Is An At-Home Wedding for You?

Whether you’re saying ‘I do’ in your living room, or you’re having a backyard wedding, at-home weddings are a challenge. A couple of weeks before our at-home wedding, our neighbor placed a big, honking boatlift on his beach. This wasn’t any old boatlift. It was a rickety, rusty eyesore.

I wouldn’t have cared. Honest. It’s just that my husband-to-be and I spent months getting our lakefront home ready for our backyard wedding. This involved adding flowerbeds, planting a truckload of ever-thirsty impatiens (more on those later), power washing, and even painting.

I envisioned my guests mingling on the spotless deck, cocktails in hand, a soft breeze from Lake Erie cooling their sun-exposed skin. I pictured sailboats in the distance, a beach free of garbage and smelly dead things and an unobstructed view of Fermi II (that’s the nuclear power plant across the lake). I did not forsee a rusty, contraption of a boatlift to be part of the picture.

So, I traipsed on over to my neighbor’s house and told him we were getting married and we were having an at-home wedding. And by the way, can you move your boatlift, because it won’t look nice in my wedding photos? (The nerve of me!)

Our wedding day came and went, and the boatlift didn’t budge. And you know what? It didn’t matter. Not a single bit. I did not harbor bad feelings towards my neighbor, and he did not hold my temporary lapse of reason against me. In fact, the day before our wedding, he offered us the use of a wooden platform that we ended up using it as a stage for the Irish band!

Looking back, I can’t believe that I was so petty. But that’s what planning a wedding can do to you. Even a small wedding. It can make you crazy. Unrecognizable. The evil twin sister you didn’t know you had can suddenly rear her ugly head. Heck, there are even TV shows about this kind of thing.

And having an at-home wedding can intensify the symptoms -especially if you are a perfectionist. There are so many extra details involved with planning an at-home wedding that it can be overwhelming for anyone - but especially those who have a penchant for perfection.

Not only will you be running around like a hen with her head missing trying to cross off the zillion things on your to-do list, you’ll also want to make sure your home is extra-tidy, extra-lovely, extra-special for your extra-important big day. And that will take Effort. (Note the capital ‘E’ for emphasis.)

One of the first things Darin and I did when we decided to have a backyard wedding was head out to a local nursery to load up on flowers, and other bedding plants. In fact, we spent the entire spring and summer landscaping our property, which included planting dozens of flats of impatiens, as well as an assortment of perennials.

Through it all, I discovered a new passion - gardening, and I lost weight without even trying! (Hauling wheelbarrows full of earth day after day will get you in shape pretty fast!)I also discovered that impatiens and a scorching hot summer climate make for a very LARGE water bill.

Even though we were having our at-home wedding outdoors, Darin and I decided not only to landscape the yard - but also fix up our house before the wedding. This included stripping wallpaper, painting, stripping more wallpaper, and did I mention stripping wallpaper? We had plenty of help from family, but Darin and I truly busted our behinds trying to get things in order.

Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don’t lift a finger on home improvements. If that’s the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

However, there are still things to keep in mind if you are planning an at-home wedding.

1. Toilets. It’s probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it’s probably one of the most important. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you’re going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home. But after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind. If you are having an outdoor wedding, do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?) After doing some research, we discovered that port-a-johns definitely aren’t what they used to be. There are new user-friendly models in a variety of colors. Not only are they more pleasing to the eye, they have sinks and flush toilets. Even though they are more expensive, they were definitely worth the splurge.

2. Neighbors. Warn them in advance and give them a heads up closer to the big day. They might even offer up their driveways for parking - or a portable stage! Be extra kind to them as you get close to your wedding day, so that they will put up with potentially high noise levels from your happy wedding guests.

3. Invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he’ll need to know how much space there is to work in - as well as fridge and stove details.

4. If you are doing the outdoor thing, rent a tent. That is, unless you have a huge tolerance for risk. (Which I do not.)

5. Hire a cleaning person to clean your home thoroughly prior to your wedding - not to mention after your big day. Unless of course, you have a lovely friend or relative who has kindly offered to take on this task.

6. Have bug spray handy. Citronella candles might provide ambiance, but they are useless when it comes to fending off hungry ‘mossies’.

7. If your guests like to over-imbibe, be prepared: some might want to crash at your house. We had a pretty tame crowd at our wedding, but like any good party, there’s a chance this will happen at your wedding. If you’re not equipped for sleepovers, be smart and call a cab.

8. Enjoy the journey. Easy for me to say - I got married eight years ago. But, really, try not to sweat the small stuff - like boatlifts.

9. Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off. Planning a wedding at home is no small feat, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you will accomplish. Raise a glass to yourself - (and to your neighbor) for a job well done!

Christina Friedrichsen is the author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style and owner of IntimateWeddings.com, a website dedicated to small weddings.

