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.
 

Related posts:

1. Easy Wedding Reception Planning
2. Wedding Venues For Your Ceremony and Reception
3. Negotiating Wedding Reception Costs

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!
 

Related posts:

1. Shopping For The Perfect Wedding Dress
2. Tips for Picking the Perfect Wedding Dress
3. Find the Perfect Evening Dress Suitable for a Wedding

Often times, the time of year and season will play a large part in the color choice of the wedding.  For instance, if the wedding takes place near Christmas, many brides will choose to go with a shade of red.  When a bride chooses to have her wedding in the fall, she is likely to choose cool colors such as purples and dark blues. If the wedding is to take place during the spring months, many brides will choose very light pastels to coordinate with spring. 

Although brides are becoming much more adventurous when choosing the color scheme for their wedding, the current trends in wedding colors are lilacs, pale pinks, ivory, baby blue and gold.  Brides are choosing colors that are both delicate and feminine. 

One of the first big decisions as far as color goes, is picking a color for the bridesmaid dresses.  Often times, this will set the stage for the rest of the wedding colors. After they have picked out the dress, the bridesmaids will then have their shoes dyed to match the color of their dresses. 

The bride will also want to coordinate the flowers of the wedding with the bridesmaid dresses.  It is not vital that the flowers are the same colors of the dresses, but rather that they coordinate and compliment the bridesmaid’s dresses. 

Most brides will choose a white wedding cake, with accent colors that coordinate with the other colors of the wedding.  Icing flowers as well as real and artificial flowers can be added to the cake in order to incorporate the colors of the wedding.  Small figurines can be placed on the cake that represents the bridesmaids. Such figurines come in a variety of colors that can be coordinated with the color scheme of the wedding.

Some brides will choose to color coordinate their invitations with the rest of the wedding.  Invitations come in a variety of styles and colors and can be found just about anywhere.  The invitations are generally the first glance guest will get into the color scheme of the wedding.  The invitation will give guest a sneak peak of the overall tone of the wedding. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the style of color of the invitations. 
 

Related posts:

1. Choosing Wedding Invitations
2. Colour Your Wedding to Reflect Your Personality
3. Wedding Cakes: Choosing The Right “Taste”

With September being an autumnal month, it may be an idea to go with red or orange, interlaced with hints of yellow and browns. With these being such warm colours, consider your bridesmaid and flower girl dresses in these colours – with the mix of red and russet coloured material combining with your overall September wedding theme, it can make for an even more memorable day. For yourself, an off-white or cream dress will finish the effect to perfection.

Since autumn engenders a feeling of warmth and old-worldly settings, you may wish to be married in an older church. Not only do they look wonderful from the outside, but inside they are full of character with long wooden beams and intricate pews. The same goes for the reception – instead of a hotel or bar room, have it take place in an old-style inn or somewhere that has an abundance of solid wood like oak.

Continuing this September wedding theme, the flowers can be chosen to match the warm colour schemes involved. Popular choices for this time of year include chrysanthemums and Gerber daisies, and go to show that you don’t need to stay limited to the traditional roses, although these too will add to the colourful theme.

To really show the difference a September theme wedding can bring to your special day, don’t be afraid to use the traditional items associated with this time of year. Guests will enjoy decorative pumpkins laid on their tables, and with the addition of autumn leaves or branch collection in vases, can add a real sense of welcome to the occasion. Finish this off with cookies shaped like leafs; candy corn or apples also offer a different slant to the normal type of favours on offer.

If you have decided to use autumnal colours for your wedding dress and party, ask the guests to come to the reception in similarly styled clothing. Women guests can enhance the feel of the day by wearing russet dresses or jewelry, while the men can join in by combining shirts and trousers to autumnal colours like brown and cream.

With more brides now favouring Fall weddings over the traditional summer months, feeling the extra romance created at this time of year is the ideal background to their special day, with a little bit of thought and preparation, it’s not difficult to arrange a September themed wedding, yet the results can last and be talked about for years afterwards.

Technorati Tags: weddings, wedding, september wedding theme

Related posts:

1. Wonderful Winter Theme Weddings

Very few things in life are more exciting than planning a wedding, and creating a beautiful wedding outside is becoming an increasingly popular way for couples to exchange their vows. The possibilities are virtually endless with the beauty of the outdoors as your background. Choose from parks or beaches or even your own backyard to create an unforgettable wedding celebration. Many couples also opt for scenic landmarks, historic estates, and museums for a personalized touch to their most special day.

For the outside wedding taking place in the heart of the summer when temperatures can soar, printing your wedding programs on pretty paper fans is an excellent way to creatively keep your guests cool during the ceremony. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness and have a unique reminder of your wedding. If you’re having a beach ceremony, members of the wedding party can hand out sample-sized bottles of sunscreen or pairs of sunglasses wrapped in pretty fabric that match the colors of their dresses.

For a stress-free day, remember just a few simple but practical tips when planning an outside wedding to ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible. Although you may not be able to control some aspects of the day, just a little forethought and attention to detail will keep your guests happy and make your wedding a memorable event for everyone involved.

