Wedding – Weddings by Wendy Rose

History of the Garter Toss

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

History of the Garter Toss

Kara Hyden

When it comes to wedding traditions, there are many for the ceremony and many for the wedding reception. During the wedding reception, there’s a long-standing tradition for the bridal bouquet toss and the garter toss. Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the garter toss came from? Why does the bride wear a garter in the first place? Is there an alternative to the garter toss? Read on to find the answers to all these questions.

What is a wedding garter?

The wedding garter is a piece of fabric-covered elastic a bride wears on her thigh under her wedding dress on the wedding day. The wedding garter most often symbolizes love and luck. It can also be symbolic of family and traditions and is made with heirloom materials and passed down as part of the keepsake wedding dress. Garters are typically made of stretchable fabric and have ribbon, tulle, lace, satin or silk intertwined through the fabric. The garter can also be included in the other bridal tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”.

What is the garter toss tradition?

The garter is worn on one of the bride’s thighs under her wedding dress. During the reception, the groom removes the garter and tosses it to a group of the single men in attendance. It is basically the male counterpart to the bouquet toss. The bachelor that catches the garter is said to be next in line for love and marriage.

Where does the tradition of the garter toss come from?

There are several stories about the origins of the garter toss. In medieval times, pieces of the bride’s ensemble were considered tokens of good luck. Wedding guests would fight to rip the clothes right off her body! This practice would get so rowdy that couples decided to throw a garter for the guests to fight over instead.

Another origin story, and honestly, a disturbing one, comes from the Middle Ages. The bride and groom had to show proof of their wedding consummation. For it to be proven, it was a common tradition to have people like family and friends come into the room with the couple. The witnesses would obtain the garter as proof. This practice was not appreciated by the groom or the bride, so the groom started tossing the garter out so no one would need to obtain it themselves.

What are some alternatives to the garter toss?

While most brides include the garter as part of their wedding ensemble, many choose other alternatives to this tradition. Some brides don’t wear it for the wedding but save the garter to be worn as an accessory for wedding photos or bridal boudoir shoots, a chic heirloom to keep for future generations, or a sexy addition to the wedding night. Some brides skip the tradition entirely and opt for other alternatives, such as:

Toss the bouquet only
Toss the groom’s boutonniere along with the bride’s bouquet and don’t use a garter
Break up the bouquet and give stems to important guests at the reception
Host an anniversary dance with all the married couples
Play a song for the singles and invite all the eligible guests to the dance floor

Regardless of what rituals and traditions you decide to include for your wedding and reception, the garter toss is an optional one. But despite some of the origins of this tradition, the garter toss in today’s weddings is intended to be a light-hearted and fun activity for all involved.

Having a Fairytale Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Fairytale Themes in Your Wedding

Zay Burry

Having a fairytale wedding is a common theme that many couples consider when trying to decide what they want their wedding to feel like and look like. A fairytale wedding is a fairly ambiguous term, it very much depends on what type of fairytale you would like to embody during your wedding. Here are some examples of fairytale weddings to help inspire you!

Cinderella:

A classic and traditional for wedding themes due to her being one of the more classic princesses that comes to mind when you think of princesses. Choosing your wedding colors is an important place to start with the theme. With Cinderella having blues, silvers, and even a light pink color would be perfect colors drawing inspiration from the Cinderella fairytale. Adding elements into what the bride wears can further his concept as well. Having a choker style necklace, sleeves that have more puff to them, or having a bun updo that would be similar as well. The decor is going to be pivotal in creating that fairytale feel. Having decorations that have a regal feeling to them will be of the utmost importance. Something along the lines of candelabras with dinnerware that has a more elevated look. Speaking of dinnerware, finding classic looking china to add to that royal feeling at dinner is a great way to feel more Cinderella-inspired.

Peter Pan:

The story of Peter Pan, although it starts in England, the majority of the fairy tale takes place in Neverland. So in order to maximize the Peter Pan feeling, focusing on the Neverland aesthetic will be key. Since the Lost Boys live in the forest in a tree mimicking that feeling by having your wedding decorated as if it is in a forest will be an excellent place to start. For your wedding colors having an evergreen color, a light blue, and a dark chocolate brown. For decor items, having cut pieces of wood, lots of greenery, and flowers will help to make that forest feel.

