16th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
When you’re looking for a wedding that will be unforgettable, then the reception is the one to invest in. The first thing you should do is to figure out what defines you as a couple. While each of you might have your own interest and quirks, you need to find a nice balance that reflects your personality as a couple.
There is no need for an elaborate theme like a medieval banquet and such, but you can use a single element that will thread your wedding together in the reception. This can be something as simple as a color or a motif. Here are some ideas on making a unique wedding reception.
Firstly, location is key. You need to find somewhere with character that is suited to your needs. Look at unusual venues and ask them about hosting weddings there, like art galleries, historic buildings, gardens and so on.
As we mentioned before, a theme is a great way to link things together, and it’ll also put your wedding on par with an experience that’ll be unforgettable. A part of this is to really pay attention to the décor, and don’t be afraid of either going for classic white, or making a statement with bold color. Go with what works with your personality.
Get creative with tables! You can think of them as unique individuals with their own identity and throw boring old uniformity out of the window. Play with flowers, colors, ornaments and even lighting.
Lighting is an important element to weddings, and is often forgotten. You can get creative here with lanterns, fairy lights, and so on. The imagination is the only limit.
Offer regional food and drinks. It’s a great way to assure that the food is fresh and high quality and often we overlook our own backyards, or to add a personal touch bring your hometown into it if you live far from home. It’s a great way of getting your guests to get to know you.
There is nothing like an amateur, bad production to make your wedding memorable – and in a bad way! So go all out and book professional entertainers. Maybe you can go for a group of singing waiters or a group of professional dancers that’ll keep your guests entertained between courses. Have an unusual band play, either you can go for a classical ensemble or a steel drum band play at your wedding. Check out the entertainment before booking, and give your guests a wonderful show.
16th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Something old, something new and something blue – what do these mean? We hear them and we think of weddings immediately, but do we really know the meanings and the origins behind such phrases. Let’s examine what wedding traditions and symbols signify, to decode the mystery behind marriage.
The classic expression “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue and a sixpence in her shoe” comes from Victorian England, and apart from the sixpence, seems to have stuck to our modern wedding days.
The something old refers to the bride’s past family life, and is represented by a family heirloom, like a piece of jewelry. Something new is the wish for happiness in the future, and this is often represented by the wedding dress. Something borrowed is to remind the bride not to forget her friends and family, so it can be something like a piece of jewelry or a handkerchief. Blue is the color of faithfulness and loyalty – this dates back to biblical time when the color represented purity. While the sixpence tradition seems to have gone out of fashion, it’s there to wish the bride wealth.
Another iconic wedding tradition is the veil, which is still used in many modern day ceremonies. This is there to hide the bride’s beauty and to ward off evil spirits, but another, less romantic explanation is that in the era of arranged marriages, the bride would cover her face until the groom had committed.
Confetti is a staple in wedding ceremonies, but traditionally this used to be rice or grains. This symbolized fertility, whereas the wedding bouquet is a fairly new tradition from America, that says who ever catches it will be the next one to get married.
Seeing the bride is supposed to be bad luck for the groom on his wedding day, until he meets her at the altar, and apparently it’s also bad luck for him to see the dress before the wedding. So perhaps it’s better not to peek!
The tradition of carrying the bride over the threshold is supposed to protect her from evil spirits that are lurking in the home.
While many couples have opted to go modern for their wedding traditions, many of the above are still seen today in contemporary ceremonies. They’ve all become ingrained in our wedding culture, even if we don’t really stop to think about where and when these traditions came about.
16th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
If you’re new to the whole wedding business, then perhaps the planning can look a little daunting and who to assign as bridesmaids or maid of honor. What do those roles even mean anyway? Who should be assigned special places in the bridal party and so on?
A traditional wedding party includes a maid or matron of honor for the bride, the bridesmaids and attendants, the best man, groomsmen, ushers, officiant, flower girl, ring bearer and reader. Let’s break these down into a user-friendly way of understanding what all of this means.
The maid of honor is essentially the support for the bride, and contrary to popular belief this can also be a man. The maid of honor can help the bride with the planning, organizing the bridesmaids, helps the bride to get dressed and keeps her calm. Other duties can include signing as the witness on the license. The typical person to ask is either a sister or a best friend, if the bride’s best friend is a man, then there is no reason why the role should exclude him.
