Casual Bridesmaid Attire
Not every wedding calls for the attendants to be dressed in formal attire. For a wedding on the beach, in a park, or in your own backyard, you might want to consider choosing something informal for your bridesmaids. These are some of the best looks for casual bridesmaid attire for any type of wedding.
For a beach or waterside wedding, a great informal look for bridesmaid dresses is a dress with a festive pattern. Tropical Hawaiian prints are wonderful for a beach wedding. For a preppy beach wedding, Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses worn with pearl tin cup necklaces will make your bridesmaids picture perfect. New England weddings by the water are the perfect excuse for your bridesmaids to get cute dresses from Vineyard Vines. The classic Nantucket style of their patterns will look great with tin cup necklaces (the perfect bridesmaid jewelry gifts) and the guys in Nantucket red pants.
Another idea for a relaxed bridesmaid look is to have each one wear a top and a skirt instead of a dress. If executed well, this can be a wonderful look, although if it is not properly coordinated, you will lose the cohesiveness that a bridal party should have. Choose one pretty skirt that each attendant will wear, and pair it with a simple top. An example would be a patterned skirt worn with very nice crisp white blouses. An appealing variation on this is to put a simple white blouse with a ball skirt for a relaxed holiday evening wedding. Just resist the urge to have each skirt be a different color of the rainbow; I have seen this done, and frankly it is impossible to pull off well. A better idea would be to put each bridesmaid in a version of the same color, such as shades of pink.
When you have only one or two attendants, your options for informal bridesmaid attire will open up even more. You could just allow each bridesmaid to select a strappy sundress that she really loves. The nice thing about this is that you will know that your friends will love their dresses enough to wear them again. When you have two or fewer attendants, it is not so important that they coordinate with one another or the rest of the wedding party. Your attendants will be ready to go and have a great time at your fun and casual wedding.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: bridesmaid dress, Destination Wedding, tin cup necklaces | Comment (0)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.
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Florida Destination Weddings
Brides and grooms have always loved warm weather destination weddings. Many couples today, though, are not interested in the expense or hassle of getting married in a far-flung exotic island. For a warm and sunny wedding destination that is close to home, why not think about Florida, the Sunshine State?
Couples who are looking for a beach town that is all about having a good time can consider Key West. This little paradise on the Southern tip of Florida is known for its laid back vibe, tolerant attitude, and fascinating locals. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the key lime pie – yum! For a Key West wedding, a simple chiffon or organza wedding gown with unique handcrafted bridal jewelry would be ideal. Plan your wedding to take place during one of the legendary Key West sunsets.
If an urban beat is more your style, then you will love the chic flavor of a Miami wedding. This is the perfect spot for couples who love the nightlife. Serve up local Cuban-inspired food at your wedding and hire a great dance band with a Latin flair to give your guests the full Miami experience. For your honeymoon, stay at one of the renowned Art Deco or modern boutique style hotels. You can spend your days sunning yourself on South Beach, and your nights dancing at fabulous clubs.
And finally, no discussion about Florida wedding destinations would be complete without mentioning Disneyworld. This is a popular wedding destination for brides and grooms from around the world. If it has always been your fantasy to feel like a princess on your wedding day, then Disney is for you. Choose a Cinderella-inspired ballgown and top it off with fabulous handmade crystal bridal jewelry for a fantasy look as you marry your Prince Charming. A Disneyworld wedding is sure to be a dream come true.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Destination Wedding, Honeymoons, Wedding Planning | Tags: Destination Wedding, Florida, handcrafted bridal jewelry | Comment (0)Affordable Destination Weddings
The most important thing to decide when you are having a destination wedding is the location. This is where a lot of couples can run into budget problems. However, if you keep an open mind, you can find alternatives that will have some of the features you like about a pricier destination, while remaining more affordable. For instance, let’s say that you love the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas, but live on the East Coast. Instead of incurring the expense of flying out to Vegas (not only for the bride and groom, but for everyone attending the wedding), look into booking a fabulous resort in Atlantic City instead.
Another way to keep your destination wedding affordable is to look for an area that has a range of hotel prices. In some regions, all of the resorts are incredibly expensive, but in similarly beautiful places, you can find resorts that are nice but not outrageous. You can even plan to have your wedding and honeymoon suite at the more exclusive resort, and then move to a less pricey hotel for the rest of your honeymoon. Your guests will also appreciate having a few options for hotel rooms.
