Real Wedding... Rachelle and Chris

Driving to the stunning location <a href="http://www.rancholaslomas.com/index.html">Rancho Las Lomas</a> is always exciting.  You're greeted by two white tigers and a zebra!  It's such a beautiful venue could live their.<br /><br />Rachelle & Chris are the most relaxed couple I ever met.  So relaxed, they went on their honeymoon to Peru three weeks before their wedding.  They spent an amazing couple weeks without cell phones and little internet connection enjoying the Amazon all before their wedding!  <br /><br />The Persian ceremony and reception reflected their personalities.  The dancing and singing was contagious.  They had me grooving all night long! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRH1-jkfetktjqnIVuE3F7HDxfe_nqQ7zXhoHn1kJTrHTiIz0CgkINaYJrNmoSj9VixnEYqYIzkQK-xX1fS3iGqKErJlSq9qSYKJbNW7zWMZbVLberaUvRWxKrA4Mq9SPGp9pMF2QJqX7/s1600/rachelle8.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRH1-jkfetktjqnIVuE3F7HDxfe_nqQ7zXhoHn1kJTrHTiIz0CgkINaYJrNmoSj9VixnEYqYIzkQK-xX1fS3iGqKErJlSq9qSYKJbNW7zWMZbVLberaUvRWxKrA4Mq9SPGp9pMF2QJqX7/s640/rachelle8.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45aF_4Pth1QugAMShsksbtf8UPwCxGpNQ1Rc6TkqptV05Orf0CiFwAcce7I4_bfHK0-u382CpR3S3IilYwdSzTRp8r_pdWRod0KZKuSt14bFw5YfEoquhcbQ29o8VHbtOyywxG7hrIcFG/s1600/rachelle7.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45aF_4Pth1QugAMShsksbtf8UPwCxGpNQ1Rc6TkqptV05Orf0CiFwAcce7I4_bfHK0-u382CpR3S3IilYwdSzTRp8r_pdWRod0KZKuSt14bFw5YfEoquhcbQ29o8VHbtOyywxG7hrIcFG/s640/rachelle7.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EJQK4uBYPBq-6TwQ9IQhXXKz7pRSVEOjHh8W96L7LPMc8pHuCak-9PDHTn7wHch8PphwAJnFXh4yzzsDMm1Yy22l_PiTLbqHLtmdlJ_jgk8U7FH5CU8xsBEXe72gaZmrnjOJZ4Yje4CB/s1600/rachelle10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EJQK4uBYPBq-6TwQ9IQhXXKz7pRSVEOjHh8W96L7LPMc8pHuCak-9PDHTn7wHch8PphwAJnFXh4yzzsDMm1Yy22l_PiTLbqHLtmdlJ_jgk8U7FH5CU8xsBEXe72gaZmrnjOJZ4Yje4CB/s640/rachelle10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaChzvM5zEdUOWYqR8gCnMXAJ5zaBB_qkIYJTLDsS61UMR07v135OYknq4Mb-5z8utBmmq9izouvSu_ahDUtkA5gFXWhZrlulB1UNsaJc2H5rdEIrvUwhLkAFYdgrKEjyx81Cm7JYR0knT/s1600/rachelle3.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaChzvM5zEdUOWYqR8gCnMXAJ5zaBB_qkIYJTLDsS61UMR07v135OYknq4Mb-5z8utBmmq9izouvSu_ahDUtkA5gFXWhZrlulB1UNsaJc2H5rdEIrvUwhLkAFYdgrKEjyx81Cm7JYR0knT/s640/rachelle3.1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihcbO4jnYRcrc-DxSiKtEZOYcbY-9v6MfS10YAMuzXD1fzUKCU3pPAvQkege6R3aasgp4akX6T5WRzNqx7_ouvAP5I_vhO5xDtEw6PycFuKT8CsPsS-_czx9k3HOhHBG6fttDw3IQC6yG/s1600/rachelle6.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihcbO4jnYRcrc-DxSiKtEZOYcbY-9v6MfS10YAMuzXD1fzUKCU3pPAvQkege6R3aasgp4akX6T5WRzNqx7_ouvAP5I_vhO5xDtEw6PycFuKT8CsPsS-_czx9k3HOhHBG6fttDw3IQC6yG/s640/rachelle6.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlaaaoUiVukpYXKjiJTAHeN2IYYlNitQrz6BoBnguxjvgm2E8KOzrQGlLMLnh9To3lHbn0g3K78smmdRQ8sKR-pVrnE9bEUjp2Lz7lXq55S-hoCBK41-GAnnT133ypFIWOj2kDHFRe0mq/s1600/rachelle1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlaaaoUiVukpYXKjiJTAHeN2IYYlNitQrz6BoBnguxjvgm2E8KOzrQGlLMLnh9To3lHbn0g3K78smmdRQ8sKR-pVrnE9bEUjp2Lz7lXq55S-hoCBK41-GAnnT133ypFIWOj2kDHFRe0mq/s640/rachelle1.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPYRvkb7RIGRI2H8uoSsId9zySC1fuQPBOmMOlJRMCb7E5_rx5TrME_lV7Yi-of5RKkrCUzodAxvhUd7RKa1nbcqVmhNZ-_Km3nfqsO5X0tZDy802rZ_rPcXubebSwK1W9hpUUP4Aqm7D/s1600/rachelle5.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPYRvkb7RIGRI2H8uoSsId9zySC1fuQPBOmMOlJRMCb7E5_rx5TrME_lV7Yi-of5RKkrCUzodAxvhUd7RKa1nbcqVmhNZ-_Km3nfqsO5X0tZDy802rZ_rPcXubebSwK1W9hpUUP4Aqm7D/s640/rachelle5.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Wedding Coordinator: Annette Garcia Kerslake, <a href="http://www.simplynaturalevents.com/">Simply Natural Events</a><br /> Venue: <a href="http://www.rancholaslomas.com/">Rancho Las Lomas</a><br /> Photographer:<a href="http://schnackstudios.com/"> John Schnack</a><br /> Florist: <a href="http://kristajon.com/">Kristie Jon</a>

