White Flowers for Winter Weddings

Winter white is always so elegant and stylish. When you are a bride, it makes perfect sense to use white flowers at any time of the year, and this is also true in the winter months. Whether you are planning a Winter Wonderland theme wedding, or a more classic all-white celebration, it will be made gorgeous by using these white flowers for winter weddings.

The funny thing about winter flowers is that many of the most classic blossoms are actually tropical. The tropical blossoms tend to be showy and dramatic; in other words, absolutely divine for a wedding! For a Christmas wedding, creamy white poinsettias would be perfect flowers for the altar, the entrance to the reception, and on buffet tables. Potted white poinsettias will give you a lot more bang for the buck than arrangements of cut flowers, especially because each blossom is so huge.

Amaryllis and lilies are some other marvelous choices for big showy winter white flowers. They would make spectacular bouquets for the bride in a formal cathedral wedding. Picture a bouquet of showy amaryllis dripping with strands of crystals to complement a beaded ballgown and crystal bridal jewelry. Or if you want something striking but more sleek, carry a large presentation bouquet (an arm bouquet) of elegant white or ivory calla lilies tied with a wide satin ribbon. Pair it with a vintage inspired silk charmeuse gown, dangling crystal bridal jewelry, and a white fur shrug for a look that has all the glamor of a 1930s Hollywood film star.

Tiny white jasmine flowers are another wonderful white winter wedding decoration. Though dainty, they are powerfully fragrant; jasmine is often a key note in perfume. The little star shaped blossoms lend themselves beautifully to a winter wedding design. Because they are petite, use them in combination with other floral elements, such as white roses and green pine bough garlands. The heavenly scent will add the often-overlooked element of fragrance to your wedding.

Wedding Color Palettes Inspired by Nature

Sunrise / Sunset: For bold sun-drenched wedding colors, use the sun itself as your inspiration. Shades of golden yellow, orange, and pinkish-red are just gorgeous together. If you like, you can balance out the warm colors with a little bit of sky blue. Sunset colors would be ideal for a summer wedding, especially one by the ocean. Choose one of the main colors for bridesmaid dresses, and then use the rest in combination for everything from flowers to linens to stationery. Your signature cocktail? Tequila sunrise, of course!

Woodsy: Nature loving couples will adore the shades found in forests and woodlands for their wedding colors. Think shades of green like moss and fern, mushroom brown, cream, and bark. The green shades would be lovely for bridesmaids, and the cream tones ideal for the wedding gown and flowers. The bride may wish to wear unique handcrafted bridal jewelry in warm tones to complement the color palette. If you like the idea of a little contrast, bring in accents in deep violet, as if you stumbled across a patch of violets in a shady forest.

Peacock: Of course, there is nothing to say that nature inspired hues need to be understated. If you really want to make a splash with your wedding design, take your cue from nature’s flashiest creature: the peacock. Peacock colors would be absolutely stunning for a New Year’s Eve wedding! Not only can you choose dresses, flowers, and linens in the fabulous color palette, you can incorporate real peacock feathers into the wedding. The colorful feathers would be amazing tucked into bouquets and centerpieces. The bride can even wear a special headband made from crystals and peacock feathers which lay flat against the head. Such a unique headpiece will call for equally special handcrafted bridal jewelry.

Icy Blue: For a winter wedding, try a color palette that looks like snow: brilliant white, icy blue, and touches of silver. It is the perfect color scheme for a wedding in the frosty winter months. By the way, if you love the colors but find the “Winter Wonderland” theme to be a bit too literal, instead of snowflakes, use the icy blue color group to create an Art Deco inspired celebration. The cool sophisticated colors would be just right, and the sleek lines and high design of Art Deco would make for an ultra-chic wedding.

Blue Bridesmaid Dresses for Fall and Winter

In the autumn months, rich and deep colors are usually the order of the day. For bridesmaid dresses, a color like cobalt blue would be gorgeous. It is deep, yet vibrant, and would work equally well for a daytime or evening wedding. Cobalt is a popular color this year, and it is especially easy to picture it as the color choice for a September wedding. It bridges the gap between summer and fall beautifully.

