Blended Family Wedding Vows

Including your children in your wedding is the ideal way to reinforce positive feelings about your union and to form new bonds between your children and your new spouse. I myself am married for the second time and I know how hard it can be to make your children feel like a part of your special day. I have, in my years of experience come up with a few ideas of how to incorporate your children to make them feel included and special.

• Have your child play a role in the wedding, such as flowergirl, ringbearer, bridesmaid, usher, male attendant, best man or maid of honor.

• The actual wedding vows are also a way to include your children. You can ask the minister or officiant to add the children's name to the ceremony. By also pledging a vow to love and honor your stepchild, you will indeed make them feel like they are a special part of the day.

• Include your children in the receiving line so that you may be greeted by your guests as a new family instead of just a new couple.

• Sand ceremony kits are one of my favorite ideas for including the children. Using sand ceremony unity sets allows each person to pour a small amount of colored sand into a large cylinder. The mixing of the different colored sand represents the individuals becoming blended in their new lives together. You can even get each small cylinder engraved with your children’s names to give a personal touch.

I recently read a story online about a couple who after they read their vows to each other and exchanged rings, they presented each others children with a necklace that had a special medallion on it representing family. While giving each child the gift, they promised to love and cherish each child and to make a loving family together.

I am lucky to have a very special husband who told me that when he married me he also married my children. Including your children will make them feel important and let them know that marriage is not just about joining a husband and a wife, but it can also be about creating a new family!

Carrie

Personalized Can Koozies Make The Memory Of Your Wedding Day Last

I don't know about you but I love, love, love going to a wedding and receiving a favor that I can use over and over again.  The gesture really lets you know the bride and groom were thinking of you.

One of my absolute favorite favors to receive are can koozies.  They are just so darn fun and laidback.  Koozies are especially great for summer and spring weddings when the heat can get so sweltering that you know those babies will be used the minute your guests enter the door to your reception.

Personalized can koozies are a great way to make the memory of your wedding day last.  You can have a witty phrase, a monogram, or your names and wedding date printed on them in almost any color from the rainbow.  Every time your guests use their custom gift, you can be sure they will think of you and the fun they had on your big day.



Personalized Koozies from My Wedding Reception Ideas



Set your koozie favors out at each place setting for guests to grab up on their way into your reception.  Include a basket at the bar filled with any extra koozies you may have for guests to take.  For destination weddings, put a couple of your custom gifts into your out of town gift bags for your hotel guests.  Happy Planning!

Allie

Make Your Wedding Cake Stand Out with a Unique Cake Topper

One of the most important parts of a wedding ceremony is cutting the wedding cake. One way to make your cake stand out is by selecting a unique wedding cake topper. Brides today are looking for something different than what their parents and grandparents have done in years past.

There are so many different types of cake toppers to choose from. For a more formal cake you can go with a glass or acrylic topper engraved with the couple's first names or monogram. Or it could be two entwined hearts representing two hearts becoming one. Another popular and modern cake topper is a single monogram for the top of the cake. Long gone are the days of figurines dressed up in formal wear but they are also still available for those of us who love anything vintage.

The most important recommendation that I could give to any bride is to choose the cake topper most suited to your personality. Make it unique to yourself or your wedding theme. What ever you decide, wedding cake toppers are a great way to add some extra style and grace to your wedding cake.

Carrie

New Trends in Bridal Shower and Wedding Reception Favors

Spring is the time of the year that brings new beginnings hopes and dreams. The colors and freshness associated with this season make it ideal for bridal showers and weddings. With the start of the 2010 wedding season I am excited about our new line up of wedding favors and accessories.

Look to bring color and variety to your reception or bridal shower with the hottest new trends in wedding favors this year. We offer new selections we believe our customers will be thrilled with. Practical, elegant and useful favors such as bookmarkers, key chains, glass coasters, drink mixes, candles and so much more. Each favor comes individually packaged in an elegant or themed gift box that arrives ready to place on your wedding reception tables.

One of the concerns of shopping online is that you cannot see the favor before purchasing. We do offer online sample requests for brides who want to compare dimensions, colors and materials to match or blend with their wedding reception colors and theme.  So make your wedding reception, bridal shower or any special occasion a memorable one with practical and affordable wedding favors for your loved ones to treasure long after your event has passed.

Renee'

Colorful Wedding Shoes..Who Says White is Right

While I seemed to have been oblivious to the colored wedding shoe trend back when I tied the knot, I didn't want all you current bride-to-be's out there to miss out on this fabulous trend!  After all, who says brides have to match their shoes to their gown? 

We all know that the likelihood of actually wearing off-white satin pumps again is, well...slim to none.  So I say embrace your inner diva and select a pair of heels that makes you feel like the gorgeous bride you are.  From blue peep-toes pumps (for your something blue) or look-at-me red platforms, if you can find the color in the crayon box, you're sure to find it in a heel.  Here are some of our favorite shots of bride's shaking things up with unique and colorful wedding shoes.  Happy Planning! ~ Allie