How Do I Include My Child into My Wedding?

This question is asked a lot. I mean.. A LOT. If you are getting married with a child, it's only natural that you want that child (or children) to feel as though they can participate in the wedding. It makes it special for both the couple AND the child. My advice? Incorporate a Unity Sand Ceremony into your wedding. The Weddingstar Heart Shaped Sand Ceremony Set even comes with an accessory vase for your child to help pour.
 

Adding a child (or as I mentioned, children) into the sand ceremony set symbolizes the "blending" of family into one solid unit. The final product is a keepsake that can be cherished forever. Weddingstar, in fact, offers the accessory vase as an additional product so you can purchase as many as you need.

Another added bonus is that you can purchase as much sand as you'd like, and you can pick colors to coordinate with your wedding theme or color scheme.

I'd also appoint my child with some duties that make him/her feel special. For example, they can show the guests to the dance floor or help take coats (if they want to). While this is a very special day for the husband and wife, it's also a special day for the children that are included, so make it fun and memorable for them too!

Weddingstar Heart Shaped Sand Ceremony Vase Set

Avoiding Family Wedding Drama

I have met many couples that absolutely adore their in-laws. I have met other couples, however, that can't stand the families of their soon-to-be spouses. How do you plan a special day, such as a wedding, without having any family drama? It's simple, nip it before it happens.

The best way to avoid any family drama during your wedding is to allow an open seating setting. If you spend time and hours worrying about who will sit where, you are bound to end up with complaints and irritations. Make sure that your venue or location offers round tables to initiate conversation (you don't want awkward silence) and let your family, friends and guests pick their own table companions.

I have also heard many couples say "I don't want to invite her, she will cause drama." My solution is the opposite. NOT inviting a family member can create even more drama with other family members. It is best to just be the bigger person and invite everybody. If they come, they come - and you don't have the stress of being blamed.

Allocating jobs to parents and other important family members is also a way to keep the peace. If you assign your mother a job, your mother in law a job and all of your sisters (and sister in laws), they may feel important and not worry what the others will be doing.

My most important advice is to be HAPPY. If you don't allow yourself to worry about "nonsense". It is YOUR day and nobody else should be the center of attention!

Bridal Accessories

Ring Bearer Suits

The ring bearer is usually a very important part of a wedding ceremony. His job, to bring the rings to the groom, is very important. Let's be honest, he's not really carrying the REAL rings. Typically the best man has the rings, however the ring bearer's job is traditional, therefore very important.

I have witnessed children of all ages as the ring bearer. Heck, I have even seen dogs walk down the ring pillow! (And YES, I think that's adorable too!) The fact of the matter is that many children are younger as the ring bearer and flower girl, so how do you find a comfortable suit to accommodate the young bridal party member?

Recently, the Baby Boy's 5 Piece Suit with Vest and Tie have been extremely popular. So popular, in fact, that I used one for my little man for my 2012 wedding! The nice part about these suits? They are the BEST quality and extremely affordable. I know this because I was looking at triple the price just to rent a suit for my 1 year old, and I wouldn't have been able to keep it as a keepsake either!

The 5 pieces include:

• Slacks
• Jacket
• Vest
• Long Sleeve White Shirt
• Tie

And you can most likely find a color to coordinate with your wedding too. Lito makes these suits in

• Dark Gray
• Light Gray
• Khaki
• Navy
• Black

Baby Ring Bearer Suit

History of the Grooms Cake

As with many traditions, the grooms cake is an old wedding tradition that has found it's way back into modern cultures. Originated in the south,  the grooms cake was a separate cake, in addition to the main wedding cake, usually in a different style, flavor and color than the main cake, that was designed around and about the groom. It was intended to be a present from the bride to the groom, and thus, was usually about something the groom loved (besides the bride!). It was generally dark, and had 'masculine' themes such as sports, hunting, etc. Over time, as weddings became less extravagant, the cake began to be seen as an unnecessary expense and was phased out from wedding ceremonies.

As all old things come back in fashion, the grooms cake too is making a big comeback in weddings. Couples with disposable incomes are splurging big time on a day that will come once in their lifetime, and are experimenting with their ceremonies. The groom's cake, thus, becomes a good idea to invest in, adding a layer of 'retro cool' to the ceremony.

The purpose of the groom's cake can be many. It can serve as a dessert at the rehearsal dinner, or can be an alternative choice to the main bridal cake at the wedding. Custom dictates that the cake be placed next to the bride's cake at the ceremony. It is then cut into wedges and placed in boxes to be given out to guests. Such slices can even serve as a wedding favor (thus eliminating one expense!). You can have the cake placed in stylized boxes and add a further layer of 'chutzpah' to the ceremony.

Legend has it that single women who sleep with a slice of the groom's cake under their pillows dream of their future husband that night. While you of course don't have to compel the single women to take this course, it can make for a wonderful excuse to have this cake at your wedding!

