Planning a Weekend of Wedding Events
For a Saturday wedding, the wedding weekend will likely begin on a Thursday. This is the ideal time for the bride to host a ladies’ luncheon, a lunch which she gives to show her appreciation for her bridesmaids. During the luncheon, the bride will give out the pearl earrings, or whatever gift she selected for her bridesmaids. The ladies’ luncheon is typically held in a nice restaurant, since the last thing the bride needs to be doing the week of her wedding is cooking and hosting a party at her house!
Friday is when things really ramp up. A trip to the beauty salon is usually the first order of business for the ladies in the wedding. This can be a really fun time for the bride, her bridesmaids, and the moms to bond over manis and pedis (and maybe a few Champagne cocktails, if the spa is really posh!). Friday afternoon is the usual time for the wedding rehearsal, and it is important that all hands are on deck for this event. Some couples like to line up an activity to entertain their out-of-town guests on Friday who will not be attending the rehearsal. A sight-seeing tour or trip to a local attraction like a vineyard would be a good choice.
Friday night is the traditional time for the rehearsal dinner. In recent years, some couples have opted to host a wedding welcome dinner instead of a rehearsal dinner. The difference is that the welcome dinner is open to everyone, which can make a lot of sense if a large percentage of your wedding guests will be out-of-towners. The rehearsal dinner or welcome dinner can be as formal or informal as you like. You could rent a yacht and serve a five star meal or have a picnic in a neighborhood park; there is no right or wrong. The only rule of thumb is that you don’t want to have a rehearsal dinner which is more lavish than the wedding reception!
On Saturday will come the wedding ceremony and reception, of course, but that is not all. For ceremonies with a 4pm start time or later, it has become very popular to arrange a group activity to keep people entertained before the wedding. The golf tournament is a particular favorite, although you could choose any activities which you think your friends and family would enjoy. The comes the wedding itself, which is of course, the main event of the weekend.
The final thing to add to your wedding weekend is a post-wedding brunch on Sunday morning. This is always a fun and relaxed event, where guests can see the newlyweds one more time before they head off on their honeymoon. It is really just a great way to cap off a wonderful weekend of wedding fun.
Filed under Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: Bridesmaid Gifts, pearl earrings, post wedding brunch, rehearsal dinner, wedding parties, wedding weekend | Comment (0)The Post-Wedding Brunch
As the wedding day has morphed into the wedding weekend, one event that has become quite popular is the post-wedding brunch. Although some brides may cringe at the idea of another event to organize and some guests feel like enough is enough already, personally I love the brunch the day after the wedding. It gives everyone a chance to visit a little more before heading out of town, and besides, who doesn’t love brunch? This is what you need to know about planning a post-wedding brunch.
First of all, the bride does not have to be the one to plan a day-after brunch. Her parents could host it, the groom’s parents could host, or even a grandparent could organize the brunch in honor of the newlyweds. Second of all, the post-wedding brunch does not need to be a fancy event at all. By far the easiest way to do it is to book a private dining room in the hotel where most of the guests are staying. Don’t worry about fancy flowers or custom linens; this is not the wedding, after all, just brunch. As long as it is a nice hotel (or restaurant, if you prefer), whatever they provide in the way of decorations will be absolutely fine.
The purpose of having another get-together the day after the wedding is to give everyone one more chance to see each other, which can be wonderful for families who are far-flung. One or two days just isn’t enough time if you only get the whole group together for weddings and holidays. The brunch serves one very other important role: it is always fun to gossip about a great party the next day! This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to rehash the excitement of the day before while it is still fresh in their minds. For the bride and groom, this is the time to get the real scoop on all the interesting things that happened at their wedding – so fun!
While the post-wedding brunch need not be formal, the newlyweds should still make an effort to look good. Match your attire to the setting. For a country inn, a cashmere sweater, tweed skirt, and pearl earrings is a polished brunch outfit. In the summer, a pretty sundress with a tin cup necklace and pearl earrings would be just right. Around the holidays, even daytime parties like brunches tend to be dressier, so step it up a notch with a beaded sweater set and a knee length velvet skirt or a silk wrap dress. After all, your post-wedding brunch is your first chance to make a great impression as newlyweds!
Filed under Uncategorized, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: pearl earrings, post wedding brunch, wedding parties | Comment (0)Pretty Purple Bouquets for Summer Brides
Summer is a wonderful time to be a bride, especially if you love flowers. Purple is an especially lovely color for your bridal bouquet, and there are so many gorgeous possibilities, from informal to elegant to romantic. These are some ideas for pretty purple bouquets for summer brides.
