Fairytale Wedding

Although type and style of your wedding should remain the same at both your ceremony and reception, it is not necessary to decorate with the same theme at both.  Depending highly on where your wedding ceremony is – a church, a beach, an outdoor garden or on a mountainside – will also determine decor.

However, there is nothing wrong with adding a touch of your reception theme to your wedding ceremony decorations.  After all, it’s in the details!  For example your reception theme may be centered around a Cinderella fairy tale wedding, or maybe butterflies, doves, hearts, horses, or Calla Lilies (because they’re your favorite!)  Obviously your reception decorations will include your choice theme or colors, but  tucking coordinating items in the floral arrangements, hanging them from the pew bows (this horse charm pew bow brings the bride’s love of horses to the ceremony!) or setting them on the windowsills at the church of your wedding ceremony is a fun concept as well.

Gift card holders have really developed over the years.  Not only are they now available in many colors and styles, with their own unique, intricate designs, but many are now theme oriented!

I think card holders are one of the most functional wedding decoration ideas out there.  Take this carriage card holder design pictured.  Perfect for any fairy tale wedding, but also works for a winter wonderland or victorian wedding theme.

The carriage, the castle or the slipper?  With the many options in fairy tale theme favors and decorations, the choice is usually made soley on preference.  Candles, bookmarks, keychains, bath soap and favor boxes are among the favorite available types of favor choices for a Cinderella theme wedding or bridal shower.

For the tables at your Cinderella event, you could decorate coach shaped white or silver metal centerpieces and add Cinderella slippers filled with mints, glimmering castle shaped bookmarks or sparkling castle design place card frames as party favors.  Place beautiful rose floral arrangements on tables paired with Cinderella carriage shaped favor boxes filled with goodies.  Alternate centerpieces or differnt color table linens on every other table.  Choose a glamorous slipper or shimmering castle for the cake top or cup cake table display.

You may have hired the best pastry artist in the world to design your wedding cake, but remember the presentation of the cake is almost as important as the cake itself.   Be sure to talk to your cake artist about who is responsible for what, such as delivering the cake vs. picking it up as well as for cake table presentation.

Gather your  desired wedding cake accessories and decorations.  Your favorite cake topper, desired knife and wedding cake server, along with any floral arrangements, flower petals, confetti or framed pictures to include with the display.  Appropriate table linens, gossamer or string lights always aid in creating a masterpiece presentation.

Bold wedding colors aren’t the only trends making themselves more and more known! Over the last couple of seasons, we’ve seen some pretty amazing, sugary detail in wedding cakes making their debut as well.  From replicas of stain glass windows to graphic motifs that rival their coordinating wedding invitations, your wedding cake creation is limited only by the imagination of the pastry artist and your wedding budget!

I’d say forget unforgettable cake toppers when the wedding cake stands alone, accept when I’m reminded that as beautiful as the cake may be, the only thing left will be the photographs and the memories of it.  A special cake topper can be kept for the years to come, re-used on anniversary cakes or just displayed as a centerpiece.  If you’re considering a wedding cake that wows, leave room for the cake top that will compliment it’s lavish decor!  Check out the March issue of BRIDES magazine for pictures of the 23 most creative wedding cakes. (Picture by elegantcheesecakes.com)  Lastly, remember that no matter how beautiful your wedding cake is, freshness and taste is just as important!

The butterfly is a powerful romantic symbol and remains a very popular choice for a wedding theme.  Contrary to what might be believed, a wedding can include butterflies without seeming childish or “girlie”.  Especially when paired with a dark color theme, an artsy palette or the newest pattern craze – plaid, pinstripe, checker or damask designs.

Some methods of including butterflies in your wedding?  How about butterfly confetti or butterflies on your invitations?  A live butterfly release comes to mind, but you can also utilize butterfly luminaries, butterfly shaped candy, cookie cutters or candles as wedding favors or include them as a whimsical wedding cake topper.  Bold, artsy wedding reception table centerpieces are pictured here.  A butterfly is a symbol of rebirth; a fantastic sign to begin a new life together with.

I’m sure you’ve heard the wedding trend buzz about including bold color, but there is also a place for plaid, pinstripe, demask design and even polka dots.  From the bridal party gowns to the reception table lines and even the wedding accessories!

A plain satin ring bearer pillow can be lime green and include a rafia ring tie, or how about in ivory but with a bold pinstripe ribbon wrapped around it!  Or if you’d like to keep it a classic with a little twist, purchase a ring bearer pillow in a damask design like that pictured.  This pattern is available in nearly every color imaginable, so you’ll be sure to find the one that suites your wedding day accessory needs!

Wether you print your own, or purchase near perfect wedding invitations, a DIY touch is to add rhinestones, stamps, ribbon or rafia.  It makes such a big difference for just a little extra effort.

You can DIY – do it yourself wedding invitations, save the dates and wedding programs!  Design everything in your own unique style and personality. Then find creative ways to display them - such as this wedding program hung from each guest chair (pictured).  Remember, you can also make your own placecards, table numbers and centerpieces to match!

Your “do it yourself” wedding doesn’t have to mean that you baked your own wedding cake from scratch!  One of the easiest (with a big impact) “tricks of the trade” for bringing it all together is taking something simple and placing it subtly everywhere.  For instance?  Ribbons, bows, rhinestones, pearls, beads or flowers are the most commonly used.

Purchase ribbon in the color or two that you will use throughout your wedding and place strategically: Tie ribbon around your card box, pin it on your wedding accessories, wrap your centerpieces or favors and even attach to your wedding invitations.  Not only will you create a unified look but you can take credit for gasps and praise from your guests!

Though there is nothing wrong with a bride who is all about tradition, these days are often about originality, bold colors and unique themes, favors and/or decorations.  Celebrating a marriage can literally include a circus, carnival or petting zoo!

Every couple wants a wedding day full of fun and memorable moments.  Perhaps even a an exciting adventure for you and your guests!  Just be sure that’s what you and your other half REALLY want.  The time planning and money you spend on your wedding day should ultimately incorporate you and your fiance’s dream components – not anyone else’s.  There are many ways to make your wedding day special and unique to you without going over board.  You could concentrate on just one unique component for your wedding, such as horse drawn carriage rides or a theme photo booth at your reception, or you could make your own wedding invitations or favors.  Have your wedding reception outdoors at a theme park, winery, resort or on the beach.