Indian Wedding Hairstyles

For every bride, the perfect hairstyle is a must on the wedding day. From a basic updo to long and flowing locks, the right hairstyle is a gorgeous compliment to the dream dress. The Indian bride typically has long hair; it is customary for Indian brides with short hair to get extensions for the wedding. Consequently, most of the Indian wedding hairstyles listed below are for long hair.

Traditional Bun
A very common hairstyle for an Indian bride is a traditional bun. The hair is gathered together tightly and twisted to form a large bun. Hair adornments such as flowers, jewels and beads are added to the bun to make the style more elaborate.

Traditional Updo with a Twist
For this updo, sections of the hair are curled and pinned up. All of the curls take on the shape of a bun when they have all been pinned. Hair accessories can easily be added to this style, which can work well with medium-length hair.

Side Bun
A twist on the typical Indian bun is a bun moved to one side of the head. Although this look is not for every bride, it can be a lovely style for many. A side bun is perfect for a bride with well-defined cheek bones and prominent eyes. The hair is dried thoroughly, and then pulled into a low, puffy bun. Again, hair adornments are very common for Indian brides.

Traditional South Indian Braid
Long hair is parted at the center, and then pulled back from the face. The hair is braided with flowers twisting around the braid. Gold jewels are usually used to adorn the center part; these jewels often hang down onto the forehead with beautiful beadwork and other embellishments.

Twist Updo
The hair is pulled back tightly at the neck and twisted upward. The twist is pinned in place. The hair that protrudes from the twist at the top is curled and pinned. The twist can be adorned with flowers, jewels or decorative hair pins. Small sections of hair above the ears can be pulled down and curled into flowing ringlets that frame the face.

Ringlets
Another common Indian wedding hairstyle is allowing the medium to long hair to remain down. Divide the hair into many small sections and curl them into tight ringlets. Leave the hair in the curls, using hair products to ensure their position. For this style, the curls are not combed through, but instead left as spirals. Flowers and other accessories are common in this style as well.

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Get Married in Baptist Church

Getting married in the Baptist Church is a serious undertaking and requires much spiritual preparation. A Baptist wedding is an act of worship in which a couple seeks God's blessing of their union before a community of faith.

Accept Jesus Christ into your life if you haven't already. You can only get married in the Baptist Church if you are a baptized believer. Both members of an engaged couple must be baptized Christians in order to marry in the Baptist Church.

Understand the variation among Baptist congregations. Although there are core beliefs common to every Baptist congregation, individual churches vary greatly on some issues such as the ordination of women and the inclusion of non-members in communion.

Find a Baptist Church that fits your needs. If you already belong to a Baptist Church, you have a head start. If not, make appointments to speak with the head pastors of several churches to determine which will work best for you.

Make life changes required by the Baptist Church before getting married. Many Baptist congregations will not marry couples who are living together or are engaging in premarital sex. Your pastor may ask you to enter an engagement covenant which involves abstaining from such behavior until marriage.

Attend marriage seminars affiliated with your congregation. You will have to take premarital classes, the frequency, intensity and cost of which vary greatly. You may also have to attend private counseling sessions with your pastor prior to your wedding.

Take a questionnaire, most commonly called the Pre-Marriage Inventory. This learning tool will allow your pastor to pinpoint potential problem areas in your relationship to discuss in private sessions. There is often a fee affiliated with the questionnaire.

Discuss any questions or concerns about getting married in the Baptist Church with your pastor before making formal arrangements.

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Get Married in Episcopal Church

Marriage is one of seven sacramental rites performed in the Episcopal Church. It is therefore crucial that a couple wishing to get married in the Church understand the significance of the sacrament and the level of commitment to God and the Episcopal Church necessary to proceed with an Episcopal wedding.

Become a baptized Christian if you are not already. It is required that one member of the engaged couple be a baptized Christian since Episcopal marriage is a Christian sacrament that represents the union of Christ and the Church.

Join an Episcopal Church if you don't already belong to one. Many congregations require membership and church participation of one member of the couple as a precondition for marriage. If you are not interested in joining a church, call local congregations to discuss membership requirements.

Call your church of choice and make an appointment with the parish priest for an interview. Be prepared to discuss your church history, especially baptism, your intended date of marriage and prior marriages, if applicable.

Provide proof of baptism and dissolution of any previous marriages to the parish priest. You must be separated or divorced for one year before getting married in the Episcopal Church.

Confirm your preferred wedding date with your priest. If you have a previous marriage, you may have to wait five months to get married in the Episcopal church, as your marriage requires special permission from a bishop. You may not get married in the Episcopal Church during the season of Lent.

Make appointments for premarital counseling sessions with your parish priest. You will have to attend at least three private, one hour sessions. Your priest may refer you to other professional counseling services depending on his assessment of your preparedness for marriage.

Plan the wedding ceremony with the parish priest. You will have a limited number of scripture readings, prayers, and vow formats to choose from. You will also need to decide whether you want to incorporate the sacrament of communion into your marriage ceremony.

