Wedding Preparation Calendar

Your wedding date is a year away - it seems like an eternity! As formal weddings have become more and more popular, you should allow about one year for planning. Many reception facilities are reserved as far as twelve to eighteen months in advance during the summer months and December. The size and formality of your wedding will play an important part in determining your date and schedule. Even if your wedding is small and less formal, allow yourself a minimum of three months. The more time you have to plan, the better your chances of reserving your first choices. On the biggest day of your life, who wants to settle for less? With all you have to do, time will fly quicker than you think!

The following schedule and checklist provide you with the basis for organizing your planning time and ensure that all the details will be handled. These are strictly recommendations; we encourage you to see when the businesses themselves say they need to be reserved as you read the rest of the book.

AFTER ENGAGEMENT - SIX MONTHS AND BEFORE

• Select a wedding date and time (be flexible)
• Buy a wedding notebook or organizer
• Figure out your budget and write it down
• Determine type of wedding and reception: formality, size, colors, and theme
• Decide on the ceremony site and make an appointment with the clergy
• Reserve a reception facility; if there's no in-house catering, you will need to find a caterer
• Start compiling names and addresses of guests
• Decide on wedding attendants (bridesmaids and groomsmen)
• Shop for your wedding gown and headpiece
• Select a professional photographer
• Select a professional videographer
• Start collecting favorite photographs from both of your childhoods through the present; you'll want to use them in your wedding video or multi-image slide program
• Select dresses for your bridesmaids
• Find a florist
• Mail out engagement announcements
• Send an announcement to your local paper
• Register at the bridal registry stores of your choice (more than one is fine)
• Reserve a band, orchestra, string quartet, or DJ for your reception (if you choose)
• Decide on honeymoon destination; if it's a popular area, make reservations now

FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS BEFORE

• Compile the final guest list; delete or correct as needed
• Make sure all deposits are paid for services reserved
• Finish planning the honeymoon
• Order bridal attire; some manufacturers require up to six months for delivery
• Order the wedding cake
• Have groom, groomsmen, and ushers fitted for formal wear
• Purchase your wedding rings
• Order invitations, thank-you notes, imprinted napkins, and wedding programs
• Ask people to handle certain duties like candle lighting, guest book, cake serving
• Select musicians for ceremony

TWO TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE

• Plan ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Address invitations (mail four to six weeks prior to wedding)
• Organize details with service providers: reception facility, photographer, etc.
• Check accommodations for out-of-town guests; send them information
• Make beauty appointments: hair, nails, massage, facial, and makeup
• Arrange for final fittings for your gown and bridesmaids dresses
• Make your transportation arrangements for the wedding day
• Purchase gifts for your attendants
• Shop for your trousseau, lingerie, and going-away outfit
• Give a bridesmaids' luncheon or bachelor party (optional)
• Send thank-yous for gifts received early
• Get accessories: garter, unity candle, toasting goblets, ring-bearer pillow, etc.

ONE WEEK TO A MONTH BEFORE

• Decide where you'll be living and send change-of-address cards to post office
• Confirm accommodations arranged for out-of-town guests
• Get your final count of guests to caterer
• Delegate last-minute errands and details
• Make any necessary lists for photographer, videographer, and musicians
• Ask a responsible person to coordinate services and people on the wedding day; give them a list of who and what is supposed to be where and when
• Get your marriage license. Note: If you were married before, you'll need to know the date and place of the divorce or annulment. You may also need to have paperwork proof of divorce or annulment
• Pick up your wedding rings; make sure they are the correct sizes
• Pick up wedding attire; try it all on one last time to make sure it fits
• Make sure bridesmaids have their dresses, shoes, and accessories, and they all fit
• Keep up on writing thank-yous; don't let them accumulate
• Pamper yourself and make sure you eat right and get enough sleep

THE WEDDING DAY

• Eat a good breakfast
• Relax and enjoy getting ready for your big day
• Go to the hairdresser or start fixing your hair a few hours prior to the wedding
• Put all the accessories you will need for dressing in one place
• If pictures are being taken before the ceremony, be ready at least two hours before
• Just enjoy the day! All your months of planning will make your day perfect!

