Thursday, August 2, 2007

The World's Most Romantic Wedding ?


June is traditionally the number one month for weddings. As a wedding ceremony is probably the most romantic occasion in a woman's life, more and more brides to be are choosing to maximize the romance factor by holding their wedding in a location that scores high on the romance index -- a sunset wedding on a tropical beach at sunset.

Recent statistics show that romantic travel is on the increase. More than 30% of all adults (not just brides and grooms) will go on a romantic trip this year. Weddings, honeymoons and wedding vow renewal ceremonies make up a significant number of those excursions.

Although many couples choose big cities such as London and Paris, or adventure travel destinations like Egypt and Australia, by far the highest number -- 54% to be precise -- pick relaxing destinations such as tropical beaches for their romantic travels.

This reporter has recently been researching various travel destinations and in the process uncovered what could very well be the place to have the world's most romantic wedding.

A lot of beach resorts around the world offer unique wedding packages. Some of the most popular destinations for romantic, beach weddings are Fiji, Hawaii and the Bahamas.

There are numerous luxury resorts in the Maldives islands, located in the Indian Ocean, and many of them offer unique wedding packages. For example, the Banyan Tree resort offers underwater weddings for diving enthusiasts.



But it would be a big challenge to find any tropical beach wedding ceremony more romantic than the one offered by the Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu resort in the Maldives. Their traditional Maldavian wedding ceremony takes place at sunset under a canopy built from coconut trees and leaves, on the beach of a desert island.

The bride arrives in a traditional Maldavian sailboat called a dhoni, and is carried to the beach, where the groom is waiting with the minister (in traditional dress), family and friends. After the exchange of rings and vows, the local fishermen strike up a rhythmic beat on "bodu beru" drums, to accompany the bride and groom back to their villa.

The wedding reception includes more drumming, ceremonial dancing and a barbecue dinner, and the happiness of the newlyweds is toasted with glasses of kurumba (coconut juice). The next morning, a coconut tree is ceremonially planted in honor of the newly married couple.

For more information about resorts in the Maldives, visit www.maldivesislands.info.

Robert Scheer is a freelance travel writer. His recent contributions include articles for Maldives Islands Information. Read Robert Scheer's blog at arcaneinformation.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Scheer

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Celtic Wedding Rings and tying the Knot


The origins of the Celts dates back to prehistoric times when they emerged as a group of loosely knit tribes with a common culture and language.

Celtic settlements stretched from Turkey and the Balkans right across Western Europe. But it was the rise of the Roman Empire that would expose the lack of cohesion between the various Celtic tribes and would lead to them being overrun, expelled from their territories and being pushed back to the western fringes of the continent.

Although the ancient Celts flourished across Europe, it is in Ireland where their traditions have been most preserved.

One aspect of this culture that still survives today is the artwork and this is most commonly seen in jewellery such as celtic wedding rings.

Their artwork was believed to be very symbolic often being based on nature using images of birds and animals and fish. The Celts believed firmly in the interconnectedness of all life and produced the familiar Celtic Knots, which are interlaced patterns with no beginning and no end.

Although perhaps the true significance of these patterns has been lost over the millennia, Celtic designs remain increasingly popular in our modern world.

The Claddagh is a traditional symbol of love and friendship and is thought to have originated from Claddagh in Galway as far back as the 16th century since when has been worn by many as a wedding ring and as a symbol of love.

The design of the Claddagh consists of a heart as a symbol of love, a crown as a symbol of fidelity or loyalty and the hands depicted friendship. Tradition states that if you are spoken to you should wear the Claddagh on your left hand facing inward but if you are unattached it should be worn facing outward on the right hand.

Celtic crosses, which predate Christianity, can symbolize the four quarters of the earth and or the four elements ? earth wind and fire. They are equal armed crosses which are enclosed or backed by a circle. Celtic crosses are often worn as jewellery such as rings or on chains around the neck.

The Celtic spirals are very symbolic with the single spiral generally thought to signify growth expansion and cosmic energy.

