The History of Popular Wedding Traditions

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." That's right, welcome to June, one of our favorite months! Can you guess why? We are right in the heart of wedding season and each year we like to celebrate by spending the whole month talking about wedding traditions - both old and new.

There are a wide variety of wedding traditions that date back hundreds of years and have evolved from many different cultures. To kick off the month with some fun, here are some stories about how some of the most popular wedding traditions started out!

The Bridal Party:
In Anglo-Saxon days, when the groom was about to abduct his bride, he needed the help of many friends, known as the "bridesmen" or "brideknights." The gentlemen would make sure the bride arrived at the ceremony on time and got to the groom's house safely afterwards. The bride also had women to help her, known as the"bridesmaids" or "brideswomen." It is also said that bridesmaids were to accompany the bride on her wedding day in order to confuse lurking evil spirits.

The Bride on the left, Groom on the right:
When the groom fought off warriors who also wanted his bride, he would hold onto her with his left hand while fighting them off with his sword in his right hand. This is why the bride stands on the left, and the groom on the right.

Something Blue:
In Biblical days, blue represented purity. Thus the bride and groom would wear a blue band around the bottom of their wedding attire, hence something blue.

The Veil:
In the cases of arranged marriages, the groom's family would inform him that he was to marry, but they very rarely let him see the bride before the wedding. After all, if the groom didn't like the bride's looks, he might not agree to the marriage. With this in mind, the father of the bride gave the bride away to the groom who then lifted the veil to see his wife of all eternity for the first time at the ceremony.

The White Wedding Gown:
Until 1840, when Queen Victoria's all-white gown with a honiton-lace veil became fashionable, a bride wore her best dress of whatever color. In Victorian times, white was a symbol of affluence and later took on an aura of virginal purity. Now, white is again a symbol of celebration, as in Roman times.

The Bridal Shower:
The shower evolved as an alternative dowry. In Holland, a bride's disapproving father would sometimes refuse to contribute to her dowry, so supportive villagers "showered" her with household goods.

The Aisle: 
A bridal path strewn with rose petals was thought to ward off evil spirits below ground and grant fertility. White aisle runners are also thought to secure the bride's safety as well.

Do you have any fun stories about wedding traditions? We'd love to hear them!

Photo Credit: partymarshmallow.tumblr; brides.com;

Information: Wedding Traditions and Customs History

Mom's Complete Guide to the Wedding Reception

As May comes to a close, I want to invite all you mothers to take a quick peek at a recap of all we have covered in these past few weeks. If you're a soon to be mother of the wedding, you can check out these previous posts to revisit plenty of tips and tricks designed to help guide you through the rehearsal dinner and ceremony. Even though we've reached the last full week of the month, I want to also remind each of you that you are loved and appreciated each and every day of the year and that all sons and daughters will always need their mothers!

So, last but not least, to bookend our Mothers themed month, here is all you need to know for the reception if you're a mother of the wedding!

Mother-Son Dance Song Ideas

Once you've made it to the reception venue, your responsibilities don't simply end, but they do get a tad easier. From the moment the guests arrive, your biggest job is to just be mom. But, what does that mean?

• Take Your Place: It's customary for the mothers of the wedding to have a special seat at the table so that everyone can see you. So, find your spot for dinner, but don't get too comfortable. You should try to speak with guests as well and, in fact, this may help to take some of the pressure off the bride and groom who will be swamped with excited guests.
• Propose a Toast: Traditionally, the best man and maid of honor start the toasts, and once the bride and groom have responded, it's your turn to say a few words if you'd like.
• Pay Attention to the Bride and Groom: You can help the bride and groom mingle if some of their guests are commanding too much attention. 
• Crowd Control: No one can tame a rowdy group of groomsmen like a mother's firm hand, but you don't want to rain on the party either - be attentive and know when to step in if things start to get out of hand. 

  

  Mother-Daughter Dance Song Ideas

• Be Present for the Cutting of the Cake: Pretty self-explanatory; you just don't want to miss this special chance to be by your son or daughters side. 
• Have Fun!: That's right, don't forget what the reception really is - a celebration! Once dinner is over and everyone's kicking off their shoes to hop on the dance floor, don't hesitate to join them. No doubt you've been working closely with the bride and groom for months to make this day perfect, so enjoy yourself, and make sure you get your special dance with your son or daughter! 
• Stay After: Don't get too worn out on the dance floor because it's typically your job to stick around once the happy couple has left the building. Your final responsibility is to help clean up (unless you've hired someone or the venue includes this service).

Tell us what you think!

Photo Credit: weddingpartyapp; alotmorestyle

3 Things Every Mom Should Know for the Ceremony

Good morning and happy Thursday! I hope the month of May is treating you all well, especially you, Moms! Just in case you need a little pick-me-up or enlightening read, here are the three things every mom should know as they prepare for their son or daughter's wedding ceremony.

1. What to Wear
In my experience, moms often get so wrapped up in helping their son or daughter prepare for their big day that they forget to think about themselves. In other cases, they put off finding the right dress because they don't like the way they look anymore. Well listen up, moms, you are beautiful and the wedding day is just as important for you as it is for the bride and groom. If you think you can just blend into the crowd and no one will notice, think again. While it's true that all eyes will be on the happy couple at first, the second place guests look is to their parents. So, here's a few tips to help you out.

