Unforgettable Wedding Photos

Weddings are very busy, and your photographer will be running around like mad trying to capture every guest and every moment. This is why it is so important to give him a checklist of particular shots that you would like him to take. In the excitement of the day, even the bride is likely to forget about them!

For any bride, one of the loveliest images that can be captured are the pictures of her getting ready right before the wedding. The anticipation of what is to come makes for some very poignant moments. This is why it is nice to have your photographer on hand as you put the finishing touches onto your wedding ensemble. Some of the prettiest pre-wedding photos are of brides peeking into in the mirror for one last time before heading out to the ceremony. Another beautiful image is the reflection in the mirror of the back of the bride’s gown.

Speaking of pre-wedding photographs, here is another moment to capture: when the mother or father of the bride clasps her bridal jewelry around the bride’s neck. It is a very graceful image, and it makes an especially nice memory if the bridal jewelry was a gift from the bride’s parents. You will also want to ask your photographer to get some close up detail shots of your wedding jewelry, as well as of the newlyweds wearing their wedding bands.

For an outdoor wedding, make sure to have some photographs taken that show the location in all of its beauty. If there was one thing in particular that drew you to the site, such as a pond or a huge old oak tree, that would be a good location for some pictures of the newlyweds. In these types of pictures, it is nice to show some broader views of the couple in the landscape.

You only have one chance to take wedding photographs, so you want to be sure to get all of the images that will help you remember the details that made your day special. Use this checklist of unforgettable pictures to get you started, but don’t forget to add your own special requests.

Customize Your Wedding With a Family Crest

Every couple wants their wedding to be special and unique. A great way to achieve this is by using a personalized detail that is exclusive to you and your wedding. One of the most interesting motifs to use in your wedding is your family crest.

If your family does not have a crest, it is no problem – you can design your own, or have a company custom create one to your specifications. The fun part about about designing your own crest is that you can include symbols that are important to both the bride and groom, instead of using a motif from just one family. There are some great sites online that will walk you through designing an authentic and rich looking family crest.

An ideal setting for a wedding with a family crest being used would be a setting that looks like an old English manor house. Rich wood panelling, as can be found in formal libraries or certain private clubs is the look that you should seek out in a venue. And you can’t go wrong with an old stone church for the ceremony site.

The bride and her attendants should be dressed formally for this type of wedding. It would be ideal to pick out a color from your family crest to use for the bridesmaid dresses. Rich and serious colors like navy, burgundy, and hunter green would all make excellent choices. Finish off the look with classic pearl bridesmaid jewelry. Not only will pearl bridesmaid jewelry suit the formality of the wedding, but it makes a wonderful gift from the bride.

The crest itself can be used in many places. Of course you will want it on the top of your wedding invitations. It would be fantastic to have a large one created that can be hung on the church doors, or in a prominent spot in the reception venue. Your crest can also be printed on napkins and favor boxes. For a truly regal touch, have your family crest embroidered on the bride and groom’s seat covers at the reception.

A family crest is one of those details that will set your wedding apart. It is an unexpected detail that will make your wedding feel rich in tradition. Whether you have a crest that has been used in your family for generations, or you plan to create a new one to symbolize your new family, it is a wonderful way to personalize your wedding.

Is Your Reception Really For You or Your Guests?

There is an old saying that you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and this is certainly true of weddings. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a wedding special, and even within the same family, their can be a wide range of opinions. If the bride and groom live a lifestyle that is fairly different than the one led by their parents and grandparents, conflict can easily arise.

The question is, if you have a lifestyle that is different from the rest of your family’s, how much of it can you include in the wedding before they feel uncomfortable? Does there come a point where imposing your beliefs can go too far? If you are making many of your guests feel uncomfortable, the answer may be yes.

Let me give you a true life example to ponder. At one wedding for 200 guests, the bride and groom were vegan, and had a couple of transgender friends that were coming to the wedding. They asked that the reception venue create a vegan cake, and remove the signs on the restrooms that say “men” or “women” and replace them with signs saying “unisex”. How much of this is reasonable, and how much may be putting the comfort of a few above the comfort and enjoyment of the majority of the guests?

Picture your grandmother, dressed in her best dress and wedding jewelry, heading into the restroom, only to see a man coming out of a stall. How do you think this would make her, and many of the other guests feel? Probably very, very uncomfortable. This is a case where trying to see to the comfort of a few surpassed the comfort of the majority of the guests, which is never what a host should do.

