The Etiquette of Wedding Etiquette
November 25, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Weddings are one of the few times in modern life when etiquette becomes a frequent topic of conversation. As people become more and more wrapped up in the idea of planning the “perfect” wedding, there are times when etiquette ends up being used as a weapon, which is certainly not what Miss Manners or Emily Post ever intended. To help you avoid this pitfall, here is the etiquette on wedding etiquette.
One thing that is oven overlooked is that one of the primary goals of etiquette is to make life as pleasant and sociable for everyone. The whole reason behind having a set of manners is to give our society a set of agreed upon guidelines to help us act in a way that will make our daily interactions with others easy and enjoyable. To put it another way, if we did not have etiquette, everyone would have to make up their own rules as they went along, which would mean that their intentions would be unclear to everyone else. It is like visiting a foreign country with different customs; you are likely to offend people inadvertently if you are not familiar with their set of manners.
What etiquette is not is a tool to put other people down. The idea is not to be able to “catch” someone in the act of using the wrong fork, but rather to help the diners know which fork to use for which course. Once learned, basic social manners quickly become second nature, which makes life much easier. So how does this apply to wedding etiquette? For starters, it means that wedding etiquette should never be used to put someone down or humiliate them. An example of this would be the mother in law who critiques the bride’s bridal attire by saying that everyone knows that only pearls are proper for weddings. Not only would she be mistaken (crystal bridal jewelry is always appropriate too), but by trying to correct another person’s etiquette, she is showing her own lack of manners.
There certainly may be instances during the course of planning a wedding where the bride or her mother realizes that someone else is committing a breach of etiquette. The trick, then, is to graciously get them to change their plans without being rude and telling them flat out that they have no understanding of what is polite or correct. A lot of this depends on your relationship with that person. Let’s say that the bride has mentioned to her mother that she plans to include her bridal registry information on the wedding invitation. Now her mother knows that this is a horrible faux pas that will be sure to offend some of the guests. And yet, if she were to blurt out, “How rude! Don’t you know anything about proper wedding etiquette?”, that she would be breaking the rule of etiquette which says that etiquette should not be used as a club to beat a person down.
But to take no action would be to allow her daughter to do something offensive and in poor taste. The polite way to inform another of their breach of etiquette is with extreme tact and gentleness: “Darling, I am sure that it is very common these days to print the registry information on wedding invitations, but some of your older relatives will find it in poor taste. Why don’t you just put the registry details on your wedding website and I will make sure to spread the word to anyone who asks?”
Etiquette does provide kind ways to help others out of their social miscues with grace and tact. It also says that there are times (like when someone drinks the water from the finger bowl) that the best thing to do is simply to overlook an etiquette accident. Taking care to treat your family and friends with kindness is far more important than always being “correct”, which is a great lesson for everyone involved in planning a wedding.
About the Author Laura Firenze
Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Bridal jewelry which is handcrafted with luminous freshwater pearls or sparkling Swarovski crystals is always in good taste.
For more on wedding etiquette visit:
Plan Weddings Now for wedding guest etiquette tips.
New and Blue for rehearsal dinner attire ideas.
Utah Weddings for receiving line etiquette tips.
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Practical Wedding Gifts That Don’t Break the Bank
November 24, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Attending a wedding this winter? You’re probably looking for a wedding gift. Many people get anxious about finding the “perfect” wedding gift – and some go overboard spending way more than they can afford. Especially in today’s economy that can be a big mistake. Fortunately there are some great wedding gifts that don’t break the bank. Let’s talk about some of the bride and groom’s favorites that won’t be returned or wind up in the back of a closet after the honeymoon.
Personalized Photo Album. This is one of the best gifts you can buy them. Most couples spend thousands of dollars getting the best professional photographs they’ll ever have taken in their lives at their weddings. What better way to enjoy them than in a special photo album. But that’s not the only use for a photo album they’ll have. Remember they are often taking a special honeymoon to an exotic destination, a place where they will take many photographs. This photo album could be the one they use for wedding photos or for the honeymoon. Or get them two photo albums – one for each!
