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Celebration Advisor - Wedding and Party Network Blog - Page 247
  • Aesthetics Over Everything: Niche Party Themes
  • Standing Beside the Bride & Groom
  • Something Old, or Something New?
  • Working with Wedding Vendors: Questions, Tips, and Etiquette
  • What if it rains on my wedding day?
  • The Hottest Bachelorette Themes for 2025
  • Ringing in Spring
  • Hosting a Galentine's Party

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Ask The Expert: I'm Getting Married. How Do I Tell My Family?

Ask The Expert: I recently became engaged to a wonderful guy that I've been dating for a couple years. My family knows him well, and his knows me. They've kind of suspected for a while but aren't really sure. What is the proper way to go about announcing our engagement and who do I tell first?  ~ Sarah

Brynn @ Wedding and Party Network says: What a great question, Sarah! First of all, congratulations are in order so congratulations on your engagement. How cool! Now to the meat and potatoes.

Announcing your engagement to your family is a bit easier than writing up an engagement announcement for your local paper but can often be just as tedious. Who should be told first is asked a lot because no one wants to step on toes. In my family, we all know to tell just one person and it'll eventually get around to the rest of the family. Assuming yours isn't this way, let's talk about what's traditional. Continue reading "Ask The Expert: I'm Getting Married. How Do I Tell My Family?" »

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Take Advantage of Natural Beauty… Outdoor Wedding Table Decorations

I love outdoor weddings. There’s just something about the natural beauty of the greenery that makes them so fabulous. Outdoor wedding reception decorations and table centerpieces can be somewhat tricky though, because you don’t want to take away from the natural scenery. The new overall wedding decoration idea trend is "earthy glamorous" and this theme is even more beautiful outdoors.

This can be done using twigs, leaves, containers of grass, and several other resources. Table decorations and centerpiece options are endless with this theme. Long low containers of grass with a Continue reading "Take Advantage of Natural Beauty… Outdoor Wedding Table Decorations" »

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Which Popular Wedding Cake Theme Fits You?

Let Your Heritage Add Spice To Your Wedding Cake

Cultural wedding cake themes are seeing a big rise in popularity as wedding ceremonies reflect the ethnic traditions of the bride and groom. As more and more couples tap into their heritage to inspire their celebration, wedding cakes are also following suit with an increase in cultural wedding cakes. This could include a red and white wedding cake for Chinese couples following the traditions of lucky colors and other similar practices. When heritage and ethnicity play an important role at the wedding, discuss how to incorporate many of these traditions with your wedding cake bakery.

A Seasonal Theme Deserves A Seasonal Wedding Cake

Seasonal themed wedding cakes are also very popular. Fall wedding cakes make excellent use of bronze, amber, burnt reds and similar colors. Falling fondant leaves cascading down tiers of colorful wedding cake is a portion of the wedding reception that no autumn bride should be without.

Seasonal wedding cakes are also appropriate and beautiful for the other seasons of the year. Winter wedding cakes, summer wedding cakes, and spring wedding cakes each bring their own unique set of shades to the palette but every pairing is as beautiful as the next. Each hue creates a unique dimension that brings to life the season of the wedding. What a great way to celebrate the day and the time of year!

Make It Funky-Unusual Wedding Cakes Are In Now

Unusual wedding cakes are also becoming very popular. Tiers that appear to be skewed are a fun alternative to traditional pieces. Heart shaped wedding cakes add an extra dose of romance and flair to the reception. Whatever the shape and style, unusual wedding cakes are seeing a big boost among brides wishing to have a truly unique wedding.

Celebrate Your Roots With A Location-Specific Wedding Cake

Don't forget location specific themes for the wedding cake! Everyone loves a good bit of dessert, but themed wedding cakes stand out with their fun and quirky appearance. Beach destination weddings are very popular as are the beach wedding cakes that come with them. Another popular style remains with western wedding cakes. A fondant cowboy boot atop buttercream delight is a tasty way for everyone to celebrate nuptials. Don't be scared to contact your local wedding cake bakery about the many different location-specific themes for your cake.

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Wedding Hairstyles: How To Choose The Right One For Your Wedding Day

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.

Up Swept Hair With Wedding Tiara
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

Flowing Locks
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.

Perfect Hair for the Perfect Day
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!

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Etiquette Issue: Including Wedding Registry Info on Bridal Luncheon Invitation

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I am giving a bridal luncheon/shower.  The invitation only says bridal luncheon.  On the enclosure about the bridal registry, can I say "You may choose your shower gift from the bridal registry" and list the bridal registry or just have the bridal registries listed.  I think most people know this is also a shower, but I want to make sure and I want to do it properly.  Thanks! Anne

The Celebration Advisor:

Anne,

A bridal luncheon when held in conjunction with a shower must follow the same etiquette as a bridal shower.  Etiquette dictates that registry information should be included with the invitation.  However, the wedding registry information must NOT be on the invitation itself.  It must be on a separate note and Continue reading "Etiquette Issue: Including Wedding Registry Info on Bridal Luncheon Invitation" »

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Celebrate a 60th with a 50's Party!

If you have a relative celebrating their 60th birthday this year, consider throwing a Party with a "Sock Hop" theme. Those born in 1949 will remember the 50’s and will appreciate a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

What You Need For A "Sock Hop" 60th Birthday Party

1) A Classic Car. Have the honoree picked up and driven to the party site in a classic car from that era. This will set the stage for what’s to come.

2) Sounds From The 50's. Don't forget the music which was a huge part of the 50’s. Hire a DJ to spin 50's tunes or turn in to the fifties channel on your stereo.

