Themes & Collections

How to Plan an Exotic Beach Wedding

February 25, 2012 By Nina Leave a Comment

Couple on the Beach It has always been your dream to have a beach wedding. But over the years, you’ve seen a lot of brides walk down the sandy aisle. And you’re not that happy that the wedding of your dreams has become what others would call a cliché. That’s where they’re wrong. There’s nothing cliché about a beach wedding if you’re able to personalize it as your own. Having an exotic beach wedding is another great idea to ensure that yours is out of the ordinary. Here’s how to plan one.

Scout out for exotic beach locations

If you’re going to hold your wedding in a beach location that has been used many times before, you might as well drop the word “exotic” from your plans. What you should look for is a location that’s not been overly used yet. It should be secluded, peaceful, and beautiful. In short, it should be a paradise. The best options around the world include The Baths in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Flamenco Beach in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; Flic en Flac in Mauritius; Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Playa Tamarindo in Tamarindo Bay, Costa Rica; North Playa del Carmen in Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece.

Make some VERY detailed lists

Like a regular wedding back at home, you should also make several checklists for your exotic beach wedding. These checklists shouldn’t be generic but should be as specific and detailed as possible to ensure that every base is covered. First, make a checklist for all the tasks that need to be done. These would include shopping for wedding supplies, booking vendors and suppliers, inviting guests and arranging for travel needs. Next, write down a list of all the things that you need to buy not only for the wedding but also for the entire trip. The budget is another list to make. And lastly, don’t forget to jot down the names of the guests that you’re inviting.

Arrange for your travel

It’s also essential to start early with the travel preparation. Unless you already live in an exotic location like the Caribbean islands, you’d need to travel quite far to have your dream exotic beach wedding event. This makes it necessary for you to prepare your traveling documents including your visa, passport, insurance and many more. You must also organize the travel arrangements of your guests especially those whom you will be shouldering the travel expenses. Booking hotels and buying airplane tickets early and in bulk can save you a lot of money so be sure to check that out as well.

Contact local vendors and suppliers

While you’re all set on hiring your favorite caterer or photographer for your wedding, you should consider hiring local talents that will save you a great deal of money. Instead of paying for the travel expenses for the wedding supplier, you can use this money for other more important things and just hire local services instead.

Planning an exotic beach wedding is just as difficult as planning for a regular one. So be sure to start early and get everything in writing to ensure success.

Top 15 Wedding Favors for Destination Beach Weddings

February 24, 2012 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Beach Wedding Favors There are plenty of things to think about when planning a destination beach wedding. But always remember: it’s not only the big things that matter, minor details count too. No matter how small these are, they can still affect the overall outcome of the wedding celebration. One good example would be the wedding favor. Check out this list below which gives you a rundown of the top 15 wedding favors to consider for your beautiful destination beach wedding.

Adirondack place card frame – It’s a small white resin replica of an Adirondack chair that can also serve as a seat card holder. Personalize this favor by including the guests’ photos.
Beach themed mint tin favors – These metal tin favors adorned with seashell embellishments and filled with candies, mints or treats are always a great hit for destination and beach weddings.
Beach themed spreader – A spreader with stainless steel blade and an ivory resin handle dressed with starfish and shell accents would surely be a welcome addition to your guests’ home.
Sand and shell tealight holder – This tealight holder can illumine any space beautifully. Each is made with heavy glass complete with sand and seashells. It’s packed with a cute rope ribbon and beach theme tag.
Flip flop design refrigerator magnets – These adorable items, which are molded together as one, add a fun factor to any refrigerator or metal surface. They can be used to display notes, letters, and photos.
Flip-flop luggage tag in beach-themed gift box – If you love the flip flop magnets, you’ll find these cute too. These are luggage tags that are shaped like flip flops. They’re so realistic, they even come with traction grooves.
‘Destination love’ cruise ship luggage tag – Since a luggage tag is really apt for a destination wedding, here’s another option for you to consider. It’s a cruise ship shaped tag in chrome with an adjustable black leather strap.
Ocean breeze seashell scented soaps – Each favor box contains seashell soaps that are as fresh as the ocean breeze. The box is dressed with an aqua blue lid tied with a satin ribbon and bow.
Beach memories guest photo album favors – Each of these album comes with a textured mulberry paper cover frame with hand-painted charms.
Sand castle tea light (set of four) – The castle with its sandy texture, turrets and flag look like the real thing, only it’s a miniature version. An elegant box with sheer organza ribbon holds this eye-candy favor.
Heart design place card holders – Since the heart is the ultimate symbol of love, giving away these favors is surely a wonderful idea. They can double as place card holders for your lovely wedding event.
Unique beach themed wine charms – Drinking by the sea can be one of the best pleasures in life. Do it with style by giving away these incredible beach themed wine charms.
Life is good-beach chairs with hearts cocktail favors – Your guests will have a grand time mixing and drinking these festive cocktail mixes. There are plenty of flavors to choose from but the most popular is the Cosmopolitan cocktail mix.
Set sail frosted glass sailboat tealight holders – These nice little tealight holders can make any table glow with romance and sophistication. They are perfect for your destination beach wedding.
Love beyond measure measuring tape keychain in sheer organza bag – It’s a practical and handy wedding favor that your guests will surely be able to use.

These suggestions on wedding favors will inspire you to choose the most creative and fabulous ones for your wedding celebration.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: Destination Beach Weddings, Wedding Favors

Ideas to Make Your Own Beach Wedding Centerpieces

February 23, 2012 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Beach Wedding Centerpieces Brides have various reasons for going DIY on their wedding centerpieces. Some want to save money and use what they save for other more important wedding expenses. Some just can’t get hold of their crafty side. And others simply want to have centerpieces that have never been seen before. Whatever your reason is, you’ll be delighted at these ideas and suggestions below.

Shell and Sand Aquarium

Get a medium sized aquarium bowl and pour some sand into it. Find shells of different shapes, sizes and colors and distribute evenly on the sandy part of the aquarium. Top it off with a big starfish in the center so that its other parts are sticking out of the bowl. Add colorful stones and tie the bowl with a raffia ribbon to complete the look.

Mini Sand Castles

A beach wedding won’t be complete without sand castle sculptures. It would be a nice touch to your beach wedding to decorate the tables with miniature versions of these. You have the choice to hire a professional sand sculpture to make several pieces for you. Or make your own using the sand that you get from the beach where you’re having the celebration.

Pineapple Palm Tree

This is one unique table centerpiece you haven’t seen before. For this idea, you’ll need several pineapples, preferably of similar sizes. You’ll also need a rectangular tray. Cut off the leaves from the top of each pineapple then stack them carefully on top of each other. Insert a barbecue stick in between each pineapple so that they don’t fall off. Decorate the top with fern leaves to make it look like a palm tree. The tray below can be filled up with fruit slices that the guests can snack on while waiting for dinner to commence.

Bamboo Candle Holder

This one takes some handy skills as you need to make holes on the bamboo for votive candle holders to fit in. Get a 12-inch long bamboo and make about three holes. Insert the votive candle holder into the hole. Put it on top of a rectangular tray so that it doesn’t roll around. Decorate the bamboo with colorful beads, shells and other beach finds to make the centerpiece even more interesting. Fill up the votive candle holders with sand and tiny pebbles before putting the candles.

Stenciled Luminaries

Buy paper bags in the supermarket. The ideal size would be 4 x 5 inches. Using a stencil, mark and cut out shapes into the top part of the paper bag. Then insert a votive candle holder and candle inside. Put 4 to 5 paper bags in one rectangular tray and light up each of the candle. You’ll find the stenciled designs a lot more beautiful when illumined.

Floating Orchids

For this centerpiece, you’ll need a low clear vase with a wide opening. Fill it up with water and arrange orchids like yellow cymbidium petals and other flower petals to float around it. If you’re having an evening wedding, add floating candles to light up the centerpiece.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: Beach Wedding Centerpieces

Outdoor Wedding Receptions that Rock!

February 20, 2012 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Rocking Beach Weddings With an indoor wedding reception, your choices on venue are limited to rental halls, ballroom and restaurants. The opposite is true for an outdoor wedding, which gives you a myriad of unique locations to choose from. Below, you’ll find a list of different venue options that you would want to consider. Just keep in mind your guest list and event theme before you make your final decision.