Beauty and the Beast:

Another classic princess, so having an elevated regal feel is going to be imperative. Starting with the colors, again, gold, blue (either dark navy would work as well as a light powder blue), and maroon. Gold should be more of an accent color where you sprinkle it through your decor and wardrobe as opposed to a more prominent color in your theme. For decor items, having gold frames and mirrors, gold candelabras, again, and china would be on theme. Of course having a teapot or tea cups as table pieces would be a cute touch.

The History of Wearing White to Your Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Ever Wondered Why We Wear White to Our Wedding?

Coco Dietz

Today you would be hard pressed to find a bride who chooses to not wear a shade of white on their wedding day. That tradition has been so deeply ingrained into many young girls let alone young brides minds that it is difficult for many of them to imagine wearing anything other than white to get hitched. Before the tradition began brides would simply wear their best dress to get married in.

Most brides could not afford the luxury of a new dress on their wedding day so the thought of color coordination would send many of them in a frenzy based solely on the cost that would add to the start of their marriage. Even more so, white was hardly considered to wear to be married in because that was the color more commonly worn to funerals for the time period. Just as many brides chose to stay away from black for the same reasons today, the brides would tend to stay away from white as to not bring death like energy into their wedding day. To more wealthy brides they would use the opportunity of their wedding day as an excuse to show off just how much wealth they actually had by adorning themselves with many family heirlooms and jewels.

Their dresses would be far from white, in fact many wealthy brides would choose to wear bright jeweled toned dresses. An impressive feat to behold due to the cost of the dyed material. The introduction of white into the traditional bridal fashion started, as many things do, by one very famous and important person doing it first. That person happened to be Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg back in 1840. Although she was only twenty years old when she was wed, she took her royal duties with grace, elegance, and maturity and wanted to convey that message in her appearance as well. So she chose a white wedding dress to hopefully portray herself as sensibly as possible.

Not only was this choice one with a message nodding to her new royal duties, but it was also a gesture of love toward her future husband. Queen Victoria also chose to forego the crown that would generally sit atop an elaborate hairdo and instead she wore a wreath of flowers. She chose to set aside the overly indulgent and opulent traditions that would generally be expected of a queen but instead just be a young woman marrying the man she loved and portraying to the world her purity and innocence in the color she chose to wear. Her choice to wear white was especially controversial for the time period not only because it was still a color associated with morning, but because most royals of the time chose to wear red on their wedding days. Even though that is difficult for us to imagine nowadays, the image of a bride clad in white to get married is so prominent in our minds.

Although Queen Victoria was not trying to set a precedent for other brides to adhere to more than a hundred years later, her choice quickly set a trend that other brides wanted to follow. Only nine years later a magazine, Godey’s Lady’s Book, stated in their issue “that white is the most fitting hue” also that white is an “emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one.” They could have no way of knowing just how influential this would be for future brides. So much so that most brides do not even consider wearing a different color on their wedding day.

The Send Off

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:10:40 +0000

The Send Off

Coco Dietz

“And they Lived Happily Ever After”

One tradition that many people have taken and adapted to fit their unique wedding styles is that of the send off. At the end of the reception after all the dancing, cake cutting, and general merriment all the guests line up outside and give the newly weds a loving send off into their honeymoon. Originally the guests would toss rice onto the couple as they walked past to symbolize fertility and prosperity as well wishes for the couple’s future together. Although sending off the couple into their new life together is not a new tradition, the throwing of rice has faded away and been replaced with more creativity. Here are some common ideas for you and your fiance to consider for your wedding!

Sparklers:

If you choose to have your wedding reception after dark this might be a fun send off to consider! Not only would this light up your evening but the pictures from this moment will have you relive this moment for years to come.

Flower Petals:

A more classic idea that might fit brides who are choosing to have their receptions during the day time so the pictures will be better suited to your time frame. This might be more in line with your style of wedding if you are wanting a more classic and romantic feel.

