Entries Tagged 'Wedding' ↓

Okay, I know I’m getting old! While writing tuesday’s post about Super 8 movies I came to the realization that the average bride and groom doesn’t remember when Super 8 was the only way to make home movies. Today I’m reminded that the average bride and groom probably never had to use vinyl records! Now that .mp3s are commonplace I predict CD’s will soon be forgotten! Making custom play lists with iTunes has become so easy that the iPod is starting to replace DJ!

From a green wedding standpoint, it’s nice to see the move away from using plastic and vinyl to an all digital version.

More and more couples are turning to their iPod to handle the DJ role at their wedding, allowing them to save around $1,000 in the process. A lot of couples have spent a lot of time building their .mp3 music collection; they know the music they like. So why not cut out the middle man and just hook up their iPod to a sound system and let it play?

Just a few suggestions if you decide to go this route…

Remember the music is not only for you, include songs that will have a wide appeal in addition to your personal favorites.

Ask a friend to help out in the Master of Ceremony role..they don’t necessarily have to do a lot of talking like a DJ would but maybe just make introductions, announcements, etc to keep the evening moving.
Keep in mind, you might have to rent a sound system to plug your iPod into if your venue doesn’t have one available.

But, I wouldn’t count the DJ out, if you want well-timed music and that extra boost to ensure the crowd stays involved you may still need a DJ.

Share your wedding music experiences! Have you been to an iPod wedding?

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Rhonda
Our Wedding Plus

A couple weeks ago I wrote about signature drinks for your wedding. Well I found a site that will make picking a signature drink that perfectly matches your wedding theme and colors a piece of cake or in my case a cupcake! Check out Stirrings.com. On their site you can find drinks that match your wedding’s color scheme. They have resources to print labels to make custom stirrers and templates to print custom drink menus! Stirrings sells the mix for all the drinks they mention. You can coordinate with your caterer or banquet hall to order Stirrings mixers.

If you are looking for wedding favor ideas they have those! They sell 4oz. versions of the drink mixes you chose for your signature drink. They even have customizable tags with the recipe for your signature drink you can download!

Here are some ideas from Stirrings.com to help the budget conscious couple…

Instead of an open bar offer only beer, wine, champagne, and one signature drink that you name and tie into the theme of the wedding.

Put a pitcher of cocktails on each table and let your guests do the pouring.

Create a Mojito bar. Put out the Stirrings Mojito Mix, rum, club soda, and garnish like mint leaves, cherries, pineapples and other fruits and let your guests mix their own drinks. (Check out their Bloody Mary ideas for a morning or brunch event)

This is just a sample of some of the unique drink ideas you can find on Stirrings.com. They have ideas for any event, not just weddings. All their mixes can be ordered online!

Check back in tomorrow for more unique wedding ideas!

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Rhonda
http://www.ourweddingplus.com/

You will be glad you tuned in today! I’m going to let you in on the latest thing in wedding videos! There’s this new technology that’s out, you will find it used in only the most exclusive wedding videos. Kevin Costner made sure they used it when they made his video! Well, what’s the secret? Instead of using the old fashion videotape, they are using something called “film,” motion picture film to be exact. This film is special; it’s 8mm wide and has perforations on the side so it can feed through the camera. The cameras to use this film are very rare. Wow, I’m glad I live in the 21st century!

What? What do you mean? This has been around since the ‘60s! That’s right, like most of you over the age of 35 know (including me). The film I’m talking about is Super 8. The shaky, fuzzy, film we remember as kids. The same film we were glad to see go in the ‘80s when VHS and Beta-vision videotapes came out. But they are making a comeback! Nostalgia is in! You’ve probably seen some people shoot wedding photography in black & white to get that romantic feel. Now, that’s been taken one step further, many of the top wedding video companies are incorporating Super 8 into their production.

For some amazing examples of the use of Super 8 in wedding videos and to see a clip from Kevin Costner’s wedding, check out Docuvitae’s website, Docuvitae is a photographer and video company located in Los Angeles. They use a combination of vintage and modern cameras to get the amazing affect.

Check back in tomorrow for more wedding ideas!

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Thanks to zyphichore for the picture.

Hope everyone is enjoying Penny Olson’s examples of how to include the groom’s personality in the wedding. Here’s the second and final one…

The second was for two very dear friends of mine, he is a drummer and she is an artist. They had a very small, simple and relaxed wedding in St. Lucia, a beautiful little island in the West Indies. Sixteen of us joined them in their celebration on an incredibly beautiful, breezy day on a cozy resort called Villa Beach Cottages. All of the guests stayed together in a small cluster of cottages on the beach, on the afternoon of the wedding, we met by the pool near a pretty white gazebo. Steel drums rang out lots of fun tunes as we waited for the Bride and Groom to arrive. About fifteen minutes before the ceremony, the Groom came out, he dawned a very casual, white linen shirt and khaki slacks, no shoes! He joined us for a fruity cocktail, Sea Breezes to be exact, and a few laughs before tying the knot.