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How to Hold a Ring Ceremony

Mormons are married during a traditional sealing ceremony, where the priesthood holder seals the couple together for all eternity. Non-members are not allowed to witness the marriage and often wait outside in the lobby to support the happy couple. Although the wedding is a joyous occasion, the exclusion of some family members and friends often causes heartache and turmoil. The Mormon ring ceremony is a modern solution that allows the Mormon couple to share their wedding day with all family members and friends, while keeping with religious guidelines.

Choose a location to hold the ring ceremony. According to Mormon doctrine, the ceremony must take place outside of the temple. Hold the ceremony in a large backyard garden for an intimate celebration with close family and friends or a country club for a larger gathering.

Send out the invitations. Invite non-Mormon family members and close friends to wait outside the sanctuary in the temple lobby during the sealing ceremony for support. Specify that the actual wedding will be held prior to the ring ceremony, but there will be a set program to celebrate the marriage and exchange the rings. Include a pamphlet about the sealing ceremony significance inside of the invitations. Combine the ring ceremony with the reception to cut down on costs.

Decide on the program. On average, the ring ceremony lasts between 10 to 20 minutes, and begins with an opening prayer. The rest of the schedule is up to you. Ask family members and friends to act as groomsmen and bridesmaids for support. Have the bishop discuss the sealing ceremony that has already occurred. Allow your father to read scripture about marriage, while another relative provides a musical addition. This also provides a platform to discuss the importance of the sealing ceremony and share your faith with non-Mormon guests. If you are combining the ceremony with the reception, decide on whether you want to open the reception with the exchanging of the rings or have a break between other reception events.

Exchange the rings. It is imperative to remember that the ring exchange cannot reflect the sealing ceremony in any way. The happy couple should exchange affections and reflections before exchanging rings. A prayer closes the ceremony. Spend time writing what you want to say to your spouse before the ceremony. Don't feel pressured by structure; this part of your wedding day can unfold however you and your spouse see fit.

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How to Plan Medieval Wedding

Traditional medieval and Renaissance elements can be incorporated into almost any wedding celebration. Plan a wedding that's historically accurate in every aspect, or simply include a few of the following suggestions for a more subtle period effect.

Choose period costumes for the bride, groom and wedding party. See "How to Dress for a Medieval or Renaissance Wedding" in the Related eHows for ideas and information.

Send wedding invitations printed in calligraphy-style fonts with elaborate borders. Use parchment paper, fold the invitations in thirds and close them with a wax seal. Enclose each invitation in a parchment envelope.

Find a church or hall that has a medieval or Gothic look. Look for cathedrals and historic chapels with dark wood adornment and stained glass. Look for wood and stone accents when choosing a hall.

Consider having the wedding at a Renaissance faire or medieval dinner theater. Both have special packages for theme weddings.

Decorate the hall or wedding site with heraldic banners hung from wooden dowels. These banners can display the bride's and groom's family crests or heraldic images found in heraldry books or on the Internet.

Buy or rent large wooden and wrought-iron candleholders to add atmosphere to the church or wedding site. Decorate the site with wheat or orange blossoms to symbolize fertility, and ivy and white flowers, such as lilies, to symbolize fidelity and love. These items can also be included in the bridal bouquet.

Exchange wedding vows outside the church door, as was done at medieval and Renaissance church weddings. The wedding party can then move into the church for the blessing of the union or a wedding mass.

Hire musicians who play medieval or Renaissance music. Harpists and madrigal groups can also add an elegant touch to your wedding. If musicians are not available, arrange for medieval or Renaissance CDs and tapes.

Exchange poesy rings along with the wedding vows. Poesy rings have short phrases such as "You and No Other" inscribed on the outside. They were used in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Have a small cake (pancake-sized) made for each guest. The guests stack the cakes as high as possible in front of the bride and groom, then the couple tries to share a kiss over the top of the stack for good luck.

Work with the caterer to provide foods that would have been served at a medieval banquet. Roasted meats, along with meat, cheese and vegetable-filled pastries, were commonly served. Look in medieval and Renaissance cookbooks for ideas.

Incorporate the bouquet and garter toss, and the throwing of rice, into a medieval or Renaissance wedding. The bouquet and garter were traditionally thrown to keep rowdy well-wishers from following the newlyweds on their wedding night. Bread crumbs, later rice, were thrown for good luck.

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Get Married at the Mohegan Sun

If you want your guests to have a whole weekend, and not just a wedding, and if you want your guests to experience the quaint brilliance of New England, then you must consider getting married at the Mohegan Sun resort and casino. We're talking great rooms, incredible shows, fine cuisine, a solarium, golf courses and top notch wedding services. Here's how to get married at the Mohegan Sun.

Check out the Mohegan Sun website for information on the entire hotel and casino (see Resources below). There you can familiarize yourself with their amenities and see if they make a nice template to surround your vision of your wedding.

Hit the "weddings" tab (first hit the "staying" tab on the top of the page, and the "plan an event" toward the lower left of the page) and browse their wonderful wedding amenities. Their wedding packages are quite reasonable all things considered (meaning it includes an open bar) and range from $100 a person on up to about $150 if adding a full compliment of extras. There is no chapel at the Mohegan Sun, so your wedding will take place in one of the fine banquet rooms.

