Start with the invitations. There are some very sweet imprintable stationery sets which have pictures of tea cups on them. The wording can read “The pleasure of your company is requested / for a bridal tea shower / in honor of / Miss Amanda Green / Sunday, April 21st at 4 o’clock / 131 Willow Street, Stamford, Connecticut. Be sure to add your R.s.v.p. details in the lower left corner of the invitation so that you can get an accurate headcount for your party. Shower invitations are generally mailed about four weeks before the event, since they are mostly for local guests or the bride’s immediate family and bridesmaids, who will know about the shower long before they receive the invitation in the mail.

Everything should be timeless and romantic for a tea party bridal shower. Fine white lace tablecloths and crisply starched napkins in a feminine shade like pink or mauve would be the perfect table dressings. Add a Victorian inspired centerpiece to the table or on a sideboard. Take a footed urn and fill with a loose arrangement of flowers overflowing the sides in shades of pinks, creams, and dusty purples. Everyone should dress in their prettiest and most feminine clothes: floral dresses, cultured pearl earrings, possibly even fancy hats. Most women have at least the pretty dresses and cultured pearl earrings in their wardrobes, so it will not be an imposition to request this type of attire for the shower.

Certainly, tea will be an important part of the tea party shower. Serve several varieties in an elegant fashion. Forget about tea bags, and instead brew several pots of tea to be served from handpainted china tea pots or on a silver tea service. If you happen to have a large collection of tea cups with saucers, they would be great, or scour the flea markets and antique shops to amass a pretty collection of assorted tea cups. Offer guests fresh milk, lemon, and sugar for their tea in elegant containers.

As for the food, fancy and light fare is ideal. The traditional high tea menu is a mixture of sweet and savory foods. For the savory, offer cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off and miniature chicken salad sandwiches cut into triangles. Next comes the bread course, which is generally scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream. You may also add small muffins and a bread, if you want to make it a bit heartier. Finally, the sweets are served. Plan on one fabulous torte or pie on a fancy pedestal and a tiered tray of delicious sweet morsels like petit fours, tea cookies, lemon squares, and perhaps some chocolate dipped strawberries. Nothing should be larger than two or three bites in size (except the scones), but make sure that there are plenty of pieces for each guest to try a few of everything.

Once everyone has had their tea and snack, it is time to open gifts! If the bride loves tea, you could suggest that guests bring tea themed gifts like tea pots, tea towels, fancy imported tins of tea leaves, and the like. Otherwise, the usual assortment of gifts is just fine, and might be more practical for the bride. Thank everyone for coming with a tea themed bridal shower favor. There is a wide variety available, including customized tea bags and infusers, mini teacups with candles, and tins of gourmet tea. It will be the perfect ending to your classic tea party theme bridal shower.

About the Author Bridget Mora

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/, where we design an elegant selection of cultured pearl earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, which are perfect for your special occasion. As our gift to you, all jewelry orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping.

The month of August has a unique position. The last full month of summer, the weather and attitude are definitely pure summer. Yet at the same time, when August arrives, we know that autumn is just around the corner, and so a lot of the colors and flowers which are in season then have a bit of a fall preview feeling to them. Take advantage of this when planning your August wedding. It will make your day feel extra special when you celebrate the season.

Bright, spicy colors work beautifully for an August wedding. Think fuchsia, paprika, goldenrod, and accents of brown and white. The colors we associate with a Mexican fiesta are fantastic for a late summer ceremony and reception. The bold colors combine very well, so you can mix and match them without fear, especially when it comes to flowers. For the bridesmaid dresses, pick one main color, such as the fuchsia, and accent it with multi-colored bridesmaid jewelry and bouquets. Crystal station necklaces with a few crystals in each of the wedding colors would make fantastic bridesmaid jewelry with a solid color dress.

Informal vibrant flowers are ideal for August weddings. Some of the best varieties are those which remind us of fall, yet are in season in bright summer colors at that time of the year. Zinnias are especially fun, as they often have several colors on each bloom. They would suite a fiesta theme wedding perfectly, and also work well for any colorful late summer celebration. “Plant” the zinnias in clay pots for a casual Southwestern vibe or arrange them in black iron urns for a more elegant style. Clear glass vases in interesting shapes also work well when you want the flowers themselves to be the entire story.

