Guidelines For Choosing Your Wedding Gown Style

When you are shopping for your wedding gown, select a style that is appropriate for your body shape. This key piece of advice is the secret to looking amazing on your special day.  Choose a store where the salespersons know what makes you look fabulous and not the gown that they want to get sold.

 If you are a petite bride – shorter than 5’4” and small boned, look for gowns that give the illusion of more height like off the shoulder or gowns with vertical lines.  Your goal is to draw the eyes upward by keeping details at a minimum and focusing the eye to the bodice area.

If you are tall – usually 5’9” or taller, you can wear a wider variety of shapes.  It is best to emphasize your longer proportions.  Bias cut skirts and straight designs can be fabulous.

If you are a plus size consider a gown with a skirt that flows from just under the breast to the floor.  A-line silhouettes and princess lines work well as well as does heavier fabric like satin.

If yours is a triangle shape – narrower on the top and fuller on the bottom, your goal is to create balance.  A V neckline is excellent for you.

Guidelines for Toasting at Weddings

According to Random House, a toast is “a salutation uttered immediately before drinking in honor of a person or event.”

Toasts acknowledge the wedding couple and express good wishes for a happy future together. They also express a welcome – one family welcoming a new member to the group.

Some general guidelines:
· Toasts are not an opportunity to make the couple blush nor are they the place to tell inside jokes.

· The average toast can run about 3 minutes but no more than 5 minutes.

· The best times at the reception to offer toasts are either before the dinner starts and/or just prior to cutting the cake.

· The official host of the reception (usually the bride’s father) is the first to offer a toast. He is followed by the best man and then the maid of honor. Yes, the maid of honor offers a toast to the happy couple. Others may wish to offer toasts, but they should be controlled. No one should speak after the bridegroom or bride gives the vote of thanks.

· If the bride and groom host their own wedding, they start the toasts by thanking family and guests for being with them on this special occasion.

· When looking for words for the toast, consider lines from poems that have meaning for the couple or the person offering the toast. Song lyrics or short anecdotes about the couple are also appropriate.

· The host or master of ceremonies should discourage the clinking of silverware against the glassware for any purpose during the reception. Those offering toasts must remember that they are toasting and not rambling so they must get guests to “raise their glasses” to the couple.

TriniWeddings can help you create and deliver an appropriate toast, just call 868 624 4015 for an appointment that is convenient to us both.
　

Hosting Wedding Showers

Wedding Showers date back to the 18^th century according to Emily Post. The story is that there was a father who did not like his daughter’s choice of husband and refused to give her a dowry. Friends of the groom felt sorry for him and supported him by collecting enough “assets” among themselves and “showered” the bride with them so that the marriage could take place!

Today’s showers have evolved over time, but there are still some “rules” or guidelines most brides should follow.

*The bride’s maid of honor is the usual hostess for a wedding shower, but any bridesmaid, friend of the bride’s mother or groom’s mother or distant relative of the bride can be hostess. It is not acceptable for the bride to host her own shower, neither should any immediate member of her family or the groom’s family. To do this implies that they are soliciting gifts for the bride.

*With all the talk of “themed” weddings, potential hostesses wonder if they need to plan a shower in keeping with the theme of the wedding. The answer is no. The shower simply celebrates the upcoming marriage of the couple. The closest the events come to a “theme” is the kind of gifts guests bring to the shower, such as spa items, kitchen items or lingerie. Some showers are for couples. Gift items for those should appeal to both genders like bar items, tools, outdoor equipment or electronics.

*Only guests who have been invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower. The only exception is for a workplace shower where not all work colleagues may be invited to the wedding. It is also not necessary or even feasible to invite every female who is on the guest list.

*Including Gift registry information on the shower invitation is acceptable and this is the only acceptable place. Brides should open all shower gifts at the shower and thank each person as the gift is opened. Each gift must be followed by a handwritten thank you note. If multiple showers are given for the bride, guests who attend more than one shower need only give one gift. If a guest cannot attend a shower, she should not feel obligated to send a gift.

