Using Animals in Your Wedding

Many, many brides and grooms are animal lovers, and including a live animal in your wedding might seem like a very special addition to your day. There are, however, some ways to include animals which usually go very smoothly, and others which are best avoided. This is what you should know about using animals in your wedding.

Probably the most common way that couples bring an animal into their wedding is when they include their dog. The dog might be an honored guest, it could be the ring bearer, or it could even walk the bride down the aisle (sorry, Dad!). Any of these ideas can work out beautifully, as long as you consider the location and the temperament of your pet. Certainly many indoor venues like churches are not going to allow any dogs in the building other than service animals. This means if you really want Fido with you during your wedding ceremony, you should check out the pet policy of any potential venue you are considering. Outdoor locations will tend to be the most accommodating.

Sometimes animals are used to create drama. This would certainly be the case when the bride rides into the ceremony on a white horse or the newlyweds arrive at the reception via elephant. Without a doubt, the elephant idea is pretty darn fabulous. It is a customary part of some Indian weddings, but a very fun tradition to borrow for other couples as well. Of course, a trained wedding elephant is not available in every town, nor will it fit into every budget. It would work best for an outdoor reception so that the guests could be surprised by your grand entrance on the pachyderm.

The other most common way that couples use animals in their weddings is to release doves or butterflies at the end of their ceremony. This is unequivocally a bad idea. While it sounds beautiful, the reality is that the birds and butterflies often die shortly after being released. Besides that, the release often does not go as planned; you open the box of butterflies and find them already dead or the birds refuse to take flight and soar. If you want butterflies at your wedding, wear Swarovski crystal butterfly motif bridal jewelry. Let the real creatures live their lives in freedom.

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.

Decorate Your Wedding Ceremony Entrance

When your guests first arrive at your wedding location, it is great if the outside of the building gives some hint as to the celebration taking place within. A classic decoration for church doors is to hang a wreath on the outside. Wreaths are great, because there are so many different styles in which you can make them. Use classic boxwood for an elegant and restrained wreath, perhaps adorned with a large silver bow. Or make a more flowery wreath, using a mixture of greens and your wedding flowers. Wreaths can get very fancy too; if you were having a Winter Wonderland theme wedding and wearing a lot of sparkly crystal jewelry, you could create a crystal studded wreath.

Another lovely way to decorate your ceremony entrance is with a garland over the door. This works beautifully for any shape or size of door, and can be used in addition to wreaths, or by itself. Garlands can take many forms. Most of us are familiar with the pine garlands used at Christmas, but there are also garland designs which would be perfect for a wedding outside of the holiday season. Pretty greens with flowers look lovely at any time of the year. For an evening wedding, wrap the garland with tiny white lights to illuminate the entrance. Large magnolia leaves make a dramatic garland with a Southern flair. Accent with pretty ribbons in your wedding colors.

Potted topiaries will add an elegant style to any wedding ceremony entry way. The classic round balls are very pretty for any formal wedding. Tie a bow under the first ball on the topiary to make it more festive. A great look can be created by combining a few different topiary forms, such as the round balls, cones, and tall twisted topiaries. As the style tends to be rather formal, topiaries look best when displayed in very balanced groups or even perfectly symmetrical pairs. This would be an excellent choice to adorn the entrance of a grand old stone mansion.

Don’t think that entrance decorations are only for churches or fancy mansions. A rustic barn wedding can be dressed up with the addition of natural elements like bundles of wheat standing on either side of the front door. (Wheat can also be used to create wreaths or garlands, if you wish.) As barn interiors can tend to be dark, another great idea is to suspend a mass of floating candles in tiny clear globes over the entryway. This is a wonderful addition that will sure to make your guests feel very welcome.

Geometric Motifs for Weddings

If you are looking for a wedding motif that is elegant and not too in-your-face, try selecting a geometric design. This guide will help to you see all the many ways you can design your wedding theme around a geometric motif.

