What To Wear At Your Reception

September 17th, 2009

You’ve dreamed of the perfect wedding reception for years. You know exactly what you want and you’ve envisioned all the details from what the cake looks like to what the guests are wearing. But how do you make sure the guests wear the attire you’d like them to wear? Well, you could ask them.

Invitations often have a line added that mentions attire, such as “formal attire” or “casual attire”, and wedding invitations are no exception. What follows is a list of different attire labels and their descriptions.

Casual
This means pretty much anything is acceptable without being trashy or inappropriate for public viewing. This might be your choice if you are having an informal backyard barbeque reception.

Dressy Casual
When you want them to dress nicer than they would dress for “everyday”, dressy casual means slacks, button-down shirt and perhaps a blazer for the men, and dressy pants and a nice blouse for the women.

Semi-formal
This attire is definitely more dressy than casual or dressy casual. The men should wear suits and ties whereas the women should wear short dresses.

Informal
Same as semi-formal.

Casual Evening
Really the same as dressy casual except they might wear darker “night time” colors. A nice shirt and slacks on the guys and dressy pants and a pretty blouse for the gals.

Black Tie
Using this label means you want your guests to come formally attired in tuxes and long gowns or very dressy cocktail dresses with elegant bling.

Formal
Same as black tie attire.

Black Tie Optional
This means tuxes or dark suits with ties for the men, and long dress, cocktail dress, or dressy pantsuit for the women. If they don’t wear tuxes and long dresses, they should still be very dressed up.

Cocktail
Cocktail attire calls for short dresses and heels for the ladies and dark suits for the gentlemen.

Festive
This attire comes in to play at times such as Christmas. Females get to wear extra theme-appropriate bling or sparkly blouses or sweaters, and males might add a Santa tie to their suit.

Redneck
Time for people to pull out their cutoffs, tank tops, and flip flops and slap on a couple temporary tattoos! :)

In case you were wondering, putting the preferred attire on the invitation is not pushy; many people are relieved to know how you would like them to dress. If you decide not to put it on the invitation, people will generally look at the time of day and the wedding reception location for clues.

If it’s an afternoon wedding guys will probably wear sports coats and casual slacks while women wear dresses ranging from informal sun dresses to cocktail dresses.

If it’s an evening wedding expect to see more dark suits on the men and cocktail dresses on the ladies.

Keep in mind that even if you put your desired attire on the invitation it does not guarantee everyone will follow it. Remember that you are merely giving a suggestion and even though there are those who will wear what they want, your wedding and reception will still be the magical event you dreamed of.

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The Beauty of a Beach Wedding Dress

September 15th, 2009

Today, modern brides are truly blessed because they have an option not to wear heavy and formal gowns by choosing a beach themed wedding. In this type of wedding, brides don’t have to worry about choosing a formal gown because they can only wear a beach wedding dress.

Why choose a beach wedding dress:

Indeed, in all of the modern concepts of wedding, beach theme is one of the most popular. Because of this popularity, a beach wedding dress has become a common option for this themed wedding because they are easy to choose and to carry.

For most brides, a beach wedding dress is the most suitable wedding dress because it requires lesser time in finding what to wear for the occasion. Since they can save time, brides who prefer wearing a beach wedding dress can have more time to plan and carry out details of the entire ceremony.

Aside from being hassle free, a beach wedding dress is also ideal because it can provide you with utmost comfort during this stressful time. It is also less expensive compared to the traditional wedding gowns out there because a beach wedding dress usually come in simple cuts and designs meant for the location.

Also, before buying a beach wedding dress, make sure that this is designed to cling to the contours of your body. A beach wedding dress should be pared down and slim fit to ensure that you wont be distracted once the wind caught the hem or any part of your dress. Perfect options for a beach wedding dress include straight-line wedding dresses, mermaid cut wedding dresses and those that are princess line cut to ensure that you can move about easily. Aside from portability because of the use of lightweight material, also make sure that the beach wedding dress is easy to transport by avoiding too much detail or accessories on it.

