The Bride Did What?!

What is the craziest thing that you have ever seen at a wedding? Now personally, at the weddings which I have attended, the brides have been models of decorum and grace (well, mostly), but there are some pretty outrageous things that can happen at weddings. What makes them particularly funny stories to hear is the juxtaposition of the heavenly vision in the flowing white gown and perfect pearl bridal jewelry pulling some wacky sort of stunt.

For instance, I once knew a young lady who came from the “right sort of family”, and was planning a tented wedding on her family’s property overlooking a picturesque lake. Well, in the days after the wedding, some stories started to trickle in about this newlywed, and it turns out after knocking back a few brewskis (from a can, no less!) in her custom silk gown, nature called. Rather than venture back to the powder room in the house, this lovely young bride simply headed over to the edge of the woods and hiked up her fabulous gown, and well…you get where this is going. It certainly gave the guests something unique to remember about her wedding!

Sometimes the wacky things that brides do are not impulsive (or gross, for that matter), but rather pre-planned stunts to surprise or amuse their guests. There was the case of a couple who had a lovely outdoor wedding in a bucolic field beside a stream. Everything was as beautiful as could be, from the flowers, to the cake, to the radiant bride in her pretty bridal gown and pearl jewelry. Nothing could detract from the perfection of the scene, except…off to one side there was something covered by a big ugly tarp. The guests could not imagine why such an eyesore had not been removed before the wedding. That is until the end of the reception when the couple pulled off the tarp, and hopped into the river to make their grand exit…in a giant inflatable dragon boat!

Or what about the bride and groom who decided that they wanted to offer their guests some unique entertainment at their reception? It sounds nice, right? Until you hear that the fun activity is going to be rides on old mattresses pulled through the mud on the back of a four-wheeler! Worse yet, the bride hopped right aboard, white dress and all, for a mud-splattered mattress ride. Suffice it to say that not too many people were asking for her advice on planning their weddings.

So the next time that your fiance or bride-to-be friend is driving you nuts, just remember these tales of outrageous brides. She may spend hours obsessing over bridal magazines or finding the perfect ecru napkins, but as long as the bride in your life does not end up on this list, you will know that you are doing just fine!

Pregnant Brides

The fact of the matter is that you see more and more pregnant brides these days. Once held as a deep secret, a pre-marital pregnancy is now seen as more of a fact of life (not to mention often a reason for getting married). So when a baby on the way makes three, how does a bride go about planning the perfect wedding?

Timing is everything when you are tying to manage a wedding and a pregnancy. It is far better to plan a simple affair that you can get organized in a few months than to try to plan a lavish reception that will mean pushing the wedding date into your final months of pregnancy. By those last days, all you will want to do is sit on the sofa with your feet up; trying to fit into a fancy gown and wearing dressy (in other words, uncomfortable) shoes for hours and hours will be the last thing you feel like doing. If a large reception is important to you or your parents, have an intimate wedding now, and the lavish party after the baby is born.

Speaking of the wedding gown, this can be one of the biggest challenges for a pregnant bride. The first step is to find a really good seamstress, because fitting your gown will be a little trickier than most. When you select your gown, be generous when estimating how much extra room you will need as your belly expands. Remember that you can easily take something in, but letting dresses out may not always be an option. Shop for gowns that have embellishments like lace appliques that can be easily stitched on at the last minute once your gown has been fit to you.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, but for most women it is not the time in their lives when they feel their most glamorous. Give yourself a boost by treating yourself to something sparkly like a pair of handmade Swarovski crystal earrings. The great thing about jewelry is that it always fits perfectly, no alterations needed! And on days when you are feeling a bit drab, a fabulous pair of handmade Swarovski crystal earrings could be just the spark that you need to restore that beautiful bridal radiance to your face.

Finally, try to take it easy. Do not let planning your dream wedding stress you out or wear you down. Remember to enjoy the process, and look forward to your perfect little family to come.

Saving Money On Your Wedding

Here is a handy list of the dos and don’ts of saving money on your wedding.

Do: Consider having your wedding on an off day, like a Thursday evening, or an off season, like January. You will find that you can often get lower rates from everyone from the venue to the florist to the photographer, especially if they otherwise would be unbooked for that date. This can also be a great way to get into a hot venue without having to wait an extra year.

Don’t: Be fooled into thinking that you can have your wedding on the cheap at home. The truth is that by the time you pay a la carte for each and every rental and vendor, the bill is likely to add up to be much more than a package at a wedding venue.

