A Black, White, and Silver New Year’s Eve Wedding
New Year’s Eve is definitely the most glamorous night of the whole year to have a wedding. Black, white, and silver is a chic color palette that will bring out the stylish flair of the holiday. Learn how to plan an unforgettable New Year’s Eve wedding using a black, white, and silver color scheme.
It almost goes without saying that a New Year’s Eve wedding should be black tie. Classic black tie always looks the most elegant; while rental shops may suggest colorful vests for the groom and groomsmen, a black cummberbund is more dashing and timeless. Silver dresses will be the clear choice for the bridesmaids. If they are comfortable in slender silhouettes, slinky silk sheaths would be ideal. Choose ones with a gathered bustline and wide straps, like something from the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s. Big sparkly crystal jewelry will complete their look perfectly. An incredible look for the bride is a fluid sheath gown covered from head to toe in tiny crystals or sequins. Because the silhouette of a sheath is so simple, you can get away with really bold crystal bridal jewelry.
Then there are the flowers! Accent white flowers with silvery elements to incorporate the color scheme into the bouquet. Silvery dusty miller or lamb’s ear leaves are wonderful natural accents to ruffly white parrot tulips or lovely white camellias. Another idea is to use silver metal leaves or tiny metallic silver balls to mix into the white blossoms. Being New Year’s Eve, you could even get away with glittery silver curly branches mixed into the bouquets or centerpieces. Tie the bouquets with black velvet ribbons to complete the effect. The centerpieces will be very striking arranged in black vases. Either use fluted footed black vases for a vintage flair, or tall sleek rectangular black vessels for a sleek modern look.
To bring your black, white, and silver color scheme to life at your New Year’s Eve wedding, special table linens are a must. I personally do not care for black table linens (they never feel clean to me), but silver would look amazing. Shimmery silver organza toppers can be used over standard white tablecloths, or if budget permits, rent silver silk dupioni linens with a chic quilted stitching (like a Chanel handbag). Since the centerpieces will be primarily black and white, the whole elegant color theme will come together beautifully.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: black and white wedding, black tie wedding, black white silver wedding, crystal bridal jewelry, New Year's Eve weddings, silver wedding, wedding colors | Comment (0)Tips on Making Your Own Wedding Cake
If you are a great baker and love the idea of making things for your wedding, you might wonder if it would be a good idea to make your own wedding cake. It is not an undertaking for the novice, but certainly a good baker could pull it off. These are some tips on making your own wedding cake.
Tip number one: keep it simple. Forget about handmade sugar orchids, airbrushed scenes, or tiny marzipan figurines. Instead choose fool-proof decorations like non-toxic fresh flowers, ribbons, and fancy cake toppers. Unless you have a lot of experience working with fondant, you will find buttercream frosting to be a better choice, since it does not have to look “perfect”. A buttercream frosted cake decorated with ribbons around each tier and a crystal cake topper to complement your crystal bridal jewelry will look fantastic, and will be nearly impossible to mess up.
Limit your DIY cake to three tiers so that weight does not become an issue. Be aware that even a three layer cake can end up weighing as much as fifty pounds, so you will need to have a sound plan for transporting it to the reception. To make sure that your tiers do not slide over or look lopsided, use a cake leveler to give each layer a totally flat top and bottom. Avoid using anything tricky like columns between the tiers. Another cute idea is to make several smaller cakes to display on beautiful cake stands instead of one large tiered cake. It is easier to manage, and also looks quite charming. You can choose stands to fit in with the theme of your wedding. If your style is woodsy and natural, use tree stumps for the stands. If your wedding will be all about the glitz and glamor of Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry, use silver or cut crystal stands. It is easier to manage, and also looks quite charming.
Deciding to make your own cake requires a lot of planning and time – it should definitely not be a spur of the moment decision. You should definitely make a practice cake many months before your wedding. Keep notes on exactly which ingredients you used, how long you baked the tiers, cooled them before frosting, and so on. That way, if the cake turns out well, you will be able to replicate it for your wedding, and if it does not, you will have some idea on what to change for your next practice cake. And if you start well in advance, you will also have the option of bailing on the whole DIY cake thing and hiring a baker if your practice cake turns out to be a disaster!