Choosing a beach wedding dress:

Although it might seem easy, there are also major considerations when you choose a beach wedding dress. The first major consideration in choosing a wedding dress should be the climate of the destination. Determining the climate is very important because this can affect your overall comfort during the wedding. Make sure that you have checked with the local weather station branch the usual climate for the area before setting your final wedding date. If the area is rainy or prone to storm, it is best to look for a beach that in a tropical country that the weather would not ruin your special date.

Next consideration would be the average temperature. If the beach where the ceremony will take place is in a tropical country such as in Boracay, Philippines, opt for a beach wedding gown that is made cotton or something that will let the air pass through. Aside from the material used, also choose designs that will let you breathe from the harsh heat of the area. Ideal cuts are sleeveless, tube, strapless, or off-the-shoulder ones because these can give you ultimate comfort despite direct exposure to the beach.

The type of fabric is also a big consideration. If you are choosing a beach wedding dress for your big and special day, make sure that you opt for those that are styles and cuts made from fabrics that are lightweight such as organza or chiffon. This will ensure that you will be comfortable despite the harsh winds and heat of the beach.

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Bomboniere

September 11th, 2009

(Sugared Almonds Wedding Favors)

Your wedding reception should be the party of your life and when planning it, every effort should be made in order to ensure that’s what you get. Table decorations, floral arrangements, venue, entertainment and bomboniere are key to a successful wedding reception.

When it comes to the venue, it needs to suit the theme of your wedding. For example, if your bridal gown were princess-like, a castle would be suitable. Alternatively, you may have a simple floor length shift-shape dress and to be in keeping with your look, the venue may be a modern riverside restaurant. Whichever theme you choose, even the smallest detail must be meticulously well planned and this includes your choice of bomboniere.

Originally, brides were supposed to make up favors or bomboniere by hand, but in the busy lives we now lead, this is near on impossible. Bomboniere consist of round shaped colored nets tied together with coordinating ribbons and finished with dried flowers or beads. These pretty nets are filled with a dish of delicious dragees [tear-shaped sugar coated chocolates in various colors] or sumptuous almonds [sugar coated tear-shaped nuts available in a range of colors].

Each dragee or almond is said to represent one of the five common wedding wishes; fertility, health, happiness, longevity and wealth. By giving them to your guests, the bride and groom are said to have a marriage filled with all these things. Nowadays of course, many brides are turning away from traditional almond or dragee bomboniere and are choosing more modern ways to thank their guests. Although there are a huge range of inedible favors such as candle favors, flower seed wedding favors and ornament wedding favors, there is nothing more beautiful than leaving a wedding reception with a hand-tied net pouch filled with almonds or dragees. Despite popular belief, the traditional bomboniere can still be very much a part of a modern wedding. There are so many options when it comes to bomboniere, that the world is quite literally your oyster.

For example, natural color theme weddings are very much en vogue with brides choosing simple, clean cut dresses for themselves and taupe, pale green or ivory 50’s style dresses for their bridesmaids. Floral arrangements reflect the simplicity of the wedding as brides opt for small hand-tied white bouquets or a drape of plain orchids across their arms. Traditional bomboniere can fit beautifully in these more retro occasions as brides can select ivory or white nets, fill them with white almonds and finish them with a pale green bow. Alternatively, ecru colored nets can be complemented with ivory or gold dragees and finished off with coordinating ribbons or flowers.

So, whatever your wedding venue, dress or bouquet, there is a bomboniere to suit all occasions. Your choice of bomboniere should reflect your theme and personality and with such a vast range of nets, almonds, dragees, colors, flowers and ribbons, no two bomboniere need be the same!

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Five Winter Wedding Ideas

September 2nd, 2009

Unless a couple is eloping in Las Vegas by themselves, a wedding should have some unique planning and twists to it in order to make the wedding memorable. Inventing a winter wedding theme is one such concept, and in order to properly design a winter wedding, a few simple ideas could be put forth.

