We’ve seen brides defying wedding traditions in a number of different ways; colorful wedding dresses, destination weddings, short hemlines, wedding brunches and many more. Despite all these factors, one factor that remained consistent across the ages was the wedding bouquet. Not many brides considered the necessity to step away from convention when choosing their bridal bouquets, and always floated down the aisle with a bunch of fresh floral blooms in hand.
Now, this tradition is also seeing a modern update. If real flowers are not your thing, or you want to create your own unique style statement with your choice for the wedding bouquet, here are some alternative options to look at. Check it out and find one which appeals to your taste.
1.Fabric flowers
If anything can look as stunning and original as a real bouquet, it has to be a fabric bouquet. Fabric offers you plenty of variety where colors and prints are concerned, you can experiment with checks, chevron, polka dots or prints for a unique twist. Or, how about a burlap rose bouquet for your rustic wedding? If you would prefer to keep it classic, consider silk flowers with pearl or silver accents. The main benefit of creating a fabric bouquet for your big day is that it can be tossed around without a worry, and will hold without any scope for damage. Talk about a no-stress solution, you couldn’t find one that is better than this.
2.Paper flowers
This is the best option if you are working on a strict budget. Paper flowers cost pennies, and you can go for any look you want with them. For originality, you can choose colored paper flowers made from crepe paper or tissue. Or if you want an entirely different effect, go with newspaper or printed paper flowers, and add accents like lace to create your signature design.
3.Dried flowers
Are you the girl who loves the smell of pot pourri? If you are, maybe a wedding bouquet made from dried flowers would just be right. With dried flowers, you can craft your own bouquet in any shade you want. What is more, they will live on and you can add them to your stash of sweet smelling dried flowers at home, after your wedding. Let the scent linger and remind you of the biggest day in your life.
The options do not end here. You can have brooch bouquets, beaded bouquets and I even found bouquets made from wheat sheaves on Wedding Ideas Mag. So, get creative and find your own style.
There is more to using these unique choices at your wedding, than just creating a statement. Unlike real flower bouquets, none of these bouquets wilt, and so can be treasured forever. Isn’t that a great wedding memento to remind you of your big day in the years to come? So, what do you say? Is this choice for you?
Whether you would like any of these unconventional wedding bouquet choices, or would prefer to go with the traditional floral bouquet style, visit us at Best for Bride and make your floral visions come true.
I have the perfect word to describe a nature-inspired outdoor wedding—Romantic!
The epitome of romance, an outdoor wedding that draws inspiration from Mother Nature herself is beautiful, classic and refreshing in every way. Is there a better way to start your lifetime of happiness, than in a splendid organic surrounding, with nature’s own bounty standing witness to your union and forming a mesmerizing backdrop of unparalleled beauty?
The brilliance of a nature-inspired wedding is that it can be executed in many ways. There are several details that can easily contribute to a nature-inspired wedding and make it truly special. Let us take a look at some of our favorites and be inspired. So, come along.
Enchanted Garden Invitation card
End your search for the right invitation card for your enchanting garden wedding with this beautiful Invitation card from Best for Bride. Die-cut beige trees wrap around the ecru card that contains the invitation lettering printed with raised ink. Mysterious and whimsical, this beautiful card will create a favorable first impression and give your guests their first sneak-peek into what your wedding will be all about. Find out more about how you can order this online exclusive card by visiting this page.
Personalized nature-inspired wedding sign
Use pretty wedding signs personalized with your names to point the direction at your party venue. Natural motifs like flowers, leaves and woodland creatures add an authentic vibe to the design. The direction arrows mark the route to your wedding and reception spaces, and the signage can be placed at every junction or turn from the gate to the ceremony venue. This is available at this page on Best for Bride, if you wish to take a closer look or buy the same for your wedding.
I just love how the flower arrangements add wonderful pops of color that enhance the natural charm of the natural background. It is a simple arrangement, yet one of high impact. Getting married beside a river of glistening blue, with a natural green carpet softly bracing your footsteps, there is little to be done to make this setting a spell-binding wedding venue. Also notice how the pretty flowers are contained in little brown pots, so they continue to be used even after the wedding? Eco-friendly and attractive—how brilliant is that?
Seating arrangements in green and white
Notice how the seating is simple, but with signature style. Little blobs of green are hung to the chairs with matching white ribbons, and they simply enhance the natural feel of the green surroundings. Beside the rows of chairs, a scattering of white petals line the walk. Simple, but elegant, it is a cost-effective way to add interesting details to the setting where your guests will be seated during the wedding ceremony. The white chairs will create a clean and uncluttered look, while the pretty little green and white petal details are the perfect addition to complete the overall outdoorsy feel.
