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!

Planning a Weekend of Wedding Events

For a Saturday wedding, the wedding weekend will likely begin on a Thursday. This is the ideal time for the bride to host a ladies’ luncheon, a lunch which she gives to show her appreciation for her bridesmaids. During the luncheon, the bride will give out the pearl earrings, or whatever gift she selected for her bridesmaids. The ladies’ luncheon is typically held in a nice restaurant, since the last thing the bride needs to be doing the week of her wedding is cooking and hosting a party at her house!

Friday is when things really ramp up. A trip to the beauty salon is usually the first order of business for the ladies in the wedding. This can be a really fun time for the bride, her bridesmaids, and the moms to bond over manis and pedis (and maybe a few Champagne cocktails, if the spa is really posh!). Friday afternoon is the usual time for the wedding rehearsal, and it is important that all hands are on deck for this event. Some couples like to line up an activity to entertain their out-of-town guests on Friday who will not be attending the rehearsal. A sight-seeing tour or trip to a local attraction like a vineyard would be a good choice.

Friday night is the traditional time for the rehearsal dinner. In recent years, some couples have opted to host a wedding welcome dinner instead of a rehearsal dinner. The difference is that the welcome dinner is open to everyone, which can make a lot of sense if a large percentage of your wedding guests will be out-of-towners. The rehearsal dinner or welcome dinner can be as formal or informal as you like. You could rent a yacht and serve a five star meal or have a picnic in a neighborhood park; there is no right or wrong. The only rule of thumb is that you don’t want to have a rehearsal dinner which is more lavish than the wedding reception!

On Saturday will come the wedding ceremony and reception, of course, but that is not all. For ceremonies with a 4pm start time or later, it has become very popular to arrange a group activity to keep people entertained before the wedding. The golf tournament is a particular favorite, although you could choose any activities which you think your friends and family would enjoy. The comes the wedding itself, which is of course, the main event of the weekend.

The final thing to add to your wedding weekend is a post-wedding brunch on Sunday morning. This is always a fun and relaxed event, where guests can see the newlyweds one more time before they head off on their honeymoon. It is really just a great way to cap off a wonderful weekend of wedding fun.

Can You Wear White to Someone Else’s Wedding?

The reason to avoid wearing white as a wedding guest is that the color is reserved for the bride. It is the job of guests at weddings to be dressed appropriately and festively, but not to upstage the bride. Wearing white can definitely fall into the category of drawing attention from the bride, even if it is completely unintentional. This is particularly true if you wear some sort of a white dress with pearl wedding jewelry. Unless you are actually wearing a wedding gown, no one is going to mistake you for the bride, yet it would still be pushing the edge of good taste. While the bride might not be uptight about such old-fashioned rules, the chances are that her grandmother will be, and why do something that is likely to offend?

For a summer wedding, it is true that many of the prettier dresses in the stores may be white (more so some years than others), but there are so many other colors out there in the world that one can surely find a safer alternative. Another option is to wear a dress with a white background which has a colorful print on it, such as blue and pink flowers. Few would find fault with that; even those who interpret traditional wedding etiquette strictly will understand that a patterned dress with a little white in the background is in no way an attempt to upstage the bride. The one exception, by the way, to wearing white attire to a wedding is the naval officer’s summer dress white attire.

These days, black has become fairly accepted for wedding guest attire in many social circles (especially around the big cities). That said, there will still be those who find it inappropriate for a wedding, and it should be avoided by the mothers of the bride and groom due to the old meaning that black meant disapproval of the match. For the other guests, while you probably can get away with wearing black, especially for an evening wedding, it is still not the best color choice. Why? Because black is rather somber and dark for an occasion as festive as a wedding. Even if it is not strictly taboo, it is still nicer to wear a color other than black.

This brings us to the other old belief, that red is inappropriate for a wedding guest. The simple reason for the ban on red is that it is bright and flashy. While no one will think you are trying to look like a bride (white) or show disapproval (black), they might well think that you are trying to upstage the bride by wearing such a bright color.  That said, red can definitely be worn in a manner that is completely appropriate for a wedding. The key when wearing a bold color is to select a dress with a very classic design. When dressing for a wedding, let your good taste and good judgment be your guide to sartorial success.

Beach Wedding Hair Jewelry and Veils

Naturally the bride will want something fabulous to adorn her hair on her wedding day. As a beach wedding tends to be more relaxed, it is best to choose a headpiece which is not overly formal. Rather than a tall tiara, for instance, try a double headband beaded with crystals and pearls. The gems will make it beautiful enough for a wedding, but the headband style will look more appropriate on the beach. Select a headband which complements your bridal jewelry set. Another great thing about a headband is that if you opt to wear your hair down, it will keep the ocean breeze from blowing your hair in your face during the ceremony.