Cake Toppers

Wedding Planning: Letting Loved Ones Help

If you don't have the money or simply don't want to hire a wedding planner, then a DIY wedding is best for you. The only issue? If you aren't used to planning large events, such as weddings, you may end up feeling very frustrated. DIY weddings are also easier on the wallet, helping to save some cash for a honeymoon! 

How did I make my DIY wedding work? Well, luckily I have friends and family that actually wanted to help. I took them up on this offer, for sure! Here are some good ideas: 

Do you know of anybody musical? If you have a friend that can sing or play an instrument,  consider letting them do their thing while you walk down the aisle. Many brides pay hundreds of dollars for this! 

Do any of your friends have a garden? You can make your own floral arrangements, and they will mean so much more knowing that somebody that you love helped to make them! 

Any artistic friends? They can put their skills to the test by carving ice sculptures, pumpkins, design mason jars, the possibilities are endless!

If you have a friend that really wants to help, but doesn't exactly have anything to contribute, try assigning a task. For example, you can have somebody direct guests in the right direction for seating. Somebody can overlook the decorations to make sure that they look perfect. These types of things should be done and can help take a load of stress off of the bride! 

While you will be saving a ton of money, you will also be bonding with your friends and family members who will most likely be honored to take part in your wedding preparations! 

Weddingstar Wedding Supplies

Unity Sand Ceremony Shadow Box Set

 

For a few years, brides have been snagging up the Heart Shaped Sand Ceremony Vase Set by Weddingstar. In recent years, this set has a competitor. The Unity Sand Ceremony Set by Cathy's Concepts. This set is available in white and black and loved by brides and grooms around the country! 

 

A beautiful alternative to the traditional unity candle, our Unity Sand Ceremony Shadow Box Set creates a sentimentally chic way to display your love. Perfect for outdoor ceremonies or destination weddings, this keepsake kit includes everything you'll need to create a memorable unity ceremony, as well as provide your home with a unique piece of decorative home decor after! Simply display your finished sand artwork and use your pouring vases for candles, flowers, or whatever else you see fit, and you'll see just how amazing a symbolic centerpiece can be!
This unity sand ceremony kit includes:

• Large shadow box
• Personalized glass insert
• Two pouring vases

Brides like to customize these by adding a touch of flair with various colored sands to match their theme or color scheme.  The best part about these sand ceremony kits? They can be kept as keepsakes and passed on for generations! A lovely sentiment.

Unity Sand Ceremony Shadow Box Set

Honoring the Mother of the Bride

All brides would like to honor their mother during their wedding. The question is, however, how would you like to do so? If you are close with your mother you may want to do a few of these memorable traditions!

1) The Dress or Veil - Many brides honor their mother by wearing her dress or veil. If the dress is too old fashioned, ask if it can be altered. If the dress doesn't work, you can also incorporate her veil into your dress.

2) Dress the Mother or Mother In Law - If you have already picked out your wedding dress as well as your bridesmaids gowns, you may want to select dresses for the mother of the bride (and the mother of the groom as well!). This helps them feel as though they are part of the wedding party.

3) Ceremony Seating - The mother of the bride is usually the last person seated before the ceremony begins. In Christian wedding ceremonies, she sits on the left side in the front row. In Jewish ceremonies, it's tradition for the bride's mother and father to process up the aisle with their daughter. These days, it's not uncommon for ANY religion to have the mother AND father walk the bride down the aisle. 

There are many other ways that brides can honor their mother during the wedding and reception. The mother can be presented with flowers and a personalized handkerchief. A toast can be given during the reception to honor and thank her for all that she has done.

Wedding Essentials

Tips for Cheap and Easy Wedding Centerpieces

 

Your wedding centerpiece is the first thing that catches the eye of your guests (aside from the gorgeous bride, of course!). You may want to make these centerpieces lavish, however your budget doesn't cover them. Here are some great tips to creating amazing centerpieces without spending your entire budget. 

 

Select Good Flowers: 

If you want more bang for your buck, select a stunning flower that only needs one or two blooms in order to make a huge statement. A Hydrangea, for example, is a beautiful, long and elegant flower that can transform a table with just one or two buds. 

Layer Flowers: 

If you have your heart set on expensive flowers, you can consider lowering the cost by spacing the flowers with cheaper items, such as babies breath. This will make very full centerpieces that aren't very expensive, but LOOK expensive because of the more expensive flowers in the center. 

Table Color: 

Aside from the actual centerpiece, your entire table should "flow" with the rest of your wedding to create the ultimate reception. Little accessories, such as table cloths, favors, napkins, etc., can all play a huge role in the centerpiece that you select. 

Select a Vase: 

Should you opt for a floral centerpiece, you should also consider the types of vase that you are displaying. Many options are inexpensive yet so chic. I think a mason jar is a perfect centerpiece for a shorter display. In fact, mason jars are so versatile, you can skip the flowers all together! Add a candle, water activated diamond light - get creative!

