As a result, more partners in love have decided to flex their creative muscles and maintain a balanced bank account. You can indeed  have a totally wonderful wedding day without going heavily into debt, if you take a closer look at the elements you can use to create that million dollar event sparkle.

Luxury Weddings Touches

Many times it’s not what you do, but how you do it that makes the difference between a rave review and raised eyebrows.  One of the best ways to keep your wedding expenses under control is to focus your guest list on the most important people to you and your partner. Then choose a venue which can accommodate a few more than the total number.

To choose your theme, start with your expectations; the more fantasies you try to fulfill,  the more time and money you will need. Try this litmus test. Ask yourself: what is it that would break your heart not to have or do on your wedding day? Once you discover this, you have the essence of your wedding theme.

From this point you begin working on the details and you will be surprised how many you will discover. Using your imagination and creativity, everything from the decorations to the wedding favors can be created with the focus on your theme. Plus you will save time and money simply because many of these items are not wedding business commercialized.

By expanding the scope of the wedding theme, you give your wedding guests a rewarding experience reveling in the understood keynote of the day. Translate “Love and Romance” into a feast for the senses with fabrics like lace and velvet, candles and potpourri, romantic art prints, simple but delicious food and beautiful music.

While you and your partner could spend hours searching and a small fortune on your wedding attire, you both can save substantially by hiring a seamstress/tailor to help you create your dream wardrobe for your special day.  Start by considering your physique, choose the basic style that is most flattering for you and then work with the seamstress or tailor to create the layers and details you want.

The feeling of creating something is hard to describe but this along with the money you saved lends a definite glow of confidence that is perfect look for the day you marry the person you love. As you walk down the aisle to give and receive that precious wedding ring, you both can relax and enjoy this long awaited moment.

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This causes many couples to wonder what to do  and of course, how much it will cost. There are many sources of information about how to create them and what you need to make them authentic, but  the real challenge is to choose a theme that’s best suited to you and your partner’s personality.

Western Style Weddings

Wedding themes can be based on any concept from color coordinates to the Wild, Wild West. However if both people are not comfortable with the theme it will be impossible to truly enjoy the activities that par for the course.  For most couples,  the song: “I Only Have Eyes for You” says it all; the traditional wedding activities and the mad dash from the reception to their honeymoon is the best theme they could have.

But if you want something different, for example if you have wondered what weddings were like in the past,  recreating a specific period in time as the theme of the day you exchange wedding rings  would be ideal.

Use your imagination to create a wonderful event that will linger in the minds of your wedding guests. Sourcing the items you need to recreate the look and feel of another point in history is much easier than you might think; there are many posters, object d’arte and textiles in vintage markets.

However, more than anything else your personalities will define your wedding day; focus your attention on what will bring the joy and excitement to all of the wedding activities to make it memorable for every one.

Whether you subscribe to the philosophy of “bigger is better” or “less is more” you still need to use finesse when it comes to this very special event. Taking your guest list under review is another important consideration, particularly if you want them to participate in the activities. Because of different ages and sensitivities your families and friends may not be excited about having the bronco ride at your Western style wedding reception.

Keep in mind that it may be your wedding day, but you are the host and your guest’s comfort is most important.  True love and romance lead the way to marriage, but the theme that dominates your wedding leads your friends and family to a  greater understanding of who you and your partner are. Let your personalities shine through whatever theme you choose in a way that best reflects who you are.

Weddings at Home-Focused on Family

Of course, the first thing you think of for this type of wedding is the house where the ceremony will take place. Most commonly, the home of the bride’s parents is selected, but that doesn’t have to be the case, it can just as easily be held in the home of the groom’s parents or another relative. In addition, if neither of these is an option, there are homes that can be rented for wedding ceremonies.

Choosing a homestyle wedding can be organized most easily if you begin with your guest list. Naturally it will be smaller unless the home is large enough to accommodate many guests. However, one of the nice things about choosing this style of wedding is that it makes you focus on the people who are the most important to you and your partner, the people you absolutely would love to attend and witness you exchange marriage vows and wedding rings.

This theme is endearing to most people because it immediately brings family and comfort to mind. Familiar surroundings make it easier for the bride and groom to keep wedding jitters at bay and enjoy the excitement of the occasion. Guests will also feel more comfortable in this setting and the families of both the bride and groom can relish the moment of beaming pride as their children step into a mature level of life.

