Image Courtesy of A Perfect Celebration

One of the most popular wedding types in the UK has been the outdoor wedding. This specific wedding set up, has materialized some of its own trends and and styles including everything from colors, flowers, center pieces, weather protection options, cakes decorations, foods, invitations, transportation, music and themes for the reception and ceremony. Of course, all of these wedding details vary from season to season, but there are some trend generalities that can be discussed.

The most popular time for UK outdoor weddings is late spring and summer. This can be noted in the trends in colors and flowers that are often seen in UK outdoor weddings occurring at this time of the year. For example, a large majority of outdoors weddings that happen in the spring generally utilize soft, pastel colors. It has become more and more popular to accent these lighter shades with a dark, bold color. For example, pastel pinks will often be accented by a more vibrant and eye catching shade of pink…basically a more saturated version of the pastel shade. The UK outdoor weddings that happen in the summer time, have moved away from the soft shades into the bright and vivid colors such as yellow, bright orange, and aqua blue. These shades leave less room for exploring other color options, since they already make a bold statement in and of themselves.

The trends for flowers in outdoor UK weddings have actually reverted to the more traditional options. Lilies, lilacs and wildflowers can often be seen in the spring time weddings and roses and sunflowers during the summer. Some people choose to combine the spring and summer flowers into a bouquet to give the wedding a unique twist.

Interestingly enough, while the general trend with flowers and colors seems to be towards the traditional, there is something to be said for the growing number of couples who choose to do something very different. Some people who have outdoor weddings in UK have completely abandoned the idea of flowers all together (except the bouquet the bride holds). Instead their center pieces are made of things like small chocolate fountains, beautifully decorated candles, small figurines, statues, or even various designs made of different colored lights.

On that note, lights have become probably the most popular way to set the mood in UK outdoor weddings. What we mean by this is that as the sun begins to set on an outdoor wedding, there is nothing to lighten the reception area. For this reason, many couples choose to decorate the covers and tends that surround the reception with various types of lights. These vary from large extravagant lights to small yellow Christmas lights. Whatever the case may be, the couple finds it to be a fun twist to wedding preparation and design and many are surprised to find how well it fits the wedding theme.

The trend in UK outdoor weddings has been to stick to the traditional and simple, even though an open space presents for an opportunity to make some interesting design arrangements. Most couples choose to have an isle made of white and the front “altar” area to be set up with an arc decorated with various flowers.

Many people who are fortunate to have their outside wedding on a nice day, set up the reception of their wedding just a few feet away from the actual ceremony. The trend for weather covers has been to cover the seating areas with light cloth, or see through plastic, to unwrap their guests in the magic of their surroundings.

Image Courtesy of Alda's Maine Weddings & Celebration Summer Flowers

If your summer wedding is an outdoor event, then why restrict your bridesmaid and groomsman gifts to the tired old standbys? Consider passing up the expected fountain pens and crystal earrings in favor of something more unexpected that matches the theme of your outdoor setting. You have spent great amounts of time creating an outdoor wedding that reflects the beauty of nature during summer; shouldn’t the wedding party gifts reflect that rustic spirit as well?

Many outdoorsy or nature-inspired gifts can be appreciated by both groomsmen and bridesmaids. Here are just a few ideas:

– For a casual outdoor wedding, consider monogrammed outdoors or sporting items. What groomsman would not love a barbeque kit, cooler seat, insulated lunch bag or party beverage cooler personalized with his initials? Bridesmaids are sure to appreciate rustic, yet beautiful equipment that they can use on a romantic picnic or trip to the beach, such as a canvas picnic basket or insulated wine chiller bearing their monogram.

– Who says that a gift has to be something that can be unwrapped? Many groomsmen and bridesmaids love to receive gift certificates. Why not select a gift certificate for a fun summer activity? Consider certificates for white-water rafting, horseback riding, canoeing, or any adventure activity that members of your wedding party would enjoy. Tuck the gift certificate into a beautiful handmade envelope made of an organic, rustic paper.

– For a summer beach wedding, consider having wedding party gifts crafted of genuine sea glass. There are many sea glass artists to be found on the internet and elsewhere who would love to custom design and create sea glass cufflinks for the groomsmen and sea glass pendant necklaces for the bridesmaids. Have them made in the colors and spirit of your wedding décor.

