Author: Iskra Banović

10 Low Maintenance Jeans Outfits for Weekends What are you going to wear this weekend? If you’re like most other women, jeans are an essential part of your weekend wardrobe — especially for casual events and hanging out. Many of us put so much effort into dressing for work; we’re exhausted by the effort by the time Saturday morning rolls around. Even if you can dress casually from Monday to Friday, there’s something about the weekend that makes a woman want to take it easy. Still, you want to look good, not sloppy — you just don’t want to kill…

With the possible exception of the little black dress, a perfect-fitting pair of blue jeans could be the single most essential item you can have in your wardrobe. Not only is finding perfect jeans for your body a major confidence booster, but it also equips you with a versatile fashion staple that can be dressed up or down for nearly every occasion. You can wear a great pair of jeans to look fashionable at the office, cocktail parties, on a date night, and for all your casual days and evenings. For many women, though, the perfect denim fit is hard…

Considered the most important symbol of marriage, most cultures treat the wedding ring with honor during the ceremony. In American and many European Christian weddings, the rings are reverently carried down the aisle by a young male family member, who is honored as the ring bearer. Although including this dapper young gentleman in the ceremony is optional, most couples embrace the tradition as an elegant way to deliver their rings to the altar. Dressed charmingly as a miniature version of the groom, the child’s presence is meant to bless the couple with good luck in starting a family. Traditional Role…

Just like the wedding ring, which has no beginning or ending, the oval egg has been an important wedding symbol for centuries. Presented to newlyweds worldwide, elaborately decorated eggs represent the couple’s rebirth into a new life. “The egg shape symbolizes the full cycle of life, and therefore encompasses all that you will enjoy, create and love within your life together,” notes Megan Finley in an article for Offbeat Bride. Gifting an Egg Featured prominently in folklore, often with mystical properties, several cultures continue to incorporate eggs into the wedding festivities to bless the marriage with fertility. Real or sculptured…

For more than 4,000 years, the diamond has symbolized the strength of a couple’s devotion, often with the understanding that the bigger the diamond, the deeper the love. Recent estimates note that roughly 70 percent of American brides opt to wear the “King of Stones,” but in some countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, India and Greece, other precious gemstones are just as prized for their unique beauty, mythological properties and historic associations with marriage. Sapphire The stone of wisdom and royalty, ancient cultures believed sapphires carried divine favor because they were sent from the heavens. Favored by monarchs, clerics…

One of the most painstaking parts of planning a wedding is selecting the perfect rings to represent your everlasting love. With great care and attention to detail, couples devote hours to considering the carat, clarity, cut and cost of the precious stones that they plan to purchase. While sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are popular throughout much of the world, where diamonds have either been too expensive or too extravagant for mass cultural consumption, an estimated 70 percent of American brides opt to sport a diamond on the fourth finger of their right hand. A Love Affair with Diamonds Considered the…

Blended families are on the rise, now accounting for 46 percent of all U.S. weddings. Out of joy and a sincere desire to share the experience with them, many couples choose to include their kids from previous relationships in the ceremony. Yet, few rules of etiquette have been developed to address the often sensitive nature of stepfamily marriage celebrations. Peter Gerlach has assembled an informative study guide for Planning a Successful Stepfamily Wedding, offering tips on facing the complex and unique issues that arise in remarriages. It’s an Invitation, Not a Requirement The most important decision you need to make…

With the obsessive focus on coordinating colors, finding the perfect dress, and tactfully finalizing the wedding party and guest list, the sacred vows that couples exchange during the marriage ceremony often fall down the list of priorities. Although personalizing vows is becoming increasingly important to couples, few allot a significant amount of time to considering the true meaning of the promises they will pledge at the altar. The oath is more than just a ceremonial swapping of words. It is a sacred, permanent oath, and it serves as the foundation of the marriage. The Vow is a Sacred Oath The…

As modern couples increasingly shy away from traditional vows, swapping out such terms as honor and obey for respect and encouragement, others are returning to the roots of Christianity in order to strengthen their commitment to each other and to God. Blufashion.com Guide Mary Fairchild explains that understanding the significance of wedding traditions before her own covenant ceremony “deepened our appreciation, intensified the experience of worship, and gave us a clearer understanding of our physical and spiritual union.” The Meaning of a Covenant In Genesis 15, the Old Testament outlines the arrangement of a blood covenant, which is viewed as…

Wedding Ring Traditions As an everlasting symbol of commitment, the wedding rings are one of the most important elements of the marriage ceremony. The endless circle both embodies and contains the couple’s love for each other. Read on to discover dozens of traditions and superstitions that surround the engagement and wedding rings, including unlucky gemstones and who should guard the rings. Couples are also coming up with creative ways to include their bands in unique unity ceremonies, such as ring warmings and blended families exchanging rings. History of the Engagement Ring History of the Engagement Ring traces the origins of…

At first glance, the duties of the groom’s wedding party seem simple in comparison to the bridal party. However, there is more to the job than just escorting the beautiful bridesmaids down the aisle. Here are nine essential responsibilities you have when accepting the honor of being a groomsman: Tux Fitting Groomsmen pay for their own attire but rarely get to choose what they wear. All the groomsmen should get fitted at the same time as the groom to ensure that the right cuts and colors are ordered. Return any rentals on time and in good condition, so you don’t…

The Wedding Money Dance in Central and Southeast Europe Throughout the central and southern regions of Europe, where marriages are elaborate occasions that can last for several days, the wedding money dance is a highly anticipated part of the festivities. The tradition likely evolved from a European custom that required guests to pay the accordion player to enter the wedding reception. Poland Known as the Czepek, the money dance is meant to help the young couple finance their honeymoon. Guests dance with the bride and groom by pinning money onto their clothing, and then they circle the couple and toss…