wedding Archives - Dad of Divas

4 Great Forest Wedding Ideas

February 6, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

In times past, women determined all aspects of weddings and receptions. Fortunately, things have changed, and guys are more involved in deciding what they want their weddings to look like.

Having your wedding in a forest or woodland area and using one of these themes will let you and your guests enjoy nature and have a fun, memorable experience.

1. A Fantasy Wedding

From Lord of the Rings and Elder Scrolls to Dungeons and Dragons and Game of Thrones, high fantasy is at the forefront of entertainment these days. According to Nielsen’s social content ratings, people posted on Twitter 80,000 times about Game of Thrones in just the last few minutes of the series finale.

Couples often forge bonds that last a lifetime by discussing the events on their favorite fantasy series, talking about their favorite books with each other, or having some fun with fantasy role-playing. A fantasy wedding lets you revisit great memories and form new ones.

For instance, get your groomsmen to help you carve some custom wood sculptures or gather other items to accent your wedding space. Bridesmaids can dress as elves or faeries, while groomsmen can be knights or adventurers. You can even encourage your guests to dress up along with you to help recreate your favorite fantasy scenes.

2. A Midsummer Night’s Wedding

Recreate one of Shakespeare’s most enchanting tales by dressing the bridesmaids as faeries and the groomsmen as enchanted men drawn to the women by magic. In addition to focusing on the wedding attire, you can also decorate the woods where you’ll wed with colorful fabric and sparkling lights.

Add more light to the festivities with candles and Moroccan lanterns and, even though you’re in the woods already, don’t be shy about adding wildflowers and wicker table ornaments. Lastly, you can use the opportunity to choose a touching Shakespeare quote to recite during your vows.

3. An Event for Environmentalists

You can enjoy nature at your wedding while still taking care of the environment. As such, provide recyclable materials, avoid littering, and leave some information about local wildlife on tables at the reception.

Additionally, if you already have plenty of household items, ask for donations to a charity such as the Sierra Club Foundation instead of gifts. By doing so, you can save valuable space in your home and avoid wasting time and fossil fuels to return unwanted or duplicate items.

4. A Woodsman’s Wedding

You can also hold your reception in a log cabin and serve maple candy or pancakes with maple syrup. If you go with the log cabin theme, your mantra should be “think rustic.” The more you can incorporate hearty materials like cast iron, carved wood, and steel, the better. Plaid is an obvious choice for attire, but it’s definitely been done before. If you want to shake it up, perhaps reserve plaid for your wedding cake.

Want to add some humor? Ask people to sing Monty Python’s “The Lumberjack Song” after the bride and groom say “I do.”

Make Your Wedding Day Unforgettable

Let people know you’re planning to get married and generate anticipation for your unique forest wedding with customized save the date cards. You can have your portrait, wedding date or another image printed on the front, and several different kinds of paper are available. These cards set the tone for your big day, and you can give your guests more information when you send out invitations. Make your event special with an awesome day in the woods.

Five Top Tips for Proposing on Vacation

November 1, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If you’re planning to go on vacation with your significant other, you might be planning a proposal to coincide with your trip. Proposing while on vacation can be the perfect way to start the rest of your life together and can definitely be a more romantic and exciting experience than proposing at home. But, it’s important to keep in mind that popping the question abroad can present its own set of setbacks, meaning that it’s important to put in a lot of careful planning and preparation to ensure that you can pull it off well. We’ve put together some top tips to help you prepare the perfect vacation proposal.

#1. Get the Perfect Setting:

Why risk having your perfect proposal ruined by noisy neighbors or a packed-out hotel? The best option is to book your own private villa to yourselves so that you can enjoy the moment in your own space. Rather than being confined to just one room, luxury Villas in Santorini allow you to enjoy a perfect home from home setting where you get to spend some quality time with your loved one during this special time in both of your lives. You can find villas with your own private pool and some even include a private spa or jacuzzi where you can relax with a glass of champagne to celebrate your future together. Blue Villas have a variety of options in Santorini, which is the perfect romantic destination to plan your proposal. Enjoy stunning views from your own private terrace while you pop the question, before going to any of the stunning beach bars to celebrate.

