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Wedding planning can be a very stressful event. Read this contributed post to learn the 3 signs of a successfully planned wedding.
There Are Clear Signs That A Wedding Has Been A Success
Whether you are planning a wedding on behalf of someone else, or you are doing it for your own big day, you want to be sure that you are doing as well as possible. That much is clear, but what is often less clear is what you actually need to do to make sure that this happens, and that is something that can be surprisingly not as cut and dry as you might want it to be. As it happens, there are a number of signs which show that it is a successful wedding, and it is worth taking a look at some of these to make sure that you are sure that you have done the job right. In this post, we’ll look at just three of the clearest signs that you have done well and that the wedding has been a true success.
The Happy Couple Are - Well, Happy
First of all, the most important indicator which you should be on the lookout for is that the happy couple as actually happy. You can absolutely tell if there's anything wrong or if they don't feel that it has gone as t plan as it could have, and this is not something you want to see when you are in charge of the wedding day itself. If it is your wedding day, you will know from how you feel whether or not you have done well, so that is an easy indicator in itself. But if it’s someone else’ day, you can be sure that you are going to want to pay attention to what they look like, and whether they are happy with what has happened. If they are, you don’t need to worry about the rest.
Everyone Looks Their Best
A huge part of organizing any wedding day is ensuring that everyone looks as good as possible, and that i something that you can also use as an indicator that everything is going well. As long as you are happy with how the bride and groom look in particular you will find that it makes for a much more successful day on the whole, so this is definitely one of the main things to be on the lookout for. You might be glad you went to John Henric for that suit, or wherever you might have gone for the dress, as it is a sure sign that the day itself has gone as well as possible. If everyone looks their best, they are more likely to be truly happy with the day as well.
The People Are Merry
Finally, let’s not forget that a wedding is a party. As such, people should be happy and merry, and if they are not you know that something has gone wrong somewhere. But as long as people are happy enough, and dancing and so on, you know that the day has gone as well as you could hope. This is definitely something to look out for, and if you look around and you don’t see it, perhaps it’s time to get the party started yourself.
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5 tips to help you choose your wedding day colour scheme are explored in this contributed post.
Take Time In Choosing Your Wedding Colour Scheme
Choosing the colour scheme for your wedding day is perhaps one of the most challenging things we can do when it comes to making our wedding the most special day in the world. It is important that you never rush the process of making a wedding colour scheme because it can be a choice which changes the whole tide of the wedding.
What are you favourite colours?
The first thing you will want to think about when choosing a colour scheme for the wedding is what your favourite colours are. Everyone wants to be able to choose their favourite colours for their wedding because it makes the process of choosing things like flowers and table setting much more fun. See what both of your favourite colours are and then you can move onto the next question: so they go well together?
Use current trends
If you really don’t mind that much what colours are used for your wedding and you seen to be having no luck finding the inspiration for it, a good idea would be to look at a guide to wedding trends. Wedding trends change just as fashion changes and they evolve over time to fit with what people want. Take a look at a wedding fair and some wedding trends to see if there is anything which you like the look or sound of.
Think of the seasons
Seasons can play a big part in colour schemes for weddings because certain colours seem to pop up at different times of the year. Depending on the season you are celebrating in, you could expect some of the following colours:
Spring- pastel colours, pink, mint, white
Summer- pastels, bright blue, pink, yellow, green
Autumn- red, orange, yellow, browns and golds
Winter- red, white, blue, silver, green
Have a think about what kind of colours you enjoy and see if you can fit them in with the season you are planning the wedding for.
Pick a theme
When planning a wedding, choosing to have a theme for the affair can make life so much easier when it comes to choosing colours and styles. For example if you were to choose a forest theme for your wedding you would have colours such as green, brown, red, white and orange. Finding the right theme for your wedding needs to be thought out properly because it will set the tone for the whole day.
Use paint samples
When you come to choose your colour schemes for your wedding day you will find that the paint sample papers at the hardware store will become your new best friends. Head over and pick out a few different sheets which you like the look of and spend some time putting them together and having a look at some of the colours you can place together. Think about finding flower arrangements which fit the colours you have chosen to see how well each colour blends with the next for stunning composition. This will make a massive difference and allow you to choose the right colours for the wedding
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A beautiful backyard can be a memorable wedding venue if you plan well. Read these useful tips in this contributed post to make your backyard wedding celebration perfect.
