Weddings
Legal
Requirements
Preparing
for a Wedding at a Licensed Venue
Legal
requirements
Preparing
for a Register Office wedding
Muslim
weddings and divorce
Mahr
The
Marriage Ceremony
Divorce
and the Quakers
Preparing
for a Quaker Wedding
A
Typical Wedding Ceremony
Preparing
for a Register Office wedding
Divorce
and Roman Catholicism
The
Salvation Army and divorce
Preparing
for a Salvation Army Wedding
A
Typical Wedding Ceremony
Divorce
and the Sikh religion
Preparations
for a Sikh wedding
Glossary
of Terms
United
Reform Church Ceremonies
Divorce
and the United Reformed Church
A
Typical Wedding Ceremony
Flotation
Hydrotherapy
Marrying
Abroad
Austria
Alaska
Southern
Alaska (Average Maximum)
Hawaii
Making
A Will
'Living
Wills'
Wedding
Stationery
Cocktail
Capers
Preserving
The Memory
Create
your own stationery
Custom
designed stationery
Budgeting
For Your Flowers
Money
Saving Ideas
Doing
It Yourself
Caring
And Preparation Of Your Flowers
Bride's
bouquet
Bridesmaids'
flowers
Flower
girl's petals
Headdresses
for bride and bridesmaids
Buttonholes
Corsages
Flowers
for the mothers of the bride and groom
Ceremony
flower arrangements
Reception
flower arrangements
Choosing
A Flower Arranger
Creative
Ideas
Fragrant
Flowers
Buttonholes
and Corsages
Flower
Arrangements For The Wedding Ceremony
Confetti
Flower
Arrangements For The Reception
Flowers
And Colours To Suit Your Star Sign
The
Symbolic Meanings Of Flowers
The
Symbolic Meanings Of Flowers
Introduction
Since the change in the law in April 1995, it is
possible to have a civil wedding ceremony in buildings other than a Register
Office and there are currently around 4000 licensed venues in England and Wales including castles, hotels,
stately homes, football stadiums and even zoos.
Statistics show that out of the 175,000 weddings
taking place in the UK
in the year 2000 there are over 90,000 civil weddings, with about 50,000 at
approved premises.
Although register offices are no longer the cold,
official places that they once were, the wedding ceremony is short and any
personalisation of the service can be quite limited. An approved premises
venue, on the other hand, allows you the choice of venue that is as grand and
proud or as small and intimate as you want your
wedding to be, with a personalised service that can include your own vows or
commitment added to the statutory declaratory and contracting words. As time is
less restricted you can include more of your favourite music, love poems and readings
to make your wedding truly unique.
So, if you like the idea of a traditional white
wedding, but without any religious associations then a venue wedding is the
ideal choice. Also, if you have been divorced it is still often very difficult
to find a religious minister who will agree to perform the ceremony and
therefore a licensed venue can provide a wonderful alternative.
Licenses for premises are not granted to private
building or residences because free public access must always be guaranteed.
Parks, sports fields or other open spaces are inadmissible, as is any room that
contains a licensed bar. You cannot marry on anything mobile so forget a ship
or aircraft unless it is permanently fixed or moored, like the Golden Hinde on the
Thames. The service itself is not allowed to
include any religious symbolism including candles, hymns or religious readings
and the building must not have any religious connections, either past or
present.
The legal requirements for getting married at a
Licensed Venue are the same as those for getting married by civil ceremony at a
register office, but the attendance of a Registrar also needs to be arranged.
To arrange a wedding at an approved premises, you must
first get in touch with the venue to make a provisional booking. You should
then contact the register office in the district where the premises is located
to ensure that the Registration Officer can attend your wedding. If you want a
humanist ceremony you should also make a provisional booking with a celebrant.
Once these have been agreed you can then confirm your booking at the venue.
Notice of your marriage is given at the register
office in the district(s) where you live, not where the venue is situated. Once
you have been issued with your Marriage Authority this should be forwarded to
the Superintendent Registrar in the registration district covering your venue
for their records.
You should give notice of your marriage in the
registration district(s) where you live and not in the district where the
approved premises is situated (unless you live in that
area). Once you have been issued with your Marriage Authority, you must forward
it to the Superintendent Registrar in the district where you are getting
married for their records. Notice can be given up to twelve months before your
wedding date and the earlier you plan the more chance you have of getting your
chosen date and venue. In addition to the standard fees for a civil wedding
there is a further fee payable to the Registrar for getting married at approved
premises.
Licensed venues have a greater flexibility than
register offices regarding the times that ceremonies can be held. The available
times are between 8am and 6pm on any day but this will be down to the
individual venue.
For more information, see the article on Licensed
Venues.
There are many advantages to holding a wedding and
reception at a licensed venue. The rooms allocated for your ceremony are often
larger and grander than a register office so you may not be as restricted in
the number of guests you can invite. Also many venues have the facilities to
hold your reception as well as your ceremony, which allows the day to flow more
easily, but also eliminates any fears of losing any guests between the ceremony
and the meal! Many venues have a honeymoon suite and overnight accommodation
for your guests so you can easily make your day last an entire weekend by
sharing a wedding breakfast with your guests the next day.
Before you view a premises take time to think about
what you want and make a list of questions to ask and take a notebook with you
when visiting venues for jotting down any relevant points, for example:
Do you both like the venue?
Can you afford it?
Is it formal/informal
enough for you?
Can it accommodate all the guests you would like to
invite to the ceremony?
Does it offer reception facilities and menus that
you like?
Can you just have the ceremony there?
Can you just have the ceremony followed by a
celebratory drink and then leave?
Can you have a blessing following your ceremony?
Is there a music system you can use or space for
live music to be played?
Are the staff open to your ideas?
Will children be welcome and well catered for?
Is there a crèche?
Is the building accessible for all of your guests?
How far will guests have to travel?
Is there a good range of overnight accommodation
available locally?
Are there restrictions on the time the event must
finish?
Can you have music and dancing?
Can you decorate the venue as you wish?
Are there facilities for recorded or live music?
Will you have to pay extra for tables, chairs etc.?
Will the venue allow lighted candles? (many won't as they can be seen to have religious
connotations).
Ask where photographs can be taken, indoors and
outside?
Can you take your own drink? If so, how much is
corkage? And how much are the drinks provided at the venue?
Can you use external caterers?
Check policy regarding holding bedrooms for guests.
Does the package include, changing room,
toastmaster, cake stand, flowers, cake knife?
What happens between the meal and evening
entertainment, do they supply another room while furniture is being moved etc?
What time does the bar close? Can a special license
be granted?
What is the availability of taxis and alternative
hotels for guests?
Do they provide they round or square tables?
Do they allow more than one wedding per day? This is
important as you may find that there up to three or four weddings taking place
on the same day.
H easy will it be for your guests to find and then park?
What do I wear?
What you wear at your licensed venue wedding is
clearly a personal decision but with the variety of places to hold your wedding
there are endless possibilities for creating a theme for your wedding, you just
need some imagination and a sense of fun. Why not have a
medieval theme in a dramatic castle setting, with you as King Arthur and
Lady Guinevere and your guests as your lords and ladies? For something simpler
you could have a colour theme, from your outfits to the serviettes and have
your wedding room decorated to match. If getting married at your favourite
football team's stadium is your idea of the perfect day, then
you could go the whole hog and wear the team's strip, or at the very least
incorporate their colours. A wonderful alternative is to have your ceremony in
a beautiful theatre - simply pick a play and the stage is all yours to dress up
in whatever your imagination can think of.
Introduction
It may sound obvious, but the essential difference
between getting married in a church and in a register office is that the latter
has no religious significance. This is the cheapest and fastest way to get
married (taking between only ten and twenty minutes), and the ceremony is
usually held in a room within a civic building.
Getting married at a register office was once the
only option open to divorcees, those who had no religious beliefs, those
wanting a quick ceremony with minimal fuss or couples marrying someone from a
different faith. However, thanks to the 1994 Marriage Act which allows civil
ceremonies to take place at licensed venues, the register office has rapidly
lessened in popularity and many couples who choose to marry there want a
simple, legal wedding prior to a more personal blessing, wedding abroad or
Humanist ceremony.
You can often personalise your wedding with music,
poetry and flowers but any amends to the standard ceremony are at the
discretion of the individual registrar and must be agreed to beforehand. Often
time restraints and the registrar's personal opinion will restrict any attempt
to create a more personal service and you may prefer a civil ceremony in a
licensed venue.
You are legally entitled to marry at any register
office in Wales and England,
regardless of the area that you live in, although your notice of intention to
marry must be given at the register office(s) where each of you reside. Make an
appointment to see the Superintendent registrar at your chosen office as soon
as possible to set a date and obtain a licence. Your licence is valid for
twelve months from the date of issue, although register offices do not take
bookings more than three months in advance. A Superintendent registrar is
legally bound to perform a ceremony for divorcees provided you can produce your
Decree Absolute.
You will find more information on the legal requirements
to marry in a register office in our article, Marriage - Legal Requirements
The registrar usually shows you the marriage room
when you 'give notice'. As a general guide, most marriage rooms seat around 30
people and may have additional standing room. Bear in mind that there can be as
many as three ceremonies an hour taking place, particularly on a Saturday,
which is why you may not have time to decorate the room or personalise your
ceremony.
As with any type of ceremony and venue, there are no
rules about what a bride and groom should or should not wear, including
choosing a veil and white dress. Do make sure you check out the size of the
marriage room and how much space you have to manoeuvre before opting for a
full-skirted gown and voluminous train.
Parking for anyone other than the bridal party may
be limited as many register offices are in the centre of town and guests may
need to find parking arrangements nearby. It is always a good idea to check this
out first and include details with your invitations.
What happens on the day
You are both required to arrive at least ten minutes
before the ceremony is due to start so that you can meet with the registrar to
confirm your details and pay the ceremony fees. In these days of bogus
marriages and asylum seeking, they actually have to check that you really are
the couple who are supposed to be marrying! If you prefer not to see each other
before the ceremony, then you need to arrange beforehand to see the registrar
separately.
Guests should also arrive at least ten minutes
before the start of the ceremony so they have time to be seated. The
registrar's assistant will tell them when it is time to enter the marriage
room. As with a religious wedding, the front rows should be reserved for your
bridal party, closest family or friends.
You then have a choice of how you make your entrance
into the marriage room. You can enter after the guests, either with your groom
or on your father's arm, or another person of your choice. Alternatively you
can both take your places before your guests come in.
Most register offices allow video cameras during the
ceremony, but the operator must not cause distraction from the proceedings or
the solemnity of the occasion. Many offices will not permit photography during
the ceremony but are happy to allow photographs after the signing of the
register if there is enough time.
Introduction
Muslims believe in one God - Allah - who has
complete authority over the destiny of mankind and the prophets through whom
His revelations were revealed. Muslims believe that God's 'everlasting message'
to man was disclosed to the prophet Muhammad.
This revelation, which was memorised and written
down by the prophet, is know as the Koran (Qur'an). It is believed that none of
the 114 chapters have been changed over the centuries, so the Qur'an is
regarded as being the absolute unique text and is the primary source of every
Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the issues which concern
mankind: wisdom, principles, worship and law, but the fundamental theme is the
relationship between God and humankind.
Legal Requirements
UK marriage laws allow for mosques to be registered
for the solemnisation of marriages according to the rites of the Muslim
religion. The legal requirements to be fulfilled are those that apply to civil
marriages. However, if the building in which you wish to marry is in a
different registration district to where you live, you need to prove to the
superintendent registrar that the building is your normal place of worship. If
you cannot do this, you will be required to give notice in the registration
district in which the building is situated after having met the necessary
residency requirements.
If there is no mosque or registered building in the registration
district in which you live, you will be permitted to marry in a building in the
nearest registration district that has one.
A superintendent registrar may also need to attend
the ceremony. If the building in which you intend to marry is not registered
for the solemnisation of marriages, you must arrange a civil ceremony
beforehand to comply with the requirements of the law.
A Muslim marriage is not a religious rite, but
simply a legal agreement. Divorce is not common among Muslims, although it is
not forbidden as a last resort. Before divorce is considered the couple are expected to attempt to reconcile their
differences in the first instance between themselves. If this fails then a
person from either family should arbitrate the situation. If these attempts at
reconciliation fail and both parties agree then divorce can be considered as an
option.
If after a divorce, a reunion occurs, it will be
regarded as a new marriage. However, there can be no more than two reunions.
The third divorce is the final one.
Customs
The Islamic religion recommends that a couple get to
know each other before marriage is considered, however they are not permitted
to be alone in a closed room or go out together unchaperoned. The parents usually
arrange marriages through recommendation, but the couple must both be in
agreement to the union.