Get in touch with the wedding professionals at the Mohegan Sun. It is their job to make the day you are married utterly memorable and they will be more than happy to do so. After selecting a date and time, they will direct you to local vendors in the areas of music, floral, attire and more. Those items will be contracted outside of the hotel, which is nice as it gives you greater flexibility to create the mosaic of your special day.

Secure a room block. If you have enough guests (quantities vary based upon day of the week and time of the year), you should get a room block for your hotel guests. They will save an average of 10 percent on the rooms. Because Mohegan Sun is on a reservation, there are no other hotels within a few miles. This keeps the prices of the rooms somewhat inflated in regards to others in the area. If your guests are more frugal minded (as rooms can run upwards of $400 on a prime Saturday night) have them check expedia or travelocity. There are plenty of bargains within 10 miles of the hotel. Traffic is generally light making the drive to the casino about 10 minutes.

Arrange travel to Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun is easily accessed off Interstate 395 in Connecticut. Also, both Bradley International Airport (located north of Hartford) and Providence airport (which is actually a touch closer) provide great options on flights. If the train is your thing, buses run from the New Haven train station frequently, directly to the casino.

Touch base with the wedding professionals at Mohegan Sun to finalize the plans of your day. Since so many weddings occur on the premises, it never hurts to double check things to make sure that your wishes are executed to the fullest. Also, taking the time to meet them in person will help familiarize both parties before your wedding.

Have fun and get married. It's your special day, relax and let the people you hired do their job. You've got enough to worry about. The professional staff at the Mohegan Sun will certainly make your day memorable.

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Plan Atheist Wedding

Atheist weddings, although devoid of religion, can still contain expressions of love and commitment between two people. Wedding vows, the exchange of rings and a kiss to seal the marriage are significant ways to express your love to each other in a nonreligious setting. When planning an atheist wedding, choose a suitable officiant, a nonreligious text and readings and exclude church settings.

Nonreligious Invitations
Forgoing religious context on your invitations doesn’t mean conveying a non-celebratory or chilly undertone; on the contrary, religious wording can be replaced with messages of love. Follow formal etiquette as a guideline and select words that complement your beliefs. Choose wording such as, “In celebration and love, Parents of the bride invite guests to share in the joy of the marriage of their daughter…” You can also include a statement that advises guests that the wedding will include a nontraditional, secular service, if you choose.

Choosing a Venue
Atheist weddings allow you the freedom to choose any type of venue for your ceremony. Many reception halls have the space to accommodate the ceremony; simply decide whether you prefer your ceremony in an outside garden or in a separate room from the reception. Or, the ceremony and reception can take place in the same room; however, ensure that the venue can accommodate another designated area for guests to move into while the main room is set for dinner. You may even choose to have your guests seated for dinner while the ceremony takes place. Other options include, having a small ceremony in a park or courthouse with a large reception to follow in a restaurant or conducting the ceremony and reception at the same restaurant.

Ceremony Without Religion
Without religious text, your ceremony may be shorter than those with religious ceremonies. Adding music, readings and poetry, allows you, your partner, guests and family to properly reflect on your commitment to each other. Atheist ceremonies require a suitable officiant such as a judge or nondenominational minister, either of whom should have experience executing nonreligious ceremonies. Check your local wedding services directory, bridal magazines and bridal shops for judges and nondenominational ministers. Don't disregard nondenominational ministers; many will officiate without the use of a religious text and will accommodate your wishes.

Tradition Without Religion
Most wedding rituals originate from old traditions rather than religion and may be observed by both religious and atheists couples. While the bridesmaids are there to support a stressed-out bride, the best man -- traditionally chosen by the groom as his most trusted friend -- is on-hand to help fend off resistance from the bride’s family. Your father may still give you away, which signifies that he accepts the union between the bride and groom. Flowers symbolize fertility, and tossing the bouquet passes on the bride's good luck to the recipient.

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Plan Buddhist Wedding

How to Plan a Buddhist Wedding. A Buddhist wedding ceremony is meant to provide a space where you as a couple promise to make an honest and sincere attempt to maintain a harmonious and spiritually-sound relationship. A Buddhist wedding ceremony is based upon spiritual faith and not centered on religion. It is an uncomplicated ceremony that involves only a few simple traditional rituals.

Visit a lama, or a Buddhist priest, who can help the groom determine whether your horoscopes are matched and compatible for marriage. After matching horoscopes the groom along with his family consults the lama for assistance in selecting a spiritually-sound day for proposing marriage to the bride.

Celebrate the coming wedding with Chessian, a traditional betrothal ceremony. In this ceremony, the maternal uncle of the bride sits on a platform while the lama gives a prayer and shares Madyan with the guests, a traditional religious drink. Following Chessian the lama is consulted once again to find an astrologically-sound date for the wedding day.

Decide where to hold the wedding. Traditionally, Buddhist wedding ceremonies are small events that include only close friends and family. It is most common to hold the ceremony in the bride's home; however more often ceremonies are being celebrated in temples to accommodate more guests.

Arrive at the temple or bride's home early on the day of the wedding in order to prepare a marital shrine honoring Lord Buddha. The groom will bring the bride's dowry, which will accompany the image of Buddha and will create the shrine's decoration. The dowry should include either six or nine (seven and eight are considered unlucky) trays holding incense, wine, fruit, tea, cake, meat and jewelry. One of the trays should hold two candles which each of you will light during the ceremony as a symbol of the union of your families.

