Modern Wedding Centerpieces
Are you looking for a way to set your wedding apart from all the rest? Then try using fresh and unique design elements for your reception decorations. These are some great ideas for modern wedding centerpieces that are sure to make your wedding look amazing.
When you are looking for an update on the standard vase of flowers, the key is to think creatively. Your flowers do not have to be displayed in a plain glass vase; for that matter, you don’t even have to use flowers as your central decoration. There are so many fun alternatives to consider. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by options, think about what the general tone of your wedding will be like, and then build from there. For instance, if you were planning to host your reception in a grand ballroom, while wearing an elaborate ballgown and opulent bridal jewelry, you would want to design modern centerpieces that are equally luxurious and glamorous.
One of the hottest trends for wedding décor is to bring in lighting. This can be a terrific idea for fresh and modern centerpieces. Instead of floral arrangements, set up lamps on the reception tables (an especially great look on long rectangular tables). Use chic lamps with a touch of 1930s glam: heavy rectangular crystal bases with square silk dupioni lampshades in an ice blue or a deep espresso color.
Another modern approach to wedding centerpieces is a mixture of items, rather than one main display. You can really have a lot of fun arranging groupings that are slightly varied from one table to the next. Incorporate elements that have visual interest and contrasting textures or colors. For instance, one idea would be to take an assortment of clear glass square vessels and fill them with items such as smooth river rocks, floating lotus blossoms, and simple ivory pillar candles. The original modern centerpieces will be sure to make your reception look incredible.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, modern wedding, modern wedding centerpieces, wedding centerpieces | Comment (0)Incredible Green Wedding Flowers
Green is a wonderfully fresh color to use for a wedding. You might not think that it would be easy to find beautiful flowers in a green hue, but there are actually quite a few gorgeous green options for wedding bouquets and centerpieces. This is a guide to help you select the most incredible green flowers for your wedding.
One of the favorite green wedding flowers would have to be the hydrangea. The tightly clustered full blossoms of this summer classic make the hydrangea a very versatile choice for almost any style of wedding. For a preppy wedding, pair green hydrangea with pink ones, or mix the green blooms with other pink flowers like peonies. Don’t forget to wrap it all up with a pink and green grosgrain striped ribbon and custom sets of pink and green bridesmaid jewelry for your attendants!
For an extremely elegant effect, green orchids are ideal. Cymbidium orchids are available in a fabulous lime green, either all one color or with a contrasting spotted lip. Lady slipper orchids come in a lovely soft green shade, and glamorous dendrobium orchids can be found in a bright green. The green orchids work marvelously in submerged flower centerpieces, as well as for the wedding bouquets.
Irish brides can honor their heritage by including Bells of Ireland in their wedding bouquets or reception arrangements. These tall flowers with multiple blooms per stem work best in combination with another flower. Their fresh green shade makes Bells of Ireland a natural choice to add character to an otherwise white wedding bouquet. To enhance the green and white theme of the bouquets, think about adding a scattering of green crystals to white pearl bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. This would be a fantastic look with navy blue bridesmaid dresses. Whether you choose all-green bouquets or prefer to use green as an accent color, one thing is certain: green is a fresh and exciting color to include in your wedding flowers.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, green bouquets, green centerpieces, green wedding flowers | Comment (0)Honeymooning in the U.S. Virgin Islands
There are plenty of great islands in the Caribbean, each with wonderful unique features. The sister islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are perennial favorites for honeymooning. The language is English, the currency is the U.S. dollar, and (as of this writing) no passports are required for U.S. citizens, just a photo i.d. and birth certificate. Although they are close together, each island has its own special charm; read on to discover which one of the U.S. Virgin Islands is perfect for your romantic honeymoon adventure.
St. Thomas is the best known and busiest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a very popular cruise ship destination, so you may choose to make the island either your home base or a stop on a multi-island cruise. Either way, bring your credit card! St. Thomas has lovely beaches, of course, but it is best known as a duty-free shopping mecca. St. Thomas is the perfect place for a new husband to pick out a little honeymoon souvenir for his bride. The island specializes in fine timepieces and jewelry; a special piece to round out her wedding jewelry set would be a wonderful gift for a groom to give his wife.
If you envision a more quiet honeymoon, you will love the serenity and slow pace of nearby St. John. Hop a ferry for a short ride from the St. Thomas airport, and before you know it, you will be on an island paradise. The pace of life on St. John is slow, and the quality of life is high. There are breathtaking beaches, incredible blue waters, and gorgeous natural vistas. St. John is ideal for honeymooners who want little more than to relax on the beach by day, enjoy a leisurely dinner by night, and revel in one another’s company the entire trip.
