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Dare to Dazzle with a Wedding Sparkler Exit

March 18, 2009 by Christina

sparkler wedding exit seward

wedding sparkler exit behind

wedding sparklers kissing

I’ve always loved pyrotechnics. Maybe it’s because when I was little my older brother made fireworks (we won’t get into the part about the stink bombs) in our basement in his spare time. Or maybe it’s just because they are so beautiful and full of drama.

Whatever the reason, I can’t help but get a little excited about the idea of adding a little pyrotechnic pizzazz to a wedding. I’m not talking about roman candles or burning school houses (we’ll save those for other occasions). I’m talking sparklers. The bigger, the better.

Is there a better way to make a grand exit and get dazzlingly dramatic photos? I think not.

If you are considering sparklers, here are some tips:

Wrap the sparklers with ribbon, and hot glue some matches onto the ribbon. Hand out sparklers with your wedding programs.
Keep a few galvanized pails full of sand handy for your guests to place their hot sparklers in after they are done with them.
Instead of giving out matches, light one sparkler and have a designated sparkler lighter go around and light all the sparkers. This way, guests won’t have to fumble around with matches.
There are lots of places online to purchase sparklers, including Sparklersonline.com.

Photos: First photo, Stephen Seward; Second photo, Swensen Photography; Third photo, 68 Photography

Filed Under: Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planning, Wedding Trends | 8 Comments

Art Gallery Wedding Ceremony

March 15, 2009 by Christina

art gallery wedding in Calgary

Having a small wedding? Love art? What about an art gallery wedding? I love the fun, contemporary look of this ceremony layout at the Art Gallery of Calgary. Decor by Wishahmon Wedding Creations, a wedding decorating company based in Calgary, Alberta.

Filed Under: Small Wedding Venues, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Venues | 5 Comments

Free Wedding Templates: DIY Wedding Programs

March 3, 2009 by Christina

Free wedding templates fan program by aylee designs

Looking for DIY ideas for your wedding program? Check out this free wedding template by Aylee Designs. Here are the instructions for the fan wedding program. Before you attempt it, please read the comments below the instructions on the website for some helpful info.

Filed Under: DIY Wedding, DIY Wedding Programs, Free Wedding Templates, Wedding Ceremony | 12 Comments

A Ringbearer that Gives a Hoot: Hire an Owl for your Wedding

March 3, 2009 by Christina

barn owl ringbearer

An owl ringbearer? Amusing. Very Potteresque and also perfect for Goths. I prefer seeing owls in the woods, myself. Wedding ceremonies are intense enough without having to worry about an owl taking a mid-flight foo-foo on your Aunt Fanny’s head. Or worse dropping the ring and losing it forever. I’ll stick with the cute nephew on this one. Interesting nonetheless.

Photo: From the Guardian. Ollie the barn owl with his handler Mike Roberts in training for the wedding of footballer Wes Brown Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian

Filed Under: Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Trends | 3 Comments

Tips for a Garden Wedding Ceremony

February 20, 2009 by Christina

Outdoor Wedding at San Benito House

Are you considering a garden wedding ceremony? You are in good company.

Garden weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and more and more garden wedding venues are popping up to meet the demands.

Many conservation areas now offer garden weddings, as well as public parks, historical settings, botanical gardens and private estates. Your home, or the home of a friend or relative can also serve as the perfect venue for your garden wedding.

Like all outdoor weddings, garden weddings are at the mercy of the elements. If Mother Nature decides to go a little wild, then your garden wedding could turn into a garden nightmare. That’s why there are tents and back-up plans.

When you are looking for an outdoor venue for your garden wedding ceremony, find out if tents are permitted, or if there is a building nearby that can accommodate your wedding in case of inclement weather.

Many garden venues will only permit ceremonies, and some do not supply chairs for guests. If you are looking for a simple garden ceremony this won’t be a problem.

Here are some things to consider when looking for a venue for your garden wedding ceremony:

1. Visit the venue beforehand. Is it big enough? Maybe it’s too big for your intimate wedding? Are there washroom facilities? What about parking? Ideally, visit the site at the same time of day you plan to have your ceremony. That way, you can figure out how to configure your site so that you and your guests are not blasted by the sun.

2. Find out if any other events are being held at the location on your wedding date. You don’t want the Addams Family Reunion a stones throw away from your ceremony site.

3. Find out if chairs are provided. If not, find out if chair rental is permitted. If they are, choose wooden chairs. Metal chairs get scorching hot in the sun.