Begin the ceremony by lighting the candles and incense placed in front of the shrine to Buddha and offering flowers. It is traditional that the ceremony begins with the hymns Vandana, Pancasila and Tisarana.

Recite the Buddhist wedding vows as inscribed in the Sigilovdda Sutta. The groom will say, "Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management and present gifts to please her." The bride will then say, "Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings and discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously."

Conclude the Buddhist wedding ceremony by reciting blessings for the newlyweds. The most common are the Magnal Sutta and the Jayamangala Gatha.

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Plan Wedding on Short Notice

Even though weddings traditionally take at least several months to plan, many couples find themselves in the position of planning a wedding on short notice. There are many ways to plan a fabulous wedding in very little time, including selecting a less traditional setting for your wedding day, as well as limiting the guest list.

Consider a non-traditional location for your wedding ceremony, such as a public park, beach, museum, art gallery or even your backyard.

Shop for a wedding gown at a discount bridal warehouse rather than a smaller boutique. You will still have a wide variety of dress styles to choose from without the long ordering period.

Trim the guest list. Finding a reception venue for a large number of people usually takes some advanced planning. Renting a smaller room, such as a conference room in a hotel or restaurant is usually easier for a wedding on short notice.

Make your own informal wedding invitations right on your home computer. This will save you a lot time over ordering them from a printing company.

Skip having a lot of wedding attendants. Select a maid-of-honor and best man to act as witnesses. This will help you avoid having to invest in matching bridesmaid dresses and tuxedo rentals, all of which require coordinating schedules for people to make it to fittings.

Serve non-alcoholic drinks at the reception. Not only does alcohol drive up the cost of your wedding, if you are catering in a hall or public area, you need to apply for a special license or permit as well as insurance, which can all be time consuming.

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Native American Wedding

Native American weddings are beautiful, rich in expressions of love and savored for the traditions they represent. With thousands of tribes that once existed, there are thousands of different Native American ceremonies that are on record and acknowledged. Although one's ancestry may be from a specific tribe, it's not uncommon for brides today to bring other tribes' traditions into the wedding. Honoring one's heritage is seen to include pride in the Native American history of this country as a whole as well.

Types
The Rite of the Seven Steps is considered one of the more traditional wedding ceremonies of the tribes. The bride and her groom walk seven steps around a fire, one that is considered sacred. They walk clockwise in a circular motion. A vow is said for each step that is taken. The groom goes first, steps forward and says his vow. His bride takes a step to join him and says her vow. They proceed like this around the fire. Upon its completion, the guests join them in a circle around the fire in a beautiful scene of unity.

History
A wedding vase was historically used in Native American ceremonies in the U.S.'s Southwest region. This vase was made by the groom's parents. Indian holy water is placed in the vase. The bride drinks from one end, and the groom from the other end of the vase. Drinking from this is supposed to unite them. Although there was a separate tradition that took place with the vase, it is observed as a part of the Native American wedding for many couples who want to include this beautiful bridal tradition into the wedding itself.

Function
A Native American wedding ceremony typically occurs in the evening. Instead of the white gown being its symbol of purity, water is used as the important symbol during this sort of traditional ceremony. The bride and groom both take part in this by washing their hands together. In doing so, they are washing off the past (and past loves). It's a cleansing physically and symbolically.

Considerations
Society and cultural approval was important for most newlyweds. it was not tolerated for someone to marry a person who had been previously married or who was any relation at all. For the Hopi tribe, a man wishing to marry must go to the woman's home to ask for her parents' permission. Once granted, he must go immediately to his home to inform his parents. After he does so, his hopeful bride appears at his home with a bread offering to her future mother-in-law. If it's accepted, the couple can commence their wedding plans with the blessings of all involved in the decision.

Warning
One should be respectful in every aspect of the Native American culture that is included in the wedding. This is a culture that has seen much turmoil in the history of this country, and the weddings that occur in the Native American tradition should be a celebration of the joy, courage and beauty of the culture. Anything that lacks research and sensitivity in including it in the ceremony should be avoided. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

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Elope Without Hurting Anyone

Deciding to tie the knot is a thrilling, life changing, personal decision that some choose to share solely with their partner. Weddings, as magical as they may be, are also extremely expensive and, often times, incredibly stressful. If you feel that having a big wedding would serve only to please others and is not something you or your partner wish to do, then eloping, in secret, may be the perfect solution for you. There is one problem though, mom may be a tad peeved. In many cases, it's not just mom who will feel left out; it's other family members and friends as well. How can you be true to yourself and elope, without hurting anyone's feelings?

Nobody knows means NOBODY knows. Eloping does require a certain amount of planning. You must find clergy, a place to wed and a witness. Check local requirements and make sure you get all the needed paperwork done ahead of time. Do not include anyone in this planning. This way, in the future, a family member can't say to you, "Why did Uncle Irving know before me?"

