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Wedding Planning Checklist For Your Photographer

April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

wedding photographyAfter the wedding is over, the photos are what would be left to remind you of every beautiful thing that happened that day. It’s a must to hire talented, efficient and reliable photographers who will be able to capture all the significant shots and priceless moments at the right time. But you have to know that even the most talented photographer can make mistakes from time to time. So to avoid any unfortunate missed shots, it would be a good idea to equip him with a photography checklist. Just clarify that it’s only a guide to assist him and that it’s not set in gold so that the list will not hamper his creativity.

The VIP list

These are the people who need to be in the photos. If any of these people have been missed, there would surely be a big issue. Take the time to introduce both your side and your groom’s side to the photographer so he knows who is who.

Bride’s side:
•    Mother of the Bride
•    Father of the Bride
•    Stepmother or Stepfather
•    Grandmothers
•    Grandfathers
•    Sisters
•    Brothers
•    Stepsisters
•    Stepbrothers

Groom’s side:
•    Mother of the Groom
•    Father of the Groom
•    Stepmother or Stepfather
•    Grandmothers
•    Grandfathers
•    Sisters
•    Brothers
•    Stepsisters
•    Stepbrothers

Bridal party:
•    Maid of Honor
•    Best Man
•    Bridesmaids
•    Groomsmen
•    Flower Girl
•    Ring Bearer

Now that we’ve covered the VIP list, let’s go to the standard shots, which have been broken down according to specific event.

Pre-ceremony shoot with the groom

Ideally, these shots can be taken at the groom’s house or wherever he is prepping an hour or two before the ceremony.
•    Solo shot, close up and full length
•    With the mother
•    With the father
•    With both parents
•    With the bestman
•    With the groomsmen
•    With the ringbearer
•    Solo shot while checking the tie or finishing up
•    Candid shots
•    Groom’s apparel including boutonniere, tux, cologne, shoes and so on

Pre-ceremony shoot with the bride

While the bride is getting ready, the photographer can drop by and take photos of her preparation.
•    Solo shot, close up and full length
•    With the mother
•    With the father
•    With both parents
•    With other family members
•    With maid of honor
•    With bridesmaids
•    With flower girls
•    While putting on finishing touches
•    While adjusting garter
•    While putting on the shoes
•    Bridal gown, bouquet, makeup, jewelry and so on

Ceremony

At the ceremony, the photographer can be as trigger-happy as he wants to. But make sure he gets the following shots taken:
•    Ushering of the guests
•    Bride’s arrival
•    Processional (Everyone in the processional should have their own photos)
•    Bride’s walk down the aisle
•    Groom waiting at the altar
•    Giving away of the bride to the groom
•    Wedding party members at the altar
•    Kneeling at the altar
•    Exchange of rings
•    Exchange of vows
•    Teary-eyed guests
•    Candid shots
•    Lighting up of unity candles
•    The kiss
•    Signing of marriage license
•    Couple’s photo with the officiant
•    Couple’s photo with family
•    Recessional
•    In front of the church after ceremony
•    Post-ceremony traditions like throwing of flower petals or rice grains
•    Candid shots outside the church

Reception

At the reception, standard happenings, group shots, and other candid events should be captured by the photographer.
•    Receiving line
•    First dance
•    Wedding cake
•    Cutting of the cake
•    Toasting
•    Couple’s photo with guests
•    Candid shots
•    Food or dessert tables
•    Musicians
•    Décor
•    Reception site
•    Table centerpieces
•    Souvenirs/wedding favors
•    Guest book table

Making sure that everything is covered by the photographer can be easier with a comprehensive list like this.

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Top 10 Beach Wedding Ideas for 2012

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

LOVE Plates SetThe wonderful thing about having a beach wedding is that it gives you freedom to be as creative, whimsical, dreamy, romantic and playful as you can. Find that hard to believe? Take a good look at these top 10 beach wedding ideas for this coming year to find out for yourself.

Wedding Favors

  1. Candy pebble favors – Fill up miniature galvanized pails with sweet candy pebble treats. They look like the real thing that the guests might hesitate for one second to gobble up these candies. It would be a good idea to include a note so guests would know right away that they’re for eating. There are plenty of flavors to choose from but the most popular ones are the chocolate-covered dried fruit.
  2. Miniature give-away – Another wonderful idea for wedding souvenirs would be miniature versions of beach items like the flip flops which can come with magnets at the back or a sailboat that can function as a bag tag.

Whimsical Centerpieces

  1. Aquarium centerpiece – A DIY centerpiece that doesn’t require excellent handy skills. For this, you’ll simply need an aquarium bowl. Pour some sand into it and decorate with seashells and star fish. Put water and add some gold fish.
  2. Beach bucket centerpiece – Get a galvanized pail and paint it with shiny colors. Add buttons, seashells and starfish embellishments on the outer surface. Fill it up with tropical fruits like banana, kiwi, mango, and so on.
  3. Carved pineapple centerpiece – Speaking of tropical fruits, the best one to use as a stand-alone centerpiece would be the pineapple, thanks to its visually striking colors and texture. To turn this into a fabulous centerpiece, carve the inside of the pineapple on one side. Then put a votive or tealight candle inside it and light it up. Voila, an instant pineapple lantern centerpiece!

Seating Cards

  1. Keepsake seashell seating cards – Most people use numbers for the seating arrangement. Think of something more creative like using the names of seashells. Have each seashell represent a table and arrange their seating cards this way. Attach the similar seashell to the corresponding seating card.
  2. Parasol seating card – These tiny umbrellas make spectacular seating assignment cards. Put them in a tray filled with sand.

Wedding Bouquet

  1. Flowers of the ocean – Seashells are fondly called the flowers of the ocean. It would be a nice touch to incorporate shells into your wedding bouquet of tropical pink and yellow orchids.

Ceremony Venue

  1. Bean bag seats – Instead of having the guests sit on chairs, why not have them sit on colorful bean bags during the ceremony? After all, the entire event is as laidback as you want it to be.
  2. Luminaries and petals on the aisle – Use flower petals as stand-in for the carpet on the aisle. On the side, decorate it with luminaries to brighten it up as you walk down.
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Unique Beach Wedding Invitations For the Discerning Bride

February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Beach Wedding InvitesThe date of your beach wedding is fast approaching and so far, you have the major parts covered. You already found a caterer, finished the guest list, booked the venue, and shopped for wedding gown and accessories. But wait, what about the small things like the invitations? If you’re a smart bride, you know that the big things are not the only ones that matter. If you want a wedding that’s perfect, you must invest time and energy in picking the best designs for your wedding invites. After all, it’s the sneak peek to your wedding! And you need to make the right first impression. So here are unique beach wedding invitations that even a discerning bride would find beautiful.

Island Adventure

Marriage is an adventure in itself. Many couples who have been married for a long time would tell you that it’s truly one dizzying roller coaster ride. Because of this, it would probably be apt to get an Island Adventure invitation design for your wedding. This is not only to reflect the nature of your wedding celebration but also to symbolize what lies ahead in your future with your spouse-to-be. This frivolous sandal-shaped invitation comes with tropical floral and striped accents. When folded, you can see your first names on the front part. On the left, you can put your choice of quote.  There are five sandal strap ribbon colors for you to choose from. To complete this beach-y invitation are tropical themed enclosures.

Show and Tell

Simple but unique and classy—these are what your guests would immediately think when they receive this wedding invitation. It’s a folded paper version of the Adirondack chair that adds playfulness to your wedding celebration. The Adirondack chair has become one of the symbols of a beach wedding as it illustrates the relaxing and laidback nature of these types of celebrations. It also symbolizes how the event is free from pretenses and uptightness of regular weddings held in traditional venues like halls and ballrooms. The details of the invite are to be printed on the middle part of the chair. Your guests would have fun assembling this invite to transform it into a chair.

Swaying Palms

When you hear the words “beach wedding,” what’s the first thing that you see? Most people would say they see a couple exchanging vows on a beach, under some swaying palms. And it’s true, the seaside is always adorned with these beautiful palm trees. That’s why, this invitation design is truly apt for your beach wedding event. This invite is a formal tea-length card with a pair of embossed palm tree design on top. The details are printed with grayish green ink and the inside of the envelope is also covered with this color.

Picture Paradise

The picture paradise invitation showcases bridal elegance. For one, the wording is printed on a translucent paper that is a lay-over on top of a 4×6 photo of you and your beau. See to it that you choose the best and sweetest photo that you have together. The translucent paper and photo will be tucked into a tropical white base card frame that comes with seashell embossed designs on the middle top and two corners at the bottom part.