Navy is another excellent shade of blue for fall and winter. Try a navy strapless faille bridesmaid dress for an afternoon wedding, or a long navy satin V-neck gown for a formal evening ceremony. Sets of pearl bridesmaid jewelry are a natural choice with classic navy dresses. As for flowers, mixed bouquets in shades of purple are particularly attractive against navy. Use a combination of plum, fuchsia, and lavender blossoms in loosely arranged bouquets tied with navy velvet ribbon. Another idea is to have play up the crispness of navy with bouquets comprised of all white flowers, surrounded by a cuff of bright green leaves.

For brides planning a fall wedding who are not crazy about dark colors, consider a medium blue dress with a chocolate brown sash. Picture the way that brown leaves look against a brilliant blue autumn sky to envision this winning color combination. The chocolate color brings in enough of a fall flavor to keep the dresses feeling seasonal. Bring the brown color into the bridesmaid bouquets by incorporating flowers such as chocolate cosmos or mini sunflowers. Natural accents like dried seed pods or berries will make the bouquets feel even more autumnal, and make a nice contrast with the medium blue of the dresses.

In the winter months, it often seems like all the bridesmaid dresses are red, red, and red. However, another fabulous winter wedding color scheme is an icy “Winter Wonderland” theme, with which ice blue bridesmaid dresses would be fantastic. The key to making such a pale color really work with the season is to use it in a distinctly wintery fabric like a heavy satin. Then add more wintery accents, such as crystal snowflake pendants and perhaps even white fur wraps for the ceremony, tied with lustrous satin ribbons. The end result will be stunning!

The Fine Art of Wedding Etiquette

Sometimes when you first start planning a wedding, the etiquette can seem overwhelming and perhaps even a little bewildering. However, following proper etiquette is a very important part of planning a wedding; it is about much more than style or appearances – good etiquette ensures that everyone feels respected and enjoys the event. This is a look at the fine art of wedding etiquette.

For those who do not know an invitation from an announcement, a great place to start is with one of the soup-to-nuts etiquette book, such as Emily Post’s. A comprehensive etiquette book not only covers things like how to write a proper thank you note, but will offer guidelines about many practical aspects as well. You can learn what sorts of items make appropriate bridesmaid gifts, how many appetizers to order per guest, and the order of the ceremony processional.

It also helps to have an understanding about the reasons behind some of the seemingly arcane bits of wedding etiquette. Why go to the trouble of creating a seating chart for the reception? It is because a good host takes care to put together dinner tables with a mix of people who will enjoy one another’s company and carry on lively conversation.  It also allows the bride and groom to make sure that honored guests, such as parents and grandparents, are assigned seats at the head tables, and it can even allow the bride the chance to try her hand at a little discreet matchmaking among the couple’s single friends.

Another great reason to brush up on your Emily Post is to make sure that you are a) making you guests feel appreciated and b) avoiding causing any offense. This is where thank you notes come into play. Dashing off a few words of personal appreciation on pretty stationery is nothing compared to the effort (not to mention the expense) that goes into shopping for, purchasing, wrapping, and shipping a wedding present. To neglect this most basic bridal duty is to both show a distinct lack of appreciation and to offend the giver at the same time. Knowing the proper etiquette, on the other hand, will make a fine impression on all of your wedding guests…including the friends of your in-laws, who are sure to comment to your mother-in-law about what a thoughtful, polite woman her son was lucky enough to marry.

DIY Fall Wedding Decorations

These are some beautiful ideas for DIY fall wedding decorations that anyone can create…

The brilliant fall leaves are one of the most distinctive features of autumn, and they make a great inspiration for a wedding design. You know how pretty your bridesmaids will look in leaf theme crystal bridesmaid jewelry, such as amber colored Swarovski leaf pendants, so why not extend that motif to the rest of your wedding? Use either silk leaves or preserved real leaves in a multitude of brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges.  Long strings of leaves can be hung behind the ceremony altar for a beautiful backdrop for the bride and groom.

Fall leaves also work wonderfully for centerpieces. You can actually preserve real leaves right on their branches to use for table decorations. Suspend tiny lanterns with tea lights from the branches for a magical effect. Scattered leaves are an easy addition to any fall wedding, with absolutely no creative experience required. They can line the edges of the aisle for the ceremony, be scattered on a guest book or cake table, or even be used in place of standard place cards at the dinner tables. What an easy way to give your wedding a great autumnal touch!

