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Winter wedding table décor inspiration

Now that this is the time for winter weddings, let us look at some of the most interesting décor arrangements that make the most of the cool, holiday season. Here is some inspiration for you from various venues across the world, to give you ideas for your own beautiful wedding.

The all-time favorite white and silver combination

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Image Credit: djromanj, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]

The festivities of the cold season are enhanced with white and silver strewn all around. Adopt the same combination for your wedding centerpieces, and you will have a classic never-fail favorite, that is both festive and stylish. Tall candles and white roses are favorites, while silver candle holders, platters and ornaments like baubles and stars can add glittering accents. For a better finish, consider throwing in crystal or glass vases, which complement this color palette perfectly.

Seasonal elements like pine cones and fir to add textural dimension

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Winter decorations with the seasonal icons like pine cones and fir branches can add a whimsical and cheerful touch to your table centerpieces. Not only are they romantic, they also have a spell binding fairy tale effect. Little pine cones scattered all over the table, used beside the place settings and if required, decorated with shimmering glitter make beautiful additions to your wintry tablescape.

Red and blue make the best colors for winter

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Red reminds us of Christmas, and deep blue is a color that magnifies the characteristic white of winter. If you want only a little color in your winter wedding, these are the ones to consider. Red and white is a classic Christmas combination. Add a few golden accents, and your centerpieces will be welcoming and warm. Choose to go with blue and white instead, if you prefer more sophistication. Purple and emerald are other beautiful colors that brighten up white and form beautiful color combinations.

Splurge on candles

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Scented candles are perfect to set the ambiance you desire. Depending on whether your table setting is long or round, choose a centerpiece that has plenty of candles. The warm glow of a lit candle is romantic, beautiful and cozy; it can brighten up any dreary winter day. So, if you have a snowy wedding, make the most of this décor element to warm your wedding venue. How about adding a few floating tea light candles or even strewing around petals for added elegance?

Magnificence of Crystal and metal

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Bring on the bling with bright metallic shimmer, through metal tree centerpieces. Another metal I love is copper, which screams winter. Copper vases and mugs can lift the cold and create a warm and welcoming ambiance. Crystal is another element that generates textural magic and rejuvenates any space with sparkling bursts of color. Hang strings of crystals or use crystal bowls and vases for your centerpieces, and they will make an enchanting décor element.

Tell us, which of these will you be using at your winter wedding? For more inspiration, we suggest you look at this article on Stylemepretty. Also, don’t forget to visit us on Best for Bride for both unusual and interesting décor and centerpieces, and you will find hundreds of ideas to borrow and use.

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Autumn Allure: A Comprehensive Guide to Picking the Perfect Fall Wedding Color Palette!

The wedding look you plan to have should center around the colors you choose for your wedding theme. You do not have to be an artist to create a beautiful wedding color palette, you can find inspiration everywhere and work with it to create the colors that will make your wedding venue what you always envisioned it to be.

If you are planning your wedding in fall, we have the perfect ideas to help you find your wedding colours. The three most important things to consider in order to find a winning combination are

  • Consider the venue where you are to be married
  • Please make the most of the season and exploit it to find a winning combination
  • Consider the style of your wedding and decide on the color combinations.

Let us take a closer look at each of these points.

1.Consider the venue where you are to be married

Your wedding location plays a huge role, as it influences the effect of your color palette. The same color combination works differently in different settings, as the nature of lighting, disbursement of color and other aesthetic elements in the venue contribute to the overall effect. There is no specific order in which you have to work; you can either choose the venue first and then decide on your palette, or first choose your wedding color palette and then look for a suitable location.

Either method has it’s own pros and cons. In the first case, you will have to limit your color choices to those that will work well in the natural ambiance of your chosen venue. If it is a venue with signature décor attached to it or strong colors that stand out, you may have to come up with a combination that will blend in or complement the existing colors on site.

