Black Wedding Design

You want your wedding other than the others ...??

Try to using black in your wedding design !!

It used to be that using black in your wedding design was strictly taboo. Black was considered to be too somber to incorporate into a festive occasion. Times have changed, however, and there are some very chic and elegant ways to use black in your wedding.

When you think about black, most young people associate it with being stylish and sophisticated, as in the little black dress. If you ask your grandmother what black reminds her of, though, she is likely to answer a funeral. The trick is to use black in a way that invokes its stylish side, not its somber side. The way to achieve this is to think of black as an element to create decorative patterns and designs, instead of using it in big solid chunks.

For the perfect inspiration for an elegant use of black, you must view the Audrey Hepburn film My Fair Lady. The scene at the Ascot races is one of the most absolutely incredible uses of a black and white color scheme that you will ever see. The dramatic use of black and white patterns, shapes, and forms (the hats!) is the height of elegance and style. There is certainly nothing depressing about the way black was used in this scene.

Another place to look for ideas on how to use black to great effect is Truman Capote's famous Black and White Ball of the 1960s. The world's most fabulous people gathered, all dressed in black and white, and held one of the most famous parties of all time. Although you will probably not be telling your guests what to wear, you can definitely use this as inspiration for the attire for the bride and groom and the wedding party.

The place to start with your wedding design is the attire. There are many very stylish bridal gowns available these days with a black on white design. This is seen most often in the form of embroidery, often in a scroll design. The men are easy: tuxedos will provide them the elegant look of black and white.

For the bridesmaids, you will want to choose carefully. Although many wedding parties these days do wear simple black dresses, you might want to investigate other alternatives. A whole group of women in solid black dresses does get away from the festive feeling you want a wedding to have, no matter how practical they may be. Spend the time to seek out dresses that have a color mixed in with black.

If you prefer to keep a limited color palette, one very chic idea would be to dress your bridesmaids in pewter colored satin dresses with black sashes or ribbons at the waist. For the richest black possible, velvet ribbons would be ideal. You can finish off the look with dramatic bridesmaid jewelry sets created from jet black Swarovski crystals or fabulous black pearls. The interesting thing about using jet crystals in your bridesmaid jewelry sets is that they can read either as very modern or a little bit Victorian. Black pearls will simply look luxurious.

It is certainly possible to use black in your wedding design in a way that suits the occasion. Done well, the sharpness of black against white creates a crisp and elegant design scheme. Find ways to use black in your wedding that are creative and rich looking for a fabulously sophisticated effect.

By : Phie

Search for a Black Wedding Dresses

It may seem like a very not-so-traditional approach to a wedding ceremony, a lot of bride-to-bes out there is into finding their ideal black wedding dress. The idea may not be much of a hit compared to the traditional white dress; but it is indeed a great and a one-of-a-kind option.

If you happen to be the type who can't help but picture herself in a black wedding dress, then you must find out about the handful of bridal companies you might want to look through in order for you to score that unique gown.

The Wedding Wardrobe

This store has a variety of dresses to choose from, they offer not only one black wedding dress but quite a few more styles. One of the most popular selection that they have is the Xena, embellished with hand sewn beads, fully-boned bodice accentuated by a pull back corset. There's a mixture of jet black Swarovski crystals and AB on a plain black silk bodice. The skirt is a narrow A-line skirt with a front drape that is detachable and a full length train that is also detachable. It was originally meant to be a black wedding dress but now, it is available in white, ivory, antique ivory, gold, burgundy and red.

Nordstroms

Another great store to guide you in your search for the black wedding dress, no doubt is it a recognizable name. First established in 1901, currently one of the nation's leading fashion retailers that offers various high-quality apparel, shoes, accessories for men, women and children all over the country

You have big selection to choose from for your favorite black wedding dress. Their website also provides links to a different website that offers the same style of dresses just in case you can't seem to find the one that you like with them.

Remember

Certainly you'll get a slice of critique pounded on your unconventional black dress, but keep in mind it is YOUR wedding, it's your day, so disregard whatever other people say.

The color black has been stereotyped with death and grimness, however, the color black is rumored to protect one from pain and misfortune because the color can repel the vibrations from negative energy.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Searching-For-a-Black-Wedding-Dress&id=1226519

Black Wedding Dress

Black wedding dresses are the choice of many brides today, as they pick this color not just for the slimming effect, but for the classy and elegant aura that it projects. Black doesn't have to feel funereal if the dresses are in the right designs. Not only that, these dresses are great if you want to make a statement.

