This ribbon bouquet was featured in the recent Martha Stewart Weddings magazine as part of a feature on ribbon crafts for weddings. This is such a gorgeous, unique idea for a bouquet, perfect for a bride who wants something different but still affordable. The magazine, and Martha’s website both provide complete instructions as well. And, not only do you get something completely unique and unforgettable, but it will make a great keepsake for after the wedding as well!

To see the rest of the wonderful ribbon crafts, check out the Martha Stewart website, or pick up a copy today!

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I LOVE the look of pomander balls. They are much classier then traditional baskets for flower girls and they also work well as decor items as well. There are MANY MANY ways that you can dress up a pomander ball. The amazing peony and pearl version shown above was found on eHow and just happens to come along with complete instructions to make your own pomander ball with fresh flowers. Of course, you could use the same instructions for silk flowers as well.

Here are a few more gorgeous pomander ideas (click on the image to find the source).

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Source: White Aisle & All you need to wear.com

Parasols are chic, trendy and highly popular right now, but if you are like most brides on a budget, you have probably thought of them as another way to spend money right? Well - here is some great news for you! These chic, adorable parasols can actually save you money!!

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, parasols make the perfect bridesmaid accessory instead place flowers. You can get parasols in many different colors starting as low as $6 ( 20-32″ at Luna Bazaar). White Aisle has larger, 32″ parasols for $9. The ones from All You Need To Wear start at $5! At those prices, a parasol is both a chic and affordable alternative to bridal bouquets.

Printed versions are somewhat more expensive of course, but even the print versions at Luna Bazaar start as low as $8.

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Whenever you plan a wedding theme, the first thing to do is pick a key point. For a beach wedding, this might be the color blue, or sea shells. For a 4^th of July or Memorial Day wedding, red, white and blue – and flags, are the obvious choice. So, how do you plan a red, white and blue wedding that is gorgeous and affordable? Well, let’s take a look:

Start with the clothing. For the bride, a stunning red and white wedding gown, like ANNA shown here. For the groom, a white or navy blue suit with a red vest and tie. The flower girl will look beautiful in a red gown with a navy blue sash, to match the navy blue bridesmaid gowns. The groomsmen would be in navy or white tuxedos with navy vest and tie. Personally, I think white would look amazing. Tuxedos with tails and top hats would also be stunning. Finish of the look with red necklaces for the girls, and blue for the bride – and red roses for the bouquets and boutinierres.

For wedding invitations, use a navy blue cardstock, with a frosted vellum overlay printed with your information. Tie the two together with a red ribbon, and seal in an envelope with a flag sticker or a wax seal.

For the ceremony, decorate the center aisle with a white aisle runner. At the edge of each pew or row – place a pew bow of white tulle decorated with red and blue ribbon, ivy and a tiny US flag. If you need to fit into a smaller budget – put them only on the first few rows were immediate family and honored guests will be sitting. If you want an archway at the alter, decorate it with white tulle, red and blue ribbon, ivy and tiny flags to match the pew bows.

There are two unique guest book ideas that come to mind. You could take a large piece of parchment and have your names, date and place written on top in old fashioned calligraphy. Distress the paper, and tie it with a ribbon for a week or so before the wedding – so it has the just unrolled look. Have guests sign – just like the fore fathers did. Of, find a flag that is large, but small enough to still hang on a wall. Have your names and dates embroidered on the center, and then have guests use fabric pens to sign on the flag. This flag can then be framed and hung later on.

Remembrance – You may want to do something to remember those who gave their lives as well. Place a small side table with three candles – red, white and blue somewere were it will be seen. Place a wreath of red, white and blue flowers in front. This could be placed by the guestbook table, or near the entrance to the sanctuary. It could also go in the reception hall near the cake table or in front of the head table if you wanted.

For reception décor, use white table clothes. Decorate the head table with tulle, ribbon, ivy and tiny flags as you did the pew bows. For the guest tables, you can use small flower arrangements of red carnations with blue and white ribbons, and a little flag in the center. Accent the centerpiece with red, white and blue confetti. Oil lanterns with an old fashion look would also make great centerpieces. If they are clear –red and blue oil make a great touch! If you are using table markers – name each table after a founding father or a state. A rose bowl with a floating candle would make a great centerpiece as well – just tie red and blue ribbon around the top.

This is the perfect wedding theme for an All American Bar-B-Que! For an informal wedding, offer a buffet of freshed grilled beef and chicken burgers, fruit salad, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. For a more formal wedding, bar-b-qued chicken with baked potatoes is perfect. A cake or dessert dish decorated with strawberries and blueberries is the perfect end to the meal. We have another article posted on red, blue and white wedding cakes for a 4th of July wedding as well -you can read it here.

And for a finishing touch – don’t forget to leave the wedding in a bang: yes I mean fireworks. Plan for a fireworks display to take place as part of your farewell as you and your new husband leave the wedding! If you are not able to have fireworks, opt for some amazing 36” sparkles for guests to use to see you off!

