Olga is manager at Best for Bride since 2005. Currently Best for Bride operates 4 bridal stores in Canada (Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton and Barrie). Best for Bride sells wedding, bridesmaids, mob dresses and more. http://www.BestForBride.com
Floral bouquets have a refreshing beauty. You can never go wrong with adding more excitement to your wedding bouquet with a few well-chosen accessories. These accessories can easily tie your bouquet to the theme of your wedding. While we have seen bouquets that are entirely made from non-floral elements in another post, we will now look at some accessories that can be used with your floral bouquet in this article. This will not only allow you to have a unique design, but also give you the option to save something special from the bouquet as a keepsake to remember your great day by.
Silk ribbon tie
A bunch of flowers with long stems look naturally charming, but may seem a little incomplete. To add more finesse to the arrangement, all you have to do is trim off the excess length of the stems, and secure it with the most luxurious silk ribbon that matches your color palette. This is a very basic floral bouquet design, but one that is just right if your bouquet contains vibrant and lovely, large flowers which are attractive on their own, and do not require too many additional details. While securing the ends of the ribbon, it would be a good idea to use decorative pins in a row, to give it an attractive finishing.
Satin ribbon bow
For a compact round bouquet of flowers like roses, consider wrapping the stems with a double sided satin ribbon bow with a luxurious silky finish. You can tie the two ends into an elaborate bow, and add small details like button roses or little crystal brooches on the streamer.
Wedding brooch bouquets
Brooches are very dainty, feminine accessories, that add an instant charm wherever they are used. Dress up your wedding bouquet with these fantastic accessories, and it will be a wonderful addition to your overall look. You can choose brooches that match your wedding jewelry, or colorful brooches that match the wedding palette, and they won’t go unnoticed.
Flowers and lace are always a perfect match. A floral bouquet with a small lace trim in the perfect bridal accessory for a vintage style wedding. You can choose the trim to match your wedding dress, if it is in lace. It can also be your something old, where you can pick your lace from your mother’s or even grandmother’s wedding dress. Not only will this have sentimental value, it will also be a choice that renders a unique touch to your bouquet.
Patterned cloth trim
If your wedding theme incorporates patterns like chevron, geometrical prints, polka dots or stripes, add the same details as the trim for your wedding bouquet. It will be a perfect addition to the décor, and the brighter the color, the more attractive it will be against your white wedding dress.
Which of these ideas do you like? Come visit us at Best for Bride, and we can help you realize your ideas for the best wedding bouquet you can possibly think of
Is your wedding to be held on a tropical island or a sun-kissed beach with soft golden sand and frothy waves blending into the décor?
The beautiful thing about beach weddings is the casual and fun air about them. Such weddings are both relaxing and exciting at the same time. Since your wedding is a big step away from being a formal event, everything about you—the bride, should be different too.
Your wedding dress choices range from light breezy A-line gowns and mermaid-inspired dresses to short frocks that are more appropriate for the sea and sand. If you don’t want the traditional white gown, you can even go with the current trend of ruffled dresses in light breezy or tactile fabrics. Styles on the runway this year, showcased designs with feathers and extreme embellishments on sheer fabric—ideal ideas for a fun beach wedding.
via Best for Bride
Once you choose your wedding dress, it is time to find the accessories to complete your look. Read on to find out more about the choices that will transform you into a beautiful beach bride.
Messy hairdos, beach waves and floral headpieces
Traditional tiaras and veils are absolute no-no’s in a beach wedding. Capture the essence of the natural skies, blue waters and warm sands with headpieces that are casual and fun. A messy hair updo, loose chignon, braids or gentle finger waves would look stunning. Dress up your hairstyle with an oversize bloom, or let your curls loose and opt for a floral headband instead. You could even choose a floral hair clip instead of fresh flowers, but make sure that it looks real and not plastic.
