 |
Have A Simple, Small, Green Wedding
A wedding is one of life's major rites of passage. It is certainly something to celebrate! Today, wedding books and magazines promote large weddings so that more and more wedding products can be sold. Wedding expenditures run into many thousands of dollars. And after this major outlay of money, most of what is purchased is never used again. On the Spring Equinox 2004, my ex-husband (yes, that's right! my ex-husband!) Larry and I remarried. We had been together for almost seventeen years, and had divorced several years ago when our relationship problems seemed impossible to resolve. But we still loved each other, so we figured out what to do to make things better, and are now happier than ever. In planning our wedding, we wanted to keep it simple, small, and full of meaning. We wanted a ceremony and celebration that would be easy to prepare for and manage. We wanted an intimate occasion, surrounded by our closest friends who would participate with us in the intention of our union. And as we planned our wedding, we used the same guidelines for health and the environment that we practice in our daily home life. Since most books and articles are about planning big weddings, I want to offer some tips on planning another sort of wedding that can be beautiful and meaningful in it's own way. * Make it your day. Each wedding can and should be a unique expression of the couple getting married. So create the day just the way you want it, to please the two of you. * Choose the wedding traditions that are important to you. When it comes right down to it, the essentials of a wedding are the two people to be married, the minister or justice of the peace who performs the ceremony, the ceremony itself, and the guests who witness it. Everything else is decoration and tradition. Learn about wedding traditions and choose to do those that will make your day special. * Write your own ceremony. The entire reason for having a wedding, really, is the ceremony. The most important aspect of a wedding is not the decorations, but the vows and intentions that are stated in the ceremony and that you give to each other. Research the time-honored patterns to wedding ceremonies and follow this pattern in your own personal way. * Invite meaningful guests. When you have a small number of guests, you can spend more time with them and really experience their presence. Minimum is just the two of you, the minister, and a witness. Invite family and friends with whom you have real relationships. Eliminate those that might be invited out of social obligation. * Have your wedding at home, either indoors or in your garden, or in a park. Rather than spending a lot of money on floral arrangements, we put that money into tidying up our back yard and planting perennial flowers that we are still enjoying today. Looking back on our wedding day, we are very pleased with our simple, small wedding. We were able to relax and enjoy the day and experience the love and support of our best friends. Best of all, we still had energy left for the honeymoon... For many more details on planning your simple, small, green wedding (including choosing flowers, rings, clothing and reciption, and photos of Debra's wedding), visit http://www.debraslist.com/wedding, and click on "You are invited to... My Simple, Small, Green Wedding". Debra is also available as a consultant to help you plan your wedding. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a consumer advocate for products and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the environment since 1982. Visit her website for 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural and earthwise products, and to sign up for her free email newsletters. http://www.dld123.com
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Prop 8: Gay-Marriage Ruling Expected TodayTIMEVIDEO: A Gay-Marriage Wedding Video The 9th Circuit does not typically give notice of its forthcoming rulings, and its decision to do so Monday reflects the intense interest in the case. Even if the panel upholds the lower court ruling, ...and more » |
|
rachel-greenwald-criticsWestwordHer only definition of success (aside from her own hefty financial take, apparently) is a marriage, wedding and honeymoon, and she admits even that success is rare. If there is so little enduring happiness or success in her business or the matches she ... |
|
Scotland's opposition parties back same-sex 'marriage'LifesiteAt the signing event, which included cutting an “equal marriage” wedding cake, Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson said, “I support the Equality Network's Equal Marriage campaign. … The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation on gay ...and more » |
PerezHilton.com |
J.Lo Isn't Thinking About Marrying New BF Casper Just Yet!!PerezHilton.comTags: bride, casper smart, divorce, hearts and fuzzies, jennifer lopez, jlo, love, marc anthony, marriage, wedding So we've heard what Paula Abdul had to say about getting fired, and we heard what Nicole Scherzinger had to say about the ax. |
Business Insider |
3 Tax Tips Every Newlywed Couple Should KnowBusiness InsiderIf you have very high medical expenses and a low adjusted gross income, filing separately means you could deduct more of these expenses. However, if you filed jointly, you may not benefit from this deduction. newlywed - marriage - wedding. |
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Is Conflict Healthy in Marriage?
Today my three-year-old daughter told my husband that she wants to be married. When he asked her why, she replied, "Because you get to be nice to one another".