When the ceremony started, we all gathered around a pretty ribbon that laid on the ground in a circle in front of the gazebo. The Bride came out with her father in a very simple and airy, strapless white dress that was accented with Swarovski Crystals, and of course, no shoes! She was carrying the most incredible Swarovski Crystal Bouquet. She looked absolutely stunning because in the sun, the crystals made hundreds of rainbows that shined off of her and everything around her. She also wore a Swarovski Crystal Tiara that seemed to twinkle on top of her head. As she reached her place next to the Groom, we were instructed by the officiant to pick up the ribbon so that we made a ring that started with the Maid of Honor and ended with the Best Man. As the ceremony was proceeding, we passed their rings along the ribbon and blessed them with good tidings for the soon-to-be newlyweds. It was so nice because we all felt that we really got to be a part of their special day.

After the ceremony, there were more steel drums with a couple of hours of cocktails and a beach barbeque. We chatted, danced, hung out in the sand, and ate incredible food as the sun set over the ocean. It was great because there were no annoying photographers trying to capture cheesy “moments to cherish”, he left after the ceremony and we were the photographers for the reception. We were free to have fun in whatever way we pleased! After the sun went down, they had lit candles in white paper bags that were scattered all over the beach. And since they had rented the whole resort, we weren’t on any time constraints; some guests were on the beach until dawn. It was truly a blast!!

For the next two days we all stayed on the island and the owner of the resort, a friendly Jamaican man, gave us suggestions of what to do on the island, “It’s all about the experience” he continually told us. Some of us explored caves, some went sea turtle watching or shopping at the small markets, while others decided to relax by the pool or on the beach at the resort. At the end of the long weekend, the Newlyweds saw us off and headed to the south of the island for their honeymoon. It was an incredible trip and one that I’m sure that I will never forget.
The point of my article is to show how incredible a wedding can be if you consider the tastes and interests of the couple, not just the bride. In so many weddings, the Groom is left in the shadows while the Bride takes most of the glory. And let’s face it, there wouldn’t be a wedding without him.

Best Wishes, and Happy Planning, and most important, Have Fun!

Penny Olson is the owner and designer for Brilliant Wedding Jewelry brilliant-wedding-jewelry.com.

Make your day sparkle with Swarovski Crystal Bouquets! Add crystal accents yourself with Swarovski Crystal Stems.See you next Monday with the second great example of how to incorporate the groom’s personality into your wedding!

Rhonda
http://www.ourweddingplus.com/

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I’d like to thank Lynninsingapore for the photo.

Hi everyone! Today Penny Olson is going to tell about how to incorporate the groom’s personality into the wedding plans. She has two examples, this is part one, check back for part two on Monday! I’ll tell you more about Penny at the end of today’s post, now here’s Penny…

I have been to many incredible weddings in my time. But the celebrations that I remember the most are the ones that include the character and interests of the groom, not just the bride. After all, we are invited to take part in these special days to celebrate the union of two people. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea to include things that show the groom’s interests and passions, just as much as the brides?
You may ask how you can include rugged pastimes, guitars, or sports into your wedding day and still retain class. There are many ways to do this and have a lot of fun in the process. I am going to share stories of two weddings that I have attended and absolutely loved. With both of these weddings, could clearly see and feel that you were there for the couple, not just a day for the bride to feel like a princess.
The first was September 28th, 2002. I remember the date well because it was for a friend of mine that I’ve known since kindergarten. It was an incredible Fall afternoon in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The trees were bursting with deep shades of red, gold, purple and orange. The directions were specific until they stated, “Once you reach the foothills of Horse Valley, make a right onto the wooden bridge and continue for three miles down the dirt road.” We ended up at the Groom’s Grandfather’s cabin in the woods, the wedding was held in a pavilion that was next to the house. It sat on the edge of a huge lake that had mountains rising on the opposite side that looked as though they were painted in Autumn hues. It was breathtaking!
At 6:10pm, the groom’s mother came and made an announcement to the 70 guests that they were about to start. We all took our seats on wooden benches that were lined up along two very wide and deep steps that lead you from the pavilion to a large landing overlooking the lake.
To our surprise, the Bride was the first to appear with her Maid of Honor. They walked down from the cabin and onto the landing and waited in front of the incredible backdrop of the mountains. For a few minutes I was a little confused. Where was the groom? Then all of a sudden, way on the other side of the lake, you could see two people in a canoe. It took them a few minutes before they were close enough to see who they were, but sure enough, it was the Groom and his Best Man!! They docked the boat in the sand next to us and walked up, he kissed her on the cheek, and the ceremony began. It was the most romantic thing I had ever witnessed.