A beach theme hair ornament can be a wonderful accessory for a wedding by the ocean. A starfish pin in your hair makes a lovely alternative to a fresh flower, and as a bonus it will not wilt in the hot sun. Small starfish clips or pins would also be fun for the bridesmaids. They would make a nice add on to the bridesmaid jewelry sets that the bride gives as gifts. Tie a pretty starfish clip to the jewelry box with an organza ribbon for a nice addition to the bridesmaid gifts that will also make the box extra special.

Pearls are a natural choice by the ocean. A cluster of pearl hairpins would be an elegant addition to a simple updo. Low buns are very chic and are un-fussy enough for the beach. They are also a classic staple to have in your jewelry box for future special occasions after the wedding. Wear your pearl hairpins with pearl bridal jewelry, such as a drop pendant or a unique keshi pearl necklace. Add some coordinating earrings, and you will be ready to walk down the aisle in style.

A veil on the beach can be a bit tricky, but any bride who wants one should definitely wear one. For a wedding outdoors, the veil should always be shorter than floor length. The last thing you need is to have your delicate veil catch on a wooden boardwalk or deck and tear. Nor do you want to have a long veil dragging behind you on the sand picking up seaweed and other beach debris from the sand! A calf length veil gives the effect of a long veil with none of the potential perils. Fingertip veils also work well, but be careful about choosing a very short veil, as it will fly around your face with the slightest breeze; in fact, the shortest veils are actually called “flyaways”.

Beach weddings are always beautiful, and with the perfect accessories, you can be sure to look absolutely stunning. From headbands to pins to special veils, there is a combination of beach wedding accessories that will be perfect for any wedding and to match any bridal gown.

Bridal Gown Colors

In the world of bridal gowns, there is white, and then there is…white. Diamond white, silk white, and natural white are just a few variations on the classic white wedding gown. A pure silk gown will never be bright white, because that is not the natural color of the fiber, even when bleached. The slightly softer shade of silk white is much gentler on most skin tones than the bright white with a bluish undertone that is often seen in polyester gowns. Whatever shade of white is available in a wedding dress, it will tend to look best on brides with darker or olive skin tones, or women with dark hair and pale skin.

Ivory is the next most popular color for wedding gowns after white. Nearly every gown will be available in a shade of ivory or cream, unless it has a special feature which would make it impossible. Some lace trims, for instance, are only created in white, so a gown with that embellishment would only be made using white fabric to match the lace. Ivory tends to have a slightly yellow undertone and looks wonderful on blondes and most redheads. The yellow undertones of ivory can, however, bring out sallow tones in olive skinned women, so they should stick with white or choose a deeper color like champagne. Always see a fabric swatch before ordering a gown in ivory; while most fabrics look lovely in that shade, some will be far too yellow. Also take care that if you are looking at pearl bridal jewelry sets that you select one which is similar in tone to your gown, rather than a strong white.

Champagne is another option for many wedding gowns. The deeper color is particularly nice for evening or winter weddings, although it might look out of place at a summer afternoon wedding. The rich color pairs especially well with luxurious fabrics like silk satin and silk shantung, which will play up the luster of the color. Champagne usually has a slightly brownish or pinkish undertone, rather than the yellowish tones found in ivory. As a result, it is a flattering color for women who find that ivory makes them look sallow. This sophisticated color is also very popular with second time brides who want a gown in a color other than pure white which still has a very “bridal” feel to it.

Last, but not least, consider the season when selecting a color for your wedding gown. The white which washes you out in the dead of winter might look fresh and crisp with a light tan in the summer. Warmer colors are often preferred for cold weather weddings, although the right shade of white is perfect for a sparkling Winter Wonderland theme wedding.

The Post-Wedding Brunch

As the wedding day has morphed into the wedding weekend, one event that has become quite popular is the post-wedding brunch. Although some brides may cringe at the idea of another event to organize and some guests feel like enough is enough already, personally I love the brunch the day after the wedding. It gives everyone a chance to visit a little more before heading out of town, and besides, who doesn’t love brunch? This is what you need to know about planning a post-wedding brunch.

