Polka Dots and Stripes in Wedding Design

Polka dots and stripes would be particularly great for a spring or summer wedding, as they are often created in color palettes which suit the season. The key to successfully combining the two patterns is to pick one color scheme to use for both. It could be pink and green, yellow and blue, or even orange, pink, and red. As long as you are consistent, it will look great! Dashes of a neutral like white or brown can help to keep your design from spinning out of control.

The bridesmaid dresses are a good place to begin using your polka dot and stripe theme. A very easy way to do it is to use one of the patterns for the bridesmaid dresses and the other as an accent ribbon on their bouquets. When the dresses have a busy print, keep the other details more simple. Single color bouquets will look very nice, and pearl bridesmaid jewelry will complement the colorful dresses.

All of your wedding stationery can carry through the stripe and polka dot pairing. Create stylish invitations by choosing an invitation with a polka dot border to use with envelopes lined in a stripe. Remember that as long as all of the colors match, it will look great together. For the table numbers, pick a coordinating paper with an overall polka dot pattern and print the numbers in a bold font right over the printed background. As long as the ink is dark, the numbers should be very easy to read, and it will be a cute detail.

Speaking of details, your centerpieces should always coordinate with your wedding design theme. There are so many ways to achieve this with stripes and polka dots. One trend right now is to cover boxes with a fabric instead of using standard glass vases. How about a striped fabric for your centerpiece vessels? Then fill with a cheerful arrangement of flowers. If you like, you can even play up the polka dot idea by creating “dots” of flowers. Use blossoms which can be packed together into a very tight ball, such as roses or carnations, and then add small flowers in a contrasting color at regular intervals. For instance, you could create a round arrangement of pink carnations and insert small lime green Kermit mums for the cutest and preppiest pink and green wedding centerpiece ever. It is so cute and original - your guests are sure to love it!

Pearl Bridesmaid Jewelry Gifts

It is customary for the bride to thank her attendants with thoughtful bridesmaid gifts. Jewelry is one of the most popular types of bridesmaid gifts, as it is timeless and also comes in very handy for the wedding. Brides with classic taste will adore all the different styles of lovely pearl bridesmaid jewelry which are available.

These days, the tin cup necklace is one of the most popular styles of bridesmaid jewelry gifts. Also known as the floating pearl or pearl station necklace, the tin cup design features single pearls which are evenly spaced along a fine chain. Brides love tin cup necklaces because they can be personalized in different colors and sizes of pearls, and bridesmaids adore them because they are very wearable. This is one of those gifts that your attendants will find many occasions to wear again after the wedding, which makes the tin cup necklace a particularly thoughtful present.

For brides looking for beautiful pearl bridesmaid jewelry gifts on a tight budget, the single pearl pendant can be ideal. If you want to make it more elegant, consider a pearl with a crystal accent. It won’t add much to the cost, but it certainly will make a statement. A very pretty pendant design is to combine a classic white pearl (round or teardrop) with a colored crystal which matches the bridesmaid dresses.

Of course, necklaces are not the only wonderful option for pearl bridesmaid jewelry gifts. Earrings also make fabulous presents for your attendants, and there are a huge number of styles from which to choose. There are classic pearl studs, simple drops with crystals or rhinestones, and long modern drops as well. Either on their own or as a set with a pearl necklace and coordinating bracelet, you will find it impossible to go wrong with gorgeous pearl earrings as your bridesmaid gifts.

Lush Peonies for Weddings

One of the most gorgeous wedding flowers is the peony. Feminine, gracious, and charming, peonies are one of the favorite flowers for spring brides. These are some ideas on how to incorporate lush peonies into your wedding bouquets and centerpieces.

Peonies work beautifully for round bridal bouquets. Their full and ruffly blooms are ideal when a lush bouquet is the goal. A mass of peonies makes a fabulous wedding bouquet all on its own, or it can be combined with other flowers with a similar shape for a bouquet which looks like it was handpicked from an English garden. Some of the prettiest blooms to combine with peonies are garden roses, sweetpeas, and French tulips.

Peonies are usually seen in pale pink, hot pink, a pinky-red, and white. Pale yellow peonies are also available, as are double peonies, which are two toned. The pinks tend to be the most popular for weddings. They are great for both the bride and her bridesmaids. A pink peony bridesmaid bouquet is perfect for a preppy style bridesmaid dress with the attendants in simple strapless dresses and pearl bridesmaid jewelry. Hot pink peonies are a great contrast to more richly colored bridesmaid dresses such as charcoal, navy, or brown.