For a casual outdoor wedding in a meadow, a simple cluster of blossoms with a wildflower feeling would be just right. Perhaps better known as fall blossoms because they are very hardy into the autumn, purple asters and mums are great choices for summer brides. Mums and asters come in a lovely array of shades of purple, ranging from cool lavender to bright purple-pink, as well as deeper shades. Mixing and matching a few different tones and sizes of mums and asters will achieve the best effect in a wildflower bouquet. Some types of mums have yellow centers; a cheery yellow plaid ribbon would make an adorable bouquet wrap with the purple flowers for a charming country style.
There are many summer flowers which are very romantic. If you are the sort of bride who loves lace, pearl earrings, and vintage-inspired details, you will adore the purple blossoms of summer for your bouquet. A large cascading bouquet of fragrant purple freesia, lavender roses, and mini-irises would have just the right feeling of old-fashioned charm. For a very special bouquet wrap, try finding a spool of vintage moire ribbon, and create trailing streamers.
Roses are one of the most traditional wedding flowers for any time of the year, and they are an excellent choice for summer, as they take the heat well. Purple roses can be found in a beautiful array of shades, such as silvery-lilac Sterling roses, deep purple, and pinkish-purple. A spectacular design for roses is a “composite” bouquet, in which many, many petals are used to create the look of one giant flower. Surround with a ruff of deep green hosta leaves for contrast, and you will have a truly remarkable bouquet for your wedding.
There are other purple flowers which would make lovely additions to a summer wedding. Exotic orchids come in virtually every color under the sun, including shades of purple. The relaxing scent of lavender would be a great touch of aromatherapy to include in any purple-based bridal bouquet. Fragrant herbs are traditional among Scandinavian brides. You may also wish to consider lisianthus (which look similar to roses but are more affordable) and calla lilies, which are grown in pretty purple hues. One thing is for certain, whatever the style of your summer wedding, there are sure to be purple flowers which suit your taste perfectly.
Filed under Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: pearl earrings, purple bouquets, purple summer bouquets, purple wedding flowers, summer bouquets | Comment (0)Wedding Cake Flavors
Naturally the best flavor for your wedding cake is your favorite one. At the same time, it is helpful to keep the style of the wedding in mind and to try to select a dessert which complements it. The most traditional flavor is the classic white buttercream cake. If you are a fan of traditional wedding elements like roses, lace, and pearl earrings, this would be an ideal cake for your reception. You can always think about adding a layer of jam or cream to your white cake. Flavored buttercream, such as raspberry or mocha, will be delicious yet subtle. A jam or fresh fruit filling (lemon curd, anyone?) will be bolder in taste.
Chocolate is another top flavor for wedding cakes. Rich dark chocolate is definitely a top choice when the groom has a vote, and many brides like it as well. It is particularly good for a fall or winter cake, as the sweet ending to a rich meal. Frost it with chocolate icing for a doubly good taste. In the summer, an all chocolate confection can seem a bit heavy; if that is your flavor of choice, use a lighter white frosting to tone down the richness a bit. Not that anyone is going to complain about a chocolate cake, no matter what the season!
Fruit flavors can be light and refreshing for warm weather receptions. Try a lemon-infused confection for a July wedding. Or choose a tart and lively key lime flavor, which would be especially great for a Florida event. To infuse your cake with a tropical flair, choose a coconut frosting over key lime – you can bet that everyone will be coming back for seconds! Shaved coconut will look great as the main cake decoration.
Red velvet is fast becoming a favorite of brides and grooms. It is especially popular with Southern brides, as a nod to their roots, but it is also loved by couples nationwide for the signature red hue. A sweet moist flavor with a bit of cocoa, this is a great option for any time of the year. In the spring or summer, choose a white buttercream frosting or go with a rich chocolate frosting in the fall to enhance the cocoa in the cake. The best part about choosing your wedding cake is that in the end, there is no real wrong answer – after all, everyone loves cake!
Filed under Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: chocolate wedding cakes, pearl earrings, wedding cake | Comment (0)Bridal 911 Kits
Just like a Boy Scout, every bride needs to be prepared in case of emergency. This is what to include in your bridal 911 kit…
Don’t let anything ruin your special day! Be sure that your bridal emergency kit is well stocked with painkillers, chewable tablets for upset stomach, and Immodium for more serious cases. Having a spring wedding? Add some non-drowsy allergy medication to your kit in case you or one of your bridesmaids comes down with a sudden case of the sneezes.
It is always wise to buy a bottle of the nail polish used for your manicure in case you need to touch up a last minute chip before heading down the aisle. Speaking of nail polish, a bottle of clear is useful to keep on hand to put a halt to runs in stockings. Facial blotting cloths are great to have on hand to deal with a shiny nose without adding an extra layer of makeup.
