Photo Credit: Rae Leytham PhotographyPhoto Credit: Rae Leytham Photography

I’m sure you’ve all seen it, Jill Peterson, Kevin Heinz and their wedding party danced their way into their ceremony. Here is one bride who knew how to add a little of herself into an otherwise elegant ceremony. As a dancer growing up, she knew she wanted to incorporate this into her big day. Her fiancé, Kevin, quickly got on board and while both sets of parents were apprehensive, they knew it highly reflected the couple’s fun-loving personality, and the two were able to pull it off.  Something like this adds no cost but does add a certainly memorable experience for everyone.

Another take on the unexpected wedding entrance is to go from the ceremony to the reception in a unique form of transportation. Rent an old car, hop on a Harley, get a carriage, or even (if you think your dress can handle it), get a tandem bike! If you are already going to spend money on a limo, then use the money for a ride that represents your personality, and your guests will love the unexpected touches which create unforgettable memories.

Not every personal touch has to be so elaborate, however. When you’re thinking about your wedding day ensemble, why not add a little flair to your favorite accessories? Instead of pearly white pumps which perfectly match your dress; get a cute, fun pair of shoes you know you’ll wear again. Shoes are hard to see in photos (unless you want to show them off) and if they match your colors, using fun shoes can be a great way to add a little personality to a white dress. If you’d rather stick with shoes that match your dress, then wear a funky piece of jewelry, or hair accessory.

Another great way to add a personal touch to a perfectly themed wedding is to think about how to relate the favors to the hobbies of you or your fiancé. Do you two have a favorite cookie? Give one out as your guests leave the party. If you two are the type of couple who loves the outdoors, why not make a trail mix bar for your guests? These are simple, fun little touches that remind your guests of the fun couple they are there for.

My mother and I often discuss starting an invitation company since we love paper crafts, are creative, and have a passion for weddings.  However, we have yet to get up the resources to begin such an endeavor.  So, in the mean time, I have been researching the history and industry of wedding invitations.

The basic etiquette of wedding invitations includes such guidelines as:

• Thermographically printing or engraving invitations
• Placing an inner envelope containing the invitation inside the sending envelope
• Addressing the envelopes by hand
• Placing the return address on the back flap of the envelope
• Matching all wedding papers as well as coordinating the paper and printing with the wedding style
• Avoiding sending RSVP cards – the response should, in theory, be hand written by the guest

 Unique invitations from uncommoninvites.com

Given the basics of invitation etiquette, however, it is reasonable to alter the traditional to fit with what you envision for your wedding.

Anymore, printing invitations with matte ink is acceptable and can save money.  Using an inner envelope is optional, too.  And, though tradition leans away from RSVP cards, it is reasonable to send them.  However, it may be smart to print the names of the invited guests on these cards so that guests who are less versed in etiquette do not improperly add more attendees to the guest list.

No matter how etiquette-traditional your invitations are, though, what your invitations look like will set the scene for the entire event.  So, choose your invitation style based on your wedding style.  Patterns, colors, and more can be customized to set the mood for your event.  If your wedding will be colorful and casual, visit Finestationary.com to find invitation ideas.  If you are looking for a more customized invitation style, equipped with inner envelopes and RSVP cards, Uncommon Invites offers creative, organized invitation ideas.  Or, if you want to stick to a more customary invitation, Bellafigura is a great place to shop for letterpress invitations with colorful designs.  Make use of your invitations as the first glimpse into your wedding, and your guests will be aware of what to expect from the event.  Choose your wedding colors and/or patterns before you send invites, and utilize those colors in the invitations.  Pay attention to font style and size, and make sure your invitations are legible and set the mood.  A good invitation can say a lot about the feel of an event; so, enjoy shopping for the physical embodiment of your wedding scheme and you will be off to a great start in the wedding-planning process!

