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.

A Down East Wedding

Whether you are a native of Maine, or have just fallen in love with its beauty on a vacation, Maine can be a great place to have a wedding. There are so many fun elements that you can use to celebrate Maine as you celebrate your marriage. A Down East wedding is sure to be a great time!

Maine is famous for many things, including lobsters, boating, blueberries, and its’ unspoiled forests and mountains. There are countless ways that you can incorporate the best of Maine into your wedding plans. All you have to do is to pick one or two motifs that you can incorporate throughout your wedding scheme.

A great place to start is with the famous Maine lobster. This makes a great motif that you can use in many ways. To set the tone, choose wedding invitations with lobsters on them. For an informal wedding, you could use stationary with a large red lobster; if your style is more formal, then an understated gold engraved lobster would be nice on the top of the invitation.

For attire, the men can wear navy blazers with khakis. Of course they will want to wear navy ties with tiny red lobsters on them! The bride should look for a simple and elegant gown to coordinate with the informal attire worn by the men. A strapless gown with pearl bridal jewelry would strike just the right note. Make sure that your bridesmaids are equally well-turned out by giving them gifts of pearl bridal jewelry to wear, as well.

Couples who want to go with a nautical Maine theme will find countless options. A sailboat motif is one great idea; another would be a nautical map or ship’s wheel motif. These graphic designs will work very well on everything from invitations and place cards to the favors and even the wedding cake. To really bring a nautical theme to life, look for a reception venue that is near the ocean. A yacht club or an outdoor setting near the water’s edge would both be good choices.

Whichever way you decide to express it, you can’t beat the charm of a Down East wedding. The great state of Maine has so much to offer. It is up to you to pick the perfect Maine theme to create a wedding that your guests will never forget.

An All-Ivory Wedding

One of the most elegant themes that you can choose for your wedding is all-ivory. Perfect for a formal affair, this look is very elegant. Decorating your wedding with shades of ivory is a wonderful, traditional wedding design.

If you decide on ivory gowns for your bridesmaids, it would be nice to let them choose their own style, just to add some variety and visual interest to the wedding party. Naturally, for an all-ivory wedding, you will want your attendants to wear pearl bridesmaid jewelry. Many women will already own some basic pearls, but you may want to choose a special piece of pearl bridesmaid jewelry that you can give them as a gift to wear for your wedding.

If you are a bride who loves the classics, it will be very easy for you to design an all-ivory wedding. Many beloved wedding flowers, such as roses, tulips, and lilies, will be available to you. When you are working with a monochromatic color scheme, you will want to add interest by using a variety of textures or subtle patterns. For instance, you could set the tables with ivory linens in a brocade design.

There are many ways to use an ivory color palette in a less traditional way, as well. One of the really fun accents that a bride can choose is feathers. Feathers can be used in the most remarkable way, and the classic ivory color will make sure that they read as texture, not as anything too over-the-top. An innovative florist can also do amazing things with feathers in the bouquets and centerpieces.

Another idea for an all-ivory wedding design is to focus on candles - lots and lots of candles. You can have flickering votives in glass holders suspended from branches as your centerpieces. Use lots of pillar candles in varying heights and textures on the tables around your centerpieces to add to the effect. All of that glowing candlelight would be ideal for an evening wedding.

An all-ivory wedding is one of the most elegant looks that you can choose. It will turn any reception site into a beautiful bridal wonderland. Best of all, the limited color palette will allow all of the attention to be focused on the bride – right where it belongs!