Here comes the Best decoration for the month of February

Hmmm... It took a while for us to come to this conclude on the best decoration for the month of march and we have finally reach a conclusion and seriously decoration is taking a new shape and people are so creative in design this days. This design is a burial ceremony in eagle's club opposite shoprite, surulere in Lagos Nigeria and they turn d erected canopy to a complete hall....you can send your decoration to us in this month of April to join the list of the entry for this month... Thanks to our contributors and to all of you for your courage and love.

THE NEW MOVES IN 2015 THAT MAKES THAT WEDDING DAY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER YEARS

2014 is coming to a close, and this time of year is a popular time to pop the question. Whether you’re newly engaged or well into wedding planning mode, it’s never too early to start looking at wedding trends! If you’re planning a wedding in 2015, there’s plenty of new trends on the rise and a few old ones that will remain constant in the wedding world next year. Here are the hottest wedding trends for 2015.
THEMES & COLORS
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2014 was Radiant Orchid, and plenty of weddings from this year reflected this brilliant hue’s popularity. Pantone has announced its picks for Spring 2015, and the palette is full of gorgeous muted tones and carefully selected bright tones. These colors will be present in all of the trendiest 2015 weddings, reminiscent of minimalistic nature, floral art and tropical landscapes. Stay within the cool color spectrum with shades like Scuba Blue, Lucite Green and Aquamarine, or choose a warmer scheme with Strawberry Ice, Tangerine and Custard. Your wedding colors should reflect your personalities, so if having complementary colors to add a striking contrast is more your style, you can combine warm with cool to create your own palette.
Weddings will see a shift in popular themes, shying away from last year’s rustic barn weddings and Great Gatsby vintage glam trends and moving towards more modern, romantic and luxe themes. Sophisticated and sleek modern themes involve white or ivory with a burst of color or metallics. Classic elegance is making a comeback, with ornate weddings featuring formal tablescapes and soft lighting. Geometric shapes will still be around next year, in invitations, place settings, backdrops and centerpieces. Chevron will be traded in for more elaborate shapes like multidimensional dodecahedrons and prisms, as well as simpler patterns like clean lines.
WEDDING DRESSES
Your wedding dress is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. There are plenty of different styles and classic looks that stay constant throughout the years, but if you’re a fashionista, why not try one of the year’s upcoming trends? Ball gowns with full skirts made of lighter fabrics like tulle are popular next year, giving every bride the opportunity to feel like a princess without an excessively heavy dress.
Off the shoulder wedding dresses are trending next year as well, with many variations ranging from one-shoulder to draped sleeves on both sides. It’s a soft and romantic look that is flattering on all body types and can be featured in many styles, from boho to classic.
Sheer bridal gowns were making their mark in the wedding world in 2014, and in 2015 the trend has found the perfect balance of sophisticated and sexy. These sheer details, such as netting, lace or overlays, all give the illusion of more skin without being too revealing.
Colors are in for the upcoming year. Last year we saw an influx in dusty rose-colored and light pink wedding dresses, and this year we’re seeing an expansion into the world of color. Bridal gowns are popping up in shades of blue (a great way to incorporate your something blue!), neutral metallics and pale pastels.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
As we all know, fashion trends are heavily influenced by celebrities and what they choose to wear. Engagement rings are no exception. This past year the wedding world loved seeing Blake Lively and Lauren Conrad tie the knot, and both of these lovely ladies proved that not every engagement ring needs to be set on white gold or platinum. Blake Lively’s beautiful engagement ring was set on rose gold, while Lauren Conrad’s stunning ring is set on a yellow gold band. Yellow and rose gold are just as beautiful as silver tones, and they may even be more suitable for your skin tone.