Bubbles:

No matter what time of day it is, bubbles would be a fun idea that your guests would be sure to love. Not only would the pictures be so much fun but the added whimsey to the day will have everyone enjoying the last moments of the reception.

Confetti:

If you want to go out with a bang then this might be the send off idea for you. Getting confetti poppers for your guests to shower over you as you leave might be a really fun idea. This would add so much excitement into those final moments of the night that will be sure to stick in everyone’s memory.

Other than a Guest Book

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 22:27:19 +0000

Other than a Guest Book

Coco Dietz

One of the most common themes throughout many new brides is the want to take traditions that are more old-fashioned and give them a fresh new life. One of these is the idea of a guest book. It’s not that the idea of having memorabilia to encapsulate who was there to celebrate your big day is the issue. No, it is more about giving the idea of a stall guest book a new and fresh take that brides can see in their day-to-day life or when looking back.

The Painting/Artwork:

Probably the most popular and most adaptable to fit into any taste or style that the couple may have, is the signing or addition to artwork or some item of decoration. These are meant to be hung up in the couple’s home to commemorate the festivities of the day as well as the well wishes of the guests who celebrated with them. This can be as simple as a sign cut into the shape of the bride’s new last name or as elaborate as everyone adding an element to a painting that was created by the guests as a whole. Whatever your idea is, it can add a unique and sentimental addition to your future household.

The Video Diary:

The most modern take on the traditional guest book is the video diary. Many couples choose to have a videographer in addition to the photographer so that they can have a well put together and clearly shot video of the well wishes of all of their loved ones. This can be a special way to commemorate moments at your wedding that just a picture might not be able to capture as well.

Leaving a Note for the Couple:

They have gone as far as to have writing prompts for the guests to fill out for the bride and groom to read later. Some might include, “Give some advice to the bride and groom for when they have their first fight.” or “What are your words of wisdom for the couple’s first year together?” There are limitless opportunities for your creativity to flow and let your guests have fun giving advice or even funny responses!

The most important part of the guest book is to, yes, to immortalize who was in attendance at your wedding but also to have fun and let who you and your future spouse are shine through tradition and into today.

A Toast to the Happy Couple

Courtney Dietz — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 17:00:00 +0000

A Toast to the Happy Couple

By: Coco Dietz

When planning a wedding, a lot of brides are choosing to look for options that are different and unique, straying away from the typical wedding that you might see. As your creativity grows, so can the cost if you are not careful. Luckily, we have a unique idea for you that won’t break the bank!

Starting either right before the ceremony begins or at the reception, that is up to you, your partner, and the venue, have a bar set up where guests can fill and refill their own drinks throughout the night’s merriment. To encourage the guests to keep track of their glass, have a sign that is near the pile of glasses that tells them to keep track of their drink for refills and at the end of the night they can take it home with them too!

One way to make this a unique and beautiful addition to your wedding is to match the glasses to your wedding colors or theme. Looking around at different thrift stores leading up to your wedding to find glasses that will work for you would be a great way to cut down on the cost and add to your unique flare.

Still worried about the guests losing their drinks? Consider having a print out available for your guests to make with their name! Having a picture of you and your spouse to be cut out into the shape of a circle so that guests can set it on top of their drink with their name written on it can be a helpful tool when looking through the sea of glasses for the one you had at an earlier point during the night!

Wedding Dress and Reception Dress

Courtney Dietz — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 04:11:11 +0000

Wedding Dress and Reception

Maggi Gallaspy

Congrats on saying yes to the dress! Now all that’s left is to decide if you’ll wear your dream gown all night long or do an outfit change before the reception. While there are pros and cons to both and it ultimately comes down to your preference, a lot of brides opt for some type of change between the ceremony and reception.

Some brides choose to chop their hair and sport a new “do” after the “I do’s,” others opt for a comfortable pair of sneakers and some change into a bridal romper. If you’re trying to spice up your look for the reception, here are a few reception outfit ideas that might work for you!

Detachable Wedding Dress Elements

There are two wedding trends that continue to produce top-notch looks in the industry: detachable tulle overskirts and removable sleeves. Both are beautiful in their own way and could be a great addition to either your ceremony or reception dress.