Be guilt-free: This is easier said then done, but you can do it. Remind yourself that this is your big day and this is how you choose to spend it. Your decision has nothing to do with the desire to exclude anyone, you just want a simple, romantic, private experience with your mate. Use this same dialogue when explaining it to your friends and family, after the fact.

Include friends and family soon after. Be overjoyed when you tell everyone. Happiness is contagious. They will feed off of your joy, if not immediately, then soon after. Tell family and close friends right after. If they press you, explain why you chose to elope and remind them that nobody knew about it.. As soon as you return from your elopement, share photos and video. The bottom line is, even if mom is disappointed at first, seeing you in love and happy will make it all OK in the end.

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Plan Single Ring Wedding Ceremony

Single-ring wedding ceremonies are making a comeback. Once the norm, they became the exception during the second half of the 20th century, when double-ring ceremonies came into vogue. When you decide to use just one wedding ring, given to the bride by the groom, you're following a tradition that's much older than the current one. With just a few minor changes, adjusting your wedding ceremony to incorporate your choice of a single ring rather than double rings should be fairly simple to accomplish .

Adjust ring vows to reflect the use of one ring. Because many ceremonies contain ring vows that are the same for the bride and the groom, you can easily use prewritten ring vows and have the groom say them as he slides the ring onto the bride's finger.

Use a traditional single-ring vow. The groom can say the words that were used before double-ring ceremonies became common, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Write your own ring vows. The groom can say whatever is in his heart as he gives a ring to his bride, and she can answer.

For example, the groom might say, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you and as a token of my commitment to you and to our marriage." And the bride might respond, "I accept this ring and will wear it as a symbol of my love for you, and as a token of my commitment to you and to our marriage."

Or you can choose to skip the ring vows. The officiant can instruct the groom to place the ring on the bride's finger as he's repeating the marriage vows. The groom and the bride traditionally repeat their marriage vows as prompted by the officiant. For example, "I, John, take you, Sarah, for my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live."

Have your officiant pronounce a blessing or speak about the ring's significance as the groom places the ring on the bride's finger. For example, the officiant might remark that the ring is a symbol of eternity, with no beginning and no end, and was chosen to reflect the unending nature of love.

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Become Legal Wedding Officiant

One of the benefits of being a legal wedding officiant is the opportunity to join friends and family in matrimony. And there are other advantages to taking this step. Legal wedding officiates can set their own rates to earn money for performing services which, depending on which type of officiate you become, can include not only weddings, but funerals, blessings and other belief-based ceremonies. Instead of going to a university or seminary to achieve this position, you can go online and become certified fairly quickly.

Decide what type of legal wedding officiant you want to become. Do you want to perform one
wedding for friends or family, or do you want to perform frequent weddings as a means to earn money? Do you want to perform religious ceremonies or simply complete the legal requirements of the ceremony? You can become ordained as a clergy-person, or seek a state-oriented designation.

Become ordained as a clergy-person online as an option. You pay through a website to have an ordination certificate mailed to you, such as from the Universal Life Church. For an additional fee, you can order additional materials, including a wallet ID card, prepared ceremony material and ceremonial certificates. Fees online can vary from $10 to hundreds of dollars, based on the organization, customization of your order, specialization of your certificate and what materials you order from the website.

 You can become a clergy-person online, without attending classes.
Obtain a temporary marriage designation. This option allows you to briefly gain the status of a non-religious legal wedding officiate. In many places, by state, you can obtain a one-day marriage designation by submitting paperwork and paying a fee. Generally, this designation allows you to perform only one wedding, and you may be limited to one designation per year.

Qualify to become a justice of the peace. This option allows you to gain the status of a nonreligious legal wedding officiate, if you wish to perform multiple weddings per year. However, this is a more complicated process than obtaining a one-day marriage designation. You are required to have references and may begin your position only during specific years. Additionally, some counties and states have a limit of how many justices of the peace may be allowed in a particular area.

Pay the necessary fees and submit the primary required paperwork to become an officiate. Then, check the state and county laws where you intend to perform weddings to see what, if any, additional paperwork you need to file. Also, make note of when, if ever, your licensing will expire.

You may also keep a record of when paperwork for individual marriage licenses should be filed and what material is needed to file them, in case couples seeking your assistance are less familiar with the process.

Check federal and state-specific income-tax laws relating to your situation, if you intend to perform multiple weddings per year for the purpose of supplementing your income.

Since tax-exempt status is generally only applicable to clergy-persons who have a congregation, your income earned in this manner likely falls under self-employment. You’ll need to keep careful records and receipts, detailing how much you’ve earned and the cost of related expenses (such as transportation to the ceremonies), in case of an audit.

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Great Commitment Ceremony Ideas

Commitment ceremonies serve as an expression of a couple’s love and devotion without being a legal marriage. For couples who are heterosexual or LGBT, or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, who cannot or choose not to marry, the ceremony is also an opportunity to invite friends and family to witness the occasion. Modern or traditional, spiritual or not, the commitment ceremony is a personal decision for each couple, and the ceremony options can be as varied as the couples that seek them.

Garden Ceremony
A garden location for a commitment ceremony can bring guests to an outdoor setting and be formal or casual. Most public gardens have services to assist in arranging any type of ceremony and may require at least six months' notice to reserve space. The couple also can utilize a friend's private garden depending on size of the guest list.