Wedding Loans in the UK - Saving Future from the Present Wedding Expenses
It is wrong if you thought that typical British weddings are starving of novel ideas. In fact, there is a glut of ideas, and each idea sounds as enthralling as the previous ones.
Hey, Where Do I Put My Speakers? Unique Venues Require Unique DJs
If your wedding or party is being held in a unique facility with specific acoustic issues (multiple rooms, indoor/outdoors, echo issue, broken up ceiling surface, in a tent, etc.) then you need to educate yourself.
Help is Here for Your Wedding Ceremony
When it comes to your wedding services, nobody wants to spend too much and yet have to foot the bill for the reception. Really it depends on where you want to your wedding to be and what type of service that you are hoping to have.
Bridal Beauty Tips For Your Special Day
It's your day! The most special day of your life, so relax, enjoy, and don't fret the small stuff. Life isn't perfect and your wedding may have a few hick ups too, however if you go with the flow you'll be less stressed and more radient.
How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon! Article No. 3
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, having her toe sucked at a beach? What was the big deal? Was it that she was so well-known? Or was it that this piece of fore play was being conducted in a more or less public place? Or was it the toe itself that did it?When it comes to love-making, we thought we'd seen it all.We know people do it in showers and baths, on board tables or under them, horizontally or slightly perpendicular, and vertically flat against a brick wall or against something anchored to the ground.
Wedding Loans - When Wedding Bills Are Postponing the Wedding Bells
Somewhere when you least expected, you find the person who you know you are going to share your life with. You met that wonderful person.
How to Find The Perfect Wedding Dress
You want the perfect wedding dress, so you have made it a major focus of your pre wedding planning. There are some things you need to find from the bridal shop, before you even look at your first gown.
A Butterfly Release; Alternatives to Throwing Rice
Brides are looking for different ways to make their wedding different and unique. The releasing of butterflies is starting to become a very popular alternative to throwing rice.
Common Format Of A Wedding Reception
The following article can be copied but you must keep about the author section.Common format of a wedding reception: Arrival of guests at hall Introduction of wedding party Introduction of bride and groom Blessing Meal Cake Cutting Toasts Bride & Groom's First Dance Father & Daughter's Dance Mother & Groom's Dance Special Dances Bouquet and Garter Toss Dancing and FunArrival of guests at reception siteTypically, a wedding lasts about 15 minutes.
Las Vegas Hotel Weddings
"Las Vegas hotel weddings give you tons of options. You can pick your setting - from the minimal downtown hotels to the lavish hotels on the strip; pick your city - from Venice to Paris, from Monte Carlo to good old New York; and pick your style - from tuxedoed, buttoned down formal to tie dyed, long haired sixties radical.
Wedding Rings
Your wedding rings were meant to last a lifetime. They are the unique symbol of your devotion to each other and the design should be something that you both can agree on.
Marriage Counseling: How to Keep Jealousy From Destroying Your Marriage
Jealousy has often been called the "green-eyed monster," and with good reason. The "monster" is fueled by envy and can over time devour the trust and harmony in a relationship.
The (American) Bride Wore Red
Increasing numbers of American brides are thinking about doing the formerly unthinkable -- getting married in a bold red gown.Not that red is a stranger to marriage.
Control Issues That Cause Marriage Problems
Have you ever been irritated because your spouse does things differently than you do? Do you get upset if he or she has different opinions and makes different choices than you would? If so, you have bumped up against some of your own personal control issues and triggers in your marriage. Here are three important points to consider:1.
Terrific Advice Concerning Destination Weddings As Shared By Two Gurus On The Topic
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.
Wedding Gifts for Second Marriages
Second marriages can be a tricky situation for a variety of reasons. There may be problems with step kids, ex spouses or even some religious stumbling blocks for the marriage taking place.
Diamond Hunting
Diamond hunting can be quite traumatic for the uninitiated. It is a big purchase and often one that has high emotional content.
How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon. Article No.2
Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank the toast, danced the dance, and now, at last you are completely alone.
It's Never Too Early to Renew Your Wedding Vows
When you think about couples who renew their wedding vows, chances are you're not picturing anyone under the age of 50. But the truth is that it's never too early to renew your vows - especially if you didn't get to do exactly what you wanted the first time around.
|
