Category: Trends

10 Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Wedding by Nina Callaway

natasha Leave a comment

Avoiding Outdoor Wedding Pitfalls

You’ve decided to have an outdoor wedding? Congratulations. Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. However, they aren’t as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to shine on your wedding day. 

1.   Make your guests comfortable Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don’t leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves. Don’t forget to have plenty of sunscreen on hand as well. For a very warm location, look into renting large electric fans (don’t forget a generator) and/or a tent to shade the suns rays. If it will be cold and damp, make sure you tell guests that so they can wear extra layers. A simple xeroxed insert will do. You might want to have lap blankets on hand, or rent portable heaters.

2. Have a backup plan What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent is sturdy so it won’t flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.

3.  Plan for Wind Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you’ll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won’t leave you looking like Cousin It! Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product. Again, tell your guests in a printed insert so that they can plan accordingly. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.

4. Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you’re probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.

5. Decorations One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it’s been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminaries; torches; or farolitas.

6.   Make things tasty outside Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they’re planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.

7.Don’t leave your guests parched Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.

8.Those pesky flying things Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won’t spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.

9.Here comes the sun Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests’ backs rather than in their eyes.

10.Permits Don’t forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.

Source

 

Buttonly Beautiful!

natasha Leave a comment

buttons

Who would have thought that buttons could have such an elegant impact? These designs from Martha Stewart.Com are simply adorable. I love the place card idea. This would be a great look for this years popular color theme—silver! The sucker stands add a touch of whimsy and would look wonderful as a centerpiece for the children’s table or part of a candy buffet. I also love, love, love the favor boxes. It is a unique idea that is so beautiful! Who would want to leave these pretty favors behind? To see more ideas of how you can incorporate buttons into your wedding and learn how to make the ideas pictured above, click here!

Guest Book~Autographed Wedding Football

natasha Leave a comment

football 

Are you or your fiancé huge sports fans? If so, incorporate this interest into the wedding. Instead of a traditional guest book, have your guests sign a football, a hockey stick, or maybe even a home plate. Be creative and find something that is perfect to reflect your love for the sport.  Your fiancé is sure to love this unique alternative! After the wedding, you can get a case to display your wonderful memento for years to come.

10 Ways to Entertain Children at your Reception

natasha 1 Comment

Keeping children entertained at a wedding reception can be a hard task. Especially if you have many that are toddlers. However, there are many ways to let them have a ton of fun and still keep the elegance of your wedding.  

  1. Create a kids table

Rent a table that is just their size and decorate it with the same linens as the adult tables.  

  1. Fun centerpieces

Instead of a traditional flower centerpiece, give them a centerpiece that they will truly enjoy. Try an edible fruit bouquet that will tame little tummies throughout the night. A fish in a fish bowel is another unique option. Children love watching those little guys swim around and will have tons of fun. 

  1. Crayons

Never underestimate the power of crayons! Put crayons in a colorful container that matches the theme of your wedding and lay out sheets of printer paper for children to create their on piece of artwork. You can even make your own wedding themed coloring book for them to decorate.  I would strictly stick with crayons however, because markers, paints, and oil pastels may get on their nice clothes.  

  1. Play Dough

Play Dough is a favorite of children everywhere—and some adults too. This is a cheap and easy way to keep them entertained. Add some toy cars, kitchen utensils, toy animals or anything else that would make neat prints in the dough. You can usually find these items at your local dollar store. There are tons of dough recipes out there that you can choose from that will tie in with the theme of your wedding. You can even have the children make you a sculpture out of the dough to keep and remember them by. Just be sure to check that they will keep for a few hours and not have to be refrigerated. Here are a few to get you started. 

Applesauce Cinnamon Dough recipe1 cup ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce (drained in a
    strainer for several hours)
2 teaspoons white glue 

This dough is not for eating! Mix together the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add the applesauce and glue. Work the mixture with hands until smooth and well mixed. Put on wire rack to dry at room temperature for several days. 

Cloud Dough recipe (this is my favorite even though it does not keep well)3 cups flour
2 tablespoons powdered Tempera
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Water 

Mix together the flour, Tempera and oil. Add enough water to make a soft, pliable, elastic-like dough. This dough does not keep well. 

Coconut Play Dough recipe1 egg white
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon light cream
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut 

Beat egg white until stiff. Add remaining ingredients, one at a time, in order. Mix well and let dry for 30 minutes.

Divide into portions, and add desired food colorings.

NOTE: Use pasteurized egg whites or reconstituted dry egg white. 

Cooked Play Clay recipe 21 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Food coloring
Wax paper 

In a medium-size saucepan, mix all ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. When dough becomes harder to stir and gathers on spoon (about 5 minutes), dump onto wax paper, cool until able to handle and knead 10 to 15 times until smooth. Store in sealed container, keeps up to two weeks. 

