Bridal Bouquets Archives

Wedding Ceremony Checklist

Okay, the big day is finally here, and in mere moments the wedding ceremony will begin! At this point, all of the big stuff should be under control, but there are still a few finishing touches to be put in place. Make sure that you do not overlook anything with this wedding ceremony checklist.

First, the maid of honor or the bride’s mother should spend a few minutes carefully looking over the bridal ensemble. The bride wants to look as perfect as possible when she makes her grand entrance, after all. Check to be sure that her veil is securely anchored and the headpiece is nice and straight. What about the bridal jewelry? Are her earrings properly fastened? Have any clasps on pieces of bridal jewelry slid to the front?

Then take a good look at the wedding gown itself. Have all the layers of the petticoat been pulled straight and given a good fluff? (Crinolines are notorious for getting bunched up under a wedding gown.) If the bridal gown has those little hanging straps, be sure that they are completed tucked into the side of the gown or better yet, just cut them out. Then do the same for the bridesmaids. If the bride’s dress has any bows or ribbons, make sure that they are tied perfectly and that the ends hang well. Does the bride have her something old, new, borrowed, and blue? And finally, someone should make certain that the bride does not have any lipstick on her teeth!

The groom has a few last minute tasks to undertake as well before taking his place at the altar. Is his breath fresh? If not, he can quickly pop a mint or a piece of gum. But for goodness sake, take the gum out of your mouth before the ceremony begins! I have actually witnessed grooms chewing gum while reciting their vows, and it looks absolutely terrible. Speaking of vows, if you have written your own for the ceremony, be sure you have them in your jacket pocket. The groom should also take a moment to comb his hair, straighten his tie, and adjust his boutonierre, if needed.

The wedding party should also get themselves ready before the ceremony music begins. Bridesmaids, if you need to adjust your strapless gown, this is the time to do it! Please resist the urge to tug on your dress while standing at the altar. Make sure that you have your bouquet close at hand, and that when you pick it up to process down the aisle, any bows or ribbon streamers are facing out. Like the bride, the bridesmaids should make sure that their makeup is fresh and unsmudged, and that their jewelry is secure with clasps hidden.

The best man has one incredibly important thing to check before the wedding ceremony, and that is the wedding bands. He should have them tucked into a breast pocket, ready to produce for the ring exchange portion of the ceremony. The best man can also do everyone a favor by ensuring that the groomsmen do not talk the groom into having too many celebratory drinks right before the ceremony. He would also be a good person to make sure that the troops are in order: shirts neatly tucked in, boutonierres in place, ties straight, and so on. With everyone looking their best, the wedding will be ready to go!

Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, etiquette, and style. The most fabulous collection of bridal jewelry is available at http://silverlandjewelry.com/, where all jewelry orders over $99 ship at no charge.

Typically, a bridal shower arrives with friends and relatives of the bride-to-be. The chosen bridesmaids are also there. It is a pre-wedding event where everyone can enjoy spending time with the her, enjoying the food and drinks, and party games. For the bride-to-be, her bridal shower can make a great time to present gifts to her wedding attendants.

When it comes to giving attendants gifts, specifically bridesmaids gifts, there are no set rules in stone. Spending too much is neither mandatory. There are lots of stores these days where you can find a wide variety of gifts that you can give to your bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, best man, ring bearer, flower girls, and parents. The choices come in different styles, forms, and prices, which give assurance that you can definitely find the best gift ideas for your wedding attendants without spending too much.

Traditionally, the maid of honor will receive a gift that is more expensive than gifts for bridesmaids. This marks the fact that the maid of honor has extra responsibilities, whereas bridesmaids usually receive gifts that are of the same price range.

Since most weddings these days are theme-based, gifts for wedding attendants may fall in your chosen theme. Your theme may be based on many things, including color schemes. However, if you want to stick within the tradition, you can find many traditional items that are easy to buy that also meet you budget and are easy to organize. Among the traditional gifts that you can offer to your bridesmaids are flowers. You can purchase flower bouquets or arranged in vases. You can choose flowers that match with the color schemes of your wedding or flowers with traditional meanings.

Personalized gifts are the top choices of gift ideas for wedding attendants nowadays. They are something that the girls would really appreciate. Usually, personalized gifts are designed to meet the personality of a recipient. Meaning, you have to know well your wedding attendants for you to come up with the right personalized gifts for them. But since they are your closest friends, is may not be difficult for you to follow such protocol.

Personalized wedding gifts are widely available online. You may only find a few specialty shops for such items in your local area, so you may want to consider going online to find much better options to choose from. There are plenty of online stores beating each other by offering greater options when it comes to personalized gifts. Depending on the gift items you chose for your wedding attendants, they can have the names or initials of the girls engraved or embroidered onto the gifts.

