Marriage for all

Let me start this post by stating that I support marriage as an institution. I also believe that everyone should have the right to be legally recognised as a married couple and should have the legal protection and rights that come with the territory.

However, I live in Ireland. A country with rich history, talented creative minds and beautiful landscapes. Like any country, it's not perfect. There are restrictions on rights such as abortion, same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption. Catholicism in Ireland has a lot to answer for. As a result of its influence there has been widespread conservatism at play in this country for decades. So much so, that it infringes on basic human rights.

So you can only imagine the excitement when I read this article from Marriage Equality. It's a step in the right direction. It may just be a step, but it's movement towards equal rights for all couples. The way I see it, love is universal. If you're lucky enough to love another human being so much that you can envisage spending your life with them, and you choose to marry. It shouldn't matter what your gender is.

Change is coming in Ireland in several fronts, change which is long overdue. A Millward Brown study showed that 75% of people would vote yes in a referendum to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples. In the same study 69% of people agreed that being raised in a loving home by loving parents is a more significant factor for a child’s well-being than being raised by a mother and a father.

The people of Ireland have voiced their support for same-sex marriage, now it is time for the government to act.

Wedding ring shopping

As the wedding date comes closer, I've found myself slowly gravitating towards jewellers windows to have a gawk at what sparkly wedding rings I would consider sporting during married life.

So where does one look for wedding rings with nerdy leanings? Step in Google! At least we won't be short ideas when it comes to wedding ring designs! Here's a few of my favourites:

Hans and Leia, just yes. Would rather have it engraved inside the rings though, context is everything!

Although this looks like a normal wedding ring, you program your wedding date into it and on the day of your anniversary, it heats up on the wearer's finger. No more forgotten anniversaries and something interesting for the gadget lovers!

Really like this Legend of Zelda one, chances are we'll opt for some nerdy engraving.

For something totally personal, check out these fingerprint rings. Really like this idea, especially as it looks like a tree trunk.

If wedding rings aren't your thing, there are lots of cool ideas for tattoos too!

8bit heart? Oh yes!

Key and heart? V sweet.

Like this version too

My favourite. If I was getting a wedding ring tattoo, it'd be something along these lines I'd choose. Intimate but beautiful.

Couples are always getting creative when it comes to showing their love, be it privately or publicly. These wedding ring pictures have given me even more ideas for my own wedding ring, maybe too many ideas!

Are there any unusual wedding rings that you like? Go on, sharing is caring!

Top wedding cake toppers!

If you're anything like me, you can appreciate a nice cake. With icing, and chocolate... And sprinkles... Ahem! So in the spirit of all things 'wedding cake' I've gone on the hunt for cake toppers.

I was blown away by how creative some couples can be when it comes to how they choose to top their wedding cake. Here are my top 10:

1. Lego cake topper
You may have gathered that we're big Lego fans chez Ree, your imagination is the limit!

So cool! Would be tempted to put some LED lights in there too!

2. Alien couple
Love the Alien movies? Why not pay homage to the creations of H.R. Giger by putting them on top of your cake? Aliens need love too!

There's something so cute about this, even in biomechanoid style.

3. Zelda and Link love
We very nearly bought an 8-bit wreath this Christmas, so this is high up on our wish list!

There's something timeless about 8-bit graphics.

4. Marvel Zombies for life.. Erm.. sort of!
This was one that Mr. Ree put forward. We've got a healthy and ever-growing collection of comic books, and love all things zombie related. Combine the two and you've got a pretty awesome cake topper!

Spiderman and Mary Jane zombie style!

5. Memes for every occasion
On the internet, there are things called Memes, so why not put some of your favourites on a cake? When else can you use 'Me gusta' with such zeal?

Which memes would you choose?

6. Lightsaber wedding
Sick of all things cute, white and fluffy in the wedding world? Cut through the crap, and possibly other things with the help of Darth Vader.

Dark, but I like it! (Mwa haw haw!)

7. My friend Totoro
A wedding often brings family, friends and lots of different characters together. How could you possibly leave out your friend Totoro?

It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

8. Not just for Muppets
I've always thought that Miss Piggy was one of my earliest Feminist role models.. She was strong willed, vocal about what she wanted and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Quite a character, for a pig puppet, I mean Muppet!

Granted they look a bit wrecked, but maybe this was later on in the night!

9. Burton related goodness
I fell in love with 'The Nightmare before Christmas' film the first time I saw it. I loved the ghoulish feel of the characters, the music and the art of stop motion film making.

For the love of Jack and Sally

10. Room for Space Invaders?
For extra nerdy joy, you could make the Space Invaders out of Lego! Cheap as chips to do, plus you can customise it to suit your wedding colours. Sorted! I'd be tempted to stick a veil and top hat on them too.

Love this idea!

BONUS: I came across this one in my searching and snooping. I have no clue what the background is. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Mermice? Is this a thing?!

NYE Weddings - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you welcomed in 2013 with fun, frivolity and a bit of silly dancing.

I can't be the only one who rocked this move surely? Anybody?!

A discussion about New Year's Eve weddings had popped up on my Twitter feed and it got me thinking. Would this be something that Mr. Ree and I would consider? I've weighed up the pros and cons in my mind and have drawn up a list:
Pros for a NYE wedding

• Guaranteed party atmosphere - who doesn't feel like celebrating on NYE?
• Instant theme
• Difficult anniversary to forget

Cons for a NYE wedding

• Drop-off rate for guests - let's face it, people make plans for NYE. Be it heading out or staying in, you're asking a lot of your guests which brings me to my next point..
• Would have to give guests plenty of notice
• Venue availability issues - Venues tend to book up early for NYE, which can cause prices to increase, tread carefully!

Although these would be awesome for a NYE photobooth!

Late December is full of family related festivities between Christmas and New Years. It's often a time of year when money is tight. Presents have been bought, wrapped and exchanged, and it doesn't come cheap! It can put unwanted financial strain on people, not just for a gift but if they plan to stay in the same venue as the wedding. Prices can fluctuate depending on dates, so any wedding day can often be an expensive day out, depending if it falls on a popular date.

Ultimately this wouldn't be something that we would consider. But others would and obviously do. I've yet to be invited to a New Year's wedding, but if I ever am, hopefully I'll be given plenty of notice to shake my tail feathers!