Image: tomylees

If you’ve decided to hold your wedding reception outside there are a thousand and one ways to make your special day all the more memorable- from the food you serve to the surroundings you choose.

Here is your beginning-to-end common sense guide to the perfect outdoor wedding. Don’t forget to pack your wellies!

Setting

First of all, plan where you want to have your picnic – obviously. Whether it’s the beach, a field or your own back garden, you’ll need to ensure that your backdrop will be somewhere that you and your guests can relax and feel comfortable, so try not to pick anywhere with frequent high winds or tidal surges. Check the weather forecast for the day as far from the event as possible and be sure to hire something that will provide shelter should weather conditions turn. A gazebo or tepee is a lovely idea if there isn’t a barn nearby.

Your space should also easily accommodate the number of people on your guest list. Too small and you risk being packed in; too large and your party will feel sparse and fragmented.

Entertainment

Outdoor nuptials are a great excuse for a barn dance! And what better than an accompanying live folk band?

If this isn’t really your thing, think big with ways that you could utilise your surroundings. For example if you’re having a beach picnic, why not hold a sandcastle building competition?

If you have a wide expanse of open space you could even assemble your own fairground game entertainment area complete with bouncy castle and coconut shy. String up some bunting, hire a magician for the kids and chow down on fresh popcorn and candy floss from vendors.

Weather

Always check the weather as far in advance of your big day as you’ll need to be prepared if the clouds are set to rain on your parade.

Have an alternative space reserved where your guests can take cover should the winds kick up or the rains pour down. Either keep your outdoor space close to an available covered space such as a barn conversion or a hotel, or provide your own by hiring out a marquee or similar fantastic temporary construction to save your guests’ hair and make-up… and your finger buffet!

Seating

Depending on your budget –and preference- you can either hire tables and chairs or settle for blankets and pillows on the ground. For a rustic feel you could provide your guests with hay bales to sit on- or even hire some wooden picnic tables and cover them with clean burlap over some table protectors for a steady serving surface.

Catering

This is a great opportunity to get creative with buffet food! You can even fire up a BBQ if you’re in an open outdoor area.

For a gorgeous summer wedding menu, serve light finger foods like sandwiches, crudités and dips, and seafood. Remember to cater to your guests’ dietary requirements so that no one goes hungry. Wheat and gluten free alternatives should always be included.

Why don’t you continue the outdoor theme into your favours and instead of chocolate; garnish people’s place settings with a small plant or herb bundle to take home? Have a look on Pinterest for some great ideas for picnic foods and pretty presentation.

Do you have any must-try ideas for great wedding picnics? Share your comments.

Bio: Elise Leveque is a hopeless romantic planning her own special day which will hopefully involve about twelve tiers of chocolate cake. She writes for Wipe-Easy Tablecloths.

Image by Esther Gibbons

When it comes to planning a wedding, it’s just as easy to get massively excited about it all as it is to get hugely stressed out.

With the rise of Etsy and Pinterest, however, you can combine home-made touches, uniqueness and budgetary considerations to bring some DIY flair to your nuptials.

Wedding Favours

When thanking your guests for being a part of your special day there are loads of different (inexpensive) things you can give them – whether by sourcing them inexpensively or making them from scratch.

A great idea is to combine your wedding favours and place settings in some way – equally, though, there are lots of ways to just provide simple and fun party favours.

For a more whimsical touch, put together a small bag of sweets or an individual lollipop with a ribbon or a name tag tied round it. If you enjoy making your own jam, honey or marmalade you could whip up a fresh batch prior to the wedding and give small jars of that out.

Alternately, bake cookies, or brownies, or macaroons –edible party favours are often well-received as well as easy to make.

Cake

Just because weddings traditionally feature a huge, many-tiered and elaborately decorated cake doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. In fact, many wedding parties these days often feature some kind of alternative to cake, especially if the bride and groom themselves aren’t particularly fond of cake.

Instead, you can get doughnut towers, or profiterole towers – or even lots of cupcakes arranged in a tiered, cakelike formation.

Not a fan of pastries in general? Then set up a tower of jellies. Or even diversify and just set up a general dessert area, with ice cream, or pie, or maybe even a pick ‘n’ mix station.

