Tradition Origins: The Garter

This might be revealing my inner geek, but if you've seen the Red Wedding (Game of Thrones) do you remember how the bride and groom were carried away to their wedding chambers. There's also the whole bunch of English Royalty history TV dramas where something similar happens. So, where did this idea of the garter come from?

The garter was originally devised to protect the bride from the wedding guests. In France, brides would fear the end of the wedding ceremony because guests would fight their way to the bride to get a piece of her dress. It apparently was good luck. Weddings would conclude with a scared and tearful bride in torn rags.

The garter came about to pacify guests by tossing the garter. Reference

I guess it makes sense now why guys go a little crazy when the garter is tossed...

Details: Reception Table Games

I remember attending weddings when I was kid (thanks to a huge extended family), and at every reception there was some sort of table game or game for the bride and groom. What happened to this? I am a corny person (I love corny pick up lines). I remember playing games where every table had a selected guest to participate in the game at the middle of the dance floor, or passing around a dollar around the table to see who got to bring home the flowers, just something silly to get guests acquainted with each other at the table.

Here's some ideas to bring back reception table games:
http://www.planace.com/disc-jockeys/weddings/resources/wedding-reception-games-and-fun
http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-reception/wedding-games

my favorites are in link 2! I'll be covering my favorites in future posts!

Wedding Party: Animals!

We all know people who are a little bit crazy about their pets. (I might be one of them). Have you ever been part of a wedding where pets have been part of the wedding party? My cousin's wedding was the first one where my dog's parents & grandparents were the flower girls & ring bearer. My cousin even got them cute little outfits that matched the bridesmaids. Pets are dearly loved by many and become part of the family. And when it's hard to find a young niece/nephew or cousin to participate in the wedding, why not add to the cuteness of the day by involving your pet. (Unless your pet is a snake, then that might be a little terrifying.)

Just don't let your single bridesmaid be the one walking the dogs down the aisle like Jennifer Aniston's character did in He's Just Not That Into You.

Have you read this extremely cute story about a Blind Couple Whose Guide Dogs Brought Them Together?

Favorite Vendors: Melissa Lee Designs

Are you looking for a unique touch to your stationary? How about asking a designer to help? My friend, Melissa Lee, has created a few beautiful logos for wedding stationary that adds that little special touch to a wedding package.

Feel free to contact Melissa if you're interested!

Contact: Melissa 
Website: http://i-am-melissa.com/

Registry: Miles for US Airways & Jet Blue

Here's a unique idea for a registry! How about asking people to contribute miles to your future getaway!
Your guests can contribute to your trip through purchasing or giving you their miles.

Jet Blue
US Airways

Point Pro Tip: Signing up for Credit Cards Before Planning

So, you just got engaged and you're new to the credit card game. Instead of planning the date & details, how about first seeking out more information about credit card bonuses and offers. The goal of this blog was not only to give you ideas about your wedding, but also how to get a free vacation from it.

First, discuss with your future spouse how comfortable you are signing up for various cards (separately). If your future spouse is uncomfortable, this will minimize your opportunity. I say separately because you can maximize sign ups but having each person sign up for a credit card.
Second, check your credit scores via Credit Karma and Credit Sesame*. Ideally, we want to have excellent credit scores, that will allow you to easily apply & be approved for various credit cards with large credit limits. Checking and knowing your scores will also let you know how to improve your credit. Lastly, these websites do not do a hard pull on your credit (your score will not be affected) by signing up.
Third, figure out what your main expenditures will be for the next few months and whether it makes sense to have various types of credit cards/will you be able to meet minimum spends. Throughout the year, many credit cards offer bonuses for sign up. Does it make sense for you to wait for this (it's not announced in advanced, neither does it occur at the same time every year)?
Fourth, figure out what your goal is. Where do you want to go?

Happy dreaming. :)

*Please note that Voyaging Doc does receive a commission from your applications through some or all of the links in this blog.  Any personal information you provide in your applications are not shared with us. These blogs are a hobby of ours and generating commission is not a primary motivation for writing these posts. We gladly finance the expenses related to the maintenance of these blogs and do not expect your patronage. However, we do appreciate any support you give to us. 

Point Pro Tip: Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses!

