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20 Jul, 2010

Simple Yet Elegant Wedding Cakes

Posted by: Denise In: Cakes and Catering

Not every bride wants a super detailed or fancy wedding cake. If you’d like to keep it simple yet still have an elegant looking cake, take a look at the following confections to gain inspiration for your own wedding cake!

This cake proves that simple doesn’t have to be boring… in fact, it can be absolutely gorgeous! A three tier fondant cake is accented with black grosgrain ribbon, and a smattering of small flowers brings a light  pop of color to the confection.

A small three tier white cake takes inspiration from fabric textures with it’s unfussy quilted design on the top and bottom layer. Pink and white flowers are then used for the cake topper and on the middle tier for a pretty and simple finishing touch.

Sometimes, all you need is a unique cake topper to transform a boring wedding cake into a true work of art, without any complications. This simple fondant cake is accented with piping to help break up the tiers, but the true piece de resistance is the quirky cake topper that brings life to a simple confection.

When people think of elegant wedding cakes, they often conjure images of elaborate 4 tier confections with tons of hand crafted details and decorative accents. As these simple cakes here prove, though, you don’t have to go to such lengths for an elegant cake of your own. In some cases, less really IS more!

If you’re dreaming of a butterfly theme wedding, consider these pretty invitation ideas, reception and ceremony decor, and other tips to make your theme wedding an absolute hit!

These gorgeous invitations are simple yet elegant with a row of butterflies and scrolling leaves at the top. You can customize these invites with your choice of several vibrant colors, making these a lovely choice for a butterfly wedding.

(Butterfly Love Wedding Invites, Price Varies, weddingpaperdivas.com)

These adorable butterfly cake toppers are just the right size for decorating cupcakes, but you can use them for an actual wedding cake too. Simply buy several of these pretty cake toppers and arrange them to your hearts content! It’s a fun way to add personality to your wedding cake, and fits beautifully with a butterfly theme.

(Butterfly Cupcake Picks, $1.19/2, shopbakersnook.com)

Decorate an outdoor reception area with multiple strings of these gorgeous butterfly lights. You’ll add ambiance to your celebration as well as a touch of whimsy with these multicolored lights. Each set comes with 10 mini bulbs and can be used indoors or out for a festive touch to your special day.

(Butterfly Lights, $14.59, hardwareandtools.com)

Take your butterfly wedding theme one step further and present each guest with these adorable wedding favors! Each bookmark includes a pretty silver metal butterfly with decorative cutouts and a white tassel for easy finding when you resume reading. The bookmarks are packaged in a clear blue box with a cute “For You” tag, or customize your own tag for a modest fee.

(Silver Butterfly Favor, Prices Vary, MomentsofElegance.com)

There are plenty of butterfly wedding theme ideas you can use to create your own special day, but these are just a few ideas to help get you started and inspire you to come up with your own theme ideas. What ideas do you have for a butterfly wedding?

15 Jul, 2010

A Refreshing Favor for Your Beach Wedding

Posted by: Denise In: Favors

If you’re having a beach wedding, this Island Coconut Tea Tin wedding favor will delight your guests! Beautifully presented in an attractive tin, this naturally flavored coconut black tea is the perfect token to show guests how much they are appreciated.

Each tin is packed with enough tea for 14-21 cups, and also includes a beautiful stainless steel shell tea infuser that will be used over and over again.

Give guests a favor to remember with this yummy coconut tea!

Priced at $10.50/each, available at MomentsofElegance.com

13 Jul, 2010

Is Your Friend Jealous Of Your Engagement?

Posted by: Denise In: Engagement

You’re undoubtedly ecstatic about your upcoming nuptials, and it’s normal to want to share that happiness with others – especially the people closest to you. What happens if a friend seems less than excited for you, though? Or even worse… jealous?

Here are a few tips to help defuse the situation before it gets completely out of hand.

1. Acknowledge the Jealousy…

Are you confused as to whether your friend is truly jealous of your engagement, or just having a bad day? If you feel guilty talking about wedding plans; your friend acts rude or dismissive when you bring it up, or she just doesn’t seem interested, trust your instincts – there’s definitely some jealousy happening!

2. …But Don’t Overdo Wedding Talk!

Even if you don’t think you’re talking about your wedding 24/7, you could be so caught up in pre-wedding bliss that you don’t realize how much you’re actually discussing it! Your friend should be supportive and encouraging, but you need to be careful that you aren’t overdoing it, especially if you sense a lot of jealousy.

3. Confrontation

If a jealous friend makes a nasty remark about your upcoming wedding, don’t start a fight by focusing on what they said. Instead, make the conversation about how you feel by the remark. For example, don’t say “I can’t believe you said that!” Instead, say something like “I feel very hurt by that remark; can you please explain it?” If you make the conversation about your feelings instead of accusing them of bad behavior, your jealous friend is more likely to open up about what’s really bothering them without things turning into a complete argument.

