http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/how-smart-brides-shop-for-wedding-favors.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/how-smart-brides-shop-for-wedding-favors.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
So how does a smart bride shop for wedding favors? There are a few simple steps you'll want to keep in mind before you browse. For one thing, what is your budget? If you're having 100 guests and have a budget of $200 for wedding favors then remember that you can't really spend two dollars per favors as you'll need to figure in tax, shipping, and any other accessories for your favors such as wrapping paper or ribbon for each one. A $200 budget for 100 guests means about $1.50 per favor. When purchasing anything for your wedding you always want to leave yourself a little "wriggle room."

Taking your time to browse is also a good idea when shopping for wedding favors. Remember that there are endless options for you; don't just pick up the first nice candle or coffee packet you see. Give it some thought - what would really express something about you and your fiancée, your hobbies and interests, and your wedding overall? You don't want to make your wedding favors too personal as they should be something your guests will appreciate, but you can balance these two if you think about it. For example, if the two of you love to travel and are real "city" people, a small paperweight in the shape of the Eiffel Tower may be appreciated and can be very affordable. Most major museums have little key chains and other tokens that could work well as wedding favors so if you have a favorite museum you both love, go online and see what they may offer.

Or suppose you and your fiancée are very romantic; candle wedding favors are always a romantic choice and just about everyone can use a nice candle for their home or apartment. If you appreciate greenery and gardening, a small potted flowering plant can cost around one dollar and can be appreciate by just about anyone for their home or office. By giving some thought to your own personality and that of your fiancée, you can make a good choice by way of wedding favors that really express those personalities.

And when you're shopping for wedding favors, don't rule out something unique and original, and something you find at any retail store. If a beautiful set of note cards catch your eye, who says they can't work as wedding favors? You can even mix and match designs if they coordinate - different flowers, different autumn designs, and so on.

Make sure your wedding favors work well with your reception's theme and feel as well. If you're having a very elegant and traditional wedding you might want to steer clear of the fun little trinkets. If you're having a beach wedding then an autumn-themed favor might not make sense. Remember that many choices for wedding favors are available in a wide variety of options - candles in what look like little sand pails are great for beach weddings, picture frames that are wood rather than silver work better for an autumn wedding, and so on.

By giving some thought and making sure that you set aside some time to really shop and browse, you'll be sure to choose the right wedding favors for you, the way any smart bride would!



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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/tips-for-choosing-the-right-fall-wedding-favors.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/tips-for-choosing-the-right-fall-wedding-favors.html Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600 fall wedding favors for her reception?

Planning an outdoor wedding during the fall may mean having an indoor option just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse, and of course some guests may not enjoy being outside in the chilly weather regardless. If you have relatives that need to travel, you may need to make some arrangements for them to come in after the kids get out of school and for them to go back right after your ceremony. And when it comes to fall wedding favors, you have some options if you're willing to do a bit of comparison shopping.

Of course, there are many favors you can choose that are not necessarily fall related, if they fit your personality and style. But it may be nice to add a few touches to really make them fit into your autumn wedding. For example, small picture frames make great fall wedding favors if you opt for wood rather than silver. Magnets are also nice, especially if they're in the shape of leaves. And remember that whatever you choose, autumn colors are going to fit well. If you opt for candles, get them in warm browns and rusty reds. Some brides give away small tote bags, and if they're in these shades they too can make lovely fall wedding favors. When you choose any of these items, make sure you dress them up by wrapping them in some lovely paper, and again, choose the colors of autumn by selecting earth tones for the paper and the ribbon - shiny bronze rather than silver.

Another great option for fall wedding favors is personalized candy bar wrappers. If you choose the right company, you can find designs that are perfect for autumn, whether they're piles of leaves or fall sunsets or other landscape designs. These also make great choices because they can be personalized with your name and date as well.

You can of course make your own fall wedding favors by choosing items you can assemble yourself; for instance, many brides use Hershey's Kisses that they put into tulle or foil bags. You may opt instead for Hershey's Kisses with Caramel, as the wrappers are a gold color, which fits into a fall-themed wedding. Find bags that are also bronze or that warm russet color that matches both the favors and your wedding's theme.

Having your wedding in autumn can bring about some particular challenges, but the beauty of the season can make it all worthwhile.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/5-simple-steps-to-making-your-own-cheap-wedding-favors.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/5-simple-steps-to-making-your-own-cheap-wedding-favors.html Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Step #1 - Decide your wedding favors budget.

