Bridal Living

White weddings no more? The trend these days is heading towards colorful weddings. It seems that more couples planning weddings are adding pizzazz to the look of their weddings and receptions with bold, daring colors, patterns, floral arrangements, exotic cakes, and more. It appears that the desire to wow guests is a major goal of many brides and grooms. With wedding budgets being tossed out the window, these new high-end weddings are quickly becoming a wedding fashion statement.

Weddings don’t have to cost a fortune to be beautiful and fashionable. With careful budgeting, prioritizing, and perhaps the help of a consultant, you can have one of these new high fashion weddings. The celebrity wedding is really what these every day couples are striving to compete with. The media bombards us with news updates of these lavish weddings, including all the details of how expensive and elaborate the wedding was. It’s no wonder couples feel the need to “keep up with the Jones” so to speak.

There are several ways to create color for your wedding. You can use colorful table runners to jazz up your guest tables. If you can’t afford a table runner for every guest table, try doing this for every other guest table in a pattern fashion. Make the most of money saving greenery for part of your centerpieces. Add a dash of bold color with a few brightly colored daisies here and there.

If flowers are not a huge part of your budget, consider the every other table approach mentioned above, or consider purchasing plain clay flower pots at a local store. Chair covers always add a touch of class, and often come in many colors with bows to accent them. Wrap things in colorful cloth ribbon or tulle. Ribbon and tulle can add a lot of color. If there’s something you don’t want guests to see, or you just want to jazz it up, and then wrap it up! These are just a few of the many ways to add wonderful, happy color to your special wedding day. The trend this year is color, so don’t be afraid of bold colors and patterns!

The wedding rings are probably one of the most important things involved in the wedding. The ring is what really bonds the bride and the groom at the wedding and makes their love final. Your wedding ring should be something that represents your everlasting love and commitment to each other.

Traditional wedding rings are gold bands that the bride and groom both wear. Today there are many styles and varieties of wedding rings to choose from. Your ring should feel great and represent you and your loved one. Make sure before you look at rings that you have a budget set. Traditionally, wedding rings should not cost less than one month’s salary. You want to make sure that the ring will work with your lifestyle as a couple. This ring is a precious piece of jewelry you will own and you want it to symbolize your love for one another.

The most common metal used for wedding rings is gold. Other popular metals include silver, titanium, and platinum. Platinum is a great choice because it won’t lose its attractiveness. Many men choose platinum rings because of their durability. You want your ring to look like it on the day of your marriage for many years.

Remember when you are out looking at wedding rings to keep it simple. You don’t want your wedding ring to take the limelight away from your engagement ring. You want the wedding ring to compliment the engagement ring. Usually, the wedding bands will match the engagement ring, so finding the perfect wedding rings might take some time.

Picking a wedding ring and getting it adjusted takes time and you don’t want to rush. On the day of your wedding, you want your rings to represent the commitment you are making to the other person, in the best way possible. Take time looking at wedding rings and make sure you are completely happy with your choice. Also, make sure that you keep your rings in a safe place that you will remember until the day of your wedding. You don’t want to be stressed out about your wedding rings among other things on the day you get married!

Once you’re engaged the question you here most often is “so when’s the big day?" Like Christmas and birthdays, your wedding date will hold a special place in your heart, year after year. The reality is, until you set a date, all other planning is practically impossible. But beware of selecting the date and time of your wedding without careful thought.

In selecting your month, ask yourself: What season do I prefer? Or does the season matter? Is there one time of year your family or the groom’s family would find particularly meaningful? Perhaps Christmas has always been special to you, so an early December wedding would fulfill your dreams. As an added benefit, seasonal weddings such as Valentines Day or Halloween can simplify decorating decisions. You can even have your wedding favors match the season or theme you choose.