Real Wedding... Rachelle and Chris

Driving to the stunning location Rancho Las Lomas is always exciting.  You're greeted by two white tigers and a zebra!  It's such a...

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Traditions: The Thirteen Gold Coins (Trece monedas de oro)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdedYP1Eq8LTuy2UqZ1StmdBiMMNX208ESPjSiI3wHX2-1mfIb6TqhH4gw0vHHoHa8tNIXMnZu9BLtwOfGUnD_PVTsEVjpWiHLsbW6acbq0yliKshrbaX0V9b1-zNwIMAc9AUKPm6BhvEa/s1600-h/025885.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440871492214569234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdedYP1Eq8LTuy2UqZ1StmdBiMMNX208ESPjSiI3wHX2-1mfIb6TqhH4gw0vHHoHa8tNIXMnZu9BLtwOfGUnD_PVTsEVjpWiHLsbW6acbq0yliKshrbaX0V9b1-zNwIMAc9AUKPm6BhvEa/s400/025885.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 355px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">There is some debate about where this custom originated, some site Spain, but it's a traditional in Latin and Filipino weddings!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The madrina de arras holds the 13 coins the bridegroom presents to the bride. The coins, or arrhea, was a Roman custom of breaking gold or silver, one half to be kept by the woman and the other half by the man, as a pledge of marriage.</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The groom gives the bride </span><a href="http://www.weddingdetails.com/shop/category.php?c=009216" style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" target="_blank">thirteen gold coins</a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. He pledges that he places all of his goods into her care and safekeeping. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.</span><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> The custom of the coins originated in Spain. Thirteen coins <a href="http://www.weddingdetails.com/shop/category.php?c=009216" target="_blank"></a> are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the brides dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> The number 12 represents Christ and his 12 apostles. The coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom.</p><p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> The groom will then pour the coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.) </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Image & Article Via: <a href="http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/mexican.cfm"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Wedding Details</span></a></span><br /></p>

Traditions: The Thirteen Gold Coins (Trece monedas de oro)

There is some debate about where this custom originated, some site Spain, but it's a traditional in Latin and Filipino weddings! The mad...

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Traditions - Chinese Tea Ceremony

