D I Y IDEAS FOR YOUR TABLES

We all know a simple DIY wedding would save your money by using some handmade details. What’s more, it’s also great for brides who want their big day extra special with their own thoughts. That’s the reason why so many brides pay attention to wedding decoration, especially wedding table setting décor. So today in this post we will introduce you to DIY wedding centerpieces ideas for your reception. 

#1 Candle Vases Centerpieces

Simple vases with lighting candles, you will love this for the table setting. By the way, add water for a floating look if you are interested.

#2 Painted Bottles

Painted bottles centerpieces will be perfect for your rustic wedding. Gather different shapes of bottles and just paint! Wrap them with twine and decorated with wheat, which makes a great rustic inspired wedding.

#3 Wine Glasses Table Decor

Common wine glasses container wedding centerpieces will make your wedding quite special and earthy with some little things, like stones, sands, succulent or any cut flowers.

#4 Mason Jars Wedding Centerpieces

If you read my other post about mason jars, you would know mason jars are terrific for every wedding décor, let alone centerpieces.

#5 Lanterns Centerpieces

Different shaped lanterns in nude colors make great table centerpieces, especially when the sun sets. Decorated with mason jars and seashells, an outdoor beach wedding table setting will show its real charm.

#6 Sand and Flowers

Finally, my favorite wedding centerpieces idea – sand & flowers. Glass vases, colored sands and single bloomed peony, which décor will be more creative than this? Just buy some sands from local store and add the flower. You will find the beauty!

Summer is here!!

ESSENTIAL DOS AND DON'TS FOR SUMMER WEDDINGS

Nothing is as magnificent as a summer wedding

Image via: Floridian Weddings

DO

SERVE LIGHT FOOD

Heat and heavy food don’t mix. Stick to the farm-to-table trend and go for a seasonal menu that includes local fresh produce and grilled entrees. Choose grilled fruit skewers and Gazpacho shooters for appetizers and tarts and fruit pies for dessert. You can also add festive touches like frozen cocktails and popsicles.

Summer wedding tips – Keep heat and pests away!

Image via: Wedding Trends

PROVIDE HEAT RELIEF

You and your better half may love the sun, but don’t assume all your guests do. Make sure you provide heat relief in one way or another. If your wedding is outdoors, offer some shade or portable air-conditioning systems. You can also have ushers pass out cold hand towels across the rows before the ceremony starts. Scattering decorative tubs or baskets filled with water bottles near the ceremony site is also a great idea.

Provide heat relief for your wedding guests

Image via: The Wedding Chicks

SEND SAVE-THE-DATES

Most people vacation in summer especially families with school-going kids. You should therefore send save-the-dates early enough to ensure people mark their calendars early.

DON’T

OVERLOOK SUN PROTECTION

Sunburn can give a whole new meaning to “the blushing bride.” Prior to getting dressed, apply sunscreen to areas of your body that will be exposed and tell your bridal party to do the same.

Summer brides should wear foundation and moisturizers with SPF. However, they should try them out beforehand to ensure they don’t cause allergies.

FORGET THE BUGS

Keep bugs away with citronella candles

Arrange for citronella candles to ensure your guests aren’t disturbed by bugs as they eat or interact. Summer brings with it a lot of bugs that can get in the way of your celebrations. Talk to the person in charge of the venue in advance to ensure bugs won’t be a problem.

Summer wedding planning is fun and interesting. Keep these tips in mind and make your wedding stand out from all other summer weddings.

Wedding Programs - Do you need one ??

Wedding programs are one of the little details that add an extra special something to your wedding day. Not only are they a record of your ceremony; wedding programs help guests feel included and understand what is happening, and often introduce your bridal party. 

Do you need a wedding program?

While wedding programs are not required, they are a helpful (and sometimes necessary) piece of wedding stationery.

Wedding programs are extremely helpful if...

• You are having a religious or traditional wedding, with many guests who are of another faith or culture
• You are having a large wedding, where guests are unlikely to know the bridal party
• You are having a particularly long ceremony where guests will need something to follow
• You have many people who you need to thank

Those who are short on time or money may wish to forgo this option, but remember that a simple wedding program needn't use much time or money. I recommend that you provide them for your guests, as a thoughtful gesture and souvenir.

Elements of a Wedding Program

• The Cover Typically the cover includes the date and/or the names of the couple. It may also include the location and time of the ceremony, a picture, or design element (such as a flower, scroll, etc.)
• The Order of Events If you haven't already included your names, wedding date, location, and time on the front cover, consider listing that information on the inside just before the order of events. Then list what will happen during the ceremony, including processional      music,  greeting, readings, prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, pronouncement of marriage, recessional music, and any other ceremony music. Your list may not include all of these elements, and it may include some traditions not listed here. Be sure to list the events in the order they will occur and list the names of those performing the readings. 

