While you may choose the hue of your roses based on personal color preference, it is interesting to note that there are traditional meanings associated with various colored roses. For example, red roses symbolize love, passion, and beauty. White roses symbolize purity, innocence, and youthfulness. Pink symbolizes sweetness, grace, and faithfulness, while yellow symbolizes joy and friendship. Orange roses symbolize desire. Lavender says “I’m enchanted by you” and blue stands for mystery. Click here for more on the Meaning of Roses.

The Knot provides an overview on the three main types of roses used for wedding flowers:

• Hybrid Tea Roses: With its classic shape, the hybrid tea rose is, in fact, valued for its uniformity, durability (it will last the whole day without wilting!), and availability. The most popular kinds include the deep red roses known as Black Magic, the creamy white ones known as Vendela, and the gold-tone roses known as Leonidas.

• Spray Roses: These smaller roses include five to 10 small heads per stem and therefore fill out bouquets more than a single stem — making them a great value. They are available in single hues or bicolor, like the hybrid. Because of the variance in size, they are ideal for giving texture and visual interest to an arrangement.

• Garden Roses: These roses are far larger and more lush than the other varieties. They are often very open, and they’re more natural and free-form — like something you’d find in your own garden (hence the name). Because of the fragility, they are rarer, precious, and costly.

Understated Elegance: Here are some photos of bridal bouquets from the knot, made of roses all in the same color.

Mixed Magic: Mixing roses of various shades, sizes, and/or varieties makes a stunning bouquet. Pictures from The Knot:

Unexpected Hues: You can make a statement with roses in nontraditional colors, such as lilac and blue.

Karen Sherman, Ph.D., (www.drkarensherman.com),a practicing psychologist in relationships and lifestyle issues, says “NO WAY!” According to Dr. Sherman, it’s the little things, particularly well-loved rituals, that let your spouse know you care. It’s all about the security of being a pair, and acceptance and understanding that comes with a deep connection.

This desire for feeling connected all starts right from the beginning when you are born and in your childhood—there’s a need for attachment to a caring figure. When couples come in for help, the biggest problem I see is a sense of disconnection and feeling that he or she does not matter to his or her partner. The question then becomes how do you let your mate know that he or she really is important to you?

Do you remember the movie, Fiddler on the Roof? At one point in the script, the couple reflects on all the things that they do for each other, but then ask, “Do you love me?” For me, this raises the issue that perhaps going out and working all day to support the family or staying home and taking care of the house and kids—as monumental as those tasks are—are just not enough to let the other person know how you feel about them.

There are a lot of things you can do to let each other know how important you are to one another. They are rituals. They say a lot about your bond, even thought they are only small behaviors.

Dr. Sherman points out that for most people, acknowlaging birthdays and anniversaries is important. It lets your spouse know that he or she is not forgotten. You can turn this opportunity into a yearly ritual that will come to be cherished over time. “You don’t even need Hallmark to do the job; my father-in-law always wrote a poem for my mother-in-law on the morning of their anniversary and left it on the kitchen table before he left for work. He wrote it on a napkin! She never complained that she felt ignored.”

Daily rituals are equally important, and Dr. Sherman shares one that her husband does to start off each day. “When he hears me get up, he comes to greet me with a hug and kiss. I can’t even tell you what it means to me to feel so welcomed each day.”

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Do something to greet or say good-bye to one another—even if the absence is for short periods.
2. Have a ritual to acknowledge each other at the beginning and ending of each day.
3. During the day, make a phone call, send an e-mail or send a text message in order to connect with each other.
4. Rather than just spending time together to resolve an issue, make sure there’s also some time put aside just for enjoyment.
5. If one of you has to go on a trip, leave a surprise note inside the luggage.
6. If your partner has accomplished something special (even if it’s around the house), let others know within earshot of your partner.
7. If your mate is having a problem, try being supportive rather than trying to fix the issue.
8. Show appreciation to your spouse for things he or she has done—even if it’s mundane.
9. Bring novelty into your relationship. When you try new things together, it helps to keep the relationship fresh. And when you share this adventure together, it’s also connecting.
10. Turn on the affection. Touch is very important for a sense of connection.

Remember, this is only a starter list. Keep it going! And remember, the more personal your rituals the more meaningful they will be. The need for connection is something you both need and when it’s there, it is very magical!

