Why Do We Believe in “Something Blue” For Our Weddings?

Hey soon-to-be married ladies and gents! You have most certainly heard this saying before:

Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
and a silver sixpence in her shoe.

Aside from the silver sixpence, we still adhere to using these charms for “good luck.” But, how did we come up with these charms for good luck in the first place?

According to Jacobs and Nutt, authors of Folklore, the rhyme appears to originate in 1898 England (so that’s where the sixpence comes from):

In this country an old couplet directs that the bride shall wear:— “Something old, something new, Something borrowed, something blue.” “The something blue” takes, I am given to understand, usually the form of a garter, an article of dress which plays an important part in some wedding rites, as, for instance, in the old custom of plucking off the garter of the bride. “The something old” and ” something blue” are devices to baffle the Evil Eye. The usual effect on the bride of the Evil Eye is to render her barren, and this is obviated by wearing “something borrowed”, which should properly be the undergarment of some woman who has been blessed with children: the clothes communicate fertility to the bride. (page 128)

With the advent of social media and emails, it has become easier and more common for people to use these methods for their wedding invitations. The same goes for the RSVP, even if someone received a paper invitation that included a mail-able RSVP card. But just like a cyber-based invite loses the charm, thoughtfulness, and delight of opening a real invitation, so does missing the opportunity to open the RSVPs if you are the bride.

Without traditional RSVPs, weddings just aren’t the same.

Take it from these frustrated brides on WeddingWire. After spending so much time designing their invitations and intentionally including RSVPs (some with postage included) as a practical and special way to plan for the number of guests at theirwedding (not to mention the seating arrangement) not getting those RSVPs back feels like full-frontal rudeness. The truth is, it kind of is. The even harder truth is, it may not be that easy to get your guests to utilize the RSVP cards unless you essentially ONLY acknowledge the paper-based RSVPs. Policing people for the sake of your special day really seems counterintuitive and wholly unpleasant.

Planning & Inspiration

Wedding Foods Trends of 2014

by Rachel Trimarco

Are you part of the Millennial Generation, aka Generation Y? If you were born between the 1980s up to the early 2000s, you are! Right now this demographic represents the largest portion of the wedding population. That means what is influencing Millennials is also shaping the trends of today’s weddings. Being a Millennial myself I spend a lot of time reflecting and thinking creatively about my future, including planning for my wedding. Apparently, this is pretty typical for us Millennials. Not necessarily the wedding planning, but creative thinking. We are considered highly creative. Do you do the same? Have you been doing it for your wedding planning? I hope so! Read More

Planning & Inspiration

Ceremony Playlist Recommendations?

by Elianna Phelps

Here are some options for your ceremony music, categorized by ceremony style!

TRADITIONAL

Processional: Bride Chorus (Wagner)

Recessional: Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

NEW TRADITIONAL

Prelude: “Apotheosis” (Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty)

Processional: “Spring” (Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons)

Bride’s Processional: “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Bach)

Recessional: “La Rejouissance” (Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks)

GOSPEL/RELIGIOUS

Prelude: “Amazing Grace” (John Newton)

Processional: “In This Very Room” (Ron and Carol Harris)

Bride’s Processional: “St. Anthony’s Chorale” (Haydn)

Recessional: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (Hans Georg Nageli)

MODERN

Prelude: “You and I” (Stevie Wonder)

Processional: “In My Life” (The Beatles)

Bride’s Processional: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” (Lauryn Hill)

Recessional: “Beautiful Day” (U2)

Planning & Inspiration

Tips on Assembling your Guest List

by Elianna Phelps

Coming up with your guest list should be one of the first things you think about. After all, it’s your friends and family who make your party. However, it’s also these people who greatly affect your budget and venue options. This is why assembling your guest list is one of the most stressful parts of wedding planning.

Here is a timeline of things to do regarding your guests:

ASAP – Start drafting your guest list

12+ months before – finalize the guest list

9-11 months before – finalize your guest list

6-8 months before – send out save-the-dates

3 months before – send out A-list invitations, reserve hotel rooms for out-of-town guests Read More

Planning & Inspiration

Say Cheese ….Wedding Cake!

by Rachel Trimarco

Alternative and fun. Guests love a surprise.

Planning & Inspiration