Formal Resort Weddings

If you are planning a destination wedding to a tropical resort, the chances are that almost all of the advice you come across will be geared towards casual beachy weddings. But tropical does not always have to mean barefoot on the sand, and it is possible to plan a wedding which is elegant in an island setting. At long last, here are some tips on how to plan a gorgeous formal resort wedding.

The ideal gown for a formal resort wedding will be one which is light enough to feel comfortable in a warm climate, but with the special details that will make it feel glamorous. Metallic gold accents will make any bridal gown look opulent and regal. Layers of a lightweight silk such as organza or tissue taffeta will be fresh and breezy, and gold metallic embroidery or a gold sash will increase the elegance factor. Strappy metallic gold sandals, a veil with a beaded edge, and elegant beach wedding jewelry will complete the effect. Especially lovely is beach wedding jewelry with Swarovski crystals which will twinkle in the sunlight.

A tropical wedding certainly calls for tropical flowers. As beautiful as the classic round bouquet of roses is, it in no way relates to the spirit of the tropics. A better option would be a more splashy bouquet featuring wildly glamorous exotic orchids in a bright color. Hot pink, sunshine yellow, or lime green are all gorgeous resort wedding flower colors. Make your bouquet more regal with an ornate bouquet wrap in a metallic ribbon. You can also think about scattering some sprays of Swarovski crystals in among the flowers to coordinate with your bridal jewelry and to catch the sun.

Any fine resort should have elegant menu options available to serve for your wedding reception. Fresh fish, simply prepared, is always a nice choice for the main course at dinner. It can be dressed with a fresh fruit salsa and elegantly displayed on the plate with several side dishes. Keep in mind that a grand presentation will make any type of food appear more elegant. Try to treat your guests to the local specialties of the tropical destination which you have selected for your wedding. Your guests will no doubt have the time of their lives.

Tailoring Wedding Stationery to Your Theme

The invitations and other stationery which you choose for your wedding will help to set the tone. When you have a special theme or location, the invitations can be a great way to introduce your wedding to your guests. These are some tips on tailoring your wedding stationery to your theme.

Beach theme weddings are among the favorites of brides everywhere. Whether you will be heading off to a sunswept destination for your wedding, or simply putting on some great beach wedding jewelry and carrying a tropical bouquet in your backyard, there are some very special beach invitations available. Think about the type of beach wedding you intend to have – is is more classic with simple pearl jewelry and a tailored strapless dress on a New England beach with a lobster dinner on the sand, or it is going to be at a Caribbean resort, complete with steel drums and drinks in coconuts? For the first style, classic white invitations embellished with a red engraved lobster across the top would be ideal, or go with an invitation embellished with a bright hibiscus for the tropical wedding.

Winter Wonderland weddings are another hot theme, and one which translates easily into wedding invitations. Select crisp white stationery which is decorated with silver snowflakes. One of the prettiest versions of this would be to print the invitations on vellum laid over a snowflake patterned paper. Tie it together with a festive metallic silver ribbon or a red velvet bow for the perfect finishing touch. For your save the dates, what about using antique postcards depicting horse drawn sleighs in the snow? Simply lovely.

Having a vineyard wedding? Invite your guests with style! The most restrained option would be an invitation which features an engraved image of a bunch of grapes across the top (somehow a picture of a bottle of wine just does not feel bridal enough). Or get really creative, and design your wedding stationery to resemble vintage wine labels. This would be a wonderful way to really get your wedding theme across in a fun manner. Your guests will surely be in the spirit of things when they receive these special and unique invitations.

Wedding Signature Cocktail Finder

One thing that can give a wedding reception great style is a signature cocktail. Having a special drink to offer your guests is not only a terrific way to make your reception more unique, it can save you money over a full open bar. This is a wedding signature cocktail finder to help you pick the perfect libation for your reception.