Mahr is the marriage gift that a new wife is
entitled to and no marriage is regarded as being valid without it. It is a
token commitment of the husband and may be paid in cash, property or material
goods or can be non-material such as a commitment to teaching his wife to read
the Qur'an. The mahr may be paid immediately or deferred to a later date.
However, a deferred mahr is still due in the event of death or divorce.
Marriage is considered to be a social activity as
well as an act of worship (ibadah). A Muslim marriage ceremony (called Al
Nikah) begins with an address of a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the
officiator, who can be any worthy Muslim. The sermon invites the bride and
groom, as well as their guests, to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness and
social responsibility. Beginning with the praise of Allah, His help and
guidance is sought. This is followed by the Muslim confession of faith that
'There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His servant and
messenger' is declared. Then the three Qur'anic verses (Qur'an 4:1, 3:102,
33:70-71) and one prophetic saying (hadith) forms the main text of the
marriage. This hadith is:
'O by Allah! Among all of you I am the most
God-fearing, and among you all, I am the supermost to save myself from the
wrath of Allah, yet my state is that I observe prayer and sleep too. I observe
fast and suspend observing them; I marry woman also. And he who turns away from
my Sunnah has no relation with me'. (Bukhari).
The officiator concludes the ceremony with prayer
(duOa) for the bride, groom and their respective families, the local Muslim
community and the Muslim community at large (Ummah).
After the consummation of the marriage, the groom
holds a celebration banquet called a walima. The relatives, neighbours and
friends are invited in order to make them aware of the marriage.
Introduction
Quakerism is a term used to describe members of the
Religious Society of Friends, the movement started in the middle of the 17th
century as a splinter group from the Christian Church. The Quakers believe that
there is part of God in everybody, and that God works through people. The
Quaker religion has no ministers or vicars and Quaker services, called
meetings, are mostly conducted in silence.
There are four testimonies of the Quaker religion:
peace, equality/community, simplicity and integrity, and members try to live
their lives by these. Quakers are traditionally pacifists and are known as
conscientious objectors during times of war.
Legal requirements
A couple wishing to have a Quaker wedding must make
an application to the registering officer at the Friend's monthly meeting. This
must be received about six weeks before the date of the intended wedding. The
couple must state that they are members of the Religious Society of Friends
when giving notice of marriage. If only one partner is a member of the Society,
the other will be asked to state that they are in sympathy with the nature of
the marriage and they must provide letters of recommendation from two other
members. Sometimes, people who are not Friends wish to use the Quaker marriage
ceremony. The members at a monthly meeting will decide whether to allow the
Quaker marriage ceremony to be used by non-members.
Once the formalities have been completed, the
registering officer will issue a form that needs to be taken to the
superintendent registrar when notice is given. The legal requirements to be
fulfilled are those that apply to civil marriages. However, if the building in
which the couple wish to marry is in a different registration district to the
area of residence, proof needs to be given to the superintendent registrar that
the building is the normal place of worship. If this is not possible, notice
needs to be given in the registration district in which the building is
situated, after the necessary residency requirement has been met. If there is
no building in the registration district in which the couple live, permission
will be given to marry in a building in the nearest registration district that
has one.
Once the certificate of marriage has been obtained
from the superintendent registrar, it needs to be produced on the day of the
marriage ceremony.
Whilst the Quakers recognise divorce, it is seen as
a failure - not only by the couple, but also by the people who silently
promised during the wedding ceremony to help them. The couple deciding to
separate will be offered support from other members, and be encouraged to make
the separation as positive an experience as possible.
Already-divorced people are able to marry within a
Quaker meeting, as long as they are legally free to do so and have satisfied
the members that they are ready to make this commitment. A Quaker wishing to be
remarried must explain their situation before the members at a monthly meeting,
to get permission to re-marry in front of the meeting. The marriage may only
take place once this has been granted.
A wedding may take place at any time and in any
venue, but is usually at the Meeting House. The Religious Society of Friends
believes it is important that the marriage should be part of the ordinary
meeting of the Friends, and should be quiet and simple, and, like their normal
meetings, held on the basis of silent communication of spirit.
The bride and groom, as well as the guests, are
dressed simply, in fitting with the rest of the ceremony. Sometimes the bride
will wear white, but she may also choose something that can be worn again. The
groom will probably wear a dark suit along with a buttonhole. Guests are
generally not welcome to take photographs during the ceremony itself as this
may disturb those in prayer.
Guests can be invited to the meeting, whether or not
they are Quakers. The bride and groom sit at the front of the group and face
everyone. At the start of the meeting it is usual for a Friend to briefly
explain the procedures of a Quaker wedding. The congregation
are free to stand and speak, or may choose to remain silent. There is no
procession at the start of the ceremony, no music or minister present, although
there may be more flowers decorating the room than usual.
Early on during the meeting, when they feel that it
is the right time, the bride and groom stand up, hold hands and make their
solemn declaration of marriage. The bride and groom will say the following
words:
Friends, I take this my friend, Mark/Julie, to be my
husband/wife, promising, through Divine assistance (or with God's help), to be
unto him/her a loving and faithful husband/wife, so long as we both on earth
shall live.
Elders may allow a variation to these words, and the
form of the vows will be agreed beforehand. After the couple
have taken their vows, the bride and groom and two witnesses, often
parents of the bride or groom, sign the elaborately decorated marriage
certificate, which is then read aloud to family, friends and members. The
meeting is continued after the couple sit down again.
A period of silence follows, during which anyone present is allowed to pray for
God's blessing on the couple, and commit him or herself to supporting the
couple however they can. The whole congregation will also sign the certificate,
as they were all witnesses to the marriage, but this is often carried out after
the meeting itself has finished.
The meeting continues in the normal way, with
friends speaking as they see fit, or remaining quiet. Later two of the Elders
stand and shake hands to solemnise the marriage and to show the end of the
meeting.
The exchange of wedding rings is not a formal part
of the Quaker marriage ceremony, although some couples like to incorporate it
into the service after the vows have been taken. An increasing number of Quaker
women retain their own family names as a sign of equality between the sexes.
Introduction
It may sound obvious, but the essential difference
between getting married in a church and in a register office is that the latter
has no religious significance. This is the cheapest and fastest way to get
married (taking between only ten and twenty minutes), and the ceremony is
usually held in a room within a civic building.
Getting married at a register office was once the
only option open to divorcees, those who had no religious beliefs, those
wanting a quick ceremony with minimal fuss or couples marrying someone from a
different faith. However, thanks to the 1994 Marriage Act which allows civil
ceremonies to take place at licensed venues, the register office has rapidly
lessened in popularity and many couples who choose to marry there want a simple,
legal wedding prior to a more personal blessing, wedding abroad or Humanist
ceremony.
You can often personalise your wedding with music,
poetry and flowers but any amends to the standard ceremony are at the
discretion of the individual registrar and must be agreed to beforehand. Often
time restraints and the registrar's personal opinion will restrict any attempt
to create a more personal service and you may prefer a civil ceremony in a
licensed venue.
Legal requirements
You are legally entitled to marry at any register
office in Wales and England,
regardless of the area that you live in, although your notice of intention to
marry must be given at the register office(s) where each of you reside. Make an
appointment to see the Superintendent registrar at your chosen office as soon
as possible to set a date and obtain a licence. Your licence is valid for
twelve months from the date of issue, although register offices do not take
bookings more than three months in advance. A Superintendent registrar is legally
bound to perform a ceremony for divorcees provided you can produce your Decree
Absolute.
You will find more information on the legal
requirements to marry in a register office in our article, Marriage - Legal
Requirements
The registrar usually shows you the marriage room
when you 'give notice'. As a general guide, most marriage rooms seat around 30
people and may have additional standing room. Bear in mind that there can be as
many as three ceremonies an hour taking place, particularly on a Saturday,
which is why you may not have time to decorate the room or personalise your
ceremony.
As with any type of ceremony and venue, there are no
rules about what a bride and groom should or should not wear, including
choosing a veil and white dress. Do make sure you check out the size of the
marriage room and how much space you have to manoeuvre before opting for a
full-skirted gown and voluminous train.
Parking for anyone other than the bridal party may
be limited as many register offices are in the centre of town and guests may
need to find parking arrangements nearby. It is always a good idea to check
this out first and include details with your invitations.
What happens on the day
You are both required to arrive at least ten minutes
before the ceremony is due to start so that you can meet with the registrar to
confirm your details and pay the ceremony fees. In these days of bogus
marriages and asylum seeking, they actually have to check that you really are
the couple who are supposed to be marrying! If you prefer not to see each other
before the ceremony, then you need to arrange beforehand to see the registrar
separately.
Guests should also arrive at least ten minutes
before the start of the ceremony so they have time to be seated. The
registrar's assistant will tell them when it is time to enter the marriage
room. As with a religious wedding, the front rows should be reserved for your
bridal party, closest family or friends.
You then have a choice of how you make your entrance
into the marriage room. You can enter after the guests, either with your groom
or on your father's arm, or another person of your choice. Alternatively you
can both take your places before your guests come in.
Most register offices allow video cameras during the
ceremony, but the operator must not cause distraction from the proceedings or
the solemnity of the occasion. Many offices will not permit photography during
the ceremony but are happy to allow photographs after the signing of the
register if there is enough time.
Introduction
Roman Catholics are Christians who believe that
Jesus was sent by God to show people the right way to live. The Pope, based in
The Vatican, is the leader of the Church and advises on matters of faith and
morality over his world-wide flock.
Central to the Roman Catholic faith are The Seven
Sacraments which are: Baptism, Penance (the confession and forgiveness of
sins), Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders (where a person
devotes him or herself entirely to God), and becomes a nun (bride of Christ),
monk or priest, and relinquishes any right to marry, and Reconciliation (the
final sacrament, preparing the dying for ever-lasting life). The main
difference between the Protestant and Catholic beliefs is that Protestants
believe that Holy Communion (Eucharist) is a remembrance of Christ's last
supper, whereas the Catholic Church believe that the consecrated bread and wine
actually becomes the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation). In
addition, Protestants only have two sacraments, neither of which are Marriage.
Legal requirements
If you are both Roman Catholic, the publication of
banns goes ahead as normal but they do not form part of the legal
preliminaries. If only one partner is Roman Catholic, banns are not published
and the priest of the Roman Catholic partner will have to give permission for
the marriage to take place either in a Roman Catholic Church or a non-Roman
Catholic church. The legal requirements to be
fulfilled for a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony are those that apply to civil
marriages. However, if the church is in a different registration district to
where you live, you need to prove to the superintendent registrar that the
church is your normal place of worship. If you cannot do this, you will be
required to give notice in the registration district in which the church is
situated after having met the necessary residency requirement. For further
information on this subject, please refer to the Marriage Legal Requirements
article.
Divorce is very difficult within the Catholic
Church, who do not recognise a civil divorce. The only
way to divorce within the Church is to receive an annulment. This is quite
often a long procedure and will only be granted if the marriage suits the
Causes of Marriage Nullity. However, a limited amount of priests are willing to
offer a church blessing to a couple if one of them is divorced, especially if
they are both regular churchgoers.
Introduction
The Salvation Army is a Christianity based religion,
whose beliefs are ostensibly the same as the Church of England's. Great use is
made of military terminology and prospective Salvationists sign a document
called the 'Articles of War' before being enrolled as a Salvation Army soldier.
Members of the Salvation Army believe that, men have
become degenerate sinners that are justly exposed to the wrath of God as a
result of Adam and Eve's disobedience. It is also believed that repentance
towards God, faith in Christ and restoration by the Holy Spirit are necessary
for salvation. Members believe marriage is a voluntary and loving union that
should last for life, at the exclusion of all others and a relationship of
love, reflecting God's love for the human race. Salvation Army officers must
marry another officer, although there are no such restrictions for other
Salvationists.
Legal Requirements
A certificate or licence has to be obtained in the
normal way for a wedding to be held in a Salvation Army
Church, as no banns are
read. The legal requirements to be fulfilled are those that apply to civil
marriages. A superintendent registrar needs to attend the ceremony if the
officer is not authorised to register marriages. For further information,
please see the Marriage Legal Requirements article. Many Salvation Army
churches are licensed to hold weddings, and most Salvation Army officers can
hold weddings, so there will be no need for the couple to attend a civil
ceremony.
While it is believed that divorce is a failure,
Salvationists believe that Jesus would be compassionate to those struggling
with painful marriages. Therefore, the Salvation Army realises the certainty
that some marriages will fail, and allows its officers the option to perform
marriage ceremonies for divorced people, if it is believed that a remarriage
could lead to a positive outcome. Couples who have been married and divorced
can re-marry in the Salvation Army churches.
