Image Courtesy of Style Me Pretty

A wedding day is a special event that is to be treasured for years to come. Couples go out of their way to make their most memorable day something for their guests to relish. Modern couples have started the new trend of theme weddings. A theme wedding is a merely a concept or idea incorporated into the wedding. Couples choose Christmas themes, Valentine’s, Victorian times, and so forth. This is truly up to the couple’s creativity to make it as outlandish or sophisticated.

When a couple decides that their wedding theme is Valentine’s Day, they are usually seen by others as true romantics. Pulling off a Valentine’s Day wedding is not as challenging as one may think. Let’s start by talking about the menu.

Nothing screams Valentines more than strawberries, champagne and chocolate. These are some things that should be part of your menu. Some sample ideas are:

• Valentine’s Day Wedding: Cocktail Hour Drinks
• Chocolate Martini
• Pink Cosmopolitan
• Champagne and Strawberry flutes

In order to raise the romance level have the chef incorporate aphrodisiac appetizers as part of your menu.
• Valentine’s Day Wedding: Cocktail Hour Hors d’Oeuvres
• Oysters
• Chilled Seafood Ceviche served in a glass
• Shrimp Cocktail

Continue to spice up the romance with your guests by having them sample main course filled with pleasure enhancing endorphins . Some items that increase blood flow creating magical inducing powers are nuts, chilies, seafood and chocolate. So why not have these as part of the chef’s meal preparation.
• Valentine’s Day Wedding : Main Course
• Surf and Turf
• Lobster tails
• Filet Mignon
• Nut encrusted lamb

Finally on to dessert options, this where couples can pull all the stops. In theme weddings it is very popular to have candy dessert bars for guest to freely roam and choose what is appealing to them.
If going with this option, take into consideration that your dessert bar should match your Valentine ’s Day menu. The key here is to give your guest a wide variety of samples to choose from. The couple should always include their own favorites and then combine others.

• Valentine’s Day Wedding: Candy Dessert Bar
• Mini Cupcakes (frosted in reds and pink hues)
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
• Truffles
• Chocolates
• Candy (if heart shaped even better)
• Nuts
• Fruits and Cheeses

If a candy dessert bar is not an option and you are going with table served desserts choose items in relation to your Valentines theme. There is nothing sweeter than chocolate desserts but if not a chocolate lover here are other options.

• Valentine’s Day Wedding Dessert Menu
• Crème Brule
• Mini Cheesecakes topped with strawberries
• Fruit and Nut Mini Tarts
• Red Velvet Cupcakes

Image Courtesy of Wedshare Daily

A very important decision when planning a wedding is deciding the date. Many couples find that February 14th is a very special day to celebrate such an occasion. Why not enhance this special day by incorporating a Valentines Day theme in to your wedding? Here are some ideas for decorating an exciting Valentines Day wedding.

Cake is the centerpiece of a wedding and a very memorable feature of the special day. If you have not already set your mind on a design for your cake, consider giving it a Valentines Day theme. Perhaps a heart shaped cake with red and white frosting is to your liking. Adding red rose petals, hearts, and pink or red writing can really bring out the romantic vibe. You can also have a solid white cake with a red velvet surprise on the inside. Try checking out some bakerys for ideas; many of them have large catalogs and binders full of holiday themed cakes for you to browse.

Let’s not forget the flowers! No Valentines Day wedding would be complete without big red, white, or pink flowers. You can go beyond red roses and try lillies or lotuses. If you’re going for a black and red color scheme instead of white and red, then black lotuses or black roses can look gorgeous, especially at an outdoor wedding. You may also consider red ribbon or streamers as decoration to add a little more color to the atmosphere. Try talking with local flourists and see what kind of recommendations they can provide.

Overall, the decor is going to set the atmosphere of your wedding. The colors and decorations are what is going to make you really feel the Valentines Day spirit. Having an outdoor wedding on a sunny day will also greatly enhance the mood and theme of your wedding. Some decorations to consider are table cloths and seat covers. If you’re on a budget, simple red table cloths or seat coveres will add lots of color to your reception area. A good alternative is solid white table cloths with red rose pedals sprinkled over the top. Look around! The best wedding ideas can be taken from other weddings.

If you want to go all out for your Valentines Day theme, there is no better way than with the dress. Consider a red dress or a white dress with red accessories. If the bride must have a solid white dress, then you can also consider having the bride’s maids wear red dresses and have the groom or groom’s men wear red boutineers or ties. The smallest touches can make the most impact.

