Aaah, the magic of the holiday season: the lights, the music, the gifts…the family drama. One of the things that couples sign up for (though they don’t think about it at the time) is negotiating the issues with not just your own clan, but your partner’s at a complicated time of year. Holidays bring back lots of lovely memories, but they can also call up hidden issues. Then there are…
Celebrity couples are just like us (sort of). They fall in love and decide to put a ring on it. The only difference is, they tend to choose bigger, more extravagant pieces. Well, sometimes. Celebrity engagement and wedding rings can range from delicate and simple, to extravagant and eye-popping (the better to sparkle on Instagram). The styles of rings chosen by our favorite celebrity couples are affected not just by…
With so many costs associated with a wedding, some brides opt to save a little money by skipping the makeup artist and doing their own wedding makeup. That may seem intimidating, especially on such a Big Day, but it’s not impossible. With a little planning (not to mention, practice), you can pull off a gorgeous look. Here are some smart tips for doing your own wedding makeup, courtesy of Birkat…
You probably know the standard saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But there are a host of traditions surrounding a wedding – some of which are still around, others which have been discarded like a wilted bridal bouquet. Here are a few that used to be a “thing.” Will they make a comeback? We’ll see. PLANTING A TREE In some European countries, the couple would plant a…
Even though the wedding is over, the celebration continues with Part 2: The Honeymoon. Experts estimate the cost of a typical week-long honeymoon can run anywhere from $3,500 to a little over $5,000. But there are ways to get that price tag down without sacrificing any of the magic. Here are eleven smart tips from Birkat Elyon for saving money on your honeymoon. PICK YOUR PRIORITIES Are you craving…
If you’ve ever seen the behavior of an upcoming bride, you’ve probably witnessed all kinds of ugly stress over the dress, the party, the guest list….it can get way out of hand – and fast. No wonder that many throw up their hands and take a serious stab at…eloping. Weddings are a huge business. A 2016 study shows that the cost of an average wedding runs upwards of $35K. Besides…
Weddings are one of the biggest Life Occasions around – and they are by no means “one size fits all.” Around the world, wedding traditions surrounding this happy event are as varied as there are places on the map. In the Congo, for example, couples are forbidden to smile throughout the entire wedding ceremony (to show how seriously they’re taking their commitment). In Greece, the groom’s best friend gives him…
Sure, a diamond engagement or wedding ring has been a longstanding “tradition.” But today’s smart money types are looking past that and opting for something just as brilliant, durable and beautiful – but much more economical. Namely, a cubic zirconia ring. According to The Knot, the average cost of a diamond ring is close to $6K – and that price has been steadily going up every year. For most folks,…
Relationships are dizzying, romantic, fun. Once you find your “better half,” life takes on a whole new beautiful dimension. You make big plans, you have a vision for how your future as a happy couple will unfold. That’s all well and good, but the flip side to all this is: relationships are hard. No matter how perfect you are for each other, maintaining what brought you together can be…
With about 2.5 million weddings every year in the United States, it can be tricky to come up with fresh ideas to make yours stand out. We reviewed some of the ideas among top wedding planners and picked out eight trending wedding elements to consider including in your Big Day. (REALLY) UNEXPECTED PLACES More couples are finding ways to make their ceremony truly unique to their personality. And that starts…