THE OFFICIAL TO-DO LIST FOR THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

She’s one of the key people in your life, so it follows that she’s heavily involved in your wedding. Here’s how to make the most of the mother of the bride.

Traditionally the mother of the bride is the host of your wedding party – the recetion. It is her job to make sure that everything goes according to plan. Check out what other jobs are ideal to assign to your lovely mum…

Mother of the bride to-do list

1. Announcing the engagement to the press, locally and nationally
2. Working with the bride and groom to draw up the guest list
3. Ordering the stationery and chasing it up
4. Sending out the invites and keeping an eye on acceptances and regrets
5. Supplying the wedding gift details to anyone who asks for them
6. Helping to organise the seating plan
7. Help you to choose your dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses
8. Planning the flowers for the ceremony and reception
9. Ordering the wedfding cake
10. Arranging table decorations
11. Making sure all of the guests have got somewhere to stay that night
12. Help you to get dressed and ready on the morning of the wedding
13. Give the order of service sheets to the ushers
14. Organising the buttonholes for key members of the wedding party, including the ushers, best man, bridegroom, and the two dads
15. Look after the gifts during and after the wedding. This includes finding a safe place to store them during the day
16. Collect the photo proofs from the photographer while you are on honeymoon
17. Organise the photo list – send out the right ones to the right people. You may want her to chase up your photos while you are away on your honeymoon, too. It’s great if the contact sheets are already waiting for you to look through when you get back home.  

Remember…DO Look after her – she is going to be working hard for you behind the scenes

• DO Give her a bouquet at the reception, during the speeches
• DO Encourage her to wear a complementary outfit to the colour scheme
• DO Invite her to be involved with choosing your dress. It’s the most special bit for her
• DO Encourage her to meet up with your fiancé’s mum regularly so that they know each other before the day (and don’t wear clashing outfits)
• DON’T forget to thank her
• DON’T exclude her from anything
• DON’T forget her on the day – she’ll be longing to be useful
• DON’T leave her to do everything. By tradition, she would be the last to leave the reception, but don’t ask her to stay until the last drink is sunk
• DON’T forget to book her in with the hairdresser and nail technician in the run-up to your big day
• DON’T let her interfere. It’s your day really…

Traditions

15 wedding traditions you can forget

Here are 15 wedding traditions you could afford to forget when planning your wedding ceremony.

Of course, if you do chose to include any of these traditions in your wedding, do it because you’ve decided too, not because that’s just what happens.

Bridal party

Your marriage certificate requires two witnesses, but they don’t need to be in dresses worth hundreds of dollars and wearing a rented suit that doesn’t fit. It’s totally acceptable to not have a bridal party today. The tradition grew out of superstitions that believed that evil spirits would try and attack the bride, so bridesmaids would be dressed like her to try and trick the evil spirits.

At my wedding we both had about 5 close friends there and in the end I would have been better off not burdening them with the cost of a suit and what not.

For the girls, still invite your best friends to come with you on the journey, and they’ll probably still buy an expensive dress, but don’t make them buy the same dress as four other girls.

The bouquet toss

The intention behind the bouquet toss was to distract guests from tearing a shred of the brides dress as the couple left the reception, because it was good luck to have a piece of her dress. These days it serves to embarrass single girls.

The wedding dress

White, red, long, short, above the knee, Vera Wang, Coco Chanel, or not. Traditionally wedding dresses were seen to be the best dresses of that time, but ever since Queen Victoria got married everyone’s been wearing long white dresses.

Wear the most beautiful dress you can find, and don’t worry about the colour.

Your father giving you away

I’ve covered this in another blog post (Post: Giving the bride away), but there is no reason your father, or your mother, or any other person has to give you away. The tradition is rooted in women being possessions that were to be given to another man. You can make the tradition mean something else, but don’t just do it because it’s the ‘done thing’,

Parents giving their approval

Who gives this woman to be married to this man? No-one does, she made the decision on her own.