For answers to your questions, call 868 824-4015, or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

Changing Traditions

Many of the traditions that we follow in weddings today have their origins in Elizabethan or Renaissance eras and modern day changes have been made.

·        VOWS – the phrase “Honor and obey” has been replaced with various alternatives that reflect equality in the relationship.

·        BRIDAL ESCORTS – More and more brides and couples are having both parents escort them down the aisle.  In some ceremonies, the groom comes down the aisle with both his mother and father, followed by the bride on the arms of both of her parents.  This honors both parents and recognizes each of their roles in preparing their sons/daughters for this day.  In fact, if the bride’s father is not available or this is a second marriage, a bride may choose to walk down the aisle alone or she may choose anyone to escort her.  A sibling, her mother, her grandfather, her son or a friend may do the honors.

·        PARENTAL ROLES – Parents are no longer limited to escort duty.  Many grooms are choosing their father to be the best man and brides are asking Mom to be the matron of honor.

·        RECEIVING LINES - These may still be part of a very formal wedding where the ceremony and reception are at different venues, but for smaller weddings with the same site for ceremony and reception, more and more couples are foregoing the receiving line and instead making it a point to acknowledge and thank each guest at his/her table throughout the evening.

For more advice about changes you can comfortably make in your wedding plans, stop in and chat with one of our experienced consultants.  We know how to help you make your wedding uniquely yours or tie it comfortably to tradition. For answers to your questions,

call 868 624-4014 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

“Outside of the Box” Reception Ideas

 

How about adding a kissing ball to your reception fun? Cover a large foam ball with flowers, slip a 72” ribbon through it and refrigerate it until the reception. Hang the ball in a convenient spot at the reception. Anytime the couple or guests walk beneath it, a kiss is a must.


Instead of having guests tapping their glasses to compel the couple to kiss, place a set of ceramic bells at each table or give them to members of the wedding party. Attach a note to each bell that reads, “When the bell chimes, it’s kissing time”. This effect is much softer and nicer than the clanging of knives against glassware.

Be sure to have instant cameras at each table for fun-filled moments that might not be captured otherwise.

You may want to select the couple who has been married longest and present this “bride” with your bridal bouquet or a special arrangement. This can be done in lieu of “tossing” your bouquet.

While flowers and or candles are the usual table centerpiece choices at the reception, consider the impact of a room full of balloons. They are relatively inexpensive and provide a festive party atmosphere. Keep the color scheme to a maximum of three colors and either scatter the helium- filled balloons throughout the room or cluster them in smaller bunches as table centerpieces. Just remember to make their strings long enough so that they don’t block the views at the tables.



Photographs in varying sizes and in a variety of frames make wonderful centerpieces. Photos of the couple, members of the wedding party and family members, at different stages of life make conversation starters and are a thoughtful way to make everyone a part of the occasion.



For more “out of the box” reception ideas email mwilt@triniweddings.com or call 868 624 4015.

Aisle Style

Here are some tips for defining the aisle that you are walking down at your wedding.

If you are marrying in a church and putting down an aisle runner, be sure that the fabric you’ve chosen is sturdy  and has weights to hold it down at both ends.  Do not use a paper runner.  Paper runners are difficult to walk on – especially in heels and they make noise.  It is better to have a bare aisle than to use paper.  Many florists now have colored aisle runners so you can follow a color plan although white or crème are still the favorite choices.

If you are utilizing ushers to position the aisle cloth, it should be done as part of the ceremony setting.  The behavior and demeanor of the ushers while rolling out and securing the cloth, is a significant part of the pre ceremony activities. It should to be done with dignity and care.

If your ceremony is taking place at a location that does not have an aisle, it is possible to create one.  Lanterns, potted plants, torches, flags or pennants, columns and stanchions with velvet ropes can add dramatic impact while defining your passageway.

Usually, tall decorative elements create a formal look while shorter items are appropriate for a more informal wedding.

Whatever aisle style you have fashioned, you should walk it with dignity.  This is not a 20 yard dash!  Take your escort’s arm, stand up straight, hold your head high and walk toward the most important moment in your life.

