Location

First, you need to pick a location. While you can pick almost any location for this type of reception, some are better choices than others. Ideal for cocktail receptions are spacious wedding halls with high-top tables. Art museums, outdoor tents and historic sites would also fit the bill. Make sure that the venue you select will be conducive for a reception that serves mainly cocktail appetizers and drinks.

Invites

Don’t forget to inform your guests about the type of reception that you’re having. You don’t want them expecting a full meal only to be surprised that they’re only going to be munching on appetizers throughout the night. It would be suffice to say in the invitation, “cocktail reception to follow ceremony.”

Caterer and Menu

It’s a must to find a caterer who specializes in cocktail drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Ensure that the caterer has enough staff to attend and serve the guests. Don’t forget to ask for references from brides you know who have had this kind of reception.

Try to find a caterer that can offer unique options apart from the typical basic small plate selections. Basic options are cheese platter, spring rolls, baked oysters, shrimp cocktail and chocolate dipped treats.

Wow your guests with something new like red potatoes topped with tomato and avocado salsa, antipasto skewers, goat cheese endive bites and corn muffins stuffed with red peppers, cheese and scallion. It would be nice to incorporate ethnic choices like Caribbean, Thai or Japanese.

Signature Cocktail

It’s not enough that you think of unique cocktail appetizers. You must also have a few drinks that will complement the food as well as the overall theme of the event. If you’re gifted in the bartending department, then you can make your own signature drink that can be served to the guests.

There are plenty of cocktail drink recipes online. Just give yours a little twist and you can call it personalized! There are two options for serving drinks in a wedding cocktail reception. One is a full bar, which gives the guests the leeway to have their favorite drinks made by the bartender. Two, you can have a drink menu, which is also convenient but more budget-friendly than the first option. Serve mocktails for those who don’t want to ingest alcoholic drinks during the night.

More Helpful Hints

• Send out invitations early so guests can schedule your wedding into their busy lives.
• Buy cocktail wedding favours, some stores carry a huge assortment.
• Learn about food pairing suggestions.
• Stock up on cocktail plates, napkins and glasses.
• Estimate that each person would have two to three drinks.

Now that you’ve learned the basics, let the cocktail reception planning begin!

Tangerine Tango and Hot Pink Combo

Do you know why this combination is on top of the list? That’s because tangerine tango has been hailed as 2012 pantone color of the year. One look at this amazing color and you’ll know exactly why. Bright, rich and encouraging—these are what this shade is all about. It’s the perfect motif for a spring wedding. But since it can get a little overwhelming to see tangerine tango all over, you can tone it down a bit by throwing in some hot pink elements. You’re probably skeptical: tone it down with hot pink? Despite being a strong color, hot pink can immediately add softness and femininity to whatever it touches.

Innocent Mint Green and Candy Pink

Spring has always been synonymous to gentle but classy pastel colors. For 2012, one of the best ways to pull this off is through the combination of mint green and candy pink. It’s young, playful and innocent. Not to mention, there are countless of flowers that come in this color. You can give away mint tin favors with pink and green mints as wedding favours.

Platinum and Honeydew Green Ensemble

It’s not that often that you’ll see this color scheme in weddings, probably because only few brides realize how beautiful the combination can turn out. The subtlety of honeydew looks amazing when paired with the sparkling platinum. The result will be a spring wedding that’s elegant, soft and pleasing to the eyes.

Terracotta Pink to Complement Robin’s Egg Blue

It’s hard not to fall in love with these colors. The wonderful thing about this is that it’s a perfect fusion of feminine and boyish colors that results in such a gorgeous outcome. Imagine a church or wedding hall adorned with these colors and it would feel like it’s going to be spring forever. Have the bridesmaids wear robin’s egg blue dresses that match those of the ties of the groomsmen of the same color. The bridesmaids can hold pink bouquets for a striking contrast.

Pretty in Blush Pink and Pewter Gray

Many brides think that gray doesn’t have a place in wedding. It’s dreary and uninspiring. But wait until you pair it with a luscious blush pink and you’ll get something that’s truly an eye candy. Blush pink is the softest of all shades of pink, it’s almost similar to the blush of a baby’s cheek. And that makes it such a soft and elegant choice. Combine it with pewter gray and voila, a stunning look for your incredible spring wedding.