The Salvationist wedding is similar to any other
Christian ceremony, although, apart from the legal requirements, there is a lot
of flexibility in terms of choosing music and readings. There is no set text or
liturgy. A Salvation Army ceremony normally lasts about an hour and is often
very music orientated. Both members and non-members of the Salvation Army can
get married in a Salvation Army church, but the preparation that a couple must
go through before marriage differs from church to church and from officer to
officer. The couple are helped to understand the
meaning of marriage within the church, and the Christian significance of their
ceremony and promises. The officer preparing the couple may use a variety of
books and other resources to help the couple prepare for their commitment, and
this will probably take place over the few weeks leading up to the ceremony.
The majority of people getting married in the
Salvation Army do not wear the uniform that they may wear for ordinary
services, but normal bridal clothes. Most people have the usual attendants such
as bridesmaids, pageboys, and best men. However, if the couple both ordained
Salvation Army officers, (the equivalent of two ministers getting married),
they are expected to wear their uniforms.
In England
it is necessary for a registrar to attend the wedding as Salvation Army
officers are not automatically registered to perform weddings, however, this
does not apply to weddings in Scotland.
Continue to Salvation Army ceremonies
For the wedding of Salvationists the flag should be
held or placed behind the officiating officer. For the marriage of
non-Salvationists the army flag may be used at the officer's discretion.
In the case of Salvationists marrying, the ceremony
commences with a reading and explanation of the marriage articles. By means of
these articles, Salvationists not only make vows to each other but also affirm
publicly their joint dedication to God and his service. The officer should
explain the special nature of a Salvation Army wedding, bearing in mind that
usually some of the guests are not Salvationists and may not be committed
Christians. This introduction is omitted for non-Salvationists.
If seated, the bride and groom should be invited to
stand for the reading of the articles of marriage:
'We do solemnly declare that, although we enter into
this marriage for reasons of personal happiness and fulfilment, we will do our
utmost to ensure that our married status and relationship will deepen our
commitment to God and enhance the effectiveness of our service as soldiers of
Jesus Christ in the Salvation Army.
We promise to make our home a place where all shall
be aware of the abiding presence of God, and where those under our influence
shall be taught the truths of the gospel, encouraged to seek Christ as Saviour,
and supported in the commitment of their lives to the service of God.
We declare our intention to be to each other, by the
help of God, true Christian examples and, through the times of joy, difficulty
or loss, to encourage each other to 'grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ'.
The officiating officer will then say to the bride
and groom:
If you wish to be married upon these terms, please
stand forward.
As the bride and groom stand forward, the
officiating officer then says to the congregation:
We are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to join this man and this woman in holy
matrimony, which had been sanctioned and blessed by Jesus Christ, and declared
in Scripture to be honourable among all men.
Then, addressing the bride and
groom:
I exhort you both to enter into this new and holy
relationship with reverent thought, honest intention, and in the fear of God,
duly considering the purpose for which marriage has been ordained.
I require and charge you both in the presence of God
and of this congregation that if either of you knows anything to prevent you
from being lawfully married you do now declare it.
The bridegroom then says after the officiating
officer, using all names:
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful
impediment why I (name) may not be joined in matrimony to (name)
The bride then repeats the same statement
The officiating officer will then ask the
bridegroom:
Toby, will you take Joanna to be your wife, to live
according to God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort,
honour, and sustain her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long
as you both shall live?
The bridegroom answers: I will
The same question is then posed to the bride, who in
turn, replies: I will.
The bridegroom then takes the bride's right hand in
his and says after the officiating officer:
I call upon these persons here present
To witness that I (name)
Do take thee (name)
To be my lawful wedded wife,
To have and to hold
From this day forward,
For better for worse,
For richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish,
Till death us do part,
According to God's holy ordinance;
And this I declare upon my honour
(Salvationists add):
As a true soldier of Jesus
Christ.
The couple loose hands and then the bride takes the groom's right hand in hers and makes the same
declaration.
They release hands and the ring is placed on the
book. The bridegroom then puts the ring on the third finger of the bride's left
hand, saying after the officiating officer:
I put this ring upon your finger
As a continual sign that we are married
Under the solemn promises
We have made this day
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
The officiating officer joins their right hands,
holding them together by his own hand and says:
In the name of God, I declare you to be husband and
wife.
Whom God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder.
The officiating officer shall then offer prayers for
the couple and their new lives together, and the ceremony itself ends with
words such as:
God bless you both!
God bless your family and friends!
The officer may then give appropriate words of
guidance before the service is concluded with a congregational song and a
benediction. The signing of the register can take place at a suitable point
before or after the benediction.
Introduction
The word 'Sikh' originates from the Sanskrit word
shishya, meaning a disciple and seeker of the truth. Sikhs believe in the
existence of only one God, and in the teachings of the 10 Gurus (religious
leaders or teachers), embodied in the Sikh Holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth
Sahib. Sikhism teaches the universal ideals of honesty, compassion, humility,
piety, social commitment and tolerance for other religions.
The Gurus taught the basic values of freedom,
brotherhood, charity, obedience, understanding, sympathy, patience, simplicity,
and piety and outlined the path to spirituality in life. They considered
themselves to be simply servants and said that they were human and were not to
be worshipped as Gods.
Legal Requirements
UK marriage laws allow for temples to be registered
for the solemnisation of marriages according to the rites of the Sikh religion.
The legal requirements to be fulfilled are those that apply to civil marriages.
However, if the building in which you wish to marry is in a different
registration district to where you live, you need to prove to the
superintendent registrar that the building is your normal place of worship. If
you cannot do this, you will be required to give notice in the registration
district in which the building is situated after having met the necessary
residency requirements.
If there is no building in the registration district
in which you live, you will be permitted to marry in a building in the nearest
registration district that has one.
A superintendent registrar may also need to attend
the ceremony. If the building in which you intend to marry is not registered
for the solemnisation of marriages, you must arrange a civil ceremony
beforehand to comply with the requirements of the law.
The Sikh marriage is monogamous. In the case of a
broken marriage, divorce is not possible according to the Sikh religious
tradition. However, the couple are at liberty to
obtain a divorce under the civil law of the land. Marriage in Sikhism is
regarded as a sacred bond in attaining worldly and spiritual joy.
Sikh weddings are traditionally arranged marriages
where both families help to choose the marriage partner for their offspring.
Both of their individual agreement is sought before marriage is considered.
An engagement (called the Kurmai) is not deemed
necessary but, if desired, is typically performed a week before the wedding and
is usually conducted at the temple or at the groom's home. If the ceremony is
performed in the temple, the Gurdwara, it starts with Milni where, after
prayers, the families greet each other with the ritual exchange of garlands.
Kirtan (a simple ceremony and hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) is performed as
people enter the Gurdwara and, with men and women sitting separately, they
stand for the Ardas (the common Sikh prayer). It is traditional for the father
of the bride to place one end of the groom's patka (scarf) over the bride and
groom's shoulders into the bride's hands, signifying her new life with her
husband. After the ceremony, the friends and families unite for the Langer
(traditional meal).
If the ceremony is performed at home, the bride's family visit the groom's house and in both cases he is
usually presented with a Kara (bracelet), kirpan (sword) or Indian sweets. The
bride's family are presented with an Indian outfit and
sweets as gifts for their daughter.
Different Sikh families have different customs for
preparing the bride before her wedding. Some families have five of the bride's
close relatives to stay with the bride for the days leading up to the wedding
day. They comb a mixture of henna, oil and water through the bride's hair, and
paint her hands and legs with henna designs. On the day before the wedding, a
party of the groom and his relatives, known as the Braat (various spellings),
are welcomed, given food and entertained. The party either
stay at the bride's home ready for the early morning service, or travel
straight to the wedding location.
What to wear
Close family members of the same sex dress the bride
and groom on the morning of their wedding. The groom is dressed in white and,
in some communities, the bride wears colourful robes,
which are usually red with gold embroidery. The bride wears a full veil, hiding
her face from the groom until after the ceremony as Islam dictates.
Guests should wear traditional clothing if at all
possible. If this is not an option, then women should wear long skirts that are
preferably dark and vibrantly coloured, for example red or purple. White
clothing is considered to be unlucky. Both men and women should wear a head
covering and remove their shoes at the door. The guests will sit on the floor
of the temple throughout the marriage service that will last for approximately
one and a half hours.
Amrit: baptism
Anand Hymn: written by Guru Amar Das and performed
at Sikh weddings
Ardas: a common Sikh prayer
Asa di Var: Gurus' morning hymn
Braat: the groom's party of friends and family
Gurdwara: temple
Guru: religious leader or teacher
Kara: bracelet (one of the 5 Ks vital to Sikh
tradition)
Karah Prashad: sweets
Kirpan: sword (one of the 5 Ks vital to Sikh
tradition)
Kirtan: simple ceremony and hymns from the holy book
Kurmai: engagement
Langer: traditional meal
Lavan: marriage hymn with four verses
Milni: after prayers, the two families greet each
other with garlands
Pathi: a good Sikh who officiates
the marriage
Patka: scarf
Shishya: disciple, seeker of truth
United Reform Church Ceremonies
Introduction
The United Reformed Church is part of the Christian,
and focuses on one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The church is a union of
the Congregational Church of England and Wales, the Presbyterian Church of
England and the Re-Formed Association of Churches of Christ.
Legal Requirements
Not all United Reformed churches are registered to
hold weddings, so you need to check with the individual church. If the church
is not registered, a registrar will have to be in attendance at the wedding as
well as the minister. For more information on this subject, please refer to the
Marriage Legal Requirements article.
The United Reformed Church has a more liberal view
on marrying divorcees than many branches of Christianity, and it is often to
this church that couples turn if they would like a Christian wedding ceremony
after one or both of them has divorced.
Each minister has overall control of the activities
in his community and can decide, after speaking with the couple, whether or not
he will marry them
The pattern of a United Reformed Church is similar
to other Christian wedding services so check out our article on the Church of
England ceremony for more detailed information and a sample order of service.
There will be Love Poems and Readings readings, hymns and
prayers, as well as an exchange of vows and rings. The minister will probably
speak about the nature of marriage in a religious context, and may invite the
guests present to help the couple in their new lives together.
Salon Beauty Treatments
Every bride wants to float down the aisle looking a
million dollars. The good news is that it doesn't cost that much to ensure that
you look your very best on your wedding day. Beauty salons offer many and
varied treatments to help bring out your best bits and to improve on the rest
so why not indulge yourself and luxuriate in one or more of the beauty
treatments on offer.
Remember to check out The
wedding book of calm. A practical suggestion on each page to
help you deal with the stress that builds in the run-up to a wedding.
Just remember though - You don't have to do everything at once!
Stress- Relieving Treatments
Floating frees your mind from every day anxieties,
promoting a deep sense of peace. You float either on a soft water bed or in the
tranquillity of a flotation room. This therapy relieves stress and pressure
from muscles and joints and lowers blood pressure - an hour is said to be
equivalent of a night's sleep.
A general term for water
therapies. A hydrotherapy bath
relieves muscle tension, improves muscle tone and stimulates the circulation
and lymphatic system. It involves different methods of applying water and a
variety of seaweeds, mud and minerals for special healing effects. The most
common treatment is the hydrotherapy bath - an all over body scrub is followed
by immersion in a hot bath containing mineral-rich substances. After 10 minutes
or so, tiny water jets pummel and massage the body, and your therapist may also
use a hose attachment to massage specific muscle groups. After five minutes you
will be left to relax for a further 10 minutes. Treatment is often finished
with a body massage to leave you feeling totally invigorated and refreshed.
Just imagine a sandy beach, blue skies, a warm
breeze, palm trees and the sound of the sea gently lapping on the shore. If
this conjures up a vision of romance in your mind then getting married in an
exotic location is for you. Maybe you prefer the notion of marrying beside an
Italian lake, a wedding with a skiing theme, or in the compound of a safari
park. Whatever you want will be available somewhere in the world and we will
help you to arrange it.
Don't forget to take a pack of disposable cameras to
capture all those magical memories.
View Weddings Abroad Suppliers on Confetti.co.uk.
Where to Start?
Getting help from specialist
wedding tour operators, insurance, planning, health advice and popular wedding
destinations worldwide.
The legal low-down
Residency requirements, affadavit's, passports &
visa's, marriage blessings and more.
A typical day
Make sure you 've thought
about the outfits, cake, flowers, photo's, music and of course transporting
everything you'll need.
Destinations
Our total guide covers expected weather, and a
region by region guide to obtaining a marriage licence, documents & legal
requirements as well as types of ceremonies available.
