Survive the Heat During Your Summer Wedding!
Baby, it’s hot outside! From coast to coast, people are sweltering in the summer heat and looking for ways to stay cool. What about if you have a wedding that is going to take place during a heat wave? Check out these practical ideas for surviving the heat during your summer wedding.
Hopefully anyone getting married on a 100 degree day is doing so in air-conditioned comfort somewhere. But for those who booked an outdoor wedding ages ago and now have to deal with the crazy high heat and humidity, there are some steps you can take to make your wedding more pleasant. When temperatures soar, shade is essential. If you did not book a tent for your outdoor ceremony or reception, do so a.s.ap. For the reception tent, it is possible to have the rental company install ceiling fans to move the air around. An even more effective solution is to close the sides of the tent and use air conditioners. It might obscure the view, but at least your guests will not melt into puddles, leaving nothing behind but their nice outfits and wedding jewelry!
A very practical thing you can do for your guests is to provide fans they can use during the wedding ceremony. Have your wedding program printed on pretty paper fans to kill two birds with one stone. Or you can have the fans printed as wedding favors. Your guests will definitely be glad to have them! They will come in handy even for an indoor wedding, because when the mercury soars, even churches with air conditioning can get pretty stuffy.
It is important for everyone to stay well hydrated when the weather is brutally hot. Alcohol is dehydrating, so be sure to provide your guests with many non-alcoholic options. Provide chilled bottles of water before the ceremony so guests can sip while they wait for the bride to appear in her spectacular bridal gown and dazzling wedding jewelry. For a country wedding, it would be really cute to set up a lemonade stand. Display fresh squeezed lemonade served from large glass jugs with spigots so guests can grab a refreshing drink on their way into the ceremony or cocktail hour. A melon fruit salad would be a nice addition to the cocktail hour selection because it is also refreshing. Serve it in a watermelon carved to look like a basket for a charming detail.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: hot weather wedding, summer wedding, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Match Your Wedding Invitations to Your Wedding Location
It is always said that the wedding invitations help to set the tone for the event. They are a wonderful way to give your guests a hint about what to expect. A fantastic way to do this is to select invitations which are inspired by the site where you will have your wedding. Learn how to match your wedding invitations to your wedding location with beautiful results.
For instance, imagine that you plan to hold your reception in the grandest hotel ballroom in town. Perhaps your vision includes chandeliers, an orchestra, a bevy of bridesmaids in designer gowns and crystal bridesmaid jewelry, and black tie attire. Convey the elegance of your wedding by selecting engraved invitations with opulent flourishes, such as hand calligraphy on the envelopes. If you wish, you could have your stationery bejeweled with crystals or adorned with a chandelier motif. Your guests will definitely know to expect a swanky wedding when they receive your elegant invitations.
Outdoor locations are extremely popular for weddings, and they tend to be a bit less formal than a ballroom wedding. Maybe you are getting married in a field of wildflowers; an invitation made from paper with petals in it would be ideal. Or perhaps you will exchange your vows with a stunning mountain view in the background. A natural choice for wedding stationery would be paper with an abstract mountain design. If you plan to tie the knot at an oceanside yacht club, a classic nautical motif like a sailboat or nautical flags would be appropriate. Couples getting married on the sand in Florida could choose stationery with a palm tree embossed on it.
A modern wedding calls for invitations which are unique and non-traditional. Let’s say that you have planned a hip reception in a modern loft and your bridesmaids will wear chic cocktail dresses with unique bridesmaid jewelry. Give guests a hint at the style of your wedding by choosing something with an ultra-modern vibe. Look for paper that is square or round, use a bold sans-serif font, and play with unexpected color combinations. When your guests receive your contemporary invitations in the mail, they will know that your wedding is not going to be a generic cookie cutter affair. By selecting wedding invitations that coordinate with your venue, you will be able to showcase the character and style of your wedding.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding invitations, wedding stationery | Comment (0)Colorful Flowers for Summer Weddings
What could be more cheerful than a daisy? A brightly colored gerbera daisy! These happy flowers come in virtually every color a bride could ever want for her wedding, making them a terrific choice for an informal summer wedding. Combine fuchsia and orange gerberas for a spicy summer look, pale pink and lime for a preppy ceremony, or yellow, hot pink, and orange for a casual backyard wedding. Gerbera daisies usually look best as round bouquets, but for other decorations they can be displayed in all sorts of creative ways. Hang strings of daisies behind an outdoor ceremony altar, place single stems in test tubes down the middle of a table for a modern centerpiece, or plant them in boxes of wheat grass for a whimsical design.