Amphitheater

This open-air venue is usually used for concerts, sporting events and theatrical performances. Now, it can also be used as a venue for weddings and other celebrations. The wonderful thing about an amphitheater reception is that it gives you a nostalgic feel such as during the ancient Roman times when people would always gather around in a venue like this. It’s also unique so nobody can say you had a cliché reception.

Arboretum

An arboretum is essentially a collection of trees. Some would call it the “wooded version” of the botanical garden. Whether it’s by the sea or nestled within a busy cityscape, it can provide an exquisite backdrop to your wedding reception. You’ll be pleased to know that there are dozens of arboretums spread around the country. Some of your top choices include Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts; Azalea Path Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Hazelton, Indiana; Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore, Maryland; Donald E. Davis Arboretum in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama; Holden Arboretum in Cleveland, Ohio; and Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon.

Backyard

If you have sufficient space in your backyard or you know someone who does, you can take advantage of this for a beautiful outdoor reception that would save you a lot of money. Since a backyard already has natural decorative elements like trees and flowering plants, there is less work needed to beautify this space.

Barn

Nothing says rustic elegance better than a barn. It’s also an inexpensive wedding location like the backyard. Although it doesn’t come for free like your own backyard, it’s definitely a lot cheaper than rental halls or other wedding location.

Seaside resort

Of course, the list won’t be complete without a beach reception. As you probably know, this is one of the most popular locations for an outdoor reception. The beach, no matter where it’s located, is an awesome venue with its combination of sand, sea and sun. The world is rich in gorgeous beaches. Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Florida are some of the first places to consider if you’re going to choose a beach wedding reception.

Courtyard

If you live in or near a historic city, you’re blessed with close proximity to old homes and hotels that have magnificent courtyards. Courtyards are not only very beautiful they are also charming and elegant.

Golf course

Crazy for golf? The golf course is truly a unique venue that any golf aficionado will appreciate. There are plenty of golf courses around the country where you can say your “I do’s.” Just make sure you have a private membership so it would be easier for you to book this location.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: Outdoor Wedding Receptions

Variations On Traditional Beach Wedding Themes

December 12, 2011 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Beach Wedding Venues Beaches have become very popular venues to hold weddings. Lots of spots, like the Caribbean and Florida, have become go-to destinations for beach weddings. But some brides may want to break out of the box and opt for a less traditional beach wedding. Here are some variations on traditional beach wedding themes that will allow you to set yourself apart.

Choose a Lesser-Known Venue

Everyone’s heading off to Cancun or the Caribbean for their beach wedding so why not stay close to home and hold your wedding at the nearest public beach? Your guests will be able to view the beach with new eyes. Also, whenever your visit this particular beach, you’ll always be overwhelmed with happy memories. Not to mention that it’s cheaper for both you and your guests to hold the wedding at a beach near you because they won’t have to splash out on airline tickets and hotel bookings. Your local beach wedding may not be as grand as a destination beach wedding, but it will still be wholly, uniquely your own.

Opt for a Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony

If neither you nor your man are religious, you might want to opt for a breezy non-religious wedding ceremony on the beach. Before you do so, first you need to do your research. Find out what it means to make a marriage legal in your state. In most cases, your officiant should be legally licensed by the state where you are holding your wedding. Look around for local officiants or scour the Internet for a non-religious officiant. You can also ask one of your family members or friends to get certified so that they can conduct your wedding for you. Just make sure that you give them plenty of time to meet the certification requirements.

Personalize your Wedding

Even if you decide to go with a popular beach wedding theme, such as Hawaiian or nautical, you can add customized touches in order to personalize your wedding. It can be something as simple as your favorite cheesy songs added to your wedding playlist, or your favorite scented candles lit at the wedding reception. You can also choose to write your own vows and to dance your way down the aisle or into your reception venue. You can get creative with your wedding décor and favors. Look on the Internet for do-it-yourself tips that can help you customize everything from your signs to your cake. If you need help in personalizing your wedding, don’t hesitate to ask your bridesmaids or your friends and family for assistance. They’ll be only too willing to help. Think about what drew you to have a beach wedding. Do you like the water? Are starfish or dolphins your favorite creature ever? Have you always secretly wanted to be the Little Mermaid? Once you find out what it is that drives you, plan your wedding and execute it accordingly.

Stand and Deliver

If your wedding ceremony is super short, you might opt to have your guests stand, the better to sink their toes into the sand while they listen to you recite your vows. Make sure to provide a few comfy chairs if you have elderly or pregnant guests.

Also, be sure to have a sound system so that your guests can hear you over the noise made by the sea breeze and the crashing waves.

You can choose one or more of these options in order to make sure that your beach wedding isn’t run of the mill. You can also come up with you own unique ideas in order to make your beach wedding truly stand out. Just think about what you would most like to accomplish in your beach wedding and do it. Scour the Internet for suggestions and look at wedding magazines in order to get inspired. See what other brides have done to make their beach wedding extra-special and take you cues from them. Let your creative juices flow. Trust in your instinct and know that whatever choices you make for your beach wedding, it will be the right one for you. Whatever you decide, add your own touches and you’ll be sure to have an extraordinary beach wedding.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: beach wedding themes

Planning Guide for a Beach Wedding

December 6, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

Planning A Beach Wedding The 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.

Filed Under: Planning, Themes & Collections Tagged With: beach wedding, planning a beach wedding, planning guide for beach weddings, wedding planning

Most Popular Beach Wedding Colors for the Modern Couple

December 6, 2011 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

beach wedding colors Beach weddings are wonderful affairs embraced by the palette of cool, memorable colors. The evergreen surroundings, the clear blue skies, the white sandy beaches and the crystal clear colors usually inspire colors chosen for beach weddings. Couples can choose from a range of exciting colors and combinations. The favorite colors of the groom and bride are mashed up to create a sweet palette of colors. Finding the perfect color combination could be quite tedious. Couples can experiment with every single color to find that perfect combination. Experiment no more, there are several colors that are a sure hit for your modern beach wedding. Beach wedding themes are usually comprised of light colors that mimic the adorable seashells and the white sandy beach.

Dark blue

Most couples choose this color as the basic color. The dark deep blue colors remind everyone of the sea. Couples can choose over a deep ocean blue color or a navy blue one. This deep hue is complemented by a several shades such as silver and sandy brown. The vibrant silver accent would stand out from the deep blue hue. While the sandy brown one very well mimics the hue of the sand itself.

Aqua and orange

The myriad of these two cool hues would serve the finishing touch of your most blissful event. The cool aqua color is reminiscent of the crystal blue waters as it is reflected by the sunny skies. The hint of an orange or tangerine accent reminds everyone of the glorious and romantic sunset at the beach. The playful combination of these two hues is perfect for a romantic yet fun beach wedding. You can even use cobalt blue instead of turquoise, for a warmer appeal.

Coral, orange and fuchsia

If you want to steer clear from the usual beach wedding colors, this mash up is exactly what you are looking for. These perky hues will really stand out in the midst of the muted shade of the beach. These colors also look great as accents and would definitely liven up the entire event. It also looks great in pictures and the coral and orange hues definitely complement the sunset.

Orange and lime green

Orange really is a popular choice for beach weddings as it has the same shade as the sunset. You can make a palette of sparkling summer colors, especially if you are getting married in the summer season. For this combination, lime green as an accent provides a refreshing and fun picture. The lime green color represents the lush evergreen of the summer season. This fun and eerie combination would definitely sparkle on the beach.

Beiges with pink shades

The beige hue is a good choice as the sand shares the same color with it. The muted shade is a perfect base color and complemented by an accent with the shade of pink. You can choose from a variety of different shades and hues of the pink color. You can go for the powdery pink or honeysuckle pink. It is a friendly combination, which is perfect for the conservative bride and groom.

Yellow with a hint of orange and red

Another color that stems from the sunset, yellow, looks perfect when combined with a touch of orange and red. This friendly color lends a cooler vibe. If you want to suggest the romantic mood of the sunset, but finds orange as too strong, yellow is the perfect shade for you. You can just make use of a few orange and red shades. Both shades go well with the cool hue of yellow.

There really isn’t a perfect recipe for that perfect color and scheme for your beach wedding. You can go out of the box and experiment with the colors of the spectrum. Finding the perfect shade is easy if you will consider the mood that you want to represent. The colors that you would choose may speak of a thousand words. It is also a reflection of your personal creativity and preferences. This would make your blissful day even more memorable and visually appealing to your valued guests. Enjoy making your palette of beautiful colors and shades!

