中式婚礼英文

Interest in African-American theme weddings has been growing in the last two to three years. It is inspired by a combination of the African heritage, the African-American culture, and a Western-style ceremony. What's unique about an African-American wedding? It is truly a celebration of the marriage and the couple's roots. Its symbolism can be expressed in different ways: in the selection of the music (such as a gospel choir), in colorful attire for the wedding party, in the display of the table decorations, and by providing an ethnic feast, including the cake decorations. The wedding party can wear tunic gowns, ethnic jewelry and head wraps with colorful patterns symbolizing the African heritage. The popular colors are red, yellow, orange and green. The newlyweds can even ask their guests to dress in colorful ethnic attire by adding a note in the wedding invitation. Entertainment for the guests can include African dancers at the reception while the guests are waiting for the arrival of the wedding party (who are busy taking photographs) or right after dinner. A popular African-American tradition is known as "jumping the broom" signifying that after the couple exchange their wedding vows, they jump over, or step into their new life together, and it usually takes place at the end of the ceremony. There are many creative ways to celebrate this tradition. The guests can sign the broom with well wishes before entering the chapel. Or, a basket containing colorful ribbons can be placed at the door of the chapel and the guests can tie a ribbon on the broom as a personal contribution to its decoration. Arrange to have the decorated broom delivered to the altar by one or two special people at a specified time during the ceremony. An African-American theme wedding is very stimulating! The colors, music, food and history all mix into a unique celebration of both marriage and the African heritage.Return to Top Go to the Order Form Catholic Style Wedding Get Out your Calendar if You’re Planning a Catholic Wedding Many guests who attend a Catholic wedding are not met with many surprises, that is, most Catholic weddings are as similar as attending a Sunday mass. However, many guests may not realize all the steps the couple took before they joined at the altar. First, the couple must spend a weekend retreat where they join tens or perhaps hundreds of other future brides and grooms. If a retreat is not an option, then a series of meetings at someone’s home is usually scheduled. Members of the church who guide the couples through a series of activities facilitate the retreat. The goal is to bring meaningful topics to the open that many couples shy away from discussing with each other, in hopes that the couple can clearly see the seriousness of their commitment. Some of the topics include financial expectations, raising a family, religion, open communication and, of course, compromise. The activities vary from an open forum involving all couples, discussions in small groups, and individual assignments. Why require all this? Too many couples are excited about planning their wedding (and should be), and may overlook what marriage really means after the honeymoon is over. Next, the couple must meet one or more times with the priest, or other qualified member of the church, to discuss the results of a written questionnaire. This questionnaire presents very personal situations providing further intimate dialogue. Taking these steps signify the couple’s love and commitment to each other and recognition that the church fully supports such a union. Planning a Catholic wedding soon? Get out your calendar to start reserving dates long before your big event.Return to TopGo to the Order Form Chinese Style Wedding Red is Customary for a Chinese Wedding A Chinese wedding is a very special occasion filled with bright red color everywhere--tablecloths, favors, dresses, ribbons and more. That's because red represents happiness and prosperity. There are many Chinese customs, but many of today's Western-influenced brides prefer following more modern traditions such as wearing a white gown instead of a red one. The morning of the wedding day is filled with many activities. The homes are elaborately decorated in--you guessed it--red! The Groom and Ushers drive decorated cars to the Bride's home so they can escort the Bride to her new home. When the Groom and Ushers arrive, the Bridesmaids greet them and ask the Groom a series of sometimes-personal questions before being invited into the Bride's home. Sometimes the bridesmaids ask the Groom to sing or dance. All of this is in good fun. Once in the house, the Bride and Groom formally serve tea to the Bride's relatives in return for gifts. The wedding party and the bride and groom then drive to the Groom's home. The Bride and Groom formally serve tea to the Groom's parents in return for gifts. The traditional Chinese ceremony involves mostly close relatives and friends and is not a high-profile event. It includes