Bridal Showers are fun, girly events and having a shower with a theme makes it that much more exciting.
A really fun, sexy theme is a lingerie bridal shower--it can be as risqué or played down as you like. Lingerie themes especially work for a smaller event with close girlfriends vs a huge guest list where not many people know one another.
Here are some ideas on how to make your lingerie bridal shower a success:
Dress code: Decide whether or not you want your guests to all where lingerie and set some guidelines--maybe you want everyone to come in their favorite leopard print or hot pink, maybe you want all your guests to wear a nightie or baby doll to have it a little more covered up. Also you may want to set perimeters on how risqué you want the outfits to be. Keep in mind, you can have a lingerie shower without actually having your guests wear lingerie. You don't have to list a dress code and instead the bridesmaids and bride can be the ones wearing lingerie.
Decorations: This can be funny or intimate and romantic. If you're going for funny, consider hanging different colors and styles of bras from the ceiling. If you want a more romantic feel, dark roses and candles are an excellent choice, consider tealight candles surrounding a vase of roses. Or fill a glass bowl with water and top it with floating candles and sprinkle some rose petals and tealights around it. Deep colors like red, deep purple and even a classic black work nicely--try to choose satin and silk fabrics for linens. Dim lighting and candles will make the ambience just right.
Food: A chocolate fondue with strawberries for dipping is a great choice, bite size sandwiches and exotic drinks like pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris will make for a perfect lingerie theme spread.
Games: "Guess Whose Lingerie This is!" In the invitation ask each guest to bring one item from their lingerie drawer. Have the host collect each person's lingerie at the door and put them in a basket. Than when it's time to play the host or the bride will pull out each one and the guests will have to guess who's it is and give 1 example of why they think it's that person's--this will make everyone learn a lot about each other and can be played just for fun or as an icebreaker.
Party Favors: Don't forget to send your guests home with something to remember the event with. Personalized Bridal Shower Favors are an excellent choice; you can pick one with a lingerie design and have it personalized to say whatever you would like. Or select a bridal shower favor that matches the decor or the bride's personality.
Remember to be as creative as you like and to be sure to get the bride's input, you certainly don't want the bride to be uncomfortable, plus she'll have a pulse on what the guests are like.
Have fun planning!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wedding Cake Do's and Dont's
Wedding Cakes - Do's and Dont's
You spent several hundred dollars for a beautiful and elaborate wedding cake, a replica of one that you saw in a magazine. Everyone remarks on how pretty it is, and you are delighted. Then, a half hour into the reception, just as you are beginning to relax and enjoy yourself, your coordinator tells you that the cake is starting to collapse and you need to cut it now while there is still time to salvage it and to get those special pictures. You rush to the cake table, place a forced smile on your face and quickly cut the cake.
Unfortunately, this scenario occurs all too often, especially at summer weddings, but it can be prevented. You can alleviate some of the problems by considering the following things when you choose your cake:
• Cakes don't tolerate heat, particularly those made with buttercreme icing, nor do they tolerate wind. Keep the cake indoors, if possible, or in the shade. If the cake must be placed outdoors, first place it in a refrigerator, if possible.
Place the cake in a location that is level; otherwise, the layers may tip or slide. Shim the table legs if necessary to make them level. This is particularly important at outdoor locations.
• Cakes that have pillars between the layers are more apt to tip or collapse than those in which the layers are stacked on top of one another or placed on individual pedestals. Neither pillars nor pedestals do well in windy locations, however.
• Have the cake delivered as late as possible so that it doesn't stand for several hours before being cut.
• If you choose to use colored icing on your cake, the food coloring can stain your gown and your hands. Butter and shortening used in the icing will also stain, particularly if you wipe your hands on your gown (a natural tendency when they are sticky). Use forks, not your fingers, to serve each other and don't under any circumstances shove cake in each other's face.
With a bit of planning, you can have your cake and eat it too.
You spent several hundred dollars for a beautiful and elaborate wedding cake, a replica of one that you saw in a magazine. Everyone remarks on how pretty it is, and you are delighted. Then, a half hour into the reception, just as you are beginning to relax and enjoy yourself, your coordinator tells you that the cake is starting to collapse and you need to cut it now while there is still time to salvage it and to get those special pictures. You rush to the cake table, place a forced smile on your face and quickly cut the cake.
