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.

Colors for Nautical Weddings

Saturday, February 27th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridesmaid Jewelry, pearl bridal jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

Navy and white is the most traditional nautical wedding color palette, and it remains a great look. If you want to update it a bit or put your own twist on the classic navy and white wedding colors, add in one more color to make it more distinctive. Kelly green is a terrific accent for a navy and white nautical theme wedding. It brings to mind timeless preppy motifs like whales. That could be a really cute idea for the wedding invitations: choose a heavy white paper bordered in a navy blue edge, and have a green whale motif engraved across the top. For the envelope linings, select a stripe pattern in a navy, green, and white combination.

If you are torn between a really feminine wedding design and a crisp nautical one, think about combining pink with navy and blue. This is an easy color combination to use for all aspects of the wedding design. Pretty pink bouquets with navy and white striped grosgrain ribbon bouquet wraps would be wonderful. For the bridesmaid dresses, look for something timeless like a crisp cotton strapless dress in navy with white pickstitching stripes and a pink grosgrain ribbon sash at the waist. A tin cup necklace would be a marvelous accent for the bridesmaid jewelry. Another idea is to play up the nautical theme with a monogrammed shell necklace instead of the tin cup design.

A more elegant nautical wedding theme can be created by mixing gold accents with a navy and white color palette. This is the traditional navy blazer with brass buttons type of style, and it always looks fantastic. Put the bridesmaids in navy dresses in a fabric with a subtle texture, such as faille. Gold sandals will pull the look together for them. A gold seashell motif would be perfect for this wedding color palette.

A nautical motif is one of the most classic for a summer wedding, yet by adding your own twist to the color palette, you can also really make it fresh and original. Some additional colors to consider are sunny yellow and a faded Nantucket red. Mix and match your wedding colors in a few different prints and motifs to get a great look for your special day.

Planning a Honeymoon in Vermont

Friday, February 26th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , Honeymoons, Wedding Jewelry, No Comments

If you are looking for a great domestic honeymoon destination, take a look at Vermont. With all of its New England charm, outdoor activities, and interesting places, Vermont can be a wonderful place to spend your honeymoon. This guide will give you some ideas on what to see and do on a Vermont honeymoon.

Skiing and snowboarding are among the top winter activities for a New England vacation. The most luxurious ski resorts are located at Stowe and Killington mountains in Vermont, though they are far from the only great choices. Newlyweds with an adventurous streak will love the black diamond runs at Mad River Glen, where the motto is “ski it if you can”. If you are looking for a combination of skiing and shopping, check out Stratton or Bromley mountains, both of which are a short drive from fabulous shopping in Manchester, Vermont.

Summer offers all sorts of entertainment for a honeymoon in the Green Mountain State. One of the best summer honeymoon destinations in Vermont is the area around Burlington, which also is the site of the primary airport in the state. Begin by exploring beautiful Lake Champlain. After cruising Lake Champlain, spend some time visiting Church Street, which is an outdoor pedestrian mall featuring a blend of local boutiques, national chains, and tons of terrific restaurants. The attitude in Vermont is very casual, so don’t worry about dressing up too much for dinner. A simple dress worn with her wedding jewelry will make the new bride on of the best dressed women on the street.

Autumn in New England is rightly known for its spectacular foliage, and this can be one of the best times to enjoy a Vermont honeymoon. The exact peak of the brilliant fall colors varies across the state and from year to year, but in general, early October is a great time of year to visit Vermont. It is not yet cold, it is rarely rainy, and the leaves are something to behold. Plan ahead, as this is a peak tourist season. Sip a hot apple cider, sample some local cheese, and simply bask in the enjoyment of a cozy and quaint honeymoon with your new spouse in the Green Mountain State.

Elegant Wedding Bouquet Wraps You Can Do Yourself

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, by Bridget Mora, , , , , Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding planning, No Comments

It may sound intimidating to do your own bouquet wraps and handle decorations, but it is not as tricky as it looks. I recently saw a Martha Stewart wedding special, and she showed step by step how to totally transform the flower stems of a bouquet with just some ribbon and a few pins. As I watched, I realized that many bouquet wraps can be very beautiful without being particularly hard to create. This is a perfect task for the diy bride. With a little advance practice, covering your own wedding bouquet handles can be a fun and easy undertaking.

A great tip when doing wedding bouquet wraps is that the trim should complement both the style of the flowers and the other accessories, such as the bridesmaid jewelry. If your bridesmaids were wearing pearl bridesmaid jewelry, for instance, a gorgeous bouquet wrap would be a piece of pearl beaded taffeta. This is a lovely fabric which comes pre-beaded, so that all you have to do is attach it to the stems of the flowers. Cut a small piece and use pins to secure the edge to the stems. Then tightly wrap the fabric around the stems until they are covered and fold the cut edge of the fabric under for neatness. A row of pearl tipped pins can be pushed through the folded edge of the material to complete the wrap, and as an extra decorative touch – perfect!

Ribbon is one of the most popular bouquet wraps, and it can be used in a variety of styles. If you are looking for a way to finish off your wedding flowers which is both luxurious and ridiculously easy, get a length of a very wide double faced satin ribbon; 3 or 4 inches wide is usually about right, depending how long you are planning to leave the stems of the blossoms. First, wrap floral tape around the stems to secure them in place. Then take your luxe ribbon and wrap it around the middle of the stems. It can either be pinned in place to create a tailored cuff using decorative pins, or tied into a bow with long cascading tails.

Many other materials can be used for diy wedding bouquet wraps. Raffia looks great for a rustic wedding, or choose a velvet ribbon for a winter ceremony. If you are unsure about where to begin, take a look at the bridal flowers in wedding magazines for inspiration. In many cases, the wraps themselves are surprisingly straightforward; it is the luxurious quality of the ribbons and accents which makes them look so impressive. Making your own bouquet wraps can be one of the most fun diy projects of your entire wedding.

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