Fruity tropical drinks. Think daiquiris, margaritas, and pina coladas. Anything with pineapple or coconut is also good. This type of signature cocktail is just right for a destination wedding where the bride wears beach theme wedding jewelry and a steel drum or mariachi band plays. Tropical drinks are also a marvelous idea when you are planning a beach theme wedding at home, along with the right bridal gown, jewelry, and décor, a fruity drink will help to transport your guests to the beach.

A martini bar. This is the ideal signature drink for a sophisticated evening reception. Picture the groom in black tie and the bride in a slinky charmeuse gown with crystal chandelier earrings sipping on martinis. To make it more fun for your guests, have a martini bar set up where guests can get a variety of different versions, such as dirty, with olives, and flavors like lemondrop or appletini. When making martinis, it is important to use a good brand of vodka, since the flavor of the alcohol will be more evident than in a drink with a heavy mixer, like the aforementioned tropical drinks.

Colorful drinks. Sometimes the color of a signature cocktail is what makes it perfect for your wedding. Work with a bartender to come up with a drink in your wedding color. It can be anything from purple to pink to apple green or even bright blue, depending on what additions they make to your base alcohol. Testing the samples can be pretty fun, too!

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.

Wedding Invitation Motifs

Your wedding invitation is your first chance to set the tone for your event. The style that you choose will give your guests a sneak peek into what your wedding will be like, especially if you have a special theme. One of the best ways to personalize your wedding invitations is with a signature motif.

First think about the basics of your wedding. Will it be formal? Then choose a very small motif. Have it either engraved in gold ink or blind embossed for even more subtlety. A formal wedding calls for a traditional and symmetrical invitation, as well, so you will want to place your motif on the top border of your invitation, right in the center.

Less formal weddings can accommodate more eclectic uses of motifs. You could even choose stationery which has your design printed on it, and the invitation wording printed on a vellum overlay. For example, if you were having a destination wedding, complete with a breezy wedding gown and beach wedding jewelry, a fantastic invitation would be an image of a sandy beach or a large tropical flower. If the invitation shows the beach scene, tie the vellum layer on with a piece of raffia, or use a pretty fuchsia ribbon over the tropical flower image.

A simple way to use a pretty design for a semi-formal wedding is to print, engrave, or letterpress it onto the paper in a color. You can really have a lot of fun picking your motif. Choose one that ties in directly with your wedding theme, or select a design that reflects something personal. A good example of this would be a monogram or a family crest (either real, or invented). Or if the bride and groom are both Texans, a small image of a pair of cowboy boots would be fun on the invitations. You can also design an entirely custom motif that will start on your wedding stationery and be carried throughout the rest of the wedding.

Adorning your wedding invitations with a special motif or theme is a wonderful way to introduce your guests to the style of your wedding. It will also add personality to your stationery and help to set it apart from the basic invitations that many couples use. A custom motif is one of those small details that can add so much to a wedding.

Divine Accessories for Destination Weddings

Destination weddings have a fun and festive feeling unlike any other kind of wedding. The sun, the sand, and the ocean views just have a way of putting everyone into a happy frame of mind. The details of your wedding should reflect this laid-back attitude. These are some divine accessories for destination weddings.

Let’s start with the bridal jewelry. Anything too heavy or formal will look out of place at the ocean. Look for sets of wedding jewelry with a beach motif or natural flair, such as kehsi pearl necklaces or silver seashell bracelets. A monogrammed shell necklace is a wonderful choice for the bride; it also makes a great idea for the bridesmaid jewelry. Other styles that are pretty for the beach are open and airy tin cup necklaces, very delicate crystal earrings, and bridal jewelry with a pop of color.

The best wedding hairstyles for the beach have a soft and natural effect. Gentle waves cascading down the shoulders, softly tousled buns, and loose modern braids are the types of hairdos most suited to a destination wedding. To accent your wedding hair, choose a headpiece that is also relaxed and uncontrived. Remember that the kind of ornate tiara that is perfect for a ballroom reception will seem out of place in a natural setting. Nice choices include a scattering of hairpins, a double row headband, or a large silk or fresh flower.