Another engagement ring trend for 2015 is the eternity band, featuring many smaller diamonds all around the band instead of having one single center stone. It’s subtle in that there won’t be one flashy stone, yet striking when the stones catch the light and glitter beautifully on your hand. These types of rings are perfect for brides who still want the glitz and glamour of a shiny ring but without the focus on a large stone.
WEDDING FOOD
2014 was a great year for mini comfort food, with tons of midnight snacks and mini appetizers such as sliders and fries. We also saw tons of brides having DIY serving stations, from taco bars to smores bars to mimosa bars. Brunch weddings have become more popular recently thanks to the reduced cost in venue and vendor charges as well as the delicious food and drinks that you get to serve. These are trends that will carry over in 2015 due to the fun and creativity that goes into developing midnight snack and mini food menus. Brunch weddings will also increase in popularity.
One of the biggest trends that we’ll see in 2015 is the concept of local, farm-to-table fare. Seasonal and sustainable ingredients are becoming a priority in many wedding menus. Buffet-style serving is the latest trend, giving guests the opportunity to choose what they want to eat and the quantity. This also creates a more interactive reception dining experience, allowing guests to mingle and be social with one another. It’s also a great way to accommodate different dietary needs without having to have specific food for a select number of guests.
ALCOHOL & DRINKS
Having an open bar is a great way to turn your reception into a party, but it’s expensive and oftentimes a lot of the available options go untouched. Recently we’ve seen a trend in having signature drinks or limited bars featuring beer, wine and a couple different types of liquor. In 2015, we’ll see an increase in champagne, served in a champagne towers or a champagne and cake receptions.
As with food, mini is always popular and we’ll see that trend carry over into drinks as well. Wine flights, beer flights and drink stations will be popular next year because of the greater variety everyone will get to sample while simultaneously keeping your alcohol budget low.
DESSERTS & CAKES
Last year there was a surge in naked wedding cakes, but this year we’re seeing a return to the more traditional decorated and frosted wedding cake. Couples will incorporate their wedding’s theme, colors or design into their wedding cake so that it matches everything at the reception. Textured and patterned frosting is a great way to incorporate next year’s trend of geometric shapes as well as the metallic luxe look.
Dessert bars are just as popular as ever thanks to their customizability and flexibility. Cupcakes, macarons, brownies, hand pies, doughnuts, ice cream sandwiches and any other type of sweet treat are all being served at weddings. Have your guests help themselves at a serving station or decorate their own treats at a dessert bar. Take home bags are excellent party favors that your guests will love.
WEDDING BOUQUETS & FLOWERS
The most popular wedding flowers are timeless classics that will continue to be popular for as far as we can see. Roses, peonies, dahlias, ranunculus and hydrangeas are all top choices for brides in 2015. One trend that we see for next year is the increase in green foliage and wildflowers for a rustic, just-picked look. Herbs, ferns and other green foliage are all popping up in wedding bouquets, alongside seasonal blooms and other wildflowers.
Another wedding flower trend for 2015 is the floral backdrop, made popular by Kim Kardashian’s wedding in which she had a beautiful wall of white peonies, roses and gardenias. Floral backdrops create the most beautiful wedding photo settings and are fragrant, romantic and luxurious. Although filling an entire wall with blooms is very expensive, you can create your own version of the Kimye floral backdrop with more inexpensive flowers in a smaller area. Or, DIY with tissue paper flowers or other faux blossoms.
2015 is the year classic romance comes back into wedding themes. Metallics such as gold, silver, bronze and copper paired with neutral white and ivory create a luxurious setting that will have a timeless and elegant feel. Wedding dresses with unique details such as off the shoulder sleeves, sheer overlays and pastel colors will be popular, giving the modern bride a way to show off her inner fashionista without being too over the top. Food, drinks and desserts will see a few trends carry over from 2014, but will emphasize the idea of more options with smaller portions. The rustic chic trend will continue via wedding flowers, with foliage-rich bouquets of wildflowers and floral backdrops that will create the perfect wedding photo opportunity.
Source: BrideBox