Not seeing each other before the wedding

You’ll be no less unlucky if you see your bride or bridegroom on the wedding day before the ceremony. But it might be nice to build the suspense. But don’t do it for luck.

Inviting every man and his dog you’ve ever met to the wedding

I don’t pay $120 for me to eat dinner, you shouldn’t have to. Any married couple will understand if they aren’t invited, they’ve paid the bills before. So don’t feel the pressure to invite every single person you and your parents ever met.

First dance

Do you dance? Is the art of dancing a big part of your relationship? If not, why is your first dance together as a couple an important milestone?

Garter toss

As sexy as it is for the groom to go up his bride’s dress and pull the garter off, I felt so awkward receiving my dad’s new wife’s garter on his wedding night. What are you supposed to do with that thing?

The wedding cake

Two desserts does sound like a great idea I suppose. But why get a cake if you don’t like cake?

The groom waiting at the end of the aisle

There is no reason that the bride can’t get ready early and arrive at the ceremony 30 minutes early like the groom and welcome everyone as well. Why does the bride arrive late and get all the attention anyhow?

Having an aisle

Why is there even an aisle if we’re not in a church or a supermarket?

Wedding rings

I wear a wedding ring as a symbol of my relationship with Britt and so every other girl on the planet knows that I’m taken, I like to show off. But you don’t have to exchange rings, in fact one friend where’s his ‘ring’ on a necklace, why not just have a necklace?

The veil

Brides look beautiful in a veil but they’re no longer warding out evil demons. So maybe there’s a different fashion accessory that you could wear on your wedding day?

Being married in a church

More weddings happen outside of churches today than ever happen inside churches. Embrace the creative opportunities by staging your ceremony anywhere in the world. Imagine being married on a rooftop, a mountaintop, on a boat, or in a tree. You can choose!

Pitfalls on planning a wedding

Of course you want to have a fabulous big day, so you must plan accordingly to avoid any potential pitfalls along the way. Take a look at these all-too-common “please don'ts.” (They're all avoidable.) Remember: Forewarned is forearmed!

1. Don't be superbride.

You're smart, you're focused, you're energetic. But you're still one woman. Superbrides—those engaged gals who devote every waking hour to wedding planning, brushing aside all offers of help—eventually run out of steam and end up near the big day with favors unassembled, invitations unstamped, shoes undyed, heads uncounted. How to avoid this fate? Call in your trusty sidekicks before you're really scrambling. Here's a little secret: People want to help. So do yourself a huge favor and accept their kind offers. Then, once you've got a cadre of pals stuffing your envelopes, sit back and have your toenails polished. You deserve it.

2. Don't have a cash bar.

Forcing guests to reach into their sequined clutches every time they want to enjoy a celebratory champagne or a refreshing gin and tonic is just plain rude. Think of it like this: You invite people to a party—your wedding, for heaven's sake!—and then you ask them to shell out for part of the fun. It's a recipe for bad feelings! Keep in mind that you don't have to have a top-shelf bar; in fact, there are plenty of other ways to serve and save. You could offer wine and beer only or create a signature cocktail. You might have an open bar during the cocktail hour only and serve wine at dinner. Ask your caterer to suggest lower-cost options.

3. Don't include registry info on invites.

Registering is a good thing for everyone. When gift buyers are steered to the things you actually want and need, it saves them time—and saves you from having to contend with a pile of cut-crystal candy bowls. Registry info, however, does not belong on your wedding invitation. Why? Giving wedding gifts is never mandatory, though the vast majority of attendees will naturally want to do just that. Best way to get the message across is by word of mouth on the part of your mother or your bridesmaids or on bridal-shower invites.