Bridesmaids are close friends of the bride or perhaps even sisters.
There is more to being a bridesmaid than just wearing a pretty dress, she must help the bride buy the right dress, provide help on decoration and planning, plan the bridal shower or bachelorette party and be useful at the wedding reception.
The groomsman are essentially the groom’s own equivalent of the bridesmaids, just as the best man is the equivalent of the maid of honor. The roles are very similar to the bridesmaids, except in helping the groom out.
Ushers have a similar role to the groomsmen, but the role of the groomsmen is usually left to closer friends of the groom. They’re usually not involved in the planning or preparation of pre-wedding events. Ushers are good to help people find their seats and to manage how smoothly everything runs.
You need an officiant to marry you, and finding the right person to do this is important, especially since they’ll have a huge affect on the ceremony. If you’re religious, then clearly you’re going to want a priest or a rabbi for this, but you can find someone else to marry you if you prefer. Anyone can marry you, providing they have the right license.
You can get younger members of the family involved, like the job of the flower girl or even the ring bearer. There is an inclusive role in the bridal party for every member of the family.
13th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Many couples want extravagant weddings, competitive with the weddings of even the most famous celebrities. Eventually, they come back down to earth realizing they are not millionaires, but still, the costs associated with a wedding are high. How does a couple get the wedding that they want without putting themselves financial ruin? Couples have many choices to make, and certain choices enable them to save as much money as possible, all while maintaining the sense of style that accompanies the wedding dreams of many brides, from all walks of life.
The first great way to save some money is to not do have the wedding on a Saturday, because Saturday is the most popular day for a wedding, which can cause an inflated rate due to competition. Because wedding venues want to fill up their schedules, the cheapest dates are typically on Fridays and Sundays, which venues have trouble filling. Location and venue also play a key role in the price of a wedding. Yes, that fancy hall or ballroom will always look amazing and elegant but a couple will pay handsomely for it.
There are gardens that have facilities for receptions, bed and breakfasts, and even a barn or the church can become beautiful sites for a wedding, especially with the right decorations.
By personally creating items for the wedding, couples can save even more money. Although wedding invitations may not seem like a very high cost factor at first, templates are readily available, and a hand-designed invitation adds a personal touch. Once designed, they can easily be printed on cardstock at home, rather than paying a third party to do a similar job. Second, centerpieces can be made by hand. Something as simple as a steel bucket and some flowers from the grocery store can save a lot of money compared to using a traditional florist. A wedding cake is a necessity, but a complete spread is not.
Once can also make their own treats for dessert and save some cash at the same time. It is amazing what a little white paper holder can do for homemade brownies. Another way to save some major money is by limiting the alcohol. One could decide to stick to simply beer & wine, however if that doesn’t appease all your drinking guests, one could think about buying their own bottled alcohol based on the most popular drinks. If necessary, they will be able to return whatever is unopened.
Finally, the best thing once can do to save wedding money is to enlist some help from friends and family. By asking around, huge savings can be made on recommendations. Friends may recommend a great and reasonable photographer, or the perfect DJ who knew how to set the mood at dinner and tear it up at the reception.
They key to a wedding on a budget is to think outside the box. Putting an unconventional twist on traditional wedding idea it will leave the couple happy, impressed and most importantly, with enough money to spend on the honeymoon.
13th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian have always had the vision to open up a number of fashion stores, launch a perfume and their own make up line. The girls behind the Dash store are finally launching their own beauty brand, but not without its complications.
To anyone who has seen the Keeping Up With The Kardashians TV series will know that things are not always smooth between the sisters, and that agreeing on something, anything, can be a challenge at the best of times, but in this case, it looks like the girls have finally settled on a name for their line.
Formally named Khroma Beauty, the girls have decided to change the name to Kardashian Beauty after they got into a legal spot of bother after Lee Tillet Inc., who owns the Kroma Makeup range took legal action against the Kardashians over the rights to the brand’s name.
Back in June 2012, Lee Tillett Inc. who own the original Kroma Makup sent the parent company behind the Kardashians’ Khroma Beauty’s parent company, Boldface Licensing + Branding, a cease-and-desist letter accusing them of stealing the Kroma Makeup brand name.