. Europe
. The Americas
. Caribbean and Hawaii
. Far East and
Pacific
. Africa and Indian Ocean
. All destinations
Austria
One of the most densely forested and mountainous
countries in Europe, Austria
lies at the end of the Alps, which curve
across the country, except in the southern and eastern regions. Lush valleys
flank the river courses, the most famous of which is the Danube, Europe's longest river. Austria is a paradise for people
who enjoy the outdoors, and is ideal for all types of skiing. Winter activities
also include ice-skating, curling, tobogganing and rides in horse drawn
sleighs, while in the summer you can enjoy walks, hikes, rides on horseback and
mountain biking. So if you want an action packed wedding, with a difference,
perhaps Austria
is the place for you.
Weather
Jan Feb Mar
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T 34 37 46 59 66 73 77 75 68 39 45 37
S 2 3 4 6 8 8 9 8 7 4 2 1
R 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.8 2.7 3.4 2.9 1.7 2.2 2.1 1.8
Key to symbols used:
T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5")
Flight time: 2 hours
GMT = or -: +1
Visa: Not required
Proof of ID: Your original birth certificates and
passports must be produced.
Proof of Status: A Certificate of No Impediment must
be obtained from your local Register Office not more than six months before
your wedding date.
Divorced: If either of you is divorced you must
produce your decree absolute.
Widowed: If either of you has been widowed you must
produce the death certificate of your deceased spouse.
Age restrictions: The minimum age to marry without
parental consent is 19 years old. If you are younger then you must obtain
evidence of parental consent in the form of a sworn affidavit.
Name change: If your name has been changed by Deed
Poll you must provide legal proof, stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also
applies if you are a divorced woman and have reverted back to her maiden name.
Ceremonies
Austrian law recognises only civil marriages
however, a religious ceremony may be performed after a civil marriage has been
solemnised. Civil marriages are performed by officials of the Vital Statistics
Office in the appropriate jurisdiction and can be followed by a religious
ceremony if you desire. It is sometimes possible to arrange to have your civil
ceremony somewhere other than in the Register Office, such as on a mountain
side, but this is down to the individual Registrar, so if you have a particular
preference for the location you must ask in advance.
Obtaining your marriage licence
You should apply for your marriage licence at the
Standesamt of the first district of Vienna (see Further information for
address). You must both attend in person taking all necessary documents with
you. Originals or certified copies of documents must be sent to the Register
Office where the marriage is to take place at least 8-ten weeks prior to your
intended date of marriage. Any affidavits and your Certificate of No Impediment
must be translated into German first.
Alaska
Alaska conjures up images of ice and snow, wild
animals, deep river fjords, wilderness and the last frontier and that is just
about what it is. Juneau, built between Mt. Juneau
and the Gastineau channel, is Alaska's largest
city in southeast Alaska
and the capital and offers some of the best glacier viewing in the world. Fairbanks is Alaska's
second largest city and was founded due to gold discovered near there which led
to the ensuing gold rush of 1903-4 and Anchorage
started out because of the need for a railroad to the interior of Alaska and is named
after the first Post Office opened there in 1915. As Alaska's largest city it is has the highest
population with nearly half of all Alaskans living there.
Weather
Southern Alaska (Average Maximum)
Jan Feb Mar
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Temp 22.5 22.8 29.4 38.2 58 61 64 62 56 40 28.9 20.9
Sun 2 3 4 6 8 7 9 8 6 4 2 3
Snow 16 18 17 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 13
Northern Alaska
Jan Feb Mar
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Temp -13 -14.3 -6.7 11.4 32.8 57.1 66.2 57.5 41.1
17.4 -0.8 -12.2
Sun 2 3 4 6 8 7 9 8 6 4 2 1
Snow 14 16 17 16 9 0 0 0 0 5 9 12
Fight time: 10
GMT + or -: -8
Visa: No
Documents and legal requirements
Residency: There are no residency requirements and
you can avoid the three working day waiting period before a marriage licence is
granted by applying by post in advance.
Proof of ID: You will be required to appear in
person at one of the marriage bureaus with your passports. (See Further
Information for addresses).
Divorced: A certified copy of your decree absolute
will be required if your previous marriage ended within sixty days of your
application.
Widowed: If you are widowed you will be required to
produce the death certificate of your former spouse.
Age restriction: You must both be eighteen years old
or over. If either of you are below age eighteen you should contact a bureau
office for additional instructions.
Ceremonies
You can have your wedding ceremony anywhere on land
so you can choose anything from a glacier field (via helicopter) to a chapel on
a lake or at one of the many spectacular glacier gardens. If you want a
religious service you should contact the church of your choice direct. Details
of churches are obtainable from Alaska Tourism (se Further Information).
Obtaining a marriage licence
There is a three-day waiting period before a licence
can be granted. Application can be made in person, by phone, fax or letter. The
waiting period begins once the necessary information is received. If your
application is made by phone or fax a hard copy of the information must follow
by mail. You must provide the following:
Both of your names, address and telephone number
plus all the appropriate documents listed above. Once your licence has been
issued it is valid for ninety days. You can also fill in the application form
on line from dced.state.ak.us and fax it to the relevant marriage bureau.
Hawaii
Some one hundred and thirty islands, sandbars and
reefs make up this pacific state and with its closest neighbour being the
Christmas Island chain, some 2,000 miles to the south, Hawaii is the most isolated group of islands
on earth. Discovered by Captain Cook in 1778, the Hawaiian
Islands are now famous as one of the world's premier year round
holiday resorts, which, for most people, conjures up
visions of a tropical paradise.
Weather
Jan Feb Mar
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T 80 75 77 78 80 82 89 82 82 82 80 78
S 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 10 9 8 6 7
R 2 3 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 2 3
Key to symbols used:
T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5")
Flight time: 16.5 hours
GMT + or -: - 10
Visa: Yes
Documents and Legal requirements
Residence: There are no residence
or citizenship requirements but two full working days may be required to
process documents in some instances.
Proof of ID: You both need a full 10-year valid
passport and copies of your birth certificates.
Divorced: You must produce your Decree Absolute if
you are divorced.
Widowed: If you are widowed the death certificate of
your deceased spouse will be required.
Name change: If you have changed your name by Deed
Poll the original, stamped document must be produced.
Age restrictions: The legal age to marry is 18 years
for you both, however, with written consent of both parents, legal guardian or
family court, it is possible to marry as young as 15.
Ceremonies
Ceremonies can be indoors, in a church, chapel or
hotel, or under the sky in a beautiful location. You can take a helicopter
flight into the forest or even write your vows in the sunken remains of a ship,
just about anything goes in Hawaii.
Applying for your marriage licence
Application to marry must be filed with a marriage
licence agent in the state (see below for address). Both of you must appear
personally before the marriage licence agent as applications cannot be made by
post. The licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, after which it
will become null and void.
Fees: The fee for a licence is $25, payable in cash
at the time of application.
Religious weddings - email sent 11/4/00
Introduction
Considering making a Will at a time of joy and
happiness may seem to many to be somewhat morbid and probably the furthest
thing from your mind. However, it is not just something that 'older' people
should consider as it is a sad fact of life that tragedy can happen when you
least expect it. The making of a Will is in fact an act of love and
consideration. It is also a responsibility undertaken by those who wish to
spare their next of kin further pain of worry and even hardship when they die,
especially if their death is untimely and sudden.
What is a will?
A Will is a legally binding deed that states what
happens to a person's property after they die. Clearly a Will does not take
effect until after a person dies, meaning that it is possible to change or replace
it with another that supersedes any previous ones. This allows for any changes
in circumstances that occur during a person's lifetime.
There are many misinterpretations as to what happens
to your assets after death and to what constitutes a legal will. The following
list highlights some of the more common misconceptions:
A letter conveying your desires as to what is to
happen to your property on your death constitutes a legal document - It does
not.
The surviving spouse always inherits their partner's
estate, which they must use for the benefit of the family - This is not so.
Your next of kin automatically acquires your
property and has a legal duty to distribute it fairly amongst the members of
your family - This is not so.
A final request by a dying person is always
enforceable - It is not.
There are two essential prerequisites for a person
to make a Will, you must be at least 18 years old and be of 'sound mind'.
Why have a will?
Everyone has an 'estate' whether it be assets worth
millions or a few hundred pounds in savings and some treasured possessions with
little monetary value, but priceless in sentiment. If a person dies without
having left a Will, it can take many months before those left behind are able
to gain access to bank accounts, savings and even life insurance. Your spouse
will receive your personal possessions up to £200,000 (subject to change) or
£125,000 if you have children (subject to change). A Will is an opportunity to
make certain that your money goes where you want it to and to keep the taxman's
share to a minimum. It also allows you to arrange guardians for any children.
Besides peace of mind there are plenty of other
reasons for making a Will:
It will avoid family conflict. Not making a Will can
often lead to disputes and bitterness between loved ones when it comes to
sharing out your estate.
A Will allows you to choose who will best deal with
your wishes after death. If you have not appointed executors, the courts,
according to statutory rules, will decide who will act in this capacity. They
will normally be people who stand to inherit your estate under the intestacy
rules.
You can also appoint guardians for children under
the age of 18. Guardianship is a particularly important consideration if you
are the only surviving parent of young children. The Children's Act 1989 states
that if you have not appointed guardians for children under the age of 18, the
courts will do it for you.
You can make clear what you want regarding funeral
arrangements and the final disposal of your body.
Making a Will is the only way you can ensure that
your estate goes where you want it to without paying more tax than you
absolutely have to. If the value of a joint estate is more than £500,000 you
will definitely benefit from taking Inheritance Tax saving actions.
Single and two mirror wills for married partners or
couples can be purchased online from the Confetti website. Your will is drafted
by a real live solicitor, who will discuss any specific concerns you have.
Making A Will
The effect of marriage on your will
Any existing Will is automatically revoked upon
marriage, a point that has particular relevance and importance to those
marrying for the second or subsequent time. The law automatically presumes that
your wishes will change once you have a new spouse to consider. Therefore, any
existing obligations made before the marriage will need to be readdressed to
ensure that the beneficiaries are protected and that your wishes are carried
out without delay and misunderstanding. If you do not make another Will then,
if the worst happens, you will die intestate and the statutory intestacy rules
will be affected. The main problem arising from this is that if you leave less
than £125,000 (subject to change), then any children of a previous marriage, or
of your present marriage, will not inherit anything, as under the rules of
intestacy, it will all go to your spouse.
When you plan to marry there is an alternative that
allows you to make a Will in contemplation of marriage. This is a Will made
before your marriage and is not intended to be revoked by the marriage. Such a
Will can only be made with a particular person/persons in mind and cannot be
used as a general Will.
A divorce has the effect of removing your
ex-husband/wife from your Will, while the rest of the Will remains applicable.
This is because the law supposes that as you are divorced, you will not want
your former spouse to inherit any of your estate. Any property
that may have been left to your former husband/wife will instead go to whoever
would have inherited it had he/she died at the date of divorce. However, if you
still want an ex-spouse to benefit from the Will, it must be clearly evident
that the divorce does not affect it.
A 'living will' is a statement written while a
person is in possession of all their physical and mental capabilities and
refers to their future medical treatment. At this time there is no legislation
that covers 'living wills', but as they have become more common the British
Medical Journal has published a code of practice covering the subject. It was decided
that a person could refuse medical treatment in advance if three conditions are
met:
1. The individual must by fully aware of the
consequences of the request.
2. The individual must have a clear understanding of
any treatment and its consequences.
3. The individual must have anticipated the
circumstances that have occurred.
However, a person cannot legally refuse basic care;
the fundamentals to keep a person alive, although other renunciations may be
legally binding, and for a 'living will' to be valid it must be witnessed and
signed by all concerned parties.
Safe keeping
A will is an important legal document - keeping it
in a 'safe place' at home is not therefore recommended. Apart from the problem
of it not being found in the first place, there are the other risks, such as
fire, loss and even interference. Also, a little known fact is that the first
person to lay their hands on your Will can decide whether or not it is used, so
it is important only you and your executor(s) can access your Will.
Introduction
Wedding stationery can be obtained from a number of
sources: mail order, printer, stationers and stationery designers or you can
buy online from confetti.co.uk's extensive range of wedding stationery.
The range of items and styles is vast and it would
be all too easy to get carried away. You may expect to simply choose the
invitation style you want, it will be printed and supplied with matching
envelopes and you are away. Certainly in some cases this may be so but wait
until you see what is on offer:
Invitations - envelope seals - cake boxes - place
cards-matchbooks - serviettes - serviette rings - coasters - favour boxes -
menu scrolls - menus - guest book - adhesive bottle labels - seed sticks -
personalised ribbon - acceptance - order of service sheets - thank you cards -
you can even have chocolates with personalised wrappers!
