Alternatives to Bridesmaid Bouquets

 Weddings  No Responses »
Jan 052012
 

Her wedding day is one of the most beautiful days of her life and every bride wants her day to not only be special but also unique. As she prepares for the wedding, her bridesmaids hold her hand through every decision, from the smallest to the biggest choices that she needs to make. They help her plan the menu, they help her choose the decor and the theme, and they help her pick out her wedding gown, making everything as exceptional as it is supposed to be. As the bride, one of the unique things that you can plan for your bridesmaids is to make their outfits for the d-day a little more interesting by getting them to carry unparalleled alternatives to bridesmaid bouquets. We give you some options that could help you break free from the mundane.

Bridesmaid Bouquet Alternatives

While running around making sure that everything is perfect for her own outfit, the bride has the added responsibility of ensuring that her bridesmaids look as stunning in their bridesmaid dresses. Making their dresses match the theme of the wedding is important but what if you could also make their entrance slightly more spectacular by giving them something other than bridesmaid bouquets to hold. Well, here is what we suggest.

Parasols     Parasols

The bouquet is overdone and overused. If you are having a summer wedding or a wedding themed Asia or even the Victorian era, then a parasol may be the best accessory to flaunt for the bridesmaids. Not only do parasols look absolutely gorgeous in photographs but they serve the added purpose of protecting your bridesmaids against the vagaries of nature and are also completely reusable. Choose a parasol made of rice paper, silk brocade, or frilly lace; the choice is yours to make. Match the color of the parasol to your bridesmaid dresses or provide them with parasols that are in stark contrast.
Paper Fans     Paper Fans

Another beautiful alternative especially for a wedding that is Asian themed. For a wedding with an Asian theme, choose accordion fans for your bridesmaids that are made of rice paper and bamboo and hand painted. You can also go for silk accordion fans. If you aim to stick to a slightly more westernized theme, then choose fans made of raffia. Pretty much like parasols, fans are beautiful accessories that look gorgeous in photos and can make for unique images. In fact to continue with the theme, you could also have fans used as decor.
Candles     Candles

If you are having an outdoor wedding at night, then an option that can only add to the beauty of the setting is to get your bridesmaids to carry candles rather than flowers. Of course this is an option that one needs to be particularly careful with. You can choose to place the candle inside a frosted glass stand, or even a stained glass lantern to ensure that the wax is not spilled on their dresses. Choose candles that match the color scheme of your wedding. You can also choose to carry tea lights floating in a bowl of water for a slightly exotic touch.
Pinwheels     Pinwheels

Aiming for a fun wedding which screams happiness and childlike innocence? Well, what better way to further the theme than to have your bridesmaids carry pinwheels rather than flowers. For such a bridesmaid accessory, it may be a good idea to ask your bridesmaids to pick their own dress in different colors in a scheme that you can provide them with and then contrast the pinwheels with their dresses. These make for a very pretty image and can miniatures can also be used as boutonnieres for the men.
Corsage     Corsage

Do not want to use bridal bouquets but you would still like to have flowers as bridesmaid accessories? Well in such a case, a corsage may be the solution you are looking for. Depending on your choice, you could either aim for a delicate corsage with ferns or pick a more grandiose version with huge flowers and bright colors. Of course, it is imperative that you match the colors of the flower in the corsage with the color of the bridesmaid dresses.

These are some of the most unique alternatives to bridesmaid bouquets. If you want a wedding that will surprise people around you and make them wonder, why they didn’t think of the same, then these options are something that you should definitely opt for.

 Posted by at 6:53 pm  Tagged with:

How to Walk Down the Aisle

 Weddings  No Responses »
Jan 012012
 

The perfect bride. Oh we all know that’s what you want to be. The wedding day draws closer and you’re turning into bridezilla (in your head, of course) wanting everything to work out just right. A small thought enters – what about the walking down the aisle? Is it really that important? You try to dismiss it. Pause. Is it important to know how to walk down the aisle, you ask? To walk in a manner like you’re gliding through silk? With all eyes on you and that grand gown swishing about? In the background the wedding song playing its soothing tune. Is it really important to know how to walk down the aisle? If it isn’t, darlin’, you tell me what is.

You can picture it now, can’t you? The thousands of things that you’ve minutely handled to make your wedding day the most perfect day in your life. The excruciating details that you’ve taken care of to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Then why would walking down the aisle not be an important detail? Ask yourself that. Got your answer? Good. Let’s get on to learning how to walk down the aisle properly then. To make an impression and to fill some with envy.

Creative Ways to Walk Down the Aisle

You walk everyday, how difficult can it be, right? Well, yeah. Logically. But let’s not get logic in to spoil something wonderful here. Hardly can you compare walking down the aisle with everyday walking, you know?

Walking down the beautifully decorated aisle has a purpose. A purpose to walk like you know that everyone’s eyes are on you and you’re enjoying it, to walk like the groom knows how lucky he is to have you and to walk so that every girl in that wedding wants to be a bride just like you when he grows up and gets married. Here is how to walk down the aisle alone (or otherwise) and make a mark.

