Wedding Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Friday, March 12th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridal Jewelry Sets, wedding planning, No Comments

One of the most common and most problematic wedding planning mistakes is to do anything before setting a general budget. Couples often find themselves in a pickle after verbally inviting more guests than they can afford to entertain in the style they would like. This ends up in one of three situations, neither of which is ideal: not sending invitations to people who have been led to expect them, inviting everyone but not being able to entertain them graciously, or going way over budget. Rather than put themselves in that sort of situation, if the bride and groom fix their budget first, they will know how many people they can afford to host.

Another major mistake which many brides and grooms make is to choose a wedding venue before they know how many people they need to accommodate for their reception. Invariably, the final guest list is always larger than anticipated, and you are going to find yourself in a big mess if you book a reception site which has a maximum capacity of 100 and you realize that your guest list has a minimum of 150 people on it. Although a 10% decline rate is fairly typical, never book a venue which would be too small if everyone decides to attend your wedding.

Something else which brides have a tendency to do is to get ahead of themselves when it comes to shopping for wedding gowns, veils, and bridal jewelry sets. There is no question that choosing the wedding attire is one of the most fun and exciting parts of the engagement for most brides, but things need to be done in a certain order. Before shopping for a gown, it is very smart to have the wedding venue booked so that you know what style of wedding dress will suit the location. Far too many brides put the horse before the cart, so to speak, and end up buying a wedding gown which turns out to be the wrong style for their venue, either too simple or too formal.

Weddings can be expensive, and another very typical planning error is to set a budget without taking into account the little extras. Let’s say that you have allotted $10,000 for your reception. What about taxes, tips, and additional expenses like valet parking, coat check, corkage, and cake cutting fees? Suddenly your $10,000 reception may be more like a $12,500 affair, which can be a big problem if the rest of your wedding funds have already been dedicated to other expenses.  For your wedding budget to work, it has to factor in everything. If you inform yourself about what to expect, it is much easier to pull off planning a fabulous wedding without any major hitches.

How to Save on Wedding Favors

Thursday, March 11th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridesmaid Gifts, wedding planning, No Comments

The wedding favors are a very nice way to thank your guests for attending your wedding. While they are not exactly mandatory, the vast majority of weddings will have them. A favor does not have to be extremely expensive to be appreciated, however; take a look at these great ways to save money on your wedding favors.

Some of the most special wedding favors are those which are from the heart and hands of the bride. If you have any creative abilities, you may wish to thank your guests with something which you have made yourself. It need not be a grand gift; if it is made with love, it will show. You can do anything from making jam to creating your own candles (so easy to do, by the way) or dipping fresh strawberries in chocolate. Adorn the gift with a little tag which lets everyone know that the gift was made especially for them by you.

Like bridesmaid gifts, stationery, and other wedding necessities, many popular favors can be found online at a discount. Just as an online jeweler may be able to create custom bridesmaid gifts for a fraction of the price of a bridal shop, things like candy, silver picture frames, and customized imprintables can be found for far less on the Internet. This is especially true if you plan to buy in quantity. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for ordering so that you do not eat up the savings with rush shipping charges.

Flowers are a big part of most weddings, and there are some wonderful options for affordable floral wedding favors. A very sweet idea for a spring wedding would be to give each guest a small pot planted with a seasonal flower, such as pansies for early spring or mums in the fall. You can save a ton of money by purchasing the pots in bulk and planting the flowers in them yourself (or possibly even by growing them yourself from seed). Save even more by having the favors double as escort cards: tie a pretty ribbon around the pot and attach a bird or flower shaped tag with the name of the guest and place at their seat at the dinner table. So pretty and so easy.

Summer Wedding Hairstyles

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , Bridal Jewelry, Uncategorized, No Comments

In general, the prettiest styles for wedding hair in the summer months are those which are unfussy and not too contrived. Very elaborate and formal hairdos simply don’t fit in with the relaxed vibe of summer, especially at an outdoor wedding. On the other hand, throwing your hair up in a ponytail to keep it off your neck like many of us do on a typical steamy August afternoon does not exactly cut it for a wedding. The answer lies somewhere in between, neither too formal nor too sloppy.

Brides with curly hair may have problems with it turning frizzy on a humid day. To combat this, your best bet is to use de-frizzing styling products before your hair is arranged. The key is to work with the nature of your hair, rather than trying to force it into a style for which your hair was never intended. A soft updo tamed with an anti-frizz serum with a few loose pieces near the face is ideal for a summer bride. By working with your hair rather than against it, you can achieve a style with staying power. Add some elegance with pretty bridal hair jewelry such as a scattering of hairpins.