Burlap table runner
Make the most of the natural charm of the outdoors by finding elements that blend in with it for your décor. This burlap table runner, which can be customized with the couple’s monogrammed initials make the perfect addition for the party table. The lace trimming along the edges add a special signature style that will be elegant in any setting. Adding a rustic chic feel to any setting, this choice will easily fit into your nature-inspired theme, both by color and texture. To find out more about this table runner of to look at similar designs that may suit your choices better, visit this link to our list of party favors.
Candle decorations
Aren’t we all smitten by a pretty arrangement that has a candle or two included? For your wedding theme, a green candle would be simply befitting in any décor arrangement, either on the tables, at the entry or simply as standalone décor accessory. Take a look at this simple but beautiful arrangement of leafy green candles in a mossy base, with beautifully contrasting pink blooms and sea shells to complement it. Doesn’t it scream nature already? This would be a beautiful addition to your fall wedding, although it would work well for a spring or summer setting too.
Floral centerpieces
Water, wood and greenery—the three natural elements of nature itself come together in harmony to form this classic centerpiece. The soft white roses and orange astromeria combine with the richness of the green spider mum and white baby’s breath to create a fresh natural palette with a variety of textures. The clear water contained within the jar adds a soothing effect, and resembles a giant floating bubble that is perfect for a garden setting. It will look great on small round tables or as the centerpiece on long tables, and is best placed on a table runner made from natural looking fabric like burlap or cotton. To learn more about how you can customize this centerpiece or to have a better look at it, take a look at this link.
Floral wedding cake
Rich white blooms and vines of lush green decorate this stark white cake. Is there a better way to include the beauty of nature at your wedding, than by using elements from nature itself? Although the fresh white roses and the green leaves may not be edible, they form an integral part of this cake, making it a beautifully natural design. You can also consider using edible flowers or candied flowers on your wedding cake, for an interesting variation. Find out more about how to do this on this video at Howcast.com.
Whimsical wedding cakes
Image Credits: Bolo de Caneca Confeitaria, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]Many couples find the natural charm of a plain cake is definitely more attractive than that of a frosted one. So, if you belong to this category, fear not for we have the right option for you. Naked wedding cakes are a trending favorite now, where the cake has minimum frosting and its natural look is retained. These cakes are usually decorated with fruits, flowers, berries and cream for added taste and attractiveness. Not only are they delightfully appealing, they are usually a refreshing choice that will be preferred more than the thickly colored and decorated cakes which are usually seen.
Guest Thumbprint Poster
Here is a brilliant idea for a keepsake from your nature-inspired wedding. This thumbprint poster features a magnificent towering tree with branches swaying in the wind. The fun and personal part is how the leaves flutter and float around the tree. These are thumbprints that your guests put on the poster. Have the guests at your wedding reception leave their signatures alongside their thumbprints, and you have a brilliant display piece from your big day, that will always remind you of the big celebration and the wonderful people who made it extra-special. Don’t you think this will be a splendid alternative to the traditional guest book? For more details about this product, visit this page on Best for Bride.
Thank you Notes
The culmination of your wedding tasks happens when you send thank you cards to your guests, and personally thank them for their presence and thoughtful gifts at your wedding. Here is a nature-inspired thank you card, that is ideal for your wedding theme. The gently swaying trees hovering in the translucent background of this beautiful card will instantly tug on the memories of your guests, reminding them of the brilliant wedding party you hosted. If you aren’t sure of what you should write in it, check out our previous post on Thank you cards for some valuable hints. To take a closer look, or to order your set of thank you notes in this design, visit this link on Best for Bride.
Flower crown for the bride
Distinctly natural, no other bridal accessory is as original as a flower crown. Perfect for an outdoor or destination wedding, it will help you nail the look that is perfect for your overall theme. Take a look at the picture here of the model wearing a colorful floral crown. Doesn’t it complement her hairstyle perfectly? Now, if you aren’t so sure on whether you want a similar crowning beauty, you can also choose to weave tiny daisies into your hair or choose a few big blooms to decorate your hair with. You can also choose to go for floral accessories with gemstones or crystals. Nevertheless, it doesn’t compare with the natural charm of a floral accessory that exploits the beauty of nature to the most.