White means purity

White has always been the traditional color for weddings. The gown is white, the bouquet is white, and every other thing is white. This is probably the reason why some years ago, modern weddings meant shunning white and going instead for bright and vibrant colors. But this time, white has made a comeback. This timeless shade is now a top choice in modern weddings. Hand-tied white Turkish tulips and white water lilies make an elegant bouquet. The combination of dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids can be used to brighten up the aisle of the ceremony venue. For the table centerpiece, go for a cherry blossom branch filled with calla lilies around. Display wreaths of ranunculus, roses and dogwood blooms around the venue.

Let’s go green

If white isn’t your bet and you want something that looks simple and fresh, opt for green. Make the entire venue look like it’s fresh out of the forest. After all, modern times call for back to the nature themes. A candlestick wrapped with lily grass and amaranthus will wow your guests. The bridal bouquet can be composed of green fritillaria, green wave parrot tulips, maidenhair and umbrella fern. Have more of the organic vibe by decorating the venue with garlands of spider mums, bamboo, clump moss and bear grass. This color theme is especially great for eco-friendly weddings. Apart choosing a green color theme for the wedding, do eco-friendly wedding planning as well.

Romantic shades

Romantic colors like red and pink never go out of style. They’re also very in-demand at modern weddings nowadays. These hues set the tone for the romantic celebration. For the guests’ tables, decorate a shallow bowl of water with floating bellis pomponettes and rose petals. Line up the buffet table with votive glasses with cymbidium orchids and garden roses. These can double as party favors that guests can take home. As for the bridal bouquet, what would look amazing is a bunch of pink sweet peas, Little Susie orchids, pink jasmine and maroon fritillaria.

Sunny and rustic

A modern summer wedding would look outstanding with the shades of happiness—bright yellow and orange. It’s a common mistake for people to think that modern equates dull colors. Modern can also be vibrant and colorful, depending on the couple’s taste. Create the perfect bridal pedestal with floral foam of poppies, cattleya orchids, cobra lily flowers, ostrich feathers and Banksia roses. Liven up the place with wooden boxes filled with yellow cherry blossoms and poppies. Add some orange fruits too to complete the look. Flower arrangements can compose of peony tulips, Turkish tulips and parrot tulips. The bride can walk down the aisle with a striking bouquet of cattleya orchids, ostrich feathers, fritillaria and yellow narcissus.

Some Tips on Choosing Wedding Flowers

The ideas above will surely give you the inspiration you need to choose the perfect flowers. Other than this, it would also be nice if you can add a touch of elegance to your already glamorous bouquet with brooches, jewel pins, pearls, crystals or monogrammed ribbons. For green-themed or summer weddings, shells, starfish and pinecones look great.

Since roses have always been the traditional choice for the bridal bouquet, it would be good to go for other choices such as those mentioned above or other blooms like peonies, hydrangeas and lilies. Have it arranged in such a way that it looks like the flowers have just been picked up. The more casual is better than the usual tightly-bound bridal bouquet.

For the venue decoration, modern times require choosing similar tones but varying sizes and textures. This gives a unified but at the same time contrasting look for the venue. Choose unique shaped vases and containers for the table centerpieces and add embellishments like crystals, sea glass shells, marbles and fresh fruits. Rose petals and diamond confetti can be spread around the table.

Tip # 1 – Apply early but not too early

It’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute before you file the application for your marriage license. It’s recommended that you get it a month or two before the schedule of your big day. Don’t do it earlier than this since most marriage licenses are only valid for 30 to 60 days. If you don’t hold the wedding in that time window, the license will expire and you need to repeat the entire application process. Since every state has its own waiting time and validity periods, you must know about these things first to ensure that you get the marriage license in time for your wedding date.

