Ideas for Lighting up your Outdoor Wedding

If you have decided to have an outdoor wedding then you will need to consider how to light the area. Lighting is a must if your wedding is in the evening or if it will continue into the evening hours. Lighting up your wedding venue can be simple and will also add a sense of romance and beauty to any outdoor wedding. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Create a path of lights that will lead the bride to the altar. You can do this with candles placed about every 12 inches down the aisle or you can also string twinkle lights to poles that are placed in the ground. For a beach wedding, tiki torches will make a great path of light. I also love the idea of creating an archway that goes the length of the aisle. With some wooden poles, wire and string lights you can create a breath taking archway that your guests won’t soon forget.

For the reception you will want to add candles or fireless candles to all of the tables. Add floating candles to a bowl of water that also has flowers floating in the water or you can fill the glass bowls with rocks that will accent your wedding colors or theme and then add the floating candles. If floating candles are not your thing then go with several different candle sizes placed strategically on a mirror surface. This will add elegance to any centerpiece. The candles will not only illuminate the tables but they will set the mood for your guest to sit down and enjoy there dinner.

Depending on the outside venue you are using, we recommend adding lights to all of the trees in the area. White twinkle lights on all of the trees will only add to the sense of romance as well as keep the area lit up for your guests. You can also hang candles from the trees. Add tea lights to mason jars and string them into the trees around the reception area to create a sense of whimsy. Whether the reception will be under a tent or under the stars, you will still want to string lights across the dance floor and reception areas. One of our favorite ideas is adding round paper lanterns to the ceiling of your tent or hanging them across the reception area. The round paper lanterns create a subtle yet beautiful light and they came in many different colors to match your wedding theme.

The above ideas are sure to get you started in the right direction. One more tip would be to rent a generator from a local party rental. You wouldn’t want the lights to go out on your wedding guests. Good Luck.

The Allure of the White Pumpkin

White pumpkins are becoming increasingly more popular for fall weddings.  Maybe it's the allure of the romantic white shade that makes these adorable accessories a must-have item.  Maybe it's simply the fact that white is an easier color to match than their staple orange counterpart.  Whatever the reason, we aren't complaining.

For fall, we love the idea of choose a neutral color palette of creams and whites splashed with simple bronze accents.  To pull this look together, use any of our inspiration ideas below. White pumpkins look great when used as centerpieces, as decor for your cake/card table, and when used as guest favors or place card holders.  For a unique twist, consider hollowing out a pumpkin to use as your flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow.  You can even modge podge a white pumpkin with a pattern (shown left) for a splash of color and added interest.  (For a tutorial on this creative technique, visit budgetwisehome.com.)  Enjoy!

Image Credits:  Modge Podge pumpkin tutorial via Budget Wise Home, Pumpkin patch via The Knot, Shabby chic chair via iheartshabbychic, Pumpkin serving bowl courtesy of Paper Bird, Pumpkin staircase via Delicate Creature, Mini pumpkin decor via Pinterest, Pumpkin on scale and stool via Sugar Pie Farmhouse, Pumpkin ring bearer pillow available at Bragging Bags, Pumpkin place card holder tutorial via Twig and Thistle.

Sliders and Shooters and Snackies Oh my! ~ Late Night Wedding Treats to Keep the Party Going

Warning! This tantalizing food-filled blog post may leave you with your mouth watering and your stomach growling! We're talking wedding snacks, and lots of them! Trending right now at many weddings is the late night mini wedding snack. Receptions are running later and your guests are staying longer. Partying into the night can no doubt work up an appetite. After hours of dancing and socializing, a wedding guest can get pretty hungry. While dinner was hours ago, you and your wedding guests may need a little pick me up towards the end of the night. Consider passing out fun and casual little bites that will have your guests saying "Awww, How cute!". These mini delights will quell your guests' hunger and are sure to be a real hit!

From espresso shots topped with mini doughnuts to slider burgers with petite milkshakes, these treats are the perfect way to end the night. So who's hungry? You don't have to wait until your wedding reception to try out these delicacies, have a mini food party with friends and pick and choose which treats you would like to serve at your wedding!

