Special Wedding Signage

When planning your wedding, there are a million tiny details to arrange. One of the ones that can be easily overlooked is the signage that you may need. Signs are often useful to provide special information to your guests. You will want to be certain to plan for signs well in advance, so that they can be made to coordinate with your wedding theme.

Types of signs that you may need include directions marking the path from the ceremony to the reception site, the room number for the ballroom at a hotel wedding, and even pointers to the restroom, if it is not obvious.

Although it would be functional, a generic sign certainly does not make much of a first impression. It would be like choosing a fabulous wedding gown and forgetting the custom bridal jewelry. Instead of a basic boring sign, create one that incorporates your wedding colors or motif. It will make a much more welcoming first impression.

In general, it would be nice to coordinate your special signs to the feeling of your wedding stationary suite for a consistent look throughout. For example, if your wedding stationary was done with formal engraving, your signage should be equally traditional. Brides who chose wedding invitations with handmade paper could use similar floral – flecked paper for all of their signs. Careful attention to even the smallest detail is exactly the sort of thing that will help to set your wedding apart.

Firing a Bridemaid

Presumably, the bride invites certain women to be her bridesmaids because they are her closest friends. Occasionally, though, it just doesn’t work out, and it becomes necessary to fire a bridesmaid.

Before kicking anyone out of the wedding party, ask yourself a few questions. Is your friend really behaving badly, or is she reacting to unreasonable demands being made by the bride (which is frequently the underlying issue)? Is this a person that you are hoping to keep as a friend? If the bridesmaid in question is your sister (or future sister-in-law), you can pretty much forget about firing her, no matter how appalling her behavior may be.

So what are some legitimate reasons for releasing a bridesmaid from service? The most egregious reason would be that she had an affair with the groom (whether it happened recently or in the distant past, either would be cause to fire her at once). A less heinous, but still serious reason, would be if the bride discovered that her friend did not support her choice of husband.

If you have reached the conclusion that one of your bridesmaids does need to be dismissed, let her down as gently and graciously as you can; if you have already handed out the bridesmaid gifts, don’t demand that she return hers. Break the news to her in person (and in private), or in a handwritten letter if you just can’t face her. Don’t dump a bridesmaid by email or by having a third party do it.

Although firing a bridesmaid is not easy, sometimes it is the only way to maintain your sanity and enjoy your wedding. If an attendant is causing the bride to be stressed and miserable, then dismissing her may be the best option. Hopefully, by choosing her bridesmaids thoughtfully after careful deliberation, a bride can avoid having to take that difficult step.

The View From Behind: Your Bustle

There are almost as many bustle styles as there are types of gowns. Different trains will call for different techniques. It is very important that the gown looks as beautiful bustled as it does with the train down, so have your seamstress show you different choices if the first attempt at creating a bustle looks awkward (or if it makes your tush look huge!).

One of the simplest bustle options is to pick the train up and secure it to the outside of the gown towards the bottom of the skirt. This works particularly well for little sweep trains. Usually one fastener will suffice to get the entirety of a petite train off the floor. A very attractive fastener is a handmade toggle system. It should coordinate with the rest of your ensemble, so is you are wearing pearl bridal jewelry, have a tiny loop of pearls through which the little bar will slide.

Bigger trains call for more elaborate bustles. One that works well with most medium length trains is the French bustle. In this system, the train is pulled up underneath the skirt of the gown, creating a pretty pouf effect (it should be done fairly low on the skirt, so that a big mound of fabric is not created over the derierre – around knee height is usually perfect).

Matching up all those little ties can be a nightmare for the person assigned to the task. To prevent confusion and frustration on the day of the wedding, the bustler should attend one of the bride’s final gown fittings to get a lesson from the seamstress. A great way to make the process more clear is to color code the pair of ribbons, so it is easy to tell which ones to tie together.

It may take some effort, but it will completely worth it to achieve a perfect bustle. Then you will be free to dance until dawn and really have fun at your reception.

Famous Pearls Throughout History

Pearls have been treasured since antiquity. They have been revered for their iridescence, their radiance, their luster, and elegant beauty. People have crushed pearls into their makeup, ingested them as medicine, and worn them as protective amulets. There are many pearls which have become as famous as their wearers.