AFTER THE WEDDING
Make arrangements to change your name (if you choose) on your social security card, driver's license, passport, vehicle registration, bank accounts, all types of insurance, paychecks, and benefits at your place of employment, credit cards, mortgage companies, voter registration, business cards, frequent-flier programs, and all utility companies. If you are a student, contact your school to notify them of your new name, and ask them to change it in their records. Also contact the post office.

Saving Your Budget

It's amazing how fast wedding costs can exceed the planned budget. If you find yourself in the position of needing to trim back to make everything fit within your budget, consider the following:

• Avoid peak wedding days and seasons. You can save money by having your wedding during the months considered to be "off-season" (January-May and late October-November) and on a Thursday or Friday evening or Sunday during the day. Because these times are in less demand, many businesses and services provide what you are looking for at reduced prices. You're also more likely to get your first choices!
• Consider a daytime versus evening wedding. Saturday or Sunday daytime weddings are becoming popular. Considering a weekend daytime wedding gives additional options for your wedding date. Food and alcohol costs are considerably less for daytime events than evening events. People don't drink as much, if at all, and the food itself is far simpler and therefore less expensive.
• Cut back on the guest list. Guest lists can be the first thing to get out of control. Everyone wants to invite anybody and everybody they ever knew. Be firm with your figures of how many guests for each family. If that doesn't work, go back to the old formula of immediate family first, close personal friends second, etc., or have everyone review the list and cut back by 10%, 20%, or whatever is necessary to bring things back in line.
• Determine what is most important to you and put your money into that, but trim back on other areas. If fabulous flowers have always meant the most to you, spend a little less on your wedding gown or wear your mother's, sister's, or a friend's gown. If you've always wanted the most incredible dress in the world, cut back on the flower budget and have a DJ instead of a band.
• Don't be afraid to shop around. A little time on the phone could save you a lot of money. There can be a considerable difference in prices between different businesses for the same items or services. Just make sure that you are going to receive exactly the same item or level of service from the less-expensive company and that no short cuts are being taken at your expense.

If you're very clear about what budget you have to work with from the beginning, you'll find that the people in the wedding industry can be very helpful with all kinds of clever ideas on how to save money. Don't be afraid to ask for suggestions or ideas.

Queen Bee For A Day

Hey all you bridesmaids and maids or matrons of honor, we have an idea for you! Every bride could use a special day of being pampered, honored, and adored, even if it’s just for a day. Give your friend a day of royal treatment. All she has to do is clear her schedule and proudly wear the crown of the “Queen Bee”. From Party Blu Prints, comes a 13-page how-to manual to take you step by step through the process of planning the ultimate "Queen Bee for a Day" event for the bride-to-be. Just think how loved she'll feel knowing you put the time and effort into a de-stress session just for her?

Party Blu Print walks you through everything, step by step. Although this is one of the most loving gifts you’ll ever give her, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to pull off.

Download the entire manual by clicking here.

Fire & Ice Wedding Theme

If you are still in search of inspiration for a unique wedding and color scheme look no further. Often for corporate or social events, a common theme is Fire & Ice, but we think this is also a great underlying theme for a wedding. You may never think to combine blues and silvers with deep reds, but actually, the color combination is quite dramatic and beautiful. If you don't like to pair the two colors together, you could also always plan an "ice" themed ceremony and move to a "fire" themed reception or vice versa. After all, Fire & Ice works perfectly for weddings because we all know there is ice on your finger and fire in your relationship.

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing...



