Wedding Plan Secrets

How to Turn Heads with Beautiful Bridal Fascinators

Jane Martin — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:03:06 +0000

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. Not only has it got to be perfect in every way but remembered for every little detail. Brides today are planning their weddings years in advance and often will know exactly how they want every last detail to be. With so many brides choosing not to have a traditional wedding, many are deciding to be bold with their outfit and wear a bridal fascinator instead of a traditional veil.

Fascinators have sprung back into fashion in recent years, and have become the latest must have accessory. A fascinator can be worn instead of a hat and are far less intrusive as they are so lightweight. They also do not flatten your hair, so can be removed throughout the day without fear that your hair will look bad. These head pieces are becoming very popular to wear at weddings, or even for the bride to wear herself. Many brides want to make a bold statement and wearing a beautiful bridal fascinator will achieve this. They are often made from feathers, flowers and beads, but also can be hand crafted with diamonds or other beautiful stones. Every fascinator is hand crafted meaning they vary in shape, size and style from modest versions to glamorous creations.

Brides who are choosing to wear fascinators, often will have them hand made especially for their day. Vintage ones are also popular, although tougher to find. Brides who choose to have a vintage fascinator can also accessorize with vintage jewellery, trims and fabric to complete the stunning look. Bridal shops now are stocking fascinators, and you can buy or hire one for your day. Although this gives you an easier option to finding your amazing head piece, they are however not often customized and you may find you are wearing an identical one to someone else. Many brides choose to spend slightly more and have one especially designed to suit their style, face shape and wedding theme, the guarantee that you will own a one of a kind fascinator is worth the little added expense.

Bridal fascinators can be worn on their own, or with a birdcage veil for a striking look, and are held in place with combs or clips. Because wedding fascinators are often very elaborate and glamorous the hair style to compliment it needs to be classic and simple. Low buns or even your hair down will look the most stylish with this hair accessory, and brides with short hair find they look amazing with their hairstyle. As every face shape and hairstyle is different, trying on several different fascinators is advisable, not every fascinator will suit every bride.

As a rule, if the bride is wearing a fascinator then other guests should not, as this will take the attention away from the stunning bride. However if the bride is going for a more traditional look then the bridesmaids, mothers or even the guests will look glamorous in a fascinator. Mothers of the brides love the look of a fascinator and they are becoming more popular than hats to wear.

How To Care For Your Wedding Dress After The Big Day

Jane Martin — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:51:35 +0000

After your wedding, you need to tidy up your home and start sending out thank you notes, but don’t forget to take care of your wedding dress. A wedding dress can serve as an amazing memento of an important day in your life and if you want to make sure that it stays in good shape, there are several things that you should keep in mind. Preserving your wedding dress can be a fairly straightforward process, and making sure that you are careful can ensure that you will enjoy your wedding dress for years.

First, make sure that you have the dress professionally cleaned. Find a dry cleaning service that specializes in bridal clothing. They will ensure that your wedding dress, which might be delicate or have fragile accoutrements or accents, will get the careful handling that they need. Verify that the dry cleaner that you use dry-cleans the garments by hand and that they do all their work onsite. Rough transport can be as rough on your dress as rough cleaning. Before you put a wedding dress into storage, let it hang for a few days to dissipate any cleaning chemicals.

Inspect your dress for any repairs that need to be made. If the dress has become torn or damaged after the wedding, make sure that it gets fixed by a clothing repair service that has experience with bridal dresses. These dresses are frequently very delicate and care should be taken when they are being mended. After the dress has been cleaned and mended, it is ready to be hung up and stored.

Storing your wedding dress appropriately is an important part of making sure that it stays in good condition. Wrap the wedding dress in undyed muslin fabric or in acid free tissue paper. Then it should be loosely folded and placed in a museum-quality, acid free box. These boxes can be ordered online or bought at wedding dress stores. Keep the box itself in a location that is cool and dry, and where the temperature and the humidity do not fluctuate too much. Attics and basements are poor choices for this, as the wedding dress can pick up mildew or heat damage in either location.