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections, Wedding Colors Tagged With: Beach Wedding Colors, beach weddings, color scheme and theme

Exotic Beach Wedding Flowers to Spice Up Your Special Day

December 6, 2011 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Tropical Flowers Your dream beach wedding is finally coming true! A tropical beach wedding is never complete without the ecstatic sight of these exotic blooms. Spice up this once in a lifetime magical event by incorporating these gorgeous blooms in the bride’ s bouquet.

Birds of Paradise

Birds of paradise is also known as the crane flower. It has been dubbed as such due to its seemingly resemblance to the birds of paradise. The unique bloom is beautifully shaped into a bird that is in flight. Its shades of brilliant colors closely resemble a paradise unveiling right before your eyes. The birds of paradise is a myriad of orange sepals and blue petals. The bright orange sepals are conjoined together to form an arrowhead structure. Due to its intricate details and perky blossoms, it is also called as the flowers of the tropical paradise.

Orchids

Orchid flowers are popular choices for the beach wedding. With its variety of colors and hues, ranging from pink, white and yellow, it fits almost any theme. Orchids have been a favorite flower in everyone’s garden. Due to its fascinating image that resembles a beautiful face, it is named as the most exquisite flower. Orchids have so many varieties, that you will surely have a hard time selecting which one you would use for your bouquet. If you are going for a luau type or Hawaiian wedding, white and pink orchids would complement the wedding’s theme.

Amaryllis

Brighten up your wedding bouquet with blushing amaryllis flowers. These blossoms send out a bright color that emanates the couple’s sheer love. Amaryllis is often mistaken for lilies. These blossoms have brightly colored sepals and a heavy red marking on the petal’s tip. Amaryllis also comes in shades of orange, pink, rose and white.

Calla Lily

Calla lily is a beautiful, large flower that comes in green, pink, yellow, purple and white. Calla lilies have leafless stalk and a long petiole. From this long petiole, a large, trumpet shaped blossom arises. This amazing blossom surely conveys a lot of meanings. The name calla lily came from the Greek word that means beautiful. Hence, this flower signifies magnificent beauty. These calla lilies would surely be a magical centerpiece to that wedding bouquet.

Lilacs

These powdery lilac flowers are considered as one of the most aromatic flowers. Lilac also has several other shades like pink and white, but the purple lilacs are the most favored of all. These clustered purple blooms have an ecstatic aroma that can be noticed even from afar. Lilacs are a lovely addition to that tropical beach wedding. With its fragrant smell, it surely reeves up the already romantic affair.

Gingers

This Malaysian plant has two varieties, the red ginger and the pink ginger. These exceptional flowers are nestled on a long red bract. These brightly colored bracts are often mistaken to be the bloom, but the real bloom of the ginger is the small white flower that sits on the top of the bract. Ginger has an extraordinary symmetry and sparkling color that would definitely add a touch of elegance to your wedding day.

Lotus

Lotuses usually grow in shallow and murky waters, but from this unlikely source arises a very extraordinary blossom. Lotus is a very appropriate adornment to your bouquet. It symbolizes purity, beauty and grace. It could very well symbolize the purity of true love that binds two souls together. The lotus flower even signifies knowledge and serenity.

Gardenias

These white blossoms signify sweetness and purity. It is a groom’s way of telling the bride how beautiful she is. The charming gardenias are also very fragrant and represent the true meaning of a secret love. Gardenias just need extra loving care if you are going to use them in your bouquet. It has been said that if the petals are excessively touched, the petals may turn black. In its bold nature, the gardenia indeed symbolizes purity.

These tropical flowers will surely enhance the mood of love. The fragrant blossoms, the brightly colored blooms, the exquisite features- it’s more magical to exchange I do’s with a bouquet of tropical flowers.

Filed Under: Beach Wedding Flowers, Themes & Collections, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Themes Tagged With: Beach Wedding Flowers, Tropical Flowers, Wedding Bouquets

Unique Flowers For Your Orange Wedding

October 6, 2009 By Nina 5 Comments

WEDDING FLOWERS

When the time comes that you are finally getting married, you may find that everything that you have planned in your mind several years back are not anymore applicable to your current style and taste. You may have always dreamed of having a pastel colored wedding but now, you are eying something more bold and daring such as orange perhaps.

An orange wedding is bright, beautiful, and elegant. It is the modern choice of contemporary brides. With the right flower decorations, you know your big day will be something that you, your partner, and all the people attending will cherish for a lifetime.

But then, you are somewhat worried because you have no idea what orange flowers to use for your wedding. Do not fret, this guide on unique orange flower arrangement will help you find the perfect adornment for your spectacular orange wedding.

Glowing Bouquet

Orange blooms create a dramatic and spirited atmosphere. The flowers’ striking contrast with the bride’s lovely white gown can produce a stunning effect. This makes them wonderful to use for the bride’s bouquet.

White, peach, and orange roses would probably be the top among the list of bouquet flowers for an orange wedding. But if you want something unique and exotic, there is a wide range of orange flowers to choose from.

ORANGE BELL-FLOWERS

For the bride’s bouquet, you can combine yellow and orange calla lilies with cherry red hypericum berries and orange roses. Arrange these flowers in a nice round bouquet. Add some greens to it. Tie it with a bright orange satin or organza ribbon.

Another option would be to have red dahlias, orange calla lilies, and golden black-eyed Susans arranged loosely on an autumn inspired bouquet. If you do not want the colors to be too intense, you can include some green hydrangea blossoms to even out the look. Design the bouquet using a white or yellow silk ribbon.

You can also make use of different orange shades of tulips and then mix them with some orange and yellow dahlias for an enthusiastic and colorful bouquet.

Exquisite Flower Decors

Orange flowers are also the perfect option for decoration as these vibrant blooms can surely liven up the ambiance and create a dramatic and charming backdrop for this exquisite occasion. Whether you are planning to have romantic atmosphere or a robust and fiery one, there are different types of orange flowers to suit your needs.

Dazzling blossoms of orange dahlias, orange montbretia, orange cockscomb, peach roses, and peach parrot tulips can create a glorious flower arrangement with a very cheerful color palette. Fresh green gladiolus can make the look a little subdued. You can use this arrangement for decorating the altar, the pews, or the reception area.

Orange Roses

For the table centerpiece, you can make use of succulent blooms of orange calla lilies coupled with red, yellow, and white roses neatly arranged in a square glass vase. Place orange votive candles around the centerpiece for a more stunning effect.

Other unique orange flowers that you can mix and match into floral arrangements include orange long gloriosa lilies, orange dahlias, orange amaranthus, orange alstroemeria and orange Asiatic lilies, and buffalo orange vanda orchids.

White roses, red and gold saffron, geranium foliage, red dendrobium orchids, pale yellow tulips, and peach dahlias are just some of the add-ons you can put in to provide a more varied palette to the flower arrangements.

Orange is such a bright and festive color that many brides aspire to have an orange wedding. It is actually the perfect shade for couples who want to have a wedding that would stand out among the rest. Choose beautiful and stunning orange flowers to complete your special day.

Source: Nina Lampe

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: alstroemeria, amaranthus, bouquet, calla lilies, hydrangea, montbretia, Orange blooms, orange dahlias, orange wedding, orchids, organza ribbon, tulips, unique flowers

What Wedding Style Expresses Your Personality?

October 2, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Wedding Style

In their desire to have a unique wedding, many couples search the ends of the earth trying to find ways on how to come up with a one-of-a-kind wedding. What these couples fail to realize is that they do not have to look far. The secret in having a distinct wedding is to look within one’s self. After all, each person is unique and by incorporating your own unique personality into the wedding, it would be easy to have an exceptional wedding celebration.

Therefore, before you plan your wedding, ask yourself this question first, “What wedding style can best express my personality?” Here are some possible answers to this question.

Budget but Stunning Wedding

If you and your spouse are known for being smart, practical and resourceful, a low-cost but beautiful wedding will reflect this kind of personality. You have the attitude and skills to come up with a stunning wedding with a surprisingly low budget. Guests will be amazed at how you two were able to pull this one off and they would actually think you spent thousands of dollars in this expensive looking but low cost wedding.

