While it is true that weddings follow trends, there are some traditions that have stood the test of time and date back thousands of years. The wedding ring being viewed as a symbol of eternity has been around since Egyptian times. A band of hemp or rush was worn on the third finger of the left as it was believed that the vein in this finger led directly to the heart. For a Forest of Dean Wedding Hotel Venue, visit http://www.thespeechhouse.co.uk/weddings/.

And it was the Romans who created the bridal party and the wedding veil. It is thought that the veil protected the bride from evil spirits and the bridesmaids and groom were to act as bodyguards against jealous demons. What has changed is the practice in the Middle Ages of guests tearing the bride’s dress and taking a piece. With the beautiful and costly dresses worn today, not many people would appreciate this tradition. It is thought that the act of tossing a bouquet was an alternative to the dress ripping!

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The tradition of something old dates back to the Victorian era and represents the link between the bride’s family and the past. This is why it is usual for a bride to wear a piece of her mother’s jewellery or even her grandmother’s wedding dress sometimes.

Something new represents good fortune and success in the coming years and there are many new things bought for the day that can cover this part of the tradition.

Something borrowed is to remind the bride and groom that friends and family will be there for them as traditionally married life started off with not owning very much together at all.

Something blue is a symbol of faithfulness and this dates back to biblical times as blue stood for purity. It is normal to add a cheeky little bit of blue on to the bride’s garter.

The diamond ring entered the wedding tradition during the Renaissance period. Wedding vows that we use today were first used by the Anglican Church in 1500’s and a hundred years later the European nobility brought a box of sugared almonds to the wedding and this was the birth of wedding favours.

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It was Queen Victoria who made the white wedding dress popular and it was also this monarch who introduced fresh flowers into a bridal bouquet when previously brides had carried dried herbs to ward off evil spirits. Traditionally the bride stands on the left during the vows so the groom can keep his sword arm free! Just in case he needs to fight off other suitors – how romantic!

Weddings are much more complicated affairs now. Colour schemes were unheard of, everything was white apart from the bridesmaids and you were likely to be photographed by the only photographer in your town. The Mother-in-law organised the party which would take place in the late afternoon after a church ceremony and the father of the bride paid for it all. During the afternoon, the bride would change into her smart ‘going away’ outfit and guests would wave off the happy couple as they departed for their honeymoon. Of course, these days the day has cost so much that the bride and groom stay and celebrate the whole day with their guests.

Spending time together as a family is very important for many reasons. How much time do you spend with the ones you love and that means quality time? What does quality time even mean and how can we make it better so we can really bond with our children and partner? We lead such busy lives and try to pack in as much as we can every day. There just aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes and so it’s easy to see how family time can slip down the list of priorities. Co-existing isn’t the same as spending time with someone so why is quality time so important?

It helps to make our children feel more confident for one. It fosters a greater feeling of security, builds stronger bonds and is all round better for our emotional health too. So what is quality time? It’s a phrase we hear thrown around all the time but it will mean different things to different families. For some it will involve gathering a board game on a Sunday afternoon, in-depth conversations over dinner each night or spending a weekend playing sports together. It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you do it together and you all enjoy it.

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It won’t always be easy and building bonds can take time. Not all relationships occur naturally or instantly, even with our closest family members. If siblings argue and fight, just remember that they may not like each other right now but they will always love each other and may even appreciate their differences as they mature. Don’t just assume that family time will happen naturally, you need to set aside a time and make it happen. Whether you promise to eat dinner at the table together every night or have a regular movie night, you need to stick to the plan.

Having a special room dedicated to family time is a luxury not many people can have but if you do have a spare space then turning it over to this cause could be a great idea. Installing a home cinema system and encouraging the children to use it for gaming or playing, as well as movie time, is a lovely way to create a space for all members of the family to feel at home in. For a Home Automation Installer, visit http://digitalinteriors.co.uk/.