Pinecones have a great late fall feeling and can make an excellent decoration for a wedding around Thanksgiving. Take real pinecones and spray paint them with a soft gold color. Suspend them from regular sewing thread in a bronze or gold color, and hang them from white birch branches for a modern centerpiece design with an autumnal flavor. Surround the vases with votive candles in ruby red glass holders to bring a pop of color to the design. You can also wire the special pinecones into wreaths for church doors.

It is impossible to mention diy fall wedding decorations without bringing up pumpkins and gourds. Hollow out a white pumpkin and fill with fresh wildflowers for a simple but beautiful altar decoration. Arrange clusters of odd and interesting gourds in golden wire baskets around the cocktail hour. Use your imagination, and you will find tons of fall items that will make very easy diy projects to enhance the style and beauty of your wedding.

Vintage Wedding Inspirations

Vintage inspired weddings are really popular these days. Take your favorite time period, absorb its unique style and flair, and use it as the basis to plan a really spectacular wedding. These are some ways to use your vintage inspirations to create a wedding that will be unforgettable.

Attire. If there is one thing that instantly evokes a specific era, it is its clothing. The entire bridal party should definitely dress in wedding attire which is inspired by the theme era. Having a 1950s style celebration? A strapless gown with a full tulle skirt and pearl bridal jewelry will conjure up the perfect style. For a Roaring ’20s wedding, beaded chiffon dresses would be perfect, or choose a silky bias cut dress for a 1930s Old Hollywood affair.

Flowers. It many not be as obvious as attire, but every time period definitely had its own signature flowers as well. If you love the romance of the Victorian era, pick your bouquet based on the Victorian language of flowers. The bride who loves the ’50s can carry orchids or roses, while sleek calla lilies will suit a 1930s glamor bride.

Cake. A great way to make your cake fit the era is to find a vintage cake topper. There are many available, dating back to around the 1920s. You can either choose to design your cake to look very much like one from the era (the classic white buttercream cake of the 1950s), or create a cake which is inspired by the style of the time period, but does not replicate an original, such as an ice blue and silver cake designed to look like an Art Deco skyscraper for a ’20s theme wedding.

Drinks. Every era had their own special style of entertaining, and this is a fantastic way to make your guests feel like they have been transported to your favorite time period. Serve Manhattans and Martinis for a 1950s wedding reception or Sidecars to evoke the feeling of a speakeasy. Signature drinks made with rum or brandy would be perfect for a 1940s inspired affair, or break out the vodka for popular drinks of the ’60s such as Screwdrivers and Vodka Gimlets. And of course, Champagne is always in style for a wedding in any era. Happy planning!

The Big Wedding Following a Private Ceremony

For a variety of reasons, sometimes a couple decides to have a very small private wedding ceremony with a justice of the peace, rather than a full scale wedding bash. Whatever the reason, it is not uncommon for the happy married couple to decide several years later that they would like to have a full traditional wedding with all the trimmings, the one that they did not have the first time around. This is a look at the etiquette and practical considerations about planning a big wedding following a private ceremony.

Here is the thing: if you are already married, you are already married. When having a formal wedding following an earlier marriage ceremony, it is technically a renewal of vows. Much of what you do can be the same as any first time wedding, but a few changes are in order. Can the bride wear a long white gown? Absolutely. Is a long veil and a train appropriate? Not to be a downer, but no. A floor length bridal gown with a stunning piece of hair jewelry instead of a veil is the way to go. You can still have bridesmaids, all dressed up in pretty dresses and bridesmaid jewelry precede you down the aisle, and by all means, have a flower girl if you wish.

Gifts are a large part of weddings, but most couples who are already married prefer to make it clear to their guests that no gifts are required. Never write anything about gifts on a wedding or vow renewal invitation, not even if it is a no-gifts request. Ask your close family and friends to spread the word instead, which is very effective. Should someone choose to give you a present anyway, just graciously accept it and consider yourselves lucky to know such generous people. By the way, a bridal shower is not appropriate for a woman who is already married. You could, however, have a special night out with your bridesmaids; it would also be the perfect time to give them their bridesmaid jewelry gifts.

Perhaps the most fun part about planning a big wedding after a private ceremony is that you finally get to have exactly what you want. By the time a couple gets around to it, the bride is usually mature enough that she is comfortable taking the reigns, rather than deferring to her mother on the wedding details. After years of dreaming, it is truly a delight to see your wedding vision come to life!