Even when planning on assembling or making your own cheap wedding favors, you still need an idea of how much money you can spend. Let's say that you have 200 guests and you want to spend less than $1 for each, so you have a budget of $200. That's not a bad amount to spend on cheap wedding favors, and should be enough to let you make some very beautiful items.

Step #2 - Start early!

Making your own cheap wedding favors is going to involve a bit more planning, shopping, and work than if you simply picked out favors from a company online. Don't wait until the week before your wedding to make plans or to start shopping. As a matter of fact, you should probably start today, no matter how far off your wedding is! This way you'll be sure to finish and have your favors done in time for your big day, and keep yourself from some undue stress.

Step #3 - Decide what type of favors you want.

For cheap wedding favors, the best ideas usually involve buying something in bulk such as chocolates or Jordan almonds, and then assembling them into take-home packets of some sort. It might also mean purchasing less expensive items and then dressing them up somehow, such as small picture frames or boxes of bonbons that you wrap in silver wrapping.

The decision of which cheap wedding favors you select will be tied in with your budget. If you decide on those small boxes of bonbons, you need to figure the price of the chocolates, the wrapping paper, and anything else you need to put them together. If you want those Jordan almonds in take-home bags, you need to add up the cost of the almonds, the bags, and anything you use to tie the bags with, or personalized labels if you use those. It helps to do some comparison shopping for different ideas you have for cheap wedding favors, and then you can look at the costs for each item and make your decision from there.

Step #4 - Enlist some help.

Your bridesmaids and maid of honor may already be doing a lot of work for you to get ready for the big day, but you probably will need some help when it comes time to actually prepare those cheap wedding favors. It's too easy to assume that you can just zip through an assembly line of chocolate and bags and whatever else, but you'd be surprised how much time these things can take, and how frustrated you get. If your friends are already at their limit with responsibilities, ask your future mother-in-law or future sister-in-law or even the flower girls, if they're old enough. Chances are they would love to pitch in for an evening and see what they can get done.

Step #5 - Make your plan, and stick to it.

Some people are just very hypercritical of their own work, and it's easy to start panicking and assume that your guests will know that these are cheap wedding favors or that you should have opted for something else. But remember, your guests will probably be happy with whatever you choose to give them, and chances are you're just feeling nervous overall. Relax, work through your plan, and reassure yourself that your choice of favors is the right one.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/3-great-options-for-cheap-wedding-favors.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/3-great-options-for-cheap-wedding-favors.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600 cheap wedding favors.

Budgeting for your wedding favors doesn't mean that you need to sacrifice the quality of this gift you're giving back to your guests. There are many options available to you for cheap wedding favors that are neither tacky nor in bad taste. Here are three options for you to consider:

1. Small photo frames.

One of the reasons that small photo frames are a good idea for cheap wedding favors is because just about everyone can use them. They're perfect for fitting on a desk in the office, a bathroom counter, or anyplace else where space is limited. Even the younger guests appreciate them and will use them in their bedroom.

Small photo frames can usually be found at dollar or discount stores, and if you do a bit of shopping, you can usually find ones that are very attractive, whether they're wood, silver, or porcelain. Dress them up by wrapping them in attractive wrapping paper, such as silver or gold. This way, your so-called cheap wedding favors are given a nice festive touch.

2. Candles.

Like photo frames, candles are a great option because just about everyone can use them. Even the men appreciate them in their homes, and women always find a reason to use them. Dressing up candles so that they don't seem like cheap wedding favors is relatively easy - just get some small tulle bags and ribbon, or colored paper bags, either of which are very affordable options. Colored cellophane wrap is also good. Or, try candles of a color that coordinates with your wedding and rather than wrap them up, tie a large ribbon around their center.

3. Chocolates.

Just about everyone loves chocolate, and you really can't go wrong by giving it away. They are often seen as classy and tasteful (no pun intended).

Obviously you could spend thousands of dollars on name-brand candies or items specially made for you, but what are some choices for chocolate as cheap wedding favors? For one thing, cheaper boxes of chocolates are available from virtually any supermarket or warehouse-style grocery store. You can wrap these chocolates in beautiful silver wrapping paper and ribbon.

You can also purchase separate bonbons from a bakery and put them in plain boxes, which you can then either wrap, stamp, or label. Some bonbons are a bit bigger than the typical bite-size option and so make lovely favors.