A special thanks to:

Photography by memoriesINtime, a Milan MO photographer, for the beautiful photo of a wedding ceremony in front of a lake.

Hollyhock Flowers, a Weare NH florist, who create the fabulous flowers decorating the wooden bridge in the second photo.

Petals-a-Florist, an Atlanta GA florist, who designed the sensational pew markers in the third photo.

You’ve just attended a beautiful, meaningful wedding ceremony of a close friend. Your heart is aflutter with the feelings of love and romance. As you make your way to the reception, you imagine the glow of candlelight, beautiful crystal, silver, and pristine china place settings at each table. You wonder what the wedding cake will look like: square or round? Three or four tiers? Elegant or whimsical? As you enter the reception hall, it is just as you imagined. Your eyes search for the center of attention: the wedding cake. Ah, yes, there it is in the center of the room, but wait, that’s not - oh it can’t be -cupcakes?

Wedding Cupcakes Take the Cake

Welcome to the latest trend in wedding cakes. No longer is the traditional tiered wedding cake a “given.” Brides and grooms are choosing various alternatives to the main attraction of their wedding receptions. And cupcakes are a big hit these days. But these aren’t the homemade cupcakes your grandma used to make.

These are miniature works of art as bakers give attention to every detail, just as they would a wedding cake. And when you come to think of it, there are many advantages to using cupcakes as your “wedding cake.” You can vary the flavors, the decorations, and how you display them. They can be “tiered” on pedestal cake plates for a cake table centerpiece or served at each place for a sit down reception, which eliminates the sometimes messy slicing of a cake. And they can be more cost-effective than a traditional wedding cake. What’s not to love?!

Go for Decadence with Cheesecake

Another popular alternative being used a lot is cheesecake. As a favorite restaurant dessert, cheesecake can be especially elegant and decadent. And if cheesecake is something you and your fiancé love, why not serve it at your wedding reception instead of wedding cake? It has the versatility that cupcakes have in that you can tier several cheesecakes for a wedding cake look or you can serve individual cheesecakes. And the flavor possibilities are endless: dark chocolate truffle, key lime, white chocolate with raspberry sauce, pumpkin—any flavor you like! Again, you can serve more than one flavor to appeal to all your guests.

Mini Cakes with Maximum Impact

This trend works especially well for sit-down receptions. Let the centerpiece for each table be a miniature tiered wedding cake that will serve all the people at that table. It’s a cake; it’s a centerpiece; it’s a little more personal, too.

You can vary the flavors, colors and styles of the cakes at each table or keep them all the same for a cohesive and elegant look, and you have all the design and flavor possibilities of a traditional wedding cake. Provide a cake knife and server at each table and let the guests serve themselves.

It’s Easy as Pie!

You can really rock your guests’ world when they’re expecting the same old wedding cake—and they get a luscious, homemade pie. Many brides are choosing to serve fruit or cream pies at their wedding receptions for a more informal dessert, and in many cases just because they prefer pie to cake.

For regions known for their apples, blueberries or strawberries, this is an exceptional way to show off your state’s prized fruit. You can find the best bakery in town to create beautifully baked pies, or you can ask that family member known for their great-tasting pies to lend a hand and bake them for you.

What could be better at a July wedding than a juicy, homemade apple pie? Or a tangy key-lime pie with freshly whipped cream in June? And nothing tastes better than strawberry pie when strawberries are at their peak. Whatever month your wedding is, there is a pie that will work perfectly. Again, you can serve the pies from a central location or provide a centerpiece pie at each table for the guests to help themselves.

These would look especially pretty on a silver or crystal pedestal cake plate. There’s something about eating a slice of homemade pie that brings back happy childhood memories and nostalgic feelings, which is a great way to celebrate your big day.

We All Scream for Ice Cream?

Ice cream is associated with celebrations: birthdays, July 4th, a cool treat on a hot summer night. So, why not let ice cream be the centerpiece of your wedding reception? You can offer an upscale ice cream bar where guests can create their own ice cream sundae masterpiece. Use silver ice cream scoops, silver bowls and spoons for toppings, and let your guests dig in. While it may seem unorthodox at a wedding reception, your guests will have a great time and will always remember what a blast your reception was.

So, whichever trendy alternative you choose in lieu of a traditional wedding cake, it will be a surprisingly delicious way to celebrate your wedding. And it will be another way your individuality can shine through on this special day.

A special thanks goes to:

Toria Dolce Fine Desserts & Wedding Cakes, an Ashaway Rhode Island wedding cake bakery, for their wedding cupcakes photo.

Palermo’s Bakery, a wedding cake bakery in Ridgefield Park NJ, for their mini wedding cakes photo.