Some of the popular gifts for bridesmaids and maid of honor include engraved compact mirrors, monogrammed tote bags, engraved key rings, engraved picture frames, personalized shirts, engraved ladies flasks, monogrammed jewelry, engraved keepsake boxes, embroidered cosmetic bags, embroidered cooler bags, and a lot more. These gift items can be given during your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or other pre-wedding events where all your attendants are invited.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you’re looking for bridal shower gifts, visit the website Mybridesmaidsgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Find bridal party gifts to make it extra special!

Bohemian Chic Weddings

One of the most lovely themes for a wedding is bohemian chic. The style conjures up visions of ethereal wood nymphs, flutes, and flower laden wooded clearings. If this sounds like your ideal wedding, this is what you need to know to plan a gorgeous bohemian chic wedding.

The first thing to think about for a bohemian chic wedding is the location. It should definitely be outdoors in an unspoiled natural setting. A clearing in a forest, a public park, or even a backyard could all be terrific options. Another idea would be a field alongside a river or overlooking a lake. Avoid places that are too manicured or any that feel like they are too much a part of the modern world (in other words, nothing with a view of a parking lot!).

As with any type of wedding, the bridal attire will help to set the tone. The ideal bohemian chic wedding gown is flowing, feminine, and ethereal. Fabrics such as chiffon or English net would be lovely. Look for styles such as empire waist gowns with handmade fabric flowers or petals. Soft natural colors like pale ivory or a tea-dyed shade of netting would be preferable to a bright dyed white gown. Accent the bridal gown with handcrafted bridal jewelry and a long plain veil. Bridal jewelry that is handcrafted with organically shaped elements such as keshi pearls would be wonderful, as would wedding jewelry in a color such as almond or pale rose.

The bride should wear her hair in a natural looking style (which is not to say that it should not be professional styled). For long hair, style the hair into flowing waves, with the front pulled back and the rest worn cascading down over the shoulders. If short hair is more your style, a little pixie haircut would be adorable for a bohemian chic wedding. The best hairpieces will either be wreaths or little bridal headbands.

Flowers will play an important role in creating the desired effect for your wedding. They should definitely be flowers with more of a wild, uncultivated appearance. Wildflowers, flowing ivy, and garden roses would all be beautiful. For the bouquets, think about a loosely gathered arrangement of blooms with long flowing greens. Other additions could include natural elements such as stalks of wheat, berries, and seed pods. Long pretty ribbons in soft colors like mauve and sage will add to the bohemian effect.

The ceremony décor at a bohemian chic wedding should include some sort of earthy structure to serve as a focal point in lieu of a traditional altar. Imagine something along the lines of an arbor that is handcrafted with sticks and branches. Wind vines and flowers around it for the perfect frame under which to exchange your wedding vows.

A bohemian style wedding can remain chic and stylish while celebrating the natural beauty of nature. It is a terrific inspiration for the wedding design of anyone who has a love of the great outdoors and Mother Nature.

Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, trends, and style ideas. Handcrafted bridal jewelry is the perfect way to express your style.

Advice For Brides Who Wear Glasses

There are many women who wear glasses on a daily basis without giving it a second thought. A wedding, however, is not just any other day, and even those who really like their glasses often wonder if they should wear them during their wedding. To help you find the solution that makes you most comfortable, here is great advice for brides who wear glasses.

If you need glasses to see, well, you certainly cannot be without some sort of vision aid on your wedding day. And yet, when you see pictures of brides in magazines, do you ever see one in glasses? No, because there is something about a formal bridal gown and glasses that do not seem to be a great combination, or at least that is how most brides feel. But it certainly would not do to stumble down the aisle because you cannot see where you are going! So what is a vision-impaired bride to do?

The first and most popular option is to switch out your eyeglasses for contact lenses. They can take some getting used to, so if you are not accustomed to wearing contacts, get a pair at least a month or two before the wedding. That way you will have the chance to try them out and discover if you like how they feel.

Brides who find glasses to be more comfortable but can tolerate contact lenses at least for a little while might choose to wear their contacts for the ceremony and formal portraits and then switch over to their specs during the reception. There are several reasons why this can be a good compromise. For one thing, you will get to make your grand entrance to the ceremony without anything covering your face (except perhaps a blusher). Your guests will get to see you in all your radiant glory, which is a moment that every bride deserves to have.

Another good reason to wear contacts for the wedding ceremony is that you will not have to worry about glare reflecting off of the lenses from flash photography. There are quite a few brides who fear that their glasses will be a distraction in the wedding photographs. It is not just the glare that worries them, but that their frames may appear dated and will spoil their enjoyment of the wedding album in the future. This is a legitimate concern – think about all of those pictures of 1960s brides in heavy black framed spectacles; the first thing that you see is their eyewear, not their faces or even their bridal gowns.

When the bride only needs glasses for reading, she has a few options. One is to avoid writing her own vows. If you recite the standard vows, all you will need to do is repeat after the officiant, no reading required. Brides who choose to have personal vows to read can still walk down the aisle sans specs. Simply have your maid of honor carry your eyeglasses behind her bouquet and hand them over at the start of the vow exchange.