Top Left: Nicole Miller Stretch Charmeuse Dress available at Nordstrom, $385
Top Middle: Maggy London Embellished Trapeze Dress available at Nordstrom, $148
Top Right: Donna Morgan Ombré Silk Dress available at Nordstrom, $178


Top Left: Urns with ice and crystals featured in Brides
Top Right: Lavish ice bucket from Lush Life Home, $54
Bottom Left: Faux ice cream cupcakes featured in Brides
Middle Right: Platinum pear shaped brooch from Levieve
Bottom Right: Preston Bailey martini glasses with Cosmo Bleu martini inside


Right: Silk Charmeuse Pintuck Dress available at Ann Taylor, $188
Middle Left: Christine Double V-Neck Dress available at Ann Taylor, $198
Middle Right: Maggy London Charmeuse-Empire-Waist Dress available at Macys, $158
Right: BCBGMAXAZRIA Satin Halter Tiered Dress available at Macys, $220


Top Left: Every Fire theme needs loads of candles to set the mood (Brides)
Top Right: Fire Drill table decor, featured in Brides
Bottom: Left: Deep red table decor featured in Brides
Bottom Right: In Hindu traditions, couples fuel a fire throughout the reception to give thanks for their wedding. (Brides)

Glamor Is Your Middle Name

There is really only one time in your life when you have the excuse to really glam yourself up, and that is your wedding day. Most girls love playing dressing up with old fashioned accessories and over-the-top fashion jewelry when they are children, but even as adults, women secretly love to put on the ritz when it comes to wedding day fashion. Glamor never goes out of style and these days, wedding photography photo sessions are getting more and more creative. One trend we just love is the golden age of Hollywood, and adding simple touches to your wedding day accessories from this era adds sophistication and ultra feminine style.

Plus it's just plain old fun. Ask your photographer about scheduling part of your portrait session for these types of unique shots. Your photographer can later add touches and color enhancements to make it look like you just stepped off the red carpet in 1954.



These photos were featured in Modern Bride, and taken by Alban Christ. Click here to view the entire portfolio.

Destination Honolulu

If you are planning a destination wedding to Honolulu, Hawaii, we'd like to introduce you to a cosmetics company on the island that specializes in bridal makeup. Meet Malena Cosmetics. The Hawaiian translation for wedding is Maleana. Maleana Cosmetics was created in 2005 by Oahu based celebrity stylist Dorys Foltin to cater to the needs of local and visitor brides alike opting the islands to celebrate their special day. The beauty line’s aim is to aid in long lasting results and remain durable in hot, humid, and all other inhibiting weather conditions. Although Maleana was born for brides, the array of products are best for any beach dwelling babe. The collection has caught the attention of loads of Hawaii locals who live for the light mineral liquid foundation, bronzing powders, and sticky free, tasty lip glosses.

Our favorite Maleana product is the Liquid Mineral Powder Foundation ($38.00). Advanced technology delivers all the benefits of mineral powders in an easy-to-use hypoallergenic liquid powder. The breakthrough formula is perfect for brides that love liquid foundation and who shy away from mineral powders. The velvety smooth fluid triples as a foundation, sunscreen and anti-ager.

The Dreaded "B" Word....BUDGET!

The following suggestions will ensure that your wedding turns out the way you want it while keeping your budget in line.

The most important advice we can offer both you AND your parents is DO NOT GO INTO DEBT! Weddings come in a variety of types and sizes; one is not necessarily better than the other based on the size or how much money you spend. Whatever you do, don't start your married life in debt.

BE REALISTIC WITH YOUR BUDGET
Your wedding budget should be handled like a business budget. If your boss said, "The budget for the Christmas party is $10,000," you would use only those services that would keep you within budget. The same is true for your wedding. Find the services that can accomplish what you want within the budget you've designated. Be realistic about your budget. If you have only $5,000 for your reception, it's unlikely you're going to be able to afford a full sit-down dinner for 150 guests, but a buffet with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres may work very well. Follow your budget allocations as closely as possible. This will eliminate financial stress.

DON'T FORGET TAXES AND GRATUITIES
Be sure to ask if all charges for delivery and setup, taxes, and gratuities have been included in the estimates you get from all the businesses and services you have selected. These additional costs can be a very nasty surprise the week before the wedding!