Callie’s Confection, a bakery in Asheville NC who speicalizes in wedding cakes and pastries, for their strawberry pie photo.

la fiesta Quinceanera- A Young Woman’s Fifteenth Birthday Celebration

In Spanish “quince” means fifteen and “años” means year. Originating with the Aztec culture, the la fiesta Quinceañera or Quinceaños is the custom of having a special 15th birthday celebration. Later the celebration was incorporated into the Mexican and Latin American cultures.  Through the years these cultures have added their own traditional elements to the celebration.

Historically the celebration has been referred to as Quinceaños and the celebrant as the Quinceañera.  Many today refer to both the party and the participant as Quinceañera.  Although this is a cultural celebration, the symbolic atmosphere surrounding this coming of age party offers a way for any family to recognize the importance of family and community in the transformation of a young girl in to a young lady.

A Quinceañera - Where It Begins
Traditionally, the quinceañera begins with a very important ceremony held in a church where a special mass is celebrated. During this ceremony, the priest presents the young lady as an adult member of the congregation.  This begins the formal recognition of the young girls transformation into adulthood.

After the church service (similar to a Bat Mitzvah), the young lady continues on to a reception similar to a sweet sixteen party. Since community and friendship play an intricate part in this celebration, she is accompanied by seven female attendants (damas) and seven male attendants (chambelánes) as she makes her entrance at the party. Every component of this celebration plays an special part in the symbolic nature of this young girl’s emergence into adulthood.

Appropriate Attire For A Quinceañera

In keeping with the formality of the celebration the attire is also very formal. The young lady shows her respect and honored status by wearing a beautiful ball gown usually with a petticoat or hoop slip. Pure or soft colors, such as white or pastel colors like pink, blue or yellow, are often the dress colors chosen.

Customarily, the quinceañera girl chooses to wear a white dress and has her damas wear a pastel color in the same style of dress. With cumber buns that match the damas’ dresses, the chambelánes wear tuxedos. Although these are the more traditional colors, this celebration is defined by the personality of the young lady.

Many young 15 year olds want their special celebration to be unique. So, you may see them wear dresses that are red, purple, or even a mixture of colors.

Invitations For A Quinceanera

Quinceañera invitations are just like any other party invitation. Styles can vary from very formal to theme invitations and sent several weeks in advance of the party.  Invitations should be sent no later than a month before the quinceañera.  This will give guests plenty of time to find a formal outfit for the party.

Formal invitations are sent inviting special friends to be the attendants for the celebration. These invitations are sent several months prior to the celebration.  This allows for coordination of all the participants as well as time for dress and tuxedo fittings.

Accessorizing The Quinceañera

You will find accessories hold great importance in this celebration. Some important accessories are gloves, scepter, tiara, a quinceañera doll, as well as ring or bracelet. A tiara and scepter signify not only that she is a princess, but that she reigns over her past childhood and looks forward to being a responsible young lady.

The quinceañera doll is usually given to her by her grandparents and will often be made of porcelain and have the same style and color dress as hers. The doll symbolizes the last doll she will ever get as she has now stepped into womanhood.  This is only one of many symbolic gifts given to the quinceañera.

Her “padrinos” (godparents) present her with a very special gift of honor; usually a bracelet, necklace or earrings.

Celebrating the Quinceañera - Decoration, Music and Photo Ops

The party can be a very lavish affair or a simple get together. Decorations can be anything from balloons to streamers as well as candles and flowers. Yes, even themed quinceañera parties, such as a 50’s theme, can be found at these celebrations. Basic traditions still apply. However as with any party, each girl has her own unique way of celebrating her fifteenth birthday. Some young ladies choose a horse drawn carriage to take them from the church to the reception area. Others may choose a limousine which can transport all her attendants.

The celebrated young lady often takes her first waltz or dance with her father. After she has danced with her father, the quinceañera is free to dance with her chambelánes or even her damas. You may even find a bit of a new twist on the dance floor with a choreographed dance done by the quinceañera girl and her damas and chamblanes. This is often done to more contemporary music played by a live band or by a Disc Jockey. Video is recommended for this part as photographs don’t capture the fun movements of the dance. You will also want to make sure that you have hired a photographer for formal pictures of the young lady with her damas and chambelánes as well her family.

Treats For Quinceañera Guests - Party Favors, Food and Drink

Most quinceañera celebrations are catered. While any food can be served for the party, Latin food is often served. Items such as enchiladas, peccadillo, and tamales make great choices. The main attraction at the food table is the cake which is ornate and similar to a wedding cake. Some cakes have cute cake toppers, while others are elaborate multi-tiered cakes with artistic ornamentation. Beverages run the gamut from  punches to soda and from wine to champagne.  You will often find punch fountains, champagne fountains and even chocolate fountains at these celebrations.