– How about giving the wedding party something they will definitely be able to use, perhaps even before the wedding reception is over? A pair of nice designer sunglasses will get a lot of mileage during the summer days following the event. They will also earn you quite a bit of ‘friendship’ mileage. Your maid of honor will adore you after you give her a great pair of designer shades! If you are unsure of styles, just go with the current favorites: Ray-Ban Aviators or over-sized Versace shades.

These were just a few ideas to get you started. Really consider all the summer activities your wedding party enjoys. From gardening to golf, you will soon see that there are many outdoor-inspired or nature themed gifts to choose from. At very least, consider revamping a traditional gift with a decoration, motif, or engraving that embodies the spirit of your outdoor wedding theme. This theme, be it tropical, garden party, woodland or floral, can be the focal point of the perfect bridesmaid or groomsman gifts for your summer outdoor wedding.

Image Courtesy of Serendipity Designs Blog

The summer season is coming around again this year, and it is a very popular time for weddings to be held. However, it can be tough to know what to have at your wedding so it matches the appropriate season! One of the main things you should consider putting into your wedding is the type of cake. Often times, the cake is not the most important feature until after the wedding is over and the reception has begun. Choosing a cake can be quite difficult because not only do you have to determine the looks of the cake, but you also have to determine what the guests will like more inside the cake. One of the best things to purchase during the summer for your wedding is a theme cake! Theme cakes always make great additions to weddings, and they can provide your whole party with a laugh depending on what theme you get. The most important part of the cake is the topper, having a funny topper such as a ball and chain on the groom can make the cake the center of the wedding. A cake is one of the things you should consider during the summer season!

Another important piece to making your summer wedding spectacular is the decorations you put into it. Once again going with a theme is a smart idea, and you can even have the participants in the wedding dress accordingly to the theme. For the theme, a popular theme is bright colors. Since it is summer, you will want to have the bridesmaids and the best man dress accordingly, and if you wedding will be held in a field with the sun brightly shining, a yellow colored dress would fit perfectly with the summer theme. Another must have for your summer wedding is the appropriate time of day. You want to schedule your wedding more towards the afternoon, rather than mid-day. This is important because you will have the sunset to enjoy as the wedding is occurring, and often times guests can get irritated if the sun is too bright and too hot. One of the main reasons people do not enjoy weddings is because they can be uncomfortable due to the weather, and scheduling your wedding during the appropriate time of day during the summer can make a huge difference and make your weddings one of the most spectacular in the summer season.

Another summer wedding must have is a proper reception. One of the main reasons people attend is because of the reception, this is where people get to talk to each other and meet new friends and have fun. A summer wedding must have is good entertainment, as if you have a nice band booked it can make a huge difference in your wedding. One of the main reasons weddings aren’t enjoyable for some people is the fact that the reception did not have any work into it, and the reception is perhaps one of the most important pieces to a wedding excluding the ceremony. The reception is where you will enjoy the cake, and share important dances with the bride and groom. Here you will create memories that can last a lifetime, and choosing the appropriate decorations can make a huge difference. Another thing to consider is the food that is served in the reception. Often times food is overlooked and there is not much of a choice between what you wish to order, and a summer wedding must have is good food. As you can see, there are many things that can make your summer wedding spectacular.

Image Courtesy of The Savannah Wedding Studio

Savannah is a gorgeous community located on the Atlantic coast of Georgia. Known as the oldest city in Georgia, Savannah possesses southern charm and hospitality, which makes it an excellent place to vacation. The town is home to cobble stone streets, beautiful mansions and interesting museums. Savannah also contains some of the best places in the world for a romantic wedding. Here are the top five wedding venues for a perfect Savannah wedding.

Image Courtesy of Music City Events

The color of the year for 2012 is Tangerine Tango. This fits well into the spring 2012 color palette. It seems that the palette for spring 2012 is vibrant, fresh, and bright. Bold colors seem to be taking up most of the list. Neutral and earth tones are taking a back seat this spring. Brides are looking to make a more bold statement with their color choices this year. We are seeing many less traditional colors being chosen and more new, vibrant choices being added to the list.