It is far better to store the wedding dress in a box instead of on a hanger. Over time, the wedding dress on the hanger will place more and more pressure on the shoulder seams, which will create unattractive sagging throughout the dress and which can deform it. A box or even a chest designed to hold wedding dresses is a far better choice.

Whether you want your children to wear your wedding dress or you are more interested in saving it as a memento for yourself, take some time and consider how you are going to be able to keep it looking great. Preserving a wedding dress for the future is something that can be taken care of very easily, so make sure that you pay attention to all of the little details.

Finishing Touches for Your Wedding Reception

Jane Martin — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:44:55 +0000

When planning your wedding day it not only has to be perfect, but a day that you will remember forever. You want your guests to leave your wedding remembering every little detail, and talking about your wedding for days after. The finishing touches to your wedding day will ensure that you achieve this; the small things will make all the difference. From the beginning of your day, until the last moment you can have touches that are guaranteed to give the WOW factor to you and your guests.

Your table decorations can be as spectacular as you want. These are one of the most important things to get right at your reception, as the guests will notice the tables and decor, before anything else. There are many different types and styles of table decorations to choose from, including candles, flowers, balloons and chocolates. Disposable cameras are very popular to have on the centre of the tables, meaning the guests can capture every moment of the reception. They will be guaranteed to take some interesting pictures.

Candles can create a very romantic mood, with a display within a bowl of water and some delicate rose petals scattered around the edge it will add a pretty finish. Long tall candles are an elegant addition to the table and can be decorated with ribbons or flowers and are a timeless decoration to have. Flowers play a huge part in your day, and can be added to any element of the day to make it look fantastic, flowers in the church will make it look brighter and smell wonderful. For that extra special touch, rose petals scattered down the aisle is always a classic touch. Flowers in large vases are becoming more popular for the tables, but any design or style of flower display will always look good at your wedding, and can even be used alongside other ideas.

Ensuring the linen, tableware and chairs look as amazing as the rest of the decor is important, choose colors that compliment your theme or look. Chair covers are a simple and inexpensive way of making your reception look stunning. You can have them in various colors, but it is often advisable to have them in a neutral color like white or ivory. Then be bold with a chair bow in your chosen prominent color, this also works for table skirts, and swags for the top table. Having one color that works well is better than having a mixture of colors.

You may choose to theme your wedding, with one of the many themes available. Having personalized favors, mats and even chocolate bars to match your theme are always an amazing touch. Many brides choose a fairytale theme for their wedding day. This theme can include a horse and carriage, red carpet, fairytale favors and a princess wedding cake, the list can go on and on. If you are going for a theme then ensure the theme runs throughout the day, and is noticeable with its quality. There are many personalized items you can now purchase for your wedding day, and some brides choose to have every item personalized right down to the confetti. Remember whatever you choose for your finishing touches, the day should be all about you.

How to Create Fantastic Wedding Photos on a Budget

Jane Martin — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:34:54 +0000

There is a good deal of anticipation that goes into planning and preparing for your wedding day. However, the moment is fleeting, being over in just a few hours. Because of this, wedding photos become a valuable keepsake- a tangible way to remember and honour your big day as a significant milestone in your life. Wedding photos are very important, but they can be expensive. When you are planning your wedding on a budget, you will looking for the ways that give you the best photographs for the lowest price. There are plenty of options to employ to help make this happen.

Use Professionals Sparingly

There is definitely a place for the professional photographer at your wedding event. However, most people spend way too much on this budget line-item because they don’t understand what the other options are. Professional photographers base their pricing around the time that they will spend at the venue, as well as how many photographs they have to sort through, edit and process. Because of this, ask the professional for a small amount of formal shots and maybe the most important parts, such as the actual ceremony. It may also be cheaper to have a smaller session at another time for bridal portraits. It is easier for the photographer to wrangle you and your spouse alone than with the hustle and bustle surrounding the wedding party. Try to keep the time that your photographer spends to about an hour. Finally ask about discounts that may be available. For example, doing both your engagement and wedding pictures with the same person may earn you access to lower price points.