Black wedding dresses are usually associated with themed weddings such as Halloween. But those aren't the only times when you can have a black wedding dress. If all black is too much for you, you can incorporate this color with other colors like white, silver of red. These will make the black less sombre and perfect for your wedding. Fabric wise, choose material that is light and airy and avoid dark and heavy makeup. This will make the black more suitable for a wedding.

Style wise, these dresses are most suitable when they come in close fitting gowns, which is very flattering. You can also opt for full ball gown skirts, but they should be paired with a tight fitting bodice. Go strapless, or if you must have sleeves, pick sheer sleeves. When wearing a black dress, choose simple jewelry that will not overpower you and make you look cluttered. That way you will be the picture of sheer elegance.

When trying to purchase your perfect black wedding dress, you need to do your shopping much earlier as there are not that easy a style and color to look for. You also need to be open to other alternatives such as bridesmaids' dresses or prom dresses that are readily available in black. Another alternative is for you to order your black wedding dress online, or o have one custom made for you. That way you will surely find the right style and design made just for you.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Black-Wedding-Dresses-Do-They-Look-Too-Funereal?&id=2597431

Sagamore wedding

I usually wait to get the finished photos from the wedding photographers before putting them up on my blog, but this past Saturday's wedding was so awesome that I'm going against my nature and postings some sneak peek pics. This wedding was at The Sagamore Resort two days before the Today Show broadcast from there. The place was a buzz with excitement and there were NBC crews on site getting footage all throughout the day. Although images from this wedding didn't make it on the show, they certainly could have - this wedding was incredible and could easily be featured in any high-end wedding magazine (or morning show!). Very special kudos to David Michael Schmidt from Renaissance Floral Design in Albany (www.renaissancefloraldesign.com). The flowers and complete decor were all David's design and he and his team executed the setup beautifully. Also thanks to Clifton Park Rental Company for the stunning reception rentals and the cool uplighting in the room. The wedding photographer on this job was the fabulous Tracey Buyce and I can't wait to see her images from this day. For now, here are some of the shots taken by David in between all the crazy decorating he was doing of this space. David - you rock!
Check out the humongous flower arrangements David made for the ceremony (picture above)!!

Cocktail hour terrace - sooo soft and beautiful!

Here I'm putting the final touches to the table with my custom made place cards.

David has these fabulous high backed white leather couches that we used as lounge furniture around the dance floor. This is Tracey Buyce and I getting a quick rest on one before the reception begun. The only time we sat down all night - I swear!

Check out this dining table! The guest list for this wedding was less than 40 so we went with a very intimate feel and placed all the guests along one big table. David decorated the table beautifully with gathered fabrics, multiple floral arrangements, and crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. It was stunning! When the bride saw it she burst into happy tears. It was awesome to see her that happy!

A few more shots of this incredible table.

This was a big wedding, and a big day for all of us who worked so hard on it. You can't tell I was tired, can you??
Thanks again to David from Renaissance Floral Designs for the exquisite flowers and reception room decor - and for these pictures! I'll post a full blog with Tracey's photos soon.

Wedding Dress and Feng Shui

Did you know that the traditional Chinese bride has always been dressed in red? It is believed that wearing red on your wedding day stimulates joy, love, and strength within an individual and therefore the couple. Red is also strongly associated with the following combinations- prosperity and abundance, fame and reputation, love and relationships. This exciting and vivid color promotes romance, wealth, and happiness. What more reasons does one need to wear an elegant red wedding dress?

And a color so close to red is orange. Orange is associated with purpose and organization and can be used to strengthen concentration and creativity. This positive color offers the ability to portray enthusiasm and ambition as well as encouraging a lifetime of warm communications with her love one, especially when it is her second wedding.

A vibrant yellow is what brides want to wear if they want to brighten and bring lighter energies to their wedding. Strong yellow colors are associated with intuitive insight, joy, creativity, and wisdom. They encourage the ability to be flexible and adaptable. And doesn't the bride (and the rest of the wedding party) need the ability to be flexible and adaptable?

Are you having a winter wedding? Then please wear lighter yellows or ecrus which are the couture color du jour to wear. These colors are associated with the element of earth and promote good health. Pale yellows or ecrus also are unifying colors and encourage the bride and groom to always answer..."I do".

