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Beautiful DIY Wedding Reception Centerpieces

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More and more couples are creating their own centerpieces. Some buy vases, candleholders, or glass bowls and transform them into fantastic centerpieces. Others create unique centerpieces that are like unexpected surprises for the guests. Whether you want a classic centerpiece or something unusual, these ideas for beautiful DIY wedding reception centerpieces may inspire you.

A gorgeous wedding reception centerpiece can be created with large, shallow glass bowls that hold water with flower blossoms and floating candles on the surface. Some people add stones or colored glass to the bottoms of the bowls. While this is a easy DIY reception centerpiece, the design is very common. If you want something new and exciting, you may want to consider other ideas.

Hanging centerpieces can be incredibly innovative and unique. While some people take the typical hanging flower pot and place them over the center of the table, some approach the hanging centerpiece in a whole new way. Tying flowers and twigs with ribbons so they hang from the ceiling along with hanging candleholders create a romantic fantasy atmosphere.

Upcycled bottles are a popular choice for DIY centerpieces. The bottles can be painted, tinted with food coloring, or etched with the couple’s names or “LOVE.” Each bottle in the centerpiece can hold a single flower or small bouquet. Tissue boxes can be upcycled centerpieces by covering them using decoupage glue and newspaper or scrapbook papers. If you add printed photos of the couple, spray them with a fixative like Mod Podge spray so that the decoupage glue doesn’t smear the ink. Add plastic or styrofoam cups inside the tissue boxes to hold small flowers.

A vase decorated with black and white photos of the couple can be part of an interesting and fun centerpiece. The vase can be decorated with ribbon or craft embellishments as well. The vase can hold flowers in the wedding colors, white flowers, or a combination of both along with twigs or foliage.

How about a centerpiece floating in the air above each table? Large helium balloons can be tied to a vase or champagne bucket in the center of the table. The string can hold table numbers or light decorations like a cluster of smaller helium balloons. Use balloons in white to reflect colored lighting or the wedding colors.

A bowl of fruit is an easy and unique centerpiece for wedding receptions. If there is in-season fruit that is the same color as the wedding colors, that would be the perfect choice. The bowl can be metallic or contrast with the color of the fruit. A bowl that matches the wedding colors and a fruit that contrasts well with that color can be used if fruit in the wedding colors cannot be found. A small cluster of leaves with a flower blossom can be a great little accent for the bowl of fruit.

The DIY wedding reception centerpieces can be recreated as described or personalized by adding objects that reflect the wedding colors or theme. The internet is a wonderful resource for finding DIY wedding decor tips. Browse our blog at Best for Bride for more sensational DIY wedding ideas.

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Tips to help you choose your Maid of Honor

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Some brides do not have to think twice about who is to be their Maid of Honor. For others, it is a difficult task, choosing between their favorite girls.

The Maid of Honor is not just a position of pride, it is also one of responsibility. The success of your wedding depends to a great extent on who you choose for the task. If there is more than one contender for the role, make sure you think it over and assign the position to the person who is best fit to handle the responsibilities that come with it.

What are her responsibilities?

Your Maid of Honor is the captain of your bridesmaids group. She will be hosting your bachelorette party as well as your bridal shower, and helping you with all your wedding day decisions. She should be with you throughout the wedding ceremony, be capable of handling wedding emergencies and take charge of your wedding dress soon after you change out of it.

This requires her to be efficient, organized and available. One important factor is that you should feel close to her, be free to discuss your decisions or concerns and share similar taste. So, the right choice would be someone who is neither overbearing, nor too shy. Your best friend or perhaps favorite cousin or sister would be the best candidate for the role, if they fit these requirements.

Choose supportive and practical over stubborn and dramatic

Wedding planning is stress-laden as it is, and you need all the support you can get. Your Maid of Honor should be able to handle her responsibilities without making a big deal of it, or worrying you over every detail. She should be capable of working with minimum supervision, co-ordinate the bridesmaids without difficulty and not add to your stress levels by worrying you with unnecessary details.

Someone who understands your likes and dislikes, and knows your taste would be a better choice than an irresponsible and dramatic friend who seems incapable of handling the job without your help at every step.

Pay attention to personal situations when choosing the person

Being sensitive to your dear friend’s situation will help you make a decision that is both sensible and well-intended. If the person you’ve always considered for your maid of honor has just had a baby, or is going through a financial crisis, don’t burden her further by thrusting this role on her. Or if you feel that she still ought to fill the position, make sure you check with her first and confirm she is interested in being your maid of honor, rather than assuming it on her behalf.

