Picking the Right Style for Your Wedding
Your everyday lifestyle is always a good place to begin when thinking about the ideal style for your wedding celebration. If you are the sort of woman who favors twinsets with color coordinated shoes, you will probably be most at home in a classic location, such as a country club. Wear a white silk strapless A-line gown, carry a bouquet of pink peonies, and dance to a big band. Other options for brides with classic tastes can include yacht clubs or formal tented weddings.
A chic loft wedding will be perfect for you if you are the ultimate city girl. If you are the one who is in the know about the coolest restaurants, the best clubs, and the latest art events, you will feel right at tome in a loft. The wide open space is ideal for a modern wedding, and the blank canvas will allow your creative side to run wild. Modern minimalist or retro-chic are two great design schemes for a loft reception. An alternative to a loft is a wedding held in an art gallery, or other non-traditional space. You may need a wedding planner to help you track down some of the off-the-beaten path venues which can host your cool and unique urban wedding.
Many brides fantasize about being married on the beach. The natural beauty of a beach location is certainly beyond compare, but there is a certain lack of control which is inherent in this type of wedding. You will be happiest with a beach wedding if you are willing to put up with a bit of uncertainty or imperfections. Before committing to a ceremony on the beach, be sure that you will be comfortable with getting your wedding dress sandy or having your bridal veil being blown into your face by the wind during the vow exchange. Beach weddings are fantastic for sun-worshipers, couples who love the great outdoors, and brides who can be flexible. A short wedding dress worn with handmade beach theme wedding jewelry is terrific for a wedding on the sand.
Church weddings can run the range from formal to low-key, but in general they are fairly traditional. The number one reason to choose a church wedding is indeed tradition, as well as your religious beliefs. If you envision a formal wedding, a church ceremony is a great way to start. Feel free to choose a wedding gown with a long train, crystal beading, or ornate embroidery for a church wedding. Add all the trimmings, such as a veil, beautiful headpiece, and handmade pearl and crystal wedding jewelry. Follow a traditional church service with a reception in an equally traditional venue, like a hotel ballroom, country club, or an historic mansion.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: handmade wedding jewelry, Wedding Planning, wedding style | Comment (0)Great Decorations for Casual Weddings
Handmade elements are a key trend for weddings in everything from the invitations to the wedding jewelry to the favors. Handcrafted decorations also happen to be perfect for casual weddings. Large paper pom poms are easy to craft from colorful tissue paper and are a festive pretty decoration for a wedding. Hang giant pom poms from trees or the ceiling of an indoor venue to add bursts of color. Medium sized paper pom poms can be strung on clear thread and suspended behind the ceremony altar, over reception tables, or used to break up the reception site into several spaces. Small pom poms can even be crafted into centerpieces in lieu of fresh flowers.
White lights are another fantastic decorating idea for a casual wedding. If you are having an evening wedding outside, there is no quicker way to transform the area than by stringing tiny white lights in the trees. Voila – your backyard will become an enchanted garden for one night! Little white lights work equally well for indoor spaces. A rustic barn or lodge reception site will look beautiful with hundreds of white lights twinkling in the rafters. It is a simple way to get a big look without investing a lot in costly floral decorations.
For an oceanside wedding, sea glass and old bottles are wonderful informal decorative elements. The soft blues and greens of sea glass are absolutely beautiful, and would be great to pull throughout the wedding – think about ordering handmade wedding jewelry in those hues or choosing a sea glass inspired bridesmaid dress. Fill large hurricane lanterns with the colorful sea glass for a quick and easy beach wedding centerpiece. A wreath of white flowers around the base of the lantern would be a lovely addition to the design. Or fill a low tray with smooth sea glass and use it as a base to anchor the escort cards for the reception. Group old glass bottles in shades of green, blue, and purple behind the tray and place a single flower in each one for a gorgeous yet simple detail.