Unfortunately, this scenario occurs all too often, especially at summer weddings, but it can be prevented. You can alleviate some of the problems by considering the following things when you choose your cake:
• Cakes don't tolerate heat, particularly those made with buttercreme icing, nor do they tolerate wind. Keep the cake indoors, if possible, or in the shade. If the cake must be placed outdoors, first place it in a refrigerator, if possible.
Place the cake in a location that is level; otherwise, the layers may tip or slide. Shim the table legs if necessary to make them level. This is particularly important at outdoor locations.
• Cakes that have pillars between the layers are more apt to tip or collapse than those in which the layers are stacked on top of one another or placed on individual pedestals. Neither pillars nor pedestals do well in windy locations, however.
• Have the cake delivered as late as possible so that it doesn't stand for several hours before being cut.
• If you choose to use colored icing on your cake, the food coloring can stain your gown and your hands. Butter and shortening used in the icing will also stain, particularly if you wipe your hands on your gown (a natural tendency when they are sticky). Use forks, not your fingers, to serve each other and don't under any circumstances shove cake in each other's face.
With a bit of planning, you can have your cake and eat it too.
6 GREAT Centerpiece Ideas
Six Unique Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
A lot of planning goes into creating the wedding of your dreams. A large part of your budget and time will be dedicated to your wedding reception. The menu, entertainment, decorations and wedding favors you choose are all important parts of your big day.
Wedding centerpieces can play a large part in helping to set the theme and tone of your reception. You want your wedding to be memorable, and the centerpieces you choose can help set your wedding apart from all the others.
Wedding guests often times don’t notice or remember the small details of weddings. However, one of the few things that guests often remember are the wedding centerpieces you choose. They will be looking at them for four or five hours during your reception, so why not do something unique and different?
Usually when most people think of wedding centerpieces the first thing that comes to mind is flowers. While most wedding centerpieces have at least some flowers in them, choosing a unique wedding centerpiece idea allows you to stand out from the crowd.
Here are six unique wedding centerpiece ideas:
- Even if you do choose a flower-based centerpiece, you can still add some uniqueness to your reception tables by choosing unique vases or containers to hold the flowers. Ideas include square vases, vases with a design or color and even a unique shape like the Eiffel tower.
- Simply adding things to your flower vases can make your centerpieces unique. For example, add color by adding a few drops of dye to match your wedding colors, or add pearls to the bottom of the vases.
- Add other things like fruit, stones or candles to your flower wedding
centerpieces. Fruit like lemons, limes and oranges are perfect for spring and summer weddings. Candles come in many shapes and sizes, and they can really help to set the mood of your reception.
- Use your wedding theme for unique wedding centerpiece ideas. For example, in the fall add pumpkins, leaves or apples to your centerpiece to help finish off a fall-themed wedding. For a beach-themed wedding add items like shells and sand.
- Combine your wedding centerpieces with your wedding favors. Have small potted plants in the center which can double as favors. Or, have frames with different photos in each displayed in the center of the table.
- Cake wedding centerpieces can also be fun. Have small or mini individual wedding cakes in the center of each table as your centerpiece. Each table can have a uniquely decorated cake for your guests to enjoy.
Don't be afraid to use your creativity to come up with your own unique wedding centerpiece idea.
A lot of planning goes into creating the wedding of your dreams. A large part of your budget and time will be dedicated to your wedding reception. The menu, entertainment, decorations and wedding favors you choose are all important parts of your big day.
Wedding centerpieces can play a large part in helping to set the theme and tone of your reception. You want your wedding to be memorable, and the centerpieces you choose can help set your wedding apart from all the others.
Wedding guests often times don’t notice or remember the small details of weddings. However, one of the few things that guests often remember are the wedding centerpieces you choose. They will be looking at them for four or five hours during your reception, so why not do something unique and different?
Usually when most people think of wedding centerpieces the first thing that comes to mind is flowers. While most wedding centerpieces have at least some flowers in them, choosing a unique wedding centerpiece idea allows you to stand out from the crowd.
Here are six unique wedding centerpiece ideas:
- Even if you do choose a flower-based centerpiece, you can still add some uniqueness to your reception tables by choosing unique vases or containers to hold the flowers. Ideas include square vases, vases with a design or color and even a unique shape like the Eiffel tower.
