Engagement and Wedding Customs in 2021

Engagement and wedding customs have undergone a substantial shift in recent decades. Where previously, tradition ruled, many couples choose to follow more modern customs and standards.

Whether you’re planning your wedding in 2021 or wondering what to expect at the next wedding you attend, keeping up with current customs is essential. This guide will break down some of the breaks from tradition that modern weddings have taken.

The Rings

Traditionally, engagement rings are chosen by the groom and presented to the bride during the proposal. However, many couples are now opting out of this standard.

For one, many brides want to choose their own rings. This makes sense, as these are pieces of jewelry they’ll be wearing for many years to come. Post-proposal, the couple will often choose their wedding rings together. In the past, the bride-to-be would usually opt for a wedding band that matched her engagement ring perfectly, but today’s unique trends have pushed more mix and match rings into the limelight.

Additionally, some couples are going the more non-traditional engagement ring route of solely using wedding or eternity bands, excluding engagement rings entirely. Diamond eternity band options can be found on ItsHot’s website. They provide a wide selection of eternity rings at reasonable prices.

As for payment, the tradition states that grooms should purchase the engagement ring for their bride. However, many couples are choosing a more equitable route, with both partners splitting the cost of all three rings.

The Ceremony

Over the past few decades, there have been fewer and fewer wedding ceremonies held in churches in the U.S. Some research suggests that this trend is due to the simple fact that Millennials, the youngest of which will be 25 this year, are less religious than the previous generation.

Alongside venue changes, the traditional wedding script is being updated to reflect a more neutral tone. Whereas the traditional script makes several religious remarks and includes language that many deem demeaning to women, the newer script omits these passages or has edited them. Some couples may edit the script together to create one that best reflects their values as a couple.

Additionally, many same-sex couples modify the traditional wedding ceremony to be more inclusive and less-gender oriented. For example, both brides and grooms may have their chance to walk down the aisle.

Still more changes, some couples have opted to skip the “giving away” of the bride. While many still view the traditional as sweet, others deem it sexist and omit it from the ceremony.

The Reception

According to wedding tradition, the bride’s family is generally responsible for covering the bulk of wedding costs, including the reception.

That said, the trend toward smaller, more intimate weddings translates to smaller receptions. In some cases, those families with substantial land may host the reception in their backyard as a more budget-friendly affair.

Otherwise, there has been an increase in receptions being held in more cost-efficient locations, such as rented out restaurants, bars, and more.

Interestingly, the pandemic forced a lot of couples to get creative with outdoor locations. Parks, gardens, rooftops, beaches, and more are expected to be popular reception locations in the year ahead.

Though wedding customs have certainly changed in recent years, it’s important that you don’t get too caught up in the trends. Rather, the focus should be on planning a wedding that suits your partner and yourself. Find a way to celebrate your love and union in a way that means something to the both of you!

How to Take Professional Photos at Wedding Parties on Budget

As we all know, weddings are the most precious day of the couple who is getting married, therefore it deserves to be photographed so they can look back on it. But professional photographers can be really expensive and a lot of people just can’t afford it. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have memories to look back on, there are ways that you can have professional photos while still maintaining a reasonable budget.

Always Do Your Research

First and foremost, you will have to do your research. Start by looking at wedding blogs and posts of wedding similar to yours. Look through real weddings that you like the vibe of and find what you are looking for in pictures. The more things you see, the clearer idea you will have of what you like and want when it comes to your pictures. Another thing that you can accomplish by looking at different wedding blogs is possibly finding a photographer that suits your budget.

Test Your Camera in Advance

Before you commit to taking wedding photos, make sure that all of your gadgets are working properly so that you can take the best wedding pictures. Something that you simply cannot go without to a wedding is a tripod as well as several lenses. That is, if your budget allows it. Even though you are working on a budget, if the wedding is indoors you are most likely going to need external flashes if not lighting equipment. When you are working outdoors you can get by with just a flash. It’s always better to bring more equipment than you actually need. Because is it better to be be prepared for anything than having bad pictures. Something that you should have handy are several spare batteries as well as memory cards so that you don’t miss out on capturing any memories.