In the second case, you will have certain colors in mind already. In this scenario, you will have to choose a venue where these colors look good. This can limit your options, as not all venues will equally yield to all color palettes. The alternative is to switch to darker or lighter shades of what is on your palette and make a few necessary changes, so it works well in the setting.

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2.Make the most of the season and exploit it to come up with a winning combination

Fall is a wonderful time to get married. Not only is it romantic, the weather is just perfect being neither too cold, nor warm. In fact, fall weddings are almost as attractive as spring weddings, if not better. A certain beauty is associated with the natural colors of fall, and it offers enough inspiration to help you plan a spectacular day. Deep, dark hues and rich indulgent colors add a luxurious touch to the natural environment, and these colors can render beautiful combinations at your wedding as well.

The color combinations mainly focus on shades of red, orange and purple with a refreshing mix of greens, yellows, blues and peaches thrown in. These are some of the signature colors we immediately associate with autumn. Weave your wedding color palette around them, and you cannot go wrong.

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3.Consider the style of your wedding when you decide the color combinations

We know that some colors work better for certain wedding styles than others. While certain color combinations are inherently elegant and classic, others are joyful and fun. You have to find this balance when planning your colors for a unique wedding style. Here is a quick guide to choosing colors that work well together for different wedding types of weddings.

  • Fresh and light colors like peach, pale yellow and glassy green look great in outdoor weddings. You can complement them with accent colors like pink or turquoise for a touch of drama. Other fall colors include maroon, gold, ochre, rust, brown and purple.
  • For indoor weddings in formal settings, consider working with metallics like gold, silver or copper to add sophistication to your classic wedding palette. These metals work best with dark solid colors like navy and red, but you can also try combining them with lighter shades.
  • White is a simple, but beautiful solution for almost any venue, and especially in those that have bright colors in the walls, décor or carpets. By using white in plenty, you can add pops of your favorite colors into the décor. These won’t clash with the existing ones as white will balance it out.
  • Dusty colors should be used with caution in autumn weddings. Either mix them in with bright complementary colors or with dark shades. They can otherwise look faded and dull.

Every bride wishes to have a wedding that is unique, and the colors that you incorporate into your wedding palette play a huge role in achieving it. Here are the steps you should follow to find your color palette and fine-tune it, so it is just perfect for your big celebration.

1.Set up a wedding inspiration board

This is the first step towards planning your wedding palette. Refer to our article on creating your wedding inspiration board to find out what you need to get started. Once you have your setup ready, start collecting and pinning pictures that you like, to it. Slowly, you will observe a pattern emerging, and this will help you move on to the next step.

2.Choose one or two favorite colors

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Take a look around you. Your wardrobe, favorite décor items and your inspiration board will help you choose one or two main colors to focus on. To make this easier, from your inspiration board, first eliminate those that you are not sure about. Next, pull out your favorite combinations so you can zero in on the common colors that you seem to be attracted to. Choose your favorite one or two bold colors from this list. Alternately, you may already have a color, flower or décor item that you must have. Then go with this as the starting point for your wedding color palette. The next step is to find the complementary colors that will set the mood for your wedding.

3.Choose complementary colors

Once you know the bold colors that you will use in your wedding palette, the next step is to find the complementing colors that will create the mood you want for your wedding. Refer to the color wheel for help. Two basic rules to find the best complementary colors are

  • Choose from colors that are neighbors to your chosen main colors. These will help create an elegant combination, that is best suited for formal and classic styles
  • Choose from colors that are directly opposite to the main colors your choose. These brighten up the main color in your palette, and should be your go-to choice for casual and fun styles.

You can experiment with light and dark shades of your chosen colors to find a combination that you love. Also add neutrals to balance it out appropriately. Consider adding a single metallic shade into your palette, if you want more sophistication or bling. Since each choice can drastically alter the ambiance, make sure to choose between gold, silver, copper or colored metallics with due care.

3.Decide where which color will be incorporated

This is a very detailed process. You will have to determine how your décor settings will be, the colors the bouquets should contain, how your table settings will feature your chosen colors and how your wedding party will reflect your color selection. Remember that you do not have to put in too much of the bold color for an impact. Sometimes, you can achieve more effect by adding pops of it as an accent color in your décor. Here are some factors to consider in this regard.