First of all, the bride does not have to be the one to plan a day-after brunch. Her parents could host it, the groom’s parents could host, or even a grandparent could organize the brunch in honor of the newlyweds. Second of all, the post-wedding brunch does not need to be a fancy event at all. By far the easiest way to do it is to book a private dining room in the hotel where most of the guests are staying. Don’t worry about fancy flowers or custom linens; this is not the wedding, after all, just brunch. As long as it is a nice hotel (or restaurant, if you prefer), whatever they provide in the way of decorations will be absolutely fine.

The purpose of having another get-together the day after the wedding is to give everyone one more chance to see each other, which can be wonderful for families who are far-flung. One or two days just isn’t enough time if you only get the whole group together for weddings and holidays. The brunch serves one very other important role: it is always fun to gossip about a great party the next day! This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to rehash the excitement of the day before while it is still fresh in their minds. For the bride and groom, this is the time to get the real scoop on all the interesting things that happened at their wedding – so fun!

While the post-wedding brunch need not be formal, the newlyweds should still make an effort to look good. Match your attire to the setting. For a country inn, a cashmere sweater, tweed skirt, and pearl earrings is a polished brunch outfit. In the summer, a pretty sundress with a tin cup necklace and pearl earrings would be just right. Around the holidays, even daytime parties like brunches tend to be dressier, so step it up a notch with a beaded sweater set and a knee length velvet skirt or a silk wrap dress. After all, your post-wedding brunch is your first chance to make a great impression as newlyweds!

Wedding Traditions: Keep or Discard?

Weddings are rich with tradition. In fact, many of the customs which a bride and groom may include in their own wedding are there because it “is the way things have always been done”, rather than because they specifically want those elements as part of their special day. Take a look at this look into some of the most common wedding traditions, as we answer the question: should they be kept or discarded?

White Wedding Gowns. It was Queen Victoria who started the craze for white bridal gowns. The white wedding gown has since taken on many connotations, especially as a symbol of the purity of the bride. There is a trend these days moving away from white (or ivory) gowns in favor of wedding dresses with either a little color or made entirely in a color like red. So as to the question of whether this tradition should be kept or discarded, the answer is to wear a traditional white wedding gown with classic pearl wedding jewelry only if you really want to. If you want to wear a red dress for your wedding day, by all means do it!

Bridesmaids. Did you know that the original purpose of bridesmaids was to dress in clothing similar to that of the bride’s to confuse the evil spirits who were believed to be drawn to brides? And bridesmaids today think they have it bad; at least all they have to ward off is unwanted advances from drunken groomsmen! Today the custom of having a bridal party has evolved into choosing to spend your wedding surrounded by your best girlfriends for support and to make the wedding planning process more fun along the way. Who doesn’t want her best friends around on one of the most exciting days of her life? Bridesmaids are a definite tradition to keep. Abuse of bridesmaids, however, is something that is definitely out, so remember to treat them like your friends, not your personal servants.

Garter Toss. The garter toss started out because of an old superstition that said grabbing a piece of the bride’s clothing would bring some of her good fortune to the bearer. After a while, brides tired of having their gowns ripped apart by their guests, and started tossing their garters to the crowd instead. These days, however, the garter toss has turned into nothing more than a tacky moment in what should be an elegant day. The point is no longer about catching the garter for luck, but rather in seeing how far the groom can push the borders of good taste. For that reason, the garter toss belongs on the scrap heap of wedding traditions!

So, what other traditions do you think are worthy of keeping or ditching? The dollar dance, the rehearsal dinner, or maybe the traditional marriage vows? Let the debating begin!

Summer Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

For beach weddings, there can be no better rehearsal dinner than a clambake right on the sand. If clam is not quite your thing, substitute a crab feast, lobster bake, or shrimp boil; other than the main dish, they are all pretty much the same to plan. Picnic tables right on the beach would be the perfect dinner seating. Either cover the tables with pretty patterned oilcloth or do what they do for a good ol’ fashioned clambake or crab feast and just cover the tables with layers of newspaper. Finish off your rehearsal dinner with a favorite summer dessert like homemade peach pie or strawberry shortcake.

A wonderful idea for an elegant summer rehearsal dinner is a Great Gatsby inspired lawn party. Picture all the ladies in their lightweight summer dresses sipping icy mint juleps. Simple accessories like a tin cup necklace will be the perfect ornament for this outdoor soiree. Imagine gentlemen in seersucker trousers playing croquet on a lush green lawn. Add a spread of delicious summer foods like salads, grilled chicken, and tasty fresh veggies for a meal that will be enjoyable but not too heavy.