The name change will save the Kardashians a hefty multi-million dollar fine, since Kroma Makeup were seeking $10 million dollars in damages.
“I developed the Kroma line myself,” said the woman behind Kroma Makeup, “built my business though my own hard work and took the legal steps necessary to protect it.”
“I have been forced into a legal battle with the Kardashians simply because they have decided to take something that doesn’t belong to them,” she added.
While the rebranding has meant a set the Kardashians back in releasing their product, it looks like it was the final solution that meant all the parties were happy in the end. There has been a lot of controversy since some claim Kim wasn’t ignorant of Kroma Makeup’s name, but for now it looks like the issue has been put to bed.
Nicole Ostoya, who is the license holder for Kardashian Beauty said: “Boldface, along with Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian are looking to the future and see this change as a positive move forward. We’re confident that it’s not the name that matters to our fans, but the Kardashian sisters’ commitment to making this line a true reflection of their love for cosmetics.
It looks like things are back on track, and Kardashian Beauty is going to be hitting the shelves in a matter of weeks, with stocks being carried in Duane Reade, CVS and Sears.
4th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Combining love and the thrill of travel, a destination wedding is the pinnacle of romance. Many brides dream of a destination wedding. More and more frequently, brides are choosing to get married away from home. Planning a destination wedding may seem overwhelming, but are completely worth all of the work. In a world full of beautiful places, there are many options for a wonderful get-away wedding.
Often, when thinking of a destination wedding, a beach comes to mind. A beach wedding provides a location for a beautiful and fun summer wedding. Kapalua Bay Beach in Maui, Hawaii is one of the best Hawaiian beaches and would make a breathtaking location for a wedding, especially at sunset. Beaches in the Caribbean are also a popular choice for beach destination weddings. If looking for a private, intimate wedding there are many private beaches to choose from such as White Bay Beach in the British Virgin Islands. The white sands are the perfect setting for the most memorable day of a bride’s life. For those who prefer pink sand, Pink Sands Beach can be found on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Not only are beaches a perfect destination wedding venue, they are a perfect honeymoon spot.
Historical destination weddings are also unique choices. Historic manors are intimate and heartwarming locations for weddings. Not only does the manor provide a location for the ceremony, but they also provide a place for family and bridal party to stay the night before and for the reception. Historic manors can be found all over the world; some ideas are Lairmont Manor in Bellingham, Virginia, Rosemont Manor of Washington D.C., and Rookery Manor in Edingworth, England. Another wonderful option is getting married in front of castle in the U.K., such as Aldourie Castle in Loch Ness, Scotland. A castle in the highlands, set in front of beautiful wooded hills, this venue will make any bride feel like a real princess. Huntington Castle and Gardens from 1675 is also a romantic and historical destination wedding. There is also enough space to accommodate family the night before in these castles. With a historic destination venue, couples also have the option of creating a realistic vintage wedding.
Destination weddings are a way for a couple to express themselves. They want to pick something memorable and significant. Disney World is a magical place for a wedding. The bride can ride Cinderella’s Carriage to a location in the park for the wedding and the couple can spend their honeymoon at Disney World, bringing back their childhoods and creating memories to share with their future children.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Florida is perfect for those who their destination wedding in the U.S., but also want a taste of Japanese culture in their wedding. It is an absolutely breathtaking location for a ceremony and reception. The destinations mentioned in this article are only a few of the options available in a world of choices for wedding venues. A destination wedding may be just what a bride has been looking for to make her wedding romantic and memorable for her and her groom.
4th June, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Organizing a wedding can be a stressful ordeal and there are many things to consider when it comes to planning the big day. Wedding centerpieces, while being an integral part of the wedding reception, are often times forgotten about until the last minute. It is important that couples consider their centerpieces early on during the planning stage, especially if they plan to use fresh flowers, seasonal items, or difficult to attain elements in their centerpieces.
Many couples now choose to use alternatives to flowers in their wedding centerpieces. This is especially appropriate if the couple is having a “theme” wedding. Following something as simple as a color or location theme can make a wedding come together and seem cohesive and well planned and the centerpieces can reflect this.