4. Don't be bossy with your bridesmaids.

In the most traditional sense, your bridesmaids, in particular your maid of honor, are there to stand up for you as you take your vows, to act as witnesses to this solemn event. Somewhere along the line, bridesmaids have become, well, more like maids, and to an extent there's nothing wrong with that. These are your sisters, cousins, best friends, future in-laws, and there's something sort of sweet about the way they gather around you, wearing finery you picked out, helping you pin up your bustle, holding your flowers. But some brides ask (or worse, demand) far more: They expect their bridesmaids to shell out for needlessly expensive outfits, to run endless errands, to wear their hair just so, to attend (and buy gifts for) countless all-for-you parties. Don't let this happen. Be sensitive to how you'd feel if the tables were turned. Gifts to the maids are always welcome, of course, but a little kindness and care go a lot further than any pashmina shawl or monogrammed trinket.

5. Don't make guests cool their heels for hours between ceremony and reception.

I once attended a lovely wedding in a quaint wooden church in a rural area. Beautiful. Then I checked my invite. What?! The reception was scheduled for much later in the day, at a location that was a good 45-minute drive away. Sometimes it can be hard to plan a perfectly seamless schedule, especially if your heart is set on sites that are wildly inconvenient to one another or if your ceremony and reception times don't line up. But do your best. If you really must wed at, say, your childhood church, confine your search for reception locales to local spots. If that's truly impossible or if you can't avoid a time gap, provide transportation and/or a comfortable spot for guests to hang out while they wait.

6. Don't plan a difficult destination wedding.

Ah, the lure of the exotic faraway wedding—you can just picture it, can't you? Exchanging vows on top of a volcano in Hawaii… or how about in a ski gondola or on a majestic slope in the Austrian Alps? Hmmm, nice idea, but will Grandma Gert be up to the trip? Will your college pals drain their bank accounts to get there? No, and no. Destination weddings can be terrific, but as with any wedding, it's not only about you, it's also about your guests. While some friends and families welcome—and can afford—an Alpine adventure, others will end up resenting the cost and hassle or simply decline the invitation. Make it easy for everyone by (a) choosing a well-traveled locale, (b) planning well in advance and (c) providing information and help (securing group rates, for example). Bon voyage!

7. Don't go DIY crazy.

You know that clever bride who sewed her own dress and designed and made her own invitations? Or the one who baked her own three-tiered cake? Everyone's in awe of the girls who can do these things, and I say good for them—if they did it because they really, really wanted to, and if they managed not to get stressed out. The point of these projects is to use your craft/sewing/baking/designing skills to save money and to put a one-of-a-kind stamp on some aspect of the wedding. But if you are really not the hands-on type, don't drive yourself crazy hot-gluing tulle and folding fiddly favors until 3 a.m. Do only what you can, and beg, borrow or buy the rest.

8. Don’t let parents steamroll your invite list. 

Back in the days when parents footed the bill and brides were barely out of high school, the guest list was more Mom and Dad’s idea of a good party than the couple’s. Times have changed, but that doesn’t stop some pushy parents from insisting on having the whole book club, golf club or garden club at the wedding. Brush up on your negotiating skills and start early. Once you have a budget in mind, you can rough out the number of guests it’s feasible to invite. Then ask both sets of parents for invite lists, in order of preference, so you can cut from the bottom if necessary. Stay in charge!

9. Don’t forget about your fiancé.

It may not seem like something you’d do, but plenty of women surprise themselves. We've got our heads stuck in a glossary of floral terms (stephanotis? anemone?) when all our men know is that there will be flowers at the wedding. We’re neglecting our regular TV and pizza night in favor of dress fittings. Hey, listen up: You’re not just having a wedding, you’re getting married—to that guy over there, sitting on the couch, munching a cold slice of pizza. Put aside the bridal to-do lists and go give him a hug, would you? This is not just party-planning time, it’s major life transition time. So talk to each other. Talk about your life together. Talk about what color you want to paint the bedroom, what you want to name the puppy you’ll adopt—whatever. Anything but flowers and crab-cake appetizers, please.

10. Don't bow to bridal peer pressure.

It’s insidious. You just got back from a friend’s wedding and you’re battling the green monster: She had an eight-piece band while you booked a DJ. She had Dom Perignon, you’re having sparkling wine. Well, stop right there. If you scramble your plans to best hers: 1) You’ll go over budget, and 2) You’ll hate yourself for it. Worse, you’ll veer off the course you set for your own dream wedding. She made her wedding hers. And you’re making your wedding yours. And that’s an “I do!”

