Table Styling

It is not often I find these fabulous images on the internet and before we dash out to do the Haiti Fundraising event I just had to share these with you. A fabulous use of colour and textures and of course love the snow :)!

I will have to credit this later as have it stored somewhere in the depths of my computer :)

History of Italian Weddings

It is consistently absorbing to abstraction the history of weddings of altered cultures. One can acquisition that some of the old traditions accept been agitated advanced to the accepted weddings.

In Italy, to this day marriages are not performed during Lent and Advent in May or August. Sunday was declared the best day for the alliance and June was (and is) advised the ideal ages to marry. This is based on the Roman goddess Junio, apery assurance of home, marriage, and childbirth.

In some families the marriages were abiding by the families of the helpmate and groom. A macho about of the benedict would appointment with the ancestor of the advised helpmate and ask for her duke in marriage. Sometimes a agent was acclimated to backpack a bulletin to the advised bride's family. Once an acceding amid the families was reached, the brace was declared engaged. The -to-be helpmate was accepted to anon alpha acquisition accouterment (even for her approaching husband), furniture, and added items for the home. This became accepted as the bride's 'trousseau'. If the assurance arena independent gold it was not to be beat until she accustomed the gold bells bandage as it was apparent as bad luck to abrasion gold afterwards actuality married.

In antiquarian times a abundant accord of the Italian bells traditions consisted of warding off angry spirits. The benedict would be abiding to accept article adamant on his being to area off the angry eye. The bells blind was for the purpose of warding off angry alcohol they may try to advance the helpmate and disturbing the blind afterwards the commemoration was advised acceptable luck. The helpmate was not to accept a complete conjugal clothes until the bells day. It was to abide abridged until she absolved bottomward the abbey aisle. Presumably a final stitch was fabricated about on the dress at the access of the church. The benedict would delay at the advanced of the abbey and present the helpmate with a boutonniere of flowers and herbs, to area off the angry spirits.

At added times the benedict would aces the helpmate up and airing her to the church. In this case a log and a saw would be placed in their aisle and they had to saw it into two pieces to appearance their union. If the helpmate absolved to the church, afterwards the groom, the bounded bodies generally put things in her aisle such as a broom, beggar, arrant baby. How she handled these items showed if she would be a acceptable wife, mother, would be kind, etc.

In the commemoration the benedict stood to the appropriate of the bride, appropriately absolution his brand hand, aloof in case addition approved to abduct his bride. Ten assemblage were appropriate to accomplish the commemoration official; appropriately the charge for a ample conjugal party. They were dressed like the helpmate and benedict to abash the anxious spirits. The helpmate agitated (and still does in best weddings) a cottony or glassy purse for guests to drop their money ability in as a way to advice with the expenses. Another way money was aloft was by the best man acid the groom's tie into pieces and affairs them to guests at the wedding.

Following the commemoration the helpmate and benedict were pelted with almonds (in cobweb bags), three for accouchement and bristles to seven to advance fertility. In age-old times a loaf of aliment was burst over the bride's arch to represent fertility. At the end of the bells the helpmate and benedict bankrupt a boutonniere or bottle into pieces with the cardinal of shards apery how abounding years they would be married. Mothers-in-law sat at a table and kept a almanac of the claim of favors or money which bare to be witnessed (this is still done in some of today's ceremonies)

Most of the ceremonies started with accumulation in the aboriginal morning, followed by music and dancing throughout the night. Food was, and is, a ample allotment of the wedding. Thirteen or added courses were commonly served (a ample meal is still served at today's weddings); this represented the abutment of the brace and their families.

It's amazing how abounding bells traditions still abide alike admitting they may accept acquired somewhat to reflect today's society. Incorporating traditions based on ancestry is generally a acceptable way to account the old while adulatory the new.

Lemon and Fuchsia Colour Combo for Weddings

I have been so busy recently which is surprising for this time of year but also very exciting.

However today I had a lovely afternoon putting together more quotes and ideas for our 2010 weddings. Having quite a few citrus themed weddings for this year with hot pink, lemon, lime and mango I decided it was time to streamline this colour combo.

Today I was researching a lemon and fuchsia theme with, I think, striking results much more impact that too many colours, which of course we still love but combine these colours with black and the finished look is not only stunning but rather chic. This colour combination also looks very smart with navy, so if you are wondering what colour the bridesmaids or the boys should wear consider this for your scheme.

I do feel with 2010 weddings that brides working within budgets should reconsider the neglected chrysanthemums for their weddings, not only are they available all year, hardy, fabulously showy but also a great flower for tight budgets.

Place a few in a jug, create a ball of them for the top of a tall vase or place one in you hair and a statement has been made.

Such a huge range of colours too, but I can relate to the association with these flowers as for me they are reminiscent of my childhood in the 70's with my revolting yellow and brown chysanth curtains, famous from M&S, I think every person in their 40's will remember them! My sister had the pink and mauve bedroom set which was far nicer than mine!!