SAMPLE BUDGET SHEET

Service Budget Actual Deposit Due Balance Due
Caterer $5,000 $5,250 $500 5/5 $4,750 8/6
Florist
Photos

SETTING UP A BUDGET
It is recommended you set up a separate bank account for your wedding. This way funds can be tracked and kept separate from regular finances. Always pay businesses or services with a check or credit card to better record and track expenses. Allocation of your budget depends on what is most important to the bride, the groom, and the families contributing. Some spend more on music and entertainment or photography than others. The following is a breakdown of average spending by percentage:

Engagement ring - 14%
Reception - 40%
Photography and videography - 15%
Bride's and groom's attire - 5%
Music - 4%
Flowers - 3%
Invitations - 2%
Miscellaneous (clergy fees, rehearsal dinner, attendants gifts, limos) - 7%
Honeymoon - 10%

Recipe For Love

At banquetevent.com we are all about personalization. We believe whole-heartedly, that the best weddings don't have to be the ones that spend thousands of dollars making sure each detail is perfect and extraordinary. Extraordinary things happen when you put your own touch on traditional wedding pieces. One way to do this best is through your wedding favors. Our favorite wedding favor of all time is to bake a delectable treat for your guests, include the recipe and neatly package a little taste in a charming box. This can be from your family recipe vault or it can be a new recipe, but either way, the personalization and thought that goes into it makes it special. You can even ask your family or bridesmaids to get involved and help you bake. It will be a wonderful bonding experience and you can eat the leftovers. (Always a plus!)

Here's how to make this favor extra special. First, find the right recipe. Remember, you probably don't want to bake anything that can melt or spoil, so choosing something that won't loose its taste or texture is ultra important. Some great treats to consider would be Italian biscottis, hard candies, crispy cookies like gingersnaps or meringue.


If you need some inspiration for a recipe, visit foodnetwork.com for hundreds of great free recipes. One of our favorites we found were these Meringue Smooches.


Next find the right packages. There are thousands of options available to you and at an affordable price. You can find beautiful boxes in all colors and shapes. Check out these options we found at Beau Coup.


Lastly, to add the extra touch of personalization, have a custom rubber stamp made. They range from $12-$20 and can used over and over again. We found these at etsy.com from Sweet Papery. Also available through Sweet Papery are custom save the date, address, and other charming custom stamps.

Planning The Ultimate Bachelorette Party

We recently got an inside tip on a web article titled, "Maid Of Honor’s Bachelorette Party Guide: 50 Ideas and Resources." That's right, 50 ways to entertain your best friends and pamper the bride before her big day.

Here's a taste of some of the ideas featured in the article...

Wine Tour: Going on a tour of local wineries combines lots of interest into one. First, there’s great wine; second, there’s a road trip; third, there’s beautiful scenery. And did we mention great wine? Not all bridesmaids will have this option readily available, since not every state has a booming wine region, but you would be surprised at how many do exist outside of California. Just plan around the driving – hire a limo or stay in a quaint bed and breakfast in the region.

Road Trip: It’s a big occasion for your friend, so consider even taking a few days off of work and taking an old-fashioned road trip. Look into camping in the woods, staying at the beach, or just aimlessly driving lesser-known roads and ending up where the road takes you. Road trips are both adventurous and relaxing at the same time. See some new surroundings, meet some salty locals, rent a cabin in the woods, or bond around a campfire. Whatever you decide, it will definitely be a trip your friend will remember forever.

Champagne Brunch to Slumber Party: A bachelorette party is one of the better excuses out there to get a little tipsy in the a.m. And to make it even more fun – and to eliminate the possibility of any tipsy driving – extend the party into the night with a full-on slumber party. Start off by cooking a gourmet brunch, play games and open gifts in the afternoon, and cap it off by baking cookies and watching girly flicks in the evening.

Click here to read all 50 ideas

Special thanks to Customized Girl for this tip.
Customized Girl offers personalized clothes in their online store. Design your own t-shirts, tanks and more.

