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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!

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If you are planning a 2012 wedding, you may want to consider incorporating Pantone’s color of the year, Tangerine Tango. The energetic reddish orange brings boldness to fashion and décor, and its place as the year’s top color will influence everything from bridesmaids’ garb to floral arrangements as it filters into 2012 wedding trends. There are many exciting ways to work this beautiful hue into your big day.

Fashion

Bridal fashion has come a long way from the pastels of days gone by. Bold colors are featured in the wardrobes of bridesmaids in all seasons, and while orange tones may not be what you pictured, when it’s referred to as tangerine, it brings a sense of the exotic to bear. Bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes in the deep hue are a potential use, but if you aren’t sold out on a full-fledged orange wedding, then consider contrasting pinks, yellows, or teals with Tangerine Tango accents. Ribbons, sashes and flowers are perfect sources of color, and that subtle use of just a little bit of bright color will speak volumes.

Floral

There are many flowers that boast hues that work into the Tangerine Tango theme. They don’t need to exactly match the color swatch, but light colored flowers can be dyed to match. Consider the Tangerine Tango Inca Lily, an exotic bloom which accents Pantone’s hue with shades of red, orange and yellow that capture the theme. Another outstanding flower to consider is the Mambo spray rose, available in shades of deep reddish orange. Incorporated into floral designs, consider actual use of tangerines, as 2012 trends in weddings include a return to a natural look. Centerpieces and bouquets will amaze, when tangerines are present in the design. For a simple splash of Tangerine Tango, pure white flowers tied with bold ribbon are stunning.

Stationary

Tangerine Tango fits perfectly into any invitation scheme, whether it is used lightly or liberally. Brides and grooms are trending toward more unique, self-made invitations in 2012, and the couple that wants to use the trendy hue of the year in the event can boldly create invitations on tangerine colored paper, or opt for tangerine lined envelopes.

Favors

Tangerine as an influence on favors can only be limited by the creativity of the bride and groom. Materials will be available in abundance, as will paints and accents. Tangerine candles, soaps, and bath and body products can be worked into a fragrant gift set for each wedding guest. Tangerine colored tins or boxes will hold any sort of edible treat, but what better way to keep with the theme than to use tangerine flavored jelly beans? This is one of the easiest elements of the wedding for fitting Tangerine Tango into the scheme and décor.

Cake

The vibrant use of Tangerine Tango can range from the icing atop the cake to the filling inside. An exotic tangerine filling will amaze guests. The more striking use of tangerine in cake décor is to accent a solid white color scheme with well-placed, lush ribbon. With the boldness of the tangerine scheme, less is more.

Food and Drink

Tangerine will easily work into the food and drink offered at your reception. Fruit salad, fruit fondue, or sweet and sour chicken with a tangerine twist will bring the color into the realm of taste. Fruity drinks are easily worked into the beverage selection. The possibilities are endless.

The most important thing to remember, if you want to consider using the color of the year in your 2012 wedding is that you can use as much or as little as you want. In keeping with many of the exciting wedding trends of the year, your wedding will be as unique as you want it to be, and you have the freedom to go against the grain, using interesting materials, colors and accents to make the big day everything you envision.

Image Courtesy of Brides.com (Dress: Alita Graham)

2012 Wedding dress trends include big layered vertical skirts with attractive details. Fabrics such as chiffon, organza, lace, batiste, crepe, and charmeuse silk, are the leading choice of designers for the 2012 wedding. Wedding dress designers offer something new for their clients every year. You can expect to wear a nice combination of various materials. The wedding day is special and every girl dreams of one since a young age. For most girls, a wedding is like a dream come true, and 2012 wedding dress designers understand, they want a wedding gown that is truly stunning.

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

There is a variety of new designs using a combination of elements to make the dress one-of-a-kind. Various shades of ivory, white and bone are available in a large selection of materials, including beaded and embroidered ones. Brides have a wider choice of colors this year with designers creating more silver, lilac, blush and pink dresses, to move ahead of the traditional white and ivory gown. Blush and pink have successfully debuted on the fashion runways and will be the choice of the modern bride.