Just like any birthday party you will find party favors. Decorate the tables with party favors such as little mint tins with the name of the young lady and the date, chocolates that go with the theme, or even place cards held up with commemorative take home candles. All make sweet gifts to say thank you for celebrating this special day with me.

A quinceañera is a very special tradition that many Latin cultures hold dear. It is a time to say goodbye to their young daughter, cousin, sister, or friend and say welcome to the beginning of adulthood and responsibility. It holds religious significance as well and often the priest will ask the young lady’s friends to commit to her, to help her in making good decision as she grows older. It is a time to say goodbye to her childhood and embrace her newly found womanhood.

While rooted in Latin American tradition, you can have a quinceañera party for any one who’s turning fifteen. Taking the basic idea of this tradition and making one of your own for your teen, will make an outstanding party any teen will proud to have. Since “quinceanera” is merely Spanish for fifteenth year, all you need is a beautiful party dress, some attendants and of course a soon to be fifteen year old and viola! A quinceañera party is well on its way.

A special thanks goes to:

Get The Picture Inc , an Austin Texas Photographer, who shared their beautiful photo of a Quinceanera with tiara.

Ella Park Bridal, a Wedding and Quinceanera dress company in Newburgh Indiana, who gave a gorgeous example of a Quinceanera gown.

Festive Ice Sculptures and The Chocolate Fountain Co., a provider of awesome chocolate fountains in the Watford Ontario area, for the fantastic photo of the chocolate and fruit table.

Prom Night. This eventful evening is quite possibly the most anticipated night of the year for high school teenagers across the nation. From the prom dress to the prom limo, every detail of the evening must be perfect to fulfill those high expectations. Of course there is the actual dance, but the prom experience is so much more than a few slow dances with your high school sweetheart. Prom night is about dressing up in glamorous prom dresses and handsome suits and cramming all of the activities that you can into the most memorable night of your life. This exciting night starts by taking thousands of pictures of you and your date before you leave.

More than just “Taking Prom Pictures”

Prom pictures are a very important part of the prom experience. They are what makes those wonderful prom night memories last forever.

It is best to take these pictures before the festivities begin so prom hair has not gone flat and prom corsages are still vibrant with color. However, everyone meeting just to take 100 pictures in the same pose is somewhat boring. Why not turn the boring “picture taking” into a “hors d’oeuveres and cocktails” hour? Remember, pictures can be taken as friends and family arrive.

Prom pictures should include more than just photos of couples. This night is about friendship and fun, so have pictures taken with friends as well. While waiting for their turn in front of the camera, prom-goers can enjoy fancy snacks and fruity drinks before the crew heads out for dinner. A table filled with delicious food and a fancy floral centerpiece will set the elegant mood for the night. Starting the night with this type of party and atmosphere allows for nerves to settle and uptight dates to loosen up before the big night.

Prom Dining - Go Big or Go Home

Now some prom-goers choose to skip out on the dinner plans on prom night. However, sitting down for a nice meal before a long night of fun is advised. A pre-prom meal helps to calm jittery nerves and allows you and your date to relax before the actual prom dance. Dinner is also a fantastic experience to share with other friends that will be attending the prom. To add an exceptional touch to the night, you and a few of your friends could take a stretch limo from the hors d’oeuveres party to dinner and then to the prom. A stretch limo will add to the red carpet feel of all your prom night activities.

If you choose to go to dinner, be sure and choose a restaurant appropriate for prom attire. For example, it would be quite odd to see a guy in a tux and a gal in an evening gown eating at McDonald’s. The point is that you want to fit in with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Low lighting, tablecloths, and fancy tableware are good indications that the restaurant is appropriate for prom apparel. Last but not least - Enjoy Dinner! It’s not everyday that you get to wear an evening gown and tuxedo out to a fancy dinner in a limo!

Grand March – Prom On Display

Not all schools have a “Grand March.”  However, they have recently become a popular trend. During the Grand March individuals and couples are announced by name as they parade down a carpet.

This allows all of the other attendees and parents to see each and every person that has come to the prom. It is basically your “10 seconds of fame”. Everyone’s eyes are on you, ooo-ing and aww-ing as you walk down the carpet.

If your school does not have a Grand March prom tradition, it might be a good idea to suggest adding it to the itinerary this year!

Prom - “At Last”

It seems as though it is never going to arrive, and once it is here it’s gone in a flash. Prom is a fun filled night of dancing, laughing, and for some, falling in love. Not a dancer? You can still enjoy the band at prom. Who knows? Your feet might start tapping to the beat. Whether you are with a date or by yourself, remember that the prom experience is what you make it. Good attitudes make good memories and fun times, so be sure to leave the house with a smile!

After-Prom Breakfast

The party is not over just because the DJ is packing up and going home. One final destination is in store to make the perfect prom night: The After Prom Breakfast.

