Luck and Wedding Superstitions

Weddings, like most things in our lives, have many superstitions attached to them. So many things are said to be lucky or unlucky. Sometimes it may be that an incident took place in the distat past that taught our ancestors to do these things that becaome tradition but due to changing technology, they are no longer necessary because there isn’t any risk. For example the belief of so many evil spirits causing the bride to get sick and die if this or that was done, may simply have been because the hygiene back in those days wasn’t as good as ours and people were getting sick - they just happened to have a bunch of brides catch it before their weddings.

Still, you can’t always discount the element of luck. As they say, if something works don’t shrug it off just because it can’t be explained yet.

You can bet that the date of the wedding is one of the items that has a lot of luck attached to it. For example, the Chinese will never choose a date with 4 in it. In the US, many see 13 as an extremely unlucky number and avoid that date. Lucky numbers are 8 for the Chinese and 7 for the US. 7 is a significant number for many reasons. They call it lucky 7. In Japanese mythology there are 7 Gods of Fortune while in Christianity there are 7 deadly sins. There are 7 wonders in the world and there 7 basic chakras or energy centers. You can bet that many couples are aiming to be married on July 7 of this year. That way they end up with 7/7/07 as their wedding date. If your wedding is for next year August 8 is a good date to choose. The 8 is considered lucky and a triple such as in 8/8/08 is considered a very auspcious thing.

There is also a much simpler reason why this date is so popular. It is really easy to remember! You won’t be able to say you can’t remember when you got married or your spouse is likely to get really mad.

The phase of the moon is another item that many take into consideration when they plan their weddings. It is believed by some that that the moon attracts energy to or from us. It is said that mored blessings are given if a ritual is done while the moon is waxing towards the full moon, particularly on the three days leading all the way up the full moon. Since we know that the moon affects the waves it isn’t too hard to believe that it may indeed have a part to play in good fortune at weddings. The suggestion is to choose a date before the full moon as close to the date of the full moon as possible if not on the day itself. They say that when the full moon begins to wane so does ones luck run out. You’ll have to decide for yourself if this is true or not. You’ll note that August 8, 2008 falls on a Friday, on the first quarter. That makes it the start of the weekend and before the full moon as well.

[tags] wedding,planning,luck,auspioious dates,moon [/tags]

Some Things To Put In Order

Before you get married, there are a lot of things to prepare. Aside from the wedding ceremony and reception, you need to get your life in order. You have to make sure that you are truly ready to face life together. This means taking time to make sure that you have what you need as a new family.

Basic to any couple is a place to call home. Unless you already have your own place, you’ll need to find an apartment or maybe even a house. Some couples opt to move in with their parents. The logic here is often that they can save more this way in order to be able to buy a better house. This is a seriously bad idea for the bride. Keep in mind that in every home there can only be one queen, and that is who owns the house. It is far better to put up with a small cramped flat rather than have in-law problems early. Your bride will thank you and you will find that it really is the best way to start married life - on your own.

You’ll also need to think of furnishing your place - at least with the basics. This can be as simple as having a bed, a stove and a ref. Add a few utensils and some cooking tools and you’re all set. Most of the other stuff - major appliance and furnishings can be bought after the wedding. Almost every couple has stories of starting off with the bare essentials.

Don’t forget the utilities. It is easy to assume that all the utilities will be taken care of before you move in and then arrive to find nothing working. Don’t leave these things to chance. Make sure everything is in order.

You’ll also need to start talking about how you handle money. Usually, even up to the moment that a couple gets married, the bride and groom have their own money. Once they are wed, their money becomes conjugal. You will now need to start deciding as a couple on things like who handles the budget, which bills to pay first, buying food, can you afford to get a loan and so on. Even before you get married, it is good to talk about this and avoid the problem that most couples have.

Work is something you need to put in order before you get married. You are about to go off on your honeymoon. The last thing you want to get is an interruption from the office that could have been avoided easily by endorsing properly. It is good to make sure that your clients are well attended even if you are off celebrating this momentous time; and your new spouse will much appreciate the time alone with you - without work rearing its head.

Don’t wait til the last minute to get these ready. Doing so early can make the transition to married life easier. You and your new spouse will be glad that you prepared well ahead of time.