Gift Certificate/Card to a Restaurant. This a perfect gift to get a newlywed couple. Many newlywed couples find that their relationship changes, that they just don’t go out on “dates” the way they used to. Your gift certificate to a restaurant is an easy way to enjoy an evening out without the added expense to the family budget. Pick a restaurant that is near their home so they don’t have to think or plan extra hard about going out. You may be surprised, but this is often one of the bride and groom’s most favorite gifts.
Cookbooks. A cookbook is an ideal gift to get a newlywed. So is a subscription to a cooking magazine. Even if the bride or groom have been living on their own for some time, getting married often means adjusting your cooking styles. A cookbook offers some ideas and suggestions to make new meals together and find great family favorite meals. You could be creating family traditional meals by giving this cookbook!
Genealogical Research. This is a fun gift to give a newly wed couple. You can find professional genealogists and online services. Many brides and grooms are curious to learn more not only about the family they’ve married into, but about their own birth families after they have married. Learning genealogy is a wonderful gift. Especially if they have children or are planning a family. This is something they will treasure as they learn about new and old family relatives.
Gas Card. While this doesn’t sound like a very exciting gift, most bride and grooms would be thrilled to see a gas card as a gift. Gas is a regular expense – and weddings are expensive. Your gas card would offer great convenience and could make the difference between taking a quick family getaway for the weekend – or not being able to do it. Most major gas stations offer gas cards.
About the Author
By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry and writes about wedding planning. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
Visit A Practical Wedding for interesting discussions on having a practical wedding and married life.
Practical Wedding Gifts Ideas
Including Nieces and Nephews in Your Wedding
November 20, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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If you have a lot of young relations running around, you might be wondering how best to include the little ones in your wedding. Children of all ages can have a role in a wedding, and their spirit always adds something special to the festivities. These are some ideas on how to include your nieces and nephews in your wedding.
Your nieces and nephews can have a place in your wedding ceremony no matter what their age. The most common role for young children is ring bearer or flower girl. Do not feel as though you have to choose between your nieces and nephews if you have a large family. While too many bridesmaids can end up being a bit silly looking, a large group of children in your bridal party will inspire many smiles and “awwwws”. Some brides who have a very large group of young relations to include in their wedding will decide to have only a maid of honor and best man for the groom, forgoing the rest of the bridesmaids in favor of having a wedding party comprised of all of their nieces and nephews.
The most common role for young children is ring bearer or flower girl. This tends to work the best for children who are between the ages of three and eight years old. The flower girl (or girls) can either carry a small bouquet of flowers or a basket of petals to toss (if permitted by your venue). They are usually dressed in sweet little dresses with patent leather shoes and possibly wear a floral wreath in their hair. The bride should plan on giving flower girl gifts to the little ones. Traditional flower girl gifts include silver lockets or very dainty pearl pendants.
The ring bearer theoretically carries the wedding bands down the aisle to the altar (I say theoretically because the rings on the pillow are often fakes). If you had two little boys and wanted each to be a ring bearer, they could each carry a small pillow, one with the bride’s wedding band, and one with the groom’s ring (or the facsimiles). When you have a larger number of nephews, they can be pages. This works best when the wedding is a large and formal affair. Pages traditionally help to carry the bride’s train. It is very sweet when the bridal gown features a grand cathedral length train, but would be rather impractical for a little sweep train. In that case, simply have the young men dress all alike and walk down the aisle in a group. Even without a specific task, your nephews can still be a part of the fun.