1. Probably the easiest winter wedding idea is also one of the simplest, which is providing simple twists on common wedding conventions. For example, the wedding cake could be made in the shape of a snowman or a snowflake. While this is not the most elaborate of ideas, providing simple twists on common conventions is sometimes all that is required to present the appearance of a novel idea.

2. The wedding attire of the bride, groom, and bridesmaids can also be designed so as to embody the theme of winter. This is another winter wedding idea that can be easily put in motion so as to create a wonderful winter wedding theme. The use of silver, white, and blue colored formal wear can provide an excellent evocation of winter and is highly suggested for those planning a wedding that is to follow a winter theme.

3. Selecting the food for the wedding should involve selecting food that closely follows a winter theme. This would involve “hot” items such as hot chocolate and “cold” items such as eggnog. There does need to be a bit of careful planning involved, as one should not cross the line into territory where the wedding theme becomes murky and a Christmas or holiday theme becomes too pronounced.

4. The decor of the wedding should also follow themes that are consistent with the winter. This does not mean that the decor should embody specific winter conventions, but should at least emanate a certain color scheme that is more closely associated with winter than anything else. That would mean using colors such as silver, light blue, white, etc. To use other colors not associated with winter would distract away from the theme and undermine the idea of having a winter wedding and turning the entire wedding into a generic theme instead.

5. For the actual wedding itself, sometimes the theme can be proactive as opposed to being passive. One of the biggest myths about weddings is that they are passive and dull events. Well, the reality of the matter is that a wedding can be boring and dull. There have been some enterprising individuals who can put a unique, active spin on the traditional wedding. For example, there have been those fun minded individuals who will have their weddings performed underwater in scuba gear or even falling to earth while skydiving! Now, for winter loving people, a wedding at a skiing or snowboarding resort can provide the same theme of active fun to coincide with the wedding, while remaining much more sane than holding the wedding underwater!

Ultimately, having a winter wedding is simply taking traditional wedding ideas and putting a minor winter spin on them.

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Ancient Wedding Superstitions

August 31st, 2009

Weddings or traditional ceremonies joining two people together have been going on for centuries, way before organized religions that led to modern weddings were even a vague concept. Because of those deep roots from the past, quite a few “normal” wedding rites are actually modern forms of something our ancestors used to protect couples and their families.

In fact, the romantic feelings behind most of today’s weddings were not the basis for ancient weddings. The basis for ancient weddings was usually for property, land or power and had nothing to do with love. More land or property, which came with the joining of two families by the marriage of their children, meant more power to both.

When the bride walked down the aisle with her father, it symbolized the end of her freedom and the transferring of the “ownership” of his daughter and dowry goods, such as animals, physical goods and/or land. The financial standing of both families was increased by this union of their children.

I am sure you’ve heard or read this traditional blessing or poem that has become a list of items the bride is supposed to wear or carry with her at today’s wedding.

“Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe.”

That old mantra dates back to Victorian times and is really a blessing for the couple. “Something old” represented the enduring unions of the wedding of ancestors. Carrying “something new” is a blessing for the future of the couple, while “something borrowed” foretells the support of family and friends. The color blue has been a wedding tradition dating back to ancient Rome and carried over to the Christianity’s Virgin Mary. It has symbolized love, purity and fidelity for centuries.

If the bride wears a silver sixpence in her shoe, prosperity will be in her future. While this is a common British custom, brides everywhere have taken to wearing a coin in their shoes to attract good fortune. There is some evidence that it may have started with a Scottish custom of the groom standing on a silver coin for good luck.

While you might think that the seating of families was so the individual
friends and relatives of the bride and groom could sit together, you would be mistaken. In ancient times, since marriages were for land or power, the families often did not like each other and the separated seating was to keep them from fighting during the ceremony.

A long time ago, it was considered unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose last name began with the same letter as hers. If the bride-to-be would practice writing her married name before the ceremony, she would be tempting fate.

