Customized Wedding Album
When you decide to get married, you not only make a life long pact to be together but you are also promising to share all the best and worst times there is. There are certain moments in your life as a couple that just need to be immortalized and what better way to do that than to have a customized wedding album where you can put all your favorite moments from the most special day in your life.
Where to Find Customized Wedding Albums
If you want to have a customized wedding album that depicts your personal taste, you can find one online through wedding sites that provide a variety of products relating to nuptials. There are websites that even cater to more specific needs such as making your very own wedding photo album from scratch.
What You Can Expect
Once you find someone to put together the album, you have to settle on what you want the product to look like. Some couples like to turn their albums into a book that contains their love story. Since you already have the photos, all that needs to be added is the text. You can either hire someone to write the story for you or you can just do it yourself. After all, you will be the most qualified to tell the tale of your love.
There are many different designs that you can have for your customized wedding album. It is all up to your taste and how grand or simple you want the album to turn out. You also have the option as to what type of materials are to be used so that the finished product will look truly unique.
DIY Customized Wedding Album
If you do not want to spend too much money for your wedding album, you also have the option of doing it yourself. It really is not rocket science so even if you do not have excellent artistic skills. You and your spouse can help each other out in putting the album together and your collective efforts will certainly make it a real treasure.
What you will need:
scissors
glue gun
shears
Japanese paper
colored pens (other coloring materials of your choice)
accents of your choice (shells, beads, semi precious stones, etc.)
It would also help if your wedding album has the same theme as your wedding. It is going to be easier to design as well.
Wedding Doves
One of the most popular wedding rituals is the release of doves during the latter part of the reception. This is a very treasured tradition that even the most modern couples would want to have it as part of the celebration.
You have 2 options for the wedding doves depending on your budget as well as the location of the event. One is to have actual doves which will be in a cage that you will pull open at the reception or after the wedding. Another option is to have paper doves to be released (or blown over by the wind).
Why Live Doves?
Most couples are a little iffy when it comes to having live doves at the wedding because they fear of the possible fiasco that looms whenever there are birds flying around a crowded room. However, it is considered more romantic to actually have live bird fly away as a sign of your unity as a couple.
Of course, one of the disadvantages of having live doves at the reception is that you can most certainly expect to step on droppings while wearing your fourteen hundred dollar dress or tux.
Paper Doves?
Some couples really do not want to deal with live birds during their wedding reception because of the inconveniences that come along with it so they instead opt for paper doves which are just as symbolic as the real ones.
One thing that you have to remember though is that the effect is not as poetic as having real live birds fly off. However, this improvisation does not have to be stale at all because you can always have the best paper doves made.
Renting Dove Releases
If you opt for the real birds, you will have to rent the birds as well as the cage. There are online wedding shops that cater specifically to this type of need so it is very easy to find a release to rent.
Prices of release rentals vary depending on the design you are looking for. There are many designs to choose from and you can always have them customize your dove release for an extra fee.
Wedding doves are not really a must for weddings. However, if you want your day to be extra special through symbolism, you can never beat having real or even paper doves released.
For a better effect, you can have the doves released outside right before the bouquet toss.
Dessert Buffet
Most couples who are getting married in this troubling world economy will settle for what they can afford. However, for the lucky few, there is a lot more money to spare which would entail more options when it comes to the decor and the menu selection.
One of the most wonderful features of a lavish wedding is the dessert buffet. People treat weddings as the time when they can forget their new zoning diets and just let themselves enjoy whatever is on the table.
Variety
Dessert buffets usually have at least 4 different kinds of sweet treats for the guests, providing the kind of diversity that is rarely seen in weddings.
Here are some of the most scrumptious desserts you can have for the buffet:
Creme Brulee
Mini Wedding Cakes (miniature version of your wedding cake)
Chocolate Fondue / Chocolate Fountain
Chocolate Sufflee
Cookies
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Raspberry Filled Chocolate Bars
Strawberry Layer Cake
Dessert Combination
If you want the dessert buffet to really live up to its role which is to entertain the palate, choosing the desserts in the buffet will be critical. The general rule is to not have any two similar tasting dessert on the table. For instance, if you already have a chocolate souffle, the mini cakes have to be of a different flavor such as raspberry or blueberry.
