Destination Weddings Basics

Weddings have always followed certain trends from year to year. Recently, a new trend in weddings has emerged and it is called the destination wedding. What exactly is meant by this? As the name implies, it has something to do with traveling to a certain place (the destination). Aside from being able to hold your wedding in a destination that is most likely your dream place, destination weddings have the added plus of privacy. Of course, this is only a plus to those who want small and intimate weddings.

The whole idea behind a destination wedding is to pick an exotic place far away from home and hold the wedding ceremony there. The chances are that you and your partner, along with the small number of people with your party, are going to have to take a plane to your destination wedding. Of course, the farther you go, the less people would be able to come with you. If small and private is what you are looking for, then this is the perfect wedding for you.

Why are destination weddings becoming more and more popular? Aside from the reasons mentioned above, destination weddings are becoming the in thing simply because the wedding ceremony is such an important event for any couple and they usually have a dream destination in mind. If they can afford it, they just hop the plane and go to wherever that dream destination is and get married there.

With all the uniqueness and advantages of destination weddings, however, there come some disadvantages as well. Perhaps the biggest drawback to having a destination wedding would be the finances. Think about airfare – for you and your family perhaps. Think about the venue and accommodations. Add up the food and other expenses. Indeed, a destination wedding can be really really heavy on one’s pockets. Then again, how many people can show off wedding pictures in a secluded beach in Hawaii? How about wedding photos in a valley somewhere in South America or even Europe?

Whether or not you decide on a destination wedding really depends on what you want and what you can afford. If you have the spare cash and you want a small party for your wedding, then go ahead! If you can’t afford it though, don’t push it. There are a whole range of alternatives for your wedding which you can choose from.

Some Ideas for the Perfect Spring Wedding

Spring is here – the season of life, where everything blooms and blossoms. What better time of the year to get married? With mild weather, warm sunshine, cool breezes, and aromatic scents wafting in the air, spring indeed makes it easy for people to relax and feel happy about life in general. That is why a lot of people prefer to hold their wedding ceremony at this time of the year. Here are some ideas that can help you come up with your perfect spring wedding.

With all that is in the air as spring arrives, it stands to reason that many couples prefer an outdoor wedding during this season. Outdoor weddings are perfect in spring and add an air of laidback casualness to the whole thing. Of course, having an outdoor wedding does not necessarily mean casual – you can still have that elegant outdoor wedding in spring if you wish to do so.

When planning for your outdoor spring wedding, consider the props. When we say props, we mean your decorative pieces. Why not try formal props such as candelabras and urns? While you are at it, try using some arbors draped with simple greens. Avoid overusing garlands and other greenery – this is supposed to be passé. The trick is to simplify with elegant props. This would create the elegant yet laidback effect.

As for your centerpieces for the tables, go for simplicity as well. Try brilliant flowerpots holding a single kind of flower. Tulips are in for the spring – they would be perfect centerpieces. Anemones would do as well. For a more unique twist, why not make use of garden herbs? Potted rosemary, thyme, or other garden herbs would definitely fit in with a spring wedding.

Also bear in mind that spring is the season where life is celebrated. As such, do not hesitate to use rich and vibrant colors in your decorations. When picking out your centerpieces, think of deep red. Think of hot pink or gold. Just imagine the rich profusion of colors on your wedding day, symbolizing your celebration!

Another idea in fashion these days is to incorporate candle light into the wedding. Imagine a romantic outdoor wedding with hundreds of little candles sparkling in the dusk – isn’t that just perfect? Of course, if you want to make use of candle lights for the ambiance, you would have to get married a little late in the afternoon.

Spring wedding gowns for the outdoor ceremony gives you a lot of leeway. It is really up to you. You can opt to wear the traditional white gown or you can have beige, or pink, or whatever color that suits you. The same goes for the style and cut of the gown. Just make sure that your decorations will not clash with your gown color.

Indeed, with spring comes new life. With a wedding ceremony comes a new beginning. So as we greet spring this year, we wish you a perfect spring wedding – one that you would cherish all your life!

Wedding Trends for 2007

Have you ever wondered who dictates what is in and what is not for weddings year after year? More than that, who says what should be the trends for weddings as each season arrives? There is no single answer to that question but I do know that there are professionals who make it their mission to predict what will be the trend for weddings at specific periods of time. Take for example the people at The Ritz Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Thanks to years and years of experience, they have the skill and talent of foretelling what the trends for weddings are going to be.

Their prediction for this year goes along these lines:

Seating is non-classical
“Traditional rows of chairs are disappearing from many wedding ceremonies,” said Ms. Mullican. “The newest seating is either intimate and lounge-like, such as sofas and cocktail tables, or exudes high design with beautiful Japanese-styled rectangular benches covered in dupioni silk. The fabric has an elegant luster and is available in a variety of brilliant colors.”

A cocktail reception may be held in the same location immediately following the ceremony, since guests may move easily around the informal seating. “Fill the space with hundreds of glowing candles, and the ambiance of the room is extraordinary,” said Ms. Mullican.

The wine of the year: Rosé
The most popular varietal for spring and summer weddings in 2007 is a crisp, dry Rosé. “Don’t confuse this with sweet white zinfandel,” said Ms. Mullican. “There are some excellent, well-priced rosé wines produced in Provence and California, with great versatility for pairing with the lighter menus and seafood that are so appealing in the warmer months.”