The most exciting part of a wedding is the planning. Do lots of research and take a look at other weddings that have done similar things to get ideas for your own wedding. You don’t need a lot of extra money to have a themed wedding, most of the ideas come by simply changing the colors of existing ideas and decoration. Change your cake, flowers, clothing, and other decor to create a colorful and memorable wedding day and Valentines Day that nobody will ever forget!

Image Courtesy of The Links at Gettysburg

There are many places to get married in Pennsylvania but these are the top five outdoor wedding venue standouts. Some of these venues can include everything for you in one place while others do not. You will need to verify what is available for your wedding. Each of the venues has a unique appeal to those who want a memorable wedding.

Hershey Gardens is a beautiful place to get married. There are not many outdoor wedding venues that offer several fairy tale options in one attractive location. This stunning and popular choice for weddings has 23 acres filled with a variety of flowers such as rhododendrons, tulips, and roses. There are flower covered arches, fountains, gazebos, and a reflecting pond, all of which are perfect for taking your wedding photos. The Japanese Garden is a popular choice for smaller gatherings with it’s stream and giant sequoias. This setting is truly serene. If you are having a larger wedding, the Seasonal Garden is an excellent choice with thousands of annuals and tulips during the warm summer months.

Another absolutely wonderful choice is Regent’s Glen at Box Hill Mansion. Located in York, PA, this outdoor wedding venue provides a feast for the eyes. The English gardens are simultaneously stunning and relaxing, something that few people experience. Surrounded by natural beauty, the pond with lily pads presents the perfect place to exchange your vows. Regent’s Glen accommodates wedding parties large and small. There is an on-site wedding coordinator and various options such as preparation rooms and full menus. Additional options include the ability to have all of your wedding events such as the bridesmaids luncheon and rehearsal dinner here for a one stop and unforgettable wedding experience.

Those preferring something lovely and unique should consider MSL Resort at Mountain Springs Lake for their special day. This location in Reeders, PA provides you and your guests views and an overall wedding experience that you will not find elsewhere. Getting married under the pergola with views of the pond will provide beautiful memories of your wedding day for the rest of your lives. The preparation area in the Spa building is also included as is use of indoor facilities should the weather not cooperate with your special day. Enjoy the renovated honeymoon suite with chilled champagne and Jacuzzi tub on your first nights together happily ever after.

The Links at Gettysburg is a very attractive outdoor wedding venue. Exchange your vows on the tri-level stone patio overlooking the greens, ponds, and a beautiful stone bridge. There are many places here to take your wedding photos and create lifelong memories of your wedding day. Even for large gatherings, the clubhouse can hold up to 250 guests if inclement weather arises. Opt for the fireworks display simply because you can!

Located in Washington Crossing, Crossing Vineyards is a gorgeous outdoor wedding option for your big day. Up to 160 guests can be accommodated in a variety of outdoor settings at Crossing Vineyards. At Johnathan’s Patio, you will be surrounded by a beautiful garden and fountain in an intimate and lush setting. The Ceremony Site has a charming stone cottage and flower beds that you may inspire you to grow your own at home. These are just two areas at Crossing Vineyards that are heaven sent for wedding photos. The bridal suite allows for all of the exciting preparations for your wedding event in a beautiful winery setting.

Image Courtesy of Outer Banks Event Rentals

It is 2012, and already some of the hottest ideas for wedding themes are already out. From dresses, to flowers to cake toppers it is going to be a great year to get married. The new dresses have already hit the runway and color combinations for this year are already being dreamed up. Hew are some of the themes that are going to be hot this year.

Victorian Weddings
One of the most popular themes for this year is an old theme that is making a major comeback. These weddings are elaborate and ornate focusing on the smallest details. A major detail about these weddings is the invitations. The Victorian era modeled polite society, so having invitations that show this is key. As far a venues go, outdoors is the most Victorian, since gardens were so important in the Victorian age. We must not forget about the dress. A long elaborate white dress with a long train will highlight your Victorian styling for a perfect wedding.

Beach Weddings
This year beach weddings are still a popular theme. These weddings feel fresh and spontaneous, even though months of planning go into them. Beach weddings can be simple or elaborate depending on what the bride wants. Invitations will have a fresh and sunny feel to them. The one thing that beach wedding should have in common is the wedding dress should be a shorter length. No matter if a walk-way is put down or not a shorter dress will work the best for a beach setting. Receptions are usually held at the host hotel instead of the beach. Many hotels offer wedding packages to make planning much easier.