Even brides whose hair is normally smooth and well-behaved may have trouble with it on a hot day. The humidity can turn smooth silky tresses into a limp mess. Rather than leaving your hair down, choose a style which will get it up off of your neck. A low bun is chic and pretty, and looks wonderful with this season’s most popular type of bridal hair jewelry, the slim headband. Choose a headband which is jeweled with crystals or pearls to match the rest of your bridal jewelry.

An excellent bridal hairstyle for any hair type is a braid. Braids have been making a comeback lately, and they are a terrific way to keep summer hair looking pretty and under control. Best of all, braids can be created to work with the natural texture of the bride’s hair. Smooth hair can be plaited into a low sleek braid or curly hair can be more loosely woven. A variation on this is to create several small braids which are then twisted into a low bun. It is a classic hairdo which will be able to withstand any type of summer weather beautifully.

How Much Say Should Family Have in a Wedding?

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Weddings are a big deal, and not just for the bride and groom. In fact, you might just say that while it is the bride and groom’s marriage, it is their entire family’s wedding. Some families are content to sit back and let the engaged couple plan things their way while other families are much more directly involved. This can lead to conflict, as well as the inevitable question: how much say should family have in a wedding?

Often times, it is the sister of the bride or groom who has a lot to say about what is going on. She may be very direct, or she might have valid opinions which she does not know how to bring up tactfully. A very good rule of thumb is that the relatives of the bride and groom should address their ideas directly to the one to whom they are related, especially if there is a chance that it might be taken as criticism. In other words, if the groom’s sister thinks the bride is making a terrible mistake by planning to have a cash bar, she should tell the groom, not her future sister-in-law.

Naturally, not all of the suggestions you get about your wedding will be to your taste, or even good at all. That is fine. Just remember that you are obligated to politely listen to the opinions of your relatives, but that is not the same as saying that you have to actually take their suggestions. If your brother says that you must have the d.j. play the Macarena and the Chicken Dance to get the reception started, by all means thank him for his idea and then inform your d.j. that under no circumstances should he play those songs.

The mother and sister of the bride will tend to have the most influence over the wedding plans of any relatives. They will probably be the ones to go with you when you are shopping for your wedding dress, meeting with the florist, and so on. While you should not take suggestions which make you truly uncomfortable, it can be nice to allow them to feel like their opinions matter to you, which hopefully is true. So if your sister sees some bridesmaid jewelry which she really likes, maybe you decide to give that as your bridesmaid gifts, even if they were not your first choice. By making small concessions, it will be easier to stand your ground on the wedding elements which are the most important to you and your fiance.

Elegant Blush Bridesmaid Dresses

Monday, March 8th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , Bridesmaid Jewelry, Uncategorized, No Comments

Blush is such a soft and ethereal color that it could work well for many different styles of weddings. If your wedding will be formal, look for dresses in a fabric with some sheen. Classic satin dresses for bridesmaids are perfect for an evening wedding in any color. The light tone of the blush would make satin dresses ideal for a formal daytime wedding, when a deep color seems too somber but a lightweight fabric seems too casual. Finish it off with beautiful crystal bridesmaid jewelry sets and metallic bronze shoes.

For a very modern and chic look, check out blush colored bridesmaid dresses in a slinky silk charmeuse. Long column dresses in blush would be fantastic with an interesting detail like a twisted strap on the back. Or opt for short and sassy charmeuse dresses for a very updated style. Keep it from being too sexy by selecting blush bridesmaid dresses with an empire waist and a gathered skirt, sort of like a babydoll style.

Organza and chiffon are gorgeous fabrics for blush bridesmaid dresses for summer weddings. Chiffon lends itself to a flowing Grecian Goddess effect when paired with a light color like blush. It would be very pretty when done in one of the one shoulder silhouettes which are so popular right now. Look for sets of bridal jewelry which feature long stiletto drop earrings and several bracelets to finish the look. Flat minimalist sandals are the ideal footwear for the Goddess look.

A more crisp and classic style can be created by using blush colored organza for the bridesmaid dresses. Simple strapless gowns with A-line skirts would be elegant and understated for the bridal party. To keep the classic lines and neutral color from appearing dull, add interest with the accessories. The layered pearl necklace look which is very much in vogue right now would be a great contrast to the crisp dresses and would allow each bridesmaid to personalize her dress. As it turns out, blush is a very versatile bridesmaid dress color with a broad appeal.