Images from: www.greenyourdecor.com http://www.thegreenhead.com/ http://www.plowhearth.com/welcome.asp

The rest of the décor is easy but gives an elegant flair to an otherwise casual atmosphere. To start, lead the way to the party room with a themed twist on luminaries. Using wine bottles with candles inside gives your guests a hint at what’s to come while giving a beautifully unique pathway to the party.

Once your guests are inside, greet them with a room softly lit with low-hung string lights of round bulbs. This gives an intimate feeling and reflects the atmosphere of a European wine cellar. Continue the theme of the recycled wine bottles from the outside by placing several taper candles in wine bottles as candle sticks. Because wine bottles come in a variety of sizes, the candles will vary in height and will provide beautiful lighting at eye-level to compliment the soft lighting provided by the string lights.

Finally, to give your guests a memory of the occasion, provide a small cheese spreader as a parting gift. This not only reminds them of the party theme, but is something that a person could always use more of. To make it even more personal, purchase silver spreaders and have them engraved with the occasion’s purpose and date.



Images from Hostess with the Mostess and Brides.com

• The ring: There are several options for an eco-friendly ring. Have you ever thought of getting a grandmother’s ring reset? Yes, this is a great green decision! One piece of information I found to be disturbing is that it takes about 20 tons of mining waste to come up with just ONE gold band.  There are some truly unique styles available from vintage stores and sites.  Don’t forget, you can always get the stone replaced.  A great site to visit is Sumiche Jewelry Co. It is the only company in the U.S. that uses Certified Green Gold and Platinum. Their jewelry is handcrafted and created from Certified Fair Trade/Eco-Gold and Platinum. All diamonds are certified Conflict Free.
• The invitations:  When you really stop and think about all of the paper used at a wedding and reception, it can be kind of outrageous.  Not only from the invitations; but the place cards, menus, and thank you notes, etc.  There are many alternatives when it comes to any of your paper needs; such as 100% recycled, partially recycled, and even no-tree use options.  Ask your supplier if they offer any of these alternatives.  You may be surprised at the creative and unique styles offered.
• The flowers:  Your decision on your wedding flowers has the most potential to be eco-friendly out of almost anything.  Consider choosing a local-area florist where organically grown, in-season, local flowers are an option.  Try Organic Bouquet for some amazing eco-chic options.  Just ordering locally grown flowers can have such a small impact because of the emissions from having them imported.  You can even throw in a bulb as a wedding favor.

There really are so many ways to have a wedding with the lowest possible impact on the earth, but a favorable impact on your guests.  You can definitely have that dream wedding and still incorporate some green trends into your special day, and maybe even surprise some people when you are able to claim that those super sophisticated invites were made from recycled paper.  

College: University of West Florida

Region: Pensacola, FL

Sarah is currently working on her third college degree at the University of West Florida, in Hospitality Recreation and Resort Management.  She has been a resisdent of Pensacola, Florida for her entire life and absolutely loves living there.  Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend, and especially her pit bull. Sarah completed Simply Eventful's Summer 2009 Internship Program, and will be part of the Simply Eventful Coordination Team starting in Spring 2010. Sarah loves all things wedding planning, including creating timelines and studying industry trends.

Every girl dreams of the day she gets to marry her prince charming. It is a day full of love, celebration… and cake. You may ask yourself why I say cake. A cake can become the centerpiece of your reception. It can capture your personality, the theme of your wedding, and the relationship between you and your groom.  New trends with wedding cakes have been popping up all over the wedding scene. These range from unique, brightly colored cakes to small and detailed. Even grooms’ cakes are becoming more and more popular. These new trends are creating memorable cakes that are stealing the spotlight at weddings across the country:

A topsy-turvy wedding cake covered in bright pink and geometric shapes www.abccakeshop.com1.Cupcakes-Many brides are choosing to stray from the traditional three-tiered white cake. Cupcakes have become a popular choice for many. The cupcakes are set up in the shape of a cake. Usually, the top of the cupcake is a small cake. This is used for the bride and groom to keep and eat on their first anniversary.

