Celebrate Your Culture Through......Traditions

Almost everyone can relate to the traditions that are expected at weddings no matter what your background is.  Some couples love to keep the tradition going while others hate them and think they are cheesy or just outdated.  Did you see the movie Jumping The Broom? The happy couple had the same issue. They didn't want to jump the broom or do the electric slide at their wedding.  This left some family members disappointed because they look forward to these traditions.  I completely understand because I have one of my own.  My family's tradition for wedding is what we call black cake.  See my previous post on putting a twist on it.  I don't really care for it and I think putting a small piece a cake in a box isn't the best favor choice.  As much as I may dislike this tradition, there are people in my family and some friends that still love this keepsake. When faced with this dilemma, I suggest you add a modern twist to an old favorite.  This will help you keep the tradition alive and keep you happy at the same time.  So whether your traditions are jumping the broom, the money dance or any kind of dances, try to make it your own.  

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Venue Profile – Midtown Loft & Terrace

I recently re-visited one of my favorite loft spaces in NYC last weekend. I was showing this space to my clients, for their upcoming nuptials, and they loved it just as much I did. Midtown Loft & Terrace is conveniently located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of midtown. The space is 5,000 sq feet with windows on four sides of the loft with beautiful hardwood floors. The Terrace has a perfect view of the NYC skyline and the most famous NYC landmark, the Empire State Building.

Now I’ve been here before so you may be wondering why the post, well I’ll tell you! I received great news that there will be a retractable glass enclosure beginning 2011. This will allow events all year round with the same great view. Take a look here:

Midtown Loft & Terrace is a great venue for a wedding. It’s blank canvas so you can make it whatever you want. It allows for ceremony, cocktail and reception to be held all in one venue for an affordable price. If you are looking for a venue, make an appointment to visit the Midtown Loft & Terrace.

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Jewish Wedding Traditions

I was raised Catholic but I must admit the Jewish wedding ceremony is one of my favorites. I love that the bride and groom are escorted down the aisle by their parents. I think the groom’s parents are also giving away their child and it should be honored just as the bride. But my favorite aspect of a Jewish ceremony is chuppah, symbolizing God’s presence, shelter and protection. Before I knew what the chuppah represented, I fell in love with the design of it. Chuppah can range from simple to over the top glamorous. Customize it to fit within your wedding color pallette, keep traditional or personal.  Here are a couple I love!!

Elegance & Lush 

Feminie and Opulent

Traditional & Organic

Traditional & Elegant

Colorful & Bold

Tropical & Modern

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Ceremony Traditions from Dominican Republic and Columbia

My last clients were from Hispanic backgrounds (Dominican and Columbian) and it inspired me to write about wedding traditions from both countries. Today I’ll focus on ceremony traditions. Most Hispanic countries have Christian faith. Most wedding ceremonies take place in the couples’ house of worship. Here in NYC, many couples are choosing to have their ceremony and reception in the same location. Just because your ceremony doesn’t take place in your house of worship, doesn’t mean you can’t have the traditions that are important to you.


Dominican Wedding Ceremony
Every Dominican bride becomes the recipient of 13 coins, ceremoniously passed to her on a silver tray. A child starts the hand-off, transferring the tray to the priest, the groom and then the bride to symbolize their commitment to care for each other and share equally.  You can find these coins online.  Here is a treasure chest with the coins included.  To personalize it, have it engraved with your monogram and wedding date.

                                Photo Courtesy: J McKinley                                       

Columbian Wedding Ceremony
There is a traditional custom in Colombian Christian weddings. After the ring ceremony, the groom and the bride each has to light a candle. Each lighted candle represents the life of each one. After that, they light another candle together and put out the first candle of each one, leaving only the one that they lit as a couple. This bright candle means that now they are the same body and they are going to share every moment of their lives. This is also known as the unity candle ceremony and there are many options out there today so you can customize your candles.

Photo Courtesy: Etsy

Tip:
To ensure you have the right space and setup to perform your ceremony traditions, consultant with the venue manager, your officiant and if you have a wedding planner/coordinator ask their opinion as well. The venue manager will be able to tell you how much space you need at the altar and what the best setup will be for the altar you need. They should know best what the venue can accommodate. You officiant can run you through the all the steps of your ceremony so you know what to expect and how to prepare for it. Last but not least, your wedding planner/coordinator will be there for rehearsal and to ensure your ceremony is setup the correct way.

Ceremony Ritual - Ring Warming

My job as a wedding blogger and wedding planner is to share great information I find.  When I read this blog, I just had to share this with you.  If I ever tie the knot, this will definetly be apart of my ceremony.

Looking for a way to pesonalize your wedding ceremony or step away from other traditions? Well I think you will love this idea, Ring Warming Ceremony posted by Interfaith Minister by the name of Dawn.  During a ring warming, the couple’s wedding rings are passed among their guests, who are asked to say a prayer or make a wish for the couple over the rings while holding them. Read her post for helpful advice and more how to have a ring warming ceremony for your wedding.

Deniesha Joseph,


Wedded Luxe - Luxury Wedding Planning & Couture Designs
DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
http://twitter.com/Wedded_Luxe
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wedded-Luxe/164768235325?ref=ts
718.938.4713

Summer Solutions

If you are having an outdoor ceremony during the summer months, keep the comfort of your guest in mind. While you are exchanging vows, keep your guest cool with fans and parasols. Your guest will thank you for thinking of this small yet thoughtful detail.

You can keep it simple with fans and parasols in your wedding colors. Here are some inexpensive options I found @ http://www.lunarbazaar.com/ .




Or you can step up the décor notch and have personalized parasols and fans that double as programs. I Do Originals have amazing customized wedding accessories. The parasols are my favorite!!

Program fans are great because they serve two purposes. I love anything that helps save money. Here are some fab finds!

http://www.weddingthings.com/

http://www.beau-coup.com/

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Couture Events by D
Designed by me, Just for you
http://www.coutureventsbyd.com/
718.938.4713

Ceremony Decor

Although you will spend most of your wedding day at your reception, your ceremony is just as important. This is when you and your groom officially become husband and wife. It’s a special moment and the décor should reflect that magical moment. I must admit, I am not a fan of spending a lot of money on ceremony décor, especially when you are working with a tight budget but I am an advocate for making the space look great. When choosing your ceremony décor, there are some things you should consider. If you are getting married in a church, synagogue or any other house of worship, the setting may not need a lot of décor. You can keep it simple with flowers with ribbon or tulle for the pews/seats.

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

If your ceremony is taking place in a non-traditional setting, like a park or beach, let nature be your back drop and add an arch or chuppah as you focal point.

Photo Credits: Theknot.com

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

Many couples are opting to have their ceremony on the same grounds of the reception. In this situation, you may have to add a little more to make the space look more like a ceremony. Choose a focal point, arrange you seating accordingly and don’t forget the aisle.

Photo Credits: Theknot.com

Photo Credits: Project Weddings

Photo Credits: Theknot.com

Happy Planning,

Deniesha Joseph
Couture Events by D
Designed by me, Just for you
http://www.coutureventsbyd.com/
718.938.4713