Wedding with a Creative Twist

For the couple who thinks out of the box, a wedding with an extraordinary theme will be ideal. Make sure that you choose a theme that is reflective of your personality. For example, for the golf fanatic couple, golf wedding is the best way to celebrate their union. For the artistic couple, a wedding in a gallery will be most fitting. There is an endless list of theme options that you can choose from.

The Trendy and Fashionable Wedding

If the bride and the groom are the kind of people, who are always updated with the latest trends and fads of the season, having a trendy and fashionable wedding is the way to go. Know what the latest trends are in wedding fashion and wedding accessories and be sure to incorporate all of these in your wedding event.

D-I-Y Wedding Project

Do-it-yourself weddings are ideal for couples who have hands-on skills and knowledge when it comes to wedding planning. If you plan weddings for a living (or you have been a wedding planner to friends a thousand times before) or your spouse-to-be owns a wedding catering service, this can be the perfect type of wedding that will best illustrate your personality and expertise in weddings.

Destination Wedding

For couples who cannot stay put in one place and for those whose lifestyles revolve around taking trips, a destination wedding is the perfect way to tie the knot. Wedding destinations like Bahamas, Barbados, and Hawaii are great for the beach loving couple. Those who like romantic getaways would prefer Paris and Italy. For the exotic couple, a far-flung destination in Fiji, Costa Rica, Mexico or Philippines can be an option.

The Traditional Love Affair

A classic wedding event is ideal for couples who are traditional and who want to conform to the norms of a conventional wedding celebration. In this kind of wedding, the bride will wear a white gown as expected, the couple will go exchange the traditional “for better or for worse” marital vows, and the bride will toss the bouquet the traditional way.

Weddings mark the beginning of your new life together as husband and wife so it is only right that you would want to make it a special event. There is nothing more special than holding a wedding celebration that is evocative of you and your partner’s personalities and style.

Filed Under: Destinations, Themes & Collections, Wedding Themes Tagged With: D-I-Y Wedding Project, Destination Wedding, Fashionable Wedding, Stunning Wedding, Wedding Style

Adorable Ideas for a Blue Wedding Theme

October 1, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: blue wedding theme, decorations, drinks, Invitations, ribbons, something blue, tablecloth, venue

Exotic Cocktails for your Beach Wedding Receptions

September 23, 2009 By Jen 2 Comments

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:

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.
Ask the guests to try their own flavor and experiment with the drinks with the help of an expert bartender.
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: cocktail favors, cocktails, Cranberry Margarita, Jamaica Margarita, Reception, Sangria, Strawberry Basil Martini, wedding

Wedding Cake Toppers can Make your Guests Laugh Out Loud

September 21, 2009 By Jen 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

Think about your careers, hobbies, interests, and unique or strange things about your relationship. Reflect any of these through a funny cake topper.
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.
Do not go overboard. Do not choose something that your partner will not like. Sometimes being funny can be offensive.
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.
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: Cake Tops, topper, Wedding Cake Toppers

How to Pick the Coolest Beach Wedding Invitations

September 15, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

beachweddinginvites With the scenic blue sky and enticing ocean as your backdrop, the fun little charms and treasures on the beach as the souvenirs, and nature’s beauty as decoration, a beach wedding can truly be one awe-inspiring event. Just one more thing you need to get this event started, and that is the invitation.

The wedding invitation is an essential part of this occasion because it gives the guests preview about your wedding as well as provides relevant details such as date, venue, and theme. But just because it is “important,” it does not mean it has to be serious! If you are going to have a beach wedding, you would want something that would be fun, bright, and cool. These tips will help you pick the nicest beach wedding invitation for your special day.

Pick a theme

The vast wealth of options you have when it comes to beach weddings can surely be overwhelming. Having a specific theme would help you narrow down your choices. Some of the themes you can choose include treasure hunt, tropical, Hawaiian, and nautical.

Choose the colors

The wedding motif color should be your guide when picking colors for the invitation. Popular choices for colors include blue, white, off-white, beige, green, brown, yellow, orange, and pink. Choose one color for the base of the invitation (preferably light shade like white, off-white or beige) and another one or two colors for the accent (blue and green, pink and brown, or yellow and orange).

Island Adventure

This fun, bright white invitation ensemble is all about the beach!

TAF5583-672

$500.00 for 100

Make Way for Waves

Make this simple seaside scene on a bright white card your destination wedding invitation.

TA6199-68

$195.00 for 100

Show and Tell

A bright white pop-up adirondack chair displays your invitation wording.

TA9168-208

$208.00 for 100

Swaying Palms

Pearlized palm trees flatter this tea-length invitation.

MR6575-223

$156.90 for 100

Amazing Aqua

The bright hues of aqua on this textured white card are perfect for an elegant affair, or a casual beach wedding.

VR3214H-43

$169.90 for 100

Picture Paradise

Set sail for the tropics with this bright white, layered invitation featuring your photo.

WAN8976-87

$184.90 for 100

Colored Curls

It’s all wrapped up when you order this shimmering self-mailing pocket invitation.

TAN8094

$500.00 for 100

Tropical Flowers

Bright white card featuring two debossed floral designs.

WR8749-68

$162.90 for 100

Island Paradise

An embossed, tropical scene with pearlized accents.

WR5211-87

$162.90 for 100

Decide on the wording

It would be fun to break away from the traditional invitation wording and make use of beach phrases to inform the guests about your big day. Something like, “Come and bask under the warmth of the sun while we tie the knot…” or “Enjoy the sun, sand and the sea as Mike and Wendi unite as one…” would be a good way to start the invitation wording.

Select something out of the ordinary

Before, invitation meant paper and envelop but today, it can be anything from handcrafted items to accessories. If you want your beach wedding to stand out, it would be a great idea to choose a non-traditional invitation. Look at the list of options below and see if something fits your and your partner’s taste and style.

A Pair of Flip-flops

It can be a real flip-flop, a mini version of the real thing or a paper shaped like one—whatever your choice is, this pair of nice and colorful slippers can be a cool way to invite people to your wedding.

Rollin’ Waves – Magnet

Let this peaceful ocean view get guests to save the date.

NBN98KV-15

$135.90 for 100

Down by the Seashore

A celebration down by the sea!

EW65UK-227

$101.50 for 100

StarFish

Set the tone for that destination wedding with this ecru, starfish save the date card.

NB3712-70

$117.90 for 100

Parties!

Your choice of ink color and design makes this bright white card a party invitation favorite!!

NA6NV-93

$82.90 for 100

Parties!

Your choice of ink color and design makes this bright white card a party invitation favorite!!

NA6NV-93

$82.90 for 100

Message in a Bottle

Send a message that has just drifted ashore.

NA6139-C4

$121.90 for 100

Party with Sage

Choose a complimentary design for this sage party invitation.

NA1762H-93

$87.90 for 100

Pink and Mocha Mixer

Contemporary colors unite to border your special wording.

NA7066V-93

$110.90 for 100

Black and Gold Gala

This rich-looking invitation shines when your invitation wording is presented on it.

NA7068V-93

$110.90 for 100

Beach Pop-Out Card

Open the card and voila, a striking beach scene pops out of the card. You can even sprinkle some real sand and glue them on the card for a more dramatic effect.

Message in a Bottle

A scroll of luminous paper inside a bottle can add a nice touch to your tropical island beach wedding.

Treasure Chest

Many toy and craft stores sell mini treasure chest that you can use to put in your invitation that resembles a treasure map.

Now you know all these tips and suggestions, let the search for the best beach wedding invitation begin!

Party with Black

Choose the perfect border for this black party invitation.

NA1764V-93

$94.80 for 100

Under the Sunset

Your sunset awaits!

EKH42QQW-227

$270.90 for 100

With Sand Beneath Our Feet

By the sea, you’ll say “I Do”.

WA98JP

$108.10 for 100

Destination: Mexico

The perfect invitation for a destination wedding!

EKH42NNC-227

$124.90 for 100

Nautical Dream

Anchor your guests with this nautical invitation!

EKH42PPM-227

$124.90 for 100

Pink Summer Love

A summer scene will spread the warmth of the tropics to your loved ones!

EKH42PPR-37

$250.90 for 100

A Shore Thing

This invitation is the perfect way to announce your tropical wedding .

EW65DDV-227

$101.50 for 100

Tiki Time

Set the theme for your celebration with this tropical invitation!

EA8808-227

$105.00 for 100

Two Birds of a Feather – Magnet

Flock together… for our big event!