Older nieces and nephews can be invited to participate in the wedding as junior bridesmaids or groomsmen. This is a bridge position for a child who is too old to be a flower girl or ring bearer, but too young to be a full fledged bridesmaid or groomsmen. The typical age range for junior attendants is around nine to fourteen. Once they are about fifteen or sixteen years old, they are ready to be regular bridesmaids or groomsmen. The junior bridesmaids will wear dresses which are similar in style to the bridesmaids’ dresses, only a more demure and age appropriate. Since mens’ formal wear varies so little, the junior groomsmen can wear the same type of suits as the groomsmen, or they can wear a jacket and trousers instead of a full suit.
Even tiny children can play a role in your wedding as long as you don’t expect things to go perfectly. There is nothing more adorable than a very young niece or nephew riding down the aisle in a fancy wagon or sleigh pulled by an older sibling. I have even seen babies pushed down the aisle in flower bedecked strollers! It is wonderful fun to include as many of your nieces and nephews in your wedding as you like.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry and flower girl gifts at SilverlandJewelry.com.
Gift Ideas for Nieces and Nephews in Your Wedding
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Wedding Ideas Weekly
November 20, 2009 by Erica Brooks
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There are so many helpful wedding ideas and gorgeous wedding inspiration circulating on the web via blogs, websites and social networks including Twitter and Facebook. Here are 10 of my favorites for the week:
- Ruffled shares 15 gorgeous wedding dresses for under $500!
- Etiquette Expert Talley Sue Hohlfeld answers the question “Must engagement-party guests be invited to the wedding?”.
- Expert make up artist D.D. Nickel shares makeup tips for your wedding day.
- Learn how to properly cut a wedding cake at the Austin Wedding Blog.
- Photgrapher Michelle Hayes shares a charming, fun Rollerskating Wedding.
- Wedding Music Unveiled shares information and a free checklist that busy couples should use before letting their Musician choose their wedding music.
- Ajalon Printing and Design share lovely Invitations for Nature Lovers.
- The Wedding Diva’s share gorgeous vintage-inspired birdcage veils.
- If you’re having a vintage themed wedding and looking for a cool way to include some retro correspondence into your wedding plans, Globetrotting Bride shares a clever idea.
- Something for the guys- The Man-gagement Ring. What an awesome way to show he’s taken!
Have a stress-free wedding planning week!
Wedding Frames – 4 Ways to Display Your Wedding Memories
November 17, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Weddings are one of the most celebrated, joyous and happy celebrations that a couple experiences in their life. So, why not remember the happiness of the day with a gorgeous wedding frame? Wedding frames make fantastic wedding presents and great gifts for newlywed couples.
Here are four unique wedding picture frames that will be sure to make every wedding picture look fabulous.
Wedding Collage Frames:
Collage frames are an excellent way to display multiple wedding pictures in a single frame. These could be formal wedding portraits, candid pictures or your favorite silly picture from a disposable camera.
With wedding collage frames, you can also customize your wedding collage by using a mat. You can have guests write special messages, or write your vows, special poems or meaningful notes on your picture frame mat. You can either buy a collage frame with a mat for a personalized or casual look or select a more formal looking collage frame with framed openings.
Wedding Scrapbook Frames:
If you love creating scrapbook pages, you’ll love displaying your favorite wedding scrapbook pages in a beautiful scrapbook frame. Scrapbook wedding frames allow you to create a wedding keepsake that can protect and display your beautiful wedding memories. You can add a host of wedding keepsakes to these frames, including wedding cake napkins, vows, invitations, and much more.
There are endless options in which to create and design a scrapbook wedding photo frame and you will be able to unleash your creativity and artistic ability while sharing these memories with the people you love.
Engraved Picture Frames:
An engraved wedding frame is perhaps the most simple and best choice for a wedding gift. The three most common wedding frames for engraving are silver plated frames, pewter frames and sterling silver picture frames.
Keep in mind that when considering engraving wedding frames, the frame should be of high quality so it can be enjoyed for years to come. If you use an inexpensive metal frame or one that’s not designed for engraving it will usually result in a poor quality engraving and not give you the look you want. Only engrave a wedding frame if it’s a high quality precious metal like pewter, silver plate or sterling silver that will be kept as a wedding keepsake or family heirloom.