The bride, even today, stands on the groom’s left during the ceremony because, in another time, the groom would carry his sword on his right in order to protect his bride.

With so many superstitions to contend with, it is surprising that any ancient weddings went off as planned. But, in case there was a need to ensure good luck the week before the wedding, the bride could always persuade a cat to eat out of her left shoe so good luck would bless her married life.

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Add Some Flair With Wedding Favors

August 18th, 2009

Celebrating the unity of two people for eternity is the foremost purpose of a Wedding Ceremony. It has been this way and will continue to be this way for as long as the tradition lives. Wedding Guests are invited to share not only in the joyous occasion but also to bear witness to the union. There is something spiritual about standing before all those who are special to you and make a lifelong commitment to someone for others to hear, which is what really transforms two people into a married couple.

To show an appreciation for their guests, for the time they have taken out of their busy lives to be part of the Wedding, the bride and groom shower their guests with Wedding Favors. These Wedding Gifts or Wedding Favors have been the tradition to thank the wedding guests for their thoughtfulness, their gifts and help in any way given to the couple in making the wedding a special occasion.

Wedding favors traditionally are given to all of the guests that have been invited to the wedding reception, of course, more expensive wedding favors are available and there are many weddings for which these higher-priced wedding favors are appropriate. These are typically inexpensive gifts, averaging in the $1 – $2 price range. Numerous wedding favors are available in just about any category one could imagine, from sterling silver picture frames, to personalized edible chocolates, and even fragrant bath soaps.

Selecting wedding favors is not that difficult at all, nor is it necessary to purchase these well in advance of the wedding date. Most are readily available at online and retail outlets that specialize in these kind of wedding accessories. You don’t want to wait until the last minute however, as that is a particularly hectic time. You will need to allow ample time for personalization, or if you select an item that requires special ordering, for example, an unusually large quantity, or an exclusive item.

To be on the safe side, two to three months prior to the wedding date is a good time to make your wedding favor selections. Once you have them in your possession, the only other thing you need to worry about is getting them to the reception before the guests arrive and presenting them in a unique and beautiful manner appropriate for the occasion

Online shopping has made finding appropriate wedding favors very easy. Type ‘wedding favors’ into your search engine and you’ll get pages of web sites offering every type of wedding favor you could ever want. So where do you begin? It’s definitely a good idea to consult your budget worksheet first so you know the price range to focus on.

From there, think about what makes you and your partner unique. Do you both love golf? Are you wine connoisseurs? What about a theme? If your wedding has one, there’s sure to be a favor to complement that theme. Do you want the favor to be the place holder? If so, select one that allows you to write the person’s name and table number. Creating your own wedding favors is another option and can end up being the most unique wedding favor of all and one that your guests are sure to treasure!

Wedding Favors most suited to the occasion are the ones that reflect your personal style and personality. So select something that you personally enjoy and that your guests will appreciate and remember your wedding and you for a long time to come.

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Bachelorette Party at a Winery

August 13th, 2009

If you want to throw a nontraditional bachelorette party, there are many good ideas floating around the internet to choose from. One great option is a bachelorette party wine weekend. In many areas of the country there are wineries that offer a wide variety of activities. From Virginia to California, nearly every state has some wine producing capabilities, and local wineries are a great spot for a different kind of bachelorette party fun. If the bride-to-be is looking to spend time with her girlfriends but isn’t interested in a night of wild drinking and strangers hooting and hollering about a tiara on her head, a wine weekend might be a great option for the bachelorette party.

Wineries often provide many benefits. They are usually away from the city, in areas with lots of land and beautiful scenery. This is a great place for women to unwind, talk with each other, and just spend time bonding as is intended at a bachelorette party before one of the group goes from single to married life.