When you are getting married at the beach, nature is so beautiful that you do not need to go crazy with a fancy gown or over-the-top decorations. Stick with locally grown flowers for the best prices. Rather than choosing a bridal gown that is heavy with fancy adornments, select one that is pretty, but simple. It will not only save you money, it will suit your location better. You can also cut costs on your accessories for an outdoor wedding. Instead of splurging on diamonds, look into custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.
There are plenty of ways to have the destination wedding of your dreams while working within a budget. All it takes is a little creativity and flexibility. Before you know it, you will be saying your vows in a beautiful location, just as you have always imagined.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, Destination Wedding, Wedding Planning | Tags: custom bridal Swarovski crystal necklaces, Destination Wedding, wedding budget | Comment (0)Elegant Seaside Weddings
Every great wedding starts with an inspiration. For an elegant wedding by the sea or ocean, imagine the Gilded Age when the glamorous set flocked to places like Newport, Rhode Island. The idea was to enjoy all of the beauty of the ocean, sand, and blue skies, while still maintaining a gracious lifestyle. This can be a terrific starting point for your wedding design.
If you want to be really authentic, you can have a destination wedding in one of the elegant mansions that grace the waterfront in a place like Newport. The homes are grand and richly appointed, making them a stunning background for a wedding celebration. Many of these breathtaking mansions are available for weddings of any size.
You could begin by having the ceremony and cocktails outdoors on a magnificent rolling green lawn with the ocean waves lapping at the nearby beach. The bride should aim for a look that is both elegant, yet appropriate for an outdoor ceremony (in other words, no cathedral length trains).
Give a nod to the historic nature of the setting by adding a hint of a vintage style to your wedding ensemble. A beautiful idea would be a heavily beaded chiffon gown with a sweep train accented by pearl bridal jewelry. Consider spicing up your bridal jewelry by doing a combination of pearl with a deep purple crystal, in honor of the amethysts that are so popular in vintage jewelry.
The theme of seaside elegance can be further explored in your décor and favors. A very pretty idea would be to incorporate seashells, sand dollars, and starfish into the bride’s bouquet and the centerpieces. Tasty little chocolates in the shape of shells would be a perfect wedding favor for your guests to take home.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Destination Wedding, pearl bridal jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Destination Wedding, pearl bridal jewelry, seaside weddings, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Big Apple Brides
New York City is a true American landmark. It is beloved not only by its millions of residents, but also by the millions of people who visit the Big Apple each year. New York is a fun and exciting spot to have a destination wedding.
There are many iconic New York locations from which to choose, and just as many others that are unique and lesser-known. If famous and fabulous is your dream New York City wedding, then plan to pull out all the stops.Weather permitting, the bride and groom could arrive at the reception in one of New York’s famous horse-drawn carriages.
And of course, since New York is one of the greatest fashion centers in the world, you will want to be dressed to the nines. Picture a chic and sophisticated silk gown accented by an elegant long veil and spectacular custom bridal jewelry.
Of course, there are as many approaches to take in planning a New York wedding as there are skyscrapers in the city. If big and glitzy is not your style, take an insider’s approach to designing your wedding. Hire a top notch planner to help guide you to the offbeat spots where the locals have their ceremonies and receptions. Private clubs, cool lofts, and harbor cruises would all be intriguing possibilities.
The great thing about having a destination wedding in a world-class city like New York is that you won’t even need to travel for your honeymoon. Spend a week or so taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of New York. A New York honeymoon would be the perfect ending to the wedding for a Big Apple bride and groom.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Destination Wedding, Honeymoons, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: custom bridal jewelry, Destination Wedding, honeymoon destinations, New York, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Traveling with Your Wedding Gown
So many brides have destination weddings these days. Whether you are headed for the beach, the mountains, or your hometown, you will want to be sure that your gown arrives safely. A little advance planning can make traveling with your gown a lot less stressful.
First of all, plan to hand carry your gown to your destination. Shipping is too risky – no amount of insurance would be enough to cover the devastation of a lost of damaged bridal gown.
Transporting your gown by car is not too difficult (lay it unfolded across the back seat), but taking your gown on a plane presents many challenges. Do not show up at the airport with the long garment bag provided by the bridal shop – they are much too long to meet airline regulations for carry on baggage. You will notice that I said carry on baggage – never ever put anything as precious as your wedding gown into checked luggage!
After being folded, rolled or squished, your gown will definitely need to be professionally pressed when you arrive at your wedding destination. Unless, that is, you do what Tricia Nixon did for her White House wedding – buy your bridal gown its’ own seat in first class!
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