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Top 10 Destination Wedding Locations

February 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What would you choose: a big and extravagant wedding near your home with over 500 guests (most of them you barely even know)? Or an intimate one with your closest family and friends in a gorgeous place miles and miles from where you live? If you’re a bride looking for a dreamy and romantic wedding with only very few people to witness it, you’ll probably choose the second option. Now, even if you choose the first one, this list of the most beautiful destination wedding locations around the world might possibly change your mind.

  1. Mauritius, Indian Ocean – If you’re slanted towards having a beach wedding, Mauritius should be on top of your list. This stunning island nation boasts of pristine beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a romantic ambience that you won’t be able to get enough of.
  2. Le Château d’Esclimont, France – Is there anything more romantic than getting married inside a castle? Yes there is! That is if you choose a castle that’s located in the most romantic country in the world. Le Château d’Esclimont can be found just above Paris, the city of love. Its expansive 150 acres of land can be dressed up to be the perfect wedding location for you and your beau.
  3. Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg, South Africa – One look at this grandiose hotel and your heart will jump with joy. It’s surely one of the best locations in South Africa that would give you nothing short of a gorgeous country style wedding with beauteous views of the mountains and the stone and thatch chapel.
  4. Taj Palace, Pichola Lake, Rajasthan, India – Feel like a princess with a royal wedding in Taj Palace in India. This palace is an architectural wonder with its white marble structure that is seemingly floating in crystal blue water. Here is where you’ll find the Lake Palace, which has been hailed numerous times as one of the world’s most romantic hotels.
  5. Bermuda – The pink sand beaches in Bermuda are like no other. Even though it’s just a few hours of flight from the US, you’d feel like you’re stepping into a paradise from a different dimension when you arrive in this place.
  6. Maui, Hawaii – Many brides dream of having a Hawaiian wedding. And undeniably, one of the best locations here in the sun kissed island of Maui. Out of the thousand beaches in this island, Kapalua Beach stands out. The lovely stretch of sand as well as the magnificent marine life are just few of the many things to love about this place.
  7. Dalhousie Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland – Just thinking about having a Scottish wedding is enough to make your heart skip a beat. What if you’re going to make this dream a reality by tying the knot in the splendid Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh?
  8. Venice, Italy – The gondolas in Venice have been a popular tourist attraction for many years. But it can also be a wonderful location for your wedding if you want something that’s beyond extraordinary. Say your I do’s while you traverse the fascinating canals of this romantic city.
  9. Mykonos, Greece – This is a part in Greece that’s not all about the ancient ruins. Here is where you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Paradise Beach. It’s brimming with life and celebration, making it a topnotch location for your destination wedding.
  10. Phuket, Thailand – It’s quite hard to pick a beach in Phuket to hold a destination beach wedding. To make things easier for you, pick Kata Beach located along the west coast. You’ll enjoy the calm waters, peaceful ambience and awe-inspiring views.
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Top 16 Beach Wedding Locations In The World

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Some brides can only go as far as imagining themselves walking down the sandy aisle on a gorgeous beach. You’re lucky. You get to do it for real. So don’t waste this opportunity and make sure that you choose the best location for your beach wedding. Here are the top 20 options to consider.

  1. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii – Some of the best beaches in the world can be found in Hawaii and one of these is the Kapalua Bay, which is nestled between two lava points. Its calm waters make it an ideal wedding location.
  2. Whitehaven, Australia – Whitehaven’s stretch of seven kilometers of pristine white sand provides a mouth-watering backdrop for your beach wedding. It also helps that it’s one of the world’s most isolated coasts.
  3. Tulum Beach, Mexico – This is undeniably the finest beach resort in Mexico. It’s not only the beach that would make you go wow but also the awesome vista of the Mayan pyramid.
  4. Mnemba Lodge, Tanzania – Here is where you’ll find the most visually striking beaches in the African continent. The trip here is quite a challenge for you and your wedding guests but its beauty makes every hard commute worth it.
  5. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii – This beach boasts of having one of the clearest waters that you’ll see in your life. It also has the gorgeous views of small islands called Mokuluas.
  6. Kondoi, Coral beach Okinawa, Japan – Japan may not be the first thing on your mind when you say beach but Okinawa actually has some of the most exquisite beaches the world has seen.
  7. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – Even though Bermuda is going to hit you hard in the pockets, you’ll realize every penny spent would be worth it. It’s certainly the best beach island in the Caribbean.
  8. Anguilla – It won’t be hailed first in the Discovery Channel Travel and Adventure Top 10 World’s Best Beaches of 2005 for nothing. It has everything you need: peace, quiet and jaw-dropping vistas.
  9. Maldives – It’s very rare to find a beach with a combination of modernity, seclusion and beauty. But you’ll find all these in the Maldives beaches.
  10. Fernando De Noronha, Brazil – This one is an archipelago composed of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean.  It’s considered as the most beautiful marine park in the world and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
  11. Las Islas Cíes, Galicia, Spain – Just north of Portugal, you’ll find dramatic pristine national park with a crystal clear sea that shelters a calm lagoon within.
  12. Tayrona national park, Colombia – The moment you lay your eyes on this beach, you’ll fall in love with its turquoise waters, bright white sand, and most of all, the scenic views of virgin rainforest cascading down on the mountainside.
  13. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines – Palawan is dubbed as the Philippine’s Last Frontier. And one of the most elegant beaches in this province is in El Nido. The sandy white beaches and towering marble cliffs are more than enough to meet your expectations.
  14. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania – Zanzibar is truly the gem of the east Africa. Out of its 30 marvelous beaches, the best there is would have to be Nungwi located on the northernmost tip of the island.
  15. Sinclair´s Bay, Caithness – This beach is situated between two 16th century castles that make it a beach wedding location like no other.
  16. Aroa, Aitutaki, One Foot Island, Cook Islands – This hidden paradise welcomes you with extraordinary snorkeling and scuba-diving opportunities that you can do after you exchange vows with your groom.

The list doesn’t end here. Explore more of the world’s most beautiful beaches until you find the perfect place to tie the knot.

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Planning Guide for a Beach Wedding

December 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Planning A Beach WeddingThe romantic sunset, the reverberating sound of the waves, and the soothing touch of the sand—these are just some of the things that make up for a perfect recipe of the ultimate dream wedding. Who would not want to be enveloped in tranquil embrace of the sea? A picturesque beach wedding is any bride’s dream. That dream could be transformed into a reality on that momentous day. To make sure that those dreams stay sunny as it is, there are several factors couples need to look into. A tedious planning for that special day must be considered to avoid any wedding day nightmares.

• Envision your wedding ceremony. The bride should picture herself in her beach wedding. Is she going to wear a long gown or a short one? Is the wedding going to be formal or informal? Will the bridesmaids wear floor-length dresses? These are some of the points that the couple needs to talk over coffee. Usually, brides opt for a tropical wedding get up. That means wearing a gown that is shorter than the traditional gown. You can also opt to wear cocktail length dresses that are made of light fabric. But if the bride still fancies a long traditional gown, she could still go for it. The bride just have to be prepared for the inevitable, the long gown would surely be subjected to wear and tear. In the midst of the sun, sand and water, long gowns will surely show some signs of fabric damage. For the groom, he might want to ditch the black tuxedo, as this will make it unbearable for him to stand the hot sunny beach weather. It is advisable to go light, with shades of beige and white and made of linen and light fabrics.

• Barefoot or not? Couples need to decide if they want to still wear shoes or they want to feel the soothing touch of the sand underneath their feet. If the bride still wants to wear shoes, she has to go for something that has a flat and solid heel. Sandals and cute flip-flops are also fancied to complement the wedding beach attire. Stilettos are a big no-no. Even if these killer shoes can lend an alluring stance to the bride, it would be horrific if the bride would stumble over the uneven surfaces. Or better yet, couples can just go barefoot! It even adds a romantic touch to the already romantic event.

• Decide if you want to have a theme. The invitations, the overall decorations of the venue, as well as the color of the gowns of the entourage all depend on the theme or the motif of the wedding. Couples can choose if they want to go for a formal or a tropical arrangement.

• Ensure guests are happy and comfortable. No one wants grumpy guests in their own wedding. It is vital for the couple to ensure that their guests are comfortable all throughout the ceremony. If the theme of the wedding is formal, guests are expected to wear long silk gowns and high heels. There should be a stable flooring set on top of the sand to ensure that guests would not stumble over each other. If you have disabled guests, also make sure to have proper arrangements to accommodate their needs.

