Marathi Wedding Customs

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Like all wedding celebrations in India, Marathi matrimonial functions go for a number of days. Most of the weddings in Marathi are grand and has several rituals that begin several days before the actual wedding day. According to Marathi matrimonial, many rituals happen before and after the wedding day. Alliances for Marathi matrimony were earlier searched with the help of village priests or relatives, but now matrimonial websites are becoming popular to find the bride or groom for Marathi community.

The main wedding rituals happen in the morning though some happens in the afternoon too. All depends on the muhurat, which is the auspicious time to tie the knot according to Hindu rites. One common muhurat or auspicious time is when cows return in the morning after grazing fields. This muhurat is known as Goraj Muhurta. As a custom, no Hindu Marathi matrimonial takes place in the night.

Some common rituals before the day of wedding in Marathi custom are Sakhar Puda, Kelvan, and Kuldevta. Horoscope of girl and boy are matched. The family astrologer matches the horoscopes and checks compatibility issues. With all things sorted, the families gets ready for wedding celebrations. The Sakhar Puda ritual, boy and girl have a piece of gur (jaggery). This is similar to engagement in other communities of India. The boys parents present the girl with traditional sari and green bangles. The bride to be wears the green bangles. Once this ritual is completed, both the families sends wedding invitation cards to relatives and friends.

Kelvan ritual is a happy time when both the families meet at the bride to be house and enjoy a feast of traditional Marathi cuisine. This family get together happens two-three days before the wedding day.

Like all Hindu community-wedding rituals, a prayer offering to Hindu deities is necessary before beginning of anything. Even in Marathi matrimony customs, the families worship the Hindu gods and seek their blessings.

Wedding day activities in a Marathi matrimonial involves several small and big rituals. There is the Haldi ceremony where the bride and groom is applied a paste of turmeric, cream, sandalwood and scented oil. With the help of mango leaves, this paste is applied in all over the body. Then both the bride and groom are given a ritual bath.

Another wedding day ritual is the Seemant Puja where the family members of groom visit the brides house and they have delicious lunch of local delicacies.

The priest who chants Mangalashtakas which are holy verses to seel blessing of Hindu gods and goddess, conducts the wedding ceremony. Family members and close relatives are present during the rituals. At the end of each verse, the priest explains the meaning of verse to the gathering of people. The groom ties the mangalsutra along the brides neck and then both of them exchange garlands. Another common ritual in Marathi matrimonial wedding is the saptapadi, where the bride and groom encircles the holy fire.

Other wedding days rituals are Laxmi Pooja and Kanyadaan (Jhal Phirwane).

The post wedding Marathi matrimony rituals are Sun Mukh Baghne, where for the first time the grooms mother see her new daughter in law s face. She combs her hair. This is symbolic and implies that they should have a relation like mother-daughter. No wedding is complete without wedding dinner.

A Short Story By William Shakespeare.

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A Royal wedding was to be held in the city of Athens between Hippolyta and the Duke of Athens, Theseus. This was to take place in four days time on the first of May.

During their talks about the wedding, Duke Egeus arrives and tells them that he is unhappy about the situation of his daughter not marrying Demetreus, even though he has given his blessing. Hermia has fallen in love with another person, and does not want to marry Demetrius.

Lysander is in love with this other person. Egeus is sure that with all the presents and kind words Lysander has won her over. The Duke comes and points out to Hermia, that it is a law in Athens not to go against a father’s wishes, and that if she refuses to marry Demetrius she will either be condemned to death or will spend the rest of her as a nun in the convent.

The Duke gives Hermia 4 days to decide what she is going to do.

Just outside Athens lies Lysander’s Aunt’s house, and both Hermia and Lysander decide to hide there. Helena is Hermia’s best school friend, so they decide to explain the situation, but Helena does not do as they ask.

She disobeys them, because she is in love with Demetrius and at one time Demetrius was in love with her. Helena tells Demetrius that both Hermia and Lysander are going to run away, hoping that he will be nice with her.

Now Demetrius is going to follow Lysander and Hermia into the woods and Helena decides to follow Demetrius.

Meanwhile some ordinary folk in Athens decide to put on a play for The Duke and his bride. Quince, Bottom, Flute, Snug and Snout are but everday people, and they have no knowledge of playwrighting or acting.

These men can not agree on who should play what so they decide to meet at moonlight in the Woods.

Now inside these same Woods that the men are meeting and that Lysander and Hermia are going to run away, the King and Queen fairies are to be found. They have come here in honour of the wedding.

