Spring has been celebrated all over the world, in all types of religions – as far back as you can imagine. When the sun starts shining, the ground under our feet heats up, and the new tender greenery pokes through – it’s hard NOT to get all warm and fuzzy. If that’s not enough to cheer you up, you also have really cute little baby animals like chicks and lambs.

Here are some ideas for how to celebrate your wedding the old-fashioned way (and by old-fashioned, I mean pre-medieval!)

Handfasting

Handfasting is a wedding rite that originates from a pagan ritual, but is being used in weddings based in all sorts of faiths and by people of all different lifestyles. Handfasting is a great way to bond a blended family together, because all members of the new family forged by the wedding can participate. Check out handfasting.info for more information, as well as examples of wording for ceremonies that include handfasting.

Symbols

Oak Leaves

Oak leaves are a symbol for longevity – so the entwined oak leaves that hold two mouth-blown (and therefore completely unique) glass horns are the perfect way for the bride and groom to share a toast (mayhemltd.com). The oak tree was particularly important to the Celts,who felt that all trees were sacred.

Horns

The drinking chalices above are also horn-shaped. The horns are also an important symbol – the most famous Celtic animal symbol is the horned (antlered) stag. The stag is a symbol for sexuality and fertility.

Celtic Design

Celtic knots date back to almost 500 AD: there is the lover’s knot, the triple knot (Triquetra), and the Triscele.There are many ways to incorporate the Celtic scrollwork or Celtic knots into your wedding, including your wedding band.

Clothing

There are beautiful dresses available now that this type of wedding has become more popular. Rivendelbridal.com has a large selection, here is one example of a dress perfect for a pagan princess, or elven queen: it is called the Celtic Star.

Trees

Trees were sacred to the Celts so an outdoor wedding would be very appropriate if you are going to be influenced by this theme.

Here is a video full of imagery that might inspire you to arrange your own mystical wedding.

Language

This bronze pendant spells GRA, ‘love’, in the Celtric tree alphabet called Ogham. This pendant from celteshop.com would be an interesting and thoughtul gift for members of the wedding party.

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Black is the new White?

Black doesn’t have to be dark (see our earlier article about darker-themed weddings if that’s what you are looking for.). In the old days, black might have been a big “don’t” on the day you say “I do” but now it’s okay. More than okay, actually – black details on the big day can be brilliant. And, even better, when you incorporate the unusual into your wedding day, you often don’t have to buy it at a wedding store -making things much cheaper.

Here is an elegant cake from sedonaweddingcakes.com. The stylistic wedding cake topper is very classy and the black sugar roses are a nice touch. This cake would coordinate well with tables decorated with crisp white linens and black cloth napkins with white polka dots. This is another way to save money – some venues include white linens in their rental fee. If not, party rental companies usually charge less for white linens than for the colored specialty linens. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can sew the cloth napkins your self. Don’t forget to launder them and iron them before the big day – a perfect job to delegate to a helpful friend, auntie, or even grandmother.

Wear something a bit racy under that demure white dress, like this black garter available from bachelorettesuperstore.com.

Your engagement ring or wedding ring could tie in to the color scheme as well, like this ring featuring black and white diamonds.

Or, wear some dark shoes and gloves with your dress for contrast! You could also add these accessories for the reception, particularly if you are having the event in the evening.

For example, here is a beautiful Alfred Angelo dress that would be perfect for a church wedding.

And here are some items to glam it up afterwards!

Black Shoes

Long Black Gloves

Like these ones from buycostumes.com.

A fascinating fascinator from folksy.com.

All of the ideas in this article would work for any color – imagine red as an accent instead of black. A little black purse would work, too (a bride needs somewhere to stash her lipstick too). A beaded drawstring purse would look great with the accessories above, perhaps a vintage purse – a great gift idea for the maid of honor to give to her best friend!

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Dream Girl Update

Here is an update on Jennifer Hudson. Note that this is also a great example of a real-life scenario for last week’s article  “Should Men Wear Engagement Rings?”

Dream Life Turns to Nightmare

Last September we featured Jennifer Hudson’s engagement in the article ‘Dreamgirls Jennifer Hudson is on her way to her dream wedding’. Tragically, the next month, she lost her mother, brother, and nephew – murdered.

December 2008

William Balfour “estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia Hudson, and the stepfather of one of the victims, 7-year-old Julian King” is charged for the crimes: three counts of murder and one count of home invasion (cnn.com).

January 2009

Jennifer Hudson makes her first stage appearance after the tragedy when she sings the The Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl (starsjournal.com).

Jennifer Hudson looking wonderful in white

February

Monstersandcritics.com reports that a source has told them that Jennifer Hudson is going to marry her fiance David Otunga “real soon”. There are rumors that they might get married on Valentine’s Day.

Jennifer Hudson wins a grammy for best R&B album and also performs at the event. She also wins the Outstanding New Artist, Best Album, and Best Collaboration awards at the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards (cbc.ca).