Tip # 2 – Learn the procedure

It’s not enough that you know how long you should wait for the application process or how long the license is valid, you must also know the entire procedure so you don’t lose your way around. Again, the procedure for getting marriage license differs in every state. In fact, some counties impose additional rules and restrictions. Because of this, you should be aware of the step-by-step procedure so you don’t encounter any problem.

Tip # 3 – Be sure you’re at legal age to marry

Some couples encounter problems getting the marriage license because of the age. Age requirement is something that you can’t overlook. For example, if you’re getting married in Nebraska, you must be 19 or older to be issued with a marriage license. In some states, young people are allowed to be married if they have permission from their parents.

Tip # 4 – Prepare the requirements

Like everything else, requirements also depend on the rules of the state where you’re getting married. But generally, what you’ll be asked to provide are your valid driver’s license number and Social Security number. If you’re not a citizen of this country, you may also need birth certificate and passport. Don’t rely on this list of general requirements and be sure to inquire what the state’s specific requirements are and prepare them as soon as you can. Most of the delays in marriage license applications are due to lack of or missing required documents.

Tip # 5 – Be ready with the fees

The fee for marriage license application varies from $4 to $80. But most require a fee of about $40. Prepare this amount before you even file for the marriage license application to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Tip # 6 – Know where you’re going to apply

In most cases, you’ll need to apply at the county clerk office. Usually, this can be found in the state court offices. There are some states however that would require you to get marriage license from a registered chapel. Find out if you need an appointment to apply so you can call ahead. Inquire about the county clerk’s office hours and get there early.

Tip # 7 – Get a blood test

Blood test used to be a requirement for all states. But nowadays, only 12 states require you to undergo this test as part of the marriage license application. If the state where you’re getting married requires this, you and your spouse-to-be should undergo it to find out about the possible effects of Rh incompatibility.

The marriage license is not only important because it allows you to get married. It’s also essential because it is a requirement for getting marriage certificate, which is the proof that your wedding is officially recognized.

Don’t get me wrong: I love flowers. But every once in a while, a non-floral item comes along that blows me away. This time, there were two. The paper-flower bouquet on the right is more gorgeous than some real-flower bouquets I’ve seen. Too intimidating to DIY? The ribbon boutonniere on the left looks a lot more uncrafty-friendly.

>See our favorite wedding boutonnieres.

Photos: Stephanie Ascari, Cleverly Candid Photography (http://www.cleverlycandid.com)

Boutonniere and bouquet: Rebecca Nolen, Dallas TX

“Yay! ANOTHER blender!” “I’ve always wanted two toasters!” “I can’t wait to display all these picture frames…in my closet.”

When registering for your wedding, you may find you already have all the little necessities that a bride and groom typically register for. Couples are getting married later in life, shacking up (good or bad, it happens all the time), and already have established careers, apartments, or homes, by the time they tie the knot. So in the world where cash is king, it’s tempting to ask for good old fashioned moolah on your wedding invitation. After all, this saves your guests time, right?

Not exactly.

While some rules are meant to be broken (who said that punch bowl didn’t have alcohol?), never ask for cash on your wedding invitation. In fact, never put any registry information at all on your wedding invitation. If you do, you seriously run the risk of having about three grandma’s call you on it at your wedding. And I’m not kidding. In a recent Q&A in the Wall Street Journal, the author cites Anna Post (author and spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute), who says, “Saying anything about any gifts of any kind can be jarring to recipients.” Instead, a perfectly acceptable way to let guests know you prefer cash is to ask friends and family to pass along the information. You can even let them know via a wedding web site.

Think cash is tacky? Other types of registries are becoming more and more popular, such as a honeymoon (honeymoonwishes.com) or charitable organization registries (changingthepresent.org).

P.S. Speaking from experience, if you want to ask for cash gifts, but are worried it will be tacky, you’ll find guests are much more receptive when they realize they are contributing to a bigger cause – your first home, an in-house photography studio, an outdoor garden and sunroom, etc…

photo by: Leaca’s Philosophy

I had a lovely chat yesterday with Paige Anderson of the Los Angeles based Bash Eco Events, an eco-friendly event and wedding planning studio. Our communication led me to learn much about Paige, such as how her background in film production led her to event planning and launch parties, and then eventually wedding planning. This talented gal has a lovely blog, Bash Eco Events: The Blog, of which she recently shared a beautiful backyard wedding. My favorite parts of this wedding are the hand dyed bridesmaid’s dresses, but it also involved homemade goodies, a disco ball hanging from an old oak tree, and wildflower centerpieces with eggplant and asparagus! I borrowed a few photos to post here, but see the rest here.