Nature-inspired wedding dress
A wedding dress that captures the beauty of nature is one that softly flows with beautiful floral motifs decorating it. One of our favorites is this Mori Lee 6803 from the voyage collection. Simple, but with stunning intricate details, this dress features majestic embroidery on soft net. The sweetheart neckline is accentuated with soft illusion cap sleeves and the ruching on the waist draws attention to a slender waistline. A scattering of floral motifs are embroidered on the bodice, and this contrasts elegantly with the soft flowing layers of the A-line skirt. Graceful and gorgeous, this is a dress that a bride would love to glide down the aisle in and be one with nature in.
Printed wedding dress with floral appliques
A little color does no harm to a bride, in fact it adds an extra element of style. Few colored wedding dresses have the power to create an impact for an outdoor wedding like this Sophia Tolli Geraldine Y21441 does. A liberal scattering of floral motifs in white and ruby lace appliques, defines the bodice and ends in fewer sprinkles along the skirt and train. The spaghetti straps support the deep cut V-neckline and it also features a chapel length train. The colorful embellishments are tasteful, and do not look too loud. Despite the use of color, this wedding dress has a distinct feminine bridal style, and will allow the bride to outshine all her guests. Overall, Geraldine is a mesmerizing beauty, perfect for a nature-themed wedding.
Wedding favors—miniature woven picnic baskets
Rustic and original, these mini picnic baskets will be a delightful gift for your guests to take home. Woven to look like little replicas of the traditional picnic basket, they look original with the finest details placed perfectly. Place it on the reception tables, and it can double up as a placeholder. You can also fill it up with candy, mints or little chocolate kisses, so they are sweet both on the outside and the inside. If you like this idea for your natural wedding theme, and would like to order them for yourself, visit us here at Best for Bride and place your order.
Wedding Favor – Faux moss and wicker mini planter with liner
Encourage your wedding guests to lend a helping hand to nature by planting their own little seeds of joy in these faux moss and wicker mini planters. Original and unique, the deep green moss color makes it a pleasant addition to any home décor design. The perfect party favor for the theme, it will prompt even those without a green thumb to try their luck at growing a small plant in their homes. They also make a befitting combination with the mini watering can that you can see here.
You can either place these mini watering cans in their original packaging, or use them as part of the décor by decorating each with a bunch of fresh flowers that will match the colors you use in your wedding.
With all this inspiration for you to plan every aspect of your wedding, it is now time for you to start making your plans. Check out our Best for Bride website for more details on all that we have featured here, and also to look at more choices that you may want for your wedding.
This generation has a penchant for everything vintage. Our obsession with history makes it impossible to separate our lives from nostalgia. There is an endearing charm and unparalleled appeal attached to anything vintage, as the very term denotes high quality, and represents the best of its time. So, this interest in all things of a bygone age is acceptable.
This is why vintage style weddings never go out of fashion. Vintage weddings are high on style, and are the perfect choice for a couple to have a meaningful wedding with elements that reflect their personality. Another attractive factor about vintage weddings is that it allows you to mix and match various styles, ideas and create a signature of your own. It is no wonder that couples find it thrilling when they work with history to bring the old world charm into their modern day weddings.
Before we look at some good ideas for your vintage wedding, let us first help you decide whether you are indeed the couple who would love this theme. To find out, ask yourselves these questions.
Are you drawn to items that belong to bygone eras?
Does your idea of a perfect holiday include visits to antique shops and historical sites?
Do you think that the best fashion belongs to decades in the past, and nothing today competes with the style and grace of weddings of the last century?
Is your personal decorating style timeless and classic?
Are you drawn to elegant neutral and pastel palettes and do you love metallic items with beautiful details that are definitely not modern?
If you answer yes to some or most of these questions, you are most likely going to enjoy putting together a vintage wedding.
Now, many brides are scared of planning a vintage wedding, as they think it is hard work or they can screw up the details. To put your fears to rest, let us bust some of the common vintage wedding planning myths.
#Myth 1
All your wedding details should fit into one era, or your wedding will look wrong
Your wedding is not a history exam. It is about what you love. There are no rules that say every detail should be right, or that you cannot mix ‘n’ match all the ideas you borrowed from the past, when planning your wedding. You can work around a specific theme, but it isn’t always necessary. The idea is to be inspired by the past and plan your own unique style by borrowing what you love, not copy it entirely.
#Myth 2
For a wedding to be vintage, you should stick to very specific color palettes
Your wedding is all about you, and trust us, it is possible to have glamorous dark colors in your wedding and it will still be vintage-style. It is all about experimenting and finding what you like most. Remember that it is not a single element, but the harmony of various elements in your wedding that brings out the style. So, do not limit yourself to pastels and muted neutrals for a vintage wedding. Instead, work around your choice of colors and find the ones that work for you.