Images Courtesy of Brides.com (Gown: Junko Yoshioka)

Delicate exclusive creations are great for romantic wedding ceremonies. These celebrate beauty and joy in an inspirational way. All wedding dresses are crafted to be lovely and make the bride look chic. 2012 is the year for illusion necklines. Designers have used see-through fabrics to create an illusion at the neckline in various styles to give the upper body an elegant look. Alongside gowns with illusion necklines, the two-tiered skirts are a popular choice this year. Designers are creating dresses with two layers of fabric to camouflage wider hips. The layers also add more creativity and versatility to the wedding dress. Matching embellishments make the gown unique and glamorous.

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2012 is also going to be the year of the themed wedding. A rustic wedding is the popular choice of couples who plan to marry in 2012. Brides and grooms will incorporate the country look by adding cowboy boots and hats to the bridal party. Western styled suits and wedding gowns are also available online in the latest styles by high end designers.

Image Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

All in all, 2012 wedding dress trends are different as compared to the past. Modern looks and themed weddings are a choice of couples who plan to marry in 2012.

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 Three Winks Studio and TheBrideandGroom.com Blog

Planning a wedding involves an assortment of decisions which need to be made to create the perfect day to suit your style and personal taste. You can create a them for your wedding simply by choosing just the right combination of colors for your special day. For winter weddings occurring between November and February, you can choose unique color schemes to create a distinctively unique wedding.
November weddings will most likely use combinations of fall colors to create a celebration of autumn foliage.  However, especially for y’all up north, some winter schemes can transition everyone into the winter season due to early snowfalls & dropping temperatures.  Deep green, burnt orange and dark red can be used throughout to highlight the changing of the leaves. One alternate option is to use the colors of fall mums as an inspiration for color pairing. Teaming deep red, dark purple, gold and bronze is a unique mixture of colors, all which complement one another.

December, typically centered around the holiday season, can be the basis of a wedding color scheme which is different and eye catching. One option is to pair a white bridal gown with jet black bridesmaid dresses and use bright red for accents such as flowers, boutonnieres, bow ties, sashes and pew decorations for a formal and modern style wedding. Alternately, pairing dark purple, lavender, silver and grey can create a lavish color scheme which is suitable for winter as the shades of purple are reminiscent of sugarplums.

January, when the New Year is being honored, can focus on icicle inspired colors for a truly winter theme wedding. Pairing dark blue, pale ice blue and white will create a winter wonderland theme for your special day. To make a winter wedding a bit out of the ordinary, and to move the color theme to the opposite end of the spectrum, pairing bright pink, sunny yellow, grass green and cool turquoise can give your winter wedding a bit of summer flair and levity.

February, which hosts one of the most romantic holidays of the year, can use Valentine’s Day as a theme. Bright red, pale pink and white work well together. You can also combine Plum, lavender, copper and camel to create a subtle color scheme which hints at the upcoming spring.

Regardless of the color combination used for your wedding, opt to add dashes of complimentary colors throughout the venue to create a look which is eye catching and completely distinctive when compared to traditional wedding color schemes. One of the best ways to find the right color theme for you is to pick your favorite color or hue and start seeing which variations match up well. Keep in mind to think outside of the box, and don’t discount any color as a good pairing until you have visually assessed how the colors work together. You may be surprised what works and what does not.

Recent Trends for Winter Weddings

A winter wedding creates an atmosphere of enchantment and elegance. Not only does a wedding in the winter season set the stage for beauty, many couples have an easier time securing venues because the season is less busy. Colors, the dress, flowers, photography, and the reception are all key aspects of weaving together a winter wedding.

So, what makes a masquerade wedding? Here are a few tips.

