Wedding Guide
2 n Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Daily Cougar
Letter from the Editor
T
his issue has been a labor of love for me. In the days before the photo shoot was scheduled our original location pulled out at the last minute but as any good editor will tell you, we always have a few tricks up our sleeve. I placed a few phone calls, and Hotel ICON graciously allowed us the use of some of the penthouse suites and the lobby. But that wasn’t the only problem, some of the dresses we ordered were shipped to the wrong location and never arrived, but as you can tell, the issue turned out beautifully despite the few setbacks. While this is geared more towards the bride-to-be, page 11 has some tips for the bridegroom’s pre-wedding nerves. Our resident sex columnist, Travis Hensley explores pre-marital sex and Patricia Estrada takes a look at weddings in different cultures around the world while Shaziya Bandukia interprets the evolution of the wedding dress. Speaking of wedding dresses, we
Here Comes the Bride Shot by John Powers Make-up by Ryan Holliday Hair by Clemente Javier Art Direction by Jarrod Klawinsky Styling by Jarrod Klawinsky + Patricia Estrada
HYATT name, design and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2010 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
Emily Bruxvoort in Priscilla of Boston Platinum Collection satin strapless ball gown and embroidered veil on location at Hotel ICON.
HOU27380.01.c_Ad.indd 1
suggest starting your search at Priscilla of Boston and the amazing team at its Uptown Park location or Alfred Angelo, who has a built in men’s store and is truly a one-stop shop. On average, couples spend $20,000 on their wedding, which doesn’t leave much left for a honeymoon. La Torretta Lake Resort on Lake Conroe has the solution. It is offering a discount for Texas educators and university students through August so be sure to turn to page 4 for the details. Weddings are stressful times for everyone involved and while we don’t have all the solutions we hope that you look through the pages ahead and gather thoughts and ideas from the vast group of bridal artisans around Houston who are ready to help you plan your special day. Our editorial team worked tirelessly to bring you the best of what Houston has to offer its brides. And as always, thanks to our supporters and advertisers. Without them, this issue would not be possible. jklawinsky@thedailycougar.com
Table of Contents 2. 3. 4.
5.
Letter from the Editor Dearly beloved Bells will be ringing, Getting away is closer than you think The evolution of the wedding dress
7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Wedded bliss Let’s hear it for the boys Keeping the dress white Let them eat cake Weddings have different traditions
Contributors Ryanholliday | make-up artist A proper wedding is the ideal romantic setting; full of tradtion and extravagances to celebrate the best gift of all, true love. A romantic rooftop ceremony over looking the skyline, orange roses, purple orchids, and lots of champagne with a reception at my favorite art museum would be the ideal wedding. This is your special day, treat it that way. Photos will forever document your wedding and it is important to find the right make-up and hair products to make you flawless for the camera. I suggest as many water proof and high definition products as possible.
EDITOR Jarrod Klawinsky COPY EDITORS Michelle Reed, Ronnie Turner PRODUCTION Stan Le, Newton Liu CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shaziya Bandukia, Patricia Estrada, Travis Hensley PHOTGRAPHER John Powers
Patriciaestrada | contributing writer I had always been skeptical about love. The idea of two people living happily ever after to me was nothng but an idea that Hollywood popularized without any truth to this...that is until about three years ago when my sister renewed her vows. She walked down the aisle, with her 10 year old son on her arm and into the arms of the man of her dreams, her husband of now thirteen years. Carol and Christitan have, what to me, is the perfect relationship. Theirs is the relationship I admire; they are my Cinderella and Prince Charming. It is the relationship that I hope to one day have.
SHouLdn’t tHE RECEption BE juSt aS SWEEt aS tHE CEREmony?
Let the wedding professionals at Hyatt Regency Houston cater to your every need. Whether you dream of an intimate wedding with just family or an intricately themed banquet with several hundred guests, your special day will be all that you imagined. Bridal showers. Rehearsal dinners. Engagement parties. Contact our wedding consultants at 713 375 4700. Visit houston.hyatt.com.
