Wedding Freebies- Tons of Free Stuff for Brides
January 30, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Here’s a list of free stuff for brides including resources, products and services that are offered here at Stress Away Bridal and around the web that can help make your wedding planning a little easier!
Are you a wedding vendor or service provider that offers a legitimate freebie a bride can use? List it in the comments and I’ll post it within 24 hours.
- Free Wedding Website
- Free Wedding Accessories Catalog
- 50 Free Wedding Invitations
- Free Wedding Reception Decorations Banner Template
- Free Menu, Label and Escort Card Templates
- Free Wedding Invitation Samples
- 57 Wedding How-To and Wedding Ideas Videos
- Free Wedding Budget Planner
- Complimentary Wedding Planning Consultation
- Free Wine Label Templates
- Printable Hershey Candy Wrap
- Free Favor Labels Download
- Free Skin Care Profile
- Free Flowergirl Pinwheel Template
- Free Wedding Tutorial- Mossy Initials Decorations
Regal Purple Weddings
January 30, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Laura Firenze
WildflowerLinens.com
Purple has always been the color of royalty. What better way to create a regal atmosphere for your wedding than by using purple accents? It is a rich and powerful color that can add a lot to the look of your ceremony and reception.
There are many beautiful shades of purple, ranging from the lilac and lavender of springtime, to the bright magenta of summer, to the rich and royal deep purple that brides love all year round. It is this very intense true purple that will feel the most opulent and royal for a wedding color scheme. You don’t have to stick with one shade of purple, though; it can be gorgeous to layer in some lighter tones with the dark for a very lush design scheme.
To really play up the regal feeling of purple, you can use it in combination with metallic gold accents. For example, picture a tablescape featuring rich purple dupioni linens with tall floral displays in various shades of light and dark purple. To really punch it up, layer in gold charger plates and white china with gold borders. You can even use wine glasses with a thin gold edge. This will create a very dramatic and royal looking wedding table, and the metallic gold will also help to keep the purple from being overwhelming.
Speaking of flowers, the bride will certainly want to carry a bouquet of purple flowers, and there are many gorgeous ones from which to choose. Roses come in quite a few beautiful shades of purple, from a silvery lavender to a deep rich true purple. Lisyanthus is another flower that you can get in a wonderful purple color. Tulips can be found in a purple so deep that it is almost black, for a very sophisticated bouquet. Consider mixing in other shades of purple, like magenta orchids to add dimension to your bouquet.
Of course you can find many wonderful bridesmaid dresses in purple, but there is no reason to stop there. Even if she is wearing a traditional white gown, the bride can still put a little purple into her wedding day look as well. One of the prettiest ways to do this is with purple bridal jewelry sets. You can have sets of bridal jewelry created for the bride and her attendants that feature Swarovski crystals in the rich color of amethysts. The purple crystals look beautiful used in combination with clear crystals or white pearls.
One of the most unique ways to use color in your wedding is with lighting. You don’t necessarily want to turn the entire reception venue purple, but a few well placed accents would be terrific. Use a few purple spotlights to bathe the dance floor in a regal glow. Or really make an impression by having your new monogram (his & hers) projected onto a wall in a rich purple light.
When you have chosen a great color like purple for your wedding design, you will soon find that it is easy to incorporate it into all of the little details that give a wedding its character. From the envelope lining of the invitations to the ribbons on the favors, you can add touches of purple throughout your entire event. The rich purple accents will tie your wedding together and give it that fabulous royal ambiance.
Finding the whole process of weddings and all the planning that goes into one fascinating, Laura writes about many of the considerations that brides have to deal with. Bridal jewelry sets can be the perfect place for the bride to add a pop of color to her outfit.
Beach Theme Weddings – 5 Great Tips For Setting the Tropical Mood
January 30, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Lisa Bakewell
If sandy beaches, palm trees and warm weather make you happy – and make you feel romantic – then you may want to consider having a beach theme wedding. Today, more than ever, couples are choosing a more laid back approach to their nuptials, and a beach theme wedding certainly fits that bill. Seriously, what could be more fun than feeling the sand in your toes and the sun on your face on your big day? Plus, beach theme weddings are not only fun, they also let you get creative with invitations, accessories and centerpieces among other things wedding-related. Here are five great tips for setting the tropical mood.
Set the mood by sending out beach theme invitations. There’s less routine and more celebration with a beach theme wedding so let your invitations convey your mood for fun and sun. To do this, you might want to choose from festive invitations including ones shaped like a beach chair or flip-flops. You can also include beach-related enclosures with your invitations like save the date cards or magnets to keep the theme going.