If saving money is of primary importance, think about having your wedding on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon. Wedding vendors and banquet halls will be much more likely to negotiate the price on any day but Saturday, their busiest day. There is a trade-off, however, as out-of-town guests may find it tougher to attend Friday or Sunday events.
Should you choose a holiday weekend? On the plus side, your guests may appreciate a wedding on a long weekend, since it gives them an extra day for travel time and recuperation. On the other hand, some family members may already have other plans for those special weekends.

Be sure to take weather into consideration. Many a bride has planned an outdoor summer wedding in chilly January, forgetting to take into account that July weather can be unbearably muggy. By now you must be thinking, how can we ever settle on a date? But take heart! You will find a workable day to exchange vows and with a dash of deliberation all your family and friends will be on hand to share your joy.

It may seem like the wedding is all about the bride, so where does the groom fit in? In the past, tradition was that the bride and her family planned and were responsible for all the details of the wedding, from choosing wedding napkins to deciding on the location. The groom and his family were rarely asked for help and had minimal involvement in making wedding arrangements or decisions. Well, it’s pretty obvious that times have certainly changed!

The traditional mentality where men worked to support the family and the wife stayed at home to cook and care for the children, is becoming a custom of the past. We are in an era of double incomes; both men and women work, earn a living, and share in domestic, household responsibilities.

So, whose wedding is it anyway? Well, the bride’s and groom’s, of course! It has become more frequent for coed wedding showers to be held for the both bride and groom and both are showered with “bridal shower gifts”. Though there will always be some components specific to brides or grooms, they usually try to plan the major points of their big day together.

Today’s modern grooms are as excited as their brides at the idea of their upcoming marriage. They don’t want to feel like guests at their own wedding; they would rather be active participants with their brides in planning their wedding and honeymoon. They want to contribute financially and have their say and involvement in the decision making.

Working as a team and planning the wedding with each other offers the bride and groom a wonderful chance to dream together, share their ideas and thoughts, and make mutual decisions to create the wedding of their dreams. It is important to experience the excitement, fun, and occasional disagreements and resolutions associated with wedding planning and (later on) with married life as well.

Achieving a shared objective, whether it is choosing wedding favors or searching for a new house, can bring a couple closer to one another and is important for jointly planning their life together in the near future. When you plan your wedding as a couple, you’ll enjoy a rewarding experience and memories that will last a lifetime.

Are you ready to pop the big question, but you’re worried that your proposal won’t be memorable or romantic? Marriage is a huge step in life, and women place so much importance and emphasis on the how, when, and where of a proposal. Did you get her an engagement gift or an engagement ring she’ll love? Questions like these rack men’s minds when deciding how to propose. It is common for guys to believe that there is only one way to ensure success when proposing: by spending a large amount of money on a lavish dinner, expensive champagne, and a romantic walk or exclusive limo ride.

Unfortunately this by no means guarantees success; even if she says yes, she may still be disappointed in the method you chose for proposing to her. The classic and unoriginal restaurant proposal can work against your efforts and is definitely not money well spent. There are numerous women who feel that the wedding proposal they received from the man they love was not as romantic and unforgettable as they would have wanted or expected, and they overall are quite disappointed. It is not because the man lacked effort, but because he lacked creativity. This is one of the main reasons that proposals fail to meet women’s high expectations. Typically the best wedding proposals are the least expensive and the most inventive. It has even occurred that some proposals were so creative and successful, that they set the theme for the wedding, decorations, and wedding favors.

Remember that your goal is to sweep her off her feet and surprise her. Do not underestimate the importance of the surprise factor. Although she may know that you want to marry her, the proposal itself should still be a surprise. Of course, before you propose and are on your way to choosing wedding napkins and tablecloths, make sure it is truly something you both want and that you agree on major life issues like jobs, location to live, and children. You do not want to jump the gun and ask too soon, until you’re both ready and have the crucial details ironed out. You do not want a runaway bride and you certainly do not want to be an infamous groom that leaves his bride standing at the altar!