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Wedding Guide
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010 n 3
Phoenix Hamilton (left, above) in Melissa Sweet silk taffeta strapless with drop waist and Melissa Sweet silk tafetta strapless tea-length dress both from Priscilla
DEARLY beloved ...and they lived happily ever after From a male standpoint, we don’t have to do much when it comes to getting ready for the wedding ceremony, but I’ve been to enough weddings to know that the pinnacle of any wedding is the dress. It is the one item that every young girl dreams about buying; even at our photo shoot, the models started gushing about some of the dresses and visions of their future wedding as they popped into their head. The gown is also what the bride spends the most time deliberating on. Will it be white or ivory? Traditional or modern? To quote Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, “You play poker
right? Well the dress upped the ante.” A ceremony can go from 50 to 200 in a blink of an eye if the right dress is located. However, finding that perfect dress is by no means easy. The average bride will spend more than $1,000 on the dress and veil alone. It’s a good thing that Houston has some of the best bridal boutiques in the south, so let’s begin there. Priscilla of Boston Getting its start on the fashionable Newberry Street in Boston over 65 years ago, Priscilla has dress royalty, Hollywood starlets and President’s daughters. Each gown is personally
Looks good on paper It’s all in the details when it comes to wedding planning, and invitations are something that lasts forever. Invitation Solutions, located in the Heights, offers everything a bride could want, from specialized calligraphy and custom orders to read-to-order sets for the bride who just ran out of time. Its web site also has a nifty blog that has a mass amount of information. Invitationsolutions.com; 373 1/2 West 19th Street, C3, Houston; 713-8645573 One of the best weddings I’ve been to didn’t even have paper invitations. The bride was a career woman who wouldn’t set her Blackberry down
to save her life. So when I received a paperless invitation through e-mail, I wasn’t surprised. Paperlesspost.com is a cheap efficient way to send out invitation through e-mail. They are surprisingly elegant and offer a variety of different options including, save the dates, and RSVP’s. And while any good wedding planner will suggest mailing paper invites, sending them via the Internet maybe the option that works for you.
handcrafted to fit your body making the dress a one of a kind couture fit. Appointments are necessary as this is one of only two signature salons in Texas. 1131-10 Uptown Park Boulevard, Houston; 713-526-1886. Alfred Angelo When we’re choosing bridal salons to profile, we noticed that not everyone carried an array of sizes; this is not the case with Alfred Angelo. Each store carries hundreds of dresses in a wide variety of sizes that will match any bride’s needs. They can facilitate the entire bridal party, including the groom. The Houston store offers a men’s salon right next door so the couple can come in at the same time, be measured, fitted and ordered within a matter of a few hours. 1801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston; 713-622-5571
of Boston and models own boots. Zoa Khan (bottom) in Alfred Angelo iridesent satin gown and chapel train from Alfred Angelo.
Wedding Guide
4 n Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Daily Cougar
Bellswill be ringing W By Jarrod Klawinsky
eddings are the ultimate reflection on who you are, which is why selecting the location can be almost as important as finding that perfect dress. Romantic Villa Hidden away in n orthwest Houston, Chateau Polonez is ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The European style venue presents a picture perfect atmosphere with vaulted ceilings, a dynamic double-entry staircase with five acres of wooded and manicured gardens. Catering can be provided through their inhouse catering company, Glorious Cuisine, by Master Chef Grazyna Matusz, who provides a extensive menu that will please even the most discerning of brides. It can accomodate a ceremony and reception for up to 200 guests or a reception for up to 350 guests. The day can be spent outside
with full day rentals and spacious dressing rooms for both the bride and groom. 12612 Malcomson Rd., Houston; 281-655-5656
Chateau Polonez combines the elegance of a French chateau with the Texas countryside to create a unique setting.
Messina Hof Winery located in Bryan is the perfect location for the couple that enjoys more than one glass of wine during dinner.
A wine coutry wedding Messina Hof Winery, established in 1977 by Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, is a leader in the Texas wine industry and ranks as one of the fastest growing, most awarding-winning wineries in the state. Located only an hour outside of Houston, the estate is all encompassing and its event planners can schedule everything from group dance lessons after the wedding reception to a late night poker session at the Lakeside Deck for the groom and his groomsmen.