The decorations and menu for the wedding luncheon or dinner can be as simple or elaborate as you choose, with a profusion of flowers, candles and delicious homestyle food. Hiring live musicians such as a pianist for the wedding entertainment can provide the opportunity for singing and dancing to nostalgic tunes.

When all is said and done, choosing to have your wedding at home is one of the best ways to unite two families together and create lasting memories of the day the famiy tree was extended in a new direction.

Starting with the color scheme of the wedding can help narrow down the choices from the hundreds of blooms available; select one which men favor and one that women fancy.

Express Love and Unity through Your Wedding Flowers

With these two flowers as the central focal point, adding accents such as fern or baby’s breath can easily produce designs that will please everyone. The idea here is to choose two complementary flowers to create the boutonnieres, corsages, garlands and bouquets for each of the participants in your wedding that will reflect unity.

Begin by selecting the flower arrangements for the mothers of the bride and groom, don’t assume anything; be sure to ask them if they want the corsage made for their wrist or their attire.

In addition, many brides honor the mothers with a presentation of a “keepsake” bouquet after the exchange of wedding rings and vows. These miniature replicas of the bridal bouquet are carefully tucked on either side and held in place by a second ribbon.

Likewise, the boutonnieres of the fathers of the bride and groom should reflect the distinction of their station, for instance using a gold or silver ribbon instead of the color used for the groomsmen flowers.

When your wedding party includes little people; a flower girl and a ring bearer, nothing is more charming than a tiny flower bud hair garland for her and boutonniere for him.

For the maid/matron of honor and the bridesmaids as well as the groomsmen and the best man, the tradition of making all of their flower arrangements identical is fading fast. More often today you will see the same flower in different hues as the center flower of each bouquet with the groomsman’s boutonniere matching the bouquet of the woman he escorts. To show their place of honor, the flowers for the best man and maid/matron of honor tend to be just a tad more distinct in size.

When you have made your selections with your florist, the impact of the floral presentation together with the groom’s boutonniere and the bride’s bouquet, will be evident when viewed as a group. This color coordinated array of blooms in various hues and sizes will produce a lovely scene for the traditional family portrait as well as create a unifying thread throughout each of the individual photographs.

Simplicity

After a whirlwind romance with elaborate flower arrangements in 2010, the major trend in 2011 weddings is the return to elegant simplicity where less is definitely more. For example, a single red rose set in an arrangement of baby breath and fern in a magnificent vase centerpiece or an orange blossom tied with silk ribbon on the napkin at the place setting.

Inclusion

Couples are returning to the idea of wedding feasts being a family celebration. Along with pared down floral arrangements, instead of clustering guests at individual round tables, now long, elegant tables are being used to encourange conversation and enjoyment.

Nature

Celebrating your love in the great outdoors is not only different, but these celebrations are perfect for ensuring a relaxing ambience that encourages your guests to have fun. Although the weather is a big factor, having a “Plan B” in place will prevent rain from dampening the party mood.

Traditions

The people and places that shape the past is back in focus along with all vintage ideas that reflect you and your partner’s history. The period of time when you and your partner grew up provides a wealth of items that you can incorporate in your wedding that will be appreciated by everyone. For example, wedding pictures of your parents or grandparents creates a nostalgic atmosphere or wearing an heirloom wedding dress or tuxedo.

Details

The delight of weddings is in the details and it’s those tiny details at marriage celebrations that are noticed the most. From the marriage ceremony and exchange of wedding rings, to your reception arrival and departure, every minute of your event should be explored for the details that can be fine-tuned. For example, the wedding color theme should be carried through to all aspects of the ceremony and reception. Special emphasis should be given to the wedding cake table, favor table and place cards to create a feeling of continuity.

Be sure to check out the remaining four wedding trends for 2011 in Part 2 of this article.