Remember: some rules are made to be broken, and in this case, it’s never been more delicious to do it.

Centrepieces/Table Decorations

Depending on your wedding theme, this can be accomplished either simply, or with just a little ingenuity.

If you’re going for a floral theme, then getting cheaper flowers is easily accomplished. But if you have something a little more specific or elaborate in mind  you could inject a little magic into the proceedings by filling glass jars with food colouring, or glitter and water, or both – and labelling the resulting concoction with names like ‘Love Potion’ or ‘Lucky Potion’ for a fantasy twist.

You could even fill a vase with ‘magic wands’ by affixing stars to the end of chopsticks for people to pose with, and scattering the rest of the table with glitter or star-shaped table confetti.

Alternately, candles can be cheaply sourced and easily decorated – just glue some lace fabric around a glass candle jar.

Go through charity shops for cheap photo frames, decorate them, and use them as table decorations.

And if you and your new partner are bookish types or want a more literary bent to your wedding, you can buy old books and use them as centrepieces.

Invitations

You definitely don’t have to splash out on your wedding invitations – there are loads of websites online that let you design and print out your own invitations to meet whatever specifications you want. That way you can be assured of quality, personalised invites that don’t break the bank.

Spend time and effort designing them but don’t forget that the thing people will remember and look back on fondly is your wedding, not the invitations.

Decorations

When you’ve picked out a wedding venue, it’s important to take into account what kind of decorations you’ll need – that is, if you need any at all.

Some wedding venues provide decorations for you. Some wedding venues already come with their own style and décor to the point where no additional decorations are required. If you’d like to provide your own decorations, check how the venue owners will be willing to help.

Ask your friends and family for advice and help. Some people might have cool things that they’re willing to lend you – old typewriters or record players, for example, for a vintage feel. If so, be very careful about where you put such items – don’t leave them outside unprotected. You can make your own bunting, or paper flowers, and you can source knick-knacks from charity shops to incorporate into your wedding. Sites like Pinterest are brimming with ideas, so plunder them for inspiration.

Are you planning a wedding, or have you planned one before? Did you make anything yourself? How did you do it? Share your advice and ideas in the comments.

Bio:

Elise Lévêque is a fan of pretty and practical style and design, and enjoys sharing her experience by blogging for Cartridge Shop.

You cannot imagine any wedding without the flowers as they are considered an integral part of the wedding ceremony. The difference is that some people use huge quantities of flowers while others plan specific amount of flowers to be used for decoration. Flowers can boost the overall good mood of the day so be careful while you choose them. Just keep the following tips in mind for the beautiful arrangement of wedding bouquets.

Image courtesy of http://www.bunchesdirect.com

•First of all the wedding bouquets greatly depend on the theme, which has been chosen for the wedding day. You can also choose from the type of flowers as they can be wild, natural, cut or event eh artificial ones. Yes, nowadays the artificial flowers are being also used for the wedding bouquet arrangement, as they are easy to deal with and one can arrange them quite easily.

•You will also come across handmade flowers in which the silk ribbons have been used and they are also decorated with a special type of crystal. But they are just used as an option as most of the people and couples only prefer the natural flowers. They are lovelier, warm and also have a natural refreshing smell.

Image courtesy of http://my.localvox.com

•The wedding bouquet of the bride and the bridesmaid must not match in any case. In the same manner the bridesmaid bouquets must not match with the boutonnieres and the centerpieces. You can choose flowers in contrast for this purpose or you can choose the same flowers but in different colors and arrangements. Lavender and purple flowers are being used extensively. The new trends are quite different when it comes to the bouquets. You will not see the plain white theme any more as now people choose different flowers and colors and mix them to get the best bouquet arrangements.

•Wedding bouquets are now being arranged in powerful and bold sets, which follow monochromatic color patterns. Now small and elegant flowers are being used in different colors. The most common flower types are tulips, roses, sunflowers, snapdragon, peonies, orchids, lilies, hydrangeas, gerberas, delphinium, carnations, chrysanthemums, calla lilies, etc.