• Morning or evening weddings? Whichever time of the day you are going to say I do’s to each other, it is crucial to keep in mind how much sun gets into your skin, and your guests as well. Morning weddings offer less intense sun and heat. If the ceremony is going to be held in mid-day, there should be enough shade to ensure that that the couple and the guests would not get toasted. Evening weddings are the most popular of all. With the less intense sun and the romantic sunset that awaits the couple and the audience, it surely lends an exhilarating experience.

• Beat the sound of the roaring waves. The reverberating sound of the waves might seem soothing at first, but as the echo goes louder, there are chances that the entire ceremony might not be heard clearly by the audience. Ensuring that there is a sound system with chip microphones for the couple might just do the trick. You definitely would want your guests to hear your wedding vows rather than the loud roaring of the waves.

• Beat dehydration. Beach weddings could get hot, literally that is. Especially if you are hosting a mid-day wedding ceremony. Dehydration can set in even in the most glamorous event. Make sure that water and other non-alcoholic beverages are available on hand for guests.

• Choose a perfect location. Not every part of the beach is ideal to host a wedding ceremony. First things first, have a thorough sit down with your wedding coordinator to choose which area of the beach is best suited to tie you two lovebirds. There are some parts of the beach, which could be teeming with mosquitoes and bugs.

• Mind your weather. This is probably the most important of all. Couples and their coordinator can do a little research on what could be the best time of the day to tie the knot. Your wedding coordinator might also advise you to have an option of an indoor venue just in case of a random rainfall.

Nothing is lovelier than to tie two souls in the sheer of their love. Miss out on some of the details and you might end up having a wedding nightmare instead of a dream wedding.

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Wedding News – TheBridalCoach.ca launches its Wedding Planning Site – PR Web

November 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Wedding Planning Membership Site, TheBridalCoach.ca, Changes the Landscape of the Online Wedding Industry

Canadian brides, for the first time in internet history, can do all of their wedding planning online with certified wedding planners guiding their every step. No longer do modern brides have to search around outdated websites for out-of-date wedding information. The first wedding planning membership site in North America, TheBridalCoach.ca opens its door on November 10th, 2009, combining cutting edge technology with experience and expertise of certified wedding planners.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2009 — The old paradigm is still alive and well on the internet. Bride’s are going online to search for information to help them plan their wedding. What they find is outdated wedding planning checklists, vague promises of wedding solution ebooks, online wedding magazines full of beautiful wedding gown pictures, forums where they can get answers from other brides, and funny YouTube entrance dance wedding videos. But none of this gets them any closer to planning their wedding—mostly it gets them more confused and plants the seeds for bridezillas to emerge.

Wedding Planning Membership Site
Wedding Planning Membership Site
Angela Fiebelkorn states that the membership site offers a unique combination of cutting edge technology and years of wedding planning expertise.

TheBridalCoach.ca is opening its door as a response to this disfunctionality in the online wedding market. It is the first and only wedding planning membership site in North America. Their stated mission is to provide the modern bride and groom one place on the internet to find everything they need to plan their wedding the right way, in a timely manner, with the least effort and from the comfort of their home. This entrepreneurial group of wedding planners is launching its membership site on November 10, 2009, just at the beginning of the wedding planning season for most brides and grooms.

“The launch is a massive internet marketing event,” says Angela Fiebelkorn, wedding planner and CEO of www.TheBridalCoach.ca. “This membership site offers a unique combination of cutting edge technology and years of wedding planning experience and expertise.”

She further states that “a team of certified wedding planners share their collective wisdom in countless short videos that tell the bride and groom what they need to know each step of the way. The membership site has easy to follow checklists so the bride can just get things done. Additionally, the bride and groom are assisted by professional wedding planners and coaches in the members’ forum and through the weekly coaching calls. They can access these planners at any time for a prompt answer, and all this from the comfort of their home—and, the cost is a fraction of the cost of hiring a wedding planner.”

Asked why they think that they can do what no one has ever done before, Josef Schinwald, well-known SEO (search engine optimization) and internet marketing expert, and consultant to this project states, “this is going to be a pioneer service changing the paradigm of planning a wedding for many brides- and grooms-to-be. For the launch of the membership site, we are using a product launch formula combined with event marketing which allows us to keep the door open for one week after the countdown to launch on November 10th, culminating in a series of free webinars where prospects can ask question about their wedding or the membership site live in real time on the internet. We are using the power of Twitter where we already have over 10,000 followers, a newsletter mailing list into the thousands, as well as Facebook fan page and group, and other social media marketing channels like wedding news blogs, forums, and social bookmarking communities. We believe our membership site will sell out hours into the launch.”

The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) states that couples spend about 250 hours planning a wedding. Most of that time is spent researching all the options and trying to figure out exactly how they want to put their wedding plans together. TheBridalCoach.ca has a wonderful wedding planning module that involves both the bride and groom in creating their wedding vision together, with the helpful assistance of a series of videos explaining everything they need to know to make informed decisions. The focus of the memberhsip site is to keep the couple action oriented with checklists and coaching so they can arrive at their wedding day relaxed and happy.

Source: Wedding Planning Membership Site, TheBridalCoach.ca, Changes the Landscape of the Online Wedding Industry

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Meal Ideas for your Beach Wedding Reception

October 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
SEAFOOD SALAT

SEAFOOD SALAT

You must have noticed once in a while that when you are at the beach, eating is so pleasurable that even those foods you normally eat at home are a lot more delectable when eaten by the beach side? The relaxing ambiance of the beach and the wonderful scent of the ocean surely have an appetizing appeal. Because of this, you do not have much to worry about serving the most expensive and extravagant kinds of food that would satisfy your guests.

But of course, you would still want to serve foods that are scrumptious and delightful so that they would have a grand time during your special day. To help you, here are some lip-smacking ideas to consider for your beach wedding reception.

Grilled seafood and barbecues are the staple food at the beach. You can choose among a wide variety of seafood such as crabs, fish, shrimps, lobsters, squids, and so on. Just remember that there are many ways to cook these delectable items other than grilling. If you want something a little exotic and if most of your guests are on the daring side, you can include seaweeds, shells, oysters, and other edible sea creatures.

SEAFOOD For Your Beach Wedding

SEAFOOD For Your Beach Wedding

Now, since seafood is not loved by everyone, you can include safe choices like barbecues, grilled burgers, grilled sausages, and grilled hotdogs. Aside from the main courses, you also have to think of the appetizers and the desserts. Sushi, a popular Japanese dish, would be a nice addition to your set of beach meals. It would even be superb if you can have a sushi chef for people to see the sushi being made.

For the desserts, have tropical fruits arranged in wicker baskets, lined up along the buffet table. The color and variety of the fruits can also be a nice way to decorate the table. Popsicles, smoothies, or sorbet cones are also ideal for dessert and beverages.

Other terrific suggestions for beach meals include:

  1. Tuna, cheese and onion wrapped in pita bread
  2. Shanghai rolls with a sweet chili dip
  3. Vegetables grilled in skewers
  4. Roasted tomatoes and garlic aioli
  5. Tapas like squid calamari or shrimp tempura
  6. Smoked bacon with curried honey
  7. Roasted chicken
  8. Shrimp mango salad
  9. Shrimps with tomato or mango salsa
  10. Nachos with beef, cheese, tomato salsa, garlic sauce and white onions
  11. Cheesy garlic mushrooms
  12. Crabcakes
  13. Fruit cocktails or fruit salad
  14. Tropic fruits on skewers
SEAFOOD PASTA

SEAFOOD PASTA

Serving Food Beach-Style

The way you serve the food will also play a role in completing the beach meals. You can have the caterer serve food in bamboo or basket types of serving trays instead of the usual food warmers. If you want to take it a notch higher, instead of having guests eat on plates, they can eat on banana leaves. Do not forget to incorporate the beach theme in the napkins, tablecloths, table centerpieces and cups.

All these foods are so delicious that it makes you want to start eating them right away. Your guests would surely have a splendid time during your beach reception with all these delectable food feasts you intend to prepare for them.

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Adorable Ideas for a Blue Wedding Theme

October 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Blue Wedding Theme

Blue Wedding Theme

Something blue—weddings always need to have something blue on it. But blue is such a wonderful color, why not make a whole wedding theme out of it? A blue wedding can be a great way to celebrate a couple’s union. This kind of wedding should not be in any way associated with the emotion of feeling blue. In fact, a blue wedding can be such a joyous occasion that many couples are considering this kind of wedding. Truly, blue is such a refreshing color that is fantastic to use for weddings. In this article, you will find a collection of ideas that you can use for a blue-tiful wedding celebration.