What if you can’t make up your mind between two women?

For those ladies who are unable to decide between two best friends who are equally close to you and capable too, you have two options. Either ask them how they feel about being co-maids of honor, or leave the decision to them. This way, you can take the pressure off yourself, while also feeling good about your choice.

For more wedding tips, advice and all your wedding shopping needs, visit us on Best for Bride.

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Choosing the right music for your wedding: Band or DJ

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Planning your wedding involves several decisions and choices, including the choice of music. The success of your wedding reception is greatly determined by the music for the event. You have to make the important choice: a live band or a DJ. So, which of these do you go for? Let us look at the pros and cons of both, to help you decide.

The importance of choosing the right kind of music

Music has the power to set the right tone for an event. The right choice would complement the theme of your wedding, and enhance the experience for you and your guests. To make this happen, you should be closely involved in selecting the tunes to be played.

Before you decide whether you want a band or a DJ, sit down with your partner and discuss the genre of music that should set the tone of the evening. As your guests will be from different age groups and with differing personalities, not all of them may enjoy the same music as you do. Make a list of your favorite numbers, and also include some popular tunes and traditional favorites. This way, there will be songs for everyone to tap their feet to. Both bands and DJ’s should be able to play a variety of tunes, so this shouldn’t be difficult to incorporate.

Live band or DJ: Making the decision

Once you have an idea of the music you want, it is time to decide who is to deliver it. Here are the advantages and disadvantages associated with bands and DJ’s.

The energy of a good wedding band is far more than a DJ can generate. The quality of sound will be better, and a talented group of musicians can awe the crowd with their performance. Also,a group of performing musicians are a visual treat. But this comes at a price! Bands are costlier than DJ’s, so you should accommodate this factor into your wedding budget. Good bands are fully booked months in advance. So, if you intend to go with a live band, do your research ahead of time and book them early.

If you are going by a recommendation, make sure you listen to the band’s music before signing the contract. If you cannot attend a live performance, ask for tapes of previous recordings. Just make sure that it has the same musicians who will be performing at your wedding. Discuss your song selection with the band leader and see if the band can comfortably handle it.

There are two main benefits to having a DJ—the cost and a guarantee of what you get. It is easier to select a DJ; you just have to just zero-in on a charismatic candidate who has the necessary musical equipment to play the music you want. Since the original tracks will be played, you needn’t worry about how it will sound. Even with the DJ, ask for a record of his previous performance, and make sure that you like the way he conducts it.

If you are planning a wedding in Kelowna, you may consider local Kelowna DJs who are familiar with the wedding venues and have experience catering to similar events. They may have a better understanding of the flow of the reception and how to keep the guests entertained.

Either way,make sure that you entrust the task to professionals who handle their responsibilities seriously. Have all the details added to your contract, and discuss all possible concerns, to avoid any disappointments later.

For more wedding advice and all your wedding shopping needs, visit us at BestforBride.

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Head Table, Kings Table or Sweetheart Table

If you don’t recognize one or more of the table settings in the headline, you aren’t alone. Many engaged couples tend to agree to whatever layout the facility catering their reception would like to do, but the style they do it in (usually head table style) is not the only style available when organizing a reception.

Head Table

This traditional table layout is one that everyone is probably the most familiar with. The tables set up in the front of the room allow all of your guests to see you and your bridal party, but they actually aren’t very comfortable to sit at. It’s hard to carry a conversation with anyone but the person sitting beside you and if anyone in your wedding party has a plus one, chances are they’re at another table with some strangers. While the most popular, a head table is not ideal for all couples.

Kings Table

A kings table is either a large round or rectangular table (depending on the amount of people) in the middle of the reception hall designed to cater to the entire bridal party, their plus ones, and sometimes even the parents of the bride and groom. This gives everyone a chance to interact much more easily with one another and not feel like they are presiding over people at the front of the room.

Sweetheart Table

A sweetheart table is a great idea for a bride and groom who would like to let their bridal party sit with their plus ones. This table designed only for the bride and groom can be decorated in whichever style is chosen and will give the newly-married couple some time to talk about their day as well as enjoy a romantic first dinner as husband and wife.

Don’t forget to visit Best for Bride’s wedding favours for some ideas on what you’d like to give your guests as a thank you at your reception.