• Members of the Wedding Party This is a simple list of the names and roles of your wedding party. For example:
  Officiant: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg
  Parents of the bride: Mary and John Smith
• 
  
• Parents of the groom: Elizabeth Jones and Thomas Wilson, Jr.
  Stepparents of the groom: Robert Jones and Lisa Marist-Wilson
  Grandparents: Sarah Smith, Margaret Blackwood, Thomas Wilson Sr.
  Maid of Honor: Maria Gellert
  Best Man: William Harris
  Bridesmaids: Rebecca Brown, Juanita Ramirez
  Groomsmen: Calvin Aremu, Jonathan Goldstein
  Readers: McGuire Johnson, Alexander Wilson

Other things you may wish to include in your wedding program

• An explanation of traditions or rituals used in your ceremony
• A request for audience participation in certain parts of the ceremony (e.g. affirmation of the marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, standing or kneeling)
• Thank yous
• Memorials (for example: The memorial candle is lit in honor of the bride's mother, Shirley Fielding. OR On this day of happiness, we would like to remember those who are no longer with us, especially Derrick Peterson, grandfather of the bride, and Samantha Wilson, mother of the groom.)
• A short sentence about each of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, describing why they are important to you.
• An explanation of the significance of the location, theme, first dance song, etc. (For example: the reception will be held at Coldwater Restaurant, the site of the bride and groom's first date.)
• Quotes or poems about love or marriage
• Directions to the reception

Winter Weddings

Winter Wedding Decor Ideas

Winter is a beautiful time of year to plan your wedding, which will be magically glistening and stunningly timeless, and the most unforgettable moment of your life that you’ll treasure always.

Planning your winter wedding day will ensure that it runs smoothly and to plan, and hiring a wedding planner will guarantee that this is the case. Your planner can help you decide whether you’d like a wedding abroad, which favours and centrepieces you love, and other things such as bridesmaid dresses and seating plans. For more planning information, go to http://www.hitched.ca/wedding-planning/.

Have a look at the following winter decor ideas for inspiration on your wedding day decoration.

Color Schemes

Popular winter wedding colors are reds, greens and blues, although when it comes to color schemes, a good rule to follow is ‘less is more’. You don’t want to go over the top on these colors as it can become a little too much, but subtle outbursts look stunning.

Reds

Red themes are timeless and classy, and work perfectly in the winter seasons. They especially look amazing with a mix of green and a little gold, and are effortlessly finished off with a touch of red lipstick and small matching details here and there.

Blues

Blue color schemes look beautiful with gold, white and silver, and indicate a very elegant and classy bride and groom. Blue color schemes really suit the winter months, bringing that edge of glistening iciness, but the right amount of warmth to make your guests feel at home.

Neutrals

Neutral colours work just as well for wintery themes, with touches of gold, silvers and browns. Neutral colors bring that rustic feeling to life, and give a sense of that woody countryside feeling that can be finished off perfectly with a classic open fire for your guests to warm their chilly hands.

Centrepieces

Centrepieces come down to the bride and groom’s personal taste, but when it comes to winter, centrepieces should be warming and ideally a conversation starter for all your guests. Beautiful winter centrepieces really bring a room together, and add towards that special little something that makes your wedding so personal and memorable.

Pine cones

Pine cones make for a really simple yet pretty winter centerpiece, and give off quite a rustic feel about them. You can either leave them in their natural state, or spray paint them red and silver or gold, to give your guests a warm wintery feeling.

Floating centrepieces

Putting a single flower into a little vase of water to float makes for such a simple but beautiful centrepiece design. The image below shows some gorgeous wintery ideas, but the same effect can be received by any flower of your choice, and even tea lights. If you like the idea of this but want it on a bigger scale, you could invest in some glass fish bowls and do a mix of the both, floating flowers and a few tea lights to finish it off.

Candy

This is a really cool and quirky idea for a table decoration, and a centrepiece that all ages of your guests will appreciate. With red and white candy sticks and stunning flowers, this is a centrepiece that gives off a definite Christmassy feeling about it, and also works as a joint favour, while the candy sticks are an after dinner treat for your guests to help themselves to.

The Cake

The wedding cake is a classic and traditional part of every wedding, and in more recent years, the bride-and-groom-to-be have decided to personalise their cake in order to differ from the conventional three tiers that everyone is overly familiar with. However, wedding cakes are also the perfect opportunity to theme and design your cake into a festive and wintery feast.