Do: Shop at sample sales to find a gorgeous designer bridal gown at a great bargain price.

Don’t: Buy a dress sight unseen over the internet from a source like ebay unless you can definitely return it for a full refund. What if you do not love the dress in person or it does not fit?

Do: Save on your bridal jewelry, tiara, and other accessories by custom ordering them from an online retailer.

Don’t: Try to make them yourself to save a few bucks. There is a world of difference between something that has been carefully handcrafted by an artist versus something made at home by an amateur. It is not as easy as it looks!

Do: Make your own simple centerpieces using flowers from a floral mart, farmer’s market, or even the grocery store.

Don’t: Substitute fake flowers for fresh ones. I promise you that no one will be fooled.

With this guide in hand, you should be well on your way to planning a wedding that is beautiful to see, a pleasure to attend, and easy to afford. Remember to skimp on the behind-the-scenes stuff (fancy limos, hiring a calligrapher) and put your money into the things that will make your wedding a delightful time for your guests (in other words, the food, the booze, and the music). And most of all, remember to relax and take some time to enjoy yourself on your wedding day, too!

A Quiz for Grooms

See how much you already know and what more you need to learn with this fun quiz for grooms…

1. During the wedding ceremony, when does the groom walk down the aisle? Is it:

   a. right before the bride

   b. immediately following the bride

   c. arm in arm with the bride

2. What parts of a wedding is the groom traditionally responsible for financing?

   a. the bride’s wedding jewelry, her bouquet, and the honeymoon

   b. all of the flowers and the band

   c. nothing

3. True or false: the groom should give his attendants groomsmen gifts to thank them for being in the wedding?

4. Which is more formal, black tie or white tie?

5. What is the cost of the average American wedding?

   a. $8,000

   b. $18,000

   c. $28,000

Answers:

1. Sorry guys, this was a trick question right off the bat! The correct answer is none of the above. The groom and the groomsmen do not walk down the aisle during the processional at all. They make their way to the altar from the side, and wait there during the processional.

2. a. The groom traditionally was responsible for the bride’s wedding jewelry (including her engagement ring, wedding band, and a gift of jewelry to be worn at the wedding), the bride’s bouquet (but not the rest of the flowers), and the honeymoon trip.
   

3. True. It is customary to show your appreciation for your attendants with nice groomsmen gifts. Classic choices include silver pocketknives, engraved flasks, and silver cufflinks.

4. White tie is the most formal, and is rarely seen these days.

5. c. The average cost of an American wedding is around $28,000, and can run considerably more in certain cities.

So how did you do? Are you a wedding planning MVP yet, or still waiting to be called up from the minor leagues? Whichever the case, if you do your best to help the bride and keep her feeling happy and relaxed, you are sure to have a terrific wedding.

Serene Blue Wedding Accents

We all know that weddings can be almost as stressful as they are magical. Wouldn’t it be nice if your wedding could feel like a peaceful oasis? Color can have a profound influence on the way we feel, and it can be a wonderful tool to create the mood that you desire for your wedding. A great place to start creating your own blissful wedding is with these serene blue accents.

A gentle pale blue is incredibly easy to use in a wedding, and it combines seamlessly with other colors.  The wonderful thing about this color combination is that it can be used for almost any style of wedding. It can be stunning for a formal wedding when you use luxe patterns like a silver and blue damask motif. Or it can be very Zen and modern when combined with contemporary elements and accents. The choice is entirely yours.

The serene blue also combines wonderfully with lavender for a bit more depth. You won’t find many flowers that come in a true ice-blue shade, but there are some lovely feminine flowers that are bluish-lavender. Some of the prettiest blossoms include, classic hydrangeas, grape-like muscari, lovely delphinium, and ruffly sweetpeas. Create a bouquet combining the different bluish shades, or choose a single type of flower, and use a mixture of white and blue blooms.

Of course the bride will want to feel as serene as possible on her wedding day, so a touch of relaxing blue on the bridal gown would be a wonderful idea. A simple blue sash at the waist is a pretty way to introduce a colored accent into the bridal ensemble. And don’t forget about a special set of custom bridal jewelry incorporating your signature color. Pale blue crystals look divine when used in combination with radiant white pearls for an unforgettable set of bridal jewelry that was custom made just for you.