Zinnias are a wedding flower whose stock is on the rise. They are not as widely used as traditional blossoms like roses or peonies, but maybe they should be. Zinnias have a lot going for them: they are inexpensive, full, and come in tons of vivid hues. They are generally regarded as an informal flower and would be fantastic for a country wedding. Pop mixed colors of zinnias into vintage tea tins, white hobnail pitchers, or Mason jars for a great look. Feel free to mix and match unexpected shades of zinnias like bright purple and crimson. You might just like the combination so much that you have custom bridesmaid jewelry made to coordinate.
If you really want to make a splash, opt for dinner plate dahlias. True to their name, a single blossom is as large as a plate! It won’t take many of those stunners to create a remarkable summer wedding centerpiece or bouquet. Dahlias can be found in a gorgeous array of vivid hues like yellow, red, pink, purple, and orange. Some of the most spectacular dahlias are variegated blossoms with more than one color per flower. Picture enormous flowers in orange and yellow, pink and white, or red and white and you get the idea. A single dinner plate dahlia tied with a satin ribbon would be a very chic bouquet for a bridesmaid. It would look marvelous with a polished cotton strapless bridesmaid dress and custom bridesmaid jewelry in a coordinating shade.
Colorful flowers will add a festive and cheerful flavor to your wedding. Whether you mix in a few with more classic white and pastel blossoms or go for an all out explosion of color, the bright flowers will look fabulous. The upbeat hues are just perfect for a summer wedding.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, colorful wedding flowers, custom bridesmaid jewelry, summer wedding flowers, summer weddings, wedding flowers | Comment (0)Fall 2011 Wedding Dress Trends and Ideas
Romance is huge for Fall 2011 wedding gowns. Soft layers of tulle are a very popular trend across all price points and bridal gown designers. Many of the tulle wedding dresses are strapless, but it is not the straight across neckline which has dominated for the last several years. Gently shaped sweetheart strapless necklines are softer and more feminine than the straight ones, and they also tie in beautifully with the 1950′s flavor that many of the tulle gowns have. The tulle skirts are often artfully layered for a modern update to a classic style.
Natural waistlines will be another key trend for Fall 2011 weddings. To bring emphasis to the waist, designers often accent the area with a special belt or sash. Beaded or jeweled sashes are a very big design trend, particularly on bridal gowns which are otherwise fairly simple. These gowns look wonderful when accessorized with crystal wedding jewelry and a dainty tiara or jeweled headband. Colored belts are also a popular way to emphasize the natural waistline on a wedding dress. Pastels like blue and pink will be frequently seen, and black at the waist will also remain in style.
In the wake of this spring’s royal wedding, expect to see a lot of princess style wedding gowns for Fall 2011. These gowns are more sophisticated than poufy, perhaps inspired by the elegant and chic style of royal bride Princess Catherine. We aren’t talking puff sleeves and cathedral length trains as much as silk ballgowns with flat box pleats and fine lace trim. Delicate crystal beading or silver embroidery are other lovely accents for regal style bridal gowns. Small tiaras have made a roaring comeback since the royal wedding, especially when worn with gorgeous sparkling wedding jewelry like Princess Catherine’s now-famous drop earrings.
