Things We Love - Custom Napkins for Your Wedding Reception

Every bride knows, it's all in the details when planning a memorable wedding and that means that something as simple as a napkin can make a big impact on the look and feel of your wedding reception. Of course napkins are, first and foremost, useful. Yet, these functional squares of soft paper can serve a bigger purpose when you factor in color and creative custom printing. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use your custom printed napkins to accent your wedding reception decor.

 

Your napkins have the biggest impact as a punch of color on your reception tables, cake table, or dessert display. They can be artfully arranged at each place setting or stacked next to the food stations for blocks of color that speaks to your signature style. Your napkins are best displayed against table linens off a contrasting, but coordinating color. The images above show how the napkins create the punch of color that sets the entire mood of the each place setting as well as the tables as a whole.





Beyond color, the napkins at your wedding reception are the perfect way to send a message to each guest through custom printing. Custom printed napkins allow you to take the blank canvas of a useful paper napkin and turn it into a work of art that helps set the stage for whatever look and feel you are creating at your reception.  An elegant monogram printed on your napkin gives the impression of class and sophistication while a cheeky phrase or graphic sets the mood for a fun, casual evening. You can also use your napkins to help carry out a specific theme by having them printed with a design or phrase that you are using throughout your wedding. Your napkins are the perfect place to showcase your custom monogram or the logo from your wedding invitations. This brings a unity to your wedding decor, making it look and feel professionally planned.

Custom printed napkins also double as a scrap book keepsake as they are often printed with the bride and grooms names and wedding date. Knowing this, a lot of couples get creative with the art they choose to have printed on their napkins by either purchasing or creating their own custom art. Others choose to use their printed wedding napkins as an avenue to communicate with and entertain their guests. One of our favorite napkins trends is the printing of fun facts about the bride and groom on each napkin. Along these same lines, couples can print "icebreakers" on the napkins that draw guests into conversation. Word searches and scavengar hunts printed on your napkins also provide entertainment for your guests as they wait to be served.

Looking for custom printed napkins your own wedding? Find a variety of colors and styles here.

 

Image Credits: Yellow Table Setting from Yellow Weddings, Pink and White Table from Country Living, Blue Table Setting from Unknown Source, Tied the Knot napkins from Style Me Pretty, Did You Know Napkins from My Wedding Reception Ideas. 

Decorating Your Wedding Dance Floor Made Easy

Your wedding reception dance floor is where the magic happens. It is the place where you will appear in front of your guest, family and friends for the first dance, the garter toss, the father and daughter dance and so on. You are going to want to make your dance floor stand out to your guests just as much as every other aspect of your wedding. We have listed some tips and photos below to give you inspiration and the edge on decorating ideas.

Simple strands of twinkle lights can make your dance floor unforgettable. Just remember when it comes to lights, more is more. The more lights you can tack up on the ceiling like the photo above the better and the more sparkle you dance floor will appear to have. The best thing about this idea is the price.

Be creative when it comes to lighting. Almost anything can be made in to a light with just a little ingenuity and time. If you love anything DIY then consider the photo to the right. The bird cage lights are so beautiful and whimsical, they become the perfect touch to an outdoor wedding reception dance floor. 

Another fun and creative idea is to use parasols for your wedding lighting. Parasols can be purchased for a good price and normally come in a large range of colors and styles. I love the photo to the left and how they used several different colors and styles to create a dance floor that is truly unique.

A new trend for decorating your wedding dance floor is special lighting created for you especially. In the photo to the right you will see the bride and grooms names illuminated across the dance floor. This is extremely beautiful and personal. Most larger DJ companies have the equipment and the pricing to do this kind of lightning for your reception dance floor.

Another trendy dance floor decoration is the dance floor decal. The dance floor decals can be personalized with your names, monogram, wedding date, last name etc. The decals also come in a large variety of colors and styles to suit most brides. This is another very affordable alternative for decorating and the clings can be used again at a later anniversary party.

One of our favorite dance floor decorations are the paper lanterns. Paper lanterns can be found in several different colors and shapes to create a look that is all your own. Go all out with fuchsia, lime and orange lanterns or create a simple and subtle atmosphere with a lovely mix of ivory and soft yellows as the photo to the right.

Of course when it comes to decorating your wedding reception dance floor you are going to find that anything that you can possible do yourself will be the cheapest route if you are on a tight budget. Whatever you decide, make it fun and personal to you and your dance floor will be one of a kind. Good Luck!

Photo Credits: Twinkle Light Ceiling by Craig Mitchelldyer Photography, Bird Cage Lights by somethinggreenevents.blogspot.com, Parasol Ceiling by 100 Layer Cake,  Personalized Lighting by artthedj.com and Paper Lanterns by intimateweddings.com.

Exquisite Ideas for Engagement Photographs – A Collection of Inspiration Boards

Now that you and your man are engaged, you will have the wonderfully exciting task of planning a wedding.  One of the first things you will want to consider is having engagement photos taken, which is where these ideas for exciting engagement photographs come in.  Your engagement photos will give you a chance to show off your love for your fiancé, and of course your ring.  You will likely want to look back on your photos someday and see a reflection of your life as a couple.

You will probably want to have several different themes and concepts in mind when heading to your photography session.  Some of our favorite engagement photos show the couple simply having fun together.  Consider bringing funny props that represent things that one or both of you enjoy.  Using a ball from your favorite sport, a bicycle, or even bubble gum can bring joy to both you and your photographs.

Another type of photographs that is sure to impress is a simple shot of you and your soon-to-be husband sharing a quiet moment together.  Share a sweet story or simply say something touching to your fiancé to bring out a loving gesture to be captured by your photographer.  Your genuine love for each other will shine through into your pictures and will be a priceless keepsake for the rest of your lives together.