It must be credit card bonus Monday, please see: http://www.voyagingdoc.com/2013/11/hot-deals-credit-card-sign-up-bonuses.html for more details!

Fitness: The Bod

Hi, my name is Christine, and I struggle with my weight and body.

Welcome to the club. I don't think there is a female in existence there never once questioned or felt upset about her body. Darn media! First, take a deep breath, because you already got the guy, so he didn't fall in love with you because of your lack of love handles! No matter how much you weigh on your wedding day, you're still going to be drop dead gorgeous. It's your day.

For those who want to work their body and have a healthier lifestyle (before and after) your day, let's do it right. I'm a huge foodie and I don't think I will ever be able to give up desserts or carbs. I also spend my day sitting in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day and sometimes between all the errands, cooking, cleaning, etc. I find it extremely difficult to fit in exercise. I also find running extremely boring, but I love doing classes such as Zumba and Hip-Hop (but find it difficult to find reasonable priced classes at times I can make). Basically, I want an exercise class on my time. I'm bad at disciplining myself to exercise (once I stop, its impossible to get back into it).

I have tried the P90X and Insanity and I just can't get into it. Prior to my exam I stumbled across Blogilates and found Cassey. I would pop on my TV show of the week and do a few of Cassey's videos via YouTube on my laptop while watching. I found this to be perfect for me since I could multitask and it prevented me from sitting on the couch snacking. I stopped when my exam approached, but now that it's over I'm planning to get it going again. Cassey's pretty amazing, she posts all these videos for FREE!, has an amazingly fashionable and cute fitness line, releases a calendar every month of workouts, has meal plans, and various series (such as Bikini Bod workouts).

So, here's to day one back on Blogilates! (right before food coma week) I find it difficult to keep to meal plans, because my only socialization is through dinner, but we'll see how extreme I get!

PS I love one of her sayings "Train like a beast, look like a beauty"

Details: The First Look or Not...

It used to be the case where the bride and groom would not see each other till the bride is walking down the aisle to her beloved groom. Once thought to be bad luck to see each other before the wedding has changed with recent times. But the idea of the bride WOWing her future hubby with her amazing transformation and, of course, the beautiful gown, has not changed. Couples have been choosing to do a "First Look" without the crowds, without family and friends, to get in between the couple. (Or maybe those avid photographer guests who blocks the groom from seeing his bride as she walks down the aisle - after all who doesn't want a picture of the beauty in white?)

I love the idea of an intimate first look and I will definitely be suggesting it for my wedding. I want to be able to see my future hubby in private and to hold his hand and quell any last minute jitters. I also love that the photography team is around to capture the couple's loving goo-goo-ga-ga eyes when they see each other in their wedding attire. Its romantic. I especially adore seeing photographs where the couple is a distance away from the camera and getting their few minutes of alone time before their declaration of love day! Let's face it, for the next 4-8 hours you are never going to get a second alone with each other, why not have a private moment? I guess I am strongly posting my opinion about it, but I think you got to decide what works for you.

Are you superstitious and want to have the first moment your eyes meet on the aisle?

History background: When marriages were arranged by families (business transaction), brides & grooms didn't see each other before the wedding because it would have been embarrassing if someone backed out of the ceremony, because he/she didn't like what he/she saw...

Advice: Do these questions before engagement!

So you had the talk about your future and you both can picture yourselves together...what's next?

I would recommend doing a set of these questions or something like them, because it'll start exploring questions you never really thought or talked about. Every relationship is difficult and requires some work to get it all together and even then you're never going to agree on everything. I found these questions to be helpful in starting conversations for things I would have never thought about, but matters deeply. It may seem like a hassle, but I see it as starting a foundation for the future.

100 Questions a Couple Should Ask Before Getting Married
100 Questions Before I Do

I also recommend pre-martial counseling (not from personal experience, but from friends' testimonies) but hey why not get a jump start on your own with these questions! :)

Favorite Vendors: Hilary Lee Photography

I have a few amazingly talented friends and family, and I wanted to be able to share their work with you (and maybe spark your interest in their talents!) This is the start of favorite vendors...

