Something old, Something new

What is the meaning of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"?

This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme ("Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"), and the four objects that the bride adds to her wedding outfit or carries with her on the big day are just good luck charms. Don't stress too much about them -- they are the little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives, and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour (although you can give them to yourself, too). Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains largely a British custom.

What is a wedding without TASSA!?

Tassa drumming is an art form, which is indigenous to this country tradition, showing the rhythms as it was in the beginning. Like so many of the other genres of music, tassa has evolved through the years. Drummers have experimented with several modern rhythms and are now able to bring change to the stage, while it is good to entertain in the chutney, soca and calypso rhythms.

THE DRAGON BOYS TASSA BAND.

This is the most electrifying and energetic Tassa Band ever! I have been to a few weddings where they "performed" and trust me when I say... They will keep your guests entertained! They literally put on a show for the crowd by calling each other on their cell phones while playing with one hand and even playing on each other's drums.. besides being one of the top tassa bands in Trindad with all of their talent, the sound that they produce is what some people refer to as "hot tassa".. it makes you want to get up and dance to that rhythm!

The struggles with R.S.V.P!

Getting wedding guests to RSVP on time, and tracking them down when they don't, can be an incredibly frustrating process. Even when couples follow response card etiquette in wording, they often find that a third of their invitees haven't replied to their invitation. This isn't just an inconvenience, it can be costly if you have to change catering numbers at the last minute, or if you have to order extra favors just in case they all decide to come.

Follow these simple tricks to increase your response rate.

Getting Wedding Guests to RSVP on Time

Send your wedding invitations on time

Etiquette says that invitations should be sent eight weeks before the wedding. That gives four to five weeks to respond, so you can make your RSVP date three to four weeks before the wedding. The timing is crucial – if you give guests more time than that, it's likely the invitation will get put aside in the "things to deal with later" pile. If it doesn't seem urgent that they RSVP, they won't.

What does RSVP mean?

Some guests don't know what RSVP means. So instead of writing, "RSVP by [date]" instead say, "The favour of a reply is requested by [date]" or "Please respond by [date]."

Provide alternate ways to RSVP

Some etiquette queens say that weddings are too important to use online RSVPs, but I think it's the 21st Century. If it allows more people the ability to respond, so be it. You can use a wedding website, an email address, or even a telephone number for an informal wedding.

Make your reply cards interesting

Using a funny rsvp card or a beautifully decorated one can help it stand out in your wedding invitation. If your guests are eager to show you how funny they are in response, it might motivate them to send it in. 

Mention your RSVP cards! 

There's no shame in casually asking guests if they got the invitation. You can even say, "I hope you're coming! We can't wait to get your rsvp card back!" Sometimes close friends weirdly think that they don't have to reply because "of course" you'll know they'll be there. 

Fun Photo Ideas!

Great ideas to excite your guests!

Seating arrangements

These glasses have a name and table number attached to each one... who needs a wedding coordinator to direct guests to their seats..? Come on..  we live in the modern age and everyone knows how to read.. lets make it fun for them.. you wont believe the excitement of looking for your name.. and im saying this from experience okay.. I recently attended a friend's wedding where they used Ferrero Rocher chocolates and stuck a little toothpick with a triangle piece on top looking like a flag with the name and table number.. this wedding reception was held at a yacht club and those chocolates looked like little boats with sails.. very cool.. for me though.. I was impressed.. as this was the first time I saw this idea!

Comfy Dancing Shoes

My cousin's wedding had these in pink, purple, white and black. The pink and purple were obviously smaller ranging from size 6-8 and the white and black were size 9-12. This was such a great idea as it was a very small destination wedding and she knew that all her guests were party animals (mostly family and best friends).. as soon as dinner was over, the dance floor was pumping! Mannnn... I kicked those heels off and chose a purple size 6!

Sparklers

You might want to get these over with before the drinks start pouring.. Maybe right after the speeches or so.. Trust me when I say you don't want a drunk person playing with these.. but they will look absolutely beautiful in your wedding pics.. come on, it's a celebration.. why not?

Sunglasses

For an outdoor wedding.. have your guests looking cool.. let them get involved. I'm pretty sure that you may even get the older folks to participate in wearing these shades as well.. also fun for the pics!


CD'S

music is always good for the soul

... and my absolute favourite.....

The Photo Booth

Instant photos for your guests, housed in a frame with your initials..

Happiest Man Alive...

The Groom's Version...

Like my page...??? Don't wanna miss any posts.....???

Simply send a private message with the word "Add" followed by your name and email address!

OR

Scroll to the bottom of the home page and enter your email address 

Here are some facebook friends' reactions

and Instagram...

Advice..

