Unity Sand Ceremony - A Hot, New Wedding Trend

If you've attended many weddings lately, or read trendy magazines or newspapers, you've undoubtedly noticed that the ceremonies are no longer just your Grandmother's and Grandfather's typical church wedding.

The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one.

This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, "The Bachelorette." Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.

The ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend.

The flowing sand and blending of the colors symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals.

A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity Candle Ceremony has long been a tradition for marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, there is a single candle that both bride and groom light from a flame of their own single candle. Parents or other members of the wedding party often join in the candle lighting ceremony.

The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.

In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.

Hawaii has been a popular destination for weddings since airplanes became the preferred mode of travel. Its mild weather and sandy beaches create a perfect environment for the entire wedding party to be barefoot on the beach while witnessing the Unity Sand Ceremony - a tradition as old and exceptional as the islands themselves.

Not going to have a wedding on a beach? Don't worry. Sand is available online, or the couple can use sand from a destination they've visited or that has a special meaning in their lives. Distinctive containers designed to fit any religion or lifestyle can also be purchased online.

Many couples write their own vows for the ceremony, but passages from ancient Hawaiian or Native American weddings can easily be found on the Internet for the portion of your wedding relating to the Unity Sand Ceremony.

Whatever your dream wedding entails, consider incorporating the Unity Sand Ceremony into the celebration. You'll be sure to create memories that your guests will talk about for a long time to come.

Sharon Vaz is founder of http://www.unitysandceremony.net, an authority website dedicated to providing brides resources on planning a spectacular Unity Sand Ceremony.

A Brief History of Wedding Hairstyles

Throughout time, women have always desired to possess the elegance of royalty and celebrities during their own wedding ceremony, from the gown to the hairstyle worn by famous women.

From ancient times to the present, women have used various wedding hairstyles to look not only their best, but to preserve the look of elegance and awe for everyone attending the celebration of their wedding. In Rome, women would dye their hair, normally a golden red, wear hair extension to give them longer, fuller, and thicker hair, wear their hair up with jeweled hairpins, and wear it down and curled in ringlets. So, no matter where you look throughout history you will find that many of the wedding hairstyles whether they are long hairstyles, short hairstyles, hair extension or worn long and styled beautifully each one compliments the style of wedding gown the bride has chosen.

Today, women look to movie stars for their glamorous wedding hairstyles. Each and every year, some celebrity is seen during their wedding on television or in the popular magazines showing off their wedding gown and the wedding hairstyle they chose for this special occasion. This is what is considered to be in the in-style theme of the year.

If you go back to the roaring 20's you will see that many stars wore their hair in a bob style and if you notice many wedding hairstyles were this short hairstyle. However, some women would of course prefer longer hairstyles or wearing their hair in an up-do.

Royalty in Europe also sets the stage when it comes to wedding hairstyles. Princess Dianna had a short wedding hairstyle and any place you looked for a few years many women were styling their wedding hairstyles in the same fashion.

During the 60's in the US, it was the long hairstyles that made it in the wedding scene. Many wore long hairstyles or hair extensions and the used flowers and beaded headbands to compliment their wedding gown. Since, several weddings during the 1960's were performed outdoors, the mood was more casual and comfortable, so more casual wedding hairstyles were seen.

Today, to learn what wedding hairstyle is in fashion, you can turn to television, but as the majority of women are concerned, they want to look glamorous, stunning, and have a wedding gown and wedding hairstyle that will be remembered.

Long hairstyles throughout history have been the favorite of most brides, because it adds sophistication and elegance to a wedding ceremony and reception accordingly. However, you can always search through different bridal magazines throughout the years to learn just how popular each wedding hairstyle has been from long hairstyles, to short hairstyles, to hair extensions and how each one has complimented the bride and her wedding gown.

Natalie Aranda writes on health, beauty and makeup tips. From ancient times to the present, women have used various wedding hairstyles, long hairstyles or short hairstyles, to look not only their best, but to preserve the look of elegance and awe for everyone attending the celebration of their wedding. No matter where you look throughout history you will find that many of the wedding hairstyles whether they are long hairstyles, short hairstyles, hair extensions or worn long and styled beautifully each one compliments the style of wedding gown [http://www.missbridal.com] the bride has chosen.

