Valentine’s Day, the official day when love and lovers are celebrated worldwide, is almost here. Could there be a more romantic day for a couple in love to be married on?
This article on History.com discusses the many legends about St. Valentine. One of them suggests that this day is celebrated in memory of a saint who defied Emperor Claudius’ rules that outlawed marriage of young soldiers. He took it upon himself to conduct the weddings of young lovers in secret, thus defying the law. So, you do understand that there is a tale that associates this day with weddings. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that this is one of the most romantic days ever, and you do not need a reason whatsoever, to get married on this special day.
If you are indeed planning, or even considering getting married on Valentine’s day, here are some ideas to perfect your special day. So, here we go.
Celebrating with your nearest and dearest is at the heart of most couples’ wedding days and if you’re lucky enough to have everyone you love there, then you are truly blessed. Sadly, for many of us, we may have lost a parent, relative or friend who we wished could have seen us walk down the aisle and live happily ever after.
While nothing can replace a loved one being at your wedding, there are a few lovely ways that you can include them in your big day. Paying your respects in a way that is fitting to you and the relationship you shared with the person you lost will be more genuine and heartfelt than doing something completely out of style or character, so to help you out, I’ve put together a list of 8 different ways you could include them in your wedding, from subtle and sweet to quirky and unique.
Save them a seat
Some couples choose to leave an empty chair at the ceremony or reception as a tribute to a lost loved one, perhaps even placing their photo or a single flower on the seat. This makes quite a big statement and would be a fitting tribute to a deceased parent or sibling but may be very emotional for you if your loss is still very raw, so consider carefully how you’ll feel about seeing the empty chair and how that will affect your day.
Incorporate their favourite flowers
Flowers have the ability to evoke emotions in us and the combination of the sight and smell of your loved one’s favourite flowers are sure to conjure up happy memories while you walk down the aisle, eat the wedding breakfast and dance the night away. I always remember my nan loved Lilies and I still think of her when I catch the scent of them in the supermarket now. More subtle than an empty chair, this is a way for you to honour your loved one a little more privately.
Hayley decided to incorporate flowers in a different way; her granddad always carried Lavender in his pocket, so Hayley ordered one of my Lavender hair pins and a matching buttonhole for her mum as a tribute to her granddad. She also had a pin made in blue, for her “something blue”, which I absolutely loved!
Incorporate a piece of their clothing
There are lots of lovely ways that you could incorporate items of clothing. You could stitch a small scrap from a shirt into your wedding dress, use one of their handkerchiefs to wipe away happy tears (I surprised myself by how weepy I was on my wedding day!), wrap one of their ties or silk scarves around your bouquet or even have their wedding dress refitted and restyled for you to wear yourself. A couple of nice buttons from a shirt or jacket sewn on to the handle of your bouquet, dress or suit would make a lovely subtle tribute too.
Wear a piece of their jewellery
Wearing a piece of their jewellery, particularly something sentimental like their engagement or wedding ring is sure to make you feel their presence, plus it doubles up as your something old and something borrowed, so a win-win all round!
Carry a brooch bouquet
And if you don’t want to wear a piece of their jewellery, why not incorporate it into your bouquet? Brooch bouquets are growing increasingly popular these days and can take a variety of forms, with some including a mix of fresh or artificial flowers and a few brooches, to complete vintage works of art, crafted from pieces of costume and antique jewellery. The beauty of brooch bouquets is that they last forever and you could even have a go at creating one for yourself if you feel like getting creative!
My favourite thing about designing brooch bouquets for brides is hearing all the lovely stories behind the pieces of jewellery they ask me to include. Katie’s grandparents had sadly passed away before her wedding so she sent me pearl necklaces and her grandfather’s cracked watch to put into her bouquet; They added a sentimental and vintage element to her bouquet and Katie said that she felt like her grandparents were with her on her wedding day – how lovely is that?