For example, couples getting married during the winter holiday season may wish to use items such as tree ornaments, snowflakes, or pine boughs in their centerpieces. Fresh flowers are appropriate for spring weddings. Using items that are nearby to the wedding’s location is also a great idea. If the couple is having a beach wedding, they may wish to use seashells or sand dollars to make their centerpieces unique. Many couples are choosing to use an alternative color scheme to black and white when it comes to their wedding outfits. They may incorporate alternative colors into their wedding venue and the centerpieces can easily carry this color theme over. Asking the florist to specially dye the flowers for the centerpieces is always an option; but if the couple decides against flowers they can always use elements such as fabric or candles to reflect a color theme. Candles also add a romantic ambience that is appropriate in setting the mood.
Alternative containers are also a fantastic way to play into a theme. Glass containers and wicker baskets are quickly becoming popular options for wedding centerpieces. Couples may choose to use mismatched containers in order to add character. If the couple decides to go the more traditional route and use flowers in their centerpieces, it is advisable that they contact their florist well in advance in order to check availability and customization options of their intended blossom. Many florists also have special hybrid strains available, exclusive to their particular shop.
One last thing to consider is whether or not the creation of the centerpieces will be an in-house affair or exported to an external wedding planning business or florist. Couples can save a decent amount of money creating their own centerpieces, though many couples find this overwhelming with all of the other decisions that need to be made.
Whether it’s a more low-key affair or an over the top extravaganza, weddings are an extremely personal expression of a couple’s personal style. The wedding centerpieces are one of the easiest elements to customize when it comes to reflecting the theme, location, or style of the event. There are many options that couples can choose from when it comes to making their wedding centerpieces perfect for their big day.
30th May, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Planning a wedding can be a stressful task. Most women can think back to their childhood years and recall being a little girl and having their fairytale-like dreams of how they would like their wedding day to play out. Most little girls will have their own ideas and fantasize about their own dream weddings. Everyone’s opinion is as unique as their unique personalities, which leads many to not be so surprised when a bride-to-be becomes the dreaded bridezilla. Wedding guests often will pay the most attention to two attractions throughout the whole combination of rehearsal dinner ceremony and reception. The most obvious object of their attention will be the beauty of the bride in her gown during the ceremony and the second will be the beautiful and tasty wedding cakes and sweets which can work amazingly when attempting to dispel any darker memories of a bridezilla by allowing the day’s events to formally close on a much sweeter note.
Wedding cakes and sweets are a continuously evolving form of symbolism and tradition. In earlier times numerous sweet bread delicacies were stacked and the newlyweds were challenged with the task of sharing a kiss without disturbing the stack of sweets that sat between them. This practice introduced the idea of the traditional French wedding cake. Many other traditions began forming to add a flair of importance and more symbolism to the cake which would evolve into today’s bride’s cake. The bride is without a doubt the star of the whole event, yet a tradition also exists to give a nod in the groom’s direction with the creation of the Groom’s cake, which was typically darker and heavier than the light and delicate bride’s cake. Another tradition that formed was that the groom’s cake should be served in the evening before the wedding ensuring that the guests would all enjoy a piece of the bride’s cake. Accepting the piece of cake has long been considered a blessing of good luck and refusal to accept a piece of the bride’s cake was considered both rude and a form of wishing bad luck on the newlyweds and their marriage.
Today the fast pace of modern life has left some of the old traditions to disappear from memory, yet the cakes themselves hold their place within current tradition. Today’s convenient advances in culinary and pastry arts have advanced to the point that nearly any flavor or flavor combination desired or dreamed up is a possible creation should the bride desire any specific flavor or style. Although still common, the classic wedding cake is slowly being replaced with cakes made to match a themed wedding.