4. Praise Them

Jealousy is often the result of someone wanting or needing a little attention themselves, so don’t be afraid to stroke your friend’s ego! Remind them of how amazing they are and how important their friendship is to you. Compliments and reassurances can go a long way in defusing jealousy, and make your friend realize that her relationship with you is still just as important as your relationship with your intended spouse.

5. Let Them Vent

If all else fails and you still sense a lot of jealousy, allow your friend to vent about their feelings. By acknowledging the uncomfortable situation in a calm and supportive manner, your friend will be able to share her feelings with you and hopefully get things out in the open in order to move on.

It’s normal to want to talk about wedding plans, especially with close friends, but it can be incredibly frustrating when a friend just doesn’t seem interested or acts super jealous. These tips can help you and your friend overcome your issues, save the friendship, and ensure your big day won’t be ruined by the loss of a close friend!

If you need a little inspiration to find your own dream wedding dress, check out these gorgeous picks!

If a relaxing seaside ceremony is your idea of bliss, this simple wedding gown will be perfect for you! This A-line halter gown features a banded waist; twist back detail and a deep v-neckline that flatters nearly any woman.

(Dress: Nicole Miller, nicolemiller.com)

I can’t think of a better dress for a summer wedding than this beautiful knee length number! A flattering strapless neckline, baby doll silhouette and empire waist ensures you’ll feel comfortable and look great for your special day. A pretty bow detail at the bodice is finished off with a crystal brooch to add a bit of sparkle to your look.

(Dress: Pure by Justin Alexander, justinalexanderbridal.com)

You’ll feel as pretty as a princess in this beautiful ball gown wedding dress! This gown offers plenty of fun details, such as plenty of ruffled tiers on the flowing skirt; a flattering sweetheart neckline and a detachable train. What’s more, you can remove the skirt entirely and be left with a short mini-dress to dance the night away in comfortably at the reception!

(Dress: 315 by Martina Liana, martinaliana.com)

If you haven’t decided on your perfect dress or just need a little inspiration for the big day, these gowns should help you find the dress that’s right for you… or at the very least, give you something to drool about!

07 Jul, 2010

Gift Ideas for the Groomsmen

Posted by: Denise In: Gifts and Registries

Most brides bestow a nice trinket upon the members of their bridal party to let them know how much they are appreciated, but groomsmen deserve a little love too! Consider one of these great groomsmen gifts to show how much you care.

For the kid at heart, this silver plated yo-yo offers the perfect way to have a bit of light hearted fun. Each yo-yo can also be personalized with the name of your recipient and anything else you’d like to add for a gift that’s truly unique!

($24.99)

A stylish rosewood pen with matching case is a practical, unique gift that any groomsman can appreciate. He’ll write everything with style once you present him with this beautiful pen set! The case can also be personalized to your liking, making it a gift that truly comes from the heart.

($24.99)

A personalized sports mug (customizable with up to two lines of text, 15 characters each) is a great gift that your groomsmen will undoubtedly use time and again. Each mug hold 25 oz of their favorite beverage, so when they’re watching the game or having a backyard BBQ they’ll never run out!

($17.99)

All groomsmen gifts are available at MomentsofElegance.com. What types of gifts do you think are good for the groomsmen?

07 Jul, 2010

Which Neckline Should You Choose?

Posted by: Denise In: Bridal Gowns & Fashion

Different necklines work well for different body types, or when you want to accentuate a certain body part you love. If you’re unsure which neckline to choose for your wedding gown, read on for a list of tips and tricks to help you find the perfect one for you!

Sweetheart

The classic sweetheart neckline gets it name from the fact that it’s actually shaped to look like the top half of a heart. Women with a full bust look great in sweetheart necklines, but smaller busted women may not want this type of neckline.

Halter

A halter neckline looks fantastic on tall women, or women who have significantly broad shoulders; this type of neckline enables them to show off their best assets! If you have narrow shoulders, wearing a halter-style wedding gown isn’t for you.

V-Neck

A v-neck accentuates the bust and allows you to tastefully show off your decolletage, but this type of neckline is best for women with a medium sized bust. Exceptionally small or large busted women should steer clear!

Off the Shoulder

An off the shoulder neckline flatters nearly all women, but if you’re uncomfortable with your arms or shoulders, this type of neckline may be too much for you.

Strapless

You’ll be baring it all in a strapless neckline (all of your shoulders and collarbone, that is!) Fuller chested women look amazing in strapless wedding gowns, but if you’re small in the bust, you may want to look for a different style.

Portrait

A portrait neckline is very similar to an off the shoulder style, and works well for women who want to show off a prominent collarbone. This type of neckline also works well for women with fuller arms; it minimizes their appearance without drawing attention to problem areas.