There are many other great decorating ideas for casual weddings. Baskets of geraniums or mums are a charming way to dress up the steps of a porch. Bowls of citrus fruit, pears, apples, or pine cones can be used for side tables. Wedding decorations need not be elaborate or opulent to be beautiful, as these informal decorating ideas prove.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: casual weddings casual wedding decorations, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding decorations | Comment (0)What to Wear to a Casual Wedding
When trying to determine what type of outfit is special enough for a wedding, yet appropriate for a casual celebration, it helps to take the particular location into account. Even the most relaxed wedding is still a very special occasion, after all, and it should be treated as such. For instance, if one were invited to an afternoon wedding in a state park, a pretty outfit could consist of a knee length floral skirt and a sleeveless blouse. Simple handmade wedding jewelry and a pair of flat sandals will round out the look. For the men, a pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt without a tie would be appropriate. Remember that jeans are never dressy enough for a wedding, no matter how casual it happens to be.
For an informal wedding at a beach, a cheerful sundress would be fantastic. Look for a cotton shift dress with a summery print or a strapless cotton sundress. There are special considerations for a beach wedding, chief among which is the need for shoes which can be worn on the sand. Forget the high heels and wear a pair of leather thong sandals instead. Save the plastic flip flops for another time, as they are not nice enough to wear to a wedding. Handmade coin pearl wedding jewelry is great for the beach. Add a wide brimmed hat if you tend to burn, and you will be ready to celebrate in style.
Men attending a casual beach wedding should aim for a low-key look that is still pulled together. A pair of khaki pants worn with a short sleeve button down shirt would work well. If the wedding is really informal, a golf shirt could also work. Only wear a Hawaiian print shirt if the wedding is actually in Hawaii! A preppy guy would look great wearing a pair of madras shorts with a long sleeve oxford shirt (with sleeves rolled up). There is no such thing as dressy sandals for men, so opt for a pair of boat shoes with your khakis or madras.
Some women wonder if they can wear shorts to a casual wedding. I would tend to advise against it. You would be far better off in a cute skirt and a sleeveless polo shirt if the wedding is super informal; shorts just do not look like you put in enough effort. In fact, that brings us to a key point: no matter how casual the wedding may be, a guest should always look as though they put in the effort to look nice for the event. With that in mind, you can put together a comfy, casual, and stylish outfit to wear to a casual wedding.
Filed under Uncategorized, Wedding Jewelry | Tags: casual weddings, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding guest attire, what to wear to a casual wedding, what to wear to a wedding | Comment (0)Natural Winter Wedding Decorations
There are many beautiful things you can use to decorate your winter wedding. A great place to start is with seasonal greenery, such as boxwood, pine boughs, and holly. Create a crisp and clean look with tidy square boxwood wreaths adorning the church doors. Hang them with wide silver ribbon for an elegant touch. Pine boughs with long needles would be lovely around the bases of vases or hurricane lanterns, down staircase banisters, or as runners down the centers of long dinner tables. Twine holly around candelabras or on the backs of gold chiavari chairs.
Pinecones are a festive and inexpensive winter wedding decoration. They can be used in countless ways, and are great for the diy bride. Create a pinecone wreath to hang behind the head table at the wedding reception using a basic wire wreath frame, pinecones gathered from outdoors, wire, and ribbons. Wire in tiny round ornaments or faux berries to add some color and dimension to the pinecone wreath. Pinecones also make a wonderful addition to a winter bouquet. Dip the edges in glitter for a bit of sparkle, and wire the pinecones in among red and white winter blossoms. A small bouquet can even be created entirely out of pinecones for a unique wintery detail. It would be lovely for a bride who is wearing a silk dupioni gown with handmade wedding jewelry getting married in a woodsy setting.
Fragrant oranges are another versatile natural material to use to decorate a winter wedding. They add a nice pop of color to winter decor. Arrange an assortment of oranges, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and greenery in a low footed bowl for a quick yet festive way to dress up the guest book table, escort card table, or bar at the cocktail hour. To add a rich holiday fragrance to a winter wedding, create old-fashioned orange pomanders by studding oranges with cloves and hanging from ribbons. An orange pomander and a spray of pine greenery would make a marvelous pew decoration for the wedding ceremony.