#2. Transporting the Ring

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of planning a vacation proposal is transporting the engagement ring safely. When you’ve just spent thousands of pounds on the perfect ring for your special lady, the last thing that you want is for something to happen to it in transit. It’s a good idea to pack the ring in your cabin luggage, so that you can keep it with you at all times, rather than putting it in the hold and risking damage or loss. In most cases, having the ring in your cabin luggage won’t cause an issue when going through airport securities, but you might prefer to put it in your bag, rather than on your person when going through the metal detectors as you could be asked to empty your pockets and that could ruin the surprise! You might also want to consider having the ring insured before you set off; this will ensure that you’ll be compensated for any potential damage or loss.

#3. Think Outside the Box

Most successful vacation proposals are the product of much thinking outside of the box. The best thing about proposing on vacation is that there are certain things available to do that will make your proposal even more unique and exciting. For example, you could propose underwater during a scuba diving trip or in the air skydiving out of a plane. Or, you could keep it simple by popping the question on your favorite beach or in front of some of the best views in your destination. It’s a good idea to do your research beforehand to discover what’s available close to where you’re staying; this will help give you some ideas. But, don’t forget that things could always change once you arrive. If you find that something simply feels right in the moment, it’s perfectly acceptable to change all your plans at the last minute. Go with your heart!

#4. Take Photographs

Popping the question during a romantic vacation together makes for the perfect photo shoot setting. You might want to consider hiring a professional photographer beforehand; this is an option that’s becoming more and more popular with guys who plan to propose on vacation. Getting a photograph of the moment can be a wonderful way to keep the memory with you for the rest of your lives.

#5. Have a Back Up Plan

Last but not least, be prepared for potential things to go wrong or be out of your control when proposing on vacation. Even if you’re planning to travel to a warm and sunny destination, bear in mind that weather can always change. Even in the warmest of climates you can still experience storms and summer showers, so make sure to keep your eye on the weather forecast for the big day. Unless you’re happy to go with the flow, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan that you can turn to if anything goes wrong with your initial ideas.

A vacation can be the perfect opportunity to ask your partner to take the next step in your relationship. We hope that these tips help you pull of a proposal that gets you a ‘yes’.

4 Ways A Dad Can Help His Daughter Plan Her Big Day

February 23, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Your daughter is getting married and you want to help her plan the big day. “Father of the bride” is a role to be proud of, and it’s one that comes with many responsibilities. As her dad, you’re instrumental in her wedding, and you will feature largely in her memories of the event, so you need to take your role seriously and be prepared to chip in.

Despite what a lot of people believe, there’s more to your role as a dad than merely handing over your credit card and walking your daughter down the aisle. Here’s how you can help your daughter plan her nuptials and prepare for the big day.

Help Financially

These days, there is less expectation on parents to help pay for their child’s wedding, but you still might want to support the couple financially. Talk to your spouse about whether you can afford to chip in and work out how much so that you’re ready for the conversation when it arises. The newly engaged couple might be planning to pay for the festivities themselves, and it is their wedding after all. So don’t panic if you can’t contribute financially – there are plenty of other ways you can help.

Help Practically

Weddings are a lot of work, and too much stress in the planning stages can ruin the big day for a bride. Whether or not you’re helping financially with the wedding, you should also provide practical help wherever it’s needed to relieve some of the strain. Offer to help the couple look for venues, and don’t worry too much about the cost; UK Wedding Savings can provide budget-friendly venues wherever you are.

Help Emotionally

Between talking to vendors, planning the wedding party and dealing with guests, wedding planning can be incredibly stressful. Getting married is also an emotional time. Your daughter is bound to shed a few tears at some point – whether out of frustration, disappointment or just plain overwhelm – so be there to offer a shoulder to cry on when it all gets too much. Your role as a father doesn’t stop just because your daughter is getting married. Remember, no matter how old your daughter gets, she still needs to know that her dad is on her side, so be there to pick up the pieces when things get tough.