Relax and Enjoy your Day

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming – between finalising the guest list, keeping within budget and finding that show-stopping dress… there’s a lot to get through. But organising your big day doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Follow this checklist on what to do when, and you’ll enjoy stress-free preparations, right down to the final day.

10-12 MONTHS TO GO
:: Set the date.
:: Decide on a budget that both families are happy with (and be clear on who will be paying for what).
:: Choose your official wedding party and MC (if appropriate).
:: Select a handful of ceremony and reception locations and organise a meeting with the wedding event co-ordinator to talk through packages and pricing.
:: Start an inspiration scrapbook and file all clippings of things you like in it. Include dresses you like, decorative ideas, cake designs, floral arrangements…. Everything!

8-10 MONTHS TO GO
:: Finalise a guest list and send out save the date cards.
:: Start the search on your dress and bridesmaid dresses.
:: Start researching on ideal honeymoon destinations.
:: Book an appointment with a florist to talk about flower arrangements and pricing.
:: Book the reception/church/celebrant and run through menu options with the caterers.
:: Select a handful of wedding photographers and videographers and book an appointment to look through their portfolio and talk through pricing.

6-8 MONTHS TO GO
:: Finalise music for the reception and book entertainment (ie: band, DJ, etc) 
:: Order your wedding gown and veil – or start on dress making.
:: Finalise and order your bridesmaid dresses.
:: Finalise flowers with the florist and décor with the reception/ wedding planner
:: Book the honeymoon! Don’t forget the relaxing massage the minute you arrive at the destination.
:: Get started on your gift registry – if you decide to have one.
:: Book transportation (don’t forget the getaway car!)

4-6 MONTHS TO GO
:: Buy accessories for you and the bridesmaids.
:: Finalise the groom’s suit (if you’re allowed!) and groomsmen’s suits.
:: Book a hair and make-up trial. 
:: Book a hotel room for your wedding night. 
:: Organise pre-marriage counselling if you’d like it. A lot of churches strongly recommend this when booking the church.
:: Research and order wedding invitations, table place cards and bonbonniere.
:: Order your cake (and taste samples if they offer it!)
:: Organise taste testing for the menu. 
:: Order your wedding bands and engraving.
:: Confirm dates for your hens night and be clear with what you’d like (and not like) for the night out.

2-4 MONTHS TO GO
:: Finalise guest list. 
:: Send out wedding invitations.
:: Book hair and make-up artists for you and your bridesmaids. Don’t forget your mum and the groom’s mum too. 
:: Consider booking dance lessons for the bridal waltz.
:: Finalise the menu with the caterers/reception.
:: Start putting together wedding booklets and church ceremony readings.
:: Finalise the gift registry and make sure there’s enough in every price range for your guests.

1 MONTH TO GO
:: Start writing your vows and wedding speech.
:: Buy gifts for your groom and the wedding party.

3-4 WEEKS TO GO
:: Meet with your photographer to discuss shot list and photo locations.
:: Start putting together church booklets, name-tags and other stationery required.
:: Confirm honeymoon arrangements.
:: Chase up any guests who haven’t RSVP’d.
:: Write up a time schedule for the day (including important contact numbers) and send to all parties involved in important parts of the day (Ie: MC, priest/celebrant, photographer, DJ, wedding co-ordinator, drivers).

1-2 WEEKS TO GO
:: Pick up your wedding bands.
:: Send final guest list to reception place and confirm any vegetarian meals or special meal requirements for guests.
:: Book beauty appointments – wax, eyebrow shape, facial (no extractions!), etc.
:: Confirm pick up address and time with transportation.
:: Pick up the groom’s suit and groomsmen’s suits.
:: Book a hair appointment to have a trim and colour/treatment.