Wedding Shadow Boxes:
Every wedding has a lot of special keepsakes and mementos that are kept to help remember the day. From the invitations to the napkins, the figures on top of the wedding cake, and the bride’s veil, there are more than pictures that can be combined to make a wonderful and heartfelt wall display in a wedding shadow box frame.
Wedding shadowboxes are great for brides who want to capture their special day and keep their wedding mementos safe for years to come. Too often, wedding items become damaged in boxes and are never seen or appreciated. Wedding shadow box frames solve both of these problems beautifully.
By framing wedding pictures and mementos, every bride can cherish her special day and keep her memories beautifully displayed and protected for decades to come.
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and is passionate about picture frames, hiking and photography. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of unique, quality picture frames with free design assistance to help you find the perfect picture frame quickly and easily. If you’re looking for quality wedding frames as a gift or for your own wedding pictures call us toll free at 1-800-780-0699 or visit us at => YourPictureFrames.com
Visit Lazy Bride for a cute flower frame idea you can use at your wedding reception.
Wedding Picture Frame and Wedding Picture Guest Book Ideas
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Green Weddings Tips – 5 Ideas For the Eco-Chic Bride
November 17, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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What could make your big day even more special, beautiful and memorable? Showing that you’re stylish, eco-friendly and hip with these five tips for a fabulous green wedding.
1. Create inspired arrangements of cacti and succulents instead of using cut flowers.
Does the world really need another bridal bouquet of roses and peonies? We think not! Especially since eighty percent of cut flowers are imported all the way from South America, where they’re grown with harmful pesticides. Cacti and succulent arrangements are a unique, stylish, and eco-friendly alternative. If you’re DIY-inclined, you can create your own succulent centerpieces weeks before the wedding – they require minimal care and watering. And afterwards, you can replant them in your garden, where they’ll take root and grow alongside the marriage. Awwwww!
2. Serve delicious local, organic, sustainable foods.
Organic/sustainable food isn’t just good for the Earth – it actually tastes better too! Treat your guests to real foods that are healthy, pesticide-free and locally grown. Search online for a caterer who offers organic menu options. If you don’t find one in your area, get creative: We know one Massachusetts bride who convinced four different vendors from her local farmer’s market to cater her wedding with fresh salads and veggie dishes, locally raised roasted chicken, farm-fresh fruits and home-baked pies! Even if you don’t go totally organic, limit the number of meat items on your menu, and choose sustainably farmed, low-mercury fish and seafood.
3. Have a super-sweet hometown wedding.
The number one cause of gargantuan carbon footprints for weddings? Travel! Whether your guests arrive by car or by plane, the miles they rack up en route to your big day can add up quickly. A typical destination wedding causes 50 tons of carbon dioxide (eek!) to be emitted into the atmosphere. Choosing an event location near where most of your guests live will help cut down on their travel. And you can reduce your impact even further by buying carbon offsets to create a zero carbon wedding. Who says you need an exotic locale to make your dream day special? Create a stylish hometown wedding that incorporates unique elements from you or your fiancee’s childhood.
4. Choose a vintage engagement ring and post-consumer gold wedding bands.
There is already enough gold in the world to satisfy the demands of the jewelry industry for the next 50 years. Meanwhile, both gold and diamond mining (even of “conflict-free” diamonds) continue to poison the environment and global water supply with waste and toxins like cyanide and mercury. You can be part of the “elegant solution” by choosing a vintage engagement ring. Vintage and used engagement rings are often priced more reasonably than the new rings sold in retail stores, and come in a dazzling array of styles. And when it comes time to choose wedding bands, look for rings made from post-consumer white, yellow and rose gold.