Top 10 NEW and UNIQUE Wedding Songs For Your Slideshow

Many couples today are including slideshows of their favorite photos as part of their ceremony or reception. Choosing the right music for your slideshow can be a difficult task, especially if you want something new and unique. We've compiled a list of our favorite newly released songs in several genres. We're hoping this will make the process of picking music a little easier for you. Some of these may not be your style, but we've included a wide variety and we know you'll find something you'll love.

10. Lucky By Jason Mraz with Cobie Caillet
Album: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Lyrics to make you melt: Lucky I'm in love with my best friend; lucky to have been where I have been; lucky to be coming home again; lucky we're in love in every way
Why we love this song and you will too: This song is light and cheerful. It's the perfect song for anyone who has been in a long distance relationship for any period of time.

9. We Belong Together by Gavin DeGraw
Album: Gavin DeGraw
Lyrics to make you melt: We belong together; like the open seas and shores; wedded by the planet force; we've all been spoken for.
Why we love this song and you will too: For anyone who loves to rock, We Belong Together is a classic example of how even rockers know how to sing about love. This song certainly isn't for the faint of heart, but sometimes the best things don't always come in pretty little packages.

8. Never Find A Love Like This by Natasha Bedingfield
Album: Pocket Full of Sunshine
Lyrics to make you melt: You’re the only one that knows me; Love it when you hold me; Never find a love like this. Let me hear you say; Now I’ll never be lonely; Look at what you’ve shown me; Never find a love like this
We we love this song and you will too: This is the perfect song for all you high school sweethearts out there finally tying the knot. Listen to the song for the complete lyrics that will have you remembering what you felt like when you first met.

7. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You by Lady Antebellum
Album: Lady Antebellum
Lyrics to make you melt: I love when you tell me that I'm pretty when I just woke up; And I love how you tease me when I'm moody but its never too much. I'm falling fast, and the truth is I'm not scared at all; You climbed my walls.
Why we love this song and you will too: It's simple melodic sound makes it romantic and sweet. Plus, if you are a fan of country music, this song contains sounds you'll be drawn too. This would make a very good song for your first dance.

6. Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
Album: This Moment
Lyrics to make you melt: Well, she came home today; With a ring on her hand; Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned; She says "Dad, the wedding's due six months away; And I need to practice my dancin'"; "Oh please, daddy please!"
Why we love this song and you will too: Remember the song "Butterfly Kisses" that came out a few years ago and was used in almost every wedding for the father-daughter dance? Here is its replacement. This song is for any "Daddy's Girl." Just be sure to pack the kleen-x.

5. Angel by Jack Johnson
Album: Sleep Through The Static
Lyrics to make you melt: I’ve got an angel; She doesn’t wear any wings; She wears a heart that could melt my own; She wears a smile that could make me want to sing
Why we love this song and you will too: This song has almost a lullaby quality to it. It's sweet and simple, and terribly romantic. This is an excellent first dance song.

4. Oh Love by Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood
Album: 5th Gear
Lyrics to make you melt: You can break a heart in pieces; Put it back together again; You can break down sweet forgiveness; You’re the one that never ends
Why we love this song and you will too: Beautiful doesn't begin to describe this gentle ode to love that is tender and honest. This song could work for anyone who loves country music, but is not so "twangy" that it would turn off non-country lovers.

3. Say It Again by Marie Digby
Album: Unfold
Lyrics to make you melt: And it feels like it’s the first time; That anybody's ever brought the sun without the rain; And never in my whole life; Have I heard words as beautiful as when you say my name
Why we love this song and you will too: Marie Digby is a crossover between pop and folk. This upbeat and cheerful song describes how love can creep on you by surprise. The song is certainly not complicated in any way, but we dare you to keep from tapping your toes.

2. Until You by Dave Barnes
Album: Me and You and The World
Lyrics to make you melt: There's a silent celebration for; Every breath you breathe; Now this all makes sense; With you as company; I left all I knew and found; A better part of me
Why we love this song and you will too: Anyone who has ever been in love knows what it feels like to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. It's almost as if your life finally starts. And this song describes the feeling perfectly without being sappy.

