A major cable network says “I do” to a new series that features unique wedding ceremonies from across the globe. Each one-hour episode will follow the entire matrimonial process, from the pre-nuptial frenzy to the heartfelt moment at the altar to the colorful after-wedding reception.

Though each ceremony is held on American soil, the traditions and customs of each individual story is uniquely international, culturally rich, and filled with often strange and wondrous rites. Plucked from ancient practices and century old traditions, these weddings are singular to the couple’s heritage. From the Zaffa wedding march and performing belly dancers in Egypt; to Iceland, where the bridal promenade meanders through the village; to the smashed dishes, circle dancing, and often week-long celebrations of Greek weddings and to the “jumping of the broom” in Africa; this new series will feature “couples of culture” who honor and embrace their cultural identity through the loving act of marriage.

Each story will be one of profound love and commitment and will celebrate the act of marriage. “Regardless of who performs the wedding or how it is performed, no matter what culture the ceremony celebrates or where it takes place or in what language it is spoken, the end result is still instantly recognizable as the unification of two souls,” says Mark Soldinger, President of Firecracker Films, who will produce the project.

Producers from Firecracker Films and the casting team from Metal Flowers Media are currently seeking wedding stories to be featured in the series. For more information or to refer a candidate, please contact Ivette Garcia at Metal Flowers Media: ivette@metalflowersmedia.com, or log on to www.facebook.com/metalflowersmedia to find out more.

See also: Wedding Planning, Real Weddings

On Saturday, September 10th, I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Stephanie and Michael, a young couple in Birmingham, Alabama. The wedding provided a first for me as it was a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding held at Holy Trinity - Holy Cross Cathedral. The cathedral was absolutely beautiful, and it provided a lot of great atmosphere for the day.

Click on the article title or Read More link for more pictures and information.

See also: Alabama Weddings, Birmingham Weddings

A friend of mine turned me on to the cutest book this summer that is perfect for children who are participating in or simply attending a wedding as a guest.  The book is Heading to the Wedding by Sara Schacter.

Children often are not privy to the etiquette of weddings or similar events and this precious book provides important information about what happens at a wedding and how they should conduct themselves at a wedding.  The author uses humor and wit to create a story that is quite funny and cleverly informative.

This beautiful book (illustrated by Christine Thornton) is appropriate for both young girls and boys and I would recommend it to anyone who finds themselves with children participating in a wedding or who has to take their children to a wedding as guests.

You can buy this delightful book online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or through the Publisher's Web site. You should be able to order it at any bookstore if it isn't on the shelf.

Good luck and Happy Planning!

Las Vegas, Nevada - Honeymoons

If you have been searching for a destination that boasts  luxury accommodations,  award-winning restaurants coupled with world-class entertainment,  then plan your honeymoon in Las Vegas,   Nevada. Nothing compares to the  “world” of Vegas where fantasy transfers to reality. Visitors relate to Vegas  on many levels, but my husband and I found romance in this famous “city of  lights.”...

Photo Courtesy Holloway Productions

See also: Las Vegas Weddings, Nevada Weddings, Wedding Planning

I get a lot of questions from brides about Save-The-Dates: the cards, letters, magnets, etc. that you send out to let guests know about the wedding before the official invitations are sent. The Save-The-Date is an implied or pre-invitation so you need to be sure you do them correctly – you can’t uninvite someone to whom you send a Save-The-Date!

Following are a few tips that address the most common questions I get from brides about Save-The-Dates:

~1~

Save-The-Dates are generally sent by the Bride and Groom and not the parents. The return address used is usually the Bride's address because she is generally the one keeping track of addresses and would need to know if a card was returned for incorrect address. That being said, if the parents really want to send the Save-the-Dates and monitor any returned mail, that is okay – no big etiquette faux pas – really.

~2~

Send your Save-The-Dates 6 months before the wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding that involves significant travel – such as to Hawaii or Mexico – send the Save-The-Dates 12 months before the wedding so guests can start making their travel plans.  

Like most people nowadays, you’re doing your best to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle than you once did. You choose reusable shopping bags, carry an aluminum thermos rather than buying bottled water, and are the first one on your block to proudly display your accumulation of recyclables on the curb every other week. But the idea of having a green wedding can be a bit daunting. Planning a wedding is a lot of work, and the pressure to make environmentally-responsible choices might not be foremost in your mind. But the truth is, it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition, and eco-friendly choices are available at every turn. Here are some ideas to consider...

As I sit over here in the United States fighting this terrible cold/flu/strep - whatever, I just realized I missed announcing yesterday's launch of the Official Royal Wedding Web Site.

I know everyone here is not interested in the Royal family but many are and that Kate Middleton is just a doll! The wedding is scheduled for April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey with the reception following at Buckingham Palace of course.

So if you want to get all of the latest updates on this wedding that is sure to be the wedding of all weddings, here are some links to help:

officialroyalwedding2011.org
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Flickr

I love their use of social media to get the word out about this sure to be fab wedding. I am dying to see what Kate wears!

Honeymoon in one of the most romantic cities in the world where European traditions blend with Caribbean influences. You will find the night crowds on Bourbon Street exhilarating, yet holding hands down centuries old Pirate’s Alley is perfect for intimacy. Here, the chefs are famous, and it is okay to sing the blues. Film producers seek this address, and you are just as likely to spot a film star here as in Hollywood. Celebrated for its uniqueness and resilience, New Orleans, Louisiana, is romance central...

See also: New Orleans Weddings, Louisiana Weddings, Wedding Planning

First let me say Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you and your significant other can find something romantic to do today or tonight. I have 3 Valentine's, my hubby of now 12 years, and my two little angels. We will all be celebrating together this evening.

A couple of years ago I wrote an article about Valentine's Engagements and Weddings and so I thought it would be fun to re-visit that article. Many of our brides at that time commented with their Valentine's engagement stories and it looks like we have one Christmas engagement story :-) Anyway,just thought it would be fun to call attention to it!

Carl House submitted a real Valentine's Day wedding to Atlanta Bridal a couple of years ago: Valentine Wedding at Carl House: Brittany Holland and Tim Wood . Happy Anniversary to Brittany and Tim!

For more Valentine's Day Wedding fun, check out the Cupid at the Castle video I did a couple of years ago when I attended a bunch of quickie Valentine's Day weddings at Rhodes Hall in Atlanta. I shot and edited this video myself on my Flip camera and so the editing isn't the best - it was just for fun!

The cute card in this article is representative of some of the items you can get in the WeddingBasics Wedding Shop.

Hugs and Happy Planning!

~Lei