WOMEN ARE DATING LONGER BEFORE GETTING ENGAGED

We are constantly reminded of the pressures of getting married, settling down and starting a family. Not only do the media continually portray this path as the norm, but the people we surround ourselves with also provide a benchmark for when we think we should be getting engaged. Some publications have determined that the average couple dates for a mere 25 months (just over 2 years) before the question is popped, while others find that couples date for just under 3 years before getting engaged. There’s a lot of societal pressure on what’s considered normal in the dating and marriage world, so we decided to conduct a survey to find out what’s really going on. We surveyed a random sample of 2,072 females in the United States aged 18 to 45 over a course of three weeks to see how long they dated their partners before they got engaged.
Survey Questions, Goals and Parameters
We asked three simple questions:
What city and state do you live in?
How long were you and your partner dating before you got engaged?
How old were you when your partner proposed?
Each of these questions were designed with the goal in mind: to find out how time and age affect relationships. We included the location factor to see how these relationships varied across regions as well. Specifically, we wanted to learn the following:
What is the average amount of time a woman dates her partner before getting engaged?
Is there any correlation between age and the amount of time spent dating? (ie: do younger people date for longer or shorter periods of time?)
Is there any correlation between location and time? (ie: do people from a certain region date for longer or shorter periods of time?)
Is there any correlation between engagement age and location? (ie: do people from a certain region get engaged earlier or later than others?)
We defined each region as the following states:
Midwest Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Northeast Region: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
South Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
West Region: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
EFFECTS OF AGE AND LOCATION ON RELATIONSHIPS
The results of our survey were very interesting. First and foremost, we found that the average length of a relationship before engagement is 44 months, or 3.67 years. That’s almost an entire year longer than other studies have stated! We also found that the majority of our sample size was between the ages of 21 and 35 when they were proposed to, and they dated an average of 46 months, or 3.83 years, before the proposal.
Brides who were engaged at the age of 20 or younger are likely to date the shortest amount of time before getting engaged (29 months, or 2.42 years). On the other hand, brides who were engaged at the age of 35 or older dated an average of 40 months, or 3.33 years.
For those who got engaged at age 20 or younger, the majority across all regions dated between one and three years. Something interesting to note is that the remainder of those in this age group were split fairly evenly between dating for less than one year and more than three years when they got engaged.
Region
Dated less than one year
Dated 1-3 years
Dated more than 3 years

South
28.5%
43.5%
28%

Midwest
21.5%
58%
20.5%

Northeast
31.25%
37.75%
31%

West
29%
40.4%
29.5%

 For the age group of 26 to 30 years old, the majority across all regions dated their partners for over three years before the question was popped. In fact, over half of the Northeast respondents and 60% of the West respondents dated for more than three years before getting engaged.
Region
Dated less than one year
Dated 1-3 years
Dated more than 3 years

South
18.5%
38.5%
43%

Midwest
16%
40%
44%

Northeast
11%
38%
51%

West
12%
28%
60%

For the age group of those over 35 years old when they were proposed to, there was a significant trend in the Midwest, with 50% of respondents stating they dated for less than a year before they got engaged. In the South and West regions, data is split fairly evenly amongst the three categories, while in the Northeast over half of the respondents dated for over three years before getting engaged.
Region
Dated less than one year
Dated 1-3 years
Dated more than 3 years

South
34%
34%
32%

Midwest
50%
27%
23%

Northeast
14%
31%
55%

West
26%
38%
36%

We also found that 30% of all respondents dated their partners for at least 5 years before getting engaged. Women between the ages of 21 and 35 spend 46 months, or 3.83 years, dating their partners before the proposal, while women aged 35 or older typically date for 40 months, or 3.33 years.
HOW LONG DO COUPLES DATE BEFORE GETTING MARRIED?
Our results provided an interesting insight into the way couples behave all over the United States. The average of over three and a half years of dating before the proposal is a significant amount more than other publications have determined. When you’re in a serious relationship and feel like you’re ready to commit to marriage, every additional month of waiting can feel like an eternity.
Further, the fact that women who get engaged at 35 or older tend to date for a shorter period of time than those aged 21 to 35 falls in line the concept that as you get older and become more experienced, you know what you want and what you’re looking for. This reduces the amount of time necessary to determine whether or not your partner is The One.
Although our research surveyed a comprehensive sample size of women in the United States, keep in mind that there are a variety of factors that should be considered when you are thinking about getting engaged. These statistics and averages, based on information provided by voluntary parties, can provide a peek into how long a couple typically dates before popping the question. Each relationship is unique and will take different amounts of time to reach the point where you’re ready for the next step.
Thank you to The Wedding Report Inc. and WeddingVibe who helped us conduct the survey and analyze the data.