Childhood friends always hold a dear part in anyone's heart and this childhood friend who I spent many weekdays and Sundays playing with is Hilary Lee. Hilary's the sort of girl who can capture you with her geninue kindness and she's able to capture your sweetest moments through her camera lens. Hilary is currently completing a Master's degree in Cincinnati, OH. (Help out the students!) Here's a few pictures that I adore. (Yes, I spent hours looking through wedding photography - it's my little secret shhh!)

Please contact Hilary if you're interested in her talents for your wedding or just for amazing photographs!

Locations: Cincinnati, OH & Buffalo, NY
Contact: Hilary
Page: https://www.facebook.com/HilaryLeePhotography

Culture Details: Chinese Tea Ceremony

Every culture/ethnicity/family has different traditions, and I would love to explore the different ones involved in weddings, but first I will start with what I know.

The Chinese always hold a tea ceremony. The tea ceremony represents the bride being officially introduced to the extended family. I have been at weddings where the tea ceremony takes place before the wedding day, during, and after, so that seems to be when it is most convenient for the couple and their families. In the past, the tea ceremony would only take place with the groom's family, but with current times it takes place with both sides of families.

Most often the bride wears a QiPao or Cheongsam (sorry I am not posting pictures yet for legality reasons) in red while the groom gets to wear a suit/tux. The order of service starts with the groom's side then the bride's side.

• parents
• grandparents
• grand uncles/aunts
• uncles/aunties
• elder brothers/sisters
• elder cousins

In some cases, the grandparents are served before the parents out of respect. The dad's relatives are served before the mom's relatives.

I personally would want to include younger siblings and cousins (though this requires some money leaving my pocket!). This is where tea is served by the younger siblings and cousins to groom/bride. Sometimes this is not done for time constraints reasons. (But then you make your youngers sad they don't get red packages! Who wants to have a grouchy flower girl?)

The biggest thing is to get your family titles correct! You don't want to be calling an aunt by the wrong title. In addition, asking them to drink the tea (in Chinese or English) usually helps. :) 

Now for the workout, to kneel or not to kneel? This is really up to the couple, though I recommend bowing if you are not kneeling. This just shows an extra level of respect and allows you not to spill tea on your relative's head. 

Which side does the bride go? The bride will stand to the right of the groom and serve tea to the male relative While the groom will serve tea to the female relative.

What happens if someone cannot attend? Someone can drink an extra cup of tea on behalf of the relative (only for living relatives).

GIFTS?! Yes, the tradition is that after serving the tea, the relative will gift the couple a red package which can be filled with money or jewelry. In some cases, relatives expect the bride to wear the jewelry she is given right away. 

PS its custom to give a red package to the helper (whoever is cleaning/pouring the tea for you). 

So can I just use any tea? No! The tradition is to use a red tea, but there are some teas that are used for the sake of their names:

Lotus seeds and red dates tea (莲子红枣茶) Which symbolizes that the couple couple will bear children quickly and continuously. (Reference)

Longans and red dates tea （龙眼红枣茶）The longan represents a "dragon" and the wish for having male children. (Reference)

Advice: How much do I give for a wedding present? (and how can I maximize my points)

I never knew what to give for a wedding. I still do not know. I have tried to google it and personally I think its a little outrageous how much wedding calculators advise to give. I'm not rolling in dough.

In case you're curious:

• http://www.theweddingenvelope.com/calculator.php
• http://www.ihateweddings.com/?itemid=36 (a little hilarious)

So, when I'm thinking about gifting I first consider:

• How well do I know the couple?
• Am I part of the wedding party? (If so, how much did I dish out already?)
• How far did I travel?
• What kind of event is this (how much do I think they spent per head)?
• Did they give me a plus one?
• What's on the couple's registry?

I'll tell you a secret - my go to amount is $100. (Which is probably low compared to other people standards and can't cover the cost per head). I am likely to increase the amount if I'm closer to the couple. But I think its also an unrealistic expectation for you to think they people will gift you enough to cover your reception. That's just bad financial planning.

What it comes down to is how much are you comfortable giving & can you afford it. The couple invited you for being their friend/family, I would like to think they prefer your preference over a big check. (Though some couples would beg to differ). 