There are numerous other ways that a serene blue can be used in the wedding.  A sea of pale blue details will help to create a tranquil and blissful environment in which to celebrate your marriage surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

Winter Destination Weddings

It may be hard to think about it during the hot summer months, but before you know it, the cold air will return, the snow will be falling, and everyone will be wishing that they could escape to someplace warm. Enter the destination wedding! This is what you need to keep in mind to plan a successful winter destination wedding.

Location, location, location. It is as true in weddings as it is in real estate. When you are planning a winter tropical destination wedding, it is important to choose an island that is warm all year long. Many people may not realize that a place like the Bermuda does get fairly cool in the winter; the average high temperature is in the upper 60s to around 70 in December and January. A far cry from the average high of 22 degrees in Minneapolis in January, to be sure, but it is not the best choice if you want to swim in the ocean. On the other hand, islands like Aruba and Jamaica tend to have temperatures in the mid 80s, making the weather ideal for a destination wedding.

After you have done your due diligence on the best winter weather in the tropics, you can get on to the fun part, which is choosing your wedding details. The bride will want to find an appropriately breezy and light wedding gown and set of jewelry for a tropical wedding. The good news is that unlike in regular fashion, you can find summery bridal gowns in shops at any time of the year. The same is likely to be true of beach wedding jewelry, although you may find a wider selection in the warmer months.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about planning a winter destination wedding to the tropics is to enjoy it! Let the resort’s staff worry about the details while you relax and enjoy the time with your loved ones in a tropical paradise. This is the perfect way to start a happy new marriage.

Legendary Brides: A Quiz

How much do you know about weddings, and some of the most famous brides? From fashion to style to customs, this quiz will test your knowledge about wedding trivia.

1. True or False: Queen Victoria popularized the idea of the “white wedding”, especially the white bridal gown?

2. What did Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth all have in common on their wedding days?

   a. They married into royal families.

   b. They rode in glass carriages.

   c. They wore pearl bridal jewelry.

3. Which of these famous young brides wore a white silk slipdress that sparked a huge trend in bridal gowns?

   a. Mia Farrow

   b. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

   c. Audrey Hepburn

4. Who designed the antique lace wedding gown that was worn by Grace Kelly when she married Prince Ranier of Monoco?

   a. her mother

   b. Christian Dior

   c. a costume designer

5. Which of these royal weddings was not filmed and broadcast to millions of viewers?

   a. Queen Elizabeth II

   b. Princess Diana

   c. Grace Kelly

Answers:

1. True. Before Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert, most royal brides wore silver gowns, and regular brides wore their best dress in any color.
   

2. c. All three brides wore some form of pearl bridal jewelry for their weddings. In Grace Kelly’s case, it was actually thousands of tiny seed pearls which adorned her veil, while Jacqueline Kennedy wore a single strand of classic pearls around her neck, and Queen Elizabeth II wore two strands of pearls together (they were a wedding gift from the King and Queen).

3. b. When photos surfaced of the Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy, Jr. exiting the chapel after their ultra-private wedding, women everywhere went crazy for Carolyn’s gown, designed by Narciso Rodriguez.
   

4. c. Grace Kelly’s wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose, who was a wardrobe designer at the MGM movie company where Grace Kelly had been under contract. The exquisite gown was a gift from the studio to its star actress.

5. a. Queen Elizabeth II was the only one of these royal brides whose wedding was not watched by millions of television viewers. Grace Kelly’s wedding was filmed by MGM, as part of the deal that was struck to release her from her contract with the studio. She found the experience very unpleasant, and often said that she preferred the small private ceremony that she and Prince Ranier had shared the day before to the grand Catholic service that was watched by 30 million of her fans. Anyone who was around when Princess Diana married Prince Charles knows that their wedding was a worldwide phenomenon, and it was in fact watched by 750 million viewers, including yours truly!

Favorite Fall Wedding Favors

Autumn is a great time of year, and there are all sorts of things that evoke the spirit of the season. When you are selecting your wedding favors, it is nice to seek out those with an autumnal flair. They will make an especially nice token for your guests to take home from your wedding.

When it comes to wedding favors, what guests particularly enjoy are edible treats. There are all sorts of tasty fall treats that you can offer. Pick one that fits the general style of your wedding as well as the time of year. For instance, if you are having a fairly casual wedding, with the bride in a simple dress and silver handmade wedding jewelry, you can go with a fun and casual fall favorite, like a big, beautiful candy apple or a caramel dipped apple. Your guests will adore the sticky, nostalgic take-away.