Garden Weddings
While this theme has something in common with Victorian weddings, it can be vastly different. Garden weddings can be the most simple and breathtaking weddings of them all. Garden weddings should invoke feelings of spring freshness for everyone involved. Many brides are planning on doing simple dresses. Another popular style in this theme is brides are letting their hair down and putting flowers in it. Some brides even go barefoot for a Garden wedding. The other extreme of this is to give the Garden wedding the feel of a Garden tea. Where the Bride has is styled in all the glamour and the garden is simply a backdrop to her.

Winter Wonderland Weddings
Where once winter and snows were something brides wanted to avoid, now winter is embraced by brides. This theme incorporates the beauty and magic of the snow and turns the bride into a winter queen. Silvers and dark blues are colors that work well with in this theme. Sparkling snowflakes decorate the setting, and instead of rose petals lining the aisle soft fake snow might be what the beautiful bride glides over. These theme are already being used this year, and while they will take a break, they will be back for those special December weddings.

This perhaps is the most fun theme this year. This wedding celebrates the everlasting love of the bride and groom by comparing it to diamonds. Everything about this wedding sparkles. The invitations should have some type of diamond glitz. The flowers even sparkle. Florists are starting to put crystals on their flowers for the bouquets. Even if the bride does not want sparkling flowers the ribbon that holds them together can easily sparkle. As for the bride herself, she can cover herself in diamonds, or crystals. Some of the hottest dresses this year embrace the sparkling diamonds theme. Even the guest enjoy the theme as all the table decorations sparkle like diamonds.

Image Courtesy of Madi Flournoy

As brides-to-be look ahead to the plans they will make for their 2012 weddings, there are many things to consider. 2012 wedding trends will be at the forefront of their considerations, as they seek to plan a dreamy event that is marked with personal style, and a popular flair. There are many fun design elements to watch for in the coming year.

Wedding Gowns

Interesting embellishments and styles take the traditional white gown in an interesting direction. While some will opt for shorter wedding dresses, others will look to designers who incorporate unusual embellishment. Whether a bit of color is incorporated into the gown, or unusual textures, full length gowns will be individualized through the integration of contrasting materials and accents.

Bouquets

The natural look is among the preferences for the 2012 wedding season, with greenery and floral décor combined. However, another interesting trend to watch for is the use of non-floral bouquets. Silk and fabric flowers, beads, and materials, may be worked together to achieve a striking centerpiece for the bride to carry. Vintage elements, incorporated into a flower-like arrangement, will be the talk of the wedding, for many 2012 brides.

Centerpieces and Decor

In this same vein, the centerpieces and décor for many nuptials will use the same themes, whether vintage materials and jewelry pieces, or whether the natural look. Smaller is better and allows guests to appreciate each unique part of the décor.

Striking color combinations will be featured, as well. While traditional pastels are still popular, expect unusual combinations. Bold colors, such as Pantone’s “Tangerine Tango” (the color of the year), will be included in many wedding color schemes.

Invitations

Traditional invitations, with frilly printing and imagery, are set aside for more personal designs. Bride and groom may design their own invitations, with print-on-demand services, or with their own computers and printers. Incorporation of interesting imagery or photography, or coordinating colors with the wedding color scheme, will be an integral element of 2012 invitation design.

Favors

Customization is a key feature of the wedding favor for 2012. Whether artisan cookies, resembling the bride’s gown, are used as table favors, or boxed luxury cupcakes, edible is in. Cake pops are also very well received, and molds can be used to shape them into hearts, wedding bells, or doves, making these one of the newest, unique favors. Interests of the bride and groom will also be reflected in table favors, in many cases, with toy replicas or miniature stuffed animals bearing the wedding date, and names of the happy couple.

Food

Guests love unique food at wedding receptions, and brides and grooms love creating a fun theme for their receptions. The candy buffet has been one of the most popular trends in recent years. Watch for coffee bars, food trucks, and fun novelty treat stations. Cotton candy, sundae stations, and hot dog carts will be acceptable, when presented in creative, nostalgic manner.

In short, the wedding of 2012 will be all about personal preference, crowd pleasing fun, and creative design. Re-using materials, or supporting local businesses, the 2012 bride will combine color with creativity, to achieve the wedding of her dreams.

Image Courtesy of Paper Doll Romance

While brides spend their efforts putting together an amazing ceremony and reception, they can use their cocktail hour as a subtle transition between the two events.  With the proper lighting, music and open atmosphere, guests have a warm and welcoming time to relax and hang out before the party really kicks off.

