New Trends Spring Wedding

Wedding season is just around the corner! Spring buzzes with hot new nuptial trends: fresh wedding colors, new ways to walk down the aisle, and truly unique wedding favors. Whether you're in the midst of planning your own wedding or you'll be attending a wedding as a guest, expect to see these seven wedding trends.

1. Black is back and bigger than ever. The hottest new color for spring isn't a color at all. Black wedding dresses were a trend way back in 2007. For the 2009 wedding season, black will partner with white for a super-chic European look (think Paris). Don't paint the town black (too depressing) - use it as an accent color in bouquets and table linens.

2. Country chic weddings. Been to a wedding lately? Don't wear heels; wear cowboy boots! Budget-conscious brides have been getting down on the farm. Why? Renting out a farm costs a lot less than renting out a ballroom and the scenery can be just as romantic. Picture the bride and groom going off on a hay ride and guests drinking warm apple cider. There's no limit to creativity with a country chic wedding: Have a Hawaiian-style barbecue, vineyard soiree, or winter wonderland wedding, sleigh ride and all. An untouched landscape means you can have whatever wedding you imagine.

3. Damask prints. This wedding season, you'll see more damask. It's an eye-catching, vintage-style print with intricate vines and flowers. You've probably seen it before on your Grandma's old couch. If you want to give your wedding that Old World ambiance, use damask accents. Black damask (remember, black is hot right now) over white makes a lovely and contrastive print for your table linens.

4. New ways to walk down the aisle. Many brides and grooms are walking down the aisle together, rather than having the father escort his daughter. It's the newest wedding craze and perfect for non-traditional brides or brides with blended families. Other new walk-down-the-aisle trends include the bride walking down the aisle by herself, having both parents accompany the bride, or the bride walking down the aisle with her mother. The only rule: It's up to the bride!

5. Something blue. Aqua blue paired with white or chocolate and navy paired with yellow, pink, or white are the season's hottest color combos. From wedding invitations down to blue-box wedding favors, every bride seems to be a true-blue bride this season.

6. The return of the wedding minidress. Super-short wedding dresses are all the rage this spring. The words "miniskirt-wedding dress," conjure images of that infamous frock in Guns N Roses November Rain video, but the 2009 mini wedding dress thankfully doesn't resemble that at all. It's a chic dramatic dress that nicely pairs with ankle-tied sandals.

7. Cherry blossoms in full bloom. Cherry blossoms are popping up everywhere in the spring 2009 wedding season. You'll see more Asian-inspired wedding favors, such as candles and silk fans and of course, cherry blossoms in the bride's bouquet and centerpieces. Cherry blossoms liven up the color scheme with a hint of pastel pink and add a special touch to your special day.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?7-New-Spring-Wedding-Trends&id=2309308

An Elegant Evening Wedding Dress

An evening wedding is not the same as an afternoon wedding, only held a few hours later. The nighttime hours hold a sense of drama and sophistication that set them apart from the tamer daylight hours. The whole feel and style of an evening wedding is more upscale, more chic, and above all more elegant. Everything from the attire to the décor to the food should reflect this shift in attitude as day becomes night.

As everyone knows, the bride is the focal point at a wedding, and it is really her gown that sets the tone for the entire affair. The first thing to decide is how formal you would like your wedding to be. If it will begin at 6pm or later, you can opt for a black tie wedding, which is the height of graciousness and style. If black tie feels a bit too stuffy for you, opt for a chic and elegant tone instead, with the men wearing modern cut suits and ties.

For a black tie wedding, the bride should choose a gown with a strong presence and a lot of impact. There is almost nothing that will feel too dressy. Feel free to experiment with details such as long trains, heavily embellished bodices, and tons of dazzling crystals and beads. The bride at a black tie wedding can also get away with a fairly ornate set of bridal jewelry, including everything from bold necklaces to dramatic drop earrings to sparkling crystal wedding bracelets. If you have decided against black tie for your evening wedding, go for a really striking and glamorous gown, such as a slinky silk sheath adorned with long drop earrings and several crystal wedding bracelets stacked together for more impact.

The décor at your wedding will definitely create the ambiance, and for an evening wedding, the must-have element is an abundance of candlelight. Imagine a dimly lit room set aglow with the flicker of hundreds of candles. The mood will be one of pure romance (not to mention, nothing is more flattering than candlelight). Choose elegant and sophisticated flowers for your centerpieces, like orchids or lilies. The floral displays should lean towards the dramatic for an evening affair. You may also want to rent some glittering crystal chandeliers to integrate into your tablescapes for the most elegance.