One of the most well known pieces of pearl jewelry belonged to Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. One of her signature accessories was a strand of pearls with a gold “B” pendant dangling from the center. Three teardrop pearls were suspended from the letter “B”. This special pearl necklace can be seen in many of the portraits that were painted of Anne Boleyn. Oddly enough, the television character “Ugly Betty” wears a replica of the Queen’s necklace, and the style has experienced a revival as a result.

Not every well known pearl was worn by a real person. Pearls have been lovingly rendered by painters throughout art history. One of the most exquisite examples is The Girl with a Pearl Earring (circa 1665) by Baroque Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.

Another renowned piece of pearl jewelry involves a pearl named La Peregrina. This famous pearl was discovered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16^th Century. After centuries in royal hands, the spectacular pearl eventually ended up belonging to Hollywood royalty: Elizabeth Taylor. Her husband Richard Burton purchased La Peregrina for her for the sum of $37,000 in the late 1960s.

Famous brides to wear pearls on their wedding day include Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. The custom of a bride bedecked in pearls dates back to at least the Romans and the Greeks. It was believed in ancient Greece that if a bride wore pearl jewelry on her wedding day that she would have a happy marriage with few tears.

Custom Bridal Swarovski Necklaces

Is it possible to have fabulous and unique jewelry for your wedding without spending a fortune? Happily, the answer is yes. Brides who want a glamorous look without breaking the bank will love custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

First of all, you should know that not all crystal jewelry is created equal. Crystals created by Swarovksi are the finest in the world. They have more sparkle, more fire, and are more precisely faceted than lesser crystals. When shopping for custom bridal Swarovksi necklaces, you will want to look for pieces that are truly handcrafted so that they can be personalized to suit your needs.

Custom jewelry may sound very expensive, but it does not have to be. Swarovksi crystals are spectacular, but reasonably priced. Combined with Swarovski pearls or freshwater pearls, you can achieve a fantastic look without going over budget. Using gleaming sterling silver or warm 14kt gold fill will make sure that your jewelry looks expensive, but isn’t.

Every bride wants to look amazing on her wedding day. But by the time you have hired the caterer, the florist, and the photographer, there might not be too much left in the budget for jewelry. Luckily you can achieve a stunning, yet affordable, effect with custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

Complete Your Wedding Decorating Scheme

When most brides think of decorating the reception site, they naturally think first of the room where dinner will be served. That is certainly the biggest part of the reception venue, but it is not the only part of the space that your guests are going to see. Complete your decorating scheme by giving some attention to the other parts of the reception venue, such as the entryway, the hallways, and even the restrooms.

You can dress up doors and doorways with beautiful wreaths and garlands. Wreaths can be round, square, or even formed in the initials of the bride and groom. Garlands are very versatile, and look romantic draped over doorways, wrapped around bannisters, or even dripping in trees. Another great use of a garland is to drape it across the front of the long table used by the bridal party (I did this at my wedding, and it was really beautiful).

A hot trend right now is decorating the hallways of the reception site. Think beyond just placing a vase of flowers on a side table in the hall. For a truly spectacular look, use small containers of flowers on the floor to line both sides of the hallway.

You can turn a basic restroom into a mini-oasis by bringing your wedding theme into that often neglected space. When your attendants are in there comparing their bridesmaid gifts and complaining about how their shoes pinch, they should at least be able to do it in a beautiful bathroom. Fresh flowers are a must, but go the extra step by putting out soft hand towels, pretty soaps, and scented candles.

The reception site is about much more than the dinner area. Your guests will spend lots of time in the other parts of the venue over the course of the evening. If you take the time to decorate the outlying areas as carefully as the main room, it will make your wedding that much more fabulous.

Top Trends in Bridesmaid Dresses

Throw out the petticoats! Tear off the poufy sleeves! And burn that gold lamé dress! The top trends in bridesmaid dresses are simple, modern, and elegant.

Bridesmaid dresses are definitely sexier than they used to be (within the limits of good taste, please!). One of the hottest necklines is the halter, which is flattering to almost every woman in any size. Another important trend is for the dress to be either tea-length or to the knee. Any shorter is too sexy, and any longer feels too cumbersome.

