Wedding Trends That Take The Cake

Even the best laid wedding plans can go awry, as seen in these “Wedding Disaster” videos from YouTube.  Enjoy!

Here are a variety of wedding disasters…some are hilarious!

Trying to pick out your wedding gown? You may want to avoid these…

Remember…wedding vows are a serious matter. Apparently these brides forgot…

Feeling a little stressed? Check out these Bridezillas…

Ladies…don’t let your man make a grand entrance. At least not one like this!

Here, on the other hand, are some GREAT entrances…

Finally, here are some potential “Wedding Disasters” that you’ll have no control over, but if this happens at your wedding,  you’ll end up with your own YouTube viral video to share.

You might not be able to avoid every “Wedding Disaster,” but you can get started on the right foot by ordering your Affordable Wedding Invitations from Best Little Wedding Shop.

Lisa Bakewell

Seems that everyone wants a summer wedding, but creating and having a romantic winter wedding can be both glamorous and magical. Create your winter wonderland wedding by using these tips!

Attire

Why not create a romantic, Hollywood feel to your big day? Put your groom in long black tails and pick a golden-era-styled dress for yourself. Paired with a white faux fur wrap or a red silk cape, you will be stunning! For jewelry, consider anything diamond or diamond-like to add sparkle and shine.

For bridesmaid dresses, you may want to pick dresses with rich fabrics, such as satin, heavy silk, brocade or velvet. And don’t forget an attractive wrap for the bridesmaids to wear on the day of your wedding. This would make a great bridesmaid present, as well.

Location

You can get super-creative with location for your winter wedding. Why not choose a bed and breakfast, a lodge or inn with a fireplace or an historic mansion? Be sure to find out what seasonal decorations your wedding venue uses too. You may be able to save a lot of money if your wedding site is already heavily decorated for the season!

Invitations

Wintry motifs make a great theme for your wedding invitations. Also, you could go with metallics or white on white for a dramatic announcement of your big day. Check out these great invitations from Best Little Wedding Shop.

Menu

Go ahead offer the chicken or steak as your entrée, but consider adding wintry touches to your menu, such as pumpkin soup or a squash dish. Also, consider serving hot chocolate, eggnog, spiced wine or mixed coffee drinks.

Cake

Choose a white on white cake and decorate with marzipan snowflakes, Swiss dots, fresh white poinsettias or a snow globe. If you’d rather not have a traditional cake, though, why not choose a rich dark chocolate cake or a cheesecake with a raspberry filling or sauce? Not in the mood for cake at all? Chocolate covered cherries or strawberries might be just what you’re after!

Flowers

Winter flowers offer you an abundance of choices. Want an elegant look? Go for silver and white. Flowers you might use include dusty miller, baby blue eucalyptus, white roses, white mums or beautiful lilies. If you’d like to celebrate the season with more color, consider red and green. Using red roses, ornamental berries and holly and pine greenery will give your bouquets and flower arrangements a festive look.

Décor

Simply decorating your tables with white poinsettias will set a wintry mood to your reception. Also, pillar candles with pine branches or cranberries paired with floating candles will do the trick. Consider using strands of small white lights strung around doorways, over tables and on archways to add a rich and festive mood.

Favors

Favors for winter-themed weddings offer a lot of inexpensive choices. Why not give an ornament or a snow globe featuring a bride and groom? Also, inexpensive cocoa mixes in an attractive tin would work nicely. Sweets, such as cookies or candy would make a nice treat, as well. 

Things to Consider

Winter weather can be a problem depending on your location. Make sure that your guests don’t have to walk too far or spend a lot of time outside.

Make sure your receiving line keeps your guests out of the cold. If your ceremony space has a large entryway or vestibule, you may be able to wait there and have your guests greet you after the ceremony. If you hold the receiving line at the reception, make sure you’re far enough inside the building, so that guests won’t have to wait outside if the line gets backed up.

Remember to consider the holiday travel season when planning your wedding. Lots of commitments and higher travel costs might make it inconvenient for your guests to attend a late December or early January wedding. Book your date and get your save the date cards out early.

Lisa Bakewell

Traditionally, the most popular day for a wedding is Saturday, which makes for tough competition when it comes to securing venues and services for your big day. To avoid hearing “that date has already been booked,” why not plan an “off-day” wedding instead? Not only will you have a better chance of having your wedding on the date of your choice, it also makes economic sense because:

Keep in mind, too, that restaurants are usually thrilled to have rehearsal dinners booked on Thursdays or other evenings during the week. These are, typically, their slower business days, so you’ll find that the staff will be more attentive to your party’s needs, and the atmosphere will be more relaxed.