Trial Tasting
Having a dessert buffet will be expensive and you surely want to get your money’s worth on this so trial tasting is very important before you set the dessert menu. Contact a competent caterer who can provide you with everything for the reception including the entire menu for the event, set a meeting and make sure that you specifically discuss what you want for the dessert buffet.
Entertain suggestions and make sure that you taste each dessert choice and have someone to help you make the decision. 4 or 5 dessert choices will be enough for the buffet. Having more will only be a waste of money and food because no one really stuff themselves with too many sweets especially if you are already serving quite a heavy entree.
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to dessert buffets is the presentation. No matter how delicious the food is on the table, it still pays to have a perfect arrangement.
The dessert buffet table will look very elegant right beside the wedding cake or the ice sculpture (if you have one)
Wedding Ring Bearers
Kids play a major part in weddings. This is just a fact that most couples dread because of the mental pictures of unwarranted disasters come the big day. Aside from having flower girls, you also need to find a little boy to be the wedding ring bearer.
If you already have someone in mind, make sure that the kid is no younger than 5 years old. Preferably, you also should get someone who is not a real handful in public because the wedding will have a lot of strange people and this might trigger tantrums.
Rehearsals
It is necessary to include the wedding real bearer in the wedding rehearsals so that he will get the feel of how it is to walk down the aisle holding a pillow on which the two most important rings rests. Talk to the parents of the ring bearer and inform them of the rehearsal schedules so that they can have the boy ready.
Tailor Fitted Clothes
It would look really adorable if the ring bearer wears a tux just like every other male member of the entourage. Fitting is very important especially when you want the ring bearer to be comfortable as much as he is dashing. Do not just get the measurements from the parents of the boy but have him him down to the tailors for a proper fitting.
The Charm
It is your wedding and you want everything to be perfect which means that everyone in the entourage also has to be very presentable. As for the ring bearer, you have to choose a boy who is very charming and looks great on film. Yes, it does sound too superficial to say out loud but it is a fact that every couple wants their wedding photos to be every bit of the memories they want to keep for the rest of their lives.
Choose someone whose parents are your close friends or relatives who you know very well. Charming little boys do not come around too often so make sure that you are very careful in choosing.
Be very tactful when a friend or relative volunteers their kid and you have to refuse. It does not bore well when parents are told that their kid just does not have to look you are looking for in a ring bearer.
In all, weddings are about choosing the right people who are to participate in the ceremony, whether they are officiating or carrying the wedding rings that will be the symbol of your everlasting love.
Spring Wedding Centerpiece
Spring weddings are glorious for so many reasons, one of which is the fact that there is so much you can do with flowers for decor. Centerpieces for instance would be great to experiment on because the possibilities are simply endless. Even if your wedding is still months away, you should start looking at sample spring wedding centerpieces.
Flower Combinations
The secret to a lovely spring wedding centerpiece is the right combination of flowers. The good news is that you can have pretty much all kinds of flower you need because your wedding falls on the most abundant season of the year.
Here are some combinations that you might find very attractive for your big day.
Lacienthas and a Spray of Baby’s Breath- you might think that the baby’s breath is a little too basic for such a big occasion but once you see how it downplays the very optically stunning lacienthas, you will realize that it is quite the perfect combination.
Calla Lilies and Malaysian Mums- Sometimes, it is not about how grand the kind of flowers you have to work with but the colors they come in. Pink Malaysian mums would look perfect when paired with Calla Lilies as both are very low key but together, they create an engaging fusion.
Tea Roses and White Orchids- You can do so much with orchids as well as with tea roses. When you combine these two however, you will be able to create a nice understated centerpiece that will be thrilling to look at.
Yellow and Pink Roses American Roses- These flowers cost a bunch these days but if you really want your wedding centerpiece to be a knockout, you would certainly entertain this combination. White and pink roses would make for a stunning combination that is not only very appropriate for spring but is also entertaining to discriminating eyes.
TIPS
When looking for spring wedding centerpiece ideas, you have to be open to the possibilities. Certainly, you already have a mental picture of how the centerpieces at your wedding will look like but you also have to take into account the fact that there is so much more out there that you at least need to explore.
The combination of two low key type of flowers can very well create a nice centerpiece an the best part is that you do not actually need to spend too much money on it.