Museum or Historic Site
A museum or historic site like a home or local attraction can give the guests an opportunity to enjoy the ceremony and tour the venue. Most museums and historic sites have restrictions on the type of activities that can occur during a ceremony due to historical society rules, so inquire about the restrictions prior to making any final arrangements. Allow for a minimum of one year in advance to reserve space. You can find a list of historic sites at the National Park Services' website, and lists of local museums are available from your local chamber of commerce.

Special Location for Couple
Choosing a location that holds special meaning to the couple like an alma mater’s chapel or banquet hall or favorite restaurant could provide guests an opportunity to share an intimate and personal experience with the couple. Reserve these venues typically at least six months in advance. or for the most popular sites, a year or more advanced reservation is required.

Shared Hobby or Interest
Taking a shared hobby or interest of the couple and creating ceremony with this activity as its centerpiece is a creative way to express a commitment. If the hobby or interest requires the guest to participate or prepare for it, express those requirements as far in advance as possible. For example, if the ceremony involves sailing or a boat, some guests may need to seek medication for seasickness prior to coming to the ceremony.

Destination Ceremony
Many facilities in the United States and overseas offer all-inclusive packages for commitment ceremonies. These packages typically arrange for on-site coordinators, options for catering, location decor and assistance with lodging and discounts for guests attending the ceremony. Travel sites like Priceline.com or Hotwire.com offer assistance with booking all-inclusive packages or contact a local professional travel agency for assistance. Consider notifying potential guests at least 18 months in advance to ensure that you can meet appropriate arrangements and financial obligations associated with attending the ceremony.

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Indian Wedding Decoration Ideas

Traditional Indian weddings are typically grand affairs that last for days. The bride and groom are usually treated like royalty, and the decorations are elaborate. Many people plan wedding affairs to reflect their heritage and culture. Several specific items are required to decorate for a traditional Indian or Hindu wedding.

Significance
Traditional Indian weddings can be traced back to Vedic times, and the ceremony is based the values of happiness, harmony and growth. The ceremonies include many rituals, such as Jaimala (garland exchange), Madhupak (yogurt and honey offering), Kanyadan (giving away the bride), Havan (sacred fire lighting), Rajaham (sacred fire sacrifice), Gath Bandhan (tying the nuptial knot with scarves), Mangalphera (walk around fire), Saptapardi (seven steps), Jalastncha (couple blessing), Sindhoor (red powder), Menhdi (henna ceremony), and Mangalasutra (marriage necklace). Several decorating components are required to serve as the background for the rituals.

Mandap
The actual ceremonies at traditional Indian weddings take place in mandaps. A mandap is a four-pole canopy at the center of the wedding stage. The traditional decorations of the mandap include flowers, herbs, and red and gold colors. Many people place earthen pots (clay) and sliver plates around the mandap. The fire is lit in the center of the mandap, and the Saptapardi is done around it.

Shamiana
Shamianas are decorated tents used in wedding receptions and celebrations. They are usually made from gandhani print, ethnic mirrors and satin. They are also in mainly red and gold colors. The shamiana is decorated with flowers and often has burning incense throughout the tent. They usually have elaborate carpets or rugs, and are lighted with candles and Indian-inspired lanterns.

Flowers
Flowers have always been a part of Indian weddings, and blooms with exotic fragrances are often used. Many people decorate with yellow and orange marigolds to give a traditional ambiance to the ceremony. Some other commonly used flowers are roses, jasmine, gerbera, lilies and orchids. The mandap frame is decorated with garlands of flowers and herbs. Many brides use seasonal flowers, such as bright and earthy-colored ones in autumn and pastel shades in summer.

Bride and Groom
The bride and groom are decorated in traditional Indian wedding ceremonies as well. The bride typically wears a pink or red sari, an elaborate veil, and jewels given to her by friends and family. The groom traditionally wears a white silk suit or safa, a long flowing shirtdress and pants. Many bride and groom’s foreheads are painted in crown designs with sandalwood.

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East Indian Wedding Theme

Hindu wedding ceremonies are lavish celebrations, combining feasts with symbolic rituals and rites. Most marriages in India are arranged through the families or marriage brokers, with Indian families being most concerned about passing their values and traditions along to future generations. The festivities can often last for a week, and require at least a month of intensive preparation.

Al Buddo Bhaat: Last Meal of the Bride in Her Parents' Home
The night before the wedding, the bride and her family celebrate her last meal as a single woman in her parents’ home. The bride’s mother prepares a feast of her daughter’s favorite delicacies, which is shared with her entire extended family.

Gai Halood/Haldi Uptan: Anointing of the Bride and Groom
At dawn on the day of the wedding, the groom’s relatives anoint him with a special paste of scented oils mixed with turmeric. This is a lighthearted occasion featuring lots of teasing. This paste (called Haldi paste) is then sent to the bride’s house for her anointing ceremony. Before dawn she eats some natural yogurt, and she will fast until after the ceremony. When the groom’s Haldi paste reaches the bride's house a large conch shell is blown to announce its arrival. He sends other gifts (such as jewelry and fish) as well.