There are often happy mediums to be found. For instance, it is very easy to serve a delicious vegetarian menu that anyone would enjoy, even the steak and potato guys. If your religious beliefs forbid you to drink alcohol, your guests will understand if the reception is dry (although there might be a fair amount of grumbling about it!). If your mother wants you to wear her pearls for the wedding, and you want to wear the special wedding jewelry that your fiance gave you, you can always wear them for the rehearsal dinner as a compromise.

Although you can never make everyone happy, as hosts, the bride and groom do have an obligation to try to make their reception as fun and inviting for as many of their guests as possible. Years after your wedding, you want your family to remember how beautiful it was and how much fun they had – not how nobody knew which restroom to use!

What to Do If You Blow Your Wedding Budget

Budgets are meant to be broken, right? This is the feeling of many brides, but not necessarily of their parents or fiances who are helping to pay for the wedding. If you are starting to add up all of your wedding expenses and are finding that you are coming in way over budget, it is time to take action!

If your budget is firm and you are way over it, then you will have to find some places to cut costs. Hopefully, you are not so far into the planning that you are locked into everything, especially the big expenses like the venue and the guest list. Assuming your invitations have not yet gone out, cutting down the guest list is by far the quickest way to slash expenses. You will save on almost everything, from food to cocktails to reception rentals to centerpieces. You might even be able to scale down the size of your reception site and even the size of the band. It can be painful, but if you think about what you could save by trimming your guest list by even 10 or 20%, it could be significant.

If it is too late to make major changes, there are still ways to get back to (or at least closer to) your original budget. You might not be able to switch vendors or venues, but you can at least cut back on some of the details. For example, you can ask your florist about substituting a less pricey flower like red carnations for costly red roses. A small change like that can make a huge difference in your bottom line.

Another idea for brides who have gone over budget is to skip the favors, or find ways to make your centerpieces or place cards double as wedding favors that guests can take home. If you have a lovely ceremony, followed by a beautiful reception, the last thing that your guests are going to be thinking is, “Where is my favor?!”. So don’t worry if you need to cut them to get your budget back on track.

One thing that you should not omit from your wedding is your bridesmaid gifts. Forgetting to give a special thank you to your friends who have spent a lot of their precious time and money on your wedding is just plain rude. However, you certainly do not need to break the bank on your bridesmaid gifts. With a little careful shopping, you will find that you can get some stunning gifts for a very affordable price. Bridesmaid jewelry, such as a Swarovksi pearl pendant, can be so reasonably priced that even the bride who has gone way over budget will be able to afford something very pretty.

Unique Alternatives to Wedding Centerpieces

Who says that your wedding centerpieces have to be white flowers in a simple round vase? The idea that you have to do any element in a traditional way is totally out the window for weddings today. To really create a unique look, think about replacing the basic floral centerpiece with something a bit less typical.

For brides and grooms who love the disco era, instead of a floral centerpiece, try a disco ball. You can either put it on a stand on the table, or suspend it from the ceiling over each table, with candles on the table to cast light onto the silvery ball. If you have always dreamed of recreating a moment from “Saturday Night Fever” for your first dance, then this idea is for you!

Perhaps there is a little bistro or supper club that is near and dear to your heart. It could be your favorite date spot, or maybe where your fiance proposed to you, or both. Capture the intimate, warm feeling of a bistro by using smaller tables, and topping each one with a tiny lamp instead of flowers. If you like the idea of having a few flowers on the tables, slip one into the napkin at each place setting.

This can also be a fun do-it-yourself wedding project. Get lamps with basic white or ivory lampshades, and trim them out yourself. For a bride who is wearing pearl bridal jewelry, decorate the shades by adding a pearl trim to tie in with your bridal jewelry. Or you can use a fancy braided trim in your wedding colors for a splash of color on the lamps. If you are feeling a little wild, you can even consider trimming out the lampshades with maribou feathers!

Literary types, such as professors, could try out something even more offbeat for centerpieces: a stack of books. Choose beautiful old leather bound editions collected from used book shops, and artfully stack them in the center of each table. To make it festive, you can tie a wide satin or grosgrain ribbon around the whole stack, with a large bow at the top. Definitely seek out classic books about love or romance, like Jane Eyre or Emma. Your guests will have a great time discussing the books on their table – it is a centerpiece sure to spark some lively conversation.

Your wedding is your day to make a statement. Instead of doing what is expected, it can be a lot more fun to come up with something unique that says something about you as a couple. Designing your own centerpieces is a fantastic way to make your wedding even more special.

The Newlyweds’ Going Away Outfits

There is a wonderful tradition that at the end of the reception, the bride and groom change into their going away or travel outfits. They then leave the reception to the cheers and well wishes of their guests, and head off alone to their honeymoon, or at least the hotel where they will spend their wedding night. This custom is often overlooked these days, as newlyweds tend to stay at their reception until the very end, but is one that is worth reviving.

