7 OF THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS WEDDINGS
They say the average woman starts planning her wedding during childhood. She plays dress-up with her friends, plans the weddings of her dolls and stuffed animals, and eventually grows to an age where friendships turn into something more. Unfortunately, the average bride is limited when it comes to what she can afford in terms of a wedding. She may have a savings and her parents may be willing to pay, but there is always a budget. That is, unless you’re a celebrity or woman coming from a well-to-do family. In that case, you might be able to throw an affair that is simply over-the top, just like these couples did.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pit
Wedding Price Tag: $1 million
Brad and Jennifer got married at a gorgeous Malibu estate in 2000. We know the price tag associated with a 200-guest wedding is bound to be high, but $1 million seems a bit extraordinary. Her Lawrence Steele gown was gorgeous, her Manolo Blahnik sandals were the envy of every woman with a shoe fetish, and the ridiculous number of flowers (somewhere around 50,000) did create a charming atmosphere. We’re pretty sure the fireworks display at the end of the night is what put the price tag for this affair over the top. We hope it was worth the expense considering the marriage only lasted 5 years.
Elin Nordegren and Tiger Woods
Wedding Price Tag: $1.5 million
While not one of the most expensive weddings on earth, the story of Tiger and Elin has certainly been a hot topic of conversation. The now-divorced couple was married in 2004 at a secret ceremony witnessed by 120 of their closest friends and family members. The couple rented out the entire hotel and made sure that the only charter helicopter company on the island was booked solid for the weekend as well. We wonder how much it cost to have Hootie and the Blowfish perform before the fireworks display over the ocean.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
Wedding Price Tag: $2 Million
These two superstars married in 2006 and spent a pretty penny to do so. They bypassed the concept of hiring a corporate limo to take them to the church and instead opted to get married in a 15th Century castle in the middle of Italy. Katie and her bridal party were outfitted in Georgio Armani dresses designed specifically for her wedding and the couple entertained their guests by having Andrea Boccelli perform live. Over the top? We think so but we’re sure the couple and their guests had a great time.
Liza Minelli & David Gest
Wedding Price Tag: $3.5 Million
Liza and David were married in New York City in 2002 in a ceremony that words simply can’t do justice. Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor served as the best man and maid of honor while more then 500 celebrities, friends, and family members looked on. At the reception, Tony Bennet provided the entertainment along with a 60-piece orchestra. The entire event, topped with a 12-tier cake, seems just a bit over the top. It’s a shame the marriage only lasted 1 year.
Delphine Arnault and Allesandro Vallarino Gancia
Wedding Price Tag: $7 Million
Delphine is the daughter of a French businessman and Allesandro’s family owns a wine dynasty. They were married in France in 2005. She wore a stunning gown designed for her by John Galliano. We’re sure the 5,000 white roses used to decorate the reception hall added to the cost of the affair as well. Harper’s Bazaar included this ceremony in their list of spectacular weddings that year.
Vikram Chatwal and Priya Sachdev
Wedding Price Tag: $20 Million
Have you ever been to a traditional Indian wedding? Don’t let Vikram (son of a hotel mogul) and Priya (a gorgeous actress) fool you into believing their $20 million ceremony is anything close to normal. They opted to bypass traditional limo services, instead hiring private jets to fly their guests from city to city over the course of their 10-day party. They shared their special day(s) with more than 600 guests.
Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia
Wedding Price Tag: $78 Million
As far as we can tell, the wedding of Vahisha Mittal (daughter of a millionaire) and Amit Bhatia (an investment banker) is the most expensive on record. They were married in France in 2004 and even Forbe’s Magazine has acknowledged this as the most expensive wedding to date. Forget invitations. These two opted to send out 20-page books lined in silver to the1,000 guests participating in their 5-day affair. The chef, from Calcutta, prepared more than 100 different dishes and the wine tab alone was more than $1.5 million. This one holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records – and for good reason.
There are dozens of stories about extravagant weddings – many with price tags higher than those listed here (with the exception of the last). The reality of the situation is that most of us will have to stick to dresses from David’s Bridal, food from local caterers, affordable limousine rentals for wedding, and flowers from the shop up the street. We won’t get married in French castles and we probably won’t be able to charter entire islands. Even still, it doesn’t hurt to dream a little!
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Italian Wedding Customs
There is just something so romantic about Italy. It is the wine, the food, the ambience, and above all, the warmth and passion of the Italians. Having a destination wedding in Italy would be truly incredible. But even if you cannot transport your wedding to the Tuscan countryside, you can bring some of the exuberant spirit of an Italian wedding home.
Weddings are a very big deal in Italy. They are about more than just the marriage of one man and one woman; weddings are also the union of two families and all of their friends. This is a cause for great celebration! Italian weddings often start with a Nuptial Mass in the morning, followed by feasting, drinking, and dancing that can last well into the next day. (Tip: if you are having a full Catholic Nuptial Mass, it should be indicated on your invitations.)