Ivy League One thing that I found amusing about the Courtyard on St. James is that the event mangers all graduated from UH. So if you’re planning a Cougarthemed wedding why not go all out? The Galleria area location has consistently been voted as one of Houston’s best wedding venues by the Houston Business Journal and KPRC Channel 2’s Click 2 Houston. The beautiful ivy-covered courtyard, for which the facility is named, is one of the city’s most beautiful spots for an outdoor wedding inside the loop. A favorite for weddings and rehearsal dinners, the three private reception areas will accomodate events from 20 to 350. For massive weddings, the entire facility can accomodate up to 1000 guests on two floors. To plan your wedding at the Courtyard, call Scott Konitzer or visit its
Gettingaway is closer than you Think In addition to expecting a a fabulous destination for your honeymoon, you want your once-in-a-lifetime escape to be memorable. Choosing that perfect destination that is both affordable and romantic can be daunting, but the newly renevated La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa will ease those nerves and ensure your honeymoon is remembered forever. Situated an hour north of downtown Houston on the 22,000 acre Lake Conroe, the resort offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lake side villas become the setting for the perfect wedding night with panoramic views of the lake. The 18 golf holes provide an escape for grooms while brides are sequestered away at the 17,000 acre, Texas-sized SpaTerre.The resort also is equipped with an aqua park with sandy beaches plus six swimming and activity pools, including a lazy river. In a place that has redefined Texas luxury would you expect anything less from its cuising? Nine restaurants and cafes cater to guests and newlyweds satisfying their cravings any time of day. Chez Roux provides worldclass fare in that oh- so-romantic
Alongside the full service bar, an array of cigars are available for the groom and his party. Day-long wine tours are also available for the full wedding party. An option can also be added to one of the three packages where Paul Bonarrigo, the estate’s winemaker will officiate the ceremony. Messina Hof is an all inclusive venue and perfect for the couple that enjoys more than just one glass of wine at dinner. For details and information visit messinahof.com. 4545 Old Reliance Rd., Bryan; 979-778-9463.
lakeside setting. With Texas’ only Micheline-starred chef, Chez Roux provides French fine dining, new American cuisine, or contemporary Japanese sushi. Throughout the summer — June 1 through Aug. 31, school employees are invited to escape and recharge at the AAA Four Diamond resort. A specially priced package for $129 weekday or $149 weekend nightly rate which includes upgraded Lake View Suite accomodations, free mini golf, a discount on spa services, watercraft rentals and golf. For the remainer of the year, school employees will receive a highly reduced rate of $99 a night on standard suites. Beginning Thursday, parents and students plus school employees are being asked to submit essay nominations highlighting a faculty member that they feel is deserving of a weekend getaway for four. Essays must be submitted no later than May 20. Both the nominated educator and the person submitting the winning essay will be awarded prize packages. La Torretta is located at 600 La Torretta Blvd, Montgomery; 979-448-4400; latorrettalakeresort.com
The AAA Four Diamond La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa offers guests a unique setting one hour north of Houston on Lake Conroe with lakeside villas, golf course, a Texas-sized spa and world class cuisine .
web site, courtyardonstjames. com. 1885 St. James Place, Houston,713-621-0555
The ivy-covered courtyard for which the courtyard is named is one of the most beautiful spots for a wedding inside the loop.