Let's hope the chrysanth will drop this image for 2010 and start to become the fashionable affordable flower particuarly as the vintage look rolls forward from the 40's to the 70's.

Sharing the Love

It has been a very fun and eventful week here at Amorology! Just wanted to share some of the highlights with you that made us smile :)

First, we had so much fun doing our orange grove photoshoot with our friend and photographer Jill Thomas. It was an absolute bonus to have the entire shoot featured on Style Me Pretty this week! We love SMP and it is always fun to see our work on such a mega bridal blog :) Don't forget about our free engagement shoot and styling giveaway! See details of how to enter here.

Heather was also interviewed by Envelopments this week. Be sure to check out their blog to hear her thoughts on our carnival wedding, as well as some fun wedding tips! Thanks to the folks over there for such sweet words about Amorology :)

And last, but certainly not least, Kaite and Jordan's Hampton's-inspired wedding is featured on Ruffled! They were so sweet to include all of the details of our Beside the Seaside theme, from messages in a bottle, to a real rowboat photobooth!

Like I said, we have really been fortunate to work with such great people who all contribute to making these weddings come to life. A special thanks to Style Me Pretty, Envelopments and Ruffled for featuring our work. We know there are oodles and oodles of gorgeous, fun and creative weddings to choose from out there, and it means the world to us to be a part of your blogs :)

Valentine's Inspirations

As we approach our new wedding shop launch party on the 10th February, our theme is obviously hearts, all carefully planned!

I love this board from Cornerstone events, so pretty and romantic with lots of hearts of course :) I have some lovely hearts in the shop of which have already sold out but desperately hanging onto them ready for our party decorations!

Fabulous books and notecards

I am very lucky with such a talented family (me not included in this statement!) that my sister that works for Ryland Peters and Small publishers.

They produce such fabulous books, inspirational and hugely stylish. I love them and cannot get enough of their notecards, wedding books, interior styling books and the hugely new popular Hummingbird Bakery Cupcake range.

Cupcake notecards in a tin
We will be stocking selected items in our shop from the delightful notecards, William Yeoward and Jane Packer cards, wedding note cards, and some wonderful wedding styling books, many of which have been bibles to my clients over the past year! Plus I think before I place the order we will certainly be including some of the delicious cupcake accessories.

Wedding notecards

William Yeoward place name tags

I have just visited their blog to see the latest and found this wonderful new book, Perfect English, a brief introduction!

Weddings at Sea

A wedding, whether it is your first or fifth, can be the best, and the most stressful, experience of your life. Except, of course, if you choose to tie the knot at sea. When getting married on a cruise ship, you'll have a host of professionals trained to accommodate your every need during your cruise wedding. From cakes to tuxedos, accommodations to the reception hall, you won't have to go off-board for anything. Unless of course you choose to have your reception on shore. In which case, the amenities come to you.

Imagine saying your vows on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, on a hillside vineyard in Italy, or on the snowy-white glaciers of Alaska. The possibilities are endless.

There are a few stipulations when getting married on a cruise ship. First, the captain generally does not marry the couple (except with Princess Cruises). A wedding officiant will be provided by the cruise line for that purpose. Second, cruise weddings take place while in port, not while at sea. You can choose to get married on board when in port or at a selected location on shore. Finally, the bride and groom must be sailing on the cruise in order to get married on it. Your guests can, however, board the ship for the wedding without sailing on the cruise.

Many cruise lines provide cruise wedding packages and coordinators to make sure that your day is special and runs smoothly. Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International, all provide wedding packages for couples sailing on their ships. Crystal Cruises and Cunard Line do not allow weddings on their ships. The cost of tying the knot at sea ranges from $900 to $2,400 and generally includes transportation to and from the port, wedding facilities, wedding officiant, wedding coordinator, ceremony music, flowers for the bride and groom, cake, champagne, photographer, wedding album, and dinner. Many will also arrange spa and hair appointments, as well as tuxedo rentals. Of course, each line has their own packages. Read below for information on the most popular cruise lines and their wedding options.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices provided on this page are general indicators of wedding package costs. They are provided to give a general indication of costs for couples in the early stages of planning their weddings. Stated prices are not guaranteed and do not include taxes.

Carnival Cruises
For those looking to celebrate a special occasion, Carnival offers a variety of packages designed to suit every need. Wedding ceremonies are performed by a wedding officiant before the ship sets sail and Carnival provides a photographer who takes pictures both during the ceremony and the reception. These photos are available for purchase during the cruise.

The basic cruise wedding package is for eight guests (including bride and groom) and includes the ceremony, bridal bouquet, groom's boutonniere, bottle of sparkling wine, wedding cake, wedding music, and photography service. This package is priced starting at $750, prices vary depending on the port. The other wedding packages offered by Carnival add to the basic package with a combination of wedding luncheon, open bar, champagne, and the accommodation of up to 20 guests. These packages range in price from $1,050 to $1,450. Guests may wish to add a videographer, tuxedo rental, additional food and beverage service, or live entertainment.