A parent or group of parents usually hosts these parties at their home or at an event hall. Either way, this is a very important part of the night. It is where all of the students get to gather together, take off those uncomfortable tuxedos and dresses, eat some good food, and reminisce about the fun times they have had over the past few hours.

This after prom breakfast can be as elaborate or as casual as you like. Prom party decorations such as streamers, balloons, and fun centerpieces are a nice added touch to the atmosphere and help create more of a “party” environment. Food for the after-prom breakfast can be catered to help save the host time and stress. Of course you will need to find a caterer who will agree to work at an odd hour or one who will provide the food at a normal hour that will only need to be reheated.

Remember that you only have one senior prom, and the memories made that prom night will last you a lifetime. So, go all out in 2009 and make it a prom that any high school student would envy. Caterers, limo services, and restaurants are booked up pretty fast. Therefore, be sure and make reservations for services well ahead of time to be sure you have everything you need to make your 2009 prom a memorable one!

Share your prom story with Wedding and Party Network. Go to http://www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/blog/ask-share/ and tell us all about your prom.

Got prom pictures? Send your prom pictures to Wedding and Party Network and we’ll post them on our photo gallery for all your friends to see. Go to http://www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/gallery/send and upload your favorite pics.

Next to choosing a dress, choosing a wedding hairstyle for your wedding day is the biggest decision a bride must make. It is not exactly rocket science; up, down, or half up are the three basic hairstyles. With bridal tiaras, hair pins, wedding jewelry, and veils, we must use the wedding hairstyle to tie in all of the accessories in a classic fashion.

Wedding Hairstyles Meet Fashion and Accessories

When deciding how to wear your hair on your wedding day there are many different variables to consider.  First, and most important, is the style of wedding dress you have chosen and the neckline that it portrays. Depending on whether the dress is strapless, sweetheart cut, v-neck, or scoop neck, the hairstyle you choose for your wedding day may be changed.

If you are wearing a strapless wedding dress on your wedding day, and want to expose the collarbone and neckline of the dress, an up-do would be the best option to present the silhouette of the shoulders. Although up-do’s are great for strapless dresses, wearing the hair down is very classic and also looks fabulous against the strapless neckline.

Sweetheart necklines are romantic and elegant in nature and look fabulous with a hairstyle that eludes soft curls falling from a half-up hairstyle. This hairstyle is very natural and when done with loose curls is very loving and romantic; perfect for the wedding day! Dresses with straps or sleeves are most elegantly accompanied by a classic up-do. In this case it all depends on how much of the fabric is detailed around the shoulders and neckline of the dress.

Plan Ahead For An Incredibly Beautiful Wedding Hairstyle

On your wedding day, a bride wants to feel as though she stepped out of a fairytale storybook, where everything, including her hair, is perfect. This is why it is so important to meet with your hair stylist in advance and discuss ideas and have a few practice runs before the big day. This ensures that everything on the day of the wedding runs smoothly and you are not disappointed with the final result.

Coming to a final decision on what hairstyle to go with on the wedding day may take quite a bit of thinking and coordinating with other bridal accessories such as the bridal veil and wedding jewelry. The most important thing to remember is when choosing a wedding hairstyle, it is best to look as natural as possible. Find a hairstyle that is similar to how you wear your hair day to day. The key is to look like a more beautiful, you on your wedding day; not someone who you aren’t.

Coordination Is Key To Great Wedding Hairstyles

At your first appointment with the hairstylist, it is suggested that all brides bring a picture of flowers, the dress, any accessories you may be wearing, and maybe a few pictures of the ceremony decorations so the stylist can get an idea of the overall style of the wedding scenery.

The wedding hair stylist will be the most help to you in deciding which hairstyle is best suited for you. However, it is always best to take a friend or family member to the first hair appointment for advice in making a decision.

The wedding theme plays a large factor in selecting a wedding hairstyle and personal wedding accessories. Whimsical wedding decorations with flowing fabrics, delicate flowers, and feminine touches bring out a romantic ambiance that calls for simple but elegant wedding hairstyles and wedding accessories. More modern wedding decorations with bold colors and inventive décor call for more modern, edgy wedding accessories and up-do’s. With pictures of the wedding décor, flowers, and wedding accessories, the hair stylist will be able to help you figure out which hair style is best for your wedding day.

Practice Makes Perfect Wedding Day Hair

You never see an athlete run a race without at least one practice run beforehand, or an opera singer bring down the house without rehearsing several times. To make sure everything runs smoothly on the actual wedding day, it is suggested that every bride have a trial run a few weeks before the wedding day. This means going through all the preparation phases: hair, make-up, and getting the dress on.

