Wedding Inspiration for the Southern Bride

Are you a southern, country gal at heart? Do you love the home of country music, drawling accents, fried chicken, and farming? Let your wedding reflect the best of Dixieland!  Of course, there are many more aspects that give the south the dynamic environment that everyone loves. Here’s how to find the southern finest and mold it into your dream wedding.

Southern Wedding Bouquets

Light colors:

1. Peonies
2. Hydrangeas
3. Astilbe
4. White Anemones
5. Viburnum

Bright colors:

1. Sunflowers
2. Black-Eyed Susans
3. Orange Calla Lilies
4. Snapdragons
5. Ranunculus

Southern Wedding Cakes

1. A monogrammed wedding cake is a classic look in the south, and generally looks best with simple decorative icing and no topper.
2. Follow the Peach State’s lead and garnish your cake with this delicious fruit!
3. If you don’t like peaches, try strawberries and blackberries, or other berries that are in season.
4. For a wedding in a rustic setting, decorate the cake to look like a bird’s nest, with two birds on the top in place of bride and groom figurines.
5. Show off your gardening skills with a cupcake garden. Match the cupcake designs to your bouquet or compliment it with other Southern favorites from the list above!
6. Pearls are one of the tell-tale signs of a southern lady. Wrap a strand of pearls around the base of your cake tiers to give it a sophisticated look.

Tips for the Reception

1. Hold your reception in a barn. The high ceiling will make the space feel more open, there are many options for decorating, and you’ll still have a simple, relaxed feel.
2. Burlap tablecloths give your tables an organic, on-the-farm feel.
3. You can also use small burlap sacks for bags for your favors.
4. Home-cooked meals are one of the first things people think of when they describe the south. If you can, serve food that is homemade. If you can’t, stick with familiar, comfort food.

Most importantly, remember that one of the things the south is best known for is its warm, welcoming hospitality. Keeping your wedding simple.  Using things that remind you of home are the best ways to capture the heart of the south.

Image Credits: Citrus bouquet, Peach wedding cake, Nebraska barn wedding, Bridesmaids, Burlap favor bags, Couple with dogs, Groomsmen, Rings on rope

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

How to Brighten Your Fall Color Scheme

Red, yellow, orange, and brown are probably the first colors you think of when you hear the phrase fall color scheme. These colors are certainly bold, prominent colors during autumn, but there are other colors that can make your color scheme just as fall inspired while bringing a brighter, refreshing addition to your palette.

 

Consider accenting the four main colors of fall (red, yellow, orange and brown) with gold, green, or blue. These dynamics will make your main color or colors stand out while adding a refreshing splash of color to your display, bouquets, or clothes.

 

 

  

Purple is another bright, bold fall color that works well as a major color. It also allows for a variety of accent colors. You can choose varying shades of purple or, for a loud color scheme, choose a pale yellow or a bright orange. Blue and silver are also complementary accent colors for purple.
 

Pink is an accent color that will complement almost any color you want to use. For red and brown, use pale or darker shades. Bright shades of pink are best when paired with yellow. You can use any shade of pink with purple, blue, and orange.

 

The time of your wedding is also an important factor when it comes to choosing a color scheme. In early fall – late August and September – you should incorporate more red and yellow. In October and early November, use brighter colors – yellow, purple, orange – for your wedding, to contrast the bareness of the trees.

 

Fall gives us an explosion of colors, so let your wedding reflect that! Don’t be afraid to have four or more colors in your color scheme, and don’t be afraid to be bold!

Photo Credits: Navy blue, gray and yellow bridesmaids, Teal and orange bridesmaids, Amnesia rose bouquet, wedding cake

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

 

Dance the Night Away at Your Wedding Without Looking Like a Headless Chicken

Although very few people are actually born with two left feet, this seems to be our favorite excuse for not getting out on the dance floor. Whether we’re nervous, scared, or actually just a really bad dancer, we’ll do just about whatever it takes to stay in our seats or against a wall.

It can also be intimidating to watch professionals dance, whether it be in a competition or in a music video. Remind yourself that they have been training and dancing for years and years. You don’t have to be a professional to have fun on the dance floor.

There is no shame in taking dance lessons with your partner before you’re married. In fact, it’s a pretty great idea. You’ll become comfortable with dancing together and you’ll be able to rehearse your dance so you know exactly what to do. If you take private dance lessons, you’ll be able to dance to the song you chose for your first dance, which will make you even more comfortable on your wedding day.

For dancing in general, there are some things you can do to make you feel better about your dancing.

• Start simple: step out with your left foot and back in, then out with your right foot and back in. Keep your steps in time with the music.
• Keep your knees slightly bent and your arms loose and relaxed.
• Watch yourself in a mirror. That may sound terrifying, but you’ll be able to see which moves look good and which moves you should avoid. However, if you find yourself feeling too self-conscious or embarrassed, just forget the mirror.
• If you do feel self-conscious while dancing, remember:
• Don’t take people’s criticisms seriously. Many of them are only being critical because they are embarrassed of their own dancing.
• Focus on the movement and the music rather than the technicalities of what you are doing. This will allow you to stop worrying and develop “muscle memory.”
• You can watch videos to learn dances. Some songs (such as the Electric Slide or Cupid Shuffle) have specific dances that you can easily learn from the video. Other music videos will have moves that are generic to that type of music.
• Dress well! If you are confident about your appearance, you’ll be more confident about your moves.
• Take a friend. It’s always easier to do something you’re nervous about when you have a friend with you.
• If the crowd on the dance floor is sparse, stand somewhat close to someone who is drawing a lot of attention. Everyone else’s focus will be on that person.
• Look like you’re having fun. Smile, laugh, make eye contact with others, and act like you know what you are doing. Even if you’re nervous, no one will be able to tell and your confidence will make others more likely to copy your moves.
• If you don’t think you can act confident enough to do your own thing, just watch what the people around you are doing. Don’t copy one person the entire night, but pick up a few moves from others and use those.