Destination Wedding Idea: Europe

What could be more sophisticated and exciting than getting married in an historic European city or town? Picture yourself exchanging your vows in a magnificent Renaissance cathedral or entertaining your guests in a centuries old stone castle – how romantic! Europe offers many incredible options for a destination wedding, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the green glory of Ireland to the romance and thrill of the City of Lights. In fact, the hardest part might be narrowing it down to one location!

When planning a wedding far from home, a wedding coordinator on site is an absolute must. This goes double if you will be getting married in a non-English speaking country, if you are not fluent in the local language. Besides, working with vendors from afar is hard enough; dealing with different time zones makes it very challenging. Luckily, it is quite easy to coordinate with your wedding planner via email. Send lots and lots of detailed pictures of the flowers and other decorations that you want to ensure that everything is as you expect on your wedding day.

Definitely indulge in local cuisine and wedding customs for a European wedding. There is no point in going all the way to Italy to get married if you are going to insist on serving the standard American “beef or chicken”! Give your guests a real taste of what makes your host country so special, whether it is the finest French wines, Irish music, or Spanish tapas for the cocktail hour.

While you need not follow the local wedding attire traditions to the letter, definitely make sure that your bridal gown and sets of jewelry suit your location. If you are being married in a breathtaking cathedral, wear a gown with a cathedral length train. For a celebration in the English countryside, look at romantic yet low-key wedding gowns and bridal jewelry sets. And of course if you intend to be a Parisian bride, nothing but the latest and most chic gown will do – ooh la la!

Bachelor Parties Not Gone Wild

The bachelor party is a very, very old custom, dating back to ancient Sparta. It is also the wedding tradition with the worst reputation, by far! This is a look at bachelor parties not gone wild; in other words, how to have fun without getting into big trouble!

The customary time for the bachelor party was the night before the wedding. It is undoubtedly for this reason that the night before the wedding is now filled up with the rehearsal dinner, which is also a good time to give the groomsmen gifts.  If there is one thing that no bride wants, it is for her groom to stagger to the altar after a late night of partying with his buddies. These days, most bachelor parties are held weeks or even months before the wedding, which is a far more sensible arrangement.

Something else that has changed is what is considered acceptable at a bachelor party. The “one last fling” is definitely not okay with modern women! This is not to say that no guys have parties with “exotic dancers” or go to “gentlemen’s clubs”, to use the popular euphemisms, but any guy worth marrying knows that there is a line that should not be crossed. Secrets are sure to cause a fight with the bride-to-be if discovered, so if your friends are going to take you to a raunchy strip club, be upfront about it. If you are nonchalant about it, the bride will know that her fiance can be trusted, even if she disapproves.

Sporting events are one of the most popular kinds of the new-style bachelor party. For some grooms, nothing would beat a laid-back afternoon at the ballpark drinking beers and eating hot dogs with his best buds. Of course, if the groom has a favorite sport or hobby, such as golf or deep sea fishing, his friends could put together a bachelor party based on that activity. It is sure to be a fun outing that the groom will long remember, and as a bonus, it will not get him into trouble with the bride!

Good Luck for Weddings

Weddings are joyous occasions, full of the promise of starting a wonderful new life together. Why not increase your chances for future happiness by including some traditional symbols of good luck in your special day? These are some of the things said to bring good luck for weddings.

The best known “good luck package” is the something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Most every bride knows this expression, but did you know the specific ways in which each item is intended to grant you good fortune? The old item represents your ties to your family and the past, and shows that even as you move towards a new life, your family will still be there to love and support you. The new, of course, represents the newlyweds’ new union and life together, and is most often the wedding gown or bridal jewelry.

Something borrowed can be any item that the bride can wear or carry, such as a friend’s veil or a piece of her mother’s bridal jewelry. What many people do not realize is that the borrowed item should ideally come from a happily married woman, the idea being that the bride is borrowing some of her wedding bliss. The color blue has symbolized fidelity and faithfulness since ancient times, making its purpose in the good luck package obvious. It might be even luckier if the groom wore some blue too!

Brides with Chinese heritage will want to bring some red into their weddings, as it is the good luck color in China. Of course, the double happiness symbol is a natural element to include in a wedding. Meaning “joy and happiness”, the symbol is one of the most powerful good luck charms. Feature it throughout the wedding, on the cake, the invitations, even on the bridal gown. There is no such thing as too much good luck on your wedding day!