Do you ever dread the thought of giving best man speeches? Anyone who has ever had to give a speech in public will know the situation; your heart starts beating faster and faster, the butterflies in your stomach multiply enough to inhabit an entire rainforest and your mouth goes completely dry at the exact moment you least need it. Then you get to your feet and find your legs are like jelly.

In fact I used to be far worse than this when getting up before an audience; whenever I had to give guitar recitals at school when I was a kid, I could feel my knees trembling.

And this continued into adulthood; giving presentations at work, even in front of a few people was enough to keep me awake all night. And when I spoke, instead of demonstrating how well I knew what I was talking about, my voice quivered, sounded thin and weak.

These days I can get up in front of 100 people and - shock, horror - enjoy it in some kind of perverse way. I may still have some nerves beforehand, but once I get going and I have the audience on side, there is no stopping me. So, what is the difference? What did I do to make this transition?

It’s quite simple really:

1.-Make sure your really know what you are going to talk about. For a best man speech you’ll probably have selected a funny story or two to embarrass the groom, so make sure you know the stories inside out, including your punch lines.

2.-Memorize how you’ll start and how you’ll finish. I always find that any kind of presentation is easier once you’ve got the audience to laugh - after that you can relax a bit - so go straight for something that’ll make them laugh.

3.-Don’t take yourself too seriously. Self depreciation helps break down any barrier between you and the audience and so you can make yourself the butt of a joke too.

4.-Have your speech written out for you to reference while speaking. The usual advice is to make notes to remind you of your speech, but I always take the whole thing with me and refer to it when required. I don’t read from it - that is a mistake as it sounds stilted - but just remind myself of where I am and what comes next.

5.-Improvise. If you can think of anything funny while giving the speech and you feel like it, why not stray from your plans. This adds spontaneity and can help with your confidence too.

6.-Relax. Once the wedding ceremony is over you’ve done the difficult bit, providing you didn’t drop the ring. Everyone wants to enjoy themselves and so they’re on your side instinctively.

7.-If you start and find your voice is shaky then make a joke of it - the PA isn’t working or something similar and go for a laugh. Most people find it difficult to speak in public and so will empathize with you and you’ll probably find you relax once you’ve got that off your chest.

It’s that simple; that’s all there is to be able to give one of the most memorable best man speeches the wedding guests have ever heard.

If you enjoyed this article you might like to read more about what Jeff has to say about giving the most memorable best man speeches the wedding guests have ever heard.

There are quite a few brides who are tired of similar pattern of traditional wedding invitations which others are using for decades. The big day is considered to be one of the most treasured days for all the couples and hence, everything has to be perfect on that special day. Each story is exceptional with dating and meeting which time scope many couples share and therefore, the invitation must also be exceptional as well. This is why most of the couples turn towards handmade cards.

Wedding invitation is the initial impression of the special occasion which guests get a preview of. If it is plain with the usual wordings and colors, the invited guests will presume the wedding will be the same. With the custom or handmade invitation cards, the couple gets to select the complete mood and style of the first impression of the guests.

Recently, most of the brides are using custom wedding cards which comprise of photographs of the couple. This photograph not only personalizes the wedding invitation, but also offers the addressee a gift to relish.

When the invitation arrives with this specific information and photo of the couple, it suggests the love shared by the couple. Most of the custom ones are in fact handmade, because the bride wishes for details which can only be handmade and not machine made. Details such as dried leaves or flowers, ribbons, pearls, sequence and other decorations can be added to improvise it.

Nowadays, special sayings or wordings or quotes are being used for custom made wedding invitations. Most of the couples share some special sayings, poems or songs which are exceptional only to their love. Many couples have decided to customize cards with this type of information.

These sayings or quotes may be the words of honor which the couple desires to share with their family and friends. With several couples looking for something exclusive away from the traditional, the custom made invitation cards are the best. These can utilize a song or a poem to add in all the information of the wedding.

There are a several methods to have a custom handmade wedding invitation. Most of the printers will toil with you whether it is a handmade or a custom saying. The cost will possibly increase with the amount of specific info which is required for them. Custom ones can be an appropriate request, which requires close attention to all the specific information in order to make the wedding invitation perfect.