The third U.S. Virgin Island is St. Croix, and its vibe is in between St. Thomas and St. John. You will not find the bustling shops of St. Thomas here, but there are more activities available than on St. John. Some of the favorite things to try while visiting St. Croix are hiking, biking, snorkeling, and kayaking. This would be a terrific honeymoon destination for a couple who wants a beach vacation with plenty of outdoor pursuits.
Filed under Honeymoons, Wedding Jewelry | Tags: honeymoon destinations, St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Wedding Jewelry | Comment (0)Plan an Unforgettable Beach Wedding
The key to planning a memorable wedding is all in the details. The accents that you select are what will give your wedding special character and help to set a tone. For a beach wedding, take a look at these ideas for the little things that will make your wedding unforgettable.
Give your wedding guests a hint of what is to come with wedding invitations with an island flair. Look for stationery that features a tropical symbol embossed on the top, and then weave that motif into the rest of your wedding design. The style of the invitation can range from subtle (a pearlescent sand dollar on a white invitation) to the frankly festive (giant fuchsia hisbiscus blossoms printed on stock with a vellum overlay).
Certainly the wedding attire will help to set the tone for a beach wedding. Choose flowy chiffon dresses for the bride and bridesmaids. Accent them with beach theme wedding jewelry. There are many wonderful styles of beach wedding jewelry from which to choose. There are earrings and necklaces with sparkling Swarovski crystal starfish or seashells, silver palm tree necklaces, and much, much more. For extra special bridesmaid gifts, consider beach wedding jewelry that can be personalized, such as monogrammed shell pendants. They make an incredible keepsake from your wedding!
Your place cards are another detail that can be dressed up with a beach theme. One of the most elegant ideas is to use shells as place card holders (you can purchase ones which have little slots cut into them to hold the cards). They will look wonderful on the dinner table, and the shell place card holders will be a great thing to pull out for your dinner parties later on in your married life. Another fun idea is to put the place cards into small picture frames with seashells on them. The frames can double as the wedding favors, which is very handy. The beach theme favors will be the perfect way to thank your guests for being a part of your fantastic tropical wedding.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, Destination Wedding, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: beach wedding, beach wedding jewelry, Destination Wedding | Comment (0)Festive Jewelry for Holiday Weddings
Get into the spirit of a holiday wedding with festive jewelry! Special earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with a holiday twist are the perfect way to set the stage for a Christmastime wedding. Unique jewelry with a holiday theme is ideal for everyone from the bride to the bridesmaids to the flower girl; read on for suggestions on how to pick the perfect pieces for your wedding.
One fantastic idea for holiday wedding jewelry is pieces which have been handcrafted with Swarovski crystal snowflakes. The carefully shaped crystals twinkle and glimmer, just like a frosty winter day. They are perfect for anyone in the wedding party (or for the wedding guest looking for a festive pair of earrings to complete her outfit for the big event). The Swarovski snowflakes are so intricate and beautiful that they look best in a simple design, such as on a pendant or as the main decorative element on a pair of drop earrings. They make fabulous bridesmaid jewelry gifts, and are also wonderful for the bride and the mothers of the bride and groom. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy a set of Swarovski crystal snowflake jewelry all winter long.
If you are planning a true Christmas theme wedding, complete with poinsettias, holly, amaryllis, and evergreen boughs, you will want equally traditional holiday themed jewelry. A marvelous idea is Swarovski crystal earrings which are handcrafted to look like tiny perfect Christmas trees! They are absolutely unique, and will be a real conversation starter. Green crystals are layered to form a “tree”, and then finished off with a crystal trunk and a red “star” topper. These precious earrings make ideal gifts of jewelry for a bridesmaid, junior bridesmaid, or an older flower girl. They would be spectacular with red or green bridesmaid dresses.