Rely on Family and Friends

Amateur photography is a popular hobby; it’s likely that you know someone who likes to play around with this technology. If this is the case, ask them to take pictures in lieu of a more traditional gift. They can take more shots of the poses that the professional sets up, as well as being available during the parts of the event that aren’t being covered by anyone else.
You can also ask your guests to share their digital wedding photos on a communal photo-sharing website. Many of these are now available, which are often free, and photos can be uploaded with users having access to a password allowing them to download and share with you shots of your memorable day.

Casual Can Work

Many couples find that a casual approach to photography provides some really fun shots that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Using disposable cameras is inexpensive and your guests can get in on the action. Even kids can have fun with this. Once the event is over, the cameras are left on the table and you can process the photographs later. While you are unlikely to get the quality needed for display shots, these pictures are perfect for wedding albums. However, there are often surprises, which is part of the fun.

Photographs provide one of only lasting physical pieces of evidence to remind you of the joy of your newly married life. Time passes quickly and things will change on an ongoing basis. Having the memories that are captured by good wedding photos can bring comfort and focus as you build your life together. You probably won’t spend as much as you would think, especially if you implement these budget-saving solutions.

Finding The Perfect Vintage Wedding Dress To Suit Your Day

Jane Martin — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:02:55 +0000

The purpose of this article is to give some essential tips for your vintage wedding day and how to find the perfect vintage wedding dress. Whatever your reasons are for going vintage, you won’t be alone this year as many others are looking to give their wedding day a unique feel. Vintage trends are coming back with a vengeance – but thankfully, this time round they are slipping through the hands of top designers to become more accessible and affordable.

Vintage doesn’t just belong in the past – a trend that is held dear to our hearts should be used with gusto for our big wedding day! Vintage wedding dresses are easier to find than you might have thought possible – in second hand stores or charity shops, they are not hiding – but rather in the places you would expect from a vintage dress!

If you are planning a vintage wedding day, then a good start is by choosing the perfect vintage wedding dress – to set the trend and the mood! Dresses from yesteryear are not only glamorous and inspiring, but they can also come at a much more favorable price than the more modern styles of today. If you are really lucky, you might have a relative who has held on to their dress since the swinging sixties or perhaps your family have a vintage wedding dress that has been passed down from over the decades – as far back as the twenties, forties or fifties! If you don’t have any classic wedding dresses in the family, then you can look for second hand ones on the internet or in specialist clothing stores.

Besides, where there is demand there is supply – and this is so true of vintage wedding dresses. You might not be overly enthusiastic on a complete vintage wedding. You might be a lady who likes the idea of mixing modern with classic. Your wedding gown might be the only vintage element of your wedding – but one thing is for sure – you will look the princess on your big day!

Finding a vintage wedding dress can be so much more fun than browsing the stores or internet for modern dresses. The term vintage can include fashions from an armful of decades, each with their distinctive styles. Once you have your dress, you will probably feel so happy in your recreation of the past, that you will want to extend vintage to your accessories too – shoes, jewellery and headdresses.

Lets take a closer look at the typical styles of wedding dresses from the past:

•    1920´s – The wedding dresses of the 20’s were clean-cut and elegant. Daintybeading or chic lace were common décor on the wedding dresses of those days, reminiscent of the Art Deco movement. Top the look by adding a feather or two in the hair or a jewelled headdress. For bittersweet romance, wear the hair with full bodied curls.

•    1930’s – Dresses made from silk or satin are a good choice for the 30’s vintage dress. This was the time when Hollywood glamour was a major influence on everything! Look for a gathered bust and fitted body, flaring out from the knee down.

•    1950’s – Moving onto the fifties vintage wedding dress and a high waist and fuller skirt. This was the age of the true princess gown and was delicate yet still with a hint of glamour. Alternatively, you could still carry something from the Hollywood glamour of the thirties and fine tune it to match the style of Marilyn Monroe.