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBDMnDTe0_ZuDSEonO63_Mg09gmsMM5a6-5DabrrTn3Ac0vK0o293_y5_KKRoZOZTRtbY2EOk931dgOmYQsHzNuDtpRMFflJJ7Lpxsd1CFjrKqMsNltkoOoJ8-TQXYqvfXPd2wxWjWD74/s1600-h/wong-tea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276148518116338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBDMnDTe0_ZuDSEonO63_Mg09gmsMM5a6-5DabrrTn3Ac0vK0o293_y5_KKRoZOZTRtbY2EOk931dgOmYQsHzNuDtpRMFflJJ7Lpxsd1CFjrKqMsNltkoOoJ8-TQXYqvfXPd2wxWjWD74/s400/wong-tea.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image Via <a href="http://nelyphoto.com/blog/">Nealy</a></span><br /><br /></span>It's the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition: the tea ceremony. This time-honored exchange was created to show respect for the family. Historically, after they exchanged vows, the couple would serve tea to the groom's family (the bride would have served tea privately to her own family that morning). Today, many couples choose to honor both the bride and groom's families by hosting tea ceremonies for both sets of parents.</span><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgjRJLy3RpWSZjsOX5HbXQ4O2-PehLjrttXoIgw1iWp60YaBnjVD4dIlQeKcEsL7ITuKmlBJF-J6VJYjXqptwA8PkQ1UEaC-0hE_q05cttXaF3gXkE_r7kQ1D29qu8PohMhnO-SN5dAsX/s1600-h/wong-1425.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276226849801074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgjRJLy3RpWSZjsOX5HbXQ4O2-PehLjrttXoIgw1iWp60YaBnjVD4dIlQeKcEsL7ITuKmlBJF-J6VJYjXqptwA8PkQ1UEaC-0hE_q05cttXaF3gXkE_r7kQ1D29qu8PohMhnO-SN5dAsX/s400/wong-1425.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><b style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">How It Works</b> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If you are hosting two separate ceremonies, traditionally, it's appropriate to honor the groom's family first. Likewise, if you are holding an all-inclusive tea ceremony, the groom's family should be served first. During the ceremony, the couple serves tea to the groom's parents and elders in order of seniority. The groom's parents are served, followed by his paternal grandparents and then his maternal grandparents. Next, are his oldest uncles and aunts, and finally his oldest brother is served. After each elder takes a sip, they hand the couple a </span><i style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">lai see</i><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> (a lucky red envelope), which usually contains money or jewelry. The envelopes are placed on the platter that holds the teacups. The ceremony is then performed in the same manner for the bride's family. The tea ceremony is also the time when the Chinese wedding contract should be witnessed and signed with a traditional signature seal or personalized stamp.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>When to Have It</b><br />The tea ceremony traditionally takes place following the wedding ceremony. Today, some couples wait to host the tea ceremony until the day after the wedding (think postwedding tea, instead of brunch). Others host the ceremony just before the wedding, during the cocktail hour, or just after the ceremony. When the tea ceremony takes place usually depends on the amount of privacy a couple wishes to keep. If you just wish to include immediate family, you could serve your parents before the wedding ceremony, in the privacy of home. Another option is to perform the ceremony during the cocktail hour, while your guests enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. If you want all guests to pay witness to your tea ceremony, build in time between the ceremony and cocktail hour for this event to take place.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>Where to Host It</b><br />If you want to host a private tea ceremony, you can choose to have it just about anywhere. To add contrast to a formal indoor reception, a private outdoor tea ceremony is the perfect way to incorporate a breath of fresh air into your day. Host the ceremony in a nearby garden while your guests enjoy predinner cocktails at the reception. If you want to keep it more low-key, opt to have a small ceremony with family at home. If you wish to include your entire guest list, you'll need to reserve a space big enough to accommodate everybody. Find out if there is a big enough outdoor patio at your reception venue, or perhaps the hotel has a smaller banquet room near your reception space. You could even set up the tea ceremony in your reception room and then have the room "turned over" before dinner is served.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>What You Need</b><br />You'll want to have an altar or table to display photos or candles in recognition of each family. If you are hosting just one tea ceremony, you may choose to have two small ancestral altars. A lot of times the bride and groom will light two wedding candles (one with a phoenix, the other with a dragon motif) to represent each of their families. The couple can also light one candle together (symbolizing the joining of two families). Other items for the ancestral altar: white flowers, fruit, offertory wine, and burning incense. Of course, a tea set is a must. The type of tea served can be left up to each family, but popular choices are black dragon, orange blossom, and classic green tea.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>The Setup</b><br />Just like a Western wedding ceremony, the general rule is that the bride be on the left and the groom on the right. Those family members served should sit in chairs facing the couple. (For example, the bride would kneel in front of her father-in-law, while the groom kneels in front of his mother.) If you opt to invite your guests to the ceremony, have them sit in chairs facing your elders. You can seat them in rows just as they might have sat for the vow exchange or seat them at round tables where everyone is able to see what's going on.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>The Decor</b><br />From the very simple at-home ceremony to the lavishly decorated affair, there are a ton of options for decking out your tea ceremony space. A couple motifs to keep in mind when looking for décor items: the Double Happiness symbol, phoenix and dragon motifs, Chinese marriage gods, gold and red colors, and decorative strands of firecrackers. You can drape a red and gold banner over the altar; fly red silk scarves in trees for an outdoor setting; hand out red rice-paper parasols to all your guests; or string small red paper lanterns along the ceiling. Your decor choices are truly endless so don't be afraid to get creative.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b>The Finishing Touches</b><br />If you do plan to invite all your guests to the tea ceremony, be sure to have someone there who can explain the significance behind the ceremony to those unfamiliar with the tradition. If you don't have a spokesperson, print out the meaning of the Chinese tea ceremony on an insert for your wedding program, so that your guests can follow along. You can make the programs as casual or elaborate as you want them to be -- from simple pieces of paper to card stock inserts that match the traditional wedding programs, invitations, and save-the-dates. Of course, when it comes to extras, you don't have to stop there. To entertain and impress guests, some couples hire lion dancers -- an expression of joy, celebration, and happiness -- to perform to the sounds of drums, gongs, and cymbals at the close of their ceremonies. For the ultimate wow factor, consider setting off traditional Chinese firecrackers (just be sure to get permission from your venue first, of course!).</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Article by Anja Winikka of </span><a href="http://chinese.weddings.com/articles/chinese-wedding-tea-ceremony.aspx" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">the Knot</span></a></span><br /></p>