Bangles and bracelets
Not essential, but bangles and bracelets can be superb accessories when chosen well. We prefer the oversize chunky ones that have a rustic charm, instead of ornate and traditional ones. Bracelets made with wood or natural gemstones like quartz, sandstone and turquoise have an unfinished rustic feel and look the best. You can also choose bracelets with nautical charms like anchors, ships and dolphins, or thick bangles with beach-motifs for a simpler choice that gels well with the wedding theme.
Necklace and earrings
If you have chosen a bigger headband, you should go easy with your necklace and earrings, or it would end up looking too cluttered. A chain with a shell or dolphin pendant would be good enough. Consider choosing studs that match your bracelet, or go with pearls for your necklace and earrings for an authentic beach effect.
Peep-toes or beach sandals
Since you cannot consider heels for your wedding, cover your toes gorgeous in a pair of bright peep-toes or practical sandals. Choose embellished sandals to dress up your feet, or pair your choice with an interesting anklet or toe-rings.
Remember to experiment with a variety of accessories, till you find the perfect mix for your wedding day. Make sure you wear your wedding dress along with the rest of the accessories and see how your look comes together, before you head for your wedding destination.
Find more wedding tips and advice by visiting us at Best for Bride.
Wedding registries help guests to find useful gifts for the to-be-married couple. This is very helpful for them to set up their home, when they begin their new life together. Today, many couples may be living together long before they are married. Nevertheless, a good wedding registry allows them to get a little help with what they need to make their married life function more smoothly.
Over the course of this article, we will tell you why a registry is a good idea, how to inform your guests about where you are registered, how to make the best use of your wedding registry and also a list of registry must-haves that will help you set up home conveniently.
Is a wedding registry even necessary?
Some couples feel that wedding registries are not a good idea, since it gives the impression that you are fishing for gifts. Do you agree with them or are you undecided on whether a wedding gift registry is a good idea?
Here are our arguments in favor of having wedding registries. The couple and their guests should pay attention to setting up or picking gifts from a wedding registry for these reasons:
It goes without saying that guests will get gifts for weddings. If every guest at the wedding were to pick a random gift, it is likely that you will end up with stuff that may not be useful to you at all, while you will still have to find the space to accommodate it till you decide what to do with it.
Different couples have different preferences. If your guests have no idea of your tastes, the likelihood of receiving gifts that serve no purpose or clashes with your choices, is very high.
If a couple have been living together for a while, it is likely that they will already have stocked up on the essentials. In that case, your registry will help your guests pick an item that will actually be useful, than go for something that you already own.
Now that you know why registering for gifts is sensible, let us look at how you can let your guests know where you are registered.
How to tell your guests where you are registered
Traditional wedding etiquette condemns you from putting your wedding registry on your wedding invitation. This makes it difficult for you to inform your guests about what you would like to receive. Fortunately, there are other ways, and here they are.
Entrust the task to your bridesmaids, mother and rest of the wedding party
A guest who wishes to find out where you are registered will be hesitant to ask you directly for your registry information. Instead, they will mostly ask a member of your bridal party. So, make sure your women in waiting know where you are registered, and pass it along when asked.
Use the bridal shower invitation
While it isn’t right to use the wedding invitation to share the wedding registry, the bridal shower invitation can be used for this purpose. Why? Technically, the shower is hosted by someone other than the bride. Since there will be invitations going out for this event, you can request your maid of honor, or whoever is in-charge of hosting it, to make this information readily available to those who seek it.
Wedding website
Every wedding today has to have a wedding website. This allows the couple to share relevant information pertaining to the wedding. Now, the guests needn’t worry if they lose the invitation card, or forget to ask about certain details. We suggest that you add your wedding registry to your wedding website, and your guests will have no difficulty locating it.
How to efficiently plan your wedding registry?
There are many lessons we can learn from couples who have previously tested the waters. This couple on Apartment Therapy tell us that like most couples, they had no idea on where to begin and ended up looking at their parents’ kitchens, pulled out a few lists of must-haves from magazines and created a registry. While some of these picks continue to serve them, others ended up being discarded or in the donation pile.