All photos by Miriam Geer

In reality, it is just as likely to be raining with the main players and the guests arriving at the venue somewhat bedraggled or a glorious sunny day with the bright light streaming through the windows spoiling the candle lit effect.

However, just because the weather outdoors may not match up to your Christmas idyll it does not mean that you cannot enjoy a full-blown, romantic Christmas wedding. There are plenty of ways of giving your big day a Christmas theme without worrying whether the snow will fall.

Planning a Christmas wedding is the same as planning a wedding any other time of year. You use the location and the time of year to give you inspiration for themes for the day`s celebrations. In many ways getting married at Christmas can make the planning easier as the wedding theme is already dictated.

So how can you ensure that your wedding celebrations make everyone feel Christmassy? There are a variety of themes you could use to give your big day a Christmas feel. One of the simplest is to have a color theme, concentrating on colors associated with Christmas such as red, gold and green. The theme would start with your wedding invitations and continue with the bride`s wedding dress and the clothing worn by any bridesmaids and page boys. How about the bridal party all wearing red fur-lined cloaks and the bridesmaids carrying red fur-lined muffs instead of flowers?

The theme could continue with the flowers and the flowers themselves could become a Christmas theme. Think red and green with Christmas floral bouquets and displays – Christmas roses, poinsettias, holly and mistletoe. Bunches of holly decorating the venue and used as table center pieces would make an extremely evocative Christmas theme. You could even have some holly as a wedding cake decoration.

If you want to be more ambitious, you could go for a Dickensian Christmas theme, with candles decorating the venue, a traditionally-decorated Christmas tree in the corner and carol singers greeting the guests as they arrive. How about one of the readings during the marriage ceremony coming from the Dickens novel A Christmas Carol?

If you live in an area which usually gets snow at Christmas time you could have a snow theme throughout the day. The bridal party could all wear fur-lined outfits and snow boots and the bride could walk down the aisle to the strains of “Let it Snow”. Perhaps you could persuade the venue to provide some artificial snow and maybe even a snowman as decorations? Your wedding favors for the guests could be mini snow domes!

Finally how about continuing the Christmas theme by sending Christmas cards to all the guests following the wedding instead of thank you cards? Everyone loves a celebration and the combination of a wedding and Christmas is irresistible so giving your wedding a Christmas theme is a sure fire way of ensuring everyone enjoys themselves.

Favors have evolved from Jordan almonds to almost everything else, depending on the couple’s preferences and their guests’ personalities. Buy them or make them yourself; either way, favors should have a touch of elegance and tastefulness in deference to their distinguished origin.

Trimmings

These include ornamental pieces that your guests could use to decorate their homes. They can be personalized to coordinate with your wedding theme or to suit your guests’ tastes. Refrigerator magnets, frosted glass shades and crystal decorations in various shapes (umbrellas, dolphins, globe, cross, heart, ring, and many others) and sizes are some examples.

Travel accompaniments

A great way to show your thoughtfulness is to give your guests something that they can use when traveling. Going to different places is something that most people count as a happy thought so giving your friends luggage tags and travel candles is a way to remind them that they should go on a trip for that much-deserved break.

Dinner table add-ons

Functional favors are the best kind because your guests will remember and appreciate you every time they use what you gave them. Some of the most common favors are those that can be used during meals. Personalize coasters and place card holders with your guests’ photos and pick out wine pourer and stopper sets, bottle openers, and toasting glasses that reflect your wedding motif. Choose designs that are simple yet stylish.

Candles and Soaps

Candles and soaps are in a category of their own because they can both be useful and decorative. Many use candle wedding favors as ornaments and some use soaps to keep their cupboards and dressers fragrant. They come in different forms and designs so it’s easy to pick out something that will be perfect for your individual guests.