#Myth 3
You must love a vintage era, or you will be lost when planning your wedding
Absolutely not! If you just chanced upon the vintage wedding style when you started researching wedding styles, you can still have a vintage wedding. All the details and inspiration you want are here on the internet, and you do not need to look any further to plan the perfectly vintage wedding.
Now that we have all these doubts out of the way, let us look at the most popular vintage wedding styles and find the one that you like most.
Rustic Vintage or Classic Vintage
Rustic vintage refers to a style that is personal, where the couple interweave and bring together all that conjures up nostalgia, to create their own signature style. It is entirely different from a classic white ballroom wedding, and can be quirky, casual, relaxed, joyous and fun. The couple usually choose to have a relaxed ambiance that is warm and welcoming. There is immense scope for personalization and this wedding style has been continuously evolving over the years. This article on the Special Events blog suggests that present day rustic vintage weddings are moving towards mixing classic elements like lace and gold-rimmed china tea cups in place of the older favorites like burlap and Mason jars.
Classic Vintage is rather defined and specific to a particular era. This is popular among brides who are die-hard fans of a specific decade in history, and wish to recreate the same scene at their weddings. Popular eras include the 1920’s and 50’s. Brides choose wedding dresses that were the fashion at that time, and also stick to various details like the exact getaway car, style of dress and hairstyle that were trademarks of that decade. One word of caution when planning a classic vintage wedding: be inspired by the era, and don’t try to entirely copy the look. Or you will end up having a fancy dress or costume party ambiance for your wedding. A few authentic details from the era are all it takes to recreate the effect, so do it in moderation.
As you may have guessed by now, rustic vintage is the more popular style today, as it offers plenty of scope for personalization and is still nostalgic.
Next, let us look at some ideas that are great for a vintage wedding.
1.Wedding venue
Have a style in mind, and find a venue that matches it. It is a bonus if the venue you choose has vintage furniture that is relevant to the theme you have in mind. It will allow you to reduce the number of things to bring in, to build the look. A barn is a perfect location for a rustic wedding, while a Gatsby inspired classic vintage wedding would work better in a historical house or ballroom.
2.Invitations and wedding stationery
Have a specific theme in mind? Let your invitations give a sneak peek into it. So, choose designs with a retro charm for classic vintage weddings. For your rustic wedding, highlight the main colors of your wedding by adding them to your stationery suite and matching them to the tone of the event. This is the perfect way to create that first impression, so plan your paper suite around it.
3.Add family history
If you have a vintage heirloom like a birdcage veil or earrings that will add to your attire, it is the perfect way to go. You can borrow lace from your mother’s wedding gown and add it to your bouquet, or even find a talented dressmaker who can rework your mother’s wedding gown and make it yours. Displaying family details through photographs or using generations old antique décor items at your wedding can add a special sentimental touch to your special day.
4.Decor
The options are endless, but our genuine suggestion is to limit the details so your guests do not feel overwhelmed. Remember it is a wedding and not a museum tour, so stick to few but striking elements that are vintage and build your theme around it. Here are some ideas to consider
Stacks of old books, birdcages and mercury glass votives make interesting centerpiece and décor elements
Embellished and gold-rimmed china cups to either serve afternoon tea or as display pieces for your tables
Freshly painted vintage bicycles dressed with flower baskets as display elements
Typewriters, leather suitcases, trunks and record players as décor elements
For shabby chic décor, include burlap, twine and frayed ribbon on your tables and in the decorations
Folding wooden chairs for functionality and to contribute to the overall look
Old picture frames and black-and-white photo walls or backdrops to bring back old memories
Working ice cream bike complete with chalkboard display to serve ice creams and lollies for dessert
Dessert buffet with traditional sweets in classic-style tall glass jars and antique silver and white platters
Decorative doilies for the dessert and dinner tables
5.Wedding dress
You have two options here: either get hold of a vintage wedding dress and restyle it to match and fit you, or buy a brand new dress that has elements that are vintage-inspired. This wedding dress from Best for Bride, for example, will easily fit the vintage theme.
If your mother or grandmother has handed down their wedding dress, consider seeking the services of a talented dress maker who can rework it to fit your size and your taste. If you are confused about what to look for, so your wedding dress is vintage, here are some features to suit your need.
Lace is a definite vintage style, and the more the merrier.