Edible Play Dough recipe (this one is good for the little guys that stick everything in their mouths!)1/3 cup margarine
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 pounds confectioners’ sugar
Food coloring 

Mix all ingredients together. Make shapes, then eat. This dough can be refrigerated in a plastic bag or bowl. 

Peppermint Play Dough recipe2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vinegar
Food coloring or Wonder Colors
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract 

Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add water a vineagar and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is stiff. Knead until pliable. Divide the dough into separate pieces for each color desired. Poke your finger into the center of each section of dough, drop in the food color and peppermint extract, and knead until the color is uniform and the dough is smooth. Store, tightly covered and labeled, in a plastic bag or container in the refrigerator. Play Dough will keep for months if you refrigerate it after each use. 

To use:
Take out of the refrigerator about 5 minutes before you’re ready to play so that the dough will be soft. If you like something you have created, you can leave it to air dry for 24 hours or help it along by placing in a warm oven at 200 degrees F for several hours. It should harden enough to paint, shellac, or spray with art fixative. 

Pumpkin Pie Playdough recipeThis smells great, so remind small children that it is not for eating. 

5 1/2 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (1 1/12 ounce) container pumpkin pie spice
Orange food coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 cups water 

Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth. Store in an airtight container. 

Salt Playdough recipe1 cup salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup flour 

Mix ingredients and cook over medium heat. Remove from heat when thick and rubbery. As mixture cools, knead in enough flour to make a workable dough. 

  1. Bubbles

Bubbles give children hours of fun. Get a bubble blowing machine and let the bubbles fly! The children will be dancing in them for hours. It will also add a beautiful scene to the reception. Bubbles look beautiful in pictures. Another option is to give each child their own bottle of bubbles. You can even make bubbles yourself and put them in containers that will correspond to your wedding colors.  

Basic Bubbles recipe1/4 cup liquid dishwashing detergent (grease-cutters are best)
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup 

Mix all ingredients and let bubbles settle. 

Crazy Bubbles recipePut 1 quart of water in a shallow tub. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar until it dissolves. Add 1/2 cup dishwashing liquid and stir again. Have kids dip in a slotted kitchen spoon or fly swatter, and swing it in the air.You can also cut both ends out of an empty frozen juice can. Dip one end in the bubbles and blow through the other. Makes huge bubbles! 

No More Tears Bubbles recipeThis is great for small children!1/4 cup no-tears baby shampoo
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons light corn syrup 

Mix all ingredients and let bubbles settle. 

  1. Books

Contact the parents of each child and find out what their favorite book is. You can then buy these books and give them to the children as their wedding favor. You could also rent them from your local library for free and return them later. Libraries usually allow you to keep books for about a month, so there will be no rush to return them. If the children do not have a favorite, get books that are popular children’s books. Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carl is always a favorite from younger children but there are many out there. Your local librarian can help you find the perfect book for the age of the children attending your wedding.  

  1. Cartoons

Have a portable DVD player on the kids table and a few children’s DVD’s to choose from. Assign an adult to watch after the movies and change the movie for the children. The kids can then sit and watch their favorite movies.  

  1. Get the DJ involved

If you have a DJ, have them play a few songs that the children will love. If you know, their favorite songs have them play those. If not, pick a few fun kid songs. Most adults will enjoy these songs as well!  

  1. Blocks, Lincoln Logs,  and Lego’s

Children love to build things and blocks, Lincoln logs, and Lego’s do just that. Keep in mind that these will get a little loud if they go tumbling over; which they are sure to do. However, if will give the children hours of entertainment.  

  1. Kids Dance

Allow the children to have center stage! Play a song and only let the children dance. They will love this time that is strictly for them. Pick a fun upbeat song that is familiar to them and watch them boogie. It will make for some really cute pictures as well!

A Unifying Guest Book Idea

natasha 1 Comment

painting 

Brides are always looking for unique takes on the traditional guest book. Often the traditional guest book ends up in the back of a cabinet or closet and is never seen again. Brides now want something unique that can have a purpose afterwards. That is why I love this idea of a guest painting. Shawn and Owen had their guest contribute to painting as their guest book alternative. Shawn and Owen assigned their friend Kathleen as the “art director”. Kathleen sketched an image of a sunflower on the canvas and divided it into squares. At the wedding, each guest was to paint one square on the grid. The couple set up a table full of paints and directions that explained the project in detail. Afterwards the couple had a wonderful piece of artwork that went wonderfully in their new home. Check out One Love Photo for more information and another wonderful creation!