Show your love of the sea with beach theme wedding accessories. Garters, guest books, pen sets and ring pillows are all available in beach themes, and you can even get creative with your flowers. How about having starfish worked into your bridal bouquet or adding seashells tied to your flower displays using white satin ribbon? The possibilities are endless!
Bring the beach to your tables. Put a little sand in the center of each of your tables, add a few shells and a tabletop tiki torch lantern, and you have instant beach theme for very little cost. Add shell-shaped or palm leaf placemats and beach themed napkin rings to add even more flair.
Add flavor – and flair – to your appetizer table. Want to add some fun to your appetizer table? How about an edible fruit palm tree display? This unique, structurally engineered and well-balanced display stands over 4 feet tall and can be used over and over again. Plus, it’s very easy to assemble.
Top your cake with fun. Want to add fun to your wedding cake? Consider a palm tree cake topper or chocolate sand dollars. Starfish, Adirondack chairs, dolphins, birds and sailboats work well too. Just let your imagination run wild.
As you can see, beach theme weddings offer a multitude of ideas. You can let your imagination guide you – even if you are on a strict budget. Just let the ideas flow, and have fun planning your big day.
Lisa Bakewell writes wedding-related articles for Best Little Wedding Shop. Check out their website at http://www.best-little-wedding-shop.com for wedding invitations, accessories and cake toppers with a tropical flair.
Enter to Win a Personalized Women’s Travel Set
January 29, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
Filed under Bridal Beauty
Bloggy Giveaways is hosting a Carnival this week. If you love giveaways head on over and check out the hundreds of great goodies being given away over there. But before you go be sure to enter to win the Personalized Women’s Travel Set we’re giving away! See the rules below to enter.
Here’s more about the travel set:
Make travel easy and organized with this Personalized Travel Set. Crafted of easy clean nylon, this set includes a compartmentalized, square cosmetic case and a well rounded jewelry roll. Cosmetic carrier features three clear plastic spill-proof compartments, a sleek tri-fold design and stylish tie closure. Jewelry roll features two zippered, interior compartments, removable ring holder and a cute tie closure. It’s the perfect duo for all your travel needs. Available in black nylon with blue, lavender, pink or white trim.
Rules:
1. The giveaway is open to all US residents 18 years of age and over.
2. The winner will be chosen on February 2, 2009.
3. To enter leave a few words of wisdom for a bride-to-be in the comments below.
And the Winner is:
Gina from Blessed Lane
(chosen using randomizer.org)
Her advice to brides-to-be is to not harp on the little things your new husband does that annoys you…because most likely, you’ve got things that annoy him too and you wouldn’t want him harping on you!
Congratulations Gina enjoy your travel set!
Maid of Honour Duties – 4 Key Responsibilities Prior to the Wedding
January 27, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Kathy Balski
Congratulations! You have just agreed to be a maid of honour, but you are not quite sure what you have gotten yourself into! Regardless of whether the bride expects you to plan her wedding alongside her or simply walk down the aisle, there are four important duties that you must fulfill in order to help keep the bride happy and healthy.
1. Be supportive: Listen, listen, listen! - In the wacky wedding world, you must be the bride’s biggest fan. There will be times when she is ecstatic after finding an amazing deal, and there will be times when she is inconsolable after arguing with her fiance about the wedding budget. This can potentially be a very draining responsibility, so be sure you do not spend all your time with the bride discussing the wedding. It is a good idea to encourage the bride to get outside and away from wedding planning. Take her for a walk, grab some coffee, watch a movie. You want to ensure that both you and the bride have time to relax and focus on other aspects of your lives, too!
2. Plan as necessary. – Not every bride wants her maid of honour to help plan the wedding, but the majority of brides want as much assistance as they can get! Double check with the bride to see how you can help out. She may want you to research and brainstorm ideas, or she may want you to visit different venues and vendors with her. Some ways in which the maid of honour typically helps include:
- Researching, visiting and selecting the ceremony and/or reception venue
- Shopping for the wedding dress
- Shopping for the bridesmaid dresses
- Paying for her own dress
- Researching, meeting with and selecting the: officiant, caterer, photographer, videographer, florist, and DJ
- Shopping for the invitations, decorations and favours
- Planning for and creating the gift registry
- Addressing wedding invitations
- Creating the seating arrangement
3. Organize events. – You and the other bridesmaids are responsible for planning and hosting the bride’s bridal shower and her bachelorette party. Typically, the budget is created by you in consultation with the bridesmaids, as all of you should pay for the parties. Planning each party involves similar duties:
- Decide on a budget with the bridesmaids
- Decide on a location, date and time.