Make Your Own Wedding Crafts - 5 Great Ways To Cut Wedding Costs

Weddings, though extremely joyous occasions, can become expensive very fast. If you want to hold the prices down as well as add a personal touch to your wedding, you might consider going to wedding crafts.

1. It isn't all that tough to create your very own wedding veil. For this, you will require a particular length of a bridal illusion that you decide on. Along with this you will require a comb and a headpiece or hat to attach the veil to your hair and hide the comb. You start by sewing large inch long running stitches from one end of the illusion and tightly gather it. Follow by sewing the comb to the veil. Cover the whole with a headpiece or hat. Alternatively you could also use silk flowers, pearls and ribbons to decorate a straw hat that has a wide brim.

2. You can also personally craft the floral arrangements and the bouquet. If you are having a wedding that is simple and outdoor, you can use wild flowers. They have a charm of their own and are free of cost. Arrange the bouquets in large clear vases and tie a bow elegantly around.

3. Another appropriate wedding craft are wedding favors for the invited guests. A well-received and simple favor is a refrigerator magnet. It would be a good idea to make the magnet a picture frame and place in it the couple's picture. For this, you will want to cut out a frame from craft foam in a suitable color and arrange the photo over it, gluing the whole into a cardboard backing. Magnetic self-adhesive tape can be placed on the cardboard's back. Finish by decorating the frame with a foil of heart stickers including the couple's last names on a monogram.

4. Another simple wedding craft are bows that are often placed at the end of rows and pews. For a winder or fall wedding, you can use wide velvet ribbons. If yours is a summer or spring wedding, you might want to go for satin ribbons. You can also loop in some flat lace along with the ribbons. Then attach some pearl sprays and silk flowers to the center of the bow, with the help of some hot glue.

5. You could also try to decorate your own cake. Look for pans and other gadgets of different types in the craft section at your department store, to assist you in creating a cake you will never forget. Don't forget that you need a steady hand for this. Don't start on the real cake unless you have practiced first.

Wedding cakes are an expensive business, but with your wedding crafts, you can save up a lot. Early planning is the best as it takes time to make favors for people and for looking into all the other details that have to be taken care of. Maybe when you create wedding crafts, you might even get rid of some of that nervousness. At any rate, when you make your own wedding crafts, you add a beautiful and personal touch to it without loosing out on too much money.

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Fabulous Headpieces For Short Haired Brides

When you are a short haired bride, you may wonder if you are going to be able to wear a special headpiece on your wedding day. While your options may be fewer than if your hair was long, there are actually some truly gorgeous adornments for short hair. These are some suggestions on the most fabulous headpieces for short haired brides.

Veils are one of the loveliest accessories for a bride, but they can be challenging to affix to short hair. Any bride who has tried to secure a long veil in her short hair has probably experienced firsthand how the veil simply slides down the back of her head. A wonderful alternative to a long veil is a short cage veil made with a wide netting. It is a very chic look with a retro flair to it. One of the prettiest ways to attach a cage veil is with a little barrette on the top of the head. Look for one that is decorative, such as a bow with a piece crystal or rhinestone bridal hair jewelry on it. This elegant style looks especially nice with a smooth and sleek hairstyle.

Sometimes when you are working with less hair, you might want to consider creative options for your bridal hair jewelry. If you adore the look of a sparkly crystal clip or barrette, but it slips out of your hair, try anchoring it in the front of your hair at the part. This is a very pretty way to bring the attention to your beautiful face, right where it belongs.

Often you can have bridal hair jewelry modified to suit your needs. For example, if you found a set of hairpins that you really love, you might think that you are simply out of luck, as they need to be anchored into an updo. However, if the pieces that have caught your eye are handcrafted, you might be able to order a replica of the hairpin design on small alligator clips, which work well for short hair.