Speaking of the royal wedding, look for lace sleeves to be seen all over the place for Fall 2011 weddings. Brides who have tired of strapless gowns will be delighted to find many dresses available with sheer fitted lace sleeves. Even before the royal wedding, designers had started to feature these gowns in their collections, and now the number of options is sure to expand even more. How nice to finally have choices for fall wedding gowns that are not sleeveless! If you still like the look of strapless or are concerned about how long sleeves will limit your arm movement (they definitely do), consider adding a fitted lace shrug over your bridal gown to get the look for the ceremony. You can always remove it for dancing at the reception, giving you the best of both worlds.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: 2011 wedding dresses, 2011 wedding gowns, Fall 2011 wedding gowns, fall wedding gowns, Wedding Jewelry | Comment (0)Sophisticated Gifts for Your Wedding Party
Gifts of bridesmaid jewelry are among the most traditional for wedding parties. The wonderful thing about jewelry is that there is a piece of jewelry which will suit the taste of any woman. When you seek bridesmaid jewelry gifts which are sophisticated and stylish, look for pieces made with unique design elements. A pair of keshi pearl drop earrings is a chic gift for the bridesmaid who loves fashion. For your maid of honor, add a necklace with keshi pearls strung on a fine silver chain.
Bridesmaids who adore beautiful things will also enjoy receiving sophisticated gifts of silver. A monogrammed silver compact mirror would be a terrific bridesmaid gift for your friend who likes designer bags. After all, she wouldn’t want to pull a cheap plastic mirror out of her fabulous handbag! For your bridesmaid who likes home decorating, a chic silver picture frame with her initials is an elegant wedding party gift. If you have a friend who is crazy for jewelry, a great gift idea is a small engraved silver jewelry box to hold her most treasured pieces. It is perfectly fine to choose a different personalized silver present for each attendant, as long as they are all of comparable value.
Let’s not forget about the men in the wedding party. Groomsmen deserve sophisticated gifts too! A terrific present for a formal wedding is a pair of monogrammed silver cufflinks that can be worn for the ceremony. Choose oval cufflinks for the men who have the most classic taste and square ones for the guys who like more modern streamlined style. Executive silver gifts are also highly appropriate for a group of groomsmen who are mature and successful professionals. An engraved silver business card holder will make a handsome addition to a man’s briefcase or desk. Pen sets and silver plated USB flash drives are also very sophisticated choices.
Personalized leather gifts are another excellent idea for the groomsman with sophisticated taste. A leather portfolio is a nice choice for a lawyer or any professional who needs to keep a notepad handy. Or how about a monogrammed leather passport cover for your best man, the world traveler? A customized leather and plaid covered flask will add style to a tailgate party for your buddy the college football fan. As with the bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts can be chosen for each individual, or you can select one item that you think the whole group will like.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry | Tags: Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, bridesmaid jewelry gifts, groomsmen gifts | Comment (0)Wedding Dresses for Brides With Baby Bumps
When a bride turns up pregnant, the first instinct is to run to the empire waist gown. This can be a wonderful option, as the higher waistline sits right under the bust, above the expanding belly. On the other hand, if the bride is very far along or the fabric under the empire waist is very gathered and loose, the whole effect can look like a giant tent – not exactly the most flattering effect! The trick to making an empire waist wedding dress flattering on a pregnant bride is to keep fairly slim through the ribcage and along the sides.
Drop waist wedding gowns can be a surprisingly viable option for many pregnant brides. This is especially true for brides who are on the taller side. It’s all about proportion. The waistline should sit towards the bottom of the baby bump, but not all the way under it. When the waist is too high, the skirt will not drape properly, and when it is too low, it will cup under the bump in an exaggerated fashion. The wonderful thing about a drop waist wedding gown is that it will clearly show that the bride is pregnant, not just overweight.
A softly draped column dress can be another possibility for a pregnant bride, especially one who is not so far along in her pregnancy. This is a good choice for the bride who is comfortable with her body in general, and one who is still fairly slim through the tush and thighs. Choose a fabric with a nice weight to it, like a heavy silk crepe or a beaded Chantilly lace. The weight of the material will help it to hang well and drape attractively over the baby bump. Always order this type of dress considerably larger than you think you will need it, because it will be easy to take in, but very limited in its ability to be let out.
