Luhya Wedding Traditions

The Luhya community mostly resides in the Western part of Kenya with a population of about three million. Known for their elaborate ceremonies, the Luhya enjoy holding big parties to celebrate occasions. Luhya weddings are very elaborate and important occasions. They are accompanied with many wedding photos and celebrations. Before one gets married, the groom will have taken bride wealth to the bride's parents as a sign of gratitude. Unlike Toronto wedding ceremonies, bride wealth is meant to cement relations between the two families.

The first step before a Luhya traditional wedding can take place is payment of the bride price. The groom is expected to take a token of appreciation to the bride's parents to show that the parents raised their daughter well. Traditionally, this token would be in the form of livestock or farm produce. This token would act as a token to show how much the man cares for his future wife and show that he can provide for his future family as well. The Luhya community is known to love chicken and these are provided in plenty for guests to eat. On the wedding day, the man would go to the bride's homestead and call out the girl's name. If the girl responds, the ceremony can then go on. In the past, guests in attendance dress in special traditional attire with paintings all over their bodies and dance the whole night. The ceremony would last for about three days. The married couple would then proceed to their new home.

Present day Luhya wedding ceremonies are more modern and include celebrating the event in a church. Dancing and singing accompany most luhya weddings. Groups of women who sing praise songs encircle the bride. The wedding party normally arrives at the church a few minutes before the ceremony starts. The ceremony is usually recorded on video and wedding photos taken. This is one attribute that both Luhya and Toronto weddings have. Once the church ceremony is over, the wedding party goes to the reception venue for wedding photos and food. Luhya weddings have plenty of traditional foods to offer as well as western cuisine. Entertainment in a luhya wedding involves singing traditional songs and dancing to their tunes. Luhya dancing is quite vigorous and is a very entertaining activity. Unlike in Toronto, Luhyas can hold their ceremonies for as long as two weeks.

A Luhya wedding is not complete without speeches. The speeches normally come after gifts are given and wedding photos are taken but before the cake is cut. The theme of most wedding speeches is usually advice to the groom and his bride on how to take care of their new family. Grooms are advised to take care of the wife and the bride is advised to cook properly for the husband. Different people who may use a lot of proverbs and sayings to drive the point home give variations of the same message.

After the main event, the bride and groom go to their new home. The wedding photos taken serve as a reminder of the wedding ceremony. They can be passed down from generation to generation and act as a teaching aid to their children on the importance of marriage and families.

The New Trend of Wedding Silk Invitation Boxes

Silk synonymous with luxury. Now silk is a good trend in the fashion world or the other. In fact, there are now designs wedding invitations with silk materials.

The times of sending a simple wedding invitation postcard to the whole family are over. More and more brides choose the exclusive way and order one of various invitation products including silk invitation boxes, silk pouches, folios and even silk envelopes.

Thai silk is one of the signature products from Thailand.
No question it suits just perfect to make exclusive wedding invitation boxes with pure Thai silk. There are no limits in creativity and extravaganza. For example embellished invitations with silk flowers or brooches with rhinestone crystals carefully ensembles on a padded silk envelope or silk pouches. My favorite is the rhinestone crystal rings with ribbon bands combined with a gatefold silk invitation box.

To plan a wedding invitation is truly a time-consuming process. Maybe because there are so many formats and possibilities the invitation box can be made in. Padded, not padded, embellished, simple, with or without flower arrangement and so on. It's all up to your time and budget.

Select the right material to meet your budget
Generally silk invitations are made with pure 100% silk or if your budget does not allow with Faux silk (artificial silk). Thai silk looks just so much more exclusive if you hold it against the light, but more and more brides choose the cheaper version of Faux silk invitations. No question, nobody wants to pay the debts of an expensive marriage until the silver wedding. Don't miss to contact me if you need support finding the right wedding favor, silk invitation box or wedding gifts.

Contact your invitation designer early to avoid delays
Thai silk invitations are hand made, so each item needs time to finish. If you place the order late, the manufacturer may not be able to manufacture high quality products. To get the best result, inquire 2 month before you actually need the invitation or wedding favor to arrive your home. This way you have around 4 weeks to discuss the design and look of your dream invitation box or silk invitation holder and the manufacturer has another 4 weeks to produce the order.