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, DIY wedding cakes, how to make a wedding cake, wedding cakes | Comment (1)How to Get Your Wedding Dress to a Destination Wedding
For most brides, nothing is more important than their wedding gown (other than the groom, of course!). Imagine what a nightmare it would be to arrive at your dream destination location to tie the knot and realize that your wedding gown got lost somewhere en route. No bride wants to walk down the aisle wearing her crystal bridal jewelry and a t-shirt from the hotel gift shop! This is why the number one rule of traveling with your wedding dress is never put it in checked luggage. Never. Ever. Anyone who flies has a horror story about lost or delayed luggage. If it is the most important dress you will ever wear that is stuck in limbo somewhere, it would be an absolute disaster.
When flying with your wedding gown, you must hand carry it on the plane with you. Do not rely on the lightweight garment bag that the bridal salon provides. Those bags can tear or even crack in extreme heat or cold. The bridal salon bag should be placed inside a proper piece of luggage, such as a real garment bag made for travelers. Call ahead to your airline and let them know you will be bringing your wedding dress on board the airplane. Many airlines are actually pretty accommodating of brides and will allow you to stow your precious cargo in the first class cabin closet or even in the pilot’s closet. You might even get a glass of champagne on the house.
Some brides prefer to ship their gowns ahead to their wedding destinations rather than try to get it onto a plane. There is some risk in this choice, since there is always the chance that the dress will not show up. It might be insured, but what good will that do you if you have nothing to wear when you walk down the aisle? If you determine that shipping your wedding gown is really the best method, send it overnight with a very reliable carrier like FedEx so you can track your precious package every step of the way. Send it at least a week before your wedding, just in case of delays. You can make plans with your venue’s wedding coordinator to receive and store the gown until you arrive.
While you are making plans to transport your wedding attire, remember to think about your wedding accessories. Things like crystal bridal jewelry sets, headpieces, veils, and wedding shoes are small enough to easily pack into a carry on bag. Then when you arrive at your wedding destination, you will have everything you need to look incredible on your wedding day.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Destination Wedding, Wedding Planning | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, destination weddings, wedding dresses | Comment (0)Creative Table Name Ideas for Autumn Weddings
Numbering the reception tables at a wedding with numerals is certainly effective, but it is not very interesting. The table names are an easy and fun way to add a splash of character to your wedding reception with a minimum of effort or expense. Check out these creative table name ideas for autumn weddings.
The stunning fall foliage is one of the most distinctive things about autumn. Many brides love it so much that they plan a fall leaf theme wedding, right down to Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry shaped like autumn leaves. A very pretty way to identify the tables at a fall reception would be with different varieties of colorful leaves from various trees. On each table, place a large image of a leaf that has turned to its fall hue, along with the names. The corresponding image can be printed on the escort cards for the guests. Sample names include sugar maple, yellow birch, red oak, aspen, beech, linden, and pin cherry. The autumn leaf table names would be wonderful whether you are having a leaf theme for your wedding or not, especially if your reception will take place in a region known for its beautiful foliage.
If you are getting married close to Halloween, it would be neat to name the reception tables after features of that holiday. Guests will have fun sitting at tables named things like jack o’lantern, trick or treat, apple bob, candy corn, and costumes. You could even tie the wedding favors in with the table names, and give the guests at each table different favors based on the theme of the table name. It would be a really fun touch that will set your wedding apart.
Of course fall is harvest time, and the bounty of autumn has inspired many a bride and groom. A wonderful idea for any fall reception is to name the tables after the special flavors of the season. You could even let your Thanksgiving favorites inspire you, especially for a November wedding. Who wouldn’t love to sit at a table named pumpkin pie or chestnut stuffing? Other ideas include apple crisp, mashed potatoes, roast turkey, root vegetables, hot apple cider, and butternut squash. For fun, you could include your favorite recipe that matches the food on the table name card. This would be even better if you have a lot of great cooks in your family and can attribute the recipe accordingly. Recipes named “Aunt Susie’s cranberry sauce” or “Nana’s sweet potato pie” are sure to be enjoyed by all.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: autumn weddings, creative wedding ideas, crystal bridal jewelry, fall weddings, table names for weddings | Comment (0)Helpful Tips for Army Brides
Marrying an Army man can be very exciting. For women who were raised in a military family, many of the military wedding customs will be familiar, while for those brides from other backgrounds, the whole thing may feel very new. From timing to formality to customs, these are some helpful tips for Army brides.