So, how do you make sure that your wedding registry contains what will be most useful to you? Here are some tips
#Don’t go with the trend
Remember that expensive gifts should last long. So, don’t get caught up in the trend of what is hot today. Whether you find a trendy flatware pattern appealing, or feel hot pink towels are impressive, think of whether your taste will change over the years. The best thing to do is to stick with safe options in neutral colors, so that it will not look dated over the years.
#Choose individual items instead of a set of pieces
While it may look attractive to have a set of items that match, think thoroughly about how useful each piece will be to you. Make the best use of your gift choices by opting for items that will each serve a purpose, and you will have just the right things taking up space in your house.
#Don’t forget the basics
Instead of choosing occasionally useful items, give priority to the essential must-haves. A good set of knives, bath towels, bed linen, flatware and cutlery are all worthwhile investments, when you consider how well they serve you everyday. Don’t forget the essential toolbox and gardening items either, if you make use of these regularly.
#Upgrades and matching sets
If you live together already, and have your basic inventory covered, make use of your registry to get items that will complete your existing sets. Also, if you have been making do with what is available, this may be the right opportunity to upgrade to all-matching choices. You should also take a look at what you could have a few extras for. Say, you have always been short of wine glasses or serving bowls, when you entertain. Make sure to add that to the list and stock up on what will help you better.
#Say yes to gift coupons
At times, it is best for both parties if you receive gift coupons in place of gifts. This allows you to pick out what you want, and your guest needn’t rack their brains considering what will be the best choice for their budget, from the list you have created. So, don’t forget to tick the box for gift coupons in your registry. Also, when you write your thank you note, do mention what you got for the gift coupon, so your guest knows that you’ve put their thoughtful gift to good use.
#Keep the list varied and with items with differing costs
Do not restrict your registrations for only items that are available in sets. Keep your registry varied and with items of every price range, so your guests can pick what fits their budget. By choosing individual pieces, you can also build up your stock of items, which will allow you to entertain conveniently, whether you are hosting a party for 6 or 12.
Now, let us take a look at the must-have’s every couple should register for.
List of 10 must-have’s that no couple should overlook.
1.Dinnerware
A whole dinnerware set in a neutral color, that you can use everyday is a must-have. Be careful when choosing the color, as you want it to live long and blend in easily with your varying tastes over time. White dishes are the best. Although they may not look too attractive, food of any color looks appealing when placed in a white dish. So, this is the perfect way to make sure your culinary efforts are most noticeable.
2. Flatware
Make your choice between silverware or the more practical stainless steel flatware. Keep in mind that dishwasher safe flatware are easiest to manage, and stainless steel often does best over time. If you already have a handy set, go for the silver. Nevertheless, remember that silver will tarnish, and so calls for extra care if you don’t use it regularly. Spend some time researching the options, and pick a pattern that you will love even after years have gone by.
3.Casseroles, saucepans and frying pans
Your food habits should determine what utensils will be useful for you. Assemble a basic cookware set with minimum three of these mentioned items. Like I said before, it is better to mix and match pieces to create the right mix of useful items, than just go with sets of many pieces that may not entirely be useful for you. Do you find yourself wishing for a soup pot all the time? Or would you like a wok for the Chinese food you always seem to cook? Then this is what should go on your registry.
4.Glassware
Wine glasses, shot glasses, beer mugs, drinking glasses; all that you think should comprise your glass cabinet. Standard sizes and shapes are your best bet, as you will find it easier to replace should one break. Unusual fancy ones may be difficult to replace, and will spoil your set if even one is lost.
5.Sharp knives and a knife block
The essential for modern day cooking, a set of sharp knives are a treasure that will save you time and effort in the long run. Make sure you add the basic four: a stellar chef’s knife, paring knife and serrated knife and knife sharpener to your wedding registry. Add a knife block to store these knives in. Not only will it save you valuable space, but also makes storage of these precious kitchen essentials safe and smart.
6.Cutting board
The wooden cutting board is a great investment and one that will last a lifetime. Add this to your registry, and get rid of those pale and tired looking plastic cutting boards that have been cluttering up your kitchen all this time.