If you’ve seen the cost of hiring a wedding venue, you’ll likely have wondered if it’s possible to save the fee and instead host the wedding party in your own yard. Well, there’s good news: you can! But it’s not as simple as just inviting everyone around. You should treat this as serious as you would a party at another venue, and that means planning just as many - in fact, more - details so that everything’s just right. Below, we take a look at a few useful tips which will make your backyard wedding celebration perfect (and save you a lot of money in the process).
Careful Planning Of Details Will Make Your Backyard Wedding Shine
An Immaculate Yard
If you’re not a keen gardener, then do not host your wedding in your yard. We repeat: do not host your wedding in your yard! If you’re going to invite your friends and family to celebrate your love on your property, then the yard has to be inspiring. Making sure the grass is looking trim and healthy is just a starting point. You’ll also want to have colorful flower displays dotted around. Actually, it might be the case that this decision presents you with the opportunity to completely re-landscape your yard. Take it!
Not The Dining Table and Chairs
You’re saving money on the cost of hiring a venue. Don’t go overboard with the cost-saving measures. This is not a chance to show off your regular dining table, chairs, and cutlery your guests. Instead, work with a table hire company to ensure you’re getting table and chairs that are right for your function. It won’t just look better; it’s also practical. You might have enough tables for everyone, but are they all the same size and the right shape? It’s unlikely. You also want to invest in a fancy cutlery set, too - there’ll also be a great souvenir of your special day.
Trim The Guestlist
Wedding venues are experienced at hosting parties. They can tell you straight away how many people their place can comfortably accommodate. With your yard, you have no idea. You can make a rough estimate of how many people it can fit, but it’s hard to judge how many it can fit COMFORTABLY. You want people to have space to mingle and dance, and this will be difficult if they’re standing shoulder to shoulder with other people. If you think you might go overboard with the invites, do your best to keep the list trim.
Next Door Neighbors
The issue with having the party at your home might have nothing to do with you or your guests: it’ll be your neighbors. If you’re planning to party late into the night, they might not like being kept awake, even if it is at a wedding. As such, it’s imperative that you talk with the people who live around you before you decide to host the wedding on your property. If you have the space, then look at inviting them too. They’re not going to complain about the noise if they’re involved in the party!
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Last minute weddings can work! Here are some great tips in this contributed post to help you perfect your last minute wedding.
Last Minute Weddings Can Reduce Wedding Planning Stress
Image courtesy of Image Studio Photography
Who says you need to have a few months between getting engaged and then getting married? Sure, most people tend to spend a good year or so organizing their special day before they do head to the church, but there is no need to plan so much if you don’t want to. In fact, there are now lots of couples who like the idea of last-minute weddings so that the stress of organizing such a big event isn’t dragged on for too long. Think this sounds like something you’d prefer to do? If so, here are some great tips that can help you perfect your last-minute wedding.
Sort Out The Dress First
One of the first things you need to do is find your wedding dress. Most dress companies will need a couple of weeks at least to make alterations so your choice of dress fits you perfectly on the day. So, it’s a good idea to source a dress before anything else. That way, you know that it will be all ready to go on your wedding day.
Look At A Few Different Wedding Venues
Forget Save The Date Cards
Many people often send out save the date cards at least six months before their big day. These aren’t official invites, and they are just sent out so that guests don’t double book themselves on the wedding day. The invitations are often sent out about two months beforehand. However, as you don’t have this much time, it’s a good idea to forgo the save the date cards, and simply send some wedding invitations instead.
Still Look At Different Venues
Even though you might not have much time, it’s still worth trying to squeeze in viewing a couple of different venues. This will give you an idea of the style of venue you want, such as a church, event hall, or stately home, and what you will be able to get for your budget. It will also give you a good idea of just how big your chosen venue is and how many guests you will be able to invite.
Bake The Cake
There probably won’t be time for a bakery to take an order for your wedding cake and bake it for the wedding. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go without a cake. Instead, you just need to bake one yourself. You might even have quite a skilled friend or relative who would be willing to bake a cake for you, so it’s worth asking around.
