**Where does the use come from?**

In ancient times, young women and men dressed similarly to spouses and supported them with the task of confusing and misleading evil and envious spirits.

 **Who are the bridesmaids?**

Not to be confused with the wedding witnesses (although it is possible that they have both roles), they are the relatives and friends of the bride in charge of accompanying and helping her in the preparations and during the ceremony. Unlike witnesses (who sign the records), they do not have a legal role.

**How many are they?**

According to etiquette, the bride's bridesmaids can be a maximum of 8. So be careful to choose without risking offending someone! 

**How do they dress?**

The clothing must be discreet (because the mortal sin of every bridesmaid would be to steal the show from the bride!) But at the same time stand out from that of all the other guests. Bridesmaids should wear matching dresses. It does not necessarily have to be identical, but perhaps in shades of the same elegant color and with different shapes to suit the body and tastes of each or the same model in different colors ... \[Here] ( [https://www.theknot.com / fashion / bridesmaid-dresses](https://www.theknot.com/fashion/bridesmaid-dresses) ) you can see many super-chic examples!

Often it is the bride who chooses the dress for the bridesmaids. In this case, it would be appropriate for the bride to bear the cost.

**How about the flowers?**

Traditionally, it is the bride who gives the bridesmaids a floral arrangement to adorn herself. It must be coordinated with the bride's bouquet and can be a smaller and simpler version of the bouquet itself, but also a corsage or a flower crown ...

**Who is the maid of honor?**

Among the bridesmaids, you can select one, the dearest person, who will have the main role of support for the bride in the preparations and will organize the bachelorette party. He will have to be close to the bride at all times of the wedding day. She will be responsible for keeping the dress, bouquet, wedding rings, welcoming guests, in short, making sure that everything goes smoothly for her friend! Sometimes the maid of honor gives a little speech.

**Do you have to give the bridesmaids a gift?**

Yes, that would be a nice gesture and is usually done. There are solutions for all budgets. Among the prettiest ideas, there are jewels or bijoux, perfumes, or objects personalized with initials.

![](/images/cms/12_shutterstock_547113229.jpg)

{ .illustration }

  The bridesmaids: questions and answers

Have you always dreamed of a princess (or king) wedding? Your dream can become true with a fairy tale castle wedding!

It is a splendid idea for the most **romantic spouses in search of historical and sumptuous** atmospheres. It can be a fabulous alternative to the classic villa, especially if you are planning a wedding with **many guests**. There is no shortage of locations for this type of event; **the most beautiful in Italy** are \[these] ( <https://www.westwing.it/inspiration/guide-consigli/idee-matrimonio/castelli-per-matrimoni/> ) and \[ these] ( <https://www.sposimagazine.it/idee-matrimonio/idee-originali-matrimonio/castelli-per-matrimonio/> ).

Centennial residences are ready to welcome your guests, with all their charm between nature and culture. Enjoy the luxury of these ancient manors, **but we advise you not to overdo the historical reenactment**: do not get too carried away by the theme for the arrangements and clothes, or you will risk the effect of a medieval costume parade!

Many of these locations are perfectly organized for weddings and offer **interesting services** such as the internal wedding coordinator, the possibility of carrying out the actual ceremony (civil or religious) at the castle, and many extras, from vintage car rental to fireworks, to the guided tour to entertain guests.

Secret gardens, terraces, crenelated towers, labyrinths, frescoes, and relics will make your fairy tale wedding at the castle unique! Choose a home that also has high-level **outdoor spaces and some particular characteristics.** This will allow you to create **a dynamic event** with different points of interest. Then make sure you make the most of the castle's charm, first agreeing with the **photographer on** the best views to capture the most special moments.

Some castles also allow **overnight stays**, only for the most special night of the couple or maybe even to host relatives and closest friends.

 Have we convinced you? Then you just have to step into the shoes of the princess and prince charming and start planning your fairy tale wedding at the castle!

Fairytale wedding at the castle

It's true, winter is not the most popular season to get married but ... think about it! Discover here the 5 great advantages of a winter wedding: from the location to the dress, here are the good reasons to choose it! 

1.   First of all, by choosing a wedding in winter, you can certainly count on **a more original and unusual event**. The season will lead you to favor solutions different from those of most spring/summer weddings, with an effect of uniqueness. In addition, your guests' agenda will usually be clearer of similar appointments this season.