Are you environmentally inclined? Or have a bit of Irish in you? Then a gown of any shade of green will be best. Wearing green on your special day is an auspicious choice for a young bride. Green is considered to be a restful, refreshing color that can produce an atmosphere of balance. It is also believed that green symbolizes optimism as well as an eagerness to expand the couple into a family. One plus one equals two...or do we hear four?

Have you dreamed all your life of a beach/water wedding? Then the color for your gown on this special day ought to be blue. For blue is associated with exploration and adventure. Blues are simply heavenly as they encourage cool heads and calm hearts, which are most important when children are an integral part of the ceremony. Imagine the bride and groom dressed in blues resulting in an air of trust and peace for all to experience. Ugh!

And of course, there is always the western tradition of wearing white. Western belief is that white symbolizes confidence, purity, and poise. Within Feng Shui, it is also associated with the combinations of love and relationships, creativity and children, and helpful people and travel. Since white blends all of the colors, it is a symbol of harmony and purity. Need I say more?

Yet lest not forget, regardless the colors of the wedding...in all their glory the Bride and Groom will shine their radiance on this day that they become Husband and Wife. So when you hear, 'Here comes the Bride, all dressed in...'Stand, smile, and turn to see the bride all dressed in.

By : Phie

Beach Wedding Dresses

Beach weddings are fast becoming a trend now days. A lot couples want to move away from traditional weddings and have started opting for theme based weddings. And beach wedding is one of the more popular ones. The reasons why beach weddings are popular are that these can be arranged in a relatively shorted duration, can do with less decorations and is comparatively informal than traditional one.

So, if you have decided to have your wedding at a beach, you are going to pick up a dress which goes with this theme. The traditional gown and veil won't do. Think about it, you are going to make a mess of your beautiful dress on a beach if it is a long flowing white satin gown with a long train. The dress could end up in a mess. While choosing your dress you will have to make sure that you are very comfortable in it. Since the wedding is on a beach, it should not be long.

You can go for a lightweight material like chiffon, silk, linen or satin. It is best if it is pretty simple. A simple yet elegant wedding dress would add to the romantic setting on the beach. A sarong would make a lovely wedding dress if you can carry it well along with a nice halter top. You can also go for a strapless or spaghetti straps which would look very beautiful on the beach. You can also go a bit different than traditional white dress. There are various themes within beach theme like Hawaiian theme, carnival theme etc. Hawaiian theme would make a very good and colorful choice. Its your choice, have it your way.

Apart from the dress, special considerations should be given to the wedding footwear as well. Nice heels matching with the wedding dress may look good but they would be impractical to wear on a beach. For a beach wedding, brides should opt of either flat sloes or even barefoot. Sand can be pretty hot during summers therefore keep that in mind if you are planning to be barefoot.

By : Phie

Men's Beach Wedding Dress

If you've already decided to have a beach wedding then let me congratulate you on making a wonderful choice. Beach weddings can be some of the most romantic and memorable of weddings no matter what your budget happens to be. After all, the beach and the ocean provide a priceless setting, so all you have to do is properly fill in the details.

When considering men's beach wedding attire the number one rule is to follow the bride's lead. You will want the groom and the groomsmen to be within a certain range of the bride's vision, but after that choosing your clothes can be a simple, painless, and yes, even a pleasurable endeavor.

The simple guide for men's beach wedding attire is to stick with cotton and linen clothing. Cotton and linen are "breathable fabrics" that will allow the men wearing them to look good as well as feel comfortable. Seersucker suits and clothing are basically just another form of cotton clothing, so that can always fit the bill nicely.

Fortunately, there are many places to shop for "dress casual" beach style clothing. There are many "tropical" stores and websites that will have a wide variety of choices if you are going with a Hawaiian feel for your wedding. But don't overlook the Cuban, Caribbean, Latin and South American wear that is also available with the click of the mouse.

Many a groom and his groomsmen have been the hit of the beach wedding (after the bride of course!) when they show up in the beach "dress casual" wear from Cuba, Argentina, or some other culture that the guests are not very familiar with. There are many, many wonderful choices for your men's beach wedding attire if you take the time to look.

Most of the color themes of men's wedding attire are your basic whites, tans, and browns, and even orange. They alone can be classy and comfortable, but don't be afraid go with more robust colors, as long as it adds a little flourish to the brides overall theme. Just make sure it does not clash too much with what the bride is going for or you may find yourself regretting your attempt to add some piazza to your wedding ceremony.

