Mehndi - Indian Art

A beautiful Indian tradition is the art of Mehndhi. This 5000 year old tradition is painless and the art can last from several days or as long as a month. This tradition began for less fortunate brides to wear in place of fine jewelry. Indian brides have a Mehndhi party the night before the wedding {girls only!} where the feet and hands of the bride are adorned. The designs are reddish-brown and fine lines (lacy or floral). The peacock is often incorporated (India's national bird), the lotus flower (India's national flower), and an elephant with a raised trunk (symbol of good luck).

Me Lucky Charms

So, it is time for the awkward bouquet toss. All the 'single' ladies get a stab at a chance to tackle one another to see who is next to be married. Who needs boys anyway? :) The alternative idea of having a break-away bouquet for the toss is appetizing. Each maid will receive a piece with a 'lucky charm' attached for good luck. Everyone gets to share the experience and has a charm to take away with them! Talk to your florist about the options of a break-away bouquet. The charms or fortunes can be whatever tickles your fancy. I was intrigued by the below yantras just because it is unique. However, if you feel the need to attach a four-leaf clover or horseshoe, be my guest. *note* A yantra is meditational device used in Hindu and Tibetan Tantric meditation. From the root "yam," meaning "to sustain," the Yantra is a symbolic image used to maintain a focused state during meditation. A yantra is usually composed of an outer geometrical form enclosing an interior geometrical designs. Each particular design is used for a specific purpose or intent. Check out the beauties:

The Vashikaran charm is to attrack love and romance into the life of the wearer. This charm can help to resolve relationship problems, bring harmony to personal relationships and can draw the affections of a particular person.

The Mahamritrunjyay charm is a powerful mantra for inviting good health, fortune, and harmony into one's home.

The Santaan Gopal charm is for people who wish to have children.

The Crystal Shri Yantra is for prosperity and success. The crystal is known as ‘Safaitik’ which means pure.

The Shani Yantra is for overcoming the hardships and obstacles caused by Saturn or ‘Shani Dev.’

The Bagla Mukhi Yantra is a charm for for protection from evil and for overcoming enemies.

The Shri Yantra is a charm for success, wealth, & good luck.

Check out powerfortunes for more charm ideas.

Unity Ceremonies

The unity candle is a widely known tradition. I was curious about alternatives to this that can add a touch of spice and uniqueness in its place.

• Rose Ceremony: The bride and groom exchange a single rose as their first married gift to each other. They are asked to recall this symbol of their love during the more trying seasons of marriage.

• Hand Ceremony: The bride takes the grooms hand and her palms are up. The grooms hands are asked to be a gift and the officiant says: "These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as together you laugh and cry, and together you share your innermost secrets and dreams." Next, the groom then takes the bride's hands, palm side up. The officiant says, "They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness, as she promises her love and commitment to you all the days of her life."

• Knot Ceremony: The mothers of the bridal couple are givent a rope or ribbon. Then it is given to the bride and groom to tie a lover's knot to always remember.

• Sand, Water, & Wine: In each ceremony, the bride and groom pour liquid or sand from two seperate containers into one. Be sure two pour two diffent colors of sand or red wine into white wine for full effects.

This is only a few ideas, but many more are out there and being invented as I type! Be creative and be sure to do something that means the most to you.