Other great flowers for an August wedding include mini-sunflowers, asters, and mums. Use the mini-sunflowers as an accent in bouquets with rich hues like russet and tie it all up with a wide chocolate brown satin ribbon. The asters and mums are a lot of fun, and can perfectly capture the idea of August being both high summer and the gateway to fall. The flowers themselves are often thought of as classic autumnal blossoms, but when used in more summery shades like pink and purple, they are definitely not too fallish for an August bride. All of these make excellent choices for casual outdoor events.

For the wedding cake, continue the theme of August as the gateway to autumn by choosing a delicious chocolate cake. When decorated with brightly colored flowers, it will be the perfect sweet ending to your wedding. Just be sure to keep your fantastic cake out of the hot August sun or you will end up with an accidental chocolate fountain, as the frosting melts down the side of the wedding cake!

About the Author Bridget Mora

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of bridesmaid jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com, where we offer complimentary shipping on all jewelry orders over $99.

The thing about making your own centerpieces is that they should not look obviously homemade. Handcrafted, yes; homemade, no. What is the difference? When something is lovingly handcrafted by a talented artist, it will have a special and unique feeling, whether it is a centerpiece, bridesmaid gifts, or wedding favors. When something looks too obviously homemade, however, it can look unpolished, or non-professional. For your wedding, you definitely want all the elements to look polished and pulled together. It is the difference between something that looks clunky and something that looks elegant and well-crafted.

What else makes a diy centerpiece a don’t? Going overboard on a theme or color scheme. Sure red is dramatic and passionate, but when brides start pairing red flowers in red vases with red candles, it can all get too be way too much. This is where having a professional florist can be helpful, because after doing dozens of weddings, she will have an instinct for what will work and what will not. When she starts hearing that you are planning to have everything from the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry gifts to the napkins and centerpieces in the same shade of red, a florist will know to pull you back from the brink and to add some tonal variety into the mix.

Where brides really go wrong with DIY centerpieces is by using poor quality fake flowers. Even good quality artificial flowers can look fake when seen up close, and the cheap ones will be spotted the minute your guests walk into the reception space. Certainly, the fake flowers can be economical, but the reaction you want when people first see your diy centerpieces is, “Aren’t they beautiful? Can you believe she made them herself?”, not “Wow, check out the fake blue roses!”. If you prefer faux flowers to real, consider handcrafted paper flowers, which are much more appealing than poor quality fabric flowers.

Another time that a diy centerpiece is a don’t is when the bride does not have an innate sense of creativity, proportion, color, or balance. A good florist will walk into a reception venue and note the high ceilings which call for tall centerpieces, or the beautiful woodwork which would be enhanced by using blossoms in warm colors. Now, there are certainly plenty of brides who have an eye for these types of things, but if you do not happen to be one of them, you may be better off having a florist make your centerpieces, and turning your diy abilities to other projects.

The other thing that can turn even the best intentioned diy centerpiece into a definite wedding don’t is biting off more than you can chew. Think long and hard about the time commitment involved in handcrafting the table arrangements for ten, twelve, or fifteen tables. Also be careful not to get overly ambitious with your design if you are a novice. At some point, the stress of trying to make the perfect centerpieces can outweigh the money saved. If it’s not fun, don’t do it!

About the Author

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry, receptions and bridesmaid gifts. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ today and receive free shipping on your jewelry order over $99.

Planning Your Wedding:

When you are planning your wedding… the biggest event of your life, consider the many possibilities available to you for your wedding table linens, be sure to research well if you are considering using standard round white tablecloths, keep in mind that you can also use tablecloths with vibrant and exciting colors and make a dramatic statement, colored tablecloths are usually the same price as standard white table linens.

The size of your tablecloths and napkins will of course depend on the size of your table. Dressing your tables with beautiful table linens is the most dramatic way to change the ambience of your event space and make a personal statement with elegance, style, and color.

