Inexpensive Decorating For Your Wedding

There are many places to shop for inexpensive decorations for your wedding, but one of the most overlooked is The Christmas Tree Shop.  Their latest circular has great lanterns, beach candle centerpieces, Jackson and Perkins live rose trees, hydrangea wreaths, fishbowl vases shown in the circular filled with sand and a large candle with added sea shells, and the list goes on.  While you may not have a shop near you, it's often worth a short road trip to find some treasures!

Is Kate the New Grace Kelly? Will She Rival Diana?

Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail

There has been a lot of discussion about Kate (formerly Middleton) being the new Grace Kelly or the next Diana.  She certainly has the appeal that Grace and Diana exhibited.  Kate is certainly the most photographed person in recent history.  Her face graces everything from the front of magazines and the pages of newspapers to commemorative mugs, flags, shirts etc.  I think she has the potential to be as popular as Diana was (which is really saying something!).  And the people certainly respond well to her in public appearances.

Photo source Wedzilla Blog

Kate and Grace were both commoners who married royalty and became famous in their own right as a result.  Grace was famous prior to her marriage and probably would have achieved great fame even without it.  With Kate the jury is still out on how she will fare long term.  But if the way she has handled the fame so far is any indicator of how she'll do as a royal I think we'll see a young woman who rivals both Grace and Diana with how much she is loved by the people.  Hopefully Kate's life will be longer and happier than Grace and Diana.  And on her wedding day all good wishes go to her and her new husband (who is a very lucky man!).  It will be interesting to watch her sister, Pippa in the media as she becomes the famous sister of the Prince and Princess. 

The comparisons of Grace's wedding gown and Kate's have been made.  Some lauding Kate for choosing well, some saying her dress was not modern enough.  My personal opinion is I love the romance of her gown and the lace on her skirt and train was incredible.  As fashion forward as Kate can be I think she wanted to choose a gown that would embody old fashioned values and romance and this dress did just that.  Somehow a strapless dress just wouldn't have looked as 'royal' as her choice did.  Feel free to leave your opinions on Kate's dress and how you think she compares to former royals.

Kate's Gown

Possibly one of the best kept secrets in Great Britain, the details of Kate's wedding dress have been revealed. 

Designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director for Alexander McQueen, the dress was a romantic long sleeve dress with a lace overlay.  The skirt and bodice had English lace and French Chantilly lace.  The lace on the skirt added that  little something extra to make it stand out from your everyday wedding gown.  The pleats in her skirt were meant to look like an opening flower. 

Photo Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Kate's veil was layers of ivory silk tulle with hand embroidery embellishing it.  To set it off Kate wore a ;halo'  tiara lent to her by the Queen.  It is expected that Kate will change in to a second and even possibly a third dress during the festivities today. 

We wish them both a long and happy life together!

Black, Pink and White Inspiration Board

Good for: Indoor evening weddings year-round.

Tips for pulling it off: Blow out the formal theme with romantic flowers (think peonies or anemones), damask patterns, and calligraphed stationery.

Inspiration board from The Knot.

Clockwise from top left: Love Life Images; Antonis Achilleos; Red Ribbon Studio, Minneapolis; Tracy Carolyn Photography; Photography By Vanessa; Marie Labbancz Photography, NJ, NY and PA; mod4 photographic; Brandy J and Sticky Rammel/Brandy J Photography, Van Wert; Love Life Images

Rolled Fabric Flowers

 Rolled fabric flowers are being used on everything from tee shirts to fascinators to decorations like the wreath shown above.  (Photo Link with how to directions)  If you want to make your own rolled fabric flowers Jami at coulourherhope.com gives you step by step directions.  If you don't feel confident enough to make them yourself, head over to her Etsy shop where custom orders are accepted. 