For more reception ideas, call 868 624-4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com.

Ways of Honoring Deceased Family Members

Ways of Honoring Deceased Family Members

It is not proper to honor a deceased family member by including the person’s name on the wedding invitation. While the intention is good, there are other more appropriate ways to honor the deceased.

The deceased can be honored by having an usher, groomsman or other specially assigned person place a white rose on the pew at the moment the deceased would have been seated. 

During the ceremony, a special song or hymn can be dedicated.

An additional candle can be lit during the candle ceremony in their honor.

Rosemary is the symbol of remembrance, so a sprig of rosemary could be included in the bridal or attendants’ bouquets. 

Bouquets could also contain the favorite flower of the family member.

A contribution to the deceased’s favorite charity in their name is another nice way of honoring someone you love. 

Whatever you choose to do should be duly noted on your printed programme.

Consult with TriniWeddings at 624-4015 for more ideas

The All White Wedding

We know that white is a powerful color when it stands alone.  There is truly nothing more beautiful than an all white wedding.

Once the symbol of purity and the virgin bride, white has expanded to be the symbol of happiness as well and is often worn by second or third time brides.

When a bride chooses to have an all white wedding, the theme can be carried out in every aspect of the event.  In addition to wearing apparel, all flowers, ribbons, and candles can be in white as can the chair and table covers and pew decorations.

Wispy sheer white fabrics with minimal trim create an illusion of cool comfort. An all white wedding cake decorated with snowflakes in the winter, white doves or seashells in the summer, perfectly symbolize a lifetime of magic.

The groom and his attendants have a full range of choices in all white formalwear available from most of the major designers.

Both mothers can also elect to wear white ensembles with color coordinating accents. 

We can take you from concept to reality and leave your guests with a sense of drama generated by an all white event.

For more reception ideas, call TriniWeddings at 868 624 4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

Glossary of Men’s Formalwear

While dress criteria have relaxed in some areas, and even ignored in others, we feel that a wedding is a time for suitable dress codes for the men involved.  Here are some of the most common terms with updated explanations.

·         Black Tie – considered to be the standard for almost any evening affair, a black tie event requires a tuxedo for men.  While many designers have versions of this classic, choose a black jacket with satin or grosgrain lapels, black trousers (usually with a stripe down the side), a bow tie and a cummerbund.  (Think James Bond)

·         White Tie – refers to full evening dress.  Traditionally it is a tux with tails, a top hat, an overcoat, a cane and of course, a white bow tie.  (Think Fred Astair)  If the wedding party is in full formal attire, it is usual to suggest that male guests appear in tuxedos or at least dark suits.

·         Black Tie Optional (or Preferred) – This specific dress code extends the option of wearing either a suit or a tuxedo.  If this is extended to guests, then it needs to apply to the groom as well.  Generally, the groom and members of his wedding party will choose a tuxedo (if the bride encourages it) but classic suits in dark shades like black, deep navy or brown are also considered appropriate.

·         Daytime Wedding (in warm weather) – This dress code implies a level of informality  and allows for linen or twill suits.  If the wedding is at a beach or informal outdoor site, men can skip a tie and wear a simple blazer with dress pants.

·         Daytime Wedding (in cold weather) – This dress code usually suggests that men go with either a cotton or wool suit in the fall and winter seasons.  Preferred colors are dark – navy or black.

Ties are preferred.

For more ideas on men’s formal wear guidelines, call TriniWeddings at (868) 624-4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

Some Memorable Quotes

The following are some quotes on friendship, love and marriage which can be incorporated on your Wedding webpage or any other memorabilia.

“Men always want to be a woman’s first love and women want to be a man’s last romance.”  Oscar Wilde

“If a man really loves a woman, of course he wouldn’t marry her for the world if he were not absolutely sure that he was the best person she could possibly marry.”  Geoffrey Chaucer

“A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.”  Andre Maurois

“To love anyone deeply gives you strength.  Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.” Lao Tzu

“If you would love, love and be lovable.”  Benjamin Franklin

“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.”   Rose Kennedy

“If you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you haven’t really learned anything.”  Muhammad Ali

“Familiar acts are beautiful through love.”  Percy Bysshe Shelley

 “I chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well.” Oliver Goldsmith

Source:  The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 3^rd Edition

How to have an elegant wedding on a budget

Even if your wedding budget is smaller than you would like, there are ways to create an elegant event.