3 DAYS TO GO
:: Deliver all wedding favours, place cards, and liquor to the reception place.
:: Have a spray tan – not too close to the day. Everyone will know you haven’t been to Hawaii and back!
:: Have your final dress fitting – be sure to wear all jewellery, shoes, and correct underwear. 
:: Prepare a list of all payments required on the day, put in envelopes and leave someone in charge of handing out the appropriate people on the day.

WEDDING EVE
:: Get a manicure and pedicure.
:: Treat yourself and your groom to a relaxing massage. 
:: Have a wedding rehearsal (if relevant) with the bridal party and church/celebrant.
:: Get an early night!

Wedding Rings

Today we found out the history and symbolism behind the tradition of wearing a wedding ring and why, in most western cultures, it’s worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, otherwise known as the ring finger.

Wedding rings today are a billion dollar sentiment of love, but no  one can really say for sure when this age old tradition actually started. Some believe that the oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt, about 4800 years ago. Sedges, rushes and reeds, growing alongside the well-known papyrus were twisted and braided into rings for fingers an other decorative ornaments worn by the women in those days.

The circle was the symbol of eternity, with no beginning or end, not only to the Egyptians, but many other ancient cultures. The hole in the center of the ring also had significance. It wasn’t just considered a space, but rather a gateway, or door; leading to things and events both known and unknown. To give a woman a ring signifies never-ending and immortal love.

The materials these rings were made of didn’t last very long and soon were substituted with rings made of leather, bone or ivory. The more expensive the material, the more love shown to the receiver; the value of the ring also  demonstrated the wealth of the giver.

The Roman’s also eventually adopted this tradition but with their own twist. Rather than offering a ring to a woman as a symbol of love, they awarded them as a symbol of ownership. Roman men would “claim” their woman with the giving of a ring. Roman betrothal rings were later made of iron and called “Anulus Pronubus.” They symbolized strength and permanence. It is also said that the Romans were the first to engrave their rings.

It was not until about 860 that the Christians used the ring in marriage ceremonies; even then, it was not the simple plain band as we know it. It usually was highly decorated with engraved doves, lyres, or two linked hands. The Church discouraged such rings as ‘heathenish’ and, around the 13th century, wedding and betrothal rings were considerably simplified, and given a more spiritual look which was very aptly expressed by a Bishop when he dubbed it a “symbol of the union of hearts.”

Wedding rings through different stages in history have been worn on different fingers, including the thumb, and on both the left and right hands. According to  a tradition believed to have been derived from the Romans, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand ring finger because there was thought to be a vein in the finger, referred to as the ‘Vena Amoris’ or the ‘Vein of Love’ said to be directly connected to the heart. However, scientists have shown this is actually false. Despite this, this  myth still remains regarded by many (hopeless romantics) as the number one reason rings are worn on the fourth finger.

Another theory thought to be behind the ring being placed on the left hand by Christians seems a little more plausible. Early Christian marriages had a ritual to wear the wedding ring in the third finger. As the priest recited during the binding ,”In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, he would take the ring and touch the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger; then, while uttering “Amen”, he would place the ring on the ring finger, which sealed the marriage.

A more practically based theory is that the soft metal (traditionally gold for wedding rings) is less worn or injured on the finger of the left hand, due to most of the world being right handed.  Further, the fourth finger on the left hand is probably the second to the least used finger on a person’s hands outside of pinkies.  Pinkies being small, making a small ring with little surface area to decorate, perhaps motivated people to then place it on the next least used finger, namely the fourth finger on the left hand, which is roughly the size of the other fingers.

