• Cerimónia da Luz ou das velas

    Existem vários rituais simbólicos que se podem organizar tanto na celebração de cerimónias religiosas ou apenas civis.

    Uma das cerimónias que mais tem crescido nos últimos tempos no nosso país é o chamado ritual da cerimónia da luz ou das velas. Esta cerimónia simboliza a união e o amor que une o casal, assinalando ao ser realizada na cerimónia o início de uma vida em comum pelo casal.

    Esta é uma das cerimónias mais escolhida pelos noivos para o momento da troca das alianças no caso de casamentos civis em que os noivos não seguem qualquer tipo de doutrina religiosa.

    Origens deste ritual

    Quanto às origens do ritual, é difícil chegar a uma conclusão, já que há quem pense que este ritual é de origem pagã enquanto outros defendem a sua origem no seio das cerimónias de origem evangélicas.

    Certo é que esta é uma cerimónia ecuménica, sem qualquer tipo conotação religiosa. Daí que esta cerimónia possa ser realizada tanto nas cerimónias civis, como nas cerimónias religiosas.

    A sua grande simbologia prende-se com a luz das velas, que simbolizam o espírito, a chama e o amor.

    Como se processa?

    Para a realização deste ritual são necessárias três velas.

    Cada uma delas deverá ter um tamanho e significado diferente.

    No caso de os noivos ainda terem as suas velas de batismo, estes podem utilizá-las nesta cerimónia, dando desta forma um significado ainda mais íntimo e familiar à cerimónia.

    No que diz respeito ao ritual em si, este realiza-se da seguinte forma:

    – Primeiro acendem-se as velas do casal, que representam a família de cada um. 

    – Depois de acesas as duas velas do casal, é então acesa a terceira vela que simboliza a nova família que o casal irá formar a partir do dia do seu matrimónio.

    É às mães dos noivos que cabe a tarefa e a grande honra de acender as velas dos seus filhos. Será com as duas velas do casal, que estes irão então acender a terceira vela, unindo o casal as chamas das suas velas e que irão por seu turno acender a terceira vela que simboliza no ritual a união e conversão das almas do casal numa só com a celebração do seu matrimonio.

    Existem casais que optam por decorar as suas velas com elementos florais ou outros elementos que estarão de alguma forma associados ou à decoração da cerimónia ou até ao casal de noivos em específico. No entanto a cerimónia pode ser realizada com as velas não decoradas que não irá perder de todo o seu simbolismo e beleza.

    Alguns dos elementos mais utilizados pelos noivos para a personalização das velas são pequenos brilhantes, fitas de cetim, fitas das cores dos vestidos das damas de honor e menina das alianças, pequenos arranjos florais ou até as iniciais dos noivos ou a data do casamento. No entanto, todas as ideias são válidas e cada vez mais os noivos optam por ideias fora da caixa para personalizar a sua cerimónia ou evento.

    Quando ocorre esta cerimónia?

    Não existe um protocolo definido que indique o momento certo em que cada um dos rituais associados à cerimónia de casamento deve ser realizado. No entanto, tanto este ritual específico como o ritual das areias são muitas vezes realizado pelos noivos após o momento da troca das alianças.  

    No entanto, devem ser os noivos a escolher qual o momento mais indicado para a celebração deste ou de qualquer outro tipo de ritual. Depois de escolhido o momento, basta avisar a pessoa responsável pela celebração da cerimónia simbólica de qual o momento escolhido para a realização da cerimónia, e esta irá ficar encarregue da sua realização.

    Quem por aí são os noivos que estão a pensar realizar a cerimónia das velas para celebrar e personalizar ainda mais o seu momento do sim?

    Contem-nos tudo nos comentários, e ajudem outras noivas a terem novas ideias para o seu grande momento.

    Big Kisses,

    Cláudia Geraldes

    Wedding Design, coordinator & Event planner

  • Children Birthday Table – What can’t realy be missing

    What can’t really be missing….

    When the little ones have a birthday, the mothers’ main concern is choosing the theme of the event, and secondly, knowing which edible elements they should use to decorate the cake table.

    Why this particular table, you ask?

    Because this is the table that all guests will set their eyes on as soon as they arrive at the event.