Funky Modern Wedding Boutonierres

Sunday, March 7th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , Uncategorized, Wedding Jewelry, No Comments

Let’s face it: most guys are not all that into flowers. And yet, the boutonierre is one of the few colorful accents available to the groom and his attendants at a wedding. The solution: choose one of these funky modern wedding boutonierres which truly reflects the groom’s personality and the style of your wedding; flowers are entirely optional.

A boutonierre can be almost anything, as long as it is small and lightweight enough to fashion into a lapel pin. For instance, if you were having a nautical theme wedding, tiny sailboats fashioned into boutonierres make charming accents for the gentlemen. Wrap the stems in striped grosgrain ribbon to capitalize on the preppy feeling of a nautical wedding. The same idea would work just as well for a wedding without a nautical theme, if the groom happens to be a passionate sailor.

Beach weddings are ever popular, and lend themselves to some great creative boutonierres. A tiny bunch of seashells on wires can be gathered into a beach-worthy lapel pin for the groom and groomsmen. For extra visual appeal, you can layer in a small starfish, sand dollar, or a piece of faux coral. Not only will the unique boutonierre suit the theme of the wedding, but it will not run the risk of wilting under the summer sun like a fresh flower.

Finally, there are unique boutonierres which are flower-free, yet do coordinate with the bride’s ensemble. Having a black tie wedding and wearing an ornate gown with plenty of sparkling wedding jewelry? Then why not create a dramatic lapel ornament of glossy black feathers, glittery twigs and a few crystals for your groom? With a boutonierre this stylish, your handsome groom will feel just as good as you do on the wedding day!

Ceremony Decorations for Outdoor Weddings

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridal Jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Outdoor wedding ceremonies are always very popular. There is just something so special about getting married in the beauty of nature, whether you will be in a garden, by the ocean, or in a field. Even nature can use a little enhancement, however, and these great ideas for ceremony decorations for outdoor weddings will be just the thing to make your ceremony perfect.

One of the primary challenges in decorating an outdoor wedding space can be defining an aisle. In a church with pews, there is a very clear path along which the bride will walk to the altar; when you are setting up your ceremony in a wide open space, on the other hand, it is up to you to create an aisle. For a garden wedding, a gorgeous idea is to place a series of arches or arbors over the walkway. Decorate them with flowers, vines, and foliage in your wedding colors to create a breathtaking entrance for the bride. The effect will be unforgettable.

Not all outdoor weddings are informal, and there are some beautiful options for more grand ceremony decorations. Let’s say that you love sparkle, and plan to wear a beaded wedding gown with plenty of crystal bridal jewelry. Create that same feeling of drama and elegance by placing mirrored vases at the end of each row of seats, and fill them with flowers in a rich color like purple or red. To carry this concept further, suspend rows of crystals and tiny mirrors behind the altar. They will dance and spin in the breeze, sparkling just like your bridal jewelry. It is an exquisitely elegant effect, which just goes to show that an outdoor wedding can still be very dramatic.

Certainly flowers are always gorgeous wedding decorations. For an outdoor ceremony, they can be used in a multitude of ways. Create a bed of rose petals for the bride to glide over on her way down the aisle. Hang cheery round pomanders on the end of each row of seats for a colorful effect. Or use shepherd’s hooks to hold vases which can be filled with anything from flowers to fragrant herbs to tea lights. With just a little help from you, your natural wedding site will be truly stunning.

Wedding Details to Impress Your Guests

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , , Wedding Jewelry, crystal bridal jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Everyone wants to have a memorable wedding. What better way to make a lasting impression than by making a splash with your wedding plans? Check out these wedding details which are sure to impress your guests.

Ice sculptures are a long tradition for elegant affairs. Rather than the basic ice swan, however, take your display to the next level. A modern chic ice sculpture will often feature a special surprise like a “luge” run for vodka to make ice cold martinis during the cocktail hour. Have your chilly sculpture crafted into an updated shape, such as your monogram or an oversized diamond ring, and watch your guests be wowed.

Sparkle and glitz always make a splash, especially when the party is a wedding. There is almost no limit to the ways in which a bride can make use of crystals, from her crystal wedding jewelry to her decorations. Festoon centerpieces with strands of dazzling Swarovski crystals in the same color as your crystal wedding jewelry. Hang long strings of crystals and orchids behind the altar for the ceremony. You can even use crystals to add sparkle to the little details, like the boutonierre stems and the bride’s bouquet wrap. Everyone will be dazzled by the splendor of the crystals.