First of all, you want to make sure that the bobby pins and hair spray will be able to hold your wedding hairstyle for the length of time that the ceremony and wedding festivities will last. It would be terrible for you to arrive at the ceremony with your up-do unraveling as fast as you can say “I do”. Secondly, you want to make sure you are comfortable. You may love a hairstyle the first few minutes of it being fixed, but after four hours of bobby pins pulling your hair in a million different directions you may have second thoughts. To make sure you are comfortable on your wedding day, have a trial run.

Pre-Wedding Pictures Are A Snap (And Helpful!)

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought “Wow, I look good!” and then reflected on pictures of that same night and hated them? Photos don’t always capture what you want them to which is why the pre-wedding picture session is so necessary. Pictures are a very important part of your wedding day. This is why it is so important to make sure wedding hair and accessories are perfect. What better way to assure your wedding photos are fabulous than to have a pre-wedding picture party? This could be done when bridal photos are taken, or just as a simple trial wedding photo session. By doing this you can rearrange wedding accessories, flowers, tiaras, and any other hair décor that might need to be adjusted for photos on the actual wedding day.

Selecting a wedding hairstyle can be a stressor, but as long as you follow these simple suggestions, you are sure to be confidently stunning on your big day. Choosing your wedding day hairstyle is the hardest part of the process, so when the big day comes, just sit back, relax, and enjoy being pampered on your wedding day!

The Guide to Wedding Flowers by Season

Planning your wedding day is like baking a great chocolate cake. You want to use a tried-and-true recipe, the best ingredients for the most flavor, and all the right tools for a glorious, rich dessert that looks and tastes like a million bucks-but without breaking the bank.

One of the most important decisions you will make about your wedding day is what flowers you will use for your wedding bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, wedding centerpieces, boutonnieres, flower girl flowers and pew flowers. Nothing sets the mood for a wedding like flowers.

As the second most expensive item you’ll choose (next to the wedding gown), it’s important to choose wisely so that you get the most for your money and the atmosphere you desire. Just as in preparing a delicious meal, buying seasonal and local ingredients gives you the best results, both in expense and flavor. The same is true for flowers. Most flowers are distinctive to the seasons, so if you can take advantage of their ready availability, you will not only save money, but also have the best seasonal “ingredients” for your wedding day.

Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to use all the same flowers for all your wedding needs. Using a variety of flowers, colors and designs is the trend for today’s weddings. According to leading floral expert, Rebecca Cole, “Wedding flowers follow fashion trends, and today, individuality, rather than convention is in style.”

While most flowers bloom in a particular season, there are several that bloom year-round. Roses, anthuriums, orchids, tropical flowers, lilies and gerbera daisies are available anytime of the year. Read the rest of Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide »

2009 Entertaining Calendar

Just as clothes, cars, and music change, so does the art of entertaining guests. Over the years, styles and fashions of many different types of parties may have changed, but the desire to host a fashionable and memorable event certainly has not. Guests will look forward to your seeing old and new friends in a comfortable yet exciting atmosphere.

Hosting monthly parties yourself or rotating hosting responsibilities through a group of friends is a great way to get together and have a great time. For 2009, the entertainers guide to hosting great parties is all about creativity. Below we have gathered some ideas to assist you in making a year of entertaining not only memorable for guests, but also effortless for the host.

New Years Day

New Years Day party ideas are usually quite standard, but because there is no real theme to the New Year you can let your creativity and your imagination really flow. Decade theme parties are always a blast. This New Years Day party, host a 70’s or 80’s themed party fully embracing the theme through music and clothing. Guests dressed up in themed clothing help set the mood and provide much of the decoration for the event. Also, disc jockeys have a tremendous library of music to keep your decade-dressed guests dancing all night long.

Valentines Day

Romance is in the air for the month of February. Entertaining for Valentines Day calls for a romantic dinner party for couples to come and enjoy good company and great food. Dinner parties are low key social get-togethers that allow all guests to really socialize over a gourmet meal and maybe enjoy some subtle entertainment such as a professional pianist resounding soothing romantic music. To assist the host in planning for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, a professional chef may be of service in presenting a fabulous meal to guests, which allows the host to entertain guests as they arrive.

St. Patrick’s Day

Green leprechauns, though always appropriate, are a little bit cliché for St. Patrick’s Day parties this year. 2009 calls for creative floral arrangements and imaginative food creations. With the help of a professional florist and caterer, a St. Patrick’s Day party will be as easy as 1, 2, and 3.

First, arrange for a florist to create “all green” floral arrangements for the tables of the party venue. Whether a dinner party or cocktail party, these great St. Patrick’s Day arrangements will be the center of attention. Second, great food is the key to a great party. A professional caterer or chef can assist the party host in creating unique “green” dishes from appetizers to desserts. Each course will bring a new exciting layer to the St. Patrick’s Day party.