March

Still apparently unmarried – Jennifer Hudson talks wedding plans with Access Hollywood. She tells them she wants her 3 dogs (names Oscar, Grammy, and Dreamgirl) to be in the wedding and that she is going to design her own wedding dress. She confirms that a secret wedding date has been set during an interview with Ryan Seacrest (tvwatch.people.com).

April

Hudson reciprocates and proposes to Otunga on his birthday (he originally proposed to her on her 27th birthday). She gives him a 5 carat platinum and diamond engagement ring (People.com).

Here are some examples of platinum and diamond wedding rings that would also work as engagement rings if you’re going to propose to your man!

May

Family and friends throw Hudson a baby shower in Chicago, confirming rumors that the engaged couple are expecting a baby (chicagotribune.com). The baby’s due date has not been confirmed. It makes sense that the wedding might be postponed until after the baby is born…

July

Jennifer Hudson performs at the Michael Jackson memorial service, she can’t hide her pregnancy anymore at this point but has never publicly confirmed it either.

August

Jennifer Hudson gives birth to a 7 lb 14 oz baby boy, named David Otunga Junior after her fiance (binsidetv.net). His birth day indicates that she was approximately 8 weeks pregnant in February (the discovery of this good news may be what delayed the couple’s wedding?!).

September

It’s now September and I predict a Fall or Winter wedding, once the new mama is settled in with baby and ready to wear her wedding dress again! Let me know if you hear anything!

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We all have some part of us we don’t like, and I don’t think any woman feels more compelled to diet, than the crazy lengths she might go to in the days leading up to her wedding day.

Just remember what you looked like when he slipped that engagement ring on your finger – he loved you the way you were then, so you shouldn’t have to make any drastic changes now!

While it’s always the right time to make healthier lifestyle choices, it is NEVER appropriate to diet dangerously. You don’t want to make yourself sick – you want to look happy and HEALTHY on your wedding day!

Prepare yourself for a long, peaceful married life by getting good at focussing on the positive.

What is your best feature?

Your goal should be to highlight the best things about yourself and draw attention away from your least favorite…

When the Hourglass Is Half Full…

If you are blessed with the curvy part of the bottom half of an hourglass but you’re missing the top, then a full skirt may be your best bet. Select a skirt that falls loosely around your waist – a princess dress with a fitted or strapless top will accentuate your slimmer shoulders, torso, and waist.

This “Shania” southern belle style gown by Bridalonlinestore.com is a great example of simple on top and busy on the bottom – just what you want if your real better half is from the waist up!

bridalonlinestore.com

Here is another great option for this style – the detail along the neckline attracts attention and the a-line cut of the skirt skims the hips and flatters… this one is from lightinthebox.com and available for less than $150.00. Check out the back of the dress too – very pretty!

When the Hourglass is Half Empty

If you have very wide shoulders, you might consider a one-shoulder dress, which will help to balance you out.

Freedom to Bare Arms

Here are some ideas to wrap your arms around when your less favorite body part is your arms. Consider a longer elbow-length veil that will flow around your arms. Other options are a bolero jacket or a wrap, but I don’t favor wearing these during the actual ceremony. For full-time coverage, consider some sleeves. 3/4 length or even cap sleeves might do the trick, depending on your area of concnern.

The dress below by Zaftique is called “Celestial Diva” and costs up to $142.00 – wonderful!

www.zaftique.com

Prints Charming

An all-over print can camouflage curves.

Get a Leg Up

If you don’t want to show off your legs, consider a floor-sweeping gown. Another option: sex up your shoes and ankles and cover the rest!

This dress is by one of my favorite wedding gown designers, Alfred Angelo – reasonably-priced and really elegant at the same time – you can buy the dress below at houseofbrides.com.

houseofbrides.com

Short on Ideas?

If you also don’t like lack of height, consider these ways to lengthen your look: wear an up-do (avoid hair past your shoulders) and wear high heels (stating the obvious, but just in case!).

Waist Not Want Not

You can draw attention away from a full waist by raising, lowering, or eliminating the waistline.

This chiffon halter style gown also has eye catching neck detail at onlygowns.com.

onlygowns.com

The gown with sleeves pictured earlier is also a great example of this type of style.

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Who Says It Isn’t Easy Being Green?

Here are some wedding options that are both beautiful and eco-friendly (and often, economical, too!)

A Dress That Won’t Cost the Earth

Your dress doesn’t have to be made out of recycled tin cans to earn it’s green status. Look for dresses made from natural fibers, like the gowns from Tennessee company ‘Threadhead Creations’. Their dresses are made by hand from hemp, organic cotton, peace silk, and bamboo.

Go green with your gown: wear a hand-me-down!