So next is how do I earn my points on my gifts. First advice - never give cash or check since you can't earn points off that. If you want the couple to be able to spend on what they want, give a Visa GC (available at Office Supple stores - using Ink Bold (5x). Note that there is a $6.95 fee for the $100 GC). You can also purchase these online therefore earning more points through the Chase UR Mall. Another option which I've been doing is giving an Amazon GC, this is fee-less, and everybody uses Amazon. Again, I would purchase this at an Office Supply store using my Ink Bold. And there's also a plethora of other gift cards you could purchase such as Macy's and Nordstrom to name a few. Lastly if you're going to purchase off the registry, check the UR Mall to see if you can get additional points, and if you have Chase Freedom (and the registry is at Macy's for insistence. Use your card!) And ALWAYS do a search for coupon codes!

Advice: Setting Limits to Planning Times

Wedding planning causes so much anxiety, especially for the bride. Between her future husband not wanting to help choose between napkin colors, her parents giving her advice (sometimes unwanted), and her future in-laws just adding to the mix of the things. Not many ladies spend their livelihoods planning an event that could last a few hours to a few days, and often this means weight-loss and lack of sleep (in addition to the possibility of becoming bridezilla). With this kind of lifestyle, how are you expected to be glowing on your wedding day?

I think what's important between a couple is still having time for dates & focusing on other things besides the wedding. You need to remember why you are even getting married in the first place. I suggest scheduling a date night (wedding-planning-free-night) where the two of you can just enjoy each other.

Between handling your job, spending time with your fiance, and planning a wedding, parents/in-laws calling you up to ask you/tell you about wedding details every other day definitely can be overwhelming. It'll also be a lot easier to break down with your parents over your in-laws. I believe that a smart idea would be to have scheduled hours during the week where you can tell your parents/in-laws that this is when I'm going to focus on wedding planning, if you could contact me during this time I will be able to focus on your requests/ideas. I value your opinion and would like you to be a part, but I also need to focus on my job. Say it with love & appreciation! I'm sure your mother-in-law or mom can remember how stressed she was. After all they just want to help you!

Hope this makes planning a little less stressful & all the time.

Wedding Flavors: Donate!

I recently attended a wedding and was so delighted to see a different type of wedding flavors at the table. The lovely couple Jon & Connie decided to donate the money to various organizations in lieu of providing a wedding flavor to each guest. Wedding flavors are difficult to think of. You want something that is memorable and displays you and your husband's name & date, but at the same time practical. I would want to think/know the stuff I'm spending my money on is being used.

The table I was sitting at was a donation to World Vision, which is this wonderful organization that helps those in need world wide (especially children!). Don't forget many companies have a matching gift program & save the receipts come tax time.

I have been blessed with a lot and enjoy giving back what I have been given. I believe a wedding is a perfect opportunity to show that it's not all about you. :)

Point Pro Tip: 5x on dresses & shoes?!

Wedding dresses cost a fortune. We all want to look like princesses on our wedding day, because we have been dreaming about this day since seeing Cinderella look like she was sparkling while dancing with the Prince. But when it comes to wedding dress shopping, our minds quickly snap to David's Bridal or that fancy bridal salon we walked past. But if you're looking to accumulate points, might I suggest a different plan....

Go to department stores bridal salons such as Macy's, Nordstrom, or Dillards to name a few. These department stores have bridal salons (where you'll also get the princess treatment), but the best part is if you use your Chase Freedom card (now - December 31, 2013) you will earn 5x on your purchases at department stores. You can also purchase your shoes, your cocktail dress, and your bridesmaid dresses there! (In addition, to the men's suits, shirts, ties, socks, etc.)

So in the midst of buying those presents for family & friends, spend a bit of time thinking of you & what you want your ladies to wear.

Apply for Freedom Now!
*Please note that I get a bonus if you apply through my link. Please don't feel obligated, but I thank you if you do!

Freedom Merchants

Welcome!

Hi there and thank you for stumbling onto my blog!

I wanted to start sharing my ideas in order to save money, earn points, and travel the world while planning your wedding. In addition to that, some DIY wedding accessories, ideas, and feature some of my favorite vendors. I hope this blog comes in handy when you're planning your day!

I also hope that it will take away some stress knowing that you'll be able to visit some romantic getaway with your hubby for near pennies!

Feel free to comment and let me know anything you want me to discuss!

xoxo
C