WAN99FW-15M

$105.40 for 100

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

How to Decorate Your Outdoor Beach Wedding

September 14, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

Decoration is one of the common reasons why many couples choose to have an outdoor beach wedding. For one, decorating a beach wedding is very simple and easy. Walk around the shoreline and you will be able to collect various items that you can use for the decoration. Moreover, beach weddings are always gorgeous. The backdrop of a beautiful seaside coupled with a picturesque sky is stunning enough. Lastly, you do not have to spend a fortune with this kind of wedding because most of the decoration you will use can be found right at the beach.

If you are getting married soon and you have decided to have an outdoor beach wedding, here are some splendid ideas and suggestions that you would find very helpful.

Hues of blue, green, yellow, orange

When planning a wedding decoration, one of the first things you have to do is to determine what colors to use. It is always a good idea to complement the motif color of the wedding. Most beach weddings make use of cool shades of the beach and the sky like blue and green, or the color of the sun such as yellow and orange.

Hawaiian, tropical, or nautical

It is always a smart move to have specific theme for the beach wedding to make it easier for you to plan the decoration. Hawaiian, tropical, and nautical are just some of the beach theme options that you can consider.

If you are going for a Hawaiian theme, you can fill the place with leis and hibiscus flowers. For a tropical theme, you can have coconut husks divided into two and filled with colorful flowers. Oars, compass, and miniature ships are some of the things you can use for your nautical beach wedding.

Seashells, starfish, sand

Along the beach, there is an abundance of things that you can use as little decorative elements for your beach wedding. You just have to keep your eyes peeled! You can make use of seashells, starfish, sand, corals, pebbles, and stones to decorate the place.

Candles, torches, lanterns, lamps

To illuminate the place, you can use candles or lanterns as table centerpieces. You can also hang lamps all around or have tiki torches light up the whole place. This is especially nice if you are going to hold the wedding at night. You will surely have a wedding that has a romantic and inviting atmosphere.

Sand sculpture, floating candles, buckets of flowers and shells

These just few of the many options you have when it comes to table centerpieces. Choose something fun and whimsical if you are a young couple who wants to deviate from the traditional wedding norms. However, if you want the classic look for your beach wedding, pick something that is formal and elegant to place in the center of the tables.

More Tips

Avoid using flowers that can easily wilt.
Put weight on centerpieces to avoid having them topple over.
Place flaming torches away from anything that is flammable.
Cover the reception area with a huge tent or tarp.
Play acoustic, reggae or blues music that are perfect complement for a beach wedding.

Getting married at the beach is one of the most romantic ways to say “I do” and exchange vows with your one true love. Make it more romantic by making sure that the beach venue is decorated in the best way possible.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections Tagged With: decorate outdoor beach wedding

Tips on Decorating Your Church Wedding

September 14, 2009 By Jen 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: decorating church weddings

Clever Ways to Decorate Your Beach Wedding

September 3, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

When planning the decoration of a beach wedding, you will not only be concerned with what is beautiful or with what looks good. You will have various other things in mind like the windy condition, heat, sand, and the weather, as all of these factors can have a big impact on how your beach decoration set-up turns out.

Here are some clever ways on how to decorate a beach wedding while keeping in mind the mentioned factors above.

Use shells to mark down the aisle on the sand where the bride will walk down to the altar. Add some flowers but be sure to push the stems down on the sand to avoid having them blown away.
If the couple chooses to hold the event at night, you can liven up the place with beautiful flaming tiki torches. See to it that these torches are located away from anything that can start a fire. You can also decorate the tables of the guests with lanterns or candles surrounded with little seashells. This is a beautiful and cost-effective way to enlighten up the area.

From the wedding magazine, view it for free:

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Using beach umbrella shades or covering the area with a wedding tent is definitely great idea if there is a possibility of rain during the event. With the ever-changing weather today, you can never be too sure. You surely would not want the guests soaking wet in the middle of the wedding.
Hire a sand sculptor to recreate a sculpture of the bride or groom or any memento that relates to their love story. This can serve as the focal point of the whole beach decoration set-up.
If it s a bit windy, you can use a huge tarp to block the direction from where the wind is coming. This will ensure that the guests will not have sand on their meals or on their eyes. Of course, you should not just get any tarp you can get your hands on. Make sure you find something that at least complements the color and style of the wedding. If possible, you can have the photo of the couple printed on the tarp so that it will serve double purpose as decoration and as a wind blocker.

From the wedding magazine, view it for free:

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Driftwoods are nice to place along the perimeters of the reception area. Just place them on the side so nobody will trip over them. Decorate these with shells, starfishes, and sand to create wonderful pieces of art that will wow the guests.
Hang anchors, surfboard, or boogie boards on the walls. You can also lean them against the corners.
If you are going to use flowers to decorate the event, consult with an expert florist first as there are some flowers that will not be able to stand the extreme heat of the sun.
As for the centerpieces, the choices are endless. You can have lantern centerpieces, crystal bowls filled with sand, glass marbles, pearls and shells, floating candles on a wide clear water vase, or a mini sand sculpture.

From the wedding magazine, view it for free:

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Play some nice beach tunes. Decoration is not all about what the eyes can see but also what the ears hear. Aside from visually appealing design elements, be sure to throw in wonderful beach music to add to the nice ambiance of the place. Play some sunny Caribbean music from the Baha Men, old favorites from Beach Boys, soothing tunes from Café Del Mar, or fun reggae beat from Bob Marley.

Even though there are many factors to consider, decorating a beach wedding is not that difficult. With so many resources available around the beach that you can use as decorative elements, it will not consume much of your time or the couple’s wedding budget.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections Tagged With: decorate your beach wedding

Let’s Party With A Cocktail Wedding Theme

September 2, 2009 By Angela 1 Comment

cocktail-theme Everyone loves a good, old-fashioned cocktail hour. Hosting cocktail theme parties for weddings or a cocktail hour immediately after the ceremony allows your guests to unwind after the wedding just before the official reception and it helps pass the time guests spend waiting for the wedding party to complete their wedding photos.

Additionally, having an hour or so to socialize and get into a more festive mood will also give your guests time to catch up, make new acquaintances and get to know each other better.

Your cocktail party should focus on three very important aspects to make it a success. The first, obviously are the drinks. The second is the food you offer. The third key factor is showcasing your wedding theme, motif and colors in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

The drinks make the entire event, and there are many different options at your disposal. Some cocktail theme parties for weddings display special wines or champagne while others offer specialty drinks that are unique to the area or have significance for the bride and groom. One suggestion is to rename popular drinks after the newly married and to make the theme of the party that special drink.

You could rename the martini after the bride and groom, such as “Smith-tinis” and to feature different types of martini drinks with Bride and Groom Stir Sticks and Picks. You can also serve a toast of the beverage of choice in Flared Shot Glasses that guests can take with them. Another is to serve drinks made in batches, such as sangria or margaritas that are prominently displayed in large bowls creating an array of vibrant colors. Still other ideas include featuring a local brewery or local produced wine.

A vital element of a successful cocktail hour or party is to feature an array of different foods. The foods you choose can be exotic, regular table fare or can highlight local cuisine. One idea is to have a local caterer prepare and serve the food as a way to give the local community business as well as to build interest in local food specialties. Another idea is provide each guest with a token gift that features a local specialty, such as Vermont Maple Syrup or a small wine sampler from a local vineyard.

Make sure that the decorations and motif of the cocktail area reflect your wedding. This will give you the ability to show off your color and theme choices and will allow your guests to appreciate your good taste. You also will be able to make the transition from wedding to cocktail theme party to reception with ease, allow you and the guests to maintain the “aura” of the theme from event to event.

There are some helpful tips that you need to consider if you have a cocktail party. The first is to make sure that you offer non-alcoholic choices for your guests who do not drink. Secondly, make sure that you review your contract extensively as often you are charged a set price for a particular number of drinks or are charged for an entire bottle even if only one drink has been served from it.

Also, understand the tipping procedures. Some caterers charge a gratuity in the bill and with others, it is up to you and your guests to take care of the help. Know this in advance and take care of the servers and bartenders even if the tip is included or if it is left up to your guests.

Cocktail theme wedding parties are a great way to provide a transition from event to event on your special day. They also give your guests a chance to get to know each other and make new introductions and friends. Your drink and food choices give everyone a chance to enjoy local or specialty fare, unique local food and drink and to and take in the ambiance of your chosen colors and themes. Most of all, a cocktail party gives everyone an opportunity to relax, enjoy your special day and get ready for the reception.