Add the extra layers, length or both with the detachable skirt and easily turn a simplistic figure-hugging gown into a ballroom dress. When it comes time to party the night away, easily detach the skirt for easier movement and a more understated look.

With removable sleeves, the options are endless. From lace shoulder straps with intricate details to pearl-studded tulle sleeves, removable sleeves are the perfect way to add a little personality to your wedding gown. The best part? Sleeves can mix and match with a variety of dress fabrics and patterns so your options are endless.

The Cropped Gown

A newer trend sweeping social media by storm is the art of cutting your wedding gown in between the ceremony and reception. In fact, in September, bride Morgan Rusinko’s dress transformation went viral on TikTok. She trimmed her tulle floor-length gown to hit just short of knee-length after getting too hot in her dress.

While she cut her dress impulsively, it got people talking about how convenient it could be. You still get the look of your dream dress but are offered additional mobility and comfort to dance the night away!

The Officiant

Courtney Dietz — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

The Officiant

Coco Dietz

Finding someone who will lead the marriage ceremony is an important decision. They will talk about you and your partner’s love and relationship. If possible, they should be someone that was there for the entirety of your relationship. If that is not an option, then give them as much information as you can so that they can give a well-rounded speech.

What to talk about:

This is your wedding, so make sure you give whoever you choose to marry you clear instructions on what you would like the speech to look like. If you would like to add a particular quote, give that to them in plenty of time. The style of the speech should match you and your partner as a couple. If you and your partner like to be goofy and laugh, the officiant can include that into the speech. Adding a touch of whimsy to the speech can make the joy that you share obvious to all who are there. If you would prefer a serious tone to your wedding ceremony, make sure that is also clear. There is no wrong answer here. Just make sure whoever you ask can follow your guidelines that you have set out for them.

Find Someone to Ask:

In Texas, a select group of people are allowed to officiate at a wedding: licensed or ordained Christian minister or priest; Jewish rabbis; officers of religious organizations authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies; and current or retired justices, judges, and magistrates of select courts in Texas.

Deciding who you would like to ask to marry you and your partner can be a stressful question to answer. But here are some things to consider so you find the perfect fit for you and your fiance. If you have a pastor, priest, or rabbi they are usually your first choice.

Under the Alter

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Under the Alter

Coco Dietz

Call to your mind a “wedding” and one thing you’ll probably see is a couple standing hand in hand in front of a beautiful set piece. Think of a “modern wedding” and you’ll probably see an archway; decked out in flowers, probably wooden, and pretty simplistic. Since weddings are ceremonies, they require a focal point to draw the eyes of the audience. From the beginning of weddings, humans have looked for ways to expand upon the symbolism of the act with a beautiful prop–we want the pictures to look gorgeous.

Currently, the arch has a grip on weddings. They are versatile, easy to make, and customizable. You can have it made of any material, from wood to metal to pure foliage. It can be a square, a triangle, or a circle (which is gaining rapid popularity). The shape and accessories can correspond to your personal view of the relationship–is your love a never-ending ring or are you building a sturdy, rectangular structure to build your life upon? It’s all up to you.

The archway can also serve as a more flexible way to give your location a frame. The beach can seem flat and empty without a floral archway to bring the eye back to you and your partner.

Since so much of the American wedding tradition is tied to the church, expectations of what a wedding should look like closely resemble the aisle of pews that lead to the altar, where, ideally, there should be a beautiful stained-glass window that frames the couple as they say their vows. And if this is what you envision and an acceptably beautiful church is in your area, then the old way might be best for you. And if you would like to have your wedding outdoors or somewhere less traditional, but you still want that wedding feel, then a gorgeously decked out table or an archway might be what you’re looking for.

But always keep in mind that a wedding is what you make of it, and there is no mold or template that produces a “correct” wedding. Nothing should keep you from doing what makes you happy. Get married in front of an aquarium, on a stage, or on a dock. Do you when you say “I do”.

Lubbock Area Bakeries

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Lubbock Area Bakeries

Maggi Gallaspy

Whether you’re planning your bridal shower, crafting wedding favors or want to incorporate a dessert table at your reception, local bakeries are a great place to start.