Another reason for the growing popularity of off-day weddings is that benefits you, your family, and your friends.

By now, you may be thinking that an off-day wedding sounds like a terrific idea for you and your soon-to-be-spouse. If this is the case, you’ll not only save money, you’ll be able to enjoy more time with your loved ones and you’ll most likely hear “Yes” from vendors and service providers instead of “We’re already booked.” Here are a few things to keep in mind, though:

If all of this advice sounds good to you…go ahead and buck the traditional Saturday wedding!

Lisa Bakewell

Weird scenes at the Famory Cup China Wedding Dress Design Contest at China Fashion Week Spring/Summer Collection 2009

Every bride dreams of her wedding dress, and some brides like to get a little more creative than others. Here are a few — let’s say — nontraditional wedding dresses with added flare:

Alfred Angelo has a line of gowns called “Dream in Color.” His subtle addition of color is a nice addition to the traditional gown.

Red Hot Brides, a resource for the bride who wants to stand up above the crowd–and throw one heck of a wedding party–has a wide variety dresses in an assortment of color (yep! they have red ones too), materials and styles.

Desi Style Wedding Dress from Red Hot Brides

Lia Griffith, of Papier Couture, has created a line of carefully sculpted dresses made primarily from paper. Here are two of her fabulous creations from the Venus Collection:

So, if you feel that you’re the epitomy of the non-traditional bride, consider looking beyond “lacey white” for your wedding gown. Colors and fabrics abound!

Also, look beyond the traditional for your wedding invitations and wedding accessories too! Best Little Wedding Shop has just what your looking for in non-traditional (and traditional) wedding supplies and gifts.

Lisa Bakewell

It’s been determined that you and your fiancé are fun-seekers who shy away from the traditional. You want your wedding and reception to be memorable–for you and your guests. That’s why we’ve decided to offer you some additional ideas for holding your unique wedding and reception.

In Unique Wedding Venues…Get Creative! we offered several unique venue ideas including cave weddings, underwater weddings, train weddings, movie studio weddings, among others. In part two of this series, we’re bringing you even more great ideas for unique wedding venues. Also, click on the photos for links to a great invitation, save the date and accessory idea from Best Little Wedding Shop. Be sure to visit the site for more great wedding products!

Here are some more “off the grid” wedding venue ideas:

Wed him a vineyard. Looking for a dreamy outdoor wedding venue? Wine Country Inn, Palasade, Colorado can help you create unforgettable lifetime memories in a spectacular vineyard setting. Exchange vows in the open outdoor pavilion among the vines, the beautifully landscaped courtyard or the elegantly appointed Vineyard Ballroom. They also offer smaller venues for more intimate events.

Marry Prince Charming. If your dream is to be married in a castle, look no further than Castle Farms in beautiful Charlevoix, Michigan. As Northern Michigan’s premiere wedding location, you’ll have lots of regal options available to you that would make even Cinderella envious! [Editor's Note: One nice feature of this venue is that you can hire your own caterer and bring in your own alcohol]

Take it up, up and away! Have your wedding in a hot air balloon! Arizona Balloon Rides in Phoenix, Arizona offers private, romantic hot air balloon wedding ceremonies as well as larger elaborate ceremonies requiring multiple balloons. They will customize the experience to meet your needs!

Make it spooky. Looking for the perfect place for your haunted wedding (or honeymoon)? Thayer’s Bed and Breakfast  in Annandale, Minnesota will fit the bill nicely. This historical B&B is an Old West Victorian mansion just minutes from the Twin Cities. As well as offering weddings every day of the year, they also offer a “Haunted Honeymoon Package” which includes a one-hour Couple’s Psychic Reading, a half-hour of private ghost hunting instruction and a disposable camera to photograph the many ghosts which inhabit Thayer’s B&B.

Follow the light. Are you and your significant other lighthouse buffs? If so, you should consider getting married in Martha’s Vineyard. Lighthouse enthusiasts consider the five lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard to be the most diverse in a small contained area in the country, and they are available for wedding ceremonies. All of the Island’s lighthouses, except the Cape Poge Lighthouse, are easily accessible by road, and the Gay Head, East Chop, and Edgartown Lighthouses are maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society. Call the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society at 508-627-4441 for more information.