10 YOGA POSES TO CALM & RELAX ANY BRIDE

Yoga is an ancient practice that has physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Although it has evolved quite a bit since its origin to become a sweaty workout, there are many poses that are known to have calming qualities. You can incorporate these poses into your regular routine to help de-stress in daily life, or practice them the day before and morning of your wedding. Whether you’re in the midst of planning your big day, freaking out in the hours leading up to it or simply want to improve your physical, spiritual or mental health, yoga can be a great way to unwind before your wedding. Try these ten beginner-friendly poses that will calm and relax any bride.
1. Mountain Pose
Mountain pose is typically the starting position for all standing poses. It’s a great way to start your practice and begin your purposeful breathing. A strong rhythm of breath is a key component of yoga, and with every inhale and exhale you’ll feel yourself relaxing.
How to do Mountain Pose:
Start by standing up straight, with your big toes touching and your heels slightly apart. Your weight should be evenly distributed throughout your feet.
Roll your shoulder blades down your back and allow your arms to hang by your torso, hands facing forward.
Your chin should be slightly tucked and your eyes are closed. You are standing strong with a straight spine, firmly rooted to the ground with a line of energy bringing the crown of your head up.
As you inhale and exhale, continue to roll your shoulders down your back.
This pose will improve your posture and stability, and is the foundation for many yoga sequences.  Each breath will calm your mind and enable you to relax. Hold the pose for 4 breaths, or however long you feel comfortable. 
2. STANDING FORWARD BEND
A standing forward bend is used as a resting pose and has many health benefits. This pose stretches your hamstrings and circulates blood to your head, and it can be very comfortable to allow your body to simply hang upside down.
How to do a Standing Forward Bend:
To begin, stand with your feet about hip-width apart, then hinge at the hips and reach your arms down.
If your hands do not fully reach the floor, feel free to bend your arms and grab opposite elbows in a rag doll position.
With every inhale you lengthen the torso, and with every exhale you deepen the fold. Your feet are firmly planted on the ground and your tailbone is lifted towards the ceiling.
Other benefits of this position include relieving headaches, insomnia and stress as well as reducing fatigue and anxiety. Hold the pose for 30 seconds to a full minute, inhaling and exhaling purposefully throughout.
 3. LEGS UP THE WALL
Lying down with your legs straight up against a wall is an excellent hamstring stretch and is great for those who spend a lot of time on their feet.
How to do Legs Up The Wall:
Simply lie down flat on the ground, or place a pillow underneath your lower back for support, and straighten out your legs against the wall.
Extend your arms out to the side with your palms facing up and make sure your heels are stacked over your hips.
By lying in this inverted state, blood will flow to your belly and improve overall circulation. Restorative energy will flow through your body and you can relax in this soothing state. Hold the pose for 2 to 3 minutes, or for however long feels comfortable for you. To come out of the pose safely, bend your knees and roll onto one side. 
4. CAT COW
Cat cow is a great beginner yoga pose that improves the flexibility and strength of your spine. The simple motion is hugely beneficial in preventing back pain and injury.
How to do Cat Cow:
Start on all fours in a tabletop position, with your shoulders stacked over your wrists and your hips stacked over your knees.
As you inhale, arch your back to come into cow pose. As you exhale, round your back to come into cat pose.
Continue this rhythm of breathing as you flow between poses. You will feel your spine moving and curving along with your movements. Keep your neck long, as a natural extension of your spine.
This mini vinyasa  flow soothes and stretches your lower back, while relieving stress as you gently massage your spine. This is a good opportunity for you to really focus on your breath and flow through the movements as you breathe. Cycle through a few rounds of cat cow until you feel your mind start to ease and your body relax.
5. DOWNWARD FACING DOG
The quintessential yoga pose, downward facing dog is the core pose for many vinyasa flows and sequences. For beginners, this pose may be difficult to fully achieve, but with every practice you will be able to improve and work your way towards the full pose.
How to do Downward Facing Dog:
Start in a plank pose on the ground, then push back to create an inverted V shape with your body.
Your hands and feet are planted firmly on the ground, tailbone is rising toward the ceiling and your shoulder blades are rolling down your back. If your heels don’t reach the ground, continue pressing down as you lift your hips up.
Downward facing dog is an excellent strengthening yoga pose because it engages every part of your body, from your arms to your core to your legs. It is an energizing pose and improves stiffness and back pain while boosting circulation throughout the body. Hold the pose for 8 breaths, or as long as you feel comfortable. Feel free to shift back and forth between a high plank pose to relieve pressure on your shoulders.
6. BRIDGE POSE
Bridge pose is simple back bend that provides gentle stretching of your back and legs, alleviating stress and tension.
How to do Bridge Pose:
To begin, lie flat on your back and bend your knees so that your feet are on the ground, hip-width apart, so that your fingertips can graze your heels.
Gently lift your back while pressing your feet into the ground.
Press down into your arms and shoulders to lift your chest up, engaging your legs and butt to lift your hips higher.
This pose builds core and lower body strength, while simultaneously lengthening and strengthening your spine. It energizes your body and stimulates your nervous system. Hold the pose for 4 to 8 breaths, releasing by exhaling and slowly rolling the spine back down to the floor.
7. CHILD’S POSE
Child’s pose is an active resting pose that can help quiet your mind and ease stress and anxiety. It stretches your back and hips and gives you the opportunity to melt into the ground.
How to do Child’s Pose:
Kneel on the floor and sit back on your heels, big toes touching. Separate your knees wide.
As you exhale, lay your torso and arms down in front of you. Feel your shoulder blades open as you reach forward with your hands.
Breathe slowly through this pose, feeling the stretch in your hips and lower back.
This is often used as a resting pose between sequences during  your practice. It provides a gentle stretch throughout your body and can help calm your mind. Hold for 30 seconds or longer, depending on how comfortable you feel.
8. RECLINED BOUND ANGLE POSE
Lying down in a reclined bound angle pose provides stretching of your inner thighs and knees, while stimulating your internal organs and alleviating the symptoms of stress and menstrual cramps.
How to do Reclined Bound Angle Pose:
Sit upright with the soles of your feet together and your knees spread open wide.
Gently lie flat on your back, allowing your knees to continue opening and stretching your inner thighs. Your arms can be down by your sides or up over your head.
This may be uncomfortable for beginners who have not done this pose before. Keep your knees lifted as much as needed to prevent injury, possibly with blocks or cushions underneath them for support. Hold the pose for 30 seconds or longer, however long feels best.
 