Holland America Line
Holland America Line offers a variety of packages for those celebrating weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Weddings
Holland America's wedding package is called Anchors Away. It includes the ceremony setup, personal wedding coordinator, personalized wedding ceremony, bridal bouquet, groom's boutonniere, wedding cake, champagne, and a cruise album. This package starts at $1,295 USD.

Renewal of Vows
Holland America Line's renewal of vows package is priced at $99USD and includes flowers in your stateroom, renewal ceremony with hors d'oeuvres and beverages, as well as a photograph and photo album.

Special Occasion
The basic celebration package includes flowers in your stateroom, champagne, a special dessert in the dining room, framed photograph, and special recognition. This package is $79USD. You can add to this package with amenities like a dozen roses, a pair of terrycloth bathrobes, a special chocolate pillow gift, couple's massage, and a guaranteed table for two in the dining room. The price for the more elaborate package is $410 USD.

If your special occasion is of a romantic nature, Holland America has a romantic package that provides you with flowers, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a framed photograph, $25 in casino chips, and an aromatherapy massage. This package is priced at $169 USD.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Lines gives passengers a variety of options when planning a wedding on one of their ships. Wedding packages range in price from $1200 USD to $2,399 USD and can accommodate anywhere from eight to twenty five guests.

Wedding Package
Norwegian's basic package will accommodate a maximum of eight guests (including the bride and groom) and includes the wedding officiant, wedding music, keepsake marriage certificate, ceremony location, wedding cake, champagne, and a photograph package. The photograph package provides the bride and groom with twelve portraits, a mini-album, and two 8" by 10" selected portraits. You can add to this package with such amenities as additional guests, a one-hour, open bar reception with hors d'oeuvres, additional champagne, additional photographs, a two-hour sit-down lunch with wine, and live music.

Anniversary and Honeymoon Package
Whether you're looking for a deluxe package with all the fixings or a small combination of some simple luxuries, Norwegian Cruise Line can accommodate your needs. With prices ranging from $79 to $329, the basic package includes champagne and strawberries, canapes in your stateroom, photograph, and romantic dinner for two in the bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine. The most deluxe offer gives couples champagne and strawberries, spa wrap, massage, breakfast-in-bed, a formal portrait, and a romantic dinner for two in the bistro with a bottle of wine.

Princess Cruises

Weddings
Princess Cruises offers customizable cruise wedding packages that include everything from bouquets and wedding cake to portraits and tuxedo rental. You and your Cruise Consultant can work together to create the package that suits all of your wedding needs. One special bonus with Princess is that your wedding ceremony will be conducted by the captain of your ship.

Renewal of Vows
The basic package costs $205 and includes the ceremony, bouquet, boutonniere of orchids, commemorative certificate, a bottle of champagne with engraved champagne glasses in your stateroom, and a framed portrait of the ceremony. For an additional cost, the package can be upgraded to include champagne and breakfast-in-bed, two Princess terrycloth robes, a thirty-minute massage or facial per person, and a visit to the bridge while the ship is in port.

Special Occasion
Celebrating a birthday, promotion, or graduation? Do it in style on a Princess ship. Princess Cruises offers a variety of packages for people celebrating something special. The most basic package includes a bottle of champagne, framed formal portrait, hors d'oeuvres delivered to your stateroom, and breakfast-in-bed with champagne. All for $135 per couple. Passengers can add to that package with amenities like Princess terrycloth robes, spa visit, a visit to the bridge, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Prices range from $135 to $430 per couple, depending on the package.

Royal Caribbean International - Weddings
Royal Caribbean offers seven wedding packages ranging in price from $1,095 to $1,595.

Duet, the simplest onboard package, includes the wedding coordinator, wedding ceremony, wedding officiant, ceremony music, bride's bouquet of roses, groom's boutonniere of roses, wedding cake for four, photographer, one wedding photo, wedding certificate keepsake, and champagne. Additions that are made for other packages include more wedding photos, larger bridal bouquet, champagne and breakfast-in-bed for two, round-trip transportation to the port in a chauffeured limousine, and chocolate-covered strawberries in the couple's stateroom.

These packages can be enhanced to include live music, videography, beauty appointments, tuxedo rentals, wedding invitations/announcements, wedding reception, and marriage license processing. Ask your Cruise Consultant about the cost of these additions.

Shore Weddings
For weddings on shore, Royal Caribbean includes many of the same amenities found in the Duet package, but adds indigenous wedding flowers, escorted transportation to and from the territorial court and ceremony site, local wedding cake, and secured, marriage license documents.

Renewal of Vows
If you would like to renew your vows on a cruise ship, you can do so for $400. Your vows can be renewed in the wedding chapel (if there is one) or in a designated spot on board. This cost includes the ceremony, ceremony music, bouquet for the bride, boutonniere for the groom, keepsake certificate, wedding cake for four, photograph, and champagne.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices provided on this page are general indicators of wedding package costs. They are provided to give a general indication of costs for couples in the early stages of planning their weddings. Stated prices are not guaranteed and do not include taxes.