[ Home ]  [ Newsletter ] [ Tell A Friend ]                                                     February 7,  2006

American Bridal
Where Brides Go
Wedding Cram
Wedding Solutions
GOWNS
	Designer
	Ebay
	Plus Sized
	Other Resources
	Bridesmaid's
ACCESSORIES
	Model Bride
	Jewelry
	Shoes
	Swimwear
	Tiaras
	Veils
	Handbags
	Shoes
WEDDING SUPPLIES
	Favors
	Favor Candies
	Flowers
	Invitations
	Rose Petals
	Candles
	Gourmet Foods
	Decorations
Flower Girl Items
The Groom
Honeymoon Registry
Product Reviews
FAVORITE VENDORS
Alice Blue Bridals Anna Bellagio Jewelry Ashbach Designs Jewelry Bellasima Bridal Shoes Boxtique Favor Boxes CD Celebrations Charmingly Chocolate Covenant Arts Corporate Gifts Direct Hayden Croft Wedding Bands Hearts Treasure Jewelry It's Raining Favors  ModelBride OrangeBlossom Tiaras PrincessBands Tiaras Rose Petals Ruby Budoir Shelley George Accessories SomedayTreasures Swimsuits Tuxedo's Direct The Printed Candle Walmart Gift Registry Wedding Supplies
Listen to our Interview on Global Talk Radio

 

	Newsletters
	Photo Sharing
	The Crafty Bride
	Wedding Cake
	Bridal Trade Shows

 

GREAT FINDS

Claddagh Deluxe Unity Candle Set
This unity candle features couple's names and wedding date along with the traditional Irish Claddagh symbol representing love, loyalty, and friendship.

Celtic Charm Toasting Set - 2 Flutes

Irish Heritage Collection
Price: $185.95

Waterford Celtic Rosary Beads

Claddagh Cross

14K Gold Claddagh Cross

Horse Shoe Charm

Delicate Veil

Bun Wraps

Irish Garter

 Mary Frances "Crystal Ball" Handbag

Hayden Croft

Note:  Some links may not appear in the newsletter -- for a better view click here:

Irish Wedding Traditions

• Select a date for the wedding. The last day of the year is considered an especially lucky time to hold an Irish marriage.
• Choose Claddagh rings for your wedding bands. These traditional Irish rings, when worn on the ring finger of the left hand with the heart facing in, tell the world your heart is taken forever.
• Hire a piper to play at your ceremony. Contact your local St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for help in finding one.
• Have Irish Dancers dance at your wedding. Consider hiring a group of Irish dancers to hand out your programs before the ceremony. Dressed in their full regalia, it can add a wonderful touch of of pageantry and color. They could also dance at the reception later.  (Again, contact your local St. Patrick's Day Parade Committe or look up local Irish School Dance Instruction Schools)
• The Lucky horseshoe. Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. You can use porcelain horseshoes; one made of  fabric which is worn on the wrist or use the real thing.  You can also ask a child to present a satin horseshoe to the bride at the conclusion of the ceremony. This represents good luck. Insert the horseshoe open end up (so the luck won't run out) into your bridal bouquet. Save the horseshoe from the wedding as a family heirloom to pass on to your children.
• Honor the person who introduced you to each other with a special toast at the wedding. This tradition stems from the days when a matchmaker had that role.
• Serve a traditional Irish wedding cake, which is a fruit cake filled with almonds, raisins, cherries and spice, and laced with brandy or bourbon. You can order this or make it yourself.  Or, you can make the top tier of your wedding cake an Irish whiskey cake which is saved for the christening of your first baby. 
•  Sign up for ceilidh (dance) lessons for the bride and bridal party prior to the wedding to learn some Irish dances to perform at the ceremony.
• Irish Music is a must.  Hire a band that can play popular Irish songs, such as "The Irish Wedding Song," "Oh Danny Boy," "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," and "My Favorite Irish Rose."  Or, have your DJ play Irish music which is very easy to find.
• Tie harvest knots out of straw and decorate them with small flowers or bells to give to guests as favors. Attach a scroll explaining the significance, which is that young Irish men traditionally gave these to their girls to show their devotion.
• Ring bells. The chime of bells is thought to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony if a couple is fighting, and also remind a couple of their wedding vows. Giving a bell as a gift has become an Irish tradition. 
• Magic Hanky. This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky that with a few stitches can be turned into a christening bonnet for the first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry on his/her wedding day.
• Have your florist weave tiny harvest knots into your bouquet. our children. 
• Remember the Irish tradition that a sunny day is lucky, and a rainy one is not. Hope for sun on your wedding day!