1. Make You Feel My Love by Adele
Album: 19
Lyrics to make you melt: When the rain is blowing in your face; And the whole world is on your case; I would offer you a warm embrace; To make you feel my love
Why we love this song and you will too: This song was originally recorded by Garth Brooks, but Adele offers a modern version. If you like Amy Winehouse, you'll love Adele and this ultra romantic song. The words are incredible and will melt your heart. There is no doubt, this song is a winner.

Lucky in Love's Color Guide: Green With Envy

In a recent InStyle Magazine article, style experts dissected the wardrobe color choices of the stars. According to many stylists, color choices say alot about your personality and its important that you choose shades that accentuate your complexion. Your color choices couldn't be more vital than on your wedding day. All week we'll be giving you color guides to help you choose a color for your wedding that is right for you. After all, even though you'll be wearing white, the colors your bridesmaids wear and the flowers that will surround you will directly reflect on you. So think of your bridesmaids as accessories...the better they look, the better you'll look too.

Read our color guide to find out what colors will look best to compliment your style and what those colors say about you!

Color: GREEN
According to InStyle Magazine, green is a color that represents generosity. Those who like the color green usually are caring and balanced people. After all, we are in the day of age where people are living "green" and caring for the planet and the future. But green comes in many, many shades, so what shade is right for your wedding? If you are a blond with fair skin, think light green shades. Consider a bright shade of green like lime or kiwi or candy apple green. Lime greens are often mixed with yellows so it makes the perfect accents for golden locked brides.

Red heads should strongly consider green as their color accent, and the deeper the better. Find a tone in olive, emerald or forest green. Red hair needs a strong color to stand up to it and these dark shades of green offer the perfect accent so you won't feel washed out.

Those with darker skin complexions should try on pale or pastel greens in mint, sage or celadon. This lighter tones will provide a vivid contrast to your skin to create a dramatic effect.


Left: Jim Hjelm, Style: #JH5634
Top Right: Jim Hjelm, Style: #JH5777
Bottom Right: Jim Hjelm, Style: #JH5726


Top Left: Flowers - chrysanthemums, tulips, hydrangea, roses from Brides
Top Right: Brides
Bottom Left: Green place-setting from Brides
Bottom Middle: Pear name card from Modern Bride
Bottom Right: Sweet delights from Brides


Top Left: Flower girl by Winnie Couture
Top Right: Shoes from JCrew
Bottom Left: Table setting from Brides
Bottom Middle: Green grass escort cards from Brides
Bottom Right: Green olive leaf wedding invitations from flushdesigns.com


Top Left: Brides Top Right: Brides Bottom Left: A Tier Above Bottom Middle: Tallant House Fine Sweets & Other Eats Bottom Right: Celebrity Cake Studio

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love these charming, and eco-friendly kitchen and house ware products from a company called Blossom Creations. Blossom Creations is dedicated to environmental sustainability and reducing the impact we have on the environment. To achieve this, we are dedicated to doing the following:

• Using only 100% recycled paper and card (with the highest post-consumer waste content available)
• Using hemp, organically grown cotton, and other alternative fibres
• Printing with water and vegetable based inks
• Using Environmentally Sustainable Design, Manufacture, and General Business Practices

Check out their eco-friendly products below including an apron (top left), napkins (bottom left) and kitchen towels (right).

FUNK Shui

We're taking you back....way back. Start planning your wedding retro-style. Whether your inspiration comes from the 60's, 70's or 80's we've got the bright and ultra bright colors and combos for your super sheik and super funky wedding day decor.

The best part about a funky wedding theme is the energy it brings to your event. Who can not have a great time with bright yellows, pinks and oranges adorning your space? There is just something in the patterns and color combinations that puts you in the party mood right from the start.

But obviously, most grooms are not going to want to have a completely bright pink, flowered and striped wedding. So be discerning in your choices. Choose one piece as your central eye-catching detail item, and then choose solids to pair it with.

We've found some great examples of those "wow" pieces you can choose to base your theme around.