A final tip for dressing a pregnant bride is to draw attention up to the face and neckline. Most pregnant women are blessed with a lovely radiant glow and great cleavage, so why not highlight those assets? Pair a relatively simple wedding gown with fabulous bridal jewelry that will bring the attention up to your smiling face. You will be sure to look absolutely beautiful on your wedding day, baby bump and all!
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridal Jewelry, pregnant brides, wedding dress, wedding dresses for pregnant brides | Comment (0)Wedding Menu Trend – Food Trucks
By now, most people are probably familiar with the comfort food trend that has been so popular for wedding receptions in recent years. This desire for familiar and unpretentious fare has been taken to the next level with one of the newest wedding trends. The hippest wedding receptions these days feature food trucks as part of the menu.
Food truck fare is uncomplicated by definition. Couples usually just choose whatever they love the best. It might be a hot dog truck, one serving burritos, a pizza van, or even an ice cream truck (so fun for a summer wedding!). If you don’t have room for an entire truck at your reception, you can hire a vendor with a push cart. That is also a great option for bringing this concept indoors. You could have a cotton candy cart, a fresh popcorn man, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
Think about what you like to eat on the street. Maybe it’s dumplings or cheeseburgers or even little crepes. If it can be served from a cart or truck, it can be a great option for a fun reception surprise. This is an especially neat way to introduce your family and friends to your local favorites. Relive your college days by inviting the same truck that you used to frequent on the way to class or on game day. Or introduce your family to a new flavor that is popular where you live now, such as Cuban food if you recently relocated to Miami.
You’ll want to be sure to get lots of pictures of guests enjoying the food truck at your reception. Such a memorable part of your wedding will make for terrific and unique photos. Just think of the fun pictures you’ll get of the mother of the bride in her elegant dress and pearl necklace nibbling on a fresh funnel cake from a cart or a slice of pizza! If you plan to serve something really messy like chili dogs, the bride may want to have something she can throw on to protect her gown from spills. The bride should definitely get to enjoy the tasty truck food; just take care not to let it ruin your gown.
Filed under pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: pearl necklace, wedding food, wedding food trends, wedding food trucks, wedding menu | Comment (0)Honeymoon Theme Wedding Centerpieces
The best wedding centerpieces are those which have a special meaning to the bride and groom. Whenever you can personalize your wedding decorations, they will add so much more to the feeling of the reception. A great source of inspiration can be your honeymoon destination. These are some creative ideas on how to design honeymoon theme wedding centerpieces.
Think about your honeymoon destination – for what is it famous? What is the vibe of the place? Is is a laid back beach, a glamorous city, or a rustic camp? These are great ideas to help you begin brainstorming centerpiece designs which are inspired by your honeymoon. Let’s say that you plan to go to Paris for your post-wedding trip. Instead of a regular vase of flowers, set a small replica of the Eiffel Tower in the center of each table. Weave a few fresh orchid blossoms around the tower for color. Then for your wedding jewelry gifts, give each of your bridesmaids silver Eiffel tower charm bracelets. What a unique and pleasing idea!
The flowers for which your honeymoon site is best known can be another starting point. Using the example of a French trip again, you could create centerpieces from lavender, which is a signature fragrance of France. Or if Hawaii is where you will be headed, use tropical blossoms like plumeria and hibiscus for your table arrangements. The vivid colors will brighten up any space and set a festive tone for your reception. Couples headed to England could adapt this concept by creating floral displays that look like they were cut from a rambling English country garden the morning of the wedding. When you say it with flowers, you can be as subtle or obvious as you like.
If a camping trip is on the agenda, how about a charming woodsy centerpiece? Use bark vessels to hold ferns, fiddleheads, and dark purple flowers like violets. Arrange moss in the bark vases around the flowers for a great look. If you wish, carve your initials in a heart into the bark for a romantic touch. You can take this idea even further with a coordinating chocolate wedding cake frosted to look like bark. Perch a charming pair of handcarved wooden squirrels on top in lieu of a bride and groom cake topper. Your guests will enjoy your original and clever centerpieces. And you will enjoy seeing them and anticipating your upcoming honeymoon trip!
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: honeymoon theme centerpieces, wedding centerpiece ideas, wedding jewelry gifts | Comment (0)