  ---

The Claddagh Ring
This ring belongs to as broad group of finger rings, called 'Faith Rings' or Fede. It is a particularly distinctive ring in Ireland, with two hands clasping a heart, surmounted by a crown. The origin of Faith Rings could date from Roman times. The motif of the Claddagh ring has been explained in the phrase or posy:

'Let love and friendship reign'. The hand signifies faith, the heart signifies love and the crown signifies honor, loyalty. Although it was worn as a wedding ring, it was also worn as a symbol of friendship. The limits defined over which the ring was worn was roughly from the Aran Islands and throughout all of Connemara, eastward and southward for about twelve mile. It probably became known as the Claddagh ring because the people of this area used this ring alone. When the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart nearest the finger nail, it indicates that the wearer in single and unattached. When worn the same way on the left hand, indicates that although the person is still single their heart belongs to another. When the ring was worn with the crown nearest the finger nail on the left hand, the wearer was married.

Tradition tells us that the Claddagh ring was passed from mother to first daughter. For some of the Claddagh fisher folk the purchase of this ring was often the largest investment they would make. (Source:  Claddagh Ring Story. Joyce, C. 1990, pp 1, 2, 6,7)

Mardi Gras Bourbon Street Vest and Bow Tie Set

This satiny pattern of purple, green, and gold is an elegant way to dress like it's Fat Tuesday... any night of the year. Made of 100% wrinkle-resistant microfiber to ensure your optimum comfort and fit. This 6-button vest with patterned front, solid black back and hidden adjustable belt includes a matching patterned bow tie.

Mardi Gras Big Easy Vest and Bow Tie Set

For a jazzy New Orleans groove, catch Mardi Gras fever with this splashy rainbow of colors - a lively addition to your tuxedo collection that's perfect for any New Year's Eve bash. Each 100% microfiber 6-button vest with patterned front, solid black back, and hidden adjustable belt includes matching patterned bow tie.

Multicolor Vest and Bow Tie Set

Need something a little less colorful?

Subtle splashes of color provide a little something different without being "too much". This set is made from washable, 100% microfiber so it always looks crisp and pressed. You'll get a perfect fit with the hidden adjustable belt and full fabric back which allows your jacket to hang nicely over it with no bunching. Six fabric covered buttons provide a polished look.

Irish Shamrocks Vest and Bow Tie Set

Whether worn to celebrate your Irish wedding, or just a great addition to your St. Paddy's Day garb, this black vest filled with sparkly green shamrocks will celebrate your heritage with pizazz. Each set includes vest with patterned front and solid black back, and matching patterned tie.

Shamrock Cufflink and Stud Set
$75.00 per set

These gold tone shamrocks are inset with bright emerald enamel to make your look pop. Wear the complete set on special occasions with your formal shirt, and just the cufflinks with an everyday shirt. Each set includes two standard cufflinks for a French cuff shirt, and four button studs.

Whether worn to celebrate your Irish wedding, or just a great addition to your St. Paddy's Day garb, this black vest filled with sparkly green shamrocks will celebrate your heritage with

Irish Themed Cake Toppers
Toppers featuring traditional symbols bring the luck of the Irish to your Big Day.  

Irish Trinity Knot Cake Topper Available for $32.75 each.		Celtic Claddagh Cake Topper Available for $33.00 each.
Irish Themed Chocolate Favors From Charmingly Chocolate

Viddia.com ...Put Your Wedding Video's Online

Viddia.com is now enabling couples to stream their wedding videos online in order to share them with friends and family. The service allows couples to share footage most attendees didn’t get to see, such as the arrival and preparations of the wedding party and can also allow guests that couldn’t be there in person to experience the event.

Using the service is easy and is usually accomplished by having the videographer drop a copy of the finished wedding DVD in the mail. The bride and groom are then given a password protected website for viewing their wedding video. They also have the ability to send out email invitations to friends and family that link directly to their video viewing site. Viewers don’t necessarily have to watch the whole video, either. Each video gets divided up into chapters like the ceremony, the reception, etc. So if you want to skip right to see yourself dancing or to see the best mans’ toast it’s very easy to do! Additionally, viewers can purchase extra copies of the DVD directly from the Viddia website.

Simply Dresses

Looking for Affordable Gifts for the Wedding Party?  Look No Further :  ) Limoges has very affordable Jewelry!
Diamond Accent 4 Leaf Clover Pendant	10K Gold Birthstone Claddagh Ring	Sterling Silver Birthstone Claddagh Earrings
10K White Gold Claddagh Heart Pendant	Stainless Steel Ladies Engraved Claddagh Wedding Band	Sterling Silver Birthstone Claddagh Pendant

Looking for Irish Games for the Bridal Shower?  Look no further:

Color Me Green! $6.99	Luck of the Irish $6.99	St. Patrick's Day Bingo $6.99
St. Patrick's Day Picture Bingo $6.99	St. Patrick's Day Secret Message $6.99	St. Patrick's Day This and That Trivia $6.99
St. Patrick's Day Tic-Tac-Toe $6.99	St. Patrick's Day Word Find $6.99	St. Patrick's Day Word Scramble $6.99

Subscribe to:
Laptop Bride's Click for Deals |

Name:
Email:

Bridal By Design