Drinks can be a real defining moment for cocktail hour. A couple of nice drinks can make all the difference in the world. The martini or champagne drinks are nice, but one should also consider the season.  You can always add special holiday traits to signature drinks – eggnog or candy cane martinis, y’all? But you can also include beverages, such as hot chocolate or hot apple cider, that are perfect for a warm winter gathering. While planners cannot pull off hot drinks throughout the year, they are ideal for creative twists for weddings during the season.

No matter the temperature outdoors, some guests will always go with cool drinks. The internet is filled with a plethora of different recipes for occasions such as this. Some planners mix juices and champagnes together to conjure up delicious cold drink ideas. Champagne Pomegranate Cocktails, for example, use ingredients that call for both champagne and pomegranate juice.  Frozen eggnog is also a great drink idea for a winter wedding. This is a different twist from the hot beverage theme, but it still works well in the winter season. While these ideas are unique and ‘out of the box’, it ensures your guests will have a wide variety while they wait for you to arrive.

When it comes to the food, it’s best to keep it small and simple. You don’t want to overfeed your guests if you have a larger, more extravagant meal prepared for the reception.  One thing to keep in mind is that while some venues may have the menu planned out for both the cocktail hour and the reception, check and see how the food will match to whatever drinks you’re serving.  You don’t want beverages and hor d’oeuvres to leave an unpleasant aftertaste and leave people feeling awkward!

A nice wintery theme is great, but it is incomplete without the right music. Sometimes it takes a harp or a string quartet to set the mood – if it’s within your budget. Classical music is often perfect for setting the mood prior to the wedding and can appeal to the masses.

Decorating during the holidays may be the least stressful task on your planning list. It is easy to decorate when all of the other elements above are set in place.  Snowflakes decorations are a common way to bring out the look and feel of the winter season. Change the lighting and ornaments to match your color theme while selecting the appropriate centerpieces and floral arrangements…there’s not much left to worry about.

Images Courtesy of Madi Flournoy

Tennessee is arguably the wedding capital of romantic wedding destinations in the South… and the state certainly makes a great case in support of this. Tennessee’s scenic mountain backdrop and it’s numerous historic locations offer a variety of wedding venues. Couples will find options for traditional and simple weddings, as well as other options they probably never thought of.

We’ve listed 5 of the state’s top wedding venues below. You’ll enjoy reading about the unique and often historical features offered by each of them.

Carnton Plantation
Historic Carnton Plantation has been a popular gathering place for important ladies and gentlemen over the past two centuries. Guests have included at least two presidents and the property is utterly gorgeous.

Brides and Grooms can exchange vows in the garden under a 150 year old Osage orange tree or on one of the two Greek revival porches at the house. There is also the newly built Fleming center which is available for receptions and gatherings.

Tours of the family home are available for wedding guests. Guests should enjoy the diversion and the glimpse of Tennessee’s rich history.

Heartwood Hall
Heartwood Hall (located in Rossville, TN) is a historic residence featured on the National Historic Register. It was originally built by the Miller family as a wedding gift for one of their daughters. It also has a prominent place in Civil War history as union soldiers camped on the front lawn and used the residence as a hospital.

The house is 7000 square feet and has a gourmet kitchen, courtyard and pool. Servants quarters re-purposed as guesthouses are scattered about the property, as well as a gorgeous garden. Heartwood Hall has become a highly sought after venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions and it’s easy to see why.

The Hermitage
There is truly no place with more options for weddings than the Hermitage. It was once the home of American president Andrew Jackson and is a sought after venue for its historical connection alone. The property features a church and gardens as well as houses and a visitor center available for rent. The options for weddings are truly endless here.

Couples will be overwhelmed with all the choices and the opportunities for memorable photos abound at The Hermitage. The entire place is beautiful and you could spend a week just exploring it.

The Red House
This venue is unique, trendy, and affordable. It’s perfect for a wedding on a budget but the house still retains historic charm. The decor of the 130 year old home is accented with rock and roll memorabilia which offers a sort of chic style mixed with southern charm. The house appears historic on the exterior but is very modern inside. It’s the best of both worlds for any wedding.

Castleton Farms
Castleton farms are modeled after the New Orleans Plantation, Houmas House. It features five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The beautiful spiral staircase in the main foyer is perfect for photo opportunities as well as the 12 ft, 4 tiered Palazzo fountain. The place is amazing!

The exterior and grounds are just as awe inspiring as the interior. The in ground swimming pool with floating candles and the huge lawn are certainly impressive. Greek statues, lush flowers, and a multitude of greenery accent the property and make it a really wonderful wedding venue.

There is no doubt that options for romantic and historical weddings abound in Tennessee. The state is overflowing with such a rich history, beautiful mountains and lakes. This provides the perfect setting for a memorable wedding no matter which venue you might choose.

