York & White Explains the Love Letter Ceremony

The latest wedding ceremony craze has proven to be the most romantic yet - the love letter ceremony! As alternative to the unity sand ceremony or unity candle ceremony, this popular addition will most definitely become a timeless tradition. Thoughtful, handwritten love letters are one of the most romantic gifts that a bride and groom can exchange.

This ceremony begins when the bride and groom write ultimate love letters to each other before the wedding. Each love letter will be a testament, filled with the reasons they are marrying one another, including special memories from the relationship, the moment they fell in love, the proposal, plans for your future, etc. Whatever is written, the bride and groom must not read each others’ letters.

Once the letters are written, the couple ceremoniously locks their sealed love letters in a box along with a bottle of wine, two wine goblets and other memorabilia or keepsakes they have selected. These may include photos of the couple or a souvenir from a special trip taken together. The wedding officiant will then address the guests and explain the only two situations in which the couple may unlock and reveal the contents of their love letters to each other.

Love Letter Ceremony

Bridal Pet Accessories at Bellacroft

These days, almost every family considers their pet a huge part of their family. In an effort to include their furry friend in their wedding, brides and groom are taking on a whole new level of wedding planning!

Pets can play several roles in your wedding ceremony. Older, trained dogs will make excellent ring bearers or flower girls. If your dog is younger and more wild, you might consider just having him/her join your ceremony without having an actual task.

It is very important to select your wedding venue with your pet in mind. Do they allow pets? Is there an area for your pet to go outside?

Ensure your pet is washed and groomed right before the ceremony to limit the amount of dander that is released as a special precaution to those guests with allergies. Weddings can be stressful times, especially in the moments leading up to the ceremony. Make sure you are not putting your animal through unnecessary stress in your desire to have him in attendance.

Last, but certainly not least, your pets attire should be considered. While you furry friend is no doubt adorable, there are several pet outfits on the market specifically for wedding and special events. When you purchase one, be sure to have your pet try it on a few times before the actual event so that he/she can get used to this type of accessory without getting irritated.

Pet Friendly Weddings

Wedding Gown Preservation Kit at York & White

Brides across the nation are stress about the one time use of their wedding gown. What if it discolors? Stains? What if you really want your daughter to keep the memory of your precious gown alive? York & White has found the solution: Wedding Gown Preservation!

Wedding Gown Preservation Co. Receives National Award

State-Of-The-Art Production Facility recognized as “a model of industrial production efficiency”

Endicott, NY, January 4, 2010: Endicott-based Wedding Gown Preservation Co. received national recognition last week for their state-of-the-art North Street cleaning and preservation facility. American Drycleaner Magazine awarded them a Special Honor in the category of ‘Outstanding Production Facility’ during an annual contest. The business is locally owned and operated by Sue and Michael Schapiro.

The 18,890-square-foot facility is “a model of industrial production efficiency” according to Ian Murphy, Editor of American Drycleaner Magazine. Custom-made cleaning equipment, a high-tech rail system, and employees certified in the latest cleaning techniques allow team members to preserve the memories of a couple’s special day for years to come. Quality control procedures, along with computerized tracking, allow for exceptional customer service. “Wedding Gown Preservation Co. continues to be the leader in the industry through continuous improvement and innovation.” says owner Michael Schapiro, who is the third generation of the family business which has been in Endicott since 1913.

Wedding Gown Preservation Co.’s team is recognized as national experts in wedding gown cleaning, preservation, and restoration. As the largest gown cleaning and preservation company in the country, they process thousands of gowns every month at the Endicott facility. Gowns are sent to Endicott by brides and bridal shops from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Members of the community looking for more information can contact 607-748-6957 or stop by for a tour at 707 North Street in Endicott, NY.

Currently in their 49th year, the Annual “Plant Design Awards” are organized by American Drycleaner Magazine. Entries are received from across the country from dry cleaning, laundry and specialty cleaning facilities. American Drycleaner Magazine is the most recognized dry cleaning industry publication with content focusing on industry news, events and trends.

Wedding Gown Preservation Kit

Celtic Charm Wedding Traditions

Celtic wedding are the perfect way to celebrate your Irish background. These symbolic weddings celebrate traditional values, symbols, themes and customs into major events in your life. Additionally, Celtic wedding are widely popular not only among people with a Celtic tradition, but among other couples who are fascinated by the ancient Celtic culture.

Celtic weddings have traditional symbolic decorations, often based on the traditional Celtic knot. Welsh, Irish and Scottish families will sometimes marry in ancient buildings like castles or old manors, but that is not the norm. A traditional Celtic wedding is not greatly different from a normal British wedding in many ways.

However, the number of similarities between Celtic wedding traditions and normal British-style weddings goes a lot further than that. If you want a traditional British style wedding, you will be going unwittingly for a Celtic wedding.

Celtic Wedding Accessories

Unique Toasting Glasses by Bellacroft

Toasting glasses are a traditional wedding necessity for any wedding reception. These glasses, however, tend to be extremely common. Bellacroft, however, is proud to feature a set by Weddingstar that is unique and lovely! The Clear Glass Flutes with Silver Plated Stand are a lovely addition and make for a wonderful centerpiece on any bridal table.
What could be better? These items can be personalized! Select your favorite font and style and engrave each flute with a name/date. Simply a wonderful keepsake!
Unique Toasting Glasses

Baby Shower Favors by York & White

If you're in charge of planning a baby shower, you'll need to consider favors for the guests! These favors are small tokens of appreciation that help give small "thank you's" to everybody that came and gave support to the mama and baby!