•The arrangement of flowers for the bridesmaid bouquet needs to be done carefully. They are also very important for the wedding event. Apart from the bouquets, you will see flowers use extensively in other arrangements also. Flowers are used for the cake decoration, corsages, headdresses, pomanders and other accessories of the bridesmaid.

Image courtesy of http://californiaweddingday.com

•While choosing the best arrangement you need to keep in mind the color combination also for the bouquet as it will affect the overall appearance of the bouquet. If you do not know a lot about the color combinations, then you can go for the light colors. If you are well equipped with the tips and information related to bouquet styling then you can arrange different colors and give the best look.

Here, I have discussed a few brilliant ideas for the beautiful arrangement of wedding bouquets. If you have any other great ideas, I am ready to hear from you.

About the author

Jacquelinef.gilchrist is the name of the author of this blog and she also writes for flowersnext.com. With the help of this online flower shop you can choose the best flowers and send them to your loved ones. It is a very easy process and will not be costly as many people are considered about the complications. So why wait, pick the best flowers and send flowers to Australia to your loved ones.

Image By: Nicky Fernandes

If you’ve recently become engaged and have the dress and date sorted, your thoughts might have turned to where to holiday on your honeymoon. These days a traditional honeymoon is considered to be spending a week or two in a tropical location, but mini-moons, where newlyweds go away for a few days fairly locally, are also on the rise.

Regardless of how long you’re going away for, a honeymoon is a magical trip unlike any other – after all, you get to spend one-on-one time with your partner and relax after your wedding, which can often be a stressful, if happy event.

Tenerife has plenty of honeymoon holidays that could work you and your budget – here are four of my favourites.

1) Thrill Seekers

Due to its island location, Tenerife is an ideal destination for adventurous couples. From hiking in the volcanic hills to scuba diving in the Atlantic, there is plenty to pack in to a week long holiday.

Walking holidays are also popular, as are hand gliding package deals. The Teide National Park in the heart of the island is Spain’s largest national park and is a great destination for walkers and photographers. Take a cable car to the peak and work your way back down on foot for an active afternoon full of exotic flora and fauna.

2) Budget Mini-moon

For cash strapped couples the Canary Islands are a great choice, as they are easy to get to from most European destinations and four or five days in Tenerife can be just enough to experience the magic of these volcanic islands.

One way to keep it cheap is to shop around for budget Tenerife hotels or hire out an apartment in Santa Cruz or Playa de les Americas, where there’ll be plenty of shops, bars and restaurants within a short walk of your apartment. Keep breakfasts and lunches cheap so you can splash out on dinners at MISHI Sushi Club and El Molino Bianco (both Playas de les Americas).

3) Luxury Spa

If you have money to splash you could experience the five star treatments on offer at The Oriental Spa Garden, sat in the grounds of Hotel Botanico in Puerto de la Cruz. Indulge in an open-air massage on a Thai pagoda, or pick one of the 20 treatment rooms for scrubs, wraps, massages and facials.

You don’t even need to leave your new fella as there are also packages available for couples, so you can both treat yourself to Turkish baths and treatments in the spa’s private Dragon Spa. If you want a truly pampering holiday then this is the one for you!

4) Post Wedding Wellness

Pamper your body, relax your mind and get fit too with a luxurious ‘wellness’ holiday at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort near Play San Juan, on the south eastern side of the island. The stunning terracotta buildings have African and Mediterranean influences and sit majestically overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

While the location is quite remote, the resort is packed with entertainment including a sprawling golf course, infinity pools and spa. You can even hire personal trainers if you’re determined to keep up your fitness routine! There are also numerous bars and restaurants to dine in each night.

With their gorgeous scenery, warm climate and distinct lack of rain, the Canary Islands are a fantastic destination for every budget. So whether you’re after a honeymoon to invigorate your spirits or one to relax your mind, Tenerife is the perfect destination for your romantic getaway.

Do you know any other Tenerife locations that would be fit for a happy couple? Share your thoughts below.

Elise Leveque is a lucky bride who blogs for Hotelopia.

The weather always pose a challenge when it comes to an outdoor event, as it can be very unpredictable. Here are some ideas to ensure that your garden wedding goes smoothly irrespective of the external factors:

• Have a backup plan in case of extreme weather.

