Posts Tagged ‘Wedding Jewelry’

Tips on Customizing Wedding Vows

Oct 26, 2010 Cupcake Jewelry

As much attention as is paid to the other parts of a wedding, it is the exchange of vows that is the most meaningful moment of the whole day. Many couples would like to personalize their vows rather than relying on the standard ones, but have no idea how to begin. These tips on customizing your wedding vows will make it a piece of cake for you to write words that will be meaningful and memorable.

A great place to start the process of customizing your wedding vows is by reflecting on why you want to say something different. Are you simply a person who prefers things that are unique, such as a cupcake tower or handcrafted wedding jewelry, rather than standard things that everyone uses for their weddings? Or maybe you feel like the old fashioned vows do not speak to your contemporary views. It could be that you want to say the words that will truly express the depth of your love for your intended. Some couples also like the idea of introducing a touch of levity to the vow exchange, believing that humor is an important part of their relationship. Whatever your personal reason, identifying it will help you set an intention before you sit down to right; with a goal in mind, you will be much better focused.

With an intention in mind, you will be ready to start customizing your vows. If you keep a few basic rules in mind, it will help you a lot along the way. The point of adding your own words to your wedding ceremony is to express something personal, so avoid cliched phrases that are no more unique than the standard vows. On the other hand, a wedding is a ceremonial event, and a bit of reserve is called for; in other words, make your vows personal, but not too personal. Never say anything that would embarrass your fiance or any of the guests, especially the grandparents. Risque jokes or naughty innuendos are always a bad idea in wedding vows.

Feel free to include quotes from your favorite authors, poets, and songwriters. Authors that honor your cultural heritage can also be a meaningful inclusion. For instance, if you have chosen Claddagh rings as your wedding jewelry, choose a lovely quote from an Irish poet. This can be a great base upon which to build, especially if you are not accustomed to writing. Use the quote as a starting point, and frame it with your own words to make it more personal. Consider the source from which you are borrowing; no matter how sweet the words, if they are lyrics from a well-known corny song, you are as likely to get chuckles from the guests as expressions of joy.

If you are comfortable with it, include a brief (brief being the operative word) anecdote in your vows. It could be something sweet about how you first met or how much you admired your intended from afar before getting up the nerve to approach him or her. Consider the context of your memory. For instance, if you met the bride at church, that could be a nice thing to include, but if you first saw her at a wet t-shirt contest on spring break, well, you might just want to leave that bit out!

Writing your own vows can be an intimidating task at first, but once you get started, you will likely be very happy with all of the special touches you are able to include in your ceremony. Remember, too, that it is perfectly acceptable to add just a few personal lines into the traditional wedding ceremony if you do not feel up to the job of penning totally original vows. Whichever way you decide to go, the results of customizing your wedding vows will be very special.

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Add Height to Your Wedding Centerpieces

Oct 13, 2010 Cupcake Jewelry

Dramatic centerpieces will add style and elegance to your wedding! A great way to achieve this is with tall elements that reach skyward. These are some great ways to add height to your wedding centerpieces to get that stunning look that every bride desires.

First of all, think beyond traditional flowers in a vase. A fantastic way to get height in your centerpieces is to create trees from branches. They can be decorated according to the season and style of your wedding. For instance, if you are having an elegant Winter Wonderland wedding and plan to have lots of sparkle in your wedding like crystal jewelry and chandeliers, hang shimmering crystals and beads from the branches. White or silver painted branches will be extremely elegant when draped with their own glistening crystal wedding jewelry. Or for a spring wedding, leave the branches of your centerpiece trees in a natural color, and use pretty ribbons to dandle flowers from each branch. It is such a pretty and creative way to use flowers.

Another really neat way to give your centerpieces a vertical line is with non-floral elements such as coral. Paint faux coral in red or for more drama, black, and set it standing up into a bed of sand or pebbles. It can be surrounded with starfish and seashells for a true beach theme, or flower blossoms for an elegant chic effect that will look great in any reception setting. The coral is a wonderful element that can be pulled into other aspects of your wedding design, such as on the invitations and as a graceful wrapping paper print for favor boxes.