Oberon and Titania were arguing about a young Indian boy, and one of Oberon’s servants hears them. They both want the Indian boy to work for them.

Oberon plays a trick on Titania by placing magic flower juice over her eyelids so that she will fall in love with the first thing she sees when she awakens.

Demetrius enters the woods in search of Hermia and Lysander, but he is angry that he is followed by the forelorn, Helena. Oberon overhears the conversation between Demetrius and Helena. He feels sorry for Helena and decides to have Puck place the magic flower juice on Demetrius.

He hopes that Demetreus will fall in love with Helena. Puck mistakenly puts the magic flower on Lysander instead of Demetrius. It is nightfall. Both of them, Lysander and Hermia fall into a deep slumber. Helena finds Lysander in the woods and awakens him. Lysander and Helena go off together, now in love.

All the tradesmen meet in the woods. Bottom’s head is turned into the head of an ass by the naughty Puck.

Embarrassed and frightened by his friends, Bottom runs away accidently waking up Titania. Titania then falls in love with Bottom, who has an ass-head. Demetrius finds Hermia in the woods and they fall in love.

In the end, the magic potion wears off. All is back to normal, Hermia and Lysander get married as well as Helena and Demetrius.

Top 5 Different Types Of Wedding Photography

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When you begin your search for a wedding photographer, youre going to run into a lot of terminology discussing styles that you may not have heard before. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they simply hire a photographer and thats the end of it. Unfortunately, if you dont know what type / style of photographer youre hiring, you may not get the look in your wedding photos that you had been hoping for. By doing just a small amount of research youll be able to hire the photographer that shares your vision of the perfect wedding album. Here are the different types of wedding photography that will be available to you.

Artistic

This type of photography can be given to interpretation. Photographs may be saturated with color, given special effects or may even be hard to decipher as wedding photographs. You may want to find a photographer that utilises this style if you plan on hanging one or several of your wedding photos on the wall.

Candid

While professional photographers do utilise candid photography, its most often the type of picture-taking that you see from amateurs (unless the photographer has bought along a ‘second’ to take care of these particular shots). A bit of a point and shoot approach that doesnt have subjects primping and posing. This type of photography is most often used for more casual weddings.

Contemporary

This type of photography may be a combination of all the other types or a type that utilizes whatever style of photography is currently in vogue. Look through some popular photography magazines or even bridal magazines to see what’s popular.

Documentary

Photographers using this style attempt to convey a true feeling of the wedding and reception through their photographs. Looking through the wedding album will allow you to relive the day as it happened without the use of words or captions. This type of photography is also called photojournalism.

Formal

Sometimes called traditional, these are posed shots where everyone is looking at the camera. Group shots of the wedding party, the couple with their families and the couple on their own are popular.

Its very important that you convey your wishes to any photographer that you are planning on hiring prior to your wedding day. You aren’t gong to get a chance to have them retaken another day (hopefully!). Ask your potential photographer for references and look at their sample albums – many have galleries online to peruse. If they don’t seem to be understanding exactly what you want, move on to the next. Many professionals have a range of styles in their arsenal and should be able to give you several different types of photographs in one album. If the person you are interviewing can’t give you the look that you desire, chances are the next can. Get the right wedding photography for your wedding and you will have photos to cherish forever

Ideas For Creating A Keepsake Of Your Wedding Invitation

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As a record of important details from your special day, your wedding invitation is uniquely a one-of-a-kind remembrance. Ordering a few extra invitations is highly suggested so you can save them as wedding souvenirs but then they will more than likely be stored away in your wedding album.

Why not create a memento of your wedding invitation that is more permanent and can be easily displayed in your home as a special remembrance. Especially since all the formal details of your wedding day appear within your invitation text date, time of ceremony, time of dinner/reception, name and address of ceremony location, name and address of dinner/reception locale as well as maybe a special verse or quote chosen by you and your fianc. The invitation design itself may also be symbolic of the colors or theme of your wedding.

Having your invitation wording permanently imprinted on a keepsake item is a wonderful way to uniquely commemorate your wedding day. Here are some suggested items that can be engraved with your wedding invitation verse:

Photo Album A great way to personalize a wedding album is to have your invitation wording elegantly engraved on the front cover. This way every time you look through your cherished wedding pictures you will be able to see your invitation verse too.

Wedding Invitation Frame Create a lasting symbol by using a beautiful glass frame to showcase your favorite wedding photo as well as feature your delicately etched invitation verse.