Bateau

Small busted women rejoice; the bateau neckline is perfect for you! The neck is cut straight across, so less cleavage shows than with other types of necklines. Busty women should definitely forgo this type of neckline, though!

Scoop

A scoop neckline is the perfect choice for any woman, regardless of body type. It’s a flattering cut for any woman, and should be your first choice if you aren’t comfortable with anything else!

(Photo Credit)


Even your hair will sparkle and shine with these fabulous hair pins to adorn your ‘do on the big day!

Whether you love gold or silver, this beautiful comb comes in both so you can pick your favorite metal! The comb is also accented with a smattering of sparkly Swarovski crystals and gold or cream colored pearls for a touch of classic elegance.

(Gold/Silver Hair Comb, naugi.com)

I love the starburst pattern of these bejeweled hair pins; they will add a touch of romance to your updo on the big day, and catch the light all night long! Festooned with sparkling crystals, white pearls and shiny rhinestones, these gorgeous hair pins are the perfect accessory to complement your glowing complexion.

(Silver Rhinestone Hair Pins, $24/set, annabellagio.com)

Whether you don a fanciful updo or a gently flowing locks, this dazzling headband will offer a sparkly, elegant touch to your look without overpowering anything else. Adorned with cubic zirconia and shimmering crystals, you can’t help but feel like a princess with this hairpiece!

(Cubic Zirconia Headband, $125, annabellagio.com)

These hair accessories are sure to add a touch of sparkle and fun to your wedding day hairstyle, and will give you just the touch of glamour you need to shine on your big day!

02 Jul, 2010

Wedding Music for Cheap

Posted by: Denise In: Music and Entertainment

If you’re worried about your budget for wedding music, and simply can’t afford a DJ or live band, there is another alternative to consider to make sure you and your guests have a fantastic time at the reception!

Do you or your partner own a portable stereo system? If not, ask around; a friend of family member is bound to have what you need. Ideally, you’ll want a few large portable speakers to bring along as well, so the music is loud enough for guests to hear and encourage dancing.

With many stereos, you can hook up an iPod or other MP3 player, which would make compiling your wedding playlist very simple; just push a button and go! If you do not have that capability, however, pick out a few CD’s prior to your wedding and enlist the help of a friend or two to monitor the music and seamlessly switch between CD’s when one is about to finish.

All you need is a little creativity (and a portable stereo system!) to create an affordable way to entertain you and your guests at the reception. What other methods can you think of to acquire wedding music for cheap?

02 Jul, 2010

Beauty Basics to Pack for your Honeymoon

Posted by: Denise In: Honeymoons

You wouldn’t want to leave home without these essential beauty products to make sure you’re as gorgeous as possible on your honeymoon!

Sun Care

Whether you’re heading to warm weather destination or a snowy mountain ski resort, don’t leave home without packing some heavy duty SPF! Sunscreens, after sun lotion, moisturizers and lip balm (all containing SPF) are essential to make sure you aren’t nursing a wicked burn when you should be enjoying your new lives together!

Skin Care

For warm weather climes, bring what you normally use to take care of your skin. If you’re heading to a colder spot, an intensive moisturizing cream and body lotion can help combat extremely dry, chapped or windburned skin. A heavy duty lip cream can also prevent chapped lips from ruining your romantic rendezvous!

Hair Care

You’ll want to pamper yourself during your honeymoon, so bring along a hydrating deep conditioner for your hair to help combat any damage from the pool, the ocean or the sun! A clarifying shampoo/conditioner duo can also help combat damage before it happens, and you’ll love the way your locks look and feel.

Makeup

Forget your usual foundation if you’re flying off to an exotic tropical locale; your usual face makeup will probably feel too heavy. Instead, switch to a tinted moisturizer or a mineral foundation, which will help even out your complexion without making you feel too weighed down. The rest of your makeup should be kept to a minimum; blush, lipgloss, and mascara are really all you need.

If you want to feel more glamorous for nights on the town, feel free to pack your smokey eyeshadows and black liner, as well!

What beauty basics do you think you couldn’t live without on your honeymoon?

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  • Bobbi Perry: Love the Message in a Bottle Seating Cards...so cute!
  • fatty: yoo hoo
  • dublin: great idea, a nice twist on a classic idea. love it!

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Your guide for weddings with a pinch of sugar and a whole lotta spice! ....because there's a Bridezilla in all of us ;)

Best Bridezilla Stories

One of my cousins got married last year and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. About 2 weeks before the wedding the bride calls me up to ask me if I would mind not wearing my engagement ring at her wedding since it would distract people from looking at her ring, and she really didn’t want anyone in the bridal party sporting jewelry bigger than hers. Can anyone beat that bridezilla request?? — Alexis