Traditions - Chinese Tea Ceremony

Image Via Nealy It's the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition: the tea ceremony. This time-honored exchange was created to show resp...

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Traditions - Mehndi (Henna)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PHwep6cJbDnPeTViBrHmL7tA7_JtZ37IsA04IYPkttWDWbauT9eZisRzL4SgMzCcjpEZpJAb9rhovLSBphHSilTxuDiCDS7kXvlZ9J56wZ1zaXc_b0GfsuxPG1gnEz0ACEKXEQMbAZrN/s1600-h/mehndi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374463506090509426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PHwep6cJbDnPeTViBrHmL7tA7_JtZ37IsA04IYPkttWDWbauT9eZisRzL4SgMzCcjpEZpJAb9rhovLSBphHSilTxuDiCDS7kXvlZ9J56wZ1zaXc_b0GfsuxPG1gnEz0ACEKXEQMbAZrN/s400/mehndi.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span>Weddings in India are considered to be a sacred and sanctified ritual. A typical Indian wedding is 3 days long. Pre-celebrations and post celebrations, talk about a party!</span> <span>The Mehndi is one of the most important and fun pre-wedding rituals. Celebrated by the bride, family and her friends. Different regions of the country celebrate the ritual in a different way according to their own marriage customs, rituals, and culture.</span> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#993300;" ><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_gTuuZ9ryuGrF3oJpOWrfnyYLExcyPqJpiQPRJwKBzqTR3syiF6nkeeAF5qMzWHwA6A3VUSI16ynTbvrKUeIwj1EAJpVpUVtDNjlwi-KnyFw3y3edxr28yMAyRwn86bckYTVYGS83Xd1/s1600-h/www.hocuspocus13.net.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374463693670138562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_gTuuZ9ryuGrF3oJpOWrfnyYLExcyPqJpiQPRJwKBzqTR3syiF6nkeeAF5qMzWHwA6A3VUSI16ynTbvrKUeIwj1EAJpVpUVtDNjlwi-KnyFw3y3edxr28yMAyRwn86bckYTVYGS83Xd1/s400/www.hocuspocus13.net.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Image Via</span> </span><a href="http://www.hocuspocus13.net/store.html" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Hocus Pocus</span></a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;color:#993300;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Mehndi or Henna itself is eco-friendly. It is a natural tattoo paste, made from the roots of the Henna plant. Green Mehndi is ground to a fine paste. Mehndi is symbolically an important part of the Indian wedding. As Mehndi changes its colour from green to orange-red after application, so does a bride flower into her womanhood after marriage.</span> </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaewnVuc7DNHMFKRKU44G3PqZmB1MBti4DayCK0DOxdByy79wTL5Gv51BZ9U_P6kOYWNx4_sQdKBAhSMambRtF7kCCNueUCL1Yd3vsHtbvCv0NobBwSe3X-wUzNGxvnfoLMZZeGUuI8dn/s1600-h/gvherbshop.com:hennatattos.htm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374461169909783842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaewnVuc7DNHMFKRKU44G3PqZmB1MBti4DayCK0DOxdByy79wTL5Gv51BZ9U_P6kOYWNx4_sQdKBAhSMambRtF7kCCNueUCL1Yd3vsHtbvCv0NobBwSe3X-wUzNGxvnfoLMZZeGUuI8dn/s400/gvherbshop.com:hennatattos.htm.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Image Via <a href="http://gvherbshop.com/hennatattos.htm"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GV Herb Shop</span></a></span><br /><br />Here's a great article from <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I Love Indian</span> on the Mehndi ceremony. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />The ceremony is mostly held at bride's place or sometimes in a banquet hall on the eve of the marriage ceremony or few days before the marriage. On this occasion a professional henna designer or some relative applies mehendi to the bride's hands and feet. There are few places in India where it is a ritual that the first motif of henna or mehendi is applied by the bride's sister-in-law whereas there are some places where the first mehendi motif is said to be auspicious if applied by bride's mother.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />The Mehendi or henna motif is not only the adoration of the bride rather it epitomizes her transformation from a virgin girl to a temptress for her husband. As per Kama Sutra, henna is one of the sixty four arts of women. Popular motifs of the bridal mehendi are conchshell, flowers, Kalash, peacock, doli and baraat patterns. The intricate motifs of the bridal henna also hide the husband's name. It is said that the husband's name in the intricate henna motifs is made for the groom who has to find out his name in his bride's mehendi as an evidence of his sharp eyes and active brain to impress his girl.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Mehendi function is usually organized with the sangeet function. So, it has a festive feel to it with the women dancing and singing traditional songs on the mehendi ritual. The bride is dressed in light color clothes with light jewelry. According to the custom the bride must not step out of the house after the mehendi ritual until the wedding day. It is believed that the darker and deeper the henna stains the more the husband and the in-laws will love her bride. The ritual of mehendi signifies the strength and power of love in a marriage so it is regarded good omen for the would-be bride. It is said that the long the bride retains the mehendi, the more auspicious would be her future.</span></span>