  1. Use the blue sky or the blue ocean as your backdrop. There is probably no better way to decorate a blue wedding than to have naturally beautiful blue elements such as the sky and the sea. Of course, if you are going to hold the wedding indoors, the next best thing would be to recreate this kind of scenery with a printed tarpaulin and use that to decorate the wedding event.
  2. Choose a venue that has nice bright walls. Dark colored walls are a major no-no for blue weddings since blue clashes with dark colors.
  3. Spread blue all over. From the bride’s bouquet, to the tablecloth to the decoration and accessories, make sure that you can see a touch of this shade all over the wedding.
  4. Use blue against white for a striking contrast. For example, for the table decoration, you can use a white tablecloth and white plates then put on blue napkins, and blue flower centerpieces for a stunning effect.
  5. Give away blue invitations. Invitations can be printed on blue vellum paper with white text so that the details will stand out and can easily be read. Alternatively, you may use another color for the invitation like white or cream and then blue for the text. Do not forget to tie with a blue satin ribbon for a nice touch.
  6. Have a blue-tiered wedding cake with white or brown fondant icing decorations. Another option is to have a cupcake tower made of blue mini cupcakes adorned with lacey icing and chocolate sprinkles.
  7. The bride is not required to wear a blue wedding gown but she may if that is what she wants. However, if she is going to be on a white gown, she can just add something blue to wear as an accessory.
  8. Serve guests with a welcome drink ideal for a blue wedding like a blue lagoon. This drink can certainly complement the theme of the event. To make a blue lagoon, fill a glass with 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Blue Curacao and lemonade. Stir well and fill with ice. Serve with a slice of orange as garnish.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event and you would want it to be as perfect as possible. Having a blue wedding can be a terrific way to celebrate your exchange of vows in a unique and special way.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections, Wedding Themes Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Jaime Pressly Marries in Lovely Vintage Wedding

October 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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Meet the new Mr. and Mrs. Singh! My Name is Earl star Jaime Pressly wed entertainment lawyer Dezi James in a beautiful outdoor wedding on Saturday evening.

Guest gathered at Dick Clark’s 12-acre Malibu estate for the day’s events, which is on a bluff with a breathtaking ocean view (Adam Sandler) also got married there!). The bride wore two lovely dresses by British designer Jenny Packham – a long sexy ivory silk gown embellished with more than 800,000 Swarvoski crystals, sequins, and glass beads, and a plunging V-neck for the ceremony, and an open-backed, 40’s inspired cocktail dress for the reception. (We love the wardrobe change Jaime!) She paired her two fabulous looks with a crystal headpiece from Acacia and birdcage veil. All ten of her bridesmaids walked down the aisle in silver one-shouldered dresses, also by Packham. Pressly carried a bouquet of pink and white roses (so sweet!), which were also scattered along the aisle courtesy of Floral Art. The bride’s 2-year old son Dezi served as the ring bearer.

The pair hosted an outdoor reception in an open-air tent, where guests sat at circular tables with all white linens, decorated with pink and white floral centerpieces and pillar candles. To complete the vintage-era style, crystal chandeliers were hung from the ceilings. A white four-tier round wedding cake was served for dessert. Sounds like it was a beautiful night! Congrats you two!

Are you having a vintage inspired wedding? Tell us all about it below!

photo: Courtesy of Joe Bussick

RSS news source: celebrityweddingbuzz.com

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The New Wedding Cupcakes? Donuts!

October 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

That’s right. You saw it here first. Donuts are the new wedding cake alternative. Set them up on trays and scatter them around a pretty cake stand. This couple upped the ante by ordering extra-special ones from Dee’s Mini Organic Doughnuts (OrganicDonuts.com) — aka, fresh, all-organic deliciousness.

Photo: Divine Order Photography (DivineOrderPhotography.com/blog)

> Get more creative reception catering ideas!

PS - If you love this idea and happen to live in South Florida, you’re in luck! You can actually rent a mini donut-making machine from a company called Donut Divas (DonutDivas.com) for your wedding — yum!

RSS news source: community.theknot.com

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Exotic Cocktails for your Beach Wedding Receptions

September 23, 2009 By 2 Comments
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Exotic Cocktails

One great thing about beach wedding receptions is its fun and laid back nature. You can let your hair down, walk barefooted on the sand, dance whimsically under the moonlight, and have fun with the wonderful ocean scenery as your backdrop. Another thing that many people love about this is of course, the flavorful cocktails that can truly make you have the time of your life.

For those getting married in a beach setting soon and those who want extra-special and out-of-the-ordinary cocktail drinks for the reception, here are some ideas to keep in mind:

Strawberry Basil Martini – Sweet Tangy Herbal Infusion

This cocktail drink, inspired by Jamie Walker, Global Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin, is the perfect drink for those looking for something that is sweet and tangy with a hint of flavorful herb. To make this, mix 1 oz. gin, 1/4 oz. strawberry liqueur, 1 oz. white cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Add 3 halved strawberries, 3 squeeze of limejuice and 3 basil leaves. Mix it up. Add lots of ice, shake and then double strain and put into a chilled martini glass.

Jamaica Margarita – Reggae-ing to the Max

For this unique drink, you need to have 1 cup of dried hibiscus blossoms placed into a strainer and rinsed. Combine these blossoms with 3 cups of water, and 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain and discard the flowers. Chill the hibiscus mixture and then add to 1 ¼ cups of tequila, ½ cup fresh lime juice and 1/3 cup of any orange flavored liqueur. Garnish the drink with lime slices.

Cranberry Margarita – Tequila with a Twist

Tequila drinks are always great to have in parties. But if you are looking for something different, you would probably love this exciting Cranberry Margarita. To make this, combine 1 and ½ shots Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila, 1 shot cranberry juice cocktail, ¼ cup whole cranberry sauce, ½ shot Cointreau, and ice in a blender. Blend until you get a smooth and frothy mixture. Pour the drink into a margarita glass and garnish with cranberry and lime slices.

Sangria – Drink with a Touch of Delight

For Sangria, you will need to have one bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz) and then pour this into a pitcher. Squeeze in one lemon and one orange, both cut into wedges. Add the wedges but remove the seeds first. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 shot brandy. Chill overnight. Add 2 cups of ginger ale or club soda before serving. You can serve this pre-chilled or with ice. For a touch of delight, you can add in fruits like strawberries, peaches, blueberries or kiwi.

Here are some more tips on how to have fun with the cocktail drinks for your beach wedding reception:

  1. Have a tasting bar that would showcase you and your partner’s favorite cocktail flavors. Offer the drinks in shooters so guests can have a try of the different types.
  2. Ask the guests to try their own flavor and experiment with the drinks with the help of an expert bartender.
  3. Match the signature drinks to the theme of the wedding. For example, the Jamaican cocktail would be perfect for a reggae-inspired theme wedding.

The beach wedding can surely be the perfect way to celebrate your love and union. Make this event complete with servings of exciting exotic cocktails for you and the guests to enjoy.

Also don’t forget to check out our fabulous cocktail favors!

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Wedding Cake Toppers can Make your Guests Laugh Out Loud

September 21, 2009 By 1 Comment

One of the things that you like most about you and your spouse-to-be is that when you are together you just cannot stop laughing. It may be because of the funny incident that happened to you the other day, the joke your partner heard on the radio, or your hilarious quip about the man’s weird shirt.

This wonderful sense of humor that you two have is something that you can share with other people in your wedding through a comical cake topper. This one-of-a-kind cake topper can really add zing and zest to your reception.

If you have no idea about funny cake toppers, here are some of the most hilarious ones that you may want to consider for your wedding cake.

  • And you may now kiss the frog groom…

The cake topper, “Princess Bride Kissing Frog Prince” is a funny take on the frog prince fairy tale. It is the perfect cake topper to tease your handsome groom about him being your own frog prince.

  • Now, who is in charge here?!

The “Bride ‘In-Charge’ Wearing Pants and Groom ‘Not In Charge’ Without” is a hit with many couples, who want to give a humorous touch to husbands who are scared of their wives.

  • Hello? Hello, are you there?

The “Cell Phone Fanatic Bride and Groom” cake topper is a slightly quirky way of showing people how busy the world has become. In fact, even during the wedding event, the bride and groom cannot get their hands off their cell phones! This topper is perfect for the couple who is always busy and hectic.

  • A hole in one!

With the “Golf Fanatic Groom Mix and Match Cake Topper,” you can see the groom holding a club while looking at its watch and wearing a tuxedo. This is perfect to go with the Exasperated Bride with a forlorn look on her face.