Penny Olson is the owner and designer for Brilliant Wedding Jewelry brilliant-wedding-jewelry.com.
Make your day sparkle with Swarovski Crystal Bouquets! Add crystal accents yourself with Swarovski Crystal Stems.

See you next Monday with the second great example of how to incorporate the groom’s personality into your wedding!

Rhonda
http://www.ourweddingplus.com/

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I’d like to thank Jakub Friedl for the mountain lake photo.

So where do you plan on setting up your bridal registry? Most of the time the answers you’ll hear are Macy’s, Bloomingdales, or Target. Today I’m going to give you a few different ideas, something other than your standard china, appliances, and bedding, from the ultimate in luxury to the ultimate in excitement!

Don’t want to get too far from tradition but still want unique gifts? Register at Barney’s, they have pretty much everything for the home, tableware. They also have clothing for men and women and you can also ask for gift cards on your registry. But what makes Barney’s different than other department stores? The products are all premium quality and are hard to find. But, in order to register you’ll have to go to New York, Beverly Hills, or Chicago. Guests can shop online from anywhere.

For the ultimate in luxury and service, register at Gearys Beverly Hills. Gearys, shown to the right, has been a tradition in Beverly Hills for more than 75 years. They offer the finest in tabletop items, china, silver, and linens. They also carry fine watches and jewelry. But the thing Geary’s is most famous for is the service. During the registry process, the bride is pampered with attention for as long as required to put together the perfect registry. According to Helene Hale, Gearys Senior Sales Associate, they actually “play house” and set the table as if it was in the brides dining room to show her what her choices will look like. You will also have to visit one of the two Gearys Beverly Hills locations to register but your guests can buy online anywhere.

For the more “extreme” bride and groom, a bridal registry is available at REI. From biking to mountain climbing equipment, REI has it. They also offer eco-friendly travel from REI Adventures, to spice up your honeymoon.
Speaking of eco-friendly…checkout the gift registry at Gaiam.com. They have a large collection of eco-friendly products without compromising on quality or appearance! They carry a wide variety of household products, clothing, etc.

But if you still want to go with the standard registry I highly recommend you checkout the “I do” Foundation gift registry. If you register with most of your standard registries including Macy’s, Linens and Things, etc a portion of the price of the purchases will be donated to a charity of your choice! And, the best part is it’s totally free!
Be unique go out and find a different gift registry but please check out the “I do” Foundation gift registry so the rest of the world also benefits with you!

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See you tomorrow with more unique wedding planning ideas!

Rhonda
http://www.ourweddingplus.com/

The many months of planning and stress are behind you and it’s time for your first adventure as man and wife! The honeymoon is typically one of the most anticipated vacations, and for many, one of the most extravagant and expensive trips of their lives.

So, why not make your honeymoon unique? Why should you follow the rest of the lemmings going to standard resorts in Hawaii, the Caribbean or on a cruise. As you know, I try to squeeze in a way to make your wedding a little more eco-friendly. Well, you can do this and also have the most memorable and unique honeymoon on the block. Here are some ideas…

See the pyramids of Egypt, go on an African safari, or have an overnight camel trek in Morocco. These are just a few examples things you can do on an eco-friendly honeymoon. You may be wondering what makes these trips eco-friendly? According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is the responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well being of local people. When you plan these trips through organizations that specialize in ecotourism you can be guaranteed that your trip will minimize impact on the environment and local people. A few good options to help plan your trip are Green Weddings and Events, Organic Weddings, and Responsible Travel (for people in the UK).

Sound too far from home? REI Adventures has numerous eco-friendly options that allow you to experience the natural beauty of North America and the Caribbean including hiking in the Canadian Rockies, cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway, or hike, bike and snorkel in Trinidad and Tobago. REI even goes the extra mile by offsetting 100% of the climate-altering carbon emissions generated by all aspects of your trip by donating to support solar, wind and other renewable energy projects.

So dare to be different and have the experience of a lifetime, while knowing you are helping keep the environment safe for your future children!

Check back tomorrow for more unique wedding ideas!

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We will not share your information with anyone! We will provide you with monthly updates on wedding ideas and information about our specials.

I’d like to thank Webby37 for the African Safari picture at the top of this post and Tallmonkee for the picture of Tobago at the bottom of this post.

Found a couple neat ideas for bridal party gifts. Now these aren’t your everyday bridal party gifts! These gifts should only be given if you really want your bridal party to be impressed and if you want them to think you are the most amazing thoughtful person on earth!