By : phie

Silky Wedding Flowers

Marriage is one of the sacred and historic events in our lives. Of course before getting married a lot of things that must be prepared and considered.

When brides choose their wedding flowers, one question they must ask themselves is: do I want real flowers, or silk?

Traditional brides always go for real flowers. Their delicate beauty can never be duplicated by artificial flowers. The mesmerizing scent of roses or lilies is a far cry from the artificially scented silk flowers. Scent is often associated with feelings or memories and a wedding is an emotional and memorable experience. And that is where real flowers score over silk ones.

Real flowers have their disadvantages, too. The main disadvantage with real flowers is their longevity. They wilt away very fast. Brides who want to preserve their wedding bouquets often settle for silk flowers. Moreover, brides who want exotic or out-of-season wedding flowers often opt for silk flowers because they are much more readily available and affordable. Silk flowers are also popular with brides who are allergic to real ones. No bride wants to be red-eyed and sneezing at her wedding.

Silk flowers have advantages and disadvantages too. Although not the traditional choice, silk is fast becoming a popular option. Silk flowers look almost as natural as real flowers and brides don’t have to worry about the availability of their preferred choice. Silk flowers are also much more affordable. Preservation of real flowers is very expensive, but not with silk. They always look as good as new.

Thus, both real and silk flowers have their positive and negative points. It depends on the bride to choose between them, according to her priorities.

By : Phie

J. Crew Wedding Dresses

J. Crew has become a top choice for many brides looking for wedding dresses that are simple, elegant and stunning. I actually purchased a J. Crew dress (the oh-so-pretty "Rebecca" dress) originally planning to wear it to what I thought would be a very simple garden wedding....my husband-to-be, however, had much grander plans.

Many of the J. Crew wedding dresses showcase simple, stylish lines paired with glamorous details, such as jeweled necklines or feathering at the shoulder. One of the things that I enjoy most about these dresses are the quality and attention to detail. Even the most affordable dresses in the collection are made out of high-quality fabrics that feel luxurious, expensive and very touchable.

The following are some of the top picks from J. Crew's 2009 offerings:

J. Crew "Avery" Wedding Dress: $425

"A beautiful sight to see (and feel) in pure midweight silk tricotine with a refined drape and elegant cross-back straps. Full A-line skirt. Back zip. Fully lined. Falls to floor with a dramatic train. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only."


J. Crew "Penelope" Wedding Dress: $695

"Romantic and refined—we've fallen in love with this silk gown. Our designers detailed the high, pleated neckline with a fabric flower and the fitted bodice with pleating down the center front. The slight A-line skirt features two sets of pleats in front. Halter silhouette. Pleated waistband. Keyhole at back neck with hook-and-eye closure. Grosgrain-covered buttons at back. Fully lined. Falls to floor with a slight train. Import. Dry clean. Specially packaged in a custom-made box to ensure your gown is always as beautiful as the first day you wore it. Catalog/jcrew.com only."


J. Crew "Cecelia" Wedding Dress: $395

"With smart, clean, classic lines and an ultra-flattering crossover V-neck, this dress embodies elegant minimalism. We sweetened it up with cap sleeves and used dreamily soft silk so the bias-cut skirt gracefully floats and falls. Midweight silk. Straight skirt. Side zip. Fully lined. Falls to floor. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only."


J. Crew "Lisette" Wedding Dress: $1,500

"Ethereal in sheer silk organdy with gently swaying, embroidered-cotton flowers—our designers love the way they ring the neckline like a Hawaiiian lei. The fabric was custom-made for us at the Japanese house that makes our very best eyelet laces. Fitted bodice, full A-line skirt. V-neckline. Empire waist. Back zip. Fully lined. Falls to floor; 44" from natural waist. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. Dry clean. Specially packaged in a custom-made box to ensure your gown is always as beautiful as the first day you wore it. Catalog/jcrew.com only."

New Prom Dresses

From beads and jewel-tones to lame and classic black, there are many styles of prom dresses to love for 2010.