9. Supine Spinal Twist
A supine spinal twist is an excellent stretch for your back muscles and your spine. It also stimulates your internal organs and releases stress from your body.
How to do a Supine Spinal Twist:
Lie flat on your back and hug your left knee into your chest.
As you exhale, slowly bring your left knee to cross over your body, keeping your shoulders flat on the ground. Keep your knee lifted as much as needed to keep your shoulders and back flat.
Bring your gaze over your left shoulder and extend your arms out wide.
Repeat on the other side.
Hold this pose for 5 to 10 breaths on each side, being sure to breathe purposefully and intentionally to reap the full benefits of the stretch.
10. CORPSE POSE
Corpse pose, or savasana, is the final resting pose for your yoga practice. Whether you have been flowing through each pose in a rigorous workout, or practicing each pose individually for stretching, corpse pose is the ideal way to finish your practice and seal in all the benefits.
How to do Corpse Pose:
Lie down flat on your back, allowing your body to relax entirely.
Let your feet fall out to either side, arms alongside the body with the palms facing upwards.
Breathe naturally rather than purposefully, really allowing your body to rest.
To come out of this pose, deepen your breath and begin to move your fingers and toes, bringing awareness back to the body. Hug your knees into the chest and roll over to one side, keeping your eyes closed, then slowly bring yourself back up to a seated position. This final relaxation is a great way to let your mind and body relax fully, relieving stress, reducing headaches and fatigue and relaxing your central nervous system. Feel free to stay in this pose as long as you’d like in order to feel relaxed.
Practicing yoga before your wedding is a great way to get in shape and become more in tune with your mind. You will be able to feel the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of these poses with just a few rounds. Actively breathing and meditating will help you calm your mind even during the most stressful of situations. Even if you aren’t able to fully commit to a whole workout, simply practicing a few of these poses in the morning or before bed every night will help you relax and de-stress before the big day.