Wineries also have great wines to taste. You can take a winery tour, do a wine tasting, and buy bottles of the ones that you like. You can give each girl a party favor of a spit of wine, often you even have options to personalize the labels to say something special about the winery bachelorette party event. You can also buy wine stoppers and other wine paraphernalia as a great set of favors for the girls. Wineries also often are connected to quaint, local restaurants. This gives you an option for dinner, a wine tasting, and then you can take back several bottles of wine to a hotel room or someone’s house to let the party continue!

In addition, if you do a daytime event for a bachelorette party, you can take a picnic of gourmet foods to the winery. Most wineries have outdoor areas to sit and enjoy the sunshine when the weather is nice. Pack a complete meal, do a wine tasting, buy the wines the girls all like best, and drink them together over your picnic. It will make you feel close to all the girls at the party as you sip wine, talk about the view, and bond.

Lots of wineries also have live entertainment on special days, so if you plan the party to coincide with another event, you can take in a local jazz band, for example. The bachelorette party at a winery also doesn’t have to be limited to only one winery. Most areas have a series of wineries clumped together, as the land attracts many wine makers. If that is the case, plan your trip with multiple stops, and taste wine at a lot of locations along the way. If you are opting for a “wine tour” bachelorette part, you should check ahead of time to map out where you are going. In addition, arrange for either a sober driver or a limo or van to drive you between wine tastings so that everyone can have a good time and still be safe.

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10 Ideas For Bridesmaid Gifts

August 2nd, 2009

Your wedding day is approaching and you have picked out your wedding jewelry, written your vows, booked the caterer, and reserved the limo along with a million and a half other things on your to do list. But have you purchased the gifts for your bridesmaids yet?

If not, don’t panic, as there are many quick and simple things that can be purchased for the girls who will be standing by your side. Whether you are on a budget or the sky is the limit for you, there are many items that make wonderful bridesmaids gifts.

Take a look at the following ten bridesmaid gift ideas and you wil,l without a doubt, find something that jumps out at you. Just make sure that you always add a little personal touch to each gift to show how much you really appreciate each and every one of your bridesmaids.

•Spa Gift Card
This can be any dollar amount from twenty-five dollars and up for a local spa in your area. This will give them a way to relax after wearing those heels all night long.

•Bath and Body Oils and Soaps
Maybe your girls will not want to spend a day at a spa but they could always enjoy pampering themselves a little bit at home.

•Engraved Jewelry Box
This is a nice way for them to store the bridesmaid jewelry they wore. Engrave the box with their name or the date of the wedding.

•Jewelry
You can buy them jewelry for the wedding or could pick up a special bracelet or pair of earrings that could be worn at any time.

•Photo Album
Leave it empty or add in a few pictures of you and each bridesmaid at the shower. Just make sure to leave plenty of room for photos from the wedding.

•Photo Frames
These are always a popular choice. Silver frames are generally the best and engraving can be done to these as well.

•Goodie Bag Full of Goodies
This bag could be filled with perfumes, lotions, sprays, jewelry, gift cards, and anything else that you want. It is a great way to give your bridesmaids a little bit of everything.

•Group Trip For a Manicure and Pedicure
This is a fabulous way to get all of the girls together after the wedding. They can relax, get pampered, and share wedding day stories.

•Girls Night Out
Grab a bite to eat, watch a movie, or go dancing. Now that the wedding day is over you and your bridesmaids can kick back and have a little wild fun together. Or do it before, but it doesn’t count as your shower

•A Cute Handbag
If there is one thing a girl cannot get enough of, it’s handbags. Keep it empty or fill it with treats or special goodies. This is a gift that the bridesmaids will get a lot of use out of.

With so many options, it may seem at first glance to be difficult to make a decision. But you know your group of friends better than anyone else. Once you start putting a little thought into it, you will see how easy it is to find the perfect bridesmaids gifts for them.

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At Home Bachelorette Parties

July 3rd, 2009

Bridal Candies and Flowers
What makes a great bachelorette party?  Some girls say it is going out to bars, flirting with guys, and drinking shots all night long.  Other girls, especially slightly older brides, find that they aren’t looking for a situation that will only make them feel uncomfortable.