Easter

Easter is the time of year when spring is in the air and new life is brought about by the new season. Easter parties such as teas or luncheons are very appropriate for the spiritual holiday. Delicious desserts paired with tasty teas suit the season as well as the theme of the party. Easter decorations are most exemplified by fresh flowers. Creative, edgy designs using pastel colors can bring a modern twist to an otherwise traditional arrangement. Simple table arrangements with modern tableware will add to the contemporary Easter theme of the party.

Cinco de Mayo

Nothing says “summer” like a sizzling Cinco de Mayo party. The yearly Cinco de Mayo party seems to be the unofficial release of summer. Fresh grilled pineapple shrimp and chicken paired with an assortment of mixed drinks will be sure to keep your guests entertained all night long. Spice things up at your Cinco de Mayo party with a professional mariachi band to entertain guests with festive music. With great grilled food and sensational live music, your Cinco de Mayo party will surely be a hit.

Independence Day

July 4th is the ultimate time for a backyard barbeque for family and friends. Get creative this year for Independence Day by hosting a barbeque contest. Invite guests over, grills in tote, to face off in the ultimate Independence Day cook off. Not only does the competition give purpose to the party, but also provides other guests with delicious food to munch on all day long.

Labor Day

Also a big grilling holiday, Labor Day parties signify the end of the summer season. Step up your classic outdoor party this year with a professional band to play live music as guests enjoy great food and good company. Create great memories for guests by hiring a professional photographer to take pictures of guests enjoying themselves. Combine the action shots with a fun photo album and you’ve got yourself a creative souvenir for all of your guests.

Halloween

Costume parties are always appropriate for this spooky holiday. However, 2009 brings a new spirit to the ghostly affair. This year, create a creepy haunted house atmosphere for your Halloween party with dim lighting, fake spider webs, antique décor, and several candles of all shapes and sizes. Candles filling a room with just enough light create such a spooky ambiance and a great setting for a Halloween party. Don’t have enough candles to create the look? Several party or wedding vendors carry candles to buy or even rent for one time use.

Thanksgiving

Tradition is tradition for the Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing beats a Thanksgiving celebration like some good food and great company. Invite friends and family over to celebrate the fall season over a fabulous meal. To simplify the hosting duties, hire a caterer or a professional chef to do all the work. Utilizing professionals while hosting a party can relieve stress and allow the host to visit with guests instead of messing with hosting duties.

Christmas

Holiday parties can be as serious or as carefree as the host desires. Sit-down Christmas meals are always appropriate for a traditional get-together. However, with so many families having traditional sit-down dinners, friendly gatherings usually try to embrace a more relaxed side of Christmas. This year try hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, where all guests are required to wear a Christmas sweater that even their tacky great aunt would be ashamed to wear. Your guests will be laughing all night long.

As the years pass, so do the trends of entertaining. Just remember that classy and creative is always in style when it comes to entertaining guests. As a host, let your personality shine through in the atmosphere of the party and don’t forget to use the professionals every now and then to ease the workload!

Contributor: Jordon Robinson

Have Your Cake and Top Too!

Colors! Cake! Flowers! Music! So many decisions! Anyone who has witnessed or is planning a wedding can attest to the multitude of design decisions to be made when planning a ceremony and reception. It’s a list that goes on and on. The location sets the tone for the event; the flowers add whimsy; photos, pets, and music add personality. Today, the amount of the opportunities for conveying individuality is ever increasing as the wedding industry has begun to acknowledge and cater to the qualities of each couple rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all ceremony.

Almost every aspect of a wedding day is available for tweaking. This includes the flowers, vows, bridesmaids dress, and endless other details. The reception carries this trend with everything from centerpieces to entrées, and even napkins. However, few parts of this day can be preserved and taken home as a souvenir of the launch of a new life.

One item that has become a shining example of personalization-meets-tradition is the wedding cake and more specifically the wedding cake topper. It was once the epitome of mass-produced tackiness that was the demise of past wedding ceremonies, and it is now a traditional piece used to display the couple’s identity, whether it is goofy, geeky, or glamorous.

The official origin of wedding cake toppers is unknown, and there are as many stories as there are choices. However, most historians agree that cake toppers can be traced back to the 19th century when the tradition of the bride and groom in formal attire symbolize atop the cake began. The trend took hold in America in the 1940s and has become a staple in wedding cake design ever since.

Like many elements of today’s weddings, the demand for unique wedding cakes and wedding cake toppers has led to a tremendous amount of choices ranging in everything from the quirky and humorous to the elegant and traditional. Even once a couple decides on a direction for their cake topper, they’re still left with a dizzying array of choices to further enhance their wedding cake design.