From decadent pastries to customized wedding cakes and everything in between, the Lubbock bakery scene is overflowing with sought-after treats, sweet and savory, that will make your day extra special.

When picking out the perfect pastry, looking through the clear display case may seem overwhelming. As the sweet aroma filled with notes of chocolate, lavender, and freshly baked bread surrounds you, choosing one seems impossible. But, no worries! We’ve asked each bakery to share their signature or seasonal favorites to help make this step in planning a breeze.

Ninety-Two Bakery & Café

Known for its aesthetics and warm ambiance, Ninety-Two Bakery & Café brings the French countryside to the South Plains. The Parisian-inspired pastries have locals coming back for more six days a week.

Perfect for a bridal shower, bachelorette trip brunch, or dessert bar, the chocolate croissant at Ninety-Two is one of the most popular pastries in all of Lubbock. Its buttery, flakey crust contrasts the sweet, deep notes of chocolate laced throughout the baked layers.

For seasonal options this spring, Ninety-Two is offering a new savory danish: ham and gruyere cheese. For those that favor salty to sweet, this pastry is for you! If you have a sweet tooth, the bakery also has a lemon meringue danish in its lineup for April.

Stop by to taste any of the items Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Saturday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. If you’re searching for a place to get some wedding planning done, meet with bridesmaids or host a bachelorette brunch, the black and white details, umbrella ceiling, and lush plants decorating the space make this bakery a picture-perfect spot.

The Ruffled Cup

Located down the road from Ninety-Two, The Ruffled Cup is situated on 82nd St and is easily accessible. As soon as you open the door to this bright tiffany blue bakery, you’ll be pleasantly overwhelmed with the smell of vanilla lingering in the air.

Locally owned since 2016, this bakery is known for its signature flavors available daily. Over the years, The Ruffled Cup has showcased 285 flavors of cupcakes baked to perfection and topped with a lusciously smooth frosting that pairs perfectly with the specialty flavors and fillings.

If you’re looking for any custom creations, The Ruffled Cup can work with you to make your dream sweets or wedding cake come to life.

If you go in to test flavors, make sure to try The Marilyn. One of the best sellers, this almond cake is filled with raspberries and topped with sweet cream cheese frosting. Its simplicity makes it a crowd favorite and a great choice to please a variety of palates.

Tip: For brides a little further out of town, The Ruffled Cup also has a location in Amarillo.

Nashwell Cafe

This Australian-inspired cafe is run by an Aussie herself. Owner Angela moved from Sydney to Lubbock for love. Who better to trust with your wedding-related treats?

This open, airy cafe also makes for a great meeting spot to go over wedding details or take a break and relax after a day of wedding planning. Even better, Nashwell loves hosting parties. With barista services and customizable menus, keep this cafe in mind when planning bridal showers!

If you’ve been hunting for out-of-the-box, unique treats for your wedding events, Nashwell Cafe is the spot for you. With healthier and allergen-friendly options, this bakery has a wide variety of menu items to choose from.

One of the most popular items is the Honey Lavender Cake. Nothing says spring and summer like fresh, zesty notes of citrus and floral. These personal-sized bundt cakes are topped with a white icing swirl that reminds me of a flower.

Two other popular items are the Lamington and ANZAC cookies. For lovers of chocolate and coconut, the Lamington is a superb choice. ANZAC cookies, named after the Australia New Zealand Army Core, are oat-based and include golden syrup, coconut, and more subtle flavors that make this sturdy biscuit a must-try.

Brûlée Bakery

Every treat in Brûlée Bakery is a modern bride’s dream! I can think of a few places these pastries could sit at center stage, but a bachelorette party brunch, wedding shower, and wedding weekend breakfast are just a few.

After six months of business in Lubbock, this bakery continues to wow customers with its sweet and savory items.

The most iconic menu item is the homemade pop-tarts. (Yes, you read that right!) Pop tarts. I can’t think of a better late-night snack to wow your wedding guests with after a night of dancing and celebrating. While they change out pop tart flavors often, their signature is strawberry.

The Churro Morning Bun and savory Kolaches are also fan favorites. You really can’t go wrong with incorporating any of their treats into your special day.