If you decide to have a tropical honeymoon.. make sure to get some of these done together!

While stocks last!

Vic's Bar Service

Very professional bar service.. especially for great tasting mixed drinks (my favourite!)

Location: San Fernando, Trinidad

Things brides worry about

Problem: What if nobody turns up?

Solution: A family consists of parents, siblings and grandparents.... Therefore worst case scenario… if only they show up, that’s still a nice intimate little do and a hell of a lot of cake helpings right?

-------------------------------------------

Problem:What if the wedding car breaks down?

Solution: Pretty sure someone else in your family has a fancy vehicle to lend

----------------------------------------------

Problem: People staring at me

Solution: They won’t be staring, they’ll simply be looking, smiling and admiring: It’s just your family and friends who all love you and want to share your day with you.

------------------------------------------------

Problem: Can't walk in my wedding heels

Solution: Take it one step at a time (literally)... Practice walking in them wayyyy in advance

------------------------------------------------

Problem: First dance

Solution: Keep it simple and keep it how you feel at your most natural. You don't need to impress anyone.

--------------------------------------------------

Problem: Forget my vows

Solution:Write them down or print them out.. If you don't want to hold anything in your hand, ask the priest to read it out to you and repeat after him

------------------------------------------------

Problem: Using the toilet

Solution: If you've gotta go, you've gotta go! There's no issue with peeing infront other girls and any one of your friends/ bridesmaids/ sisters will most definitely be willing to help you hold up your dress.

------------------------------------------------

Problem: Camera Shy

Solution: Take your photographer and videographer out to lunch and get to know them a bit.. You will feel more comfortable and relaxed around them on your big day.

Eating from a leaf at a reception!?

Anybody remember this?

Soharee is a bhojpuri word that means ‘food for the gods

Of course, while it is referred to as sohari in Trinidad, it carries a range of different names in other parts of its range including cachibou, pampano, prayer plant and Cuban/ Havana cigar. 

A dying practice... Usually found at Hindu wedding receptions held at home... You take a leaf and find a seat by the eating table where guys from the village would be passing around with bowls of food.... asking "uncle/tants, wah yuh want dey again?" pumpkin, channa and aloo, roti, mother-n-law (pepper), sweet rice, bhagi, rice, kharhee and mango.

Originally the word soharee was associated with a special kind of roti served to Brahmins at religious functions. The small rotis were basted in ghee and served on the large leaves found in Trinidad. Soon the leaves adopted the name of the rotis themselves. These days, the word soharee is most commonly associated with the large leaves used as plates at religious functions. Indian food needs space because of the variety of dishes served.

There is a classic Trinidadian joke about an Englishman who attended a traditional East Indian wedding ---- > When asked how he enjoyed the meal, he said that the curry was delicious but that the lettuce was rather hard.

10 must-have wedding photos

1. Fatherly Wedding Moment

2. Mother On Wedding Day

3. Wedding Photos With Children

4. Family Wedding Photos

5.Bridal Party

6. Throwing The Bouquet

7. Bride And Groom With Grandparents

8. Groom With Groomsmen

9. Bride With Bridesmaids

10. Bride And Groom Portrait

Cold feet before your wedding day

Are you experiencing a chilling fear as you realize you're legally about to spend the rest of your life with your partner? Don't worry.. it's called cold feet, and it happens. Most of the time, this freak-out period just means you have a case of prewedding jitters and trust me, you're definitely not alone! There are lots of to-be-weds that get nervous before the wedding day, and cold feet can come up in a number of ways.

It could be your partner's annoyances getting to you, like a sink full of dishes you asked them to put away multiple times to no avail, or feeling panicky over 200 out-of-town guests flying in, or an argument you had with your parents over the venue and now you're having trouble sleeping or eating regular meals. While this isn't healthy, it can be normal. You're about to make a commitment for the rest of your life and you're staring that notion right in the eye.

Simply put, cold feet is usually a reaction to stress. The engagement period isn't always smooth sailing when you're deep in the wedding planning trenches. Prewedding stress can make you more irritable, impatient and easily annoyed. If, out of the blue, your partner or family members start bugging you and those habits are driving you crazy, take a deep breath. Recognize you may be more sensitive than normal, and do your best to keep things in perspective, relax and be healthy. Your nerves will eventually return to a normal state. Meditating helps a lot. So does taking time for yourself with your favorite hobbies, pampering yourself and keeping open lines of communication with your partner.

Choosing a witness for your marriage documents

Anyone can be a witness provided they are over 18 years of age and they were actually present at the ceremony and witnessed the bride and groom sign the document.

The two witnesses are the official legal witnesses to the marriage under law and their presence serves a legal purpose. The purpose is to be able to swear in court as to the identify of the parties or to testify to the circumstances in which the ceremony was performed, including the date and place.

