We all can go back in our family history and find a culture that we are connected to. Here are a few customs that you may want to consider.

Africa: In some African ceremonies the couple’s wrists are bound together by plaited grasses.

Belgium: The bride’s mother presents her daughter with a handkerchief with her name embroidered in one corner. The bride carries it during the wedding. Afterward the handkerchief is framed and displayed in the bride’s family home until another daughter is married, then her name is added and she carries it in her wedding.

Czechoslovakia: Some brides choose to wear a traditional wreath made of rosemary, a symbol of love, loyalty and wisdom.

China: During a Chinese wedding ceremony two goblets holding honey in one and wine in the other are tied together with a red ribbon which the bride and groom take sips from to symbolize their union.

England: As the bride and groom enter the church, the bells chime; when they exit as husband and wife the bells chime again but to a different tune.

Finland: In early times the bride-to-be was adorned with a gold crown. After the ceremony she was blind folded and surrounded by the unmarried female guests. The bride would go around the circle until she picked someone to pass the crown to. Like today’s bouquet catcher she was thought to be the next one to marry.

France: After the ceremony the couple drinks from a "coupe de marriage", a silver cup with two handles.

Germany: Both the bride and the groom wear gold bands as a symbol of their engagement.

Greece: After their vows the bride and groom each take three sips of wine and walk around the altar three times following the priest. This symbolizes the Trinity.

Holland: The bride and groom sit on thrones covered by a canopy of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting love, during a pre-wedding celebration.

India: Female relatives and friends use henna dye to paint the newlywed’s hands. The couple then leaves their handprints on the outside door of their new home for good luck.

Looking through a wedding catalog can be kind of intimidating at times. There are so many wedding invitations to choose from. How can you decide which one will be right for you and your wedding? Take it a step at a time. Use the process of elimination. Once you have decided between tri-fold, bi-fold, single panel, white or ivory, next comes the process of making them personal.

Your wedding invitation is your guest’s first look at your wedding. The invitation tells them what kind of wedding to expect; whether it is black tie formal, casual, or even a themed wedding. Whatever the case may be, one thing that you always want to keep in mind is keeping it personal. Remember personal does not mean untraditional. It just means that you have put some of your style and personality into every part of your special day including the invitation.

There are a few ways to make your invitation personal. First and probably the biggest is the color. Your invitation does not have to be a perfect match to the bridesmaid’s dresses, but you want them to at least compliment each other. Try to keep the invitation in the same color palette as the rest of your wedding.

Another way is use your monogram. A monogram is the first letter of your and your fiancé’s first names and the first letter of his last name, which is your new last name. This is a more traditional way to add a personal touch. Not only can the monogram be printed on the invitation, but you can continue the theme and use it through out the decorations for the wedding and the reception.

You can also use a special design or icon. If there is a design or icon that has special meaning to you, then by all means incorporate that into your wedding invitations. There may be an extra set up fee for using your own design, but if it is what you want, then go for it. You can also use special fonts to add a touch of personality to the wedding invitation.

Another good way is use pictures. Most companies now sell photo wedding invitations of some sort. You can pick a favorite picture and have that printed on your invitation or you can use it to make seals for the outside of the envelope.

Whatever you decide to do just remember that these are the invitations to your wedding - your special day. You can make them as personalized as you choose, but do not go overboard. Keep in mind that no matter how casual your event is going to be, it still has some formal undertones and your invitations should reflect that.

Inevitably, there is a blank page in the traditional wedding program. If you find there is room on the back, add a few famous quotes regarding love and marriage. You may have a few favorites in mind right now. If not, here are some for your consideration.

• A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.  Mignon McLaughlin
• Cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed. That life is only forevermore — together wing to wing and oar to oar.  Robert Frost
• In our life there is a single color, as on an artist‘s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.  Marc Chagall
• My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.  Winston Churchill
• Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, But through being the right mate. Barnett Brickner
• The truth is that there is only one terminal dignity — love. And the story of love is not import — what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.  Helen Hayes
• There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved: it is God‘s finger on man ‘s shoulder.  Charles Morgan
• When the wedding march sounds the resolute approach, the clock no longer ticks, It tolls the hour. . . The figures in the aisle are no longer individuals, They symbolize the human race.  Anne Morrow Lindbergh
• You do not choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• You will reciprocally promise love, loyalty and matrimonial honesty. We only want for you this day that these words constitute the principle of your entire life And that with the help of divine grace you will observe these solemn vows today, before God, you formulate.  Pope John Paul II

And for the couple taking that second walk down the aisle, here is one quote that might say it all for you.

• For I’m not so old, and I’m not so plain, and I’m quite prepared to marry again.  W. S. Gilbert

First of all, interview and go listen to potential bands and DJs that you may be interested in hiring. Music can make or break a party and your wedding reception should be the biggest celebration of your life! Whether you choose to hire a DJ or a live band, the music will help to create the atmosphere. Before hiring a DJ or band, ask for, and check their references. Ask past clients about the quality and proficiency of their work as well as the diversity. The music needs to be a variety of styles, from slow songs to upbeat tunes as well as popular music and old standards. Keep in mind that your guest list covers several generations.

Most DJs and bands will have a "play list" available for you to go through and make any changes. If you have a particular song that does not appear on their play list ask if it could be added.

One special song is usually the first dance of the newlywed couple. The top ten songs for this are:

1. The Way You Look Tonight
2. Just the Way You Are
3. I Will Always Love You
4. Unforgettable
5. Wonderful Tonight
6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Love Will Keep Us Together
8. Endless Love
9. We’ve Only Just Begun
10. All I Ask of You

Another special song you may want to select would be the bride’s dance with her father. Suggestions for this number include:

1. Daddy’s Little Girl
2. Thank Heaven for Little Girls
3. What A Wonderful World

Before hiring a DJ or a band interview them.
Here are a few questions that should help you in your decision:

1. How often, how long and how many breaks will they take? (5-10 min. per hour is standard)
2. Do they provide pre-recorded music during their breaks?
3. What will they be wearing?
4. Are there any other fees not included in the quote? (travel time, mileage, etc.)
5. Will they play overtime? If so, what is the charge?
6. What is the cancellation policy?
7. Are song requests from guests allowed at no extra fee?
8. Ask for their play list.

Before you sign a contract with your reception musicians have everything in writing. This should include how many hours they will play, how many breaks they will take, how they bill for overtime, the required amount for deposit, when the balance is due, amount of any taxes or other charges and whether a refund is allowed in case of cancellation. Once you have the play list selections made and the contract signed you can happily check off one more item on your wedding day list.