If you are planning a bachelorette party for a more reserved friend, or a girl who doesn’t drink, how do you still make sure she has a fun event?  Are there rules for planning a bachelorette party?

First, there are no set rules for bachelorette party planning.  There are, however, several key elements that make a bachelorette party a success.  The first step is to determine the expectations of the bride.  Does she want to stay in?  Does she want to invite twenty girls, or only six?  Does she have a restaurant she wants to visit, a concert she’d like to go to, or would she prefer an at home gathering?

Knowing the wishes of the bride is a key step to begin your planning.  If you have determined that the bride wants a less wild, simpler bachelorette party, you have many options to make sure it is still memorable. 

First, be sure to include the right guests – girls that the bride feels closest to. Next, think about a theme for your party.  Does the bachelorette love chocolate?  Maybe you can have a chocolate party with chocolate fountains and goodies, and gift bags for all the guests that are a rich, brown color, filled with chocolate gifts.  Or, try a theme centered on the groom, such as a “girly” football party for a girl who is marrying a huge football fan.  This party can include all the guests wearing football gear like jerseys and the food being a tailgate style.  No matter what theme you choose, make sure that it fits the bride, and your bachelorette party will be more successful.

Another key to an at-home party is making sure there are no men allowed!  Send your boyfriend or husband out for the night to make sure you have the house to yourself.  Or, ideally, plan the bachelorette party for the same night as the bachelor party when the guys are busy themselves. Next, plan great food.  A bachelorette party should feel indulgent, so make sure you are providing good snacks, or to keep costs down, make it a potluck party.  Have each girl bring a favorite dish and you can all get together, snack, and play bachelorette party games!

Finally, remember to focus entirely on the bride.  Have the girls each share a special story about a funny moment with the bride, or to write down their favorite memory of her.  Then, take turns reading the memories and have the bride guess who wrote what.  It is a good bonding experience and reminds everyone why they love the bride and lets guests who don’t know each other well get to know each other better before the wedding.

Whatever you do for your bachelorette party, remember that the key to a great party is the love you put into it and the friends you have gathered.

 

More on another site for brides from Teri Champigny
http://bridalaccessories1.info

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Special Candle Favors

February 8th, 2009

Weddings are a time of happiness and love, a time to rejoice and be surrounded by friends and family you hold dear. Giving each guest a unique candle wedding favor will surely immortalize your special day forever, and allow attendees to take a home a useful, heartfelt memento of this very special occasion. Shopping for the perfect favors may feel impossible to you, but there are a variety of different candles you can choose to present your guests with on your wedding day, and various resources to help you do just that.

When you plan a wedding, you also plan on the occasion being memorable, an event your guests will be hard pressed to forget. What better way to do that than with sincere favors? There are a multitude of different candles you can present your guests, and a variety of websites and specialty shops catering specifically to wedding favors. For a cute, fun little favor, you can consider miniature candles shaped like a wedding cake. These are cute, definitely wedding oriented, and will work with almost any theme. If you would like, you may also want to consider tea light sets. In a variety of colors and designs, these candles will suit almost any celebration. What is more, they are fairly cheap! Definitely a plus for a wedding on a budget.

Let us say you are having a theme wedding, and it is taking place on the beach. Obviously, you will want a candle favor that will take your guests back to that special day. How about miniature candles shaped like flip flops? If it’s a casual beach occasion, these will most certainly do the trick. If it is a more formal beach event, beautiful glass sailboat tea light holders may be just the ticket. They are classy, and they will definitely serve as a beautiful reminder for your guests. This illustrates how easy it can be to find favors that suit your unique wedding theme, for both formal and casual affairs.

You want your wedding to be as special as possible, every detail taken care of and everyone kept happy. The favors you choose for your guests will forever memorialize your special day, so you want them to be a reflection of your heartfelt gratitude for your guest’s presence. Now, your wedding guests will have something to look back on to remember a time of joy, and a time of love, forever captured in these favors.

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