Entrances and exits matter too when you are trying to make a big splash. Let your entrance to the reception as newlyweds be one that no one will ever forget. Rent an elephant to ride, hire a New Orleans jazz band to lead you into the reception parade-style, or think of your idea. Whatever you do, just make sure that it is unforgettable. The same goes for the end of the wedding. Treat your guests to a spectacular fireworks display to end the evening with a bang.

Instead of ending the reception after the cake is cut and the bouquet is tossed, plan an afterparty which will keep your guests dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Hire a great d.j., keep the bar open, and serve a special late night snack. You can hire a hot dog cart, a man to make fresh warm donuts (yum!), or have an ice cream truck roll up after midnight to keep your late night revelers going strong. Your guests are sure to leave saying what an incredible party your wedding turned out to be!

Purple Wedding Decorations

Monday, March 1st, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Purple is one of the most popular colors for 2010 weddings. What better way to enjoy the rich tones of this elegant color than by using it to decorate your wedding reception? When decorating with purple, you can either opt for a few touches, or go all out with a layered effect created by different shades of purple from lavender to plum. The layered look is a great way to use a lot of a signature color without it becoming overwhelming. That is great news for brides who want to really indulge in a purple fantasy for everything from bridesmaid dresses and jewelry to flowers to linens to lighting.

Cast a soft purple wash of light over your reception space, and it will be instantly transformed. Depending on what you choose for flowers and linens, the effect can be modern chic, romantic, royal, or perhaps even a bit mysterious. Another idea is to use uplighting placed in the base of the centerpieces and pots of tall white birch branches on the floor. The purple lighting will tend to project the most attractively over white, purple, and silver decorations, especially when it comes to the wedding flowers.

There are tons of gorgeous purple wedding flowers from which to choose. You can create an elegant effect with tall silver vases filled with purple roses and dripping briolette crystals, which is perfect for a formal wedding. Or opt for an atmosphere of old-fashioned romance by designing centerpieces which feature sweetpeas, hydrangeas, and roses in shades of lavender and plum. Purple wedding flowers can also be dramatic, such as a centerpiece made from exotic orchids and grand peacock feathers.

These are just a few of the ways in which you can decorate your wedding with purple. You can also consider using vintage china with a purple pattern, lilac colored tablecloths, and even whimsical purple silk or feather butterflies to perch in the centerpieces or on the edge of wine glasses. With all of these wonderful possibilities, it is no wonder that brides love purple so much!

Beautiful Modest Wedding Dresses

Sunday, February 28th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridal Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Finding the perfect wedding gown can really make a bride feel very special on her wedding day. If you are seeking a gown with more coverage, you may think that your options will be limited. Happily, there are many wonderful options today for beautiful modest wedding gowns.

A bateau neckline is gorgeous when more coverage is desired on the bodice of the bridal gown. There is a fabulous version of a 1950s inspired tea length bateau neck wedding dress by Vineyard which features a lace applique on English net and a full soft skirt. The top portion of the neckline is an illusion style with sheer lace above a solid bodice. This is a great style for brides who prefer to have a more modest neckline, but can allow a little skin to show through. Finish it off with a pair of pearl earrings and some cute little gloves, and you will be ready for an afternoon garden party wedding. If you prefer a full length bateau neck wedding dress, you will love the simple modern style from J Crew which is solid all the way to the top of the neckline.

Sleeves are a simple way to make a wedding gown modest. There is a lovely ¾ sleeve wedding gown in the Adele Wechsler Eco Couture collection which features feminine tone on tone floral accents. Also keep in mind that many sleeveless wedding gowns can have sleeves added. As long as the gown has a true shoulder, such as a bateau, v-neck, or tank style top, most designers will be willing to make a pattern change and add sleeves. When you begin shopping for your bridal gown, be sure to let your consultant know what you have in mind so that she can show you the gowns which can be altered to fit your needs. Some large bridal salons like Kleinfeld in New York even have specialists who work with brides seeking modest wedding dresses.

Square and jewel neckline wedding gowns are also good options when you seek more coverage. Some may have sleeves, and many could have sleeves added. Also keep in mind that necklines can be raised, or modesty panels can be added to square and v-neck wedding dresses. In the right hands, these additions can add style and beauty to the gown, rather than looking like an afterthought.

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