As long as you’re having fun, no one will care that you think you don’t know what you’re doing. Weddings are celebrations, so show everyone you are celebrating by dancing the night away however you want to.

Come back next week for traditional wedding dances you can try your new-found confidence on!

Photo Credits: Bride and groom dancing, Ballroom wedding dance, Wedding line dance

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

A Great Gatsby Themed Wedding: The Party of the Year

One of this summer’s most anticipated movies was The Great Gatsby. Whether you loved reading the novel, parties, the 1920s, or any of the cast members, this movie appealed to almost everyone.
Although the movie failed in the eyes of those who read the book, there is still a lot to be said for certain aspects: the parties, the dancing, and the music. It was a movie that appealed to the senses, and it exceeded expectations in that regard.

So whether you prefer Jay or Nick, Daisy or Jordan, here’s how to throw a roarin’ 20s wedding that would make Jay Gatsby’s parties look like a backyard barbecue:

The Venue and Decorations

Pick a location that is open and has plenty of space for dancing. Choose big, fancy lighting and decorations in elegant colors: think white, black, and gold.

A venue that has both indoor and outdoor seating is ideal for a summer wedding. Use lanterns for lights outside, and trail ivy around the furniture or any railings or fences.

Inside, choose tall, leafy plants, so the centerpieces on the table are big, but the blooms are high enough that your guests can see the people they are seated with.

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote many beautiful sayings about love. Use these quotes as part of your centerpieces.

The Dress

Dress to the nines for this glamorous occasion. You can choose to completely embrace the theme and dress like they did in the 1920s, in dresses with dropped waistlines and single-breasted suits.

Ladies, wear lots of long strands of pearls, gloves, and feathers or a headband in your hair. Remember, the more sequins, the better! Gentlemen, top hats, bowties, and pocket squares are encouraged.

The Music

Anything you can dance to! The 1920s were a fun, fast-paced, casual age. They loved to party and dance. The most popular music during this decade was jazz, so choose music with lots of brass instruments and swinging rhythms to stay true to the theme.

The Food

In the 1920s, party hosts tended to be more concerned with appearance and drinks than the food. However, one food they did love was oysters. Their drink of choice was champagne – they were always celebrating!

Decorate your wedding cake with golden art deco, and complement it with black and white desserts.

The End

End the night with a fireworks show and drive away in a vintage car, leaving your guests happily lost in the past.

Image Credits: Quote, Staircase and Feather Centerpieces, Picture Frame and Hanging Dress, Art Deco tablesetting, Beyonce, Groomsman, Oysters, Champagne tower, Cake, Trumpet player

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

Movie-themed Party Ideas to Match Your Star-Studded Wedding

As promised, here is your key to planning the star-studded pre-wedding parties you have always dreamed of, with you as the star! From your engagement party and wedding shower to the bachelor and bachelorette parties, these fun, movie-themed party ideas are sure to be a hit.

Lead your guests from the parking lot to the entrance with a red carpet. Ask guests to dress up as their favorite movie character and give trophies to the best dressed. Give favors in popcorn boxes. Watch your favorite wedding-themed movies. There are tons of ways to make your party a box office hit!

To get started, use an "admit one" ticket format for your invitations. On the top and bottom, write the date of your party. Instead of a movie title, write "[Name] & [Name]’s Engagement Party" or "[bride’s name]'s engagement party." Have some fun and come up with a creative title for your party!

Movies to watch

Engagement Party/Wedding Shower

• The Engagement Party
• The Proposal
• Father of the Bride
• The Princess Bride
• The Philadelphia Story
• Four Weddings and a Funeral

Bachelorette Party

• Bridesmaids
• Bachelorette
• Magic Mike
• Crazy Stupid Love
• The Wedding Planner
• Dirty Dancing

Bachelor Party

• Bachelor Party
• The Hangover
• How to Murder Your Wife
• The Best Man
• Very Bad Things
• A Guy Thing

Games to Play

• Kiss the Actor/Actress (similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey)
• Charades
• “Who Am I?” Write down the names of movie stars on note cards and have guests tape the card to       their forehead – without looking! They have to guess who they are.
• Match the quote to the movie (to make it easier, use quotes from movies you watched at your party)
• “Movie Plot Slam” Split your guests into teams of 3 or 4. Write movie titles on note cards and give a card to each group. There are a couple ways you could have them tell the plot:
    - In poem format
    - In song format
    - In a way that relates the story back to the bride and groom
• Use conversation starter drink coasters to break the ice!

Food

One of the best parts of the movie theater experience is the popcorn and candy! Satisfy every taste bud in
the room with these delicious treat ideas:

• Popcorn (of course!)
• Offer extra butter, salt, and any other topping you might want – on the side so guests can choose what they want
• Chocolate covered raisins
• Sour candy
• Don’t forget the cake! Go for a black and white movie reel cake or try the popcorn cupcakes!

Decorations

A party would not be complete without decorations of some sort, and movie theaters are usually lavishly decorated, if not overwhelmingly so.

• Put flowers in a plastic popcorn holder
• Write guests’ names on Hollywood stars for place cards at the table
• Since red, white, black, and silver are the colors that are traditionally associated with movies and the theater, use those colors for tablecloths and napkins
• Hang up movie posters or a red curtain for backdrops for pictures

Image Credits:

Invitation: Cards Direct
Party food: Dreaming In Scraps

Popcorn cupcakes: Fifties Wedding

Movie-style cakes: Fifties Wedding

Place cards: janet21.hubpages.com

Roses: janet21.hubpages.com

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.