A wonderful way to design your wedding around your favorite geometric design is to pick one that will tie in well with many of the wedding elements. In other words, let’s say that you fell in love with an Art Deco design, and have decided to use it on your wedding invitations. Perhaps you want to take it a step further and decorate your colors in the icy blue and silver tones which were prevalent in the Art Deco period. A sleek silky wedding gown with clear crystal bridal jewelry, a martini bar, and before you know it, you will have planned an entire fabulous wedding based on the inspiration of your geometric motif!

One geometric motif which is very easy to use for a wedding is the classic Greek Key design. A nice thing about this motif is that it is one which any groom would like, unlike many of the more flowery wedding themes. The simple shape would look excellent printed in gold around the border of a heavy cream invitation. It would be a very handsome design to have stitched around the border of simple white or ivory tablecloths for the reception tables. If you want to play up the “Greek” part of the Greek Key motif, consider serving delicious foods like spanakopita and baklava.

Whether you ultimately choose your geometric motif based on a Celtic knot, an art and design movement, or even a homespun sampler, be sure to really feature it throughout your wedding. One place you will definitely want to showcase your special design is on the wedding cake. Without a doubt, a wedding which is designed around a very special geometric motif is sure to be very sophisticated and stylish.

Pick the Perfect Wedding Gown Shape for Your Shape

Column or Sheath: This is the most narrow wedding gown silhouette, and accordingly it is best suited to brides who are slender. Column gowns often feature empire waists which hit just under the bustline, with straight skirts which go straight down without a flare. Sheath dresses tend to be made of more clingy fabrics than column gowns and are the sexiest of all the wedding dress silhouettes. Both shapes are very flattering for petite brides, as they are elongating. Brides who are pear shaped or top heavy would be wise to choose a different style.

A-line: The A-line gown is extremely flattering to virtually every figure. The A-line refers to the shape of the skirt, which is of a medium fullness, and has a silhouette which resembles the letter A: nipped in at the waist, gently flared over the hips, and fuller at the hemline. A-line skirts can be paired with natural waists or drop waists, which adds to their versatility. They are a great choice for pear shaped brides, petite brides, tall brides (especially with a drop waist), and any bride who wants a gown which has some fullness, but not too much.

Ballgown: The ballgown is the most traditional and the fullest of the wedding gown shapes. They generally feature very fitted bodices and very full skirts. The skirt will be supported by a petticoat or crinoline and is magnificent for a formal wedding. The full cut of a ballgown skirt may be created by gathering or pleating at the top of the skirt to increase the fullness. Wonderful for a fairy princess style wedding, the ballgown is ideal for brides who love to dress up with lots of crystal bridal jewelry and long veils. On the other hand, if your wedding is less formal, this can simply be too much dress. Petite brides should be careful about ballgowns, as they can end up being swallowed up by too much fabric.

Mermaid or Trumpet: Brides who really want to make a dramatic entrance adore the trumpet shape bridal gown. Very fitted through the bodice and into a very low dropped waist, the skirt then flares out dramatically at the low hip or just above the knee. This shape is very striking and works well with bold accessories like crystal bridal jewelry and long cascade bouquets. Tall brides with well-balanced hourglass figures can really rock a mermaid gown, but petite or pear shaped brides should steer clear of this somewhat challenging shape.

Spring is Here…Time to Plan Your Winter Wedding!

With balmy weather on hand, it can be hard to get into the spirit of the winter months, however this is the perfect time to make winter wedding arrangements. If you have not done so yet, begin by choosing your wedding theme. Winter Wonderland is a classic cold weather wedding theme, perfect if you love the frosty look of snowflakes, crystal bridal jewelry, and white branches. For holiday weddings, a classic deep red and evergreen color palette is traditional and very easy to pull off. Or opt for something a little different, such as an opulent purple and gold color scheme, which is marvelous in rich velvets, metallic trims, and formal accents like crystal bridal jewelry in eggplant.