2.Bright colors-Many brides are choosing to use hot pink, green, blue, and other bright colors on their cakes. Some brides are even choosing bold patterns such as polka-dots, stripes, and geometric shapes.

3. Unique shapes-Topsy-turvy cakes are becoming a staple at many weddings. These cakes have been seen all over television and are gaining popularity. These cakes usually also incorporate bright colors as well.

4. Details-Small details are adding a unique, yet delicate look to cakes. Sugar flowers are an intricate detail that add not only visual interest but also a unique edible flair. Many bakers can also create details on cakes that replicate the bride’s gown.

Groom’s cakes, a typically southern tradition, are becoming a tradition nation-wide. These are the most unique of all cakes. Usually, they represent a favorable hobby, sports team, ect. of the groom.  This is an opportunity for the groom to show his personality.

Depending on your style, your cake may take center stage or be a subtle piece in the background. No matter what you choose, whether it be bright colors, unique shapes, or intricate details, it is your cake. Make it what you want. Have fun and let the cake represent you and your wedding day. Don’t forget to “have your cake and eat it too!”

College: Kennesaw State University

Region: Pensacola, FL

Emily is a senior at Kennesaw State University. After working in many different areas of weddings she developed a passion for them. Emily has experience working in photography, catering, floral, and planning. She enjoys learning about all the new trends in weddings and gathering more ideas to use in the future. Emily got engaged on New Year’s Eve and is currently in the process of planning her own dream wedding.

During the wedding planning, the bride is certainly the one in charge.  Her decisions are the most important ones because, after all, it is her wedding day.  But, there can be a balance between the bride’s expectations of her bridesmaids and their contributions.  To begin with, depending on the level of comfort and expectations, it may be useful for the bride (or the wedding planner) to send out a list of what she would like each bridesmaid to contribute.  (For a list of traditional bridesmaid duties, visit http://wedding.theknot.com/bridesmaids-mother-of-the-bride/bridesmaids/articles/bridesmaids-duties-in-detail.aspx?MsdVisit=1).  Then, if the bridesmaids have any concerns, they can address them early in the wedding planning process.  Some issues my friends have faced have been their abilities to afford their wedding attire (especially since they are college students or recent graduates) and their uncertainty about what the bride expects in terms of hair, shoes, gifts, and pre-wedding celebrations.  Sending a list of expectations helps the bridesmaids plan accordingly, and if financial issues arise, the bride (or planner) and maid may be able to discuss payment options or new attire choices.

Though it has become commonplace to justify buying a bridesmaid’s dress by saying it can be “shortened and worn again” in the future, we all know this rarely happens.  However, David’s Bridal has Two-piece bridesmaid dresses from David’s Bridal http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category_-49998972made two-piece bridal fashions quite attractive.  With a stylish top to go with a floor-length skirt, the bridesmaids can wear the tops again and again.  Bridesmaids may also feel better about the dress choices when their shapes and skin tones are taken into account.  A recent trend is letting each bridesmaid choose their own style of dress in the same color and fabric as the other maids.  When shopping for bridesmaid dresses, though, it is best to only bring along one or two people.  If the entire bridal party comes, many opinions may become overwhelming, and feelings can get hurt.  However if the initial shopping endeavor consists of just the bride and maid of honor or wedding planner, the color and style of dresses can be decided upon before getting the other bridesmaids’ inputs.

Finally, a great way to say thank you for all of the work the bridesmaids have contributed is with an attendant gift.  Though the traditional piece of jewelry to be worn on the wedding day is always nice, a more personalized gift can mean so much more.  Some ideas for attendant gifts include magazine subscriptions, scrapbooks, or a gift card and a day of shopping.

As a bride, however, never forget why you asked your attendants to be part of your wedding.  They are important people in you and your husband-to-be’s life, and it is important to remember that throughout the planning process.  Handle your wedding as you have handled other celebrations in your lives, and enjoy spending this time with your friends.  It can be an amazing experience for all!