Menus are souped up
Whether butler-passed in icy shot glasses and garnished like miniature cocktails at the reception; elegantly served steaming from antique samovars into delicate espresso cups and topped with savory foam; or poured tableside from ceramic vessels into earthenware bowls, soup is the newest comfort food albeit dressed up in finery. “Classically prepared or with an unexpected twist, soup is definitely one of the year’s hottest culinary trends,” said Ms. Mullican.

Desserts are fun and familiar
Dessert bars—carved from ice, dramatically lighted and unveiled late in the evening–brim with miniature cupcakes and crème brûlées in wonderful varieties of flavors; hand dipped chocolate covered “Oreo-styled” cookies; perfectly melted and toasted s’mores; richly-colored fresh berries and tiny sweet cones filled with passion fruit sorbet. “The trend for ‘finger food’ desserts is strong because guests stroll around the room and sample several desserts in a more informal manner,” said Ms. Mullican. “We recommend warm citrus scented Oshibori hand towels are within easy reach.”

Personalized turndown service
“More wedding guests ‘take the elevator home’ and treat themselves to an evening in the hotel,” said Ms. Mullican. “A special wish from the bridal couple placed in the guestroom is a wonderful, personalized touch.” A small card printed with a heartfelt message from the bridal couple, tied with a sprig of lavender, is the perfect touch on crisp white bed linens. Add homemade chocolate chip cookies and a pitcher of ice cold milk for a delightful way to say ‘thank you and sweet dreams’ to everyone sharing the couple’s special celebration that evening.

In short, they are saying that weddings this year are going to be far from traditional. The question is, are you going to go with the trend or not?

The Color Codes for Wedding Themes

A lot of people may not notice it, but couples would usually follow a certain wedding theme through colors. A lot of the color schemes would normally be patterned to colors like lavender, pink, peach, yellow, blue or green. The theme to be picked out depends largely on what the couple would believe in like tradition and culture. While many would not find this necessary, it is really something important for couples who want to make their wedding rituals colorful and memorable as well.

Wedding themes would usually be picked out by the bride with the consent of the groom in the end. It is customary and only normal that women are more passionate and particular about their wedding themes since they are usually exposed and do the research on how to make such an event in their lives a treasured moment. The color schematics cover the flower arrangements, entourage designs and of course the wedding giveaways that are passed on during the reception proceedings.

It has been a common sight that color themes would usually create the proper ambiance and complement that weddings would usually project. The selection of colors would usually have meanings. These would stem from ancestral and superstitious beliefs that include good luck charms and happy marriages. It would all depend on the level of belief that sides, bride and groom, and their families would normally advice.

Ill-prepared weddings may not have time to go over the necessary preparations, making it something secondary since the main purpose is simply to tie the knot. While implementing colored themes in weddings is not really a requirement, it is a sign of unity and for some who believe in superstitions, a sign of well-preparedness in journeying towards a new life as husband and wife.

But the standard practice in weddings, whether it is big or a small gathering, really follow a certain them to make the occasion unique and different from the standard wedding events that people would get to experience through friends and colleagues. Couples would normally resort to trying to improve or outdo the weddings that they see, mixing ideas and trying to conceptualize something unique for their own wedding to be different and extravagant.

Besides, weddings are usually held once in a lifetime for couples who want to be officially married. Preparations and the like are tedious but after some years, they will always go back to memory lane and look at how exotic and memorable their exchange of vows truly was.

Picking A Theme For Your Wedding

It seems silly when someone tells you to pick a theme. Some brides feel like they are being asked to play dress up. In some cases, this can be true. It doesn’t necessarily require everyone to be in costume though.

It is not necessary to have a theme. You can have a great wedding without having to think up one. Most brides though find it a useful tool. They use the theme for coordinating the look of their wedding. The theme tells your dress designer the style of the gown that you are looking for. It tells your wedding coordinator the kind of decorations and ambiance you want at your wedding and/or reception.

A theme injects a bit of fun into your wedding. It can add some excitement, especially for the women. Let’s face it, women love to dress for the occasion, and given the opportunity, time and money, you bet they will dress to the nines.

A theme also adds some entertainment. Think about it. We all watch shows like the Oscars or the Emmy Awards. Sometimes we watch to see who won. Most of the time, we watch to see who is wearing what. Fashion on the red carpet is what attracts many women to these shows, not the awards themselves. That is why a theme is useful for your wedding. It allows your guests to show of their best look in accordance with your theme. The rest of your guests get to enjoy looking at a room filled with beautifully dressed women, wondering why they didn’t think of that same style.

A theme can help spark creativity. For example, you can opt to have a Cinderella theme. Your dress would be full skirted with a tight bodice, and of course gloves. Depending on which version of Cinderella you choose, you might want a glass slipper or a wooden slipper placed on your feet - yes, both can be bought or custom made for you but do make sure that they are comfortable or you may be in for a tortured night. While pumpkin shaped carriages are hard to come by, carriages in general drawn by four horses can be rented. Who knows, You might even find someone who has the perfect pumpkin shaped one for your wedding.

Instead of tossing the bouquet, why not simply ask the single men to fit the glass slipper on the right lady. This is one way you can practice your matchmaking skills since you can rig it so that the shoe fits the lady of your choice. You will need to find Prince Charming before you get to the lucky lady. Then you can have glass slippers for your wedding favors.

This is just one of the many themes you can have. It is really up to you and your groom to decide what look and feel they want to have at their wedding. The theme just helps to add a little spice, color and imagination to an event that you truly want to be memorable.

Don’t be afraid to be unconventional. What may be unconventional now may become a family tradition later. Who knows?

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