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Beach Wedding Centerpiece Ideas for the Exotic Couple

September 1, 2009 By Jen 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 Centerpiece Ideas

Candle Favors Come In Many Design Themes

August 30, 2009 By Ingrid 1 Comment

One of the most popular wedding favors during any season or in any country are candles. These are vastly popular as they are easily accessible, widely varied in design, style and color, suit all four seasons of the year and visually appealing. The increased interest in aromatherapy, and alternative relaxation techniques have also contributed to the popularity of candle keepsakes, especially scented ones. They are also considered romantic gifts during weddings.

- Religious themes. Keepsakes with a theme that is religious often carry crosses on them. Other equally religious signs like the upside down cross or spellings of religious words or name like “Allah” or “Jesus” can also be endeavored.

- Romantic themes. Some candles are designed with romance in mind. These would carry heart shapes on them which are either carved into their waxy surface or imprinted on them. Other romantic designs are candles that are shaped into wedding gowns or have the word “L-O-V-E” spelt out on them. They are also often white, ivory or silver in color or in any one solid color as candles with only one color are deemed more romantic than those that are not.

- Humorous themes. Other candles are meant to put a smile on your face and lighten the occasion. These are normally more brightly colored and the color chosen would be less somber ones like neon green, bright red or multicolored. They would also be made into humorous shapes like the frog prince, ice-cream sundae, coffee cup, teapot or even Cupid.

- Royalty themes. These are candle wedding favors that are shaped to look like carriages, crowns or tiaras. Often, candle favors like these are silver, ivory or richly colored with gold or silver flecks on them to look equally luxurious.

- Zodiac or personality themes. Candle tokens that carry the zodiac or personality themes are often color-coded to showcase the difference between each time of personality or zodiac. A more tranquil and airy personality like Aries, for instance, would most probably be candle favors that are lavender in color and scent. Other ways of color coding your candles to each personality would be to follow the color of each zodiac’s birthstone. Capricorn birthstone – turquoise – for instance, could be the color for the candle favor. These often come as tea light candles which have an appropriate scent.

Candle wedding favors also come in various holders which match their designs:

- Votives are extremely popular as candle favor casings as they match their designs perfectly in both color and design. Votives also help to cut down on the cost of actually ordering your candles in a specific shape – ordering heart-shaped candles, for example, may cost more than having normal round candles in a votive with a heart shape design on its outside. Votives can be made of ceramic or glass (clear or frosted). Frosted glass seems to be more popular as they give the illusion of being more expensive than they really are. For added beauty, these votives can be decorated with colored rhinestones or crystals with some glitter for some shimmer effect.

- Gift box sets are also popular for candle keepsakes that need to be given out in pairs. These box sets can be made into shapes that fit the wedding theme like coffee cups, soap holders, lanterns, bamboo huts or cake stands (with the candle as the cake). Just like the votive, these also cut down on your need to order specially designed candle wedding favors while allowing your guests to keep their box sets for their own candle of preference.

- Conventional candle holders are another way of encasing the candle favors. To enhance their look, the holders can be made of glass or high quality plastic. To fit your wedding theme, you can have these holders molded to specific shapes like teapots, sea shells, sailboats, heart shapes, beach pails, toasting flute or any other object that fits.

The size of candle wedding favors varies from event to event. How big or small the candle table gift is should be determined by its design and intended use. Is it supposed to be a tea light candle or a centerpiece candle? Tea light candles are naturally small and light while centerpiece candles are larger and short. Do remember as well that candle wedding favors, particularly scented ones, also tend to be more decorative than practical items – most are used as air fresheners in bathrooms and wardrobes and almost never lit.

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How To Discover Wedding Invitations That Match Your Theme

August 24, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

A wedding has always been a joyous occasion in which friends and families come together to celebrate the joining of two lives into one. For ages, the wedding itself was the event. All weddings followed the same path, for the most part: white dress, church, the throwing of rice, etc., but recent years have brought loads of change. Today, the “traditional” church wedding is no longer the norm.

Theme weddings are taking place every weekend of the year all throughout the world. A wedding without a theme is like a bride without something blue…wait, does that belong in a theme wedding that isn’t the “Traditional” theme? In addition to going traditional, happy couples can now plan theme weddings around a favorite destination, flower, or even their pet! Theme weddings can whisk you back into a historical period of time, or into the presence of the gods themselves. It doesn’t seem to matter what interests you, a wedding theme can be created around it.

If you have chosen a theme for your wedding, it means that every part of the celebration should branch out from the tree that is your theme. There is a branch for decorations, a branch for apparel, and a branch for invitations. Finding invitations for your unique theme wedding is one of the first tasks you will tackle once your theme has been decided upon.

Where do you turn when looking for wedding invitations for your theme wedding? Most brides hit the net first. With just a few taps of the fingers, multiple companies that specialize in theme wedding invitations will appear before your eyes. Because you have chosen a theme wedding, you want unique wedding invitations. For example, if your wedding will be a beach theme, you don’t simply want to choose wedding invitations that feature a shell on them. No, you want the invitation itself to BE a shell, or at least the shape of one.

While you can find ideas on the internet for theme wedding invitations, it is also a good idea to visit a local print shop that prints invitations. You may just be surprised to find something there that suits your theme and your budget. Even if you don’t, what it will do for you is give you and idea of the types of paper used to print theme wedding invitations. Because these are invitations that you want to stand out, making sure that high quality paper is used will serve you well.

In addition to just wanting the paper to show off the true vibe of your wedding, knowing what printing techniques can be used on certain types of paper is important. You are going through the details of planning the perfect theme wedding for your friends and family to enjoy. The invitations you send out start the whole process. Take the time to look online, but also know the types of questions to ask and you will be thrilled when you view the first proof of your unique theme wedding invitations!

Filed Under: Invitations, Themes & Collections Tagged With: themed wedding invitations

Make It A Day To Remember With A Vegas Theme

August 7, 2009 By Lisa Leave a Comment

One way to throw a party everyone will remember is to capture the allure, flash and ridiculous of a Vegas Theme Wedding. Ideally, you can do it by actually going to “Sin City,” but since most of us cannot, bringing Vegas Theme Weddings to you is the next best thing. While you do not want your wedding to mirror the theme “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” you do want to make your wedding “A Night to Remember” and luckily, with Vegas, that is easy.

Your options for a Vegas theme are limitless and up to your own preferences and boldness. You can literally go for the whole enchilada replete with an Elvis impersonator to take the bride down the aisle and a reception set up like a casino with games of chance throughout or you can make it more subtle by incorporating parts of each event to commemorate Vegas. This can be accomplished by breaking up your events between traditional and Vegas themes.

For instance, one way you can commemorate a Vegas theme is to print your invitations on paper poker chips that announce the date and the theme. You also can give guests “Jackpot” Mini Stickers or give gifts Lucky in Love party favors that ask guests to “try your luck in love.” Another suggestion is to give younger guests (and older guests with a sweet tooth) a Mini Slot Machine that dispenses gumballs. One more option is to give each guest a packet of Heart Shaped Playing Cards.

Your ceremony can also take on a Vegas theme, but not set the bar for friendly tackiness. To accomplish this, you can ask guest speakers to incorporate a “jackpot” topic theme play some of Elvis’ music at some point in the ceremony. Of course, you also can go all the way and hire a JP to marry you (they do more than just City Hall or shotgun weddings) or really get into it and have the King give the Bride away (even if the King is just Dad in a wig.) Vegas is so diverse that the options are limitless and up to your imagination as to how much of a Vegas theme wedding you want to incorporate.

The colors you choose for your wedding party, decorations and collections can create a Vegas feel. Incorporating a Flower of Love in Romantic Red Collection exudes the combination of Vegas flash and passion. You also can incorporate colors that exude Vegas, such as chrome highlights, black edging and silver and gold wedding accessories.

If you do have a cocktail hour, handing out playing card drink vouchers (if your bar is not “open”) is a great way to get your guests in the mood as well as emphasize your theme. At the reception, setting up “stations” that feature popular casino games is also a well received idea. If you are worried about the reception devolving into “poker night” or “casino night” manage the stations so that they are only open during particular time periods. You also can force guests to mingle by having time periods for play where guests then shift to another game or station.