If you are looking for a more neutral or earth toned formal wedding, there are only four colors listed to be trendy this spring. The colors are Driftwood, Starfish, Vintage Khaki, and Tradewinds. These are your taupe tones, khaki tones, and gray tones. These tones do still make a statement but are geared more toward formal weddings, high end weddings, and vintage themed weddings. These tones pair well with Platinum, Gold, and Silver. They also allow for the effect to be vintage, classic modern or contemporary themes. These tones are likely to be picked by brides that are re-marrying or more mature in age.

For a more bold approach to your wedding, pick a vibrant color. The hottest colors this spring in the bold category are Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Cabaret, Sodalite Blue, Grass Green, Granita, and Dazzling Blue. These colors are fresh, vibrant, bold, and noticeable. These color options would be more fitting for a whimsical couple that may be younger in age. Bold colors suit people with bright, bubbly personalities or those that are a bit more creative and artistic. Mixing these colors must be done carefully; the colors can be too bold and make your wedding seem more like a circus if too many are mixed. Try to only use two or three of these colors together at the most. Mix in muted tones that match any of these colors for a textured look and more cohesive palette.

Some of these bright colors are muted some in a pastel palette. There are a few selected colors that are considered to be the trend for spring 2012. Those colors are Bellflower, Margarita, Sweet Lilac, Cockatoo, and Hawaiian Ocean. Grass Green and Granita could also fit into this group of colors. The pastel palette works so well for more traditional weddings that just want a subtle splash of color. These also couple well with the earth and neutral tone palette. Using pastels signifies the beginning of spring, the blooming of delicate flowers, and will keep the focus more on the bride and groom than the decor. These colors suit those with a more quiet personality, sophistication, and those that lean more toward traditional wedding styles.

A couple of color combinations mixing and matching from the three different palettes would also be quite trendy. Using the Vintage Khaki with Granita is a perfect combination. These two colors together match perfectly with any style or theme that you would want. They match perfectly for traditional weddings, formal weddings, and for a more mature setting. Pairing Driftwood with Cockatoo still shows a fun and whimsical mood, but can also work for a more modern theme as well. A more professional themed wedding may pair ivory tones with driftwood and dazzling blue, perhaps adding a touch of gray for a relaxed mood. When you are picking your colors, take into consideration the complexions of your wedding party. All of you should blend well and the colors chosen should be appropriate for each member. Selecting one color dress/tux for the ushers/bridesmaids is ideal and a second color for your Maid of Honor and Best Man so that they clearly defined in their roles.

Image Courtesy of Southern Weddings

Sweetheart style dresses are the trend for wedding dresses in the spring of 2012. These dresses include floral prints, pink dresses, and elaborate skirted dresses. The designs of these dresses are not including a lot of glitz or sparkle; they are meant to show off the design of the dress and the fabric used. Illusion necklines are also the “in” style this spring. Most of the dresses that are in demand for this spring are long, full dresses. There are few selected that are short or mermaid style dresses. Simple, yet elegant are the focused designs. Women are showing off their arms this season with strapless, strapped, or halter topped dresses. More dresses with accents and splashes of color in them are expected to be the trend this spring.

The color trends for the spring of 2012 are vibrant and bold. There are only two neutral colors (driftwood and starfish), on the color palette. Tangerine Tango and Solar Power are the top two colors on the list. Bellflower, Cabaret, Margarita, Sodalite Blue, Sweet Lilac, and Cockatoo are the other top colors chosen. Wedding colors this season are meant to be vibrant, alive, and bold. It is becoming more common to use a more vibrant or bold color in the past seasons. Its all about making statements right now. More and more brides want to make a statement on their special day; using these bold colors helps them do just that. Spring is the time of year for bright, fresh, and vibrant colors. There is no more playing it safe with a mild color, statements are meant to be made.

Your hair should make a statement too. The style that most stands out this spring is a vintage, yet timeless look. Something like a loose wave down look is what many brides are going for this season. A stylish up-do in a fish tail braided look looks refreshing and wispy. The idea for hair this year is to keep it simple and to show off your face. Your hair should play the second chair to your face and dress.

