Sunday, April 27, 2008

Sweet Beach Theme Wedding Favors

Every guest loves a favor at a wedding - it's something that's packaged especially for them, a treat to thank them for attending your special day. It's important to choose great favors for your guests and if you're having a beach theme wedding, you can use this opportunity to incorporate a beach theme into another aspect of your ceremony and reception.

Chocolate can be molded into many shapes and sizes and seashell shaped chocolates make a beautiful, tasty and elegant favor to give to your guests. Try marbled seashell chocolates or pearlized ones - either way, you're going to truly be making a sweet impression on your guests! If you're having a small wedding, a full box of starfish turtle chocolates will be stunning at the reception table.

Personalized favors are great as well - you can have you and your groom's names and your wedding date inscribed on the favor for an ultra personal touch. Personalized mints will freshen up any reception table and personalized chocolate bars will give your guests something sweet and special to take home with them. Why not order some all-white candy conversation hearts with bridal messages to place in organza bags for your guests to enjoy?

Letting your guests know how much their presence meant to you on your special day doesn't have to be a challenge. Everyone loves something sweet! Just be a little creative and you can find the perfect beach theme wedding favors for the big day.

Keep Guests Cool During Your Beach Wedding

Keeping guests cool at a beach theme wedding can sometimes be tough to do, especially if your wedding is in the middle of summer and during the day. You want your guests to be comfortable during the ceremony and reception - the last thing you want is everyone sweating and ready to get out of there and seek refuge in the cool air conditioning of another building or their cars. How can you keep your guests cool at your beach theme wedding?

Change The Day And Time

If possible, consider having your beach theme wedding earlier in the summer, such as in late May or early June and consider having the ceremony and reception in the morning before 10:00 a.m. or in the evening when the sun is setting. The worst times for beach theme weddings is in the middle of the summer, such as July or August and in the middle of the day.

Use Parasols and Fans

Parasols will help keep your guests in the shade and help keep the sun off their faces, keeping them cool and comfortable during your wedding ceremony. Hand paper fans out to each guest so they can fan themselves if they start to get warm. You might not think that parasols and fans would do much, but you'd be surprised at how welcome a paper fan can be during a hot wedding ceremony on the beach!

Put the extra effort into keeping your guests cool and comfortable at your beach theme wedding to show them how special this day is to you!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Beach Bride Footwear

Shoes are an important part of the bride's wedding attire and most brides have a wide selection of the footwear that they can wear with their wedding gown. Beach brides, however, have more of a challenge, especially if their ceremony takes place in the sand. A bride certainly can't wear high heels at a beach themed wedding! What can a beach bride wear?

Flip flops are a classic beach option for anyone, whether they're casual flip flops or dressy. Many beach brides choose comfortable, casual flip flops to wear with their gown because most gowns trail the floor and hide their shoes. Many beach brides are choosing tea length or shorter dresses, however, and not just any flip flops will do.

White flip flops are perfect, and you can purchase some with gorgeous details on them to match your beach wedding gown. They're comfortable and dressy enough to work with any beach themed bridal attire. Silver flip flops are also a great choice and will make you feel glamorous even though you're simply wearing comfortable shoes to your beach wedding!

Don't stress out over the type of footwear you're going to don at your beach theme wedding. Trust your instinct to choose the perfect shoes to match your wedding dress - after all, it's your wedding and you want to look absolutely fabulous! Just don't count out flip flops from the beginning - there are many styles that would look absolutely stunning with your gown and are comfortable to wear too!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Decorate Your Beach Wedding Reception With Real, Natural Seashells

Many beach theme wedding decorations include seashells, and rightly so. Natural seashells truly bring the beach to the table and you can use them to decorate your reception tables, your cake table and even your ceremony if you get creative with them! You can actually do a great number of things with natural seashells and using them can really make an impact at your beach wedding!

Why not use actual, real seashells as place card holders? Show your guests to their seats in style with seashells that have been modified to hold place cards and even small photos if you wish. Use large seashells as wedding reception table decorations to really make a statement or mix it up with smaller natural seashells for unique and dimensional beach theme wedding decorations. Try sprinkling extra small seashells on the tablecloths for a "confetti" look - your guests will be surprised to learn that they're actually miniature seashells when they sit down! You can even let your guests take some of the shells home in small boxes or baskets to decorate their own homes with or add to their collection of keepsakes.

If you're looking for a classic beach theme wedding addition, try using all white seashells. They'll create a gorgeous, elegant and chic look to your wedding and add just the right touch to your ceremony! No matter how you choose to use natural seashells at your beach wedding, you can rest assured that they're just the thing you've been looking for to put the finishing touches on your wedding decorations.