Hardwood Hearts From Wedding Bliss Lane

Wedding Bliss Lane's weekly feature is these hardwood hearts created by Faith, an artist from a tiny town in upstate New York.  Her rustic accents personalize your centerpieces with the initials of the bride and groom. Wedding Bliss Lane also sells her chalkboard painted hearts for table numbers.  Faith has a lot of rustic designs to suit every personal style so if this isn't quite what you are looking for check out the rest of her designs.  It's refreshing to see simple yet personalized centerpieces that won't break your bank!

Green and Orange Inspiration Board

If you fell in love with the Grand Marnier Cake at Let Them Eat Cake At Your Wedding you might also be interested in this inspiration board to follow through with the green and orange theme. 

Green Bridesmaid Dress:  David’s Bridal
Orange and Green Wedding Program:  Image Courtesy of Jacki V. Photography
Orange and Green Wedding Invitation:  Designed by Courtney Albright   Image Courtesy of Laura Burlton Photography
Bride with Orange Necklace and Bouquet:  Image Courtesy of Stephanie Davis Photography
Wedding Reception Decor:  Image Courtesy of Shelby Leigh Photography
Orange and Green Wedding Cake:  Intricate Icings
Orange and Green Escort Cards:  Image Courtesy of Laura Burlton Photography
Orange Floral Arrangement and Orange Frame:  Elizabeth Anne Designs    Image Courtesy of Flutter Glass Photography

Falling In Love With Cookies (or is that Tookies?)

Pastel cookies filled with buttercreme are one of the signature cookies, call cookie-wiches you can order from Tookies' Etsy Shop.  These aren't the only goodies you'll fall in love with if you visit their Etsy store, my problem was deciding which ones I wanted to feature!  I chose these because they were both pretty and looked yummy!

I suspect it's a good thing they don't list the calories in these beautiful goodies, but if you're looking for some pretty sweets for your wedding, who is counting calories anyway?  For one day you can just LIVE! 

If you love cookies of any kind visit their Etsy store and find your personal favorites to serve your guests to delight their tastebuds.  Perfect for your wedding reception or shower.  I love Tookies' Cookies!

Comic Books and The Royal Wedding

It was inevitable that with all the royal wedding hoopla that it would generate it's own comic book. 'Kate and William: A very Public Love Story', was launched in the UK, it follows the couple's first meeting (sigh!)at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and following the ups and downs of their relationship (tears for Kate who really worked this whole relationship well even though it was hard for her at times I'm sure!). 

The comic book is written by Rich Johnston, illustrated by comic book artist Gary Erskine and it is told from both the perspective of the groom and the bride.  You can read from the either end of the comic as well, and reach the middle.  You'll find this comic gives you fictional details from Kate and Wills wedding including their honeymoon destination and the details of Kate's dress.  (Of course if you've been reading my blog you know that Papa John's has already shown off her veil and dress and Wills' suit on their Royal Pizza!)  Never let it be said that there hasn't been a lot of crazy merchandise generated as a result of this wedding, including a wedding video by T-Mobile (I swear that was the REAL Camilla walking down the aisle! Wow she was good!)  I'm not sure if real comic book aficionados will be buying this book but I bet they sell out!

'Something Blue' Print in the Lining of Your Wedding Gown?

This great gown is Christian Dior Haute Couture but if you have a good seamstress or you are a good one yourself, you could get the same look by using the blue print lining under your gown.  Unfortunately I don't have the original link to the photo just the repost link, if anyone knows the origin let me know so I can post it) You don't need all the courture touches on the outside but the lining is GENIUS! Such an inspiration for brides planning to make their own gown.  Also note the design of the gown, shorter in front but long in the back, a dress to remember your special day (especially for you ladies with great legs who love high heels and want to show off your shoes!)
While you may not be a Dior designer the idea of the lining and the higher hemline in the front would be great touches for your gown design.

The Royal Couple "Say I Dough"

While I'm sure Wills and Kate will have many more formal wedding photos taken and seen around the world, this pizza portrait design from Papa John's Pizza celebrating the royal wedding is a one of a kind! (For more info click on the link to E Online) No, you won't be able to order this one of a kind pizza but Papa John's will give this "Say I Dough" keepsake to one lucky Royal Wedding fan in the U.K. 