Traditions - Mehndi (Henna)

Weddings in India are considered to be a sacred and sanctified ritual. A typical Indian wedding is 3 days long. Pre-celebrations and post ...

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Traditions - Japanese Sake Sharing

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAldkc03J7udYUrTPMwIQeZSeaeFVpC8LmCFGTheQ6YI6Qa5ir9S9PgY7X8ZYIUMCBwklF47IE_ZSeYti2VStI6aMcjj3M4bHJp-cBUExeHixIfv_K26gTdMbQ_p16w8ZfG9pPD7Gg_VA/s1600-h/91.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368981434975944562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAldkc03J7udYUrTPMwIQeZSeaeFVpC8LmCFGTheQ6YI6Qa5ir9S9PgY7X8ZYIUMCBwklF47IE_ZSeYti2VStI6aMcjj3M4bHJp-cBUExeHixIfv_K26gTdMbQ_p16w8ZfG9pPD7Gg_VA/s400/91.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Image Via <a href="http://sarahpostma.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">sarahpostma.com</span></a></span></span></i><div><a href="http://sarahpostma.com/"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">A traditional custom in Japan, and among many Japanese Americans include the “san-san-kudo” sake sharing tradition, which translates to “three sets of three sips equal nine.” </span></i></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Three is an indivisible number, and it is considered a sacred number in Buddhism.</span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368980640360214786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8Et_r18vaSTCheRaTgu13bBrkBiXp7BCuWETNfjWl85bWUOb-dIOS5-5GHAiHy1CtZ1WwVvTu3qMrm9LU-x1g5_RR5uTnrpdeXWNpwZG_HznCWgPUTzU9hDcd8WkyYXlyNEJfSCFXzh5/s400/large_image-8.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 300px;" /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Image Via <a href="http://www.theknot.com/">The Knot</a></span></span></i></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.theknot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br /></i></span></span></a></span><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.theknot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"></span></a></span></i></span></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic;font-family:georgia, fantasy;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;" >The groom starts with the smallest of three cups and takes three sips from the cup and t</span>hen the bride follows. After the groom proceeds with the middle size cup taking again three sips and then goes to the large cup, and the bride follows the same system. At the end of the sharing of sake toast ceremony the families of both bride and groom drink a cup of sake to signify not only the union of bride and groom but also the unity of two families.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368979172492661874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhOAvyAOIm5_j7ynchwv1O4sySkwzBuokYRmMKw98mTGwiNgOiY-ekNmUuKMjcEo7_yW-BmqUpMB39SK3nbMyMR0WJsQ0IWCtIbKsp-Gphfc6HsuGLwdyC2xaBgQjCzGMkIpI3H0H1U5C/s400/fig19.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 204px;" /></span></i></span></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p></div><br /></div></div>

Traditions - Japanese Sake Sharing

Image Via sarahpostma.com A traditional custom in Japan, and among many Japanese Americans include the “san-san-kudo” sake sharing tradition...