Personalized wedding favors are always pleasing. For an autumn wedding, one unique idea would be to present each guest with a small bottle of a fruit wine, such as one made from Northern Spy apples. You can have custom labels printed for the bottles with your names, wedding dates, and a brief message to your guests. To make the gift even more special, tie a decorative wine stopper to the neck of each bottle.

Of course, one of the most distinctive things about fall is the characteristic autumn leaves. A simple but charming fall wedding favor would be a pair of leaf shaped cookie cutters tied together with a piece of plaid ribbon or raffia placed at each guest’s seat. Use the copper cookie cutters, which are much prettier than the plastic or tin ones. Attach a small tag to each set of cookie cutters with a thank you message on the front, and your favorite cookie recipe on the reverse. This is a favor that can be assembled inexpensively, but it is something that your guests will actually find useful and enjoyable.

These are just a few of the top ideas for fall wedding favors. Feel free to design your own special favors that explore the scents, flavors, or colors of the season. Your guests will be sure to enjoy your carefully selected favors.

Things to Know About Wedding Florists

How do you envision your dream wedding? If you picture lots of beautiful flowers, you will need the help of a great florist to help your dream become a reality. Not all florists are equal, however, and these are ten things that every bride should know about wedding florists.

1. Each florist has a unique style; look for one with a similar taste to your own. In other words, if every picture in a florist’s album shows very traditional rose and baby’s breath centerpieces, don’t assume that she will be able to recreate the spectacular custom wedding centerpieces made from cherry blossoms, orchids, and dangling crystal jewelry drops that you just saw on “Platinum Brides”. You are better off finding a florist who regularly designs the style of arrangements that you want.

2. Many florists can do a lot more than just provide flowers. Some also offer wedding planning services, or rentals for everything from tablelinens to custom lighting. This can be a real lifesaver for a time-pressed bride.

3. Trust their guidance. You hire a professional for a reason, and if she tells you that your favorite flower is out-of-season at the time of your wedding, accept her suggestions for substitutions. Even if budget is not a concern, you do not want to take the chance that an out-of-season flower you insisted on special ordering arrives the day before your wedding looking bedraggled and awful.

4. Prices fluctuate with demand. The classic example of this is that red roses cost an arm and a leg for weddings held right around Valentine’s Day. Either move your date or select a different variety of flowers if you do not want to pay a premium.

5. Florists can provide food-safe flowers for your wedding cake. There are two options here. You can request that your florist give your baker edible blossoms (so adorable on cupcakes) or that they find pesticide-free non-edible decorative flowers to decorate your wedding cake. This is a much less costly alternative to having a baker handcraft sugar flowers.

6. Finally, remember to ask your florist for suggestions on how to preserve your bouquet after the wedding. They will likely have all sorts of ideas, ranging from simply hanging them to dry to much more elaborate preservation services. After you have put so much thought into getting your wedding flowers to be perfect, you will surely want to keep some as a souvenir!

Saving on Wedding Attire

Every bride wants to look as beautiful as possible on her wedding day, and yet doing so need not mean going deep into debt for a designer gown with all of the trimmings. It is definitely possible to find affordable wedding attire for both the bride and her attendants while keeping the budget in check. Here are some suggestions on the best ways to save on your wedding attire.

One of the best ways to keep your expenses under control is to think creatively. For instance, if you are a bride who is seeking a simple but elegant gown, you may find some fabulous choices available in the evening wear department of your favorite boutique or department store. There will often be some stunning styles available in many of the most popular bridal fabrics like wispy chiffon or flowing charmeuse. Not only will you pay less, but you will have access to all of the latest trends and styles.

Bridesmaid dresses are not just for bridesmaids any more. Did you know that many bridesmaid dresses can also be ordered in white or ivory? You can find a huge array of styles and fabrics, including satin, organza, or crepe. Bridesmaid collections are also easy to order in virtually any size, and take much less time to come in that wedding gowns. This means that you can save both time and money!

Of course, since you are working to save on your attire, you will want to find great accessories that will not break the bank. This can actually be easier than you may expect. Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry is a great option. It will definitely help to transform your dress into one that says, “bride”, and yet it is also quite affordable. Choose a sparkling crystal headpiece, dramatic bridal earrings, and finish off your jewelry set with a pretty necklace and a bracelet or two. Top with a simple veil, and you will look every bit the beautiful bride.