Help By Listening

Listen to what your daughter wants from her wedding, and find out what your role should be. She will probably want you to say a few words on her big day and walk you down the aisle, but she may not. Try to set your personal feelings aside and let her make the decisions. Resist the temptation to influence her and just listen to what she wants without getting offended if you don’t share the same vision. It’s her wedding day after all, so it’s important she remembers it as a special time free from any sort of conflict.

Using Best Buy For Your Wedding Needs

September 10, 2015 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

It’s fall and that means it is wedding season, at least it seems to be for us this year. While it has been a number of years since my own wedding, I always get excited by the love and promise of the future that comes with each wedding that we are able to attend.

As we prepare for the wedding this fall that we are attending and get the indications about where people are registered, I am always intrigued to see what people register for. I think back to my own wedding and at that time we only registered at one place. Now I am seeing more and more places that have registry options and that even includes stores like Best Buy.

I have talked about my love for technology many times in the past and as a fan of technology and of Best Buy, I can see why Best Buy would have a wedding registry available to its’ customers. While this was the case, I did not know it existed until recently. In exploring the Best Buy Wedding Registry site I was really impressed by first the setup and search-ability of the site, but also on how wide an array of items that you can have on the registry that can really complete you registry and make a house a home.

I went through the site myself and picked out five must-have items for any registry (in my opinion).

1) A Good DSLR
You want to get a great camera like the Nikon D3200 or the Samsung – NX30 to be able to get great photos to document your new life together!

Save $280 on Nikon D3200 DSLR Camera with 2 Lenses, Sale $499.99, Plus Free Wi-Fi Adapter and Free Shipping

Free camera bag with the purchase of select point & shoot cameras

2) Look For Great Appliances

Sometimes when you get marries you are moving into a new place so having new appliances is a must. Whether you need a new refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or microwave, Best But has them all and a ton to choose from too!

There are some great deals right now on appliances at Best Buy.Save up to 30% on Our Major Appliance Top Deals, Exclusions Apply

ninja-blender

3) A Ninja Blender

I love my Ninja and I love making smoothies daily. This blender can do everything and is so powerful. A must Have!

Save 20% on 1 Regular-Priced Small Kitchen Appliance with Promotional Code SAVE20

4) A New HDTV

Having a great television is fun for a movie night or for the big game. So whether it is a Samsung or a LG you can find great deals at Best Buy!

Save up to $300 on Select HDTVs, Plus Free Delivery on TVs 51″ or Larger

5) Get a Great GPS
Whether you pick up a Garmin – Nüvi 2589lmt or Tomtom – Via 1515m or some other GPS, if you do not already have a built in GPS in your vehicle this is a must have as you will definitely want to explore the world together as a married couple and while you may want to get lost sometimes, this is not usually the case.

See this Week’s Special Offers on GPS, Plus Free Shipping on Orders $35 and Up

Now the items that I shared with you above are a bit expensive for some, and the nice thing is that Best Buy offers something called Group Gifting! Group Gifting allows gift-givers to contribute any amount they want, so couples can ask for the gifts they really want and not worry about price point. So you can ask for the moon and people can chip in and work on getting what you really want, without asking your guests to spend more than they are comfortable with—so you can dream big.

Another great point – Best Buy Wedding Registry has Free Shipping, No Minimum. So no matter what size the gift, big or small, expensive or affordable, all of your own Top Five would ship for free!

So how does this sound to you? Do you have a wedding coming up in the future? What would you add to your registry list? What would be your top 5?

If you wan to set up a registry for yourself click on the below links for more information!