Another colorful winter decoration is cranberries. Use fresh red cranberries as a filler for clear vases topped with white flowers as centerpieces. Garnish drinks with cranberries on cocktail picks for the cocktail hour. String fresh cranberries to drape on chandeliers, intertwine with greenery around doorways, or to hang in groups for a modern take on a classic holiday decoration. The colors, fragrances, and style of the natural elements are sure to make your wedding warm and inviting.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: handmade wedding jewelry, natural wedding decorations, pinecone wedding decorations, winter wedding decorations | Comment (0)Healthy Wedding Menus
Most of us associate parties and celebrations with indulgence. We eat rich foods, and more of them, than we would on an ordinary day. Weddings are no exception! While it might sound impossible to design a wedding menu that is healthy and yet special enough for a festive occasion, it can be done. The key is to make the soundest food choices you can, while still designing dishes that are full of flavor and really satisfying. It may take a special caterer to work with you on this project.
One way to make your wedding menu more healthy is to stay away from foods with a lot of fat and calories. This can be easier than it sounds. Instead of dousing a side of asparagus in a rich hollandaise sauce, roast the asparagus and drizzle it with a balsamic vinaigrette. Choose a lean cut of meat for the main course, or offer a seafood option such as salmon. If you have a pasta option for dinner, make it a lighter dish such as bow tie noodles with seasonal vegetables, a little olive oil, and fresh herbs. It would be a delicious alternative to an ultra-rich pasta like fettuccine Alfredo or cheese-stuffed manicotti.
Think about ways to trim the fat and calories in your appetizers as well. This in no way means serving your guests spartan platters of “diet food” like plain raw vegetables or rice cakes, but you could substitute protein-rich hummus for a heavy sour cream based dip. Often you can find inspiration in other cultural traditions which make excellent alternatives to the usual wedding hors d’oeuvres. How about Greek stuffed grape leaves instead of pigs in a blanket? A spicy Thai shrimp platter will be full of flavor, but healthier than breaded and fried shrimp. Once you start looking around, you will find that there are actually many ways to “healthify” your wedding menu without sacrificing taste and variety.
We all know that things which are handmade tend to be superior to mass produced or heavily processed ones, whether you are talking about wedding jewelry or wedding food. Request that your caterer works with as many fresh “whole” ingredients as possible, rather than using foods which come pre-made from a large distributor. Not only will they be less processed and more nutritious, the fresh versions will be more flavorful and enjoyable to eat. Your guests will surely notice the difference and will appreciate all the effort that went into creating a menu which they can enjoy without the usual guilt of overindulgence.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: handmade wedding jewelry, healthy wedding food, wedding food, wedding menu | Comment (0)Outdoor Decorations for Fall and Winter Weddings
The decorations you select for the outside spaces of your wedding are the ones which will create the first impression of your wedding. Whether your guests will view them only briefly as they scurry into a warm church on a frigid December day or will spend the entire celebration surrounded by them at an early autumn outdoor wedding, the exterior decorations are very important. Create a beautiful welcoming design with these ideas for outdoor decorations for fall and winter weddings.
In the autumn, outdoor decorations often take on a rustic flavor. This is great for the diy bride, as they are often easy to assemble. Grand stalks of wheat tied to the columns of a country inn with a russet colored ribbon would be a great way to set the tone for a charming country wedding on an early October afternoon. Line the front steps with baskets of mums in seasonal colors for a gorgeous burst of color. The baskets of flowers can be re-purposed as table decorations for the post-wedding brunch the following day, or simply transport them to your home to decorate your own porch or yard after the wedding. These decorations would be very much in keeping with the taste of a bride who likes a simple silk shantung gown and handmade wedding jewelry.
Wreaths are stunning decorations for doors, trees, even the broad side of a barn. The marvelous thing about a wreath is that you can create a nearly infinite variety of styles using the same basic form. For an elegant wedding during the Christmas season, adorn the church doors with a pair of square wreaths made from boxwood. Tie on wide white satin bows with extra long streamers for a minimalist chic effect. For a fall celebration, create a rustic wreath from grapevine and berries to hang on the door of a restored barn reception. Add a bow in a cranberry or pine green burlap for a festive touch. Wreaths can also be very feminine, such as a classic round pine wreath decorated with dried white hydrangeas or preserved white magnolia blossoms.
