WedEclectic Team Treasury

Enjoy this festive fall team treasury by Eva from ABridalTouch

November Treasury Challenge

Here are some very elegant entries for this White themed treasury challenge. Interpretation was left up to the curator, and each one features our previous winner, Edi from Memories For Life,

www.etsy.com/shop/memoriesforlifesb:

Please vote for your favorite collection here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YY2X2QW.

Voting ends at midnight on November 30th EST, and the winner will be posted on 12/01/13.

Previews of the treasuries, in the order of entry: (Click on the photo to open the treasury in full page view.)

Good luck everybody!

WedEclectic Q&A

 

We ask the WedEclectic team a question, and post their answers each week…providing some advice, inspiration and insight into the person behind our shops. We hope you enjoy them!

How many bridesmaids are too much?

 

 

 

Jennifer from ClayBouquetShop

Hm…depends on the size of the wedding. 50 guests…2-3 max, I guess. 100 guests…up to 4? 200+ … go for 4-6! : ) Not sure why, but I guess it makes sense to me to keep it so <10% of your guests are in the wedding party. : )

 

 

 

Julie from OddLotEmporium

hmm that’s hard. As a stationery designer anything over 6 b/c it wont fit on the programs and makes it challenging for me 🙂 haha. But really it’s the brides day, so I say let her do what she wants!!!!

 

 

 

Dalynda from SteampunkWedding

If they are sisters, there is no limit. Friends, I’d say 3 is plenty.

 

 

 

Ella from EllaWinston

I agree with Dalynda, if they are sisters (or even cousins) there is no limit. I would suggest Brides consider asking friends who they are the closest too. I can’t imagine looking a wedding photo and seeing someone you just really don’t care for anymore. It’s your day and you can ask anyone you want. There may be hurt feelings but you can’t please everyone! I went with a small wedding party of two. I loved it because it was less people to organize and manage 🙂

WedEclectic Team Treasury

Enjoy this stunning vintage treasury by Dalynda from SteampunkWedding

Bouquet and Garter Toss…Good Fortune

It’s interesting that we attend so many weddings and have participated in the bouquet toss and the garter toss…yet, so many of us don’t know the reasons behind them…

   Centuries ago, the brides would carry an aromatic bunch of garlic, fruit blossoms, herbs and grains(dill and marigold could be eaten at the wedding feast to promote desire).  These bouquets were meant to drive away any evil spirits and symbolize prosperity. During the Victorian times, flowers became more prevalent in the bouquets as well as the specific meanings that were given to the flowers.  When comprised of blooms, it symbolized the bride’s status as a “maid in bloom”.

   A wedding would mean good fortune, and at one point(approximately 14th century, the guests would begin to try and tear away pieces of the bride’s clothing and flowers in order to obtain this fortune.  In an attempt to deter the guests from doing this, both the bouquet toss and the garter toss originated.

   The garter is thought to represent the virginal girdle…when the groom removed the girdle, it demonstrated publicly that the bride was relinquishing her virginal status.

   There are many varieties for the bride to present her toss bouquet…

    a. The traditional one where all unmarried women gather and the bouquet is tossed.

    b. All of the women.

    c. Bridesmaids only.

    d. Give to someone specifically, for example, a newly engaged friend.

    e. For the longest married couple.

    f. Dedicate the bouquet in honor of a loved one who as passed.

    g. Breakaway bouquet…made up of several small bouquets in one, so several people get one

The Garter…

      The garter is thought to represent the virginal girdle…when the groom removed the girdle, it demonstrated publicly that the bride was relinquishing her virginal status. The garter can be part of the “something blue” to protect the bride against bad luck or unhappiness. This may come from the “Order of the Garter” which is one of the oldest orders of knighthood and symbolized by a blue ribbon.  Knights were known to be the protectors of women.  The mantle of a Knight of the Garter was worn by royal bridegrooms over their wedding attire.

   The groom throws the garter and the traditional meaning is that the one who catches it will marry soon.  In many weddings, the man who catches the garter and the woman who catches the bouquet will be the next two people who will get married(not to each other).  The garter toss in past times was proof that the marriage was consummated and it was considered good luck for the man who caught the garter.

   For your wedding day, knowing that you can incorporate your own version of a toss bouquet…whether to toss it or to dedicate it to someone….will make your day very meaningful. The garter toss can be as demure or as sassy as you and your groom desire!

   Check out the many shops of WedEclectic Members for toss bouquets and garters.

   Wishing you a Magical Day! Eva from A Bridal Touch

WedEclectic Q&A

 

We ask the WedEclectic team a question, and post their answers each week…providing some advice, inspiration and insight into the person behind our shops. We hope you enjoy them!

Please reply with your own answer!  : )

What are some of your favorite bridesmaid gift ideas?

 

 

 

Jennifer from ClayBouquetShop

Trip to the spa…did that together the day before our wedding. : )

 

 

 

Julie from OddLotEmporium

I like the personalized makeup bags. What chic doesn’t need a makeup bag!

 

 

 

Dalynda from SteampunkWedding

I bought each of my bridesmaids their favorite perfume. It was about $100 per person, but they used it everyday for a long time & remembered our special moments together.

 

 

 

Ella from EllaWinston

I love personalized gifts that can be used many years after your wedding. Such as my personalized clutches!