Everyone loves a snowman, and that is another fun motif for winter wedding jewelry. Little snowman earrings are great for a wedding in any winter month, not just December. They are handcrafted in either Swarovski crystals or pearls, complete with black crystal “top hats”. Unique snowman earrings are not only wonderful for the wedding party, but they also make sweet thank you gifts for anyone involved in your wedding, from the bridal shop owner to your wedding coordinator. These special pieces will help to make your entire wedding party get into the spirit of your holiday wedding. Best of all, holiday theme jewelry can be enjoyed over and over each holiday season.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Jewelry | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, bridesmaid jewelry gifts, holiday wedding jewelry, holiday weddings, winter wedding jewelry | Comment (0)Wedding Planner Checklist
A wedding planner can be a best friend to a busy bride. But to make sure that you are getting the most for your money (and that you know what to expect from her), it is important that you and your wedding planner are on the same page. This is a wedding planner checklist that all brides can use.
The time to begin asking questions of your wedding planner is before you sign the contract. You need to know just exactly what her services will cost, and what you should get for that money. There are wedding planners who work by the hour, those that base their fee on a percentage of the total wedding cost, and coordinators who take a more limited role, such as working only on the day of the wedding. Any of these types of planners can work out well, as long as you are clear on what to expect.
Another important question to ask your wedding planner is what type of wedding is her specialty. Most planners will be competent enough to design a wide range of events, yet you will be happiest if you find one whose vision meshes well with your own. When you are having a specialized type of affair, such a traditional Indian wedding, you will have the best results with a planner who is already familiar with the customs of your culture, from the suite of bridal jewelry to the food to the music. Your vendor will be better equipped to source the best vendors if she has experience planning events that were similar to yours.
Another big question on your wedding planner checklist is her timeline. This is one of the key roles that a coordinator will fill – making sure that you know what steps need to be taken when, and seeing to it that they get done in a timely fashion. Remember that when your planner gives you a deadline, it is for the good of your wedding, so don’t be resentful if you feel like she is always bugging you to get decisions made. The whole reason to hire a wedding planner is to ensure that you have the most beautiful wedding possible, and at times, you will need to help her help you.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, wedding planner checklist, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Resources for Budget Brides
Planning a wedding on a budget can be a big challenge, but it is well worth the effort. To keep you on track and under budget, you will need some guidance along the way. These are some of the best resources for budget brides.
Start by picking up a wedding etiquette and planning book that is geared towards low-cost weddings. One of the most popular ones is “Bridal Bargains, 9th edition: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget”. Another useful tool is a wedding budget spreadsheet or expense tracker. There are basic free ones available online, or you can design something more detailed that is tailored to your wedding. Because it is not good enough to know how to save money; you need to keep a tally of your spending as well to stay in budget.
The internet is a fantastic resource for brides. You can find articles with tips on saving money on everything from your wedding centerpieces to your bridal gown to the food and music. It is also a great place to do price comparisons and to find excellent prices on many of your wedding details. For instance, you may well find that bridesmaid jewelry can be purchased online for a much lower cost than at the bridal shop where you got your dresses. People who research their purchases beforehand will tend to get the most value for their money.
A wedding planner can be another helpful resource for a bride on a budget. This may surprise you to hear, as most people assume that planners are hired only for lavish weddings. However, there are planners that specialize in helping to create elegance on a budget, and one of those coordinators can be an excellent tool in helping you find the best prices without sacrificing style. They may not be necessary for every couple, but in some cases, having a wedding planner can make all the difference.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding budget, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Design the Custom Bridal Gown of Your Dreams
The bridal gown is one of the centerpieces of any wedding, but what happens if you cannot find the perfect one? Perhaps you are hoping for a unique gown, or one that fits in with your wedding theme, or maybe you are just not a perfect size 6. There are are many good reasons why a bride might decide that she wants to have a dress made especially for her; here is what you need to know to design the wedding gown of your dreams.
When you are interested in designing your own bridal gown, the first step is to do your research. Look through magazines and on the internet to get a sense of what appeals to you. The chances are that you will not come across one gown that has all of the features that you like; if that were the case, you could just order that one and be done with it. At your first custom consultation, you should be prepared to show the seamstress ideas of what you would like. It is perfectly fine to say, “I like the top of this gown, the bottom of that one, and the color of a third gown”. A talented designer will be able to help you see how all of the various parts and pieces can serve as inspiration for one fabulous gown.
Many brides will have tried on a number of wedding dresses before realizing that they would be better off having a gown custom made. This is very useful, as it can give you a good sense of what is flattering to your body and what is not. Don’t worry if you are confused about all of the different options! The seamstress will be able to guide you. She will also be able to make suggestions on how to best highlight your favorite features of your figure and to camouflage any problem areas. Be open to her ideas; you might not come away with the exact bridal gown you initially envisioned, but you may well end up with something even more beautiful.