Dedicate a song or reading
Did your loved one have a favourite poem or song that you could include in your wedding? Save them a dance and twirl around the dancefloor when their favourite song comes on or use their favourite poem as part of the ceremony (depending on the nature of it of course!) or speeches, or even before the wedding breakfast to start the celebrations. Again this can be as subtle or obvious as you like and gives you a chance to honour your loved ones privately or publically.
Display photographs
Displaying photographs of your loved ones at your wedding is another way to include them. Go big and bold and create a display showcasing your happiest memories together or keep it subtle with a memory locket or bouquet charm.
Kelly’s dad sadly passed away when she was little and she wanted to carry a locket with his photograph attached to her bouquet. Her fiancé, Dan, wanted to honour his granddad too, so they sent me some photos of the two men and I resized them using Photoshop to fit inside a locket and a pair of cufflinks. I love this idea as it’s something you could easily do yourself with a bit of photo editing software to resize your images and you can pick up blank lockets and cufflinks from craft stores or online fairly inexpensively too!
Include them in your cake toppers
This is slightly offbeat, but an idea I love nonetheless! If you’ve decided to have a personalised cake topper, you could include elements that remind you of your lost loved one. Meg and Jerry did this beautifully; Jerry’s dad had sadly passed away and so he and Megan decided to pay tribute to him in their cake topper. Jerry wore a cap in honour of his dad, so we added that to the cake topper, along with the football gear that Jerry himself wore in his college football days.
However you choose to honour your lost loved ones, I hope it brings you a sense of comfort and a feeling of their presence on your special day. What ways do you plan to include those you’ve lost in your wedding? I’d love to hear your ideas so feel free to leave a comment below!
About the author: Sarah is the owner of Elsa Rose Boutique and spends her days designing wedding accessories for brides that are looking for something a little different. From bespoke hair accessories and brooch bouquets to cute cake toppers, she captures the personalities of her brides and grooms and makes the sentimental details sparkle to create lasting keepsakes that will be treasured forever. Find out more at elsaroseboutique.com
When you plan your wedding details, one aspect to consider is whether it will always seem appealing, or will quickly look dated. There are many trends that often feel outdated in just a few years. Then, there are also others that endure the test of time and end up being classics. These trends are those that have such a strong impact, that they are not easily forgotten nor replaced by new entrees into the scene.
While some of the trends we’ve seen in 2015 and 16 are still going strong, we can see some others fading out gradually. Over the course of this article, we will look at the trends that are no longer as popular as they were when they were first introduced. So, here they are.
Mason Jars
Although mason jars continue to be the choice of many brides for serving party favors ranging from preserves to bath scrub, there is a general feeling that it is overused. As a result, guests no longer view this accessory as interesting, and it has definitely lost the appeal it once had. So, if you are considering mason jars for your wedding, it may be a good idea to rethink this option. You can always keep the drama alive by using different containers in various sizes, thus moving away from the monotony of using the same old mason jar everywhere. If you must have glass, you can also consider different finishes such as frosted glass containers, crystal ware or ones with decorative work to add an interesting twist.
Seated dinners
Although traditional style five-course dinners continue to be seen at traditional weddings, more and more couples are opting for the casual, laid-back and easier buffet meals instead. With the growing popularity of casual and fun wedding themes, this gives couples a better alternative to provide wholesome and interesting dishes with minimum wastage. It also allows them to stick to a smaller budget and still serve interesting fare. Strolling food stations are considered more interesting and allow people the opportunity to walk around and indulge in conversation, thus reducing the formality of the occasion and making it more friendly. This also allows the couple to order less food, as the food isn’t placed at every table and they can safely assume that not everyone will want to try all the dishes. It thus gives them more flexibility in determining the appropriate serving sizes for each item on the menu.
