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THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
February 11, 2015
Bride The Independent
2015
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February 11, 2015
THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
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When It’s Cold, It’s Warm.
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The 24’ Hamptonian is one of an elite group of ultra-luxurious restroom trailers that are designed to be comfortable in temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit (-16˚ C), which is pretty darned cold to be having an outdoor event. But, hey, if that’s your thing, at least we can keep your guests warm and happy while they’re in the rest room. See all our cold weather units at www.norsic.com, or call us at (631) 283-0604. And feel the warmth.
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THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
February 11, 2015
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Bridal Photo Contest And the winners are: Clockwise from Top Left, Dianne and Charles Balducci, Beverly and Matt McGrath, Johnny and Monique Santana.
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February 11, 2015
THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
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e c a r G Celia Independent/Loveridge Photography, Andrea Hanks Photography, JAG Studios
By Jessica Mackin Celia Grace is changing the definition of “the perfect wedding dress” by offering exquisite gowns where the story behind the dress is as beautiful as the dress itself. The Massachusetts-based company has earned membership in the Fair Trade Federation. As a fair trade company, the wedding dress and accessory brand ensures that their products are made under safe and fair conditions that improve lives rather than harm workers. Owner Marcie Muehlke explains, “Fair Trade is a global movement to end poverty by giving people the ability to vote with their dollars for the kind of world they want–one where people earn a living wage, work in safe and fair conditions, and can better themselves and their families.” As America’s first fair trade wedding dress brand Celia Grace products are sewn following fair trade conditions, and the company donates a water filter to a family in need with every dress sold. The dresses and accessories are made from heirloom eco silks hand woven in rural
Cambodian villages on no-electricity looms. This preserves the traditional craft of silk making passed down through generations of women and allows weavers to earn a living wage, keep their girls in school, and avoid moving to the city or risking human trafficking. “When I got married I wanted to love not only about how my wedding dress looked but also how it was made. I am so happy to be making that dream a reality with Celia Grace,” says Muehlke. The seamstresses who sew Celia Grace wedding dresses and accessories work in a women’s sewing group that offers a positive alternative to dismal garment factory conditions in Cambodia. Celia Grace seamstresses are respected professionals who earn a living wage, have upward mobility, get benefits, and work in a healthy, fair and empowering environment. Celia Grace dresses are available at Thea Tora Bridal Collection in Sayville. You can learn more about the brand by visiting www. celia-grace.com.
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THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
February 11, 2015
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Bridal Calendar Vera Wang Bride will hold a trunk show from tomorrow to Saturday at 911 Madison Avenue. For more information call 212-628-3400. East End Wedding Guide presents Hamptons and North Fork Wedding Showcase on Sunday, March 1, from noon to 4 PM at the Southampton Inn. Meet over 30 wedding professionals and enjoy raffles and giveaways. $10 admission at the door or call 631-283-6501 or email events@southamptoninn.com. RK Bridal in NYC will showcase David Tutera for Mon Cheri on March 20 to March 21. For more info call 212-947-1155.
“Honey, we better call Sag Harbor Florist for our wedding flowers now.
Once they’re too busy, we’ll have to postpone the wedding . . .” 3 Bay Street • Sag Harbor, NY (631) 725-1400 Like us on Facebook!
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February 11, 2015
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Wedding Traditions’ Surprising Origins And the sixpence? That’s the hope of By Kitty Merrill It originally went “something old, wealth and good fortune. Weddings nowadays are often infused something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in her with an array of customs and traditions passed through the centuries. Here’s where shoe.” Why? Modern brides tend to eschew hobbling just a few of them came from. Ancient Egyptians believed the vein down the aisle with a coin in their Manolos, but do tend to stick with the custom. in the third finger on the left hand led According to bridesandgrooms.com, the directly to the heart. That's why it became old represented ties to family, the new the ring finger. When grooms “bought” their wives success in the future. The borrowed item reminds that friends and family will still be from their fathers, they often paid with there for her and blue is the color signifying precious gems, but it’s Pope Innocent III O'Neill Sales Exchange fp brides:Layout 1 2/11/14 10:19 AM Page 1 faithfulness and loyalty (think: true blue). who’s credited with the custom of diamond
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engagement rings. He came up with the idea of a waiting period between betrothal and wedding in 1214. Couples began to demonstrate their commitment with rings. Archduke Maximilian of Austria was reportedly the first to use a diamond ring, when he became engaged to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. The wedding band, a never-ending circle, symbolizes everlasting love. A bridal bouquet was originally designed to drive away evil spirits (though it doesn’t help with mothers in law). It was most often made of garlic, dill, and
