As you reach 30 and beyond, you encounter a very frightening phenomena.
At first you hardly notice it. Don’t want to notice it. Can’t accept that it’s happening. But little by little, recognition dawns – as does the shock.
First there’s your hairdresser, whose blank eyes seem to be focused on anything but your dyed locks her practiced hands are dressing.
Then there’s the bank-teller, looking as though he should still be at school, explaining to you the finer points of banking procedure too loudly and too clearly, almost as if he thinks you’ve just dropped in on planet earth and banking is a novelty to you.
And then, the bitterest blow of all.
You’re sitting on a bar stool, new hair-do, new outfit, looking absolutely drop-down gorgeous, when you see this young fellow smiling warmly as he begins to move in your direction. In the middle of your own gratified answering smile, you realize with horror, that he’s smiling at your neighbour. A fifteen year old with a fake ID and make-up put on with a trowel.
That’s when it hits you. You’re becoming invisible.
In a culture that will see the majority of men and women marry more than once – and sometimes when they’re fifty, sixty and even older – it’s difficult for an older couple not to notice the effect they’re having on the younger generation. If they also happen to choose a honeymoon playground largely patronized by the very young, they can’t avoid seeing how their togetherness seems to arouse smiles and nudges.
To counter the feeling of reduction, and to assert themselves as people in their own rights, older couples tend to react in two different ways. There are those that adopt all the attributes of the very young – acting, talking, dressing as if they were, in fact, twenty years younger than they are. At the other extreme, they become the grumpy old men and women who fail to see anything of value in the youth-worshiping world of today.
Those imitating youth, sooner or later reach the conclusion that acting like a young goat is not only not satisfying, but actually gives them that hollow feeling of being less than they are.
But just because they decide to stop imitating youth, doesn’t mean that now they have to go the way of the grumps. Perhaps the world isn’t the way it used to be, but being open to new ideas as youth tends to be, allows you to feel less like a visitor in your own world. It may even help you to enjoy life on your own terms.
Vlady Peters, who is a Civil Marriage Celebrant, is an author of three books, “The Complete Book of Australian Weddings”, “The Small Organisation Handbook”, and an ebook, “Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle?” which you can see on her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com
In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play a very important role. In Jewish law, a verbal declaration is not enough to be married.
According to Jewish law, a formal, physical consecration must be made. Usually this is done with the giving of a Jewish wedding ring, however in ancient times, it was merely something of valuewith the minimum value of what is now a penny.
Don’t worryI know you won’t be that cheap! 
The ring must be of solid uninterupted gold with no holes breaking the circle. The continuity of the rings represents the hope for an everlasting marriage.
Requirements for Jewish Wedding Rings
The ring must be the bridegroom’s property at the time of the Jewish wedding ceremony. While only one Jewish wedding ring is required by Jewish law, (given to the bride), many couples exchange rings.
Orthodox Rabbis refuse to perform a double ring ceremony, because they feel it invalidates the idea of the groom acquiring the bride as a wife in exchange of something valuable.
A Reform or Conservative denominational Rabbi may incorporate a ring exchange between bride and groom with little problem usually.
What Hebrew Wedding Rings are made of…
Most Jewish wedding rings are made of simple solid gold bands, although recently embellishment with Hebrew letters on the band has become quite popular.
Many rings can even now be fully customized with many different Hebrew phrases, or even the couple’s names either inscribed or raised inside the band.
How To Buy a Jewish Wedding Ring
Buying a Jewish Wedding Ring can often be a confusing and frustrating adventure. There are so many Jewish jewelry stores, and with the advent of the internet, there are even more than ever before.
However, the internet has proven to be a big advantage for buyers. Low overhead and large online demand have driven prices for expensive Jewish Wedding Rings that used to go for $800-1000 down into the $320-600 range, depending on 14k or 18 gold, ring size, etc.