Candy Buffets
First it was the chocolate fountain that came with a bang, and then went out without a trace. Candy buffets are next on this list. What began as a huge trend in 2012, continued to find favor with couples tying the knot in 2013 and 14. Since it’s popularity has dwindled considerably, as it is making fewer appearances nowadays. If you are very fond of this idea, you may like to consider a miniature version of it for your younger guests. Forego it for the older guests, as it needn’t be such a great hit. The more interesting choice would be to opt for a dessert buffet in place of the extensively sweetened candy treats arranged in clear glass bottles. Rather than set one up and spend a huge amount on it, you can pack away a select few candy choices for your party guests in mint tins or personalized favor boxes.
Photo booths
While a classic wedding backdrop is a timeless favorite, the photo booths set up with a range of thrift store finds and props are definitely moving out of the wedding scene. It has been overdone and whatever the theme, dressing up with fake props like glittering sun glasses and feathery stoles, and posing for silly pictures is no longer enjoyed by wedding guests. So, if you have a photo booth on your list of wedding décor accessories, it may be a good idea to cross it out. Or else, at least choose a theme-appropriate design that will do double duty as a beautiful background for your wedding setting.
Chalkboards
Once upon a time, chalkboards were here, there and everywhere you looked. It was almost as though chalkboard was synonymous with anything even remotely rustic. Everything from the wedding menu, to seating arrangements, place cards and even direction signs were all done in chalkboard. What initially entered the wedding scene as an interesting and versatile display element ended up overpowering the rustic scene and becoming too common and no longer interesting. Luckily, that trend has ended as chalkboards are sparingly used today. So, don’t include it in your wedding, unless absolutely necessary. It is better off forming the base for your kitchen pantry list or as the menu sign a cafe. Instead, turn to the classic favorites like printed signs and banners and these will never go out of fashion.
Long veils
A veil may be traditional fare and an easy shortcut to making most dresses fit into classic wedding themes. Nevertheless, the length of the veil has consistently reduced to no longer than arm-length over the years. Bird cage veils are occasionally spotted by brides still going with the vintage wedding themes. Short and sheer veils are also common-place enough. But the royal-length veil and veils that end at the knee or beyond are hardly chosen at all. Many brides even forego the veil entirely, and decorate their hair with pretty headpieces and accessories instead. This allows them to show off the stunning back details of their carefully chosen wedding dress, and may also be more practical and comfortable in an outdoor wedding.
Burlap
Another close contender of the chalkboard, the burlap was once a must-have at any rustic wedding. It adorned everything from tables, buntings and aisles to bouquets and wedding favor bags. It was so popular, that everyone started associating vintage wedding themes with burlap. And this is probably one of the reasons why it became boring. You should also remember that it is not an element that can just be added anywhere. Distinct in color and with powerful texture, burlap is easily noticeable and cannot be overlooked when added to your wedding scene. Couples always want to incorporate an element of surprise into their weddings, and burlap is anything but unexpected. So, it is no wonder that it is slowly being replaced by newer and more interesting versions in fabric. Now, if you have a shabby chic wedding in mind, you can still execute it to perfection sans the burlap. Turn to distressed wood and lace instead, as these are elements that have stood the test of time.
Bridesmaids in matching dresses
Bold and brave brides set the scene as they deviated from the matching-matching bridesmaid trend, early this decade. This has now taken the bridal fashion world by storm as fewer brides choose the same dress for all their bridesmaids. Accepting the individuality and personal style of each of the girls who stand beside them when they say “I do,” brides now prefer the mix and match style to entirely matching bridesmaid dresses. Expect to see them continue and brides come up with more innovative ideas to choose dress combinations that work together in tandem. The current trend is to choose colors from the same palette or dresses with different features but in the same color. Color block variations of a certain pattern are also a trending favorite.