• Don't wait until the last minute to go shopping! We have plenty of gorgeous gowns in stock, but if you need to order something, it can take a few months to come in, so don't wait! 
• Opt for better quality, not a cheaper dress. As I said before, you are important and you should look the part on your son or daughter's special day. Cheaper and lower quality fabrics may not be as flattering on your body, so keep that in mind if you're not as comfortable with your shape. 
• Talk to a consultant. We aren't just trained to help the bride-to-be find her dress, we can also be a big help when trying to select a flattering style gown for any occasion. 
• Consult the bride. You'll want to compliment her wedding colors without getting too close that you blend in with the bridesmaids. Neutral colors are often a safe choice if you're not sure, but a consultant can help you choose a color as well. 
• If you're the mother of the groom, allow the mother of the bride to select her gown first. The two of you should communicate so that your gowns compliment each other and also allow you to fit the theme and formality of the wedding. 

We love these classy dresses from Montage by Mon Cheri

2. What Time to Arrive:
If you're the mother of the groom, you should arrive at the church or ceremony venue with the groom, which should be about an hour and a half beforehand. You can help make sure that the groomsmen and their tuxedos are all in order. If you're the mother of the bride, you should arrive with the bride about an hour beforehand. That way you can help the bride get ready and be part of some extra special "getting ready photos!"

3. What to Do:
For the ceremony, Mother's of the bride traditionally are the first to walk down the aisle and take their seat in the first row on the left, marking the beginning of the processional. The role of the groom's mother depends on what the couple chooses. Typically, the mother of the groom is escorted to her seat by the groom before the processional. However, in some cases, the groom's parents walk down the aisle before the brides parents. It really depends on what the bride and groom envision, so communication is key. After the ceremony, it's common to host the receiving line immediately following the nuptials (Church hallways and vestibules often work best). The brides parents traditionally are placed at the head of the line, followed by the bride and groom and then the groom's parents.

Heads Up to the Bride and Groom: 
The ceremony can be the perfect opportunity for some extra special moments with mom. Make sure your photographer captures those tender exchanges as she helps you get ready. Another way to pay homage to your mothers is to take a moment, before you begin your vows, to present them with a kiss or a rose. The small gesture will be enough to really enhance the beauty of the ceremony and your mom will be more than grateful!

Want to share a special Mother of the Wedding story? We want to hear it! 

Photo Credit: brides.com; emmalinebride; weddingpartyapp

Mother's Rehearsal Dinner Responsibilities

Listen up, Mother's of the Groom, this blog post will be especially helpful for you! In this day and age more and more couples are starting to mix and match which traditions and customs to follow when it comes to planning the smaller events leading up to the big day, such as the rehearsal dinner and the bridal shower. It's important to remember that each couple is unique and that you should always consult the bride and groom before making any plans to ensure you coincide with their wishes. That being said, we're giving you a crash course on your responsibilities as the Mother of the Groom when it comes to the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Traditionally, the groom's parents are expected to host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. The dinner used to take place the night before the wedding, but now it is becoming more common for it to occur up to a few days beforehand (this allows the wedding party some time to straighten out any last minute details before saying "I Do.") If you've never done this before, you may be asking yourself "What is the purpose of the wedding rehearsal?" Basically, the rehearsal dinner is just that - a rehearsal for the big day. It typically involves meeting at the ceremony location so that the wedding party can walk through their basic responsibilities for the day of the wedding. The dinner usually follows after and can be as formal or as casual as you'd like (this is where it becomes important to communicate with the bride and groom). The dinner is a chance for both families to get together and socialize, especially if you have family members from out of town since it may be difficult to get everyone together again in the future.

Here are some timeline tips to keep in mind: We recommend that you book the venue as soon as possible, but generally somewhere within 3-6 months out should be fine. If you're planning something more casual, you may be able to wait even longer, but it's always safer to plan ahead. We also recommend that you send out invitations no later than 4 weeks out from the event, after the wedding invitations have been mailed.

What's most important is to remember not to get too caught up in the planning and organizing that you forget to enjoy the event. It's a time to learn and grow as a connected family and share in the laughter and love that will surround everyone in this happy time. So, eat and drink and spend time with the bride and groom and never forget why you're all together!

P.S. Brides and Grooms: The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful opportunity to hand out any small gifts you have for your wedding party and especially your mothers! We are in love with these adorable ideas that can get mom ready for your special day!

If you still need ideas, check out these links. They have great tips for rehearsal dinner etiquette.
Mother of the Groom Duties
Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment! 

Photo Credit: theknot; etsy; etsy; bridalguide; chelseapatriciablog

Happy Mother's Day: A Note for Mom

Happy Mother's Day! Today, we want to celebrate the women in our lives who prove day in and day out that they are our heroes. Mothers are strong, devoted, loving, and amazing women and we truly do not express our gratitude to you enough. As a special Thank You to all moms, we've decided to write a special note to you today.