Bridesmaids dresses: If your bold color is an unusual shade, like berry or peach, that won’t flatter the skin tone of your bridesmaids, consider using the mix ‘n’ match trend when choosing their dresses. Read more about it here and here. Otherwise choose their dresses in the neutral colors in your palette and weave in the bold colors through accessories and flowers.

Wedding party: It is necessary to bring the looks of the bridesmaids and the groomsmen together and there are several ways to go about it. Make sure that the main colors of your palette are included in the right mix, without simply adding it in bulk. You could choose ties with a pattern that includes the main colors, but with taste. Or the boutonniere could have flowers in the main colors, while the rest of the outfit is simple.

Bouquets: If the main colors in your palette aren’t easily available in flowers, choose a neutral colored bouquet instead, and bring the color in through accessories like the ribbon. This is better than choosing the closest match, which can offset the intended effect entirely.

Decor: Be careful with how much color you add and where. Too many bold colors can tire the eyes, and your guests may feel the arrangement is too cluttered. So, balance out your décor with plenty of neutrals, and use your bold colors in small and properly balanced quantities. Add complementary colors when it is a huge display, so they are more effective.

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Food: Keep the food colors simple, and rely on colorful stationery instead. While colorful desserts and few bright dishes may be appealing, too much of it may look unappetizing and artificial. Instead, add the color into the setting using colorful stationery for food labels and in centerpieces and napkins, to make it interesting.

Cake: Colorful cakes may look interesting. Nevertheless, not everyone finds it very palatable. The better option is to choose a design that has the right balance of the colors added through accessories like ribbons, flowers and other cake toppers. Autumn wedding cakes look best when decorated with berries, deep flowers and silky ribbons and soft glitter.

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4.Tweak the details till you are satisfied

Be calm and composed, and approach the process of getting your colors right, one step at a time. It can become overwhelming, but dividing it into separate projects and handling only one aspect at a time is tricky. While inspiration boards are helpful, don’t depend on it for everything. Add your own touches to what you find, and work with what you have. You always have scope for enhancements, so add improvements and changes, so you have something new.

A very important thing to remember is that there is nothing called perfection. It is your satisfaction that matters. When you like what you see, stop and mentally note that you have done this right. This will allow you to relax and enjoy what you have, instead of wishing for something better. Get the opinions of your friends and family, or enlist their help with getting certain aspects right. Nevertheless, don’t lose track of the big picture. Recognize when it is time to stop obsessing with your color palette and focus on the other important things about your wedding.

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Now that you are armed with all that you need to know about planning your color palette for your fall wedding, you are all set to begin. We suggest that you take a look at this color guide on Magnetstreet for some winning color combinations that work beautifully in autumn. They have done a wonderful job of sorting out each palette according to the mood the combination creates. So, whether you want a tangy vibe or a poetic wedding combination, you have the starting point to build your palette.  You can also visit Wedding Paper Divas here for some more color combinations that scream autumn!

To find bridesmaids’ dresses and choose invitations, décor or cakes in any of these color palettes, visit us online at Best for Bride. Use our wedding services to make your dream wedding colours come to life.

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String Lights for Weddings

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A single strand of little white lights may not give the impression that it can be an amazing wedding lighting option. This affordable lighting can transform a wedding venue or reception in remarkable ways. You can achieve a variety of lighting effects by using string lights in different ways.

String lights can be used to create a wedding ceremony backdrop. A panel of string lights in gradually decreasing lengths forms a backdrop of cascading light. The cascading effect frequently is used on trees around outdoor weddings and the ceilings of tents and rooms used for receptions. For outdoor weddings, the lights are best used for evening or sunset weddings.

These lights are wonderful for complementing other lights. For a fun twist to the cascading string lights, hang them from chandeliers or lanterns. One couple had a backdrop of old-fashioned light bulbs strung together and hanging from the ceiling floor with string lights hanging between them.