•    1960’s – The 1960’s were moving towards free love and the hippie lifestyle, wedding dresses were more experimental and more flirtatious – even mini skirts were commonplace! Lace was also common of the 60’s dress.

If the costs of a vintage wedding dress are still too high, you might want to consider renting one. If cost is not the issue and you have a bad feeling for wearing someone else’s wedding dress from times gone by, then take things one step further and have your very own vintage wedding dress designed and made from scratch!

Create a Memorable Wedding Breakfast with a Hog Roast

Jane Martin — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:27:06 +0000

Deciding what food to have at your wedding is one of the hardest decisions. You have to please so many different people, different age groups and different tastes. Not only do you have to choose the type of food, but the style in which it is served. Do you opt for a formal sit down meal, or a more relaxed buffet option? Many brides are choosing the more relaxed options for their wedding and some are even brave enough to choose a totally different idea, by having a hog roast feast and barbeque.

In medieval times hog roasts were very popular, you would not have been to any function or banquet without seeing a hog with an apple in its mouth. Gently turning and roasting, whilst being admired by all the guests. Until recently the hog roast was not seen that often, but it is making a return. Having a hog roast at your wedding, is a low maintenance meal to have. There is very little preparation involved and can feed a small army of people. A whole hog can feed 120-150 people easily, ideally for a whole hog to be worth roasting you would need at least 50 guests at your wedding breakfast. For smaller wedding parties, it would be advised to opt for a smaller animal, like a lamb.

There are two ways of cooking your hog, you can either choose to leave it to the professionals and hire a team to deal with it all or cook it yourselves. If you choose to hire professionals then they will do everything. They will set the equipment up, cook the hog, and clean up at the end of your wedding. This option does take the worry away from you, and although more expensive, it will give you peace of mind and you can enjoy your day.

If you decide to do it yourself, cooking a hog roast is very simple; the golden rule of spit roasting is that the heat source has to be 12 inches away from the hog. Any closer and you will be serving char grilled instead of roasted hog. Many spit roast machines do come pre fitted at 12 inches so you do not have to worry. The heat needs to be constant, as the hog turns. The whole hog should take at least 7 hours to cook to perfection, and then you will need to take into consideration the carving time. It is a very slow process, but it is relaxed cooking method. Your guests will be watering at the mouth watching their dinner slow roasting, and will make your wedding memorable.

When deciding how best to serve the hog, it is totally down to personal taste. Some people opt to serve it with potatoes and vegetables in a more formal sit down style, with the guests being served by waiting staff. Or simply turn it into a good old fashioned barbeque with other meats, salads, fish and vegetables available. The choices are endless with something so simple. Vegetarians will need to be catered for and you could offer them stuffed peppers, quiches or nut cutlets as an alternative. Hog roasts can be done at any time of day, from sunset to sunrise.

How to Keep Children Entertained At Your Wedding

Jane Martin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:49:37 +0000

Many people feel that a wedding is a huge family event and children play a big part in their day. Deciding the best way to keep the children amused can be a challenge, but there are some simple things you can do to make the day as stress free as possible.

Children get easily bored, especially at weddings as there can be long periods of waiting around with not a lot to do. Bored children can be a nightmare, and parents will become stressed, and not enjoy the day. Entertainment is the key, make sure that the children are being entertained or kept busy throughout the day. By making the children feel like they are involved in the day, and have a part to play, will mean they are less likely to get bored. Placing children on their own table is a great option, a children’s table is usually designed for 3-12 yr olds. Younger children will need more attention and help during dinner, and may feel more comfortable sitting with mum and dad. Ask the venue to dress down the children’s table, remove the glassware and fancy tableware. Children will feel more comfortable knowing they can’t break things. Have special name cards made just for them and decorate the table with the children in mind.