Next comes the veil. When you are being wed outside, it is wise to select a veil that will not drag on the ground. You don’t want to get to the altar only to find that your cathedral length veil has accumulated all sorts of debris on the trip down the aisle! Twigs and tulle do not mix. A crystal beaded border on the veil not only looks gorgeous twinkling in the sunlight, but helps to weigh it down and keep it from blowing around too much.

The accessories for destination weddings really are not the same as those that work for a traditional wedding. You will find that you have a lot more freedom to choose pieces that are fun and whimsical. Beach wedding accessories really give you the chance to express your personal style on your wedding day.

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.

Hawaiian Themed Weddings

A great idea for a summer wedding is to capture the spirit and fun of the Hawaiian islands. If you are lucky enough to be able to have a destination wedding in Hawaii, that would be fabulous. But even couples who prefer to get married closer to home can throw a fantastic wedding reception with a luau theme.

The decorations are really the cornerstone of a Hawaiian themed wedding. Think about all of the natural beauty that can be found in a tropical wonderland, such as swaying palm trees, vibrant flowers, and beautiful seashells. This is the type of décor that you will want to create your own version of paradise. Larger items like potted palm trees can be rented to add that authentic island flavor to an indoor setting or a backyard, and don’t forget the tiki torches.

The bridal party will definitely want to set the tone for the party with relaxed attire perfect for a tropical island. The bride would look stunning in a flowing chiffon bridal gown with beach wedding jewelry. For the bridesmaids, think about strapless dresses in a bright floral print or a pretty fuchsia colored chiffon. As your bridesmaid gift, you can give them sets of beach inspired jewelry to wear to your wedding, such as monogrammed shell necklaces.

Help your guests get into the Hawaiian vibe by greeting them with beautiful floral leis to wear. You can also provide beach essentials like woven palm fans and cute flip flops. If you would like for your guests to wear festive attire like Hawaiian shirts and colorful dresses, you can make a note on the bottom of the invitation stating “Festive island dress requested”.

The right entertainment will go a long way towards creating your luau reception. Start with Hawaiian music, and mix in a few surf favorites to get the crowd dancing. Then dazzle your guests with live entertainment like hula dancers and those amazing fire dancers. If you want, you could even have a brief hula lesson to get the party going.Finish your wedding reception by thanking your guests with a favor that hints of Hawaii for the perfect ending to a fantastic wedding.

Types of Bridesmaid Jewelry

One of the most popular gifts that a bride can give to her bridesmaids is jewelry. It makes a great gift because it is timeless, and it is something that your bridesmaids can wear at your wedding. There are so many wonderful choices that it can be hard to know where to start!

A very popular type of bridesmaid jewelry is the Swarovski crystal jewelry set. These glittering crystals are beloved world wide for their superior sparkle and crisp shine. They also have a nice weight, which means that pieces made with Swarovski crystals will hang very well.

Another reason that many brides love to give crystal bridesmaid jewelry is that you can have it handmade to match your wedding colors. The crystals are available in every color imaginable, from the pure look of the clear ones, to pastel blue to bold red, and everything in between. This makes it very easy to coordinate your gift to the dresses that your attendants will be wearing.

Crystals are by no means the only option for bridesmaid jewelry. Pearls are another extremely popular choice. Pearl jewelry has a timeless elegance that is unmatched by any other gem. There is a softness and feminine quality to pearls that makes them perfectly suited to weddings.

Personalized silver jewelry is an especially nice gift for your bridesmaids. Having a bracelet or necklace engraved with their monogram will make the piece very special to them. It also shows that you took the time to select a piece of jewelry just for them, which is always appreciated.

There are other types of bridesmaid jewelry available that are great for special types of weddings. For your destination wedding, you can choose from jewelry such as silver dolphin bracelets, monogrammed shell necklaces, and casual but stylish earrings made from coin or keshi pearls. Many of those same pieces are also great for the bride, so don’t forget about yourself!

The bridesmaid jewelry that you give to your attendants will be something that they will have forever. Fortunately, there are so many terrific options that your biggest challenge will probably be how to narrow it down to just one choice!