Pastels
Image Credits: outreachr.com, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
There was a time when soft, pretty pastels were the go-to choice for wedding color palettes. It continues to be pleasant, refreshing and definitely spring-time, but it is less favored now. Brides today prefer to choose bolder and more obvious colors for their wedding color palette. With the focus on deeper colors that have a stronger personality, pastels are less popular compared to the time every wedding had a pastel touch to it. If you have your mind set on colors that belong to this spectrum, it is a better idea to limit yourself to one or two colors, and mix it up with bolder hues or neutrals that will not look dated when you go through your wedding album ten years from now.
Long-sleeves
Long-sleeve bridal dresses were in demand in the years following Kate Middleton’s wedding. The interest in this fashion feature continued for a few consecutive years, but now brides are stepping away from it. After the off-the-shoulder style and single strap style that were popular in 2014 and 15, brides are again embracing strapless and sleeveless styles like before. The illusion sleeve however still finds favor with many brides as it is one that camouflages many flaws and enhances the best features of many a bride. Whimsical fluttery sleeves and cap sleeve gowns also are popular choices with brides who wish to cover their neck and shoulders but don’t want to entirely cover up their arms in full-length sleeves.
Towering wedding cakes
There was a time when having a tall and towering wedding cake was compulsory. Intricately designed and taking the theme to the extreme, these cakes were elaborate and huge, and not to mention expensive. Couples these days however opt for style in place of size and like to make a statement with their distinct wedding cake choice. Couples who choose to have towering wedding cakes, do so with a difference. They turn to faux cake layers for the effect and keep the actual cake tiers minimum to save money. The more preferred choice however, is to have a small but beautiful couture cake for the actual cake cutting ceremony. Guests are then served from sheet cakes in the kitchen. This way, there is no compromise on style, but the cost is minimized while the guests still get to eat excellent cake.
Glitter
Image Credits: Pernilla Rydmark, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Bling is no longer stylish. The spotlight instead is on monotone and deep metallic. Glittering details may crop up once in a while, but more and more brides choose to stay away from glittering invitations, backdrops, wedding table décor and anything that is overly glitzy. While casual theme weddings go with fun eclectic combinations in tropical and bright colors, the formal styles choose gold, silver and other metallic colors in accents that are tastefully and proportionally added to the décor. So, stay away from far too much glitter and shine in anything wedding related, as this will soon be a dated look.
Ombre
Mostly confined to wedding cakes, ombre was a fashion statement in the last few years. Different colors were played out in varying shades all over cakes, with pinks and reds ruling the scene of ombre cakes. However, it has become a tad boring, and now brides are on the lookout for something different to mark their weddings with. Like we said earlier, the choice is more for artistically designed and detailed cakes that pack a punch, despite their simplicity. If you have your heart set on ombre, you can still confine it to the inside layers of the cake, but leave it off the fondant. The other happening trend that is still largely favored are nude cakes. The refreshing simplicity of their decoration and the natural look seems to have captivated many hearts. This is in stark contrast with elaborate fondant ombre cakes, so you can take a cue from this fact itself.
Can you think of any other trends that will soon be out of weddings entirely, though they were huge favorites initially? If so, do let us know in the comments below.
Searching for a wedding theme that exudes sophistication? Or a wedding palette that simply can’t go wrong? Either way, a black and white wedding theme is just right to meet your need.
Classic and elegant, this is a timeless favorite that couples have perfected time and again. Both the colors, black and white are perfect neutrals. So, there are hundreds of ways in which you can add subtle accents to this combination to personalize your wedding palette. Whether it is a small dose of color or a metallic hue, black and white form the perfect combination to get the details right. Don’t discount the fact that these two colors are easy to find. Choose this combination and you will be saved from hours of tedious swatch matching and combination testing. After all, there is just one black, and maybe not just one, but only a handful of whites to choose from. Life cannot get easier than this, and you will be saved from so much stress when you choose this fail-safe combination.
Here, we bring you some interesting and workable ideas to get the various details at your black and white wedding just right. Check it out.
Image Credits: Pernilla Rydmark, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