Jerry Leung designs Chinese Style Wedding Invitation with Dragon and Phoenix Art. He runs a website on Wedding Photography. Be sure to check Hong Kong Wedding Vendor Directory.

The fourth of July is an important day, marking the anniversary of independence of the United States.

If you have decided to get married on this day, then you’ll probably want to have a patriotic theme, celebrating the great day.

One of the easiest ways to have an independence day theme is by using red, white, and blue colors throughout the wedding.

For example, the bride might dress in white, with a red, white, and blue bouquet.

Similarly the bridesmaids might have red and blue dresses, with white, red and blue bouquets.

The Groom and groomsmen could have stars and stripes on their ties, cumberbuns, vest etc.

But you don’t have to stop there!

How about hanging red, white and blue streamers around the wedding reception?

You could even have your wedding cake decorated as the American flag!

There is one thing you’ll probably want to bear in mind with a fourth of July wedding though… to stick to the red, white, and blue color theme, you’ll probably want to have a silk bouquet.

Silk flowers are great for a wedding like this, because they come in such a variety of colors. You’ll be able to find exactly the right shade of color you want, in any type of flower.

And they look very realistic as well! In the past silk flowers didn’t look as good as real flowers, but you won’t believe how realistic they can make them today!

Once you’ve decided on the flowers for your bouquet, you can add some more fourth of July flavor, by accenting the bouquet with small roses, crystals, or ribbon loops, with the red, white, and blue colors.

The main thing to think about is having fun! A fourth of July wedding is a fantastic theme for a wedding, and if you focus on making the day as fun as possible, then I’m sure you’ll have a wedding that no-one will forget!

One last thing… Don’t be afraid to do things a little different to normal! A fourth of July wedding is a great excuse to do things a little differently, and have more fun!

Good luck!

Peta Fletcher has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of information on all types of bouquets, including wedding bouquets and candy bouquets

Dance shoes really do make the most perfect wedding shoes.

Designed to support hours of dancing they ensure that aching feet will not ruin your special day. Have you noticed how many brides are desperate to remove their shoes and switch to a flat flip flop type sandal later in the day? They say that uncomfortable shoes show on your face - eek not good news for the photos!

There really is nothing worse than wishing your wedding day away because you are desperate to remove your pretty but uncomfortable shoes. Comfortable from the first time you slip them on so no need to perform the silly breaking them in ritual either.

You will also find that dancing heels are far easier to wear than street heels because they are built for balance. They have suede soles for grip so no embarrassing slipping on the dance floor later. Unless you fancy an appearance on You’ve Been Framed that is….

If you are learning a dance routine for your wedding then why not practice in your dance shoes?

Try to avoid a 3 inch heel unless you are used to wearing heels on a daily basis or really do need the extra height - in which case you should start practicing wearing heels to get used to the shift in balance.

The final piece of good news is that all this lovely comfort does not come at a premium price. Dance shoes are typically much cheaper than designated Wedding Shoes but just as pretty.

So why not make sure your feet enjoy the day as much as you do.

By: Sara Bennett

For more information visit http://www.danceshoes2u.com

Categorize wedding reception centerpiece ideas that you think up or come across into three categories: what you like, what you don’t like, and what you’re willing to consider as a last resort.

Obviously, those that fall on the second category are immediately taken out of the running. This will serve as your preliminary round of rejection, but for sure, you’re still left off with more than a handful of ideas. But don’t worry because by the time you finish this sequence, you’ll be left with the best!

1. Set a budget. This must be the maximum amount of money that you’re willing to spend. Be honest with yourself when setting the maximum limit. If you can’t afford to spend $5,000 on centerpieces then so be it. Setting a limit will allow you to discard wedding reception centerpiece ideas easily based on how much they cost.

2. Choose the wedding reception centerpiece ideas depending on SIZE. When considering the size of your centerpiece, make sure that you consider the size of the table and plates. Consider as well how many guests are seated in one table.

3. Your list of wedding reception centerpiece ideas may also be shortened according to its suitability to the wedding reception venue. If you are going to hold your after-party outdoors and there’s a chance of raining, ice sculptures are definitely out of the picture.

4. Another way to filter the number of wedding reception centerpiece ideas you still have remaining is to choose only those that complement your wedding theme or motif and the rest of the decoration. Imagine having a Hawaiian-styled wedding reception only to have elegant aromatherapy candles as your centerpiece. It doesn’t match at all, does it?

5. Choose the wedding reception centerpiece ideas according to its safety level, too, if you expect a great deal of children to attend the occasion. There are a lot of things that can’t be used as centerpieces when there are kids around.

6. Seek the advice of professionals. Consult family, friends, and relatives whose tastes you trust. And of course, ask your partner as well. He might be the typical color-blind guy, but it’s important to get his input, too. But in the end, it’s your decision that really matters because you’re the bride. Good luck!

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When it comes to your wedding reception, the venue is undeniably the most important piece of the planning puzzle. No other element can reflect a desired mood or style quite like the setting in which the event is held. The wedding venue should be the first major decision in your planning process. Once you have selected your site, you will find that everything else begins to fall into place.

Daunted by the task? Don’t be. While you should approach venue selection with care, a little pre-planning will help narrow down the options. Before meeting with the first facility manager, consider three factors to determine the type of venue that is perfect for you.

1. Theme and Style of Event -

Different types of wedding venues set the stage for specific styles of wedding reception. Before deciding, determine the type of affair you would like to host.

Today’s wedding receptions are about personality and creativity. Consider your personal style. Do you want your wedding to be a reflection or a departure from that? Just because you tend to be more city-chic does not mean you can’t throw a country-style foot stomping hoe down of a wedding (it can be done in an equally fabulous manner).

Put some thought into this, and envision your perfect wedding reception. The theme and style you wish to reflect will help dictate the type of wedding venue you choose. Remember that options abound beyond hotel ballrooms, banquet halls and country clubs. Also consider mansions and historic sites, museums or parks. The sky is the limit!

2. Geographic Location -

Where do you want to get married? In your hometown? In your fiance’s home town? In the town where you currently live? How about a Caribbean island? With today’s jet-set couples, the possibilities really are endless. Don’t be afraid to consider something different or unexpected. Perhaps the style or theme of your wedding will dictate the location-a tiki-style hut by the beach, a rustic farmhouse in the country, a posh ballroom overlooking a metropolitan cityscape. You get the idea…

3. Size -

OK-so you have decided to get married in an historic mansion near your hometown. Great-you’re almost there! But before you get in your car and start touring wedding venues, there is one final criteria to consider - capacity. No matter how beautiful a place may be, if you anticipate a guest list of 300, cramming them into a facility that seats 150 will quickly turn an elegant affair into a mob of angry guests. Most reception sites make setting capacity information readily available. If not, give a quick call to the general phone number and find out. Make sure to differentiate the capacities for the type of wedding reception you envision (seated dinner, buffet, cocktail reception etc.) There may also be different capacities based on the setting with or without a dance floor.

4. Now Find Your Site! -

Find as many venues that meet these initial criteria as you can. Use this handy online Wedding Venues search to find reception sites and services in your area that meet your needs, and narrow down your list. Then schedule appointments to tour each venue and meet with the manager. After that-it’s decision making time!

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a comprehensive ad-free wedding planning resource featuring a nationwide directory of wedding reception sites and their recommended vendors, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process. Elegala.com is the only resource to offer site-specific planning tools to help brides plan events at their chosen wedding venue.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable Wedding Reception visit Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding resource.

Jenna wanted a garden wedding theme. She’d had her heart set on it since she was twelve years old. Fortunately, Robert, her fiance, was agreeable to the idea so together they set out to plan and execute their garden wedding theme. They worked their tail off, but in the end it turned out to be just like every other wedding held outdoors. Pretty, but not memorable. What went wrong?

Far too often brides decide they want a particular wedding theme and they stop there. Unfortunately, there, wherever that is, is rarely a good stopping place because the first ideas we have in just about anything is invariably too general. It’s like trying to scoop sand with a sieve. This is especially true when we are talking about choosing a theme to design an event around.

The trick to planning any kind of themed wedding is to narrow your focus.