Wedding Chair Covers
A lot of couples choose to have an outdoor wedding and part of this is to have wedding chair covers especially if you are holding the ceremony and the reception in the garden. Wedding chair covers are as important as the centerpieces in each table and as such, you should choose only the best for the event.
Choosing wedding chair covers
When you are in need of chair covers for the wedding, the colors have to be consistent with the motif or theme of the event. For outdoor spring weddings, some of the best colors you can use are powder pink, sky blue, and cream. Darker hues are also advisable since it is highly likely for the chairs to get dirty because the event is held outside.
Fabric is also very important. You should not choose something that is too flimsy or thin because it might rip anytime. When order chair covers, you can either have them custom made or you can also choose to rent since you not going to use them again.
Wedding Chair Covers as Accents
When your wedding venue is sparsely decorated, you have to make the most out of having wedding chair covers. Instead of having generic looking ones, you can opt for more eye catching designs to make them look more festive.
Custom Made Chair Covers
If you have a very flexible budget and you want the covers to actually have aesthetic value rather than be a plain practical fixture, you can have them custom made according to your exact specifications. Remember to point out not only the dimensions of the chairs to be dressed up but also the type of material it is made of i.e. wood, plastic, etc.
The cost of custom maid chair covers starts at $40 to $150 depending on what type of fabric is used and how intricate the designs are.
When you decide to have the wedding chairs custom maid, you have choose a very competent tailor especially when you are ordering by the bulk. Also try to get a discount if you can since you are bringing in quite a lot of business their way.
If you have a wedding planner, these things will not be too much of a hassle to prepare for since all there is left to do is choose. However, if you want to be completely hands-on with the planning stage, you will have to make certain concessions in order to meet a deadline without having to sacrifice quality.
Champagne Fountains
A lot of engaged couples are very particular when it comes to the kind of wedding they will have. For those who are operating on a very tight budget, it is all about what it practical while those who are lucky enough to have more cash to spare are more keen on the details such as reception features like the champagne fountain.
If you are seriously considering having a champagne fountain for your wedding reception, you should know exactly how much it will cost you and how you can arrange to get one.
Champagne fountains can be prearranged courtesy of the wedding coordinator. If you already have someone who is already taking care of all your wedding needs, all that is left for you to do is indicate such feature to be added to the list of things that you want for the reception. Typically, you will be presented with various options for the fountain and as soon as you choose the one that you think is most appropriate.
Cost
On average, a champagne fountain can cost somewhere between $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the type of champagne you will choose to serve. The fountain itself is not inexpensive and you can rent one easily. However, the main expense is on the alcohol that will flow over.
Arrangement
One of the tricks used when there is a champagne fountain involved is the use of the ice sculpture. In most cases, ice sculptures are nothing more than decorative stamps in weddings but when you have a steady flow of expensive liquor, you have to spring to action and make everything count. You cannot expect the champagne to stay chilled for long so what better way to make sure it does than to let it flow through a huge block of ice.
Choosing the Champagne
If you want the best compliments, you will need to spring for the finest champagne you can find. These days, you can expect to spend at least $250.00 for one bottle of a decent champagne and up to $500.00 for the really good ones. Depending on your budget, you can either go all out or opt for the affordable choice. In any case, having a champagne fountain at your wedding reception is a really memorable feature that you as well as your guests will remember for many years to come.
Making smart choices is always a must when it comes to planning wedding. However, you should never let it be said that you did not do your best to make the event as nice as possible.
Hunting Wedding
If you and your soon to be spouse love the thrill of the outdoors and would want your wedding to have the same aura of excitement, you might want to consider a hunting wedding. One of the most peculiar features of hunting weddings is the attire for the bride and groom as well as the entourage. There is nothing more rustic than countryside weddings that are celebrated with adventure and outdoor fun.
One of the best things about a hunting wedding is that you will not have to prepare for the venue and the reception menu too much. In fact, tailgating is one of the most appropriate receptions for this type of event and the deep woods would make for a perfect location.
What to Bring
There are certain materials and equipment that you need to prepare to make the event as authentic and fun as possible. Here is a list of what you need to bring for the wedding:
Hunting gear
Knives
Tent
Folding tables
Ice
Beer
Barbecue
Ropes
Umbrellas
Steaks
Finger foods
Flowers (optional)
Decor
When it comes to this type of outdoor wedding, there is really no pressing need for decorating the location. You will choose country hunting as the theme for your wedding not because of the glamorous centerpieces but because you love to be in communion with nature when you say your vows.