Other types of ceremony backgrounds can be enhanced with twinkle lights. The lights can be used to cover the wall behind the couple or around a gazebo or pergola. Arches decorated in lights can be a great touch for an evening outdoor wedding.

Instead of a cascading line of lights or a covered panel, clusters of lights descending from the ceiling can have an interesting effect. Take a couple strands of lights and hang them from the ceiling so that they fall to the floor. Then, wrap the lights loosely in white tulle. This simple lighting has a unique effect. They could be used as part of the reception lighting or for the ceremony.

Random strands of lights across the ceiling can have the appearance of a starry night sky. Some couples use clear tents outdoors and string the lights across the ceiling for added nighttime sparkle. When used against white tents, the lights can be surprisingly elegant.

Twinkle lights can be used like lighted streamers. Consider hanging the ends of a group of string lights placed closely together at one end of the room. Hang the other ends farther apart on the other side of the room. The effect is a spreading, draped light.

The string lights can have practical applications as well. If the reception or areas of the building are dim, carefully placed string lights can help guide guests. For a darkened reception indoors, string lights have been used to show where guests can find coffee refills or lead them to the restrooms. A dimly lit stairwell may get a boost with string lights tied along the underside of the banister.

Some couples have added mason jars to their string lights. The lights might be hung with a portion of the lights hanging inside the mason jar. This gives the illusion that the jars are like light fixtures. String lights also can be used with table runners or centerpieces.

For more wedding lighting and wedding decor ideas, please visit the Best for Bride blog.

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How to hold on to your wedding bouquet by preserving it

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You invest a significant amount of money, time and effort in choosing your bridal bouquet. So, don’t you think it is sad that the blooms that played a huge part in transforming you into a bride, can wilt and be lost forever, after the day?

Fortunately, there are ways in which you can prevent this, and in fact save your wedding bouquet as a keepsake for the years to come. Here are the different ways you can do this.

Silica-drying

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You can have this done by a professional, or try your hand at it yourself. The technique involves brushing powdered silica gel all over your bouquet (sparing no inch of it), and placing it in an airtight container. The gaps in the container should then be filled with silica gel. It is then left to dry for a week to ten days. Once dried, the color is fixed using a fixing spray, and the bouquet can then be displayed in a glass box or flower vase in your home.

Freeze-drying

This is an expensive method, and one that has to be done by a professional. It can take up to three months to complete. The flowers are treated with starch and then freezer dried in the original bouquet style itself. The benefits of this method are that the bouquet looks pretty similar to how it did originally, but it is perhaps the most expensive of all the other methods.

Preserve it after drying

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All you have to do is to hang the flowers upside down in a safe area till they are fully dry. Although the flowers will lose the original look, it will still be a memorable keepsake of your milestone event.

Press and frame

Here, you basically remove the flowers from the bouquet and either save all, or a few. You can flatten the blooms by placing them beneath a heavy book or something similar. If you are good with your hands, you can then arrange them in a frame. The alternative is to have them professionally pressed and framed. Either way, you can transform your wedding flowers into a work of art that can be displayed in your new home.

Apart from these traditional bouquet preservation options, I found many more fantastic ideas at Pinterest. Let us take a look at some of the most brilliant ones.

Create a Christmas ornament

This idea by Wedding Party is ideal for those of you who are short on space and time. Just grab a few flowers from your bouquet, dry them and pack them into a transparent bauble. Close it off with the cork of a wine bottle used at your wedding, and add your wedding date to the glass ornament. You now have an ornament which you can fondly bring out and display on your Christmas tree every year.

Use it in a paperweight

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The Flower Preservation Workshop company suggests having your wedding flowers converted into a beautiful paperweight. Take a look at how the end result looks, and I am certain you will fall in love with it. Brilliant!

Now, tell us which of these will you be using? If you haven’t thought about it yet, it may be a good idea to do so now. For more wedding tips, advice and fun ideas like these, keep visiting us at Best for Bride.