Every bride needs to determine what style she would like her wedding to be, but for many army brides, there is one answer: formal. Mess dress uniform is the appropriate attire for a formal or very formal military wedding, and it is so dashing that many brides cannot resist planning a formal wedding so that her groom can wear it. If you prefer a slightly less formal wedding, Class-A or Service uniforms are the equivalent to civilian suit worn for a semi-formal ceremony. Don’t let your groom upstage you! A military bride should wear an elegant gown with special details such as crystal beadwork. A long veil and complementary crystal bridal jewelry will complete the elegant effect. For a semi-formal wedding, a lace gown with pearl and crystal bridal jewelry would be a lovely choice.
There is a tremendous amount of official protocol surrounding military titles. It is important to address wedding invitations correctly, using the exact title of the addressee. When in doubt, check with the base protocol officer on this or any other question of propriety. Never abbreviate titles; Cpt. would not be an acceptable shorthand for Captain, nor would Lt. be a proper alternative for a Lieutenant. The groom will have his military rank in front of his name instead of Mr. on the wedding invitations. Speaking of invitations, it is customary for the groom’s commanding officer and his spouse to be invited to the wedding. Other staff officers and their spouses may also be invited. If your wedding will be formal, include the notation “Mess dress uniform invited” on the invitations, instead of the civilian “Black tie”.
For many, the most iconic part of any Army wedding is the Arch of Sabers. This wonderful custom involves a double row of commissioned officers who form an arch under which the newlyweds walk. This is most often done right outside the church or chapel, as a weapon should never be unsheathed within a house of worship. If your wedding party will not contain a sufficient number of commissioned officers (usually six or eight men) to form the arch, you may invite wedding guests with the appropriate rank to participate or use an honor guard from the base. Be sure to get plenty of photographs of this special moment.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Army brides, Army weddings, crystal bridal jewelry, military weddings | Comment (0)Modern Square Wedding Cakes
A stacked tier wedding cake is fantastic for modern weddings. The general form still says “wedding cake”, while the geometric form sets it apart from more traditional confections. Square wedding cakes are often fairly minimalistic in design, allowing the shape of the cake to be clearly seen. Smooth fondant is a good match for these elegant and sleek cakes. The most simple square cake might be decorated with nothing more than a satin ribbon around the base of each tier. Top it with a single exquisite sugar flower such as a black and white anemone for the perfect finishing touch.
Modern square wedding cakes can be ideal for formal weddings with clean lines. For an evening wedding, a three tier cake covered in white fondant will look spectacular with a band of mirror backed crystals or rhinestones at the base of each tier. This is a fabulous cake for the bride who loves crystal bridal jewelry. Add a little more bridal jewelry to your wedding cake with a single initial crystal monogram cake topper. The result will be very sleek, but not at all plain.
Geometric patterns look fantastic on square wedding cakes. A grand brocade design is very elegant. Create it in a high contrast color combination, such as black and white or espresso and aqua for maximum impact. If brocade feels too stuffy for you, consider a fresh stripe, or a delicate lattice design. A cake with this much personality may not even need a topper at all.
Chocolate is another excellent option for a square confection. You can opt for a smooth brown fondant for a very clean look, or use a rich chocolate frosting for a lush effect. The fondant cake would be beautiful decorated with clusters of sugar flowers on each tier. Choose colors which will pop against the dark frosting, such as red, yellow, or fuchsia. The creamy chocolate frosting cake lends itself to fruit decorations. Fresh ripe strawberries would be perfect for a summer wedding. In the autumn, marzipan fruit in fall colors would be a great decoration for a chocolate cake. When the cake is chocolate, it is hard to go wrong!
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, modern wedding cakes, square wedding cakes, wedding cakes | Comment (0)How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gown?