Look for merchants with these types of price ranges. Anything cheaper will be a ring of inferior quality. Anything higher is the seller making huge profits – off of potential buyers.
Another advantage of the online retailers is customization and options. Some Jewish wedding ring retailers can completely customize any engraving, either with hebrew phrases or the bride and groom’s names. Look for websites who include customization in the price, rather than upsell the customization.
A Jewish Wedding Ring goes on WHICH finger?
The ring ceremony consists of the groom placing the ring on the bride’s right index finger. Afterwards, most women move it to the customary “ring finger” of the left hand.
The reason for this Jewish wedding tradition goes back to the time of the Talmud and the differences in beliefs at that time about which finger is closer or more direct to the heart! Christianity taught the ring finger; Judaism taught the index finger.
When the Jewish Wedding Ring is Given…
In most ceremonies, the bridegroom repeats a Hebrew vow after the Rabbi, with the giving of the ring. The bridegroom would declare, “Behold, thou art consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel.”
In hebrew, this phrase is Hare at mekudeshet li betaba’ at zo k’dat Moshe v’ Yisrael.
With a little practice, you can easily learn to roll this phrase off of your tongue in no time at all. If you can’t speak Hebrew, don’t worry! On our website, we have a page where you can hear this phrase being said, right through your computer.
This statement that husband and wife are holy to each other. It is as if they were saying, “As Shabbat is to Jewish time and as Jerusalem is to Jewish space, you will be to me.”
With this buyer’s guide to Jewish Wedding rings and their traditions, you can be confident of making a good choice in choosing your rings for your special wedding day.
About the Author:
Josh Singer and Shira Frimer are authors and owners of http://www.about-jewish-weddings.com containing completely FREE articles on everything from A-Z you should know about Jewish Weddings and Jewish Wedding traditions.
They also offer beautiful, completely customizable Jewish Wedding Rings, hand-painted custom Ketubahs (Jewish Marriage Contract), as well as hand-painted silk Jewish Wedding Chuppahs.
Visit their website and receive “101 ways to save on your Wedding Costs” – a $69.00 value – absolutely free, no strings attached.
© 2005 Josh Singer and Shira Frimer. This article may be republished, as long as it remains unchanged, carries this copyright and reprint notice, and has a live link to our site.
A beach wedding is a romantic’s dream. The sand, water and sunshine make it such a peaceful location for a wedding. With any outdoor wedding there comes many considerations. A beach wedding also brings extra concerns because of the sand and water. The following gives considerations that any couple should make when planning a beach wedding to make sure that everything goes off smoothly.
1. Weather. This is a typical concern for any outdoor wedding. Beaches are windy, open spots, so there are more weather concerns than if the wedding were to be held in a backyard. Winds can get strong and therefore anything that could blow away or tangle up in the wind should be avoided or secured. The sun is also strong at the beach. Guests comfort should be considered. Guests should be made aware so they can bring sunscreen and dress appropriately. Shade should also be provided. Rain is always a possibility, so the couple should rent a tent just in case.
2. Special Beach Concerns. Beaches are made of sand. People sitting in chairs sink into the sand. This means a couple should rent a floor for the ceremony. The tide is another consideration. The couple should know when the tide comes in and how far, so they can plan the wedding in an area where they will not be flooded out. Due to the windy, noisy nature of the beach sound is another consideration. The couple should think about having a sound system to broadcast their wedding so guests can hear. If the beach does not have restrooms then the couple will have to rent those as well. Another thing for the couple to think about if using a public beach is that other people may be around. It is important to not stage the wedding in a popular spot. The rules of the beach must also be followed, so the couple should check those out ahead of time.
These two points mention the major things couples often overlook when planning a beach wedding. Of course the size of the guest list may affect some of these considerations. Whether or not the reception will also be at the beach may bring on more things to think about as well. Beach weddings are romantic and they often go smoothly. When couples really plan out the event a beach wedding can make this magical day even better.