2.   Another important consequence will be on the budget! Locations and suppliers are generally less in demand in the "low season," and for this reason, **the rates are often cheaper**. It will be easier to find availability right in the location of your dreams or from the photographer you have always admired!

3.   The coldest temperatures will certainly not prevent you from wearing **a fairytale dress**, quite the contrary! \[The autumn-winter bridal catwalks] ( <https://www.vogue.it/moda/gallery/abiti-da-sposa-sfilate-autunno-inverno-2021-2022> ) gave gems of elegance like a true Queen of the Snows. Indulge yourself with velvets, feathers, faux fur, and even knitwear! But nothing prevents you from opting for classic lace or tulle. The secret is to provide a layered outfit that allows you to adapt to different situations and temperatures (outside, inside ceremony, inside reception, and so on ...). Capes, stoles, capes, hoods will add a touch of magic. You can also play down with a white quilted duvet. Or surprise your guests by replacing the typical décolleté with a pair of romantic ankle boots!

4.   **The winter menu** can be a riot of flavor and include seasonal dishes that are rarely served at weddings. Providing a welcome with hot, spiced drinks is a great way to get in the mood ...

5. Surprisingly, you will discover that nature reserves a splendid wealth of **green and flowering species** for the cold months. You can choose a "forest" themed setting with evergreens, wood, berries, pine cones ... Or a colorful bouquet of seasonal flowers such as buttercups, anemones, amaryllis, hellebores ... Or focus on the " total white" of roses and tulips ...

 

![](/images/cms/11_shutterstock_468774455.jpg)

{ .illustration }

These were just 5 perks of winter weddings. If you choose the winter season for your wedding, you will discover that it contains a unique charm and incomparable romanticism!

  The 5 advantages of the winter wedding: number 2 will convince you!



The day of lovers is the perfect opportunity to show extra love with a small or big surprise! Romantic Valentine's Day for future spouses: here are the top ideas!

1.      **CUSTOMIZE EVERYTHING!** There are countless online services that allow you to create all kinds of personalized gadgets, a truly unique surprise! An example? Calendar with your photos, T-shirt with your favorite phrase, \[a map of the starry sky as it appeared on the day of your first meeting] ( https://thesta [rposter.eu/](file:///C:/Users/HP%20ELITEBOOK%20840/Downloads/rposter.eu/) ), \[chocolate confetti with a romantic message] ( <https://www.mms.com/> )

2.      **A SPECIAL NIGHT.** Planning a little getaway is a great idea, but may the destination truly be unforgettable! It is not necessary to choose luxurious and expensive places, just find something unusual and romantic and above all in line with your passions: have you ever stayed overnight in a treehouse? Or in a mountain retreat? Under a transparent dome to see the stars? In an apartment in the heart of a lively city? In a museum? In a zoo? This and more are possible!

3.      **CULINARY EXPERIENCE FOR TWO.** Many restaurants offer themed menus for Valentine's Day. If you love good food, it may be the ideal time to spoil yourself with an aphrodisiac dinner, to try an unknown ethnic cuisine, to enjoy impeccable service in an elegant location.

4.      **THE GREAT CLASSICS.** Don't be afraid to be taken for granted: a jewel or a bijoux, flowers, and chocolates are always appreciated by women, and - why not? - even to men!

5.      **LOVE LETTER.** Are you among the many people who struggle to express their feelings? Then it's your time. Spend an hour (or more!) to write down how you feel about your significant other. Receiving your love letter will be the most precious of gifts.

We hope to have given you some good ideas for a romantic Valentine's Day for future spouses! The truth is that packets, karats, or glasses of champagne don't matter: the most important thing is the desire to be together!

Romantic Valentine's Day for future spouses


## The 4 best trends for a fairytale wedding cake

**Number 4 will bring everyone together!**

The wedding cake has always been the queen of the reception and the highlight of the banquet. Whether minimal or baroque, the important thing is that it is impressive and consistent with the atmosphere of the event. 

**Here are the 4 best wedding cake trends!**

1. **Mini cakes and monoportions**
2. **Flowers galore!**
3. **Gold, marble, and minerals**
4. **Renewed tradition**

--{ .separation }

1. **Mini cakes and single portions.** A rather new, practical, and impressive solution is to avoid the classic slice of cake, proposing a perfect small whole cake in mignon version to each guest. A useful idea also to avoid assemblages at the buffet! Decorated personalized cookies are very fashionable, maybe with the names of the newlyweds. They can also become a nice alternative to sugared almonds.

2. **Flowers at will!** Floral decorations, the classic protagonists of the wedding decorations, are also on the cake. Whether they are real edible flowers (rely on experts who know how to select and use them properly!) or works of art in sugar paste, the important thing is that they are large and clearly visible.

3. **Gold, marble, and minerals.** Playing with effects to create the perfect illusion of unusual materials has been a growing trend for years. Some of the most sensational cakes of the past seasons have amazed us by reproducing elegant metallic effects, minerals in sugar crystals, marbled fillings. A "strong" and scenographic choice in the name of elegance.

![wedding cake](/images/cms/1_torta_shutterstock_1120641023.jpg) { .illustration }

4. But not everyone wants to impress their guests with special effects. **More traditional cakes** and simple, clean solutions are coming back into vogue. The naked cakes, for example, are towers of "naked" sponge cake filled with cream, decorated with fruit or flowers. In this case, the impeccable execution of the most famous and loved recipes is essential.

These were some of the top wedding cake trends. But the number one commandment remains the most obvious one even if it is too often underestimated: **the cake must be GOOD first of all!** Cake design is important, but it should never make us forget about taste.


The 4 best trends for a fairytale wedding cake


## 7 ideas for a "green" wedding. Is your wedding polluting?

Have you ever thought about it? Between waste, emissions, and rubbish, a wedding can become a significant source of pollution. But with some pretty simple steps and without too many sacrifices, you can celebrate great and respect the environment at the same time!

**Here are the 7 ideas for a "green" wedding.**

1. If possible, the organization **should not involve long journeys** to reach the place of the ceremony and then the place of the reception. You will thus avoid the use of polluting means of transport.

2. In the same vein, **seasonal and KM0 choices** should be encouraged, for locations, flowers, various suppliers, menus... It will also be a way to enhance the excellence of the territory!

3. **No to waste!** Be careful to plan a rich but proportionate banquet. Contact one of the many associations that distribute surplus food to those in need.

4. **Reuse and reclaim.** The wedding can be an opportunity to give a second life to that vintage dress that has been handed down in the family or to use charming second-hand materials for decorations. Trunks, old books, antique lace will give a touch of romance to the decorations!

![green wedding image](/images/cms/2_green_shutterstock_777834661.jpg) { .illustration }

5. **Eco-friendly wedding favors:** the possibilities are endless. A good idea could be to avoid superfluous knick-knacks and move towards useful objects. Or you can choose food gifts such as honey, oil, jams from organic farming. Very popular is usually also the wedding favor "green": bulbs, seeds, succulents, or aromatic plants. You can also "give a tree": several online services offer the possibility to give each guest a "certificate of adoption" of a tree planted in their name.

6. **Pay attention to your wedding list:** make sure you choose items and vendors that follow serious sustainability policies. This also applies to those who decide to get a honeymoon gift: favour responsible and ecological tourism.

7. **Pay attention to the paper!** For your invitations and coordinated paper (menus, ceremony booklets, thank you cards ...), choose recycled paper. There are beautiful ones. Or, even better, surprise your guests with paper that can be sown! Once their use is over, your invitations can be directly planted in a pot of soil and watered: the seeds mixed in the paper will sprout!

These were just 7 ideas for a "green" wedding, but there is a lot of food for thought, and it takes very little to organize the event in a more conscious way.

**It's the small gestures that change the world!**


7 ideas for a "green" wedding


## Marriage traditions in India.

**The words of the bride and groom will move you...**

The wedding traditions in India are many and varied, in the enormous variety of customs and traditions of the subcontinent, but certainly, the wedding is everywhere a very important ceremony, colorful and full of charm.

The Hindu wedding is called Vivaha and usually takes place in Sanskrit. The event may be preceded and followed by other celebrations and festivities, even over several days.

