wedding flower trends for 2013

29th September, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

Picking the right flower arrangement for your wedding is an important, yet challenging task. While flowers may not seem to be the most important element of getting married, your bouquet is as much part of your outfit as your wedding dress. If you’re struggling with ideas, one effective way to seek inspiration is to see what’s hot in the upcoming year.

One thing that’ll be big in 2013 is the vintage theme, and not just for weddings in general, but this will also apply to bouquets too. If you’re not going to go all out with the full vintage them, you can incorporate it into your flower wear with hand tied bouquets with lace, and ribbon laced fabric. Whether you’re having a vintage themed wedding or you’re just looking for a nice bohemian touch to your wedding then opting for a vintage bouquet is a good way to go. A beautiful lace binding can add a touch of class to your bundle of flowers.

Another trend that will be hot is simplicity. For those of you who prefer no fuss and would like something that is chic and effortless then take a nice and classy one-tone bouquet to go with your color scheme. Whether you choose a nice subtle pastel or modern vivid color brights, you can say more with less.

Bolder and brighter bouquets are in too for those of us who love a dash of color. Rich and autumnal tones are a great choice for any bride who likes deep reds or oranges – they add a nice warm feeling to your bridal attire. If you like bold and beautiful, opt for color combinations that really make a statement – like blue and yellow, or orange and purple!

Draw inspiration from the color combinations you’ve picked for the wedding and have a beautiful hand tied bouquet to go with that. You can experiment with many different styles, from vintage to rustic to make the flowers really stand out. Perhaps have a bark colored tie or even put your bouquet in a bird cage design, since avian themes are going to be hot in the up coming years. Don’t forget to add flowers to your wedding cake.  Floral designs will add flair and color to an otherwise plain wedding cake.

Create and be creative and above all choose something that suits you the best. Whether you love bright colors, understated elegance or vintage lace and ribbon, there is a bouquet out there for every bride for the next year.

Photo(s) source: polkadotbride.com

etsy.com as a wedding resource

11th September, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

Planning a wedding is tough even at the best of times, but the new Etsy Weddings may help to make things run a little smoother.

The website offers a selection of curated items, how-tos, trends and not to mention anecdotes from real couples and expert advice. All of the above makes Etsy.com an appealing destination to look for all your wedding needs and to inspire bridal shoppers along each and every stage of their wedding planning. Whether you’re looking for handmade crafts or vintage heirlooms, to traditional wedding planning – Etsy is a great tool for any nuptial plans.

Right now Etsy helps to bring businesses offering their services and products to shopper who like to browse for ideas, making Etsy ideal for brides and grooms who are looking for ideas and inspiration in their wedding plans.

But it’s not only the browsing experience that makes Etsy great for weddings, but they’ve recently introduced a new Wedding Registry – where you can look at a variety of gift ideas from vintage kitchen items, personalized décor and much more.

To get you into the festive spirit, Etsy Weddings will keep clients updated on a variety of nuptial themed posts to help you pick up new ideas and inspirations.

This site can help you find everything you need in the same place – from a selection of wedding dresses, whether you’re on the hunt for a Victorian wedding dress, handmade couture or even something a little alternative you can find it here.

Décor, rings and even things for your party members are abound on the site. Looking for a bridesmaid’s dress? No problem! Etsy even carries wedding gear for your pets too.

Scrolling down the page gives you some tips and stories on planning and hosting weddings. Here you can find accounts with a personalized touch to help you plan your own wedding, or simply get excited while reading others.

With the internet, planning the perfect wedding is getting easier and easier. The new wedding planning facilities on Etsy give you the opportunity to plan and prepare without flicking through millions of bridal magazines and wondering round shop to shop. You can do this from the comfort of your own home and make it fun too.

In conclusion, Etsy is a great resource for the busy, yet tech savvy, bride looking to get ideas and become inspired – not to mention sorting out the practicalities of putting a wedding together.

easy diy wedding centerpieces

16th August, 2012 - Posted by Lia - 2 Comments

While the basics of any wedding are the same, (bride and groom, fancy dress, flowers…) your special day should be a reflection of who you are. You want guests to remember the day as one full of love, celebration, and personal style! And since more time is spent celebrating at the reception, rather than in the actual ceremony, why not let your table décor be a focal point for letting everyone see just how special and unique you and your new husband are!

Need a few ideas…?

For weddings that are either slightly less than formal or even casual, inexpensive glass containers filled with dried beans or peas, candy corn, peppermints, jellybeans, gummy candies, or gum balls are festive and easy to make. Other ideas for filling your containers include sand and seashells or even live fish. Depending on what you fill the containers with, you can scatter greenery (real or artificial), glitter, polished rocks, faux jewels, or even votive candles around the outside of the glass containers.

Going green is all the rage in food, clothing and house wares, so why not wedding centerpieces? Wicker or grass baskets of fruit, fresh flowers, gourds and pumpkins or autumn leaves are pretty, easy to make and don’t cost a lot. Another fun idea for spring and summer weddings is to line the baskets with plastic, fill with soil, plant grass or flower seeds (or both). NOTE: You’ll need to do this several weeks prior to the wedding. Going green could also be interpreted as having ‘useful’ centerpieces. These might take the form of veggie and dip towers, crystal cake stands filled with pastries or wedding cake or fruit baskets; all of which are intended to be eaten during the reception.