Bonus Facts:

• The earliest and smallest engagement ring was given to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She was two years old at the time.  Presumably the ring was given to her by Pedobear. 
• Seventeen tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year in the United States!
• Back in the 1300’s, when people were particularly superstitious, it was believed that taking a piece of the bride’s clothing would grant the guests good luck. This lead to many guests that would literally tear cloth from the bride’s dress (which made for a very peeved bride!). So, in an attempt to stave off greedy luck-seekers, many brides began to throw items to guests that could be easily removed from her and that included her garter. Eventually, grooms began to remove the garter and tossed it to the men as a means to prevent tipsy male guests from trying to do the deed themselves. In an effort to help the women feel included, it eventually became customary for the bride to throw her bouquet at the female guests.
• There are dozens of good-luck, bad-luck traditions followed by different cultures around the world. In Greek culture, a sugar cube is tucked into the bride’s glove to “sweeten” the marriage. For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day. The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck.Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice. Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Brides have worn veils ever since. The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below.
• The first recorded account of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477 when King Maximilian I of Germany (1459-1519) proposed to Mary of Burgundy (1457-1482) and offered her a diamond to seal his vow. (So, men you now know who to blame!)
• Interestingly, in many countries, even today, including Norway, Russia, Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Germany,Portugal and Spain, the wedding ring in worn on the ring finger of the right hand and not the left. In Jewish tradition, the groom places the ring on the bride’s index finger, and not the “ring” finger at all.

Wedding Traditions

English customs

A wedding carriage in Bristol,England

The Western custom of a bride wearing a white wedding dress came to symbolize purity, not virginity, in the Victorian era. Within the "white wedding" tradition, a white dress and veil is not considered appropriate in the second or subsequent wedding of a widow or divorcee. The specific conventions of Western weddings, largely from a Protestant and Catholic viewpoint, are discussed at "white wedding".

A wedding is often followed or accompanied by a wedding reception, which in some areas may be known as the 'Wedding Breakfast', at which an elaborate wedding cake is served. Western traditions include toasting the couple, the newlyweds having the first dance, and cutting the cake. A bride may throw her bouquet to the assembled group of all unmarried women in attendance, with folklore suggesting the person who catches it will be the next to wed. A fairly recent equivalent has the groom throwing the bride's garter to the assembled unmarried men; the man who catches it is supposedly the next to wed.

The Wedding Breakfast is one occasion where every member of the family who has had at least some role in the wedding is present. It is also important as the first time the newly married bride and groom share their first meal together as a lawfully wedded couple. The word Breakfast comes from a more ancient tradition of fasting before the wedding ceremony, the Wedding Breakfast is therefore 'breaking that fast'. The modern Wedding Breakfast includes the service of food to guests that can range from traditional roasts, buffets, or regional treats such as in the case of a London Wedding^[1] in the 'East End'.

Another Victorian tradition is for brides to wear or carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" during the service. It is considered good luck to do so. Often the bride attempts to have one item that meets all of these qualifications, such as a borrowed blue handkerchief which is "new to her" but loaned by her grandmother (thus making it old). Another addition to this custom is to wear a coin in one's shoe to bring prosperity.

The full text of the verse is:

Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue,

And silver sixpence in your shoe.^[2]

Children's Fashion

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Anglo Couture

Vicky Anglo was born and raised in Athens, Greece surrounded by innovation and artistry. Her Father is a sculpture and provided the artistic environment that so naturally led her to follow in his creative footsteps. At the age of 13, Vicky attended a Bridal Fashion Show that sparked her desire to be part of the fashion industry. With a passion for design, a love for the glamour and elegance of weddings, Vicky attended Newbury College in Boston, MA and majored in Fashion Design. After graduation, Vicky gained hands on experience working as a designer for a bridal accessory company and enjoyed every moment. She fell even further in love with both fashion and design and the wedding industry, and decided to follow her dreams to start her own couture line of wedding gowns. For Vicky, the best part of her job is personally working with each bride to create unique, one of a kind wedding gowns with style, personality, and vision. Everyone is different, we all want our personality to shine-especially on our wedding day- so through innovative design and personal collaboration, Vicky works with our brides to ensure they look as great as they feel on their special day. This is her inspiration ans how Anglo Couture was born!

 

Etiquette of Asking

21 Poems For Money Trees & Wishing Wells

With so many couples marrying later, living together before saying I do, or simply accumulating household goods along the way, it's little wonder more people are opting for 'wishing wells', 'money trees' or some variation on the theme in place of a traditional bridal registry.

