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The layered bow is made from two (or more) separate bows, of various sizes, stacked on top of each other. They can be placed together by gluing or by twisting all the wires together. Usually you use different colors of ribbon, different texture and patterns in addition to being a different size. The top bow should have a center loop to cover the wire.

Making a Bow

1. Pinch the ribbon and make a loop leaving the tail the desired length.

2. Continue making loops gradually increasing the size of the loops until the bow is full and you have enough ribbon left to make the other tail.

3. Secure the center of the bow with wire.

4. Fan out the loops.

5. Cut the tails at an angle or in points to finish off the bow.

Making a Layered Bow

1. Make a bow as described above. If layering more than two bows, make additional bows. Each one should be slightly smaller than the last.

2. Lay the smaller bow over the center of the larger bow and connect the wires by twisting them together under the larger bow.

It's a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by caring, familiar faces at your wedding ceremony. But, if you come from a large, close-knit family and have a wide circle of friends, selecting who will be standing beside you at the alter can be a true test of diplomacy. Here's some advice to keep everyone happy.

Shoshana Kopp Brady is a Certified Wedding Coordinator and Event Planner, from Bloomington, Indiana. She works closely with engaged couples preparing for the big day.

She comments, "Closest friends and family should be the first consideration when deciding on attendants for a wedding. These are the people who know you best and around whom you are most comfortable. Choosing between friends can be difficult and might require explanations to the friends the bride or groom did not choose. However, once everyone understands the situation, things should run smoothly."

Shoshana adds, "At times, political situations arise where individuals try to assume the role of a bridal attendant. Some brides don't want to cause friction and add the person to the party while others keep with their original plan. The day belongs to the bride and groom and should be everything they would like it to be."

Ordinarily the bride and groom select two to six attendants and the ring bearer/flower girl. The actual number of attendants may vary, depending on the size and formality of the wedding. A good rule of thumb is to have one groomsman and one corresponding bridesmaid for every 50 guests, but this isn't set in stone.

A large wedding party traditionally signifies a formal wedding. So if you're planning a small, intimate gathering, ten bridesmaids might be a bit much. More people can mean more complications--in terms of coordinating schedules and making sure the attire is ordered.

Your own budget plays an important role in deciding how many attendants you should choose. In terms of expenditures, it's customary to purchase a wedding party gift for each attendant and bouquets for the bridesmaids.

For their part, attendants will be responsible for the costs of wedding attire, as well as the pre-wedding parties and possible travel expenses.

You need not ask someone to be in your wedding simply because they had you in theirs. Shoshana notes, "Reciprocation is not necessary in choosing a bridal party. However, the bride may wish to explain her decision to friends or family whose feelings may be hurt if this is the case."

Before rushing in and asking your top candidates, think about what you expect from the attendants. Will it be hands-on help, such as preparing invitations and tying ribbon favors, or simply moral support on the big day? Will multiple out-of-town trips be required for dress fittings? Keep in mind, it may not be realistic to have high expectations from friends with especially hectic schedules or those who live far away.

"Communication is key. Brides should be very open and communicate with the entire bridal party as far as expectations, schedules, accommodations, attire, pre-wedding events, and wedding day itinerary," says Shoshana.

What happens if you're the bride and your best friend is male or you're the groom and your best friend is a female? There's no reason why he/she can't stand next to you at the wedding using the more generic title of Attendant, rather than groomsman or bridesmaid.

Don't be too concerned if you haven't got the same number of bridesmaids as groomsmen. There's no rule dictating the numbers must be equal.

There are plenty of other roles good friends and family can play in your wedding. Here are some possible suggestions:

Greeter

Program distribution

Candle lighting for the ceremony

Guest book attendant

Gift table attendant

Favor distribution

Poem reader

Soloist or musician at ceremony or reception

Birdseed or rice distribution

Junior bridesmaid (typically girls ages 8-15)

Finally, senior family members and those less agile could be singled out with a special mention in the program or given a corsage or boutonniere.

Looking great on your wedding day means being radiant, relaxed, and ready to start a brand new existence with the person whom you've chosen to spend your life with. Your hair, nails, makeup, dress - and how you look in that dress - are all part of becoming the bride you want to be on that special day. Since pictures taken on that day remain part of your life forever, it's important to look and feel your best.

Your dress is one of the most important items in your wedding plans, so make sure you take enough time to choose one that suits you - not your best friend, not your bridesmaids, and not your mother. For the day of your wedding, you'll want a dress in which you can stand, walk and dance in without worrying about "wardrobe malfunctions" or causing you discomfort. Allow necessary time if you decide on having the dress made, but even if bought "off the rack," you'll need to factor in time for tailoring and any adjustments.

You don't want to overpower your dress and headpiece with a flamboyant hair style or color that overwhelms everything else. Keep it simple and classic, and remember to practice the look you want at home or with your stylist before the wedding day.

Have your nails professionally manicured the day before the wedding. This is one thing you don't want to do far in advance. Reduce the chances of a broken nail, chipped polish, or if using applied nails, one coming off, by having your manicure as late as possible. If you are not inclined toward colored polishes or long fingernails, make sure they are neatly trimmed, filed, polished, and buffed. Your hands will be a focus of attention when showing off that new wedding ring and for photos!

Makeup is the last thing you'll need to worry over, and that comes on the big day, itself. Don't try to transform yourself into a different person with dramatic eye makeup or garish lipstick. Make the real you look better!

Use a slightly heavier hand than with your usual daytime makeup so your photos won't have you appearing washed-out looking, but don't overdo it. And if your wedding is at night, with more subtle lighting, apply makeup as though you were going to a club or restaurant at night - a little heavier than daytime, but not much! Avoid deep red lipstick as well as too-pale pink. Frosted eyeshadows or lipsticks are definite no-nos.