Most weddings are held in summer, and the temperatures can get a bit high for comfort. Arrange for tents and parasols so that the guests can sit in the shade. Designing the programs in the shape of fans also helps. The tents come in handy in case of sudden rain. Alternatively, you can go for a venue that has buildings nearby, where you can relocate to if the outdoors become unbearable. The decorations in this case should be easily portable in case such a shift becomes necessary.

Image:

Source: http://www.weddingelation.com

• Talking of decorations, they should be kept simple.

The garden itself with all the vibrant natural elements around already offers a beautiful backdrop for the wedding. As you chose your flowers, ribbons and other adornments, do not camouflage or compete with nature. Go for colors that offer a sharp contrast with the green backdrop, so that they can stand out.

Image:

Source: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Select flowers that can withstand the heat, otherwise they will start withering before the wedding is over. An experienced florist will help you select resistant flowers. You can have some water containers in a shady spot where you occasionally dip the wedding bouquets. Alternatively, go for artificial flowers which will not be affected by the weather.

Image:

Source: http://busybeedesignstudio.wordpress.com

The bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses should be suitable for an outdoor event. Steer away from heavy and bulky fabrics. Make the dresses short or medium length. Avoid dark colors as they retain the heat. The gown is better off without a train, which will only give you a difficult time dragging around on the grass.

Image:

Source: http://mirandalainephotography.com/

If you plan to wed in a public place, find out if there are other events slated on the same date. A noisy concert or reunion party on the same venue will deviate attention from your wedding. Such events will also encourage wedding crashers who add no value to your wedding. If you feel that you’ll not be accorded the privacy that you deserve, get a better venue.

Use wooden furniture whenever possible. Metal chairs and tables can get uncomfortably hot or cold depending on the weather. Wooden is also lighter thus easier to transport.

Image:

Source: http://snippetandink.com

This list is by no means exhaustive of all the ideas that you can incorporate in your event. It however contains essential tips that can make your garden wedding more stunning and for more ideas you can visit Pinterest.  All the best in your preparation!

Engagement Photos

Before you get too deep into the wedding planning process, you may want to consider getting some engagement photos taken. These will not only be a great way to remember a very special time of your life, but they can be a good way to find your wedding photographer.

License: Creative Common

image source

Engagement Party

Want to revel in the glow your engagement for a little while longer? Throw an engagement party. This is a great way to get together and celebrate your engagement.

Wedding Website

The internet allows us to stay in contact with people all over the world. If you and your soon to be spouse would like to share the details of your journey with the world as they happen, consider launching a wedding website. Not only can you set this up to keep your wedding party updated, but also other friends and family as well.

After the big day has come and gone your wedding website can be a fun place to post pictures and other mementos from the night that you don’t soon want to forget.

Save the Date Cards

Save the date cards can serve as a physical reminder to your wedding party and guests of when your special day is. Typically, it is recommended you send these out about six months prior to the day. This way, your guests have enough time to make any travel plans necessary. Note for those who are traveling from out of town, try and book a block of rooms at a local hotel for them to use. This way, everybody is in one spot and nobody has to worry about whether or not a room will be available.

License: Creative Commons

image source

Wedding Announcements

It may seem like an obvious thing, but don’t forget about your wedding announcements. Send them to your friends and family and watch your phone go crazy. You may even want to submit one to local paper(s).  Make them memorable and fun and reflective of whom you are as a couple.

Wedding planning takes time and patience. Try to enjoy the process!  Create memories along the way and one day you will look back and be amazed at how your special day came together.

Alyssa Golden is an avid blogger always looking to share her experiences and recommendations. She has been a wedding and event planner for over 5 years. You can follow her on Twitter @madeofGolden.

You should remember though that you have to take note of what is included in your wedding video package. This is to ensure that you have the right expectations for your wedding video. You should also take note of the things that your wedding video team would need from you like a selection of songs that would be used for the wedding video. Being unable to submit requirements like these would definitely delay the whole wedding video process.