5. Buy a gently used wedding dress, recycled bridesmaids dresses, or preowned bridal shoes.
The secondary market for wedding items is booming! Smart brides who don’t want to sacrifice style and luxury are finding gently used wedding dresses online for half their retail price. And wedding recycling doesn’t just save you money – it also reduces your wedding’s environmental impact. By buying gently used wedding items, you’ll avoid the consumption of natural resources and carbon emissions associated with the manufacture and transport of new items. And you can even sell your used wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and accessories again after the wedding!
About the Author Tracy Dinunzio
To buy or sell a gently used wedding dress, gently used bridesmaids dresses, vintage engagement ring or used wedding ring for free – absolutely no commissions or fees – visit http://www.RecycledBride.com
Visit Green Weddings for ideas on fabulous eco-friendly dinnerware.
Eco-Friendly Favor Ideas
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Pretty Purple Wedding Flowers
November 16, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Purple is a marvelous color for wedding flowers. It can range from the palest lavender to a bright purple to a royal eggplant shade, and a huge variety of flowers are available in purple. From centerpieces to bouquets to flower girls, these are some of the prettiest purple wedding flowers.
No conversation about wedding flowers would be complete without mention of roses. They are the most popular flower for weddings, and make wonderful additions to all of your floral arrangements for the ceremony and the reception. Roses can range in color from a cool and elegant lilac to a brighter passionate purple. The roses in the purple and lilac family also tend to be among the most fragrant. The various shades intermix very nicely for bouquets and centerpieces with a nice depth of purple color.
Tulips are another very popular wedding flower that can be found in purple. Whether your preference is the classic Dutch tulip or the baroque parrot tulip, purple tulips are fantastic for a wedding from the winter months into the summer. For the most drama, choose tulips in a dark inky purple that borders on black. They would be a sophisticated accent for an evening wedding, and pair nicely with other striking accessories, such as wedding jewelry that is handmade from dark purple crystals.
If your style is old fashioned or vintage, you will have some lovely purple wedding flowers from which to choose. One of the prettiest is the charming look of a big bouquet of ruffly sweetpeas. You couldn’t find a more delightful bouquet for a spring wedding. Another wonderful flower with a vintage flair is stocks, which comes in several shades of purple. Multiple blossoms grow along one tall stem, making stocks an excellent addition to centerpieces or ceremony arrangements, much in the same way that florists use gladioli for height.
Some brides love sophisticated and glamorous wedding details, from their handmade wedding jewelry to their letterpress wedding invitations to their unique and stylish bouquets. If this sounds like you, then you will adore the look of exotic orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids come in a rich medium purple, and unique Vanda orchids are a dark purple with white accents. Either looks fantastic in a dramatic flowing bouquet, and used in the centerpieces as well. Another great option is purple mini calla lilies. They work beautifully for bouquets with a single type of flower, and the small size of mini callas also makes them a natural addition to mixed flower wedding centerpieces and bouquets.
Speaking of small, one of the most darling purple wedding flowers is muscari, which is also called grape hyacinth, due to the fact that it resembles a small bunch of purple grapes. Muscari can be used to add texture and variety to wedding arrangements that feature a range of purple flowers. It is also a lovely choice for creating flower girl wreaths and bouquets for a spring wedding.
There are still more gorgeous purple flowers! Bright anemones add cheer and color to winter weddings, while foxgloves and pansies are charming for spring weddings. Whatever the style of your wedding, and whatever the season, purple flowers can add immense style and beauty.
About the Author Laura Firenze
Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Handmade wedding jewelry has always been one of the most important parts of the bridal ensemble.
Purple Wedding Flowers Photo by WeddingsbyColor.com
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Do You Have to Allow Single Wedding Guests to Bring a Date?
November 15, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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It is an age old dilemma: must a bride and groom allow every single guest to bring along a date to their wedding? Are “plus ones” truly mandatory? This handy guide will solve your wedding guest issues, show you how to draw the line, and give you the etiquette that you need to support your decision.