    So that nothing fails in this important detail of the event, it is more and more common for parents to delegate the creation and decoration of this table to an experienced event decorator who will make the result of the decoration absolutely wonderful and unforgettable for all their guests.

    More and more people are looking for personalized parties, but with a pre-defined theme. Themes from Disney, princesses, forest animals, football, among others are themes that never go out of style, and that continue to form an integral part of the themes chosen by mothers for the little ones’ parties.

    Therefore, it is usual to use decorative elements from the theme of the event, as well as to choose a color palette that is also part of the color palette referring to the theme of the event.

    But as parents and even some event decorators, there are great doubts regarding what should or should not be present in the decoration of the main table of the event.

    In our decorations there are some elements that cannot be missing at all so that the decoration becomes harmonious and an integral part of the outcome of the event.

    Among them are the decorative elements of the table and some small “big” details that will make all the difference in your party table.

    In terms of cake design and sweets, our tables cannot be missing some elements that will make all the difference in the result of our work, which is why these details are something that we do not give up in the organization and preparation of our event.

    Therefore, on our tables you will always find elements such as:

    • Personalized birthday cake
    • Customized cookies
    • Customized cakesicles or cakepops
    • Customized cupcakes
    • Brigadiers

    Pay attention to the choice of flavor of the brigadeiro. For this to be an integral part of our work, it is important that it picks up the tone of the color palette chosen for the decoration.

    • Spoon candy

    Pay attention to the choice of sweets for the table. For them to be an integral part of our work, it is important that they match the tone of the color palette chosen for the decoration.

    • Personalized popcorn bags
    • Gum skewers

    For these sweets to shine, however, it will also be essential to choose which decorative elements will be present on the main table. Elements such as cake stands, platters, vases with floral arrangements, graphic elements and eventually even some small notes of details belonging to elements of the theme, are an integral part of a thematic decoration, and increasingly the cake tables at children’s parties are true masterpieces of art that make every little detail of the event shine.

    And so on, what else do you think should not be missing from your cake table?

    Leave in our comments that item that is never missing on your tables.

    Happy Holidays,

    Claudia

  • 7 advantages of opting for a mini wedding

    Increasingly a trend, mini weddings are gaining ground and conquering a large number of fans.

    These ceremonies are more intimate, which not only makes their organization easier, but also makes the costs inherent in organizing the ceremony lower.

    Let’s see some of the advantages of opting for a mini wedding when choosing your wedding model.

    Benefits:

    1. Live in the moment with those who really matter

    Wedding is one of the most important moments of your life. Are you sure you want to spend it with people you don’t really care about? A Mini-Wedding gives you the possibility to feel the emotions of your guests, making them feel more involved in the celebration. There is also less formality, which allows for more intimate and emotional moments.

    1. Save money

    A small wedding is much cheaper than a wedding with 200 guests.

    1. Surprise your guests even more

    As the budget is smaller, there is more room to surprise your guests.

    What matters is to bear in mind that you will have more time and resources to invest in a truly remarkable and unforgettable wedding for all your participants.

    1. Bet on the honeymoon

    A small wedding… A big honeymoon!

    If that’s what you’ve always wanted, why not? A simpler celebration will pave the way for you to spend very special and memorable moments with your husband!

    1. Destination Wedding

    Have you always dreamed of getting married outside of Portugal? Regardless of the destination, if you opt for a Destination Wedding you have to cut back on the number of guests.

    Don’t forget that it’s your day and that you should live it as you’ve always dreamed of.

    1. Simpler planning

    It is much simpler to organize a small wedding. Not only will fewer people mean less work, but getting the perfect space will be much easier.

    1. Truly engage guests

    Whether in the preparation or in the ceremony itself, with fewer guests it is possible to involve them more in the entire ceremony and process of your wedding.

    Make the people you care about feel an integral part of this day and happiness will be a shared feeling. In addition to being happy for the couple’s union, the guests will feel that the wedding would not be so special without their presence.

    It’s time to start planning your big day. In order to go through the whole process without a lot of accumulated stress and worries, we also advise you to choose to hire a wedding planner to help throughout the process.

    This way you can enjoy the day to the full without worries and last minute setbacks.