Shaka Paula: Adorning of the Bride
A priest arrives at the bride’s house and chants verses of Sanskrit while seven married women adorn the bride with bracelets made of coral and seashells and one bracelet made of intertwined iron and silver from the groom, symbolizing a strong and long-lasting marriage.

Boijotri: The Fetching of the Groom
The bride’s mother’s brother goes to the groom’s house to lead him, his family and friends to the wedding site. The groom is dressed in a long silk coat and possibly the traditional dhoti kurta - a long strip of cloth wrapped around the legs and knotted at the waist. The conch is blown again and the procession is on its way.

Potto Bastra: Welcoming the Groom
When the groom’s party arrives at the wedding site, honored members of the bride’s party welcome him with the offering of a straw bowl filled with a lamp, honey, yogurt and betel nuts. They also give him a shawl and a dhoti (long silk robe) to wear during the ceremony.

The Ceremony
The bride approaches the groom with her eyes lowered and walks around him seven times to welcome him. Her face is covered with a veil (made traditionally of betel leaves); he parts the leaves so that they may take their ceremonial “first look” at one another. They exchange flower garlands and he leads her to the marriage platform, where her parents place her hands in his to symbolize that they are “handing over” their daughter. Their hands are tied together and they take seven steps together around the holy fire burning on the platform, taking a vow with every step. She becomes a member of his family with the final step. He then brushes red vermilion powder (finely ground mercuric sulfide) onto the part of her hair, which establishes her status as a married woman.

The Send-Off
After the wedding feast the groom’s friends and family leave but he remains behind to be entertained (and teased) by the bride’s young relatives. Eventually his father comes to escort the couple to their new home. Once there, the bride steps onto a plate containing water mixed with vermilion and walks into the house alone, leaving her footprints on the floor. She is formally accepted by her husband’s relatives on the following day at a feast she has prepared for them. On the third day her female friends and relatives decorate her, as well as the couple’s bed, with flowers, and the newly married couple is permitted to consummate their marriage.

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Throw a Surprise Wedding

Skip the pomp and circumstance of a traditional wedding without having to resort to the courthouse. Invite guests over for a special event, whether it's a birthday party, engagement party or annual barbecue, and then, partway through the event, surprise them with your wedding ceremony. The key to pulling this off is maintaining complete secrecy from everyone involved with the exception of your spouse-to-be and any wedding vendors you hire.

Maintaining Secrecy
The most important -- yet the hardest -- part of planning a surprise wedding is keeping the secret. Tell as few people as possible. Naturally, your betrothed will know, and you might want to tell your parents to avoid hurt feelings down the road. Make sure your wedding vendors know that it's a surprise wedding so they don't blow the cover once the big day arrives. It's important to create a worthy cover event so guests don't skip it; potential events include milestone birthdays, an engagement party or a family anniversary -- as long as the celebrants don't mind being eclipsed.

Set the Atmosphere -- Generically
While you don't want to make it obvious that you're planning a wedding, you also don't want to eschew invitations and decor entirely. Send out invitations that specifically state the time that the event starts -- give it about a half-hour or one-hour lead time before you surprise them with the ceremony for stragglers. If someone questions why you sent out fancy invitations for a less-than-worthy event, such as a run-of-the-mill barbecue, just tell them that you wanted to make it a special affair. Discuss with your partner what you will do if an important guest declines your invitation; you might choose to reveal the surprise to them to ensure their attendance. To set up for the event, aim to set up a seating area that can serve as a ceremony site without being obvious, such as rows of picnic tables with an aisle between them. Decorate with in-season fresh flowers, making it festive without it being obvious that a wedding is about to occur.

Work With the Vendors
Even if you're not having a traditional wedding, it still takes time to pull together arrangements for the big day. Contact an officiant, caterer and photographer well in advance to check that they're available on the day of your surprise wedding, and make sure they know the circumstances. Ask them to dress in plain clothes when they arrive for the ceremony and reception so they don't give away the surprise. Consider hiring a day-of planner or asking a trusted friend to serve as the coordinator. She can make sure everyone is in place and ready to go when it's time for the big reveal.

The Big Reveal
As the bride and groom, you have three options for wedding day attire: Wear an outfit that's not exactly a wedding dress or suit but that you feel comfortable getting hitched in, changing into a dress and suit approximately 30 minutes into the event, or being fashionably late to your own party and showing up in full-on wedding attire. If your clothes don't make it clear as to what's about to happen, call for the guests' attention. Tell them how excited you are for their friendship and love, and that you're very excited that they're all going to attend your wedding -- right now!

Take the Pros With the Cons
The process of planning a wedding can be, depending on the bride's personality, either fun-filled or stress-ridden. There are definite perks to a surprise wedding for a nontraditional bride, but think about the whole picture before you commit. You won't enjoy any pre-wedding events, such as a bridal shower or bachelorette party, nor will you likely receive as many wedding gifts -- though you might find presents showing up at your door after the fact.

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Plan Handfasting Wedding Vows

Handfasting is believed to date back to the Celts. During the Middle Ages, there was often no priest or minister available to perform an official wedding in many of the small villages. Therefore, a couple would perform a temporary ceremony that would last a year and a day, which was enough time for an official to come to town for the legal ceremony. Handfasting ceremonies still take place today, whether as a pagan wedding ceremony or incorporated into other wedding traditions.