Finally, with the progression in trends in regards to the wedding cake, the large cake is often circled with smaller sweets to create a masterpiece for the guests and the newlyweds to behold following the conclusion of the wedding ceremony and enjoy the day’s sweetness. These sweets typically are chocolates and mints, but the choice is up to the couple to make for themselves
21st May, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Searching for a distinctive and fun wedding theme? A Moroccan themed wedding may be just what you are looking for. Don’t be timid about your wedding. Themed weddings are a popular way to create a memorable wedding experience. Follow these tips for putting an exotic spin on the traditional wedding! Your invitations should introduce the Moroccan theme. So choose colorful ethnic designs for your wedding invitations and envelopes. Remember, stylish invitations are the perfect way to clue your guests into your wedding’s Moroccan theme. Don’t forget to continue your theme with the wedding favors. Gourmet chocolates in colorfully wrapped gift boxes make perfect wedding favors. Themed bottle openers, tea light candle holders, and decorative coasters make great wedding favors as well. Search online for more wedding favor ideas. There are many websites that specialize in providing great wedding favors.
Now it’s time to search for the perfect location and find just right wedding decorations. A private garden or even a candle lit church can work wonderfully with your Moroccan theme. Don’t forget to have an estimate for how many guests you may be expecting. Also, consider any special needs some of your guests may have. Your elderly aunt who is wheelchair bound may not be able to easily navigate a sandy beach wedding. When decorating your Moroccan wedding, you can use flowers, garlands, and brightly colored fabric streamers. Use colorful Moroccan glass lanterns as part of your table centerpiece! There are even fantastic places that you can rent or buy decorations, props, and costumes! Be as creative as your budget will allow. Your wedding day is special; so don’t be afraid to make it memorable.
Don’t forget about the music, food, and dance! The right music can really set the atmosphere for your culturally influenced wedding. Research online and find the right type of music for your wedding. Maybe even consider hiring a tasteful belly dancer with musicians to play at the reception. This will certainly delight your guests. Selecting what your guests will eat can be one of the most fun parts wedding planning. There a wide variety of caterers to choose from. So, you may want to work with a wedding planner to locate a caterer who specializes in themed weddings. Do also think about others when choosing the menu items. It just takes a hint of the exotic to give your wedding a unique style. So you may want to keep the main course traditional. Save the more unusual items for the appetizers. Hummus platters, stuffed grape leaves, and kabobs make tantalizing appetizers. This will give your wedding menu just the right balance between the traditional and the exotic!
Remember to have fun. Planning a wedding can be a challenging experience, but it also the most special day of your life. Don’t try to do it all alone, look for a professional wedding planner to help you. If that it isn’t an option get as much assistance from friends and family as possible. Good luck and enjoy your beautiful Moroccan Wedding.
29th April, 2013 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
For some, picking out wedding colors for your special day is no big deal, but for others it can be a huge headache, so here is a guide to creating the winning palette for your special day.
To begin with, think about what is the centerpiece at a wedding. It’s not just the dance floor, but also the cake. You’ve also got the invitations, the table centerpieces and of course, the bride’s gown. Years ago, many brides used to accent the white wedding day décor with a hint of color, but now weddings have become bolder and brighter.
The first thing when picking a color scheme is to know where you’re hosting the reception. Your color scheme in a hotel will be different to a historical building or an outdoor reception. Each venue might have its own color set so you don’t want your scheme to clash. Get to know the color combinations you like, have a look at magazines or browse art galleries and know what it is you want.
This will help you to narrow down your choices, and to pick out the perfect hue, go to a paint shop or fabric store and collect swatches. Knowing you want green isn’t enough – do you want forest green, lime green or sage green? And sometimes, going for two colors can work a charm.
The use of color really depends on the mood you’re trying to create, and the best way to begin is to figure out what emotions you want to inspire, whether it’s energetic, peaceful or regal. These different feels will call to mind a variety of color.
While white is the traditional color for the bride, things have become more liberal nowadays and you don’t need to wear a dress that’s solid white, you can add accents of color to it. However, the color will really be conveyed in the bridesmaids’ dresses. Invitations are also a good way to set the stage, so this is a good place to use color, either in the card itself or something as subtle as the font or ribbon.
Flowers and décor are the easiest and most important way to introduce color, and no matter what shade you’ll find flowers to match – although maybe not available or affordable. However, there is a cheaper option, and that is to go with white flowers with containers that match.
Last but not least, the wedding cake. With the right mixing and preparation, your wedding cake can reflect both the color and the style elements used throughout the wedding. Icing is a great background for colorful sugar flowers or paste stripes or effects. Fondant can also come in a number of shades and here you have a great opportunity to mix and match colors.
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