  • Shopaholic

In the “Still Shopping Message Mix and Match Cake Topper,” in place of a bride is a little message posted on a pedestal that says that the bride has gone shopping. Another unique and funny cake topper that is suitable for brides who are addicted to shopping.

  • Wild, wild west!

The “Western Lasso Interchangeable Cake Toppers” is a whimsical topper featuring a western bride roping her groom.

  • Pinch like nobody’s watching

The “Love Pinch Bridal Couple” is all about little funny moments that make your love interesting and alive. This cake topper sees the back view of the bride and groom, where the bride is giving a hidden pinch on the groom’s behind.

Tips for Choosing Humorous Cake Toppers

  1. Think about your careers, hobbies, interests, and unique or strange things about your relationship. Reflect any of these through a funny cake topper.
  2. Match the cake topper with the theme. Are you going to hold a golf-wedding event? A groom holding a golf club and an exasperated bride can be the ideal option.
  3. Do not go overboard. Do not choose something that your partner will not like. Sometimes being funny can be offensive.
  4. Choose a cake topper with the same skin tone. There are various kinds of cake toppers with different kinds of skin tones. Make sure you choose something suitable to you and your groom.
  5. Let your imagination fly. There are endless options so make sure you let your creativity shine when choosing a funny cake topper to decorate your wedding cake.

Whether it is a bride choking the groom, a bride out for shopping, or a pinch on your groom’s behind, a funny cake topper can do more than make the guests laugh out loud. Comical cake toppers can make the cake more interesting and the whole reception event unique and more memorable.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections, Wedding Cake Toppers Tagged With: , ,

Tips on Decorating Your Church Wedding

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

You have dreamed of this moment ever since you were a child. Now that the time has finally come, of course you would want everything to be as perfect as possible. However, it is important to know that having an extraordinary wedding is not that easy, as there is a multitude of things to consider and keep in mind.

One of the foremost things that you have to take care of is the decoration of the venue of ceremony. If you and your spouse have decided to hold the wedding ceremony in a church, then you have to decorate it in such a way that it would have a unique and special touch that is distinct to your wedding. Here are some tips on how to decorate the church for your wedding day.

First Things First

  • Inquire about your options – Before you do any decoration planning, you must first visit the church where you intend to get married and talk to the administrator so you will have an idea on what kinds of decoration are allowed.
  • Take note of important details about the venue – Take photos of the parts of the church and jot down essential information such as dimensions of the venue, number of church pews, size of the altar, and so on. This way, decoration planning would be much easier.

The Drawing Board

  • Set a budget – The budget is always a good place to start with the decoration planning, as some brides have the tendency to be carried way with the expenses. Allocate funds for different aspects of the wedding decoration such as the altar, pews, flowers, and aisle.
  • Decide on a unifying theme – The motif color of your wedding should be the color guide for the decoration. You may use other colors as well but be sure that they complement the motif color. As for the style of the decoration, it is best to follow the architectural style of the church.
  • Find a church decorator – For best results, you may want to consider hiring a church decorator for ideas, suggestions, and advice.

The Actual Process

  • Start with the altar – The altar will be the focal point of the whole ceremony so it is best that you reserve for this part the most elaborate and most gorgeous pieces of decoration. One of the best ways to decorate the altar is to adorn it with fresh flowers and beautiful candles. Of course, be careful not to over-do it because you would not want to get married in a forest of flowers or risk a fire hazard with too many candles.
  • Choose an aisle runner – The aisle runner is another important factor since this is where you would walk down. Aisle runners come in various colors but it is ideal to coordinate the color of the aisle runner to the bridal bouquet or the motif color of the wedding. You and your partner may also choose to have a custom-made aisle runner that bears your initials, your names, or your favorite love phrase. To complete the look, you can sprinkle some flower petals along the runner.
  • Decorate the pews – Make the church pews look gorgeous and elegant with floral bouquets, bows, or tulle.
  • Dress the other areas – For the entryway, some of your options include fresh floral arrangement, a floral wreath decoration (on the door), nice potted plants, pomander balls, tulle, and balloons. Balloons can also be used to fill up the ceiling with colors. This kind of decoration is ideal for churches with high ceilings.
  • Light up the church – As for the lighting, you can use candles to create a romantic glow and dreamy atmosphere. You can also utilize LED lights, which are fantastic to use for illuminating a floral centerpiece.

Creating a memorable church wedding decoration may be challenging and demanding, but once you walk down the aisle and you see the wonderful fruits of your labor, you would know that all your efforts are worth it.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections Tagged With:

Jewelry giveaway

September 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Source: http://classicbride.blogspot.com/2009/09/jewelry-giveaway.html


PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is giving away a $2500 fine jewelry rental from Adorn Brides. The winner will be able to rent from an amazing array of fine jewelry for her wedding day by choosing a fancy diamond necklace with almost 8 carats of diamonds with matching diamond earrings and diamond necklaces and earrings for her bridesmaids to wear … and that’s just one of the options! The contest closes on October 31 – and the winner will be selected on November 2nd. Check out all the details here.

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz

Link Love: Sundae Bar, Ring Holders, Escort Cards

September 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Our favorite DIY tutorials from the last week:
1:Fabric swatch escort card display, stylemepretty.com
2:Dandelion ring holders, brideslittlewhitebook.blogspot.com
3:Apple escort card, ritzybee.typepad.com
4:Make your own sundae bar, eatdrinkchic.com

Want to see your own projects featured here? Send links to editors@mydiyweddingday.com

Seating cards, Jenny Smith/Alders Photography; Dandelion ring holders, Katie Stoops/Open Air Photography; escort card, Meg Smith; Sundae bar, Eat Drink Chic

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Source: Mydiyweddingday.com

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Oh, Lighting

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

So lately I’ve been seeing some very beautiful things as I try to gather inspiration for the wedding. In the past I would see pretty things and think, ‘oh that’s nice,’ and now I think, ‘oh that’s nice, how can I incorporate that into our wedding?’ My latest obsession is these lanterns. They are gorgeous and totally impractical. I have no where to put these, and they don’t match any of the colors we’re going with, really. The venue provides tiki torches already, but for some reason I’m lusting after these from Home Infatuation:

color-lanterns

Can you think of any ways I might be able to incorporate these into the wedding? Or can you all use them in your wedding so I can live vicariously through you all ?

Source: http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/04/oh-lighting/

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings

Model Eva Marcille Finally Reveals Some Wedding Details: Dog Tuxedos a Must!

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Model and actress Eva Marcille has finally started talking about her upcoming wedding plans with fiancé Lance Gross. Essence.com sat down with the The Young and the Restless star to talk details. And, it looks like we’ll have to wait until next summer to watch these two beautiful people say “I do” — the bride-to-be says a July 17th, 2010 wedding date has been selected, though not much else.

“I’m still looking for my planner, which is an experience in itself. I want someone who gets my style and can make it happen,” says Marcille.

The couple plan to wed in a catholic ceremony, then host an outdoor reception with a fall theme, and the bride’s pooches will be VIPs on the big day.

“I love my dogs and want them to come to the reception dressed in tuxes. I’m also changing to a second dress as we get ready to party.”

Want to make your canine companion the best dressed best dog ever? We found two sharp doggie tuxedos you’ll love that won’t break the bank: The Dog Tuxedo ($18.95-$26.95) and the Best Man Dog Shirt ($18-$24) from the-petboutique.com are A-list formalwear picks for your big or small dog.

Check out the happy couple’s sexy engagement shoot here.

photo: Arnold Turner/WireImage/Getty Images

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source: http://www.celebrityweddingbuzz.com/celebrity_weddings/2009/09/model-eva-marcille-finally-reveals-some-wedding-details-dog-tuxedos-a-must.html

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John Krasinski and Emily Blunt Engaged (Fans Happy and Sad!)

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
John_krasinski_office_headshotIf you were still getting used to watching The Office cutie Jim Halpert prepare to say “I do”, you’re really going to be hurting now. The New York Daily News reports that the show’s star John Krasinski is engaged in real life to British actress Emily Blunt, after dating for just 10 months.

