Who pays for what?

Today’s father and mother of the bride are luckier than those in times past; the modern trend is for the families of both the bride and groom to share in the wedding expenses. Here is a typical way of dividing the payment arrangements.

The bride’s family pays for:

• invitations and all wedding stationery for church and reception
• bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories
• flowers for the church and reception
• photographer/videographer
• all reception costs, music, etc. (excluding drinks, barmen and related expenses)
• the wedding cake.

The groom and his family pay for:

• legal expenses
• ceremony expenses (marriage officer’s fee, organist, choir, soloist, tips, etc.)
• the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets, as well as boutonnieres and corsages for the wedding party
• clothes for himself and best man, if necessary
• gifts for the bridesmaids and best man
• drinks at the reception and related expenses, such as the bartender
• rental of glasses, cutlery, etc.
• transport of the bride to the church and reception
• accommodation for the wedding night and for the honeymoon.
  

Wedding Dress Terminology

Finding it hard to understand all the terminology that’s thrown around when you’re talking bridal gowns? Here’s a primer to help you understand the basics.

FABRICS
Brocade: An intricately woven, heavier fabric with raised designs.

Charmeuse: Lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric.

Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent — made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish — often layered because of its transparency.

Damask: Similar to brocade with raised designs, but lighter weight.

Illusion: Fine net fabric; used on sleeves or necklines.

Linen: Very light, easily wrinkles.

Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, but with a stiff texture.

Satin: Smooth, tightly woven fabric with a high sheen on one side. Very common in bridal gowns.

Silk: A traditionally more expensive fabric. Strong, elegant, now available in less expensive blends.

Shantung: Similar to raw silk, it has a rough texture with irregular “nubbies” throughout the fabric.

Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a small crosswise rib; often made from man–made fabrics.

Tulle: Open-weave net made of silk, nylon, or rayon, this is used primarily for underskirts and veils (think ballerina tutus).

LACES
They’re often used on the dress itself, as well as on the veil or headpiece. There are tons to choose from, but here are some of the most popular:

Alencon: Needlepoint lace with designs in deep relief on sheer net.

Chantilly: Scrolls and floral designs on fine mesh, often with scalloped edges.

Duchesse: Floral designs with a lot of raised work; has an all-over effect, with irregularly shaped spaces between designs.

Honiton: An English lace similar to Duchesse.

Schiffli: Delicate floral embroidery; machine-made.

Venise: Heavy needlepoint lace with floral sprays, foliage, or geometric designs.

Spanish: A flat design of roses on a net background; used to make mantilla veils.

Venetian point: Heavy needlepoint lace with floral sprays or foliage.

LENGTHS
Ankle length: Barely reveals the ankles, slightly shorter than floor length.

Floor length: Hemline falls 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches from the floor.

Tea length : Hemline falls several inches above the ankles.

SILHOUETTES
Silhouette refers to the outline of the dress, or the overall style.

A-Line: Fits many body types as the waist isn’t as severe as a ball gown silhouette. Two vertical seams follow the A shape, starting from the shoulders and falling to the skirt which then flares out.

Ball gown: A tight, fitted bodice and definite waistline with a very full skirt. When you think bridal gown, this is probably what you think of.

Empire: Characterized by a very high waist (right under the bust); the skirt is fairly slim.

Mermaid: A very slim-fitting dress that ends in a little fishtail skirt.

Sheath: Not unlike the mermaid, this very modern style is form-fitting, often ending with a flare at the bottom

TRAINS
An extension of the wedding dress that starts at the waist. Some dresses come with trains that are detachable.

Sweep: The shortest train, it extends back 8 to 12 inches after touching the floor.

Chapel: Extends 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet from the waist.

Semi-cathedral: Extends 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet from the waist.

Cathedral: Extends 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet from the waist.

Extended cathedral/monarch: Extends 12 feet (or more) from the waist. (Think Princess Di, whose train was 25 feet!)

Note: If your dress does not have a detachable train, you will need to bustle it so you can move around freely at the reception. This entails pulling the train up and attaching it to your dress by tiny hooks sewn into the back of the gown and the train.

VEILS
Usually made from such fabrics as tulle or lace, veils may or may not have a section to cover the face.

Blusher: A short veil worn over the face. After the ceremony, it is turned back over the headpiece. The blusher can often be attached to a longer veil or a hat.

Fly-away: Multiple layers of veiling that brush the shoulders; usually worn with informal, ankle-length dresses, but this style is becoming more and more popular with all kinds of gowns.

Fingertip: Several layers of veiling that extend to the fingertips.

Ballet/Waltz: Falls to the ankles; this is also becoming popular, in simple, multiple layers.

SLEEVES
Cap: The shortest of sleeves, it traditionally covers the shoulder only. However, off-the-shoulder dresses will often incorporate a small cap sleeve.

Fitted: Very close to the arm, no excess material.

Juliet fitted: A tightly fitted sleeve with a small pouf at the shoulder.

Leg o’ Mutton: Very full at the shoulder, the sleeve remains full until it narrows to become very fitted at the forearm.

Poet: A very, very full, pleated sleeve.

NECKLINES
There are many variations of these necklines; these are the basics.