In fashion, most trends are gone before you know it. Luckily, that's not necessarily the case with prom dresses. Although each new prom season has its own stars, most prom dresses stay in style for a long time, with a few minor changes. Here are the trends that are shaping up to be the hits of the 2010 prom season.

Beads Indeed

Beads add pizazz to any prom dress, and whether they're used sparingly or liberally, they're showing up everywhere for prom 2010.
Serious Shine
You can't go wrong with a lame prom dress. Whether you opt for pink, red, gold, silver or black, lame is hot, hot, hot!
Bright is the New Black
Want to stand out in a sea of black? Wear a boldly colored prom dress. From brilliant blue to deep red, a brightly-colored prom dress will make it your night to shine.
Sleek Chic
Curve-hugging styles (as seen on the red carpet) are just as hot for prom 2010 as they are for celebrities.
Fashion Flair
Let your glamorous side out to play in a prom dress that that's all about making you the star. Sequin, beads, metallic fabric - it's all good for prom 2010!
Golden Girl
Nothing matches the elegance and simplicity of gold. Luckily, you'll see lots of gold prom dresses for 2010.
Bold Print
One of the freshest trends for prom 2010 is the influx of prints for prom dresses. Whether you choose floral or graphic or somewhere in between, a prom dress that bears a print is sure to get you lots of attention.
Short Story
Do you have a fondness for short dresses? You're in luck! Short prom dresses are gaining more and more attention and make unique alternatives for your special night
White On
Tired of black prom dresses? Go to the other extreme by wearing a white prom dress! White is a timeless and elegant choice that will never steer you wrong.
Think Pink
What's a prom without pink prom dresses! If you truly want to feel like a princess, a pink prom dress just might be the way to go. From frilly to sleek, a pink prom dress will make you look and feel like royalty.

Almost anything goes for prom dresses in 2010. Choose one based on what you like and what looks good on you, but above all, choose the one that makes you feel special.

Saison Blanche Couture White Plus Size 18 Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Saison Blanche Couture White Plus Size 18 Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Product Description

Couture elegance at it's best. This corset ball gown is embroidered throughout the bodice and carriage back train, and fwatures rosettes along the off-shoulder straps. It's basque waistline and corset back create a flawless figure. This gown has the following measurements Bust=42"; Waist=34"; Hips=46"; HTH=60 3/4".

Product Features

* Satin
* White Duchess Satin
* Corsetted Embroidered Bodice
* Basque Waistline
* Off the Shoulder
* Chapel Length Carriage Back Train

Kathryn La'Croix White Size 12 Informal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress Evening Prom Graduation Debutante

Kathryn La'Croix White Size 12 Informal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress Evening Prom Graduation Debutante

Product Description

This simple yet elegant informal gown is fantastic for a summer garden wedding, beach wedding, yacht wedding or even a Vegas getaway wedding. This gown has the following measurements Bust=41"; Waist=35"; Hips=44".

Product Features

* Satin
* Ivory Matte Satin
* Princess Silhouette
* Spaghetti Straps
* Matching Shawl
* Embroidered and beaded throughout bodice

Informal Yellow Wedding Dress for Informal Wedding Party

Here is the Informal Yellow Wedding Dress for Informal Wedding Party.

If you do not want to be too formal in your wedding day, you may try to wear different color of wedding prom. Yellow color can be one of the alternatives. This color gives the impression of informality but still gives the impression of elegance. Try this wedding dresses bridal gowns wedding gown dress sweetheart neckline wedding dress strapless wedding dresses ball gown wedding dresses satin wedding dresses wedding dress spaghetti straps stunning wedding dresses and feel the difference.

Prom is sure to be a memorable event. Prom Dresses can be in the form of a formal prom dress or nowadays even short prom dresses are ok. A shorter prom dress gives illusion of added height for shorter girls. They have warm and cheerful shades including mellow yellow, dazzling lemon, or sparkling sunshine. Lengths: Short prom dresses generally come three lengths, tea length, knee length, and miniskirt. Besides being more modern, the chances of you wearing your prom dress again, if it is short, is much better than if you purchase one that is long and princess-like.

You have to start with the shape of your body when shopping for a short prom dress. It could fall into one of these categories: athletic, hourglass, rounded waist and hips, straight with very few curves, pear shape, with or without a defined waistline.