Scoop necklines, jewel necklines and Queen Anne necklines
Butterfly sleeves, T-shirt sleeves and three-fourth or full sleeves
For the 50’s look, consider tea-length frocks with plenty of pouf to them
Maxi dresses with sheath silhouettes and a natural drape that falls freely
Each vintage era had its signature jewelry designs. The ones that were most popular include
Georgian jewelry featuring white sapphires and red rubies
Victorian jewelry with floral designs. Also used sapphires and garnets
Art deco jewelry with large, flashy chains and chandelier pendants
Late 20th century featured pearls
Blue sapphire earrings and bracelets
The trademark accessories also included birdcage veils and rhinestone studded elaborate hair-combs.
For the groom, replace the standard boutonniere with a photo brooch.
7.Flowers
Toss out the round bouquets and go with loosely bundled bouquets of wildflowers, baby’s breath, and blushing roses. You can also go with a single statement flower like hydrangea for your entire bouquet, to hone the vintage style. Add a lace handkerchief to your bouquet for an interesting twist.
8.Entertainment
A live band is a must-have, to nail the vintage feel. For fun at the wedding, consider adding games like ‘hook-a-duck’ or a photo booth with vintage props and Polaroid film photos. You can also have entertainers at your wedding that remind you of popular icons from the past. This couple chose to have a chimney sweep. Brilliant, I must say! If you decide to go with a DJ, make sure that your playlist includes songs from the era that you have focused on. Music sets the mood of the event, so make sure that the background music is chosen with care, so you can rekindle nostalgia, right from the beginning of the event.
9.Wedding cake
Choose traditional flavors like fruit cake, sponge and chocolate for a truly old-age style. Nude cakes decorated with fresh fruit and cream are very welcoming. You can also have it dusted with soft glitter for added bling. Other interesting designs include cakes embellished with lace prints and with pillars between the tiers.
10.Wedding favors
Edible favors are the best. You could also consider photo mint tins or old-style photograph frames. Use brown paper bags with stamps or vintage prints for an authentic touch. Tie it up with lace, or if you are a big fan of burlap, go with it instead.
Weddings mark a beginning to a lifetime of happiness. And is there a better way to do it, than remember the best from the past, through history itself, as you step into a new future? What do you say? We hope that we have given you enough ideas and inspiration to put together your vintage wedding today.
Come visit us on Best for Bride today to choose the wedding dress that is perfect for your big celebration. Browse through our extensive bridal gallery and you are bound to find a wedding dress that is perfect for your wedding, whether it is rustic vintage or classic vintage. Also choose your bridesmaids dresses and find everything you need for your décor, flower needs, cakes and more, all at Best for Bride.
Weddings are not very environment friendly events. Even so, there are certain ways in which we can limit our contribution to the carbon footprint of our wedding. One such way is to use green and eco-friendly wedding favors. There are plenty of options out there, and with a little effort we can give our guests great mementos of our big day, without it costing the planet.
Here are some interesting options that you may like to look at.
Edible wedding favors with natural colors and ingredients
Everyone loves some sweet indulgence after the party. Present your wedding guests with fantastic cookies or sweets made from natural ingredients to relish, once they are back home. Forget the plastic wrap on each of them. Instead, pack them into little drawstring bags made from environment friendly materials that haven’t been bleached or dyed. Not only will you have a rustic looking wedding favor, it will be reusable too.
Give back to the earth with seed wedding favors
Seed wedding favors are all the rage now, and can be presented in different forms, shapes and sizes. Personalize the chosen seed packets, which should ideally be made from recycled paper or seed paper; and gift these sachets to your wedding guests. If your guests do not have a green thumb, encourage them to try their hand at planting with these thoughtful gifts.
Potted plants and succulents
Even the smallest plants in pretty pots can make a huge impact. While lucky bamboos are the all-time favorite, you can also gift flowering plants or succulents. The best part about succulents is that it is a low-maintenance plant, and you wouldn’t hear anyone complaining of having to take care of it. Opt for clay pots, glass tumblers or terracotta flower pots for a purely green choice. For an added effect, consider decorating it with burlap or jute strings and attach a Name tag done in seed paper.
Personalized cork coasters
Everyone can use a coaster or two. So, make this your eco-friendly wedding favor. Print an interesting message or personalize the coaster with the details of your wedding day and gift a pair to every guest at your reception. You could choose from several different shapes, including round, square, diamond and oval.
Honey and preserves
Your guests will love to take home a small jar of good quality honey, or sweet preserves in little mason jars. Mason jars have a natural, simple and earthy look. So, all you have to do is deck them up with a few strands of burlap or rope and add a name tag in recycled paper or seed paper. When choosing the honey and preserves, it would be appropriate to go with organic choices, so your choice is a sustainable one, all the way through.
You now have enough ideas to get going. And, for all your wedding shopping needs including customized wedding favors, come visit us at Best for Bride.
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