To sum up, remember that you will be standing on a potentially hot beach, fully clothed. Cotton and linen are probably your best choices. Seersucker is also cotton and comes in many looks. Stick with the general tone the bride has set and you should be not just looking spectacular, but feeling good too. Now that you've got the right information I'm sure whatever you choose will be right for the setting and right for you.

By : Phie

Wedding Location

Newport Beach Wedding Location - Photographers Analysis of Balboa Inn


By Vanessa Honda and Stephen Honda


While the quality of a wedding photography collection is influenced most by the photographer, the location of the wedding also has an impact on the tone and quality of any wedding portraits. Balboa Inn, rightly shot, is a location that will contribute greatly to the goal of obtaining a memorable wedding album.


Balboa Inn is a Mediterranean style wedding site located in Newport Beach California. The ceremony location is a large raised balcony. This balcony is an excellent spot to get fun, memorable pictures. The photographer can stand below the subjects standing on the balcony. The balcony is large enough that a number of people can be lined up side by side. Photographers often position a large group - say the bridesmaids at a large wedding and have them jump in the air, raise their arms in the air and cheer, or throw flowers. The result is a beautiful action shot full of expression from a unique angle with the sky in the background.


There is a tiled Mediterranean-style courtyard below the balcony. It has adobe walls and potted plants and is an excellent location to catch people mingling. While the bride and groom are getting ready, this is an excellent location to get portraits taken of the guests. Guests usually appreciate pictures taken at this point. The surroundings provides a great backdrop, the guests are already dressed up and there hasn't been time for hair to be blown out of place.


The reception hall has large windows which provides soft natural light. As long as sun is still up, you should be able to shoot using the natural light only. The location where the dance is likely to be held does not have any windows. It has colored artificial lighting similar to that which is found in a club. Plan on shooting with slow shutter speeds during the dance/night time reception.


While the ceremony in this location will not be right on the beach and the beach will not be directly in the background, it is nearby. After the ceremony is a good time to take the bride and groom to the beach to get some casual sand shots.

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Wedding Coordinator

Reasons Why You Need a Wedding Coordinator


Weddings are big events and can be very overwhelming for the couple. Again, you will need to get more hands to help with the organization, coordination, confirmation and décor. You therefore need a professional to help with your day. In most cases, you can hire a wedding consultant which people also call a wedding coordinator, organizer or expert.


By experience planners can suitably match venue with theme of wedding so that your guests can be comfortably seated, officiating become unhampered and the couple celebrate their event in great style. The planner will also help you with the choice of dress. Lastly, consultants help you save money. Wedding coordinators help the couple take control over their wedding.


Why Have a Wedding Coordinator?


One of the biggest decisions in planning your wedding is to determine if you are going to use a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator is the person that pretty much organizes your entire wedding. The day itself is the biggest reason that one should have a wedding coordinator. The coordinator in effect, makes it so that the Bride and Groom can relax on their day and simply have fun.


The large number of contacts that are handled by a wedding coordinator is really quite stunning, particularly for a larger wedding.


Another key function of the coordinator is to advise the Bride and Groom about themes and decorations. When you secure a wedding coordinator, it is important that you ask a number of important questions. The coordinator is the maestro of the wedding, and orchestrates every detail so that the event is about exactly what it should be... the Bride and Groom

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Western Wedding

Western Wedding Traditions and Where They Come From


Ironically many of the rituals being performed by devout Christians in a Christian church and ceremony are essentially based on Pagan beliefs.


Thankfully sometimes it is an elegant ritual and equally thankfully some of the rituals are just plain fun. It is likely that any ritual not fitting either the elegant beauty category or the fun category would have been phased out long ago and is thus no longer being practiced today. There are likely countless marriage rituals in various cultures which have long since been forgotten due to their disuse. Let's look at some of the more popular traditional western rituals that are still being practiced today and perhaps see just why they have stayed around so long.


The throwing of rice is an interesting ritual of the kind that is very popular in animist or Pagan cultures as it is essentially a ritual of fertility. Rice is a seed and it doesn't take a far stretch of the imagination to see just what showering handfuls of white seed on a newlywed couple is symbolic of. Besides, it's possibly the most fun of all wedding rituals.


The wedding bouquet itself is one ritual that has transformed over the years into something far different than it was originally intended to be performed. It had been a bouquet of intense herbs which were thought to have the effect of protecting from undesired "energies" which were considered inappropriate for the wedding ceremony. Imagine walking down the aisle with a bouquet of garlic today. Thankfully that is one ritual that has changed for the better.