Lebon Bridal Couture Ivory/Platinum Size 10 Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Lebon Bridal Couture Ivory/Platinum Size 10 Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Product Description

This couture gown features combination spaghetti straps with embroidery and beading throughout, chapel length train, basque waistline, mock 2-piece, and a full a-line ball gown skirt. This gown has the following measurements Bust=38"; Waist=29 1/2"; Hips=40 1/2".

Product Features

* Satin
* Ivory Matte Satin
* Corsetted Bodice
* Mock 2-Piece
* Chapel Length Train
* Basque Waistline

Eternity By Millennial Sun White Size 14 Bridal Gown Wedding Dress LDS Temple Ready Modest

Eternity By Millennial Sun White Size 14 Bridal Gown Wedding Dress LDS Temple Ready Modest

Product Description

An exquisite winter wonderland mock coat dress bridal gown with embroidered center panel and chapel length train. LDS Temple Ready. This gown has the following measurements Bust=40"; Waist=31"; Hips=42 1/2"; HTH=60 1/2".

Product Features

* Satin
* White Matte Satin
* Mock Coat Dress
* Empire Waist
* 3/4 length Sleeves
* Chapel Length Train

Lebon Bridal Couture White/Black Size 14 w/ Matching Veil Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Product Description

This couture gown features a strapless gown with optional straps included. direct floral beading, chapel length train, Princess Silhouette, and a full a-line ball gown skirt. The veil is also embroidered with black beading and is included with this gown. This gown has the following measurements Bust=41"; Waist=32 1/2"; Hips=43 1/2".

Product Features

* Satin
* White Matte Satin
* Princess Silhouette
* Black beading in floral patterns
* Chapel Length Train
* Matching Veil

Aurora D'Paradiso Ivory Plus Size 16 Formal Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

Product Description
This elegant gown features short sleeves, mock 2-piece look, carriage back chapel length train, and ball gown a-line skirt. This gown has the following measurements Bust=45"; Waist=39"; Hips=48". Although this gown is NEW, it was worn by our models in a runway show. A professional dry cleaning will make this gown sparkle as new again.

Product Features

* Satin
* White Matte Satin
* Short Sleeve
* Mock 2-Piece
* Chapel Length Carriage Back Train
* Basque Waistline

New Hairstyles photos for your Special wedding parties

New Designs of Alvina Valenta for spring Bridal Gowns 2009

These are the sample pictures of wedding gowns that are very goo to be considered as models in designing wedding gowns.

Take a look at the new designs of the talented designers who have developed many models of bridal gos. His collection has been worn by many famous actress and actors, and many other famous people. The white color of the gowns has made the brides look so elegant.

Alvina Valenta gowns are known for their timeless elegance, sophistication and most especially their attention to detail. All of the dresses are finished by hand, as well as the beading and their signature hand rolled roses. Stunning Alvina Valenta silk satin gown with beautiul beaded straps and beaded empire bodice.

Body shape Beautiful Wedding Gown for motherly brides Photos

Elegant Islamic Wedding Prom Remodelling Collection Photos 2009

This is the sample picture of wedding dress that can become the idea in designing a wedding gown for muslim bride.

This wedding dress is specially design for Muslimah, Moslem Women on their wedding Day. This Bridal dress covers the aurat or auroh or body parts which are not allowed to be seen by men. Though covered with hijab, this lady still looks so beautiful. If you are muslimah, moslem, and want to implement the Islamic teachings or syariah, wear this kind of wedding prom on your wedding day.

The photo below shows how you can develop an existing design of just common fashion into a fashion for Muslimah. Even you can develop it to be the wedding gown. JUst modify a bit by covering the arms or sleeves and head cover or hijab and you can wear it.

Exotic Muslim Weddings

Anyone who has witnessed a Muslim wedding, live or on television, would be blind not to notice how colorful and exotic it can be. If there is one word that can describe one of these events, then it would be amazing.

What makes these occasions amazing is the fact that it follows years of tradition that has been passed from generation to generation. Muslim weddings are a lot different from Christian weddings not only because of their colorful attires but also because of the customs that are followed from the start of the couple's engagement.