    Good preparations,

    Claudia

  • PINK LEMONADE

    Uma das bebidas mais comuns na hora de organizar uma festa é a famosa Pink Lemonade. 

    Esta bebida mais não é do que uma limonada rosa muito comum lá nos Estados Unidos.

    Para além de linda, esta bebida é ainda deliciosa, pois tem um sabor maravilhoso que vem da groselha. 

    Estas são características que fazem com que esta seja uma bebida de presença obrigatória nas festas de aniversário.  Como não é alcoólica e tem um sabor maravilhoso,  esta pink lemonade é um dos drinks preferidos para os convidados que não gostam de bebida alcoólicas.

    E você sabe como fazer esta bebida deliciosa? 

    INGREDIENTES

    • 1 xícara de suco de LIMÃO SICILIANO (aproximadamente 2 1/2 limões)
    • 2 xícaras de ÁGUA
    • 1 xícara de SUCO DE GROSELHA
    • 1/4 de xícara de AÇÚCAR REFINADO
    • GELO
    • CEREJAS para decorarMODO DE PREPARO
    1. Junte todos os ingredientes num pote de vidro com tampa e chacoalhe bem.
    2. Sirva em copos com uma cerejinha e bastante gelo.
    3. Para decorar, corte uma fatia de limão. Tim tim!

    DURAÇÃO: consumo imediato

    Boas bebidas, 

    Claudia 

  • 30 essential songs at your wedding

    One of the essential factors for enlivening any wedding is choosing the right music for each moment of the ceremony.

    After choosing the music for the wedding ceremony, it’s time to choose the playlist to liven up your wedding reception party.

    For each moment of the ceremony, it is essential that you choose songs that are special to you, but for your wedding reception playlist, there are some songs that, despite the times, are timeless and are always perfect in celebrating a wedding.

    We have selected some of the songs, which we are sure cannot be missing from your wedding reception celebration.

    I hope you like it.

    • 1. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
    • 2. Don’t stop ‘till you get enough – Michael Jackson
    • 3. I wanna dance with somebody (Who loves me) – Whitney Houston
    • 4. Hey Ya – Outcast
    • 5. Respect – Aretha Franklin
    • 6. I gotta feeling – black eyed peas
    • 7. Happy – Pharrell Williams
    • 8. I’m a Believer – The monkees
    • 9. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
    • 10. You sexy thing – Hot chocolate
    • 11. Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
    • 12. Uptown girl – Billy Joel
    • 13. Dancing Queen – ABBA
    • 14. Let’s Dance – David Bowie
    • 15. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
    • 16. Happy together – The turtles
    • 17. Twist and shout – The Beatles
    • 18. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
    • 19. Oh, Pretty woman – Roy Orbison
    • 20. Crazy Little thing called love – The Queen
    • 21. Stuck on you – Meiko
    • 22. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
    • 23. Cinderela – Carlos Paião
    • 24. A sky full of stars – Coldplay
    • 25. Ça plane pour moi – Nouvelle Vague
    • 26. Seja Agora – Deolinda
    • 27. In the Sun – She & Him
    • 28. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
    • 29. Celebration – Kool & the gang
    • 30. I Got You (I feel good) – James Brown

  • Madeleines covered in chocolate

    Are you preparing your little ones’ birthday party at home and don’t know what sweets to put on the party table?

    I leave here a suggestion of Madeleines with chocolate frosting. Easy to make, these delight the little ones.

    Chocolate-covered Orange Madeleines

    Ingredients for 36 to 40 madeleines:

    250 g of butter

    250 g wheat flour

    250 g of sugar

    5 eggs

    1 teaspoon powdered yeast

    zest of 1 orange

    melted butter q.s. (to brush)

    Ingredients for the topping:

    150 g cooking chocolate

    1 table spoon of coconut oil

    Preparation:

    In a pan, heat the butter until it melts completely. Reserve.

    In a bowl beat the eggs and sugar for 2 to 3 minutes.

    Add the previously sifted orange zest, flour and baking powder and mix.

    Add the melted butter little by little, mixing all the time, until you get a uniform and glossy mixture.

    Cover the dough with cling film and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.

    Brush the madeleine mold with melted butter and pour the dough into the mold up to 2/3 of its capacity.

