2012 Wedding Color Trends

A new year has arrived and so have some new, fantastic, color trends for this year's weddings!

I love these colors!!  What do you think?

Make sure to watch the rest of this month for some fun Inspiration Boards using the trendy colors for 2012.  Here's one to get you started using Tangerine as accents.

Are you getting married this year?  What are your colors?

Theme Thursday: Peacocks!

This weekend I am attending a Bridal Open House in my hometown.  I really wanted to use the "Rustic" theme that everyone seems to be loving lately, but I also really wanted to stand out.  This is the board that I put together to follow my theme through {notice the burlap along with all of the bright elegant colors}.

Crazy for the Peacocks!!!

Watch for the pictures from the show next week.  I am bringing my camera so I will be posting pictures of my booth.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think of the colors.  Also, make sure to follow and share my blog for weekly tips, ideas, themes, and all around fun wedding stuff.  

I LOVE this theme!!!

Tent Weddings: Tips and Decor

Well, the leaves are falling, I might be done mowing, the windows are closed and the wood boxes for the fireplaces are full...fall is here!  I love the changes of the seasons, and though my summer wedding season is done - the next one is on it's way.  Weddings are wonderful no matter which season they are in {I also love the "winter wonderland" type of weddings}, but when you are lucky enough to be able to use the natural beauty of the outdoors, that is the best!  There definately is something about green grass, colorful flowers {that you don't have to pay for}, big full trees and birds singing that make people happy.  Then add a wedding on top of that and you have a wonderful day for a celebration. 

Enough of my rambling, now it's time for business. 

When you are planning to have your wedding outdoors, keep in mind that you will not only be working with your vendors, but you will also be working with Mother Nature - and unfortunately, her wishes trump everyone else's.  When I have a couple that is planning their wedding to take place outside - a backup is a must.  Tents are my favorite!  It's like starting with a blank slate and being able to turn it into anything you can dream of.  There are no limitations.  Rustic, trendy, elegant, sit-down dinner, buffet dinner - with the right vendors you can have it all.  You do have to keep some things in mind, though, when putting all of your thoughts together.  Here are 10 tips for you to have a perfect outdoor wedding.

1.  Invitations
When you are considering the wording of your invitations make sure you mention that this will be an outdoor ceremony/ reception.  People might choose to wear "flatter" shoes and lighter clothes - or bring sweaters...

2. Comfort
If your ceremony is taking place under the hot sun, you might want to consider a smaller "ceremony" tent.  Something that is easier for the tent company to put up that will cover the chairs.  Other options are: umbrellas, water and fans (which can double as programs). You will want to make sure to know which direction the sun is coming from at the time of your ceremony.  Have it at your guests backs, not in their eyes.  Also, offering items such as sunscreen and bugspray is a nice idea.



3. Bugs
I am not much into spraying bugs {I just really don't like chemicals}, but I've noticed and increase in bees and gnats lately, so sometimes it is necessary to go the chemical route.  It's not a bad idea to get some Raid and spray your entire ceremony and reception areas about 3 hours before people will get there.  You can also contact a local pest control company and have them come out and treat the property a couple of days before any set-up will take place.  Also, one of my favorite "natural" ways to control these pests...place cans of open cat food around the outside perimeter of the tent - bees love this stuff!  Who knew?!

4. Favors
When deciding what your wedding favors will be keep the heat level in mind.  Chocolate will melt, milk will get sour...you get the idea.  Some of my favorite ideas are: flip-flops, jarred preserves or honey from your local farmers, flower bulbs or seed packets, small saplings wrapped in burlap.  Basically, natural things are great for outdoor weddings.

5. Sound
When you are reciting your vows to each other and saying your "I do's" your guests will want to hear everything you say.  If there will be a larger crowd, talk with your DJ or Band and discuss a sound system for the ceremony.  Most will have this option for you.  If not, talk with your tent rental company...somebody will be able to set this up for you.

6. Permits
If you are having your wedding at a park, or other public place, make sure you contact the local city parks department or other government department to get any permits needed.  Be sure to ask about trash removal, open flame rules and pre-wedding photography.

7. Food
Whether you are having your food professionally catered in {very highly recommended!} or family is providing everything...stay away from perishable foods.  Mayonnaise is an item that should definately be kept out of the dishes being served, or at least brought out at the last minute.  You will also want to consider the frosting on your cake. It should melt in your mouth...not on the table. Instead of the buttercream frostings go with the harder tops like fondant or marzipan.

8. Bathrooms
If you are having your wedding in your parents back yard you might want to keep your 200 guests from going in and out of the home to use their bathrooms.  Renting a Bathroom Trailer is a wonderful way to go.  They come in a variety of sizes, they have running water, and some even have a larger stall for the bride {and all of her gown}.  These are not the porta potties at the county fair!

9. Electricity
Make sure you discuss this very important issue with your venue, rental company, caterer and entertainment.  Chances are that you will need a generator and electric cords so you will need to verify with everyone how much power they need.  After you have that information discuss with your venue and rental company to guarantee that you will not have a "black-out" at your wedding.

10. Lighting
If your celebration will be going into the late hours of the night, you probably won't want your guests fumbling around trying to find their seats.  Talk with your tent rental company for suggestions on lighting companies that they have worked with before.  You will want your dance floor lit up, the food areas, and parking areas. 

Are you having, or have you had, a tented wedding?  Let us know your details!