The couple has been very low-key since they began dating in November 2008, so as you can expect the man who was voted one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive in 2009 had some pretty stunned fans. According to a recent People.com story, his fans were expressing both happiness and disappointment on Twitter when news of the engagement broke. Well, here at CWB we’re happy to see these two attempt to make it work in Hollywood, but sad that we won’t be hearing much about their wedding plans before the big day. Both parties have been very adamant about not wanting to speak about their romantic lives to the press. So, we’ll just have to guess what’s in store for their wedding day, won’t we? We look into our crystal balls and we see a romantic outdoor ceremony and a very glam indoor reception for the pair, with Blunt being a fall or winter bride, and if she learned anything from her time spent as a resident fashionista on the set of The Devil Wears Prada, she’ll probably be donning a gown from one of the top celebrity designers in the business. VeraWang, or Monique Lhuillier maybe? What type of wedding do you think they’ll have? Post your guesses below!

photo: courtesy of NBC.com/The_Office

source: http://www.celebrityweddingbuzz.com/celebrity_weddings/2009/08/john-krasinski-and-emily-blunt-engaged-fans-happy-and-sad.html
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Children and Your Wedding

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Aside from my article on the worst wedding songs, the most strongly opinionated emails I receive are about having children at a wedding. Those with children can’t understand why their precious darlings should be excluded from a ritual that’s about family and community, while those without have images of rug-rats running free, spoiling a romantic and adult occasion. Reader Carol Anne goes even further than that. [Read more...]

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Alyssa Milano Channels Grace Kelly on Her Wedding Day — Get the Details!

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
081709_alyssa_graceActress Alyssa Milano married Hollywood agent David Bugliari Saturday in a nature themed wedding at the groom’s family estate in New Jersey. The traditional ceremony and reception were filled with lovely details we can share with you. Our favorite, being that the bride, in a custom gown by Vera Wang, made her way down the aisle carrying a bouquet of lily of the valley flowers — just like the beautiful Grace Kelly did when she married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956. (What a beautiful bouquet idea, right? So simple, yet so stunning!) The ceremony was held outside, and cream colored rose petals were thrown throughout the aisle leading up to a wrought-iron gazebo adorned with willow, roses, and calla lilies. Milano marched to “Imagine” by John Lennon.

“We wanted a wedding that was reflective of who we are as a couple” Milano told People.

Celebrity planner Colin Cowie was in charge of making their dream wedding come true. We love what he did for their reception: Wooden signs led guests to the cocktail area where they sat on hay bales and rattan furniture. (How fun!) Guests dined family-style on farmhouse tables under a tent. And, did we mentioned that Bradley Cooper, a close friend of the groom, was among the celebrity guests in attendance? This is one celebrity wedding we sure wish we’d have attended — don’t you? Sounds like the pair really pulled off a special day that was fun for all involved. Are you thinking of going the rustic route for your “I dos”? What details do you have planned?

photo: Thomas D. McAvoy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

source: celebrityweddingbuzz.com

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings

Wedding Hairstyle Ideas – Half-Up, Half-Down ‘Dos

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s beauty week at The Knot! To kick it off, check out this gorgeous bride (Sloan in Colorado) and her equally gorgeous ‘do. I can’t get over how effortless and romantic it looks!

>See more than 200 wedding hairstyle pictures.

Photos: Autumn Burke Photography (http://www.autumnburke.com/)

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings

Wedding Reception – Organizing your Wedding Reception Seating Plan

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding reception will be one of the biggest parties you will ever organize and one of the trickiest tasks you will need to complete will be organizing the seating plan.  You may be thinking ‘why do I need a seating plan?’ well, without one, your guests will simply all file into the reception room and mill around wondering where to sit and who with.

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A seating plan will give you greater control over who sits were and with whom so as to avoid any potential conflicts between people who do not get on and also with the aim of creating a happy wedding atmosphere by sitting people together who you are sure do or will get on.  Giving your guests some guidance on where to sit will also speed things up and you will get everyone seated and ready eat in no time at all.

Seating plans are particularly important for a large formal wedding and even if you are not having a sit down meal, you may still have tables set out so a seating plan is still a useful tool for a buffet style reception.  If your wedding is small and intimate then you may find that a seating plan is not necessary and in that case it can be wise to intimate to your guests that it is a ’sit anywhere’ event.

Traditionally, the reception venue will be laid out with a long table at one end of the room, known as the top table, with several smaller square or round tables laid out to one side of the top table.  The aim with the arrangement of the smaller tables is for your guests to be able to see the bride and groom from wherever they are sitting.  Now of course, some of your guests will have their backs to you but make sure there is sufficient space between the tables so they can turn their chairs to you when the speeches and toasts commence.

The tables nearest to the top table are traditionally reserved for the families of the bride and groom and all other guests are then fitted on the remaining tables.  The top table will consist of you and your husband in the center, your mother and father on either side, the groom’s father and mother to one end and the best man and chief bridesmaid to the other end.  There are many variations of the top table, particularly to accommodate parents who are divorced and remarried.  The one constant is that you should both sit in the center and you can organize everyone else in a way that works best for you.

When working out who will sit where it is a good idea to write the names of each guest on pieces of card, followed by a larger card with the table numbers on.  You can then arrange each guest around a table in a configuration which works well for you.  There are some considerations though:

  • Try to sit people of the same age together
  • Avoid placing singles on tables of couples, try to put at least two single people together on a table but avoid any matchmaking!
  • Keep couples and those with children together
  • Try to sit people together whom you think will get on together well

You aim is to try to achieve lively tables where everyone can engage with each other in a friendly and cheerful manner.  Once you have worked out where everyone will sit you can go ahead and have a seating plan board made to display at the entrance to the reception room.

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Beach Wedding Centerpiece Ideas for the Exotic Couple

September 1, 2009 By 1 Comment

Many couples want to have a beautiful, exotic, and romantic wedding that they will remember for the rest of their lives. An exotic beach wedding is the perfect theme for this purpose. The tranquil beach scene coupled with the picturesque sky is truly a stunning backdrop for this momentous occasion. Aside from that, a beach wedding theme is also fun, modern, whimsical, and distinctive.

Some couples who want to go an extra mile beyond the usual beach wedding opt to have an exotic beach wedding ceremony. One of the most important touches to this kind of event is of course, the wedding centerpieces, which add beauty and glamor to the ambiance of the wedding reception.

Ideas for Exotic Beach Wedding Centerpieces

  • Rustic beach lanterns placed on top of a clear plate filled with sand, surrounded with shells and flower petals. This is perfect especially if you are going to hold the wedding reception at night. Make sure you choose a low-wattage light bulb that will not strain the eyes of your guests.
  • Candle inside a tall clear glass wrapped with a thin handmade paper. This is a cheaper alternative to the first centerpiece that will give the same effect but for a lesser cost. Do not forget to tie a blue satin ribbon around the glass to add to the visual interest of the centerpiece.
  • Exotic flower arrangements that do not only look gorgeous and spectacular but smell just as wonderful. You can ask your florist to make arrangements of different kinds of exotic flowers such as orchids, bird of paradise, heliconias, protias, hibiscus, and gingers. Add tropical green foliage for a more stunning effect.
  • Bamboo basket filled with sumptuous exotic and wild fruits. Tropical fruits such as mangoes, jackfruit, melon, pineapple, banana, watermelon and orange make a very colorful centerpiece. Do not forget to have someone inform the guests that these fruits are not only meant as a decoration but also as a delicious sweet treat for the guests.
  • Other ideas include sand, shells, starfish, and sprawled over a piece of driftwood, floating candles on a wide clear vase placed on top of a mirror, and sand castles or various kinds of sand sculpture.

More Tips on Exotic Beach Wedding Centerpieces

  • Complement the centerpiece to the overall look of the wedding.
  • The centerpieces should be just the right size, not too large to intimidate the guests or too small to be noticed.
  • Be wary of using live flower blooms under the strong heat of the sun. Ask your florist techniques on how to protect flowers from wilting and drying.
  • Shield candle centerpieces and sand sculptures since the windy condition at the beach can put out the flames and send sand flying around your guests’ tables.

Some people think that wedding centerpieces are just among the other small details in a wedding but what they do not know is that the wrong kind of centerpiece can ruin the beauty of the event. With the creative ideas and practical tips mentioned above, you will surely have beautiful wedding centerpieces to help make this event a memorable one.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections, Wedding Table Centerpieces Tagged With:

Wedding Day Jewelry For The Bride And Groom

August 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Wedding day jewelry is now for the bride and groom. Wearing attractive wedding day jewelry makes both of you feel more attractive and looks elegant in all your photos and videos.

Your wedding rings are essential wedding day jewelry. During the wedding ceremony, both of you exchange rings when you vow to share your lives together. The exchange of rings is a dramatic, emotional moment. Beautiful wedding rings presented on a luxurious ring pillow add to this wonderful experience.

Wedding rings may include a variety of precious or semi-precious stones but diamonds and cubic zirconia are the most popular choices. Men are opting for wedding rings with diamonds more recently because they can wear them with business suits or when they go out to dinner with their new wife. Durable, handsome choices for men who work with their hands are titanium wedding bands. Other metals used to create wedding rings include gold, gold-plated, platinum and sterling silver.