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It’s common to think that as we see each other all the time, we don’t need to make the effort but coexisting isn’t the same as appreciating being with someone. And while it’s important to spend time as a whole family, don’t forget that individuals will need one-to-one attention too, like your partner. Plan date nights or a movie together after the kids are in bed and having a special space dedicated to entertainment will also take your mind off all those distractions in the rest of the house that remind you of chores still to do.

Original paintings are a wonderful thing to have in your home, but art prints certainly have their place and can offer a number of advantages even over originals. If you’ve ever wondered whether it makes more sense to go for one or the other, read on for the ultimate guide to art prints versus originals.

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Cost

Cost is arguably the biggest factor when it comes to choosing an art print over an original painting. An art print costs significantly less than an original painting. This can leave you with more money to buy a decent frame. When you do, make sure it is made form real glass. Investing in an original painting is a costly business, so ask yourself if you can afford it and if it is worth it.

Masterpiece art prints

When it comes to masterpieces or even paintings by a famous or semi-famous artist, originals are usually out of reach for most average people. Art prints, on the other hand, allow everyone to have a masterpiece in their own home. Fine art can be reproduced onto very high-quality paper, giving it an almost real appearance that look fabulous under quality glass frames.

Bespoke prints

When you fall in love with an original, it may not be the right size for your chosen wall, but prints can be made onto any size paper you want.

Textured paintings and limited original prints

Sometimes, there is nothing better than an original painting. This is especially true when it comes to textured paintings, oil paintings or canvas paintings. In these instances, it is sometimes possible to get Limited Edition original prints. These have usually been made on a large scale but are originals. All of them have been finished by the artists and are often signed and numbered.

Safety

If you are lucky enough to own a very expensive piece of artwork, it can be safer to have a print of it made to leave on display and to keep the original safely tucked away to protect it from theft or damage. Printers such as http://www.river-studio.com/services/index.php do artwork copying and ensure that colour remains as vibrant and authentic on the print as it is on the original.

As you can see, despite originals having obvious appeal, art prints offer a wide number of benefits.

Many people are looking to gluten-free diets to improve their health. For people who suffer from celiac disease, this can be a good choice due to gluten sensitivity. Gluten can also inflame the gut of people who are not sufferers, with many people choosing a gluten-free diet as they believe their nutrition will be improved.

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Although there are some good reasons to go gluten free, it is not necessary for everyone; in fact, there are some common errors people make with regards to gluten-free eating. Here are five of them:

1. Thinking that gluten free means low carb

Low-carb diets can work for some, but they do not have to be gluten-free diets. Although gluten-free diets are essential for those with coeliac disease, this does not mean coeliac disease sufferers must avoid all carbs.

2. Assuming gluten free is always healthier

Avoiding gluten does not guarantee improved health. Gluten gives food texture and a pleasing ‘fluffiness’, meaning that gluten-free bread can be quite heavy and dense. By removing gluten, the food has to have other ingredients added to make it taste good; these extras might be worse than the gluten.

3. Confusing a clean diet with a gluten-free diet

If you try to eat a clean diet, you might find this is all it takes to feel better without having to cut out gluten. There are many gluten free snacks that can be very healthy, such as those available from http://gofitnesslifestyle.com/what-are-the-best-gluten-free-snacks-for-health/; however, some snacks might be unhealthy. Focus on clean eating rather than gluten-free food.

4. Ignoring their body

Although you can eat clean and be gluten free, you need to listen to your body to feel whether it is really making a difference. Ask yourself whether you are truly feeling better. If you suffer from headaches, digestive problems, rashes, inflammation or pain in your joints, you should monitor the symptoms and severity. Pay attention to your body to see what really makes a difference.

5. Thinking gluten is only found in wheat

Some people think they will avoid gluten if they avoid wheat; however, gluten can be found in foods other than those that contain wheat. Gluten can be found in rye and barley, and even sometimes oats. Always check the ingredients list if you want to avoid gluten entirely.

The prospect of Brexit looming has cast uncertainty and doubt over many different aspects, with one such concern relating to the impact leaving the EU might have on British clinical trials. The current opinion is that the picture for our clinical trials does not look so rosy. Continue reading Will Brexit spell bad news for British clinical trials? →