Get Your Monogram On

I recently stumbled upon the website www.marrymonograms.com which got me thinking about how you can incorporate a monogram into your wedding plan. Monograms can be more than just initials, you can have have a border or special design included.

The first place to start would be with your stationary: save the dates, invitations and subsequent RSVPs, ceremony programs, reception menus, and thank you cards. Many companies will help you design a monogram and you can order whatever you need through them, or for those DIY brides you can have a rubber stamp made and you can use it yourself.

Receptions offer a myriad of additional possibilities. You can put your monogram on your table and place cards, or even create something to use as a napkin ring. Hanging tags can be made to put on guest favors or around a bottle of wine, or - for the couple who really want a special touch - you can personalize an actual bottle of wine! Even dance floors can be dressed up with projection lighting or stick-on decals.

Another outlet for your monogram creativity is in the realm of apparel. You can always have his and hers shirts made for either the bride-/groom-to-be or as newlyweds. Designed can be screen printed or even created with rhinestones. Monograms can also be put on tote bags for gifts to your wedding party or welcome bags in the hotel rooms of out-of-town guests. Marrymonograms.com will also customize a special clutch for the bride or to give as gifts to the bridesmaids.

Now for my very favorite idea. Marrymonograms now offeres customized flowers. That's right, flowers! They can monogram roses, calla lilies, tulips, or rose petals in most colors and ship them overnight directly to you or your floral designer from California. At just $5 per stem they are only $2 or less than roses from most florists. It may be a little overwhelming for an entire bouquet or centerpiece, but it would be a special touch to add one or two in an arrangement. Just think how surprised your guests will be when they notice just a subtle and personal touch.

As with all aspects of your wedding planning, have fun and don't be afraid to get creative!

Dress Double-Take

The wedding dress. THE wedding dress! A great wedding dress can steal the show on your big day, and why not. Many brides work hard leading up to their big day to fit into their dress the way they want. Not to mention the time they spend pouring through magazines and dragging friends and family from store to store hunting for that perfect dress. When you have finally found it, why not...get another!?

An additional dress for your reception is a proverbial wagon that more and more brides are hopping on. You can change the entire tone with a quick costume change. A full, dramatic gown for your traditional ceremony is great. Afterward, while your guests are enjoying a cocktail hour or hors d'ourves, switch into a short, fun dress for your reception and be free to mix and mingle with your beloved guests without carrying around 40 additional pounds of tulle.

However, a second dress doesn't have to change the feel of the party. You can carry over the style of your first dress into the second. For instance, if you have a full-length gown with a sweetheart neckline and lots of sparkle, your second dress can be an above-the-knee with a similar sweetheart neckline, and instead of the full beading you could opt for a sparkly belt.

Since I love accessories I also see this as an opportunity to do a little extra shopping in this department. Of course, it is completely acceptable to carry your accessories over through your wardrobe change, but you also have the opportunity to transform your trinkets. And the same rule of being able to sport the same style in a different way still applies. Say you have beautiful, dainty pearls during the ceremony, throw on a longer, looped strand of pearls. Or forget necklaces all together, take the chance to really rock some statement earrings!

Now, be ready to have your mind blown. Several designers offer convertible wedding dresses!! That's right, I said it. Let me explain this. While you are initially getting ready you wiggle into your dress, then, after your ceremony, first dance, or whatever moment you choose, your dress can be unzipped, unbuttoned, or otherwise folded and tucked to look like an entirely different dress without ever messing up your hair. Even David's Bridal now features a link to the "Two-in-One Gowns" they offer. Check 'em out:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Gowns-Features-Two-In-One-Gowns


So if you're enjoying searching for that perfect gown the fun doesn't have to stop with just one. And many cocktail or party dresses are available under $100 so your wardrobe change doesn't have to bust the budget.

Something Blue

Something old, something new, something borrowed...and that bring us to something blue! A blue garter is the usual go-to, and some brides even work in some blue jewelry, but here are some fun alternatives to try:

Purse – Use a fun blue clutch to carry around you Day Of must-haves like lipstick and tissues.

Nail Polish – Work in a little blue to your manicure or pedicure. It can be tasteful and subtle or a bright, sunny sea blue.

Hair Piece – You can find great hair combs, pins, tiaras, or sparkly headbands with blue stones like sapphire, opal, tanzanite, or aqua marine.

Handkerchief – This is an old fashioned idea of carrying a lovely and delicate hanky. It could be blue itself or embroidered and makes a beautiful keepsake...maybe with a little dry cleaning.