- Send out invitations
- Select various games and activities to participate in throughout the party
- Buy light snacks and beverages
- Keep a record of the gifts received
In addition to hosting the bridal shower and bachelorette party, you must attend the ceremony rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner prior to the wedding, and, if asked, you should assist in planning it.
4. Prepare a speech. - At the wedding reception, you will most likely be asked to give a toast to the bride, so planning this speech in advance is certainly recommended. Your speech can include memories that you and the bride share, funny stories about the bride, your first impression of the groom, words of wisdom for the newlyweds, and anything else along those lines that you would like to share with guests.
Fulfilling these four key duties will make a world of a difference to the bride. They will demand your time and energy, but providing you stay focused in maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside of wedding planning, the work you put in will be well worth it. Good luck!
If you would like more information on bridesmaid duties, visit http://maidofhonour.wordpress.com/ For more information on wedding planning resources, visit http://www.wed-works.com.
Wedding Caterers – Ways to Make Your Largest Wedding Expense Palatable
January 27, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Hilary Basile
As far as wedding expenses go, your catering or food bill is typically your largest expense. Therefore, choose your wedding caterer carefully. Make sure to attend a “tasting” and check references! Following are some tips for keeping your catering bill palatable:
- Hire a caterer that supplies you with everything you’ll need for your big day, such as glassware, plates, tablecloths, etc. (and notify the venue of this so they will not charge you for the same items).
Pick food items that are in-season. - Buffets cost less and provide your guests with an opportunity to select what they want.
Ask about the availability of children’s plates. - Be sure to read the contract to see if gratuity is added.
- If your reception will be held at a family members’ house, have relatives bring a food dish and host a fun, informal buffet.
- Be careful on how many hors d’oeuvres you order. Do you really need eight different varieties? Four different varieties are usually sufficient.
- When selecting your menu, be careful of all the “extras” that the catering manager may suggest, such as a five course dinner, two types of dessert, etc.
- Have your caterer prepare just your main dishes and have friends and family prepare appetizers, side dishes, bread and salad. Many caterers will only allow this at a reception held in your home.
- If you’re trying to keep costs low, stay away from ‘fancy’ foods like shrimp, salmon, lobster and beef tenderloin. Incorporate these items as an appetizer rather than the main course.
- The more labor-intensive the food item is to prepare, the more it will cost. Think about this when choosing your main course as well as your side dishes and hors d’oeuvres.
- Food stations can offer your guests variety and save you money. Pasta, Chinese, Mexican or Indian stations are very economical.
- Ask your caterer about “guaranteed numbers”. Many caterers will quote prices based upon a minimum or “guaranteed” number of guests. If your final guest count is less than their guaranteed number, there may be an additional fee.
- Choose simple white table linens instead of a fancy pattern or an overlay (one table cloth over another). If you want color and pattern, you can add plenty with your table centerpiece.
Use these tips to contain your catering costs. Think of it this way: Maintaining a wedding budget may mean more money can be allocated to the honeymoon, or even towards a down payment on a home!
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.
Find wedding planning tips and resources at http://weddings.myguidesusa.com
Wedding Champagne Flutes and Cake Server Sets for Your Wedding Reception
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Wedding Traditions – 7 Common Wedding Customs Explained
January 25, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Cori Russell
Traditions and customs, modern weddings have tons of ‘em: Flowers, rice, something old, something blue, you know the drill. Have you ever thought about how all these wedding traditions originated or what they actually mean? Here’s the meaning behind some of the most popular wedding customs and rituals.
1. Wedding Tradition: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Lucky Sixpence in Her Shoe
This popular rhyme originated in the Victorian area. Something Old – represents the link to the bride’s old life and her family. Something New – signifies the couple’s new life together as well as their hope for the future. Something Borrowed – originates from the idea that borrowing something from a happily married woman will impart similar happiness to the new bride. Something Blue – represents fidelity, love, and purity. Lucky Sixpence in her Shoe – signifies wealth, both financial wealth and a wealth of happiness.