It should also be said that many of these items
provide delightful keepsakes and at least some are worth considering. They can
also provide a wonderful way of continuing a theme for your wedding.
Invitations
Invitations are obtainable in virtually any design
you choose and specialist companies can even offer you the option of having
your invitation personalised. Don't forget that you will need separate
invitations for those being invited to the evening reception only and there is
also the option of including response cards together with printed envelopes.
Personalised stationery
Personalised stationery can set the tone of your
wedding and can co-ordinate with your table theme and colour. All Confetti
personalised stationery is made from the finest quality materials. You can find
a range of quality boards, ribbons, foil printed and embossed designs. You can
choose from over 85 colours and designs, 8 typefaces, a wide range of colours
and links, luxury insert envelopes, boards, materials and designs.
Whether you're after a Naked Waiter or a Naked Pretzel,
this is the WGUK definitive guide to cocktails including our exclusive
WeddingGuideUK champagne cocktail created especially for you. Whether you're
planning a hen night or an evening at home, we have the ideal cocktail or
mocktail for you.
For many of you, a hen night will be a slightly
alcoholic affair but do you know your Pink Pussies from your Turtledoves? Don't
worry if you don't - or can't - drink, mocktails can be just as fun with none
of the side effects. So, if you're after a girls' night in, a women's night out
or a celebration of self, we've thought of everything!
Instead of just looking at a
list of cocktails with a bemused grin, why not theme your night to give it that
extra fun factor? Stick to the
classics and muse over a Manhattan
or colour co-ordinate your night so each hen is assigned a colour and you're
only allowed drinks with that particular shade in the title.
Some drinks cover various sections but are only
mentioned once so Hair of the Dog is in the 'Alcoholic Tendencies' section but
could just as easily be used for an Animal Magic theme. Take the time to mooch
through each section and discover those special concoctions to make your
evening go with a bang.
Introduction
Flowers can add a wonderful decorative touch to your
wedding, and when chosen with care will give the finishing touches to your
outfits.
You will express your personality by the colours and
varieties you choose, while the symbolic meanings of flowers add individuality
and symbolism to your wedding day, and make it that little bit more special.
Traditions
Flowers have been part of wedding ceremonies since
at least Roman times, when both the bride and groom wore floral garlands.
During Elizabethan times the bride's friends would give her groom sprigs of
rosemary that symbolised faithfulness, to ensure future happiness for the
bride. Some brides carried sprigs of rosemary tied with silver lace, which
symbolised constancy and firmness. This led to the custom of guests dipping a
sprig of rosemary into their wine before drinking.
Victorian bridal posies traditionally included
myrtle, a token of love, and the popular shower bouquets of the late nineteenth
century usually contained orange blossom, a symbol of chastity. Victorian
brides would plant the cuttings of rosemary from their bouquets into their new
gardens, to supply the bridal bouquets of their own daughters in years to come.
Centuries ago, bridesmaids planted myrtle bushes at
the couple's new home, to ensure the couple happiness. It was also believed
that the bridesmaids would soon marry if the bushes took root.
Even royalty took part in this tradition; the myrtle
that was in Princess Anne's bridal bouquet in 1973 was planted from Queen Victoria's bouquet in
1840.
You may think you are holding a bouquet of
beautifully coordinated colours, but to your ancestors you are clutching a
collection of carefully coded messages. Flowers have had secret meanings ever
since Greek mythology. The Ancient Greeks first developed 'The Language of
Flowers'. It caught the attention of the Victorians in 1820, when the Language
of Flowers was published and learnt, allowing lovers to communicate by
exchanging flowers. Some flowers carry several (sometimes conflicting)
meanings, whilst others have no hidden messages at all (perhaps because the
flowers have only become popular recently). Each flower also possessed a
different meaning when placed at different parts of the body such as in the
hair, cleavage or over the heart. It was popular during the Victorian period
for the bride to spell out a word through her choice of bouquet flowers, for
example lilies, orange blossom, violets and euphorbia.
Another tradition is that of the bachelor's button
flower. A single man would pick the flower early in the morning while the dew
was still on the ground, and then put it in his pocket for twenty-four hours.
He would be happy in marriage if the flower were still 'true blue' the
following morning. The flower rarely kept its true-blue colour so many men remained
single!
It is also traditional to tie love knots in the
ribbons of the bride's bouquet, which not only represent the new union and best
wishes, but are also thought to bring good fortune. A bridesmaid upon catching
the bride's bouquet can increase her chances of being the next bride by making
a wish as she unties one of the ribbons in the bouquet. The tradition for the
bride to throw her bouquet is also an old one. The bride throws the bouquet
backwards and over her shoulder towards the guests when she leaves for her
honeymoon. The lady who catches it is supposed to be the next one to be
married.
You can arrange to have your bridal bouquet
preserved, as a permanent reminder of your special day. The bouquet is
photographed and the flowers dismantled petal by petal. These are then pressed
and mounted on silk. If you choose to dry the flowers from your bouquet, you
must place them in a box full of silica gel crystals, and leave until the
crystals have absorbed all the moisture. Alternatively, a florist may be able
to make a replica of your bouquet by using silk flowers.
You could arrange for a few flowers from your
bouquet to be mounted into a paperweight, or you could take cuttings from the
flowers and grow them in your garden. Tell your florist in advance that you
wish to take cuttings, because some flowers are treated in a way that makes
them unsuitable to take cuttings from. The flowers from your bouquet could be
pressed and made into a framed collage. If you are going to traditionally throw
your bouquet but wish to keep a few of the flowers from it, make sure you keep
aside some of the flowers and give them to the chief bridesmaid or a friend to
look after, before you throw your bouquet.
A large variety of stationery ideas are found on the
Confetti website and catalogue.
You can create your own unique stationery at amazing
prices. This enables you to print your own stationery at home and add unique
details to your stationery. You can create your own from invitations to menu
cards with a variety of creative outers and inserts that can be printed and
trimmed at home. There is also a wide range of imprintables, and decorative
trims where you can either print or handwrite your own invitations, and add
decorative details on them. You can use the print centre on the confetti
website to download free Word templates, enabling you to get a professional
look at a lower cost.
A large variety of additional stationery ideas are
found on the Confetti website and catalogue.
Custom designed stationery is becoming more popular
and really add something to the image of the occasion. Commissioning a designer
to create your wedding stationery is one way of putting a personal mark on your
wedding but remember that it will almost certainly take longer to deliver than
pre-printed items.
Taking into account that invitations should be sent
out no later than six weeks before the wedding and preferably eight to nine
weeks before, a first consultation with the designer should really take place
around four or five months before the wedding.
Prices will naturally be higher than for mass
produced stationery but by how much will depend on the amount of work involved,
the quality of the paper used and the number of items ordered. It is important
to fix a deadline for completion and the price at the beginning in order to
avoid unpleasant surprises.
Stationery Checklist
Save the Date: Send these to your guests in advance
of your wedding to make sure they keep your special day free.
Invitation: Send these to your guests about 6 to 8
weeks prior to your wedding to make sure they respnd on time so you can plan
accordingly.
Evening invitation: Send these to the guests not
attending the ceremony, to invite them to the wedding reception.
Order of service: Give these to your guests at the
ceremony to follow the hymns and reading of the ceremony.
Acceptance: Give these to your guests to respond to
the invitation of your wedding.
Thank you: Send these to your guests to thank them
for your wedding gifts.
Place cards: Place these on the tables at your
reception to help guests know where they will be sitting.
Marrying abroad can bypass the headaches of
invitation lists, booking venues, flowers, transport and so on. Either a tour
company will take care of plans with a wedding package or you organise your own
day on a much smaller scale than a traditional wedding at home.
Wedding packages are available in many hotels with
some offering a free ceremony if you stay a certain number of nights, others charge up to £1000 or more. The service is
nearly always civil although religious ceremonies and blessings can be arranged
in most destinations. Most hotels have an area specially set aside for
conducting wedding ceremonies but there are some wonderful alternatives
including the beach, exchange vows underwater or on skis in the Alps. Packages tend to include just your basic
requirements: the service, marriage licence, certificate and legal fees but
these differ from hotel to hotel. If you want extras such as a video,
photographs, flowers or cake then expect to pay more. Remember that any extras
will generally be of a fairly basic nature compared to what you might expect if
marrying at home. Always check in the brochure or with your tour operator for
details.
You are bound to disappoint some members of your
family and friends who cannot be with you on the day,
especially grandparents who may feel unable to undertake such a trip. To
appease any objections you could arrange to have a blessing service or
reception when you return, but at the very least have a video made of the day
so that you can share your special moments with those unable to be with you.
Be aware that many hotels in exotic destination
perform more than one ceremony each day and you could also be the main
attraction for hotel guests. Ask your tour operator or hotel for details but if
you want to be certain of a private ceremony then consider a quieter or more
unusual destination.
Set out a budget for the amount of money to be spent
on your flowers as soon as possible. Traditionally your groom pays for the
flowers for the wedding party such as your bouquet and your bridesmaid's
posies, while the your family pays for the flowers for
the church and reception. Your groom is also responsible for organising a gift
of flowers to present to your mother during the reception speeches. However,
nowadays most couples have a combined budget that includes the flowers.
It is important to clearly set out the budget with
the florist, if you decide to employ one, so that they can work within the
limits and suggest the best arrangements for the set cost. The cost will depend
on your choice of florist, styles and flowers. More intricate styles will be more
expensive, and the bigger the venue, the more arrangements will be needed to
make an impact.
It is impossible to state what the average total
expenditure will be on bridal flowers, because it will depend upon the choice
of flowers, the availability of them and the quantities required. Prices for
flowers vary throughout the year, especially if out-of-season flowers are
imported in. Advances in horticulture mean that most flowers can be grown in
this country, although this may not be a cheap option.
There are several ways that you can save money on
the cost of your bridal flowers, while still creating a fantastic floral
effect:
If a variety of flowers that you would like is too
expensive for your budget, ask your florist to suggest another variety that is
similar in appearance at a cheaper cost:
Use the flowers for the ceremony at the reception
too
Share flowers and their cost with the other couples
getting married on the same day
Choose in-season flowers that are cheaper than having
to order flowers from abroad
If possible, arrange for a friend or relative to
take care of the flower arrangements, to save the cost of paying a professional
florist. Alternatively, take care of the arrangements yourself
Try and borrow as much equipment as you can from
friends and relatives
Use a few fragrant flowers in each arrangement, and
then fill out with non-fragrant varieties
Some brides choose to prepare the flower
arrangements themselves. This is a large undertaking, which requires an amount
of forward thinking and detailed organisation. It is better not to attempt this
kind of task unless you are looking for a few, very simple floral arrangements,
or have had an amount of experience in the field beforehand.
Most of the advice in the article below is relevant
to brides doing their own arrangements, and there are lots of hints and tips to
make the job easier.
In the planning stages, you will need to decide on
the types of arrangements that you would like, the
sizes and shapes of them, and the types of flowers that will be incorporated.
You will need to visit either a florist or market to
see the kind of flowers that are available at the time of year you are planning
your wedding. If you have the ability and facilities, you may like to grow your
own flowers instead. Make sure to plant more than you need in case of drought
or disaster.
It is worth asking family and friends to help
wherever possible, as there is likely to be a great deal of work to be done.
The helpers can also be called upon to provide or locate containers and
equipment, as well as helping with the construction of the creations. It should
be remembered that flowers are delicate, and will mostly be bought, arranged
and placed at the venues a few days before the wedding or on the morning of
your big day. It is here that an army of helpers will come into their own, as
you will most likely be busy with other things.
It is advisable to have a practise run for your
arrangements before the day, so that you do not have any last minute panics on
the morning of your wedding.
As well as imagination and ideally some prior
knowledge of the subject, you will need the following equipment if you decide
to take care of the flowers yourself: wire, twine, florist's oasis, sharp
scissors, gutta tape, ribbon, knife, secateurs, buckets and sufficient
containers to hold your arrangements.
If your wedding is to be held in a church, make sure
you speak to the resident flower arrangers. In addition to the advice in the
church section below, find out:
Who keeps the key to the church
What equipment the church has, e.g. pedestals or
other containers
Where the water source is
Where the rubbish is put and where cleaning
equipment is kept, e.g. dustpan and brush
The times that access will be
available to the people who will be decorating the church.
It is a difficult task to decide the number of flowers
that are needed per arrangement. If you come across pictures of arrangements
similar to the ones you intend to design, try counting the heads of flowers to
give you a rough idea. It is in this area, as well as others, that some prior
knowledge, or a skilled friend can be useful. When working out the quantity of
each flower that you will need, break down individual arrangements into
sections, to help you calculate the amounts required:
The focal flowers - these are the key flowers to
which the eye is drawn.