worshipping the heavens, the earth and the groom's ancestors. The reception is the highlight of the Chinese wedding where the feast is considered highly symbolic. The Chinese Bride and Groom must be on their toes at all times throughout the reception. The wedding party plays many "tricks" on the couple--again just for fun!Additional Chinese traditions are practiced today. Some include composing The Three Letters and the Six Etiquette's, arranging for a good fortune person to comb the Bride and Groom's hair, and preparing red silk sheets on the bridal bed. Return to TopGo to the Order Form Hawaiian Style Wedding The Pili olua e, "You Two Are Now One". Aloha, representing love, respect and compassion, combined with the natural surroundings of tropical gardens, sweet smelling flowers, waterfalls and summery weather, is why so many couples choose a Hawaiian-theme wedding. Inform your guests about the Hawaiian theme in your invitation--they've probably been waiting for the right occasion to wear that Hawaiian dress or shirt for months now! Everyone will enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, dining on Polynesian food and wearing colorful leis. And you don't have to fly to the islands to have a Hawaiian-theme wedding. Many beautiful gardens and beaches make perfect settings. Endless decorations and favors can be added to make the bride, groom and guests feel as if they are on an enchanted island. The bride and groom can wear island-style attire or choose very traditional wedding attire--either way, the groom also wears a Maile lei of tropical leaves, and the bride wears a Kaku, flowers around her head, and a Pikake lei of white jasmine. The bride and her attendants carry a beautiful bouquet of colorful orchids. The Hawaiian customs are centuries old and are deeply rooted and respected by the Hawaiian people. The ancient Hawaiian word for marriage is Ho'ao (stay until dawn). Some of the Hawaiian traditions include a ritual cleansing in the ocean at daybreak, exchanging leis during the ceremony, a luau reception, including hula dancers for entertainment. Let your imagination run with exotic island passion. Greet your guests with leis. Fill coconut shells with orchid varieties. Place seashells on the tables. Package favors with macadamia nuts. Keep torches burning in the sand, and kick off your shoes. Place your wedding invitation, a photo and a note in a bottle and toss it in the ocean. Celebrate a truly special Aloha day with your guests. E Nohu Pu'ana Iloko 'O Kealoha, or come together in love, Hawaiian style. Return to TopGo to the Order Form Italian Style Wedding A Toast to the Newlyweds at their Italian Style Wedding"… per cent'anni" [ … "for a hundred years"]The Italians have many wedding customs and folklore for the couple to choose which ones will be meaningful to them. Why so many? Italy is a vast land; different regions had their own unique beliefs and customs. Here are a few of them. The bride wore a veil for protection from malignant spirits, while others wore the veil to symbolize virginity. Folklore says the groom kept supernatural beings away on his wedding day by carrying a piece of iron in his pocket. This is because his happiness may provoke envy. In some small towns, it was customary for the groom to walk to the bride's home and they walked together to the ceremony. Meanwhile, the wedding party and guests play fun tricks on them. In another town, the groom waited for the arrival of his bride at the church door with a special bouquet of flowers for her. In a tradition that is followed today, the guests toss little bags of candy-covered almonds at the couple to avoid childlessness. In another region, the couple breaks a vase or glass at the end of their wedding day; each piece representing the number of years they would be happily married.The Italian-style ceremony usually starts early in the morning and is most likely a religious mass. Upon arrival at the reception, each guest receives a drink from the best man in preparation for the toast. Then the elaborate feast begins (up to a dozen courses) and the celebration may continue into the wee morning hours or even the next day. Part of the fun includes the bride and groom dancing from table to table, each time adding guests to a line, dancing all the way to the cookie table. And don't forget the delicious wedding cake and variety of coffee favorites. The guests help the couple pay for their elaborate celebration by participating in the money dance where each man dances with the bride and drops money into her satin bag. Another way to help is to have the best man cut the groom's tie into many pieces and sell them to the guests. Enjoy decorative little boxes filled with sweetened almonds for the guests. Release doves to the heavens. Sip sweet wine or expresso. The Italian wedding is filled with romance, exquisite cuisine and beverages to please everyone. The Italians believe that good food equates with a good life "… per cent'anni". Return to TopGo to the Order Form