Supply wedding favors and party bags designed for children, these will amuse them during the meal and speeches. There are many different designs of children’s party bags and wedding favors available, including pretty princess and boyish bags. All have games, toys and often puzzles in them. You could also supply coloring mats and pencils, and have a coloring competition to see who can color the best picture. Included in the party bags, it might be an idea to have some sort of snack, adults can wait longer for their meals but children if hungry will become restless. A decorated bag of cookies is always an ideal filler before dinner is served.

The actual meal should have the children in mind; they are more likely to behave if not being forced to eat something they either do not like or want. All venues will cater for children, and will have children’s menus available for you to choose from – usually at a lower cost meaning you save money as well. If you are having an outdoor wedding then a picnic might be the solution for the children, they will love the idea they are doing something completely different to the adults.

After the meals, having a specific children’s entertainer on hand, either a magician or a face painter, is a good idea. Both are always loved by children. If there are smaller children attending your wedding then supplying a crèche might be an idea. The guests can leave their children with a qualified team of childcare workers, enabling the parents to relax and have a fantastic time at your wedding. Ensure your DJ is child friendly and has a good selection of party tunes and dances for the children.

If you take a little time to plan how best to keep children entertained at your wedding, you’ll find you can create a wonderful family occasion, for all to enjoy.

Creating a Spectacular Fireworks Display For Your Wedding

Jane Martin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:42:21 +0000

When you are thinking about starting your marriage off with a bang, make sure that you consider what your options are going to be when it comes to fireworks. Fireworks are amazing explosions of color and light in the night sky and when you are thinking about something truly dramatic that will delight your friends and family, fireworks might be the best choice. However, fireworks at a wedding do require a fair amount of planning, so make sure that you have all the details in place!

In the first place, contact a pyrotechnics expert. This is the professional that is going to be setting up the fireworks for you, and they will be providing you with a service much the same way that the caterer and the venue will be. Remember that they are going to have the information and knowledge regarding the safety of a good fireworks display for you. Do not try to create your own fireworks display unless you happen to be an expert.

The pyrotechnics expert will be able to tell you if the wedding venue that you have chosen or your reception site is appropriate for a fireworks display. Considerations like distance, city ordinances and the conditions of your site all need to be taken into account. If you are set on making sure that you can have fireworks at your wedding, remember to speak with the pyrotechnics expert before you start planning the wedding venue. Not all venues are going to be appropriate when you are thinking about setting off fireworks. Fire codes and city regulations are two key things for you to investigate.

Remember that a fireworks display can add a significant amount of money to your wedding budget needs. They are usually priced by the minute and the longer the display is, the more expensive it is going to be. Make sure that you are going to be able to budget for this display.

Think about the timing of your fireworks display. Fireworks are best viewed in full dark, so think about when you want them set off. Having them set off during your wedding is an option if you are having a night wedding, but remember that having them go off during your night reception is another option that you might want to consider. The darker it is, the more dramatic the colors will be, so take your time and consider what your options are when you are thinking about moving forward and getting the right kind of display and timing for your wedding.

The pyrotechnics expert will also be able to help you decide on what colors are appropriate. They will let you know what is available, and you might choose a color scheme that matches your wedding or you might choose one that involves a wide assortment of colors.

Think about whether fireworks at your wedding is the right thing for you. It can definitely make an impression and it can help you make some amazing memories. Fireworks are wonderfully loud and dramatic, so think about whether they suit your wedding!

Creating the Best, Best Man’s Speech Ever

Who Should I Invite To My Wedding?

Jane Martin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:25:06 +0000

Choosing who to invite to your wedding is no easy task. Some couples find they don’t have enough money budgeted to invite everyone on their list. This leaves room for people to become offended and this can cause serious rifts in relationships, even amongst close relatives. Then there’s the issue of whether or not to invite co-workers, certain friends who may just be acquaintances, or maybe you’re stuck with the dilemma of whether or not to invite your boss even though you’d really rather not. Would the latter cause tension at work?

Don’t worry. This doesn’t have to be as stressful as it looks. The first thing you should do when trying to decide who to invite to your wedding is write down everyone you can think of who you may consider inviting. Then, put them in order of importance.