The cookie cutter look is definitely out of style. A very popular idea is to have each girl choose separates in a designated fabric and color. That creates a look that is coordinated, but not too matchy-matchy. It also means that each bridesmaid can select the cut that is most flattering to her figure. Your attendants will thank you for that!

The hottest colors are brights like canary yellow, hot pink, aqua, and kelly green. Use them as an accent of for the whole dress. On the opposite end of the spectrum are gray dresses. They work well when done in feminine fabrics like chiffon or tulle. To liven up a neutral dress, pair it with bridesmaid jewelry sets in strong colors like burgundy or coral.

Your bridesmaids will have to spend a lot of money on their dresses. Do them a favor, and choose something that they will actually be pleased to wear. The top trends in bridesmaid dresses are all geared towards dresses that are flattering and can be worn again. And not a yard of gold lamé in sight!

Aisle runners, chair covers, and more

There are so many special details that make up a wedding. One of the most fun parts of the planning process is deciding how to customize all of the elements to make your wedding unique and personal. After you have made the biggest choices, it is time to focus on the little touches that can add up to a big effect.

Often times the bride would like to have a special runner that is placed down the aisle. This can be a beautiful effect in a church, and it is also used for outdoor weddings to help prevent the train or veil from snagging on rough surfaces.

The design of the aisle runner should match the overall theme of your wedding. They can be plain white, glamorous red, handpainted, monogrammed, or even lace.

Fabric covers are a great way to dress up boring or unattractive chairs. A wonderful way to make the slipcovers very special is to decorate them with details pulled from the rest of the wedding. Wide satin or organza bows would be gorgeous done in the same color as the bridesmaids’ dresses. One idea would be to drip a few crystal briolettes from the bows if the bride is wearing crystal custom bridal jewelry. Another great ornament would be a cluster of the wedding flowers tucked into the center of each bow or a floral swag draped across the back of the chairs.

The finishing touches that you choose for your wedding will really help to set it apart. This is a situation where the sum really is greater than the parts. When taken together, all of the special details will play a big part in making your wedding unique and memorable.

Blending Families

Many couples who are planning weddings have children from previous relationships. Blending two separate families into one is never easy. It is very important that the children feel welcomed by their new step-parent; a wonderful way to do this is to include them in the wedding ceremony.

There are a variety of ways that children can be involved in the wedding, depending on their age. A teenage son, for instance, could be asked to do the honor of escorting his mother down the aisle. Likewise, a teenage daughter could be her parent’s honor attendant.

Little girls will be happy to serve as flower girls. Be sure to make a big fuss over the little ones – get them a fancy dress, give them special flower girl jewelry, and let them know how important they are to both the bride and groom.

Some couples choose to involve their children in the marriage ceremony to an even greater degree. A very sweet idea is to have a special part of the service after the wedding vows are exchanged. The child is invited to come and stand between the newlyweds, and personal vows are made about the new family. This is a beautiful way to show a child how important she will be in the blended family.

Getting a blended family off to a good start is critical. Involving the children from a previous marriage in the wedding day is one idea to help them feel happy about the new marriage. If the child is old enough, it would also be fun to ask for their opinions on the details of the wedding. It is a great way to make sure that the child is excited about the new family, and to make the blended family a happy one.

Countdown to the Big Day!

The week before your wedding can be a hectic time. No matter how organized you are, some things will always be left to do at the last minute. In the days leading up to your wedding, you will be:

• Doing the seating chart. This dreaded task cannot be finished until the final headcount is complete.
• Greeting out of town guests as they arrive. Everyone will be excited to see the bride and groom. Do your best to squeeze in quick visits without letting them overwhelm you.
• Giving out bridesmaid gifts. Let your friends know how much you have appreciated their support.
• Mani/pedi – the morning before is the ideal time.
• Picking up your gown – also best left until the morning before the wedding so that you don’ have to worry about hiding it from your groom for long.
• Putting the finishing touches on favors and welcome bags for the hotel rooms.
• Hosting a rehearsal dinner.

• Then finally, on the morning of the wedding, the bride will have her hair and makeup done, get into her bridal gown and wedding jewelry, and head off to the ceremony site.

Then all that is left is to say, “I do”!