The dual centred spiral found often on stone carvings signifies duality and nature and is associated with motifs from other cultures such as the Ying Yang symbol.
Celtic knot work designs remain popular today and can vary from single elegant knot patterns to complex intricate interlaced patterns.

Although the symbolism of celtic designs may have been lost, many of the designs remain popular today and will often be seen used in the design of jewellery and in particular Celtic Wedding rings.

Written by John Lewis of Love2Have who specialise in traditional gold celtic wedding rings handcrafted in the UK.

This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_21634_41.html

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Wedding Loans - When Wedding Bills Are Postponing the Wedding Bells

Somewhere when you least expected, you find the person who you know you are going to share your life with. You met that wonderful person. And it is a blessing that you are going to walk down the aisle with that person. You want to share it with everyone, everyone. And this one important day of your life has to be perfect in every respect of the word. 2.3 million weddings are taking place each year, but that doesn’t make your marriage just another figure in the statistics.

If you have taken the decision to get married then perhaps you are moving to the next decision which is how to get married. While preparing for that question, the question of finances is understandably related. Wedding loans have the perfect answer, in case you can’t afford the wedding you are thinking of. Today average wedding costs somewhere between £18,000 and £19,000. Only 40% of the people can actually pay for their wedding. This amount might not fix into every ones pocket. Wedding loans offer the precise answer for wedding fund blues. However, wedding loans options are expanding online making it easier to get finance for wedding. But they might even make it easier for you to fall prey to taking more than you need.


Wedding finance is no longer the monopoly of the bride’s father. Most of the couples pay for their own wedding or the cost is split between the families of the bride and the groom. Budgeting is integral when you are taking loan for your wedding. How much you need and what is going to cost what – should be very clear in your mind. When you are searching for wedding loans online – this is a good source for wedding loans – take your time. It is rather easy to find wedding loans online with great interest rates. Borrowers can use a loan calculator to know whether they can afford the wedding loan or not. You can ask different loan lenders for wedding loans quotes. This will help you in finding a wedding loans deal that has value for your money.

Interest rate for your wedding loans is what decides how much it will cost you. Interest rate on wedding loans is dependent on many things; therefore you might not be offered the rate that is displayed as the APR. APR is the annual percentage rate – it is the true cost of the loan. You will be using this to compare the wedding loans quote from different lenders. Every lender calculates APR differently therefore it becomes all the more important for you ask for wedding loans quotes from different lenders.

Credit a credit check before you apply for wedding loans. Credit score have a huge impact on loan borrowing. You can have an easy access to your credit report and credit score at credit reporting agencies like Experian, Equifax and Trans union. They will give you concrete details on how to improve your credit score also. Interest rates for people with bad credit score are higher. But there are other factors, which wedding loans lender might be looking at. The presence of collateral will enable you to get wedding loans at lesser interest rates. Unsecured wedding loans that are without any collateral would invite a higher interest rate than secured loans.

Take Wedding loans as an opportunity to discuss your views towards money and finances. Get each others views on how to manage your finances. Most of married couples fight on finances. Before you take wedding loans you are supposed to work out on your finances and lifestyle so that you can accommodate monthly payments into your budget. Figure out how and when you are going to repay your wedding debts.

Wedding is of an emotional significance to those who are getting married. However, don’t let emotions phase out you financial decision or you might end up being in debt. The amount on Wedding loans should be what you can afford. Sit down and try to cut on the wedding expenses wherever you can. Don’t take wedding loans for costs that might be avoided. Sit down and take time to plan not only the wedding but the finance for the wedding. A rushed wedding loans decision might direct you towards a wrong deal. Financial troubles at the start of your married life are a big no-no. Marriage can be the hardest decision you made in your life. But it will turn out to be the most rewarding one if there is enough love and a good financial decision to back it.

Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from CPIT and has completed her master’s in Business Administration from IGNOU. She is as cautious about her finances as any person reading this is. She is working as financial consultant for chanceforloans .To find a Personal loans,bad credit loans,Debt consolidation,home equity loans at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Thompson