More Options

Edible favors like brownie pops, mini cakes and cookies have also gained popularity but since your guests will probably eat them, they might be left with nothing but memories and plastic wraps. Giveaways like hand fans, mini photo albums, compacts, and favor boxes are great because your guests will find them useful as well as decorative since they usually come in exquisite designs

Many books and online sources cite DIY instructions to those who want to either add a personal touch to the favors or save on the cost of buying ready-made ones. There is no rule on whether you should buy or make your own favors but you have to remember that favors are meant to show your appreciation to your guests. Therefore, make sure that you’re going to give them keepsakes that will show just how thankful you are.

Beach Wedding Favors

This 2012 is two years into the new decade. For weddings, this means new wedding trends and many more wedding days. Some of the most popular trends for this year revolve around the wedding favors. Below you would find some of the upcoming trends as well as the top 30 wedding favor ideas for 2012.

Top Wedding Favor Trends

1. Do-it-yourself favors – These are ideal for the crafty bride looking for a way to hand out unique favors at a smaller budget.
2. Monogrammed packaging – Items that bear the initials of the couple are going to be very big this year.
3. Humorous items – People love to laugh and so, wedding favors with a funny twist are making their way into the arena of popularity this 2010.
4. Eco-friendly giveaways – These favors intend to help the environment in one way or another.
5. Edible treats – These are always appreciated by guests who have sweet cravings.
6. Items for a cause – Express your advocacy with this type of wedding favors
7. Personalized favors – Giving guests personalized favors is a good way of showing your utmost gratitude.
8. Candles in unique shapes and containers – Boring and plain candles are out; candles that come in unique shapes and fabulous containers are in.
9. Beach favors – Beach favors are now not only for beach weddings anymore.
10. Favors that serve double purpose – These favors serve more than one purpose and can you save money.
11. Miniature versions of real things
12. Practical Items – Items that come in elegant designs but can be used as everyday things.

Top 30 Wedding Favor Ideas

1. Palm Tree Favor Box with Multi-dimensional Detail
2. Life Is Sweet-Beach Chairs with Heart with Honey Favors
3. In Favor of a Cure Pink Ribbon Plantable Wildflower Favors
4. Personalized Audio CDs
5. Miles of Memories Suitcase Favor Tins with Optional Personalized Labels
6. Chocolate Bars with Customized Cover
7. Personalized Expressions Collection Mirror Compact Favors
8. Sailboat Place Card Holder
9. Topiary Photo Holder/Place Card Holder
10. Tin Favor Pails
11. Welcome to Our Wedding” Canvas Tote Bag
12. “Cosmetic Couture” Quilted, Monogrammed Make-Up Bag
13. Choice Crystal Star Bottle Stopper
14. The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Flip-Flops
15. The ‘Gratest’ Love of All Stainless-Steel Cheese Grater in Showcase Gift Box
16. The Cosmopolitan Monogrammed 5 Piece Manicure Set
17. “Cut Out for Each Other” Stainless-Steel, Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutters
18. “Sew Perfect” Classic Houndstooth Sewing Kit
19. The Perfect Mix™-Red Roses – Lemonade Favors
20. Sandalwood Fan Favors
21. Cross Design Memo Pads
22. So Pretty Miniature Purse Bottle Stoppers in Gift Box
23. Peace, Love and Happiness Collection peace sign keychain favors
24. Adorable Bride & Groom Salt & Pepper Shaker Favors
25. Scented Frosted Glass Votive- Hearts & Vines
26. Cupcake bookmark
27. “Love’s a Peel” apple peeler
28. Personalized Glass Favor Jars
29. Olive You! Glass LOVE Oil Bottle in Signature Tuscan Box
30. Lucky Seven dice candle favors

For a very long time, wedding favors have taken a back seat behind the big wedding aspects. Today, couples give more attention to this small detail because many have realized the importance of wedding favors as a way of thanking guests for being part of the momentous celebration.