Top Left: Modern cake featured on Brides
Top Middle: Flower Power cake featured on Brides
Top Right: Pastel adorned cookie cake featured on Brides
Bottom Left: Yellow daisy cake featured on Brides
Bottom Middle: Pink Power flower featured on Brides
Bottom Right: Flower and Stripes cake featured on Brides


Top Left: Flower pouch favor from Favor Ideas
Top Right: Gerber daisy favor boxes from Favor Ideas
Bottom Left: Funky wedding favor tins from Beau-Coup
Bottom Right: Tulip placecards from Favor Ideas


Top Left: Labels from Posh Betty
Right: Retro chic invitation from Posh Betty

For the ultimate in retro sheik party table decor, check out Plum Party for fantastic party supplies. Just check out some of the great items we found there. And while these pieces are very bright, remember that just a touch of a brightly colored piece for your tables is enough to carry the theme across.

Inspired by Cinco de Mayo

You never know where your next form of inspiration will come for your wedding. Often times, all it takes to find new and inspiring ideas is to just look around you. Right now on the magazine shelves you may notice bright and bold colors adorning the covers. This makes sense, as Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner. And no other festive event is more colorful and bold than Cinco de Mayo.

With rich blues, reds, yellows, greens and oranges, the bold colors of Cinco de Mayo can set a vibrant backdrop for your wedding decor. Take a look at some of the great items we've found to complete this look.


Left: Bridesmaid Dress from J Crew, $175
Right: Bridesmaid Dress from J Crew, $215


Top Left: Lantern Candles from Cost Plus World Market, $12.99
Top Right: Scented Wax Beads from Cost Plus World Market, $4.99
Bottom Left: Battery Lanterns from Cost Plus World Market, $12.99
Bottom Center: Honeycomb Lanterns from Anthropologie, $15-$20
Bottom Right: Hanging Swirl Lanterns from Cost Plus World Market, $9.99


Top Left: Scarlet bouquet from Brides
Top Center: Decorated chair back from Brides
Top Right: Chinese Lantern Stems from Brides
Bottom Left: Yellow, Red, Orange and Blue bouquet from Brides
Bottom Right: Bright yellow tablesetting from Brides

You Won't Believe What These Are Made Of

Getting married is such an exciting time in a couple's life. Not only are you vowing to love and cherish, but you are also committing to join two personalities together in one household. Now is the time for you as a couple to create your own personal style together. This is your clean slate to start fresh with a whole new home and interior design and we've found some wonderful, albeit unique, home decor items we think you just might like. After all, you pride yourself on being unique as a couple and are all about setting trends among your group of friends.

We'd like to introduce you to some everyday home decor items with a twist. Below we'll post some images of these items. See if you can guess what they are made of. Find the answers below the image.

Item #1: The Placemat

You may not believe it, but this intricately woven placemat is made of recycled candy wrappers. That's right, if you look closely you'll see the familiar logos of the tasty treats you've been eating for years. This placemat is fun, playful, totally recycled, and calorie-free, to boot! Pick yours up for $26 at VivaTerra.com.

Item#2: Decorative Bowls


You'll never guess what these handcrafted decorative bowls are formed from. Inventive natural sculptor Margaret Dorfman brilliantly transforms edibles into luminescent vessels. Building her bowls slice by slice from fresh produce, Dorfman presses each one into durable parchment, which she hand-shapes to resemble large, bright undulating flowers with vivid repeating patterns. Invisibly coated to maintain their vibrant translucent colors, the bowls comfortably hold a votive candle in a cup. The bowls above are made from Zucchini, Papaya and Beets. Retails for $42 and available at VivaTerra.com

Item #3: Glassware


These may not be as difficult to figure out, but boy are they innovative. Chalk one up for originality for this fun glassware. Comes with white chalk to write on, then erase and re-label as often as you like. The wine and beer glasses are great for a party as guests can write their names on their glass. You can also write expiration dates on the labels for the storage containers. Retails for $6-$12 and available at Cost Plus World Market.