painting2

The Luck of the Irsh~St. Patrick’s Day Themed Wedding

natasha Leave a comment

Put a new spin on a St. Patrick’s Day themed wedding with beautiful greenery. Green orchids with slight hints of pink embellish centerpieces, bouquet, and the seating card table. The ring bearer pillow is beautiful beyond belief and the cake adds a touch of elegance to the whole theme. Add a touch of whimsy to the wedding by adding napkins that say, “It was not my lips you kissed but my soul.” This napkin portrays the perfect inspiration for the whole wedding. Place a wishing well out for your guests to write beautiful notes to the wedding couple instead of a traditional guestbook and you have a subtle yet simply elegant St. Patrick’s Day themed wedding.

st patty’s inspiration board

Top 15 Creative and Romantic ways to Pop the Question to Your Sweetheart

natasha 5 Comments

Proposing to your girlfriend will likely be one of your life’s most nerve-wracking experiences, no matter how ready you are that she will say yes. Whether you’re planning to take a traditional or a more unique approach to your engagement, you’re going to want to have things mapped out as much as possible to ensure it will be a perfect experience for you both. Here are some tried-and-true ideas for a flawless proposal.

  1. Scavenger Hunt: Turn your proposal into a mini adventure by hiding the ring somewhere in your apartment or home and having your girlfriend follow a set of clues that will lead her to the diamond. If you think this tactic will tip off your intended, you may consider getting your friends in on the scheme to pretend like it’s a group activity. But for those of you who think your girl wouldn’t dare expect a ring, a private scavenger hunt will be a fun and intimate way to really emphasize the surprise. Draw a map and let the romantic adventure begin.
  2. Romantic Dinner: While it may sound cliché, sometimes an intimate dinner is the perfect time to spring the proposal, especially for couples who value romance and privacy. The best way to go about this approach is to keep it out of the restaurants. Set up a cozy space at your home, in a park, or some other private space, and consider cooking the meal yourself. This will demonstrate your sincerity and lend an added sense of romance to the occasion. If you’re a terrible cook, then order some gourmet food from a high-rated local restaurant or have the evening catered.
  3. On Vacation: If you and your significant other have the opportunity for a fun, romantic getaway during the time frame that you want to propose, then make some travel arrangements and hold out for that perfect setting. Proposing on a vacation is an excellent way to make sure both you and your girlfriend are relaxed and have some alone time together to bask in the glory and excitement of your engagement before getting back to the real world.
  4. During a Mutual Hobby: Do you and your honey love to run marathons together? Maybe chess, photography, or bowling is more your thing? If your love is based on a mutual respect for a hobby or activity, consider building your proposal around the pastime that brought you together. Pop the question at the end of a run, tournament, or weekend photo drive. It will really make her think that you care about the relationship and that you love to spend time with her. Knowing that you and she can share many years of fun times together coupled with the excitement of the activity coupled with the reminder of all the things that bind your relationship together are sure to sweep her off her feet.
  5. In the Great Outdoors: There’s nothing more inspiring than getting outside and appreciating the natural beauty at your fingertips. Turn a mountain hike or a riverside stroll into a momentous activity by proposing to your girlfriend in the great outdoors. Maybe you make it a day trip just outside of town or maybe you go all out with a week-long trek through the deep woods. Once again, you and your spouse-to-be will be relaxed and in-tune to both yourselves, your surroundings, and your relationship, making your proposal all the more memorable.
  6. Over a Holiday: Think you could use a Christmas away from your family dramas and your Aunt Edna’s fruit cake? Convince your girlfriend that the two of you need a holiday on your own and spend some quality time curled up by the fire. Cook a romantic Christmas or Thanksgiving feast together and start some of your own traditions. You’ll both be so relaxed by a holiday without the traditional pressures that it will be the perfect time to surprise her with a ring. This time spent together will set in her mind and the thought of spending even more holidays with you will set in her mind. This is truly one of the most romantic times to propose to your sweetheart.
  7. Recreate Your First Date: Of course, it seems like forever ago that you and your girlfriend were a couple of awkward strangers trying to navigate the ins and outs of the first date experience. But something about that date worked, and, let’s face it, it’s most likely the one date in your courtship that you’re both destined to remember forever. So why not go back to that place where you were both aflutter with nerves and excitement? Recreating your first date lends a sense of history to your relationship and allows you both to be nostalgic and proud of how far you’ve come while being excited for the future ahead.
  8. Go Fishing: Whether or not your girl is in to angling over still waters, one creative way to propose is to get her out on a boat with a fishing pole in hand. Tie the ring (securely!) to the end of her pole and tell her you think she has a nibble. When she reels in her “fish,” you pop the question. It may sound a little cheesy on paper, but chances are your significant other isn’t a fisherwoman, and therefore she will be totally blown away and caught off guard to catch both a diamond and a fiancé. Also this shows your creativeness and a bit of your spontaneous spirit. Women love a man who is fun and spontaneous.
  9. Under the Stars: Make your proposal as dreamy as possible by asking for your girlfriend’s hand in marriage under a clear night sky. Pick a rural spot and suggest a nighttime picnic or if you’re lucky enough to live near an observatory ask her if she would like to view some constellations. Perhaps you could even look into renting out part of the observatory out for some added privacy. What woman doesn’t love to get swept of her feet under the stars. Pop the question under the stars and create some shooting stars of your own.
  10. The Classic: It’s been done a million times before, but combining your engagement ring with a glass of champagne is a classic and romantic way to pop the question. If you’re willing to be super vigilant, consider the old-time ritual of putting the ring in her champagne. Otherwise, tie it around the stem of her glass. It may not be the most original way to propose but it certainly is a very classy thing to do. What better way to celebrate your engagement than to drink up right after you here the words you want to hear. She will have a engagement to remember and that she will love to tell for years to come. So why not drink up and share your love with the love of your life and accent it with a bottle of the bubbly!
  11. Airplane Banner: OK, so you’ve seen it in a million movies, but it doesn’t mean that your girlfriend still wouldn’t be completely floored to get proposed to via a huge airplane banner in the sky. Or get fancy and hire a sky writer to spell it out in smoke. This isn’t the most romantic way to propose but it is certainly a fun way to do it. Picture this, you and your special lady swimming in the ocean and having a great day just spending time with each other and catching some rays. The clock strikes noon and here comes your plane. You tell her to look up to the sky and she sees your perfect proposal and you and she get to spend the rest of your lives together. Sound like this is up your alley?
  12. At the Movies: Are you and your honey total film buffs? Maybe going to the movies is a weekly ritual? Well one way to propose would be to capitalize on the resources at hand. Look into renting out a movie theater and recording your own personal video proposal to play on the big screen. Or go all out and create your own personal drive-in movie theater in your backyard. Either way if you two love to spend time together and enjoy a good film this could be the perfect way to tell your honey that you’re ready to take the next step in life together!
  13. Fortune Cookie: Fortune Cookies, with their future-telling messages, are a cute and unique way to orchestrate a proposal. Order in some Chinese food or go out to your favorite local dive and substitute your personalized fortune cookie for the restaurant version after the meal. You can order your own cookies with your custom messagebaked in or make your own cookies and bake in both the message and the ring. If you do decide to bake the message and the ring in together you better hope she isn’t an eat first read later kind of lady. Nonetheless this is a very cute and fun way to propose.
  14. Give her Big Sign: Signs are everywhere in this world, so why not use some to your advantage? Consider a proposal on a well-placed billboard, perhaps near your favorite shopping spot. Or, if you’re a sporty couple with a particular love for a particular team, take her to a game and pop the question on the jumbotron. Some women have stated that this might not be the most favorable way to propose but it is certainly done enough. On the bright side of the idea she will know that you want everyone to know that you love her and want to be with her for as long as you both shall live. This public display of affection is one that she will appreciate and remember forever.
  15. Puzzle Proposal: Maybe you and your girlfriend enjoy nothing more than a good jigsaw on a Saturday night or maybe you are just looking for a unique way to grab her attention. With some of the software on the market, you can create your own jigsaw puzzle with a custom message and even include an image by simply uploading your favorite picture. This method of proposal is both cute and creative and fun. Who doesn’t like spending some down time and putting together a good puzzle. She will know that you put a lot of thought into how you chose to propose when she gets the the end of this puzzle!

