The ultimate wedding planning checklist appeared first on Love is all colors.

Dowries are something which more or less ended in the Middle Ages, right? Well, actually, wrong. The dowry system is alive and well throughout the world. It might well be something that you are going to have to navigate if you are marrying someone from another culture.

Chinese dowry system

In China, despite the efforts of the communist party to eradicate the practice, dowries are the norm. With the one child system, and the consequent shortage of marriageable females (due to girl babies having been aborted) the pressure for dowries has lessened. However, parents still want to give their daughters as good as possible a start in life.

In the breathtaking world of millionaire Chinese businessmen, dowries of up to $100 million are not unknown. At weddings, share certificates and bank statements are framed and displayed, to show the wealth which is being transferred to the new family. Villas, luxury cars, expensive jewelry and of course, shares and cash, are customary gifts to the daughter on their wedding.

More humble Chinese families may give around $10,000. Some might even throw in a modest car or apartment. But it is a far cry from the tin pot and copy of the thoughts of Chairman Mao which was the custom not so many years ago.

Chinese parents believe that the dowry will gain respect for their daughter as she enters her new home and family. If she brings a certain amount of wealth, it’s harder for the mother in law to nag and criticize.

Indian dowry system

In India, dowries were once the province of women, arranged by them for the future security of the bride. During Colonial times, this practice became corrupted. It developed into a way for the groom and his family to make money.

In 1961, the Indian government outlawed the practice of giving and receiving dowries. However, it continued unabated. Now it extends to cars, apartment, expensive jewelry and of course cash. It is estimated that one woman every SIX HOURS is murdered in India due to dowry disputes, and there are also suicides every FOUR HOURS by women driven to distraction by the demands made on them for dowry payments from their new family.

As women still have little value in rural Indian culture, efforts made by government and states to protect women from dowry murder and suicide, and to stamp out the dowry practice, face an uphill struggle.

In the West, there is no systematic dowry system. However, there is an expectation that the parents of both the bride and the groom will stump up with something nice when they marry – a house, a car, cash, stock and bonds and the like. The practice of holding an extremely lavish themed wedding grows apace. It’s not uncommon for the happy couple to expect that family and friends will be whisked to an exotic destination to attend a beach front wedding – courtesy of the parents.

Modern dowry system

An enthusiastic wedding planning industry and a culture of materialism are doing nothing to mitigate the wild fancies of brides and grooms to be in the US. Some brides really do feel entitled to have the fancy wedding of their dreams. And they have mom and pop pay for it. It’s a modern form of dowry. And while not many brides are dying as a result, plenty of families are getting themselves into financial troubles and burdens for the sake of a show off day which our grandparents would have regarded as ridiculous indulgence in the extreme.

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Planning a wedding can be as exciting as it is stressful. There are so many things to think about, whether you are doing it on a budget or you are spending extravagantly. You’ll still be worried about where you’ll be having the ceremony, who will be invited and what you’ll be wearing. Then there’s the caterers, the entertainment and the decorators. You may be handing all of it to a planner to do for you and that can often be wise. Especially if you are having a destination wedding.

One of the most important things to remember is that when the day is over, the only thing left that you’ll have from that day are the photos. As your wedding is supposed to be one of the most important days of your life and you will have made so much effort to look as wonderful as you possibly can, having a great professional wedding photographer should be a top priority and is certainly the most important thing to consider if you want fabulous wedding photos.

You may have a friend, or an uncle, or a cousin or some other well-meaning volunteer who happens to have a nice camera and who offers to take the photos for you for free. This is probably the biggest mistake couples ever make and they so often regret it. There’s an enormous difference between being good at taking pictures and being a professional wedding photographer. And that always shows in the final product.

Finding a wedding photographer that you love will be really important. So, make sure to take the time to do your research. You should absolutely love the style of their photography before you even consider contacting them. If the packages you want are out of your budget, if you love their work, go for a smaller package. It is far better to have a handful of photographs you absolutely love, want to display and show all your friends and family than a bunch of so, so photos you stick in a drawer. Book well in advance, too. Really good photographers are often booked up to a year in advance. So if you want to make sure to get the photographer you really want, plan early.

Once you’ve booked your photographer, you’ve truly done the most important thing in respect to getting great photos However, there are things that you can do to make your photographer’s job that much easier. Here’s a handy list to help:

Don’t get sunburns

If you’re having a destination wedding, a summer wedding or are just tanning to look your best, do not get a sunburn. Or sunburn lines. These are very difficult for your photographer to edit without looking unnatural.

Look fantastic

Make sure that the groom makes as much of an effort to look fantastic as the bride does. Nothing ruins a photo of a bride and groom more than a groom that looks like he couldn’t bother to dress nicely on the day. Accessories always help, so don’t forget things like hats, suspenders, colorful ties and great shoes.

Get a good hair and make-up artist

Brides need to get a good hair and make-up artist that you trust. You don’t want any dramas on the day if she doesn’t like the way she looks when they are finished with her. If you are having a wedding outdoors or any of your photography done outdoors, if there is any chance that it may be windy, brides should have an up do. She may dream of having her hair hanging long and looking glamorous. But it won’t look so great when it’s stuck across her face in all of your photos.

Choose most comfortable time of day

If your ceremony is outside or any of the photography is outside, talk to your photographer in advance about timing for the best natural light and the most comfortable time of day. You do not want to be sweating, squinting, shining, sweating or having shadows under your eyes. These are all things that can happen if you do not take your photographer’s advice.

State your expectations

Tell your photographer exactly what your expectations are and what your must have photos are, so that they are prepared. Asking your photographer why they didn’t get a photo of you with your favorite great Aunt after the wedding is over is a bit late. Provide them with a list of any group or family shots you think are important, any items of sentimental value you wish to have photographed and any ‘dream’ shots you have in mind. The more time you spend collaborating with your photographer, the better your images will be.

Create time for the photographer

Create a schedule for the day with your photographer and make sure all the vendors and your planner have a copy. That way everyone knows where everyone should be at the right time. There’s no point in having the meal served at 6pm if you’re having sunset shots with the photographer until 7pm. Or allowing all your guests to head off for cocktails before the photographer has had the chance to take the important photos with specific guests that you wanted.

Keep the photographer happy

Finally, do not annoy, irritate or otherwise upset your photographer. Look after them well and even tip them. A happy photographer will work harder for you and want to please you.

Following these simple guidelines will not only make sure that you get images that you’ll treasure for years, but you’ll have a much more relaxed and enjoyable wedding day as you won’t be worried about how you’ll look in all your photos, as you’ll already have worked that all out in advance.

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