It’s All in the Shoes…
It’s really all in the shoes. High heels, wedges, pumps, stilettos, flats (A no-no if you can help it) – the choices may be many, but what to choose is finally up to you. High heels will give you the poise and the stance that brings with it glamor and grace. But if you don’t know how to walk in them, you’re just setting yourself up for tripping and worse. Remember that you have to wear them for a long period of time, so while you may be tempted to go in for the uber cool stilettos, understand that it might not be the ideal choice. Maybe a wider heel will be better for balance and will allow you the same amount of poise? Choose wisely. And do not forget to practice walking in them so that everything goes smoothly. Then again, if you’re used to wearing high heels all your life and you’re confident you can pull it off, there’s nothing like it.

Smile a Little Smile…
Of course you’re going to be nervous. It’s not everyday that you walk in front of a congregation, all looking at you..in silence. But remember that they’re all there praying for you and are very, very happy. So you smile for them. But more importantly, you smile for you and you smile for him. Smile and you’ll see the nervousness evaporating. Smile and you’ll start feeling the joy that might be a little clouded with your nervousness.

The Gown and How it Works…
So, do not trip on the dress. Number one. And number two, make sure that the dress allows you to walk properly. And how is that going to happen? Practice walking over and over again. With the shoes, with the gown and without the frown (Couldn’t help giving in to that one). And when you’re walking, make sure that you do not clutch the bouquet to your chest. Lower it so that people can see the design on the gown.

The Body Language and all That Jazz…
And now to the most important part – walking the walk. Here’s what you do – Take deep breaths to calm yourself down, then ease the tension in your shoulders by dropping them. While everyone stands to greet you in, you pause, giving everyone the time to stand. This way you’ll allow them to take a good look at you and you can take in some breaths to calm yourself down. When you pause make sure that you inform your father or the person walking you down the aisle to wait it out with you as well. This fact is often ignored and can lead to a shabby entry, unless you’re walking alone. (The points still count, BTW). Never speed through the walk. Walk s-l-o-w-l-y. Slower than what you’re imagining in your head. Walking slowly will prevent any mishap from happening and it will lend more grace to your walk. For that is exactly how the walk should go.

You’re bound to be nervous, that’s a given, but with these steps taken care of, the nervousness will be considerably lowered, you know? Then all you have to do is look at him looking at you and smile a smile that only a bride can.

 Posted by at 6:49 pm  Tagged with:

Mistakes and Consequences

 Relationships  No Responses »
Dec 302011
 

There always seems to be consequences for the smallest things we do. “Every action has a reaction.” You’ve heard it said before. But it doesn’t just have to be about the bad actions in our lives.

Here’s the situation: You got yourself into a really awkward misunderstanding and possibly some major consequences. The problem is, you really didn’t do anything that big. You might call it not paying attention, missing some cues somewhere or that it’s just a case of bad discretion. But now your friends aren’t really sure that they can trust you or where you stand with them.

Now you’re stuck in a kind of limbo. If you had done something really big, you would know what to do or how to apologize. But it’s all sort of mixed up, and the best way you can think of to apologize is just to say you’re sorry for not being careful. But that’s just so vague and doesn’t help you know how to change your actions or what not to do in the future. It doesn’t even seem worth it to say or do anything. In one light, the ones who seem to really have the problem are the people making a big deal out of what seems to be nothing. Why can’t they just get past it. Seriously, what’s the big deal that all the sudden you have to be smacked with all these restrictions just because you were a little blind to what was going on!? But you know if you react that way, you will surely loose your relationship with them. It may seem to be the easiest way, but the long term result doesn’t look so pretty.

Then there’s the other side of the coin. You apologize for, well, you’re still not exactly sure what, and accept the new restrictions. That’s kind of hard and makes very little sense! Why should you have to accept consequences for something that wasn’t completely your fault and, at the end of the day, no one is sure exactly what to say you did? If you had just been a little more careful, used a little bit of common sense, none of it would have happened, and there would be no rift in the relationship. But the fact remains, you messed up. No matter how small or unclear it seems, you still messed up.

So now you have a decision to make. Do you apologize, take the restrictions and try to work things out, or do you try to proclaim your innocence or argue that it’s just not that big of a deal. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime! Well, let’s take a moment to look at this from a completely different angle. What would have happened if you hadn’t made any waves; no trouble came up in your relationship? Well, there wouldn’t be an issue. Your relationship would be fine and they wouldn’t think any less of you.

Ok, good. That seems like the best thing that could have happened – or is it? What really makes relationships strong? The ones that stand the test of time and – oh yes – hardships! If you respond with a bad attitude, you absolutely know their opinion of you is going to be bad. No question about that. But what if you respond with a good attitude and say, “O.K. Yeah, I messed up and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it right. Even if those consequences are a little harsh, it’s worth it.” The other party knows if they appear to be hard. But when you buck up, stand up and take it without excuses, they know you are serious about making things right and continuing the relationship on the best of terms possible. That makes them take notice. That tells them, “Hey, he’s serious about this.” That leaves a good impression. Maybe even a better impression than if you never made any mistake at all.

Is your mind still spinning or did you really grasp that? Your relationship with your friends or colleagues actually might be better and stronger after a mess up than before – if you choose to handle it well. Anyone can act right in good situations, but it takes a strong character to respond well in hard situations. That’s when you show your true colors. So the next time a tough spot comes up in your life, choose the high road! Prove that bad consequences really can have a good reaction.
By Claudia Miclaus

 Posted by at 6:44 pm  Tagged with:
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