The transitional flowers - these are the 'fill-in'
flowers, which pad out the arrangements, usually smaller than the focal
flowers.
The foliage - this is the greenery which complements
the flowers.
Once you have designed the arrangements that you
would like for your celebrations, sorted out the containers and floral content,
you will need to purchase your flowers and foliage. Once bought, immerse the
cut ends of flowers and greenery in water overnight, to stop them drying out.
Try to keep the flowers as damp as possible, and make sure that any oasis used
is well soaked. Give the blooms a good dose of flower food before the wedding,
and remove damaged and unwanted leaves. Once your arrangements are in position,
spray them periodically with water to stop them from drying out.
Some brides employ a florist to do the major
arrangements, but make the buttonholes and corsages themselves. The amounts of
flowers required are simpler to calculate, and the florist may be able to
supply you with the flowers for you to arrange yourself. To make your own
buttonholes and corsages, follow these simple steps:
Cut the flower to leave a stem of about 5cm/2inches.
Thread thick florist's wire through the base of the
flower/top of the stem.
Push the flower about two-thirds of the way along
the wire.
Bend the wire so that both ends are parallel with
the stem of the flower.
Wind the longer end of wire around both the stem and
the shorter strand of wire. Wrap green gutta tape around the stem and wiring.
Foliage or other flowers can be added after
preparing them in the same way, and then tape the arrangements together with
more gutta tape. To give leaves some support, use wire to make a small,
horizontal stitch in the central vein at the back. Draw both ends of the wire down
into the shape of a hairpin parallel to the stem, then twist one of the wires
round the other end of the stem, and bind gutta tape around the stem.
Caring And Preparation Of Your Flowers
All the flowers to be worn and carried should arrive
on the morning of your wedding boxed, well sprayed and covered with cellophane
for protection. The florist will be able to offer you advise
about how to unpack the flowers.
Store the flowers out of the reach of children and
animals, and avoid the temptation to keep touching them. Keep them in a cool
place that is out of direct sunlight. A garage is a suitable place, but a
fridge may be too cold.
To keep flowers fresh, spray them freely with cool,
fresh water. This should be distilled if your local tap water is very hard,
since hard water leaves unsightly lime or chalky deposits as it dries.
Flower Checklist
Whether you do your flowers yourself or employ a
professional, the amount of flower arrangements necessary for your celebrations
depends on a variety of factors; the size of your venues, your budget, the amount of time you have to arrange your flowers, etc.
This is a checklist of the areas where flowers could
be used:
Choosing Your Flowers
Choosing A Flower Arranger
If you do not feel capable of arranging your own
flowers you will need to employ a professional florist. There is a range of
options to consider. A professional florist can be approached to wire bouquets,
headdresses, buttonholes and corsages, and take care of the venue arrangements.
When choosing a professional florist, consider the following:
Ask for personal recommendations from friends and
relatives
Look in your local newspaper or the business section
in your local telephone book
Ask several florists for their prices and the kind
of services they can offer, to find one that suits you the best
Look at the photographs of previous weddings they
have created flower arrangements for, before making a decision
Ask about visiting the shop early on the morning of
another wedding to look at the flowers and the ways they can be arranged
The florist should be booked approximately five to
six months before the wedding, if not sooner, and a meeting arranged at
approximately six weeks to discuss and finalise ideas.
If your wedding is to be held in a church, and you
don't want to employ a professional florist, try speaking to the church flower
arrangers to discuss the possibility of the weekly arrangers taking care of the
flowers. A contribution of money is polite and always welcomed, to allow for
extra flowers to be ordered.
What Happens At The Meetings With The Florist?
If you have decided to have your flowers organised,
arranged and delivered by a florist, you will need to meet to discuss your
requirements. While planning this meeting, make sure that your wedding dress
and the bridesmaids' outfits are finalised, otherwise you may choose the
flowers before you have chosen the clothes, and clashes may occur. It is
important that you discuss your ideas with the person who will be creating your
flower arrangements rather than the person who will just take your order.
Prepare some ideas before you meet the florist. Look
through bridal magazines for ideas of wedding flowers that will help to explain
what type of flower arrangements you would like, and take along any sketches or
pictures that you have collected. If you are on a tight budget, ask your
florist if they offer any special bridal packages for a set price. This will
usually provide the basis but you may be restricted to certain colours, flowers
that are in season, less complicated designs and a smaller number of
buttonholes.
Take swatches of your dress fabric and the
bridesmaid's dresses, and if possible sketches or photographs of the outfits,
to allow the florist to create a bridal bouquet that will complement instead of
compete with your dress. You should also mention the length of your veil and
the hairstyle that you intend to have. Experiment with different colour
combinations before ordering your final choice, and remember to tell the
florist the amount of buttonholes and corsages required.
The florist will be able to offer you all sorts of
advice on which style of bouquet will suit the style of your dress best, and
which flowers will best complement your hair colour and complexion. The florist
should also be able to adapt styles and colours to suit your personality. Do
not be afraid to ask the florist to do something slightly different or unusual
that you think will compliment your celebrations.
Make sure you discuss which flowers will last all
day without wilting, especially if your wedding is going to take place in the
hot weather of summer. Wild flowers are generally not a good option for
weddings because they will wilt quickly. Long lasting flowers include bird of
paradise, carnation/pink, marigold, montbretia, peruvian
lily, and sea lavender/statice.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from hay
fever, ask your florist to remove the pollen from the flowers. A good florist
should deal with the pollen beforehand, but if the pollen is still in place
then flick or lightly brush it away.
Do not feel restricted to fresh flowers; silk and
dried flowers are also an option, which allow you to keep arrangements from
your wedding day or to give them as gifts. It is possible to mix fresh and
dried/silk flowers, providing a solid arrangement with good lasting power. This
option is especially useful for flowers to be worn in the hair, as the
artificial flowers will give strength to the stems of the real.
You should ask each florist the same questions, to
ensure that you get comparable quotes from each.
These are some of the things to consider when
talking to each florist.
When will the flowers be delivered (the night before
or on the morning of the wedding)?
Is there an extra charge for delivery?
Will the florist stay at the ceremony and reception
venues to arrange flowers, light candles and make sure that the flower
arrangements are correct, or will the florist drop off the flowers and leave
other staff to take care of it?
If you decide to have the church arrangements
transferred to the reception, will the florist take care of the transportation?
There are many unique ideas that couples use for
their wedding day. You may choose to do some of the following yourself, or to
suggest some ideas to your florist, to add an extra touch to your special day:
Tie napkins with a piece of sprayed cord or ribbon,
and slip a flower underneath the cord
Place a decorative bowl of water on each dining
table. You can add fragrance to the water and fill these with floating candles
and flower heads.
Incorporate candles or nightlights into the flower
arrangements
Place terracotta pots planted with flowers on each
table, decorated with gold and silver motifs
Use leaves for place name cards with the guest's
names written on them in gold or silver pen
Incorporate objects into flower arrangements, such
as ornaments, shells, feathers and even photographs
Spray flowers and foliage different colours, and sprinkle
some glitter over them to add extra sparkle in the light
Freeze small flowers or leaves such as camomile,
forget-me-not, violets, ivy and mint leaves into ice-cubes, to serve with
drinks at the reception. They add style to the reception, but cost little to
make
Incorporate fruits and vegetables into the flower
arrangements, especially for weddings at harvest times. Suitable fruits and
vegetables include aubergine, ornamental cabbage, chilli pepper, cranberry,
currant, fig, grape, miniature leek, radish, squash, baby turnip, strawberry
apple, orange, lemon and raspberry
For autumnal weddings, use leaves, berries and cones
with a touch of gold
For winter weddings use the seasonal colours of
green and red with candles to create a cosy atmosphere. Add a variety of nuts
to each table arrangement again with a touch of gold or silver, to look like
frost
For spring weddings, place pots of bulbs on each
dining table, along with miniature Easter eggs incorporated into the
arrangements which your guests will enjoy eating
For summer weddings, place fruits in the flower
arrangements, which your guests will enjoy eating. Include strawberries and
other berries
You will remember all the happy memories from your
wedding day when you catch a smell of the same flowers that you had at your
wedding. Fragrant flowers can be more expensive than others, but are a popular
choice if used sparingly throughout the wedding arrangements.
Beautifully scented blooms include amaryllis,
camellia, carnation, daffodil, eucalyptus, freesia, gardenia, genista,
honeysuckle, hyacinth, japonica, jasmine, lavender, lilac, lily, lily of the
valley, magnolia, mimosa, mugwort, orchid, pansy, rose, rosemary, sage,
snowdrop, stephanotis, sweet pea, sweet william, violet, virburnum, and
wisteria. Arum lily can be either sweetly or unpleasantly scented.
sweet smelling cacia, amaryllis, arum lily, carnation,
freesia, heliotrope, hyacinth, lily of the valley, rhododendron, rose and sweet
pea
spicy scent chrysanthemum, hypericum and stock
exotic scent gardenia, jasmine, narcissi, stargazer lily
and tuberose
aromatic scent basil, broom, rue flowers and foliage,
eucalyptus, laurel leaves, lavender, marjoram, myrtle leaves, orange blossom,
rosemary and sage
citrus scent mimosa and wax flower
Your florist will be able to advise you on which
flower fragrances work well together. However, if you choose to have silk
flowers at your wedding, you will lose out on the appealing fragrances that
fresh flowers possess. To solve this problem, you may decide to use a delicate
floral fragrance that is easily sprayed onto the artificial flowers.
A floral room spray at a marquee reception will not
only save you money on fragrant flowers, it will also eliminate the damp smell
that sometimes comes from canvas. Another way around this problem is to put
herbs on the floor of the marquee. As the guests move around they will release
a delicate fragrance throughout the day. Herbs can be bought from supermarkets,
or grown simply from seed in the run up to your wedding.
Colour Schemes
Some brides still choose to have the traditional
white and cream colours for their wedding flowers, although many are now going
for brighter colours like orange and pink. Burgundy and gold also seem to be very.
There are four different colour schemes made up from
the colour wheel that will help to guide you with your choice of colours,
although you are free to choose which ever colours you like for your special
day:
Monochromatic - stay with one colour which is
determined by the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses. For example, if they
wear violet coloured dresses, you may choose pansies and violets.
Complementary - choose colours which are opposite
each other on the colour wheel. If your bridesmaids are wearing yellow, the
flowers should be violet; yellow and violet are opposite each other on the
colour wheel. If the colour of their dresses is a light shade, the
complementary shade should be light, and darker shaded flowers should complement
darker shaded dresses.
Triadic - a colour triad is made up of three colours
that are the same distance apart on the colour wheel, for example, green,
violet and orange. You can either have your bouquet made up of three different
colours, one being the colour of the bridesmaids
dresses, or two colours with the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses being the
third colour.
Analogous - this type of colour scheme involves
using shades which are next to each other within the colour wheel, for example,
green/yellow, green and blue/green.
You should consider the colour of your hair and your
complexion before you decide upon the colours of your flowers. If you have dark
hair and/or skin, then you should choose dark and rich coloured flowers. If you
have light hair and fair skin, then choose softer and lighter colours as vivid
colours can drain the skin and be overpowering.
It is a nice idea to choose seasonal shades for your
wedding, to create a seasonal atmosphere.
Spring - yellow, lilac, blue and white
Summer - yellow, orange, red, pink, gold, hazy
purple and green
Autumn - yellow, orange, red, gold, brown, russet
(reddish-brown) and cream
Winter - strong dark red, russet, green, orange,
gold, silver and white
In the past, buttonholes symbolised good luck and
divine love, especially red ones that were the masculine symbol of love. Grooms
wore them at their wedding to signify that they were bound with the promise to
marry.
Traditionally the groom, best man, fathers of the
bride and groom and ushers should all wear buttonholes. These are made up of a
single flower and a piece of foliage, worn in their left lapel. Other honoured
guests such as uncles, grandparents and close friends of the bridal couple may
also wear buttonholes. Generally, it is safe to choose buttonholes that are of
the same variety of flower or colour as the bride's bouquet. Some couples
choose to provide all their guests with a buttonhole each. The most popular
choices of flowers for buttonholes are carnations and roses. The stem is fitted
through the buttonhole on the left lapel and fixed into place with a pin at the
back and is positioned upright. To avoid any sign of the pin, simply thread it
through one thickness only of the lapel material.