First the short answer: No. It is not necessary to include “and guest” on every wedding invitation. Your wedding is really about sharing a special moment in your life with those that are nearest and dearest to you. Strangers whom you have never met are really not a part of that equation. Many brides and grooms would prefer not to invite their guests to bring along their own guests, but are afraid that it would be somehow rude to draw a line about who may come to their own wedding. Fear not; etiquette is on your side on this one. It is absolutely acceptable not to put “and guest” on the wedding invitations of single friends and relatives.
The key to pulling this off with a minimum of hurt feelings is to know where the line is and to stick with it in an evenhanded manner. In other words, it would not be fair to allow some single guests to bring dates but not others. It is along the lines of a wedding’s policy on children: you either have them, or you don’t. Period. This way even if your guests do not like your decision, they will at least see that it is fair and consistent.
Bear in mind that not all unmarried people are single (it should go without saying that a married couple would always be invited as a pair). The guests whom you invite to your wedding are at least in theory special people in your life; before mailing out invitations, take the time to do a little research into their romantic status. An unmarried couple who live together should definitely be invited as a pair, just like a husband and wife. It is definitely a nice gesture to also invite partners in long term relationships, even they do not live together. The names of those partners should appear on the wedding invitation. In other words, they are wanted and invited, not random “plus ones”.
All of this sounds great in practice, until you start getting calls from your single friends asking if they can bring someone along to your wedding. Then what? Hold firm in your decision and apply it evenly. One easy out is to simply say that you cannot afford any extra guests or that you are at the max capacity for your venue. Those are pretty hard statements for anyone to question.
You might also point out to your unattached guests that a wedding can be a great place to meet someone new. Love is in the air, and everyone is dressed their best. The single ladies will be decked out in their prettiest dresses and most glamorous accessories, like Swarovski crystal bracelets. The single men will be looking sharp in their handsome suits. A few spins around the dance floor, Swarovski crystal bracelets sparkling in the light, some shared laughs, who knows…the next great love could be the one that blossomed at your wedding. Now isn’t that better than trying to scrounge up a last-minute wedding date who doesn’t know anyone and would probably prefer to stay home? With that argument in hand, you may just convince your single friends that you are doing them a favor by skipping the “and guest”!
About the Author Laura Firenze
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. Make any outfit more fabulous with stacks of sparkling Swarovski crystal bracelets.
Wedding Guest Favor Ideas
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Garden Theme Wedding Favors
November 14, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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The perfect finishing touch for your wedding day is the perfect wedding favors. The little gifts that you give your guests to say thank you are not only a gracious gesture, but also another chance to reinforce your theme. This is a look at some of the loveliest favors for a garden theme wedding.
You plan every aspect of your wedding right down to the tiniest detail, from which wine to pair with dinner to designing custom pearl bridal jewelry to complement your gown. You wouldn’t settle for just any old pearl bridal jewelry, so why settle for generic favors that do nothing to enhance the style or theme of your wedding? Sure, a candy bar is great, but by the end of wedding season, your guests will have seen ten of them. It is much better to choose favors with a more personal flair.
Naturally anything to do with flowers is fantastic for a garden theme wedding. If your wedding is in the early spring, send each guest home with a tiny handpainted pot filled with the smiling faces of pansies. They not only make wonderful favors, but will add a nice decorative touch to your wedding reception. The equivalent for an autumn wedding would be a small basket of mums in your wedding colors.
Favors which can be planted are also excellent for garden theme weddings. Several bulbs wrapped in little burlap bags tied up with grosgrain ribbon or colored raffia are a nice option. Packets of seeds can also make nice wedding favors, if you take the time to personalize them. Choose flower seeds which have some meaning to you personally, or which have a romantic tone, such as forget-me-nots. Seal with a sticker with a message from the bride and groom (and don’t forget to include instructions!).