Puzzle Guest Book

natasha Leave a comment

photo puzzel 

Here is a unique guest book idea for all of you out there that love puzzles! Instead of the traditional guest book opt for a personalized photo puzzle. Many photo companies such as ,Shuttefly or Snapfish will turn your ordinary photos into a personalized puzzle. All you have to do is pick a picture of the two of you. Then submit it to the company and have it turned into a puzzle. At the reception have everyone sign the back of the puzzle pieces and now you have a personalized guest book that is sure to impress. Plus it is something you can use again and again.

Trend Alert~Vows on Your Cake!

natasha Leave a comment

Vows on Cake 

This year Brides are branching out and finding fun and unique ways to personalize their weddings. One really popular idea this year is to write your vows on your wedding cake. I have seen this done in a few different ways. Some people choose a choice word or two that signifies their wedding, while others go all out and have all of their vows written on their cakes. If this sounds like a good idea, I would defiantly find a cake designer that has done this thing before or that you really trust. This will keep things safe; because this design when done well is simply breathtaking. However, it can end up looking just messy if it is not done right. Pic

In Loving Memory Vase

natasha Leave a comment

In loving memory vase 

Many times the bride and groom look for ways to show remembrance for loved ones that have passed at there wedding. It is a way to say that they are in their hearts and in their memories on this special day. If this is something you are looking to do then these vases are a great way to achieve this. These vases are engraved with a poem and the names of your loved ones. They would look good with flowers or even filled with water, holding a floating candle. Check it out!