Finally one tradition which may seem Pagan in its concept of luck is the tradition of the groom not being allowed to see the bride prior to the ceremony.

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Wedding DVD

Freedom With a Wedding DVD?


A wedding DVD? When picking a photographer for their wedding, a lot of people fear the following scenario: the wedding day was a great success, they get a booklet or a disk of proofs with 200-300 non edited images out of which they are to choose a whopping.


20 photographs.


And they don't know which ones to choose, because the choice is so limited. Sure they wanted a great looking hand crafted leather bound album in a wooden box, but what about their memories? They've already paid a handsome amount to the photographer, but 20 photos doesn't allow for a lot of details to be preserved, and memories fade away quickly...


The wedding consumed most of their savings and used additional card credit. You can have all of your wedding images. And I'm not talking about some little proof booklet or reduced size ones on a cheap CD. I'm talking about canvas size, fully edited, ready to print images on a dedicated wedding DVD that give you the freedom of choice as to what you want to do with them. You need to browse a bit to find a great offer, but it is possible and profitable, but make sure you make your choice based on the quality of the photographer's work first, and then the rest of the offer.

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Wedding Venue

Simple Tips For Decorating Your Wedding Venue


By Amanda Jane


Your wedding venue is the most important location in your planning. It is the main location at which the ceremony is held. That is where the rings are exchanged and the vows made. For these reasons, you will want your wedding venue to look the best so that you get personal satisfaction and your guests are able to look on the event as one that was well held. The simplest way to go about the wedding venue décor is to hire a florist. If for reason of budget or personal fun you are unable to do so, here are few tips that you can apply to get a magnificent decor for your venue.


Never lose sight of your wedding theme at your venue decoration. You must let your guests have the impression that you are actually holding a formal or casual event by the kind of décor you put up. Avoid mixing themes and stick to one. It is also considered ideal to decorate according to the season. Green and red will fit winter themes as well as white and ivory. Bright colors such as red and green will be appropriate for summer. Your decoration must start from the entrance. As soon as the guests reach the gate or door, they should be able to see your flamboyant display of colors and floral.


Getting your own wedding venue décor is fun. It makes you obtain that personal gratification that you were able to incorporate the things that you personally like. It also helps you to save money as you would them avoid the expensive floral and the fees of the florist. You will however have to ensure that the décor you put up conforms to your themes, the profile of the guests and the season. You will also want to ensure that you get your guests into the right mood with the right floral. Live plants will be great but consider the climate of the room. A room too hot will cause them to wilt. Artificial plants can look too cheap and may not fit certain types of formal weddings.

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Hotz Wedding

I was looking back through my posts and I realized I never blogged about this wedding - how could I have missed it?? In any rate, here is a much overdue recap of a very cool wedding...

Mr. and Mrs. Hotz were married May 16, 2009 at the Albany Country Club. I met these guys in February 2008 so I had the great pleasure of working with them for 16 months. They are such a cute couple, very relaxed and laid back. Danielle is a petite little ball of pure niceness, and he's a Red Sox fan so they were all right in my book. Actually Nick is also my web designer (check out his work - http://www.weddingplanningplus.net/ ) so he gets extra bonus points for that. These two met in college and moved to Albany to start their life together. A life that included a very fun and very personal wedding! I have to thank some of my favorite vendors for putting in their best work for these two - DJ Greg Frasier rocked out a ridiculously fun reception! And these pictures are all from photographer Tracey Buyce (http://www.traceybuyce.com/) - check out her great work!!

How pretty is she?? The bride's makeup was done by Jessica Sheridan who works for the makeup artist Amy Elizabeth Smith. Such a beautiful bride!!

The colors for the wedding were sage green, lavender, and pink. The girls wore green dresses with fun lavender jewelry and the matron of honor's dress had a pretty lavender sash around the middle. The bride and groom stepped out of the box with the tuxes and chose a tan color for the guys instead of the traditional black. Going with a lighter color kept the overall feel lighter and less stuffy. Definitely suited this fun-loving group!

For flowers we kept with the color theme but chose different blooms for the personal flowers and the reception centerpieces. Big lush pink and ivory peony bouquets were carried by the girls and the rest of the wedding flowers were pink and green orchids. Check out the submerged orchid stem in the centerpiece and the floating orchids in the little containers next to it. There was even a submerged LED light at the bottom of each of the tall vases that lit the room as the night got dark. Very easy and inexpensive way to have a lot of impact on your tables. So cool!