Other suggestions to make your Vegas Theme Wedding a success is to hire a DJ that is familiar with Vegas music. This will make sure you have a good mix of Vegas-style music with more “wedding traditional” fare. You also can provide all guests with a Bride and Groom Stir Stick or Pick with every beverage they order. Giving your wedding party Card Suit Key Chains to commemorate the day is a great way to remind those closest to you of your day and the big event.

The key is to capture the essence of Vegas, but not have the theme obscure the magic of the day. How you plan your Vegas Theme Wedding is completely up to your own preferences and how much of the Vegas feel you want to incorporate. With some people, a full on Vegas spectacle is the only way to go. If, however, you are not so bold as to have Elvis officiate the ceremony, there are virtually limitless options to make sure that your theme sticks in the mind of every guest.

If you haven’t seen our huge selection of favors, click on Las Vegas themed wedding favors and it will bring you there.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: Las Vegas wedding theme

The Meaning Of Butterflies And The Theme

August 7, 2009 By Jen 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 Jen 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.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: cinderella wedding theme, fairytale wedding theme

A Country Theme Wedding To Escape The Drum Beat Of City Life

August 7, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

A country theme wedding allows people to express their interests and perceptions in a relaxed setting. What “country” means exactly, is as diverse as the people who have opinions. For most people, however, at the very least, “the country” means a simpler life that appreciates nature, natural beauty and a quiet tranquility not found often in big cities or even towns.

It is true that country means different things to different people. To some, country is a way to escape the drum beat of city life and shed the grit and dirt of urbanity. To others the country is where quaint locals sell local wares to unsuspecting tourists and everyone is friendly and accommodating. Still to others, “country” means lazy summer days around a swimming hole, fishing and an catching lightening bugs. To a select few, country is a way of life and all other forms of living seem foreign.

This is true of geography as well. What New York City residents consider the country is very different than what people from Memphis consider the country and that is very different than what people in the American West consider country. Depending on where you live or were raised, country can mean different things almost to a person.

New Yorkers, for instance, might consider the Adirondacks to be “country,” while southerners or westerners might consider the Adirondacks to be crowded. Westerners might consider rodeo and open ranges indispensable to the country, while in southerners, country might evoke cotton fields and catfish fries. Country is what people consider it and that makes a country theme wedding fun and challenging.

If your idea of country is winding dirt roads, isolated farms and pasture land rife with dairy cows, then you might want to consider miniature metal watering pails as a decoration or favor container. Tin sunflowers in yellow enhance any decoration, favor or centerpiece. Miniature metal country milking pails with can be filled with candies or flowers to suit your style.

If a Western theme is more your idea of country, then the romantic vintage western traditional guest book will set the stage for your guests. A “Sweet Western Embrace” Cake Topper will set the theme for your wedding cake and reception. The romantic vintage western collection merges suede with gold and silver horseshoes that speak of country and good luck.

Flowers might be the way you associate with country and in doing so, you might want to incorporate butterfly dreams flower girl baskets or glass flower holders to appoint your reception tables. Adding fresh flowers and ferns is one way to evoke a country setting and they can be used throughout your events. Felt Flowers with diamonette centers allow you to inject your gifts with decorations that commemorate your version of what makes country.

Country food is also popular in country theme weddings and the selections are multiple, depending on the overall formality of the get together. Barbeque is always popular as is corn on the cob and both speak country, but they might not be appropriate for formal receptions as they are messy. Other country foods such as fruit pies, garden salads, steak and fish are also popular and if done right, can speak to country as well as any other food.

Outdoor weddings and/or receptions are ideal settings for a country theme. Canopies and tents give a sense of country as well as protect guest from the elements. No country wedding theme in the summer is complete without at least the threat of rain or a thunderstorm and these allow guests to take refuge should the weather turn temporarily problematic. Make sure if you hold your wedding or reception outdoors to allow for ample seating and shade, especially if the day is hot. A good idea is to have chilled water available throughout the day to ward off over-heating or dehydration.

Country theme Weddings can take on just about any form and fit. They also can be thrown in any setting, including more urban or suburban settings. The idea of a country theme wedding is to give guests a sense of peace and country tranquility, while celebrating what you envision the country is all about.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: country wedding theme

All Cake Toppers Are Not Created Equal

August 7, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Choosing the perfect wedding cake topper is something that should represent who you really are as a couple. It should express both of your personalities and set the tone for the reception. This might mean choosing between traditional, funny, or unique tops, so consider some of the following before you just buy the first one that you find.

Traditional cake toppers are usually romantic and formal in style. The bride will be in her traditional white wedding gown and the groom will be in his best black suit or tuxedo. The figures are usually posed in a loving embrace, preparing to kiss, or taking their first spin on the dance floor.

These decorations are appropriate for any type of wedding, from large and small to formal and relaxed, but they express a romantic feel and elegance that are as old as the tradition of wedding ceremonies themselves.

For the couple with a sense of humor, funny cake toppers might be just what you’re looking for to add a lighthearted touch and sense of humor to the start of your long and happy life together.

The funny ones are very popular today because they remind you that marriage should be fun, unpredictable, and filled with laughter. Your true personalities can come out when you choose a funny topper and there are many different kinds to choose from that can express your true personalities.

Probably the most popular style of comical cake toppers is the reluctant groom theme. Grooms are notorious for dragging their feet to the altar and this can be expressed in a comical and lighthearted manner on the top of your wedding cake. Most of these toppers show the bride dragging her reluctant groom to the altar in a variety of poses.

Another humorous theme is the personality style. Bride cake toppers can be shown talking on their cell phones or shopping while the groom toppers can be shown playing golf, hockey, soccer, or doing any number of other activities. You might even want to surprise your groom with one of these humorous personality trait cake tops.

Of course, you may not want to go with the typical one and might be drawn towards a symbol of your undying love instead. Fortunately there are many different kinds of unique and non-traditional bride and groom cake toppers to choose from. For an Asian theme, you might want to go with one that has a traditional symbol for love or happiness.

These cake toppers are both elegant and beautiful and definitely not what you might expect to see on top of the traditional wedding cake. For an Irish wedding, you can choose a traditional Celtic knot or Claddaugh ring for your cake instead. These symbols beautifully express the traditional Irish wedding blessing of wishing you friendship and love in your long life together as a married couple.

For the ultimate expression of a fairytale princess bride wedding, you will definitely want to go with a beautiful white castle wedding cake topper. As everyone knows, it’s all about the bride on her wedding day and what better way to embrace this fairytale ending than with a giant enchanted castle on top of your cake? On the other hand, you might be more drawn to a minimalist style topper with a beautiful and unique look.

This can be created with two simple monogrammed initials sitting on top of your wedding cake. Placing the first letter of each of your names expresses the union of your two souls in a beautiful and simple way. You might also want to consider placing the first letter of your newly acquired last name as a symbol of your unity.

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

Celebrate Your Special Day On A Cruise Ship

August 4, 2009 By Jen 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.

Filed Under: Destinations, Themes & Collections Tagged With: cruise ship wedding theme

Beach themed kitchen accessories are cute wedding favors.

August 4, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

Beach wedding favors give your guests a seaside treasure to take home and remember your special celebration. Remind everyone of your nautical nuptials and express appreciation to your guests with these beautiful tokens of appreciation.

Many couples are choosing carefree beach weddings over traditional marriage ceremonies. Instead of tying the knot in a house of worship and having a reception at a separation location such as a country club, couples are exchanging their vows outdoors with nature all around them.

Surrounded by sandy beach, crystal seas and warm sun, couples proclaim their eternal love. After the ceremony, guests attend a seafaring reception and receive their beach wedding favors to remember the moment.

Beach weddings are less formal so couples can wear whatever they prefer. Often brides opt for gauzy dresses in white or ivory with beading, sequins, embroidery or shells. The bride may decide to wear a short veil or a halo of flowers on top of her head as opposed to a long, formal headdress.

Many brides go barefoot, wear just married flip flops or slide into dressy, strappy sandals. Grooms can wear casual dress slacks and a neat button up shirt with no shoes or huaraches.

At a beach wedding, you can invite as few or as many guests based on your budget and the size of the beach. Some beach weddings are intimate gatherings with immediate family and a few friends while others are elaborate events with hundreds of guests.

Whether you have a large or small beach wedding, find out the rules for the area you use. Follow all regulations to ensure your wedding is a complete success.