Glass Block A simple, but elegant, glass or lucite sculpture piece can be engraved with your wedding invitation text creating an exquisite symbol of your special day.

Commemorative Plate Easily hung on a wall or placed on an easel for table-top display, a decorative plate engraved or etched with your invitation verse will make a wonderful memento for years to come.

With all of your planning and preparations, creating a wedding invitation keepsake may not be a high priority before your wedding, but this is easily something you can have designed later since you may even receive one of these personalized items as a wedding gift.

Your wedding is without a doubt one of the most important days of your life so give some thought to creating a lasting souvenir of your wedding invitation to preserve all the details of your special day. As the years go by, you will undoubtedly be glad you did.

Cheap Candy Wedding Favors

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Cheap candy wedding favors? Yes, that is what many brides want, and you may, too. You want your wedding reception to be memorable, but you are trying to be financially responsible. You want to give candy wedding favors to thank guests for helping you make your day special, but you don’t want to spend as much on the candy wedding favors as guests spend on the gifts they will give. You want a cheap price, but you don’t want to appear too cheap.

Traditional Candy Wedding Favors

Cheap candy wedding favors can be traditional, even though you get lower prices. Jordan Almonds are a traditional wedding candy. The almonds, hidden in a candy shell, are meant to represent the sweetness and bitterness every marriage experiences. The sweet candy coating is supposed to be stronger than the bitterness of the nut inside, reminding that there should be more sweetness than bitterness in marriage. You may use all white Jordan Almonds, white with a pastel that matches your wedding color scheme, or a pastel mix.

Buy Jordan Almonds in bulk, wrap them yourself, and you will have a candy wedding favor for cheap prices. The Jelly Belly store online sells 10 pounds, about 1,100 Jordan Almonds, for $72. Since most candy wedding favors offer just 6 Jordan Almonds, 10 pounds should be enough for 180 guests, making your candy price per guest about $0.40. Tulle and ribbon for wrapping the candy will add a few cents, but you should be able to keep the price of your candy wedding favor under $.50 each.

Cheap candy wedding favors can be Peach Jordan Almonds, too. These go well with a peach or orange color scheme. At Bulk Foods website, you can buy 10 pounds, about 950 of these larger almonds covered in a sweet orange shell, for $48.50. This would provide candy wedding favors for 150 guests, making your candy price per guest about $.032. With the tulle and ribbon, your candy wedding favor price will be well under $0.50 each.

Chocolate Candy Wedding Favors

Andes Crme De Menthe chocolate candies make a nice candy wedding favor for cheap prices. Bulk Foods offers these small rectangles in bright green paper. Place three mints in a small square of white tulle, and tie with a white ribbon for cheap candy wedding favors. You can get enough Andes Crme De Menthe chocolate candies for 150 guests for about $22, making your candy price per guest about $0.15. If you don’t want to make bags, you can purchase discount organza bags online for $0.19 each. You can go up to 4 or 5 mints in a dainty organza bad, and your candy wedding favor price will still be under $0.50 each.

Hershey Kisses are another possibility for cheap candy wedding favors. You can order them in bulk in all silver wrappers, place 5 in a bit of tulle, and tie with ribbon for an elegant candy wedding favor. Or choose one of the special color combinations. Hershey offers:

* Almond Kisses “traditional” candy wedding favors wrapped in gold foil
* Red/Silver Kisses in red and silver foil with love-sayings strips
* Pastel Kisses in pink, fuchsia, silver, pastel blue and green foils
* Autumn Kisses in silver, gold, brown, and red foil
* Holiday Kisses in red, green, and silver foil

Hershey kisses of any color can be wrapped in white tulle and tied with ribbon to match your color scheme. Or use cheap plastic holders, available at party stores. This will make another candy wedding favor for cheap prices.

Tips for Cheap Candy Wedding Favors

Cheap candy wedding favors, already packaged, can be found on some wedding favor websites. Cheap is, of course, a relative term, and what seems cheap to one person will not be so to another.

The best low budget way to have candy wedding favors for cheap prices is to create the favors yourself, perhaps with the help of family or bridesmaids.

Buy your candy in bulk at a wholesale store online. If your candy order totals $50 or more, shipping will usually be free.

Buy small organza bags or tulle and ribbon at a discount wedding favor website. Choose colors according to your wedding color scheme and the candy color or wrapper.

Create your candy wedding favors 2 weeks before the wedding, and store them in a cool, clean place.