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The evolution of the wedding dress By Shaziya Bandukia Wedding Guide It’s imperative for any soon-to-be bride to find, wear and accessorize the perfect wedding dress. As important as the actual wedding ceremony is sought out to be, the dress is an aspect of the wedding that one will remember years from the day, as it will be embedded in pictures and even one’s closet forever. It is the dress a bride starts her new life in, and it will be the first dress that the groom sees her in. That is why, one of the first concerns for any bride is to find the wedding dress that fits her style, her body and the beginning of a new life that she will be spending with her beloved. In the past century, a wedding dress has evolved from colorful dresses and fabrics to a solid white color with just the right complimenting fabrics. And before any bride begins her search for THE dress, a brief history of the evolution is quite necessary to know what is expected of the dress today. In the days of the medieval... Even in times such as these, it was always crucial to dress right for the occasion of one’s wedding ceremony, but what’s noteworthy is that these dresses weren’t white. These wedding dresses were colorful and used rich fabrics in many layers. Bright colors were worn to symbolize happiness and fabrics. Furs, velvets and silks, were worn to show the height of one’s social status. In these times, weddings were not only to show the love between the bride and the groom, they were held to show a union between two families, businesses, or even countries. And for that matter, the dresses were made to show the bride’s family in the most favorable light. Though the brides of a lower social status could not afford the greater materials, they attempted to tailor their dresses to the elegant styles as best as they could. How the white wedding dress came along... The wedding dress continued to show one’s social status. The more ornate a wedding dress, the wealthier the family. Those brides that were from poor families even wore their Sunday best on their wedding day, whereas the wealthier brides wore dresses with more material, longer trains, and puffier sleeves. The white wedding dress came about in a fashion to symbolize one’s wealth in the union of British Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840. The color white on a dress symbolized wealth, whereas the color blue was what symbolized purity. Victoria’s dress came as a shock to soon-to-be brides around the world and since then, women all over the world began to choose white wedding gowns as the attire to their wedding. The poor still wore colors, while the rich wore white to flaunt their social status. The ups and downs of the white wedding gowns… During brief financial pauses in the world, such as World War I, the Depression and World War II, the bride had no choice but to be completely plain and simple on her wedding day. For the wealthier crowd, this meant long and slinky dresses, whereas for the poor families, it meant normal church dresses. As the years progressed in these eras, brides
were even known to borrow used dresses from family members and friends, so some of the popular styles seemed to have an extended life. As these eras passed, women were given their own social standing in the world—they were able to be educated, work and get married free of any obligations. Dresses then were made to be more custom, yet the tight fitting tops and the full puffy skirt were still the signature look. In fact, dresses were also made available ready-made at stores and tailor shops, so women had the choice to go out on a given day and actually come home with their chosen wedding dress, rather than having to wait days and even weeks for their dress to be ready. Since the venues changed from just chapels and registry offices to homes, beaches and hotels, the bride has a larger selection of wedding designs to choose from. The modern wedding dress… Although wedding dresses are still ought to be white, the bride has more than just a dress with a long train to choose from. The dress can now be strapless and short. Or it can be off-
shoulder with a long train. And it can also be a medieval type of dress, with long puffy sleeves and a “big” skirt. Modern movies, such as Sex and the City or Bride Wars, have shown women the biggest importance in a wedding dress. Some wedding dresses are now made by designers such as Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta. Designers bring in many styles and combine them into one wedding dress, which makes for a unique dress that no other bride in the world may have. These dresses may be a bit pricey, but brides are willing to put in that much for a dress that will be remembered for an entire lifetime. And those that would rather not spend so much on a wedding dress still have the option to fall through with brands such as Alfred Angelo that make great quality dresses with just the right style. And just like that, a colorful wedding dress became the signature white wedding gown. A bride-tobe must look around anywhere and everywhere to find a dress that represents her style and her love of fashion, romance and the perfect future.
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From left: Phoenix Hamilton in Alfred Angelo, Emily Bruxvoort in Priscilla of Boston Platinum collection strapless satin ball gown and embroidered veil, Zoa Khan in Melissa Sweet silk taffeta strapless gown from Priscilla of Boston.
Weddedbliss
Shot by John Powers Make-up by Ryan Holliday Hair by Clemente Javier Art Direction by Jarrod Klawinsky Styling by Jarrod Klawinsky + Patricia Estrada
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men generally worry and have just as many pre-wedding jitters as the bride, don’t feel bad. So instead of worrying yourself why not indulge a little? If a Houston wedding is in the books, then you have a plethora of options at your feet to keep them from getting cold. Personal pampering Established in the swank neighborhood in London that James Bond calls home, Gentleman’s Tonic comprises elements of old and new that affords the modern man the traditional barbershop with a variety of services including hair cuts, wet shaves, massages and various other treatments. I don’t know of a perfect way to relax the day before the wedding, and your bride will appreciate it too. With the only other locations in London, we are fortunate to have such an establishment in Houston. For booking information and appointments, call 713-8928383. 1180-04 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston.