The Wedding Day Through a Father’s Eyes by @ChiefDaddyOfcr #dadchat

June 19, 2013 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The Wedding Day Through a Father’s Eyes
by Chris Efessiou

For years, I could not sit through the charming family movie Father of the Bride. Despite its warmth and humor, I would actually leave the room whenever it came on television. I suppose the story of a loving father who didn’t want to face his daughter’s impending marriage hit a little too close to home.

On May 28, 2010, my desire to run away from the thought that my little girl would someday get married came to a screeching halt when a young man named Eduardo met with my wife Juliana and me to ask our blessing to marry Persephone. And, as tempted as I was to behave like Steve Martin, I knew he was the one.

Two years of engagement and preparation flew by astonishingly fast. Here’s what was going through my mind throughout the process:

While Shopping for the Gown
Everyone knows that the ladies plan the wedding, so I didn’t expect to be consulted on much beyond the budget. Yet to my delight and shock, Persephone actually asked me to accompany her dress shopping!

“I am sure when you see the right dress, you’ll know it,” I assured her on a beautiful Saturdayin August, as we strolled through midtown Manhattan.

She looked at me with her big brown eyes, squeezed my hand and answered, “Doodle, I’ll know when I’ve found the right dress, because I’ll see it on your face.” And sure enough, there was one particular gown that brought us both to tears that afternoon. I still couldn’t believe I was there to share the moment when she said yes to the dress.

A few weeks later, she brought me a thank-you gift. It was linen handkerchief, embroidered with these words: “Doodle, you will always be the first man I ever loved. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Love, Persephone.”

The Morning of the Wedding
On the morning of the big day, Persephone asked Juliana and me to join her for breakfast. The serene joy in her demeanor calmed the flurry of emotions in my soul. In typical Persephone-style, she thanked us for our support and gave us each a very thoughtful gift and a card. Folded in the card was a copy of a letter she’d written for the Father’s Day issue of a magazine. It was entitled “My Chief Daddy Officer,” a play on the title of my book CDO Chief Daddy Officer: The Business of Fatherhood which, to a large degree, describes my raising of Persephone from the age of seven to adulthood as a single dad.

The First Moment I Saw Her in Her Wedding Gown
Before I could catch my breath, it was time. I walked into the suite to escort my little girl to the ceremony but could not see her. Her bridesmaids had formed a semicircle around her, obstructing my view of her to heighten the surprise — and that they did. When they parted, I saw the most beautiful young woman wearing a radiance and joy I had never seen before. Flooding my mind were pictures of the little girl I’d help dress in the morning, the one I drove to school, the girl that went to the prom, the one that graduated college… where did the time go? I do not remember what I said to her. I know I told her she looked beautiful, but I was trying to hold it together for both of us so that she wouldn’t get teary and mess up her makeup — girls’ dads know that. So, I just stood there for a short time, holding her hand and taking it all in under the loving gaze of Juliana and her bridesmaids.

I have had many profound and meaningful experiences in my life, but none of them compared to this moment.

The Walk Down the Aisle
As we walked down that aisle together, I felt like I was reliving every minute we had ever shared all at once. I had dreaded that moment for years, but now that it had arrived, it was perfect. I kissed her and gave her hand to the man who moments later became her husband. She kissed me on the cheek and then kissed my hand, the ultimate gesture of respect for someone in the Greek culture. The ceremony started, they read their vows, and I was daydreaming feeling very proud and thankful for the girl I raised to the woman she had become. I thought that it is true indeed, that respect begets respect, honor begets honor, and sowing care, consideration and purpose into others — especially your child — will cause you to reap the same. And I had. A tear left my right eye, Juliana squeezed my left hand, and my mom gave us both an approving look.

When She Was First Announced as a Mrs.
Pictures and cocktails followed, and time came to make the entrance into the reception hall where, for the first time, she’d be announced as Mrs. She called me to an anteroom to ask me how she looked. She wanted to read my face. “How do I look, Doodle?” she said. “You are an amazing person,” I told her, “And I love you for it.” I gave her a kiss. The photographer captured the moment.

