Your Secret Garden Wedding

Looking for a way to design your own secret garden for your wedding reception? Take a look at this photo from The Girl Who Keeps Dreaming.  While I could do without the tablecloth look, Adding the 'bustles' to the chairs, especially for the head table is gorgeous.  Adapt the ideas to fit your colors and area.  While the seat covers might be pricey, the flowers in this photo aren't so it's a trade off.  I can see a lot of ways to work with this idea if you're having an outdoor garden wedding or formal picnic wedding.

Everything You Need To Know About Choosing A Tuxedo

Tuxedo Junction provides this great You Tube video to help grooms everywhere make a decision on how to choose their tuxedo for their wedding day. They can help grooms and groomsmen of any size or shape,so no more worries! If your bride has chosen an unusual color scheme Tuxedo Junction has the widest choice of tuxedos by a variety of designers and in almost any color. Easy one stop tuxedo planning!

Irene is Coming--So If I'm Not Here...

Since I live in the path of the hurricane coming up the east coast don't be surprised if I'm MIA for a little bit. I may post some more tonight but don't want to make any promises except "I'll BE back!" The Wedding Queen

Source: None via Kanlayarat on Pinterest

Looking for a dress that's a little bit different for your wedding? I found this posted on Pinterest and marked Anthropologie. I love the detail of the dress and the shoes ROCK! Sometimes a dress that isn't the usual works best. Look for a dress that fits your personality.

Lace Cape for Your Wedding Day

Looking for that something blue to add to your wedding ensemble?  This cape will work well with any bride planning a vintage look. Try this blue cape from Imitation shown on Bona Drag web site.  This powder blue lace cape has a unique collar that sits higher on one side than the other. It also features armholes on both sides and a tie in the front.  Bona Drag has a great blog for brides who like their wardrobe to feature some creative looks that aren't what everyone else is wearing. 

Hurricane Irene--Or Why You Need Wedding Insurance

Wedding Insurance--the one thing many couples forget or decide isn't something that's a priority in their budget.  Until...a disaster strikes.  While this weekend's Hurricane Irene is not an everyday, or even every year occurrence (at least in Pennsylvania where I live), I suspect many weddings up and down the east coast scheduled for this weekend will end up cancelled.  Those couples will be wishing they'd opted for that small extra expense of wedding insurance.  Couples who have wedding scheduled in venues in areas hit may wish they'd opted for insurance as well since some venues may suffer extensive damage that may result in the venue not being repaired in time for their wedding. By running a search for wedding insurance companies you can find the average cost for the insurance you want. 

Wedding insurance is not that expensive, and considering what you are investing in the rest of your wedding day, it's a good idea to add it your wedding budget.  So no matter when your wedding is scheduled for, consider shopping for wedding insurance as a must have for your wedding.

Five Photography Trends For Weddings

As weddings change from 'your mother's cookie cutter wedding' to more creative options, so too has wedding photography changed.  While you can still have the option of all formal posed shots (PLEASE don't!) Instead consider the variety of options that will make your wedding look more up to date.

1. Photographers can take a selection of formal shots for the family, but also add some fun candids of guests during the wedding and reception.  For great candids mixed with formal shots having an extra photographer can be helpful.  For instance, you want a shot of you feeding your groom cake and vice versa, but also a shot of your flower girls trying to feel the ring bearer cake too.  The 2nd photographer can be on the lookout for those extra shots. 
2. Some brides choose to put 'throw away' cameras on each table at the reception so the guests can take part in taking your still photos.  This will mean you'll get some great shots of your friends, and not a hundred shots of Aunt Ethel!  There are also companies now that will provide video cameras so you can save money on your wedding video.  Most of them will put together the footage for you--saving you money, although not going to have a Hollywood grade production of your wedding day.  (Face it, I don't know about you, but most of us aren't Kim Kardashian!) 
3. Consider mixing some formal shots with some shots in black and white or sepia.  Some photos can have portions colorized.  Also wedding albums have changed.  No more padded covers.  Instead they often have the look of a slick coffee table book.  Keep in mind, if you have the right to reproduce your photos you can get these books made online or at a local camera shop or pharmacy that offers special options like this.
4. Suggest to some close friends that if they want great photos of the ceremony that if they sit directly behind where the photographer's lights are they'll have well lit shots of you and your bridal party entering and leaving with your groom. I've used this trick several times personally and it's always turned out great photos.  I'm not usually a great photographer but with their lighting my photos turned out looking like a pro had taken them.
5. Add a photo booth to your wedding day.  This is a fun option and if you add some fun props the results will keep you laughing for days!