Buy fresh mascara to avoid clumping. Also, if you have sensitive skin, this is NOT the time to try a new brand. The last thing you want to do is head for the alter with blotches or zits thanks to an allergic reaction.

The night before your wedding is not the time for partying so get eight hours of restful sleep. If you're having a rehearsal dinner, or a bachelorette bash, make sure that it ends early. Drink moderately or, better yet, not at all. Bloodshot eyes and a banging hangover will not make for a fun wedding.

Don't gourge yourself the night before because we all know that there are strange forces at work which will try to make your wedding gown just a wee bit snug in the morning. To overcome excitement and nerves, try taking a long walk - it can help with pre-nuptial jitters. A relaxing bath with soothing background music, a cup of herbal tea, and you should be ready to doze off with images of a happy future marriage in your dreams.

With these tips, you're sure to have the perfect wedding day. Just don't oversleep and miss it!

The sharing of the bread, salt and wine is an old Polish tradition. At the wedding reception, the parents of the bride and groom, greet the newly married couple with bread, which is lightly sprinkled with salt and a goblet of wine.

With the bread, the parents are hoping that their children will never hunger or be in need. With the salt, they are reminding the couple that their life may be difficult at times, and they must learn to cope with life's struggles. With the wine, they are hoping that the couple will never thirst and wish that they have a life of good health, and good cheer and share the company of many good friends.

The parents then kiss the newly married couple as a sign of welcome, unity and love.

Pre-Ceremony Instructions

1. The Maitre'd, Disc Jockey or band leader introduces the parents, the Bridal Party and then the Bride and Groom. When the parents are introduced, they should walk directly to the front of the main table and wait for the newly married couple. When the Bride and Groom are introduced, the Polish Wedding March should be played by the band or DJ. The Bride and Groom circle the dance floor as a general greeting to all of the guests and then proceed to the front of the main table where the ceremony will be conducted with the parents. (The Bridal Party can be seated at the main table or they can gather on each side of the parents to witness the ceremony.)

2. On a small table in front of the main table should be a tray with the following: a small dish of salt, 2 small slices of rye bread and a glass of wine. When everyone is ready, the Master of Ceremonies should read the following text as the ceremony is conducted.

Introduction Text

"This is a long cherished Polish tradition which has been passed down through the centuries. It symbolizes the union of the Bride and Groom and their families."

Ceremony Text

"The Bride and Groom are being greeted by their parents with bread and salt and a glass of wine. The parents sprinkle the bread with salt and give it to both of the newlyweds to eat. The bread represents the parents hope that their children will never experience hunger or need, the salt reminds the couple that their life may be difficult at times and they must learn together to cope with life's struggles.

The parents now present the glass of wine to the Bride and Groom for each of them to drink. With the wine, the parents hope that they will never thirst and that they will have a life of good health and cheer and share the company of many good friends.

The parents now join in kissing the bride and groom as a welcome to the family and as a sign of their love and unity."

Instructions

1. The Maitre'd, Disc Jockey or Band Leader announces the parents. Parents go to the center of the floor in front of the head table and await the Bride and Groom. On a small table there should be a tray, containing a small dish of salt, 2 slices of rye bread and a glass of wine.

2. The Maitre'd, Disc Jockey or Band Leader now announces the Bridal Party.

3. The Maitre'd, Disc Jockey or Band Leader announces the Bride and Groom. The Polish Wedding March should be played as the Bride and Groom enter the reception hall. At this time the Bride and Groom go to the front of the main table where their parents are waiting to greet them for the ceremony.

4. The parents then perform the ceremony with the Bride and Groom as the script is read by the Maitre'd, Disc Jockey or Band Leader.

5. At the end of the ceremony, the bride, groom and their parents proceed to their tables and await grace before the meal.

Weddings in Japan are very expensive, but more and more, the Japanese are opting for a simpler less expensive wedding. About one per cent of Japanese are Christian... and the Christians usually marry in a more western world tradition.

Shinto meaning the way of the Kami (Kami means "the way of the gods"). A Shinto wedding is a ritual that takes place in a Shrine because purity is important to them, most important events are celebrated in the Shrine. Only family members are allowed to attend the wedding.

The wedding attire for the bride is a white silk kimono which can cost up to twenty five thousand dollars to purchase. The groom wears a haori at the top and a hakama at the bottom in black. A Japanese bride can change up to five times into different kimonos. The bride wears a wig as part of the tradition of the kimono wedding dress. The wig is bouffant and very decorated and with artificial flowers ,gold combs and maybe pearls.

The Bride and groom enter from different doors... drum and flute music are played. The nakodo waves a sacred tree over the head of the couple to keep away evil spirits and to symbolize purification. The tree is made of paper streamers. After the vows the couple drinks a wine called sake, exchanging their cups nine times to symbolize their bonding.

At the reception the bride and groom sit at an elevated table and are applauded by the guests. This is when the wedding march is played. The dinner for the reception is very expensive so the guests bring money, new money not wrinkled old money. It is given to the couple in a special envelope to help pay for the dinner which can run one hundred dollars or more per plate. The master of ceremonies discusses the background of the couple and wishes them well. Other friends and family members give speeches. The wedding cake is cut with the brides hand resting on the grooms hand to signify their first act together as husband and wife. A toast is given to the couple then the bride changes into a traditional western white wedding gown. The groom also changes into western clothing. The couple stand under a paper umbrella over their heads which signifies they are lovers.

The newlyweds face the guests and light a single high candle on the center table which is symbolic for their unity in marriage. At the end of the evening the couple gives the mothers a bouquet of flowers and the fathers a carnation for the lapel, as a thank you gesture. The groom's father gives thanks to all who attended and then the couple leaves on their honeymoon.