There are many fantastic centerpiece designs which are based on peonies. The flowers themselves are so beautiful that they look incredible in even the simplest arrangements. For DIY wedding centerpieces, a lush bunch of peonies in shades of pink can be stuffed into short tin pails or white pitchers. If you prefer a more formal effect, the same flowers would be stunning in a tall footed urn. Just remember that peonies look best when they are packed together to be very full and rich looking.

From garden to ballroom, preppy to romantic, the peony is the perfect flower for so many styles of weddings. Always gorgeous, this luscious spring flower is sure to become one of the favorite things about your wedding decorations.

Perk Up Your Wedding With Polka Dots

There are so many fun ways that you can use pattern to make your wedding more festive. Rather than safe (and potentially boring) solids, why not introduce a cheery pattern to your wedding attire and décor? These are some suggestions on how to perk up your wedding with polka dots.

One fun idea for polka dots is to select dotted bridesmaid dresses. For a classic nautically inspired effect, a white or ivory dot on a navy dress is crisp and fresh; perfect for a seaside wedding. The timeless look of pearl bridesmaid jewelry would complete the look beautifully. If your style is more retro, choose a red fabric with medium sized white dots, which have a touch of whimsy. A great cut for this dress would be a strapless style with a red fabric belt.

Polka dots can be used in many ways throughout the wedding decorations. They would be wonderful for tablecloths to dress up a plain space. The color combination that you select will help to create the feeling that you want. Black and white polka dotted tablecloths are both chic and vintage, especially when paired with pink flowers in the centerpieces. For a cheerful spring wedding reception, a pale yellow and white polka dot fabric would be a great way to perk up the tables. Or go for a very stylish color palette of pink and brown. The polka dots will help make this sophisticated color pair more upbeat and relaxed.

When you have a great wedding design going, naturally you will want to extend it to your wedding cake. Polka dots are fabulous for a cake, and in fact if you want only one polka dot detail, this could be the place to introduce it. Small white on white Swiss dots are a classic style for a wedding cake. They look simply sweet with “pearl” borders along each tier. If ultra girly is your goal, top the cake with a large frosting bow with streamers that cascade down the tiers of the Swiss dot cake.

There are many more wonderful ways to make your wedding cheery with polka dots. From the invitations to the ribbons on the bouquets, you can have fun using either a little or a lot of this upbeat pattern. One thing is for certain: a polka dot design wedding is one which is going to be very happy and a lot of fun for everyone.

Preppy Bridesmaid Dresses

If you are a bride who loves the classics, then you will have fun planning a wedding with preppy details. From the bouquets to the attire, everything should proclaim your personal style. These are some ideas for the most perfect preppy bridesmaid dresses.

A favorite of preppy brides everywhere are the whimsical designs of Lilly Pulitzer. Always cheerful and bright, Lilly dresses are ideal for less formal bridesmaid dresses. Best of all, your friends will have plenty of chances to wear them after the wedding, since they are not specifically bridesmaid dresses. Lilly’s strapless dresses tend to be the most popular for weddings, as they are a bit dressier than the classic shifts. Slip on a set of pearl bridesmaid jewelry and a cute pair of sandals, and your ‘maids will be picture perfect. A bonus is that you can coordinate the rest of the wedding party with the bridesmaids; there are dresses in matching fabrics for little flower girls and even Lilly print neckties for the men in the bridal party.

If your wedding is a bit dressier, you may prefer to choose bridesmaid dresses that are not so boldly patterned. The first color that springs to mind for preppy bridesmaid dresses is pink, perhaps with a lime green accent. A strapless dress that hits just below the knee would look wonderful in a pink silk shantung (in any season) or silk organza (spring and summer only). Add to the appeal with a cheerful sash at the waist in lime green, or perhaps a silk patterned Vineyard Vines waist sash for a little more flair. White pearls would be timeless and pretty, or you could have custom sets of bridesmaid jewelry created from pretty pink Swarovski pearls. A tin cup necklace style would be perfect for the simplicity of this type of bridesmaid dress.

Most preppy brides and grooms love the water. If your wedding is going to be held at a yacht club or oceanside, think about navy blue bridesmaid dresses. The crisp combination of navy blue and white always looks fresh for a nautical wedding. Navy faille dresses would be marvelous, especially accented with a bit of white piping around the neckline and at the waist. Strapless is always nice, but another neckline that would work very well is a slightly squared scoopneck. The dresses can be long or shorter, depending on the time of day and the formality of your event. The options are really limitless; it is all a matter of selecting the dresses that best suit your bridesmaids and your wedding style.