Baby Shower favors are now available in many styles and colors – perfect for any baby shower!

The first step in baby shower planning is selecting a theme or color scheme.

Kate Aspen is the leader in baby shower favors – featuring great pricing on any form of favors. You can find:

• Photo favors
• Candy favors
• Candle Favors
• and more!

Popular Baby Shower Favors

Signature Grand: Creating the Perfect Wedding Vows

While writing your own wedding vows might seem like a huge chore - the benefits are endless and your final product is a touching, sentimental speech for your new husband. Personal vows will move your guests with your intimate thoughts as you are sharing them with your close friends and family. You should know that this will be an intense project that takes much time and consideration. Here area few tips for writing beautiful, sentimental vows for your soon to be husband or wife.

The first rule is time. Allow yourself enough time to write (and rewrite and rewrite) your vows.. as well as practice them and memorize them. Select a quiet location that lets your mind flow freely. If writers block is an obstacle that you simply cannot get over, read over a couple of traditional wedding vows to get your process going a little. After reciting those first few familiar stanzas then you will expound into your own personal experience and feelings. Re-live your entire relationship from start to finish and include short anecdotes of the first time you met, your first date, first kiss, etc. This will take your spouse-to-be down a short trip in memory lane as well as give your guests a glimpse into your love as well. What is your favorite thing about your new spouse and what makes him or her so special? What does marriage mean to you? Contemplate your fiancé and your relationship and all the things that brought to two together and brought you to this moment. It is not inappropriate to borrow a line from your favorite song, poem or Bible verse and place it in your vows. Finalize your vows with a promise to your spouse - that you will love them until eternity.

Signature Grand Wedding Vows

Celebrate the LOVE with Bellacroft

Whether you're celebrating your anniversary, Valentine's Day or just your love, the Weddingstar LOVE themed plates are the perfect accessories to complete your feast! Fill each plate with nuts, fruits, berries, crackers, etc! Crafted in white porcelain, whether filled with treats or displayed on a table - these love inspired accessories are sure to complete your occasion! Perfect for:

• Weddings
• Sweet 16
• Anniversaries
• Valentine's Day
• And more!

Love Themed Plates

History of the Bridal Shower

Bridal Shower's are a fun occasion where the bride's friends and family give her gifts before her wedding is approaching. The custom of the bridal shower began in the United States and is still practiced mostly in US and Canada. The Bridal Shower is customarily arranged by the bridesmaid, who usually organizes the entire event. Due to finances these days, it is not uncommon for several guests to split the costs/duty of hosting the bridal shower. This timeless tradition began in the times when dowry was practiced as a custom. This custom was brought into practice to help the women who were poor and did not have the money to raise dowry or in situations when the father of the bride was not approving of the marriage.

These days, the bridal shower has evolved into a fun party that incorporates food, games, decorations and laughter.

Arlene Pecora has several bridal shower ideas - including great games!

Arlene Pecora's Bridal Shower Planning

Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers

Love Birds are the popular wedding theme this season - and for good reason! These attractive additions are romantic as well as subtle! These adorable Love Birds are truly engaging. Hand crafted in white porcelain, these modern and romantic salt and pepper shakers make the perfect favors for weddings, baby or bridal showers. The fantastic packaging features a pullout box with the two Love Birds comfortably nesting inside. Die cut openings in the box cover allows a small peek into the interior.

Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers

Outdoor Wedding Decorating Tips by Arlene Pecora

Decorating for an outdoor wedding celebration allows you an opportunity to create a beautiful wedding fantasy. An outdoor venue or backyard makes the perfect backdrop which can be decorated easily and inexpensively with some carefully chosen furniture and accessories. Among the first things to consider with your outdoor wedding ideas are practical concerns to make sure that your guests are well tended to.

Be sure to consider the weather and prepare for any changes. You should ensure that the wedding guests are sheltered from the sun, wind and any rain. However don't be so distracted by the practical aspects of the weather that you forget how your decisions can add to the decorative effect of the wedding reception.

Providing shelter from the weather can range from choosing a venue with lots of trees to having a purpose built marquee set up. This decision is usually based on the likelihood of rain. Don't forget that guests will need substantial shelter from the sun as well as potential rain. Your marquee can be decorated to suit the theme of your wedding, or if the sides are left off, the view of the surrounding gardens become the decor. If shelter from the sun is the main concern choose from amongst the different styles of free-standing umbrellas with enough set up so every guest can find shade. Ideas for different styles of outdoor wedding include cafe style umbrellas for a casual, modern feel, while bright striped or thatched palm leaf umbrellas are the perfect accompaniment for a summer or beach themed wedding. For a garden party, along with umbrellas at the tables, offer your guests pretty paper parasols to hold during the reception.

Don't forget the wind - favors and table decor should be heavier and sturdy as not to blow away or knock over!

Wedding Planning