GORGEOUS FLOWERS FOR EVERY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

It’s fairly common knowledge that there are certain types of gifts that you should give to your spouse for each different wedding anniversary year (paper the first year, wood the fifth year and so on), but did you know that there is a specific flower associated with each anniversary year as well? Flowers are a great gift for any occasion, but you can make them extra meaningful by giving your husband or wife a bouquet of anniversary flowers. Each wedding anniversary is a special milestone, and giving or receiving flowers for each special year is a great way to show your partner your love and appreciation while also paying homage to these beautiful traditions. Here are the flowers associated with each anniversary year from the first to the fiftieth and what they each represent.
1ST ANNIVERSARY – CARNATIONS
Carnations are often overlooked, but they are actually quite a lovely flower. You can find carnations in a large variety of colors, from pink to yellow to red. They represent the commitment, loyalty and joy to look forward to for years to come, making them the perfect first anniversary flower.
2ND ANNIVERSARY – LILY OF THE VALLEY
Lily of the valley is a white bulbous flower with an incredible perfumed scent. They look lovely paired with fresh greenery in a bouquet. However, they are highly poisonous when eaten, so make sure you keep them away from pets! These small white flowers represent the purity and devotion of your relationship on your second anniversary.
3RD ANNIVERSARY – SUNFLOWER
Bright yellow sunflowers represent the third wedding anniversary. They embody strength, warmth, loyalty and fidelity. Their thick, sturdy stalks represent the strong foundation upon which your marriage is built.
4TH ANNIVERSARY – HYDRANGEA
Hydrangeas are a unique type of flowering plant that come in beautiful shades of blue, purple and white. They symbolize gratefulness and appreciation of your partner on a day as special as your fourth wedding anniversary.
5TH ANNIVERSARY – DAISY
Your fifth wedding anniversary is an incredible milestone, and the daisy is the perfect flower to represent such an important occasion. Daisies are perfectly symmetrical, with each petal stemming outwards from the center, each one standing for the different direction your relationship can grow from the strong core center. Daisies come in a variety of colors, from pink to red to orange, to suit your partner’s tastes.
6TH ANNIVERSARY –  CALLA LILY
Calla lilies are elegant and sophisticated, commonly available in pure, creamy white. Mini versions are available in beautiful colors like purple, orange and pink. Calla lilies are aptly named after the Greek word for “magnificent beauty” and represent faith, marital bliss and devotion.
7TH ANNIVERSARY – FREESIA
Freesias are a stunning flower that have a delicious fragrance, making them a commonly used scent in shampoos, soaps and lotions. They also create gorgeous anniversary bouquets, with blooms in white, yellow, pink, red and purple. Freesias are given to celebrate your seventh wedding anniversary and represent the strength of the friendship you and your partner have developed over the years.
8TH ANNIVERSARY – LILAC
Lilacs can come in a beautiful, pure white or a soft, gorgeous lavender. White lilacs represent youthful innocence, while purple lilacs represent the first feelings of love. On your eighth wedding anniversary, a bouquet of lilacs could serve as the perfect reminder of why you first fell in love with one another.
9TH ANNIVERSARY – BIRD OF PARADISE
Bird of Paradise flowers are exotic and interesting, thus making them an ideal ninth anniversary gift. They represent a promise of adventure and exploration to come and showcase the magnificence of the relationship you have built thus far.
10TH ANNIVERSARY – DAFFODIL
Daffodils are one of the simplest yet most beautiful flowers, with its bright yellow color and fun shape. When put together in a bouquet to celebrate a decade together, daffodils create a simply stunning display. Your tenth wedding anniversary is certainly a milestone to celebrate, and the simplicity of a single bloom magnified when put in a bouquet is a beautiful symbol of your marriage.
11TH ANNIVERSARY – TULIP
Different colored tulips carry different meanings, making them a very versatile flower to give to your loved one on your eleventh anniversary together. Yellow tulips represent cheerful thoughts, red for passion and love and purple for elegance and royalty. No matter what color tulip bouquet you choose, it’s the perfect anniversary flower to represent love, devotion and grace.
12TH ANNIVERSARY – PEONY
A classic wedding favorite, the peony stands for prosperity and good fortune. These full blooms come in a variety of colors and are the ideal 12th wedding anniversary flower. Peonies are viewed as an omen of good fortune and happiness to come.
13TH ANNIVERSARY – CHRYSANTHEMUM
These sun-like flowers have been highly regarded as symbols of luck, prosperity and longevity, thus making chrysanthemums the perfect flower for an occasion as important as your thirteenth wedding anniversary.
14TH ANNIVERSARY – DAHLIA
Perfectly symmetrical dahlias represent strength, creativity and endurance. A gorgeous bouquet of dahlias can come in a variety of vibrant colors, and describe the solid foundation of your marriage on your 14th anniversary.
15TH ANNIVERSARY – ROSE
One of the most popular romantic flowers, the rose is synonymous with love, passion and romance. Your fifteenth anniversary together deserves a beautiful bouquet of roses to represent the beautiful relationship you’ve had together thus far.
20TH ANNIVERSARY – ASTER
Your twentieth wedding anniversary marks two full decades together. Asters symbolize wisdom and good fortune, making them the perfect flower to give to your spouse on your 20th anniversary. You’ve both gained so much wisdom over the years and deserve the good fortune to come.
25TH ANNIVERSARY – IRIS
A quarter century of marriage deserves a beautiful flower with a deep meaning. The 25th anniversary flower is the beautiful iris, representing royalty and faithfulness. After all these years, you still view one another as royalty and your
30TH ANNIVERSARY – LILY
Lilies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and types. Throughout the thirty years you’ve been together, your commitment and bond has only strengthened to become what it is today. A beautiful bouquet of lilies on your 30th anniversary showcase the commitment, fidelity and devotion you have for one another.
40TH ANNIVERSARY – GLADIOLUS
Gladiolus flowers have a long and slender shape with brilliant and vibrant blooms. This stunning plant symbolize all of the wonderful memories you have from the past 40 years, and a bouquet of gladiolus will show your spouse your appreciation and love as you both reminisce about these beautiful memories.
50TH ANNIVERSARY – YELLOW ROSES AND VIOLETS
Congratulations – you’ve made it to 50 years of marriage! Such a momentous milestone deserves two different flowers: the yellow rose and the violet. These two flowers are complementary colors and look even better together than they do apart – just like you and your partner.
Each anniversary has a different flower to represent the different stages of marriage. They all have deep meanings and symbolize varying traits of your relationship. While these flowers are appropriate for specific anniversaries, you can also give your spouse her favorite flowers in combination with or in addition to the anniversary bloom. No matter what flowers you choose to go with, each wedding anniversary is an important reason to celebrate and an excellent reminder of your love for one another.