As a result, a bride should ask herself which specific aspects of their initial theme idea they like. For example, if Jenna wanted to her garden themed wedding, what specifically are they thinking of when they think of a garden wedding? What about the garden wedding excites them? There are so many possibilities.

Butterflies

Doves

Roses

Calla Lilies

Daisies

English Gardens

Victorian Gardens

Forrest Meadows

Etc.

The possibilities are nearly endless - even just within the garden wedding theme! And even within the theme options I listed above you could, and might want to, get more specific to weave a specific visual or olfactory theme into your wedding preparations.

Why take the time?

The natural inclination is to ask if it is useful to hone the theme down to a specific wedding theme. The answer is yes. How are you going to know if the decorations you find will work with the rest of your wedding decor and accessories else unless you have a very specific idea of just what you want.

Remember Jenna’s garden wedding? She found a picturesque garden for the location, rented a tent, a flower covered gazebo, some white chairs, and carried a bouquet of daisies. It was a pretty wedding. There were no disasters; but it wasn’t everything it easily could have been.

By choosing a specific theme within the garden wedding theme, however, it would have been much easier to search for decor to take that ordinary garden wedding and make it extraordinary. Do a search for butterfly decor on the internet, for example. It will save you a ton of time over wading through all the garden decor out there. Or doves. Or Calla Lilies.

The same is true for your wedding favors by choosing favors that tie directly to your theme you have:

Easier internet searches.

Keepsakes that will be tied to your wedding in your guest minds.

Favors that double as a part of your decor.

And the good news is that you might, depending on the specific theme you chose, be able to choose a less expensive venue for your nuptials than you would otherwise - because the less expensive one fits your theme better!

The point is that the key to building a theme wedding is focus. Generally, your first wedding theme idea is entirely too broad. But by zeroing in on a specific aspect of your idea you can create a wedding theme that will be remembered for years to come.

Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find tons of useful wedding planning tips and a wide variety of themed wedding favors options at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com

Wedding photography is an exciting field with many photographic hobbyists looking to make some extra money on the side providing cheap wedding photography.

After paying hundreds for just the dress alone, never mind the church, the flowers, the reception and all of the food and drink. It’s very tempting to book a cheap wedding photographer; after all, the photography is probably the last thing you want to think about.

Choosing your wedding photographer is the most important thing to do when planning your wedding. In fact it should be the first thing you do.

First-class wedding photographers get booked up months in advance so don’t leave it to the last minute to book. However saying that, there could be a few dates not booked, so give them a ring and see if your date is free.

Obviously everyone wishes for the dress to be beautiful, the flowers stunning, the food to be delicious and the reception to be charming. The wedding photographer, however, really should be one of the top things on your list of essential items.

If you choose a poor quality wedding photographer, it will be felt in every photograph that you look at.

Nothing is more significant than your wedding photography. Why’s that? Well, just think about it - what happens when your wedding is over? The flowers are dead, the dress gets freeze-dried (or whatever it is the cleaners do) and put in a box, the cake is eaten, and a year after your wedding you won’t even remember what you ate. All you’ll have left from this day are your memories - and your photos are the doorway to those memories.

Down to the tips:

1. Does the photographer have many different photographs from the same wedding to show you?

   I’d be concerned if they were all from the same wedding.

   Proper professional photographers have taken wedding photographs for many different brides and that should reflect in their work.

   On the other hand if you only see one photograph from each wedding I would suspect that the photographer only gets one good picture from the whole day.

   You need to know that they are consistent and have taken photographs at many different weddings with at least three different pictures from each wedding in their gallery or book.

   As an average guide, photographs from three recent weddings are appropriate.

2. Does the photographer listen to you?

   A photographer that talks all the time about how great they are is someone you should be wary of. If a professional is not prepared to listen to you then they are not very professional, I mean how do they know what you are looking for?

1. Do you actually like this person?

   You will be spending the most important day of your life with a stranger, make sure you like them. If the photographer’s personality clashes with yours, you could be in for an unhappy day - or at least an awkward one.