Letshear it for theBoys By Jarrod Klawinsky
Top left: Letter mugs,Anthropologie Top center: Letter stickie notes, Anthropologie Bottom left: Marc Jacobs compact and mirror, Marc Jacobs
G
rooms by far have one of the easiest jobs during the wedding. Don’t deny it gentlemen, all you have to do is show up, be presentable and make sure you don’t forget those two little words. But just because your job may be the easiest doesn’t mean that the pressure isn’t on. While it may not be a noticable,
heart of Houston’s wealthiest neightborhood, River Oaks, Red Room occupies a former two-story brownstone. The lighting and music are sure to impress your groomsmen, and it is the ideal place to gather the night before the big day. But as with everything, moderation is key. You won’t thank yourself if you are hungover in the morning and neither will your bride. 2736 Virginia St., Houston, 713-5205666. Best foot forward Often I find that most men feel awkward or out of place dancing in front of people. But the wedding reception is not the time or the place for that. Dancing is a integral part of the ceremony and the bride and bridegroom traditionally have the first dance. This is the time to show your frat brothers and college pals your fancy footwork. Schedule a few lessons with your fiancée; you might just enjoy it.
Calming the nerves By no means am I condoning getting plastered the night before your big day, but imbibing or partaking in a shot of Patron helps calm the nerves. One of Houston’s newest hideaways, Red Room, draws on the exclusivity of a New York night club with the subtle style of Texas. In the
While the day might be devoted to you and your groom, there are plenty of other people that have helped make the perfect day for you. So don’t forget them. Picking out one of a kind thank you gifts are a thoughful way to tell them you care.
Top right: Marc Jacobs reptile skin keychains Bottowm center: Playing card, Hermes Bottom right: Gift set, Gentleman’s Tonic
Wedding Guide
The Daily Cougar
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 n 9
Keepingthe
dress WHITE
While tradition dictates brides be virgins when they marry, that tradition has fallen by the wayside in contemporary society.
By Travis Hensley WEDDING GUIDE There needs to be a third party when it comes to premarital sex. Right now, there only seems to be two groups where sex is concerned. One group is all about abstinence and wants you to wait for marriage. The other suggests you need plenty of experience and that you “sow all your wild oats” before marriage. The first party almost always lumps everyone in the other party with those who have been ridden more than a Metro bus. Likewise, the second party wants to label everyone in the other group as religious zealots. This is all exactly why there needs to be a third party to embrace the very middle of the debate. For the purpose of our discussion, this third group must have a label. Henceforth, they will be called the “I hope this is going somewhere” group. This is because when you are in the middle, you never really know where you are going. If you are in favor of absolutely no premarital sex to the extreme, that you don’t have any physical intimacy with another, you can certainly expect that to continue. For those who engage in sex to the extreme, you can expect that to continue. But for those who someday want to get married and lead a monogamous life after that, the middle is the place to be. There needs to be a way to fit in the guy who is 22 years old and embarrassed that he is a virgin with the girl who has slept with every guy who has ever quoted “Twilight” to get laid. For this reason, there needs to be a rule. Just one, and that is that whatever you are doing has to be leading you to the place you want to go. If the last time you talked to someone of the opposite sex was to ask for a Scantron and you actually wanted to walk down the aisle, here are some tips about how to make that work a little better for you. Don’t flirt or try anything on the Internet. (Except, of course, if you are reading this on the Internet.) Finally do
something active like intramural sports, tennis or even bowling. It just has to be something that takes you outside of your normal setting. If this fails, then you might have to ask your friends to help you out. The only thing that matters is that you get used to talking to someone, so when you do meet the person you want to be with you can ask him or her out without acting like a weirdo. You also need to get outside of your normal setting if the last time you had sex it was with everyone that happened to be standing in your vicinity. The problem with being promiscuous is that at some point you begin to lose the respect of those around you and of yourself. So if you can’t stop having too much sex, I suggest World of War Craft. This game has ruined more people’s sex life than STDs. Another thing you could do is stop meeting people at the wrong places. Bars are notorious for being a big drawn only to people who want to have sex and not for people who eventually want to get married or settle into a one-on-one relationship. These are all major changes and they only need to be made if you are heading into a place that promotes dying alone with a number of cats. But this is only the first step in the process and is not the hardest. Once you made this major change to your environment comes the hardest part. That is just letting it happen. You can’t force yourself into the right relationship. You can’t make it work. Romantic relationships cannot be given a timeline or forced into something they are not already. This is the major problem with the “I hope this is going somewhere” group because, at some point, you are just going to have to stop and realize that there is nothing you can do to change your circumstances. If you are heading in the path that you want to be on, the only thing you can do is hope that you will run into the right person to be on that path with you.