Our expertise is helping brides have the wedding of their dreams so that we  work with a bride to really understand the impact and image that a bride dreams of for her wedding.  We help the couple establish a realistic budget based on what they can afford to spend and we remain within that budget as the wedding is planned. 

 Our advice and guidance encourages brides to:

·        Tap personal resources.  Are any friends photographers?  Does the couple have unused frequent flyer miles?  Do you have friends who are caterers?  Do any of your friends own large homes with a yard that can host a wedding event?

·        Think outside the box.  Plan a wedding for an unusual time.  Don’t select prime time for your wedding. Some venues may give you for a cheaper price on a day when the venue is not usually in use. Plan an afternoon cocktail reception instead of a sit down dinner. Get married in the morning and plan a buffet brunch for the reception.  Look at unusual places, times and options that can save money but still offer an elegant environment.

·        Remember that it’s your wedding, not an entry in the social calendar.  If you are visualizing your wedding as a way to impress people, you are sure to overspend.  Instead, think of your wedding as a way to celebrate your new life with someone.  Keep it personal not fodder for the evening news.

·        Reconsider décor items.  Repurpose bridal and bridesmaids bouquets as table centerpieces, skip the aisle runner, keep your invitation simple, choose in season flowers, fill spaces with rental greens and choose a signature cocktail instead of an open bar.

·        Consider the impact of texture.  It tends to imply luxury more than a glossy or flat finish.  Incorporate texture in the invitation paper, in table cloths, in napkins, menus, place cards, programs.

For ideas, contact  TriniWeddings at 624-4015 or email us at mwilt@triniweddings.com

Info for U -The Bridal bouquet

Did you know that the bride's bouquet was traditionally made up of scented bunches of garlic, fruit blossoms and herbs. The bride would carry a bundle of these items to ward off evil spirits and impurities.
Over the years, the herbs and grains were replaced by flowers because it represented a sign of happiness and helped promote fertility.

Choosing Your Wedding Planner

If you have decided to enlist the help of a professional wedding/event planner to assist with your wedding, you want to make sure that you are hiring the best.  Schedule an interview with him/her and ask important questions.  The answers to those questions will help you decide whether or not this person is right for you.  The certified wedding planners like Marilyn Duncan-Wiltshire of TriniWeddings, are likely to be the standard against which you evaluate the planners you interview.  It is suggested that you review this list of questions and ask those that are important to you before you make your final selection. 

·         Have you worked with any of the vendors or venues that I have in mind?  If yes, what do you know about them?  If no, are there similar vendors that you would recommend?  Why?

·         How many weddings my size have you done?  Can you tell me about one or two of them?

·         Who are your favorite caterers, florists, DJs, etc?  Why do you like them? 

·         Please show me a portfolio of previous weddings you have done.

·         What is your role?  What is mine?  Who has what responsibility?  Who has the final say?

·         How often do you expect to meet with me before the wedding?

·         How many hours do you work the day of the wedding? 

·         How many weddings can you handle in a month?  Do you have the staff to handle them all?

If staff members will be involved in my wedding, can I meet them first?

·         How do you charge?  Is it a flat fee or are there add ons?

·         What kind of experience do you have?  How long have you been planning weddings?

·         Tell me how you handle emergencies or dicey situations?

Wedding Trends for 2013

According to several sources, including emilypost.com , brides this year can expect to see weddings that reflect the following changes and influences.

·         Personalized Weddings continue to be important to couples who are looking to include elements that have personal meaning to them. Ceremonies and receptions can reflect multi –cultural and/or inter-faith statements.  Monograms remain important and reflect the couple’s first names.