   Why risk being unhappy on the most important day of your life? That’s why reading the photographer’s personality is, in my opinion, more important than analyzing their portfolio. Will they be officious? Offensive? Aloof? When you talk with a prospective photographer, get a feel for them and see if they are someone you’d want to be friends with.

   If the answer is “yes”, then put them high on your list!

2. A Professional has style.

   A professional photographer will have a distinct style and taste. The photographs may be in black and white or in colour; you may see lots of manipulation in the images or none.

3. An amateur photographer posing as a professional will not have much of a style.

   Their images will look uninteresting and vulgar. If their style is all over the place then you can bet your life that they are not professionals.

4. What are the images like?

1. Are the images flat?
2. Too dark or too light?
3. Can you see the details on the wedding dress or is it just a white blob?
4. Do the people in the pictures look awkward or distracted?
5. Do the group photographs look messy?
6. Are the backgrounds in the pictures cluttered?
7. Do the backgrounds compete for attention for the people in the picture?
8. Are the people looking at the camera?
9. Do they still have their heads?

If you answer yes to these questions then I would say that the photographer is not a professional.

There are exceptions though; with the Photojournalistic style, most people in the pictures are not looking at the camera and the backgrounds can be a little distracting.

Also ask the photographer where the photograph was taken; sometimes they have done the best that they can do. This is especially true with registrar weddings, where the registry offices are usually situated in or near industrial areas where the backgrounds are not very pretty anyway.

1. Does the photographer seem professional?

   This is the most difficult one to gauge as many people know to dress smartly and it’s easy to learn the technicality of the camera, the terminology to explain the photographs and sell their presentation.

   You can never know for sure but there are a few pointers:

1. Ask them if they do photography as a full time career?

i. If they answer yes then it’s one point in their favour.

ii. If they say no, then ask them what else they do. If it’s a completely different field, like building or office work, then they aren’t a professional photographer, they will have nothing to lose if they mess up the photographs of your wedding.

1. How long have they been in business?

i. Anything under a year is suspect, mainly because they will probably not have enough experience with professionally covering weddings outside the seminars and courses.

ii. Two to three years is good, the photographer has probably had enough wedding experience to know what to expect and how to deal with any situations that may arise.

iii. Anything over three years is very good (as long as it is their full time employment) as it shows that they are doing pretty well and they should have a good reputation.

Ask about the photographer with your friends and acquaintances; see what reputation they have achieved. If it’s good then they can be trusted, if not then don’t trust them, think of it as a confidence rating.

1. How many weddings have they photographed?

i. This is important, if they give you a figure under 20 then be on your guard and take all of the other answers into account when finally deciding on whether to book them or not, especially take into account how many years they have been in business. If they have only done 20 weddings in two years, then perhaps you shouldn’t book them. 20 is a very low number of weddings for two years; you can expect an expert photographer on average to photograph at least 20 weddings per year.

ii. If they give you a figure over 200 and they’ve been in business for only a couple of years then they are blatantly lying. There is no possible way for them to have covered so many weddings in two years.

iii. For a business that has been operating for two years, a reasonable figure for weddings covered is 60.

1. Does the photographer go on seminars and courses if so which ones?

i. If they haven’t been on any courses or to seminars and say that they are completely self-taught, then they are definitely amateur photographers. Professional photographers frequently attend seminars and courses to keep fresh, and their skills honed to a fine point.

ii. If they have been on a few courses when they started up then they are not committed to quality and excellence within their photography and probably cut corners a lot. Be wary of these.

iii. If they attend general courses, not specific to wedding photography then question their commitment to their craft.

iv. If they go on specialist courses on wedding photography quite often, then excellent! This proves that they are committed and focused on their craft.

I frequently attend specialist courses on specific styles of wedding photography. This is to keep me fresh and at the peak of my profession. I do learn from books and practise often but you can only get so far learning by yourself and there is absolutely no substitute for hands on experience and training.

1. Does the photographer have a contract?

   A photographer who doesn’t have a contract is not to be trusted. If you purchase any kind of service, from plumbing to photography there must be a contract. This is to protect you from anything that can go wrong and also so you know exactly what you are getting. The contract can either be long and complicated or short and sweet.

   The photography contract guards against a photographer not completing their end of the bargain. It also protects you from them taking your money and running. It also allows you a legal entitlement to the service you have paid for and also tells you what you are allowed to do with the photographs. The contract should also have a section attached which tells the photographer all of the details of the wedding.

2. Does the photographer ask you about the photographs that you would like taken on the day, do they ask you about family relationships and family politics?

   The photographer should ask you about the photographs that you would like on the day, a wedding is a great event that gathers together many estranged family members and there is usually only this day to photograph them all together. Many relatives will be coming from far flung places and the photographer must know to get these important people.

   A wedding is a very emotionally charged event and the photographer should ask and know about any potential problems between family members so they don’t start any fights.

   As well as knowing all of this, the photographer should ask for a liaison within the wedding party, it’s usually an usher from both sides of the family, some one who knows all of the family members by sight. Remember the photographer has probably never met your family before so appointing them someone who knows everyone that will be there is paramount to getting everyone you would like photographed in the right place at the right time.

3. Price: “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!“

   I honestly wouldn’t look at your photography budget the same way I would look at the budget for example; your wedding dress.

1. You might get lucky and find a cheap and talented photographer for under £500 for a whole day coverage, but like most things in life you get what you pay for and you will most likely end up with nothing like you asked for, poor quality, badly composed photographs or no photographs at all!

2. If you can find the budget to move out of the bottom range and into the next level (say, £500 to £1,000 for half day coverage) you will expand your choices of truly professional photographers greatly and you will no doubt end up with gorgeous photographs that last a lifetime.

3. If you move to the next level (say, £2,000 - £4,000) your choices expand exponentially, because now you’re not limited to the photographers in your local market, you can begin to source from photographers that are willing to travel nationwide.

4. The price of the service is obviously important to you, as you have probably already spent thousands on the wedding itself. There is no point scrimping on the photography. As mentioned above, everything else gets eaten, forgotten or put into storage, the photography pretty much the only thing you will have from your day to show everyone.

Everyone has a budget, try your best to stretch that budget and book a professional photographer for as long as you can get them, you won’t regret it.

Michelle Jones an expert photographer working for Catkin Studio, a professional Wedding and Portrait photography company. She has been taking professional Photographs for over five years and is highly commended for her work. Michelle attends many seminars and courses on both Wedding and Portrait photography and takes photographs in both classical and contemporary style.

See http://www.catkinstudio.com for more information.

Having problems seating all those awkward family members and friends at your wedding reception? Who will sit together? Does the table have the right balance? Questions that anyone who has ever organised a wedding will no doubt have asked.

Fear not, the answer may have been staring you in the face. I’m talking colours of course, and to help, try using this great colour planner. Simply fit each of your guests into one of the colour categories to create harmony on your most special of days.

White - Guests in this category are optimistic with pure intentions. This is why white is such a popular wedding dress colour as it symbolises everything which is good whilst bringing people together. White is really an amalgamation of the entire spectrum of colours and is at the centre of any colour chart, therefore you should use white category guests as people who will bring a table together.

Ivory - Is symbolic of intelligence and seclusion (as in Ivory Towers). Ivory Guests should be seated at tables where they can go about their intellectual pursuits in seclusion without bothering less high-brow guests. This maybe at first seem difficult, after all it is the most social of gatherings. On reflection try placing them close to white category guests who will help to draw them out a little.

Red - Guests who are strong willed and even a little courageous could well have red personalities. Two unrelated reds seated in close proximity is never a good idea as a clash of wills could almost certainly ensue. For a contrasting table put them with green guests or for a more complimentary table lilac or orange guests would be a great combination.

Lilac - Is symbolic of being spiritually balanced. Ideally your guest will be contented with himself and his immediate surroundings and because lilac also symbolises new love your guest will also be enjoying a blossoming relationship so a partner will need to be close by. Compliment lilac guests by placing them with green guests.

Green - Symbolises a generous and practical person, realistically these guests are hard to find so use them sparingly. Generous guests are always appreciated but with a practical side you may find they have the confidence to head the table. Greens compliment orange guests and you could mix with a couple of red guests for a little added spice.