Great locations also help your photographer to capture great photos.  Think about places near your home where the landscapes are breathtaking.  The combination of the view, and you and your future hubby looking incredible together will make for a gorgeous photograph.  It may take some creative thinking, but it will be worth the stunning photographs you will be left with!

Remember to express your personalities and have as much fun as possible with your engagement session!  For more helpful ideas, tips and tricks, check out Amanda's article on engagement photography here.

Image Credits: Sitting on Barn Floor, Tender Moment, Snowy Night, Porch Swing, Fly a Kite, Bubble Fight, Blowing Bubbles, Riding a Bike, Soccer, At the Ocean, Bright Sun, Castle and a Stormy Sky, Lighthouse

Top Ten 2012 Wedding Trends

All across the bridalsphere there seems to be a general consensus about 2012 weddings... goodbye DIY!  As we move into 2012, it's time to wave goodbye to the DIY wedding trend and welcome a more classic take on vintage elegance.  While we all can agree that the vintage, DIY trend will still continue on into 2012 seen mostly through rustic and natural elements like homemade centerpieces and flower arrangements, 2012 will be the year for romance. Expect lavish details, lace, and glittery accents for a more romantic take on vintage weddings with less of the homemade projects. Sorry DIYers!

2012 weddings will see inspiration from media influences like last year's Royal Wedding and the recent Twilight saga Breaking Dawn. The rustic, woodland decor seen in Twilight's gorgeous outdoor wedding scene will be among the many copied looks for this year while Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding will be the most coveted of wedding styles. Long sleeved and lace wedding gowns will be among the most popular trends in 2012 for those looking to recreate the classic, elegant look of Kate's stunning Sarah Burton gown.

According to Pantone's recent color forecast, bright and bold colors are also making a swift comeback as we head into Spring. Tangerine has been announced as their choice for color of the year and we are expecting this bright color to be among one of the hot wedding colors in 2012 as well. For a bold statement consider mixing this color with a bright girly pink. Other great color pair ups are modern gray or taupe, yellow, or sodalite blue.

Now to get down to business...check out our top 10 picks below forecasting what are sure to be the hottest wedding trends in 2012.

#10 - A New Take on Old Photography

#9 - Multi-Way Bridesmaids Dresses and Classy Tuxedos

#8 - Tiered Wedding Cakes and Signature Foods

#7 - Period Inspiration and Old Hollywood Style

#6 - All That Glitters

#5 - Traditional Veils and Grecian Headpieces

#4 - Tangerine and Color Palettes That Pop

#3 - Natural and Rustic Elements

#2 - Lavish Centerpieces and Decor

#1 - Lace, Sleeves, and Low Back Wedding Dresses

Credits: Lace Back Claire Pettibone Gown, #10 via Vogue, #9 tux via Lane Dittoe, Bridesmaids dresses via Two Birds, #8 via Brides, #7 via Green Wedding Shoes, #6 from Every Last Detail, #5 via Vogue, #4 pink and gray wedding via Ariella Chezar, Pink and orange wedding from Every Last Detail, #3 from The Vegas Wedding Planner, #2 via Ariella Chezar, #1 Legends by Romonakeveza, Jenny Packham, Coan Couture

Healthy Food Trends for Your Wedding - Fabulous Fruit and Vegetable Displays

The New Year is a time when we find ourselves jumping on board with new diets and workout regimens and pledging to have a healthier outlook for the year ahead. Certainly any of us with a wedding this year are vowing to be fit for the big day! While you're on a health kick leading up to your wedding, why not let some of these healthy food trends continue into your wedding day! These easy wedding reception food ideas would also be appropriate for bridal showers or any pre-wedding gathering where food is being served.

You were always told to eat your fruit and veggies when you were growing up, well now days it's a little more tolerable and enjoyable to consume these nutritious treats. While wedding receptions are no strangers to fruit and vegetables, the same old displays are dated and boring. Why not spice up the menu for the evening with a beautiful presentation of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh produce is not only a tasty option for your wedding reception, it also doubles as beautiful decor. The bright colors and variety of shapes and sizes of these types of foods create an eye catching showcase that will have mouths watering. Think of innovative and unique ways to display your vegetables, like individual mini baskets of everyone's favorite veggies. These sweet packages look like they came straight from the garden. Display vegetables in clear glass containers to let their gorgeous colors show. Individual clear cups can be filled with dip and topped with carrot and celery sticks. Even kids will love these easy appetizers. Consider alternatives to the usual veggie offering by instead serving a tasty and stunning layered salad in a clear glass container or serve individual caprese salads (tomato, basil and mozzarella) in small dishes. These offerings would be perfect to set out for cocktail hour but will surely be enjoyed throughout the whole evening.

When it comes to fruit, consider serving a fruit pizza or individual fruit tarts. These sweet treats could be served as appetizers during cocktail hour or along with the wedding cake or other desserts later in the evening. For a country garden feel, separate fruit out and display in its own cup or can, place the fruit containers inside a wire milk jug carrier or rustic farm basket. For a fancier touch, consider cubed watermelon with feta cheese topping or other exotic combinations. Fruit smoothies or purees can be passed around in lieu of a fruit display, how perfect for a hot summer wedding!

Enjoy!

Image Credits: Main fruit and veggie display image, Mini veggie baskets, Layered salad and full veggie display, Veggie and dip cups, Caprese salad cups, Fruit tart, Fruit buckets, Individual fruit tarts, Watermelon cubes, Fruit smoothies