Evening weddings also call for food that is geared towards a sophisticated palette. Think about serving appetizers in high fashion ways, such as shots of soup or little bites served on porcelain spoons. For the main course, nothing is more chic than lobster or fresh seafood. You also cannot go wrong with the combination of caviar and an ice cold vodka fountain. This is a wonderful addition to an adults-only evening reception.

Nighttime weddings are a lot of fun, and planning them can be really enjoyable. Think about the special and unique details that you can include to make your wedding the height of elegance and style. The sophistication of an evening wedding makes for a memorable evening that your guests will not soon forget.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Elegant-Evening-Wedding&id=2637806

Pretty Pattern Bridesmaid Dress

Your bridesmaid dresses will be a big part of the look of your wedding. Although solid colors have always been the most popular choice, there is nothing to say that you have to play it safe when it comes to the dresses that your attendants will wear. These are some ideas on pretty patterned bridesmaid dresses that are perfect for any wedding style.

It might seem like a print would only work on bridesmaid dresses for an informal wedding, but this is definitely not the case. For a black tie wedding, a stunning look for your bridesmaids would be a floor length gown in a pewter color with a black brocade design. To make it even more luxurious, look for a dress that is created with the design in cut velvet or devoré - yum! Add bridesmaid jewelry sets created from jet black crystals or lustrous pewter colored pearls for the perfect finishing touch.

Prints for daytime weddings can really run the gamut from sophisticated to playful to country. On the more elegant side would be a toile done in a limited color palette. This is a classic print that works best on simple cuts, like strapless A-line gowns. You can use a toile bridesmaid dress in almost any setting, indoors or outdoors. It is even possible to order toile that is designed in themes that fit in with your wedding (such as scenes of Nantucket). Sets of pearl bridesmaid jewelry will top off this timeless dress beautifully.

Of course, floral prints are always lovely, and you will have many great options for your attendants' dresses. One of the most original is to choose simple dresses made from Liberty print fabric. This iconic small floral is printed on a soft cotton fabric that would be wonderful for an informal wedding in a garden. Wedge espadrilles would look fantastic for the bridesmaids' shoes with a Liberty print dress.

If you prefer a more bold floral print, check out some of the large scale graphic florals that are in style this season. They are often done in a high contrast palette, such as cream and black. This design looks particularly great when it "grows" up from the hem of the dress and gets more sparse at the top. Not only will the dresses have great visual interest, but they will not be too bold by your bridesmaids' faces.

Stripes are a fresh idea for bridesmaid dresses at any time of the year. They can be done in so many ways. A crisp blue and white stripe looks nautical and classic, perfect for a wedding by the ocean. Add some flair with shoes or jewelry in a bright color like lemon or cherry red. If you are looking ahead to a winter wedding, stripes can be rich and elegant when done in deeper tones such as aubergine and chocolate in a full length gown.

When you are thinking about patterned bridesmaid dresses, one other design to consider is plaid. Plaid can be used for an entire dress, or as a sash on a solid color. You can use a red tartan for a Christmas wedding, a bright madras for a summer afternoon, or even a menswear inspired houndstooth print for something totally unexpected.

Be open to interesting prints and designs when you start shopping for your bridesmaid dresses. The right pattern can make their dresses so much livelier than a basic solid color. And if you choose well, your bridesmaids may even be able to wear their pretty patterned dresses again in the future.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Pretty-Patterned-Bridesmaid-Dresses&id=2117408

The chills.

That's what I got when I saw this spread in the new Fall/Winter issue of Oregon Bride magazine. These stunning photos were styled by the talented Elianna Bar-El.
From The English Dept.: Thread Liddy dress in ivory duchess satin, and my wool tweed Karenina coat.
Tattered organza shrug by me and blue rose bonnet by Twigs & Honey. The dress is by Kate Towers.
Handknit beaded shrug by our own Clara! All in all a lovely editorial--I am oddly yearning for snow now that the dog days of August have arrived...