Another option for chocolate as cheap wedding favors is personalized candy bar wrappers. Whether you buy them with the candy bars and wrapped for you, or you purchase just the wrappers yourself and wrap your own bars, these are usually very affordable options. And they can be a great choice for someone having a difficult time finding cheap wedding favors that match the theme or tone of the wedding, as many companies offer beach scenes, nature scenes, art deco designs, traditional and elegant designs, and many other options. Personalized candy bar wrappers are also a great choice because many guests keep them for scrapbooks, framing, photo albums, and so on.

These three options for cheap wedding favors are popular choices for many modern brides, and with a little bit of comparison shopping, you can find choices that will please your guests without breaking your budget.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/5-common-wedding-favors-to-avoid.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/5-common-wedding-favors-to-avoid.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600 wedding favors!

Obviously there are no right and wrong answers of what one should get as wedding favors, and being able to express your own personality and individual style as a bride is one of the most enjoyable parts of any wedding. However, there are some cautions that a bride might want to consider as to what she should avoid when choosing items for this very expressive part of her special day, and we've compiled a list of five common but cautionary wedding favors that you may want to think twice about before choosing.

1. Bottle Stoppers

Sure, these are great for those who drink wine or soda, but what about everyone else? Chances are that these types of wedding favors are going to sit in a drawer and just be considered junk by most guests.

2. Coasters With Your Picture

Do you have any idea how tacky looking these become, and how quickly? And think about it - do you really want people putting their drinks down on your face? There are so many other choices out there when it comes to wedding favors that there's really no reason to steer clear of this one.

3. Seed Packets

Sure, they're economical, and to some brides concerned about the environment, they can seem like a great statement about conservation, deforestation, and so on. But what will people who live in the city do with these? Or those who really aren't into gardening? Or who get them in winter months when there's no planting?

To many guests, seed packets as wedding favors seem a bit cheap and even downright tacky, and most get thrown away immediately. Unless you live in farm country or know they'll be put to good use, opt for something else.

4. Key Chains

Specialized key chains are actually a very personal item that people don't typically buy, unless they see something that expresses some part of their personality. A person with a tiny Rubik's cube may appreciate puzzles and intellect. Someone with a photo of their child dangling from their keys is close to their family. A memento from a special museum means that the subject is something close to their heart, whether it's art or science or a particular culture. But giving personalized key chains with your picture is a little invasive. Very few people want to see a picture of you and your fiancée as a couple every time they take out their keys. It's a bit like giving out t-shirts with your photo - this is just too much personal advertising for it to really be thought of as nice wedding favors.

5. Anything That Breaks the Budget

Everyone wants every part of their special day to be just perfect, and the absolute best that there is, and this includes wedding favors. But no matter what your taste or preferences, avoid wedding favors that are going to put you over the top when it comes to your wedding budget. Yes, you want to give your guests something tasteful and thoughtful, but there are some beautiful and affordable options that would work just as well as those expensive choices.

Again, these are just general guidelines when it comes to choices for wedding favors, and obviously your opinions may be different about each of these items. But remember that a favor is a gift that you give to your guests as a way of saying thank-you for being a part of your celebration, and you need to keep their tastes and preferences in mind as well. With a little bit of shopping and planning, you're sure to find the right choice of wedding favors that are truly appreciated and cherished.



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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-secret-behind-planning-a-successful-event.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-secret-behind-planning-a-successful-event.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Many people hesitate when considering hiring an event planner because of the cost. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars can be spent to retain this type of “professional” when planning a successful event. Also, how do you know that the event planner is going to do an adequate job, much less make your event one to remember? Is there any way you can do this yourself?

Planning a Successful Event Isn’t Hard!

If you’re hesitant about hiring someone to plan your event for you, but are still wondering how you can do this yourself, don’t worry. There is a secret to planning a successful event that is not only seamless and smooth, but that will be memorable as well.

And that key is organization. Yes, it sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many people never really give much thought to getting themselves organized - and staying organized - when planning their wedding, reception, anniversary party, family reunion, or any other event.

Probably a big part of the problem is that you may be “on top of their game” when you're at work or are running the household, so it’s easy to think that you’ll have a successful event just by keeping notes in your head. This might work for a small party between friends, but is a sure recipe for disaster when it comes to larger events such as weddings, reunions, and so on.

The first step in planning a successful event is to start with some notes. What type of event is it, something fun and informal (such as a family reunion) or more serious and traditional (such as that wedding reception)? How many people do you expect to attend? How much money do you have to spend? What do you need by way of food, beverages, entertainment, decorations, furniture, wedding favors, and so on?

