ALTERNATIVES: To Exchange Rings, or NOT to Exchange Rings?

Tattooed 'rings' may be the best option for you, especially if you want to avoid the cost, convention, maintenance and/or discomfourt of wearing a wedding ring.

On left: from TATTOOED BRIDE blog, via Allebach Photography
On right: from MANOLO BRIDES via Leigh Miller Photography

Many people are led to believe (incorrectly, at least in California) that one must exchange rings as part of the marriage ceremony.  Not everyone likes to wear jewelry, even if it is your wedding ring. Do you work around electricity?  A metal ring may not be a good idea.  And what is a more permanent symbol of your love, than a tattoo?  You can't lose it, since you won't need to take it off to paint your house.  You also won't be able to take it off or throw it after an argument with your other half...  ;-|  

The act of tattooing rings to indicate betrothal or marriage is a fairly modern trend, but has gained popularity in recent times, especially in the UK and Europe. Ancient Egyptians would tattoo wrists and fingers to ward off illness and bad luck. Slaves' hands were sometimes tattooed to indicate ownership. Ancient Egyptian women have been found with tattoos on their bodies to promote fertility (from Ancient Egypt: Personal Ornaments website).

At a cost of about $100, tattooed wedding rings are an economical way to go, but may require some touch-up work down the line, especially as they fade and evolve with time.  The palm side of the hand is quite sensitive, pain-wise, and tattoos also tend to fade and blur faster on the palm side.

Check out these other tattoo wedding bands!

From WPIC website

 From TATTOOAHOLIC.com

If you seek a non-traditional wedding officiant, for your Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Ojai, Catalina Island, Ventura, Big Bear or greater Southern California ceremony, please contact venus, certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® for more information.

NEWS: Wedding Wishes Can Come True for More Couples

Couples with life circumstances other than terminal illness will now be eligible to apply, WISH UPON A WEDDING announced yesterday.

Wish Upon a Wedding is now accepting applications from couples where at least one individual has terminal diagnosis of less than FIVE years to live, as well as:

    * Couples faced with situations that have caused serious emotional, physical or financial stress (approved on case by case basis)

    * Married couples seeking vow renewals, who have faced serious life-altering circumstances including but not limited to terminal illness (approved on a case by case basis)

INTERESTING: How to Save Money on Your Wedding, from Post Secret

In time for the weekend, and with you budget-minded to-be-weds in mind, i present another secret from the POST SECRET blog!

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Original image stored here.

If you do not require a religious wedding ceremony, being married in a church,  please contact A Non-Denominational Ceremony at www.ceremonyceremony.com .  You CAN have the wedding you want!

NEWS: Become a Sponsor - Wish Upon a Wedding's Blissful Wishes Ball and Gala

BID YOUR WISH FOR WEDDED BLISS
On October 1, 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding will begin auctioning off hundreds of products and services, in 46 cities throughout the country, to help couples create the perfect wedding or event, all at incredible prices! All proceeds raised will help grant wedding wishes for terminally ill individuals.

Click on DONATE AN ITEM HERE  to submit an item for consideration. If approved, your donation will be featured in our nationwide online & live auctions, which will be open for bidding during October and November. By donating an item or service, you'll be helping to make wedding wishes come true for terminally ill individuals, and you'll receive great exposure for your business in return. You'll get a mention on the Wish Upon a Wedding site that can link back to your own web page, as well as a spot to advertise your logo and photos from your company! It's a great way to PAY IT FORWARD, and gain business in return.

The auctions will be open for bidding during October and November, in conjunction with the Blissful Wishes Ball.  The Blissful Wishes Ball is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and will be taking place in several large cities during November of 2010. Many of the items which will be available AT the actual GALAS are also available to be previewed right here on our Auction site!

Please visit WUAW's website for details and information on how to purchase Gala tickets, which go on sale August 15, 2010.  The following locations will be hosting a Blissful Wishes Ball, all of which are open to the public: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Houston, The Carolinas, Denver, Portland, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Orlando.  Additional locations may be announced soon.
Most donated items are tax-deductible, however we recommend that you speak to an accountant for clarification. Wish Upon a Wedding is operating as a nonprofit organization, incorporated in CA. We are recognized as a 501 c 3 organization, as the IRS received our 1023 application in February of 2010, and it is currently being reviewed.

TRADITIONS: Family Unity Ritual

Family Unity Ritual: Handstamps, originally uploaded by dj venus.

Here's a fun way to include children into your wedding ceremony: handstamping!

The bride wanted to create a memorable, and permanent, way to symbolise the new family. The couple's five year-old daughter joined them at the table, where there was a canvas and an ink pad. The bride and groom inked their daughter's hand, and their own hands, and pressed them to the canvas at the same time. After cleaning their hands with water and hand sanitizer (**Keep cleaning products close so you can maintain the flow of the ceremony!**), they gifted their daughter with a ring.

Anyone can participate! Stamping is just one way of including the family, larger community and/or beloved animals into your wedding ceremony.

POETRY: "Separation" by W. S. Merwin, United States' Poet Laureate #17

Separation  by W. S. Merwin

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.

What a beautiful poem!  i heard a short interview with the poet from his home on Maui on NPR.  The Library of Congress named Mr. Merwin as Poet Laureate on Thursday.  See the NY Times article here.