-Color
Masquerade colors are intense and alive. They could be lapis lazuli blues, crimson red, rich dark jewel tones, majestic purple or emerald green. Usually gold and silver are used as complementing colors. No neutral or pale colors are allowed. It’s all about deep, vivacious, passionate shades.

-Where does the white dress fit in?
Wedding gowns with spatters of rich colors are excellent for masquerade-themed weddings. A white wedding gown with a burgundy rich color accents on the bodice will set the tone for the entire ceremony. A bridal bouquet decorated nicely in the same hues similar to the gown will certainly make a splash as the bride-to-be walks down the isle.

-Wedding guest costumes
Guest certainly aren’t left out of the masquerade wedding theme. To make it easier for them, inexpensive Mardis Gras styled mask that cover the eyes, would be more than appropriate. These can be given to guest as they come into the reception area, or they can be tastefully placed on a conveniently set table as wedding favors. Masquerade or half masks, can be found and bought in quantity from most party planning outlets or craft supply stores.

-Location
If a venue with rococo pillars and cathedral ceilings can be located, this would be the “icing on the cake” so to speak. However, this kind of surrounding can be recreated. If the masquerade wedding will be held outdoors, especially on a summer night, with or without a tent, there’s plenty of ways to decorate lawns, bushes, trees and porches to create the idea setting of fun and fantasy.

-Décor

A festive masquerade wedding could include black-tie and flamboyant ball gowns with masks. The venue may be decorated with candelabras and various other candles graciously scattered along the table. Add glittering decorations, and voilà, you have a replica of a masquerade ball, imitating as a wedding. Huge, richly colored ostrich feathers would complement the guests’ masquerade mask. Or consider a room full of balloons for the reception. Balloons create a carnival type of atmosphere, producing the fun and excitement of a genuine masquerade party. Ribbons, beads, balloons, masks, feathers all contribute to a highly memorable masquerade wedding and reception, along with all the fun and enthusiasm that comes with it.

-The wedding cake
The ideas are endless for a masquerade themed wedding cake. What’s most important are the colors of the cake. The cake should keep in step with the theme of the day. Perhaps a cake with feathers, or decorated in pink and black baroque decorations, or maybe, glittering with gold and silver eatables with strands of beads. There are a plethora of creative ways to produce the perfect cake for the perfect masquerade wedding.

Masquerade themed weddings are becoming more fashionable than ever. They’re fun, colorful and unforgettable.

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The peacock design is becoming a very trendy design for an outdoor wedding. The essential colors found in this design, sage green and navy blue, are perfect for outdoor events and compliments the everyday elements of the outdoor environment. Other brilliant colors found in the design is turquoise, purple, gold, burnt orange and sometimes a hint of very light beige. There are several ways to incorporate the design into a wedding and several reasons to do so. Some use this design for the beautiful colors, some cherish birds and wildlife and some are just into very edgy, contemporary ideas. No matter what the reason, the peacock design will be great to accent a bride on her special day.

There are so many ways to factor in the peacock design whether it being in the invitations, bridal attire or the decorations. When choosing an invitation you can choose stock cards with a color from the design as the base color to for foundation like the navy blue color. Once you have a colored stock card, you can choose an accent color for the lettering like gold, turquoise or the light beige. Another option would be to have plain white stock cards with an actual peacock attached for a classic look with a little contemporary style.

When incorporating the peacock design into the bridal apparel there are many creative directions to go. For the bridesmaids, a suggestion would be to have all the bridesmaids dresses be the colors of the peacock feather. Have them all in one color or let them all wear a different color to make sure all the colors are displayed. The groom and groomsmen’s ties, cummerbunds and handkerchiefs can all bear a color from the design or even have the peacock design itself. For the really bold bride, a suggestion for the groomsmen’s tuxedos would be that they can even be a color of from the design as well. A navy blue suit to accent the gorgeous blue from the peacock’s feather would be daring move. The peacock design has become such a hip trend that there are peacock inspired wedding dress like dress premiered in 2010 made completely of peacock feathers. For brides wishing to keep the their dresses traditional, choose hair accessories, jewelry and shoes to display the color of the peacock’s feathers. Putting feathers in the bride’s hair is a fearless and fashionable route to take. The bridals party’s bouquets and corsages can include feathers.