  During the ritual 3 symbolic moments are distinguished: 

1. **Kanyadaan**: The bride says goodbye to father
2. **Panigrahana**: The bride and groom place their hands near the sacred fire as a symbol of union
3. **Saptapadi**: The bride and groom do seven laps around the sacred fire and exchange seven marriage vows. This gesture sanctions the actual marriage by law and tradition. In some ceremonies, the bride and groom conclude with these beautiful words:

_We did the seven laps. You have become mine forever._

_Yes, we're married. I have become yours. From now on, I can't live without you. Don't live without me. Let's share the joys._

_We are word and meaning, united. You think, and I am the sound._

_Let the night be sweet honey to us. May the morning be sweet honey to us. May the earth be sweet honey to us. May the heavens be sweet as honey to us. May the plants be sweet as honey to us. May the sun be all honey to us. May the cows produce milk sweet as honey for us._

_As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be, definitively_

![indian wedding image](/images/cms/3_shutterstock_772046176.jpg) { .illustration }

**Famous for its majesty and beauty is the bride's attire.** Traditionally she is dressed in gold and red, the colour of good luck, with a long embroidered sari and her head covered as a sign of purity. 

The hairstyle is a sort of braid divided into three parts to symbolize the sacred rivers of India.

Also rich in meaning are the opulent jewels that adorn the bride literally from head to toe, from the Maang Tikka on her forehead to the Payal anklet, and the Bichuas ring that married women wear on their second toe.

The golden circle at the nostril, connected with a chain to the earlobe, is called Nath.

Splendid then the Mehendi, characteristic drawings made with a mixture of henna and turmeric, which decorate the hands and feet of Indian brides.

These were just some of the wedding traditions in India, **a true universe to be discovered!**


Marriage traditions in India


## The 8 mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding. You're definitely making number 4!

Yes, organizing your wedding is a wonderful experience, but it can also become a lot of stress: here are the 8 mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding!

1. **Communication errors between the future spouses.** In order to reach the finishing line with serenity, it is essential that you are as harmonious as possible with each other on the important choices. If she is dreaming of a fairytale wedding, with a princely dress and settings from One Thousand and One Nights, while he wants a quick ceremony in the municipality and then a toast with friends... well, disaster is just around the corner! Look for the right compromise, and never lose your smile!

2. **Lack of realism.** Limited budget, logistical difficulties, and various impediments are unfortunately often a reality that you need to keep in mind from the beginning, or you will be disappointed. 

3. **Lack of rigor on deadlines.** A wedding is a complex event that involves several players in addition to the guests. Making the whole gear work becomes impossible if you don't keep a strict schedule.

4. **Overdose of inspirations** : perhaps the most common of the 8 mistakes to avoid when planning a wedding! You risk going on tilt among the specialized press, internet, friends, and relatives because of too many ideas, images, and advice. Don't let yourself be influenced; in order to realize the wedding of your dreams, your vision must be clear and decisive!

5. **Overdo it.** your big day but don't overdo it. Don't distort your personality or want to impress at any cost!

6. **Underestimate the importance of vendors.** Agreed, the budget can't be unlimited for everything, but professionalism makes all the difference. We all have "a cousin who's good at taking pictures," "a friend who's willing to play the flute in church," "an aunt who will sew my wedding favors," and there's nothing wrong with that, quite the contrary! But don't expect "wow" results...

7. **Don't think about priorities.** Can't have it all? It doesn't matter, as long as your priorities are clear. Choose two or three aspects that are essential for you, and for these, settle for only the best! Location and catering are usually considered the most important elements for the event's success, but it is not necessarily so. Maybe for you, it is essential the photographer, the florist, the music, the dress ... What do you want to invest in?

8. **Taking yourself too seriously.** The wedding is actually something very important but... hey, don't lose your cool! It's certainly not the color of the centerpieces that will decide the value of the day. Be yourself, don't lose sight of the fact that the purpose of the day is to celebrate your love with your loved ones, not to argue about favors!

We've seen the 8 mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding, and alas, other little traps can await you on the way, but it's sure to be an exciting journey! 


The 8 mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding


## Wedding on the beach: make your dream come true while escaping disaster!

Golden sand, a romantic sunset, a light breeze, the sound of the waves... If this is the perfect setting for your "I do," here are **all the tips for a beach wedding**: make your dream come true, escaping disaster!