Boat (bateau): Straight across shoulders with a slight dip in front

Band: Like a mock turtleneck, this high neckline circles the neck.

Décolletage: A revealing, deep, plunging neckline.

Halter: À la Marilyn Monroe, the neckline scoops in front and ties behind the neck, leaving your arms bare.

Jewel: A high neckline which follows the natural shape of your shoulders and neck.

Square: Forms a half-square around the neck.

Sweetheart: Heart shaped, often seen on strapless gowns; there are many variations of this look.

Groom’s Wedding Checklist

Four to six months before the wedding

* Select invitations and think about who you want to send them to. Yes, you have to send them to your future in-laws.
* Select the wedding rings with your bride, and have them engraved with both of your initials and the wedding date.
* Purchase wedding rings and mentally prepare for the receipt figures.
* Pick out entertainment.
* Choose a caterer.
* Reserve rental equipment like chairs and tables.
* Confirm locations for your triple-threat: the wedding, the party and the rehearsal dinner.
* Plan where the honeymoon will be.

Three months before

* Send invitations to those on the final guest list. Friendly reminder: exes do not make the cut.
* Go to your first tuxedo fitting
* Plan and order wedding day transportation.
* Write your vows or go over the traditional ones. Avoid using the nick names you have for each other.

Four to eight weeks before

* Get your marriage license.
* Get your lady a wedding gift to calm her nerves and remind her why you’re so lovable.
* Buy some gifts for your parents and the groomsmen.
* Pick up your wedding rings and put them in a safe place.

Two to three weeks before

* Bachelor party!
* Recover from bachelor party.
* Make a song list for the DJ or band. Be considerate of your multi-generational guests because grandma only has so many hip-hop dance moves.
* Write a speech that includes thanking the special people in your life- your bride, best man, parents, in-laws…

One week before

* Pre-arrange for someone you trust to return any rentals.
* Get a hair trim from your usual barber and let him know it’s for the big day.

Two to three days before

* Go for your second tuxedo fitting and bring your new duds home. To keep them in good condition, refrain from playing James Bond around your apartment.
* Tell your best man to make sure all your guys go for their second fittings too, because we know at least one of your friends would end up going to the ceremony in cargo shorts and flip-flops if his tuxedo didn’t fit right.

The night before

* Give your best man the ring and make the appropriate threats to ensure he won’t lose it.
* Remember to give two very important things to give your officiant – the marriage license and payment.
* Attend the rehearsal dinner with your family and friends. This is a good time to give them the gifts you bought because while it shows you are grateful, it also acts as a bribe for them to behave well the next day.
* Last but not least, go to bed at a decent hour. After all, the rest of your life starts tomorrow.

Great Canadian places to get married in!

All across the vast Canadian landscape, there are rolling valleys and majestic snow-capped mountains that offer the ideal backdrop for a fairy tale wedding. From Niagara Falls to Whistler B.C., couples can plan the perfect wedding for any season in the Great White North. In many cases you may not even have to venture far from your own home.

ICY WONDERLAND For couples interested in a winter wedding, a unique choice is the Ice Hotel in Quebec, which is open from January 4th until March 29th. Wedding consultants at the hotel will plan the ceremony, including catering, decorations and the music. One thing to consider is that because a wedding at the Ice Hotel is fully arranged by consultants, the bride and groom do not have as much control over their nuptials as they might otherwise. But Quebec is a great location for those who want a taste of Old Europe and don’t have the money to travel across the Atlantic for their wedding.

SPIRIT OF THE ROCKIES Couples aiming to add a little adventure to their wedding date can arrange for a helicopter to drop them in a remote area of Banff, Alberta or in the mountains of Whistler, B.C. to exchange their vows. This service is offered in Banff by Rick Kunelis, who can fly couples to their ceremony site in areas including Mount Whitehorn, Tunnel Mountain and Peyto Lake. Some couples even incorporate a hike into the ceremony, so that they can exchange vows against an ever-changing backdrop.

TALL SHIP WEDDING If the sea is your first love, Nova Scotia might be more your style. In Halifax, couples can get married on Silva, the province’s premier charter tall ship. The couple will wed while sailing through the Halifax harbor, with the lighthouse on Georges Island in the background. The ship can accommodate 150 guests and wedding consultants will plan many aspects of the ceremony, including the catering, bar service and the DJ. It’s the perfect option for a summer wedding.

FALLS ROMANCE For couples looking to get married in Ontario, the Niagara Falls region is a great place to plan your wedding. The “honeymoon capital” of Canada, Niagara is a great destination for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as it is host to many first-class hotels and restaurants. Couples can arrange to exchange their vows with the thundering waterfalls visible in the background, or can even wed in a cave just behind the majestic falls.

The one thing to keep in mind, wherever you are getting married in this vast country, is that marriage is the jurisdiction of the province. If you get married outside of your home province, you may need to prove that you are not currently married and apply for a marriage search letter. This will confirm whether a marriage has been registered for you in your home province. Marriage license laws may also vary from province to province. In Quebec, for example, there are very specific requirements that may even vary by locale. To make sure there are no problems, you should try to get the legal aspect of your wedding out of the way as soon as possible so unexpected problems don’t creep up on you as you are planning last minute details.