In standard wedding budget tools, it is recommended that 10% of the wedding budget be allocated to attire. Some people take that to mean all of the wedding attire, including the groom’s, particularly when the bride and groom are paying for their own wedding. If the bride’s parents are picking up the wedding tab, it would be reasonable to assume that the 10% figure applies only to the bridal ensemble, since the few items for which the groom is responsible (his attire, bride’s wedding band and bouquet, wedding gifts) would fall outside of their budget.
When people say that 10% of the wedding budget should be set aside for the bride’s attire, they mean her entire bridal ensemble, including the wedding gown, veil, crystal bridal jewelry, shoes, headpiece, and even the alterations on the gown. All of those little extras can really add up. For instance, if you were planning a $20,000 wedding and spent the entire 10% for attire on a $2000 gown, you could easily end up over budget by $500 or more with the accessories and alterations. The choices would either be to select a less costly gown, or to purchase the accessories with funds from the “extras” category, which should have a cushion of about 8% of your total wedding budget. Some brides also get around this problem by asking for wedding accessories like their crystal bridal jewelry or shoes for their birthday or as a holiday gift.
A lot of what will determine the right price point for your bridal gown depends on what is important to you. To some brides, nothing short of a made-to-order silk gown will do. Going back to the example of the $20,000 wedding, $2000 would be rock bottom for the gown desired, and closer to $4000 or even $5000 would be more realistic, especially for a gown with lace or beadwork. Those women may need to allot more than the standard 10% of their budget towards attire. That is perfectly fine, as long as the wedding budget is set up that way from the beginning. There are always other areas where you can trim expenses, as long as they do not detract from entertaining your guests graciously.
On the other hand, some women would not dream of spending thousands of dollars for a dress which they will wear only one time. For those women, spending less than 10% of their budget on attire might feel more comfortable. A great money-saving tip is to shop for an elegant white or ivory bridesmaid or special occasion dress instead of a traditional bridal gown. Those gowns can be in the hundreds, rather than the thousands, of dollars. Of course, a less expensive dress will not feature the same elaborate details as a designer gown, nor will the quality of the fabric or construction be identical. So it really comes down to where your priorities are. As long as you put your wedding budget towards the things which mean the most to you, however much you choose to spend on your wedding gown will be the right choice for you.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridal gowns, crystal bridal jewelry, how much to spend on wedding gown, wedding dresses, wedding gowns | Comment (0)A Welcoming Winter Wedding
A great way to make your guests feel pampered upon arrival at your winter wedding is to greet them with a hot drink station. It could be a selection of gourmet teas, served in the traditional fashion with sugar lumps, honey, lemon, or milk in elegant china. The station could feature cozy hot chocolate made from a rich drinking chocolate served in oversized mugs with big gourmet marshmallows. Or it could be a selection of hot toddies and spiced cider to chase the chills away. Whatever you choose for your hot drinks station, it will instantly help your guests to feel cozy and get settled in to your wedding.
A true coat check with an attendant (or several, depending on the size of your guest list) is an excellent amenity to offer your guests. It is customary for coat check attendants to be tipped, but when someone is your guest, they should not have to do any tipping; the hosts of the wedding should tip the coat check attendants, and place a discreet sign by the coat closet informing guests that no gratuities are expected. By the way, if you are having a smaller wedding or one at home, you can set up an informal coat closet by renting rolling racks and heavy wooden hangers. Hire a niece or nephew to help guests with their coats.
A roaring fire is always inviting on a chilly winter day. If your wedding venue happens to have a working fireplace, by all means use it! When a fireplace is not available, look into the possibility of renting a portable one. There are all kinds of styles available, from those with a very traditional mantel to modern closed fire pits. If you are wearing a sleek gown with hip crystal bridal jewelry, choose the modern streamlined closed fire pit, or if your venue is very old-fashioned, opt for a fireplace with a classic wide mantel. These portable fireplaces are designed to be very safe, but of course you will need to clear it with your venue before renting one for your wedding.