The wedding shower is a traditional gathering that occurs before the wedding, where female family members and girl friends “shower” the bride with gifts. It's an occasion where personal gifts, rather than checks or gift cards, are the order of the day. That's not to say you can't offer cash or a card to be used at the bride's discretion, but it reduces the emotional connection between the bride and gift giver. Besides, the main event is the gift opening, so bring a tangible bridal shower gift that will generate buzz and some laughter.

The bridal shower evolved, as a new alternative, from the age old custom of the dowry. Back in the day, friends and families put small gifts in parasols and then opened all of them together over the bride’s head, thus literally showering her with gifts.

Usually the shower occurs 2-4 weeks before the wedding and is hosted and arranged by the maid of honor, a sister, or a close cousin or best friend. In the past, men were generally entirely excluded however these day brides are becoming more flexible. I recently attended a shower where the men went out to the back of the parents’ home, which was located near a canal. The men-folk fished, canoed, drank some beer, and had a cookout. They then had dessert and watched the bride-to-be open her gifts. Everyone seemed perfectly comfortable with that.

The venue can be virtually anywhere. Popular locations include restaurants, party halls, tea rooms, or even the beach. There are no rules about where the party should take place. There can be a theme and entertainment, as well as custom bridal shower party favors to match the theme - or you can just go with your ideas “du jour”. Some choose to combine the shower with the bride's hobbies such as gardening, volleyball, or even volunteerism. Whichever theme you choose, it should be a lot of fun and very memorable.

The successful bridal shower will be made much easier if you begin with a simple checklist: Date, location, theme, invitations, guest list, food, games, and entertainment. Just add a fun attitude and high spirits and you’ll be on your way to throwing a great shower!

At one point in time (in the not so long ago past) weddings were as predictable as clockwork. A white dress, a black tux, a standard ceremony and the vows. Rice throwing, cans clanking and tied to your car. All topped off with a white-icing cake and a traditional song. Times have changed! Weddings now range from very traditional and orthodox ceremonies to getting hitched while base jumping or snowboarding. Because there is now so much possibility in how you can plan and personalize your wedding, it makes it difficult to know when to break from traditions and when to stick to what people know. Here are a few things to consider when deciding how traditional you would like to be in your wedding planning.

Who plans the wedding? In the past the bride has usually been the one who mails out the invitations, chooses the theme, picks the vendors and generally plays wedding planner. But this is also changing, as grooms now are pitching in and sharing the wedding planning load with their brides.

What will you wear? White dresses and black tuxedos are still fairly popular, but many engaged couples are now choosing a different path in what they will wear on their big day. Some are going with regular suits and ties and more modern wedding dresses with less lace and cleaner lines. Yet others are going more casual, especially for outdoor and destination weddings. And even others are opting for themed weddings. What’s right for you? That’s completely up to what you and your spouse-to-be prefer.

The reception is your time to celebrate and share your joy with family and friends, so it should be as much an expression of you as a couple as you can make it. Don’t feel bound to old traditions if they don’t fit you. For example, if you feel awkward tossing a bouquet or garter or you have only a few unmarried guests, then drop these from the activities. If you want to include more people than just the best man and maid-of-honor in giving a toast, then by all means ask them. Remember, it’s your party, and everyone will take your lead.

Planning a spa themed shower at home can save you money and the options of what to do are endless! A spa themed shower at home gives you a lot of flexibility and you can plan the day exactly as you please, keeping the bride and her wishes in mind of course! From the invitations to food, games, activities and shower favors, keep in mind some things that will help you get started on planning the perfect spa themed shower. Invitations: Once you have the location, the guest list and the date set, it’s time to get those invitations out! You can choose to either buy a pack of invitations or make them and print them. You can even send an e-vite for the most affordable option and have it customized to reflect your theme. Food: The food for a spa themed shower should be simple and on the healthier side. Offer bite size finger sandwiches, fruit salad, salad, cheese and cracker, deli meat, and dips like hummus with pita chips for a really nice and colorful spread.