7.Bed linen
Over the years, you will realize that you can never have too many good sheets. So, make sure you stock up on all the basic linen, including pillow cases, flat sheets and fitted sheets, by adding it to your registry. It would also help to have a few extras for backup. Choose a basic color that will be a timeless choice, and with a good thread count so they serve you for long.
8.Bath towels
Just like with the bed sheets, you will always find use for bath towels. Put down pairs of bath towels, hand towels and face towels. You do not have to stop with just one pair. Remember to stick with colors that will look fresh over the years.
9.Serving Dishes
A serving platter and an assorted range of serving dishes are essentials for every couple who loves to entertain. Although you may not think it is necessary right now, it will be a good investment that will be handy in the future. A large serving platter is a must, as it is versatile and can hold anything from rice and pasta to fruits, cupcakes and starters.
Do you think there is anything more that should be added to this list? If so, don’t forget to put it in the comments section below.
While we are on the topic of wedding registries, let me also remind you to constantly update yours, once you have it set up. As your guests tick items off your registry, update it with more options, so even the last guest has enough to choose from. This is where your multiple sets of items like bed linen and towels will come in handy.
Continue visiting us at Best for Bride for more wedding tips and advice. Your one-stop destination for everything bridal, we have all that you need to make your wedding day a success, under one roof. With extensive bridal dress collections, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses, as well as cakes, wedding stationery, flowers and décor, we have every aspect of your wedding covered. Visit us today and make your wedding dreams a reality.
Traditional weddings brought together numerous wedding customs, many of which continue to this day. While we continue to practice several traditions that began ages ago, how many times do we actually consider where these practices originated? Today we will explore the tales and trivia behind some of the traditional customs. I’ll tell you this much before we begin, some of them are not only unexpected, but at times even bizarre. So, be prepared for some surprises along the way.
The wedding bouquet
Brides today have a tough time choosing between nosegays and posies, tulips and roses, local flowers and international blossoms. Would it have been easier if we kept to the original practice of carrying a bouquet of garlic and chives as we walked down the aisle?
Believe it or not, this was the original bouquet, and the herbs were believed to ward off evil spirits and keep away germs. Isn’t it a lot better today, when the bouquet is beautiful and smells more pleasant?
Bridesmaids and their dresses
Modern brides may have so much more to worry about bridesmaids stealing the limelight, so imagine how it would have been if they belonged to the Victorian age. During those days, bridesmaids dressed up to look just like the bride, dress, veil and all. The belief was that this would confuse the evil spirits of who the bride was, and thus keep her out of harm’s way.
“Do you TAKE this woman as your wife?”
Up until the 18th century, brides were kidnapped by the groom, and hence the relevance of this saying. How Stuff Works mentions that the bride and groom went into hiding for a whole month following the abduction by when all the din surrounding it would die down. This interesting practice is also associated with the concept of the Honeymoon that follows the wedding.
The White wedding dress
The white wedding dress was originally introduced by Queen Victoria, when she was married to Prince Albert in 1840. Before this, brides just wore one of the best dresses they owned, on their wedding day. Following Queen Victoria’s wedding, the idea of white symbolizing virginity and purity became popular, and it became the favorite wedding color. This practice continues to this day, and most brides have difficulty associating any other color with a wedding outfit.
The tiered wedding cake
There are several traditions that relate to the origin of the tiered wedding cake. The one we found to be most interesting was the French practice of piling up cake to as high a height as possible. The married couple would have to kiss above the cake to be assured of a successful marriage.
The practice of preserving the top tier of the wedding cake also has a story to it. During those days, it was expected that the couple would have their first child in the year that followed their wedding. So, the cake tier that was preserved would serve as the christening cake for the baby and avoid extra expense that way. Fruit cake was the choice at the time, as it was one of the few flavors that wouldn’t spoil.
Hope that was an interesting read. For more wedding related stories, advice and shopping tips, visit us at Best for Bride.
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