Lighting is an easy way to add drama to the exterior spaces of your wedding. Classic tiny white lights can be used to great effect when hundreds are strung through trees flanking a front door. Or hang small clear glass globes over an entry way filled with flickering white candles. On a snowy day, covered lanterns with ivory candles planted in the snow alongside a walkway would be a beautiful way to brighten up a gray day or icy evening. The special attention you give to decorating the outside of your wedding site will make an incredible first impression.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: fall weddings, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding decorations, winter weddings | Comment (0)Picturesque Fall Wedding Venue Ideas
Nothing says fall wedding quite like a rustic barn in the countryside. Think apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and the glorious colors of fall trees. Play up the rustic charm of a barn wedding with lots of natural decorations. Use hollowed out gourds and pumpkins as centerpiece vessels. Graceful stalks of wheat bundled with satin ribbon make simple but elegant decorations for guest book tables. The bride can wear a dress with a texture that suits the rustic flavor of a barn wedding, such as a slubby silk dupioni gown with handmade wedding jewelry. It is sure to be a wedding that captures all the beauty of autumn perfectly.
An historic inn is another great idea for a fall wedding venue. A charming country inn is a romantic spot to host a wedding ceremony and reception. Look for an inn with lots of personality, such as wide graceful porches, Adirondack chairs on the lawn, and colorful gardens. Line the porch steps with baskets of seasonal mums for a splash of color. Greet your guests with mulled cider, and serve an elegant meal of fresh fall foods like pumpkin risotto and butternut squash. Best of all, the country inn will make a wonderful place to honeymoon.
How about a fall wedding on the side of a mountain? This is a fantastic idea for an early autumn wedding before it gets too cold in the higher elevations. Pick an overlook with a sweeping view of the valley below for the ceremony. The photos will be truly breathtaking. It may get a bit chilly, so in addition to her gorgeous gown and handmade wedding jewelry, the bride will definitely want a cozy wrap for the reception. Plan the wedding to take place when the fall foliage will be at its peak to take advantage of the best that nature has to offer in the autumn. The location will be so stunning that you will need minimal decorations.
Another very picturesque site for an autumn wedding celebration is a vineyard. How beautiful to host a wedding surrounded by lush grapevines full of the fall harvest. Let your celebration include one of the special autumn vintages made by the vineyard. Long family style tables work beautifully for this rustic-chic location. You don’t have to head to Napa or Sonoma for a marvelous vineyard wedding, either. Many states have their own wine-growing regions, with little vineyards which would make ideal wedding venues.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: fall wedding venues, fall weddings, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding venue | Comment (0)Wedding Cakes Inspired by Nature
One of the most special parts of any wedding reception is the cake. Always a showpiece, your cake is the perfect opportunity to express something about yourself or your wedding theme. What could be more lovely for a cake than decorations which mimic the beauty of the great outdoors? These are some wonderful ideas for gorgeous wedding cakes inspired by nature.
Cascades of flowers, either fresh or sugar, are gorgeous when you want to create a more natural design for your wedding cake. The blossoms can be dainty and simple, such as pink rosebuds, or dramatic and elegant, as in handcrafted sugar orchids. Very colorful blossoms are a fantastic way to bring some bright color into your wedding reception in a way that is “safe”. Think multi-colored cascades of pinks, purples, and fuchsias or a sophisticated palette of greens and browns. This is a wonderful way to brighten up your reception while getting your inspiration from nature.
Butterflies are a gorgeous idea for a wedding cake decoration. Their fluttery grace and inherent beauty make them the ideal accent for a bridal cake. You can opt for an understated design with a few yellow butterflies perched daintily on each tier, or go wild with an over-the-top flurry of butterflies in every hue of the rainbow covering the cake. Take your color palette from the rest of your wedding, everything from the flowers to the tablecloths to special handmade wedding jewelry can inform the hues you choose for your butterfly cake. This design works equally well for a wedding with a butterfly theme or one with a special color palette but no particular signature motif.
