Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
While an assistant many years ago, I witnessed a handfasting ceremony and it was a beautiful sight to see. The tradition is simply lovely – so I wanted to share it with you.
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom dating back to the ancient Celts. The original handfasting was a trial marriage – where the couple would declare their love for a year and a day. After the year passes, the couple could decide to go their separate ways or enter into marriage.
Today’s Wiccan and Pagan communities have embraced the handfasting ritual.
Handfasting is no different than other wedding ceremonies, in that there are variations. However, what’s common is that after intent has been declared, the hands or writs of the couple are bound together with a cord(s) during or surrounding the vows. The handfasting knot that is tied symbolizes the oneness between the couple.
The length of the cord is determined by the path that is followed by the individal Pagan or Wiccan sect, the Bride and/or Groom, or the High Priest/ess that presides over the ceremony. The numbers 9 and 3 are magical, so traditionally, the cords are 9 feet in length (or 3 meters) and are knotted at both ends.
Generally three cords are used, and each cord is a different color which corresponds to the Wiccan color magic chart. The Bride and Groom choose the colors based on what the colors mean.
White
Always burn at least one white candle to symbolize and reinforce the contact with pure spirit. Elemental spirits, Angels, Gods of wisdom, divination and prophecy. Purification and cleaning on all levels, contact with higher self and spiritual helpers, aura-healing, truth seeking, consecration, spiritual enlightenment, protection against negativity, breaking curses, exorcism, meditation, divination, inpiration, and clairvoyance. White can be a replacement for any other color.
Yellow
Elemental air. Deities for trade, travel, knowledge and magick. Vitality, change, progress, contact, communication, and trade. Confidence, joy, cheerfulness, learning, knowledge, mental clarity, concentration, speaking and writing and visualization.
Gold
Sun-deities, solar energies, and masculine energy. Abundant self confidence, creativity, perfection, financial richess, success in investments, luxury, worldly power, magickal power, overcoming bad habits and addictions.
Orange
Deities of good luck and good fortune. Charm, kindness, encouragement, stimulation, optimism, success, abundance, prosperity, feast and celebration, achieving business goals, investments, success in legal matters.
Copper or Bronze
Love-goddesses, love and passion, positive relationships in love, friendship in business, career promotions, successful negotiations.
Red
Elemental fire, deities of love, passion, sexuality and war. Courage, will-power, determination, speed, assertivity, aggression, masculinity, independence, physical strength, sports, competition, conflicts, health, sexual attraction and potency, love and passion, fertility.
Magenta
Magnetism, the ability to attract or speed up results. Life purpose, life path.
Pink
Love-goddesses, softness and tenderness, romance, caring, nurturing, youth, peace, friendship, femininity, emotional love, emotional healing.
Green
Elemental earth and elemental water. Nature and fertility deities, Mother goddesses. Nature, fertility, growth, rejuvenation, recovery, healing, harvest and abundance, prosperity, harmony, balance, peace, hope, home, plants and animals.
Turquoise
Changes, intellectual and intuitive insights, inventions and originality, renewal, brotherhood, humananity.
Blue
Elemental water and elemental air. Deities of the sea and sky, truth and wisdom. Peace and tranquility, calmness, truth, wisdom, justice, counsel, guidance, understanding and patience, loyalty and honor, sincerity, devotion, healing, femininity, prophetic dreams, protection during sleep, astral projection.
Violet
Elemental spirits, angels, and Gods of divination and prophecy. Psychic abilities, divination, counter-acting negativity and black magick, reversing curses, psychic healing, psychic power, inspiration, meditation, spirituality, spiritual power, astral projection, third eye.
Brown
Elemental earth, stability, grounding, conservation, protection of household, family and pets, healing animals, finding lost objects, buildings, material increase, to make relationships solid, to increase decisiveness and concentration, to attract help in financial crisis.
Gray
Neutralizing negative influences, putting a halt to action.
Silver
Moon-goddesses, female energy, cycles, rebirth, reincarnation, healing of hormonal imbalances, emotional stability, remove or neutralize negativity, intuition, dreams, psychic abilities and psychic workings.
Black
Elemental earth, deities of the Underworld. Repel and banish evil and negativity, protection, breaking free from bad habits and addictions, deep meditation, opens up deep unconscious levels.