PinterestWedding List Co

After all, there really is no need to stock up on fine china if you won't use it, and who doesn't already have a toaster? However, asking for money isn't easy, no matter how you approach it, so we've prepared a few cleverly crafted wording and poem ideas for your wishing well or money tree - without causing offence.

Etiquette of Asking

Only place gift registry cards or 'money' poems in wedding invitations of guests who won't be offended to receive the card.  If in doubt, leave out, your family and bridal party members can discreetly spread the word.

A diplomatic idea would be to set up a wedding gift registry as well,  so that guests who would rather give you someething other than cash, can do so.  

Witty ways to word your wishing well or money tree from our members:

1. Just Give Cash...

So what do you get
For the Bride and Groom
Whose house needs things
In every room?

When shopping for a present
Please, don’t be rash
As the option is there
To just give cash!

We hope that you don’t find
Our request to be funny
But the decision is yours
To buy a present, or give money

Now you have the choice
Please do not fuss
The most important thing of all
Is that you come celebrate with us!
Submitted by Cindy Fuller

2. What Do You Get The Bride & Groom...

They have their dishes and towels for two,
They have pots and pans and oven mitts too.
So what do you get for the bride & groom
whose house is setup in every room?

Their house needs repairs and some upgrades too,
But you can not register for carpet and glue.
A tree that grows wishes is the way to go,
so lets make it easy for all that know.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room,
To give a monetary wish to the bride and groom.
A money tree will be on display at the reception hall
to attach your wishes, for the couple, with love from all.
Submitted by Belinda Blackburn

3. Quite Complete...

Our home is quite complete now,
we've been together long.
So please consider our request,
and do not take us wrong.

A delicate request it is,
we hope you understand.
Please play along, as it will give
our married life a hand.

The tradition of the wishing well,
is one that's known by all.
Go to the well, toss in a coin
and as the coin does fall.

Make a wish upon that coin,
and careful as you do.
Cause as the well's tradition goes,
your wishes will come true.

So on this special day or ours,
the day that we'll be wed.
Don't hunt for special gifts
but give money is it's stead.

And as you drop the envelope,
with money great and small,
Remember, make your wish
as you watch your money fall.
Submitted by Lisa & Daryl Stack

4. Travelling Once More...

Whilst in a foreign land,
(Brides Name) had many adventures grand,
None of which could ever compare,
To the wonderful love
That she and (Grooms Name) share.

The couple will marry
whilst travelling once more,
And her family shall come
to foreign shore.(Bride) and (Groom)
have considered the options,
as guests bearing gifts,
will come to considerable exertions.
And the airline restrictions
will also apply,
to the bride and the groom
when home they must fly.

In the place of a gift
With traditional style,
A paper gift would
bring many a smile.

A gift of paper has many a meaning,
it may be cash,
or a voucher for their favourite store,
the promise of a special favour,
Whenst the couple return
to settle into their lives
as husband and wife.

Many thanks for your consideration,
in receiving this request,
as surely you will realise
It's definitely for the best.
Submitted by JuicyBear

5. Join Us...

We hope that you will join us,
on this our special day,
To celebrate our union
in a very special way.

To make it easy for you
and avoid a shopping spree
We thought that we would have instead,
a little money tree.

Because we've been together,
for a while now,
We collected all our household things
before we took our vows.

An envelope has been included
for you to bless our tree,
No name is required for each gift,
as anonymity is the key!

So please don't be offended
at our new type of request,
Just telling everyone our wish,
has really put us to the test!
Submitted by Jo-Anne

6. Minimum Fuss...

This is written on a daisy shaped paper pocket:

If you are having trouble finding just the gift for us,
This may prove a solution with a minimum of fuss.
Just pop your gift inside the flower and pin it to our tree,
And make a wish for happiness forever ours to be.
Submitted by Michelle

7. Deposit On Our Giving Tree...

We made a commitment some time ago
that together through life we were destined to go.