It also helps to write out all the steps you’ll need to cover, for example, you need to arrange:

the venue or location
accommodations and transportation for out of town guests
food and beverages, including plates, utensils, and so on
entertainment, such as a DJ at a wedding reception or games for the family reunion
a photographer

Note anything else that’s involved and continue to add to this list as time goes on and you remember other things that are needed. Keep all your paperwork in one place - agreements and contracts with the caterer, photographer, and so on - and make sure you have your calendar with you at all times in case you need to meet with anyone or return a phone call.

Of course, it’s very important that all your guests at any function have something to remember it by. Polaroids taken during the event can be fun while everyone waits to get the professional photos back. Party favors are also popular regardless of the type of event, and are given away at graduation parties, anniversary parties, and even kid’s parties as well. A popular option that many have chosen is personalized candy bar wrappers. Not only are they fun and affordable, but being able to customize them with your name, date, and other message is a great way to have guests remember your event when adding them to albums or scrapbooks.

With a little organization and a lot of imagination, you too can find that planning a successful event is much easier than you thought!


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/wedding-favors-express-your-true-personality.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/wedding-favors-express-your-true-personality.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Most brides don’t mind choosing all these important details of the wedding and reception because, after all, they’re fun! What could be more enjoyable than picking out that beautiful dress, the wedding favors, and the breathtaking flowers?

But all of these elements of a wedding and reception do more than just set the tone for your ceremony; they really express your true personality as well, and this is probably true for the wedding favors more than anything.

Wedding Favors Say Volumes About You as the Bride

Think about this for just a moment. Your dress is going to be unique to you, that’s true, but chances are it’s probably going to be white and floor-length, as most dresses are. Your flowers will also be very unique, but how many people really take the time to make note of the different flowers – much less do they ever take them home?

Wedding favors are much different. What you choose as a take-home gift for your guests says quite a bit about you as a bride.

For example, if you choose seed packets with a personalized label on the front, you might be someone who loves the outdoors and wants to “go green.” If your wedding favors are made of crystal, then chances are you appreciate traditional gifts. If you choose keychains or small picture frames, you probably have a strong practical side.

Many brides realize this and take quite a bit of time in choosing their wedding favors, wanting to get just the right item to express their personality while still finding something that their guests will love as well.

Wedding Favors Need to Stay on Budget

Of course, budget can always be an issue when choosing wedding favors, and there needs to be a balance between something that expresses your personality and something that you can afford for a hundred or more guests.

One popular option that many brides have chosen in past years is personalized candy bar wrappers. These are a great selection because not only are they typically affordable, but usually one can find just the right design to match the wedding’s theme and the couple’s personality, whether it’s elegant and traditional, a beach wedding, or something fun and whimsical.

Many sites online offer personalized candy bar wrappers, including The Knot and FavorsAndWraps, both of which offer designs customized with flowers, nature scenes, cartoons, art deco designs, backgrounds for the modern bride, and just about everything in between.

Don’t Let Wedding Favor Choices Overwhelm You!

In the end, choosing wedding favors is found to be by most brides not only a fun and enjoyable undertaking, but one where she finds that she truly has room to express her own personality as well and one of the most memorable parts of her wedding planning.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-secret-to-making-your-wedding-memorable.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-secret-to-making-your-wedding-memorable.html Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
What is it about those weddings that are more memorable? How did the bride and groom make their event one that the guests enjoyed, not only while they were in attendance, but months and even years later as they remembered the event? Ever wonder how to make a wedding memorable for a lifetime?

There is a very simple secret to making your wedding – and virtually any other event, for that matter – absolutely unforgettable. It’s not difficult, it has nothing to do with money or your budget, and once you know that secret, you’ll be well on your way to making your own wedding just as memorable.

And that secret is to make things personal. The key to how to make a wedding memorable is to make it absolutely your own. Sure, it’s tempting to want to copy that fabulous reception arrangement you see in a bridal magazine or do what the “experts” tell you should do during the ceremony and reception, but the bottom line is that this is your wedding, it’s your day.

Being inspired by those pictures and by what you’ve seen at other weddings is great, but these should be thought of as merely a stepping stone or jumping off point. You need to tailor that inspiration to make it unique to you.