Reconsider wearing that ugly dress of great grandma’s if your family will allow you to alter it’s design. Re-using fabric to create a new gown is a wonderful way to be eco-conscious. There are experts who specialize in restyling heirloom gowns, like the Illinois-based Treasures by Tina. The gown featured below was originally a high-necked, long-sleeved wedding dress from the 1960′s.

treasures-by-tina.com

What Kind of Metal is Your Love Made Of?

Did you know that “mining is a very “dirty” business and the production of one beautiful gold ring will generate five tons of environmental waste, contaminating water and lands which endangers the health and lives of humans and animals” (danforthdiamond.com).

Think Refined, Not Mined

Eco-conscious jewelers offer engagement and wedding rings that are made from 100% recycled precious metals, like the 14K white gold set below.

Warning: make sure the company can provide a certificate of authenticity!

Do the Earth a Favor

Don’t send your guests home with another useless knickknack… provide guest favors that are good for everyone! Here are some heart-shaped bird seed favors: a favorite for any feathered wedding crashers at  your garden/outdoor wedding! Or, guests can take them home and hang them outside their windows. These favors, from blissweddingsmarket.com, can be personalized with your name and a ribbon that compliments your wedding colors… If you buy at least 35 favors they are only $2.99 each – so they are nice to your wallet as well as the earth!

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This week My Big Fat Engagement salutes the mama belly with a collection of fashions and information for the Bride to Be who is also a Mom to Be!

Attention Grabbers

Accentuate your best features if you don’t want your belly to be focus of attention (yes you’re a proud mama-to-be, but this day everyone should be looking at YOU!).

• Still got great legs? Wear a short dress!

• Balance out your bump with a train.

• Draw attention to your lovely shoulders by wearing a strapless dress.

• Accessorize! Wear glittery shoes, a romantic wrap, or a long wispy veil.

• Jewelry is always a great focus point.

You Can Still Have Your Dream Dress

Maternity bridal gowns come in so many different styles now that you can still get the dress of your dreams. If you can’t find the perfect dress, some designers will alter a non-maternity gown to suit you.

This Tiffany Rose dress, available at expectantbride.com, is described as offering “fabulous drape as well as a slimming fit, perfect for all stages of pregnancy”.

expectantbride.com

Thinking of Your Baby’s Future

At maternitybride.com, you can buy an earth friendly maternity wedding dress. According to their website, their “eco-friendly silks are hypoallergenic, vegan friendly, sustainable, dyed or processed with low impact dyes or all natural lightening processes”and they also plant a tree for every dress purchase.

maternitybride.com

More Fabric Doesn’t Mean You Skimp on Style

The “Audrey Dress” at Isabella Oliver is so romantic. This dress would be perfect for almost any wedding – a glamorous evening or an English garden…

isabellaoliver.com

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You can have a glamorous wedding inspired by Oscar night. This year’s awards ceremony was an elegant, glamorous gala. Why not use a night put together by the best in Hollywood do inspire your big event?

Roll Out the Red Carpet

Walk down the red carpet to meet your man!

Let the Big Band Play

Hire a big band orchestra to play at your wedding. Often these groups will also perform in smaller settings with less members, but ask them to bring their set-up…

Vamp up the Bride

Here’s your chance to take your wedding dress up a notch – think strapless, shiny, and perhaps even some leg! Glitz it up with some long sleeve gloves and dramatic makeup.

Color Me Classy

Make your wedding colors suit the style: dark red, gold, creme…

It’s All in the Details

Name a fancy cocktail after you and your man and make it the signature drink for your event. Rent some extra props to give the room a Hollywood look: palm trees or art deco style screens, for example. Also, you will want the food to match: think fancy canapes served by staff, tropical fruit, and seafood.

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Whether you are looking for a dress appropriate for your themed wedding or you just want something different – here are some great resources for you.

Retro, Pin Up Style Dresses

Fans of styles from the 40′s and 50′s will love the dresses at Whirlingturban.com. This company was created by a former Hollywood costume designer, Katherine Robinson, and the dresses are just beautiful! Perfect for a Hollywood Glamour, Rock and Roll, Tropical Destination, or Las Vegas wedding.

Hawaiian Wedding

Medieval Wed

Gothicweddingdresses.webs.com promotes itself as the largest and best alternative wedding dress online shop. It does have a wide selection of vintage-style, medieval, gothic, and ‘dark princess’ dresses. Very nice.

Make It Yourself

This dress was featured at offbeatbrides.com – this site is an extremely helpful site if you don’t want a princessy super squishy wedding.

offbeatbride.com

Accessorize

You can still stand out in a traditional long white dress if you focus on unique hair, jewelry, shoes, gloves, or wraps. I recently attended a wedding where the bride wore a strapless full length white dress. Her blonde hair was done up in pin curls with hot pink highlights. Matching hot pink stilettos occasionally poked out from her dress.

Winter Wedding

Jewelry

Happy Feet

Betsy Johnson

Hair

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