We purchased our furniture, linen and bedding,
in the fulfilling years leading up to our wedding.

What else we might need is not easy to foresee,
but what might help us in the future is a deposit on our Giving Tree.
Submitted by Amy

8. Save You Looking...

To save you looking,
shopping and buying,
Here is an idea
we hope you'll like trying!

Come to our wedding
to wish us both well,
And make some use
of our little wishing well.

Just put some money into a card,
Now make a wish....
See, that wasn't hard!

Now that we have saved you all of the fuss,
We hope that you will come
And celebrate with us!
Submitted by Lisa

9. Possessions Are Plentiful...

(Bride) & (Groom)'s worldly possessions are plentiful as such,
on their wedding present list there isn't really much.

Their home is quite complete, as they've been together so long
So please consider our request , but do not take it wrong.

On this special day, the day they'll be wed
There's a register for gifts , or give money instead.

A gilded cage will be on display at the reception hall
To deposit your wishes for the couple with love from all.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room
To bestow a gift upon the bride & groom.

This delicate request, we hope you understand
Please ponder over this, to give their married life a hand.
Anonymous

10. We'd Prefer A Donation...

Because at first we lived in sin
We've got the sheets and a rubbish bin!
A gift from you would be swell
But we'd prefer a donation
to our Wishing Well!
Submitted by Janine

11.Money Chest...

This little rhyme may be sublime
For some of our wedding guests
And what we ask is a difficult task
But we're having two money chests.
Submitted by Emily

12. What To Get...

So what do you get for the bride & groom,
Whose house needs some things in every room?

Some things are large, some things are small,
Some things they just don't really need at all!

For those things small this happy two,
Have supplied a gift registry for you.

For those things large a wish tree's the way,
To say congratulations on the big day.

An envelope will be provided for those who have room,
To give a monetary wish to the bride and groom.

A wish tree will be on display at the reception hall,
To attach your wishes, for the couple, with love from all.
Submitted by Bella

13. Contribute Towards The Bigger Things...

As we are already established, we would appreciate a monetary gift.
It will contribute towards the bigger things we need.
Should you prefer this option a money tree will be provided at the reception.
Submitted by Gracie

14.Filled With Your Love...

Now we are to be Mr & Mrs
We don't need a wedding list of dishes
We have two kettles, two toasters, a microwave
We require a house for which we have to save.
If you would like to give us a monetary gift this would give us a lift
We like to think of it as our "Wishing Well"
Which will be filled with your love, we can tell.
Submitted by Shelley

15. We've Already Bought...

In our house we have the things
that living together normally brings
most household items we've already bought
and because of this reason we thought
A wishing well would be great
(only if guests wish to participate)
A gift of money is placed in an envelope
so in the future we hope
to furnish our home to its very best
and always remember it was due to our guests.
Submitted by Shelley

16. Wishing Well Will Await...

A wishing-well will await
to help build loving nest...
If instead a gift would buy,
ask our Mums - they know best
- and details that can end your quest!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

17. Doesn't Grow On Trees...

Money doesn't grow on trees...
We're sure you get the drift.
It will, however, pave our way
'blooming' as our gift!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

18. Thank You Now...

For adding to our Money Tree,
we'd like to thank you now -
also just for being here
to share our mutual vow...
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

19. Money Is Attractive...

Love the joy of choosing gifts?
Wrap the chosen captive?
If thoughts elude in this regard
... money is attractive!
Alison Styles of Styles Of Writing

20. Wish Us Well...

Our household thoughts are not brand new,
We have twice the things we need for two
Since we have our share of appliances and beddingWe're having instead a wishing well weddingBut more important we ask of you Your prayers of love and blessings too?

21. Wish Us Well...second time around

Our household things are not brand new,

We have twice what we need as it's wedding two

Since we have our share of appliances and bedding

We're having instead having a wishing well wedding

But more important we ask of you

Your prayers of love and blessings for our wedding take two.