Karen Sherman, Ph.D., (www.drkarensherman.com) is a practicing psychologist in relationships and lifestyle issues for over 20 years. She offers teleseminars and is the author of “Mindfulness and the Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” and co-author of “Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make it Last.”

Source: Hitched: Entertains, educates, and inspires marriages

Special gifts to say “I love you” for her… and for him!

Many brides search for the ultimate outdoor wedding location to capture the romance of their special day. If you are looking for a wedding spot that’s out of the ordinary, a vineyard may be the perfect destination, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance to your outdoor wedding.  Perfect Outdoor Weddings chose the top five vineyards where you can treat yourselves to beauty, serenity, enjoyable group activities, and fine wines, while celebrating the most wonderful day of your lives.

1. The most popular, Martha’s Vineyard, located in Massachusetts, is known for being remote from the mainland. If you are looking for that private island, Martha’s Vineyard is the ideal wedding destination — only accessible by boat or air. Martha’s Vineyard offers several unique wedding locations, including five lovely lighthouses overlooking the vineyard. Or you can tie the knot in a gorgeous gazebo at one of the local inns or vacation rentals.

2. Located north of San Francisco, another great spot is California’s wine country in Sonoma and Napa Valley. The Vintage Estate in Napa Valley is a 23-acre wedding destination, known for its wine production and lush scenery. Napa Valley is also known for fine art museums and antique shops. Sonoma County is home to beautiful pastures, wineries, and mystical rivers, offering activities such as hot-air balloon rides, surfing, and canoeing.

3. The charismatic Newport Vineyards, located in Middletown, Rhode Island is a delightful place to get married. The private wine garden comes with a wedding package that also includes on-site catering and personal wine tasting. Gansett Cruises offers a unique “Breakfast Sunrise” cruise that all your guests will enjoy.

4. Looking for a dreamy outdoor wedding venue? The Grand River Vineyard, located in Palisade, Colorado will definitely make your heart beat faster. The Wine Country Inn, features a breath-taking view of the vineyard, and has a beautiful gazebo and open patio area, perfect for an outdoor wedding. The whole wedding party can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, fishing and hiking.

5. Finally, Millbrook Vineyard and Winery, located in Millbrook, New York is a diamond in the rough. Millbrook Vineyard allows you to rent out the entire vineyard for your wedding ceremony. Set atop a hill, this quaint vineyard has quite a stunning view. In addition to outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, you and your guests can treat yourselves to an indoor art show.

Add the perfect touch to your vineyard wedding with gorgeous, unique wedding favors! ]]> http://www.bride.net/2008/five-breathtaking-destinations-for-your-vineyard-wedding/feed/ 0 http://www.bride.net/2008/two-years-later-the-honeymoon-is-officially-over/ http://www.bride.net/2008/two-years-later-the-honeymoon-is-officially-over/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:00:28 +0000 dena http://www.bride.net/?p=639 According to new research, the happy honeymoon ends after exactly two years, six months, and 25 days. It’s not that things come crashing down into irreparable fragments, it’s just that couples get into a rut and start taking each other for granted.

Researchers found that after second wedding anniversary, men are far more likely to leave dirty washing on the floor and the toilet seat up, while women stop wearing make-up, slouch around in pyjamas and hog the TV remote control. By the third anniversary… 83 per cent say they can’t even be bothered to celebrate the occasion…

Does this sound like you? Don’t worry, you’ve just fallen into a bad habit and need to reevaluate your relationship and make a commitment to give your partner more attention. Remember when romance was always in the air? You can get those good old days back if you’re willing to put in some effort!

“The odd romantic meal would probably be all many couples need to spice things up a bit. And small gestures such as tidying up, helping with the housework and relinquishing control of the TV remote would go a long way,” the rep added.

Newlyweds can take this advice to heart as well. There’s no need to wait til the romance wanes! Get into good habits and resolve to keep them up! Some tips to keep your marriage fresh include:

• Write love notes and leave them in odd places your spouse is sure to find them. It only takes a minute!
• See something he/she likes? Buy it as a surprise gift. It doesn’t have to be something big– a small bouquet of her favorite flowers, a new book by his favorite author– just to show you care!
• Make date night once a week or once every other week. Go out for dinner, see a movie, or order take-out and eat it by candle light.
• Send a sexy email. Your spouse might be putting in a hard day at work, but you can give him/her something to look forward to when he/she returns home!

How do you keep your marriage exciting and passionate? Drop us a comment and let us know!