Get Catering From A Local Restaurant
Similarly, there might not be time to book a catering company. Thankfully, many restaurants can cater large events at short notice, so it’s a good idea to see which restaurants and eateries in your local area might be able to help you out. Most will be able to supply large platters that can create a delicious buffet.
As you can see, your last-minute wedding doesn’t have to be rushed. There are lots of ways it can be just like what you have always dreamed of!
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Finding the one person for you feels amazing! If you are not sure, consider these signs in this contributed post that they are the one for you.
There Are Signs That You Have Met "The One" For You
We all hope for the feeling of knowing for sure that the person we’re dating is the one. Not all relationships get to this point, but the ones that do can feel amazing. ‘The one’ also means different things to different people. It might mean something different at age 25 than it does at 30. It might not come to you until you reflect on the person you’re with through and through. Of course, thinking someone is the one may not be returned to you, so we’re often hesitant to apply that label until we’re absolutely sure.
Just like any matter of faith, instinct will often lead you to the right answer. There is no shame in falling in love with someone multiple times during your relationship, in fact this shows that life with this person could be truly novel! It may not be long before you’re comparing metal or silicone wedding rings, and walking over the threshold of your home as newlyweds. Until then, consider these signs they are the one for you:
Trust
If you can trust your partner, you have one of the vital pillars of a strong relationship already constructed. Without this, nothing else functions. You need to trust your partner to be true to you, to keep you aware, and to help you become your best self. In return, you must do the exact same for them. However, trust is not only found in the ways we imagine. For example, trusting a partner could be knowing they can speak to you authentically, that they will not filter their words around you. This could mean telling you when you’re acting out of line, or when they’re worried about you. Just as you expect a close friend to be candid with you, a lover will find a manner to build you up from your flaws, and to help you see them yourself rather than constantly remind you of them. If you trust in your partner 100%, perhaps more than you do yourself, they might just be ‘the one’ material.
Responsibility
If you can trust them to be responsible with their affairs, and to stand on their own two feet, and to put as much into the relationship as you do, and to keep building a life together with that as their main priority, then it could be that ‘the one’ is within your grasp. We often idealize love with spontanaeity, and for good reason. But sometimes, a little responsibility can help ease us, and know that this is the person we wish to build our life with.
Fresh
While deep, burning and passionate love can be sustained for long periods of time, it does take work to do. What matters is that this person feels fresh whenever you see them, even after years. If you still get butterflies, if you still wish to impress one anohter with surprises, or if you find yourself trying to be the best you can for the sake of both of you and you’re sure they’re doing the same, you may have just found the one,
With these mature and sensible yet loving tips, you may identify the one sooner rather than later.
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How to keep your bridesmaids happy and supportive on your wedding day is the focus of this contributed post.
When you choose your bridesmaids, you want to make sure you pick the women or girls (and maybe even the occasional man!) who you want to be stood next to you on your wedding day. It's not just about who you love and who will look pretty, but also about who will support you. Your eight-year-old cousin might not be much help when you're planning your wedding, but your sister or your best friends can be there for you. While it's an honor to be a bridesmaid, it's also important to remember that you're asking them a big favor too. So treating them right is essential.
Let Them Have Some Control Over Their Outfits
One of the best things that you can do for your bridesmaids is to allow them to have some element of control over their outfits. You don't have to let them wear anything they want, but it can be a good idea to pick a color or style and then allow them to choose what suits them, what they feel comfortable in, and what they can afford. If you go here, you can see several dresses in the same style but available in different colors. You can easily mix and match different blue or pink dresses in different lengths too.
Let Them Have Some Control Over Their Outfits
One of the best things that you can do for your bridesmaids is to allow them to have some element of control over their outfits. You don't have to let them wear anything they want, but it can be a good idea to pick a color or style and then allow them to choose what suits them, what they feel comfortable in, and what they can afford. If you go here, you can see several dresses in the same style but available in different colors. You can easily mix and match different blue or pink dresses in different lengths too.
