Cassandra Bromfield's Wacky World Of Wedding Traditions: 01/01/2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Reincarnated In Gold

Neshama Jewelry By Avaron Yaron

For an African Inspired wedding, cowrie shells are creatively used in the decor, clothing, invitations, and jewelry. Historically the cowrie shell has represented wealth and used as money. The 22 karot gold cowrie shell above would be a beautiful accessory for any wedding gown, but is expensive , $5205. I found this one at a more reasonable price.


Real Cowrie Shell Dipped in 14K Gold $65 Rockabella

More on the history of the cowrie shell:

Smooth cowrie shells, which encourage fertility, are worn in bridal necklaces used to trim gowns, jackets, and headpieces in silver and white- as decorative accents. Cowrie shells, found of the coast of West Africa, were once used as money and today are used for purification. The shell is also a symbol of beauty and power. [source: World Traditions]

Sunday, January 16, 2011

On The Shoulders Of Their Ancestors

The traditional Japanese Kimonos, hair jewels, the tea ceremony, and the power of a culture. For Jaci and Reid the strength and the significance of this traditional Japanese ceremony is evident in this video. Their ancestors smile and bless them as they move into the next stage of life. Jaci and Reid stand on the shoulders of their ancestors.

Wedding Cinematography

Studio Red

Turn up the speakers and feel the love :: Jaci & Reid :: SDE from STUDIO:RED on Vimeo.
    Embracing their Japanese heritage and culture Reid and Jaci held a private traditional Japanese ceremony that included Traditional Japanese wedding customs (shinzen shiki). Jaci was professionally dressed in a traditional all-white wedding Kimono while Reid was dressed in a black kimono with his family crest in white in five different places.

    A few days later they held a western style wedding ceremony at the Ocean Crystal Chapel. There was not a dry eye (or nose) in the chapel as the two exchanged heartfelt words to each other. Their was so much crying that the pastor commented afterwards, "i think we just took care of the drought."

    This is their same day edit feature we crafted and presented to them at their wedding reception following their western ceremony.

    In true form to their non-traditional recessional we gave them a non-traditional ending to their feature.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

An Explantion

So happy to have found this video. Weddings are more than tulle, good food, and perfect shade of blue. It is a community that is made stronger through a union of two.

African Marriage Customs from Halaqah Films on Vimeo.

African weddings are a family affair and involve the combining of two lives, two families, and sometimes even two communities! There are many different wedding traditions in the African continent and no two are exactly alike.Marriage is sacred in Africa and beyond because it solidifies relationship that enrich communities and nations by bring forth new life and new hope. The union of man and woman is a celebration of the natural continuity of life. Marriage is the only known incubator for the raising of balanced socially functional children.
However, in all the communities the bride plays a very special role and is treated with respect because she is a link between the unborn and the ancestors. A bride might eventually bear a very powerful child. In some areas of East Africa the grooms family would even move to the brides village and set up a whole new house there.