Knowing what is included in your wedding video can also help you help your wedding videographers! Just think about it, in order for them to come up with a great wedding video that is really your own and really personalized they would need all of that information from you, only you would be able to provide them with the list of people to interview for great stories, photos that can be used and of course great songs to be used for the wedding video.

Another thing to look out for in your wedding video package would be what you can get for free and what you may need to pay for in fees or charges. Being aware of the fees and charges can help you avoid unnecessary fees you could have avoided in the first place if you only took time to read the wedding video package and if you were aware of the different fees and charges.

Aside from reading and getting to know the package is also to make sure that you take time to read the contract for the wedding video. Make sure that you take note of what happens in unforeseen events. As well as when you have to make the necessary payments, some wedding video companies ask for a certain percentage as a down payment and the rest of the payment upon the delivery of the video. You have to make sure that you understand this as well.

There are definitely a lot of advantages to knowing what is in your wedding package for your wedding video as well as the contract with the wedding videographer- make sure that you take time to read and understand it so that to you can make the most of your wedding video as well as avoid unnecessary fees and charges.

Written by Tom Hewett of Octavo Pictures. Tom and his team run a experienced Affordable Wedding Video company to capture your special day.

Below are ten things you can do to save money:

1. Invitations. Opt for light, average-sized invitations, as postage increases with size and weight. While it may not seem like a lot, a $1.50 difference per invitation can make a huge difference! If you’re creative, you can cut back on creation costs by making your own via the computer or even hand-making them.
2. Attire. Renting a dress is all the rage right now and affordable vintage dresses can be found in surprising places – be sure to check out Etsy and Ebay.
3. Timing. Avoid the typical ‘wedding season’ which is May to October, when prices are the highest. Opt for a weekday or morning wedding for the best rates.
4. Venue. Opt for a unique venue such as a beach, garden, or museum – these are typically much cheaper than hotels and other popular reception destinations.
5. Guest List. Invite only close friends and family to cut back on reception costs.
6. Music. Cut out the band or DJ and create your own fun playlist to set up on your iPod and attach to speakers.
7. Decorations. Get crafty and make your own decorations such as centerpieces. A quick trip to a craft store such as Michaels or A.C. Moore should do the trick.
8. Photography. Hire a professional for the wedding ceremony and leave it up to friends and family to take some fun candid shots during the reception. Opt for a fun photo booth for weddings where guests can take pictures to remember the night by.
9. Alcohol. Choose only beer and wine and skip liquor – the most expensive part of an open bar. Put a quantity or time limit on an open bar to help lower costs.
10. Seating. Choose fewer, larger tables rather than many small tables – this is also a good way to save on linens and centerpieces.

Attached Images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source
•  License: Image author owned

Alyssa Golden is an avid blogger always looking to share her experiences and recommendations. She has been professionally planning weddings for over 5 years now. You can follow her on Twitter @madeofGolden.

Image by: tombothetominator

Choosing your bridesmaids could be  one of the Top 3 Biggest Decisions of your life, up there with the man you’ll marry and how many children you’ll have. There are so many factors that affect this choice, so don’t rush it – it’s hugely important that you have to right people up there with you on your big day.

How Many?
This is obviously the first question that needs to be answered, easy if you’ve got a modest budget, you’re an only child and have one very-bestest-best friend. If this is you, lucky girl, you don’t really need to read on…
If you’ve got sisters, cousins or a big group of female friends and don’t have an endless budget or a venue the size of the O2 Arena, you might have some tricky decisions to make. Firstly, decide how many you can afford. You need to think about the Hen Party, dresses,hair and make-up on the day if you’re getting it all done professionally; all those eyelashes add up. When you’ve got your number of bridesmaids sorted, you’re halfway there.

Length of Time Known
OK, I might have lied when I said you’re halfway there. Maybe it’s more like a few steps on a treacherous bridge wearing stilettos…
The length of time that you’ve known your bridesmaid may or may not be a factor that you’d consider. Personally, I’d choose a friend that I’ve only known for 4 years over someone that I went to primary school with, purely based on the fact that we’re much closer.

‘Length of time known’ can quickly morph into ‘we know too much about each other’,which is closely translated to “We’ve been through everything together” in her Maid of Honour speech. You both know that night-out where you lost your shoes and woke up 50 miles from home will never be spoken of ever again.This may not be the case for you; your oldest friend may pip your University friends to the post with memories of first crushes and giggly sleepovers.