Sometimes the wedding crisis involves the bridal gown, and there are some very handy things to help deal with that type of problem. An instant stain removing wipe can be a lifesaver if you get a lipstick smudge on your gown. Sometimes smudges of dirt can be literally erased with a standard pencil eraser. Choose one that is white, since the pink kind can leave pink dust behind on the dress. A little piece of eraser can also serve as a spare earring back, should you lose the backing from one of your pearl earrings right before walking down the aisle.
There are an infinite number of uses for safety pins, and every wedding emergency kit should contain them in several sizes. The tiny brass ones are great for pinning shut a blouse which has lost a button. Standard sized safety pins can be used as a quick fix on a fallen hem. The bigger safety pins come in very handy if the ties pull out of the bustle. The other sewing supply that every bride should have on hand is a few needles and thread to match her gown and the color of the bridesmaid dresses.
The chances are that you will not need very many of the supplies which you pack in your wedding 911 kit, which is a good thing. But for those one or two items which are needed at the last minute, having them close by will be invaluable.
Filed under Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: bridal 911 kits, pearl earrings, wedding emergency kit | Comment (0)Casual Chic Rehearsal Dinners
The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful opportunity for the family of the bride and groom to come together the day before the wedding. A relaxed atmosphere is often best, as it allows everyone a chance to mix and mingle before the big day. Take a look at these great ideas for casual chic rehearsal dinners.
For a spring rehearsal dinner, a really cute decoration would be small white ceramic flower pots with handpainted polka dots in lime, pink, yellow, and lilac. Any combination of the colors would work, or select one favorite to use throughout the room. Fill the diminutive pots with flowering bulbs like mini daffodils or hyacinth. Very sweet, but not too formal, perfect for a casual chic rehearsal dinner.
In the summertime, decoration options abound. For a rehearsal dinner at the beach, why not skip flowers and place hurricane lanterns in piles of sand with a few shells on each table? Another idea is to place a bunch of freshly snipped flowers in a casual vessel, such as peonies in a pitcher or hydrangeas in a galvanized tin pail. The elegant flowers and the informal vases will help to create the desired atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Serve great food, like a crab or lobster boil on the beach, along with fresh ears of corn. The food is not fancy, but it is festive, which is ideal.
In the autumn, create a casual chic rehearsal dinner with colorful mums in wicker baskets. Hearty comfort foods prepared well will be crowd favorites. Things like homemade mac-n-cheese and apple pie would be big hits for the dinner menu. In the winter months, create a casual chic party with white branches instead of flowers for the table decorations. Hot cocoa with fresh marshmallows would be a terrific after dinner drink to serve.
Finally, always remember that the bride and groom set the tone for the rehearsal dinner. The bride should definitely wear a cute dress, even if the location is very casual. A white knee length sundress with a simple pair of pearl earrings would be lovely for a warm weather party. In the cooler months, if a dress felt like too much, the bride could choose to wear a beautiful cashmere sweater with a pencil skirt and stylish boots, along with her pearl earrings and a few charm bracelets. As for the groom, he can skip the tie if he wants, but it would look nice to wear a jacket for at least the beginning of the party. With the bride and groom looking so stylish, it will surely be a casual chic rehearsal dinner to remember!
Filed under Uncategorized, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: pearl earrings, rehearsal dinner decorations, rehearsal dinners | Comment (0)Dos and Don’ts of Church Wedding Ceremonies
To get you started on planning the perfect wedding, take a look at the dos and don’ts of a church wedding ceremony.
Do: Dress appropriately. The exact definition of proper wedding attire will vary a bit from one house of worship to the next, so always consult with your officiant before purchasing a bridal gown. In general, a wedding gown for a church ceremony should err on the side of modesty. Stick with classic styles and timeless jewelry such as pearl earrings. If you want to indulge in a sexier wedding gown, change out of your ceremony dress and pearl earrings into a slinky sheath and dramatic drop earrings for the reception.
Don’t: Forget about the size of the aisle when wedding gown shopping. If your church is a tiny chapel with narrow aisles, that voluminous ballgown will be too full to move around in gracefully. On the other hand, a simple A-line bridal gown will be lost in the grandeur of a cathedral, which is why the cathedral length train exists.
Do: Plan to make some sort of donation to the house of worship in which your wedding is held. In some instances, the amount of the donation is entirely voluntary, with typical offerings ranging from a few hundred dollars and up. Large churches like St. Patrick’s Cathedral have set donation fees. Be sure to find out how your church prefers to receive the donation, whether it is in advance or on the day of the event.
Don’t: Worry too much about bringing in a lot of flowers and other decorations for the church. Many are so pretty anyway that a few floral displays on the altar and bows on the ends of the pews are all that is needed. Also keep in mind that there may be seasonal decor already in place for weddings which take place near holidays. Save the majority of your decorating budget for the reception where it will really be needed.
Filed under Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Planning, pearl bridal jewelry | Tags: church weddings, pearl earrings, wedding ceremony | Comment (0)