Brown Wedding Color Palettes

Brown is one of the most versatile colors for weddings. While not necessarily considered to be one of the most festive colors, brown adds a richness and sophistication to a wedding color palette that can really enhance the overall design of the event. Take a look at some of the elegant ways to include brown in your wedding color palette.

The season most associated with brown is autumn, and while it is definitely a great choice for the fall, brown can be beautiful at any time of the year. In the spring, a soft cocoa color pairs wonderfully with lilac. The unexpected color combination is chic and stylish, and the brown helps tone down the Easter egg effect of the spring pastels. Try bridesmaid dresses in lilac organza or shantung with cocoa brown sashes and mocha bridesmaid jewelry sets. Bouquets in a range of lilacs and light purples tied with cocoa satin ribbons will be the perfect coordinate.

For a late summer wedding, try mixing brown with a bright coral color. The depth of the brown will tone down the intensity of the coral and make it more sophisticated. It is great for an evening wedding, but would also be quite chic for the afternoon. A deep chocolate or even an espresso shade is an excellent match for the coral. If you wish to add another color to your palette, try mixing in touches of mango for a little more warmth. All these colors work beautifully for the centerpieces and bouquets, and will also look great for all the reception details. A tiered wedding cake covered with smooth chocolate ganache decorated with coral and mango mini calla lilies would be the height of elegance and style for any reception.

Green is another excellent color to combine with shades of brown for a wedding. A sage green with a medium brown would be the perfect palette for a natural, woodsy style reception. If you wish to make it more formal, touches of rich cream and metallic bronze will elevate the sage and brown nicely. Bridesmaid dresses in a sage with a contrasting brown sash would be lovely for a daytime ceremony, or choose the reverse for an evening celebration. Creamy pearl bridesmaid jewelry sets will finish the look perfectly. For the wedding cake, picture a cream fondant covered cake with a graceful sage green fern motif. These are great colors for any venue from a ballroom to a restored barn, and can be used at any time of the year.

If you like a dramatic look, think about mixing a rich chocolate with a dark plum hue (sounds almost good enough to eat!). This would be a regal and striking palette for a winter wedding. These colors look excellent in the luxe fabrics of the winter season such as sumptuous silks, velvets, and even faux furs. When using a palette this rich, go overboard with opulent details, such as towering centerpieces set on quilted silk tablecloths with beading. Take it over the top with a chic lounge at the reception featuring low slung plum velvet sofas with cream and chocolate faux fur pillows scattered about. Too fabulous!

There are still more colors that would pair beautifully with shades of brown. Pink and light blue were very popular with chocolate or espresso in recent years, and although they got a bit overdone, the colors still look marvelous together. A kiwi green would with brown conjures up a hip retro vibe, and even red can be a great complement to espresso. There are so many fantastic ways to use brown in your wedding design that you may have a hard time narrowing it down to one top choice!

Read Guy's other articles on weddings,society and fashions and let us know what you think. Call us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for help with your bridesmaid jewelry sets or other gift needs. All jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.

Winter Wedding Favor Ideas

Is your wedding in a winter month and you just don't have any idea of what kind of wedding favor you'd like to give your guests? Winter weddings have so many wonderful options available for favors and decorations. Let us give you a few ideas to jump start your thinking.

Crystal Wedding Favors. Crystal shimmers like an icicle and imagine how elegant your place settings or gift table will shine when you give crystal wedding favors. A few perfect options for the cool winter months could be a crystal angel - great before the holidays, or a crystal long stem rose that appears to be frozen in time. Glass party favors such as the LOVE Glass Coaster Set with a mirror finish will twinkle right back at you.

Candle Wedding Favors are perfect any time of the year but white candles are such a tasteful winter wedding favor that your guests are sure to thank you for every time they light the candle since it really matches all decors. Many candle wedding favors are also place card holders like the Silver Star Votive Candle Place Card Holder. A lovely favor that does double duty as the guest's place card holder.

Snowflakes - what a great symbol of winter. There are many options for winter wedding favors that use snowflakes. How cute would it be if you had a snowflake place card holder at each guest's place setting? A snowflake candle that shimmers with rhinestones. Or a snowflake bottle stopper - perfect for any winter occasion.

Silver wedding favors are great during the winter months. The cool, sleek look of a silver wedding favor such as a bottle stopper like Wish Upon A Star or the set Cheers To A Great Combination heart corkscrew and bottle stopper set - sure to be used over and over. For New Year's Eve Weddings, what could possibly be better than the Let's Celebrate Champagne Bucket Timer!