Wonderful Striped Wedding Attire

Stripes are fresh and crisp, tailored and classic. They can be formal and restrained, as in a pin stripe suit. Stripes can be exuberant when they are done in a rainbow of bright colors. They can be vertical, horizontal, printed or woven, even made from ribbon embellishments. With all this variety, it is no wonder that stripes are one of the best patterns to choose when dressing your wedding party.

You can find some amazing striped dresses for your bridesmaids. The most classic are a two color stripe, woven in a fairly stiff fabric. This looks fantastic for a knee length strapless dress, in any color. If you are having a preppy wedding, pink and green stripes are perfect, especially when paired with pearl bridesmaid jewelry. For summer weddings, you cannot beat the fresh and easy look of seersucker striped bridesmaid dresses, in pink and white or blue and white. The classic elegance of pearl bridesmaid jewelry also looks pretty with this style of dress, and will not compete with the patterned fabric.

For a formal wedding, I love the look of a ball skirt made from wide tonal stripes (which have a very subtle contrast between colors). Rich gold tones created in wide vertical stripes look magnificent and grand. The top of the ensemble can be a fitted strapless or square neck top in a solid color that matches one of the stripes, a cashmere twinset, or even a white wrap blouse in a dressy taffeta. The last style also works beautifully for the mother of the bride or groom.

The men in the wedding will also look handsome in stripes. A very subtle pinstripe or even a chalk stripe suit can be a nice option for a fairly formal wedding which is not black tie. Just be sure that the effect is not overly business like, and avoid double breasted pinstripe styles, which look more mafioso than stylish. A solid suit can be made more interesting with the addition of a striped shirt. This looks especially nice for a summer wedding when the groom and his groomsmen will be wearing linen suits. A pastel striped shirt adds a nice detail to the mix. And of course, don’t forget about dressing up a solid suit and shirt with a boldly striped repp tie.

Even the bride can get into the act. A white on white seersucker stripe would be fresh and beautiful for a spring or summer bridal gown. The detail is very subtle, but so pretty when seen up close. You can also find some wonderful wedding dresses which have horizontal or vertical bands of lace, which creates a striped effect. Pearl bridal jewelry with crystal accents would be a lovely finishing touch, especially if the lace is beaded.

Successfully Combining Patterns in Wedding Decor

Pattern can be a wonderful design element to use in your wedding décor. It can add so much character and personality to a wedding that it should definitely be considered as one of the most important parts of your design scheme. You can take your wedding décor to the next level by learning how to successfully combine patterns for even greater impact.

The key to pairing patterns is to choose ones that complement each other. Most importantly, they should have the same vibe. In other words, if your primary print is a Victorian inspired dusty floral, a bold mod circle design just would not make any sense with it. On the other hand, mix your Victorian floral with a rich tartan and you will have a design scheme worthy of an English country home. As for the mod circles, a wavy stripe print would be the ideal companion.

Beyond matching the basic genre of your prints, you should also take into consideration elements such as color and scale. Two disparate designs can become an intriguing combination if they share the same color palette. Even patterns that more easily combine will benefit from having at least one color in common as a unifying element. For example, if you were having an elegant beach wedding, you could combine a classic blue and white seashell print with a nautical blue, white, and yellow stripe for a lovely effect.

Once you have selected your patterns, it is time to start mixing them. If your wedding is not overly formal, a terrific look is to use two prints on the bridesmaid dresses. A strapless toile dress can be made extra special with the addition of a bias cut stripe stitched on to the hems. When your bridesmaid dresses are fairly busy, stick with simple jewelry like a nice pearl strand. Pearl bridesmaid jewelry makes a wonderful wedding gift from the bride, and it will not compete with a patterned dress. Once you get the hang of it, combining patterns can be really fun, and it is a great way to personalize your wedding.

A Sophisticated Wedding Color Palette

When you are designing your wedding, one of the best places to start is with your color palette. From traditional to modern to eclectic, the colors that you choose will have a major impact on the overall feeling of your wedding. When subtle sophistication is your goal, consider one of the newest colors for wedding, charcoal.

Charcoal may sound a bit drab for a wedding, but when used in combination with a bright color like kiwi or raspberry, it can be understated and yet still festive. It is a color that can be used at any time of the year, as well, making it quite versatile. Charcoal has the advantage of being less harsh than black for brides who like sophisticated colors and design.