Photo Credit: Bridal Musings

Perhaps your son or daughter is still quite young, or maybe you'll be attending their wedding this year. Either way, as a mother, we know that the thought of your children getting married is often in the back of your mind. For a mother, weddings can be an extremely emotional time. We understand that you may feel a sense of loss, that your child is in someway leaving you. We want to remind you that you are important. Your son or daughter's wedding is a time of letting go as well as holding on. While you may feel like you are losing a piece of you, you are actually gaining love as your family grows.Your child is sharing with another the love and affection they gained and learned from you.

Remember that you are part of the biggest journey of love that your children will take in their lifetime. Cherish and enjoy the little moments as you help with the planning, choosing flowers, and picking out The Gown, for those are the memories that will last long after the guests and cake are gone. We believe there are 3 major principles to abide by as you help you son or daughter take the next big step in their life: Respect, consideration, and honesty.

Respect your son or daughter's wishes and do all that you can to support them.
Be considerate of your future daughter/son-in-law and remember that your son or daughter loves their partner unconditionally, and that you should too.
Be Honest about how you are feeling. Tell your child if you don't feel included. Always remember that sons and daughters want their mothers to be right by their side throughout this new adventure and no matter how near or far you are, you'll always be their mom.

To all our mothers out there, we love and appreciate you! Thank you for always being there for us.

Now, grab some tissues and cuddle up with this amazing letter written by a mom to her future daughter-in-law! Enjoy your extra special day.

22 Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Good morning! If you're anything like me, you're more than ready for those May flowers and sick of the April showers. The good news is that next month brings more than just tulips, it also brings a new store theme! Here's a taste of what's coming up in the weeks ahead.

May is for Mothers! 
Keep an eye out for tips and etiquette in Things our Mothers Taught us, what mothers should wear to all the bridal events, and how to make your mother feel extra special on your big day!

We've provided you with so much information about bridal showers and more this month, including how to dress and how to decorate based on theme. Here's a little recap for those of you who missed it:

• Guests should avoid wearing white, black, or even red to the bridal shower unless the theme calls for it. Let the bride be the center of attention and do your best to dress respectfully.
• We showcased our favorite bridal shower themes and even gave you tips on how to decorate for a Glitz and Glam shower.
• Prom girls: Check out the post from the first week this month. It explains how to do your hair to compliment the neckline of your prom gown!

Since there just isn't enough time each week, I couldn't even begin to give you all the tips and advice regarding bridal showers and etiquette. So, to make up for it, here's a list of the 22 bridal shower themes we featured in store this month; check out the link to our Bridal Shower Pinterest Page  to see how we put them together and to gather more ideas for planning!

1. Coco Chanel/Pink and Black
2. French Garden Glamour
3. Cheese and Wine
4. Stock the Kitchen
5. Tea Party
6. Lemoncello
7. Beach
8. Breakfast at Tiffany's
9. Glitz and Glam
10. Couple's Shower
11. Winter Extravaganza
12. Mint to Be
13. Vintage
14. Shabby Chic
15. Sweet Treats
16. Travel
17. Spa
18. Pink and Gold
19. Vineyard
20. Anchor's Away
21. Boho
22. Linen

What would you like to see featured on our blog in the upcoming weeks? Tell us what you think!

Photo Credit: blog.hwtm; etsy; marthastewartweddings; deerpearlflowers; 

catchmyparty; flickr; newsok

Glitz and Glam Bridal Shower Must-Haves

Happy Thursday, everyone! In order to add a little shimmer and shine to your day, we're talking about everything you absolutely must have to throw a Glitz and Glam bridal shower. Here are our favorite decorations, favors, and outfits that will add the finishing touches to a shower that you and your guests are going to love!

Rock Candy
These crystallized sugary treats are the perfect snack for your glitzy bridal shower. Satisfy your sweet tooth with these girly glam rock candy sticks as part of a centerpiece or as favors for your guests!

Champagne
What's a celebration without some bubbly? Glam it up with an added touch of sparkle by painting some champagne flutes with glue and coating them in glitter. Try using gold, silver, and other fun colors to mix it up. You can even get some "sparkling" champagne for your younger guests so they can be part of the fun too!

Pssst! Rock Candy and Champagne make the perfect pair! 

Glitter-dusted Cake Pops
Cake pops are all the rage right now and it's not hard to figure out why. They're the perfect size for quick bites of dessert in between party games and drinks, and they're absolutely adorable! Add a tiny dusting of fine sugar or sprinkles to give them an added touch of bling!

Glam Centerpieces
As the bride, you're the center of attention, but that doesn't mean your centerpieces should be sub par. Dazzle up the décor with a shimmering table cloth in gold, or select some stunning candle holders to really make a statement!

Show Stopping Outfit
Last, but not least, you've got to dress to impress. Reflect this glamorous theme by strutting your stuff in a beaded or sequined dress. Top it all off with a gorgeous, glitter inspired manicure and you're ready to shine!

Are you planning a glitz and glam bridal shower? Share your pictures and ideas with us! 

Photo Credit: blog.amyatlas; ideas.evite; hwtm; hercampus; happywedd;
 weddingdash; colincowieweddings; indulgy; diygirls.blogspot