A Picture Perfect Wedding Theme

We all know that there is no such thing as a picture perfect couple, but if you have it pretty close check out these ideas to make it your wedding or anniversary party theme!

Step one, find your favorite pictures of you and your significant other. Find as many as possible and if you don't have enough, take more! This would be a good time to display engagement pictures or wedding photos if this is for an anniversary.

Use small picture frames in various styles to hold place cards and photos of the happy couple.

Photo Credit: My Wedding Reception Ideas

Use pictures in varying heights to create centerpeices. You can also create photo luminaries like the ones shown here by printing photos on vellum or thinner paper and llluminating from behind with lights and candles. These look very striking when the photo is in black and white.

Photo Credit: littleblacksheepshop.com

Have a picture frame photo booth! These are so cute and simple to make if you know someone slightly handy. You can really make this match your style and color scheme with the wall paper, paint, and frames you choose. Use fun shaped frames for a more fun look and traditional style frames for a vintage feel.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina via A Cup of Jo Blog

Have your photographer photograph the bride and groom using a large picture frame a prop.

Photo Credit: The Nichols

This adorable "Picture Perfect" Cake Topper" would be a great way to tie the whole theme together.

Photo Credit: My Wedding Reception Ideas

Take digital photos of guests as the enter the reception hall or as they greet you in the receiving line. You can have your photographer upload them directly to a computer and put them into a slideshow to play later on in the reception. You can also use the photos to create personalized thank you post cards after your event.

Photo Credit: WeddingChicks.com

This is definitly not the theme for the camera shy, but don't be concerned with having too many pictures of yourself plastered about. Your family and friends are sharing your day because they already love seeing your shining happy faces whenever they can!

~ Jenna

DIY Wedding Program Fans by Aylee Bits

In this sweltering summer heat, keep your guests cool by having your wedding programs do double duty.  Turn them into custom wedding program fans with this easy, DIY tutorial from Aylee Bits!

What you'll need:
110lb (or heavier) cover stock 8.5x11
1 - 3/16" eyelet (per set)
scissors
eyelet-setting tool
rotary paper trimmer
computer
printer
ribbon (optional)

This basic wedding fan template offers an easy fill-in-the-blank layout with step-by-step instructions.  Add your own flair by including designs to match your wedding theme, changing the colors, and/or adding optional satin ribbon to the eyelet whole.  Aylee Bits offers a number of free DIY templates to help you with your wedding planning.  You can even purchase some of her fancier, pre-designed work for a small fee.  To learn how to make these adorable fans, visit ayleebits.com to download the free template.  Be sure to read all of the comments below the instructions for great tips and FAQ's.

Happy Planning!

Allie

Top 4 Ways to Include Memorials into Your Wedding Day

First and foremost, thank you to all our readers for their loyal support.  More and more, our brides have been asking what the best way is to include memorials into their wedding day...while still making the focus on the bride and groom.  Because you spoke, we listened and are happy to give you our list of the top 4 ways to include the memory of your lost loved ones into your special day.

#1) The number one and easiest way to include lost loved ones is through your wedding programs.  Truly a tasteful and understated way to say, 'We're thinking of you.'  How to pull it off - One the back of your programs, simply add a meaningful quote or poem with the words 'In Loving Memory of' written underneath.  Add the names of all the individuals that couldn't be with you on your special day in their honor.  (You can also take this one step further by also playing their favorite song during your ceremony and/or reception.)

#2) The second most popular choice by couples are memorial cylinders and vases.  Include these beautiful displays in both your ceremony and reception.  Place an engraved memorial cylinder, with an optional photo of your loved one, near the alter during your ceremony.  The candle can either be lit before guests arrive or lit during the lighting of the unity candle.  Afterwards, set your cylinder on a display table during your reception.  A popular display spot for cylinders is on the escort table sitting next to a photo of the bride and groom with the person being memorialized.

#3) Losing your father is one of the hardest obstacles a bride-to-be can overcome but still should not overshadow your joyous occasion.  For bride's who have lost their father or father-figure, the memorial candle walk is ideal.  Instead of a bouquet, carry a candle down the aisle in memory of dad.  You can opt to be escorted by another close family member or walk by yourself.  Once you get to the alter, light your candle and set it in a candle holder next a favorite photo of your father.  This is truly a meaningful and heartfelt way to express your feelings.

#4) Subtle yet meaningful, add a photo buckle charm to your bouquet to keep the memory of your loved one close to your heart.  Insert your favorite photo and tie the buckle with decorative ribbon onto your bouquet wrap.  After the ceremony, your buckle can easily be removed and tucked away for safekeeping.

Best wishes to all.  "Gone yet not forgotten, although we are apart, your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart". ~ Author Unknown

Allie

Wedding Cake Serving Sets for your Cake Cutting Ceremony

One long standing tradition included with your wedding reception and one that your guests will look forward to is the cutting of your wedding cake. The wedding cake is one of the main focal points at the reception and often is placed on a decorated table with yours and your bridesmaids’ bouquets. All eyes will be on the newlyweds as you slice the cake. The first slice is traditionally cut hand over hand from the bottom layer; the groom feeds the first slice to the bride, then vise versa.


There are an abundant of elegant wedding cake server sets available to honor this special tradition. You can select a server set from a variety of designs to compliment your wedding theme. Have your server set engraved with your names and wedding date making it a treasured keepsake to use over again on each anniversary in remembrance of your wedding day.

Renee'

Ideas for Planning a Halloween Themed Wedding

What could possibly be more fun than planning a Halloween themed wedding? Keep in mind that a Halloween themed wedding does not have to be held on Halloween. You can have the ceremony the weekend before or the weekend after. The best thing about planning a spooktacular wedding is all the fun choices available for planning your wedding. Here are just a few fun tips for getting you Halloween wedding planning started.

• First decide how far you want to go with the Halloween theme. You can either go all out with all the Halloween trimmings, such as jack-o’-lanterns, bubbling cauldrons and costumes or you can have an elegant Harvest wedding with beautiful fall colors, pumpkin, gourds and leafy décor.

• Selecting your color scheme allows for many choices. Of course black and orange is one choice but you can also use red, yellow, copper or green, the options are endless. Have your groom and his attendants wear black tuxedos with tails to add mystery to their attire. Your bridesmaids can wear black and carry blood red roses for their bouquets. Brides should look for gothic style wedding dress with long flowing sleeves and tight bodices.

• For a dramatic Halloween centerpiece you could use wrought iron candelabras or Black Mini Lantern Tea Light Candle Holders with small gourds and pumpkins around the base. If you want to keep the mood truly Halloween add spider weds with plastic spiders to your centerpieces. Pumpkins are my favorite and they are very versatile. Buy some small pumpkins and stencils and carve your table numbers into the pumpkins.

• Everyone associates Halloween with candy, so a candy buffet is a must. Use all the fun candies of the season such as candy corn and taffy. You could also include caramel apples and sugar cookie cut-outs shaped as ghost and pumpkins. Don’t forget to add dry ice to the punch bowl to add the bubbling cauldron effect.

• Now it’s time to get into your scary groove. Have your DJ play plenty of fun Halloween songs through-out the evening like Monster Mash and Thriller. The sound track from the movie The Nightmare before Christmas also has some great music for a Halloween themed wedding.

Halloween is the holiday that allows us to be anything we want to be, so make you Halloween themed wedding the wedding of a lifetime. A Halloween wedding is a wedding that won’t soon be forgotten.

Carrie