Drinks: Again, opt for healthy drinks and juices and make them look prettier with cut up fruit like apple and orange slices in a nice clear jug of colorful fruit juice. Also, be sure to have plenty of water with sliced cucumber and lemon to make it feel like a real spa.

Activities: This is the best part of a spa themed bridal shower! For the spa activities, you can set up stations and appoint one or two people to work each station. The best people to run each station would probably be the bridesmaids, but if you know someone who specializes in any of these areas and is willing to work one of the stations, that’s even better!

There is so much more you can do; imagination and creativity are key when planning a spa themed bridal shower. Don’t forget to send your guests home with unique bridal shower favors or buy some spa themed bridal shower favors to match your event!

Historically, brides have been producer, director and even stagehand when it comes to wedding planning. However, although women usually enjoy the dress shopping, cake sampling, venue browsing and other activities associated with being the wedding planner, planning a wedding is a big endeavor, and they do often tire of all the work and effort required. So when you see your groom-to-be watching the game with his buddies on a Sunday afternoon while you’re busy researching color schemes and pulling together guest addresses, it’s no wonder that you get fired up and a wee bit resentful.

Your wedding – in fact, your entire marriage – is a shared experience, so shouldn’t the planning for it also be shared in some way? Now, most guys probably wouldn’t be able to withstand more than a few minutes of flower arrangement shopping or comparing wedding invitation paper samples, but there are more than a few wedding planning tasks that are perfect for the groom

Picking the menu – Lots of guys now like to cook, and most of them are pretty hearty eaters, so it only makes sense that they can provide a reasonable opinion on what should be served at a wedding.

Negotiating with vendors – Most guys have been haggling with car dealers for a fair amount of their adult lives, and they can be a great help to their brides when it comes to negotiating prices for everything from rings to venues.

Anything that requires unskilled labor – They may not be good at choosing cake designs or bridal veils, but they can rock the house when it comes to stuffing envelopes, applying stamps, arranging placards, hanging decorations, carrying chairs and tables and the like. What’s important here is that grooms take the initiative and do these things without being prodded by their bride. To be her assistant wedding planner, they need to be attuned to what needs to get done and just do it!

Now that you’ve made the decision to take that major life changing step of marriage, how about making another decision to take a lot of smaller steps? Learn to dance for your wedding day and plan on starting sooner rather than later. You want to allow yourself time to learn at a relaxed pace, start as early as possible. Remember, the closer you get to your big day, the more hectic life becomes! Learning last minute dance moves is a big no no. Dancing is not like a high school science quiz; you can’t cram for it and expect good results. You will want to look well rehearsed and nicely polished when you’re out on the dance floor with all eyes on you and your groom.

Every aspect of your wedding is being mapped out very carefully. The food, the gown, the music, and the flowers are all arranged in advance to give your special day every chance of going smoothly. Will you be at ease when you step out on the dance floor in front of family and friends for your first dance together as man and wife?

You’ve made a big investment in the food, flowers, music, etc. These are things that only last a day. Learning to dance is an investment in your relationship and is something that last beyond your wedding day. It is something you will continue to share at every upcoming special occasion and for a lifetime of social pleasure together. There are many couples these days that are seizing the opportunity to shine on the dance floor, and personalizing their celebration by learning to dance. For many couples and their wedding guests, the first dance is the highlight of the reception, and what everyone remembers most vividly. Dancing with someone you love is one of life’s greatest pleasures. So find out for yourselves and go for it!

Incorporating a unique form of transportation into a wedding is limited only by the couple’s imagination, their budget, what’s available in the area and location of the ceremony and reception, and the weather. You can always check with relatives and friends to see if someone has an antique car that they are willing to let you borrow. Hiring a horse-drawn carriage can set a romantic tone for the ceremony that follows. Your guests will enjoy being transported to the ceremony or the reception by a trolley and farm wagons lend a nice touch to casual weddings.