Never buy table linens with SERGED HEMS:… unless you want to carry an iron down the aisle… serged hems will curl up and look awful, and they will fray when laundered, and I personally think they look cheap, ALWAYS buy table linens with “folded and stitched” hems.

Will the event planner, caterer, hotel or venue, provide the tablecloths?:

Sometimes wedding planners, caterers, or reception venues will provide standard “House Linens” as part of a package deal. Some will refund part of your cost if you choose not to use their house linens, you may want to use theirs if they have “exactly” what you want in the color and size. The hospitality industry calls these table linens “house linens” or “full tablecloth” when used alone, and “under cloth” or “table liner” when a table runner or table topper is used for accent.

Will the tablecloths reach the floor?:

The critical question regarding tablecloths is what will the “drop” be, meaning the amount of tablecloth that hangs over the edge of the table. Most people at weddings and events like to see the tablecloths touch the floor, but some prefer a half-way “drop”. as tablecloths can be too long and bunch under the table but it is far better for them to be too long than to be too short. Check out a table linen sizes guide and keep in mind if your event budget is an issue in these difficult economic times shopping from online stores will give you the biggest table linens bang for your buck.

What are the most popular wedding table linen colors?:

The most popular wedding colors are white, black, ivory, burgundy, and chocolate, consult with your wedding planner or reception reception venue and choose table linen colors that work well in the room where you will be hosting the event. Make it a fun project and consider creative ideas such as matching your bridesmaid’s outfits with elements of the room decor, and don’t forget to double check your room size calculations with a Tablecloth Sizes Calculator and tablecloth sizes with a Tablecloth Sizes Chart.

When buying wedding table linens online are the table linen colors on most websites the exact colors I would receive if I buy them?:

Viewing exact linen colors on a computer screen is somewhat subjective as the exact color you see depends on your own computer monitor settings and your computer screen resolution, but for the most part the online color will be exactly or almost exactly what you will receive, usually if there is a difference it will be very slight and hardly noticeable. The best idea is to ask for fabric swatches in the colors you are interested in, or better still why not buy 1 tablecloth, runner or napkin so that you can exactly compare under the venue room lighting and make sure it’s exactly the color you want, don’t take chances, do your due diligence and you will have a successful event.

Event Venue Lighting:

It is wise to consider any room lighting change that may occur during your event, many events begin when it’s daylight and as the evening progresses electric lighting is switched on and this can color the room decor and in some cases can noticeably change the overall ambience and style of the room, the degree of change depends on the type of lighting so be sure to consult with your wedding planner or the reception venue staff, and if possible go to the reception venue and check it out for yourself.

Table runners or full length tablecloths?:

If your wedding planner or reception venue will be providing tablecloths it is cheaper to just buy a suitable table runner. However, if no tablecloths are provided then you will need to buy both a tablecloth and the table runner or buy a full floor length tablecloth for each table. It is not just a matter of budget but also of having the “right look”. Some people prefer the layered two tablecloth style while others prefer the smooth style of one tablecloth. Both ways are correct it’s purely a matter of taste and style.

How many people will fit at each table?:

The standard table sizes for event tables are 60 inch round tables that seat 8 guests comfortably and 10 guests not so comfortably. 72 inch round tables seat 10 to 12 guests. Ideally you seat to the lower number at the table but sometimes guest comfort can be sacrificed for other reasons, mabey a group of colleagues or sisters may all want to sit together and they would rather be seated together than separated, or sometimes it depends on the size of the event room and the number of guests, each time you add a table you will add an additional table centerpiece and tablecloth. 160 people seated at 60 inch round tables can be either 16 tables of 10 guests or 20 tables of 8 guests. Sometimes the reception venue will only have one size table available or a set configuration of tables due to the room size and layout. The most important thing is to make your guests as comfortable as possible with the tables and space you have available.

Napkins:

When choosing napkins be sure the napkin fabric is heavy enough to hold a fold and will be absorbent. 100% visa polyester fabric is a good choice for weddings and catering events, most are stain resistant and wrinkle free.

Wedding Chair Covers and Sashes:

The chairs at your reception venue may be suitable, however, if the chairs are unsuitable consider using chair covers. Wedding chair covers and sashes are available in a variety of colors and styles and may easily solve any problem with the chairs. Make sure the chair covers you want actually fit the chairs your going to use and do you need folding chair covers or banquet chair covers.

Chairs and covers come in different sizes and do not always fit each other, it’s better to find this out well before your event, also make sure the event caterer, planner, hotel or reception venue has the staff and have agreed to put the chair covers (and sashes) on and take them off after the event. The alternative to chair covers is to rent a better chair, there are a wide range of chair styles and costs ranging from a basic plastic folding chair or higher end white wood folding chairs to very expensive banquet chairs. Keep in mind that the venue’s existing chairs will have to be removed and stored and also put back after your event so allow for this labor cost in your budget

Catering Buffets:

The catering buffet should always be styled with additional table linens. If the guest tables have upgraded linens then the buffet should be matched with the same or very similar style table linens. If you have plain house tablecloths on the guest tables then the catering buffet should be dressed with decorative table linens that match with the room. The buffet is of course about the food on the menu, but it is also about the overall presentation of the event room.

Gift Table Location:

The location of the gift table varies and the location will determine the extent that it should be decorated. If it is in the main dining area then it should match or blend with the guest tables. If it’s situated outside the main dining area then it should be dressed in a single tablecloth with minimum decorations.

Head Table Decorations:

A head table if you choose to have one, should be decorated to a greater degree than the guest tables, at many weddings the bride and groom have specially decorated chairs dressed with flowers, garlands, or ribbons. Many couples choose to have chair sashes with names embroidered to keep as a keepsake of the wedding.

Cocktail Table Linens:

Make a BIG statement immediately with the decor in the cocktail area by choosing a tablecloth that is bright, vibrant, elegant and an understated preview of the dining room, or for more adventurous tastes, decorate in direct contrast to the dining room decor. If the cocktail and dining areas are visible to each other the wedding table linens should be matched in style and color. When all the pieces are put together the main room should produce the “Oohs” and “Aahs” that you deserve to hear when the doors are opened to welcome your guests.

You should have strong statements from your flower arrangements and the tablecloths that can be seen from a distance, and also in the napkins and favors that will be enjoyed by your guests after they are seated.

The Cake Table Setting and Location:

Cake tables are normally a small round table anywhere from 30″ inches (2 1/2ft) wide to 48″ inches (4ft) in diameter. Although it should be well decorated your cake table does not need to be decorated too much so as to detract from the cake itself. The cake table tablecloth can be a little shorter as most cake tables need to be easily movable and they almost always have wheels for this purpose.

Place Card Table Setting and Location:

Place card tables are normally situated set in the reception venue lobby or in the cocktail area and they provide a good opportunity to do a single tablecloth that either matches the place cards or something really special such as a large flower bouquet arrangement, but be sure that it does not appear “too busy or loud” or disturbs the natural layout of the place cards.

Feeling connected to your culture? Nothing compares to the celebration of heritage that can be found at a traditional Irish wedding. An authentic Irish wedding ceremony blends beautiful symbolism and art into a romantic tapestry inspired by centuries of history and tradition. Learning the stories behind these traditions, where they began, and what they mean to us today, is part of what makes Irish traditional weddings so personal and so special. Where did the Claddagh ring come from? Why do Celtic knots look that way? What is the significance of the shamrock? We’ve compiled a bit of background as well as some key tips and ideas for adding these and other elements to an Irish Celtic wedding design of your very own!

Is Your Traditional Irish Wedding “Irish” Enough?

• Most modern weddings already draw from Irish and Celtic tradition, so don’t worry that your own wedding isn’t Irish enough. Instead, use your ceremony as an opportunity to educate your guests!

Looking forward to the bouquet toss or relaxing on your honeymoon? You can thank the Irish and the Celts for both! Most brides don’t realize it, but many of the most popular features of the modern wedding are direct decendents of Irish and Celtic culture.

By working a little history of some popular traditions into your ceremony, you can easily give your guests a Celtic experience that is as fun and romantic as it is informative. The back of your wedding programs, for instance, is a great place to explain the origins of your favorite traditions or the meaning of the symbols your guests may encounter at your celebration. There are literally hundreds of stories, and researching them can be some of the most fun you’ll have planning your wedding.

Use Celtic Knots for Your Wedding Rings and in Your Theme

• Celtic knots are a universal symbol for eternity that have come to define Celtic culture and the look of Irish weddings.

Celtic knots are one of the most ancient styles of art still practiced today. Incredibly intricate and mathematically precise, these designs have been perfected over the centuries and can be used as the main visual element of your Celtic wedding design.

But what do they mean? A great deal of debate surrounds the exact significance of these braids and what they meant to early Celtic artists. No complete record explaining the “language” of Celtic knots has ever been found, but research suggests the Celts were first inspired by the elaborate root systems of oak trees. The Celts believed trees were natural symbols of eternity, and there is strong evidence that the endlessly repeating patterns in Celtic knots were intended in part to represent the infinite cycles of the natural world.

In spite of the mysteries surrounding Celtic knots, few will dispute their stunning beauty and their ability to capture the imagination. The connection between the endless weaves of these knots and the unbreakable bonds of love is immediately recognizable, and Celtic knots are rightfully one of the most versatile decorative symbols of an Irish wedding.

Experience the Love, Loyalty, and Friendship of the Claddagh Ring

• The Claddagh ring is ancient symbol that represents the three qualities of any successful marriage.

You may have seen them on the fingers of young brides or in movies and television — the Claddagh ring is a centuries old design that has recently made a comeback among women and even some men as a symbol of Irish pride and heritage. Named after a small fishing village in Ireland, the Claddagh ring features a circle that ends in two hands clasping a heart topped with a padded crown.

Each of the three parts of the Claddagh ring has a specific meaning that has made it a favorite addition to the modern Irish wedding ceremony. The hands represent friendship, the heart of course represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. The traditional expression associated with the Claddagh ring explains it simply, “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my loyalty.” The combination of these elements is also considered by many to be a metaphor for the Catholic Trinity, while the circular nature of the ring itself, like the Celtic knot, is also said to be an expression of infinity.

• Claddagh designs can be used for more than just wedding rings and look beautiful on a variety of wedding accessories.

While Claddagh wedding rings are becoming increasingly common, they can be worn by unmarried women and are a popular standalone fashion. Claddagh rings can also be used in other parts of your wedding and often make appearances on unity candles, embroidered onto ring pillows (a particularly nice use for the design), and even wedding cake toppers.

• The myths surrounding the origins of the Claddagh ring are full of adventure, magic, epic romance, and make for great stories to tell at your wedding.

The exact origins of the Claddagh ring are shrouded in legend; though elements from the design such as the clasped hands have been traced clear back to the Roman Empire. The look of the Claddagh ring as it is known today dates to the 1600s, but Irish folklore has at times credited a fisherman, a prince, and even a magical eagle as the original artist.

Our favorite story of the ring’s origin is also the most romantic and is likely partially true. A fisherman named Richard Joyce was attacked and captured by Algerian pirates near the West Indies and sold into slavery in Tangiers. A slave to a goldsmith for over 14 years, Joyce is said to have designed the ring as a promise that he would one day return to the love he left behind in Ireland. Joyce was eventually freed; he went back to Ireland with his ring, married his sweetheart, and became a successful goldsmith in his own right.

Use Shamrock Accents for an Immediate Irish Flourish

• Shamrocks don’t just “look” Irish, they are also connected to Celtic knots and Claddagh rings in meaning.

Shamrocks are by far the most widely recognized emblems of all things Irish and are, of course, an indelible part of St. Patrick’s Day. No Irish wedding ceremony would be complete without a nod to them, but the deeper significance of the shamrock and its relationship to other Irish symbols is perfect for tying your wedding theme together.

Just as with the three parts of the Claddagh ring, the three leaves of the shamrock is also an important symbol of the Holy Trinity. According to legend, St. Patrick himself used the shamrock in his travels to explain the concept the Trinity to converts across Ireland. Even more, the trefoil shape of the shamrock is also found over and over again in many Celtic knots.

The accuracy of the St. Patrick story is debatable, but don’t expect the shamrock to disappear from Irish culture anytime soon. They are the ultimate natural symbol of what it means to be Irish and are a simple blend of all the stories, faith, and timelessness of Irish heritage.

• Use shamrocks as a natural complement to the other symbols of your wedding.

The decorative potential of shamrocks is essentially endless and you can feature them anywhere from your wedding gown to your table confetti. We especially like seeing them used in centerpieces and bridal bouquets, but what’s best to keep in mind is that Celtic knots, Claddagh rings, and shamrocks can all be used interchangeably and their special meanings complement one another. Find a balance that feels right for you, and your Irish wedding will be as authentic as you want it to be.

Irish Traditional Weddings Are a Way to Tell Your Story

The best part of Irish traditional weddings is there’s always more to explore, learn, and discover! Irish and Celtic culture is a deep well that can be drawn from again and again when planning your wedding, and now you have all the basics you need to get started. So, go ahead and lose yourself in the stories and the artwork for awhile — you’ll find that the true magic of Ireland is in its stories and ultimately in your heart!

About the Author Brian Cross:

Brian Cross has been an active freelance writer and researcher since 2007. He also regularly writes articles, tips, and content for BridesVillage.com, an independent retailer of wedding accessories.

Wedding decorations for your tables, ceremony and wedding reception venue are many and varied, limited only by your imagination and, perhaps, your budget!

Using the internet will uncover a variety of ideas for you to consider, particularly if there is a forum where brides to be can swap ideas and experiences. A good example of this is YouAndYourWedding.co.uk. Two other great places for generating ideas are wedding magazines and wedding fairs.

To get you started, here are 6 great ideas for decorations that you may want to incorporate into your wedding.

1. Confetti – Confetti has evolved from scattered leaves and flower petals, which were originally used in pagan ceremonies, to today where there is many options, such as metallic hearts or stars, tissue paper hearts or dried rose petals. The theme for your wedding can be set immediately if you include some of your chosen confetti inside your guests’ wedding invitations when you send them out.
2. Wedding Favours – The tradition of giving favours to guests at weddings dates back thousands of years when the guests received five sugared almonds which signified health, wealth, happiness, long life and fertility. Sweets or chocolates are more likely to be used today than sugared almonds, and these are generally wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. Favours aren’t limited to foodstuffs though, and they can come in a wide variety of themes. For example, if the bride and groom are golf nuts they may want to present their guests with a golf themed favour. A great site for favours is MyWeddingFavors.com.
3. Flowers – These have always been a firm favourite for decorating weddings. Not only can they be used for table centre pieces they are also needed for buttonholes, corsages, pew ends, buffet table decoration and top table arrangements. Although flowers have been a tradition for a long time there is a new challenger.
4. Balloons – Bouquets of balloons in the middle of the tables can add bold flashes of colour and can really lift a room. These are tied to decorative weights with beautiful coloured ribbon. As well as balloon bouquets, arches and columns can also be constructed with balloons which can be strategically placed to mask less picturesque areas of your venue.
5. Glass bowls, vases or giant wine glasses – each one of these can be filled with decorative material such as coloured stones or leaves, or filled with coloured water with a lighted candle floating on top. Placed on top of a small circular mirror in the middle of each table, these make spectacular decorations.
6. Wedding Backdrop – One other very big item that you may want to consider for your wedding decorations is a wedding backdrop. These are great for placing behind the top table to really emphasise the bride and groom. They can also sparkle and twinkle so are great for the evening disco.

There are clearly many more ideas for wedding decorations and if you use the two resources I mentioned at the beginning of the article, you should be able to add dozens more ideas to the handful I’ve suggested here. Visit this website for some great balloon decorations and wedding backdrops.