One style that is a guaranteed success for a short haired bride is a headband. Headbands are one of the hottest trends in bridal accessories this season, so you will find yourself with many fantastic pieces from which to choose. Soft fabric headbands are especially big, and if your hair is at least as long as a bob, this can be a beautiful finishing touch for you. Look for a wide silk headband that can be tied around your hair with soft tails flowing down the back, slightly to one side. You can keep it very simple, or add an embellishment like a crystal or pearl brooch for even more style and a unique flair.

If you prefer a more dainty headpieces, a delicate headband is lovely for any short haired bride. Pieces with an open and airy design are wonderful, particularly when they have a nature inspired design, such as a leaf and vine motif. These headbands are usually handmade from Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, secured to a very narrow frame with sterling silver wire. The headband frame is generally a lit bit flexible, so you can really mold it to fit the size and shape of your head for a non-slip fit.

Short hair can be just as lovely on a bride as longer locks. There are plenty of gorgeous hairstyles and headpieces available to short haired brides these days, so there is no need to grow out your pixie or bob. Embrace the modern and chic look of short hair and the fabulous hair jewelry that will help you to shine on your wedding day.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. For the perfect finishing touch, select bridal hair jewelry that coordinates with the rest of your wedding jewelry set.

Hill Station Wedding

Tying the knot with your head in the clouds is the most amazing feeling you can ever have. Find a fabulous hotel on a beautiful hill and let the chill do all the work for you.

Creating a wedsite for a hill station wedding is a great idea. It's the ideal way of providing your guests with details about their accommodation, transport facilities and directions on how to get there. It's also a good idea to warn guests of the weather there so they can be prepared with coats, shawls and raincoats if necessary.

Ensure that the guests are constantly provided with hot tea or coffee to keep them warm. Alcohol will also help with the cold. If you are planning on having your wedding outdoors, try to cover the place with transparent plastic sheets, so that while you still get to enjoy the beautiful view, you are also protected from the biting cold.

Keeping small pots with hot charcoal in them every couple of feet will give your guests a chance to warm themselves. Serve chai in a matka that can be heated on the charcoal. You can also make it fun for your guests by giving them marshmallows, peanuts or corn on the cob to roast on the charcoal. If you want to make it more exotic, put in a few fondue pots around. Another great idea is to serve guests with Glu Wine, which is a nice hot, spiced wine to keep them warm.

Arrange for the Mehendi ceremony to take place in a warm cozy room with several heaters on. If the bride is getting henna done on her arms and legs, you don't want her catching a cold.

Ensure that the bride's and groom's apparel are made of a thick silk. You don't want to be freezing when you are exchanging vows. Keep a couple of shawls handy through out the ceremonies, though all your excitement should be able to keep you warm. Also, the sacred pyre is going to keep you warm, so you don't have to worry too much about the cold.

The food that you serve at the wedding should always be piping hot. Serve hot soups and broths. The rotis or naans that you serve should also be hot. Finish the whole meal with hot jalebis with cold icecream.

For more information on weddings, visit http://www.shaadiinvite.com

2009 Wedding Updos - Choosing Your Hairstyle

The 2009 wedding season is here full of fresh ideas for wedding locations, dresses, cakes and hairstyles. Most brides look to create a wedding that follows a cohesive theme. That means the dress, the hair and the accessories all work together to create the most memorable of elements for the wedding - you!

Below is some advice for choosing the best wedding hairstyle this year.

STYLIST
There are many options for wedding hairstyles. The first step in creating a beautiful look is finding a hairstylist that you trust to do wonderful work. If you have a stylist in mind, talk to them about wedding hairstyles you have seen and liked. Your hairstylist will be able to explain what may or may not work best for you as well as let you in on some of the best 2009 wedding updos.

Make sure to work practice hairstyle sessions in as you lead up to your wedding day. This way you will have a chance to see a couple of updo and other options. You will also be able to test the hairstyle with your veil and be able to wear it for a day to make sure it will last through the ceremony and reception.

2009 STYLE OPTIONS
The best 2009 wedding updos are easy to find this time of year. Flip through a few of the latest hairstyle and bridal magazines. The latest runway and fashion show photographs will also give a little insight on what's hot for 2009. The hairstyle you choose doesn't have to be a traditional wedding updo if that is not what you are going for. It should reflect your taste and the style of the wedding.