Capture All the Firsts

Naturally, this is the start of a new chapter in the newlywed’s life. And there will be a lot of first moments that you want to be captured. Some of the monumental firsts are the first dance as well as the first kiss. However, there will be a lot more to come during the celebration. To avoid missing any gems, be sure that you are on your toes and ready to snap amazing pictures. Those moments can be happen in the blink of an eye so you have to be sure that you are prepared. The key to getting those romantic and heartwarming milestones on film is simply by setting your camera to a high shutter speed so the photos are quick without delay. So afterwards, you can pick the ones that are most magical. You can try different angles to make the photos more unique and keep shooting the whole time so that you can pick the one that captures the moment perfectly.

Bring Accessories

To avoid any troubles on your wedding day, when it comes to photography, always try to pack accessories that will make your photos more fun. One of the best accessories that will make your photos super fun is getting a wedding photo booth. Another thing that you can do is bring a laptop so that you can back up your photos in real-time and avoid any mishaps further down the line.

Shoot All the Fun Reactions

Along with their milestones, newlyweds like to see their guests having fun as well. So if you notice people having fun on the dance floor, you can make an effort to catch those moments too. Something to look out for are different expressions that people have. Some will be funny and some will be romantic. So try and film as many faces as you can while working on a budget. The couple will appreciate having pictures to look back on as well as seeing how much fun their wedding guests had.

Tell the Photographer to Go Crazy

No matter how much or how little you are paying your photographer, tell them to just explore the entire event and take as many angles, images and moments as possible. Instruct them to take pictures of everything and anything that they might think looks good and fun. Several photos taken one after the other can be a great way to capture the chaotic energy of a wedding party. A professional will know exactly where to be and what to take pictures of. And they will be able to provide you with the best wedding photos.

At the end, it is totally up to you who you will choose to take your wedding pictures and how big your budget will be. The whole point and something that you have to keep in mind is that being on a budget doesn’t mean picking cheap, it is choosing something less expensive. Nowadays, there are so many photographers that will provide you with breathtaking wedding photos as well as fitting within your budget. So always choose a photographer that suits your taste and totally gets your style and intention.

About The Author

My name is Grace Wilson. I’m a 27-year-old biotechnologist and kind of a bookish girl. Surfing the Internet is my favorite, that’s why I’ve turned into blogging. Following the healthy mindset and lifestyle is what I consider as my life principle. If interested, follow my twitter.

Wedding Planning Tasks You Can Do from Your Home

It is no secret that many of our grand plans were forced to be postponed last year. Many brides and grooms have found themselves at home, instead of out there, organizing their big day. However, there is a lot you can get done even without stepping out of your house. Engage yourself in these tasks for the time being and you’ll get a head start when things are finally back to normal!

Make your guest list

Regardless of the size of the celebration, coming up with your guest list requires some forethought. You probably don’t want to go overboard with the numbers, but you also don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. With plenty of time to think, it will be less likely that you miss someone important. It would be a good idea to stay organized when putting together your guest list. Create a spreadsheet to keep your side and your fiancé’s side separate and easy to look through.

Create a wedding registry

Nowadays, many couples utilize a wedding registry. It’s a fantastic way to make things easier for both the couple and the guests. You don’t have to worry about unwanted gifts, while your guests don’t have to come up with gift ideas. You can use your time at home for coming up with a wedding registry that will give a solid start to your new life together! First of all, decide where you will register. You can choose a particular website like Amazon or use a registry service where you can add items from any store. You can also go for a cash registry if you need money for home renovations.

Research vendors

Finding the right vendors for your big day is a time-consuming task. Before you even start giving them calls, you need to narrow down your list. This is something you can do from the comfort of your living room. Go online and research each vendor thoroughly. Don’t stop at reading what’s on their website; you can get even more authentic information if you seek out reviews on other sites. People don’t shy away from sharing their experiences on forums and social media.