2. Wedding Tradition – Bride and Groom Not Seeing Each Other Before the Ceremony
This tradition stems from the early days of arranged marriages – when the bride and groom’s first meeting occurred at the wedding. The two were kept from seeing each other to prevent the groom from bolting should he not like the look of his new bride.
3. Wedding Tradition – Bridal Bouquet
The first bridal bouquet did not consist of wedding flowers. Instead, wedding bouquets were originally made of strong herbs such as thyme and garlic meant to ward off evil spirits.
4. Wedding Tradition – Throwing Rice
As rice is considered a “life giving” seed, it is thought that by throwing it on the couple they will be bestowed with fertility and have many children.
5. Wedding Tradition – Bridal Shower
Tradition states that the first bridal shower was given to a poor couple in Holland who was denied the bridal dowry because of the groom’s lowly miller status. The miller’s friends gathered to “shower” the bride with items she’d need to make a new home and enter into marriage.
6. Wedding Tradition – Getaway Car – Cans Tied To The Bumper
One wedding tradition of the Middle Ages was to ward off evil spirits by banging pots and making a lot of noise after the ceremony. This custom has been replaced by tying tin cans to the bumper of the car transporting the bride and groom.
7. Wedding Tradition – Garter Toss
Garter-throwing derives from an English ritual called “flinging the stocking.” Guests would playfully invade the bridal chamber and grab the bride’s stockings, and then they took turns sitting at the foot of the bed flinging the stockings over the heads of the couple. Whoever’s stocking landed on the bride’s or the groom’s nose would be the next to wed.
Looking for more? Learn the meaning behind even more wedding traditions here.
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete weddings, wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.
Theme Wedding Ideas to Get You Inspired
January 25, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Christina Friedrichsen
The possibilities for a themed wedding are only limited by your imagination. Here are just a few theme wedding ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
African safari – Make the wilds of Africa part of your themed wedding. Have animal print tablecloths, guests in safari attire, African food and music, safari themed centerpieces and favors.
Alice in Wonderland – Bring elements of this Lewis Carroll fairytale into your themed wedding. Why not have a tea party? Use Alice in Wonderland character cut outs such as the White Rabbit, and the Cheshire Cat in your décor. Have the groom dress as the Mad Hatter.
Angel – Bring a celestial charm to your wedding. Cherubs in all shapes and sizes can be used as a motif for all your wedding related decor.
Aquatic – Since beach weddings are so popular this is one of the most common themed wedding ideas. Even if you aren’t getting married at the beach or on a boat you can still use elements of the sea in your wedding.
Baseball – Some baseball enthusiasts love the sport so much that they tie the knot on a baseball diamond. If you don’t want to go that far, you can still use baseball as your wedding theme by incorporating this sport into your wedding. Give baseball shaped chocolates as favors, and have your wedding cake made in the shape of a bat and ball. You could even dress the part, and encourage guests to do the same.
Bees – Have these busy little insects as your theme by using the bee motif in your décor. Serve baklava for dessert, and give jars of honey as gifts. Also have your wedding cake made in the shape of a bumblebee.
Butterfly – Are you a butterfly enthusiast? Use the butterfly motif in all aspects of your themed wedding – from the stationery to the wedding cake. If you’re wedding is outdoors, some real ones might even show up!
Carnival – Still a kid inside? Fun theme wedding ideas are to rent carnival games, cotton candy machines, snow cone makers, and other fun items to give your wedding the feeling of a carnival. One thing is for sure: kids will love it.
Cars – Are you and your partner car buffs? Why not make cars part of your wedding theme? Arrive in your favorite car (this might be a ’69 Mustang rather than a traditional limousine). Use model cars in your décor and have the wedding cake made in the shape of a car.
Chocolate- This is one of the yummier theme wedding ideas. If you’re crazy about chocolate (who isn’t), why not use it as your theme? Use rich chocolate browns when decorating. Dark brown candles could be used as centerpieces – so could bowls or baskets filled with fancy chocolates. Also use chocolate place cards – and chocolate favors, and have several chocolate desserts, including a chocolate wedding cake. What about a chocolate fountain?
Cinderella – Although you might have a hard time finding a carriage in the shape of a pumpkin to bring you to your wedding, you can still be Cinderella for the day by taking other elements of this hugely popular fairy tale and incorporating them into your wedding. (Actually you can find a carriage in the shape of a pumpkin – but it’s a cake topper.) Decorate with magic wands, crowns and miniature castles.