Apple of My Eye Mini-Candle Wedding Favors

Weddings are not just about big things like the wedding venue, bridal gown, or reception program. These are not only about picking your entourage or about choosing flower decorations for the church and reception area. Even the smallest details like the candle wedding favors are an important factor that would contribute to the success of the event. And because times are quite hard these days, it would be a good idea if the bride and groom can find creative ways on how to use these keepsakes on reception tables in such a way that you would be able to maximize your wedding budget. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

Use Candle Favors as the Table Centerpiece

Candle favors can be incorporated into floral arrangements to make a stunning table centerpiece. As you would notice, candles can make any flower bloom glow and look livelier.  You can also arrange the candle favors into a tiered stand, a smaller version of the one used for wedding cupcakes.

Another idea would be to have candles placed on crystal tea light holders floating on a clear vase with a wide opening. Sprinkle in some embellishments such as flower petals, faux gems, pearls, and glitters. It would also be nice to have a mini potted plant surrounded with botanical garden votive candle holders. Just make sure that the guests are informed that the candle decorations used on the reception table are wedding favors so each can take one home.

Garden Glass Gel Candle Wedding Favors

Light up the Table with the Candle Favors

If you are going to hold the reception at night, you would need light sources for the tables. The candle favors can serve this purpose. As mentioned earlier, you can arrange the candles in such a way that they can be the focal point of the wedding table decoration. However, for this purpose, you should also remember to light up the candle favors to provide glow for the tables. Miniature lanterns with hangers are also great for this purpose of lighting up the table and being a wedding favor.

Go for Candle Favors that can double as Table Place Cards

Candles placed in clear vases can be both a souvenir and a table place card. How is that possible? You can have mod “blox” clings with personalized text adhered onto the vases not only to add a modern look to the table but also to give people information regarding guests’ names and corresponding table numbers. The good thing about cling is that it leaves no residue and can adhere to almost any type of glossy smooth surface.

Candles are very beautiful tokens of appreciation that can make your wedding day special and memorable. They give a warm inviting glow, set a romantic mood, and provide an elegant atmosphere to the occasion. But aside from their sheer beauty, they are also very flexible and can be used for a wide variety of things aside from simply being favors. They can be used as sophisticated table centerpieces, bright light source, and efficient table place cards.

Hiring a Limousine Service For Your Wedding

Do you think you have everything covered? Wedding attire, church, reception, music, décor, wedding invitations, wedding favors—everything check! But wait, you might be forgetting something. Remember that on the day of your wedding, you would want to have an elegant bridal arrival that would amaze guests and wow your future spouse. How do you do that? By riding an exquisite limousine, of course. As you know, the bridal car, which will bring you to the location of the wedding, is an important detail that should not be missed. If you want to have a smooth ride in your limo, here are some tips on how to contract this type of service.

Tip 1: Begin your search early

Yes, there are many limo services in the market but this does not mean you should wait the last minute before you browse through your options and look for one. First off, you should determine what your needs are concerning the type of limousine, color, and passenger capacity. This would help you in your search as you can narrow down options more easily. Next, contact various limousine companies and get to know which ones would be able to offer you what you are looking for.

Tip 2: Set a budget

Aside from your vehicle preferences, you should also set a budget for the rental, as this is one of the factors you have to look into when viewing your options.

Tip 3: Ask smart questions

To help you further in making a choice, get to know the limousine company by asking several questions about their business and services. For one, inquire how long it has been in this industry. Ask about the types and colors of limousines that are available. Get a list of references from past clients. Inquire also about features, services, and rates. Compare the pieces of information you gather so you would be able to make an informed choice.

Tip 4: Know the chauffeur

The limo driver will play an important role in ensuring that everything goes perfectly. A good driver will pick you up on time, cooperate to the plan, and drive safely. See to it that the limo service gives you a driver with all these qualities.

Tip 5: Inspect the limo

Before you make the final reservation, inspect the limo that you are going to use for the big day. Examine it inside and out. Remember there are some limousines that are dazzling on the outside but are not pretty or comfortable inside.

Tip 6: Plan arrival and location

Give detailed directions on the location of arrival. Map out if necessary. Confirm reservation 48 hours before the event and do not forget to reserve a parking slot for this big car.