Allow Your Bridesmaids To Chose The Style That Makes Them Comfortable
Don't Ask Them to Spend Too Much
When you're thinking about outfits and other things that your bridesmaids might have to spend money on, keep their budgets in mind. It's not fair of you to ask them to spend too much, so try to resist insisting on anything too expensive. In some cultures, it's normal for the bride to pay for the bridesmaids' outfits - you could offer to if you're feeling particularly generous. Keep money in mind for other things too, from your bachelorette party to any other events.
Remember That They're Your Helpers - Not Servants
Everyone has heard nightmare stories about bridezillas who have let the power and stress get to them. And everyone swears that they won't be like that. However, planning a wedding can be hugely stressful, and it can get to you without you even realizing it. It's essential to remember that while your bridesmaids are there to help, they're not your slaves. If you're unsure about whether you could end up stepping out of line, appoint a strong-willed friend who can take you aside if they think you're getting too power-mad.
Thank Them
You must remember to thank your bridesmaids at every opportunity. Yes, you have invited them to be part of your special day, and they will probably thank you too. But they are ultimately doing you a favor and supporting you as you plan your wedding, and through your big day. As well as making sure that you say thank you in the run-up to your wedding and on the day (in your speech if you give one), you might want to give them each a gift.
Treat your bridesmaids right, and they will be there to support you when you need them most.
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Follow the advice in this contributed post to ensure you have the breathtaking photographs you desire on your wedding day!
Your wedding day is a day of firsts. It’s the first time you stand in front of an altar and say “I do.” It’s the first time you kiss as a married couple. It’s your first (and hopefully only) wedding ceremony. So, it’s vital that everything goes to plan, and that includes the photographs. After all, you want to document the big day and look back at a later date.
Unfortunately, hiring a photographer and asking him or her to do their best isn’t the way forward. To get breathtaking shots, you need to follow this advice.
Ask For Permission
From the church. A large percentage of ceremonies take place in churches because it’s classy and traditional. Sadly, religions aren’t famous for their flexibility, and some prohibit photographs inside the building. Yes, this rule applies on your wedding day too, so they’ll be zero shots of your first moments as a married couple. Now that you know this is a problem, you can ask the leaders if they will allow cameras inside. Most will say yes, but they may include a few caveats. For example, only the official photographer can take pics and not the guests. This is a compromise which isn’t too much of an issue so agree and warn your friends and family.
Choose A Different Location
Lots of photo albums include the same style of images. This is because of two reasons: photographers share techniques, and destinations are the same. To snap breathtaking pics, you need yours to stand out from the crowd and to do this, a new location is necessary. It depends on your style. Are you a traveler? If you are, see here for ideas. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then these may be more suitable. Or, perhaps a beach wedding will make you happy. Whatever the destination, try and make it as incredible as possible.
Sanction Action Shots
There will be plenty of pics and vids where everyone is stood in position with their best smile. As nice as this is, it’s not real, and the best photos are genuine. With this in mind, speak to your photographer and tell them that you want lots of action shots throughout the day. In simple terms, this means you need them to take photographs of the guests while they’re not focusing! That way, they’ll capture the atmosphere and the experience of the day. Sometimes, posing can be boring and a little stale.
Involve The Guests
Quality shots come from the professionals most of the time, but that’s not to say your loved ones don’t have their moments. The truth is some guests know how to take a good photo, while others get lucky. Either way, it doesn’t matter who snaps it as long as it looks amazing. Therefore, give everyone at the party a Polaroid or an instant camera and let them go crazy. It takes some effort to sift through them all, yet it’s well worth the effort.
Come on – don’t you want memories which last a lifetime?
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Do you know how to find the perfect venue for your wedding day? This contributed post has some great ideas to help you decide.
What do you think the most important part of a wedding day is? I’m sure that most brides will say that their wedding dress is their number-one priority, though most couples will also agree that their venue is equally as important. After all, it will be the setting for the entire day and will also feature heavily in the background of your wedding photography. So, there’s no wonder that getting the wedding venue is something that couples focus on when they are ready to start organizing their big day.
Are you ready to search for a brilliant wedding venue for your special day? Here are a few things that you should look for.
It Includes Catering
Some wedding venues will also cater your event as well as simply host it. Even though some couples prefer to hire a separate catering company to take care of the food, this still means that you will be paying for two firms to come and work on your wedding with you. So, it could be more economically viable for you to find a venue that will include all the food and catering with the venue hire.