3) A 50's Atmosphere. Decorate your walls with pictures of the honoree from the 50’s that have been enlarged. Decorate with retro items. Create a 50's atmosphere by setting up a "Malt Shop" bar with 50's memorabilia including glasses containing hand-dipped milkshakes and malts.

4) The Taste of the 50's. If you’re serving a meal, consider classics like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or drive-in favorites like burgers and fries.

5) Party like they did back when. Hula hoops came of age in the 50’s, so why not have a hula hoop contest?

6) A trip down memory lane. Most of all, give the guests an opportunity to pay tribute to the guest of honor. A 60th birthday is a special milestone and it’s a great time to tell humorous stories and anecdotes about the honoree. With a trip down memory lane the stories should be abundant and a great way to share how important the guests and birthday boy/girl are to each other.

So stroll down to the party store and pick up some 50’s theme party supplies and in no time your 60 year old birthday boy/girl will be rocking and rolling their way to fabulous birthday.

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3 Tips For Successful Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties

Planning a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party? Follow These Tips For Success.

  • RSVP HEAD COUNT – as the host it is important that you have a count of those who will be attending. You may invite several and may even get several "maybe" answers. However when planning something like this, a head count is crucial and dependent on the RSVPs. Depending on the nature of the party, whether it is a local get together or a weekend getaway to a big city, numbers are necessary to make reservations for dinner, shows and hotel Continue reading "3 Tips For Successful Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties" »

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A Change In Scenery: Unique Wedding Photography

There are many unique wedding photography ideas that can elevate the memories of your wedding from "big day" to "best day ever." Depending on the location of your ceremony, the outdoors can be utilized for quality photos. Destination weddings offer many ideas for wedding photographers, especially those who welcome a break from the traditional church and chapel scenery. Beach wedding photography enhances the bride and groom by reflecting the natural beauty of the sand, sun and sparkling water. These are fun pictures that capture the entertaining spirits of the happy couple.

Outdoor weddings in state parks, smoky canyon chapels, or even a grand backyard give wedding photography an edge. With the backdrop of mother nature at your disposal, you'll soon find that there isn't a better background to be had! Imagine the first kiss between bride and groom set against a fall sunset. It's a beautiful portrait of the happy couple that can't be imitated or forgotten.

Unique wedding photography doesn't always have to rely on the backdrop. If a church wedding is the plan for your big day, consider asking about different poses or candid snapshots. Unique photography is as much about capturing a special side of the people in the photo as it is about a unique location. Your photographer can offer many suggestions for unique wedding pictures such as groomsmen jumping for joy in front of the church, bride and bridesmaids throwing their bouquets together, ring bearer and flower girl feeding ducks together and many other great snapshots.

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Make it Personal with a Custom Aisle Runner

I had never heard of these, but they were brought to my attention while planning my wedding and I fell in love with this wedding decoration idea. Aisle runners are usually pretty standard and most brides usually rent one from a wedding supply vendor; which is perfectly fine. However, I wanted something more personalized … more unique. Little did I know you can have custom aisle runners made!

When you have a custom aisle runner made, you have so many options in creating making the runner Continue reading "Make it Personal with a Custom Aisle Runner" »

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Where Can I Find A Pepe LePeu Cake In Indianapolis?

Ask The Party Guide: My wife is celebrating her 50th Birthday. And she is a avid fan of Pepe LePeu (The skunk). We are planning a special celebration and I know it would be a great surprise if I could find a cake designer who could craft a 2' cake of this little fellow with hearts. We will celebrate our 8th anniversary the following day. The day we want to celebrate in March 28th at 4:00PM. We have about 50 friends that we are planning to surprise her with this event. This will mean alot, she wanted me to contact the famous ACE Chef, but he would not do it….

I am hopeful that you will be able to direct me to someone that can do this task….thanks

We are both retired Army soldiers and this will be the first time that I have been able to do something nice for her, she has always been there for me…. David in Indianapolis Indiana

Party Guide Reply:

David,

What a wonderful idea for a birthday cake. There is a place in Carmel Indiana (about 22miles from north of Indianapolis that creates custom birthday cakes. Classic Cakes has created some really cool cakes. For instance, they have created a pueblo village cake, a doctor's bag cake and my favorite a cake that looked like a plate with sushi. I'm sure that a Pepe LePeu cake would be something that they could do. So give them a call.

Please keep me posted. I think your idea is so sweet and your wife is very lucky to have someone who is willing to put the time and effort into making her birthday a special one.

Retro Rings: Decades of Style

The 1980s were a decade of design and elegance. As the transition began from the laid back vibes of the 70s, engagement rings from this era became bigger and flashier as they pushed boundaries and mixed tradition with trends. With geometric cuts to cluster settings, these pieces reflect a time where style was anything but simple. Let’s take a look throughout the years and explore the rings that presented us with unforgettable taste. 

Aesthetics Over Everything: Niche Party Themes

You may have already heard these terms and can bring to mind the aesthetic that comes with them. These niche parties are the latest go-to for a theme, perfect for bachelorette weekends, dinner parties, family brunches, birthdays, friend getaways, wedding receptions, and babymoons. The following themes have made their way from online to in-house!

Standing Beside the Bride & Groom

Being included in a wedding party is a great honor and can be a wonderful experience. But if you’ve never done it before or it’s been a while, it can feel daunting or like you’re missing something. Here is a comprehensive list of what is typically expected and tips for maneuvering dress shopping with the bride, finding your own attire, ensuring a smooth rehearsal, and navigating expenses. 

Something Old, or Something New?

Is the return to “timeless, chic, and nostalgic” just a trend in and of itself? Is this turning back of the clock and attention to traditional sophistication really timeless or just another aesthetic?…