• The Rehearsal Dinner
• Wedding Folklore, Myths and Good Luck Charms
• Tips For An Interfaith Wedding
• Budgeting Tips For Brides & Grooms

The Rehearsal Dinner

It has become commonplace for couples to practice what will be expected of them and the wedding party during the wedding ceremony. A church or synagogue may require an abbreviated run through of the ceremony, and the officiant will instruct the wedding party on how to enter and leave the building, as well as when to engage in scripture readings, etc. This rehearsal typically takes place the evening before the wedding or a few days prior.

After the rehearsal, it's customary for the immediate family and wedding party to go out to dinner together and get to know each other before the wedding. Traditionally, the groom's parents host the dinner, which gives the mother of the groom a role in the wedding festivities. However, many of today's modern couples factor the rehearsal dinner cost into their overall wedding budget.

The rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be an extravagant affair. It can take place at a restaurant or even in someone's backyard. Some of the best are informal and really allow everyone to mingle. This occasion is also the ideal time to give groomsmen and bridesmaids a gift for their participation in the wedding, especially if a bridesmaid luncheon is not being held. The bride and groom should also thank everyone for being a part of their special day and helped out with all of the wedding planning.

Wedding Folklore, Myths and Good Luck Charms

Who doesn't hope for good fortune on their wedding day? That's why there are so many traditions and steps people take to ensure luck is smiling down on them for their wedding. Here are some traditions you may not have known about.

• According to Greek culture, tuck a sugar cube into your glove on your wedding. The sugar will sweeten your union.
• English tradition says that Wednesday is the best day to marry. Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health.
• The groom carries his newly betrothed across the threshold to protect her from evil spirits.
• Hindu tradition says rain on your wedding day is good luck.
• For good luck, Egyptian women are known to pinch the bride on her wedding day.
• In Holland a pine tree is planted outside of the newlyweds' home for good luck and fertility.
• A law in 1775 said a wedding was not legal if the bride wore makeup during the ceremony.
• Wedding and engagement rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was long believed a vein ran from that finger directly to the heart.
• Ancient Greeks and Romans said a wedding veil protected the bride from evil spirts. It has been a tradition to wear a veil ever since.
• The term "tie the knot" comes from Roman times when the bride wore a girdle tied in knots that the groom was later able to untie. Some also believe it refers to the knots of rope that were tied to form the marriage bed.

Tips for an Interfaith Wedding

Organizing a wedding is seldom easy. Even for those who have walked down the aisle more than once, planning a wedding is a time-consuming experience.

As if the more minute details weren't enough, for couples of different faiths the ceremony must even be planned as well. Whereas couples of the same faith won't have to do too much planning with respect to the wedding ceremony itself, interfaith couples often must spend significant time reconciling each faith so that both are represented in a respectful way. While it can be challenging to do, the following tips should help interfaith couples plan the wedding of their dreams.

• Examine your beliefs: Think about the things that mean the most to you, and about those areas where you're open to compromise. If particular aspects of your faith's standard wedding ceremony are especially important or meaningful to you, be sure to have those included in the ceremony.
• Discuss the ceremony with both partners' respective families: While some couples might want to steer clear of involving their families in the decision-making process of their wedding, inviting close family members to share their opinions could be beneficial. Be prepared for such discussions to get emotional, particularly if parents or grandparents take part. The contributions of family members could help you gain a better perspective of both your faith and that of your partner. Be sure, however, to politely make it known that while you value the opinions of family members, ultimately all the decisions rest with you and your partner.
• Respect each other as well: Involving both families and respecting those families can be an important step in planning an interfaith marriage. But it's especially important for each partner to respect the other's faith and beliefs as well. Even if neither of you are spiritual or regularly attend services, that doesn't mean your faiths aren't important to you. Recognize that and be respectful of each other.
• Openly communicate each step of the way: While certain details of the wedding might not require lots of communication, planning an interfaith ceremony does not fall under that umbrella. Make sure both partners are involved every step of the way, and openly discuss each aspect of the decision making process.
• Determine who will officiate the wedding: Some interfaith couples opt for two clergy members, one from each person's faith, to perform the ceremony. Others look for interfaith officiants who have performed interfaith weddings in the past. If one partner was especially attached to their childhood clergy member, invite them to perform or at least attend the ceremony.

Budgeting Tips for Brides and Grooms

When it comes to planning a wedding, finances are first and foremost on the minds of many couples. As the costs associated with weddings continue to rise, the need for a budget only grows more apparent.

But how can a couple establish and stick to a budget? Doing so depends on each individual couple, how much they can spend and what they're willing to sacrifice for their big day.

Establishing a Budget
Wedding budgets can vary greatly depending on the couple and the type of wedding they desire. A wedding budget should be established as far in advance as possible.

When setting the budget, it's best to determine exactly how much you can spend, and then set the budget lower than that. For example, if the most you can afford is $25,000, set your budget at $22,000. This will allow you some wiggle room when the inevitable happens and you're forced to go over budget.

Monitor Your Spending
Once a budget has been determined, a good way for couples to adhere to that budget is to establish a separate wedding spending account. This account should be separate from personal accounts, and all wedding expenses should be drawn solely from this wedding account. This is a good way to monitor how much you're spending, and your monthly statement will provide an itemized list of how much is being deposited and spent.

Be Ready to Spend More
Regardless of how well you've planned the wedding, you're going to end up spending more than your initial budget allowed. This happens for a number of reasons, ranging from overtime fees at the reception to tipping the vendors to larger guest lists than you might have originally intended.

Prepare for the inevitable overspending by cutting back on other expenses leading up to the big day. Rather than going out to dinner on weekends, make a homecooked meal to save some money. Instead of costly trips to a night club, invite friends over for the night. You'll be surprised how much these subtle lifestyle changes can save you.

Stick to Your Guns
While you should be prepared to spend more, that extra spending should be saved for things such as tipping the staff and possibly paying more for an additional guest or two. Where couples should be budget-cautious is when vendors try to up-sell services. For example, while a top-shelf bar might be a nice gesture, it can be considerably more expensive than just offering beer at your reception, and letting your guests pay for liquor.

If a vendor tries to up-sell, couples should not hold that against the vendor. After all, that is the vendor's job. Instead, prioritize what you want before you go visit any vendors. You're much more likely to be happy with your selections.