Cream and Black Wedding Invitations

Most people don't think of black when they think about weddings, but black is one of the main colors this year. Especially popular is the combination of "butter and black" better known as cream and black. For evening or formal weddings, nothing is more elegant than simple black invitations especially when they are embellished or ribboned to match your colors. From the moment they arrive, these invitations set the tone and help you create the feel you want. Here are a few design suggestions to consider when choosing your invitation.

1. Printable Black Pocket Folders: When choosing printable pocket folders you accomplish two goals in one, you can choose the style of invitation you want and save almost 50% of the cost by printing them yourselves. Most internet sites allow you to choose from a variety of ribbon colors to accent your pocket folder and here is where you can be very creative. You can go with a cream and black motif so that the pocket folder is black and the card stock, RSVP cards and ribbons are cream, or you can vary the ribbon color to burnt sienna, purple, gold, silver, or any other color that reflects your style and imagination.

2. Printable Black Layered Invitations: If you are on a limited budget or want a simpler invitation, or are using this for the many other wedding related events that require invitations, the layered style is for you. Here the background is a black card and the cream invitation card is attached to it giving a "layered" look. There are many designs to choose from here, you can have the invitation card attached by a colored ribbon of your choice or you can "sash' the invitation card around the middle with a ribbon of your choice or you can embellish the ribbon with beads or jewels. And as these are print it yourself kits, you again can save 50% or more. You can also use this style of invitations to compliment the pocket folder. So, for example, you may use the pocket folders for your wedding invitations and the layered invitations for the Bride and Groom Shower, or Rehearsal Dinner invites.

3. Printable Black Bordered Invitations: Let's say you only want a hint of black, then the bordered invitation is the one to look for. Here you can choose from a simple white or cream card with a black border, or a layered invitation where the invitation card is large enough that only a small border of the black background card is showing. These can serve equally well as the main wedding invitation or as rehearsal dinner or shower invites. And they also give you the same great savings.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Elegant-Cream-and-Black-Wedding-Invitations&id=1891817

Sweet Noise: Your Love is King by Sade

Your Love Is King lyrics
Your love is king
Crown you with my heart
Your love is king
Never need to part
Your kisses ring
Round and round and round my head
Touching the very part of me
It's making my soul sing
Tearing the very heart of me
I'm crying out for more
Your love is king
Crown you with my heart
Your love is king
You're the ruler of my heart
Your kisses ring
Round and round and round my head
Touching the very part of me
It's making my soul sing
I'm crying out for more
Your love is king

I'm coming on
I'm coming
You're making me dance
Inside

Your love is king
Crown you with my heart
Your love is king
Never need to part
Your kisses ring
Round and round and round my head
Touching the very part of me
It's making my soul sing
Tearing the very heart of me
I'm crying out for more

Touching the very part of me
It's making my soul sing
I'm crying out for more
Your love is king

This is no
Blind faith
This is no
Sad or sorry dream
This is no
Blind faith

Your love, your love is real
(your love is king)
Gotta crown me with your heart
(your love is king)
Never never need to part
(your love is king)
Touch me
(your love is king)
never letting go
(your love is king)
Your Love is King
never letting go
(your love is king)
never gonna give it up
(your love is king)
I'm comming
(your love is king)
making me dance

Real Wedding Inspiration: Caryn & Brian

Photography: At First Sight Studio

At First Sight Studio Snippet: Things were running unusually well the morning of Caryn and Brian’s wedding. What should have been a grey, rainy sky was actually a beautiful blue. Things were right on schedule and Daniel and I were enjoying a relaxing morning with the ladies (a very rare treat). But all this suddenly changed when Caryn’s sister Stacey was getting zipped into her gorgeous BCBG gown… and the zipper broke. That’s right, a full-on split down the middle of the thing. At first I was enjoying myself, taking photos of them trying desperately to get the darn thing closed, but once the drama unfolded, it became clear that this was going to be quite a problem. To add to it, Stacey was completely stuck in the dress as the zipper wasn’t budging either way. Daniel was waiting in the hallway (he doesn’t get to be around naked ladies!) so I joined him so we could quickly come up with an action plan to buy Stacey some time to run to BCBG and get fixed up. Oddly enough, everything went really smoothly after that. We took Caryn and Brian out for pre-ceremony portraits and everything was just fine!

The rest of the day ran smoothly and Stacey made it back on time, zipper changed, for the ceremony. The reception that followed was one of the most beautiful we’ve ever photographed. Bice, the restaurant where everything was held, was just stunning.