Gold or Silver Wedding Favor boxes match the season and allow you to personalize the favors to your wedding theme. Fairytale weddings match a silver wedding favor box filled with mint candies. Gold favor boxes team with chocolate kisses. White of course matches everything and will be quite lovely filled with candy coated almonds.

We hope this little article has gotten your creative juices flowing to come up with a unique winter wedding favor your guests will truly remember!

Denise Sanger owns Sanger, Inc. the parent company of BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com which carries a diverse catalog of Wedding Favors, and My-Wedding-Jewelry.com which provides affordable yet elegant Bridal Jewelry, and Wedding Planning. We are located in Sunny North Florida.

Wedding Color Quiz

The colors that you choose for your wedding will set the tone for everything from your bridal gown and custom jewelry, the flowers, the bridesmaid dresses, even the color of the cake and food. Use this wedding color quiz to help you determine the perfect colors for your ceremony and reception.

How would you describe your wedding style? Is it:

a. Classic
b. Eclectic
c. Earthy
d. Dramatic

Is your dream wedding gown:

a. Strapless, with lace and pearl beading
b. One shouldered, with cascading organza flowers
c. Linen, with spaghetti straps
d. Sparkly, with a long train and custom crystal bridal jewelry

Do you want your bridesmaids to look:

a. Timeless and elegant
b. Fresh and fun
c. Natural and understated
d. Dressy and gorgeous

What are your favorite wedding flowers?

a. Peonies, tulips, and hydrangeas
b. Ranunculus, striped orchids, and other unique blossoms
c. Wildflowers, herbs, and greenery
d. Roses, roses, and more roses

Which would you prefer for your ceremony processional?

a. "The Wedding March" or Pachelbel's "Canon in D"
b. a song written just for you by your brother's indie band
c. "Greensleeves", played on a flute
d. A soloist singing "Ave Maria"

For your honeymoon, would you rather:

a. Tour Tuscany or visit Hawaii
b. Go sightseeing in Prague
c. Go on an eco-tour
d. Anywhere, as long as the hotels are all four star!

Results:

If you answered mostly "a", your wedding style is timeless and romantic. Classic bridal hues like ivory and pink will suit your taste.

If you answered mostly "b", you like things that are funky, original, and eclectic. Go for unique wedding color combinations like turquoise and lime green or espresso and chartreuse.

If you answered mostly "c", you will be happiest with mellow tones for your wedding, such as mocha, sage, and wheat.

If you answered mostly "d", your wedding is all about drama and glamor. Express your personality with rich red or deep purple, either individually or together.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/, where all jewelry orders over $99 ship at no charge. Custom bridal jewelry can be handcrafted to coordinate with your wedding colors.

Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

In today's budget-conscious world, many couples who are planning for their wedding are doing many things on their own, like printing their own invitations or doing their own church decorating. Many of them are also looking for homemade wedding centerpieces ideas. Fortunately, it's easy to create beautiful centerpieces without a lot of money.

Silk Flowers - artificial flowers are available in every color imaginable, so it's easy to find flowers that match the colors or theme of your wedding. Depending on your budget, you can buy baskets or vases to arrange the flowers in, or you can simply buy the green foam bases and arrange the flowers so that the base can't be seen. Important note: if you are working with an especially tight budget, decide before you go shopping how many centerpieces you need, and how much money you are willing to spend. Whether you make the centerpieces yourself or have someone help you, it will be very important that you keep close track of the finances. Many silk flowers don't cost much individually, but if you need to buy 50 of them, the costs can add up quickly! You'll also want to look through magazines and the Internet and get a good idea of what style you like. Styles vary considerably and you'll need to have at least some idea of what you like before you shop, or request help from others.

If you have a good idea of what style you want, but still aren't too sure about what flowers to pick or how to arrange them, chances are that help is close by. Most craft stores, for example, have talented associates who would love to help you design an arrangement for your wedding. You may also have some friends or relatives with some artistic talent who can help you out for free.

Live flowers- if you have (or a friend has) a green thumb and you give yourself enough lead time, you can create some gorgeous wedding centerpieces that you (or your guests) can take home and still enjoy for months afterwards! Most bedding flowers are available at a good discount in large quantities, and do quite well in containers and make gorgeous centerpieces. You'll need to pay close attention, though, to the mature height of the plant (which should be printed on the container or tag). Many bedding flowers are sold when they are still quite small and nowhere near their full growth. You'll also want to make sure that the plants will be blooming at the same time of year as your wedding. A great way to personalize this centerpiece even more is to paint designs onto the flower pots.