    Take the madeleines to the oven, preheated to 180ºC, for 10 to 15 minutes, until they are golden. Unmold and let cool completely.

    Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in a water bath.

    Dip the madeleines in the chocolate and let them rest on a sheet of parchment paper until the chocolate hardens.

    Hope you like it,

    Kisses

  • lime cheesecake

    There are sweets that are regularly present at our birthday parties.

    If you, like us, love the taste of lime in a dessert, we’re sure you’ll love this fantastic recipe.

    Ingredients

    Basis

    200 g digestive biscuits or Maria

    1 c. sugar soup

    75 g of melted butter

    Filling

    580 g cream cheese at room temperature

    230 g of sugar

    2 eggs

    180ml lime juice (about 6 limes)

    1 can of condensed milk

    Roof

    200 ml very cold cream

    1 c. sugar soup

    files q.b. (decoration)

    Preparation

    For the base, start by grinding the cookies and with the sugar and butter to form a kind of sand. Line a springform pan (22 cm) with the biscuit, pressing well and bake at 180°C for about 15 minutes. Let it cool.

    Meanwhile prepare the filling by beating all the ingredients in a bowl until the mixture is homogeneous. Don’t overbeat the dough!

    Pour over the biscuit base and bake in a bain-marie for about 75 minutes at 150ºC (to prevent water from entering the mold, cover the outside of the mold with 2 aluminum foil).

    If the center of the cheesecake is not consistent at the end of the cooking time, do not worry, the important thing is that the sides are well cooked.

    After 75 minutes turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside with the oven door ajar. After being completely cold, transfer the cheesecake to the fridge for at least 4 hours.

    At the end of this time, you can then beat the cream with the sugar and after taking the cheesecake out of the mold, decorate to taste with the cream and the remaining limes.

    I hope you enjoyed,

    Good recipes and until the next post.

    Sweet Kisses,

    Claudia

  • How to Organize a Christening

    Organizing a christening is a time of great stress for the baby’s mother, who is generally responsible for organizing the ceremony.

    All the stress inherent in organizing the ceremony so that it runs smoothly, in itself confers a large amount of accumulated stress, which means that in many cases the mother (ceremony organizer) does not truly enjoy the moment and the ceremony that will not be repeated again.

    All this accumulated stress can be easily avoided, with the help of an event planner for the organization of the event, and accessories on the day of the ceremony so that nothing fails.

    In this way, the mother will have her task facilitated and will be able to enjoy the time with her family, without stress and worry.

    If you choose to do the organization personally, however, there are some points that you should take into account so that nothing fails in the organization of the event.

    I leave you some tips so that everything goes well and nothing fails on the big day.

    ➢Church

    • Date and place of the ceremony

    (This topic is the one that usually gives daddies the most “headaches”, due to the bureaucratic part and all the required documents, but resolving these issues, the rest of the organization is relatively simple)

    ➢ Photography

    • Photo book (days before baptism)
    • Photography at home with the baby/child
    • Photography at the church, Farm/Restaurant (follow-up on the day)

    ➢ Guests

    • Invitation from godparents
    • Create the guest list
    • Sending invitations (preferably 4 to 6 months in advance, or a little more). If you prefer to send it in advance, I suggest a SAVE THE DATE (digital and may contain less information, essentially the day) and later the official invitation.
    • List of confirmed attendance
    • Distribution of guests by the tables and their assignment (The assignment, I suggest, is something related to the chosen theme)

    ➢ Reminders (Proposed options)
    a) One per Family (adults and children)
    b) A souvenir for the Family/couple and one for the children
    c) A memento gentlemen, a memento madam and a children

    ➢ Party

    • Party Location
    • Type/Style of space decoration (Soon a post dedicated to this aspect)

    ➢ Animation

    • Adults (DJ,…)
    • Children

    ➢ Baptized

    • Christening suit (You can opt for the traditional Christening suit and a “change” of clothes for the party, more comfortable for the child)
    • Candle and christening towel
    • Book of memories or other more thematic element. An excellent option to let your imagination run wild and opt for something original and made by yourself (where guests write a dedication to the child and family)

    I hope these tips are useful to you.

    Happy celebration,

    Claudia Geraldes