·         The Internet continues to play an important role in wedding planning.  High tech access is used in vendor selection, gift registries, information sharing, guest information sources and communication with members of the wedding party.  Note:  Emailing invitations and thank you notes is still not considered correct or classy.

·         The importance of color continues in bridal apparel.  While white and ivory remain favorites, wedding gowns are showing color touches, shoes are colorful (with blue the odds on favorite) and floral decorations carry the color theme throughout the wedding plans.

·         The role of grooms in wedding planning continues to grow.  There are more and more joint decisions being made by the couple (who tend to be older and funding their own weddings).

·         While the formal structured wording of the wedding invitation is still customary, more couples are choosing to individualize their invitations with colorful papers, ribbon trims and unique wording.  It is important to note that even if the format of the invitation is unique, it should still contain all the information guests need plus be grammatically correct.

Brides need to remember that no mention of gifts, even “no gifts, please” is ever made on a wedding invitation.  It is acceptable to mention a website on an enclosure card and that website can contain information about gift registry options.  The phrase “black tie” may appear on the reception invitation, but is not printed on a wedding invitation.

For more ideas about making your wedding plans unique, contact us at 868 624 4015  or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com.

Wedding Favors

There are many special people who help make your wedding day a success.  It is a nice to give a favor or token to say thank you for their help or their presence.  Brides come to us for advice on what to give to members of the bridal party, to families and to guests.  We have plenty of ideas that we are happy to share with our brides.  Here are some of our guest gift favorites.

·         Some of the most popular wedding favors are edibles.  Wrapped chocolates or truffles in an attractive box that is imprinted with the couple’s names and date are a big favorite.  Also popular are chocolate covered pretzels, nuts, fruits as well as chocolate hearts.  In many areas, couples choose to give cookies frosted in wedding colors and packaged in tulle or color matched gift boxes.  Some brides have chosen to give small wine or other liquor bottles with personalized labels  that bear the wedding date and/or names of the couple.

·         Couples are also giving living items that bloom and grow like your marriage.  Weddings with garden motifs, environmentally themed weddings and ceremonies in outdoor or rustic settings choose favors like potted plants, seedlings, flower seed packets and miniature bamboo shoot plants.

·         Other brides prefer a permanent keepsake that is both useful and attractive.  Some of the favorites are picture frames, candles and candleholders, glass bowls filled with colored sand or rocks, small books or albums, CDs with favorite songs, ornaments for Christmas weddings, coffee mugs with coffee or hot chocolate packets tucked inside.

·         Some couples are choosing to make a donation to a favorite charity rather than provide a gift item.   In that case, a printed card is included in each place setting which informs the guest of the donation.

·         Be sure that each item has a thank you note attached.  They are likely to be pre printed although handwritten notes are lovely as well.

·         The placement of favors depends on space available.  Some brides have the favors arranged on a separate table near the exit for guests to make their own selections. Some incorporate them with the table settings and others ask a friend or friends to help with the distribution as guests leave the party.

·         Grouping the favors in the center of the table in an attractive basket or on a mirror does double duty.  It insures a centerpiece without incurring the cost of flowers, and thanks the guests for sharing in your special day.

Work with TriniWeddings for more ideas on ways to thank wedding guests and special friends.

Engagement Photographs

As more and more couples choose to have engagement photographs taken, the opportunities to depart from formal studio posed photos grow.  Engagement photos can be used in newspaper announcements, on save-the-date-cards, or as part of the wedding day décor.  Working with a photographer on engagement shots also gives the couple a chance to see how they like the photographer and his/her work before they sign a massive contract for wedding photos.

If the couple is game, these photos can be more colorful, fun, and creative in the sites chosen.  Some of the themes chosen for engagement photos can be introductions to the wedding’s theme or just a fun expression of the places and things that mean a lot to the couple.  Discuss your ideas with your photographer.

·         This is a chance to try some vintage shots.  Use a prop like an old car or antique bike or wear vintage clothes.

·         Pose with suitcases, next to planes or trains or boats to show your mutual love of travel.