While a Christian wedding is seen to be a romantic union of two people in love and united by the religious ceremony, a Muslim marriage is more of a social contract between the two families involved. Most, if not all of these marriages become possible due to the dowry system, which is more like an economic transaction rather than a romantic union. Here is how a Muslim wedding is celebrated in some parts of the world.

Iran

A wedding in Iran can last up to seven days. The focal point of the ceremony and the reception is the bride's home, which undergoes a customary banquet where the food is arranged so that it faces east. Iranian Muslims use a silk table cloth for the wedding table which has been passed from one generation to another.

Pakistan

An event in Pakistan can last up to three days, with the Mehndi taking place in the house of the bride and groom. It also follows a henna ceremony with the Nikah or the signing of official papers as its highlight. After the bride's family signs the papers in the Imam's presence, the family of the groom hosts a banquet as a way of formally announcing the marriage.

Malaysia

An affair in Malaysia is quite different in the sense that the henna ceremony takes place only for the bride. The signing of the contract is made in the presence of a Syariat Court official and is made official after a small amount of money is exchanged.

Singapore

A Muslim wedding in Singapore is characterized by the kidnapping of the groom by the bride's beautician and her family. The groom is allowed to enter only after he has given a reasonable amount of money as entrance fee.

Muslim weddings are celebrated in various ways depending on what country the couples reside. But whatever the differences, they will always be exotic and interesting to the western world.

Vintage Prom Dresses

Choosing a prom dress is not always easy. Most people talk about the latest fashion or the greatest styles. But that is not what you are interested in. A designer gown may be too expensive for you. Or maybe you want to stand out from the crowd and look different.

If this describes you, then a vintage prom dress might be what you are looking for.

When you think of vintage clothing, you think of clothing from the 60's to the 80's , but it is not unusual that there is a demand for 50's or even 40's vintage prom dresses. And often these vintage dresses are very well made and designed.

This could mean that you will not always get off cheaply. Very often this kind of dresses is hard to find. And the price really depends on how rare it is and in what condition it has been preserved.

But to worry about the expenses is not the first thing you should do. Finding and choosing a prom dres can be real fun. You might start to ask your mother if she still has her prom dress.
She would probably be very delighted to see your wear her prom dress.

A good place to start your search for vintage clothing is the internet. There are so many online shops today offering vintage clothing and often have prom dresses at bargain prices.

Hairstyles For Brides With Long Hair

There is an old custom that when a woman gets engaged, she should start to grow her hair. There is no doubt that having long hair will give you a lot of flexibility in choosing both your hairstyle and headpiece for your wedding. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect wedding hairdo for long hair.

The first question is whether to wear your hair up or down. This will depend, in part, on just how long your hair is. Very long hair, while very pretty, also requires a lot of brushing to look neat over the course of a long day. This type of maintenance is totally impractical during a busy wedding day. If your hair is only sort of long, flowing waves can be a very romantic look.

A nice compromise is to pull some of your hair back, and let the rest be down. This is great for brides who love their long hair and want to show it off. It's also a nice idea if your fiance has always loved to see your hair long and loose. Pulling some of your hair back will also give you better options for anchoring a pretty piece of hair bridal jewelry, like a comb or delicate tiara. When your bridal hairstyle is all down, the only type of hair jewelry that tends to work is a wreath, which has pretty limited uses.

Many brides with long hair will choose to wear it up, and having it long means that it can be sculpted into all sorts of intricate hairdos. When you are thinking of an updo, it is very important to have at least one trial run with your hairstylist before the wedding. Your regular stylist might be terrific at cut and color, but not all of them excel at formal hairstyles. With long hair, you might need to seek out a stylist who specializes in working with your hair length.

Finding the right stylist is particularly important for brides whose hair is very long, like waist length or even longer. A true story: the day of my wedding, all of my bridesmaids had come to my salon to have their hair styled. One of my bridesmaids had exceptionally long hair, and when the stylist saw it, he looked at her and said, "What am I supposed to do with this?"! Fortunately, a different stylist stepped forward to take care of her, and she looked beautiful in the end, but not before a few tears were shed. It is bad enough to see this happen to a bridesmaid, but imagine if it was you on your wedding day. That is why trial runs are so critical.