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Traditions - Chuppah

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-5qcpK7_o3V_txbQD4WXjl8jofZP88Tdq7znK84BuWzGjAkZObqZNXmxHgKvUG-cA9rT7nOC-5Zy0CDUx5l0kh-GfAaaJ-_lSONOHMr2eEzbqY96t6p1TztmGr_cVi9S7ZVUSWNmbjSV/s1600-h/chuppa2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363811776436415586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-5qcpK7_o3V_txbQD4WXjl8jofZP88Tdq7znK84BuWzGjAkZObqZNXmxHgKvUG-cA9rT7nOC-5Zy0CDUx5l0kh-GfAaaJ-_lSONOHMr2eEzbqY96t6p1TztmGr_cVi9S7ZVUSWNmbjSV/s400/chuppa2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">My favorite part of a wedding ceremony is the many cultural, and religious traditions I've seen. This week tradition is the Chuppah. The chuppa carries a religious significance in a Jewish ceremony. It consists of a cloth or a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallit" style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" title="Tallit">tallit</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">, stretched or supported over four poles. It is sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqQSXXAnPkGS9-ku3RSPT2ND2JpPi3-ivJlNFUyTOIhNaR2IxovynVd84GSELCPOYRLXVEf_w9amGLs4MEJiB-jymjBIz7PZu6yHYr9iFPOM0mscZ0evmq2BI_pklkpLDJNV5hD3kH1w-/s1600-h/chuppa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363811782963393554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqQSXXAnPkGS9-ku3RSPT2ND2JpPi3-ivJlNFUyTOIhNaR2IxovynVd84GSELCPOYRLXVEf_w9amGLs4MEJiB-jymjBIz7PZu6yHYr9iFPOM0mscZ0evmq2BI_pklkpLDJNV5hD3kH1w-/s400/chuppa.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">The wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah (canopy), a symbol of the home that the new couple will build together, and the spiritual birth of a couple's life together. It is open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open all sides to welcome people in unconditional hospitality.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOCvVs7YKzZMoPJhScqXP7QZoO_0i-l2zYADChW7rTgrHAlA5e_A-oDE27WL7EsXheR0UjV5CwqWL1nA2YETPG_1Ja1EOZe2SlKUy4DW3qz7UQD_ZVpKuaCWENDuihQAr8okf7AuNRMq2/s1600-h/chuppah-beth-tikuah_jpg-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363811771167430082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOCvVs7YKzZMoPJhScqXP7QZoO_0i-l2zYADChW7rTgrHAlA5e_A-oDE27WL7EsXheR0UjV5CwqWL1nA2YETPG_1Ja1EOZe2SlKUy4DW3qz7UQD_ZVpKuaCWENDuihQAr8okf7AuNRMq2/s400/chuppah-beth-tikuah_jpg-1.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 400px;" /></a> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">The Ashkenazi custom is to have the chuppah ceremony outside under the stars, as a sign of the blessing given by God to the patriarch Abraham, that his children shall be "as the stars of the heavens"(Genesis 15:5). Sefardim generally have the chuppah indoors.<br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJv9zkcoqxz78kfarLCbGq9SVsKGINEvBOQBI_x8pAD2O27kidxkY-hBgoYAVbkKgtaQZDc5SpXVqAOs-fyfwKCn500UHjzI198-aAHCGSaAUnNV6gGmxE0MucNxcg_QSCiKM62zp-EJV/s1600-h/www.projectwedding.com.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363811564516338386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJv9zkcoqxz78kfarLCbGq9SVsKGINEvBOQBI_x8pAD2O27kidxkY-hBgoYAVbkKgtaQZDc5SpXVqAOs-fyfwKCn500UHjzI198-aAHCGSaAUnNV6gGmxE0MucNxcg_QSCiKM62zp-EJV/s400/www.projectwedding.com.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" /></a></p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:85%;" >Images via <a href="http://projectwedding.com/" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Project Wedding</a></span>

Traditions - Chuppah

My favorite part of a wedding ceremony is the many cultural, and religious traditions I've seen. This week tradition is the Chuppah. T...

Read more »