Tips For Using Silk Flower Petals At A Beach Wedding

It's traditional to line the wedding ceremony aisle with gorgeous flower petals - and why would it be different with a beach theme wedding? You can make quite a statement at your wedding with red or white rose petals that stand out against the crystalline sand. Here are some great tips to employ when considering using traditional flower petals at your beach theme wedding.

Use silk rose petals.

Silk rose petals can easily be cleaned up after the event and boxed delicately for a precious wedding keepsake. With silk petals, you don't have to worry about them getting bruised or damaged in storage before or after the wedding, or during the ceremony! You can mix and match colors and the petals will never wilt or fade, making them the perfect addition to your beach wedding.

Try Something Unique

Why just stick with rose petals? Try incorporating something unique and different into your beach wedding ceremony, such as silk hydrangea petals. These gorgeous, for pronged petals will really make the difference and show your guests how important each and every detail is to you!

Something To Throw

Instead of rice, birdseed or even bubbles, many beach brides and grooms choose to have rose petals thrown at them by their guests. One of the most popular way to distribute gorgeous silk rose petals for your guests to toss is beautifully wrapped individual boxes. Your guests can each take one and toss the petals at you and your groom as you exit the church.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Have A Blast With Just Married Accessories!

Chances are, if you’re having a beach theme wedding, you’re taking your honeymoon on the beach. Of course – who wouldn’t? With all the sand, sun and ocean waves to be enjoyed, you’re going to have to pack some “Just Married” essentials, so everyone knows that you and your new husband just said “I Do.”

Make a splash with his and hers “I love him/I love her” flip flops or don colorful “Just Married” flip flops – every footstep in the sand will be a tribute to your new love!

Of course, a “Just Married” bikini is the perfect way to flaunt your beach theme nuptials. Draw attention to your sun kissed skin with a gorgeous bikini – but don’t worry, you won’t get hit on – everyone will know right away that you’re taken by your brand new husband.

You’ll want to keep the sun out of your eyes, but why do it with just any old pair of sunglasses? His and hers “Just Married” sunglasses are a great way to announce your wedding to the world. You’re sure to draw attention to the fact that you and your hubby are head over heels in love with each other!

One of the most favorite things to do on the beach is lounge around in your bathrobe either in your hotel room or by the pool – you can make a statement by having your bathrobe personalized with your new last name or get matching “Mr. and Mrs.” bathrobes for the both of you!

Why not have fun with beach theme “Just Married” accessories? You’ll only get to do it once!

Beach Theme Wedding Stationery - Making It Count

Wedding stationery is one of the most important aspects of your beach theme wedding – it is, after all, the first impression that you make to your guests! No doubt you want it to be absolutely beautiful. You don’t have to stop at just invitations – you can incorporate the beach into everything at your beach wedding!

Beach theme wedding place cards can truly add the finishing touch to your wedding reception tables – you can go the traditional route with personalized starfish and seashell decorated place cards or mix it up a little with nautical themed cards. Why not direct your special guests to their seats with style?

You can also make a great first impression with beach theme save the date magnets, especially if you’re planning your wedding quite a bit in advance. Your guests will love the convenience of a magnet and will remember your wedding date every time the open the fridge!

Why stop there? Your favors might need a little dressing up with inexpensive beach theme wedding favor tags. Favors are your gift to your guests to thank them for attending your special day – let your guests know how much you appreciate their attendance with personalized beach wedding favor tags.

Take advantage of the abundance of beach theme wedding stationery and use those “little somethings” to help bring your wedding full circle! Your guests will be amazed at your attention to detail and you’ll feel wonderful on the big day knowing that every little aspect of your wedding is perfect!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Sand Ceremony Sets Create A Unique Touch

Just about every bride knows about the traditional unity candle - it is used to symbolize the joining of a husband and wife as well as the joining of the two families. Beach brides can do it a little bit differently at their beach theme wedding with sand ceremony sets to create unique memories that last a lifetime!

Sand ceremony sets are comprised of three or more different vases of colored sand. The bride, the groom and their parents each have a vase with a different color of sand. Many families choose to have their children have vases with different colors of sand or other members of their families. During the ceremony while poetry is being read or music is being played, the families each pour their sand into the larger glass vase (which is usually empty before this part of the ceremony). The sand can be layered in any pattern that the bride and groom wishes to symbolize the blending of families.

Heart shaped sand ceremony vase sets can add more emotion to this part of the ceremony and will make a wonderful keepsake, while sand ceremony vases with candles incorporated into them will give the set a more traditional touch. Engraved sets will also give your ceremony a unique and personalized touch - but don't forget to purchase the sand in the colors of your choice!

Let the natural beauty of sand speak for you and your groom at your beach theme wedding to signify the start of a new life together!