I will start off with a gift for the ladies…your brides maids will be floored when you hand them the ultimate in luxury, packaged in beautiful Bengaline Fabric wrapped hat boxes. Lomanve, located in Sherman Oaks, California sells the most luxurious collection of robes made of 100% fine chenille with a reversible sateen finish. You can even have them embroidered. These robes are worn by celebrities including…Reba McEntire, Tia Carera, and Daisy Fuentes. The hat boxes can be chosen in colors that match your wedding theme as shown above and make a great gift as well! Ask them for special bridal party pricing!

Here’s a gift idea that both the groomsmen or the bridesmaids will appreciate. Main Source Corporate Gifts may sound like they cater only to corporations but they also provide unique and personal gift boxes for the wedding party. They have partnered with over 12 providers of upscale spa products including L’Occitane, Crabtree and Evelyn, and Borghese for both men and women. They come package in a beautiful box with ribbon. Checkout their website for the full line of products they can provide.

See you tomorrow with unique honeymoon ideas!

Rhonda
www.ourweddingplus.com

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To end the week of wedding planning ideas from A Soolip Wedding, I’d like to mention its host, Wanda Wen, the co-founder of Soolip Paperie and Press and the host of the A Soolip Wedding event. It is an understatement to say that Wanda is a gifted woman both creatively and in business. But, I also must say she is a down to earth, very approachable person.

Wanda has appeared on the Today Show and has appeared in numerous magazines. She also has a variety of celebrity clientele including Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, and Charlize Theron. So what makes Wanda so special? It is the unique beauty that she creates with “paper, inks, foliage, ribbons and twine.” I believe it would be a rare person that wouldn’t be awed by her wedding invitations. Soolip Paperie and Press custom makes the most unique and elegant wedding invitations you will find, but they also have some products you can buy online.

Wanda made a presentation during the “Conversation with Experts” at A Soolip Wedding at which she gave gift-wrapping tips and also ideas to include in your wedding. One green wedding tip Wanda presented was to “celebrate nature” by using live plants as floral décor. She had this tree clipping on display as a unique idea for displaying seating cards at your reception. It gives your guests something fun to interact with while they look for their seating card. I thought this was a neat idea to integrate nature into your wedding and to also impress you guests with your creativity!

Tomorrow, I’m going take a day off to be with the other man in my life, my horse :-). I’ll see you Monday with some pictures of beautiful wedding dresses from Monique Lhuillier from A Soolip Wedding’s fashion show.

See you next week!

Rhonda
Our Wedding Plus

Hope everyone is enjoying this series of wedding ideas from A Soolip Wedding! Today I’m going to confess a serious mistake I made. One that I will live to regret! While at A Soolip Wedding, I made it a point to attend the presentations being made by the wedding experts. The same series of presentations that I got all the great tips from Kathy Nenneker, the editor of Los Angeles Weddings magazine, that I passed on yesterday. I had a great seat in the second row, center! But one of the presentations finished about 15 minutes early. So, I thought it would be a good chance to run down to “The Green Wedding” room and get a bunch of good information to pass on to you. So I got back to the final presentation, and as you might guess, the room was jammed! I got stuck in the doorway, surrounded by a bunch of other people trying to catch some ideas from the final speaker of the day!

So you might be wondering who could be so interesting to have filled the seats, have people standing three deep around the walls and have a bunch of people sitting on the floor like it was story time at the library?

This person was listed by Vogue as “the best wedding coordinator” and has had Courtney Cox Arquette, Brook Shields, Molly Shannon, Tori Spelling, and Tim Allen as clients! It was none other than Jo Gartin, the author of “Jo Gartin’s Weddings An Inspiring Guide for the Stylish Bride.” Unfortunately I couldn’t take five pages of notes like I did for Kathy Nenneker because I could barely hear through the crowd. But I was able to pick-up a few of her great ideas on how to personalize your wedding. Here they are…

Personalize your bouquet by wrapping it in a photocopied love letter written during your courtship or a picture of a special person who couldn’t make the wedding so they can accompany you down the aisle

Include your style in the wedding by asking your florist if you can buy your own vases rather than using the standard ones they use

Offer your guests midnight snacks of donut holes and chocolate milk as they leave at the end of the night.

Jo had a bunch more wedding ideas that unfortunately I couldn’t hear! But the good news is her book is loaded with great information. How often can you get wedding planning tips from the person who plans celebrity weddings? I’m definitely going to add it to my collection! If you’d like to purchase her book, here’s the link.

Check out Jo Gartin’s website: http://www.loveluckandangels.com/

Check back tomorrow for a great idea I learned from none other than Wanda Wen, co-founder of Soolip!

See you tomorrow!

Rhonda
http://www.ourweddingplus.com/

I’d like to thank Keshan Gunasighe for the beautiful picture in this post.