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Wedding Guide
10 n Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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Letthem
Eatcake You are going to be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t like cake. I’ve known plenty a wedding crasher that just goes for the cake. The designs are creative and virtually anything can be made to your specifications. Houston has a plethora of bakers in the south, including our favorites, Who Made the Cake and 3 Brothers Bakery.
More recently, I have seen the trend of wedding cakes move toward cupcakes. Crave cupcakes can customize each individual cake with your monogram and wedding date. “It’s all about the details ,” says Crave co-owner Brad Dorsey. It takes a little under a month to create the special roller, but you can keep it after the big day.
The Czech Center Museum Houston A EuropEAn BAroquE pAlAcE in thE hEArt of thE MusEuM District
It’s all in the details when it comes to designing cakes. Bakers and confectioners muster everything they have in order to create the perfect cake for your special day.
We welcome your visit to one of Houston’s Eighteen Fine Museums 4920 San Jacinto Street - Houston, Texas 77004 - Telephone 713-528-2060 www.czechcenter.org - www.receptionshouston.com - e-mail: czech@czechcenter.org
Photo by: David Jones Photography
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Weddings have different traditions, one common goal By Patricia Estrada Wedding Guide Weddings are the time when families and friends come together to celebrate the union of two individuals who have made the decision to “become one.” And although there are many reasons why this decision was made, it is a ceremony that symbolizes the union of not only two people but families. The phrase “the wedding is as unique as the bride” could not be truer. But weddings are also unique as the couple’s culture and beliefs. The Dress We are used to seeing the bride walking down the aisle looking gorgeous in a white wedding dress. Hollywood tells us this is what a bride looks like; any bridal magazine paints this picture. But as brides come in many colors, shapes and sizes, so do their dresses. The white dress, symbolizing purity became popular in the Victorian era after British Queen Victoria’s wedding. Can you imagine going to a wedding where the bride is wearing red? Well, that is exactly what an Indian bride will wear. In the Indian culture, white symbolizes widowhood. In Japan, the bride is usually painted from head to toe in white to symbolize her status to the gods. The Japanese also wear headgear. Some choose one called wataboshi
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 n 11
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The tradition of bridesmaid and groomsmen is one that is usually only practiced in Western and some European cultures. You will not find this in Asian or Indian weddings.
A traditional Japanese wedding complete with the bride wearing a tsunokakishi over hear head which represents her “horns of jealousy”. or a tsunokakushi, which serves as the brides “horns of jealousy” and represent her intentions to become an obedient wife. The Wedding Party In America, we are used to attending weddings where the bride is dressed in white and her best friends are standing next to her all dressed in a similar colored dress while the groom is on the right with his best friends standing next to him at the alter. But this is not common for all weddings. The idea of a bridesmaid changes throughout different cultures. In Latin American culture, the bride’s sisters and relatives stand next to her, not her friends.
The Party In many cultures, the wedding is an event that lasts days or weeks. In some Hispanic cultures, weddings are the ceremony, the reception and then an after party for the guests closest to the family; this usually includes a breakfast as most wedding receptions last until 3 a.m. or later. In traditional Greek weddings, a couple of days before the main event, the bride and groom have a celebration called Krevati, where close family and friends put money and young children in the couple’s bed. This is done for prosperity and fertility in the couples life. Indian weddings also last several days. There is a ceremony where the groom is anointed on his forehead called Tilak, where the bride and the women in the family are painted with henna tattoos and then sing and dance. The Haldi is also an important ceremony in Indian tradition; this is when the bride and the groom are rubbed with turmeric paste. Although all weddings are different and unique to the couple, they share one thing: They represent two individuals coming together and pledging their respect and life to each other.
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