Incorporate a cleansing ritual to create a sacred space and invoke the four elements or directions. The directions are invited to witness and protect the couple as they make their way into the world as one.

Clasp right hands and have the priest or priestess lightly bind the hands of you and your love together while speaking to the the two of you, and to the witnesses, of the ceremony's meaning.

Speak words of love and commitment to each other. These words can be written by the couple or can be words from ancient Celtic books that have been used throughout the ages. Speak these words in front of friends and family. You may, however, choose to hold the ceremony privately, with no witnesses other than the priest or priestess.

Make no eternal promises. In the handfasting ceremony, there are no everlasting promises made to one another--only a commitment for a year and a day.

Conclude by jumping over a broom and sword while holding hands. The sword is symbolic of cutting ties with the old life, and the broom represents the sweeping away of the old life's remnants.

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What Is Commitment Ceremony

Commitment ceremonies are gaining popularity for couples who may not be able to, or choose not to, pursue a traditional legal marriage for various reasons. Like a wedding, a commitment ceremony is a platform for a couple to publicly profess their love and commitment to each other for the long term. A key factor in these ceremonies may just be what they lack: the use of the words, “marriage," "husband" or "wife.”

Who Is a Commitment Ceremony For?
A commitment ceremony is for a couple who want to be married but cannot, either for legal or financial reasons. Older, heterosexual couples can run into difficulties with pensions, insurance, taxes and bequests, while same-sex couples may live in states where it is illegal to marry. Other couples may simply choose not to have a legal wedding ceremony. In each situation, the couples desire to pledge their enduring love and faithfulness and receive the blessing of their families, friends and even their church.

Where Is the Ceremony Held?
Commitment ceremonies can be as simple or as extravagant as any wedding. Officiants will meet with a couple to plan a ceremony wherever they desire to hold their event, from a small county courthouse to a luxurious outdoor garden. Other possible venues include hotel ballrooms, community halls or private homes.

Is it Legal? Who Presides?
The commitment ceremony is meant to be an important, personally significant commemoration, but it is not legally binding. The resulting certificate marks the special occasion, but it cannot be used for identification. As such, the couple can use anyone they like to officiate at the ceremony. Experienced chaplains and celebrants can make a ceremony run smoothly. It is interesting to note that the National Institutes of Health website cites a study by K.E. Hull, showing that same-sex couples who participate in a commitment ceremony feel bound to each other, as in a marriage-like union.

What Happens in a Commitment Ceremony?
A commitment ceremony can be as particular as the couple making the commitment. Each participant makes promises, professing his or her love, and may exchange rings. The couple may choose to pray together, read scripture or poetry, or ask for congregation participation. Ultimately, the pair affirms each other and the promise to share life together.

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Indian Wedding Theme

Whether the couple is Hindu, Jain, Sikh or Muslim, Indian weddings tend to be vibrant, joyous celebrations. Many wedding customs are common among the religions and tend to reflect the beliefs of the region, caste and the families involved. These ceremonies focus heavily on the combining of two families, and less on the engaged couple. Indian weddings can last for days and are rooted deeply in culture and heritage.

Pre-wedding Rituals
Many Indian weddings are arranged, though love matches are possible. Once parents have made a match, the engagement is celebrated with a misri, or ring, ceremony. The couple exchanges rings and garlands and becomes promised to one another.

The bride will then have a shower attended by her female friends and family members. Mehndi or henna is painted on her hands and feet, and the color of the mehndi symbolizes the love of the new couple.

On the day of the wedding, the couple is separated and pasted with turmeric powder in their childhood homes as part of a sacred beautification process.

Apparel
Brides usually wear bright red saris draped over the body and hair, but white is also an option. The groom wears a long shirt and leggings. Depending on his faith, the groom may also wear a turban. The couple, as well as the guests, traditionally wears flip-flops or slip-on shoes. Footwear is not allowed under the mandap. and any shoes must be removed before entering.

The Ceremony
The wedding ceremony takes place outside under a tent, or mandap, that is decorated with flowers. Seating beneath the mandap is usually on the ground or on carpets. The four pillars holding up the mandap signify the four parents who helped to raise the new couple. A sacred, confined fire is lit under the tent while the groom's party processes in. Once the bride and her party arrive, hymns are recited by a priest and vows are exchanged. The newlyweds may also feed each other sweets and exchange garlands of fresh flowers.

The Reception
Since the reception is usually organized by the family of the groom, most of the attendants are friends and family of the groom. Close members of the bride's party may attend, but the reception is traditionally used as an opportunity for the bride to get acquainted with her new family. The celebration is filled with fine food, music and dancing.

Cuisine
The food served at Indian weddings can vary depending on the region. Indian feasts are always lavish and have multiple courses. The meal may start with a variety of finger foods, as well as both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Rice and roti, a type of bread, is almost always present on the table. Many of the popular main dishes include Mishti Doi, a sweet curd; Macher Kaalia, a fish dish; and Dal Makhani, a dish of boiled lentils. Depending on the preference of the families, alcohol may be served.

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