Love Letter and Wine Box Ceremony

Photos courtesy of Weddingstar.

Instead of the traditional unity candle or sand pouring, some people have opted for a more unique and romantic aspect to their ceremony.

How it works? Before the wedding day, the bride and groom will write letters to each other telling one another what it is they love about them, and their hopes and dreams for the future. The bride and groom will then choose a box and decorate it to their liking for the ceremony.

At the ceremony, the officient will explain to the guests the meaning behind the ceremony. The letters are to be placed in the box along with the wine and glasses, and the box is to be nailed shut. The officiant starts by putting in the first nail, and the wedding party each takes a turn putting in a nail. (Alternatively, if you don't like the idea of the sound of hammering nails at your wedding, the you can have the wedding party come up and tie ribbons around the box)


If in the future, the couple finds themselves going through difficult times, they are to open the box, sit down, have a glass of wine, and read the letters written to one another. The letters are meant to remind them what it is that made them fall in love in the first place and bring back the feelings of being full of hopes and dreams for the future. Hopefully this will bring the couple back together and they can work through the tough times.


In the alternative, if the box has not been opened, the couple can open it on an anniversary of their choice and enjoy the love letters written to one another some time ago.

Anniversary Gifts - Modern vs. Traditional gifts

Everyone knows some of the traditional gifts that go along with each anniversay. For example, year one, the paper year, couples are suppose to give a gift that have to do with paper. What not everyone knows is that there is a new twist to tradition, and there is now a more modern list! I actually first discovered this new list on, of all things, the back of a Carebears calendar!

Traditional

1st - Paper
2nd - Cotton
3rd - Leather
4th - Linen
5th - Wood
6th - Iron
7th - Wool (Copper)
8th - Bronze
9th - Pottery (China)
10th - Tin, Aluminum
.....
15th - Crystal
20th - China
25th - Silver
30th - Pearl
35th - Coral (Jade)
40th - Ruby
50th - Gold
75th - Diamonds, Diamondlike Stones, Gold

Modern List

1st - Clocks
2nd - China
3rd - Crystal, Glass
4th - Appliances
5th - Silverwear
6th - Wood Objects
7th - Dest Sets
8th - Linens, Lace
9th - Leather Goods
10th - Diamond
.....
15th - Watches
20th - Platinum
25th - Sterling Silver
30th - Diamond
35th - Jade
40th - Ruby
50th - Gold
75th - Diamond, Gold

Ashley Hayward Events - Now a dealer for Weddingstar

I'm excited to accounce to everyon that I've now become a dealer of Weddingstar products. Everything from wedding favours, cake toppers, bridal accessories, wedding party gifts.... and much more.

The best part about ordering these products from me is getting one on one service instead of dealing with possibly untrustworthy online ordering.

Below are some examples of items you can get through Weddingstar.

Please check out all the products available at www.weddingstar.com
Order now and we will pay your shipping.




"Flask Just for Her" - Perfect for bridesmaid gift


Classic Double Heart Collection - ringbear pillow, flower girl basket, champagne flutes, etc.

"True Couple Romance Figurine" - Cake Topper

Eco-mini Draw String Favour Bags

"Share your special day by helping families in need"

I have recently had the opportunity to meet with the Fundraising Event Coordinator with the Ronald McDonald House. This is an amazing charity organization that provided families of sick kids with a place to stay while the children are in the Hospital being treated.

It has become very popular for brides and grooms to make a donation to a charity of their choice in honour of their guests, in lieu of wedding favours. The Ronald McDonald House is a great choice to donate to. They will also provide you with favour cards that tell your guests about the donations. For more information you can phone them at (905) 521-9983 or email them at info@rmhhamilton.ca.

Sex and the City

Inspired by the new SATC movie that's out, I've put together a little storyboard for a Sex and the City theme wedding. During my own wedding festivities my amazing bridesmaids threw me a SATC themed shower and bachelorette, and it was just perfect and so much fun! The storyboard I've created here focuses more on wedding themes. You will find your commonly used items such as the blue Manolo Blanik shoes, and lots of hot pink and black! I have also added a few of my own touches.

The pink heart purse is a Judith Leiber, and the same idea as the duck purse that Carrie received from Big in season 2.

The Carrie necklace would make a great bridesmaid gift, obviously personalized to each girl. :)

The page 6 picture represents my idea to create either your save the dates or wedding programs to look like page 6.

The pink carnation table display idea is inspired by the episode where Burger gives Carrie pink carnations after they've had a fight.

....and finally for the men, I have included the box of cigars, as we've seen Samantha, Big, and a lot of the male characters enjoying quite a few cigars. This could be done as a groomsmen gift, or having a cigar roller at your reception.

A Wedding in Wonderland

My friend Rachel has been talking for years about having her dream Alice in Wonderland theme wedding. I was so excited to help her plan this when the day comes! Then comes Ashley Simpson's wedding, and the movie, and it seems this theme has become overwhelming popularity!

I decided to put together a little storeyboard using Rachel's wedding as my inspiration.

I LOVE this cake I came across. Its a mix of fun and elegant and fits the theme perfectfully! You will also see little cookies in a tea cup that say "eat me", which could be used as a fun wedding favour or even a late night dessert. For the decor, a mixture of bright colours to create the fun and unique atmosphere that will have you feeling like you are in the middle of a mad hatter tea party!