Cute and Simple

If you want a simple wedding cake, that matches your color scheme, a round, tiered cake, finished with ribbon and the bride and groom’s initials on top make for a really cute yet beautiful winter wedding cake.

Alternative

Alternative wedding cake ideas would include gorgeous cupcakes, macaroons and cake filled snow cones, any design that isn't to usual tiered wedding cake, or a tiered cake that is slightly off centre and unique.

Red

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/400538960579702924/

http://www.itakeyou.co.uk/wedding/red-winter-wedding-colourred-winter-wedding-ideas/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/106960559871464522/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/26880928999864410/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/12/03/california-winter-glitter-photo-shoot-from-mirelle-carmichael/

Neutral

http://greenvillabarn.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/dusty-rose-champagne-bliss.html

pine cones

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/551057704377072350/

http://www.artinbloomfloral.com/portfolio/wedding.cfm?id=13

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559431584934752304/

Candy

http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-love-shoot-at-a-christmas-tree-farm/

http://www.bridalguide.com/photo-galleries/real-weddings/tis-the-season/winter-wedding-favors

cute and simple

https://www.etsy.com/listing/111757481/monogram-wedding-cake-topper-rustic-love

http://weheartit.com/entry/20616196

http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photos/cakes/summer-wedding-cake-ideas/i/66f41281af7578a1-48aa8b72b456c112/f569445bb5bbc0fe

http://junebugweddings.com/wedding-blog/what-junebug-loves/rustic-winter-wedding-inspiration-in-the-french-alps/

http://indulgy.com/post/uJBfipC681/lace

Wedding Favours: How to Choose the Right One for Your Wedding

Wedding Favours

One of the most creative elements of a wedding is choosing favours for the big day. Wedding favours are given away as tokens of your appreciation to guests for participating in you and your spouse’s special day. You want your favours to reflect both you and your spouse’s distinct personality! If you’re on a tight budget, you can create your own wedding favours. If you got the budget, then your choice is virtually limitless.
Unfortunately, because there are literally thousands of wedding favours to choose from, picking just one can be quite challenging. The last thing you want are wedding favours that stick out like a sore thumb! To help you choose the right favours to give away on your wedding day, consider these tips:

Focus On The Wedding Theme

To find the right wedding decor, consider the theme of your wedding. If the color scheme is blue and silver, you can create candy bags with blue and silver wrapped treats. For carnival themed soirees, you can offer popcorn and candied apple treats as wedding favours.

For garden or spring weddings, you can use scented candles decorated with fresh blooms or mini potted plants with a thank you note as give-aways.

Add Local Elements

If your wedding is held in states with a regional speciality, then don’t be afraid to show off the local flavors in your wedding favours. For example, if it’s a beach setting, colorful buckets filled with beach essentials make a perfect wedding giveaway as well as star fish paperweights, clear bottles filled with sand, shells and trinkets.

For mountain weddings, cute hand or neck warmers make an interesting giveaway. You can also give away bottled local delicacies as wedding favours. Just add a touch of personality on each favour with ribbons or other decors.

Season-Appropriate favours

If say, you are planning a fall wedding, you can use pumpkin-based goodies or candy apple treats as giveaways. For those who love beach weddings, personalized sunscreen bottles or beach towels are great wedding favours ideas. For spring weddings, you can either offer DIY wedding favours encrusted with local blooms, edible favours or even garden sprinkles in cute tin cans as giveaway!

Double-Duty Wedding Giveaways

Practical giveaways make the perfect keepsakes. From quirky bottle openers, salt and pepper shakers, small jewelry boxes, champagne flutes or textured ring pillows, there are various giveaways that are just as useful as they are beautiful.

Give Back

If you are passionate about supporting a certain foundation, a research group or a non-profit organization, you can request your guests to make donations to your favourite charity instead and give away a simple, personalized thank you note for every donation received. Just make sure you get a receipt for tax purposes.
When it comes to wedding favours, the options are limitless! You can find the right favours by focusing on the theme of your wedding, the color scheme as well as the location of the wedding. Just make sure that whatever favour you choose, don’t forget to have fun! Preparing your wedding is a momentous occasion that will literally change your life so make sure your favours are worthy reflection of this happy occasion.

Blog by Ryan ZHU, The Function Room—Event Hire

Talking Tables

_{Hannah & Rhys Clark by Ryan Ahern | Cathleen and Eric by Jose Villa Photography}

WWhen it comes to organising your reception there are no rules on how to set up your seating plan.

_{Alysia & Kym Regan By Fi Mims Photography | Hannah & Rhys Clark by Ryan Ahern}

Allow yourself to think outside the square. Be different. Join the tables together to create shapes or set up an arrangement that is surprising and different of your own that will WOW your guests!