This is a beautiful tradition that can be adapted to any ceremony. Lovely!
Thank you to Handfasting.org as well as the Wiccan Color Magick Chart.
Happy planning.
What’s more eco-friendly than giving the gift of Charity?
Nothing.
Check out TisBest. You buy the gift cards, and your guests go online to spend them on the charity of their choice!
Cool!
Happy planning!
I wish everybody the best on this Memorial Day!
Everyday, we think about past and present men and women who help to keep this country safe.
Happy planning!
Okay, I know this wedding happened a few weeks ago. Okay, okay. When I saw the episode, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, it’s a same sex wedding. So what? It’s everyday life here.
I mean, they looked amazing in their designer gowns. I love the subtle hair jewelry accent as I love small accents in the hair – flowers, Jewelry, an elegant cage veil (Read strong plug for hair jewelry, floral accents or a cage veil) over the traditional veil.
It’s only today that I thought a bit deeper on the subject – and not particularly on the wedding itself – the whole entirety of the show. I think this is the first time that any mainstream show has featured same sex couples in main rolls – and given them drama. Drama is typical for heterosexual couples, we saw it between Derek and Meredith (to the upteenth degree). We also saw it between Arizona and Callie (almost to the upteenth degree). I think it’s the first time they represented same sex couples as real couples with real drama.
Hooray for drama! Bout time!
And in Grey’s Anatomy? Go figure. I know I am not supposed to have strong opinions, but the acting has a bit to be desired, no? Well, now I am realizing that they made a powerful statement, so I guess that’s reason to tune in (read – grin and bare it) one more week, yes?
I don’t know.
But to answer the question at the end of the article – what side to the guests sit on. Here are two answers.
1. Now a-days, couples are choosing to forgo sides. Make it easy
2. Have a little for thought. If it’s important to the couple to have guests sit on particular sides, figure out the processional and what side each person will stand on (before the rehearsal). Then, the program handlers or greeters can tell guests which side to sit on. Guests always ask.
Happy planning!
I have written many posts on Eco Friendly designers. Here is a list summing up some of my favorite eco-couture designers.
- Eco-hip threads
- Pure from Justin Alexander
- Green your wedding party
- Adele Wechsler
- Jessica Iverson
- Ebay or Etsy for you? Not for me!
- The $10.00 “do it yourself” wedding gown from Threadbanger
- Vintage gowns from the Cherished Bride
Happy planning!
Gorgeous gown from Adele Wechsler
One of our weddings was featured in Style me Pretty!
Take a look at this amazing day on Style Me Pretty!
Happy planning!
Look at the article in the latest issue of The Blade.
Although somewhat intellectual and not at all “wed-dingy”, I think it’s important to stay abreast of the happenings in the industry.
Even though I am absolutely thrilled that gay marriage is legal in DC, I am getting a little tired of having to bring my Maryland couples downtown. The unions should be recognized in their own state of residence!
Happy planning!
What’s more eco-friendly? Accent your day with a gorgeous gown from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or 60’s!
Awesome!
If you want a vintage gown, The Cherished Bride can help you. They also carry vintage albums and invitations to complete the look.
What a beautiful 1950’s style – and so luxurious – made out of silk organza.
Nice!
Happy planning
Lighting design really makes a statement. Take a look.
One can always find very beautiful but dramatic lighting design. Take a look…
Or it can be simple and still make a statement.
For example, some elegant pinspotting
Or some white or colored Chinese Lanterns.
Some simple uplighting and pinspotting
Here are some lighting terms – so you know what you need when you approach a lighting company
Can uplighting – With a variety of colors available, you choose 1 color to project on walls, columns, etc. It stays the same color the entire night – and adds a dramatic effect to any space.
LED Uplighting – Allowing for a large variety of colors, this type of lighting can be programed to change color. The look and feel of the space can change within seconds. This type of lighting is more energy efficient
Gobo Lighting – An image, pattern, monogram or design is cut into metal and projected onto walls, ceilings or floors. Typically, the light is one color, but multiple gobo projections can be made for a multi-colored effect.
Pinspotting – This type of lighting is used to brighten centerpieces, cakes, food stations, or any other focal point in the room.
Happy illuminating!
