Category Archives: Romance

The Wedding Kiss – Too Much or Not Enough?

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Not long ago there was a video that  went viral showing a couple who shared their first kiss as a married couple and it was gross. I mean “Get a room and lock the door” gross. I couldn’t help but think of how awkward I would have felt with my husband’s tongue down my throat while my entire family was watching!

Which brings up a good question: How much is too much? For me, that was kiss was it! But, in reality there are a hundred degrees between a peck on the cheek and a big, sloppy, drooling kiss.

A wedding kiss should be whatever you want it to be…. no matter what I think.

Last year everyone critcized the young royals due to the lack of passion in their wedding kiss. It left us wanting more… not much but, a little more. You have to remember they are British and they were on TV and they were probably nervous and in reality had probably kissed about a million times before. That whole ‘virgin’ thing is obsolete now, right?

About 30% of couples practice their first kiss so it doesn’t get out of hand. But, this also includes those occasions where the groom is planning to dip the bride and doesn’t want her to fall into a heap on the ground. I think having a discussion about your preference is a great idea but, practicing seems a bit contrived and the dip itself is only cool if its impromptu.

If you prefer a more modest kiss, don’t let anyone try to talk you into anything more. If you really want to lock lips in a deep kiss, go for it. For most of us,  a meaningful (3 second or less) soflty closed mouth  kiss  is quite enough. Here is a hint: if you can see tongues in your wedding pictures or if it looks like one of you is eating the other one’s face – maybe you went a bit too far.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Remembering Loved Ones At Your Wedding

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The date is set, the hall is booked, you have every detail of your wedding meticulously planned and you couldn’t be more excited for your wedding day to arrive. The only problem is that someone you loved is no longer here to share it with you. Whether it is wedding gown shopping with your mother or missing out on dancing with your father, there is an empty spot at your wedding and nothing or no one can fill that void. Instead of glossing it over, or trying to forget about how it would have ( should have) been, focus on including your dearly departed loved ones in the ceremony and reception in a way that keeps them close to your heart. There are a dozens of ways to remember your loved ones on this special day without turning a celebration into a maudlin occasion, here some of our favorites.

Have an empty chair where this person would have been seated and place a rose on the chair to signify their importance.

Wear something that the loved one wore on their wedding day or use portions of it creatively, like sewing a portion of your father’s favorite tie sewn into a garter or handkerchief.

Include lighting  a candle for that person into your ceremony. Don’t forget to include the details in the wedding program so everyone knows what is going on.

Include a framed photo of your loved one on the table by the guest book.

Mention them in your wedding toast. Raising a glass to someone is sometimes the most appropriate form of remembrance but, keep it short.

Use one of their favorite songs as your first dance or another significant moment in the day.

Whether you lost your loved one a month or many years ago, they are always missed especially during these special times. The best way to honor them is by adding touches to your wedding that celebrates the special times they shared with you. In other words, make it personal.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Remembering St. Valentine

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For many years I thought Valentine’s Day was a Hallmark holiday, one that was manufactured so that greeting card companies and florists could make us buy things we didn’t need and candy sales would soar. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to know the history associated with this holiday and the legend behind all of the cards and flowers.

Folklore presents a tale of a priest named Valentine (later to become a martyred Saint), marrying lovers in secret, against the wishes of Roman Emperor Claudius II who ordained his soldiers remain single and celibate in order to maintain their focus. There is an additional modern embellishment to this story, provided by American Greetings to History.com, and widely repeated despite having no historical basis whatsoever. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first “valentine” card himself, addressed to the blind daughter of his jailor, Asterius, signing the card “From your Valentine.” From that point, ‘Valentines’ were sent in secret as expressions of love by those who could not openly proclaim their feelings for various reasons.

In elementary school, we exchange valentine card with everyone in the entire class, for those who are home-schooled- this is a fairly easy task. In middle school, students send lollipops or messages to friends and crushes either anyonymously or as a blatant show of affection. In high sc’hool it starts to get complicated and only the ‘couples’ really get into the celebration unless there is some really burning desire to use this as the day to come clean and profess your undying love. As we get older, Valentine’s Day becomes the day we send our loved ones greetings; mother, father, grandparents, dear friends, etc.

In the dating world, Valentine’s Day is the day to pull out all the stops and possibly pop the question. In fact, about 10% of all engagements occur on this holiday. More than that, many couples decide to get married on this holiday for a myriad of reasons: it is a very romantic day to join together in matrimony, there is a lot of history associated with this holiday, and it’s an easy date to remember.

For whatever reason you get engaged or married on this holiday, remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for someone they love, the ones who kept their love in secret and for those who could never join together for whatever reason. Openly express your love for those around you, show them you care with thoughts and actions, a homemade card, a diamond necklace or whatever speaks to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago