Author: bridalpartytees

Winter Wedding Florals

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Winter weddings are in full swing, offering a new array of floral options. Traditionally, Winter weddings have been limited to icy bright whites, however, 2012 opens many new doors.

This year’s popular trends include slightly antiqued bouquets that consist of cream and ivory tones. Also, instead of rich reds and deep greens, muted accents like mauve or olive are more likely to be seen.

Winter also allows unique textures and seasonal elements in order to make a one of a kind bouquet. Lambs ear, pinecones dusted in glitter, and berries are all popular choices this season.

Common Winter wedding flowers include calla lillies, orchids, and tulips for the base of the bouquet, while roses and miniature paperwhites often act as accents. Many times these bouquets are tied together with a velvet bow or sequenced ribbon for added elegance.

Winter allows variety and texture making the season’s bouquets absolutely beautiful. Having trouble finding the right flowers? Check out this flower guide!

Yes to the Dress, No to the Pie.

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The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone’s waistline. Especially if you’re planning on tying the knot close to Christmas. It’s estimated that the average person gains around two pounds during the holiday season, and it’s not uncommon to gain five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. But fear not brides, we have some tips to help you and your sweet tooth keep your calories under control.

One of the best yet most dangerous elements to the holiday season, are obviously the holiday parties. And let me tell you, they are almost impossible to escape. From family and friends to potlucks at work, there are an abundance of places to loosen your belt. Here are some helpful tips that will prevent you from needing to let your dress out.

–Eat something small before the party. Skipping meals and arriving to any event starving is never a good idea. Eating something small and healthy before the party will allow you to arrive satisfied and prevent you from over indulging due to an empty stomach.

–Be a picky eater. Don’t eat anything you don’t absolutely love. Avoid eating things just to be social, and stick to eating things that you consider to be worth the calories.

–Hold a drink in your dominate hand. Now, this may sound a little crazy, but some studies show that people are less likely to nibble if their dominate hand is busy. So get a low cal drink to keep your hand from wandering to the dessert tray.

–Mix it up. If you’re going to have dessert at one party, skip the appetizers. At the next party allow yourself some hor d’oeuvres but pass on dessert. Allowing some variety and trade offs will make skipping something yummy easier.

Just to put things into perspective. Here are some holiday calorie facts (Sorry!) from Redbook.

• Having two spoonfuls of chocolate-chip cookie dough: 64 calories, 3 grams of fat

• Eating leftover pie scraps: 81 calories, 5 grams of fat

• Licking whipped cream off the beaters: 52 calories, 5 grams of fat

• Picking just one slice of cheese from the platter: 113 calories, 9 grams of fat

• Grabbing a handful of mixed nuts from the bowl: 168 calories, 15 grams of fat

Sometimes, the hardest part of being good around the holidays is behaving in your own home. It can be really easy to cheat while you bake so we have some helpful tips to help fight your cravings.

-Eat before you bake. This technique is similar to eating before going to a party. The more satisfied you feel before being around naughty food, the less likely you are to over indulge.

-Chew gum. Chewing gum is always a good idea to prevent unnecessary nibbling.

-Make deals with yourself If you absolutely must have some cookie dough, only eat one baked cookie. Sticking to these deals will help you stay grounded during the season.

One thing to always remembering during the holiday season is to:
Maintain your exercise plan. Most brides-to-be will try to exercise before the big day. The holidays can become really stressful, making it seem like there isn’t enough time in the day. The last thing that should be cut out of your schedule is your exercise. Try to set aside 20 minutes everyday for some sort of physical activity. Not only will it give you energy, it can help you sleep better at night.

The holidays are all about enjoying friends and family, and food happens to be a part of that. Don’t get down about the extra frosting you had to pass up. Instead, do your best to remember the reason for the season. So make smart choices, don’t sweat the small stuff, and enjoy spending time with your loved ones during the best time of the year!

The Ambiance of Autumn

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Summer has ended and fall brides everywhere are finishing their final fall wedding details. Think wedding season ends in September? Think again, here are our favorite features of fall weddings!

– Venue: One of the obvious charms of fall are the rich, warm colors it provides. This scheme sets a cozy tone, and many brides take advantage of this seasonal element. Fall is the prime season for outdoor weddings because of the rich shades of amber and red that will surround an outdoor venue. Apple orchards and wine vineyards are always popular choices. However, many brides choose to have indoor ceremonies while still embracing the rustic characteristic that fall offers. Indoor ceremonies that take place at historic inns, quaint yet elegant churches or a venue that has dark, rich woods will add to the ambiance.

– Flowers: Fall bouquets offer a variety of textures and colors. Many brides choose to include traditional fall colors in their bouquets. These are typically red, yellow, orange, and even deep purple tones. Fall weddings occuring in 2011 are likely to have primarily white bouquets, only adding hints of a more traditional fall color. One of my favorite elements of fall wedding flowers, is the flexibility to add texture and unique seasonal elements. Adding crab apples, ornamental cabbage or even physalis fruit is a great way to make a one of a kind bouquet.

– Cakes: Many fall brides choose to incorporate fall elements into their wedding cakes. This can be done through flavor and/or decoration. One of the easiest ways to embrace the season through your cake is by adding fall inspired accents. Decorating with fall foliage, miniature pumpkins or red apples is a perfect way to add a pop of color while remaining seasonally appropriate. Another tasty idea we found is decorating your cake in caramel covered grapes. Not only is this idea delicious, it also acts as a way to add texture.Choosing a cake flavor is always a difficult task, and fall only complicates this decision by offering an abundance of palate pleasers. Hazelnut, cherry, and dark chocolate are some of the most common fall flavors. Espresso and French vanilla are also unique alternatives that allow you to reflect on the season. Fall also provides icing flexibility. Chocolate ganache, fondant and buttercream are perfect options for fall cakes that can’t always withstand summer heat.

– Favors: Some great ideas for fall wedding favors include: small jars of jam, spice cookies, or small potted mums. We loved this miniature pie idea!

– Halloween: Many couples chose to incorporate a Halloween theme into their wedding. This unlikely anniversary is becoming an increasingly popular date for couples to tie the knot, and this theme goes far beyond an orange and black color scheme. Below are some of our favorite spooky ideas for your special day.

– Save-the-Date: In our previous post, we discussed save-the-date ideas. Save-the-date cards are extremely important because they reveal the first details of your wedding. Dishing out decked out Halloween save-the-date cards will indicate your ghoulish inspired ceremony to your guests. They’re also a great way to get creative with your theme.

– Favors: Forget finger sandwiches! Get out the caramel apples and candy corn! These Halloween inspired treats act as great wedding favors and adorable deserts. Here were some of our favorite ideas!

– Venue: Choosing an older venue like a historic church or Victorian mansion will also add to the ambiance of an All Hallows Eve ceremony.

And with fall upon us, and Halloween right around the corner, don’t forget to order your custom fall bridal apparel when planning your fall nuptials!