Candles - these are classic wedding centerpieces and, like silk flowers, come in any color you can think of. A single tall candle is elegant and simple, while an arrangement of them in various heights can look quite beautiful and dramatic. Floating candles are also popular; these require a large bowl, and since most people don't usually have a few dozen large glass bowls lying around, you may want to inquire about renting some from a caterer or the reception site. You can dress up a floating candles display by submerging some silk flowers or pretty ribbon in the water; using floating glass baubles, or putting a layer of pretty stones or glass marbles in the bottom of the bowl.

Seasonal or Regional Materials - if you are having a fall wedding, an artfully arranged pile of brightly colored leaves, branches, and fall produce like pumpkins or colorful gourds can provide a beautiful centerpiece. If your wedding is being held near an ocean, your centerpiece could be a small mound of clean dry sand mixed with glitter, along with some brightly colored seashells and a few candles. For those not near an ocean, a local river could supply some beautiful materials, like driftwood, wildflowers, and colorful rocks for a dramatic natural centerpiece - but be sure to clean them thoroughly and check for "uninvited" insect guests!

Wedding centerpieces can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish - their design is restricted only by your imagination and (perhaps) your budget. We hope we have provided you with several centerpiece ideas to get you started in your design process. Good luck!

TeamWedding.com - Get more ideas for Wedding Flowers

Wedding Reception Budget Tips

Wedding receptions are always special and for those who are working around a tight budget, that feeling need not necessarily dissipate because it is possible to have a beautiful reception without hitting the million-dollar mark. Even a wedding is not an excuse to blow off years upon years of savings because there are always more cost-effective alternatives that can link up those financial gaps.

It cannot be denied that invitations somehow set the mood for any wedding. Cheap-looking won't register well with the couple nor the guests. But cheap yet elegant will. There is a special technique called thermography which mimics the look and feel of traditional engraved cards. As a result, the cards look expensive without the hefty price tag. For wedding accessories, it is also very wise to get them from a wholesaler. From the tiara to the ring pillow to the flower baskets and even right down to the flowers that will be dotting the aisle for the bride, wholesalers can offer them at magnificent, sometimes lifesaving discounts. In other words, when ones goes wholesale, there is more room to save for other important expenses needed for the wedding.

The wedding cake is, of course, the star of the show. But again, it doesn't have to be the most expensive wedding cake in the world. Most couples spend too much on humongous cakes which look like they could feed a thousand where there's not even a hundred guests. A great cost-saving tip is to plan with professional cake decorators as to the size of the cake which should be just appropriate for the guest list. To make the cake look grander and more sophisticated, styrofoam layers are always around as fillers.

When looking for a venue, it is wise to begin online where one can search using specific terms that will be relevant to the preferred location. This will allow one to save time, gas and money than to be driving around. For example, if a wedding is to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, one can simply enter into a search box the keywords " St Louis wedding " and, in seconds, view a list of choices. Merely booking and paying in advance can also offer great savings. Apart from the discounts, one usually gets extra hours for preparation and even extra hours beyond the reception itself. Booking near a holiday can also help a lot since most venues will already have decors and will probably need just a little more. Needless to say, the adornments need to fit a wedding reception. Finding a good venue also entails menu arrangements. By far, buffets are the most practical and preferred way to serve food in a wedding reception. Not only are they cheaper. Guests are also going to love the variety.

Of course, a wedding will not be as special as when it is exactly what the couple, especially the bride, wants. In fact, money need not necessarily be a big issue when preparing wedding receptions. To work on a budget may simply require more time and preparation as a couple tries to look for more cost-friendly alternatives, but it doesn't mean they nor their guests should have to enjoy the occasion less.

When looking for reception halls in St Louis, there will be many choices to suit everyone's discriminating taste. Even for corporate events, there's a good line of St Louis convention centers. To Time and patience are all it takes to find the most cost-friendly alternative.

The "Un-Wedding" Wedding

Getting married is as popular as ever these days, but no so the traditional wedding. It seems like more and more couples are opting for celebrations which are as unique as they are and which have more in common with a great party than a typical wedding reception. Take a look at the trend for fresh and fun "un-wedding" weddings.

What truly sets an "un-wedding" reception apart from its more traditional counterpart is attitude. An un-wedding celebration is rarely formal, never stuffy, and a lot of fun. The emphasis is on throwing a party which promises a great time to friends and family, full of delicious foods, wonderful wine or cocktails, and relaxed conversation. This style of wedding celebration can take place at a traditional venue, but may also be somewhere other than the standard club or hotel.

Restaurants are a great venue for an un-wedding reception. A party in a restaurant is going to feel more like a great big dinner party than a standard wedding reception. And by choosing your favorite restaurant, you can be sure that the food will be utterly fantastic, a far cry from the usual chicken or beef entrees served at most receptions. The bride and groom can choose relaxed attire, rather than a heavy looking tuxedo and ornate ballgown. A modern silk organza gown with a black ribbon trim and handcrafted bridal jewelry would be tres chic.