First of all, it is essential to take care of the **bureaucratic aspects, permits, and regulations** well in advance. The regulations on marriage on the beach vary from country to country and even locally. So it is very important to understand what you can and can not do and provide for any special requirements.

In this and other organizational matters, your wedding planner or - even better - **the wedding coordinator of the location** you will choose can help you. Many structures on the beach, in fact, now offer this useful service to assist the newlyweds. It is worth taking advantage of their experience, and it is a factor to consider when **choosing the location**! 

But of course, this is not the only aspect to be evaluated! The beauty of the place, the services, the price are as always fundamental but for a beach wedding is more than ever the possibility of a **"plan B."** Even if you get married in the middle of summer, a day of bad weather is always possible or vice versa; even extreme heat can ruin the event. So make sure that the location has solutions and facilities to **ensure the comfort of guests** at all times, in all weather conditions.

As far as **outfits and preparations** are concerned, know that a beach wedding "binds" perhaps more than the classic villa. In order not to risk a bad taste effect, for a beach wedding, avoid pompous and bulky dresses. No to the train and formal and dark suits that would be out of place. You can adopt and even recommend to your guests a "dress code" theme, elegant but relaxed, **boho-chic style**, so fashionable. Needless to say, stiletto heels and shiny loafers are not suitable on the beach, so it's better to **go barefoot**, ready to dance on the sand!

Even for the decorations, you need to have clear ideas. If you choose a beach wedding, don't think of including silver candelabras and miles of brocade!  Rather focus on **bright colors**, **natural materials,** and floral decorations based on **local species** that can withstand the heat. Also, to some "sea" themed details, but don't overdo it with fishing nets and seahorses!

With these little tricks and a little attention to the organization, you can make your dream of a beach wedding come true, avoiding disasters!


Wedding on the beach, make your dream come true, escaping disaster


## Confetti: everything you need to know

In **Italy,** they are a must at the end of every wedding, but they are also traditional in Spain, France, Greece and the Middle East and are increasingly popular **worldwide**. We speak of sugared almonds, the sweetest goodbye of the bride and groom to their guests.

As many people know, these are delicious bonbons that, in their "classic" form, have a **fine Avola almond** enclosed **in** a **sugar shell**. However, the variations are endless: with chocolate, liqueur, fruit, the **most varied flavors**, every shape and color ...

But where does this beloved custom come from? The history of sugared almonds (from the Latin _confectus_, meaning "prepared") is very old. Apparently, the **ancient Romans** already tasted them on the occasion of births and weddings, although the shell was made of hardened honey (and not sugar, a food that would spread only later).

According to other theories, they derive from the common custom around **1200 A.D.** of throwing sweets made of almonds, coriander seeds or aniseed covered with a crust of honey to the crowd **during carnival**. (In English, the word "confetti" means precisely "confetti").

In any case, around 1400 A.D., sugar replaced honey in confectionery production and **in Sulmona (Abruzzo)**, the prestigious tradition of sugarcoated almond production began.

![confetti image](/images/cms/6_shutterstock_151628828.jpg) { .illustration }

However, of eighteenth-century French origin is the custom of giving them enclosed in a **wedding favor** (from the French _bombonnière_, container for bonbon).

For the wedding, the colour of the sugared almonds must be **white**, a symbol of purity. It is important that the sugared almonds are always offered in **odd numbers: 1, 3 or 5**. The odd numbers are indivisible, like the union of the spouses, and a positive value is attributed to them. 

Depending on the number, the **symbolic meaning of** the sugared almonds changes. The single sugared almond refers to the unity of the bride and groom. The group of 3 symbolizes the couple and the first child and is, therefore, a wish for a happy family. The 5 sugared almonds represent health, fertility, long life, happiness and wealth.

Once upon a time, it was the couple that went around the guests with a silver tray and the bride who served the sugared almonds to each one. Today, **the sugarcoated almond** buffet is very much in vogue, a buffet dedicated exclusively to these little delicacies. By providing many flavours, each guest can serve himself/herself/itself with his/her favourite ones to close the banquet in sweetness. A nice gesture is also to prepare **personalized bags** that guests can fill with sugared almonds to take home.

Don't like sugared almonds? A cheerful and surprising alternative with the same role of the confetti is the **"candy bar"**: a buffet of American origin dedicated to candies of a thousand colors and flavors! Or you can propose a more refined **tasting of fine chocolate**. 