One thing that is very practical about having a going away outfit is that it allows you to hand over your bridal gown and the groom’s suit or tuxedo to someone else to deal with after the wedding. If you will be leaving for your honeymoon the morning after the wedding, the last thing that you want to worry about is getting the bride’s dress to the cleaners or returning the groom’s tuxedo (if rented) to the formalwear shop. Let someone else handle those duties so you can focus on enjoying the start of your honeymoon.

Your going away outfits can be almost anything, as long as they coordinate. Usually you will change into something that is less formal than your wedding attire, but still dressier than your every day clothing. Think about what you might wear if you were a guest at a friend’s wedding, or if you were having dinner in a very nice restaurant. This will typically mean a dress for the bride and a suit or a jacket and tie for the groom.

Don’t forget to bring all of the accessories to complete your going away outfits, like shoes, socks, and a tie for the groom. The bride will usually keep on her wedding jewelry. However, do try it on in advance with your going away dress; if the jewelry that you wore for your wedding doesn’t sit well with your dress, or it is too formal, then by all means change into a different set.

Couples can also opt to change into going away outfits that fit the style of their honeymoon. For instance, if you are headed to Hawaii, them the groom could wear a Hawaiian shirt and khakis, and the bride could wear a floral sundress and sandals. Your going away outfit can really be whatever you like and think will be the most appropriate for your grand exit.

Zen Wedding Style

Zen style is simple and clean and peaceful. It is relaxing, and can also be quite modern and chic. It is a great idea for a wedding theme, as you and your guests will feel quite at ease in the oasis that you create. For a few ideas on how to have a Zen wedding, read on…

Think about your wedding location. A space like an open loft in a city with great hardwood floors and lots of natural light would be one excellent option. Another possibility is an outdoor setting. An Asian inspired garden would be ideal, as would a setting near running water, which will make a soothing background sound.

A peaceful color palette is a great place to being when creating your Zen design. Soft colors from nature like taupe, celadon, and pale blue work beautifully in combination with an accent color like espresso. Your color scheme will be serene and modern at the same time. Patterns that use some of the colors together in a stripe would make a very pleasing addition to the overall wedding décor.

Your color palette can be carried throughout the wedding. You will certainly want to use it for your bridesmaid dresses. Tea length chiffon dresses in celadon or pale blue would be lovely. To add a little punch, choose ones that also use the espresso accent color, either in a sash, or as a wide border at the hemline. For the bridesmaid jewelry sets, think simple and clean lines, such as elegant sterling silver pieces. Bridesmaid jewelry sets that use elements with a natural and organic form, like keshi pearls, would also be wonderful for your Zen wedding.

For your wedding décor, imagine a fabulous Asian inspired spa setting. Think about ways to incorporate natural elements, such as smooth rocks, bamboo, seagrass, and even water. A great touch for a Zen theme wedding would be to have a water element, such as a simple modern fountain, or another source of running water. If your venue does not have such a feature, see about renting or even custom designing a piece like a copper wall fountain to add the tranquil sound of water to your reception.

For the ultimate in Zen wedding design, consider hiring a feng shui expert to design the floorplan of your reception. You will be ensured that the vibe at your wedding is as serene as possible. In addition, you will ensure good flow throughout the room, as well as the best luck to get your marriage off to a happy and harmonious start. If a wedding theme can do all that, then who wouldn’t want to have their big day be as Zen as possible?

Yes, You Can Make Your Wedding Favors!

Even brides who are not normally that crafty like the idea of making something for their wedding. If you are not normally that artistic, you might find the idea of handcrafting something for your wedding to be a bit intimidating, but don’t worry. The one thing that almost every bride can make is her wedding favors.

So what can the average bride make? There are many fun ideas and even if you have no experience in crafting, there are tons of great books and classes available to guide you through the process. The best ones have very detailed step by step instructions, so with the right materials, you can be confident that your project will turn out looking great.

Food is one of the most popular wedding favors, and there are many things that a bride (or groom, for that matter!) could make for favors. Everyone loves chocolate, so why not try your hand at creating delicious chocolate truffles? If they are large enough, just two truffles in a special little box will make a great favor. If making your own candy seems a bit daunting, there are other things that you can try. Anyone could make hand-dipped chocolate strawberries or dried apricots. They are a sweet treat that your guest will love to receive, and you will save a fortune by dipping the fruit into the chocolate yourself.