What about those of you who are planning an evening or more formal wedding and reception? DIY doesn’t automatically mean cheap or crafty-looking. But when it comes to a more formal look and you are doing things yourself, I have three words for you: candles, glass and tulle. Fill the tables with swirling tulle in white, champagne or another soft color that coordinates with your color scheme. Add glass bowls or mirrors on which you fill with candles of varying sizes and heights. The candlelight and tiny, clear Christmas lights around the perimeter of the reception hall are all the light you’ll need.

The internet is a valuable source for ideas as well as supplies that will allow you to create unique wedding centerpieces. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box-have fun and make the day something you will look back on with nothing but happy memories.

moroccan weddings

2nd July, 2012 - Posted by Lia - 2 Comments

Every bride should be made to feel like a princess on her wedding day. But when you are married Moroccan style, you can be sure you will be treated like royalty.

Moroccan brides (and grooms) are treated to parties and celebrations for weeks leading up to the wedding. Then on the day of the wedding, parties are held at the home of both the bride and groom’s family with guests at each one. At the appointed time, the groom, his family and their guests caravan to where the bride is-singing, dancing, honking horns…you name it! It’s a processional worth watching.

Once the couple is together, they are carried around on pillows-their every wish and whim provided for. There is lots of food, dancing, music, and celebrating. Following the ceremony, the couple is allowed to leave for a while to consummate their marriage. Then, in the most traditional of ceremonies and celebrations, the couple returns to the reception for a while longer. The act of leaving is also meant to demonstrate their leaving the homes of their parents and beginning their own family.

While in the past, most Moroccan marriages have been arranged, today’s young women are allowed to fall in love and marry who they wish to marry.

Moroccan brides can wear white, but will change into a brightly colored caftan representative of their family’s colors. Their white gowns might also be accented with more traditional Moroccan colors. Other brides, though, will wear a brightly colored silk wedding gown with an abundance of gold embroidery running through it.

The bride’s head will be ornately decorated and her makeup will accentuate your eyes.

Moroccan receptions include chick pea and lentil soup (a favorite), fish, chicken, mint tea and coffee. Dessert consists of rich cakes that are ornately decorated and iced in bright colored icing.

A Moroccan wedding will be filled with rich colored décor, gold, lots of candlelight and rich, age-old traditions. It’s a lovely thing when a young couple embraces their heritage in such a full-bodied way.

wedding bubbles

14th May, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments

Instead of the traditional rose petals or rice being thrown at the bride and groom after their ceremony, why not pass out blow bubbles to your guests so they can blow bubbles as you exit the church?

Decorate the bubble wand however you please, place some tulle or ribbon around it to customize it for your theme.

It’s a fun way to get your guests involved, and who doesn’t love bubbles?

Until next time!

Natasha
x-o-x-o

having an outdoor weddings

10th May, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

The pros and cons of having an outdoor wedding……

Depending on where you live, 3 of the 4 seasons allow brides to at least entertain the thought of getting married outdoors. But before you get your heart set on saying ‘I do’ with nothing more than the big blue sky overhead, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

☼ Having an alternative plan is a must. Weddings require weeks, if not months, of preparation. There’s no way to predict the weather for a particular day that far in advance, so having an alternate location is essential. Your alternative location, including address, needs to be included on the invitation, too.

☼ You need to accommodate your guests’ needs in regards to shade, bathroom facilities, parking, and convenience of getting to and from the seating area. Is it possible for guests with handicaps or limitations to attend without complications?

☼Will your location have a building or room for a tent for the wedding party to get ready in? Or will you arrive ready to walk down the aisle?

☼Will you hold the reception in the same location or somewhere else? If ‘somewhere else’ is the answer to this question, how convenient is your location to your reception area? Will guests be driving across town, several miles away, or forget it and go home?

☼What happens to deposits made on either the outdoor location or alternative-depending on which one you use? Will you forfeit any monies paid for the one not used?

☼What about wedding vendors; the florist, caterer, etc. Will they know where to go?

Outdoor weddings do take some extra planning, but they’re not something to be discounted. An outdoor wedding can be absolutely beautiful-and there are just as many pro’s as there are con’s to having one….

☼Outdoor weddings usually eliminate the need for flowers and other decorations. Most outdoor venues come ‘wedding ready’.

☼Outdoor wedding venues usually tend to be able to accommodate more people. All you have to do is make sure there are plenty of chairs.

☼Outdoor weddings are often a bit less formal. This allows you to go a bit more casual with the reception décor, food served and other such items.

If you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, then by all means, do so. It’s your day. Just be sure you think ahead, have a ‘plan b’, and know that if you have to use it, you won’t be any less happily married.