[tags] wedding,preparation,home,work,basics,money,budget,honeymoon [/tags]

Wealth and Pride

Customs differ between races. Each country, region or religion has its own beliefs, rituals and tradition. Very few elements are exactly the same though some similarities can be found.

No matter where you go in the world you are bound to find some Chinese people. This is mainly due to the fact that they are a people raised to trade. They are merchants to the core. They go where opportunity leads them and their marriages are often arranged with this still in mind - opportunities both socially as well as monetarily.

Marriages to the Chinese have traditionally been a matter of advancing one’s wealth and social standing. In the olden days a matchmaker would be consulted to see who would be best suited to bring greater honor to the family. If you’ve watched Mulan, the matchmaker scene isn’t too far off.

Some marriages are arranged from the cradle between families of long standing association. The children are indeed as good as married from the time they are born with very rare chances of the betrothal being broken since this would mean losing face. This aspect is no longer as common though they still do happen.

No engagement will take place without the approval of the parents. Doing so, without the expressed permission, can mean becoming disinherited, in some cases being disowned - though the later is rare nowadays. Definitely though, a couple getting married without the parent’s blessings will have to struggle on their own unless they are able to somehow get back into their good graces - which is rarely heard of.

The groom’s family is responsible for shouldering all the costs of the wedding. It is meant to be as lavish an affair as they can hold. It is a way of showing their wealth, power and social standing in the community. No expense is spared because it is a matter of honor. One does not want to lose face by giving a paltry event.

Even the selection of sponsors is done carefully. Unlike most countries where the sponsors are nothing more than witnesses or simply close relatives or friends, the sponsors in a Chinese wedding are a matter of pride. They are chosen based not only on relationships by blood or friendship. They are chosen by ties of business. They are chosen based on who can give increased standing to the couple.

The gift giving in a Chinese wedding is rarely in kind. It is usually a cash gift handed to the parents of the bride or the groom - depending on which side they are related. In fact it is a matter of face for guests to give big amounts of cash - representative of the strength of their relationship to the couple and their family. The sponsors in fact give amounts running from the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. In a way it is a competition among them to see who can give the most. It is all voluntary and not coerced by the couple or their family. Though a certain amount of teasing and one upmanship does indeed play a part in the process. It is a way to help the couple, and their family, recover from the expenses of the wedding.

If you are attending a Chinese wedding but are not of Chinese descent you are not expected to give a cash gift. It is understood that you do not know the customs. They are a complex people where weddings are a matter of honor, pride and wealth. It takes a lifetime to learn them all.

[tags] wedding, ritual,customs,Chinese,money,engagement,betrothal [/tags]

Six Steps To The Wedding Body You Want

Okay, brides and grooms, it is time to get in shape. The time to start improving one’s figure for optimum fitness begins the moment you say yes to getting married. The sooner you get started, the better your results can be - and with less difficulty too.

Getting in the shape you want starts with a major act of will. You have to decide what kind of changes you want. None of the lackluster “I wish I was” ideas. You need to have steely resolve that you are going to make it happen, doing everything you should, and everything you can to achieve your dream body. This is often not easy for most people simply because they are easily tempted and easily distracted.

If you are serious about getting your body in better shape, here are some things that you should do for yourself. These steps make your transformation more than just a one time thing. It can keep you in shape for the rest of your life - if you let it.

The first thing you need to do is find yourself a coach. Most people insist that they can do it on their own but the truth is, left to our own devices we get lazy and find hundreds of excuses not to do what you know you need to, if you really want to slim down. Coaching is effective because you have someone who is an expert in their field showing you the proper techniques to help you achieve your goal. He or she can help you tailor a system that will suit you perfectly. Some gyms employ not just an exercise trainor, they’ll also have nutritionists to help you with your diet. They’ll be there to make sure that you have the full guidance you need, when you need it the most.

You also need to have a very clear reason to change your shape. Simply saying I want to look great isn’t enough. If your reasons are clear, you won’t be tempted as much because you know exactly what is on the line. For example, it could be because you want your wedding pictures to show a slim and fit bride without camera tricks. It can be because you want to be able to fit into a bikini during your honeymoon without any unsightly rolls of fat. It might be because some old friends are coming to your wedding and you want them to see that you haven’t let yourself go in spite of the fact that you are no longer teenagers.