A popular option for many cakes today is to top them with a monogram of the either the couple’s combined initials or the first letter of their last name. It is a sophisticated way to display individuality and the uniting of two people. Couples can choose the font, size, and material of the piece. Ideas monogram toppers include for etched glass, cut mirror, or metallic materials. Some choose to take it a step further and add rhinestones, flowers, or crystals to add extra glitz to their cake.

For a wedding on a beach, a tropical-themed cake topper would be a great way to tie-in the wedding cake with the nature of the ceremony. Ceramic figurines depicting a couple in their favorite beach attire is a light-hearted touch to a normally casual event. There are also sculptures of beach scenes and items like shells and palm trees in a variety of materials. Like most other toppers, the design of these can be incredibly detailed, showing facial expressions, sand on the beach, or patterns in clothing, or they can be monochromatic, lyrical pieces full of movement and grace.

Wedding cake toppers for an avid hobbyist are ideal for laid-back ceremonies or grooms’ cakes. Golfers, baseball fanatics, and car enthusiasts can all find a topper to suit their interests and are sure to make guests chuckle. Geeks can also find their niche by choosing geeky groom toppers such as sci-fi themed or techie options. The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the perfect topper to match a matchless personality!

Other themed wedding cake toppers choices include those for the sportsman, fisherman, musician, and the farmer. The list never seems to end! A great idea for a musician is a microphone-shaped cake topper or a music note. And the fisherman is sure to get a kick out of a bride and groom donning waders and fishing poles! Brides who enjoy shopping can find a number of choices of shop-a-holic brides, and grooms who enjoy a friendly game of golf can find a golfing groom to complement his game.

Religious cake toppers are another choice for couples who are devoted in their beliefs and want a wedding cake that reflects their faith. For example, grooms wearing kippahs are available for Jewish ceremonies, and lovely items, such as crosses and doves, are offered for Christian weddings.

What’s more, members of the military can even find a cake topper to suit their needs. If the groom wears his dress blues in his wedding, he can find a cake topper to match. Usually, highly specialized cake toppers such these are sold alone. By opting for the interchangeable cake toppers, couples can find a perfectly suited arrangement the fit their personalities to a tee.

Every couple is unique and together they possess a dynamic unlike any other. Modern wedding planning seeks to display that special something that makes them work so wonderfully together. Each aspect of wedding can contribute to this goal, including the cake. Choosing a wedding cake topper is another step towards making a wedding one-of-a-kind.

Contributor: Ashley Slayton

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The Center of Attention In Party Decorations

Unique Centerpieces for all Occasions

Tired of the same boring, round centerpiece with dull, lackluster flowers used for every occasion? Bump up the creativity and excitement with a unique centerpiece by using bright, energetic colors and distinctive personal touches. Vast, striking, stargazer lilies accented with silver tinge embraced by a sleek glass vase is a quite modern centerpiece that is full of life and a perfect for any occasion. A beautiful, vibrant table centerpiece is the focal point of the room and can capture the attention of guests within moments of arrival. Themed centerpieces, regardless of the occasion, bring decoration and conversation to the party setting in a matter of minutes. With simple assembly in minimal time, these unique centerpieces will give you amazing table decorations without running down the clock.

Wedding Centerpieces

There are so many ways to create a beautiful wedding centerpiece. Utilizing vibrant colors and personalized touches in unique wedding centerpieces is a great way for the wedding hosts to make their festivities distinctive and memorable. Soft, lush, floral centerpieces are always appropriate for weddings and can incorporate any color scheme or flowers the wedding party desires. Spring, summer, winter, or fall, floral arrangements can be created using any kind of flowers the bride and groom choose.

Floral centerpieces can also incorporate candles into the arrangement, creating a romantic glow Read the rest of Unique Table Centerpieces »

Wedding Shower Etiquette: Keeping The Love

What could be better than being in love, surrounded by your closest friends and family, and receiving beautiful gifts from those who know you best? A wedding shower is a lovely event full of both tradition and creativity that is only rivaled by the wedding ceremony itself. Just like a wedding, a shower is an intimate celebration of the beginning of a life together. Good food, gifts, and loved ones–what’s not to like?!

Nevertheless, being the honoree at a wedding shower has its responsibilities. Wedding shower etiquette is something many brides-to-be find intimidating and sometimes a little outdated. However, by adhering to a few tried-and-true rules and suggestions you can ensure that everyone (including you) will have a wonderful time at this special event!

The first thing you need to consider is that, although someone else is planning the party, you as the bride need to have a say in a few key areas such as the guest lists. By keeping a master list for yourself no one will be invited to more than one shower and certainly only those on your wedding invitation list will be in attendance at your showers. Programs like Microsoft Excel are ideal for keeping track of your guests, their contact information, and what shower they attended. You can also add what gift they gave you to make writing thank-you cards a breeze!

When it comes to inviting people to your wedding shower they must first be invited to your wedding and Read the rest of Wedding Shower Etiquette »