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.

Finding the perfect ring bearer pillowthat not only coordinates with your fairy tale theme wedding but also captures the whimsy, romance and magic of your special day won’t be too difficult a task.  In fact, with so many to choose from, you mind find it tough to choose!

If a Cinderella theme suits your fancy, then choose Disney’s Cinderella inspired ring bearer pillows or the carriage charm design pillow by Lillian Rose.  If it’s the ”Happily Ever After” that you’re looking for, then choose any number of colors and designs such as the one pictured offering a simply stated ”And They Lived Happily Ever After . . .” stitched in a tricolor mix of pink, silver and orange thread.

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.

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!

Shortly after the proposal made by my fiance’ (and my excited, “yes!”) I began to browse catalogs and the Internet for ideas.  I imagine most engaged woman also go this route.  It’s exciting to look at the different style gowns, wedding favors and theme ideas.

You may notice many wedding companies create entire wedding collections from coordinating ring pillows and flower girl baskets to cake tops and unity candles.  If you fall in love with a certain collection it’s convenient to purchase all the items at one time and be ready for your special day.  Others enjoy handpicking each item individually.  Unity candles are a wedding accessory that has the most available styles and types.  White and ivory have always been the most neutral selections, but your unity candle can come in nearly any shade of color.  You can have it personalized or customized with initials or your ceremony program.  Accents include jewels, pearls, ribbons.  Traditionally, a round pillar candle is used, but a more modern twist is the square candle.  There are also variations to the unity candle available, such as memorial candles, vases and/or sand or colored water.

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!