When that alcohol can quickly dehydrate people so be sure to have plenty of ice, water, teas, and punches on hand for thirsty guests. The groomsmen can hand out chilled bottles of water as the guests arrive and if there’s electricity available; consider using or renting fans to keep the area comfortable. Alternatively, if the weather is on the chilly side, make use of the electricity and place small space heaters near the guest area.

Other helpful, as well as thoughtful, ideas for outside weddings include catering to elderly guests or those with disabilities. Be sure that the areas for guests are easily accessible by wheelchair or for those using canes or walkers. Also make certain that there are restroom facilities available to guests.

The ideal location for an outdoor wedding is one that is accompanied by an indoor facility. This way if the weather is uncooperative on the big day you’ll still have an alternative plan in place. If that isn’t possible then consider renting or purchasing a few sturdy tents. We all know how fickle Mother Nature can be and regardless of how many times we’ve watched the upcoming weather forecast, keep in mind that anything is possible.

Practical ideas for outside weddings also include planning for windy conditions by telling your hairdresser that you are having an outdoor wedding. They then can be sure to create a style that will withhold a little wind. It’s also a wise idea to avoid light, airy fabrics such as chiffons and silks for the bridesmaid’s dresses for this same reason. Also make sure to have the bridal party’s dresses an appropriate length if they will be walking on dirt or gravel. The bride may also want to forgo a long train as well.

Be sure to check with your local officials when having an outdoor wedding to make sure a permit of some sort isn’t needed. Some parks have their own set of rules that must be followed regarding things like trash removal, parking, and even lighting candles or the amount of guests allowed. Also take into consideration that some outdoor locations have restrictions on noise levels if you are having music for your reception.

Even though planning an outdoor wedding may take some extra thought and special planning, the rewards are plentiful; a unique and romantic start to your married life as well as a memorable event for your beloved guests.

Technorati Tags: weddings, wedding, outdoor weddings, outside weddings

Related posts:

1. Unique wedding gift ideas – That Makes Weddings All Worthwhile
2. What Do Kids Wear to Weddings – Unique Ideas for Kids in the Wedding Party
3. Wonderful Winter Theme Weddings

Using a butterfly wedding theme idea is a great choice.  It is beautiful and elegant, but at the same time it is whimsical and fun.  There are also a lot of things you can do with a butterfly wedding theme idea. You can incorporate the butterfly theme into your attire several different ways. 

You can look for a wedding dress that you love and sew tiny butterfly appliqués in strategic spots, such as near the neckline, on the sleeve, or around the hem.  You can do the same thing with your bridesmaids’ dresses.  You can also sew matching butterflies onto your veil which is lovely.  These things keep the butterfly wedding theme idea in play, but are not overwhelming or gaudy.

When you choose your flowers, you can also use the butterfly wedding theme idea.  Have your florist make wildflower bouquets with a realistic looking butterfly perched among the flowers.  The flowers on the pews can also have butterflies attached to look as if they are naturally resting there.  Flowers are a perfect place to have the butterflies as it is natural and adds a touch of whimsy.  Your guests will be charmed from the time they sit down.

Your favors and centerpieces are great places to display your butterfly wedding theme ideas.  If you are using floral centerpieces, use the same technique as on the church flowers.  You can also find beautiful candle holders with butterflies on them.  These make wonderful centerpieces, and if you put several in the middle of a table, they can double as take home favors.  Using butterfly shaped cookies or chocolates wrapped in netting also make pretty favors.  You can find lots of great ideas along this line at http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/animal-themes/on-the-wings-of-a-butterfly-wedding-theme/.

Many brides also like the idea of a butterfly release.  It is a dramatic and beautiful display that enhances any couple’s butterfly wedding theme idea.  It does pose some problems though.  Many companies that you can order butterflies from transport them from far away.  Because butterflies are migratory, this can be very confusing for them.  Make sure you don’t get too many, or you will end up with a swarm that is overwhelming instead of the delicate fluttering you desire.  Try to find a breeder that is in your area or a reputable shipper.  They can help you with care instructions and allow you to achieve the romantic release you desire.  A few helpful websites are http://www.butterflythemewedding.net/ and http://www.butterflybreeders.org/pages/perfectwedding.html.

Using a butterfly wedding theme idea is a wonderful way to make your big day both special and memorable.  There are so many way that you can use a butterfly wedding theme idea that you are limited only by your own imagination.  Butterflies are beautiful and romantic and using them in your wedding décor will be spectacular.

Related posts:

1. Wonderful Winter Theme Weddings
2. 4 Ideas for Unique Wedding Favours
3. Nine Ideas for Do-It-Yourself Wedding Favors

Unique wedding favours are more than just a souvenir. The most unique wedding favours will engage the senses of your guests and recreate the festivities of your special day. Here we’ll take at four of the hottest wedding favour ideas for 2006:

Personalized Cosmopolitan and Margarita Cocktail Mixes

What better way to reward your guests than with a delicious, single serving cosmopolitan or margarita cocktail mix that is sure to put a smile on their face. These unique wedding favours come in glossy foil packets that can be personalized to fit the theme and style of your wedding. Personalized mixed drinks are a top choice for entertainment savvy couples.