Book what you can

You don’t want to end up without your favorite DJ or find yourself in a pinch because your florist is already fully booked. So, you should get things in order and start booking what you can for your big day. Thankfully, you can do everything online nowadays. If you already have your eyes on a venue, it’s a good idea to call dibs on it. Booking wedding day transportation ahead of time is paramount as well, especially if you are thinking about adding style to your big day with a special wedding car hire. Needless to say, you should also contact your photographer, videographer, baker, and the list goes on.

Put together a playlist

Your reception playlist is what’s going to determine the mood for the night and whether people will feel inclined to stand up and dance. While putting together a playlist might not look like a difficult task, leaving it for the last minute is not a good idea. As soon as you sit down to compile the playlist, your mind will go blank. So, add songs gradually and watch your playlist grow. If you have a particular theme for your wedding, think about what kind of music would fit the vibe and search the depths of Youtube for the perfect songs.

Try different hair and makeup looks

You don’t have to wait for your hair and makeup trials in order to start experimenting with your wedding day look. There are so many resources on the internet that you can simply sit down and follow tutorials to try out something new. In addition, since you are at home, you don’t have to hold back – you can try anything and see if it’s something you like. Who knows, you might unexpectedly come across a fantastic and easy-to-do hairstyle and you’ll end up doing your own hair on your big day.

Browse décor

The decoration is one of the most fun parts of organizing your wedding. However, it can also be tedious, especially if you aren’t one to make compromises. You can get started with preparing your wedding décor while at home. If you have yet to decide on the atmosphere, browse Pinterest for inspiration and secure your décor in online stores. Going DIY is also a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding décor. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming either. You can simply customize napkins, candles, and other pieces of décor to make them unique.

No one would argue that wedding planning is hard work. Thankfully, you can get a lot of things done while staying at home. Hopefully, this list will be helpful.

Header Image Source

5 Bridal Box Choices for the Smart Bride

Box Choices for the Smart Bride

While planning our wedding, we received a bridal box from a colleague that helped to make the process fun and seamless. Before that, we never knew that there was anything like a bridal subscription box that contains items to help brides. We are talking about designer robes, planners, beauty essentials, checklists, and other goodies.

So, paying it forward, we feel that intending brides deserve a wedding subscription box for their nuptial planning. There are many great budget conscious bride gift box options. Here are five of our favorite bridal box subscriptions.

1. Miss To Mrs

Miss to Mrs. Box takes the number one spot for good reasons. It’s committed and follows you every step of the way from when you say yes, to the honeymoon. This brand has 9 brides to be subscription box types with different themes to suit every wedding planning stage. It has boxes such as “let’s plan this”, “wedding day essentials”, ” ultimate bridal swag”, “honeymooners” and more.

These boxes contain, spa essentials, necklaces, hairpins, exclusive bridal robes, vow books, planners, checklists, party essentials, wedding planning tools, etc. The bride to be box subscriptions ranges from $35 with items valued at over $100. Miss to Mrs curates the items with care so that they are useful and a fit for the brides.

Brides to be will receive their boxes monthly, bimonthly, and even quarterly depending on the time left before their wedding. If there’s little time left, brides can make a one-time subscription of $45 to get selected and relevant boxes.

A lot of brides rave about this brand that takes care of the bride from engagement till honeymoon. What’s more? It caters to Mrs and Mrs brides. So if you’re a lesbian couple looking for a bride subscription box that has you at heart, this one’s for you too.

2. The Sill

Do you have a green thumb? Are you a plant lover or you want to start planting? Try out The Sill. You never know how much joy that planning gives until wedding planning almost drives you crazy.

The Sill offers every green loving bride potted plants to tend as a way to take a break from planning. Who knows? You could get exciting wedding inspirations while planting. The bridal box cost around $35. And each potted plant comes with instruction manuals to help.