WILL YOU BE MY BRIDESMAID?

FUN WAYS TO POP THE QUESTION
Asking someone to be your bridesmaid is a big deal. Your bridesmaids will be your main support system from the bridal shower to the bachelorette party to the ceremony to the reception. They’ll be there for you through your wedding planning crises, help you find the perfect wedding dress and celebrate with you when you book your dream venue. These women also happen to be your best friends and closest family members, so it makes sense for you to want to do something special when asking them to be in your wedding. We’ve compiled 11 adorable and fun ways to pop the question to your girls.
1. What better way to celebrate your engagement than with balloons and confetti? Conceal a secret message and confetti inside a balloon, provide a safety pin and ask your girls to pop the balloon. They’ll be surprised and ready to celebrate with you!
2. Create a fun game for your best girls with this crossword puzzle. The wedding-related clues will indicate to them that you won’t be able to say “i do” without them! 
3. Nothing’s sweeter than a box of chocolates asking if she’ll be your bridesmaid. You can spell out your request with any of their favorite goodies, such as cupcakes, cookies, macaronis and brownies. Bonus points if your treats are homemade!
4. Tell your friends that you’ve got the guy, but you need your girls with these custom wine bottles. Not only do you get to include fun personal photos and anecdotes on the labels, but they’ll love the gift of a bottle of wine! When they say yes, you can enjoy a glass with them and toast to the exciting journey you’re about to begin.
5. If you know that your girls love coffee, surprise them with their favorite drink and your proposal! They’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness behind your gesture and love the fun spin you put on popping the question.
6. Give your girls these custom mason jars that read “Will you be my bridesmaid?” These versatile gifts can be used as drinking glasses, flower vases, storage containers and more! If you’re planning on having a rustic-themed wedding, including mason jars in your bridesmaid proposals is the perfect way to start incorporating the theme.
7. Mail in your proposal with a funny card! Promise your girlfriends that there won’t be hideous bridesmaid dresses to get them to say yes. There are plenty of cards with funny messages on the outside, leaving you plenty of room on the inside to write a personal message and include photos if you’d like.
8. Another funny card with a message they won’t be able to refuse – a promise for all the free champagne they can drink in exchange for being your bridesmaids and maid of honor! Make each card personal with handwritten messages and pictures of the two of you from years past.
9. Confess to your gals that you can’t tie the knot without them. After all, they’ll be the ones standing by your side at the altar. Include a small knot-related item, like a ring, bracelet or necklace to represent your upcoming nuptials.
10. Give each of your bridesmaids a gift box that includes everything they’ll need to prepare to be one of your bridesmaids: instructions for each event, a mini bottle of alcohol, chocolate, jewelry and photos of you. You can personalize each of these boxes to fit each of your individual friendships and relationships.
11. Bridesmaid poems are a lovely way to express your feelings of gratitude, appreciation and love, so it makes sense to write each of your bridesmaids and your maid of honor a poem. You can write individual poems tailored to each friendship, or write one poem for all of your girls. They won’t be able to say no!
We’ve been through so much
As these years have flown by.
And you’ve been there for me,
(Though not close by) By my side.
 It’s a blast all this planning,
The dresses! The hair!
Though not nearly as fun,
If you were not there.
 So get ready for questions,
For stress and for tears
Which will soon become memories,
We’ll laugh at for years.
 It would mean oh-so much,
It would fill me with pride
If you’ll stand next to me,
The “maid” to my “bride”!
Whether you choose to send a funny card or shower your ladies with gifts, asking your closest group of girls to be your bridesmaids is a fun and exciting opportunity to express your creativity and start incorporating your wedding’s theme. Asking your bridesmaids and maid of honor to be in your wedding marks the beginning of all the fun and creative things you’ll get to try out in the wedding planning process. With these great ways to pop the question, your girls won’t be able to say no!