Once the basic shape and style of your gown has been determined, you will be able to make choices about the fabric, color, and any embellishments. This is a lot of fun! You will get the chance to explore various trims and notions until you find one that you simply love. The options will be wide open, ranging from traditional lace to glamorous crystal beadwork to delicate embroidery. Many brides will opt to have custom bridal jewelry and headpieces designed that play up the most special features in their one-of-a-kind gowns. Designing a custom bridal gown can be one of the best parts of planning your wedding.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized, Wedding Planning | Tags: custom bridal gown, custom bridal jewelry, wedding dress | Comment (0)Great Wedding Favor Ideas
Most wedding favors will fall into a few basic categories. There are theme favors, keepsakes, home décor, and of course edible or culinary favors. Of all these categories, the edible favors are far and away the most popular, both to give and usually to receive. The trick is to find that one favor that will in some way tie in with the rest of your wedding and will feel like a personal thank you to your guests. When choosing your favors, always keep in mind that following trends is not nearly as important as following your heart. These are some ideas for great wedding favors that your guests are sure to love.
Boxed candies have always been a traditional wedding favor. Even when they are not particularly original, it is a treat that guests are happy to receive. However, you can make your candy gifts more special by personalizing them in some way. For instance, if you are being married at the beach, fresh salt water taffy is nice. Vermont couples could give maple candies, or if you were a Mississippi bride, custom chocolates in the shape of magnolia flowers would be lovely. Anytime you can impart a local flavor to your wedding, it is going to be special.
Keepsakes are another way to go for your wedding thank you gifts. These can range tremendously, and will often tie in with the theme, location, or season of the wedding. If you have artistic talent, you can even consider making these types of favors yourself. At Christmas wedding, beautiful silver plated ornaments would be wonderful. A bride from the Southwest might think about choosing handcrafted Native American ceramic ornaments for her guests.
Décor items are another favor idea. Candles are always a good possibility because they can suit so many different wedding styles. If your wedding is very elegant, with lots of sparkling crystal details and jewelry, cut crystal votive holders would be an appropriate accent. Or let’s say that your style is more relaxed, and you are wearing a casual bridal gown with handcrafted wedding jewelry; a unique handmade bark candle holder would be a fun favor idea. Theme favors are also popular, and they can come from across any of the other categories. It is fine to have some sort of personalization on your favors, but be sure that the wedding date or your names is not so prominent that it distracts from the beauty of the gift.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: beach wedding, wedding favors, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning, winter weddings | Comment (0)Wedding Etiquette Books
Just as every bride is different, so is every wedding etiquette book. For instance, if you are the kind of bride who likes everything to be “just so”, with your sets cultured pearl bridal bracelets, matching earrings, and necklaces, you will enjoy the style of “Miss Manners on Weddings”, which happens to be my personal favorite wedding etiquette primer. It is a short book, and by no means comprehensive, but it hits the high points, and does so in the usual amusing style of the doynenne of etiquette, Miss Manners. The witty anecdotes are a very amusing distraction from the stress of planning a wedding, and should you ever need to know the polite way to respond when someone asks to bring a monkey to your wedding ceremony, this book will have all the answers.
If you are looking for a basic wedding etiquette book that will cover every conceivable detail from the bridal shower through the end of the reception, then “Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette” is for you. It is a hefty book, and at over 400 pages, you might not end up reading the entire tome from start to finish, but it makes a very handy reference tool for all of those sticky situations that crop up during the course of planning a wedding. The Emily Post book also covers quite a few contemporary etiquette situations, such as multicultural weddings and blended families.
For brides who spend hours on the internet checking out all of the latest tips and ideas or who buy every wedding magazine at the store, there are a couple of wedding etiquette books out now from the top wedding magazine/website editors. The countless fans of The Knot, will enjoy delving into “The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World”. Another fan favorite is “Brides Book of Etiquette” from the same people who write the popular magazine “Brides”.
There are also more specialized wedding etiquette books available. Budget bride? Then check out “Bridal Bargains, 9th edition: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget”. Or perhaps you need help fine tuning your wedding invitation wording. “Crane’s Wedding Blue Book” is there to help. There are also etiquette books on topics ranging from military weddings to gay weddings to weddings for blended families. Whatever your situation, whatever your style, there is an etiquette book available to help you plan your dream wedding.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: cultured pearl bridal bracelets, wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette books | Comment (0)