Tip 7: Book the service

You will need to pay a deposit to reserve your vehicle of choice and sign a rental contract. Before you do, make sure that you read and understand everything first. A contract should contain details on the date of service, arrival time and location, rates and penalties, and color, model, year, license number of the vehicle. It should also indicate policies and charges on cancellation, cleaning, and refunds. Get a copy of certification of insurance to ensure that passengers are covered in case of an accident.

Finding and renting a limo service can be a breeze if you follow the simple tips mentioned in this article. Have fun riding this fabulous car and make a wonderful grand entrance that would make you the talk of the town even after the wedding is over.

This one-of-a-kind Wedding Planning and Coaching Membership site (www.thebridalcoach.ca) is all about you and your perfect wedding. Everything here will support your dream and help you to really get there. Our team of virtual wedding planners is committed to provide you with what you need every step of the way, with your vision, with your theme, how to get things done, how to deal with your relatives and friends, and so much more. You have everything in one place and you can do it all from the comfort of your home.

Click Here to Learn More!

We will keep you up-to-date with newest wedding trends through our weekly webinars, and we connect you through our members’ forum with other brides and wedding planners so you aren’t doing this alone. The wedding planning checklists accompanied by how-to videos will get you organized, which in turn reduces all the stress brides report when planning their wedding. You will be confident that you will have done everything on-time and in the most creative way, and best of all, the money you spend for our membership site will be put back into your pocket many times over by following our time-proven money saving tips with vendors.

Click Here to Learn More!

Here is what you will receive when you order a membership with TheBridalCoach.ca TODAY!

Time-proven wedding planning checklists

The first cluster of information in the members only area called Start Here explains through text, videos, and checklists the following: engagment, wedding vision, wedding budget, legal stuff, reception site, ceremony site, photographer, videographer, bridal party, wedding gown and encore weddings.

Comprehensive wedding planning videos covering every aspect of your wedding

The second cluster Build On It includes bridal party attire, honeymoon, stationary, guest list, florist, wedding cake, personal grooming, bridal registries, ceremony musicians, reception musicians, wedding rings, and bridal suite.

Daily answers to your questions by our wedding planners in the members’ forum

The third cluster called Finalize explains through text, videos, and checklists the following: transportation, reception and catering, ceremony and vows, rental items, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, parties, guest accommodation, finalize contracts, and spousal gifts.

Weekly webinars with the latest trends, ideas, and information

Virtual wedding planners in the forums and on the weekly coaching calls

Almost There is the 4th cluster of modules where you will be guided through topics like wedding invitations, decorations, wedding favours, itineraries, music selection, toast to parents, wedding announcements, thank you gifts, more legal stuff and attire tryouts.

Wedding planning timeline to keep you on-track

Money saving video series for every part of your wedding—gowns, caterer, flowers, musicians, wedding favors, and much more

The final cluster is called Countdown and that’s where we coach you through topics like seating plan, task assignments, bridesmaids’ luncheon, groomsmen outing, vendor payments, wedding day kit, rehearsal, decorating, and final confirmations.

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Red Wedding Dresses

Gone were the days when the only acceptable color for wedding gowns was white (and any shade close to it). Gone were the days when wearing other colors would mean breaking the law. Gone were the days when a red wedding gown was considered taboo.

More and more brides are choosing red wedding gowns for a number of different reasons. Some dare to defy the wedding norms. Some are bored with the usual white color. Some desire to be unique and stand out. Some want to look stunning with this bold color. Others simply intend to follow the latest trend.

Whatever your reason is for wearing this gown, there are several things you have to know about it before you buy one. Here are some of the things you must know about red wedding gowns.

Symbolism of Red

Red is the symbol of color, so it can be the perfect color for wedding gowns. Aside from that, it also symbolizes passion, romance and fiery emotions. If you want to make your wedding symbolic and meaningful, wearing a red wedding gown may be the perfect option for you.