About the Author Ian Worrall

Ian Worrall welcomes you to visit his site http://www.MyBalloonDecorations.co.uk where you will be able to see some great examples of wedding and party decorations.

In the early stages of wedding planning, many brides have a lot of fun perusing bridal magazines and wedding websites for inspiration. The only problem is that when it comes time to start bringing your vision to life, many of the elements can end up being way more costly than you ever imagined. To trim expenses while still having the beautiful wedding you designed, try substituting similar, but more affordable, elements for your ceremony and reception. You can end up with a wedding that meets your every expectation, including the total budget.

Instead of this: A six tier wedding cake decorated with handmade sugar flowers, a la Silvia Weinstock.

Substitute this: A cake with a real bottom tier and upper tiers made from Styrofoam. Once the whole cake is frosted, it will be impossible to tell that the top layers are fake. Decorate with fresh flowers instead of labor intensive sugar blossoms to save even more money.

Instead of this: A stack of diamond bracelets from Harry Winston (sorry, girls, they only let you borrow them if you are a movie star headed for the Academy Awards!).

Substitute this: A stack of sparkling Swarovski crystal bracelets. The Swarovski crystal bracelets will be glamorous and sparkly, yet won’t cost as much as a down payment on a house.

Instead of this: Custom letterpress wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, and thank you notes with your monogram on them.

Substitute this: Imprintable wedding stationery with a letterpress motif, such as a flower or a bird. The paper will have a lovely letterpress design on it, but you will save hundreds by doing the printing of the words yourself on a high quality home printer. There are a huge number of beautiful letterpress imprintable invitations from which you can order, both online and through traditional stationers.

Instead of this: A silk wedding gown which is heavily embellished with intricate crystal beadwork.

Substitute this: A simple silk wedding gown with a bold crystal trim around the waistline. You can get more sparkle by choosing a veil with crystal accents, crystal bridal jewelry, and a crystal tiara, but none of it will add up to as much as a gown which has been painstakingly handbeaded for countless hours.

Instead of this: Thousands of roses for your bridal bouquets, reception centerpieces, and ceremony decor.

Substitute this: A combination of roses with less costly flowers. Lisianthus are a favorite secret weapon of florists when trying to cut the cost of the floral budget as they have a very similar look to roses at a lower price. Use them to add fullness to your wedding arrangements without driving the price sky high.

About the Author Laura Firenze

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ to see our spectacular collection of Swarovski crystal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. All jewelry orders over $99 ship for free, so visit today!

Weddings are always extravagant occasions. If you are getting married on a budget, however, there is no need to worry. There are definitely ways you can save up on your wedding cost – from the little details to the bigger ones.

Wedding Invitations
One of the more important concerns with regards to a wedding is the invitation. Of course, every couple would want theirs to be elegant and neat. It must be presentable enough so that the guests would be excited to attend. Your wedding invitation will help make the first impression. There is no need, however, to spend so much money for your wedding invite to impress.

If you are looking for cheap wedding invitations, you can take a cue from the following ideas:

Make your own. If you think you are creative enough and you have the supplies available, you can make your own wedding invite. This will save you almost half in cost. It will even allow you to personalize your wedding invite, putting your own words into it and designing it according to your preference.

If you cannot make your own, find a good supplier that asks a reasonable price. With the Internet, you will have better access to wedding invitation suppliers that offer considerable amount of discount if you order wholesale. Always compare prices and quality before settling down with a specific wedding invitation supplier. That is the best way to get a smart deal.

Online, there is such a thing as a wedding invitation kit. This will help those who cannot make their own wedding invitation guided. The kit usually costs a little higher as opposed to making the invites without them but definitely lower than having it printed by a professional.

Save up on postage cost by using a postcard for the RSVP.

Choose pretty stamps and make hand-written addresses elegant. There is really no need to sacrifice style for you to save money. You can have the best of both worlds – style and sufficient savings – if you are smart enough.