You can choose a more habitable part of the woods where you can actually set up the tables and perhaps even have a makeshift archway that is decorated with some flowers.
Reception
No wedding, regardless of the theme, will be complete without a reception. Now, one of the greatest advantages of hunt country weddings is that anything will fly when it comes to the food selection. You can even expect the guests to help out in the preparation of food, simply because it is more fun that way.
You can have barbecues set up in the reception area and the guests can cook their own food exactly to their desired specifications. Corn, potatoes, and beer are also expected to be in abundance when you throw a wedding of this scale.
Hunt country weddings are a step beyond simple outdoor countryside weddings. The former is more intimate, less pretentious, and a lot more affordable. So if you are in the market for a wedding in the country and you also happen to love hunting, this is an option that you would really love.
Flower Girls
Your guest list is now done, the dress, menu, and location has been picked out, it is time to decide who would make up your bridal entourage. Picking out the flower girls for the wedding might not be as easy as you thought it would be. You may have a lot of friends who have adorable little girls who would look great in film but there are several other considerations that need to be met before you seal the deal.
One of the most important thing to remember when picking out a flower girl is that you would not want anyone who is below 5 years of age. Most girls who are younger than five years old are still very unsettled and are usually moody which brings out the possibility of trouble come marching time down the aisle.
You need to pick a little girl who is more 5 years old or older but no more than 8 years because after such age, the cuteness factor is already a little lost.
Practice is very important especially when you are dealing with kids. You would want them to at least know where they are supposed to sit at the ceremony and what they should do while they are marching down the aisle (usually throwing flower petals on the floor)
Opt for a little girl who is generally well behaved if you are looking to have a seamless ceremony. There is always a chance of wailing in the middle of your I do’s if the child is a little irritable or is not used to be away from the parents.
When it comes to the dress, make sure that it fits perfectly and the fabric is comfortable enough for a child. It should not be too hot, too tight, or have unnecessary trimmings that might cause allergic reactions.
Ask your friends who have adorable kids if they can spare her for the wedding. Certainly, your friends would gladly oblige seeing as you are the bride to whom they cannot say no. Also, most mothers are excited when their little girls are asked to be part of a wedding as flower girls.
Make sure that the flower girl(s) come for the fitting of the dresses early so that they can be given special attention. It is a little more difficult dressing flower girls since they are at the age where they would rather go out and play so you have to exercise a little more patience with them in the preparation.
Spring Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses
One of the most common pet peeves of bridesmaids is that they do not get the chance to choose their own dresses for the wedding. More often than not, there is always an issue when it comes to the attire of the people in the entourage as compared to that of the bride and groom.
These days, it is already customary to allow bridesmaids to choose their own dresses based on their own personal taste. However, if you are a bride who still prefers to have at least some semblance to uniformity in your wedding, you can put down some guidelines for the bridesmaids to follow when it comes to choosing their dress.
For starters, there has to be a limit to how short or long the dress has to be. Some bridesmaids have no qualms in showing off their legs even when it is no longer appropriate considering the dignified event at hand.
The choice in color also has to be regulated otherwise you can very well expect someone to pick out a hideously wrong hue like neon green or cheese doodle orange.
One of the things that you can do in order to make sure that there is no confusion with the guidelines for the dresses is to sit down with all your bridesmaids as well as your maid of honor. It will be better if you make it very clear what your wishes are and be sure to communicate your preferences in a polite manner. You may be the bride (and technically the boss) but you should also observe tact as much as possible so that no feelings will get hurt.
For spring bridesmaids, you can suggest earth tones to be among the choices because it is after all the most appropriate for the season and the theme as well. It would also be advisable to have shorter dresses (nothing longer than 4 inches below the knee cap) because it is quite warm in the spring.
Spring wedding bridesmaids dresses also have to be appropriately accented. While they can have free reign with the choice of the dress, you can make it easier for them to decide if there is a designated tailor for the event who can assist them.
There are also spring wedding bridesmaids dresses that can be readily bought in stores although one of the downsides is the need for a few alterations.