This may be something as simple as mixing up your flower centerpieces – if you see a photo of roses as a centerpiece and you happen to love roses, try white on one table, red on another, pink on another, and so on. Tie the vases with a piece of fabric that matches your theme or bridesmaid’s dresses. Or, decorate the buffet table with small photos of the two of you from over the years, and loop ribbon around them, in a sort of timeline leading up to your special day. These are simple and affordable but still very unique ways of how to make a wedding memorable.

Making you big day personal can be somewhat difficult when you’re having a very traditional ceremony, as people are afraid to write their own vows or do anything out of the norm. However, you can still accomplish this by just being very dignified about what you’re doing; avoid telling funny stories about your first horrible date or making jokes about how you can’t wait for the wedding night when you’re reciting those vows!

Another secret of how to make a wedding memorable is to personalize your wedding is to give the guests something very special to take home with them. Personalized wedding favors have been a popular choice for many brides because they usually come in a variety of colors and designs, from fun and whimsical to traditional and elegant. Customized candy bar wrappers are a great option, as everyone loves chocolate and you can find designs that match any theme or tone of your wedding.

With just a little bit of thought and personalization, you too can have the secret of how to make a wedding memorable for a lifetime.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-bride-isnt-shy-anymore.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/the-bride-isnt-shy-anymore.html Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600 wedding ideas – including the colors she chose for the bridesmaids' dresses, table linens, and everything else. Pastels were the norm, including soft pinks, pale blues, and mint greens. Everything, especially wedding colors, was subtle and seen as feminine.

Today's modern bride has redefined that word. She is probably someone that has worked, and worked hard. She juggles her own career ambitions while not giving up her desire for a home and family. A blushing bride she is not!

And this is being reflected in her choices for wedding colors, in accessories and other items. Over the past few years, colors have become stronger and deeper. Mint green has been traded for hunter or forest shades. Pale blue has given way to navy or royal. Everything has become bolder, deeper, stronger – just like the bride herself. It's not unusual to see the once taboo wedding colors choice of black or fire engine red to be worked into a wedding décor, and sometimes even those two colors together.

The choices for colors at a wedding are no greater indication of a bride's personality, and this trend of the strong and independent woman isn't going to go away anytime soon, and neither is the choice for stronger and bolder wedding colors.

However, this isn't to say that today's bride is so strong that she's become unapproachable, or that she is choosing strong colors just for the sake of how strong they are. One of the hottest trends in wedding colors today is shades of warm brown and tan. Even for wedding dresses, the bride herself may choose a sash or bow of russet or auburn shades.

The brown family of colors is closely associated with warm, nurturing foods– think of coffee, cocoa, and chocolate. Brown is often seen in nature, another element of nurturing and caring. Even in the application of feng shui, it's encouraged to use shades of brown in rooms where you want to feel relaxed and comforted, such as the living room or bedroom. By selecting wedding colors of these darker shades, the bride may be expressing her nurturing, caring, warm side.

The same could be said of the many shades of green that are fast becoming available. No longer does the bride only have the choice of mint or pale green, but now bridesmaids' dresses and table linens are being offered in stronger shades of celery, jade, and emerald. Hunter and forest greens are also popular, and also may be seen as strong but nurturing. These are two shades also abundantly available in nature, and the term "mother earth" was coined for a reason. When we think of nature or use shades found in nature, these are seen as warm and caring.

Jewel tones of any color are also very popular wedding colors, especially when planning a winter or holiday wedding. When choosing colors that are of a jewel tone, a bride can even mix up the shades for her table linens – emerald green and ruby red for a December wedding, for instance. Adding some sapphire blue and shades of gold can break up the colors and still keep the venue looking festive.

Of course, those brides who still prefer the softer wedding colors of the pastel family have a wealth of options for them. Softer colors never go out of style, and are still seen as being romantic and even passionate. Additionally, by choosing softer colors, the bride knows that they will not overwhelm the setting or theme of the wedding. If you have a large number of bridesmaids and a huge banquet hall, choosing colors such as red and black as your accent can be too powerful, and can even cause the bride herself to get lost in the pictures! The larger the venue and number of attendants, the softer the color shades should be. Of course, these wedding colors can be mixed and matched as well. A bride may opt for her attendants to be in soft pink while the maid of honor is in a darker shade of rose red or light purple. If opting for soft wedding colors, you don't want to make the mistake of having your venue or dresses look washed out or faded. A bride needs to make sure that there are some stronger accent colors to tie everything together.