Whilst not essential, it is tradition to choose one wedding witness from each side of the family. Many couples wrongly believe that the witness to the marriage MUST be the chief bridesmaid and the best man.  This is incorrect.


If truth be told, there is no right or wrong way to choose the witnesses for your marriage certificate – it is very much a matter of personal preference, but if you are struggling here are a couple of pointers....

1. Choose the witness together with your fiance. This can avoid any conflicts between you and your partner.
2. Your first option could be to choose the person/people who are the least contentious, i.e. the people who will be the most accepted by those not chosen as a wedding witness. Typically, a sister or brother will be more ‘put out’ if you don’t choose them than a friend will be – likewise your friends are more likely to understand that a relative has been chosen to perform the duty than if you were to choose another friend over them.
3. Your second option could be to allocate additional duties to those not chosen as a wedding witness in lieu of the register signing duties. Think about what duties these could be (a reading at the wedding etc.) and select the best person for them - the ones who don't get allocated additional tasks could be your wedding witnesses!
4. The final option is to swerve members of the wedding party altogether. Grandparents, Auntie's and Uncles are always a good bet for a wedding witness, or if this is likely to cause issue too, then simply opting for the mom's is always a good alternative. If you head down this route then symetry is always recommended (i.e. the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom, the Grandfather of the Bride and Grandfather of the Groom etc.) to avoid any potential issues.

If this doesn't work for you, try writing the first five names that come to mind, and ask your fiancé to do the same. Then out of those names, have a talk with your future hubby about which two people have been the most supportive of your relationship.

Remember - If you are considering using someone other than a member of the bridal party (siblings or close friends), make sure that your photographer is aware of who will be signing and ensure that you have a photograph with them at that moment.

Significance of Mehndi

Among the many traditions that are infused into Indian weddings, one of the most prominent is the mehndi ceremony. This is the day when mehndi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and even the groom. While the bride has a very elaborate pattern done on her hands and feet, the groom usually has just a token design. Mehndi is a very important part of both Hindu and Muslim weddings in India. 

Beliefs associated with Mehndi

It is a common belief that the darker the color the mehndi leaves on the hands on a bride, the more will she be loved by her husband and mother-in-law. However, the significance of applying mehndi during weddings is not restricted just to sentiments and beliefs. Although these beliefs make the application of mehndi a much anticipated and charming tradition, the actual reason is of much deeper significance, which is sometimes forgotten in the present day.

Core Significance

Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb. Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body. Also, being a highly antiseptic agent, mehndi can protect the couple from viral diseases. Such diseases are totally undesirable just before the wedding and this medicinal herb can lend a strong shield. Any small cuts, burns or scratches that the couple might sustain during the course of so many rituals and customs can be healed easily with the application of mehndi. It improves blood circulation in the body and enhances general health. The initial practice of applying mehndi in ancient times began in order to protect the couple and keep them healthy.

Mehndi that is applied during Indian weddings is not just a plain paste of mehndi powder and water. Eucalyptus oil, a bit of clove oil and a few drops of lemon are added. These oils not only help in darkening the color of mehndi on the body, but also enhance the benefits of mehndi and make the paste highly medicinal. The best part is that the smell, the beautiful rich color and the health benefits that mehndi lends act as a powerful aphrodisiac. Also, since the color and smell remain for days, it boosts the romance in the initial days of wedding.

Wedding hashtag!

So... let's start with the basics for those of you who don't know.......

What is a hashtag?

A hashtag is a type of metadata tag used on social network and microblogging services which makes it easier for users to find messages with a specific theme or content. Users create and use hashtags by placing the number sign or pound sign (#) in front of a word or unspaced phrase. Searching for that hashtag will yield each message that has been tagged with it.

Hence... using a "Wedding Hashtag" enables guests to share photos from their perspective and they make it easy for you to print instagram photos following your wedding. 

I think hashtagging your wedding is a great idea! It allows you to accumulate random photos and see your wedding through the eyes of your guest (which you will not get from your hired photographer). These pictures tend to be more personal such as selfies you may have smiled for with a relative or close friend... but you are not going to remember everyone who you took a picture with because trust me when I say... you will be too busy smiling for many other pictures and people.

However... you may want to consider....

RISKS OF HASHTAGGING

-Unflattering photos may get shared

-You might confuse your "less-than-techy" guests

-Your wedding photos can get shared to strangers

-Sometimes only a few people participate

-Having a hashtag might be guests preoccupied with being "social"

-You offend your followers who didn't get invited

-Your hashtag stream isn't uniquely yours

So... Tell me... What have you decided? Leave a comment below!