4. If you are planning to get married in the summer, find out if there is shade where the ceremony is being held. You might be able to stand up to the 90 degree heat, but what about your grandmother? Also, provide bottled water for your guests to keep them hydrated. You could also offer lemonade or sparkling water before the reception. Parasols for elderly guests are also a nice idea. Or you could make your programs in the shape of fans so guests can fan themselves.

5. If the venue is in a secluded area, make sure you give your guests good directions and allow for extra travel time for guests to find the venue. If your guests have to take back country roads to find the site, they might need some extra time to get there.

6. Keep decorations simple. Gardens need little adornment.

7. When choosing a wedding gown, make sure you keep in mind that you will be having a ceremony outdoors. A gown that will bustle or has no train is your best bet.

8. Don’t choose flowers that can’t stand the heat. If you are working with a florist, s/he should be able to guide you in the right direction. Also, keep several buckets of water onsite in a shady spot to store wedding bouquets so that they spend less time in the sun.

9. Go with the flow. Garden weddings are less predictable than weddings indoors. Be prepared for inclement weather. Even if the weather is perfect, unexpected things like bird droppings, sirens and bee stings are always possibilities.

Photo: San Benito House, Half Moon Bay, California

Filed Under: Outdoor Weddings, Small Wedding Ideas, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planning | 5 Comments

10 Wedding Church Decoration Tips that Will Save You Money

February 12, 2009 by Christina

wedding pomander made from silk flowers

There are ornate churches. There are simple churches. How much you decorate the church for your wedding ceremony will depend on the type of church you have chosen for your big day. That said, no matter where you choose to get married, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to add some wedding decorations. Here are some wedding church decoration tips that will help to save you money:

1.Use flowers that are in season and use plenty of greenery in your bouquets.

2. Instead of going to a florist, pick out some pretty garden bouquets from the local grocery store, or go to a flower wholesaler or greenhouse.

3. Have the floral arrangements from the ceremony brought to the reception site.

4. Use potted plants as an alternative to cut flowers.

5. Buy some tulle and twinkle lights and decorate the church yourself.

6. Have your wedding at Christmastime or Easter. Chances are the church will already be decorated.

7. Use pew bows to adorn the end of the pews. Chances are your local flower shop can make them up for you at a reasonable price.

8. Find out if someone else is getting married the same day you are. If so, see if you can arrange to share expenses on decorating the church.

9. Buy an inexpensive arch at a craft store and decorate it with fresh flowers or tulle, ivy and twinkle lights.

10. Consider silk flowers instead of the real thing. (I must admit that I prefer fresh flowers, but they sure have come a long way with faux flowers!)

Photo: Pomander Bouquet by Psalm117 on Etsy.com

Filed Under: Budget Brides, Wedding Ceremony | 6 Comments

15 Unique Ceremony Ideas

January 3, 2009 by Christina

unique ceremony ideas

There’s no better time than a wedding to get creative. And sometimes that means breaking with tradition.

Although there are many accepted (and expected) traditions that surround weddings, who says you can’t buck convention and create your own traditions?

Don’t want to wear a white dress? Wear any color you want. Want a ‘no aisle’ ceremony? Go for it.

Here are a few unconventional ceremony ideas to take you down the aisle less traveled.

1. Let your guests mingle over cocktails before the ceremony. (Ideal if you are not having a church wedding.)
2. Greet guests as they arrive at the ceremony site.
3. Face your guests during your wedding vows..
4. Have your guests sit or stand in a circle around you during your vows.
5. Have both parents walk you down the aisle.
6. Have your husband-to-be escort you to the altar.
7. Don’t have bridesmaids.
8. Have an uneven number of attendants. (Maybe you just want a maid of honor, but he wants three groomsmen.)
9. Have a “man of honor” instead of a maid of honor. (Your brother? A good male friend?)
10. Have the groom choose a “best woman.” (His sister? A good female friend?)
11. Don’t wear a veil.
12. Have bridesmaids carry candles instead of bouquets as they walk down the aisle.
13. Write your own vows.
14. Have a ring warming. (What’s a ring warming you ask? There are different versions of this, but generally the rings are placed in a small bag and are passed around to each guest prior to the ring exchange. Each guest blesses the rings or says a prayer.)
15. Choose unconventional processional and/or recessional music. (Love U2? Use a favorite U2 song. Love Leonard Cohen? Choose one of his songs. You don’t have to stick with Pachelbel’s Canon or Ode to Joy.)