Confetti, everything you need to know


## Marriage traditions in Africa.

**The "rain" one is all to be copied!**

The African continent is a mosaic of very different ethnic groups, landscapes, peoples and realities. This is also true for wedding traditions in Africa: they **vary a lot** according to the different areas and in recent times, they are assimilating modern and international aspects.

Often, however, the wedding is an event that involves **the whole community** and involves a big celebration. In Nigeria, for example, legendary wedding receptions are held, with over 500 guests and princely pomp. Ethiopian weddings can last as long as three days.

A rather common ritual is that of a **glass of wine**. The father of the bride pours a glass of wine and hands it to his daughter. She takes a sip and then has to symbolically offer it to the man she is going to marry.

Also, in Africa, of course, the **bride's attire** is of central importance.

The traditional **colours** are significant and change according to the regions.
In Ghana, for example, the typical colors are red, gold and green, the colors of the national flag. They also symbolize blood, prosperity and home.

In some areas, sober clothing is preferred, but in Morocco and Sudan, for example, rich decorations are common. The same goes for **Nigeria**, which is known for the **extreme luxury** of weddings. The fabric of the wedding dress must be strictly 100% silk or linen, the workmanship exquisite. But the real star of the outfit is the **_gele_**, the traditional headdress of Nigerian brides, almost a sculpture made of strips of fabric woven into creative hairstyles.
Obviously, the groom's suit must be in harmony with the wife's one in terms of fabrics, colours and decorations.

Another particular custom of the Nigerian wedding is the so-called **"rain of money".** During the dances, to testify the sumptuous taste again and as a wish for prosperity, the guests make a rain of banknotes descend on the head of the newlyweds. The bridesmaids have the task of collecting the money and handing it over to the bride and groom.

We have told you about some of the varied wedding traditions in Africa...

Did they impress you? 

Marriage traditions in Africa


## "Edible" wedding favors: the 3 basic rules and the winning ideas

The gift "food" as wedding favors is increasingly appreciated by the bride and groom, especially the guests! So let's see what kind of "edible" wedding favors is best to focus on.

**There are three basic rules:**

1. **Choose Durable Foods.** By avoiding foods that are too perishable, in addition to saving everyone logistical complications, you'll be sure that the memory of your wedding will stick around longer.

2. **Choose the excellence of the territory.** Your guest gift will have more meaning. In addition, valuing local producers will also give you a better chance of optimal value for money.

3. **Practicality first.** Food favors cannot be difficult to transport due to size, weight, extreme fragility, intense odor, etc. Also, keep in mind any limitations if you have guests traveling by air. Packaging must be professionally sealed.

Make sure you follow these rules and then think about the product. The perfect one should feature **meaning and elegance**. Alright, we all love a well-cured salami or a nice fat caciotta, but maybe they aren't the most romantic memories you want to leave behind from your wedding, right?

Here are some ideas for your "edible" favors:

1. **Honey**: exquisite and perfumed, splendid to look at, rich in symbolism of good luck.
2. **Oil**: also a pleasure for the taste, smell and sight. 
3. **Wine**: there are now many wineries that can provide the bride and groom with personalized bottles of different levels of value and price.
4. **Jams and preserves**: perfect if you are getting married in a rustic place.
5. **Chocolate or typical bonbons**: to leave a sweet memory.
6. **Aromatic herbs**: in jars but also as a potted plant, ideal if you want to give your edible favours a greater "green" footprint.

In any case, it is important that you provide **personalized packaging** for your "edible" favors. For bottles or jars, have special labels prepared with your names and wedding date. For other types of packaging, you will need tags or stickers. This will really make your gift special.

Finally, if you want to give more "value" to your wedding favor and for it to remain a memory even after the food has been consumed, you can invest in a **more luxurious container**, such as a reusable craft bottle or a precious ceramic container...

With the "edible" wedding favors, you will still be sure to make an original and appreciated gift to your guests!


Edible wedding favors, the 3 basic rules


## Elopement: what is it?

**...and the 5 questions to find out if it's right for you**

You hear about it more and more often... Elopement: what is it?

It is the "escape" to get married, away from home but also from conventions, from mega parties and from ... close relatives!