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herbs. Celtic bouquets were made of ivy, thistle and heather. Some believe the tradition of an herbal bouquet originated during the time of the plague, when people held bouquets over their faces to ward off germs. Because the bride was believed to be especially lucky on her wedding day, guests used to rip pieces of her dress off in the hope her luck would spread to them. Throwing the bouquet became the better option. Bridal parties were formed to serve as decoys for the wedding couple. Women dressed identically to confuse the evil spirits. The groom often kidnapped the woman he’d marry and she was directed to stand on his left, leaving his right arm free to fight off rivals and defend her. The friend or relative who was most helpful with the abduction was known as “the best man.” Carrying the bride over the threshold was done to protect her from evil spirits and as a way to demonstrate her purity and reluctance to enter the bridal chamber. In the case of abductions, the reluctance was often real. Throwing rice evolved from the tradition of showering the just-wed with grains and nuts to insure a good harvest. Rice was used during lean times. Nowadays people use birdseed, though some claim the disfavored rice does no harm to birds; it’s just an extra chore to clean up. It’s a Mexican tradition to throw red beans at the newlyweds to bring them good luck. Different ethnicities have crafted their own customs, handed down through the years. Couples of the Jewish faith drink from a shared glass of wine that has been blessed with benedictions. When the ceremony is over, the groom crushes the glass by stomping on it to symbolize love’s fragility. At African American weddings, the newlyweds jump over a broom to
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THE INDEPENDENT • Traveler Watchman
February 11, 2015
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Trending Honeymoon Hotspots By Miles X. Logan Niagara Falls? It’s so not happening. Even Hawaii has lost its sheen, though not its sun baked waters. According to trendy designer/TV personality Lauren Conrad, the “coolest” honeymoon hot spot this year is the Amalfi Coast in Italy (hey, didn’t we see George Clooney there?). Conrad said the beaches there are “pristine” and the “pasta dishes are the best you’ve ever had.” The top hotel? Try the Santa Caterina. Want to get farther away from the paparazzi? Try Dubrovnik, Croatia. Really. Conrad said the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel is to die for. Jane Anderson of 101 Honeymoons says there is nothing like Europe, especially if you are planning a June wedding. Mallorca on the Mediterranean is “most fragrant . . . the orange blossom is out and everything is fresh and calm.” Anderson said Nice is nice in the late spring – or did she mean Nice is nice? She recommends the Hotel Negresco either way. The ever-hip Martha Stewart offers the “Choose Your Own Honeymoon Adventure Guide.” Couples can pick what
Traditions
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symbolize beginning a new life together, a ritual created during slavery. At a Chinese ceremony the bride wears red, the color of love and joy. Hispanic tradition calls for a large rosary or white rope to be wound around the shoulders of the couple in a figure eight, the infinity symbol. What’s up with that bag of Jordan almonds each guest finds on the table at the wedding reception? The tradition has Middle Eastern roots. Five pieces are given to each guest to represent the five wedding wishes: fertility, health, wealth, happiness and longevity. The almond is candy coated representing the bitter and the sweet of marriage. A tiered wedding cake traces back to Anglo-Saxon times. Guests would bring small cakes that would be stacked atop one another. It took a French baker to come up with the idea of crafting a single stacked cake. The tradition of a white wedding dress is comparatively new. The trend began in 1840 when stylish Queen Victoria chose a white satin gown for her wedding to Prince Albert. American weddings were simple and private affairs until the 1920s, when brides began to turn to professionals for help organizing grand fetes. According to the website randomhistory.com, by the 1950s, the white wedding extravaganza was the dream of most girls, with high end department stores cashing in at their bridal salons and specialty shops springing up. The dream faded somewhat during the “Flower Power” years, but resurrected in 1981, inspired by the splendor of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ nuptials.
kind of experience they are after, and the guide will highlight some of the better hotels, restaurants and hotspots in those areas. The best part of Stewart’s guide is it’s functional for every budget. T he n u m b er o ne ho neym o o n destination according to the Weather Channel? Acapulco is gold. Those interested in staying stateside might want to visit the fabulous Bellagio Hotel in Vegas, the Weather Channel suggests. Other favorite destinations include Lake Louise
in Canada and Amankali, Bali, where The Channel recommends the honeymoon suite at the Manggis. Ever hear of The Maldives? We didn’t either, which means the kids from your first marriage, and your creditors, won’t be able to find it, either. It’s an island-laden country in the Indian Ocean. “Incredibly azure waters, perfect beaches covered with white warm sand, slender palm trees, remote and calm resorts,” raves OceanTravel.com.
“Maldives is definitely a place where you and your brand new spouse will ascend to a paradise on Earth.” Despite all the exotic locales, we just ran into a local couple that had the best honeymoon ever, at least they say so. They went to New York City — go figure - stayed at a five star hotel, scored tickets to three of the top Broadway plays, ate at several fivestar hotels, and saw Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. And they took the Jitney in and back.
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February 11, 2015
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The Independent Newspaper & The Wizard Of Spa Present
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