- Simply adding things to your flower vases can make your centerpieces unique. For example, add color by adding a few drops of dye to match your wedding colors, or add pearls to the bottom of the vases.
- Add other things like fruit, stones or candles to your flower wedding
centerpieces. Fruit like lemons, limes and oranges are perfect for spring and summer weddings. Candles come in many shapes and sizes, and they can really help to set the mood of your reception.
- Use your wedding theme for unique wedding centerpiece ideas. For example, in the fall add pumpkins, leaves or apples to your centerpiece to help finish off a fall-themed wedding. For a beach-themed wedding add items like shells and sand.
- Combine your wedding centerpieces with your wedding favors. Have small potted plants in the center which can double as favors. Or, have frames with different photos in each displayed in the center of the table.
- Cake wedding centerpieces can also be fun. Have small or mini individual wedding cakes in the center of each table as your centerpiece. Each table can have a uniquely decorated cake for your guests to enjoy.
Don't be afraid to use your creativity to come up with your own unique wedding centerpiece idea.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tips for a GREAT Wedding Video
Tips For Producing a Unique Wedding Video
Creating a wedding video that is unique to you and your new spouse is not always something a bride and groom thinks about when hiring a wedding videographer. After all your wedding day is all about you and the wedding video or DVD should reflect your personal tastes as well.
Videos can be as simple as letting the camera roll on your wedding day or can be as detailed as a television documentary. When looking for just the right videographer, couples want someone who can capture that special day with crystal clear video and sound but have no idea what other options are available. Know that you can customize your video anyway you like depending on the videographer and your budget.
First when looking for a videographer, check to see if the videographer belongs to a professional organization, such as the Wedding and Events Videographers Association (WEVA.com). Also find out how long the video company has been in business. You don't want a novice shooting your video since there is only one chance to get it right. When requesting demos from prospective videographers, don't just settle for viewing a demo reel, ask to see several different weddings. Also ask the videographer if he has shot at your wedding location before and then request to see video from that specific location. When viewing the demo reel ask yourself if they all look the same, like a cookie cutter presentation or are the videos unique.
When meeting with videographers be prepared and know what you want ahead of time. Bring notes and take notes. Make sure everything you request is included on a written contract.
With the advances in today's technology the sky is the limit on wedding video options. You can request whatever your heart desires. The possibility of your special requests all depends on your budget but here are a few options that can add that special touch to your video.
Real Film - Many videographers are offering real 8mm film as an option or add-on. It is usually just two-to-four rolls of film edited into the actual video to give a retro flavor that will awe you and your family. Don't settle for a "film-effect" that is created on a computer, it just isn't the same.
Engagement Music Video - This can be done ahead of time and presented at the reception on big screen projector. Hire your videographer to attend your engagement photo session where he can get behind-the-scenes video that can later be combined with the engagement photographs. When set to music this can be a wonderful piece to showcase on your wedding day.
The Love Story - This option has exploded in popularity. The Love Story is an interview with the bride-to-be and her fiancé, which tells the story of how they met and how they arrived at this point. Some of the video can be shot at the spot where he proposed, at the couples home or favorite spot. The Love Story is probably the most emotion-packed segment, next to the ceremony video of your vows. This feature can also be completed ahead of time and presented on a big screen presentation at the reception.
Photo Montage - Photo Montages have always been popular and can easily achieve that personal touch without blowing your wedding budget. A photo montage is another great way to tell the story of how you met or you can go as far back as to your childhood photos. It's all a story of how you arrived at this day and it is a way to bring new life to those photographs stored in the back of your closet. The photo montage can also be shown at your reception.
Streaming Video - Many couples personalize their wedding by creating a wedding website to keep family members in-the-know about changes in upcoming wedding plans. Streaming videos can be used to create exciting engagement announcements for your wedding website. This would be a good way to introduce your wedding theme as a movie trailer to increase the anticipation leading up to your wedding.
Once you hire a videographer to shoot your wedding, there are things that you can do to help the videographer create your perfect wedding video:
* Give your videographer a copy of the invitation, program with the names of the bridal party and anyone who will speak at the ceremony, a list of your favorite songs or the DJ play list from the reception, and a list of anyone who must be in your video, such as your great-grandmother or a relative who has traveled a great distance to come to your wedding.