Speaking of feasting, food is of paramount importance for any Italian special occasion. Food has strong associations with family and togetherness in Italy, so of course at a wedding reception, everyone will want to mange. The wedding dinner often consists of up to fourteen courses, followed by cake with espresso and coffee (to aid in dancing until dawn, no doubt). Whether your wedding is in the United States or in Italy, treat your guests to a proper Italian wedding feast. If your wedding is in America, a wonderful way to honor your Italian ancestry would be to serve the dishes that are the specialty of the region from which your family hails. Skip generic Italian-American dishes in favor of true authentic Italian cuisine.
The Italians have some very charming pre-wedding traditions that any American bride would love. It is customary for a young man to serenade his beloved with music before proposing marriage (if he is tone deaf, he can bring along friends to help out). How romantic is that? Also incredibly romantic is the reason that Italians give diamond engagement rings: they believe that diamonds are created by the flames of love. Ladies, are you swooning yet?
As with any wedding, la sposa (the bride) is the center of the day. The wedding gown is very important to Italian brides, and they have a great variety from which to choose. Traditional long sleeve gowns are still seen for Nuptial Masses, but so are all manner of gowns from modern to fanciful. Simplicity is valued by some brides, but many love the fine laces and embellishments that are offered by designers. Since Italian lace is some of the finest in the world, it would be perfect for an Italian wedding gown. Veils are usually worn, as they were once thought to protect the bride from evil spirits. Italian women love jewelry, but there is a superstition that says a bride should not wear any gold on her wedding day until the groom gives her the wedding band. To play it safe, choose custom bridal jewelry handcrafted with sterling silver. Sparkling Swarovski crystals and lustrous pearls can be intertwined with the sterling silver to create fabulous custom bridal jewelry that is both unique and affordable.
The Italians have many other delightful customs that you can include in your wedding. One fun tradition is for the couple to shatter a vase or glass at the end of the evening. It is said that for every shard of glass, the newlyweds will have a year of happiness. The Romans would break a loaf of wheat bread over the bride and groom for fertility. For good luck, the guests ate the crumbs. Another good luck charm used by Italians is a piece of iron that the groom carries in his pocket to drive away jealous evil spirits.
For couples who have Italian heritage, highlighting the wedding customs of Italy is a very special way to honor your relatives while personalizing your event. Even if you do not have a single drop of Italian blood, it would be fun to include some of the joyous spirit of the Italians in your wedding festivities. And don’t forget to raise a glass to the favorite Italian wedding toast, “Per cent’anni!” (for a hundred years).
Bridget Mora ’s articles help you make good choices in many areas of planning your wedding. Come see us at SilverlandJewelry.com and find custom bridal jewelry and the best bridesmaids gift selections.
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Blue Centerpieces For Summer Weddings
Blue is a wonderful color for a summer wedding. It reminds us of the sparkling blue waters of the ocean, the brilliant blue of a summer sky, or even the inky blue of the star-filled nighttime sky. There are many terrific ideas to use blue in your wedding decor. These are some ideas for beautiful blue centerpieces for summer weddings.
Centerpieces most often are designed around flowers, and there are some stunning blue flowers available in the summertime. One of the most sought after flowers for weddings is the blue hydrangea. Blue hydrangeas evoke a breezy summer afternoon in Nantucket, and they are a wonderful addition to almost any style of wedding. The large blossoms look great when casually bunched in a tin pail or a white pitcher for a wedding on the beach or in a garden. Hydrangeas also look fantastic when paired with white roses and lime green orchids to create a fresh floral display for a more elegant affair.
For a more unique blue floral centerpiece, consider using the round fluffy flower allium. A staple of English gardens, allium comes in a range of shades of blue and lavender. Their distinctive long stem topped by a puff of petals makes allium a fun choice when you are looking for an eye-catching blue flower for a summer centerpiece. Just be aware that allium are related to onions, and so may have a bit of an oniony aroma; they are best used for outdoor weddings where the fresh air will make their scent less noticeable.
If you are having an elegant summertime wedding, then you will want centerpieces with a more sophisticated flair. One really striking effect is to take a tall clear vessel and fill it with sparkling blue crystals as the base for your centerpieces. The crystals will twinkle and dance in the candlelight of an evening reception, and look fabulous when the bride is wearing crystal bridal jewelry. Top off the crystal filled vases with your favorite flowers, either in all-white for a bold contrast or shades of blue and purple flowers to intensify the brilliant blue effect. You can step up the wow factor by draping strands of blue crystals throughout the centerpieces, like fabulous bridal jewelry for your flowers.
A very popular shade of blue for weddings is bright and cheerful “Tiffany” blue. If this is your color scheme, really play it up with your centerpieces. Stack boxes in the signature blue on each table and tie with a big white satin ribbon. A small bouquet can be placed on top of each box stack; the most classic option would be white roses, or you can punch it up with flowers in a contrasting color like scarlet.
Of course, the beach is a favorite summertime wedding site. The gorgeous shades blue in the ocean are a wonderful inspiration for your centerpieces. Bring the color in with vases in a watery blue, either handpainted or in a colorful blown glass. Cheerful yellow flowers will provide a nice contrast, and will be reminiscent of the happy summer sun and the sand on the beach. These centerpieces would make a terrific addition to any summertime wedding reception.
Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Crystal bridal jewelry is a wonderful way to add sparkle to your wedding day.
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