The decorations department is where you can be as bold and courageous as you would like to be. Everything from the linen to the tulle can display the peacock design and its vibrant colors. The center pieces can include navy blue flowers, green filler flowers and even have the peacock feather sporadically throughout them. Tablecloths can display the design entirely. Traditional white china place settings can be dressed up with gold, burnt orange or peacock designed napkins. The silverware and cake cutter or server can have handles with the colors of the design. Clusters of feathers can be bind together and tied to chairs, podiums and benches to dress up the scenery in the ceremonial or reception area. Choose favor boxes of the gold, turquoise or even light beige color and then use ribbon of the more direct colors like the navy blue or sage green.

Designing the wedding cake gives endless possibilities. Choose any of the colors if not all and layer them throughout the cake. The cake can bear the design of the feather itself. When using such a valiant, vibrant, vivacious design go bold or go home.

Image Courtesy of The Daily Mail UK

The bride and groom wore green. No, that’s not right. The bride and groom were green. In 2009, a couple from Devon, England made news around the world with their Shrek themed wedding. Guests got in on the act as well, dressing as characters from the popular animated film series. It truly was a wedding to remember.

Elegant white weddings are no longer the standard. Couples all over the world have chosen to break with tradition and made their special day unique. From pirate themed nuptials complete with peg legs and eye patches, to Nascar themed extravaganzas held on the start-finish line of an actual racetrack, today’s wedding is limited only by the combined imaginations of the bride and groom.

Zombies are all the rage in America lately, and an undead wedding is the perfect way to say “’Til death do us part.” A backyard venue can easily be turned into a graveyard, resplendent with Styrofoam tombstones readily available at any Halloween supply shop. The bride and groom can dress in wedding finery, artfully torn and stained with dirt and grass. Guests can feast on such delicacies as blood punch, lady fingers, and brain cake filled with strawberry jam.

Love Harry Potter? Wizard themed weddings have grown tremendously in popularity since the release of the Harry Potter books and subsequent movie franchise. Dress robes are the order of the day, and tall pointy hats are a must. The wedding venue can be transformed into the Great Hall at Hogwarts for the special occasion, and guests can be served delectable treats from the series, including treacle tart, peppermint humbugs, and, of course, pumpkin juice. For those not inclined to align themselves with Harry and his quest for good, a Death Eater wedding is also a possibility.

The Twilight franchise has awakened a lust for blood in all of us, and a vampire themed wedding is the perfect way to declare allegiance to Team Edward. Modern vampire or Dracula aficionado, a vampire theme is both original and somehow romantic. Flickering candlelight, Victorian-era clothing, and lots of deep red colors create the atmosphere, while blood red wine and rare steaks complete the dinner menu. Wedding favors can include plastic fangs and “blood” filled bonbons.

A Disney wedding is popular with brides who fancy themselves a princess. Disneyland and Disneyworld both have amazing wedding packages that include transportation in a glass carriage pulled by white horses, but if budget is a concern, the effect can be mimicked with little difficulty. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and the Handsome Prince, or even Jasmine and Aladdin, a Disney themed wedding can be based on any story, and the rest all but plans itself. Music, decorations and food ideas are limitless. For a variation, mix it up a bit. Sleeping Beauty could marry Hercules, or Tarzan could exchange vows with Snow White. A Disney wedding is a playful way to declare your originality, and a way to ensure a life full of happily ever after.

A wedding no longer needs to include the traditional white gown, black tux and sit-down dinner. Wild, weird and wacky weddings are growing more common. Your wedding will truly be something to remember, and guests will appreciate being spared a long and boring ceremony in favor of a fun-filled romp through the imagination of the bride and groom.