The 4th Annual Wedding Bliss for New Beginnings Fundraiser

~written by Cendi Micor



WEDDINGS JUBILEE presents the WEDDING BLISS Sale for NEW BEGINNINGS. Here is an incredible event in support of an incredible charity. NEW BEGINNINGS believes in aiding women and children from a state of poverty to self-sufficiency, but the key is to educate them so that they remain well. Denise, of WEDDINGS JUBILEE has been gracious enough to put all her time and effort for the past two months into this humbling event. I am lucky enough to have her as a colleague and friend and ask that you attend this event.





Whether you are looking for vendors, a wedding gown (worth thousands, priced from $90-$350), an intimate fashion show or just want to support a great cause, please save the date April 11, 2010 at the RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL. There will also being amazing prizes to win: $100o towards your wedding bands from ADAMAS courtesy of THE RING BEARER, Honeymoon (accomodation for 2) to the BREEZES Grand Resort & Spa courtesy of SUPERCLUBS BREEZES, a wedding gown from RITCHE and a tuxedo from MOORES and more!!!! They were also featured on Breakfast Television on March 22, 2010- "Ways to Recycle a Wedding Dress!"

~All photos courtesy of www.weddingblisssale.com

For more information...please review the Press Release below:


CONTACT: Denise Georgiou-Newell

pr@weddingsjubilee.com

416-500-6265

-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --

HAUTE COUTURE + HONEYMOONS + ENTERTAINMENT

=BRIDAL BLISS FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

March 22, 2010, TORONTO, ON - What does low-priced couture gowns, scrumptious catering, thrilling entertainment and a free honeymoon mean? For the Torontonian bride it means pure bliss. But for the women and children of Toronto in need of a safe community, food and clothing…it means New Beginnings.

On Sunday, April 11th from Noon to 6 PM at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (300 Jarvis Street ), WeDDings Jubilee is proud to host the Fourth Annual New Beginnings Wedding Bliss Event (www.weddingblisssale.com) – whose proceeds support the effort to raise funds and increase awareness of New Beginnings' programs for women and children.

For just $20 or $25 at the door, brides will step into a wedding wonderland of exclusive, first-class never worn wedding gowns, starting at an amazing low price of just $99. Add in exciting entertainment, an ‘haute’ strolling fashion show, fabulous door prizes and giveaways including a chance to win a luxurious honeymoon from Breezes Resorts and $1000 towards your rings donated by the Ring Bearer, Canada’s premier online wedding magazine. There will also be many vendors on hand to assist with any of your wedding planning needs. You will have a memorable time that will be cherished almost as much as the wedding day itself.

Who We Are

New Beginnings' goal from the very beginning was simple: properly coach, support and encourage young women to successfully transition from poverty to self-sufficiency.
There are 3 main goals for these women once they complete our program.

1) To create a phenomenal life for themselves and their children. This will require personal and social development so they can reach their full human potential.

2) Building safe and stronger communities is everyone's responsibility, learning how to become ‘community builders' and to get involved is the way to ‘give back'. It is the key to community growth.

3) Last but not least, the goal for these women is to create a career not just find a job, so they become self-sufficient. Statistics show that people who are on social assistance who just got a job return to welfare (Welfare Toronto 2001).

Charitable Registration #86472 8225 RR0001

For more information about this event, to cover this blissful day or to arrange an interview please contact Denise Georgiou-Newell at pr@weddingsjubilee.com or 416-500-6265

The Filipino Wedding Ceremony

~written by Cendi Micor

As a Canadian with parents from Manila, Philippines, I chose to incorporate my Filipino customs into my wedding ceremony. In fact, it is very common for weddings in Canada to have intercultural traditions since the majority of our population are immigrants. With that being said, I would love to share with you the details and meanings behind a Filipino wedding ceremony.

One aspect that is very distinct is the attire. Brides wear the common white bridal gown, due to America's influence. However, grooms wear what is called a "barong". This is formal attire in the Philippines for men and can also be worn by other men at the wedding. It is an almost transparent shirt, that is usually buttoned-up and has intricate embroidery. Underneath you can wear a plain white undershirt. It is very convenient due to the extremely warm weather in the Philippines, however, can be quite difficult if worn during fall or winter seasons elsewhere.