Very tall candelabras add magic to an evening wedding. Choose an antique silver for an old school opulence, Art Deco style crystal for a modern/retro wedding, or an ornately designed black painted candelabra for a cool Gothic romantic effect. Not only will the candle holders add considerable height to your tablescapes, but when filled with tall taper candles, the vertical effect will be even greater. Candelabras can be adorned with flowers, or pay a nod to Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball, and simply twine them with greenery.

When you want your centerpieces to have true height and drama, don’t forget that you can work from the ceiling down instead of the tabletop up. Long lines of flowers such as gerber daisies or even orchids can be suspended over the reception tables for an impressive effect. Another gorgeous option is to hang dramatic crystal teardrops on clear wire over a floral centerpiece. The sparkling crystals will draw the eye up as they appear to float over the tables.

There are some really creative and unique ideas for creating tall centerpieces. Think about creating towers or stacks of an element that really speaks to you. Book lover? Pile up stacks of vintage books by your favorite authors, and place small battery powered candles into Moroccan patterned votive holders on the different tiers. Very fun and different. You can stack and layer almost anything, even edible items like petit fours or cupcakes on decorative tiers. These non-traditional centerpieces will certainly help to put your own personal stamp on your wedding reception, which after all, is what the design plan should be all about.


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Fun and Affordable Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Aug 31, 2010 Cupcake Jewelry

The rehearsal dinner which follows the wedding rehearsal is an important part of wedding tradition, but that does not mean that it must be a traditional formal party. In fact, the rehearsal dinner can be as laid back as you like, which also means that you can throw a great party without a huge budget. These are some fun and affordable rehearsal dinner ideas.

Cookout on the beach. A top pick for summer rehearsal dinners, find a beach that allows you to grill, and host a relaxed cookout. Beach food is at its best when it is simple, so think hot dogs and hamburgers, that sort of thing. Best of all, if your party runs into the evening hours, you can have a bonfire and make s’mores. Way more fun than doing your rehearsal dinner in a stuffy hotel and really affordable. Just be sure to check about any permits needed for the bonfire. Wear a sundress and maybe one piece of your wedding jewelry, such as a classic tin cup necklace. A cardigan or wrap for the late night hours would also be a good idea.

Bowling. Yes, bowling. This is one of those ideas that is so out there it is almost trendy. A bowling alley rehearsal dinner is great for families who know how to relax and have a good time together. Bowling a few frames will also help to relieve the last minute wedding stress. To make it even more fun, get vintage bowling shirts for the wedding party or make up mock bowling league shirts that say “bride” and “groom”. Memorable and fun!

Backyard bash. If you or your parents have a spacious backyard, why not have your rehearsal dinner there? Keep the menu easy, and serve the same types of things that you would for any summer barbeque: grilled chicken and burgers, macaroni and potato salad, fresh fruit, and a sweet treat like cupcakes. This can be one of the easiest rehearsal dinners of all to coordinate, as long as the host is not the type to go crazy about remaking the garden to get it “perfect” before the party.
Family style Italian restaurant. Everyone loves Italian food, and it is great for feeding a crowd. An Italian restaurant is a terrific rehearsal dinner idea when you want to have a more traditional type of rehearsal dinner, but still want one that is going to be relaxed and inexpensive. Many restaurants have private rooms which are perfect for hosting parties. The most affordable option is to order large platters of food to pass or to have a buffet style dinner.

If your local Italian restaurant only offers the regular type of service where guests order off a menu, ask if you can create a limited menu of starters and entrees especially for your rehearsal dinner. This will allow you to keep costs under control by selecting entrees within your price range, and it should make it easier for the restaurant to get the dinner out more quickly and efficiently. Order bottles of white and red wine for the table, rather than having guests order wine by the glass as another cost cutting measure. For an indoor rehearsal dinner, you can feel free to dress up a little more. A pretty dress worn with a great pair of shoes and jewelry like your wedding earrings will be just right.

When it comes to planning an affordable and enjoyable rehearsal dinner, let your creativity be your guide. The party can be as offbeat as you like. The point of a rehearsal dinner is to bring the bride and groom’s families and attendants together before the wedding, not to have a fancy or upscale evening. As long as the conversation is flowing, spirits will be high and everyone will have a great time!


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