Have a garden party. Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, Ohio provides the perfect place to share your beautiful wedding day with family and friends. From its exotic Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse to its beautiful outdoor gardens, this botanical garden offers a most unique and elegant setting.

Lisa Bakewell

You and your fiancé love to have fun, you love the unusual and you don’t want to have your wedding at the traditional chapel or VFW hall. We understand.

As mentioned in one of our previous blog posts, many soon-to-be-wed couples are choosing eco-friendly weddings and receptions by having them outdoors. We’ve also blogged about how to plan for destination weddings. Well, today, we thought we’d give you more food for thought with these “off-the-grid” wedding venue ideas:

Wed him underground. How about having your wedding and reception in a cave? The Bridal Cave at Thunder Mountain Park  in Camdenton, Missouri might just be your ticket for adventure. Rated as one of the most scenic caves in America, the first Osage Indian wedding was held here in the early 1800s.

Make it historical. Still want to get married in a church, but not just any church? Well, how about Trinity Church in New York?  The present day Trinity Church, designed by architect Richard Upjohn, is considered a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its architectural significance.

Play ball. Wed your true love at The Stadium Club at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL. Not only will you welcome your guests with your name in lights on Wrigley’s famous marquee, you’ll also enjoy pictures on the field with the legendary manual scoreboard.

Take it down under–the water, that is. Another unique idea is to have your wedding and reception at an aquarium.  Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey offers a perfect venue for your big day. Your guests will have a one-of-a-kind immersive experience!

You should’ve been in pictures. Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Audrey Hepburn and Gloria Swanson are among the exquisite leading ladies who have starred in Paramount Pictures productions. Well, it’s a list that you can join too–at least for a day–when you have your wedding hosted by the Paramount Special Events Department in Hollywood, California.

Board the train. Except for your guests’ high-tech cameras and modern garb, a time traveler from the 19th century would feel quite at home riding Western Railroad’s Skunk Train even today. The train, which departs from Fort Bragg or Willits, will transport you and your guests to a remote and romantic location in the redwoods of California.

For all of your destination wedding invitations and unique wedding accessories, check out what Best Little Wedding Shop has to offer!

Lisa Bakewell

The Pregnant Bride

You’re pregnant, and you’re getting married, but you’re not alone. According to statistics, one in six brides is pregnant before her wedding day. Fortunately, though, the days of the pregnant bride being swept away to the justice-of-the-peace to be wed in a secret “shotgun wedding” are long gone. So…if you’ve found yourself with a bun in the oven before your nuptials, don’t panic. You’re in good company–possibly great company–so feel free to be excited. Celebrate your upcoming wedding day and your beautiful baby glow with pride. Use these tips to make your day as glorious as you look! 

What should I wear?

There’s more to choose from today. OK, depending on how pregnant you’ll be when you get married, you might face a challenge when finding–and fitting–into your wedding gown. To eliminate the guesswork, you might choose a gown with an empire waist (waistline that runs right under your bust line) or pick your dress from a design line made specifically with the pregnant bride in mind. Maternity Bride and Nicole Maternity Wholesale are two suppliers of these gowns, though you’ll find that many stores and outlets offer a maternity bridal gown options these days. Whatever dress you choose, though, make sure that it’s comfy. Select a fabric that breathes, and avoid fabrics and lace that are itchy. 

Wear white, if you want to. Forget about the old rules. Today’s a new day and you can choose from a variety of colored, off-white or traditional white gowns as a mom-to-be bride. It’s your decision. Also, feel free to wear a veil. Think outside the box, and create the look that you want to wear on your wedding day.

Buy an extra pair of shoes. Your feet will swell as you gain baby weight, so don’t buy your shoes too early. You might want to consider buying an extra pair of shoes too. Pick the same style that’s a half-size bigger just in case your feet swell a little more as your big day progresses into the evening. Also, you’re going to be on your feet for quite some time, so choose shoes that feel good on your feet when you walk in them.

What about my ring?

Pick it out early. Pick your wedding ring set as soon as you decide you’re getting married, and have it sized before you start gaining baby weight. This way, your wedding rings will fit once the baby is born.

Get a second set. Buy a second (lesser expensive) ring set just before your big day. This way, if your fingers swell, you’ll have a standby set of rings to put on at the ceremony. Though this set won’t be your “real” set of wedding rings, they’ll still have sentimental value, so get something you like. That way you can have them resized after your baby is born and wear them as a great remembrance. You may even want to consider getting a ring with the birthstone of your impending newborn, if you know what month he/she will be born. 