Visualization is an important technique that you can use to make your goal happen. In your mind, see yourself with the body you want. You are walking down the aisle in your beautiful dress and your groom is amazed at your radiance. He easily sweeps you off your feet when the time comes to carry you over the threshhold. Some people draw themselves wearing their dream outfit so that they can see for themselves that it is achievable.

You have to choose a method that you will know will work for you. For example, choosing to go on the Atkins diet or South Beach diet can feel like torture for those who love to eat carbohydrates. Some never make it past the first week because they can’t stand being without their comfort foods. If you can’t give up the food, then find a workout that you do like and will achieve your results. If you don’t want to lift weights, go ahead and attend dance classes instead. The method you should use is the one that you will stick to and you know for a fact definitely achieves results.

A habit isn’t formed overnight. This is true of exercise and food as well. If you really want results, commit to 21 sessions of exercise and 21 days of your new diet. You’ll find it gets easier. On the 21st day, commit to another hundred even if that goes beyond your wedding. You’ll be amazed at how automatic it will be to practice good eating habits and exercise, even if you are on your honeymoon already because of it.

Once you’ve made up your mind, don’t wait. Take action immediately. The best time to start is when you are all fired up and momentum will do the rest.

Wedding In Progress. Please hold.

The judge says, “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” As the bride opens her mouth to respond, the poignancy of the moment is suddenly shattered by the ringing of a phone. The ringing goes on and on and everyone is turning their heads, craning their necks to see who forgot to put their phone on silent or turn it off. Surprise, it was the best man!

While this may just be a story, it has happened at some weddings. It would seem that not everybody knows their mobile phone etiquette. They can spoil what should have been the most romantic part of the ceremony though it will often seem funny years down the line.

In an increasingly gadget filled world, here are some pointers to keep the electronics from spoiling the wedding:

• Either put the phones on silent or turn them off. Guys this simple consideration. At any gathering where attention is needed, no one else needs to know when you get a phone call or a message. Most phones come built in with a silent mode with a vibrate option. Switch it to silent mode and you won’t miss anything but you won’t interrupt the nuptials either.

  Brides, grooms and members of the entourage may want to leave their mobile phones with relatives who aren’t involved in the wedding and can take care of any calls that come in. That will leave them all free to focus on the wedding without distractions. Usually the bride leaves her phone with her maid of honor.

• Leave the music players at home. Most music players now are really small. Nobody can see anything but the earphones unless you take it out and display it. Still, you are at a gathering and that is not the place for solitary activities such as this. It is impolite considering that the bride and groom have tried to create a party that is meant to be enjoyed and remembered. It is also rude to your family and friends who may not have seen you in a while and would like to spend time catching up with you.
• Take the spy gadgets off. We use headsets to have the handsfree option. While they are useful they do make you look anti social - or like a bodyguard. Take them off unless you are actually talking on the phone.
• Lights, Camera…Batteries! Most couples won’t mind if you bring along your own digital or video camera. In fact most will welcome it. It is important however that you make sure that you have enough juice in your battery. Some venues charge extra for use of electricity for cameras. It doesn’t matter the amount. It will still be charged to the bride and groom and that is not something they should be burdened with if the photographers they got aren’t plugged in.
• Laptops stay off the table til after the meal is done. Some of us carry laptops or notebooks all the time. Sometimes it is because of work. Other times, it is just something we are used to having around all the time. If you do bring your laptop with you, keep it off the table til after the meal and program is done. Focus your attention on what the bride and groom have planned for you and you won’t be bored.
• A PSP is a handy tool to keep the kids entertained and out of trouble in a mainly adult event but make sure that they either keep the volume down or wear headphones. Better yet, simply leave the kids at home if you think that they cannot handle the niceties of such a social event yet. Both they and the bride and groom will thank you for letting them be comfortable at home.

Something to keep in mind about all these gadgets is that they were made for our convenience. We are not meant to become enslaved to them. They are useful but there are proper places to use them and a wedding isn’t the place for most except cameras. So unless your brand new piece of technology can enhance the wedding, leave it at home.

[tags] wedding,gadgets,toys,ettiquette,guests [/tags]

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