Photo Credits: Pickle Sliders, Doughnut Espresso Shots by True Photography, Mini Pancakes, Hot dogs, Grilled Cheese Shooters, French Fries, Cookies and Milk by Jen Williams Photography, Milkshake Shooters, Mini Slider Burgers and Fries

10 Tips For Fantastic Wedding Photos

Brides planning their wedding fawn over beautiful photos of couples in exotic places, sharing meaningful glances and lingering kisses. You may think that this style of photo is unattainable for your real life wedding - but golden light and lovely scenery, as in the image shown here (taken by Victoria Danielle Photography via Groom Sold Separately) aren't only for fairy tales.  Here are some tips to ensure your wedding photos live up to your romantic fantasy.

1. Have your photographer scope out the venue a few days before the wedding. Plan the locations where you want to have photos taken. Take note of architecture and scenery as well as color and light.

2. Make a list of shots you want, including people and decor.

3. During the reception, have your photographer focus on you while their assistant gets candids of the guests and shots of the decorations.

4. Devote at least an hour to your portrait session the day of.  This hour does not include photos of the bridal party or family members, so you will need to factor in time for those photos as well. Make it work by scheduling the photos either before the ceremony or during the cocktail hour. Remember that the best time to take photos is in the early evening, just before sunset. This is the time when photographers can capture that romantic golden light.

5. Schedule a post wedding photo shoot. It could be the day after or a month after. The point is to get all dressed up and have a couples session in your favorite location. This gives the photographer more time for creativity. Also, without the wedding day nerves and guests to entertain, you can get more natural photos.

6. Browse wedding photography blogs. Find poses and angles that you find interesting or beautiful and show them to your photographer. Creativity is important, but there is nothing wrong with gathering a little inspiration.

7.  Be willing to work with your photographer. You will have your list of shots and your ideas, but it is always a good idea to be open to new things.

8. Relax. Some people find that taking a shot, stretching or meditating for a few minutes, or doing a few silly improv warm ups can help ease their nerves. You will have more fun and it will show in your photos.
 

9. Be on time. To get the type of photos you want, you will need to stay ahead of schedule.

10. Take note of trends in photography, but also have your photographer take some traditional photos. Color and drama are big these days, but in 20 years you might wish you had something a little more understated to display.


- Jenna

Fun and Creative Football Party Ideas

I love to host football parties for my friends and family during football season. This is great way to bring a large group of people together for a fun afternoon of good food, fun and drinks. I have come up with some fun and creative ideas that are sure to be a hit at your next football party.

Make your own football pendants out of construction paper, scissors and markers and hang them around the room. If you’re not too much of an artist you can also purchase some stencils at a local craft store. Purchase team colored disposable table clothes for the food tables and add personalized napkins and cups with your favorite teams name on them. Encourage your guests to where football themed jerseys and t-shirts. If your party is going to be a rivalry party like Ohio State vs. Michigan, create signs for separate drink coolers that read, 'Ohio State Fans Only' or 'Michigan Beer, Hands off if you bleed scarlet and grey'. One of the best ideas I have found is a table cloth made of turf. Go to your local Home Depot and purchase a piece of the green outdoor carpet, use white athletic tape to create the lines on the fields and you can jazz it up with confetti or anything you like. Your guests are going to love making a plate from this buffet table.

Speaking of buffet tables, let's talk food. The menu for your football party should be fun and creative as well. It is best to serve the food buffet style so that your guest can eat whenever they like. Most guests will snack around during the entire game. You will want to provide foods that can easily be snacked on, like chips and dip, cheese and crackers, tortillas and salsa. I would not recommend cooking out unless you have a TV outside, you wouldn't want whoever is tending the grill to miss most of the game. Hot dogs, chicken wings, shredded chicken or even sloppy joes can be fun football party foods. Don't forget, it's easy to add a football touch to any kind of food just by making it look like a football. Try adding pieces of chives to your deviled eggs. Another fun idea would be sticking toothpicks with small pendants on them featuring the name of your favorite team into your dips and other foods.

The football party ideas above should definitely add some jazz and fun to your next football party. Remember, be creative and fun and give your guest a football party they will be talking about for weeks.

Good Luck,