Keep the decor informal and interesting. If it fits the room, a few long tables will feel more family friendly than many small ones. A great look for the table decorations would be a long runner over a simple tablecloth with a variety of decorative elements loosely arranged to tumble down the length of the table. A mixture of flickering votive candles, fresh seasonal fruit, and flowers in short vases will suit the restaurant venue perfectly. One word of caution: not all restaurant venues have room for a dance floor, so decide if that is important to you, and select your restaurant accordingly.

Unusual settings are also popular for un-weddings. Why not select an interesting site like an aquarium or a trendy art gallery for your reception? The space itself will be so visually engaging that you will need to do very little in the way of decorations. Plan your menu to suit the space. At an art gallery, stations featuring contemporary and unique cuisine would be ideal for dinner. Naturally seafood would be appropriate for a wedding in an aquarium.

When working with an off-beat venue, choose your colors to suit the locale. Watery blues and greens would look wonderful for an aquarium, for instance. At a site like a gallery which will have a lot to look at on the walls, a restrained color palette like white and charcoal would blend well. This color combination is one of the most popular for weddings this year for everything from bridesmaid dresses to invitations to handcrafted bridal jewelry. Charcoal dupioni tablecloths with a bit of shimmer and texture can be topped with tall clear cylinders filled with a modern flower like white allium.

An un-wedding reception can take place anywhere that strikes your fancy. It could be an airplane hangar, a city loft, or an antique carousel. When you do away with tradition, your wedding can be anything that your heart desires and your mind can envision.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/. Any order of our spectacular handcrafted bridal jewelry over $99 receives complimentary shipping.

Wedding Invitation Motifs

Your wedding invitation is your first chance to set the tone for your event. The style that you choose will give your guests a sneak peek into what your wedding will be like, especially if you have a special theme. One of the best ways to personalize your wedding invitations is with a signature motif.

There are many types of motifs (the possibilities are infinite, actually), and a variety of ways in which to use them to add character to your wedding stationery. First think about the basics of your wedding. Will it be formal? Then choose a very small motif. Have it either engraved in gold ink or blind embossed for even more subtlety. A formal wedding calls for a traditional and symmetrical invitation, as well, so you will want to place your motif on the top border of your invitation, right in the center.

Less formal weddings can accommodate more eclectic uses of motifs. You could even choose stationery which has your design printed on it, and the invitation wording printed on a vellum overlay. For example, if you were having a destination wedding, complete with a breezy wedding gown and beach wedding jewelry, a fantastic invitation would be an image of a sandy beach or a large tropical flower. If the invitation shows the beach scene, tie the vellum layer on with a piece of raffia, or use a pretty fuchsia ribbon over the tropical flower image. Your guests will really get the beach wedding feeling, and start packing their most festive attire and jewelry in eager anticipation.

A simple way to use a pretty design for a semi-formal wedding is to print, engrave, or letterpress it onto the paper in a color. You can really have a lot of fun picking your motif. Choose one that ties in directly with your wedding theme, or select a design that reflects something personal. A good example of this would be a monogram or a family crest (either real, or invented). Or if the bride and groom are both Texans, a small image of a pair of cowboy boots would be fun on the invitations. You can also design an entirely custom motif that will start on your wedding stationery and be carried throughout the rest of the wedding.

There are some classic motifs from which a bride can choose for her wedding invitations. A garden wedding, for instance, would be the perfect reason to adorn your stationery with your favorite flower, a watering can, or a ladybug. Other insect motifs that are great for weddings are a dragonfly or a bee (along the lines of the French royal style). Nautical motifs are wonderful for seaside wedding. Choose from an anchor, a lighthouse, a ship's wheel, or shell. Preppy brides can even choose a whale or an alligator to dress up their invitations.

Seasonal motifs are always lovely. An intricate snowflake would be festive for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding. Autumn brides can embellish their invitations with a leaf design. A falling leaf print down one side of the stationery would be very nice. For a spring wedding, a cheerful watercolor print of a tiny bouquet of tulips would be the perfect touch for the top of the wedding invitations. And for summer weddings, there are all sorts of fun options, including Adirondack chairs, palm trees, and fruit.

Adorning your wedding invitations with a special motif or theme is a wonderful way to introduce your guests to the style of your wedding. It will also add personality to your stationery and help to set it apart from the basic invitations that many couples use. A custom motif is one of those small details that can add so much to a wedding.

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding. Take advantage of Bridget's experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. If you are having a destination wedding, treat yourself to a gorgeous set of beach wedding jewelry.