·         Take advantage of sites.  Shots against a skyline or against an old brick or wooden wall can result in photos that will be different in look and feel from your wedding day pictures.

·         For a change of pace, have the pictures taken at night.  Outdoor lights can be shot on timed exposures, or consider candles, holiday lights or night lights in active parts of town.

·         Nature shots provide an opportunity for wide ranging activities.  If you have a love of the outdoors, have photos taken as you swim, fish, fly kites or walk.

·         If you love carnival, have your photos taken in your carnival costume.

For more ideas about unusual engagement photos, stop in at TriniWeddings for a chat or email info@triniweddings.com.

Planning Mistakes To Avoid

Experienced wedding planners offer advice to brides because they love what they do.  They have lots of great ideas for creating a fabulous wedding, but they have also learned a number of things they advise their brides to avoid.

1.  Remember that you have invited guests to a party to celebrate this important day in your life.  Don’t punish them for accepting your invitation to the ceremony and reception by having a big time gap between the two events.  If you want to be married in your childhood church in the country but want a city reception, reconsider the time lag and distance between destinations from the guest’s point of view.  It can be hard to plan a seamless schedule especially if you have your heart set on locations miles apart or have ceremony and reception times that don’t line up, but if that’s what you end up with, consider providing transportation for all guests between locations or find a spot between the two where guests can “hang out” and be comfortable while they wait.

2.  You may want a destination wedding in an exotic spot, but before you book it consider whether or not your family, wedding party and guests can afford to get there or are able to get there.  You may think that declaring your vows on the edge of an active volcano is highly symbolic of your relationship with the groom, but the likelihood of grandparents making the trek is minimal. As one planner says, “Destination weddings can be terrific, but as with any wedding, it is not only about you, it is also about your guests.”  Where possible select locations that are easy for everyone to reach.  A well traveled spot for example is a good choice.  Plan the wedding well in advance so that potential guests can make arrangements to attend.  Provide travel information and group rates where possible.

3. Try to stay in charge of the guest list.  Once the wedding budget is established, you’ll have a good sense of how many guests can comfortably be invited.  If your budget is a six-figure event, relax and let parents invite whomever they feel they must.  But if your budget is more real than imaginary, the list will probably need trimming.  Start early and ask both sets of parents for their preferred guest list in order of preference.  That way you can cut from the bottom if necessary.  Try negotiating the outcomes.  It is a great skill to learn.

4. Do not forget your fiance’.  Yes you are planning a gorgeous wedding – but remember who you are marrying.  Involve him in the planning process.  There must be an area of special interest to him that he’d like to organize.  Honeymoon plans, transportation, music – ask him what he’d like to do.  You do have a life outside of this wedding, so talk about it, make plans for your future together and remember why you said yes in the first place.  It is not all about crab cakes and caviar.

For ideas or answers to your questions call TriniWeddings at 624-4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com

Musts for the Bride to Be

As plans ramp up and your focus is THE WEDDING at the expense of other aspects of your life, take the advice of many wedding planners and Practice Self Care. Do whatever you need to do to unwind, relax and sleep well.  Take your vitamins, get healthy exercise and find emotional outlets for the stress you are under.  Remember your groom.  Do fun things together and plan together.  This is not the time to get run down and “catch” the bug that is making the rounds.  You need to be healthy and strong and resilient.

Get and stay organized. Start early and document every decision made around your special day.  It doesn’t matter if you have high tech records or sheets of paper clipped together or in file folders or paper bags.  Whatever system works for you- implement it early and keep it current. 

Set a budget and stick to it.  From the start, the couple should sit down together and decide how much they can afford to spend on the wedding and where they feel it should be spent.  Agree on priorities.  Talk honestly with parents about their willingness and ability to contribute to the wedding.  Look at the major expense items – reception costs, honeymoon, clothing, photographs, entertainment, and flowers. Working within those guidelines makes other decisions easier.

Remember to be grateful for all that you have and all that others are doing for you.  You will get gifts, good wishes and offers of assistance.  Remember to thank everyone for their offers.  Weddings are joyous affairs and people want to be a part of a positive and exciting event that a marriage truly is.