What about the reception?

Don’t drink–alcohol that is. Of course, you know that drinking alcohol is bad for the baby, but remember to keep your champagne flute filled with healthy, hydrating drinks–like a sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime to keep you in the spirit. Or you may want to try a “virgin” variety of your favorite drink, but if you choose this route, make sure you and the baby stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water too.

Choose your menu wisely. Some foods can be bad for you (and baby) when you’re pregnant. Check with your doctor before choosing the food for your reception to get her/his suggestions of what to avoid. Also, be careful that foods left sitting out are kept properly cooled or warmed. Otherwise avoid them. You may want to make sure that there are plenty of crackers and bread on hand, too, in case you’re still feeling nauseous. 

Sit down. Remember that your big day is going to be a busy one, and chances are that you’ll be on your feet quite a bit–dancing with your new husband and your guests. Make sure to take a break every now in then to rest your feet. Prop them up, too, if possible. 

What about my shower(s)?

One or two?  Being pregnant before your wedding day makes for some decision-making on your part regarding how to handle your wedding and baby shower. Should you have one of each, or should you combine them? You might opt to have a shower for each (maybe the wedding shower first and then the baby shower–or vise versa), or you may want to hold just one party for both events–maybe half the time can be for the wedding shower and the other half the baby shower. Remember, there are no steadfast rules, so make your decision based on what works best for you. It’s your decision. Have fun with it! Check out these great wedding invitations,  bridal shower invitations ,and baby shower cards and accessories to plan your special and exciting upcoming events–your way!!

Lisa Bakewell

Traditionally, bridesmaid dresses have been identical, matching, and, quite possibly, unattractive (never-to-be-used-again) garments. Sure the bride has the best intentions, doesn’t she? Or is she too caught up in planning the perfect, color-coordinated wedding to consider that her bridesmaids might not love her choice of bridesmaid wedding attire? Well, why not suggest that she consider non-matching bridesmaid dresses? After all, it’s becoming a trend. Afraid? Well, don’t be. Here are some terrific arguments to sway even the scariest Bridezilla.

• We all have different body types. It’s difficult to find a dress style or color that’s flattering for every bridesmaid in the wedding party. Arguing point for the bride: Your bridesmaids will be in a lot of pictures with you, and you’ll want everyone to look their best. Gorgeous bridesmaids are happy bridesmaids!
• We want to reuse our dresses. If it’s a dress that you love–and it’s flattering–there’s a better chance you’ll wear it again. Arguing point for the bride: Your bridesmaids are paying hundreds of dollars for everything from hair and makeup to dresses and shoes. Why not give them a choice when it comes to their dresses? Giving them an option–within parameters–will help justify their expenditures and give them the opportunity to find a dress they love. Plus, it might fit into their budget a little better than the dress you had in mind.
• We want to be trendy. Styles and trends keep changing–and so does wedding fashion. Today, it’s more about personal styles blending with the tradition. Arguing point for the bride: Some celebrity brides are choosing non-matching gowns for their bridesmaids. Don’t you want to be just as trendy as Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen who stood up in their personal assistant’s wedding in non-matching attire? Or Jenna Bush who had custom dresses made for all 14 of her bridesmaids? And what about Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda who wore non-matching bridesmaid dresses in the Sex and the City Movie (really, how much trendier can you be)?

So, the idea of letting her gorgeous ladies pick their own gowns–or picking a style of gown that complements their body type and coloring–doesn’t sound so horrible to Bridezilla after all. Great! Pass on these tips to your bride-to-be. Even though she’s on board with offering non-traditional bridesmaid dresses, she’ll want to set some parameters.

Tips for helping your bridesmaids choose their attire–while keeping you happy!

• Have them wear the same color, but let them choose their own dress/pantsuit style.
• Alter the neckline and cut of the dress to suit each body type and age range. What looks good on an adult may not look good on a teen.
• Pick a coordinating fabric, allowing a range of color choices–possibly colors that complement your wedding theme. Set color parameters, though.
• Have them choose dresses (or pantsuits) from the same designer.
• Choose coordinating jewelry for your bridesmaids to wear. Check out these bridesmaid gifts, necklaces and accessories.

Lisa Bakewell

Looking for other unconventional wedding ideas? Check out these wedding accessories by clicking on the photos! Want more ideas? Check out these wedding ceremony keepsakes.