Beach Theme Wedding Accents

Celebrating the most special day of your life - your beach wedding day - includes having wonderful keepsakes filled with unique memories of you and your husband's new commitment to each other. You can incorporate the beauty of the crystal sand and the ocean waves into every aspect of your beach theme wedding - leave no detail unattended to!

Beach theme cake serving sets are a great way to create picturesque moments that truly capture the emotions of your wedding day - whenever you look at a wedding photo album, many times the most fun and captivating photos are of the bride and groom cutting, serving and feeding their first piece of wedding cake to each other!

You can also show your guests how important your beach theme wedding day is by topping your cake with a beautiful and unique beach wedding cake topper! Photo toppers are always in style because they're truly personalized for you and your groom - or you can add a little bit of whimsical flair with a barefoot beach bride and groom topper! If you're looking for something classic, a pristine white starfish or swooning couple with seagulls will do the trick.

Let your guests know how important every little detail of your beach theme wedding is to you by incorporating the beach theme into every aspect of your wedding from the invitations to the wedding cake to the flowers in your hair. Choosing the right accents for your wedding will convey your style and your personality at your beach wedding!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Choosing The Perfect Beach Theme Flower Girl Basket

When choosing a flower girl basket for your flower girl, it's important to choose a basket that reflects your wedding theme, colors and personality. Beach theme weddings give you a lot to choose from – you can choose a rustic, woven basket that someone might use when walking along the beach looking for shells or you can choose a gorgeous, satin flower girl basket adorned with delicate starfish and crystals.

Take note that you'll probably need to have quite a few more petals strewn across your aisle at your beach wedding than you might have thought – especially if your aisle is just the gorgeous ivory beach sand! You'll definitely want to make an impact with the flower petals and just having a few thrown here and there might not cut it. That said, when selecting your beach theme flower basket, make sure you choose one that is large enough for how many petals you need.

You might want to choose a beach theme flower girl basket that matches other items in your wedding, such as the guestbook, pen and holder, ring pillow and unity candles – you'll bring together a look that's absolutely fabulous! You can also select just a ring bearer's pillow and the flower girl basket in a set, and even a set with a touch of color! Soft blues and ivories really bring out the beach look in any beach theme flower girl basket and ring bearer's pillow.

Let your personality speak through all of your beach theme wedding items and your guests will know how very special this day is to you!

Beach Wedding Cake Tips and Tricks

Beach wedding cakes are the center of every wedding reception – they're beautiful, creative and above all, delicious! Here are a few tips on how to make sure your wedding cake is best enjoyed by you and your guests.

- If you can afford it, opt for more cake than you really need, even up to double the number of slices. This is definitely not necessary, but a nice touch so you can make sure everyone gets enough cake! A groom's cake can help fill this need and are typically less expensive than the traditional wedding cake. Work with your baker to find out how much cake you need.

- Send your guests home with a slice in creative, elegant and fashionable cake boxes. Your guests can enjoy your wedding cake at home, or freeze it and save it for your anniversary!

- Decorate your cake table. Although your beach wedding cake is absolutely the focal point of your reception, having an expertly decorated cake table just adds to the beauty and elegance of a wedding cake. Add lots of flowers, candles and other special touches for a dazzling cake table that your guests will remember.

- Skip the fondant, if possible, or at least have your baker lay the fondant over a buttercream icing layer. Fondant has the tendency to taste strange, and the buttercream will help mask it.

No matter what you do, your guests are sure to enjoy your beach theme wedding cake – but utilizing these tips at your wedding reception will let your guests enjoy your cake that much more!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Choosing Understated Beach Wedding Jewelry

It's often difficult to decide on what bridal jewelry you'll wear and what your bridesmaids will wear on your wedding day. What goes well with your dress? What adds that perfect touch to your bridesmaids' dresses? What reflects your beach theme in the best way?

There are quite a few new trends hitting the wedding fashion industry and designers are complementing their dresses with simple, understated jewelry. The idea is that less really is more! No longer are brides and bridesmaids wearing heavy bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings and hair jewels – it's too much! Now members of the wedding party are opting for just a bracelet and earrings or a centerpiece necklace.

Simple drop pearl necklace and earring sets work well for both brides and bridesmaids, no matter what your wedding colors are. Pearls come from oysters, and naturally remind everyone of the low key beauty of the sand and waves. You can also wear understated, classic rhinestones or cubic zirconia for a gorgeous sparkling look – just be careful not to go overboard.

While most brides and bridesmaids elect to wear jewelry to the wedding ceremony, you might want to consider opting out if your dress has a lot of detail to it, such as pearls, crystal beading or other features that make it the focal point of what you're wearing. Donning a necklace or even earrings may take away from your dress' special features – something you might not want to do.

Don't buy the first pieces of jewelry you see – for you or your bridesmaids. Try a few pieces on and mix it up between earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings to find the perfect beach theme wedding look for you and your girls!