Daisies – It’s simple to base the theme of your wedding on this lovely flower. Use daisies in all of your bouquets and centerpieces, and also place candy daisies on top of your wedding cake. Find invitations that include this flower and use pressed daisies on your place cards. Give seed packets of daisies as favors.
Golf - If you and your partner love to spend time on the golf course, why not make it part of your theme? Have the wedding at a golf and country club. Give golf balls (with your names and wedding date) as favors. Have your wedding cake created in the shape of a mini-golf course.
Gothic - Is black your favorite color? Are you crazy about Dracula movies and Ann Rice books? Why not have a gothic wedding? Gothic style weddings aren’t that uncommon. They usually involve plenty of black and they definitely don’t adhere to tradition. A gothic wedding can take place anywhere – from a graveyard to an old mansion.
Mickey Mouse - If you are having your wedding at Disney World, then bringing this popular cartoon character into your wedding will be a breeze. If you’re having the wedding elsewhere, simply use the Mickey Mouse motif in your décor. You could even have someone dress the part and show up during the reception. Don’t forget to have the DJ play the Mickey Mouse theme song during the reception.
Motorcycles - What about arriving to your wedding on a Harley? If you were a real motorcycle enthusiast this wouldn’t seem like an outlandish idea. And if all your friends were bikers too, a procession through town, with everyone – including the bride and groom – would only seem natural. Other ways to incorporate the biker theme into a wedding is to use the Harley Davidson theme colors of orange and black and either have your wedding cake made in the shape of a motorcycle, or use a motorcycle cake topper.
Roses – A rose theme wedding is perfect for the summertime when roses are in full plan. Incorporate the rose theme into your wedding by having a ‘rose ceremony’ during your wedding ceremony. Have the wedding in a rose garden, and use roses in all of your bouquets and centerpieces. Use roses made of icing to decorate your wedding cake. Give single roses as favors.
Zoo – Okay, it might sound like the most outlandish of the theme wedding ideas, but if you love wild animals, why not have a zoo theme. Lions and tigers and bears – not to mention snakes, leopards and lizards. Imagine having these creatures as part of your wedding? Some zoos open their doors to couples wanting to getting married there. Couples can use animal motifs in their décor, including animal print tablecloths, and chair covers. Tropical plants can be used as centerpieces, and vines can be placed along the walls. Stationery with paw prints can be used, and a wedding cake can be made in the shape of a zoo animal.
Looking for more theme wedding ideas? Check out IntimateWeddings.com.
Christina Friedrichsen is the author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style and owner of IntimateWeddings.com, a website dedicated to small weddings. The site has a wedding venue finder that lists more than 1,300 small wedding venues throughout North America as well as articles about planning a small wedding.
Consider Color When Choosing Your Wedding Invitations
January 24, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
Filed under Invitations Ideas
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by Jackson Rachel
When planning your wedding, deciding what invitations to send is one of the first big decisions you will have to make. The proper wedding invitation will set the tone for the entire wedding. Are you planning a formal or informal wedding? A lavish affair, or a casual get together? Often there is no need to explicitly state such a thing on your invitations; you can relay the message simply by choosing wedding invitations which reflect the style, theme, and tone of your wedding. There are a variety of ways to add personality to your wedding invitations. Adding ribbon, trinkets and photographs to your invitations are all ways to express your personality and the type of ceremony you are planning.
Another way to add sparkle to your wedding invitation is by the use of color. Adding color to wedding invitations allows an element of personality to shine through, as well as add some unexpected spark and levity to what is normally a formal and traditional announcement. Color can add an air of festivity to traditional invitations, introduce your wedding colors to your guests or add a touch of personalization to a stock wedding invitation.
How can color be added to invitations?
When deciding on where to place color in your wedding invitations, there are a variety of choices. You can opt for the traditional cream or white card stock and add a personalized color for the writing on the card. If this does not fit your style, the invitation itself can be your main color, and the script can be white. Many couples opt to include their color choice in the lining of the envelope. Thus, the invitation can remain the traditional black and white, but a touch of color can be found inside the envelope as the invitees open it up. Another way to introduce color to your invitations is through a ribbon adornment.
Do you have to use light colored card stock?
The selection of colors in card stock has never been wider. Cards are available in many shades of greens, blues, pinks and browns. Depending on the look that you are going for, you may choose a subtle pastel or a vibrant bold color for your card stock. Generally, couples who are looking for a more traditional wedding invitation will choose a lighter color, as will those planning a casual ceremony. For those planning a contemporary ceremony or a more formal affair, bolder colors are a more common choice.