One of the best ideas for wedding favors is candles, and they are much easier to make than you might think. There are candlemaking kits available that have the wax and wicks, and then all you need to do is choose a color and scent. The fun part about making candles is picking interesting vessels for them. If you are having a garden wedding, then pour the wax into tiny little clay flowerpots. Tie a grosgrain ribbon on the outside and glue on a tiny silk flower, and you will have beautiful favors in an instant. For a beach wedding, make your candles in seashells or even coconut halves lined with a fireproof lining. The possibilities are endless.

Of course making all of your favors can be a time consuming endeavor, so it is a good idea to enlist help. Your bridesmaids are usually a good place to turn. Arrange for an afternoon where they all come over, and set up a favor making assembly line to get the job done in no time. Just be sure to make it a fun time for your helpers – play some fun music, put out some great snacks, and take the crew out for cocktails afterwards. And don’t forget to give special bridesmaid gifts to your friends to thank them for all of their help with the wedding. If you want, you could even present the bridesmaid gifts at the end of the favor making party.

Creating your own wedding favors is a fun way to put your personal stamp on your wedding. It also allows you to have favors that tie in with your theme. Best of all, your wedding favors will be one of a kind, because they were handcrafted by you!

Tips on Choosing Wedding Rings

Your wedding rings are one of the most important pieces of wedding jewelry that you will buy. Of course, the bride will also want other fabulous jewelry for her wedding, but it is the rings that will be worn day in and day out. Here are a few tips on choosing your wedding bands…

If you do not want to limit yourself to one color of gold, then look for bands that have two or even three or four colors of gold (the fourth option is green gold). One of the great classic wedding ring styles is the rolling ring, originally designed by Cartier, but now available at many jewelers. It features three interlocking rings, in whatever color combination you prefer. This is a heavier type of band, which works best when worn without an engagement ring next to it.

One of the things that most brides struggle with is how to match the wedding band to her engagement ring. Some engagement rings have coordinating wedding bands designed to go with them, which can make life easier. Most do not, though, so it is up to you to find a pairing that you like.

Simple rings like solitaires or three stones will work well with almost any band, as long as you choose one that is fairly similar in width (usually no more than one millimeter in difference). Before you assume that you will get a plain band, try on some other options. You might find that you prefer a band with some handcarved details, a miligrain border, or most especially, one with diamonds!

Speaking of diamonds, more and more brides are deciding to wear bands that feature them. One of the best things about a diamond band is that it looks fabulous on its own, if you sometimes prefer the comfort of a wedding band worn without the engagement ring. Also, a diamond band will add more sparkle and light to the diamond in your engagement ring, so what’s not to love?

Since you will be wearing your wedding band every day, it is worth it to put some time into picking out the perfect one. You want a band that fits your taste, your lifestyle, and hopefully even your budget. Once you have found the prefect wedding ring, all you have to do is wait until that special day when you get to wear it!

What is The “New White” for Weddings?

Every season, it seems like you hear things like, “Brown is the new black” or “Orange is the new pink”. Weddings are certainly not immune to the whims of fashion, and every so often, you will hear of a new color being declared “The New White”. So what is the new white, and how will it affect your wedding?

Different colors come in vogue for each wedding season, and yet there are also some that are perpetually popular. Yellow and grey, for instance, were hot colors this year, but who knows what brides will think about them a few years from now. One color, though, that you can count on to stick around is pink. In fact, you could almost declare pink to be the new white.

Because pink is such a soft and feminine color, it is easy to use either as a subtle accent to a mostly white wedding, or as a focal point. For instance, if you want just a hint of pink, then a great place to add it is to your custom bridal jewelry. Instead of the traditional look of all white pearl bridal jewelry, custom combine pink pearls or crystals with the white for a very sweet look.

On the other hand, if you can’t get enough of pink, then you can go all out with your wedding attire. A pale ballerina pink is a completely acceptable alternative to a white wedding dress, even for the most formal or traditional weddings. For bridesmaid dresses, there are numerous pink options, but one of the most gorgeous is to use pink lace over an ivory background, or the reverse.

Pink is, of course, very easy to add to the centerpieces, bouquets, and other floral displays. This is another case where a dash of color could easily be worked into a more monochromatic white wedding. For spring brides, there are particularly wonderful options, such as dainty pink lily-of-the-valley, pink tulips in all shades, and gorgeous peonies. Of course, roses are also available in all shades of pink at any time of the year.

For a very pretty effect, you can also use your pink flowers as accents on the plates and even frozen into ice cubes for the drinks. Bringing your chosen color into unexpected parts of the wedding is a nice way to put your personal stamp on the reception. When you decide to use pink instead of white, you will find that there are lots of ways to customize your wedding.