HOW TO GRACEFULLY WALK DOWN THE AISLE

You walk down the aisle on your wedding day, all eyes are on you. Your dress, veil, hair, makeup and accessories have been carefully planned out so that you look absolutely perfect. You’ve chosen the perfect song to set the scene and demonstrate your feelings. To ensure that your walk down the aisle goes smoothly, you’ll want to practice it at least once during the rehearsal. Follow these simple steps to make your walk down the aisle graceful and elegant.
1. HOLD YOUR BOUQUET LOW
Even if this might feel unnatural at first, holding your bouquet lower will make your arms and torso look better. This will create a slimming effect in photos and guests will also be able to see the beautiful bodice of your wedding dress. To achieve this sophisticated look, hold your bouquet low enough so that your arms are bent in a diamond shape in front of your body.
2. WALK AT A NORMAL PACE
Some brides tend to walk quickly when they are nervous, while others tend to walk slowly. To make things seem as natural and seamless as possible, a good rule of thumb is to walk at a normal pace for you. However, depending on the song you’ve chosen for your walk, you may want to adjust your pace to match the beat. If the song is set to a moderate or slightly fast beat, it might seem more natural to follow the tempo. If it’s slow, then you’ll want to walk at your normal pace. Figuring out what pace to walk at is definitely something that you’ll learn quickly with a practice run.
3. FEEL FREE TO LOOK AROUND
It may help to calm your nerves to stare directly forward and avoid all eye contact with your guests, but this creates a stiff, unnatural presence that ultimately looks and feels awkward. Feel free to look around at the crowd at all of the guests who have shown up to support you and your love. You may find that your aunt is beaming back at you, or your uncle is sending you a comforting gaze. If eye contact is something that will cause more fear than reassurance, then glancing around at the tops of guests’ heads in the crowd is a simple trick that will help you achieve this natural presence.
4. STAND UP STRAIGHT
Your dress and bouquet may be heavy, and you might not be used to wearing your wedding heels, but the easiest way to instantly appear more graceful and elegant is to stand up straight. Having good posture while you walk down the aisle will make you look tall, lean and more beautiful. Hunching over will look especially obvious in photos, and something as simple as rolling your shoulders down your back will you help you avoid this unappealing look.
5. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR DRESS
Perhaps the most common fear brides have of their walks down the aisle is tripping over their wedding dresses. These gorgeous gowns are typically floor length, and oftentimes have long trains too. Most brides probably don’t have much experience walking in floor length ball gowns, so a helpful trick to help you glide down the aisle is to be mindful of your dress as you take each step. As you put your foot forward to take a step, your dress will move against the back of your leg. If you wait until the hem of your dress grazes your ankle, you will never step on your dress. This is something that may require a few practice runs, so if you still aren’t comfortable with this process then you can also ask your seamstress to hem your dress slightly shorter.
6. SMILE
We know you’re nervous on one of the most important days of your life, but sometimes we let it show in our faces. Remember to smile and try to enjoy yourself as you  gracefully float down the aisle. Everyone in that room is there to support you and celebrate your love, and smiling throughout your walk will let your guests know that you’re happy they came and there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
Your wedding rehearsal is the ideal time to have everyone in your wedding party practice their duties at least once before the big day. Walking down the aisle on your wedding day may seem like a huge deal, but remember that all you’re doing is walking! Smile, stand up straight and be mindful of your dress and bouquet. When looking around the room, you can lock eyes with your partner to be reminded of all of the reasons why you’re doing this. In the end, the most important thing is that you’re marrying the love of your life and your friends and family are there for the two of you.