Week 22: Handfasting with Children

Welcome to week 22 of our "52 traditions/rituals in 52 weeks".

Some time ago we brought you a version of a 'handfasting' (view here) which has been very popular on the blog, so we thought we would follow it up with a fabulous way of including children in this wonderfully meaningful ritual.

Including children in a handfasting:

Celebrant: 'When we think about marriage we immediately visualize the joining of two people. But this is not always so. Marriages unite families and as is the case in many families today, who already have children, they give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and embrace some of the other important relationships in our lives.

During a wedding ceremony rings are sometimes exchanged with a promise. As (Bride) and (Groom) are not exchanging rings, but instead binding their hands, they thought appropriate that their children should also take part as a reminder of their promise to them on this day.

They wanted to find a way to let them know now how special and wonderful they are, and how privileged and blessed they feel to be their parents'.

Children step forward and their hands are bound with the parents

Celebrant addresses children:

'(Insert children’s names): These are the hands that will support encourage and protect you through all of life’s ups and downs, happy times, sad times, love and we hope, great joy. This binding is a reminder of the love and respect that each of you have for the others and that which will last for a lifetime'.

The Wedding Gurus x

Horrifying Bridesmaid Dresses

Ok, so we've all been there, excited about being asked to be a bridesmaid and all the fun that comes with that role. And then...........it happens. The bride chooses the ugliest creation you have ever had the displeasure of laying your eyes on and you just know that there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

So in the spirit of friendship and solidarity, the true measure of your love and loalty to that special friend, we thought we would explore some of the bridesmaids outfits that have truly displayed the lengths that some true friends will go to in making sure the bride's day is perfect!

Good on you, we say



unknown source



Pic from: my 10 online.com;

Pic from: www.bridalwave.tv;



Pic from: www.stinkypalace.com;



Pic From: www.people.com;

Pic From: www.projectwedding.com

Pic From: blog.shabbyapple.com

Pic From: manolobrides.com

Pic From: zoomers.ning.com

 



Pic from: slightlywarped.com



The Wedding Gurus

xxx



Wonderful, unique (and sometimes a little strange) weddings

The Wedding Guru's are always on the lookout for really different ideas particularly when it comes to bride styles. Every person is different and has their own unique style, but sometimes, every now and again one will come along that is really out there. We were astonished when we came across 42 year old Elaine Davidson’s wedding photos. 

Elaine is known as the world’s most pierced woman today. She has a total of 6,925 piercings, 192 of which are on her face and 1500 which are internal.

While Elaine's 'extreme' look is definitely not for everyone, her groom clearly sees past all of the piercings and paint to find a woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Elaine made the Guinness Book of Records in 2000 explaining ‘I don’t really like getting pierced... but I suffer for my art’. She does not remove any of her piercings; she even sleeps with every last one in place at night.

Elaine was accompanied to a registry office in her home town of Edinburgh wearing a white gown as well as pink and white flowers and accessories around her hair.

Along with her trademark piercings all in place she also painted green, yellow and blue paint markings on her face.

Her husband, Douglas Watson, who appears to be exceptionally plain in comparison with no visible piercings, was dressed for the 35-minute ceremony in a dark blue suit with a blue shirt and tie.

While it is easy to be a little shocked by Elaine's look, we really wanted to share this with you and remind everyone that it's YOUR special day and you should have it ANY way that you choose.

The Wedding Gurus

xxx