For those brides who cannot tolerate contacts or feel like giving up their glasses for a day is too phony, there are a few ways to make their eyewear fit the special occasion. A few months before the wedding, pick out new frames which complement the style of your wedding gown and bridal jewelry. In general, the more thin and discreet the frame, the better, and be sure to get an anti-reflective coating on the lenses. Select glasses which will look well with your bridal jewelry, or vice versa. In other words, silver jewelry will be best with silver tone frames, or choose gold frames to wear with gold bridal jewelry.

Whichever way you decide to go, the most important thing is to feel like yourself on your wedding day. After all, you know that your fiance loves you just the way you are. As it turns out, grooms do make passes at brides who wear glasses!

Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry with advice for brides on all sorts of wedding topics. If you wear glasses on your wedding day, be sure that they complement your bridal jewelry.

7 Spectacular Tiaras

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For a stand-out look on your wedding day, choose a bridal tiara that creates the perfect finishing touch to your outfit. From classic floral or princess, to fun and playful designs, you’ll find a wide selection of tiara styles to complement your gown and the atmosphere of your wedding. There’s no better feeling than purchasing a wedding tiara that you know you’ll treasure for years and perhaps pass down to the next generation someday. Here are a few favorites that will deliver that wow factor on your big day.

Gold Tiara with Crystals and Floral Detailing

Is there anything more classic than soft gold? With elaborate floral detailing and a delicate mixture of crystals and rhinestones, the gold tiara makes a spectacular statement. The height of the center forms a majestic look while the incredible flower shapes hint at a beauty found only in nature. It coordinates flawlessly with cream-colored gowns or shoes and complements the golden tones found in summer or fall weddings.

Silver Scroll Tiara with Pearls and Rhinestones

Look like a princess on your special day with the scrolled silver tiara. The tall crown-like shape will have you feeling like royalty and the fluid, curved lines reveal show-stopping style and class. Featuring delicate white pearls and sparkly rhinestones, this tiara blends nicely with a traditional gown, pearl jewelry and a long, flowing veil. You’ll walk down the aisle with timeless grace and a regal air with this vintage-inspired piece.

Crystal Tiara That Becomes a Necklace

Your groom won’t be able to take his eyes off of you with this astounding circlet. This breathtaking crystal tiara can be transformed into a necklace and reused after your special day. Fine silver detailing is complemented with gorgeous crystals that catch the light just right. Perfect for accenting your up-do, this slender silver tiara will coordinate with an elaborate gown to bring a touch of understated elegance to your wedding ensemble. Match it with sparkling jewelry such as priceless earrings or a vintage-style necklace and, of course, a diamond ring.

Swirl Tiara with Oval Crystal Stones

Modern style meets timeless opulence in the swirl crystal tiara. The swirl accents bring a fun and flirty look to this bridal headpiece while 3 larger oval crystals provide a beautiful and classic effect. With its intricate design, this tiara pairs best with simple yet chic gowns and works well in any season. Step up to say “I do” with this new twist on a classic adorning your long tresses or tight curls.

Silver Tiara with Swarovski Crystals and Floral Detailing

Enchant your audience with a bejeweled circlet that adds a hint of dazzling shine to your veil or hairstyle with this awe-inspiring piece. Renowned for their high quality and brilliant sparkle, Swarovski crystals create a beautiful headpiece that delivers sheer sophistication. Rhinestone flowers are complemented by silver leaf detailing for an elegant design that will stand out, from the ceremony to the reception. This wedding tiara will wonderfully highlight a dress with crystal accents and looks especially stunning in winter ceremonies.

Beaded Silver Tiara with Crystals

Polish the style of your bridal outfit so that you can look your best when greeting your guests or dancing the night away with this exquisite design. Beaded accents blend seamlessly with stunning crystals to give this classic tiara lavish style and grace. This silver headpiece easily matches a variety of beaded wedding accessories, from sleek shoes to a sparkly bodice and shimmery veil. Great for long or short hairstyles and lace-trimmed veils, brides everywhere love the versatility of this elaborate piece.

Brushed Gold Leaf Tiara with Pearls and Rhinestones

Wow the crowd with the stunning leaf detailing and fresh water pearls featured in this brushed gold tiara. Rhinestones will add sparkle without breaking your budget while the rich gold hues can do wonders in highlighting your hairstyle or complementing your makeup and complexion. For beautiful results, match this bridal headpiece with a color-accented gown and a warm-toned bouquet. Great in any season, you can’t go wrong with this bold yet delicate style.

It’s important to keep in mind that the tiara should not overshadow or compete with the gown, or the bride herself. Choose a piece that accents or complements, but avoid tiaras that may be too flashy or over the top.

Finding the perfect wedding tiara can be a challenge, but is well worth it as long as you stay true to your style and the theme of your ceremony. Your goal should be to create harmony between your tiara and hairstyle while keeping in mind the style that will best complement your face shape. A bridal headpiece will help tie together the look of your wedding ensemble for a breathtaking result that will turn heads as you make your grand entrance.

Julia Burge is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including wedding fashion, tiaras and bridal headpieces

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