Simplify Your Wedding Photo Credit: Giacanali

1. Miniature candles made from beeswax have been used as reception table decorations as well as hung from trees for outdoor weddings. But combining them with flowers can be a challenge because of the heat generated from the candle. To overcome this obstacle, “flameless” candles are being used as a way to create centerpieces with fresh-cut flowers.
2. Petite votive holders with long-burning candles arranged as a centerpiece display can be a striking way to illuminate your wedding reception. In this case using a garland of flowers and leaves entwined with the stand makes for a breathtaking focal point for your guests.
3. Some couples are using individual votive candles on a stand surrounded by miniature silk flowers as the holder for the guest place card. While others use tapers inside of hurricane glasses and surround the base of the glasses with a wreath of flowers.
4. While a cluster of votives in the center of the table is charming, you can create an elegant rainbow effect by using different colors of frosted votive candle holders in a circle on a small round table or if you are using a long, rectangular table, arrange a center row on the table with votives pressed tightly together.

Beautify Your Wedding with Gorgeous Flowers

Consider the shape of the flowers you want to use in your centerpiece arrangements. Today the trend is to have a fresh-cut, unstructured look instead of a tightly organized shape. Always look to the season for your first cue to choosing the right flowers that have generous blooms like amaranthus, orchids and roses that can be arranged loosely and look fabulous because of their sleek shape. Offset the color with delicate green sprays of airy fern to add to the ambience of your wedding celebration. In addition to greenery, you can also use feathers or crystals to add sparkle and flair.

The color of your flowers is just as important as the shape of the bloom and here the season in which your wedding will be held is the key to choosing the right flowers. One color that is making a comeback in the wedding floral revue is the pretty pink tones which are replacing the 2010 favorite of chocolate rose. Pantone^® has chosen “Honeysuckle” as the 2011 color of the year, but this beautiful color is being used in more than just the pastel shades. This year fashionable weddings will be wearing everything from gorgeous vibrant coral shades to the bright honeysuckle as well as the cosmopolitan blush tones of rose.  Accent these colors with warm grays, antique gold and sun kissed yellows and your floral arrangements will positively glow with romance.

Today the commercial aspect of organizing a wedding is the one most often discussed and brought into focus. However in the past it was the underlying purpose of the marriage which was the central theme: the union of two hearts that become links in the circle of life moving forward. It is from this perspective that wedding rings were crafted as works of art, carrying jewels and designs that bore special significance to the wearers.

History is replete with examples of the symbolism of the ring and its power to unite two people and in turn two families or even two countries. Part of this power comes from the fact that wedding rings echo the shape of eternal aspects within our existence using metals that correspond to the moon (silver) and the sun (gold).

Wedding Ring Presentation

During a formal marriage ceremony all of these factors were supported in the presentation of the wedding rings; enthroned in jeweled boxes or resting on magnificently decorated pillows. Sometimes wedding rings were even borne aloft on the shoulders of several bearers within a crystal display as the “crown” of the hand.

Choosing an elaborate way to present your wedding rings and giving them their own special moment underscores their significance and allows your wedding guests to view them before they are placed on your hand. They can be appreciated as the works of art that they are and this adds to the special emotions associated with the gift of love.

Giving special attention to creating different stages of your marriage ceremony as dramatic moments that precede the exchange of rings can heighten the wedding excitement. Here in this moment you and your partner will participate in a life changing event in the presence of family and friends. The presentation of the rings in this manner allows you and your partner a moment to prepare for reciting your vows and the kiss that seals your bond as husband and wife. Designing the wedding ring presentation of your marriage ceremony is a wonderful way to allow everyone to savor the moment when your union was created.

Certain designer names are highly prized when it comes to selecting an engagement or wedding band. From the huge number of wedding website advertisements from leading designers,  one of the most important trends today is the use of modern, industrial metals.

Spartan-Titanium-9mm-Wedding-Band

Since titanium was introduced to the jewelry industry more than a decade ago, there have been remarkable developments in the technology used in the crafting of fine jewelry designs. The craftsmen who began creating wedding bands from the traditional metals of platinum, gold and silver, are now using these metals to accent their designs in tungsten carbide, stainless steel and titanium.

The use of precious and semi-precious stones in men’s jewelry has a long history; however stones were very rarely seen in the styles of the 20th century wedding bands for men.  The leader in the new wave of wedding bands set with stones is not just white diamonds, but black diamonds which have become the elegant new way to dress up a man’s wedding band.

For men who prefer the unique accent of jewelry with a more subtle enhancements there are several different textures as well as inlays of different materials to choose from. Textures add visual interest and a tactile experience; men’s wedding bands crafted with wood grain and leather or cable inlays are also extremely popular in 2010.