UPDOS
Right now, 2009 wedding updos are utilizing beautiful hair accessories to add dimension and artistry to the hairstyle. 2009 trends are marked with intricate yet delicate hair accessories which combine metalwork, embroidery, and crystals shaped into flowers, hearts, as well as more modern designs. Take a look at Karl Lagerfeld's last runway show to see how these are being used with fabulous results.

For those brides with long hair, updos can be twisted around the head, with a slight messiness much like typical Grecian hairstyles. This is both sexy and romantic. Most 2009 wedding hair trends are foregoing the tighter, put together styles for more feminine and whimsical designs Think 'soft','pretty','romantic','tousled',and 'feminine' as you look for a wedding hairstyle this year.

SHORT HAIR
If you have short hair, don't worry about paying for extensions for your wedding. Maintain a real look and go for adding a hair accessory, tiara or a beautiful veil to make your hair look different for your wedding without being over the top.

DOWN DOS
Have long hair, but don't want to wear it in an updo? The hottest 2009 wedding hairstyles for the long-tressed are big volume, large barrel curls that have a very natural look. This can be done by a stylist with heated rollers or a large barrel curling iron. A good stylist will know what to put on the hair to ensure it maintains the curls and volume throughout the day.

The hair is a big part of the bride on their wedding day. Take some time to think about the style you want, that will look best on you and will make you feel like the beautiful woman you are.

Find beautiful 2009 wedding updo ideas at All Updos online, a wedding hairstyle resource site.

Hairstyles For Chubby Women - Exploring Do's and Don'ts

Every now and then, one can see many women exploring the fashion related writings to find a suitable hairstyle for them. And they tend to find the very desired hairstyles galore.

But what if the same hairstyle-hunt is done by some chubby women? Would these chubby women be lucky enough to find some suitable hairstyles?

Even if you take a number of pauses to count all the hairstyles for a chubby women, you may come to see that you have got very few clues.

However, by the time you happen to finish the following lines, you may have many such clues.

Say No To Short : Refrain from getting your hair shorter in length. Unlike long hair, the short hair makes chubby or round face look extra chubby.

Long Never Means "Too Long" : But "long" doesn't mean here to give it a below-shoulder length. Anything touching your shoulders or just above them will be enough to do a wonder.

Say No to Straight Hair Straightway : However, keeping long hair doesn't mean that you will keep it as straight as a stick. Better you give it a curly look. The "curly" type makes a fascinating match with a chubby shape.

Layers, If not Curly : But it could be a possibility that you might not be able to digest a "curly" one. So getting your hair layered can be the best solution. But it is always feasible to have the layers at the front only.

Pretty Pony : Even I have seen many chubby women going for ponytails. Though it is amazing to see whenever they use this particular hairstyle, they do not forget to prefer high ponytails.It looks nice with any type of fashion apparel.

Unique Updos : Apart from ponytails, if you love updos then it is one of the best options to frame your chubby face. But wait... There is something more you have to use with it. The updos should not pull whole of the hair bunch up on the head. It may make you look chubbier. So make sure some curly strands are falling down only to cover you cheeks. This will make you look slimmer.

Use Hairspray : It is ironical that many times chubby women, a sheer contrast, may develop thin hair. Then it becomes tough to retain the layers for long time, so it is advisable to use hairspray, one of the mostly used hair care products. The sprays holds it carefully.

Excellent Extensions : Further, the thin hair is probably the most unwanted thing for a chubby face. Why? They expose the chubbiness even more. So to defy this thinness, you may try to make your hair look a bit "chubby". Strange it sounds! Try hair extensions. Remember please, the fuller your hair, the slimmer your looks!

Bobcut Too Buries Chubbiness : Most people think that getting a bobcut done on hair is always adventurous for a chubby women, so do I. While sporting a bobcut, you successfully end hiding your chubby looks on the face. It is great to see the tips of your hair covering whole of your face and touching your chins.

To know latest fashion trend updates on chubby women fashion, read my other article Leather Pants Are The Latest Fashion Mantra. Here you will find more interesting fashion product reviews and much much more on fashion.