Brides may choose wedding rings to match the groom or their engagement ring. Wedding rings should suit the size and style of the bride herself. Some brides want a huge, glittering diamond while others prefer a dainty ring with smaller stones. Either way, the wedding ring should be the bride’s preference because she will wear it everywhere.

Grooms may decide to wear other sparkling wedding day jewelry to offset their suit or tuxedo. An eye-catching tie clip and bold cuff links bring a touch of class to the groom’s outfit. Add a gold watch or a pocket watch for a completely dapper groom.

The bride is the center of attention so her jewelry should match her gown, shoes, hairstyle and personal style. You will feel most comfortable wearing wedding day jewelry that reflects your personal preferences. You shop carefully for your dress, shoes, purse and accessories. Jewelry is the ultimate accessory to polish off your look and create a feeling of glamor all around you.

Bridal jewelry often features pearls and diamonds to match the traditional white, ivory or cream-colored dress. Modern brides are adding color to their wedding gown and wedding day jewelry with bold accents including red ruby, blue sapphire and black onyx. Simulated stones are an excellent way to add luxury to your wedding day without breaking your budget. You may even decide to exchange wedding day jewelry as your keepsake gifts to each other.

The bride’s wedding day jewelry may also be a dowry from her family, depending on her culture and background. Families pass down certain wedding day jewelry from generation to generations including elegant necklaces, bracelets, earrings, toe rings and nose rings. A tiara is a luxurious finishing touch to the bride’s  jewelry collection. From dramatic to simple, a tiara shows off that you are a classy bride.

Wedding day jewelry is not just for the bride and groom. Your wedding party will appreciate jewelry as a gift. The groom can give his attendants cuff links, tie clips or watches. A bride can choose a variety of different jewelry pieces to thank her maid of honor and bridesmaids.

When blended families are brought together, often special ceremonies are performed within the wedding ceremony to celebrate the union. Children like to feel reassured they are part of a new family unit after the wedding. A family pin represents a new branch to the family tree that will grow in love.

The wedding officiant formally addresses the children as his presents them with this special jewelry. The leaves of the family pin represent the father, mother and children. All the people are necessary for the family tree to grow and flourish, making it a sign of love and hope for everyone.

The perfect wedding day jewelry makes the occasion magnificently memorable.

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For The Smaller Items On Your Wedding Day

August 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Satin clutches are the perfect choice for you and your wedding attendants to carry down the aisle or to the wedding reception. They are usually available in a wide range of colors to match all of your bridesmaids’ dresses and will look elegant rather than distracting.

Choose sating clutches with snap openings to make them easier to access. This is particularly useful if you are planning to wear gloves because a zipper pull may be difficult to hold onto or tear at your gloves.

Simple evening bags are another great choice for your bridal purses. These elegant bags of simple design will keep all your little items close at hand, such as lipstick, compact, brush, glasses, or even your cell phone. These are particularly nice for the mother of the bride to carry because of their sophisticated look and feel.

Small handled bags are also appropriate for you and your wedding party because they are easy to carry. Stick with smaller sized bags that are made of fabric and not of distracting colors. You might even want to choose some vintage style handbags that will add to the romantic feel of the day or night.

Drawstring bags make great bridal purses because they are small, hold many small items securely inside, and can even be attached to your dress with the looped drawstrings if you choose. These also double as money collection bags during the bride’s dance where male guests place money in the bag in exchange for a spin on the dance floor.

All of these bridal purses are ideal for your wedding no matter what style of wedding you are going to have. They also make the perfect bridesmaid and mother-in-law gifts because they will not only come in handy on the wedding day, they will also be a useful item for a fun evening out or other formal affairs.

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Bridal veils … the finishing touch to a bridal ensemble

August 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bridal veils can be worn on top of the head towards your face or either behind the head over a bun or under a bun. A veil can be adorned with Swarovski crystals, pearls, beading or lace.

The veils come in different shades like white, diamond white or ivory, sparkle white, sparkle ivory, sparkle diamond white, glimmer, silver, pink, beige and gold. A white veil goes well with the traditional wedding gown. Diamond white which is also called Silk White or Candlelight veils goes well with natural silk gowns. Ivory also called cream would go beautifully with an ivory bridal gown.

The edging or trimming could have a simple raw edge or sleek piping for a contemporary look. It can also boast of elegant beading, classic satin edging, romantic ribbon accents or lace details. So, it should accentuate and be proportional to the dress and not take away from its details.

Veils take on a shape of their own from oval to square with different types and length of veils. The ideal veil should be cut just above or below any focal point on your dress. A standard cut is where the corners are cut off, so the edges of a standard cut start up by your face.

An Angel cut is so that the sides start higher on the side of the veil, “cascading” down. A circular cut is just a big circle. It will become a 2 tier veil when it is folded in half. It is gathered at the fold and sewn to a comb. Drop cut, is just like a circular cut, but without any gather and is attached to the hair with a hat pin or a small comb. An Oval cut is usually a one tier veil with the comb sewn at one end of the veil with or without gather and this is the shape of a mantilla veil. A Bubble cut is where the tip of the veil (behind the comb “is puffier”) which makes the bottom of the veil comes in towards the body a little more.

A blusher comes in lengths that land below the lips. They are often square, while short or elbow length veils are typically oval. It is usually combined with other lengths of veil and can be used for formal and semi-formal weddings. It shouldn’t be longer than 34 inches for they will get entangled with your flowers and will be difficult to lift it during the wedding ceremony.

A birdcage veil lands below the eyes in a tighter look, perfect for the bride who desires to keep the veil on all night. The Bandeau style is a very elegant French tulle veil. Made of French netting, sit close to the face, it will attach at the sides of the head with two different pressure clips or combs. You can play around with this little veil by having the rose on either ear, set at an angle.

Elbow length usually ranges from 25″ to 36″, with 25″being the most common length, will compliment shorter gowns which will be perfect to show off any detailing at the waist of the gown. It compliments best a dress with a full skirt with the veil falling just below a low back but above the start of the skirt. Fingertip length, as the name implies, falls right at the fingertips of the bride and can be worn for formal and semi-formal weddings. This type typically ranges from 36″ to 50″, depending on your height, build, etc. the length will vary. It is normally worn with any gown longer than knee length.

If you want to show off lavish details on the back of your wedding gown then this is the right length. Knee length is usually 45″ long. Waltz length is usually 54″ to 60″ and is also sometimes called a Ballerina or Walking veil, where the bottom should land somewhere between your calves and just above the ankles. The Chapel length ranges from 60″ to 90″ where it must just touches the floor. Cathedral length are exclusively worn for cathedral length gowns and it’s very much back in style.

It is for formal weddings where the veil is dramatic, as it will extend right onto the floor trailing after the bride with at least a few inches past the train. Common lengths are 108″ or 120″ long. The Regal lengths are the longest of all veils. It can be as long as 144″ or longer. When choosing a veil, make sure that the veil ends right at the waistline if you have a sharply defined waistline. Attaching a Velcro or snaps to the tiara makes it easy to remove the veil during reception. Lastly, to put the finishing touch of a bridal veil would be a tiara or any suitable headpiece.

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The Meaning Of Butterflies And The Theme

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Butterfly wedding themes show everyone how proud you both are to be on the wings of love. From the flower girl basket to the garter set, you can include beautiful butterflies in every aspect of your wedding day for a fantasy come to life. Add elegance to your special day by using silver butterflies with tiny crystals on all your wedding accessories.

The Meaning of Butterflies

Butterflies stand for love and romance in many areas of the world. For this reason, couples all over the globe choose butterfly wedding themes. In China, butterflies represent long life or a young man in love. Many Japanese families feature butterflies in their family crest design because they represent young maidens and marital happiness. Greek mythology links butterflies to the souls of humans.

This spiritual belief is shared by one of the Russian dialects. An old Irish saying refers to butterflies being souls. In a small town in Mexico, people view Monarch butterfly migration as the souls of the deceased returning and have a holiday to celebrate it. Butterflies also represent the wonder of metamorphosis and everlasting wisdom.

Releasing Butterflies

Some couples release birds or doves at their wedding. Others decide to release butterflies after they exchange their vows. Many couples feel their butterfly wedding themes are not complete without live butterflies. If you intend to release butterflies, it must be done during the sunlight, as they do not fly in the dark. It should be at least 55 degrees and sunny to ensure your butterflies capture the spirit of the day. For this reason, couples often combine a garden wedding with butterfly themes.