Image Courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Every woman about to get married wants her special day to be a memorable one. When choosing the date of her wedding day, a bride-to-be might pick New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to get married. Both days are sure to create opportunities to celebrate two events in one, and they have special meaning to host a marriage during this festive time of season.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are becoming extremely popular as days for getting married. Because both days symbolize a new beginning, many couples wish to embark on a life of marriage and the rest of their lives on such a day. They can also celebrate these two special occasions in one every year on their anniversary.

When planning and hosting a New Year’s Eve wedding, the best time to begin the festivities and celebration is around eight o’clock in the evening. Guests can begin the night with drinks and dinner, and dance and mingle until right before the New Year begins. The best time to exchange vows and make the marriage official would be at midnight. This would be an incredibly romantic and festive start to the New Year. Guests can make champagne toasts to both the newly married couple and the New Year.

New Year’s Day is another wonderful day to get married and start the year off in the best possible way. A New Year’s Day brunch would be an ideal start to a wedding on this holiday. Mimosa toasts can complement the brunch, and the official ceremony could start in the early afternoon. The first day of the rest of the lives of the couple as well as the beginning of a brand new year can both be celebrated.

When choosing decorations for a wedding on either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, elegant yet simple is the best way to go. Gold ribbons and light, airy pastel decorations create beautiful, romantic and festive effects. Centerpieces can include white and champagne-colored roses for a clean, modern look. Plenty of candles will make the atmosphere romantic and warm.

A possible setback of hosting a wedding on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day is the fact that many people go out of town and already have festivities planned in advance during these two days. Be sure to send invitations out extra early so that guests can plan accordingly. Ask for RSVPs as soon as possible so that the guest count will be accurate.

Image Courtesy of the Ruffled Blog

The winter months are an excellent time for holding a wedding ceremony. The weather can be picturesque and the gathering of wedding attendants helps create a warm, festive feeling for the special event. A wedding theme inspired by the sights and sensations associated with wintertime can be easy to create and follow without the need for extra expensive accessories and decorations. By choosing to make your own centerpieces for a winter wedding, you can save money as well as express your creativity as you prepare for the big day.

Flower arrangements make attractive centerpieces for any type of wedding, and can be customized to create a truly wintry feel. Choose large flowers with petals that spread wide to create a full, robust arrangement. Lilies, chrysanthemums and peonies are all good choices for centerpiece arrangements, but you can choose any flower you prefer. Pale or white colors of flowers work best with a winter theme. Poinsettias of any color are also highly appropriate for a winter theme. If you opt for silk flowers instead of visiting a florist for your centerpieces, make sure that they are of good quality and look professional. Once you have your flowers, arrange them in large, cylindrical, solid-colored vases so that the centerpiece appears to be full without any large gaps in the petals. As an added touch, you can cut white embossed wallpaper to fit around each vase and secure the paper in place with double-sided tape to increase your centerpieces’ elegance.

A relatively inexpensive option for designing your own winter wedding centerpieces is to use clear glass candle holders and long, tapering candlesticks to create a sophisticated array of light. Find glass candle holders at home design stores, thrift shops or in your own collection. The holders can either match uniformly or be a whimsical mix of different shapes and sizes. Then choose long candlesticks and fit them into their holders. White or silver candles evoke the frosty theme of snowy winter settings, but you can also choose a pastel shade of one of your wedding colors for the candlesticks. Arrange the centerpieces in the middle of your table so that they create an aesthetically pleasing visual effect, then light them once the ceremony is about to begin. Be sure that the lit candles are out of the way of any unwary guest that might accidentally bump into or brush up against them.

Filling clear glass bowls with natural elements that are commonly associated with the winter season is another way to create elegant, inexpensive centerpieces that will impress you guests. Place white pebbles, soft gray stones, artificial red berries or pomegranate seeds in the bottom of decorative glass bowls. Small clippings from pine trees, pine cones, holly or fancy plastic snowflakes can then be placed on top of the base materials, so that they slightly reach out of the top of the bowl. This centerpiece option has a lot of room for customization. You can combine the suggested materials or any other winter elements in a number of ways to create truly unique decorations. Once you have crafted centerpieces that fit your aesthetic tastes, you can position them on tables and surround them with a few tea light candles as an extra special touch.

When you are making DIY centerpieces for winter weddings, what you make is limited by your own creativity. Keep in mind the vision you have for your decorations and follow your aesthetic sensibilities to ensure that you create centerpieces that look good to both yourself and others. Doing this will ensure that your winter themed decor is truly memorable.