They were soon announced to the guests as Mr. and Mrs. Maglaya. It sounded foreign and it sounded right. She is Eddie’s wife. She is my daughter. It was all true, just, normal and natural. Perfect!

During the Father-Daughter Dance
Another moment we both dreaded was the father-daughter dance — too somber, too definitive, too final. So, if you don’t like the beat of the drum, create one of your own. And so we did. We created a four-minute medley of Sinatra, Wonder, Richie, Usher and the Temptations. Every song meant something to us, and we were able to offload the emotion and replace it with fun. We started with “My Way,” peaked with “Yeah,” and finished with “My Girl.”

Preparing to Make a Toast
Two days before the wedding, I spent 90 minutes writing my remarks to the new couple. Read them once. Liked them. Then I started reading them aloud. Choked. I’d choke each time I read them for the next 48 hours, till I decided that somehow I’d get through it. I figured I’d use some humor. Perhaps borrow from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It was funny, but I still choked. Then the moment came for the father of the bride to make his remarks to the new couple. This is what I said to them.

“Welcome to each and every one of you to My Big Fat Greco-Filipino Wedding…

Juliana and I, together with Ed and Mila, want to thank you all for joining us as we celebrate the marriage of our children Persephone and Eduardo. A special “thank you” to those who have traveled from the Philippines, France and Greece to be with us today.

The love affair of Eddie and Persephone started a bit over four years ago. On May 27, 2008, (Memorial Day weekend) I met Eddie for the first time, and I was immediately impressed by four things about him: His footwear (white moccasins), his hairstyle (a mohawk), his self-confidence that said, “I am totally comfortable in my own skin,” and the way he looked at my Persephone.

An appropriately emotional but highly composed Eddie asked to meet with Juliana and me to ask for our blessing to marry Persephone. This was two years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 2010 at 6:27 p.m… and 23 seconds.

Two years later, on Memorial Day weekend today, they exchanged their vows. Coincidence, Fate, Kismet? You be the judge.

Persephone, there isn’t a person in this room that does not know how I feel about you and what you mean to me, so as the father of the bride, I am breaking with tradition. And rather than talking to all of you about my daughter, I will talk to you about Eddie instead.

Thank you, Eddie, for becoming the President and Chief Cheerleader of the “Persephone Fan Club” and screaming it from the rooftops. Thank you for your kind heart, generous soul, intuitive spirit, absolute selflessness, and your willingness to put Persephone’s wellbeing ahead of almost anything else. Thank you for always being willing to do what is right, good, and nurturing to her soul. Thank you for always doing that without ever having to be asked. Thank you for the respect, support and encouragement you show her in everything and anything she wants to do. Thank you for being you.

Two years ago, when Eddie came to ask for our blessing to marry Persephone, I told him that the right man to marry Persephone had not been born yet and probably never will be, but that he was as close to that man as I had ever seen walking this planet.

I was wrong. That man had been born to Ed and Mila and was standing before me. That man is now my Persephone’s husband and our son-in-law. That man, I am honored to call my friend.
Persephone and Eddie, as you begin a lifetime of togetherness my wish for you is to…

Never take the other for granted.
Fuel the romance to continue through your lives.
Always stand together facing the world.
Form a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
Do not look for perfection in each other.
Be flexible, patient, understanding.
Have the capacity to forgive and forget.
Remember that independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and obligation is reciprocal.
Remember to always have a sense of humor.

You have married the right partner. Now continue your life together being the right partner. And when you choose that the time is right, my wish for you is that you be blessed with children who are exactly like you. I love you both.”

Christos Efessiou is the founder and chief development officer of Chris Efessiou & Team Company as well as founder and CEO of SRxA-Strategic Pharmaceutical Advisors. He is also the host of Straight Up with Chris: Real Talk on Business and Parenthood, airing live weekly on the Voice America radio network, and author ofCDO Chief Daddy Officer: The Business of Fatherhood. For more information, please visit www.ChrisEfessiou.com.