AFTERTHOUGHT: Eagles would also make a great addition to your decor for a July 4th wedding. Don’t think eagles are romantic? You might change your mind. Eagles are one of the few animals on earth that mate for life. When a pair of eagles meet, they will soar together as high above the clouds - male chasing female. Then, she will allow herself to fall. If the male catches her on his back - they will remain together for the rest of their lives! What a wonderful display of love, trust, and faithfulness. “When you soar, I will soar with you. When you fall, I will catch you.”

FOR MORE 4th of July Wedding Ideas and Wedding Favor Suggestions, Click Here.

4th of July Wedding, Bride's Attire, Decorations, Flowers, Food and Meals, Invitations, Theme Weddings, Weddng Party Attire | No Comments »

Once the wedding has been arranged, the wedding flowers chosen and the arrangements decided upon, it’s time to find the source of flowers in the locality.

Flowers from the Farmer’s Market: Many cities have summer farmer’s markets where fresh flowers are sold. This is a great way to get flowers without the hassles of finding a wholesale market. The best way is to go through the local vendors to check the prices and selection, then choose the vendor who is appropriate.

Purchasing Flowers at a Wholesale Market: flowers should be purchased from the wholesale market whenever possible. Located in large metropolitan areas, they often sell flowers to the public after the wholesale buyers are done. They are a bargain.

Flowers from Grocery Stores: for smaller weddings one might rely on the floral department of the local grocery store. There one can find flowers in many colors and prices.

Flowers from Mail Order: There are some wonderful mail-order sources for flowers today. But they are accompanied by shipping expenses and worries about the condition of flowers and their timely arrival.

Flowers from Local Florists: This is a great source for flowers, although they may be somewhat more expensive than other outlets. The quality may be better. One will also have the option to order things like garlands, arches, altar arrangements, corsages, and other specialty flowers.

Greens: one should not forget to order large quantities of greenery. It will fill in centerpieces, add a background to large altar arrangements, and act as a collar around bridal bouquets. It’s a good idea to order extra bundles of greens in case any stems are damaged or some bunches are smaller than others.

Once the flowers have been bought, it is very important to look after them. The best flower care tips can be accumulated from the vendor who sold the flowers.

Wedding Flowers provides detailed information about wedding flowers, fall wedding flowers, silk wedding flowers, spring wedding flowers and more. Wedding Flowers is the sister site of Wedding Flowers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey

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Dress Shown: C0807, $399 from Chrys Cross Bridal

Pins and brooches are great because they allow you to add a personal unique touch to your wedding gown - making it uniquely yours. I love the look of a brooch or pin on a wedding gown - on a sash, at the waist line, etc - to create a unique focus point. You can also carry the look through-out your wedding, to pull different pieces together. For example, use a pin on your gown, a matching pin instead of a boutineirre for the groom, as an accent in your bouquet or centerpieces, or on your guestbook. If you pick an affordable pin/brooch, it can also be an affordable alternative to flowers for the men in your wedding party and even for the parents and officiant. Also a great option for brides who don’t really like flowers.

Take a look at these gorgeous pins from All The Rage.

Gemmed Gerberas: $10.80, Ethereal Flower, $24.30

Amber Sage Flower: $16.20, Flamingo Feather: $16.20

Red Rose: $14.40, Wreath of Pine: $19.80

Treble Clef Flowers: $12.60, The Abyss: $28.80

Bride's Attire, Flowers, Weddng Party Attire | No Comments »

Flowers can make the wedding sparkle, but can also cost a fair bit of money! Of course, you can buy flowers in bulk and then arrange them yourself. If the idea of trying to get the perfect look yourself scares you, then take a look at some of these options:

1. Silk Flowers - silk flowers can make beautiful wedding bouqiets, and may also be cheaper then real flowers, especially if you want flowers that are out of season. But the biggest bonus is that you can arrange and rearrange them in advance, and you have enough time to work at it until it is perfect!

2. Find a unprofessional professional! Do you or your fiance have a friend or family member with floral experience? Ask around! You may find that someone you know, knows someone who is a retired florist! Or check out the local Seniors center, they may have suggestions as well!

3. Take a class! Many local colleges and art centers offer flower arranging classes to help you learn the basics of arranging flowers for yourself! Local craft stores will often offer similar classes as well!!

4. Search online - many craft stores have websites with craft projects and ideas, including wedding arrangements! Check out Michaels for example!

If you have decided you want to go with a florist, there are still a few things you can do to save money.

1. Pick flowers that are in season, they are automatically cheaper then out of season flowers.

2. Pick a bouquet that uses more affordable flowers (carnations, for example) accented with a few exotic flowers for a beautiful finish!

3. Shop around, get quotes from all the shops in your area, and make sure they know you are going to be getting quotes from other shops as well.

4. Look into the cost of silk flowers - especially if you want flowers that are out of seaons. Many retail stores and websites carry exquisite silk flower designs that are fabulous in appearance and in price!