Corsages are a slightly larger version of a
buttonhole, which are made up of the same flowers as those in the bride's
bouquet, and should be worn on the left lapel. They are made up of two or three
flowers, along with some foliage. The mothers of the couple will wear corsages,
and so too may the grandmothers. If you would like to give other family members
something to wear, you could give them a double buttonhole made up of two
blooms. This will give them significance during the wedding, and can be used for
family members such as sisters. It is important to make sure that the corsages
match the women's outfits, so you should find out the colours of their outfits
before ordering the corsages to avoid any colour clashes. Popular choices for
corsages include carnation, orchid, rose, stephanotis and freesia. Buttonholes
and corsages should be attached once you arrive at the wedding, to avoid the
possibility of seatbelts ruining them during the journey to the wedding
ceremony.
A corsage or buttonhole is a nice token of thanks
and appreciation for other people who participate in your wedding day, such as
those who give readings or sing during the ceremony. Some brides like to order
matching corsage to wear with their going away outfit.
As an alternative for hay fever sufferers, a dried
or silk arrangement could be made in similar colours and styles to the fresh
ones.
Floral Headdresses And Hair
Accessories
The florist will be able to offer you advice about
the best flowers to use for hair accessories, which will last the whole day
without wilting. Flowers and foliage can be threaded into long hair or secured
to a shorter hairstyle with combs. There are several different styles which can
be used to make the bride's and bridesmaids' hair attractive:
A circlet or half circlet of flowers
An alice band decorated with flowers.
This is a suitable choice for bridesmaids, especially young ones if their
favourite alice
band is decorated
Place individual flowers in your hair
Weave flowers into the hairstyle, such as a french
plait
Attach flowers to a large hair comb or hair slides
When you choose flowers for your hair, consider the
following points and ask your florist to advise you on your choice:
Will the flowers last all day without wilting?
Will they last all day without slipping out of
place?
Will they be comfortable to wear all day?
Do the flowers need the pollen or any sharp parts
removed?
Asking your florist for a selection of loose flowers
to wear in your hair, will work out cheaper and be much more versatile than a
floral circlet or Alice
band. An extremely complicated hairstyle with pleats and curls will not need an
intricate floral headdress; a few loose flowers will complement the style much
better. A popular choice at the moment is for a cluster of flowers to be placed
on top of the head, or for single flowers to be placed in the hair.
Headdresses that are made up of spiky flowers and
foliage may catch on the delicate fabric of a veil. Suitable flowers for
headdresses include: daisy, frangipani, freesia, gardenia, gypsophilia, mimosa, rosebuds, tuberose and wax flower. Once you have
decided on a few types of flowers that you would like to consider, arrange a
consultation with your hairdresser to discuss your ideas and how they may be
implemented.
A wedding is a very joyous occasion to celebrate,
and the appearance of the church should reflect this, with the help of
carefully chosen flower arrangements.
Visit the church or venue where you would like to
get married, to decide on which areas are best to decorate, and how to best
achieve the desired effect. Think about the backdrop to the flower arrangements
- pretty and colourful stained glass windows, a brightly coloured carpet,
stonework and woodwork. You should consider placing flower arrangements in dark
areas to brighten them up, perhaps by arranging for lights to be placed around
an arrangement.
The flower arrangements for the church should be
discussed with the minister at your first meeting with him. You should check
with the minister whether an outside flower arranger is allowed to take care of
the flowers, and when the best time for the florist to set up before the
ceremony is. Make sure you check with the minister if there are any places that
cannot be decorated; some do not allow the altar to be decorated, to make sure
that the cross is visible. Many churches do not permit flowers to decorate the
church during certain festivals such as Lent (between Shrove Tuesday and
Easter) and Advent (about one month before Christmas).
You should be able to place flower arrangements at
some or all of the following positions:
Altar (the Communion table) Place an arrangement on
the altar, a pedestal either side of the steps leading up to the altar, or
drape garlands on the choir stalls
Pulpit (raised enclosed platform for preaching from)
- Place a flower arrangement along the front of the platform, or drape garlands
along the front
Lectern (stand for holding bible) - Place a small
arrangement along the front of the stand
Windowsills - Allow the arrangements to drape over
the edge, and perhaps pick out colours from the stained-glass windows
Font (contains baptismal water) - Place an
arrangement in front of, or on top of it
Columns - Hang garlands or swags vertically, or wind
foliage and flowers around the columns
Church entrance - You may like to arrange for an
archway of flowers and foliage or garlands to be placed around the door, or
topiary trees placed on either side of the door. You could also place an
arrangement in the porch
Chancel steps (near the altar) - Place a pedestal
either side of the steps
Pew ends - either tie swags or garlands to the ends
or hang small hand-tied bunches of flowers from them
Lych gate (the roofed gateway of the churchyard) -
Hanging arrangements such as flower balls, baskets, garlands or swags of
blossom are suitable
You may choose to decorate every pew end, but if
your budget is limited then you may like to decorate every second or third pew
with a bow. Alternatively, you could choose to just decorate the first six to
ten pew ends. Some brides choose to have flower trees on either side of the
aisle, and coloured ribbon wound around the stems will complement the colour
scheme of the other flowers.
If several weddings take place on the same day, it
will not be practical for four or five sets of floral displays to be installed
and dismantled. Instead, the cost of the flowers is divided between all of the
couples that are getting married on the same day. You will have to liase with
the other couples, and you will all have to meet the church flower arrangers to
agree on which flowers you will all be satisfied with.
You may be satisfied with whatever flowers happen to
be in the church at the time of your wedding. Certain times of the year such as
harvest festival and Christmas, means that the church will be more greatly
decorated. This may mean that you will not have to make a contribution to the
weekly flower arrangers, with the benefit of having more elaborate flower
arrangements.
In a register office, flower arrangements brighten
up the marriage room and make it more attractive. The marriage room is usually
decorated with silk or fresh flowers, although you can organise extra
arrangements. There is usually an arrangement of flowers on the registrar's
table, and the bride may choose to carry a bouquet. The men will also wear
buttonholes like at a church wedding.
If you decide to have a marriage ceremony at a
register office or a licensed venue, then your first meeting with the
Superintendent Registrar or venue owner will decide whether you are allowed to
bring in your own flower arrangements. If the register office is very busy, you
will not be able to arrange for new flower arrangements to be positioned before
your wedding ceremony. The flowers may be provided by the management of the
registered premises, and you should discuss with them exactly what is usually
provided and what kinds of decorations you would like.
For wedding ceremonies at licensed venues, you are
usually free to place flower arrangements wherever you wish. You may like to
arrange for an archway of flowers to be erected, under which you can stand for
the ceremony. The décor of the premises will probably affect the type of
flowers that you choose. You may like to compliment the historical period of
the building, or to allow the flowers to enhance the theme of your wedding.
For weddings in synagogues, the style in which the
synagogue is decorated must be discussed with the Rabbi or Secretary. Like
churches, synagogues differ greatly in style and layout, and also have high
echoing spaces. However, the 'Chuppah' is greatly decorated with flowers, the
canopy under which the service is conducted. The Jewish Chuppah symbolises the
home that the couple will now set up together.
Not all churches and register offices will allow
confetti to be thrown after the wedding, so as an alternative
guests may like to use bubbles or dried flower petals that are
biodegradable. You may like the flower girls to hand out cones or boxes of
floral confetti as the guests enter the ceremony venue. Please contact your
licensed venue to find out whether you can use metallic confetti.
The scale of the arrangements depends on the size of
the room and the availability of space. The type of reception you have chosen
to have will help you with your choice of flowers. For example, choosing a
grand hall will indicate that large and formal arrangements could be needed.
If the florist is going to take care of the flower
arrangements for the reception, they will probably meet with the venue's
banqueting manager to view the venue and discuss the seating plan. This will
enable the florist to know how many table arrangements are needed and the size
of the venue. The florist will also need to meet with you to discuss where you
would like the flower arrangements to be placed, and which styles and shapes
you would like. The florist will also need to know when the flower arrangers
will be able to access the venue. For a marquee reception, the florist will
need to know the style of decoration, the colour of the lining, whether it has
poles and if so how many need to be decorated, whether you want pedestal
arrangements or hanging baskets and the quantities you are looking at.
Places where you may choose to position flower
arrangements include:
The entrance
Window sills
The buffet table
Each dining table
Top table
Side tables
On the cake and the cake table
Pedestals
Around poles or pillars
You should choose a stunning arrangement for the
entrance, to welcome your guests as they arrive. Remember that entrances are
passed through en route to the main areas, so guests will only have time to
appreciate the arrangement quickly; so plenty of variegated foliage with just a
few flowers is suitable and money saving.
You may decide to incorporate fairy lights into
arrangements that are in dull areas; decorating unsightly pillars with foliage,
flowers and fairy lights will totally change the appearance of the venue and
make it feel special.
The top table will traditionally have a long low
arrangement, to allow the bridal couple and their guests to see each other. You
could also hang a garland across the front of the table, to add extra
decoration. Ribbons or other fabrics also add texture to the top table.
Each dining table should some decoration, either
floral or otherwise. Make sure that the decorations are not too large, to
enable your guests to speak over them and have enough room on the table for
food, plates and more glasses than usual.
The advantage with table arrangements is that they
are directly in the view of the guests, which maximises their effect.
Candles could be incorporated within the table
arrangements to add a touch of interest. Alternatively, pot pourri could be
placed on each table, or added to each floral arrangement to add a pleasing
scent. Suitable flowers to choose for table arrangements include carnation,
daffodil, daisy, fern, gerbera, gypsophilia, jonquil, lily, nerine and rose.
The wedding cake may also be decorated with a small
flower arrangement. It is traditional for a small silver vase to be placed on
top of the cake, containing a small arrangement of flowers. Your cake designer
will be able to show you the various floral decorations that are available for
wedding cakes. Flowers can also be used as decoration around the cake, to pick
up on the colours used.
Trailing ivy is a very popular choice for reception
arrangements, as it can be wound around poles, napkins and chairs and be used
in garlands and table arrangements. A nice touch to add to each guest's chair
is a tied bunch of flowers tied to the back of each, accompanied by a name
label for each guest. Pedestal arrangements can be placed around the reception
venue, to add colour to the walls. Most pedestal arrangements are made up of
two or more pieces fitted together, usually the top bowl in which flowers are
arranged, and the stem of the stand. If the budget will stretch, it is a nice
idea to place a small arrangement in the toilet to brighten it up. Skilful use
of foliage and flowers can conceal eyesores and accentuate attractive features.
If the reception is going to take place in a
marquee, the marquee company will be able to provide rope or hooks on the
poles, so that floral arrangements can be hung in the marquee like chandeliers.
It is unlikely that the marquee company will provide the floral decorations
themselves, although they may be able to give you the name of a suitable
florist who often does flowers in their marquees. Use hanging baskets and
chandeliers in marquee receptions, but make sure that they are planted well in
advance to allow for growth. Ideal flowers include ivy, lobelia, fuchsia and
petunia. To make the entrance of the marquee attractive and welcoming, place a
topiary tree or other arrangement on either side of the entrance. For any
reception, you could arrange for pomanders to be hung from the ceiling in the
colours of the wedding.
If you have arranged to have the wedding reception
outside in a garden, some pre-planning of which varieties and colours to plant
out several months before the wedding will help to continue the colour theme
throughout the whole day. Nearer the time, spaces in the flowerbeds can be
filled with bought potted plants from garden centres. Remember that if the
reception is being held in a marquee, guests may walk through the garden on
their way to the marquee.
If the reception is going to be held at a hotel, the
flower arrangements may be included within the hotel wedding package, although
some hotels may charge extra for the service. You will need to arrange a
meeting with the hotel management to discuss your colour scheme, the styles and
positioning of the flower arrangements. Some caterers will also include flower
arrangements for the reception as part of their wedding package.
Some brides may also arrange for flower arrangements
at her mother's home, where she will probably dress on the morning of her
wedding. Some photographers will take photographs of the bride at her mother's
home before she leaves for the church, and the flowers serve as a decorative
backdrop to these photographs.
To further decorate the inside of the house you may
like to hang swags from doors and drape garlands round mantelpieces and
banisters. You will have lots of visitors before and after the wedding wishing
you luck and bringing gifts, so you may like to have the flower arrangements in
place a day or two before and after the wedding.
The floral arrangements that are used in the
ceremony venue could also be used at the reception venue. This would lower the
cost of the flowers, especially for couples with a tight budget. You should
either arrange the transportation of the arrangements to the reception with the
florist, or alternatively ask several friends to take care of it while the
wedding photographs are being taken. Once at the reception, the arrangements
may be split up into smaller ones that can be placed on each table. Once the
wedding is over, make sure that your table centres and moveable arrangements go
home with your friends and relatives. Local old people's homes may be grateful
for contributions in the form of flower arrangements.