Display Tip: Package these unique wedding favours with an elegant martini glass ornamented with a sheer fabric bow.

Personalized Chocolate Candy Bars

It’s rare to find anyone who doesn’t savor the taste of a smooth, milky chocolate bar. For a unique wedding favour that is sure to please everyone and be truly unique, a chocolate candy bar with a personalized wrapper is great solution. Choose either mini candy bars or full sized candy bars then pick an image and font that fits your style.

Full size chocolate bars offer lots of room for customization. Add your names, wedding date, event time, city and state for a highly personalised and beautiful memento.

Display Tip: Arrange full size chocolate favours on the guest’s plate or fill glass bowls with mini chocolate bars for guests to help themselves.

Personalised Tea Favours

Invigorate your guests with the promise of a cup of aromatic tea, representative of the warmth and comfort of your new marriage. Each tea bag comes sealed in a gorgeous white foil pouch that can be customized with your names, wedding date, and choice of message. With a vast selection of beautiful fonts and images, this inexpensive wedding favour is a smart and delicious choice.

Display Tip: Place one or more personalized tea bags into an elegant teacup and embellish with an ornate ribbon.

Personalised Coffee Favours Coffee packets

Personalised Coffee Favours Coffee packets are a gift that everyone can enjoy. These unique wedding favours are packaged in attractive glossy foil and can be customised with your names, wedding date, and choice of wedding message. Choose an image and font that represents your style and you’ve got a fantastic wedding favour that looks and tastes great. Once your guests enjoy the hot cup of delicious coffee, they can hold onto the beautiful packaging as a memento fit for a scrapbook or photo album.

Display Tip: Insert the personalized coffee favour packet into a personalised coffee mug or packaged in a basket with raffia, hot chocolate, and personalised tea packets.

It is the company of friends and family that make a wedding memorable. Rewarding those who come to share your special day with a thoughtful favour gift is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. Choosing wedding favours that excite the senses give your guests a chance to relive the pleasure of your wedding day.

About the author: The author is a freelance copywriter. To find unique wedding favours for your special day, try www.PWPOnline.com. This site offers a wide variety of wedding favours.

PWPOnline is a US based site

Technorati Tags: wedding favours, personalised favours

Related posts:

1. Unique wedding gift ideas – That Makes Weddings All Worthwhile
2. Suggestions For A Unique Wedding Party Favor
3. What Do Kids Wear to Weddings – Unique Ideas for Kids in the Wedding Party

Who says that the wedding of your dreams requires a sleeveless dress and air-conditioning? A beautiful winter theme wedding can be breath-taking, cozy, and come with a lot of financial benefits! What are you waiting for? Start planning your wonderful winter-themed wedding!

When selecting decorations, choose décor that is ‘warm’ and inviting for your guests. Colours play a very important role in a winter wedding. In order to pull off a successful wedding with a comfortable appeal, steer clear of bright colours that are ‘summery.’ Try warm tones.

Colours like purple, terra-cotta, forest-green, ruby, and navy look excellent with the glow of candlelight. They can add a special ambiance and warmth to any reception site. Winter weddings provide the perfect opportunity to have an ‘elegant’ wedding with such rich colours.

Accessories are just as important as colour if you’ve selected ‘winter’ as your wedding theme. Centerpieces can come in the form of frosted glass bowls filled with cinnamon scented pine-cones. Glittery snow-flakes can be hung from the ceiling. Holly-branches with berries can also add a lavish touch to your decorations.

Instead of ‘summery’ plants, poinsettias, roses, lilies and red ribbons can cover the place of reception. Unfortunately, sprint/summer bouquets may not be readily available from your local florist, so any other flowers (other than those mentioned) can be costly during the winter months.

Still looking for a place to hold your wonderful winter themed wedding? How about a bread and breakfast, or a quaint little cottage? Imagine your guests warming themselves in front of a toasty fire, smiling with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. A breath-taking view of a frozen pond and small friendly wildlife will add just the right touch of relaxation. While snow-covered landscapes may not sound appealing to everyone- think of how fun a sleigh ride and an afternoon of skiing can be.

Worried about what wedding favours to give as a token from your winter themed wedding? Spiced teas, scented candles, personalized mugs, Christmas ornaments with the wedding date imprinted upon them, personalized snow globes with a photograph inside, there are so many items to choose from!

Instead of having a ordinary catered meal, try creating a unique dinner menu. As everyone from your family to share a traditional family recipe, submit some of these recipes to your caterer and have a wonderful meal that everyone will enjoy! The idea is let everyone have some (possibly, well-needed) R&R as they celebrate your festivities.

Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planner designed to assist people develop ideas to plan a wedding. Visit My Wedding blog at: www.my-wedding-blog.com

Technorati Tags: winter weddings, wedding themes, winter wedding flowers

Related posts:

1. Winter Weddings: Part I
2. Winter Wedding: Part II
3. Helpful Hints and Ideas for Outside Weddings