Photo Source: sxc.hu

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Okay - here’s an interesting find. These were featured on Manolo and I am having trouble deciding how I feel about them. I love the idea, but I’m not sure I love the outcome. I think in other color combinations I would like it  lot more. Anyway, I love the idea and I thought it was worth sharing. If you are really craft, this could make an interesting DIY project. It’s also a great alternative for bride’s who aren’t fans of fresh flowers. The biggest bonus - they are automatically preserved and make a great keepsake!

What do you think? You can see them at Handmade By Allison.

DIY Projects for Brides, Flowers, Think Outside The Box | 1 Comment »

If you are like most brides, you will invest a lot of time and money on finding the perfect wedding attire. Bridal jewelry, a wedding gown, shoes, and a bridal bouquet are all components of a bride’s wedding attire. Every bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day and sacrifices a lot of money to do so. After spending thousands of dollars on your wedding, how can you make the most of it after the wedding is over? There are many creative ways that you can repurpose your bridal jewelry, gown, and bouquet.

Reusing Your Bridal Jewelry and getting the most out of it:

• Wear your bridal jewelry when you celebrate your first anniversary.
• Wear your wedding jewelry to your child’s wedding.
• Save your bridal jewelry for your daughter, niece, or granddaughter to wear on her wedding day. Note: Be sure to store your bridal jewelry properly. Swarovski bridal jewelry should be stored in a soft jewelry pouch or box. Be sure to keep it away from excessive heat.
• Allow your sister or best friend to borrow your bridal jewelry for her wedding.
• Save your wedding jewelry for your daughter’s senior prom.

Reusing Your Bridal Gown to relive the moment:

• Have your wedding gown remade into a christening gown for your son or daughter.
• Save your bridal gown for your daughter, niece, or granddaughter. Note: Remember to have your gown properly preserved.
• Use your wedding gown to make a small decorative pillow or two.
• Cut a swatch of material from your bridal gown to use in a scrapbook or photo album.
• Purchase a special doll or teddy bear and use your bridal gown to make a doll sized version for it.
• Dye your wedding gown another color to wear to a formal event.

Reusing Your Bridal Bouquet for sentimental purposes:

• Preserve a portion of your bridal bouquet to place inside of a scrapbook.
• Preserve your wedding bouquet and display it in your home using a shadow box.
• Have your wedding bouquet professionally pressed and rearranged in a picture frame. Hang the frame in your home and keep as a family heirloom.

The bridal business is a multibillion-dollar industry. The average cost that couples spend on a wedding is nearly $27,000. Repurposing your bridal attire makes the money spent well worth it. Creating tangible memories with your bridal jewelry, gown, and bouquet holds sentimental value. Whoever said that the bride’s wedding attire is only for her wedding day?

Resources:
Maria Romain is a writer for http://www.silverlandjewelry.c Jewelry and Gifts, a business that specializes in affordable bridal jewelry and gifts.

Bride's Attire, Flowers, General Planning Tips | No Comments »

Making the decision to do your own wedding flowers should not be taken lightly, but with a little preparation and some practice, designing your own wedding flowers does not have to be as daunting as you might think.

For my own wedding, I chose to go this route, and I found that there were several things I could have done differently to make the process easier. Here are a few quick tips for doing your own wedding flowers on a budget.

First, start looking for a wholesale flower distributor early in the process. Make sure that you are allowed to purchase from them, as many wholesale distributors only sell to businesses with a tax ID number.

Second, start practicing with real flowers as soon as you can. I recommend that you choose flowers that are easy to work with, such as roses or other flowers with a defined head shape and sturdy stem. I chose Alstromeria as my main flower and found that making bouquets and centerpieces was difficult because the flowers were delicate, had lots of greenery and had weak stems.

Third, ask for help from people around you who are artistically inclined. I had virtually no artistic ability and heavily relied on my mom who is very artistic! She did a fantastic job and I never would have been able to do this project without her. I also recommend that you get help from as many people as you can who are interested in helping. You never know who will be the floral-savant of your inner circle!

Last, I would make sure that in the long run, doing your own wedding flowers is what you really want to be doing the day before or the day of your wedding. I found the process to be very stressful, not because the task of doing flowers was difficult, but because I had so many other things on my mind. Also make sure that you have some sort of back-up plan in case some of your designs don’t turn out exactly as you had hoped. We purchased extra boutonnieres the morning of the wedding to replace some that I had made that didn’t turn out quite right!

In general, if you plan to design your own wedding flowers, take these tips and measure the amount of work and time you will need to spend against the other things you have to do the day of your wedding. Your wedding should be fun, and if last-minute tasks are too much to handle, you may find yourself wishing you’d hired a wedding florist instead!

Article by:

Jennifer Knox, a recent bride and wedding expert, is the founder of HelpMyWedding.Com, a resource site for brides and couples looking for qualified wedding vendors, tips and advice. For more tips on doing your own wedding flowers and other wedding projects, visit www.HelpMyWedding.Com where you will also find free resources, tools and other free goodies to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

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