Wedding Essentials

Many cheap wedding centerpieces have excellent use of flowers and space. Less expensive flowers and better use of flowers and vases can allow you to spread that beautiful flower color out.
The hydrangea is a perfect example and a gorgeous wedding flower all on its own! One or two blooms can easily fill a vase. Multiply that times four or five displays on a large or long table and you can very cheaply and easily decorate that table.
- See more at: http://www.easy-wedding-centerpieces.com/cheap-wedding-centerpieces.html#sthash.W4M1J2sw.dpuf

Many cheap wedding centerpieces have excellent use of flowers and space. Less expensive flowers and better use of flowers and vases can allow you to spread that beautiful flower color out.
The hydrangea is a perfect example and a gorgeous wedding flower all on its own! One or two blooms can easily fill a vase. Multiply that times four or five displays on a large or long table and you can very cheaply and easily decorate that table.
- See more at: http://www.easy-wedding-centerpieces.com/cheap-wedding-centerpieces.html#sthash.W4M1J2sw.dpuf

Some Crafty Wedding DIY Tips

Some brides spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a wedding planner. If you have the money and don't really feel like being involved, that's perfectly fine. In fact, a wedding planner can take away a ton of stress if you happen to be feeling overwhelmed.

The rest of the brides, however, may want to plan their own wedding, and this is beyond fine. In fact, it's downright fun! I have seen a ton of DIY wedding tips out there that really save on money as well as enhance that special day.

My first tip: Use everyday items to enhance your wedding. For example: food coloring.

By adding a few drops of food coloring into your wedding vases or to your water activated diamond light display, you are adding a bright color with virtually no cost. This is a great way to illuminate your wedding reception. Especially if it's at night!

My second tip: create your centerpieces from your favors. It kills two birds with one stone. For example, my wedding was beach themed. I took a clear plate with play sand and centered my mini beach bags (filled with chocolates) and some shells. This was the most adorable centerpiece that I did myself (very VERY cheap!) and each guest took home a beach bag.

Wedding Favors

The Grooms Cake - A Fun Twist on the Wedding Cake

 

Originating in the south, he grooms cake is a fun way to celebrate the groom during the wedding reception.  It was intended to be a surprise present from the bride to the groom. Generally, it's something that the groom absolutely loves! A sport, TV show, hobby, etc. It was traditionally dark, and had 'masculine' themes such as sports, hunting, etc. Over time, as weddings became less extravagant, the cake began to be seen as an unnecessary expense and was phased out from wedding ceremonies.

As usual with these types of thing, this old tradition is coming back with a vengence. Brides are getting more and more creative with their surprise grooms cakes. Couples with disposable incomes are splurging big time on a day that will come once in their lifetime, and are experimenting with their ceremonies. The groom's cake, thus, becomes a good idea to invest in, adding a layer of 'awesome' to the ceremony.

The purpose of the groom's cake can be endless. Some brides serve it as a dessert at the rehearsal dinner, or can be an alternative choice to the main bridal cake at the wedding. Custom dictates that the cake be placed next to the bride's cake at the ceremony. It is then cut into wedges and placed in boxes to be given out to guests. Such slices can even serve as a wedding favor (thus eliminating one expense!). You can have the cake placed in stylized boxes and add a further layer of 'chutzpah' to the ceremony.

Legend has it that single women who sleep with a slice of the groom's cake under their pillows dream of their future husband that night. While you of course don't have to compel the single women to take this course, it can make for a wonderful excuse to have this cake at your wedding!

Fun Cake Toppers

Bellacroft’s Wedding Budget Advice

 

Weddings these days are very expensive, which is why most brides and grooms choose to plan their wedding based on a budget. You don’t need to look at your budget as the end of your wedding world, however. It can simply mean thinking “outside of the box” to get the most bang for your buck! Bring your ideas back down to basics and try to focus on your guest to make sure that you accommodate them.

The first step is to create your budget, even before you select a venue or guest list. You must know your limits before you decide on how many guests will be It is important that you set a budget before making a list of who to invite. You need to know what you can spend so that you know how many people you can have at your wedding.

The next step is to decide what you can do yourself. If you are pretty skilled with crafts, you may want to tackle the favors and décor on your own. If you have a friend or family member that knows photography, see if they will do your photo shoot pro-bono (or for a reduced cost). All of these tiny details will help you to keep your budget for other aspects, such as food and venue.

If you can’t afford certain things, try to find help or resources that will make them within your reach, allowing your budget money to be spent elsewhere. A great idea is to buy a used or pre-owned wedding gown. If you think about it, this dress has most likely been only worn for an hour or two. The cost will be reduced in half, a great savings for most brides!

Remember that you should spend time planning a wedding so that cost do not get out of hand. If you being your planning well in advance, you will find that you aren’t feeling rushed and overwhelmed, you will have plenty of time to research your wedding essentials and stay within your desired budget.

Affordable Wedding Accessories