A creative food stylist designed this pizza and gave Kate a veil of mushrooms and Wills a suit of salami and peppers.  Although we don't know just what Kate's dress and veil will look like for the big day, I'm pretty certain I can guarantee she won't have a veil made from 'shrooms!  Not to mention Wills won't be wearing a suit you can smell a mile away made of pepperoni and green peppers.  So not royal protocol.  But it certainly is creative.

50% Off Coupons at Michaels Soft and Sweet Sale

Michaels (a local craft store) is offering 50% off coupons any regular priced item! I got one in my email, suspect there are some on their circulars in the stores too  (if there are any left when you get there!).  So if you aren't signed up for their emails and you are doing some crafting for your wedding, head over to their web site and sign up for email alerts! Lots of good deals on their site as well as craft project directions.  Also they offer extra discounts for teachers.

Damask Wedding Luminaries Featured on E-Commerce Site, Wedding Bliss Lane

Southern Bell Weddings-Designs by Paula is one of the creative vendors featured on e-commerce site Wedding Bliss Lane.  Southern Bell Weddings is a creative mother-daughter team from Ocala, Florida who make crafts to enhance your wedding day. 

While the Damask Monogram Luminary shown is in black and white Southern Bell Weddings are happy to color coordinate to enhance your wedding decor.  Be sure to contact them in plenty of time since the busiest wedding season is starting and custom orders take more time. 

Have an idea of what you would like your luminary to look like? Give them a call and they will do their best to meet your wedding needs. 

Southern Bell Weddings also offer unity candles, table numbers, memorial candles, memorial luminaries, name votives, monogram votives as well as plain votives to match.  Pictures or ribbons can be added to luminaries. They suggest using these for your centerpiece, your cake table, gift table, or almost anywhere else that works for you!

Perfect Wedding Shower Favors

Looking for pretty wedding shower gifts, or even favors for your wedding guests? Head over to Etsy Shop, Blushie Bath and Beauty where they have every scent and color of soap as well as some pretty soap shavings that can be bagged and tied with a ribbon to easily hand out to guests.  They'd also be great for gifts in your bags for out of town guests. 

Cupcakes With Detail

As I was reading OPB (other peoples' blogs) something I am guilty of doing way too often instead of working on my own, I found these beautiful cupcakes on MODWedding Blog.  Of course then I ended up spending time reading more than just one post! If you're looking for some great cupcakes, these by Nicki's Cakes will enhance your event and make everyone ask "Where did you get these cupcakes?" More of Nicki's designs are highlighted on the MODWedding Blog and on her own site. 

For more inspirations for your wedding planning spend some time on MODWedding Blog, you won't regret it!

Unusual Cake Toppers

                                             
Looking for an unusual and unique cake topper? Visit Sweet Cake Topper to see these cake toppers in a variety of colors and styles. These love birds pull double duty after your wedding serving as salt and pepper shakers as well.  These are definitely not your old fashioned plastic bride and groom cake toppers!

Lush Cakery Features Tiffany Inspired Cakes and Cupcakes

For brides in love with Tiffany blue (and who isn't in love with Tiffany?) Lush Cakery posted a photo on facebook that showed a group of smaller Tiffany Blue cakes and cupcakes.  These would be perfect for a wedding or a bridal shower. The combination of vanilla and chocolate cupcakes sets off the Tiffany blue coloring in the icing on the cupcakes. And the Tiffany boxes with edging of icing pearls will bring every woman back to an occasion when she opened one of those pretty little blue boxes filled with treasure! Lush Cakery is located in Atlanta GA. 