One of the focal points during a butterfly themed wedding with garden influences is the flower girl. The fabulous flower girl holds flowers for the bride, adding an adorable touch to the wedding ceremony. Everyone will be watching the flower girl and a flower girl basket with crystallized butterflies adds to the theme of the day. Whether your wedding is blue, green, pink or lavender, you can combine fancy butterflies with your favorite color for a fun, eye-catching flower girl basket.

Whether a ring bearer or the best man holds the rings, they are an essential part of the wedding ceremony. A square ring pillow featuring your butterfly theme is a lasting keepsake of the moment you exchanged rings and said, “I do”. Celebrate your eternal love by using a ring pillow with a fancy butterfly design. When you watch the videos of your wedding, a butterfly ring pillow make your rings stand out before you even put them on one another’s fingers.

No wedding is complete without guest books. All the guests have an opportunity to sign the book and make a spontaneous, personalized statement to the bride and groom. After the wedding, the bride and groom can read the guest book several times to laugh over the sentiments everyone shared. A guest book is also a key element to successfully writing all your thank-you notes for the wedding gifts. Add to the elegance of your butterfly wedding themes by using a satin wrapped pen set and traditional guest book to capture your guests’ statements.

Whom Will Get Married Next?

Several traditional ceremonies are included in almost every wedding. Everyone looks forward to the introduction of the bride and groom, the cake cutting ceremony and the throwing the garter and flowers. During the garter throw, all the single men gather to catch the bride’s garter. Seductive or funny music is played and the groom slides the garter down the bride’s leg then throws it out to all the single men.

The single man who catches the garter is believed to be the next man to get married. Using a garter set with sparkling butterflies captures the spirit of your special day. The photos of the bride wearing a butterfly garter are a perfect touch to the butterfly wedding themes of the day.

Butterfly wedding themes express the beauty of eternal love and commitment. Adding crystal butterflies to all your wedding accessories reflects the wisdom of your decision to share your lives together forever.

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A Day Fit for a Princess Bride & Prince Charming

August 7, 2009 By 1 Comment

Every little girl, from the time she is old enough to talk, walk and get into her mother’s lipstick wants a fairy wedding theme – a fairytale marriage to Prince Charming, and a day that is fit for a princess bride. Fairy wedding themes and Cinderella theme weddings are still as popular today as they were in the 1950`s. The world may now move at breakneck speed, and we may be a society of cell phones, PDA’s and laptop computers… but when it comes to getting married, modern girls are still old fashioned at heart.

A fairy wedding theme is a wonderful way to relive your childhood or play dress up princess one last time before becoming a married woman, settling down into the real world and making a life with her new husband. It is an unabashed opportunity to be completely girly for an entire day and have everyone cheering you on! Deep down inside, don’t we all want a fairy wedding theme.

Inside, don’t we all have a young heart that dreams of Cinderella theme weddings, complete with glass slippers, mice ushers and a pumpkin chariot. OK, so you don’t have mouse friends who can be transformed into handsome wedding groomsmen by our fairy godmother. And no, chances are pretty good that you will not be driven to the church in a golden chariot that was once a pumpkin! However, with the right planning you can put together the perfect fairy wedding theme.

For the bride, it begins with a Cinderella style silk or satin wedding gown in pure white color. To achieve the princess look, consider white satin opera length gloves, or a sparkling tiara headpiece. Bridal jewelry can also go a long way to achieve the perfect Cinderella bride look. The fairy tale part comes from the starry look in the bride’s eyes as she is walking down the aisle… and that is something you just cannot buy!

At your wedding ceremony, pure white satin fairy tale dreams can come true, and they begin with wedding décor and accessories such as a flower girl basket, bride garter, ring bearer pillow, and a happily ever after personalized unity candle. Lots of snowy white tulle lining the procession aisle, big oversized pew bows also in white and twinkling fairy light garlands all help to achieve Cinderella theme weddings.

Carry the fairy wedding theme over to your wedding reception with a fairy princess castle cake topper, a Cinderella style guest book and pen set, and a dreamy crystal cake serving set. Cinderella slipper key rings or wedding carriage candles would make ideal favor gifts for your wedding guests.

What goes well with the purity of white that is necessary to pull off your fairy wedding theme. You can use an accent color such as garnet red, sage green, pale pink or blue, or a mellow yellow. Patterns generally are not suitable for this style of wedding theme so stay clear of floral chintz patterns or bright colors. When you are shopping, if the color doesn’t immediately say soft, dreamy or elegant to you – put it back.

Brash, dark and brassy have no place in a fairy theme wedding. Look for place card holders that are made of silver or white metal; candlesticks and centerpieces that are made of cut crystal, gleaming diamonds and blown glass. Keep all of the lighting white (no color) and use many small votive candles in demure low lying candle holders. If you are having your wedding or reception outdoors, wedding luminaries are perfectly suited to Cinderella theme weddings.

Flowers ideal for a fairy theme wedding include white calla lilies, tulips, and roses. Stay away from more casual flowers such as Shasta or Gerbera daisies – these are not really appropriate for a fairy wedding. Your floral arrangements can be all white in color which is totally stunning or you can use this opportunity to include your wedding accent color we talked about earlier.

In most cases, a fairy theme wedding is more formal than casual and tends to rely on the stunning elegance of white rather than infusing too much color into the ceremony décor or reception accessories. However, if you find you need some color, use it on your gift and cake serving tables. This way the color you want is included without overpowering any Cinderella wedding theme you may be trying hard to accomplish.

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Celebrate Your Special Day On A Cruise Ship

August 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

There are two different ways to make your wedding memorable via a cruise ship wedding theme. The first is to have a wedding that utilizes cruise ship oriented favors, collections, decorations and colors. The second is to actually hold your wedding on a cruise ship and give your guests, family and friends the opportunity to enjoy your ceremony, reception and honeymoon all in one. This article covers both options.

Not everyone wants to or can afford to book a cruise for the entire occasion. Additionally, not every guest can afford to or would even want to spend the money to travel on a cruise ship, essentially taking a vacation as the new Bride and Groom spend their first few days of married life. To pay for the entire guest list out-of-pocket can also be very pricey. For those in this situation, giving your wedding a cruise ship wedding theme is one way to capture the flavor and fun of a cruise without breaking the bank or potentially having desired guests opt out of the event.

A cruise ship theme can be replicated in a variety of ways. One is to incorporate a nautical theme for decorations, favors and any events. You can have Metal Boats offering mints to guests on tables that evoke a nautical or “sea” like feel or you can give your guests Boat Flag Stickers, Miniature Folding Beach Chairs or Boat Wheel Favor / Place Cards. The goal of this is to create the feel of the sea or sea going excursions, even if you are landlocked or dockside.

Another option, if you live near a larger lake, river or the ocean is to book a boat cruise for your day that specializes in day cruises or is even moored to a dock, but still captures the feeling and allure of boats and the sea. In some cases, larger boats offer day and casino cruises that offer plenty for guests to do to entertain themselves during the time surrounding the wedding, cocktail hour or reception. These typically will run in four to six hour increments or overnight.

Since the main goal is to utilize the fun and tranquility of a cruise ship wedding theme, the key is to make sure that all decorations are light, airy and resemble the sea. A Seaside Allure Collection will give your events the look and feel of an ocean related wedding and by using other associated articles, you can create that cruise ship feel without actually having to set foot on a cruise ship. Your guests will appreciate the theme and effort, but do not have to invest a lot of time and money to enjoy your day, but will still experience a wonderful theme.

Actually holding your wedding on a cruse ship is another increasingly popular option. Luxury cruise ships are fun and exciting and give your guests the option of spending just the ceremony and reception or your entire honeymoon with you in pre-determined ports of call. Weddings and receptions are held in the “home port” and couples have the option of holding the ceremony onboard the ship or on land.

After the ceremony, you can invite your guests onboard for a cocktail hour and reception or they could join you for your entire honeymoon, depending on your preferences. Because they have the option of picking the amount of time they want to spend, you do not have to worry about excluding someone because they cannot afford an extended stay or have other obligations that prevent them from doing so. If you opt for an entire cruise ship wedding theme trip for you entire wedding party and guests, you also have the option of getting married in one of hundreds of ports of call.

Packages are pre-determined and usually a wedding planning company is associated with the cruise line to help you plan the details. A cruise ship wedding theme also obviates the need for costly and often stressful transportation arrangements after the festivities; you are essentially at your honeymoon destination, the moment you set foot in port. Regardless of what options you choose, a cruise ship will provide a day that you and your guests will remember for a lifetime.

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