There are several ways to use your color palette for your bridesmaids. Their dresses can definitely use your chosen hues in combination. If you can find an attractive print that has your featured colors, great; if not, it is certainly easy enough to select a solid color dress in charcoal and accent it with a sash in kiwi or raspberry. For a lighter more summery look, choose a bridesmaid dress in kiwi or raspberry, and have it trimmed with subtle charcoal piping along the neckline. The final accent is the bridesmaid jewelry. Grey freshwater pearl necklaces and earring would make perfect bridesmaid jewelry gifts to tie in with your color scheme.

The table linens and flowers are another great place to use your wedding colors. Rich charcoal would make an elegant tablecloth, especially when brightened up with centerpieces in shades of raspberry, hot pink, and burgundy. A wonderful flower choice would be orchids, some of which are available in a deep pink and green combination. They would work well with the wedding color palette while adding that extra touch of sophisticated elegance for which orchids are known.The subtle yet bright color combination will add an elegant flair to your wedding.

Customize Your Wedding With a Family Crest

Every couple wants their wedding to be special and unique. A great way to achieve this is by using a personalized detail that is exclusive to you and your wedding. One of the most interesting motifs to use in your wedding is your family crest.

If your family does not have a crest, it is no problem – you can design your own, or have a company custom create one to your specifications. The fun part about about designing your own crest is that you can include symbols that are important to both the bride and groom, instead of using a motif from just one family. There are some great sites online that will walk you through designing an authentic and rich looking family crest.

An ideal setting for a wedding with a family crest being used would be a setting that looks like an old English manor house. Rich wood panelling, as can be found in formal libraries or certain private clubs is the look that you should seek out in a venue. And you can’t go wrong with an old stone church for the ceremony site.

The bride and her attendants should be dressed formally for this type of wedding. It would be ideal to pick out a color from your family crest to use for the bridesmaid dresses. Rich and serious colors like navy, burgundy, and hunter green would all make excellent choices. Finish off the look with classic pearl bridesmaid jewelry. Not only will pearl bridesmaid jewelry suit the formality of the wedding, but it makes a wonderful gift from the bride.

The crest itself can be used in many places. Of course you will want it on the top of your wedding invitations. It would be fantastic to have a large one created that can be hung on the church doors, or in a prominent spot in the reception venue. Your crest can also be printed on napkins and favor boxes. For a truly regal touch, have your family crest embroidered on the bride and groom’s seat covers at the reception.

A family crest is one of those details that will set your wedding apart. It is an unexpected detail that will make your wedding feel rich in tradition. Whether you have a crest that has been used in your family for generations, or you plan to create a new one to symbolize your new family, it is a wonderful way to personalize your wedding.

Selecting Readings for Your Wedding

One of the most meaningful parts of the wedding ceremony is the readings. It is a chance for the bride and groom to personalize their wedding, so you will want to choose the passages carefully. You can also invite a close friend or family member to do a reading, which is quite an honor.

In many wedding ceremonies, the couple will follow a fairly standard format. If you are having a religious service, your readings might well be your only chance to put anything of yourself into the ceremony. In many churches, you will be given a list of suggested readings, which are usually Biblical passages. The bride and groom will then get the chance to select the two of them that they feel best suit them and their relationship.

If you have the freedom to choose your own readings, it can be both a great opportunity and a bit overwhelming. Where to begin? Well, the idea is to have the reading reflect something about you as a couple. It could be a poem that you both love, or a passage from a book. You could choose words or a story that will tell the guests something about your relationship. If you are stumped, try looking at a book of classic love letters or romantic poems.

When you are having a small wedding, it can be wonderful to invite all of the guests to participate in the readings. You can pass out sections from a poem, and ask each guest to read a line in turn. You can also try a call and response reading, where the officiant leads the way, and the assembled guests read a response. It is very meaningful to have the guests take part in your wedding.

Although it is not mandatory, it might be nice to give your reader a small gift of thanks. For instance, if you are giving pearl bridesmaid jewelry to your attendants, then while you are shopping, you could pick up a little something for your readers. The gift could be similar to the one you give your attendants, but perhaps done on a smaller scale. So if you have chosen complete sets of bridesmaid jewelry for your attendants, you might give your reader a simple pearl pendant.

Give yourself plenty of time to select the readings for your wedding ceremony. The readings are a part of the wedding that the bride and groom should definitely decide on together. It is a nice time to reflect on yourselves as a couple, as well as on your upcoming marriage.