~Photo courtesy of www.quezoncity.olx.com.ph

The ceremony, which usually is incorporated with a Catholic mass, consists of primary and secondary sponsors. The primary sponsors are couples chosen to be Godparents. Godfathers (ninongs) and Godmothers (ninangs) can be the same ones chosen by the bride & groom's parents during the baptism, however do not have to be. The secondary sponsors are three couples (who are randomly chosen, do not have to be married or dating) who participate with the veil, cord and candles. It is up to the bride and groom to choose but preferably one from each side of the family. Immediately after all sponsors are seated, the candles sponsors light two candles (one of each side of the couple) then have a seat. After the rings are exchanged....

Next is the coin ceremony, the coins are called the "arras". This is why aside from the ring bearer, a coin bearer is also needed in the wedding entourage. The priest is given 13 coins, and while the groom has his hands cupped above the bride, he passes them to the groom, who in turn allows them to flow into the bride's cupped hands. They are then passed onto a plate held by an acolyte (perhaps an alter boy/girl). The symbolism behind this is that there will always be fidelity and they will have a prosperous life. The groom passing them to the bride is significant as he is to ensure that he takes care of her materially.


~Photo courtesy of www.eventsinstyle.multiply.com

After a point in the mass called the Sanctus, the veil sponsors are asked to come up to the altar where the bride and groom will be kneeling. A large veil is pinned over the bride's head and around the grooms shoulders.


~Photo courtesy of www.photographybymonique.com


This symbolizes the male being the "head" of the household or "unity" as they are clothed as one. Once this is completed, the cord sponsors are called up to place a white cord, loosely around the couple's neck. It must form a figure-eight to symbolize their lifelong bond.

They candle sponsors are asked to approach the candles they lit at the begin of the ceremony, preferably the bride and groom's original baptism candles, and simultaneously light a Unity Candle in the middle. This symbolizes that as seen by God's eyes and their family, they are now to live as one. They are also supposed to light the Unity candle on every wedding anniversary.

The rest of the ceremony is conducted as a normal Western ceremony would follow and the same sponsors are expected to remove the cord and veil.

During the reception, it is very popular in the Philippines to release two doves as a symbol of love and peace. This is a custom that many cultures incorporate.



~Photo courtesy of www.chariots4hire.com

Another tradition, that is also used in Poland and the Ukraine, is the "Money Dance". This is where guests line up to take turns to dance with the bride and groom. The DJ is usually asked prior to the wedding, to have a list of songs solely for this moment of the evening. While dancing, money is pinned to their attire. Some couples may choose to avoid this tradition in fear of the "money-grubbing" stigma.

A few other traditions.....

**extremely bad luck for siblings to get married in the same year

**it is not wise to go out or travel the night before the wedding because you may get into an accident

**the groom must enter the church/place of ceremony before the bride

**an heirloom rosary should be held by bride along with bouquet during ceremony

**bouquet should be placed on the grave of a loved one who has passed

Want to say "I Love You" in Filipino, it's easy ...."MA-HAL KI-TA"

Coincidentally enough, this is being published on the same day as the MANNY PACQUIAO boxing fight tonight......good luck Pac-Man!!! Hope you all get a chance to witness a Filipino ceremony. It is long but very beautiful!

Our American Angels

~written by Cendi Micor

I woke up this morning and did my routine...turned off my alarm, grab my phone and checked my tweets. I tweeted about how grateful I am to have had a successful new year as a Certified Wedding Coordinator. Then, coincidentally enough, I came across a tweet from WISH UPON A WEDDING. This American organization was founded by Liz Guthrie as she was planning a large-scale giveaway. She came across so many stories of hardship that it influenced her to go out and do something positive.



They are America's only wedding wish grant organization and they allow the opportunity for couples with a life-threatening illness to have the wedding they are entitled to. Regardless of whether or not they have months or years to live, we all need to have our "big day" no matter how big or small.

If you would like to help, you can donate, take donation instead of gifts for a registry, offer chance to donate instead of favours and wedding vendors can contribute a portion of their profits.

So to all brides and grooms out there who are stressing over your planning....realize that there are others out there who are dealing with worse situations. Appreciate who and what you have and, at the risk of sounding cliche, live each day to the fullest!!