Royal Wedding Food

When Buckingham Palace throws a royal wedding reception it's not always a sit down affair. Instead, after their wedding on April 29, the by then former Kate Middleton and her new husband, Prince William will host a reception for 600 of their closest friends serving 10,000 different kinds of hot or cold canapes. While Kate and Prince William had some say in the canapes served, the queen herself oversaw most of the menu. While the planning and wedding day logistics of this boggle my mind, obviously Buckingham Palace is used to entertaining on a far grander scale!

So if you're planning a wedding and looking for an option to the usual buffet or sit down dinner, why not follow the royals and have a canape reception for hundreds of your closest friends! (hmm...do I have hundreds of close friends? Well I guess my wedding guest list will be a little shorter than theirs!) Not to mention I would not be serving 10,000 different canapes!

Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Oreos

I was surfing the net for ways to make soap and this happened to be in the middle of a soap making page, I think it must be a sign I SHOULD have these cookies, don't you? Made with Double Stuff Oreos and candy molds they make pretty favors for weddings or showers, and not only that, they can be made ahead of time! The best kind of DIY project!  Use this link for the recipe and directions for decorating these cookies.

The link will also take you to a site with recipes for making great soaps, also pretty for wedding or shower favors.

Clegg Farm Creations and Wedding Bliss Lane Feature Card Holder Bird Houses

Card Holder by Clegg Farm Creations Store on Wedding Bliss Lane

If you are looking for a card holder that isn't a hat box or a typical bird cage, Clegg Farm Creations of Social Circle, Georgia makes Wedding Card Holders with a creative colonial look that are birdhouses! They will hold your cards filled with best wishes from your wedding guests and you can add them to your garden decor afterwards.  These are particularly good in venues with a colonial look to them, although you can certainly use them in other venues. 

Clegg Farm Creations individually designs and makes each 'house' with their hallmark of attention to detail and high quality.  If you look closely you'll see the sign over the door with the name of the bride and groom and the date of their wedding as well as an attractive grape wreath over the door.  Their 'houses' are remembrances as well as a practical way to store cards during your reception.  Not to mention the future home of some very happy birds! 

The owners of Clegg Farms started making these because making birdhouses is their hobby.  Selling them to brides helps offset the costs of their projects as well as providing a great option for brides looking for cardholders (and freeing up some space for the crafters!). Because making these house is their passion and they don't create any homes they wouldn't be happy to put in their own garden. Quality crafting at it's best! Each home comes with two roofs, one with a slot for your cards and one to use once you put your birdhouse outside.  For more information on these cardholders and to make a purchase, visit their store located at Wedding Bliss Lane, the e-commerce site for brides and grooms.

It Floats, It Soars! What To Throw On Your Wedding Day

While there are many options out there today from the traditional rice to birdseed or lavendar to the sticky and icky bubbles, or having a butterfly release (I'm sorry, this seems so inhumane!) But one new option is rice butterflies, a combination of the traditional rice with the beauty of a butterfly release without worrying about dying butterflies!

Available in six colors ranging from natural to red, yellow, blue, green and white each box has 125 butterflies that have been designed to have a maximum flight time of up to eight seconds.  Just imagine your exit from church surrounded by fluttering butterflies! These rice butterflies are made from 100 percent rice paper and will biodegrade, but you can also just sweep them up after the wedding.  Be sure to check with your venue and clear using them since some churches have rules regarding cleanup. 

Liquid Courage Carrier by Tom Cecil

Looking for a high end liquid courage carrier, better known as a flask for the groom or for your best man? Product designer Tom Cecil offers this unique flask design that makes the perfect gift for a nervous groom on his wedding day.  The clean lines and unique styling let the carrier fit it in their pocket! These come in stainless steel or brass and you can have initials engraved when you order it! I never thought a flask could be described as classy, but if one ever could be described that way, this one would be it!  Love it's lines! Now the question is, what to fill it with? Hmm.... Kudos to Tom Cecil for this clean design!

It's Like Groupon For Brides!