It’s Within Your Budget
If there is one word that most people would use to describe a wedding, I’m sure that most people would use “expensive”! And it’s true, the cost of organizing a whole wedding day can be extremely high these days. Before you start looking for a venue, it is really important that you consider your budget and find one that you will be able to afford. After all, if you go for something too expensive, then you might end up needing to restrict your spending on a different area of your big day.
It’s In A Convenient Location
Next, it’s important to consider the location of your potential venue. Sure, rural venues will look super pretty in all of your wedding pictures, but they could be quite difficult for some of your guests to get to, especially those who don’t have a car. If you do want to get married in a very rural or hard-to-get-to location, it’s worth thinking about putting on some transport for all your guests so that they don’t struggle getting to your wedding.
If there is one word that most people would use to describe a wedding, I’m sure that most people would use “expensive”! And it’s true, the cost of organizing a whole wedding day can be extremely high these days. Before you start looking for a venue, it is really important that you consider your budget and find one that you will be able to afford. After all, if you go for something too expensive, then you might end up needing to restrict your spending on a different area of your big day.
It’s In A Convenient Location
Next, it’s important to consider the location of your potential venue. Sure, rural venues will look super pretty in all of your wedding pictures, but they could be quite difficult for some of your guests to get to, especially those who don’t have a car. If you do want to get married in a very rural or hard-to-get-to location, it’s worth thinking about putting on some transport for all your guests so that they don’t struggle getting to your wedding.
Consider Your Wedding Location
Image courtesy of Image Studio Photography
The Capacity Suits Your Needs
Do you have an idea of how many wedding guests you’d like to invite? Well, this may all hinge on how many guests can fit in your venue! Each venue will have a limited capacity, so it’s important that you find this out before you book. Otherwise, you may end up limiting your guest list a lot more than what you had initially planned. If you are happy to have only a few guests with you on your wedding day, then this point may not be such a big deal when it comes to organizing the venue.
So, as you can see, there are quite a few factors that go into making a wedding venue such a special place. Hopefully, this blog post will help you find the perfect one for you!
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Forget basic! Step up your game and throw your friend a bachelor party he will never forget (and for great reasons, not because he was too drunk to remember it) Read more in this contributed post.
Bachelor parties are, by nature, wild. But if the bachelor’s already a wild guy with high demands then there’s even more pressure on the best man or the bachelor’s group of friends to throw an insane party. Forget strip clubs or bars. That’s the stereotypical formula for a bachelor party, and it’s too basic. You need to step up your game. If you want to leave your party-animal friend speechless then you need to give them a night that’ll almost top their wedding day itself. Here are some crazy ideas to give you some inspiration.
Keep The Destination A Secret
A road trip.
This is the perfect option for the indecisive party planner. If you’re struggling to think of a single thing that’ll make your bachelor buddy happy on their bucks night then why not do everything? You could even surprise them by only telling them this once you get in the car. They’ll ask where you’re going, and you can tell them you’re heading out on the open road. Try to keep each destination secret so as to make it even more special when you see the surprised look on their face as you arrive at different places.
You could even hire a cool car for the trip. Maybe you could get an RV if you’ll want to be able to crash into bed at the end of a long night/morning. Or if you think your buddy will want to look cool as you cruise from destination to destination then you could hire a sports car. Whatever the vehicle, the point is that you and your buddies will head off on a fun journey together. With snacks in the car and great tunes on the radio, you’ll have the makings of a great party before you’ve even reached any destinations.
A boat party.
Why drink beers in a bar or a club when you can drink them on a boat? Your friend will expect you to go big or go home when it comes to organising their last night as a free man. There’s no better way to do that than by hiring a boat for the evening and having a wild time out on the ocean, a lake, or even a marina. You might want to check out local charter options for bucks parties in your area. The cooler the boat, the cooler the evening. You could have a night of playing poker, drinking, or even enjoying entertainment that you hire for the boat (that doesn’t have to involve a stripper, of course).
This is the perfect option for the indecisive party planner. If you’re struggling to think of a single thing that’ll make your bachelor buddy happy on their bucks night then why not do everything? You could even surprise them by only telling them this once you get in the car. They’ll ask where you’re going, and you can tell them you’re heading out on the open road. Try to keep each destination secret so as to make it even more special when you see the surprised look on their face as you arrive at different places.