Remember your plans and don’t be derailed.  You’ve set your budget and made significant decisions.  Don’t be tempted to play “one up manship”.   You’ll go to other weddings while planning yours and see lots of ideas.  Some you’ll want to copy and others you won’t but before you do, remember your budget.  This is your wedding – not a copy of your friend’s big day.  She had her event.  You’ll have yours.

Let go of bridal guilt.  No one can make everyone happy all the time.  Worrying about it takes up far more time and energy than is deserved.  Sometimes guilt is good.  It can help us deal with the feelings of others.  But most of the time, we are afraid we’ve let someone down.  Do your best to be aware of the feelings of others and honor them when you can.  But on the wedding day, you are there to please yourself and your groom as you begin your new life together.

For ideas and or answers to your wedding questions call TriniWeddings at 868 624-4015 or email  mwilt@triniweddings.com

Themed Weddings?

While it is useful to get ideas from themes which have been used before, it is important that the bride and groom have a wedding which is true to their taste and vision.  The theme that is selected should have some personal relevance and meaning to them as a couple.  Themes provide a sense of continuity for all the wedding elements - from the gowns to the flowers to the decor and the menu.

Decisions are much easier once the theme has been established.  Whether it is a color or a location or a time period or event, there is the focus to ensure that this  life changing celebration is memorable for participants and guests alike.

Here are some examples:-

·        History lovers can choose a “Roaring Twenties” theme.  Art Deco can be the design focus.  Jazz was king at the time and short gowns were worn.  Bling was everywhere. Most of the candy popular today, hit the markets in the 1920’s.   This can be a perfect reason to set up a sweets table for the likes of Milk Duds and Baby Ruth bars.

·        World travelers – or dreamers – will find a wonderful theme in exotic locations.  Tropical isles, far Eastern spots or The Scottish highlands all provide a structure for food, décor, dress and paper products.

·        Bright colors against neutral backgrounds can be very effective.  Instead of carrying out a color theme in the bridesmaid dresses, have the maids in a basic shade like platinum and carry out the color theme in the flowers and reception décor.

·        The ceremony and/or reception location can provide the theme for a wedding.  If a museum is chosen as the venue, art and sculpture become the theme.  If a garden or beach or ranch is chosen as the site, the theme becomes clear.

·        Medieval accents combined with fairy tale touches work well in historic buildings or even modern renovations which retain the original stone walls and structures.

If you are confused about how to execute a themed wedding or want to avoid overdoing it, call Triniweddings at 868 624 4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com . Make an appointment for a consultation.We have years of experience in helping brides create the wedding of their dreams.

Wedding Flowers

Choosing the flowers for your wedding can be a big decision.  Picking the style, color and budget allocations can be daunting.  But if you spend some time thinking about what you want, the selections of these important wedding accessories can give you the WOW factor you want for your wedding.

Selecting a florist is an important first step.  Ask for suggestions from friends, your wedding planner, or other bridal professionals.  Visit florists whose work you like.   Ask to see photos from actual weddings they have done.

As you establish your wedding budget, think about the role you expect  flowers to play.  Wedding planners generally suggest a three part budget allocation.  If you want to use  flowers for your reception decor then it is an important consideration since this is where guests will see flowers first hand.  Many planners suggest the largest allocation here.

Secondly, consider the flowers for the wedding party and immediate family.  Remember that bridal party bouquets are the most heavily photographed so don’t cut too many corners there.  Having bridesmaids carry a single rose for example, can be economical, but remember that single buds tend to look strange in photographs with stems sticking out in several directions.  Bridesmaids tend to carry them awkwardly.

Thirdly and finally, consider ceremony flowers.  The church or venue will likely give you guidelines as to what is allowed.  It makes sense to combine forces and dollars with other brides and choose ceremony flowers that will stay in place if you are getting married on one of the weekend days.   If the space is huge, consider filling it with rental greenery. 

For other  ideas on how to make the most of your floral budget, stop in a see one of our experienced TriniWeddings consultants.