When hiring any commercial vehicle, contact the company well in advance, since many book quickly at certain times of the year. Find out the cost per hour and be prepared to provide mileage from one location to another, since some companies charge for both mileage and time. Provide a simple map that shows the address of the place where you are to be picked up and the destination address. If you are considering using a hot air balloon or a helicopter, be certain that adequate space free from power lines and other obstructions is available. A portion of the parking lot at the church or reception center will need to be blocked off for the landing.

Be sure to inspect all vehicles for cleanliness before signing a contract. Note any problems that you see and draw them to the attention of the owner. Don’t get into a vehicle if you don’t feel comfortable with the driver/or operator.

As with any merchant, find out the amount of deposit required and the cancellation policy, and then get everything in writing. If the vehicle is designed for open-air use, it will be particularly important to know what the company's policy is if it rains, is too windy, or the vehicle can’t be used for some other reason.

Adding special transportation to your wedding day can make the difference between creating a standard event and a truly memorable wedding day.

One of the major highlights of your wedding reception will be your wedding cake! Depending on your own personal style, your wedding cake can be simple and pretty or dramatic and grandiose. But whatever you decide to go with, there are some things you should think about before signing a binding contract with your baker. First off, figure out your style based on your wedding. It would be good to have a rough estimate of how many guests are attending before going into a baker. Determine what decor the hall will have, what your budget is, your color scheme and of course, your wedding date. A cake for a 30 person beach gathering will be much different than a winter wedding for 300 people.

And be realistic about your budget. The more labor intensive your cake will be, the higher the cost of the cake. If you are on a budget, go for a cake with quality ingredients and a wonderful taste rather than a grandly decorated masterpiece. It doesn't matter how pretty the cake is if it doesn't taste good. And make sure to do a taste test of the baker's work.

Don't put yourself into debt over the cake; spend only what you can afford. Ask your baker to show you examples of what can be done within your budget. Make compromises on design if that enables you to stay within your price range. Choose a unique cake topper to crown your cake and add a special touch.

Ask the baker for a sketch of the whole thing so you have a good mental image. It should be a collaboration between the couple and the baker. Photographs of previously designed cakes are a good starting point to show you what can be done, but get a sketch of your design. If you want more color – ask for it! If you want the design changed - now is the time to say it.

Choose faux flowers but not necessarily fake flowers. Anything and everything on your cake should be edible. Real flowers run the risk of having insecticides on them - not something you want on your cake. Organic flowers are pricey and besides, real flowers have a tendency to droop and wilt. A quality baker can hand make sugar flowers so well that your guests won't be able to distinguish them from the real thing. Use these tips wisely and get out there and start sampling!

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime event, so the last thing you want on your wedding day is for something to go wrong! But with the right planning and preparations, your wedding day should run smoothly and without any major tragedies. Whether you choose to hire a makeup and hair stylist for your day or decide to do it on your own, you should plan on a wedding day test run for your hair, makeup, and nails. Follow some smart tips and advice to help your wedding day run smoother. It’s not a good idea to get a haircut or dramatically change your hair before your wedding. If you want a new look, you should plan to experiment months before your wedding day.

Schedule a test run a few weeks before the wedding day for hair, makeup and nails. This will ensure your stylist knows what you want, and you will know exactly how you will look. Bring your tiara, headpiece, or veil with you to the test run, so you will see how your hair looks with all the accessories.

Wear makeup that is classic and timeless. If you’re having an evening wedding, you may want to focus on and bring out one particular feature such as your eyes or lips, but not both. Years after your wedding you will want to look at your pictures and say how beautiful you looked, not how awful the trend was for overdone makeup.

Your nails should also be traditional and classical; go with subtle pinks, ivory, or peach. A French manicure is also a good idea. But if you are having a color themed wedding and you really want that color to match your nails, then go for it - but realize they may stand out from your gown. If you are planning a specific color for nails, get them done before a wedding dress fitting, so you will be able to see how your nails will look next to your dress. Remember, it’s your day to be a princess so make sure you look like one too!