I couldn't possibly blog about this wedding and not mention their very cool wedding cake. Check it out!! This is a CoccaDotts creation and matched so many elements of the wedding perfectly - the quilted diamond pattern on the green layers is an exact replica of the diamond pattern on their invitations and the brooches on the purple bands matches the brooch on the waistline of the bride's wedding dress. If you are familiar with the Albany Country Club you know what a fantastic placement the cake gets and this cake certainly got a lot of attention. It was awesome!

I mentioned that the groom is a Red Sox fan (go Sox!) but the bride is a die-hard Yankees fan (must make for interesting pillow talk!) Well to remind her new husband that her baseball loyalty didn't change with the changing of her last name, she wore a garter that was navy blue and had a big Yankees logo on it. The groom had no idea and when he pulled the garter off her leg and took a look at it his expression was priceless! :)

These guys were so much fun to work with! And their wedding came together just beautifully. Unfortunately they got caught in the rainy summer weather so the outdoor ceremony had to come indoors, but they rolled with it and never let anything distract them from having a night of fun with their family and friends.

This was a picture Tracey took towards the end of the night - I'm one happy wedding planner!! Congrats guys - and miss you!! :)

The Purple Wedding

Deciding on a purple wedding is a royal and romantic choice. Purple used to be a privilege that only kings and queens can afford. This is because it took some costly dyes to put together the perfect shade of purple. Fortunately, these days purple come in different interesting shades and hues in dainty things that make for that luxurious purple wedding. Moreover, purple is also associated with spirituality, dignity, value, and delicateness.

The lighter hues of purple such as lavender and lilac are perfect themes for spring and summer weddings while deep purples and eggplant go well during fall and winter seasons. Now that the right choice for a purple wedding has been confirmed, it is time to get into the creative ideas for a purple wedding.

1. If you are planning to hold the wedding in a grand ballroom, then using royal purple as an overall effect will match the low and serene lights. In the outdoors, using the natural sundown lights can make a royal purple garden wedding extra ordinarily enchanting.

2. Dash with a little bit of lavender and lilac on the dresses. Softer hues for the gowns give it a dramatic effect. Bridesmaids' gowns that come close to pink give a feeling of femininity and lightheartedness. Adding up some accents with fresh green colors is a fashionable fit.

3. Be bold on the sashes and runners. Ultra purple to outline the long tables will look dashing and enticing for the guests. Match this with big dark purple ribbons at the back of chairs. Put in some diamond-white, charcoal gray or lustrous platinum trimmings for that crisp and sophisticated look.

4. Set up an elegantly purple and silver table setting. Use a gentle and fresh purple palette on the tablecloth. Set up a shiny and new silver flatware, fine china, and immaculate white table napkins. At the center, place bright purple orchids in a bunch of glossy colored rocks.

5. Mix up with dark and light shades on the flowers. Iris is an attractive flower for a deep purple bouquet and is not that expensive. The osteospermum flower from the daisy family has whites with purple cores or in purple but with white centers. Little white baskets full of purple flowers are also nice to be hung with the lights and foliage.

6. Seriously consider purple silk flowers and silk ivy. Silk flowers look authentic but are safe against wilting, heat, or wind. Thus, they can be placed way ahead of time. Purple silk rose petals can be sprinkled in areas like the buffet, swimming pool, church aisles or guest book tables.

7. Give away precious favors in delicately light purple sheer organza bags. Jelly beans, square French soaps, seashells or starfish candles, Jordan almonds, champagne bubbles candy and other nice little favors can be placed in this sheer lavender or lilac organza bags. Seal it with a silver satin drawstring and it will give that magical feeling to the guests by the end of your people wedding.

There is nothing that can be as beautiful and sophisticated as a purple wedding, especially when you incorporate those bright and creative ideas into them.

By : Phie

True Color Wedding Gown

Westerners think of white wedding gowns as "traditional," but they've really only been in vogue for about 150 years. If you want to go with the latest in modern daring by adding a little color, you're actually going seriously old school.

Gray wedding gowns were favored by working-class women up through the Victorian era because the color was seen as "respectable," and it wore well over time, which meant a practical bride could re-use her wedding dress as her Sunday best dress for the next year or two.