Another great reason to have a practice hairstyle is to see how it feels. If you have a lot of hair, or it is thick, having it all piled on top of your head can actually give you a headache! For brides who find that to be the case, a low bun at the nape of the neck can be a more comfortable option, as can wearing the hair half down.

There are so many wonderful looks that you can create for your wedding with long hair. One very pretty style is to have a series of braids woven into a bun at the lack of your head. A classic chignon is another lovely updo for a bride. It is a great idea to go through magazines and pick out a few looks that appeal to you. Don't limit yourself to wedding magazines, either - you can often find the most chic looks at celebrity events.

Long hair will give you so many choices for your wedding. All you have to do is narrow it down to your favorite look, whether it is classic, romantic, or cutting edge. With so many wonderful options, you are sure to find a style that makes you feel absolutely beautiful.

Wedding Decoration Favors - Why Favors Are Important to Weddings

Although there is a lot that goes into planning a wedding, one of the aspects that should be given the respect and time that it deserves is the wedding decoration favors. There are a few reasons why favors should be thought out carefully. The first reason is because it shows your thanks and gratitude to your guests. They took time out of their lives to watch you begin your new life with your partner. In addition, it is the best way for your guests to remember the wedding. For the guests that are not close to the family, it might be their only reminder of the event.

Because there is so much meaning attached to favors, they should not be overlooked as something you have to get. You should want to get the best keepsakes because you want your guests to have the long lasting memory of your special day. There is a reason why you invited this group of people to your wedding in the first place. You wanted them to share in the most important day of your life. Why not give them great wedding decoration favors? One of the newest trends in keepsakes is to give useful and practical gifts. So often people end up tossing their favor because they have no use for it, so you might as well get your money's worth.

Even if you are on a limited budget, there are great ways you can get wedding favors that can be used again by your guests. One of the easiest ways to do this is to give candles. If you have a specific theme or color for your wedding, you can incorporate that into the candles. If you have a beach wedding, you can make the candles be sailboats or seashells. The point is for them to be relevant to your wedding, or at least to the couple.

In addition to giving practical keepsakes, another popular trend when it comes to wedding decoration favors is to give items that relate to the bride and groom. If you both share a hobby, then tie that hobby into the favor. If there was a specific place the two of you met, then make that be the gift. It could be a photo of the place or a memorabilia from the place. It is a cute way to remind your guests where you met.

Inspiration Board: A Glam Garden Wedding

Today's inspiration board is all about high-low mixing. A glamorous yet simple wedding dress, a gorgeous garden scene and chic details combine to create an elegant event.

The dress seems fairly simple, but it packs a lot of drama with its daring back and luxurious fabric. Check out Nicole Miller Style #DA0039 for a similar dress. Keep the details simple and skip the long veil in favor of a sexy birdcage or glittering hair clip.

Splurge, Save and Steal: Augusta Jones Tia Dress

In today's edition of Splurge, Save and Steal, we will take a look at three dresses from three different designers. Each dress shares a common style, but at various price points. Today, we'll focus on the "Tia" wedding dress from Augusta Jones.

Splurge: The Augusta Jones "Tia"

This gorgeous dress from UK designer emphasizes clean lines. The off-the-shoulder neckline draws attention to the shoulders and neck, while the asymmetric drape around the waist creates a sleek and slim silhouette. The dress can be found at retailer or online in used condition for between $1500 to $3,000.

Save: Alfred Angelo Style #1148


Alfred Angelo offer a fantastic mid-price range version of the Augusta Jones "Tia" wedding dress. The dress can be found at retailer locations who carry Alfred Angelo for between $500 to $600. Learn more at AlfredAngelo.com

Steal: David's Bridal Style #BR1035


Wedding dress retailer David's Bridal offers a nicely done version of this style of dress for the rock-bottom price of just $179. As part of their online collection, this particular style is not available in stores and can only be order online. While one online reviewer notes that the fabric is somewhat shiny and not as nice as she expected, this dress option would work well for brides on a tight budget. Plus, it could be easily accessorized with great shoes and jewelry. Available online at David'sBridal.com