* Speak to your bridal party at the wedding rehearsal about their placement during the ceremony. Ask them to be aware of the videographer and to be careful not to block the camera at the ceremony.
* Let the videographer know ahead of time if there will be any special performances or live entertainment such as Flamenco dancers.
* Require the videographer to attend the wedding rehearsal. Most experienced videographers will include this service in their price list.
With a little creativity and preparation, your wedding video can be as unique as you are. Your videographer can work with you to give your video that personal touch that will reflect who you are as a couple and be watched for many years to come.
Creating a wedding video that is unique to you and your new spouse is not always something a bride and groom thinks about when hiring a wedding videographer. After all your wedding day is all about you and the wedding video or DVD should reflect your personal tastes as well.
Videos can be as simple as letting the camera roll on your wedding day or can be as detailed as a television documentary. When looking for just the right videographer, couples want someone who can capture that special day with crystal clear video and sound but have no idea what other options are available. Know that you can customize your video anyway you like depending on the videographer and your budget.
First when looking for a videographer, check to see if the videographer belongs to a professional organization, such as the Wedding and Events Videographers Association (WEVA.com). Also find out how long the video company has been in business. You don't want a novice shooting your video since there is only one chance to get it right. When requesting demos from prospective videographers, don't just settle for viewing a demo reel, ask to see several different weddings. Also ask the videographer if he has shot at your wedding location before and then request to see video from that specific location. When viewing the demo reel ask yourself if they all look the same, like a cookie cutter presentation or are the videos unique.
When meeting with videographers be prepared and know what you want ahead of time. Bring notes and take notes. Make sure everything you request is included on a written contract.
With the advances in today's technology the sky is the limit on wedding video options. You can request whatever your heart desires. The possibility of your special requests all depends on your budget but here are a few options that can add that special touch to your video.
Real Film - Many videographers are offering real 8mm film as an option or add-on. It is usually just two-to-four rolls of film edited into the actual video to give a retro flavor that will awe you and your family. Don't settle for a "film-effect" that is created on a computer, it just isn't the same.
Engagement Music Video - This can be done ahead of time and presented at the reception on big screen projector. Hire your videographer to attend your engagement photo session where he can get behind-the-scenes video that can later be combined with the engagement photographs. When set to music this can be a wonderful piece to showcase on your wedding day.
The Love Story - This option has exploded in popularity. The Love Story is an interview with the bride-to-be and her fiancé, which tells the story of how they met and how they arrived at this point. Some of the video can be shot at the spot where he proposed, at the couples home or favorite spot. The Love Story is probably the most emotion-packed segment, next to the ceremony video of your vows. This feature can also be completed ahead of time and presented on a big screen presentation at the reception.
Photo Montage - Photo Montages have always been popular and can easily achieve that personal touch without blowing your wedding budget. A photo montage is another great way to tell the story of how you met or you can go as far back as to your childhood photos. It's all a story of how you arrived at this day and it is a way to bring new life to those photographs stored in the back of your closet. The photo montage can also be shown at your reception.
Streaming Video - Many couples personalize their wedding by creating a wedding website to keep family members in-the-know about changes in upcoming wedding plans. Streaming videos can be used to create exciting engagement announcements for your wedding website. This would be a good way to introduce your wedding theme as a movie trailer to increase the anticipation leading up to your wedding.
Once you hire a videographer to shoot your wedding, there are things that you can do to help the videographer create your perfect wedding video:
* Give your videographer a copy of the invitation, program with the names of the bridal party and anyone who will speak at the ceremony, a list of your favorite songs or the DJ play list from the reception, and a list of anyone who must be in your video, such as your great-grandmother or a relative who has traveled a great distance to come to your wedding.
* Speak to your bridal party at the wedding rehearsal about their placement during the ceremony. Ask them to be aware of the videographer and to be careful not to block the camera at the ceremony.
* Let the videographer know ahead of time if there will be any special performances or live entertainment such as Flamenco dancers.
* Require the videographer to attend the wedding rehearsal. Most experienced videographers will include this service in their price list.
With a little creativity and preparation, your wedding video can be as unique as you are. Your videographer can work with you to give your video that personal touch that will reflect who you are as a couple and be watched for many years to come.
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