But gray wedding dresses aren't all drudgery. The traditional wedding dress rhyme says
"Married in grey, you'll go far away," which suggests some exciting travel if you have a case of wanderlust. And no matter what its origins, a pearly gray wedding dress looks beautiful and luxurious.

Brown wedding dresses were for country girls, and the wedding rhyme agreed: "Married in brown, you'll live out of town." It's a great choice if you're committed to life in the fresh air, if you prefer to avoid fabric bleaches or dyes that can be harmful to the environment, or if you'd just like to set off dark eyes and hair.

Purple wedding gowns have always been rare in Europe and America - they don't even appear in the wedding gown rhyme. This is partly because purple dyes used to be the most expensive, and by extension purple clothes became associated with royalty, and royalty only. Later, deep purples were adopted by widows who were phasing out of black mourning clothes.

Both of those associations are long gone, though, so feel free to purple it up! If you're not feeling quite that avant-garde, a soft lavender gown makes for a gown that's beautiful and wonderfully unusual.

Blue is a lovely choice for a wedding dress, and it's respectable through and through. Blue is associated with fidelity, which was one of the reasons for the "something blue" you're supposed to wear or carry as you go down the aisle. The rhyme says, "Married in blue, you'll always be true," so a blue dress is a nice promise to your groom, but superstition says it helps ensure he'll only have eyes for you too.

The symbolism of Green wedding dresses is either really good or really bad, depending on who you ask. Before Christianity became widespread in Europe, green was considered a terrific color for a wedding dress because it was associated with fertility, but as Christianity spread, it fell out of favor because it was associated with Paganism. In the British Isles, green was considered a dangerous color for a wedding dress because it was the color of the fairies, and drawing their attention was asking for trouble. (Some sources say that Irish women were the exception and often wore green, and some say that Irish women found green wedding dresses especially unlucky. If you're Irish, just ask your grandma and go by whatever she says.)

The wedding dress rhyme is pretty firm on green: "Married in green, ashamed to be seen." This was because creepier wedding guests would joke that the bride's dress was green because she had been rolling around in the grass with a lover just before the wedding.

On the other hand, almost nobody in the world knows about any of this unless they've been researching wedding dress colors, so it's probably safe to give green a shot.

Yellow has had a roller-coaster ride of popularity. It was once a popular favorite because it's so cheerful, ...and then in sterner times fell out of favor because it was too cheerful and thus not appropriate for church. The wedding rhyme is also kind of a buzzkill for sunny brides: "Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow."

Which is bad, but not as bad as "Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead." There's not much getting around that for the superstitious. Red got its bad rep from being associated with passion and sex, which the bride wasn't necessarily supposed to know about in days past. However, you may not think that's such a big deal, in which case go for it. A full-on scarlet dress may still shock people nowadays, but a dress with red detailing will go over perfectly well in all but the most conservative churches.

By : Phie

Wedding Dreams in the Sand

Have you ever dreamed about having your wedding on a tropical island beach? The sensation of the warm afternoon sand between your toes; the natural harmony of the sea as it gently caresses the shoreline; standing hand-in-hand, with the one you love, committing to one another completely. Sound like a romantic dream? As you will discover on Koh Samui, dreams can come true...

But why opt for this island paradise as your dream wedding destination? In case you need a little extra encouragement, here are a few considerations.

* Welcome to "The Land of Smiles". As you enter Samui's tropical and most unquestionably unique open-walled airport, you will immediately feel the warmth and hospitality 'Amazing Thailand' is famous for; with an obvious infusion of a relaxed island lifestyle. The friendly character of the locals is absolutely contagious - you will soon find yourself smiling at the mention of the word Samui.

* The Alluring Soft Sandy Beaches. Feel the warmth and splendor of the sand beneath your feet while you live out your wedding dreams under the afternoon sky, shaded by the abundant coconut palm trees, on a tranquil Samui beach. Shoes are entirely optional.

* The Warm, Inviting Blue Waters of the Gulf of Thailand. What could make a more magnificent backdrop to your wedding memories than Samui Archipelago? Go for a sail around the island, snorkel in the shallow waters, and for the adventurous couples who want to start their marriage with a little "depth"; there are enchanting underwater wedding ceremonies available.