Garden theme favors do not have to be live flowers or seeds. Candles are always a popular wedding favor, and there are some fun ideas for candles with a garden flair, some of which you can even make yourself. One very cute idea is to make your own candles in tiny flower pots. Craft stores sell clear glass candle holders in the shape of flower pots to make this project easy enough for anyone to try. Add a scent such as lavender to the wax, and tint the candles in a shade to coordinate with your wedding colors. Another pretty candle favor idea is to give candles which have dried flowers embedded in them. Wrap them up in a sheer organza bag, and you will have terrific favors that anyone would enjoy.
There are other neat ways to tie wedding favors in with a garden theme. What about pewter flower shaped wine charms? They are not only beautiful, but really useful. Another idea that combines flowers and wine is a wine stopper with a flower motif. Obviously, if you have children at your wedding, you would want to select an additional flower to set at their places in lieu of the wine related gifts.
Finally we come to edible favors. They are always popular, and can be customized to tie in with a garden theme. Perhaps the simplest idea is to order large cookies in the shape of flowers or boxes of chocolates shaped like your favorite blossom. Edible favors always make for a sweet ending.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget’s experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. The timeless elegance of pearl bridal jewelry is always in style.
Garden Theme Wedding Favors Ideas
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Cool Contemporary Loft Weddings
November 13, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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When your idea of the perfect wedding is more downtown than debutante, ditch the traditional country club or hotel ballroom in favor of a venue with contemporary flair. There is no cooler place than an urban city loft to host a cutting edge wedding with a city chic flair. From design to attire to practical considerations, this is what you need to know to plan a cool and contemporary loft wedding.
First of all, you have to pick the right space. Most lofts are wide open, with large windows and high ceilings. They allow you near-total freedom when it comes to your wedding style, because they have no pre-existing decor. Of course, all this expansiveness can be quite expensive; since you have to bring in literally every single item needed to fill a loft, the bill for rentals and decorations will tend to be higher than average, even if the space itself is affordable to rent.
When you are checking out various loft spaces as potential wedding venues, take a careful look at the practical side of things. Is the neighborhood safe? Are there elevators? What are the restrooms like? What about lighting; is there any in place or will you need to hire a specialist? Also think about how one large space can be divided for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception. Many couples will find that the services of a creative and experienced wedding planner are a must when trying to coordinate a loft wedding.
With your space booked, you can start thinking about the fun stuff: decorations and wedding attire. A city loft calls for an equally sophisticated style bridal gown. Slinky minimalist sheaths and unique architectural gowns with origami inspired draping will suit the contemporary space perfectly. Finish it off with cool handcrafted bridal jewelry. The non-traditional setting of a loft gives you the freedom to take a chance with a more daring bridal gown or jewelry which is handcrafted with a modern flair.
The wide open space of a loft calls for creative decorating on a grand scale. Think about incorporating elements such as dramatic swaths of fabric suspended from exposed beam ceilings. Hip modern chandeliers can be rented to add both style and light to the venue. The traditional small round vase with white roses will definitely not cut it in an urban loft. The centerpieces need to have both height and strong visual interest. If you want floral centerpieces, trendy submerged flowers in tall square vessels are current and fresh looking. Or think beyond flowers, and select centerpieces which are created from more unusual found elements or lighting items.
The menu is an important part of any wedding. Non-traditional foods such as Asian-fusion would be a great option. Be wary about hiring your favorite neighborhood bistro to cater your loft wedding however. The logistics of cooking and serving food in a space which lacks a kitchen can be very challenging, and it is smart to hire a caterer with the right equipment and experience to work in such a setting.
In the end, the magic of a loft wedding is that it can be anything you want it to be. The open space allows you to let your creative side run wild, with few of the artistic restrictions present at more traditional venues. For a couple with a love for contemporary design and entertaining, a chic loft wedding is an excellent choice.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget’s experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Handcrafted bridal jewelry is a unique and stylish finishing touch for a modern wedding gown.
Contemporary Favors for Loft Weddings
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