_{Brittany Baldwin & Mitchell Clough by Studio Sixty Photography & Todd Hunter McGaw}
Of course the table where the bride and groom sit should stand out after all it is your big day and you are the King and Queen of the day! You can make the “head” table stand out by where you place it or with different decorations to the rest of the room.


_{Hannah & Rhys Clark by Ryan Ahern}
If you know which guests are real party starters make sure you situate them close to the dance floor! For those weddings with a large number of guests make the outside tables that are further away from the Head Table extra special so those guests don’t feel like they’re not important to you too.


<sub>Cathleen & Eric by Jose Villa Photography

Hannah & Rhys Clark by Ryan Ahern

Massimilano & Maria Assunta by Timo Schwartz



Kara & James Spokes by Daniel John Bilsborough Photography

Lauryn & Robert Riordan By Fiona Stone Photography</sub>

Rediscover the Pear

Rediscover the Pear

When autumn leaves start to fall, nature is at its most glorious. The jewel-like colours of deciduous trees, the crunch of dried leaves underfoot, crisp autumn air and comfortable temperature make outdoors a great place to be.
It’s the last chance for a harvest style celebration before winter, create a rustic mood around the Beurre Bosc pear, the most fleshy, delicate and voluptuous fruit of all.

"Be sure to make the most of fall"

its pleasures are far too short.



Poached pears make a divinely sweet favour for guests and can be home preserved months ahead.
Collect wide mouthed glass jars, cover the lids in chocolate brown paper, secure with cream silk ribbon and finish with a leaf shaped thank you card.



Earthy neutral colours and varying textures create a real picture. Brown pears and honeycomb patterned beeswax candles line up on the cream silk covered raiser box.
The dressy silk contrasts with the brown paper tablecloth. The menus and place cards are cut into pear and leaf silhouettes.



A rich chocolate cake in four square tiers is finished with cascading chocolate leaves, cream satin ribbon and topped with a posy of cream magnolias. A trio of pear and chocolate themed desserts are tempting on the dessert buffet.







The pear and leaf motifs are carried through the stationery suite on the digitally printed invitation and response card. Recycled kraft paper compliments the golden hue of the stationery and is used for the pear silhouette menu and matching envelopes.



Pears are a member of the rose family



A trio of kraft board boxes has been used to wrap a wedding gift, held together with cream satin ribbon.
Magnolia blooms and foliage make a unique bouquet for classic autumnal beauty.

Heaven Scent

Heaven Scent
Herbs are the freshest twist in in a posy; these ancient plants plucked from densely planted cottage gardens are household favourites.



" A perfume more engaging than floral"

The bride’s bouquet compliments the table’s centerpiece; it’s finished delightfully with a lavender and white striped ribbon. The bouquet sits on a French side table with mercury glass candle sticks.



Unpretentious, endearing and captitivating with a perfume more engaging than floral, their lush greenery and interesting leaf shapes layer together beautifully, all different, all strong; a unique wedding design that can follow through to food and drinks.



Bunches of lavender repel certain insects

The centerpiece on the pea green cloth is the definition of freshness. The deliciously fragrant posy sits on a white china cake stand; it combines mint, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano and dill with lavender and soft white lissianthus blooms. Silvered mercury glass tea light holders add the glow.



White Americana chairs decorated with a fresh, handmade rosemary wreath, adorned with juniper berries, hand calligraphed seating card and lavender satin ribbon.

Herbs can be bought from local produce

markets or greengrocers

Simplicity can be breathtaking, here white on white is pristine, each napkin is secured with a fragrant handmade rosemary ring. Form a fresh sprig of rosemary into a ring and secure it with a quarter of a length of 24 gauge florist wire.



The herbs used in the centrepiece are all hardy and can be easily grown in the smallest city gardens or on balconies in pots. Consider potting herbs over the months prior to your wedding for an economical and individual theme. In the years to come when you cook with the herbs, memories of your big day will come flooding back.

"Scents do that to you, they unlock memories"

in the most unexpected way.

When herbs are in bloom, they develop their pretty side; Consider using these flowers as a bonus in centrepieces and bouquets.



It follows that the wedding cake must fit the theme. This most delightful triple layer pistachio sponge cake with custard cream frosting is sprinkled with pistachio and lavender praline. Looks amazing, tastes wonderful.



Classic white favour boxes are trimmed with striped ribbon and sealed with silver labels embossed with a wreath motif.

Fill the boxes with chocolates or after

dinner mints



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The menu and invitation are written in an elegant font laser printed onto a self striped card.