Keep watching for more tips, tricks and decor ideas to help you have a flawless, beautiful tented event!!

Fashion Friday - Spring

Here are some of my FAVES for some gorgeous spring wedding fashion!  

A little walk down the runway with Carlina Herrera's designs.  Absolutely beautiful!!  Simple, elegant, Talk about adding the WOW factor to your wedding..start with the dress...WOW!!!

Theme Thursday - Spring Weddings

Maybe it's because it's still cold and snowy outside, but looking at bright spring flowers in the flower shop made me dream of spring weddings and all of the fresh looks and colors. 

Here are some ways for you to bring "spring" into your wedding theme. 

• Use fresh flowers.   Some popular wedding flowers for your bouquets, centerpieces and any floral decor would be - Tulips, Freesia, Daffodils, Irises and Lilacs.  Also, a colorful mix of wildflowers is great!
• Use birdseed instead of rice or bubbles for your guests to toss after the ceremony.
• For your ceremony and cocktail hour music, consider using soft soothing music, like a harp or a flute and, if the weather permits, open up your reception to an outdoor patio.  You and your guests have been cooped up all winter long, so get outside and enjoy some warm, beautiful spring air.
• Use fresh "garden" foods.  Fruits, vegetables, delicious salads.  Offer chocolate covered strawberries and a bright green salad full of colorful vegetables served with a homemade fragrant dressing. 
• And, for a fun wedding favor, you could offer flower bulbs for your guests to take home and plant, garden tools, or wine glass charms shaped like butterflies.

This is from Always Andri Wedding Design



Simple Tip #4 - Personalize the attendants gifts

Your wedding attendants gifts can range, anywhere, from extremely personal to very general.  But, if your party includes close friends and family that you have known for a long time, a gift that is personalized to each attendant is a much nicer way to go.  The gifts don't need to be expensive, it is more the sentiment behind this tradition that is important. 







Some gift ideas for different personalities...

• The athletic friend:  A duffle bag with a personalized towel, water bottle, and maybe a baseball cap or visor.
• The music lover:  An itunes gift card, a sweet pair of headphones, a pair of concert tickets.
• The friend that loves to cook:  A large noodle pan filled with goodies and maybe a bottle of wine.

Remember that there is absolutely NO rule that says everyone needs to get jewelry or that they all need to get the same thing.  Happy shopping!

Fashion Friday

Another Friday and another day of fashion!  I love all of the researching I have to do to bring you some fun inspiration, but looking at wedding gowns!  I really don't know if it gets better than that.  Well, yeah, it does, but this is absolutely great!!  Anyways, these gowns are new for 2011 and add some color to the traditional white wedding gown.  If you have any questions about anything you see here please leave a post and I'll help you get the information needed. 

ps...do you have your glass of wine?  Enjoy.

Tip of the week - Fun wedding vows

When you decide to write your own wedding vows you've already decided to make your wedding more personal and memorable. Most couples decide to go with the traditional vows (minus the "obey" part - thank you very much!), however, there are some that decide to put a unique twist and stray a little from the norm.

Wedding vows can be serious, romantic, sentimental, or poetic, but we are going to focus on the funny vows and how to incorporate them into your wedding ceremony without going overboard.

Funny isn't enough
One of the most important tips I can give you for writing your funny wedding vows is to make sure your vows are also meaningful. When you look back at the moment you both promised yourself to each other, you want to be able to smile with love, not just humour. Vows that come straight from the heart will have this desired effect. You want your vows to be memorable and sentimental.


Please, no inside jokes
Funny wedding vows should be able to be appreciated by the majority of your guests. The use of inside jokes can tend to make some feel uncomfortable, and why would you want to exclude people that took time out of their day to celebrate with you?


No surprises
Before you get to the altar and proclaiming your love for one another, you should discuss your vows. You don't need to share word for word what you want to say, but you should discuss the nature of them. If you'd really like to have some humour as part of your vows, talk about what sort of humour is okay. You should make sure there will be nothing (and I really really mean nothing) in the vows that will make either of you uncomfortable or embarrassed in any way, shape or form! Because, again, you want to look back at this celebration with a fun, happy, light heart.


Be appropriate
And, at last, please take into consideration the guests that will be celebrating with you. Your vows should NEVER include sexual innuendos or any sort of vulgar language.


Oh yeah, and always always always write your vows down! It will not matter how often you practice (though you definately should), there is a good chance that you will forget something. Besides, that piece of paper is a sweet little momento to add to your scrapbook.

Have fun and happy writing!!

Simple Tip #3 - Wedding Inspiration

Simple Tip #3 - Wedding Inspirations. When you're planning your wedding and your head is spinning around, sit down, close your eyes and take a slow deep breath. When you open your eyes again, go grab your car keys and run to the store. Grab some magazines, a poster sized sheet of paper (or better yet, a project board), some glue or tape and a sharp pair of scissors. When you get home, start cutting out the pictures that you really like. Cut out pictures of cakes, shoes, jewels, gifts, flowers, clothes, pictures that you like the "style" of - everything! Group the images together, all cakes in this pile, all flowers in this pile...you get the idea! Then start weeding out. You will find the color palette you like, the style of flowers, cakes, attire, jewels and maybe you'll find the perfect pair of funky shoes! Put all of these on your board and voila! You have your Inspiration Board to keep you on track. Here are some samples for you. Good luck and have fun!!