You could even hire a cool car for the trip. Maybe you could get an RV if you’ll want to be able to crash into bed at the end of a long night/morning. Or if you think your buddy will want to look cool as you cruise from destination to destination then you could hire a sports car. Whatever the vehicle, the point is that you and your buddies will head off on a fun journey together. With snacks in the car and great tunes on the radio, you’ll have the makings of a great party before you’ve even reached any destinations.
A boat party.
Why drink beers in a bar or a club when you can drink them on a boat? Your friend will expect you to go big or go home when it comes to organising their last night as a free man. There’s no better way to do that than by hiring a boat for the evening and having a wild time out on the ocean, a lake, or even a marina. You might want to check out local charter options for bucks parties in your area. The cooler the boat, the cooler the evening. You could have a night of playing poker, drinking, or even enjoying entertainment that you hire for the boat (that doesn’t have to involve a stripper, of course).
A Camping Trip Can Be A Fun Creative Party Spot
Go camping.
Away from the bright lights of the city with its loud bars and clubs, you might think that there’s no way you could throw a wild bachelor party in nature. But the best parties only need a group of close friends (and maybe a few packs of booze). That’s why you should organise a camping trip for your friend’s big night. Forget the smartphones and all other aspects of the modern world. Have a tipsy night in a forest. You could play drinking games around a fire, tell each other funny stories, and just have a great night.
Away from the bright lights of the city with its loud bars and clubs, you might think that there’s no way you could throw a wild bachelor party in nature. But the best parties only need a group of close friends (and maybe a few packs of booze). That’s why you should organise a camping trip for your friend’s big night. Forget the smartphones and all other aspects of the modern world. Have a tipsy night in a forest. You could play drinking games around a fire, tell each other funny stories, and just have a great night.
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If you are not sure what wedding flowers you will need, read this contributed post on wedding flowers 101 to help you make the best choices for your wedding.
Wedding flowers are an important part of your wedding day. Not only do they help to add color and fragrance to the day, but they can be a great way to add class and elegance to your wedding. Apart from ordering the occasional bouquet, you might not have much experience of dealing with flowers. But luckily for you, you’ll find everything you need to know about your wedding flowers right here.
Flowers Can Add Class And Elegance To Your Wedding
Take a look at our wedding flowers 101 to help you nail your wedding day florals.
Get a feel for what you like
With so much choice out there, it can be hard to decide what to go for in terms of wedding flowers. It’s a good idea to start with no preconceptions and simply start looking at styles. Create some Pinterest boards and start adding designs that suit your tastes - you’ll soon see patterns emerging. Meanwhile, check out bridal magazine and websites for elegant flower ideas that will give you further inspiration.
Find the right florist
Finding the right florist can take some time, especially if you have specific ideas on how you’d like your flowers to be. As a creative industry, you’ll find that many of your local florists will have social media accounts and websites that show off their style - helping you see if it can reflect more of your own tastes. Meet with several florists and get some quotes to make sure you get the best value for money.
Make a checklist
There is more to wedding flowers than you might have initially realized, and while you can go all-out with your flowers, there are some basics that you need to include. A wedding flower checklist includes a bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, buttonholes for the groom, flowers for the ceremony and reception decor, centerpieces and more. Make sure you include everything you need, and then set a budget for everything. You might find that some elements are more important to you than others, so you might want to consider a mix of real and artificial flowers to keep costs down.
Add floral details to other parts of your day
Florals are a simple way to add elegance to your wedding day, and they can extend beyond the flowers themselves. Bridesmaids dresses with floral prints and floral accessories like flower crowns are particularly popular at the moment and look great when using your own color scheme. A floral tie for the groom and ushers can also look great with the right colors, adding something a little bit different to a standard, plain tie. Remember to include floral details on your invites to so that guests can get a glimpse of your wedding theme early on.
Now that the flowers are taken care of, what’s next on your wedding planning list? Photography? Make sure you get the right photos to capture your special day with these great tips for hiring a wedding photographer. Make wedding planning simple by tackling one task at a time to help make planning your big day stress-free and fun.