You would not want to be faced with legal penalties in the middle of your wedding ceremony or reception. After all, your guests may never receive their beach wedding favors if a problem with the venue arises!

A beach wedding can be held locally or at an exotic location. When you travel to your destination, it is referred to as a destination wedding. If you don’t live near a beach or have the budget for a destination wedding, you can create a beach environment wherever you are with seafaring decorations, seashells accents and simulated waterfalls or ponds.

No matter how big or small your beach wedding is, all your guests will look for beach favors when they arrive at your reception. Do double duty and put out decorative place card holders that double as favors. Your guests will be amazed at the detailed features on beach memories miniature Adirondack chair place card holders and photo frames.

This adorable little Adirondack chairs will guides guests to their seats and become lasting keepsakes to display your wedding photo when it arrives in a thank-you card. If your beach wedding is on a boat, shining sails silver place card holders are the perfect way to show your guests to their places.

Match your place card holders and beach themed favors. Guide your guests to their seats with beachcombers flip flop place card holders so place cards don’t blow away with the first gusty sea breeze. Give your guests flip flips genuine leather key chains as a token of your appreciation.

After the wedding, everyone will want to look at the photos they took of all the festivities. A thoughtful gift is a beach memories guest photo album. These useful beach favors will be proudly displayed in many of your guests’ homes so they can keep looking at the pictures of your special day.

Candles are popular favors because most people use them. Your guests will love a whimsical margarita glass gel candle in a tropical tiki hut gift box as a lasting keepsake of your nautical nuptials.

Set sail frosted sailboat tea light holders are elegant beach wedding favors for your guests. Everyone can bring the beach home with seashells gel candles in clear gift boxes with raffia ties and thank you tags or darling seaside tea light candle sets.

Beach themed kitchen accessories are useful, thoughtful favors. Everyone will love a palm tree cookie cutter in a beach-themed gift box or a chrome seashell bottle stopper. These practical gifts will continually remind your guests of the wonderful time they had sharing your big day.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections, Wedding Favors Tagged With: beach themed wedding favors

Seaside Ambiance for Thank You Gifts

August 4, 2009 By Lisa Leave a Comment

The beach is always a popular motif for weddings because it is so versatile and almost everyone has at least one good memory associated with the beach along an ocean, lake, pond, or cottage life. As a society, we spend countless hours on the beach playing as children, sunning as teenagers and adults, taking long walks on the beach to find shells and enjoying the rising and setting of the sun from a well-appointed perch or during a morning or evening stroll.

The beach means different things to different people, but there are some common themes. Beaches represent tranquility and consistency. They also are very busy places where people recreate, birds scour for food and water-creatures and fauna live just feet away. Beaches represent cleanliness and a new beginning; with each incoming tide, beaches are swept clean, leaving an interesting deposit of shells and wildlife each morning.

Beaches are also beautiful to look at. The colors that encompass even the most mundane beach are spectacular as are the wildlife. Sea grasses, the color of the water, the sky and the sand all provide an interesting cornucopia of colors that can be incorporated into any beach theme because they merge so great together and match just about any other color scheme.

Beaches also represent life. Even an inland pond beach is bustling with activity. Dragon flies flit from perch to perch, ducks swim offshore, fish jump and frogs, lizards and other wildlife use the beach as a highway, food source and refuge. Ocean beaches can be astounding in the amount of wildlife they support besides humans. Clams burrow into the sand as to some crabs, fish swim offshore sea gulls scavenge and tidal pools support hundreds if not thousands of different life forms.

Incorporating the beach into your wedding is easy and almost always a good match. Beach theme wedding favors are no exception. Because the beach is so diverse, you have an array off article and color options that will fit almost any wedding perfectly.

In terms of the favors themselves, you have a lot of options. The beach is rife with wildlife, shells, sand and rocks and each specimen is likely included in a beach theme wedding favor somewhere.

Ready for purchase are starfish wine stoppers, wooden deck chair candle holders, beach theme wooden trinket boxes and so much more. Miniature folding beach chairs dress up any table and evoke a sense of carefree bliss as do flip flop shaped notepads celebrating the day and the Bride and Groom. Mini Lanterns with Hangers evoke damp, fog-laden nights and foghorns bellowing in the background.

Miniature metal pails remind people of blissful days spent building sand castles. In addition, to set a lighter mood you can select Starfish Shaped Stickers, Beach Towel Stickers or Boat Flag Stickers. Each of these remind people of how fun the beach is and how fun your wedding is because of your good taste in themes.

Like the beach theme wedding favors you choose, you also have lots to pick from in terms of color. Aqua blue is by far the favorite because it is airy and light, but it is by no means your only option. Sea green is very popular as is sea-grass greens and sand. Other popular colors are derived from deep blue skies, the colors of wildlife and the pastels that people paint houses, boardwalks and piers. Since so many colors make up your average beach scene, your choices of colors run the gamut.

Beach theme party favors are a great way to celebrate something almost everyone enjoys in one way, shape or form. Even people who do not like spending a lot of time on the beach usually at least enjoy the wildlife, colors and landscape and just about everyone appreciates the views of the ocean, tranquility of a pond, picturesque beauty of a lake or the power of a river. Beach theme wedding favors can add a light, fun and lively flavor your event and come in so many different shapes, sizes and forms that finding the perfect set of favors is easy.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections, Wedding Favors Tagged With: beach themed wedding favors

Some Great Guest Book Ideas For Your Beach Wedding

August 4, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

Wedding guest book ideas are found in bridal magazines, retail stores and through online resources. The best wedding ideas compliment the theme of your big day. Shopping around for cool ideas online is convenient because you can do it anytime, anywhere.

Your guest book is one of the most important accessories. During the wedding reception, all your guests look for this book to sign their names, addresses and make a personal statement. From funny one-liners to touching paragraphs, everyone will have something unique to say to the happy couple. After the reception, the guest book is a handy resource for writing thank you notes. Once your thank you notes are in the mail, your guest book becomes the first marital phone book so you know how to get in touch with everyone.

Usually it is displayed on its own table at the reception so guests can easily locate it. The table is decorated to match the wedding theme and a fancy pen to match the guest book is provided so guests can write their sentiments. With the hectic pace of a wedding, often the bride and groom do not get to exchange many words with their guests. A wedding guest book gives you a chance to read all the thoughts your guests had during your reception to relive the moment again and again.

Often great ideas come right from the theme of the wedding. One of the first choices you make as you plan for your big day is the theme. Once you choose a theme, you can select your invitations, decorations and accessories so everything matches. A uniform appearance throughout your wedding ceremony and reception looks professional in all your wedding photos and videos.

Calla lilies are a timeless, traditional theme. The gentle beauty of these flowers is associated with marriage and love. A bridal beauty calla lily traditional guest book matches the flowers in your wedding bouquets. If you prefer red roses, a flower of love in romantic red guest book is simply perfect.

Chocolate and strawberries are a decadent delight often associated with romance. If you and your groom appreciate the sensual pleasure of chocolate and strawberries, you will both love chocolate and strawberry cream accessories, including a traditional guest book. Chocolate colored ribbons with crystals on a pale pink background is a tasty way to gather your guests’ names.

Love and faith go hand in hand for many couples. Marriage often involves a ceremony of faith based on the couples’ background and religion. Express your faith with an expression of faith traditional guest book. Your guests will all appreciate the love and faith you share, which will surely be reflected in the comments they write.

Consider the décor in the marital home when you consider ideas. Your guest book should match your theme and fit nicely into your new home together. Classic guest book designs match any wedding theme and look fabulous displayed in your marital home.

A bronze elegance traditional guest book adds opulence to your wedding reception and your home. A thymeless traditional one combines rich color and texture, adding a luxurious touch to your wedding reception and new home. A scattered pearls and crystals traditional book in white captures the very essence of your wedding day. If you prefer total elegance, choose a platinum by design traditional guest book with sparkling crystals. These beautiful guest books will attract attention anywhere you display them. Solid, classic designs look lovely for many years to come as you reminisce about your wedding day or write holiday cards.

No matter what your wedding theme or location, hearts fit in anywhere because they are the universal symbol of love. A classic double heart traditional guest book shows the joining of two hearts in marriage. A love tree in natural white is a unique way to display hearts on it.

With so many ideas, you can find the perfect choice to match your wedding reception and your new marital home together.

Filed Under: Ceremony, Guest Books, Reception, Themes & Collections Tagged With: Guest Books