Once you have decided upon the perfect theme, it is time to book your wedding venue. With winter about eight months away, it might be hard to feel urgent, but even in the off season, the best reception sites can book up fast. You must plan especially early if your wedding date will be around Christmas or New Year’s Eve, as venues such as hotel ballrooms will be booked for parties as well as weddings.

Spring is also the ideal time to shop for a winter wedding bridal gown. Unlike regular clothing, bridal boutiques do not have seasonal styles. This means that even in April or May you can try on samples of gowns perfect for December weddings: rich fabrics like velvet and satin, sumptuous embroidery, and sparkling crystal embellishments. Some designer gowns can take up to six months to special order, and then you will need time for alterations, so the spring is definitely the right time to shop for a winter bridal gown.

With the main elements in place, you can spend the summer months deciding on the details for your winter wedding at a more leisurely pace. Attend cake tastings, design the centerpieces with your florist, and shop for bridesmaid jewelry gifts. By the time the cold weather comes back around, you will be ready to have the perfect winter wedding!

Your Glass Slipper: The Perfect Wedding Shoes

Every Cinderella needs her glass slippers, right? While planning your wedding, you may well feel like you are living in a fairy tale, and all you need is the perfect shoes to really make you feel like a princess, if only for a day. These are some great tips on how to find the perfect shoes for your wedding.

Of course your bridal shoes need to look fabulous, but above all, they must be very comfortable. Imagine how miserable you would be if the pain of tight footwear made it hard to dance at your own wedding reception? Definitely not worth it, even for a pair of Manolo Blahniks found at a clearance sale! That is not to say that you should wear a pair of white Crocs for your wedding (in fact, please don’t!); there are shoes that look good and feel good.

Start with a low heel. Even if you love stilettos, you know in your heart that they are not as comfortable as a lower heel height. Remember that your gown will come down to your feet anyway, so it is not like you are giving up the long, sexy legline created by towering heels. Wider heels are also more wearable than spike heels, and a must for any outdoor wedding. If you do not care for the style of shorter or thicker heels for your outdoor ceremony, consider a very chic strappy flat sandal instead. Choose one in a metallic or one which is embellished with crystals (so fabulous with crystal bridal jewelry!) and it will be every bit as gorgeous as a stiletto and much more practical.

The style of your wedding shoes should complement that of your bridal gown. A formal gown calls for classic footwear, whereas a more casual dress can offer more opportunity for offbeat shoes. Your bridal shoes will be even more special if they complement the details on your gown or wedding accessories. If you are wearing dazzling crystal bridal jewelry, look for shoes with sparkly accents. A bride wearing a beachy halter gown can choose a dressy thong sandal to play up the style of her dress. When it all comes together, the shoe will fit you perfectly, just like Cinderella gliding into her glass slipper.

Wedding Limousine Alternatives

The traditional white limousine is standard for most weddings, but it is far from the only option. There are many other stylish ways for the bride and groom to travel. Check out this list of wedding limousine alternatives.

The best form of transportation for your wedding is one which matches the general style of your event. If you are having a Winter Wonderland theme wedding, complete with a white fur wrap and snowflake crystal bridal jewelry, you need a conveyance to match. The perfect form of travel for this wedding theme would be a horse drawn sleigh.

For some brides and grooms, their wedding is a chance to really indulge in luxury. Sure a stretch limo is luxurious, but it is no where near as elegant as hiring a Bentley or a vintage Rolls Royce for the wedding day. You may never have the chance to own such a fine car, so why not treat yourself to a ride in one on the most special day of your life? Luxury automobiles with chauffeurs can be easily rented in most cities.

Maybe you and your groom love living life in the fast lane. If your idea of the perfect wedding attire is a sexy silk sheath with dramatic crystal bridal jewelry, bring this sense of style to your transportation. A Porsche or other sleek sports car could be the perfect way to make an impressive entrance to your wedding, not to mention a fast getaway at the end of the reception. Just don’t try this with a full skirted wedding gown, as it will not fit in a sleek sportscar.