It may seem cruel to grade some people in your life as more important than others. However, when it comes to your budget, this is very necessary. It’s not as hard as you think. Your parents, for instance, will likely come before your co-workers. And your sister or brother will probably come before your best friend. When you’ve created your list, decide how much it’s going to cost for each head. You’re going to be feeding and entertaining these people. That takes money. Once you have a figure in mind, divide it amongst all the people on your list and you’ll soon see whether or not you have to cut anyone.

When it comes to cutting, start at the bottom of the list and move your way up. If you’re worried about offending those people, just tell them the truth; you didn’t have that big of a budget or that you just wanted a small wedding. They never have to know. You can also perhaps just invite these people to any evening celebrations, and just have close family to the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

When it comes to invitations, etiquette says that you should invite everyone in your family and your friends. You don’t need to invite co-workers if you don’t want to, and you certainly don’t have to invite your acquaintances if you don’t want to. Most people will understand wanting a small ceremony or even budget problems, as most of them have probably faced the same dilemma themselves.

Children

One other hurdle you’ll likely face is whether or not to allow children to be present at your wedding. Children can become unruly and can quickly interrupt one of the most important days of your life. However, you may end up offending parents who may think you’re assuming their kid will be unruly. On the other side they can also bring light and life to the proceedings, making it a real family affair. The basic rule with this is to remain consistent. Don’t allow one person to bring their child if their child is normally docile and then not allow another person to bring theirs. Make one rule and stick to it. On the other hand, kids make great flower girls and ring bearers.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind when deciding on who to invite to your wedding; a task that doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems.

How to Keep Children Entertained At Your Wedding

Having “Happy Feet” At Your Wedding

Jane Martin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:18:51 +0000

It is your wedding day, and you have worked like a fiend to make sure that everything will be perfect. You’ve chosen a beautiful dress and veil. Your jewellery and flowers are incredible, and the food you ordered is going to be delicious. With all the attention you paid to every detail of the service and reception, why did you buy the first pair of shoes that went with your dress? Having "happy feet" at your wedding means the difference between limping around with shoes in hand and having the best memories of your lifetime. Shopping for shoes, especially if you have an unusual size or any kind of foot or back problems can be time consuming, frustrating, and even painful. If you cannot find shoes that you can spend an entire day and evening walking, standing, and dancing in, special order them.

You need to pick a shoe that is sturdy and comfortable enough to do everything you need to do in. Don’t pick a super high heel if that isn’t what you wear all the time. Leg and foot cramps on your honeymoon are far from romantic. There is no shame in wearing flats or wedding slippers. Just make sure you try them on with the dress, so your gown can be hemmed to the correct length, and to make certain that they match in color. If you are having a beach or a garden wedding you obviously need a different type of shoe than for one that is indoors. For a really informal beach wedding you may even want to wear flip flops – but again, check on their comfort as rubber toe inserts might not be as comfortable as you might first have thought.

Bridal shops can be pricey for accessories and shoes, so if you are tight on budget, buy these items at department stores or discount stores. And whatever you do, wear them as often as possible to break them in before the big day. If there are any sore points then at least you’ll know in advance and have the chance to put some extra cushioning in those places.
It’s important to think about both style and comfort when choosing your shoes. Take care not to get too carried away with the most amazing pair of the ultimately styled shoes! Also think about how much the shoes will be seen depending on the length of your dress.

Whether you choose a classic pump (no elongated toes if you already have big feet, please), a slingback or open-toed shoe, sandals, flats, mules, or slippers, keep the heel at a level you are comfortable wearing. If you just love a pair of shoes but cannot imagine dancing in them (mules would fit in that category), bring a pair of low, supportive shoes to change to at the reception.

Do you suffer from burning feet when you stand on them for long periods of time? Slip some gel inserts in your maid of honour’s purse to put in your shoes when they start to feel uncomfortable. Make sure that the shoe has room enough for both the insert and your foot before the wedding.

Having happy feet at the wedding and the reception is going to make the day a success for the bride as well has her guests!