* Give Your Family & Friends A Reason To Take A Holiday! Sometimes we all need a little enticement to escape our daily lives; a reminder that if we don't take the time to enjoy the opportunities before us, we may never get the same chances again. Koh Samui is the perfect getaway destination for the whole family; young and old alike. Even getting to Thailand's third largest island has never been easier and simply arriving makes any long-distance expedition worth all the effort. Everyone will thank you for years to come.

* REAL Thai Food Is Absolutely Some Of The Best Food In The World! Think you've had good Thai food before? Koh Samui boasts some of Thailand's finest Chef's available anywhere in the world; where you can indulge in delicious international delights and authentic Thai cuisine. But don't pass over those small restaurants you will notice with only a few tables; you may be missing out on the greatest Thai cooking in the world. And if you find you can't get enough before you go, Samui has many Thai cooking classes to try your own hand at preparing an amazing meal back home.

* More RELAXING and STRESS-FREE Than Having Your Wedding At Home. In today's global society, Thailand is often neutral ground for many families who reside on different continents. Trying to please everyone but yourselves can lead to disaster; I know you've heard the horror stories before. Your wedding day should be about you and your partner's happiness, commitment to each other and the joining of two families together. Let the naturally calm ambiance of Koh Samui heighten your wedding joy and allow everyone present to relax and remember why they are all here - to be together in celebration.

* Not Just for Weddings. Is your anniversary approaching? Surprise your partner and say "I do" all over again with an afternoon vow renewal, champagne in hand, watching the sunset in each other's arms. If you want to express your love for your partner in a truly romantic setting; Commitment Ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular and are ideal for many modern couples.

* If we don't make something special - nothing ever is. Getting married is supposed to be one of the most special days of your life. The uniqueness of saying your nuptials on the beach will make any plans you have for your wedding day that much more unforgettable. Women will feel the timeless romance of the classic fairy tale; men have the benefit of the casual atmosphere, even if they are dressed to the Nine's. It is the perfect choice for your special day - charm and romance naturally included. Don't just let your wedding day "happen". Make the choice to make it special.

By : Phie

Wedding Consultant

Why a Wedding Consultant is So Important

Let's be perfectly honest. A wedding can be a huge undertaking. There are so many things to think about like transportation, catering, photographer, the reception, the florist, the wedding dress, and so much more.


I suppose your family and friends can help you out, but chances are, they have their own life to live, and probably don't have the kind of time needed to dedicate to your wedding. The only thing you have to do is make sure that you pick a planner who can achieve the wedding of your dreams.


You have to make sure that find a wedding planner early. For example, if you plan on getting married in the summertime, then you should start deciding on a wedding planner some time around the spring. If you do this, chances are you'll give you planner enough time to make sure everything goes splendidly. You'll need that time for her to give you all the choices and recommendations she has to offer. Even if you don't, the wedding planner can give you a wide variety of options from which to choose from, irregardless if you want a big or a small wedding. They will cater to your needs.


So, in summary, if your budget will allow you to, you should seriously consider getting a wedding consultant. You'll know that both you and your wedding guests will enjoy a night that nobody will forget. They have the experience and skill to accommodate the most precise wedding.

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Wedding Albums, Choosing the Right Type For You

1. Flush mount albums:


You may have heard flush mount wedding albums referred to as 'storybook', 'magazine type', 'digital' or 'coffee table' albums. Albums can be designed by your wedding photographer or directly by the album manufacturer. Pages are laid out using design software and may use one or more images per page. Different types of flush mount albums:


While the design process for all types of flush mounts is the same, there are variations in the way that albums are printed and bound. High quality albums are printed on photographic paper and mounted on board before binding them into an album.


Other albums (often called 'books' rather than 'albums') may be printed using a digital press system. Both types can give excellent results, though I would always recommend photographic paper for a main album. 'Flush mount wedding albums' tend to be on photographic paper, 'Digital coffee table books' or 'digital albums' are more likely to be printed using digital press. Advantages of flush mounts:


Limitless design options. Possible cost savings, compared to matted albums, especially on second albums and parent books.


2. Matted albums:


These are a more traditional type of album, photographs are mounted behind openings or apertures, bevel cut into boards (or mattes) and assembled into pages. The more expensive versions will be laid out page by page, then each matte will individually cut and bound into the album. Photos are mounted behind the mattes, framing each image in it's own aperture. As with a flush mount you can have one or more images on each page, though the design options are more limited. Prices can be quite a lot higher than flush mounts. Advantages of matted albums:


Choosing between a flush mount or matted album is a matter of personal choice, they can both look great.

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