If your wedding is on the water, a boat might be a great form of transportation for the bride and groom. Imagine yourself floating away on a beautiful sailboat under a starlit sky at the end of your reception. Or for a casual afternoon wedding, the bride and groom could hop into a canoe and paddle away down a lazy river. I even knew of one couple who rented a giant inflatable dragon boat for their riverside reception getaway. Talk about leaving a lasting impression!

The Wedding Reception Viennese Hour

Let’s face it: everyone remembers a wedding which had really great food. My first encounter with a Viennese hour was at a Winter Wonderland wedding. The bride wore a beautiful beaded gown and dazzling crystal bridal jewelry. The band was amazing. But what I really remember about that wedding was the moment after dinner when the doors were opened to an adjoining room to reveal the most spectacular display of desserts I had ever seen in one place: the Viennese hour.

The basics of a wedding Viennese hour or dessert bar are cookies, bars like brownies and blondies, cakes, pies, and mini pastries. Regional specialties should certainly be on the menu; think New York cheesecake in Manhattan or beignets in New Orleans. Individual servings of favorite desserts like crème brule and chocolate pudding should also be on the menu. And this is only the beginning!

Chocolate and candies are another part of a Viennese hour. The most impressive way to serve chocolate is a chocolate fountain. Guests find them irresistible, and love the chance to dip fresh fruit, pretzels, and gourmet marshmallows into the flowing chocolate. Another option is to present chocolate dipped fruits like strawberries instead of having the fountain. An array of white, milk, and dark chocolate dipped fruits would be especially nice.

Once you have the basic elements of your wedding Viennese hour decided, it is time to choose your “wow” factor. Remember that a Viennese hour should be elaborate and indulgent, so this is the time to really pull out all the stops. Any number of specialized stations will work as your “wow” feature. Choose one, or if space allows, include them all to really blow your guests away. An ice cream sundae bar is one idea for the main feature. A custom crepe station with an attendant to make whatever your guests want is an elegant addition. Or go for a nostalgic carnival theme with cotton candy and funnel cake carts. With all of the elements in place, you can be certain that your guests will remember your wedding reception Viennese hour for years to come!

Honeymoons on the Water

A cruise can be a fantastic idea for a honeymoon trip. Most cruise ships are like floating cities, complete with everything from fine dining to swimming to nightlife and sporty activities. There is a huge variety in cruise types, as well. If time is short, take a weekend party cruise out of New York or another major port city. Or take a traditional tropical cruise which visits numerous ports of call all along the Caribbean.

There are more exotic cruises, as well, such as those to Alaska, the Greek islands, or the fjords of Scandinavia. The experience of being out at sea with your new spouse taking in breathtaking sights will truly make your honeymoon memorable. One thing that most cruise lines have in common is the expectation that guests will dress up for dinner, so be sure to pack some pretty dresses, and bring along your crystal bridal jewelry to add that touch of elegance.

A fantastic voyage for sailing aficionados is a sailboat cruise. On many of these excursions, there is a crew, but the newlyweds also get to take part in sailing the boat. It is a great balance between getting the fun of sailing, without having total responsibility for the vessel 24 hours a day. Most of these types of honeymoons will be on sailboats with sleeping cabins, so you will call the boat your home for the duration of the trip. To keep things interesting, plan on visiting a few spots along your journey where you can share a romantic dinner in a great restaurant. Even newlyweds cannot live on love alone, after all.

Finally, thrill seeking newlyweds will find many adventures to share on the water. There is waterskiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and even scuba diving for those who are certified. If a natural time in the water is more your style, book your honeymoon at a resort which offers the chance to swim with dolphins. Or head to the Everglades and see the sights from a fan boat.  Whatever your interests, there is sure to be a honeymoon trip on the water which will be a lot of fun for the newlyweds.