Forests and trees can also be a wonderful place to get inspired for your wedding cake. Deeper colors in a natural palette work best. This is a good motif for an earthy wedding where the bride wears a non-traditional gown and unique handmade wedding jewelry. A deep rich chocolate cake dragged with a utensil to create a “tree bark” effect would be marvelous for a woodland reception. You can decorate it with fresh flowers in deep colors like purple, or whimsical decorations such as marzipan mushrooms and even tiny fairies. A different approach to a forest inspired cake would be to have the baker handpaint a graceful tree growing up the tiers of the cake. This is an elegant take on the woodsy theme.
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: handmade wedding jewelry, wedding cakes | Comment (0)Pretty Centerpieces for Casual Weddings
Everything about your wedding should flow in harmony. If you are the kind of bride who is most comfortable wearing a simple wedding gown with handmade jewelry, then you will want a very different type of wedding decorations than the bride who is wearing an opulent gown with very elaborately handmade wedding jewelry in a hotel ballroom. Your centerpieces should match your general style, and when your wedding reception is more relaxed, you can have fun with more creative table arrangements.
Gerbera daisies are one of the most popular flowers for casual receptions. Their bright colors and cheerful nature are both celebratory and informal. There are several styles of centerpieces which will work wonderfully with gerbera daisies as the main flower. For long tables, plant a “garden” of the daisies in long containers filled with wheatgrass. Choose either a single color, or a mixture of pink, orange, and yellow flowers. So fun!
Hydrangeas are a perennial wedding flower favorite, and they have the possibility of being made to look very elegant or quite informal. A simple centerpiece idea for an outdoor wedding is to take bunches of hydrangeas and arrange them in pitchers. Find a variety of different pitchers at flea markets to give the table decorations that welcoming homey feeling. These centerpieces are so easy to make that you can pick the flowers from your own yard and quickly drop them into the pitchers.
Potted plants and herbs make wonderful casual centerpieces. Try a mixture of various fresh herbs and flowering plants in a clay pot for a garden wedding. Or choose container plants which are in season for your wedding. Red geraniums or begonias would be very appealing for a summer wedding, or use orange and deep red mums for a rustic fall reception. Put the flowering plants into pretty but informal vessels, such as wicker baskets or painted tin pails. Simply perfect for an informal wedding!
Filed under Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: casual centerpieces, centerpieces, handmade wedding jewelry, wedding flowers | Comment (0)Ideas for Displaying Wedding Favors
The wedding favors you give your guests will make a lasting impression. Make sure it is a great impression by offering thoughtful thank you gifts which are beautifully displayed. These are some great ideas for displaying wedding favors.
Many wedding favors come in small boxes, especially candy. Think about how the gifts can be displayed in a way that ties in with the rest of your wedding. For instance, if you are having an Asian inspired wedding, wrap the boxes in exquisite pieces of patterned origami paper or delicate handmade rice paper. Tie a thin silk cord in a rich red or gold around each box (these are the lucky Chinese wedding colors). To make a real visual impact, stack the beautifully wrapped favor boxes in a pyramid on a specially designated table. Add to the theme by decorating the table with lucky bamboo in pots.
Beach theme weddings are a special category. A destination or beach wedding is so much fun that you will want to enhance the theme whenever you can. For the wedding favors, think about choosing something like a votive candle in a frosted glass holder accented with a silver starfish charm. To display the gifts, create a low wooden tray, fill it with sand or unique smooth sea glass, and nestle the votives inside in neat rows.
Candy bars are one of the most popular wedding favor ideas these days. Think about how you want to arrange the candy for the most attractive display table. For an elegant wedding, use tall clear glass apothecary style footed vases with lids. Take a silver link tag and print the name of each candy on it, then hang it around the neck of the vase. If you were having more of a casual backyard wedding with a simple handmade wedding dress and informal jewelry, opt for a more down to earth style of candy bar. How about tiny galvanized tin pails painted with a gingham check? You can fill the candy bar with your favorite childhood candies or make it extra stylish by choosing only candies in your wedding colors. Of course your guests will need a way to take home all of their sweet treats, so provide them with something like clear Chinese take out containers or clear glassine bags. Put out a stack of customized stickers with your wedding monogram to seal the bags or boxes once they have been filled with loot!
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