Traditional Wedding: Can you still add color to your invitations?
There are no rules for what is right and what is wrong when deciding how your wedding invitations should look. While a traditional wedding invitation is typically understated, adding a hint of color through ink, envelope linings or ribbon adornments are all acceptable and attractive options. If you are certain that you would like a traditional wedding, you may want to choose an understated color for these accents.
Can you choose any color you want?
The color choices for your wedding invitations are vast. While it would be an overstatement to say that you can choose any color you want for your wedding invitations, it would be accurate to say that the selection of colors available for wedding invitations has never been greater. Between the different color selections of card stock, ink, ribbons and envelope linings, it is possible to make your wedding invitations 100% unique even if you are choosing only stock options.
What rules should I follow when adding color to my wedding invitations?
There are no “written in stone” rules when planning your wedding. It is your wedding and your invitations, and you want to choose an invitation that expresses both you and your fiancé’s personality and the atmosphere you plan for the wedding. Whether you choose bold or subtle color, vibrant ribbon adornments or delicate lace edged ribbon, the invitation is uniquely yours. While there are suggestions on how to choose color for your wedding invitations, do not allow yourself to get stuck into a rigid template for how your wedding invitations should look.
Do I have to add color to my wedding invitations?
Just because technology has made it easier than ever to add color to your wedding invitations there is no reason to force yourself to add color if you do not want to. White or cream colored card stock with black or dark gray ink is still a popular as well as a correct option.
No matter how you choose to personalize your wedding invitations, the addition of color makes it easier to do. The addition of color to ink, ribbons or envelopes create a special and personalized invitation that will serve as a keepsake of your special day for years to come.
Rachel Jackson is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and other family events. Ms. Jackson often writes about specific aspects of a weeding such as the wedding invitations.
Colorful Wedding Invitations Ideas
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Unique Receptions- Delayed Wedding Receptions
January 24, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Bridget Mora
It is not always practical or desirable to have a reception immediately following the wedding ceremony. That does not mean that you can’t have a party to celebrate your union – it is entirely appropriate to have a reception at a later date. These are some of the things to keep in mind when planning a delayed wedding reception.
There are a variety of reasons why a couple might choose to have their wedding ceremony and reception on two different dates. One of the most common reasons is in the case of an elopement. Other couples might choose to have a very intimate marriage ceremony with only immediate family, and then to have a big party later. Another reason that you might separate the two events is for geography. If most of your family and friends live in California, but you and your fiance plan to be married in New York, a delayed reception in your hometown would make a lot of sense.
When you are planning a delayed reception, the first question is one of timing. Ideally, you would like to schedule the two events as close together as is practical. This way, you are still in the spirit of the wedding, before real life starts to creep back in and take the edge off of your bridal glow. It also makes the party more exciting for your friends and family, if they are getting to see you for the first time after your ceremony at the party. If you have been married for months and months, it might feel more like a regular party than a wedding reception.
If you are planning to have a delayed reception, you will want to be sure to word the invitations carefully. It needs to be clear that this is a party in honor of the newlyweds, not an invitation to actually witness the marriage ceremony itself. The wording can be tricky, especially when you are issuing the reception invitations before the nuptials take place. It is much easier when the invitations are sent out after the fact. All you have to say is something like, “Please join us for a reception in honor of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. David Smith (Julie Frank), who were wed in a private ceremony on March 1st.” Then go on to provide the details of the date, location, and R.s.v.p. information for the party.
Most brides will choose to wear their bridal gown and wedding jewelry for the reception. You may want to also wear a veil for part of the event, especially if you are doing a ceremonial first dance.(It looks so pretty in the pictures.) Your guests will be delighted to get a glimpse of you in your wedding dress and jewelry. It would be somewhat anti-climactic for the bride to appear wearing regular party clothes. If your ceremony was an elopement and you did not wear a wedding gown, the delayed reception can be your chance to wear a fancy bridal ensemble. You do not want to feel as though you are wearing a costume, but a simple A-line gown could be very nice (you can skip the veil if you did not wear one for your ceremony).
The delayed wedding reception can really be exactly like one that follows directly after the vows, other than the timing. It can be a very practical solution for many situations, and is no less special for being slightly delayed. In fact, you may even find that having a little time between the wedding ceremony and the reception makes you feel more relaxed for the party, and that you will enjoy it even more.
Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Wedding jewelry makes a wonderful keepsake that you will enjoy wearing for many years.