Music is another way to make people feel welcome. For a winter wedding, it would be a really fun detail to have traditional carolers singing wintery songs greet guests as they arrive at the venue. Can’t track down any old-fashioned carolers? Check out a local college to see if they have an a capella singing group to hire for an hour’s performance. Greeting your guests with song is a wonderful way to make them feel welcome at your winter wedding.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning, winter weddings | Comment (0)Easy Winter Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
Christmas ornaments are a great design resource for holiday wedding centerpieces. A very simple idea is to gather a collection of beautiful round Christmas balls and place them in clear glass elegant footed vases. Make the look more wedding than holiday by choosing ornaments which are not in the very traditional red and green combination. Frosted metallic lime green with purple and silver balls would be gorgeous filling a clear footed vase or hurricane. Coordinate the napkins and stemware on the table to the colors in the ornaments to create a beautiful reception table design.
Sparkle is very popular for winter weddings, from beaded gowns to crystal bridal jewelry to the bride’s bouquet. To bring some sparkle to your reception, try a crystal branch centerpiece. Tall white or silver painted branches can be artfully arranged in cylinders, vases, or painted ceramic pots. Using clear fishing line, suspend large crystals from the branches. Crystals with an “ab” finish will really capture the light and look dazzling. Hang small lanterns with candles from some of the other branches to help illuminate the crystals. It is a fabulous centerpiece for the bride who loves sparkly things like crystal bridal jewelry.
A very charming idea for a winter wedding centerpiece is gingerbread houses. The bride and her mom could make the houses themselves from kits or simply purchase them already made. The gingerbread houses can be decorated in the wedding colors, or could even be created to look like little gingerbread chapels, complete with gingerbread brides and grooms! This centerpiece makes a nice tie-in to the wedding favors. Gingerbread cookies in glassine bags with pretty bows would be perfect. Attach a small card with your favorite gingerbread recipe to the favor bags.
Certainly flowers are beautiful for centerpieces at any time of the year. An ultra easy idea for a winter wedding centerpiece is to buy pots of white poinsettias to use as table decorations. Remove the foil wrapping they come in and place the plants in white glazed ceramic pots. Surround the white poinsettias with crystal votive candle holders to add sparkle and light to the tables. The effect will be simply gorgeous for a winter white wedding, and as a bonus, the potted poinsettias will be far more cost effective than arrangements of cut flowers.
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: crystal bridal jewelry, diy centerpieces, easy weddng centerpieces, wedding centerpieces, wineter wedding centerpieces | Comment (0)Hairstyles for Winter Weddings
The ultimate in bridal chic this year is a smooth low updo gathered slightly to one side. Have your stylist make it very polished with a serum or pomade to combat the dry flyaway hair that plagues most of us during the winter months. A low side part will add to the style of this elegant bridal hairdo. The perfect finishing touch is a fabulous little cage veil with a feathered accent. Pair with crystal bridal jewelry such as dazzling chandelier earrings, and wear with a slinky silk wedding gown.
Braids are back in style for brides. A low braided bun is a very romantic hairdo for a winter bride. It is a nice variation on the smooth low sideswept updo. Because the wrapping of the braids will add a nice texture, keep the front of the hair simple and position the bun in the center, not asymmetrically. For bridal hair jewelry, either tuck a jeweled comb into one side of the braided bun, or decorate with a scattering of sparkling hairpins. This would be a beautiful hairstyle to complement a romantic lace bridal gown.
The classic French twist is also making a comeback, as brides return to more elegant hairstyles after several years of messy ‘dos. One of the great things about a French twist is that it does not require long hair like many other updos. Medium length hair works just as well for this sophisticated style, as long as it is not too layered. Since your hair will be entirely off your shoulders, take the opportunity to showcase some really spectacular bridal jewelry, like long crystal drop earrings or a multi-strand pearl necklace. Tuck hairpins or a small spray of white feathers into the side of the twist to finish it perfectly.
Brides who wish to wear their hair down this winter should opt for a very smooth hairstyle. Large soft waves with a shiny finish are ideal. A statement making jeweled headband is the ideal accessory for this hairdo. If you plan to wear a veil, consider a double headband because you can anchor the veil’s comb between the two bands for more security. This youthful and radiant wedding hairstyle is lovely with a satin or taffeta ballgown or a more simple A-line gown with a touch of beading. The effect will be timeless and elegant – definitely a winning winter wedding hairstyle!
Filed under crystal bridal jewelry | Tags: bridal hair jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, wedding hairstyles, winter wedding hairstyles, winter weddings | Comment (0)