3. Laurel & Reed

Are you crazy about great skin, but you’re partial to eco-friendly cosmetics? Then check out the Lauren & Reed wedding box. It contains over three cruelty-free, eco-friendly and non-toxic items to help you with your skincare. Because you should dazzle on your wedding day! And this brand gives you clean, and effective cosmetics for just $45.95.

4. The Bride Box

The Bride Box is a bride box that offers vital wedding essentials to brides for their wedding. And at $35, each box comes with useful tips for wedding planning.

5. Happily Ever After

At $70, Happily Ever After is a wedding to engagement box that gives brides the opportunity to do luxury planning. This brand allows brides to pick from any of the curated boxes that appeal to them. Brides can also build a custom BOXFOX with items that they really need.

From the moment you said yes, your planning began. But to plan effectively, you need a bridal box. So check out the above listed bridal box ideas, make your pick and have fun!

Celebrity Bling: Totally Unreal A-List Engagement Rings

Celebrity engagement rings are often designed to be show-stopping, and there have been many amazing ones over the years. Here are a few of the most popular and dazzling:

Mariah Carey’s 35-Carat Diamond Ring: This enormous emerald-cut diamond ring from billionaire ex-fiancé James Packer was a true head-turner. While the couple is no longer together, the ring remains a symbol of extravagant celebrity bling.
Blake Lively’s Oval Diamond Ring:This stunning ring from Ryan Reynolds features a large oval diamond on a yellow gold band. The unique setting and classic cut have made it a popular inspiration for many engagement rings.
Meghan Markle’s Three-Stone Ring:Prince Harry designed this ring for Meghan Markle, featuring a large central diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller diamonds from his mother Princess Diana’s collection. The sentimental value adds to the beauty of this ring.
Katy Perry’s Floral Engagement Ring:Orlando Bloom proposed to Katy Perry with a unique and whimsical flower-shaped diamond ring. The center blossom features a brilliant white diamond, with smaller diamond petals surrounding it.
Jennifer Lopez’s Green Diamond Ring: Ben Affleck upped the ante for his second proposal to Jennifer Lopez with a stunning green diamond ring. The large emerald-cut diamond is a unique and glamorous choice.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other celebrity engagement rings that could be considered amazing. Ultimately, the most amazing ring is the one that is most meaningful to the couple getting engaged.

Celebrities love going all out for their engagement rings, and sometimes that means going in unconventional directions. Here are a few of the weirdest celebrity engagement rings:

Lady Gaga’s Spiky Ring:Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous fashion sense, and her engagement ring from ex-fiancé Taylor Kinney was no exception. The ring featured a large, spiky black diamond in the center, which some found more goth than glamorous.
Kelly Clarkson’s Cluster Ring:While not exactly weird, Kelly Clarkson’s engagement ring from Brandon Blackstock is certainly unique. The ring features a massive yellow diamond centerpiece surrounded by a cluster of smaller white diamonds. It’s a ring that certainly makes a statement!
Pink’s “Puzzle Piece” Rings:Pink and Carey Hart have been married and divorced twice, and their engagement rings have been just as unconventional as their relationship. Pink’s first engagement ring was a white diamond and sapphire puzzle piece that fit together with Carey’s ring. Their second engagement ring was a massive pear-shaped diamond with a black diamond band.
Megan Fox’s Thorn Ring:Machine Gun Kelly proposed to Megan Fox with a unique ring designed to resemble two thorns growing together. The thorns are actually set with diamonds and emeralds, representing their birthstones. While the craftsmanship is undeniable, the thorn imagery has been interpreted by some as a rather dark choice.
Katy Perry’s Ruby Ring:Orlando Bloom’s first proposal to Katy Perry came with a unique fire flower ring. The center stone was a ruby, surrounded by colorless diamonds designed to resemble flower petals. While some loved the whimsical design, others found the ruby a bit too bold for an engagement ring.

Ultimately, what makes a ring weird is subjective. However, these celebrity engagement rings all have something a little different about them, making them stand out from the crowd.