Which choice is for you? Photojournalistic style? Posed Photos? Video? Candids by guests? Work with your budget and make the decision that works best for you.  While many brides today insist they COULD NOT DO WITHOUT a wedding video, I remember talking to a bride's grandmother at a bridal fair about videos one time and she said "You know, we didn't have videos when I got married, but the one that runs through my mind every time I look at my husband is the one I really treasure."  So, if you can't afford a professional video of your wedding--step back, think about what's really important to you on your wedding day--I'll bet most of it will be things that you'll see and remember without a piece of videotape or a DVD. 

White Winter Weddings

This inspriation board will help winter brides who want a snowy look for their wedding get some great ideas on how to add those accents to their wedding decor. (From Decordiva on Bridal Canvas' site.)

Fall Inspiration Board From DecorDiva

Autumn Elegance by decordiva

DecorDiva put together this great fall inspiration board to help autumn brides plan their weddings. More inspiration boards at BridalCanvas.com.

Lighted Arbor

Getting married in the evening? Try using this lighted arbor from Save On Crafts.  It has a light behind each leaf and will make your day sparkle and glow without the use of candles.  (Description from Save On Crafts below).  Additional battery pack or power source required (see below).  The arbor itself is only $99.  Think what an arbor of flowers would cost you and compare the costs.  Also this arbor can be used again and again. 

"The LED lighted garland measures 16-1/2" long x 12" wide. Each of the leaves are wired so you can place them wherever you choose. The garland itself is removable if you would want to use somewhere other than on the metal arch. The garland covers the entire frame and it held in place with metal hooks.

The 120 veined clear acrylic veined LED leaves on the garland measure 3" x 2" wide. Can it be powered by batteries (no wires to trip on) or plug in (see info on each below). The power attachments are sold separately from the arbor. Must be powered with our BPP-3201 Battery Power Pack set to 12V. Or for plug in use ADAP-LLAS1000 regulated adapter set on 12V.

It is impressive. And easy to set up. The metal arbor frame comes in 6 pieces with 2 sturdy supports for each side. Each pole slides into the other one. Once the arch is up attach the leaf light strings using wires provided on the arbor. No tools needed for assembly."

Boudoir Photographs by Tommi -- a Great Deal from Groupon Philadelphia

 

73% off a Boudoir Shoot at Tommi Life Style Boutique through Groupon.com in Philadelphia. While I'm not posting any boudoir shots (there are a few on their web site or on the Groupon ad, but I'd like to preserve my G rating for my blog!) suffice it to say these are artistically done. So if you're in the market for some it's $119 dollar value (usually $435 dollars). A nice savings if you are looking for some hot shots for your honey.

 

Tommi also does wedding photography, engagement shoots, studio shoots and head shots, so no matter what your photography needs Tommi can probably assist you. Their expert stylists will show you how to look great on your special day.

The Perfect Seating -- A Gift From Wedding Planners

Are you a wedding planner or venue that wants to give your bridal couples a small thank you gift? Consider giving them the gift of 'The Perfect Seating.' This kit lets them easily plan the seating of their guests without using software and with easy to incorporate changes. Visit their web site to learn more and place orders.

Winter White and Cream Inspiration Boards

Planning a winter white/cream wedding?  This inspiration board comes to you courtesy of Junebug Weddings where you can find other inspiration boards and great ideas for planning your wedding no matter what your color scheme. 

501st Post!

I just realized that my last post was my 500th post! Can't believe I've been posting this long (or this often!) Look for my favorite posts coming up this week!

Gourmet Milkshake Shooters

Looking for an interesting treat for your wedding guests?  How about some mini milkshake shooters?  Perfect for the hot summer day, and guaranteed to please your guests no matter what their ages.  These milkshake shooters (found on the blog "Hey Gorgeous" are both a treat for your taste buds and your eyes!  Add a rim of melted semi-sweet chocolate with jimmies and top the shooter with some marshmallows and serve with a bright straw. 

Rimming the glasses with melted semi-sweet chocolate and jimmies really makes the shooters become a part of your decor!  They add some excited to the creamy milkshake.  We like the vanilla milkshakes but you could serve shakes in any flavor you like or to match your wedding colors.  Have fun and enjoy the shooters!

Unique Engagement Shoot and Save The Dates

CallawayGable did this unique engagement shoot for Sean and Kelly.  Both are in the animation biz so their shoot reflected this.  As an animation fan I was charmed!  And wishing I'd thought to be that creative when I got married (although I'm not an animator, only a collector and sometime sketcher).  WTG You guys! Go to CallawayGable's link above to see more photos of their engagement shoot.

But lest you think CallawayGable only do shoots that are a bit off the wall for some brides, check their web site and see some of their other work--it will blow you away! The beauty of their shots is breathtaking.