Orange - Any guests falling into the orange category (which is symbolised by a joyful and sociable manner) should be placed on tables where there may be concern over an adequate flow of conversation. Your orange guest will be able to raise a laugh around the table. Any red guests in close proximity will provide a joyous and raucous atmosphere.

Pink - Is a colour which symbolises positive energy, love, compassion and friendship. Pink guests are very good at mediation and provide a great balance between red and green guests.

Black - ‘The Protector’ will make sure guests on other tables don’t make any attempt to steal wine, wedding favours or other treats from their table! A pink guest on this table may help calm things down.

Gold - Has always been a symbol of strength, and this strength derives from power, wealth and a vibrant personality. Any guest who falls into this category will be successful with a big personality. Be careful when placing these people next to white category or pink guests as they just don’t go!

Silver - Guests who have both a spiritual and a healing personality need only apply! Silver category guest can be wise, calming and talismanic - just make sure all the guests on the same table are ready to hear these words of wisdom.

Whatever you decide try having a look at our range of Wedding Favours at http://www.goweddingfavours.co.uk

Source: http://www.goweddingfavours.co.uk

Louise Jarman is the proprietor of Go Wedding Favours and specialises in providing unique and unusual wedding favours, whatever your theme and colour scheme.

Toasting is the strongest and most formal in Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern European countries.

In France, Italy and Spain the toast is even given German names. In Spain and Italy, “to toast” is called “brindar” and came from the German meaning “ich bring dir’s” which means “I bring it to you”. In France they say “trinquer” which is from the German word “trinken” (to drink). And just incase you are wondering where the English phrase “toast” came from, it came from Britain. It used to be an ancient custom from the Eucharistic religious events to pass a bowl or “loving cup” (a cup you share) around which had a piece of sweetened toast floating on top. The host was always the last one to drink from the cup and also required to eat the toast. This was done in honor of the guests.

A loving cup is a cup that is shared, and that is exactly what a Bridal Cup is. Bridal Cups started in Nuernberg, Germany and was a handcrafted pewter vessel in the shape of a woman with drinking cups on both ends. Both the bride and groom were able to toast their wedding and drink at the same time from the same cup. In order to bring many years of good luck to their marriage the couple drinks from this cup without spilling a single drop. Every year thereafter, on their anniversary, they continue to toast with this special cup.

The tradition started centuries ago in Nuernberg, Germany during the days when marriages were pre-arranged. The historical cup was brought to life from an angry wealthy nobleman’s challenge to a young goldsmith. If he could create such an item, he would allow the goldsmith to marry his daughter. To this day, the cup is still used for weddings and anniversary toasts and becoming more and more popular in the United States. The story is interesting and heartwarming. It most definitely adds a unique romantic touch to any wedding toast.

The story goes as follows:

Centuries ago, in old Nuernberg, the nobel mistress Kunigunde fell in love with a young and ambitious goldsmith. Although Kunigunde’s wealthy father (a powerful nobleman) did not approve of this pair, it was clear that she only wanted the goldsmith to be her husband as she refused many titled and rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage.

Her father became so enraged that he had the young goldsmith thrown into the darkest dungeon. Not even his daughter’s bitter tears would change her father’s mind.

To her father’s dismay, imprisoning the young man did not end his daughter’s love for the goldsmith. Instead, he could only watch as his daughter grew paler and paler as a result of the separation from her true love.

The wealthy nobleman reluctantly made the following proposal: He told his daughter, “If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his bride”.

Of course he was certain nobody could perform such a task…

Inspired by love and with skillful hands, the young goldsmith created a masterpiece. He sculpted a girl with a smile as beautiful as his own true love’s. Her skirt was hollowed to serve as a cup. Her raised arms held a bucket that swivels so that it could be filled and then swung towards a second drinker.

The challenge was met. The goldsmith and the nobleman’s daughter joined hands in marriage and with the bridal cup set forth a romantic and memorable tradition as charming today as it was originally hundreds of years ago.

To this day and to many couples the chalice remains a symbol.

Love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple who drink from this cup.

Evelyn Whitaker writes articles for German Toasting Glasses http://www.german-toasting-glasses.com which specializes in custom engraved wedding gifts from Germany.