A super fun summer rehearsal dinner theme is a luau. Welcome your family and friends with slushy tropical drinks like daiquiris and pina colodas, complete with paper umbrellas and fruit garnishes. Hand out leis and encourage guests to wear Hawaiian print shirts or dresses to really get everyone into the spirit. Pork skewers with pineapple are a crowd-friendly dinner for your luau, and are really easy to make if you are doing your own grilling. A luau theme is sure to be a great icebreaker when the two sides of the family are meeting for the first time at the rehearsal dinner.

A great rehearsal dinner that anyone can plan is a picnic in a park. This is a theme that can be designed to fit your taste and style. It could be very elegant, with chilled Champagne, hampers of gourmet foods, and portable cd players wafting classical music into the background to create ambiance. A picnic can also be very relaxed, with burgers on the grill, potato salad, and watermelon on the menu, either in a state park or at a shelter in a park close to the rest of the events. Be sure to bring plenty of citronella candles to keep bugs at bay as dusk falls so that the party can continue well into the evening.

Beautiful Music: Picking the Perfect Band for Your Wedding

The music is one of the most important elements to set the tone for your wedding reception. A great band will create exactly the mood you desire, while a lame one will make the party a flop. These are some tips on how to pick the perfect band for your wedding.

First of all, keep in mind that there are plenty of great wedding musicians out there, but not all of them are right for the style of wedding you prefer. The hot samba band that kept the crowd jumping on the dance floor at your cousin’s wedding might not be a hit with your husband’s conservative family or make sense for your venue. Personally, I have always thought that people in formal attire look odd dancing wildly to contemporary music, so for my wedding, I chose a band that specialized in standards like Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter. It fit well with the overall classic style of my wedding, which ran to lace, pearl bridal jewelry, and all white flowers.

Most wedding performers will have cds and other promotional materials they can send you to help you get a sense of their style. That is a great place to start, but try to avoid booking a band based on that alone. You should definitely speak directly with the bandleader to be sure that you mesh, since he will be the one directing the band during your reception. Whenever possible, it is very smart to go see your top band perform live at a wedding or other event.

When writing the contract with your favorite band, be sure to address the question of breaks: how many, when, and the duration of them. Will a few musicians stay to play background music, will they put on an ipod loaded with your favorite songs, or will there be silence during the breaks? Also put into writing your obligations regarding feeding the band, the number of musicians and which instruments are to be included, and overtime rates. Then make your deposit to reserve your wedding band, and rest easy knowing that when the big day rolls around, your guests will be treated to beautiful music.

Pretty Purple Bouquets for Summer Brides

Summer is a wonderful time to be a bride, especially if you love flowers. Purple is an especially lovely color for your bridal bouquet, and there are so many gorgeous possibilities, from informal to elegant to romantic. These are some ideas for pretty purple bouquets for summer brides.

For a casual outdoor wedding in a meadow, a simple cluster of blossoms with a wildflower feeling would be just right. Perhaps better known as fall blossoms because they are very hardy into the autumn, purple asters and mums are great choices for summer brides. Mums and asters come in a lovely array of shades of purple, ranging from cool lavender to bright purple-pink, as well as deeper shades. Mixing and matching a few different tones and sizes of mums and asters will achieve the best effect in a wildflower bouquet. Some types of mums have yellow centers; a cheery yellow plaid ribbon would make an adorable bouquet wrap with the purple flowers for a charming country style.

There are many summer flowers which are very romantic. If you are the sort of bride who loves lace, pearl earrings, and vintage-inspired details, you will adore the purple blossoms of summer for your bouquet. A large cascading bouquet of fragrant purple freesia, lavender roses, and mini-irises would have just the right feeling of old-fashioned charm. For a very special bouquet wrap, try finding a spool of vintage moire ribbon, and create trailing streamers.

Roses are one of the most traditional wedding flowers for any time of the year, and they are an excellent choice for summer, as they take the heat well. Purple roses can be found in a beautiful array of shades, such as silvery-lilac Sterling roses, deep purple, and pinkish-purple. A spectacular design for roses is a “composite” bouquet, in which many, many petals are used to create the look of one giant flower. Surround with a ruff of deep green hosta leaves for contrast, and you will have a truly remarkable bouquet for your wedding.

There are other purple flowers which would make lovely additions to a summer wedding. Exotic orchids come in virtually every color under the sun, including shades of purple. The relaxing scent of lavender would be a great touch of aromatherapy to include in any purple-based bridal bouquet. Fragrant herbs are traditional among Scandinavian brides. You may also wish to consider lisianthus (which look similar to roses but are more affordable) and calla lilies, which are grown in pretty purple hues. One thing is for certain, whatever the style of your summer wedding, there are sure to be purple flowers which suit your taste perfectly.