In the end of course wedding colors are going to be a bride's choice and will no doubt reflect not just her personality but the prevailing trend at the time. Whatever her preferences for the wedding colors – shy and sweet pastels, bold and strong reds and blues, nurturing browns and greens – she has a wealth of options available to her today, and no longer needs to be shy about expressing her true personality in her wedding party!



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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/weddings-ideas-to-go-green-and-to-give-back.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/weddings-ideas-to-go-green-and-to-give-back.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Fortunately, not all brides are like this, and not only are they absolutely joyful during "their" day, but some couples even use the occasion of their wedding to express their concern for others, and concern for the environment. Any bride and groom can use their big day as an opportunity to give back to the community and to show respect for the earth, with the right socially conscious wedding ideas. Here are just a few:

Stay simple and as small as possible. More guests mean more transportation, more food, and more energy. Fewer guests mean less waste and less consumption. Keep all your wedding ideas tasteful but modest.

Cut down on the auto emissions by using fewer cars to and from the ceremony. If you must use limos, use just one for the men and one for the women. Better yet, skip the limousines and use compact cars. If you can find a horse-drawn carriage, consider this as an eco-friendly wedding idea, not just a romantic one!

Many brides are setting up websites to share with friends and family all the plans they're making for the wedding and to post photos, the story of how the couple met, and so on. Another eco-friendly wedding idea is to use this website as a means of getting your invitation RSVPs as well, to eliminate both the paper used for the cards and the gasoline used to deliver them.

Use recycled material as much as possible. This means napkins, place cards for the seating chart, matchbook covers, and whatever other paper wedding ideas you have at your reception. You can even shop for invitations that are made from recycled paper as well; many invitation companies offer this option.

Avoid the word "disposable." This only refers to something that's going to be used once and thrown away. For some years, a popular wedding idea has been to leave disposable cameras at each table of the reception hall for guests to take candid shots, but this means several dozen disposable cameras thrown away within a few days. Multiply that by the number of weddings that happen across the U.S. every weekend and you see why the landfills are so … full.

In addition to recycled material, cut down on WHAT you use as well. Have one main menu for each table placed attractively in the middle rather than a separate menu for each guest. This principle can apply for all your wedding ideas that are printed – forego so many of the inserts in your invitations that are unnecessary, such as the blotter sheet, the inner envelope, and so on.

And the decorations are another area where you can be simple to conserve and cut back on energy usage. Everyone wants a breathtaking venue and reception hall and your wedding ideas may be something grand in scale, but consider getting creative with decorations that can be reused. For example, stringing lights around artificial trees can add a beautiful touch to any wedding – both the lights and the trees can be taken home to reuse.

Potted plants are better than cut flowers, balloons, and crepe paper, all of which will just be thrown away. Speak with your florist about what wedding ideas there are for blooming plants that will add just the right color and style for your location; guests can then take the plants home afterward. Use candles for the ceremony and reception as much as possible (being mindful of safety of course). This wedding idea will not only add a romantic feel, it will cut back on energy usage from lights.

Making things simple can also apply to your menu. Many couples forego a full dinner because of budget reasons, but think about how much energy is used to make a multiple-course meal for hundreds. To save some energy, make your reception wedding ideas simple. By having a smaller wedding later in the evening you can offer a simple appetizer and dessert menu, saving not only energy but money as well. Speak to your caterer openly and candidly about what you're looking for.

And be mindful of your wedding ideas when it comes to wedding favors as well. Make sure you're choosing items that will be used and appreciated; many brides have given up the option of bottled water with personalized labels, as some fail to recycle the bottles. Whatever your choice of favors, be sure that it's something that guests will keep and appreciate.

And the most responsible and conscientious thing that couples are doing today with their wedding ideas is making sure that not even the leftover food goes to waste. Before your ceremony, get in touch with a local soup kitchen and arrange to have any leftovers donated, if possible. You can even get your guests involved and ask that they donate to a favorite charity in lieu of gifts to you, or choose gifts that can be given to a local children's hospital, homeless shelter, and so on. These are great socially conscious wedding ideas for the couple that is getting married after having already established a household, meaning that they have little need for the typical blenders, toasters, and so on.

All of these socially conscious wedding ideas are just some ways that brides and grooms can show their concern and respect for the environment and for others. Many are keeping in mind that while it's "their" day, it's "our" planet, and there's no better time to show your appreciation for that than with your own generous and original wedding ideas.


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Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>