Men are selecting custom designs in titanium,  tungsten carbide and cobalt alloys are competing toe-to-toe with designs made from gold, platinum or silver. Each one of these modern metals has its own unique character and choosing the one that is best suited to your needs and lifestyle will ensure that you have a lifetime of enjoyment from your wedding ring. Creating your own wedding band design ensures you that it is one of a kind: as unique as your personality.

Purchasing your wedding band from a reputable jeweler is especially important when choosing industrial metals such as tungsten carbide, titanium, stainless steel and cobalt. The strength of these metals makes them extremely well suited for rigorous activity, but the way these metals are prepared for jewelry purposes involves combining alloys to make the metal pliable.  Be sure to discuss the composition of the ring with your jewelry; the metals should be hypo-allergenic to avoid any problems.

If you are new to wearing rings, ask your jewelry about the “comfort fit” design which are internally round and curved at the edges to make them easier to put on and take off.  From your attire to your jewelry, being comfortable on your wedding day is one the trend that will never go out of style.

Marry with a Unique Style in an Enchanted Winter Wedding

For most people, the beauty of falling snow is awe-inspiring, just like the emotion of love.  Love is magical, romantic and exciting; the very essence of a fairy tale wedding filled with dramatic capes, horse drawn carriages and glittering diamonds.  With all of these elements combined, the result is an elated feeling as guests toast your marriage at a royal style wedding feast.

But enjoyment of  the cool embrace of winter can also be the icy diamonds and Hollywood glamor theme for Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Here the bride in shimmering silver or white silk gown and luscious faux fur, while the groom wears the ultra-polished look of high top and tails at a candlelight wedding ceremony. This theme can be the epitome of chic and a lovely way to show off the luster of your new wedding rings.  Invite your guests to a black tie winter wedding “ball” and make your marriage celebration “the” event of the holiday season.

On the other hand, some couples may prefer to take the whimsical approach to the season by using a more lighthearted theme that incorporates winter sport activities such as skiing or snowboarding. A marriage ceremony at a mountain top ski chalet in front of a cozy fireplace followed by a wonderful array of delicious food to warm the soul is an ideal way to enjoy a more down to earth winter wedding theme.

There are several practical reasons to have a winter wedding; you can save a tremendous amount of money, venues are usually more accessible and your family and friends may have more time available in their schedule.

As this is a major holiday period,  it’s important to plan carefully if you want your winter wedding to be well-attended. Before you set your date and location, discuss your idea with your family and closest friends to see which period of time during the season will work best for them.

Celebrate Your Harvest of Love with an Autumn Wedding

A few of the locations that represent this theme especially well include a vineyard, a country inn, an orchard or a rustic farmhouse. Whether you decide to have your wedding indoors or outdoors, you can use the elements of the season to bring warmth to your ceremony and reception.

You can use the colors of autumn in numerous ways; a gold velvet pillow adds a regal touch to the ring bearer’s duty of presenting your wedding rings, autumn flowers such as Amaranthus, Baby’s Breath, Delphinium, Camellia or Allium can provide a lovely carpet to the altar, and delightful wedding bouquets can be made from wild flowers, dried herbs, berries and fall leaves.

During this time of year, Mother Nature supplies you with a beautiful tapestry that creates a lovely photography background. These breathtaking hues are the perfect compliment to your wedding attire and accessories.

Autumn provides an earthy theme for your decorations with tones of gold, maroon, emerald and purple.  You can make elegant table centerpieces using pumpkins, berries and leaves with accents of gold and the iridescent colors of the season.  Cinnamon scented, apple-shaped candles or hallowed pumpkins carved with wedding symbols with vanilla-scented, gold candles inside, can provide a charming effect that underscores autumn’s glow.

Your  wedding reception menu can be a fabulous assortment of delectable foods available at this time of year. These  heartwarming meals  feature rich and creamy flavorful soups with main entrees such as Cornish hen, quail, venison or pheasant.

Vegetarians will be in culinary paradise with the hearty assortment of wonderful choices of  soufflés, casseroles and roasted vegetable delights.

Hearty breads made with pumpkin, zucchini, carrot or apple along with platters of fruits and  cheese,  topped off with warm apple cider or mulled wine will complete an autumn wedding feast that your guests will always remember.

Thank your guests for attending  with special wedding favors that could include small jars of homemade jam or jelly, caramel apple kits or seed packets wrapped up in autumn colors with a personal message from you.