WeddingWire.com has launched a hot new site offering daily wedding deals.  If you are addicted to Groupon or LivingSocial or similar group buying sites but are planning a wedding LivingBridal.com is the site for you.  LivingBridal offers you unique wedding-related deals at incredible prices.  And who doesn't love a great deal?

Their deals appeal to the bride or groom looking for a unique service at a great price or the honeymoon of a lifetime at a price they can afford.  It also appeals to bridal parties planning kicking bachelor or bachelorette parties. Again, all at deeply discounted prices. Who could resist? 

Sign up at LivingBridal's web site and enjoy all the perks that will arrive in your mailbox!

How can LivingBridal offer these great deal? They have a target audience of just brides and grooms and they design their deals just for the bridal market.  They work with providers on a national and local scale to get you the best deals ever. Currently these deals can be used across the United States and Canada. 

Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire says, "LivingBridal was designed with the engaged couple in mind. The big day is a milestone that should be remembered for the meaning and thrill of the experience. LivingBridal deals are selected by WeddingWire staff to help you execute your vision in a unique and differentiated way." 

So head over and sign up now!

Just a heads up got this message from LivingBridal: "We are currently working on compatibility with the AOL Browser. To ensure the best possible experience, please use Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox. User signup is only available on these compatible browsers." 

Something Blue Comes In Many Shapes and Sizes

The words "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" are synonymous with weddings. These photos offer inspiration on ways to use blue as theme of your wedding.  Visit The Bride's Cafe to see still more photos from this incredible blue inspired wedding. 

Whether the cake is blue and white, the tables are covered with blue tablecloths, or the shades on the lighting are blue, it all pulls together into a cohesive theme of robin's egg blue weddings. 

Using eyelet lace to decorate the escort board or a blue ribbon and a white metal container to offer drinks to your guests, the theme is carried throughout the wedding.

Signature drinks in bright blue are another highlight reinforcing the theme.  Table numbers elegantly created on cards and hung with ribbon on chairs guide your guests to their tables.  For more ideas for blue themed weddings visit Tara Guerard at Soiree.  Let these wonderful ideas serve as inspiration when you are planning your wedding. 

Tempting Cake -- Fall In Love With Food For Your Wedding

Tempting Cake is a luxury cake company born out of twin passions for baking and fine design. When I visited their web site, Tempting Cake I fell in love with just the photos of their cakes, if they'd put one in front of me I would have have felt like I'd died and gone to heaven!

To see more of their incredible products and to find contact info for Emily Smith, to order some of these delectable confections for your wedding or shower, visit Tempting Cake's web site. 

Tempting Cake has quickly built a reputation for creating beautiful, designer tiered wedding cakes, Tempting table dessert tables, cupcakes and hand iced cookies for discerning brides in London and surrounding counties.  Now all I have to do is entice them into opening a store in the United States!

Tempting Cake also has a track record for producing top quality, high end designer creations for corporate clients such as ITV and BBC TV stations, London Fashion Week, Britain’s Next Top Model, House of Fraser department store and Aveda to name but a few.  So if you are a Brit bride use Tempting Cake for all your sweet table needs.

E-Commerce Site Just For Brides

Today I spoke with the developers of Wedding Bliss Lane, Sal and Jackie Asta.  As most brides have found you will spend a lot of time online planning your wedding.  Wedding Bliss Lane is an      e-commerce site that brings together buyers and sellers of everything bridal.

Two words describe Wedding Bliss Lane: Fast and Easy.  Easy to set up shop if you are a crafter/designer or conversely the site offers quick and efficient one stop shopping for brides looking for creative extras for their wedding day. Whether you are a buyer or seller Wedding Bliss Lane does the work for you! What more could anyone ask?

Every week The Wedding Queen will be highlighting one of their great products or services for you, but don't wait for me, head on over today and discover all they have to offer. After all, it just might be gone if you wait.

For sellers, during Beta-testing all listing and advertising fees are waived, so get in on the ground floor! Wedding Bliss Lane makes selling and buying wedding related products fast, easy, and great for the bottom line, whether it's as a buyer or seller!