Tips on Surviving a bridal show/wedding expo

6th May, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments

Bridal Shows or Wedding Expos can be a ton of fun and also provide you with a little insight into your wedding planning as well as give you a one stop shop to all vendors in the surrounding area.  The one thing I find is couples go there and become overwhelmed with the amount of people and vendors there. The one thing that you need to keep in mind when you arrive is to go with the right attitude, and take advantage of all the benefits, compare prices and services between vendors and remember to have fun! Here are some tips that will help you get through the long day.

1. Register Online- By registering online you not only save time at the door but you also save money on the entry fee as well. Registering early allows you to receive savings on the actual ticket price.
2. Create a temporary e-mail- You will be handing out your e-mail to almost every vendor so instead of having so much spam mail sent to you even after your big day, create a temporary one designated for your wedding planning and after your big day delete it.
3. Bring name and address labels- print them out from your computer, or hand write them yourself. This will save you a lot of time at each booth as you will be asked for your contact information over and over again. Don’t forget to add your wedding date to your label as vendors will want to know that important detail.
4. Walk down every aisle- Take everything in. Visit every aisle and do it slowly, you want to experience the whole show and every booth, you want to be able to compare prices and services between all vendors and also have some time to talk to each professional as well.
5. Bring a notepad with you- this is very important, you want to take notes from what you learn from speaking with each vendor, this will help you when you look over all the pamphlets you received another day, as you will be reminded of what each vendor had to say.
6. Bring your credit card, debit card, or cheque book- Just incase you want to book some services right there on the spot this is the best idea. Remember, sometimes vendors offer one day deals to the show attendees. It’ll be your only chance to save even more money on their service, so why not take advantage of it.
7. Wear comfortable shoes- Sometimes you will be at the bridal show or wedding expo for more than four hours make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes to walk and stand for a long period of time.
8. Bring your groom- Let him come with you, after all he is getting married too. Let him have a say in the planning as well and take in his feeling and opinions on what he sees.
9. Ask a lot of questions- Make sure you are asking a lot of questions to each vendor you want to make sure you are finding out everything you need to know, don’t worry if you forget to ask an important question you can always contact them later.
10. Bring a Camera- or use your smartphone to take pictures of things you want to remember, booths, designs, vendors, and even the bridal fashion show that most shows do have.

This is one of the most beneficial events for a bride and groom, so please go take advantage of them.

 Lia

bling wedding ideas

5th May, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

You Ain’t got a Thing if you Ain’t got some Bling.

Flowers, lace, music, glitz and glam; these are the things a fairy-tale wedding are made of. Oh, and don’t forget the bling!

Bling-the word for anything shiny and eye-catching; the perfect compliments to a day already filled with beauty. And the best part? It doesn’t cost much to get the bling-effect many brides want.

For the ceremony, consider filling the stage or area where the bride and groom will say their vows with ‘oceans’ of tulle that has been a) sprayed with gold or silver glitter b) sprinkled with sequins of silver or gold or c) embedded with twinkling lights.

Other stunning effects:

1. Having the flower girl sprinkle synthetic white feathers with sequins on them
2. Placing an archway at the front of the church for the couple to stand under that has been wrapped in twinkling lights and shimmery fabric
3. Use gossamer sprayed with glitter to form a canopy over the bride and groom accented by large gold silk flower arrangements in clear glass or white milk glass vases.
4. Fill the church with gold and silver candles which have been placed on mirrors to reflect the light.
5. Gold, silver, bronze or jeweled colored dresses for the bridal party are stunning against a background of twinkly lights and/or sequins.

Moving on to the reception…

1. Gold or silver table clothes and table service. Why not use both; silver table cloths with gold table service or vice versa.
2. Place gold or silver candles on mirrors in the center of each table and sprinkle large ‘crystals’ or ‘gems’ around them.
3. Fill the reception hall with twinkling lights, gold and silver balloons and clear glass bowls filled with gold and silver balls.
4. Table cloths of shimmery fabric sporting centerpieces of gold or silver flower picks or bowls filled with glittery balls and ‘gems’ swathed in feather boas

Finding the shiny, shimmery décor for your wedding isn’t difficult, either. If possible, shop for these items during the Christmas season when there is an abundance of such items. You can also find unique items on wholesale floral supply websites as well as the popular party supply sites such as orientaltrading.

If you’re thinking less is more when it comes to bling, that’s okay, too. Adding some pizzazz to even the softest of color schemes can be done tastefully; making your day something special to remember.

** Mini Shimmer & Bling Inspiration Board**

diy sangria centerpiece…

4th May, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments

The one thingabout centrepieces is that you can place whatever you please to add to your theme for your big day. One idea that I personally love for a summer wedding, is a punch bowl for the centrepiece filled with sangria. This idea is not only fun for the guests but it also looks very pretty on the tables.  It also saves you money on placing wine bottles and decreases the line up at the bar. It’s a great DIY idea and is not expensive at all.

Here is a great starfruit sangria recipe I found on www.seriouseats.com that you could try!

This sangria is remarkably fruity considering that there isn’t the regular assortment of fruit floating in it. It’s somewhere between spiked lemonade and sangria, and looks especially snazzy with slices of starfruit lining the glass. Try it with club soda or with ginger beer; we like it both ways.

Until Next time!

X-O-X-O

Natasha