Flowers And Colours To Suit Your Star Sign
When deciding on the theme for your flowers, try
using the information below to help with significant colours and flowers.Why
not make your bouquet personal by using the flowers and colours of your star
sign:
Aries Blackthorn, carnation, fern, furze, gorse,
gypsophilia, holly, poppy, red rose, thistle, wild olive and willow All shades of red
Taurus Blackthorn, cornflower, daisy, dandelion,
forget-me-not, hawthorn, lily, rose, sweet smelling
flowers, fruit, and willow Blue, green, pink
Gemini Airborne seeds, camomile, freesia, privet,
tansy, yarrow, yellow iris, and yellow tulip, violet Dove grey, green, pale
yellow, patterns, spots
Cancer Cedar, hawthorn, heather, holly, jasmine,
linden, rushes, watercress, water lily, white and white day lily Cream, pale
shades
Leo Almond, apple blossom, chamomile, dandelion,
holly, lavender, marigold, tiger lily, sunflower and yellow flowers Pale
brownish, yellow, golden, yellow
Virgo Almond, apple blossom, blackberry, daisy,
grapevine, lavender, marguerite, indigo, purple, Michaelmas daisy, privet, sage
and wintergreen Brown, grey, quiet colours, silver
Libra Apple blossom, pansy, pink, primrose, rosebud,
strawberry, sweet smelling flowers together, night blue, and violet Black and
white, pink, primary colours
Scorpio Black poppy, blackthorn, bramble, fuchsia,
orchid and red rose Black, charcoal grey hemlock, dark/blood red
Sagittarius Dahlia, flame coloured gladioli, red
carnation and reed Beige, bronze, denim blue, purple
Capricorn Blackberry, black poppy, camellia, hemlock,
magnolia and sweet Pea and wild fruit All shades of
brown and orange, black
Aquarius Azalea and gardenia Electric blue,
fluorescent colours, silver grey
Pisces Lotus, water lily and white rose Aquamarine,
mauve, purple, sea green
Flowers To Suit The Month
Of Your Birthday
January Carnation and Snowdrop
February Violets and Primrose
March Jonquil and Violet
April Daisy and Sweet Pea
May Hawthorn and Lily of the Valley
June Honeysuckle and Rose
July Larkspur and Water Lily
August Gladioli and Poppy
September Aster and Morning Glory
October Calendula and Marigold
November Chrysanthemum
December Holly and Narcissus
Flowers in general symbolise fertility and healthy
children, and any purple flower symbolises Christ's blood, while white flowers
symbolise innocence. Strong smelling herbs were thought to ward off bad luck,
evil spirits and ill health by their strong smells, so were entwined around the
flowers in the bride's bouquet. A red rose and white snowdrop separately mean
joy and hope, but for the superstitious, red and white flowers together have a
bad omen from the First World War, and have come to represent blood and
bandages.
Orange Blossom worn in the bride's hair or on her
dress used to signify virginity, and because it is an evergreen, it also
symbolised the everlasting nature of the newlyweds' love for each other. An old
wives tale states that a newly wedded couple are to
destroy any artificial Orange Blossom used at their wedding otherwise they
would experience misfortune. Forget-Me-Not has been a symbol of undying love
even since before the Middle Ages.
You can personalise your bridal bouquet with hidden
messages that are personal to you. The following list gives the meanings of
many flowers and foliage that can be used at your wedding to create special
symbolic meanings on your wedding day:
almond hope and indiscretion
amarylis splendid beauty and pride
ambrosia love returned
angelica soaring thoughts and inspiration sincerity
anthriscus sincerity
apple blossom better things to come, preference,
perfection and good luck in the future
arum lily ardour
aster variety andii partake your sentiments
baby's breath / gypsophilia fertility
basil luck and good wishes
bay glory
bluebell everlasting love, constancy and kindness
broom humanity and neatness
buttercup / crowfoot you are rich in attractions
camelia gratitude and loveliness
carnation / pinks generally means love, good luck, divine
love, deep love fascination and marriage. White Carnations mean constancy, and
red ones are the masculine symbol of love. Pink ones in particular mean a woman
in love. With Pinks, red ones mean pure love and white ones mean talent
cedar leaf i live for you
celadine joys to come
chrysanthemum red ones mean 'I love you', while white represents
truth and constancy
clover faithfulness. a four leaf
one means be mine.
cow parsley / Queen Anne's lace
festivity
cornflower delicacy and hope
daffodil / nacissus regard, chivalry and a sunny marriage
dahlia good taste, pomp and forever thine
daisy innocence, gentleness, sharing and a sunny
marriage, while ox-eye daisy means patience
dill worthy of all praise and strength
dogwood durability - any kind of evergreen will bring luck
fennel strength and worthy of all praise
fern fascination and sincerity
forget-me-not true love and remebrance
fuschia scarlet ones mean taste
gardenia joy
geranium luck and true friendship
gilliflower / stock bonds of affection and lasting beauty
gladioli strength of character
gorse enduring affection
hazel reconciliation and peace
heaher white heather means good luck
hawthorn hope
heliotrope devotion and faithfulness
hibiscus delicate beauty
holly enchanment and foresight
honesty honesty and sincerity
honeysuckle generousity and devoted affection, bonds of love
and sweetness of disposition
hyacinth generally means playfulness, in particular white
ones mean loveliness and blue ones mean constancy
iris burning love, hidden message and compliments
ivy good luck, eternal fidelity, happiness, friendship
and marriage
ivy geranium fidelity and bridal flower
japonica white ones mean loveliness
jasmine yellow ones mean grace and elegance, white ones
mean amiability and Spanishpnes mean sensuality
jonquil (variety of daffodil) affection desired and
returned
lemon blossom fidelity in love
lavender distrust
lilac mauve ones mean youthful innocence and white ones
mean first emotions of love
lily generally means purity and chastity, while pink
ones mean talent, white ones mean purity and modesty and regal ones mean
majesty
lily of the valley happiness and the return of it,
promise, purity, unconscious sweetness and renewed happiness
magnolia perseverance of love and nature
mallow consumed by love
marigold happiness and remebrance
marjoram blushes
mimosa friendship, sensitivity and secret or sweet love
mint wisdom and virtue
mistletoe 'I overcome difficulties'
moss maternal love
mugwart / sagebrush / wormwood luck and happiness, love and
fidelity
myrtle love, fertility, peace and happiness
orange blossom chastity. fertility,
everlasting luck, virginity, happiness and your purity equals your happiness
orchid beauty and a belle (handsome woman)
pansy think of me and you occupy my thoughts
parsley rejoice
passion flower belief and faith
peach blossom captive
poppy scarlett ones mean fantastic extravangance
primrose early youth
rhododendron true to the end and temperance
rose generally means romance, love, happiness and
beauty. im particular, red ones mean romantic love, 'I love you' and will bring
happiness and white ones mean purity, 'I am worthy of you', silence, innocence
and worthiness in general
rosebud pure and lovely
rosemary remebrance and faithfulness
sage I think of you, esteem, strength, wisdom and
domestic virtue
sea lavender / statice dauntlessness
snowdrop hope
speedwell / veronica fidelity
spindle tree your charms are engraved upon my heart
stephanotis exotic travel
stock lasting beauty
sunflower adoration and summer
sweet pea delicate pleasures, departure and innocence
sweet william gallantry and delicate pleasure
thyme activity
tuberose voluptuousness
tulip generally means fame and love, in particular red ones
mean love and declaration of love, yellow ones mean hopeless love and
variegated ones mean beautiful eyes
violet modesty and faithfulnes to the end
water lily purity of heart
wattle secret love and pure love
white heather happiness and luck
whitethorn luck
wisteria I cling to you
The Symbolic Meanings Of Flowers
Flowers in general symbolise fertility and healthy children, and
any purple flower symbolises Christ's blood, while white flowers symbolise
innocence. Strong smelling herbs were thought to ward off bad luck, evil
spirits and ill health by their strong smells, so were entwined around the
flowers in the bride's bouquet. A red rose and white snowdrop separately mean
joy and hope, but for the superstitious, red and white flowers together have a
bad omen from the First World War, and have come to represent blood and
bandages.
Orange Blossom worn in the bride's hair or on her dress used to signify
virginity, and because it is an evergreen, it also symbolised the everlasting
nature of the newlyweds' love for each other. An old wives tale states that a newly wedded couple are to destroy any artificial Orange
Blossom used at their wedding otherwise they would experience misfortune.
Forget-Me-Not has been a symbol of undying love even since before the Middle Ages.
You can personalise your bridal with hidden messages that are personal to you.
The following list gives the meanings of many flowers and foliage that can be
used at your wedding to create special symbolic meanings on your wedding day:
almond hope and indiscretion
amarylis splendid beauty and pride
ambrosia love returned
angelica soaring thoughts and inspiration sincerity
anthriscus sincerity
apple blossom better things to come, preference, perfection
and good luck in the future
arum lily ardour
aster variety andii partake your sentiments
baby's breath / gypsophilia fertility
basil luck and good wishes
bay glory
bluebell everlasting love, constancy and kindness
broom humanity and neatness
buttercup / crowfoot you are rich in attractions
camelia gratitude and loveliness
carnation / pinks generally means love, good luck,
divine love, deep love fascination and marriage. White Carnations mean
constancy, and red ones are the masculine symbol of love. Pink ones in particular
mean a woman in love. With Pinks, red ones mean pure love and white ones mean
talent
cedar leaf i live for you
celadine joys to come
chrysanthemum red ones mean 'I love you', while white
represents truth and constancy
clover faithfulness. a four leaf one means be
mine.
cow parsley / Queen Anne's lace festivity
cornflower delicacy and hope
daffodil / nacissus regard, chivalry and a sunny marriage
dahlia good taste, pomp and forever thine
daisy innocence, gentleness, sharing and a sunny marriage, while ox-eye
daisy means patience
dill worthy of all praise and strength
dogwood durability - any kind of evergreen will bring luck
fennel strength and worthy of all praise
fern fascination and sincerity
forget-me-not true love and remebrance
fuschia scarlet ones mean taste
gardenia joy
geranium luck and true friendship
gilliflower / stock bonds of affection and lasting beauty
gladioli strength of character
gorse enduring affection
hazel reconciliation and peace
heaher white heather means good luck
hawthorn hope
heliotrope devotion and faithfulness
hibiscus delicate beauty
holly enchanment and foresight
honesty honesty and sincerity
honeysuckle generousity and devoted affection, bonds of love and sweetness
of disposition
hyacinth generally means playfulness, in particular white ones
mean loveliness and lue ones mean constancy
iris burning love, hidden message and compliments
ivy good
luck, eternal fidelity, happiness, friendship and marriage
ivy geranium fidelity and bridal flower
japonica white ones mean loveliness
jasmine yellow ones mean grace and elegance, white ones mean amiability and Spanishpnes
mean sensuality
jonquil (variety of daffodil) affection desired and returned
lemon blossom fidelity in love
lavender distrust
lilac mauve ones mean youthful innocence and white ones mean first
emotions of love
lily generally means purity and chastity, while pink ones mean
talent, white ones mean purity and modesty and regal ones mean majesty
lily of the valley happiness and the return of it, promise,
purity, unconscious sweetness and renewed happiness
magnolia perseverance of love and nature
mallow consumed by love
marigold happiness and remebrance
marjoram blushes
mimosa friendship, sensitivity and secret or sweet love
mint wisdom and virtue
mistletoe 'I overcome difficulties'
moss maternal love
mugwart / sagebrush / wormwood luck and happiness, love and fidelity
myrtle love, fertility, peace and happiness
orange blossom chastity. fertility,
everlasting luck, virginity, happiness and your purity equals your happiness
orchid beauty and a belle (handsome woman)
pansy think of me and you occupy my thoughts
parsley rejoice
passion flower belief and faith
peach blossom captive
poppy scarlett ones mean fantastic extravangance
primrose early youth
rhododendron true to the end and temperance
rose generally means romance, love, happiness and beauty. im
particular, red ones mean romantic love, 'I love you' and will bring happiness
and white ones mean purity, 'I am worthy of you', silence, innocence and
worthiness in general
rosebud pure and lovely
rosemary remebrance and faithfulness
sage I think of you, esteem, strength, wisdom and domestic virtue
sea lavender / statice dauntlessness
snowdrop hope
spindle tree your charms are engraved upon my heart
stephanotis exotic travel
stock lasting beauty
sunflower adoration and summer
sweet pea delicate pleasures, departure and innocence
sweet william gallantry and delicate pleasure
thyme activity
tuberose voluptuousness
tulip generally means fame and love, in particular red ones mean love
and eclaration of love, yellow ones mean hopeless love and variegated ones mean
beautiful eyes
violet modesty and faithfulnes to the end
water lily purity of heart
wattle secret love and pure love
white heather happiness and luck
whitethorn luck
wisteria I cling to you
AdditionalInformation