Cascading Blooms

For true drama, nothing does the trick like a bouquet of cascading floral stems. Cascading bridal bouquets have been around for ages, but current floral designers have taken this age old tradition and given it a whole new twist. Gone are the days of dangling ribbon and tulle and its place are dramatic greens, long stemmed tropical flowers and even feathers. For the most dramatic effect, cascade your bouquet all the way to the ground.

Here are some examples of cascading blooms in all different color schemes and styles.

{Clockwise L to R: Brides, Photo by Bradley Hanson Photography, Photo by Bradley Hanson Photography, Brides}

{L to R: Cascading Tulips from Brides, Centerpiece from Brides}

{Images from Wedding Style Magazine}

Layer By Layer

A current trend we are seeing in floral arranging is the layering of similar floral type and/or color to create rows and depth in the arrangement. By layering each flower type, each layer acts as an accent to make a particular flower or color stand out from the rest. The layered bouquet accentuates each flower type by creating a natural boundary. This floral arrangement is perfect if you have a favorite flower that you want to highlight in your bouquet and do not want to get lost in the mix of other surrounding flowers.

{Clockwise L to R: Top Row: Calla Lillies, Roses and Orchids from Brides; Roses and Hydgreaneas from Brides; Bottom Row: Roses, Herbs and Calla Lillies from Woodland Flowers; Green and blue layered bouquet from Wedding Style Magazine}

For even more creative designs, check out the below images. To the left is an alternative to the flower girl carrying a bouquet of her own. With this charming layered angel or butterfly wings made completely of flowers, the flower girl's attire blends perfectly with a garden theme wedding. To the right is an example of a bouquet that combines flowers and beads or jewels as a secondary layer in the same color scheme. Remember, bouquets do not need to be made entirely of flowers. Think outside the box. The only thing that matters is color, so experiment with other materials such as feathers, jewels, broaches, ribbons, fruit, berries, etc.

{Left: Butterfly Wings from Wedding Style Magazine; Right: Calla Lilly and Beaded Layered Bouquet from Wedding Style Magazine}

We Think You'll Love...

If you are anything like us, you wonder what to do with your pillowcases every day when you make your bed. Do you hide them behind large decorative pillows, put them in the closet, or stuff them under your bed just to get them out of the way? We think you'll love the solution we found.

Check out these clever pillowcases from Lush Designs. Put the two his and hers pillowcases together and they spell "Love." Express the way you feel everyday waking up each morning with the YOU love!

More Photo Books

Last week we blogged about an online photo book company where you can customize your own hardcover photo album or guestbook. We found another company called My Publisher that basically does the same thing but with more options for templates that we think you'll love. These are wonderful gifts for family members and are even great for just about any occasion.

The process is rather simple. Just download the software available for free on the My Publisher website. Use the software to select templates, fonts, colors and images. Once you have the book complete, just send it to press and in a week or so you'll be the heroine of your very own bestseller!

Here's a tip: We suggest making a vintage photo book to present at the guestbook table as guests arrive to your wedding. Fill it with old photographs of the couples in your and your fiances' family and if you can include their wedding photographs, the photo book will be extra special. You'll have this valuable keepsake for the rest of your life and be able to share it with generations to come.

Click here for a special coupon offer.

Bridal Shower Games

A very common request we receive at banquetevent.com is for bridal and bachelorette party games. We think just about everyone must be pretty tired of the toilet paper wedding dress game so we've done some investigating and found some great NEW game ideas for your party.

Great Icebreaker Game
Game: Table Topics Girl's Night Out
How it works: Table Topics comes with 135 questions to get people talking. Questions from Girls Night Out Table Topics such as "What would the perfect man be?" and "If you had to gain 10 pounds, what would you eat to gain the weight?" will give a new meaning to girl talk. Other editions include the Original edition, Book Club edition, Teen edition, Family edition, Couples edition and Spirit Edition.
Price: $24

Best Game To Make You Giggle
Game: Adult Bachelorette Bash Mad Libs
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