It is never wise to spend a good slice of your wedding budget to the invitations, especially since it is but a miniature detail of the whole event. What is wise is to scout for cheap wedding invitations ideas so you can enjoy savings that you can use for other things. It can be quite costly to get married. There are ways, however, that you can maximize the budget that you have, no matter how big or small it is.

About the Author Kenny Leones

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When you begin planning your reception centerpieces, think about the ways in which you can tie the arrangements in with both your wedding style and the season. If you are having a beach theme wedding, right down to the food and jewelry, incorporate that motif into your centerpieces. Or perhaps you are having a 4th of July wedding; DIY decorations with an Americana flavor would be ideal. Summer weddings tend to be brighter and more relaxed than winter events, so keep your design light and laid-back.

A gorgeous DIY centerpiece for a garden wedding would be a butterfly “bouquet”. Take a cute enamel watering can in your favorite color to use as the vessel. Then use a collection of butterflies on long stems to wire together into a unique and colorful centerpiece. Of course, you won’t use real butterflies, but rather ones created from beautiful paper, fabric, or feathers. They make a colorful and charming alternative to a floral table arrangement and are easy to assemble yourself. One of the best part about using non-floral elements for DIY centerpieces is that you can put them together a long time before the wedding.

Fresh fruit can make a striking wedding centerpiece. One of the simplest DIY table decorations you can create is to fill a tall clear vessel with sliced lemons and limes. Pack them tightly around the sides so that the round slices are pressed against the edges of the vessel for a great graphic design. The citrus fruit adds color and a summery feeling to the wedding. For a more modern effect, use a clear tall cylinder or choose a footed urn if your wedding style is more romantic. A lemon or lime flavored signature drink would be the perfect accompaniment to these centerpieces.

Beach theme centerpieces always fit in with summer weddings and are very easy for the DIY bride. Fill tall clear vases with a variety of seashells and surround them with low votive candles. Or go for a modern beach style by placing red faux coral into clear Lucite boxes and stacking them up. They will make very striking centerpieces for your reception, yet are a breeze to assemble.

Of course flowers are always popular for wedding decorations, and there are plenty of designs which do not require any experience to create. If you want to try your hand at DIY centerpieces but are not confident in your flower arranging abilities, gather a collection of pretty potted plants. For an Americana wedding, bright red geraniums would look fantastic in white wicker baskets. Best of all, after your wedding, the cheerful flowers can be planted outside your new home.

About the Author Guy Antonelli

Guy has been writing about society and weddings for a long time. If you have a topic you would like to know about, let us know at http://silverlandjewelry.com/. Let us help you select the perfect wedding jewelry for every member of the bridal party. All jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.

If you don’t live near the beach, you can always consider a garden wedding. No matter where you live, there’s bound to be a beautiful garden somewhere within driving distance. It may be your sister’s backyard, the local historical house with beautiful grounds and gardens, or an elderly couple’s estate on the outskirts of town. These are all possible outdoor wedding location ideas! Look around your local area, talk to people you know, ask the local mailman about any beautiful grounds he is familiar with, talk to the local tourist association or ask a local wedding planner. You just may be surprised at what you find right there in your neighborhood. There may even be gazebos and such already in place. If you’re lucky enough to find a special like this, you’ll be able to save lots of money and choose whether to keep that money to start your new life or use it for extra bells-n-whistles for your wedding.

There are some awe-inspiring locations in almost every state. These can range from historical sites to national parks, but there’s always something. You could find a beautiful canyon, mountain top, waterfall, or park that doesn’t require thousands of dollars for traveling, passports, etc… So before you jump in head over heels, in love with that far off wedding destination you’ve been considering, check out what’s available in your own state.

If the you can’t seem to find an ideal outdoor wedding location with any of the above, don’t fret. Many hotels and inn’s offer wedding special packages and are happy to host your wedding. They often offer many extras that make planning your wedding easier, too. Consider country clubs in your area, too. They usually have beautiful grounds or gold courses that could easily be transformed to a magical oasis for your wedding day.

About the Author Alice Douglas

Engaging Images is a team of Toronto wedding photographers who combine art and photo journalism. Visit their site if you are looking for the best wedding photographers.