(Note, The Wedding Queen is not paid for commentary and offers this information as a service to her readers.)

Michael's Coupons Good Until April 9, 2011

Looking for some wedding invitations, silk flowers, candles, vases, or scrapbooking supplies? Michael's coupons for the DIY creative bride or her wedding party are available online.  These coupons are good until April 9, 2011, so grab them now and hit the stores running tomorrow!

Micheal's has the Yudu Screen Printing System for under $100., it usually retails for $299.99.  These would be great for making some of those t-shirts that label 'bride,' 'groom,' 'bridesmaid,' 'flower girl,' etc.  Sure beats paying the prices some of the party stores are selling them for!

Also be sure to look under the 'Projects' heading for projects for the DIY'er.  The Kissing Ball is particularly attractive and looks easy to make.  They show it using Gerbera daisies, boxwoods, and adorned with a butterfly and ribbons.  Perfect hung from a shepherd's crook for an outdoor wedding.  Head over and check out the Kissing Ball and other projects.

Knots and Kisses Wedding Stationary

Country Garden--My Personal Favorite

If you are looking for boutique style wedding stationery Knots And Kisses Wedding Stationery's website offers you some unique selections.  Knots and Kisses is a company based in Essex that takes creativity to the next level.  They can give you wedding stationery that will stand out in a crowd.  Since I've never been one to follow the masses I'm in love with their unique looks. 

One line has a cameo at the top and looks very 'Pride and Prejudice-like.'

Another has a tweed band on it that is very English country.  My personal favorites are 'Country Garden,' invitations and other stationery which are decked out in paper roses in two colors, ribbon, and pearls. So feminine and pretty.

No matter what your style is, take a look at Knots and Kisses and make an appointment to talk to them about creating your stationery for your wedding day.  They offer everything you need for your wedding from Save the Dates and Invitations to Table Numbers and more. 

Knots and Kisses also do table plans hand painted to match your stationery or wedding bouquet. Contact them and make an appointment to discuss your special style and needs for your wedding day.

Rainbows and Unicorns -- What More Could You Want?

Wedding and Unicorns and Rainbows ... and yes, it was an April Fools joke, but you just have to go and read the lengths this site went to to amuse the readers! Be sure to read all the details at the bottom about the rooms, 'out and about,' 'getting there' etc.  If you love fantasy this will make you smile!  Of course you could always freak out your groom and tell him this is where you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go for your honeymoon...and let him try to explain to you it doesn't really exist!

Dress Shopping Advice

I'd write an entire how-to post on how to shop for your wedding gown but the best advice I've seen in posted by Musings of A Reluctant Bride.  In three posts she covers the A to Z's of gown shopping and includes the emotional highs and lows as well.  Be sure to head over to her blog and read, even if you have already purchased the dress of your dreams, her story will strike a chord! I just love it when someone writes something that is so to the point and spot on that I just have to recommend it to other brides-to-be (and whoever goes gown shopping with them!).  So whether you are a bride-to-be, her best friend or sister or her mom or mother-in-law to be reading these posts is a must for anyone going shopping for a wedding gown.

Disney Wedding Dresses by Alfred Angelo

Whether you see yourself as Sleeping Beauty, Ariel or Jasmine, or any other Disney heroines, Alfred Angelo has the dress for you.  Disney and Alfred Angelo teamed up to offer brides a selection of dresses for the bride who grew up wanting to have a fairy tale wedding usually only seen in the movies.  These fairy tale dresses come in sizes 0 to 30 with a price range of $600-$1200 dollars.

Brides don't have to be planning an destination wedding at Disney World or Disneyland to wear one of these designs that will make them feel like a princess, but if you are, what could be a more appropriate choice than a Disney wedding dress as you climb out of a carriage at your Disney Wedding.  For more information about weddings held on site at a Disney Park or on a Disney Cruise Ship, contact your Disney Wedding Consultant.