Take off for a few days and become husband and wife again: is the idea tempting, but you don't know if it's for you? Answer these 5 questions to find out:

1. **Do you have a small budget but high expectations?** It would be a mistake to think of an elopement as a "small" wedding or saving money. Rather, it's about allocating your budget differently and getting the most out of it based on your very personal desires. If you'd rather invest in a dream trip with your better half and maybe a few close ones, rather than a reception for hundreds of people that you might not care about that much... If you prefer to enjoy small and large "secret" luxuries rather than resign yourself to inevitable sacrifices and compromises imposed by the organization of a complex event...  Then maybe elopement is for you!

2. Do you **love to travel?** You don't have to go to the ends of the earth, but the idea of getting married in a fabulous and unusual location is certainly one of the biggest attractions for those who choose this type of ceremony. Tropical beaches are among the most popular destinations, but also the sunsets of Santorini or other Greek islands, the enchantment of the Italian countryside, Paris or the desert... In short, there is something for everyone!

3. **How much does the judgment of friends and family matter?** Know that many may be baffled or disappointed, or even offended by your choice to go get married alone or with very few guests in a remote location. Think carefully. The important thing is you and your promise.  But if someone is likely to be hurt, you should at least provide a clear explanation of your gesture.

![elopement image](/images/cms/9_elopement_shutterstock_1937400040.jpg) { .illustration }

4. **Do you want a romantic wedding?** The elopement is certainly suitable for those who see the couple at the center of everything, away from the clamor, suits-meringue, ties, exhausting discussions on the color of the centerpieces. Choose the elopement if you dream of getting married barefoot, eyes to eyes, against the backdrop of an enchanting landscape, just the two of you (or almost)...

5. **How scared are you of the bureaucratic and organizational complexities?** If the wedding will be celebrated abroad, it is particularly important to be clear about the documents and bureaucratic steps that are essential for everything to run smoothly. If you don't want to deal with them, relying on a specialized wedding planner is better.

We told you what elopement is, and these were the 5 questions to find out if it's for you: what do you say, shall we get started?


Elopement, what is it?

## Your wedding music

**What you need to know to avoid... jarring notes!**

The music of your wedding will become a real soundtrack, so it is very important to plan it carefully. Here's some food for thought to avoid... off-key notes!

First of all, as always, it is essential to have a clear idea of the **general atmosphere** you want for your big day. Unless you are lovers of bold contrasts, a rock band with karaoke will not be suitable for a romantic wedding in a villa, a string quartet is not suitable if you are getting married in a rustic farmhouse ... As well as the neomelodic crooner is not the best if you want a dance party and the instrumental group of Celtic harps could be a bit 'difficult to involve the guests. The secret is that even the choice of musical entertainment is **in harmony with all the other components.**

It is often said that the wedding day should reflect the couple and their personality. And this is certainly true, but in the case of entertainment, it is necessary to think also and **above all to the fun of the guests.** If you are a fan of medieval German polyphony or extreme heavy metal, or if you have very particular musical tastes, maybe it is time to accept some small compromises at your wedding party. Choose (also) mainstream music that the majority can easily appreciate more.

But what are the options available?

Don't forget to **first check with the venue** to assess the available space, any equipment, any limitations (of volume, hours etc.). Then, based on previous considerations and budget, you can choose between **DJs, bands and ensembles, singers or duos, instrumental musicians, providers of other musical entertainment** (karaoke, quizzes, dedications and requests ...)

The necessary precautions for the choice of each supplier apply. For an optimal result, **NO do-it-yourself and improvisation** (the cousin who plays the flute or the friend who is in tune will certainly be talented and animated by generosity, but professionals are another matter). Evaluate **the repertoire, the services offered, the availability, the experience.** And do not overlook the immediate **feeling** on a personal level.

It's best to view videos of previous musical performances or - even better - attend a live performance by the potential vendor before deciding.

A good musical accompaniment must be precisely an accompaniment, not intrusive, which emphasizes **the event's key moments**. Will be selected with particular care the pieces that accompany the arrival of the bride and groom, any speeches, the first dance by the husband and wife, the cutting of the cake and the farewell guests. These are the moments in which it would be nice to include songs that are particularly significant for you.

Don't forget that there may be requirements or costs for performing songs in public depending on the regulations in force.

We hope that these reflections will help you to choose the best soundtrack for your most special day!

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