Dress Detailing – Many dresses have options to add some color; this works great if you are using blue as a wedding color, but if it isn't in your overall palate a sash that can be taken off later works well. This is especially good for military brides whose grooms will be in dress blues, a navy sash coordinates perfectly.

Bouquet – There are several different ideas to incorporate blue into your bouquet. A wrap around the stems or a charm hanging from a ribbon, blue can be snuck in here with ease. Or even add a blue bloom, like hydrangeas.

Charm – Yes, I said that blue jewelry wasn't the most original idea, but a similar idea is to keep whatever jewelry you were planning to wear but adding a small blue charm to your necklace or bracelet. To continue with this idea a new charm can be added every anniversary!

Shoes – Blue shoes, my favorite idea of them all! From a navy heel to a baby blue flat, the options are endless and one will be perfect for you. There are even blue rhinestone stickers that you can add to the bottom of your shoes! http://www.goodthingsweddingfavors.com/i-do-wedding-shoes-rhinestone-applique-by-mindy-weiss.html

(purse) http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=BLUE+CLUTCH&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=OKF&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&biw=1366&bih=544&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=11699087493303065608&sa=X&ei=x8mcTc2bN83HtweCvby0Bw&ved=0CKwBEPMCMBI#

(hankie) http://www.etsy.com/listing/64781372/something-blue-wedding?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=wedding+handkerchiefs+embroidered&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

(bouquet wrap) http://www.etsy.com/listing/62416694/aquamarine-color-custom-crystal-bridal?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=blue+bouquet+wrap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

(shoes) http://www.milanoo.com/Blue-3-1-2%5C%5C-Heel-Satin-Wedding-Pumps-p32885.html?Promotion=ggbase

Wedding Trends for 2011

Trends for 2011 spring and summer weddings are all about less traditional, more casual and creative. Fun colors to highlight this year are brights like turquoise blue and sunny yellow.

"casual & creative"

Brides are leaning towards brunch receptions, which can actually be great at cutting costs, too. Daytime receptions are full of natural light and paying for specialty- or up-lighting is unnecessary. With an earlier celebration choose a lighter, fresher menu, and your cocktail hour can focus on signature fruity cocktails more appropriate for the early afternoon.

"focus on signature cocktails"

Green weddings are on the rise. Couples are becoming more environmentally conscious, using recycled and even plantable paper for everything from invitations through cocktail napkins. Vintage dresses and décor are also very in vogue. Many more ceremonies are taking place outdoors and beach weddings are as hot as ever...pun intended.

"vintage dresses and decor"

Any reception can be mixed up a little; a great trend is putting together tables of different shapes and sizes, even coordinating centerpieces can be in different sizes and combinations. Good news for brides everywhere: assigned seating is out. For guest favors, candy buffets are still a hit but we'll also be seeing more creative ideas as people try their hand with DIY projects.

"put together tables of different shapes & sizes"

Now the all important bridal dress. Dresses for the year are fun and frilly with lots of ruffles and texture. Beading and crystals are in shorter supply as designers are doing more with layers and different fabrics. Your favorite designers may even be getting more affordable; Vera Wang just released a line of dresses and accessories for David's Bridal called White.

"fun & frilly with lots of ruffles & texture"

Photography is also becoming less traditional, with the style of photo-journalism becoming more common. On the topic of vendors, look for caterers who will personalize a menu for you, taking your style and venue into consideration. The debate of DJ versus live entertainment continues to rage on, essentially up to the individual couple and feel of the celebration.

"personalized menu...DJ versus live entertainment"

Flowers have less of a presence than they have in the past. Candles are coming to the forefront in centerpieces and even lighting up ceremonies. In bouquets, brides are opting to combine two or three colors like a bright and summery combination of yellow, pink, and orange, or a more dramatic combination of bold blues and purples. Embellishments of crystals and pearls are also making their way into both bouquets and hairstyles, though many brides are choosing to wear their hair loose and romantic with loose up-dos or down entirely.

"embellishments of crystals & pearls"

Overall, this year is about you. Feel confident about putting your touch on any aspect of the wedding, no detail is too large or small. Having to hold to less traditional customs will be great for a limited budget that is on everyone's mind these days. Also, never forget that despite the extra expense, wedding planners can help ultimately help you save money and stay on budget as well as reducing considerable amounts of stress.

"never forget wedding planners!"