Whoever you choose, they should always be beside you before you’ve even asked them.

Commitment & Helpfulness
This is a huge influence on your decision. If your best friend is a little bit flaky, sometimes forgets your coffee dates and is generally unreliable then maybe she shouldn’t be Maid of Honour or Head Bridesmaid. Just because she’s your best friend doesn’t automatically mean that she should be give the big-girls job with major responsibility over things like rings and party organising.
On the other hand, if you have a super-efficient friend from work, asking them could make your wedding plans smooth, drama-free and could even bring you closer. Having a really helpful person like this can take some of the stress away from choosing wedding supplies such as confetti, table runners and difficult mother-in-law gifts.
Something to also consider when choosing your Head Bridesmaid is whether they can actually commit to helping you to the extent that you need. If she’s really busy at work or doesn’t just live around the corner, you may need to split the role between two of your closest, most reliable girls so they can share the responsibility.

A Word Of Caution
There will always be ‘The Automatics’ – the girls who automatically expect that they’d be your bridesmaid (i.e. your fiancé’s attention-seeking sister who just wants the dress so she can “alter it and wear it again”). Beware of ‘The Automatics’; they’ll creep into your psyche until you can’t say no. Explain to her that you just don’t have the budget (even if you do) to have another bridesmaid and she should understand.

I think pretty much the only factor that matters is: could you do it without her? Would she tell you if you have back cleavage in your dress? Will she be there for you, throughout the process, from engagement to picking you up after your honeymoon and all the dramas that could pop up in-between? If the answer is no, yes and yes (in that order), then she’s the girl you need as your bridesmaid. She’ll make sure you have a brilliant day.

Have you got any good suggestions when it comes to choosing bridesmaids? Share in the comments below.

Bio: Elise Lévêque is a bride-to-be who writes for Wedding and Party Store. She is considering eloping so she doesn’t have to choose between all her wonderful potential bridesmaids!

Space

One of the biggest concerns among brides is having enough space to both fit all the guests and have room for dancing and other activities. Most building venues boast this space, but when it comes down to it, you’ll find that certain aspects of the room, such as furniture and other obstacles, can’t be moved to accommodate your individual needs. With a marquee, you have total control over the spacing requirements because you can get as much or as little space as you need for your special day.

Not only does having the right space mean you can opt for that extra table setting, but it also means you have freedom to include as many guests as you want. Certain building venues can be highly restrictive in this regard because of fire safety codes or management preference. With a marquee, you choose the size of your venue so you can also feel free to invite who you want without making any sacrifices. Marquees offer a wide range of sizes and styles to accommodate your wedding and reception. They provide convenient flexibility instead of rigid restrictions.

Customization & Style

Have you ever fallen in love with a building venue, only to find that you can’t make any changes to its existing decor? This leads to unnecessary frustration. Every bride wants to feel special on her wedding day, and her venue should reflect this. Marquees offer total customization, from colors and decor to furniture and arrangement. These are not just square structures with little room for improvement; a vast array of marquees exist in different shapes and sizes, so you can personalize your venue to your heart’s desire. Physical venues offer limited choice when it comes to customization. You might have control over the table linens and select decor, but the building itself must remain untouched. Marquees break the cycle of monotonous wedding venues by allowing couples to choose their own style and personalization.

Practical Concerns

If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, common wisdom dictates that you provide guests with a backup in case of inclement weather. Even if you’re an inside bride or groom, you still want to know that your venue can protect guests from an unexpected thunderstorm. Rest assured: marquees are guaranteed to withstand bad weather. Built of sturdy material and solid construction, wedding marquees are designed to protect you and your guests, whether from a dangerously hot day or a thundering rain storm.

Byrne Marquees provide a unique opportunity for your special day. They offer complete customization, optional space and sizing, and protection from dangerous weather. Ditch the traditional wedding venue box and step into the wedding marquee trend. More than just a beautiful tent, wedding marquees have become a trendy way to host weddings and other events in a convenient, customizable location.