Flowers are also getting more simple. Mixes of spring colors that are bright, refreshing, and vibrant bring these special days to light. Spring bouquets are the talk of the town. Single colored bouquets with bright limes, oranges, fuchsias, and yellows are expected to be in high demand. Semi-closed flowers that are just peaking open mixed with full blooms also show off the vibrancy of a spring themed wedding.

It is said that the colors in demand for this season are a play on fruit colors such as grapefruit, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, and limes. All of these are fresh, alive, and vibrant. They wake up your senses and put the focus right where it needs to be, on the bride. Menus are also light using cupcakes instead of a heavy wedding cake, more seafood options, and more bite sized delicacies. The colors of the food in your menu should also reflect your color scheme for your wedding. The food, setting, and color choices all tie into a theme. Something light and fresh is what most brides are wanting to achieve in the spring 2012 wedding season.

Keep your makeup light and fresh. Heavy makeup tones are waiting for fall of 2012. Light colors, with light applications are coming to the forefront to keep our brides looking young and fresh. Your eyes should be played up some to accent your dress colors if you have color splashes in it or to brighten your eyes accenting some of the hints of color in your bouquet.

Image Courtesy of Benachi House & Gardens

Whether you are from New Orleans, or you just love its festive atmosphere, there is a venue for your wedding that will make your special day one to remember. If you desire an intimate wedding for just a few close friends in a private location or if you are looking for a spectacular show for several hundred on the bayou, there is a venue for you. Below are the 5 most popular.

The first one of these amazing New Orleans wedding venues is the Magnolia Plantation. This historic facility has a total of 15,000 square feet that can be partitioned by movable walls and can hold up to 1,200 people so that your event can be a party to remember. The beautiful crystal chandeliers, bright white linens and chair covers, and beautiful candlelit centerpieces will make your event as romantic and elegant as it should be. The Magnolia Plantation offers a full bar, dance floor, in-house disc jockey, and catering, as well as a caring professional staff that will work hard to make sure your event meets your high standards.

Another great New Orleans wedding venue is the Royal Palm. This sought after event space can hold up to 1,000 wedding guests. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and would make a great backdrop for your wedding celebration. The elegant décor includes beautiful crystal chandeliers lending to a one of a kind ambiance. The professional staff will work with you to create the menu to meet your needs to the strictest detail and will help walk you through each step of the planning process.

A New Orleans wedding venue that provides Southern charm is the House of Broel’s Victorian Mansion. This interesting home offers hospitality and great menu options that you would expect for your one of a kind event. The atmosphere at the Mansion includes crystal chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and antiques, as well as dense gardens to be used for your ceremony or reception location. This venue has been hosting special events for over 20 years so it can offer you experienced staff so that your event is catered to your specific needs.

If you desire an eclectic wedding, the Venusian Gardens may be just what you are looking for. This is a fine art gallery that is known for glass art and abstract sculpture. Your backdrop could include beautiful and unique artwork in one of its many galleries. The staff at this fabulous New Orleans wedding venue will provide a list of caterers and entertainers that they have experience with or they will work with one that you provide for your event. They specialize in small intimate weddings, but do have packages to meet the needs of every wedding party.

Finally, the Benachi House and Gardens make a beautiful and authentic New Orleans backdrop for your wedding. Your menu can include a elegant seated meal or a more casual crawfish boil. The facility can hold up to 150 guests outdoors and sixty for a ceremony inside the elegant building. Your event includes chairs, tables, and all linens, but you will have to provide the catering, entertainment, and any specialty linens. The beautiful landscaped gardens offer a park-like setting with lighting and paving on all walkways so your event can be held outdoors in the evening. The staff at this venue will work closely with the wedding planner you choose so that your event is exactly how you dreamed.

Because New Orleans is known for its festive and party-like atmosphere, your wedding will be the main event and your guests will remember it for a lifetime.

Image Courtesy of My Wedding Favors

So you want the pomp and circumstance of a Mardi Gras wedding, you just don’t want to alienate your great aunt Gertrude. After all, the jazz and the colors are just a symbol of celebration, a way to let the good times roll, not a plan for the debauchery Fat Tuesday can evoke. The trick is to simply blend in elements that don’t overshadow your vows. Of course, you’ll want the jazz of the occasion, but sometimes it’s the small touches and favors that play a big part in how your special day is remembered.