Picture: Photobucket

The two basic options you have for red wedding gowns is a solid red wedding gown and a white wedding gown with a touch of red that may come in the form of a sash, lace, or embroidery. As for the gown’s style, you can go for strapless, tube, mini sleeves, long sleeves, sweetheart cut, empress, turtleneck and many others. Before you decide on a certain style, consider your personal taste and personality. Choose something that would evoke your character and fashion sense.

Confidence: Most Important Accessory for a Red Gown

This is a very important reminder: do not wear a red wedding gown unless you have the guts and confidence to carry it. If you are the meek type, who shies away at people’s hint of dislike, this is not the dress for you. But if you are the daring type who can wear the gown with confidence, go for it! Just remember that you cannot please everybody, especially those people who have conservative views about wedding traditions. Keep in mind that this is your moment and that you should not really care what other people think.

Picture: Photobucket

Red Gown: Is it just a Fad?

Another thing you have to consider is the fact that a red wedding gown may just be a current trend. Ask yourself how you would feel looking at your wedding photos many years from now. Do you think you would be proud enough to say that you were among the first who started this trend? Or do you feel you may end up saying that you made a terrible mistake when you followed a crazy trend that has already long been buried into oblivion?

Many wedding experts say that the red wedding gown is here to stay. Just like the strapless wedding gown that was unacceptable (even unthinkable) some decades ago, red may become a staple in wedding gowns. But of course, it is still up to you to make the final decision.

Red wedding gowns have been making noises in the wedding fashion industry. If you want to make a fashion statement, if you want to look gorgeous and stunning, if you want to stand out and be unique, consider wearing this vibrant and bold color that would surely turn heads as you make that memorable walk down the aisle.

Colors for A Winter Wedding

When you think of a winter wedding, the first color that would come into your mind is white. After all, winter is about snow, ice, snow, ice and more snow and ice! But this does not mean that your winter wedding event should be bleak and boring. In fact, white is such a wonderful backdrop that you can use in combination with a wide array of vibrant and exciting colors to turn your wedding day into a majestic event.

If you are wondering what pretty colors to use for your big day, here are some ideas to get you started:

Red, Green & White for Christmas Weddings

If you are going to have a winter wedding around Christmas, the best colors of course are the festive red, green and white. But since you do not want your wedding decorations to look like a Christmas tree or wreath, you can tone down these shades a little by opting for muted tones. Alternatively, you can combine vibrant shades with gray or mix together muted tones with silver. Whatever way you use three colors, you would surely achieve a festive and fun look for your winter wedding celebration.

Metallic Shades for a Shimmering Effect

Winter shimmers the way no other season can. Because of this, you would probably want to consider using sparkling metallic shades such as gold, silver, brass, bronze, and copper. You can use them as a single motif color or in combination with a muted tone. You can use the metallic shade as the dominant motif color or just for accents. For example, silver and blue can go well together; bronze and light pink would also look ideal.

Color Wheel

Warm Colors to Tone down the Chilly Ambiance

Red, orange, and yellow are usually summer colors but no one will stop you if you want to make use of these warm colors to have a distinct winter wedding atmosphere. But so that there would still be a winter feel to the event, use any of these shades in combination with silver or gold. Red and gold look nice together while orange, yellow and copper can also be fabulous color palette.

Rich Contrasting Hues for Dramatic Feel

For couples who want to have a dramatic effect for their wedding, opt for rich hues that can give striking contrast to the white backdrop of the winter scene. Purple, burgundy, brown, navy blue, black cherry, plum, forest green and dark teal are just few of the many options on deep velvety shades you can use.

Wonderful Color Combinations

Two- or three-color combinations have become a choice of many couples. It would be a good idea to consult the color wheel so you can check what colors complement each other. Some ideas you can use are

Royal purple, rich green accented with gold or silver

Blue, blue violet, teal and white or silver accents

Purple, chocolate brown, and bronze

Navy blue, sky blue, and silver

Ice blue, emerald green, and silver

Emerald green, periwinkle, and mocha

Gold and chocolate brown

Choosing winter wedding colors may not be easy for some but with the excellent tips and suggestions found on this article, picking the right shades for your majestic winter wedding celebration can be a breeze.