WEDDING NOTES™ – Wedding Bouquet Styles

As you consider the style of flowers you want for your bridal bouquet, there are several factors to consider.  You will want to settle on a color, fragrance, whether or not the flowers will last or hold up and the shape or style of the arrangement.

The price of the bouquet is usually set by the amount of labor required to create it, the size of the bouquet and certainly by the type of flowers chosen.  In season local blossoms will be far more reasonable than blooms that must be shipped in.

There are several basic bouquet styles from which to choose.  Your florist can help you select the one that fits your gown, the degree of formality of the wedding and is appropriate for your body type.  These are the basic shapes.

• ·        Exposed Stems – also called a hand-tied arrangement.  Currently popular, this is a tightly packed cluster of flowers gathered to form a round bouquet in which the stems are ribbon wrapped.  If this arrangement is fitted into a bouquet holder is it also known as a nosegay.  It works well for more informal weddings.

• ·        Arm Bouquet – Also known as a Ms. America, it is a traditional wedding bouquet in which long stemmed flowers like roses, calla lilies or gladiolus are loosely ribbon tied and worn resting the crook of one arm.

• ·        Cascade –is a waterfall of flowers and greenery gathered into a handle.  Any type of flower can be used.  It is an elegant look that is best worn with a formal wedding gown.  A tall or medium-tall bride can carry this look off nicely.  The labor involved in assembling a cascade can make it higher priced than other choices.

• ·        Crescent – is a half moon shaped formal arrangement in which flowers are wired into shape.  It is a popular selection for orchids and flat, glossy greens.

• ·        Posy – is a smaller version of a nosegay.  These are usually quite inexpensive because they don’t require as many flowers.  They are perfect for a smaller bride.

If you don’t want to carry flowers and would prefer something special and unique.

WEDDING NOTES™ – Your Invitation Choices

The type of printing you choose will influence the price of the invitations you choose as much as the type of paper you choose.  Whether you print your own or have them done by a master printer, be sure to select a printing process that works on the type of paper you choose.

These are the most commonly used printing processes.

• ·        Engraving – This is the oldest form of printing in which paper is positioned between an etched copper plate and an inked plate.  The etched plate forces the paper onto the inked plate, creating raised lettering on the front of the paper and “dimples” on the back.  Engraving is expensive because the copper plate has to be custom-etched and can only be used once.  The printer sends back the etched plate for you to keep.  This is an expensive form of printing for invitations. However, it  is frequently used for large formal weddings.  There are a number of print styles available for engraved invitations.  However, the most popular are script or a clear block style.

• ·        Thermography – This is the term that describes a type of printing that combines ink, resin and heat to create a raised lettering that looks like engraving only at a lower price tag.  It is the most popular print type used in most weddings today.  It looks like engraving on the surface plus it enables you to select different ink colors.  Engraving is done only with black ink for the best result.

• ·        Offset printing (lithography) –is done with an inked plate or roller which transfers the text to the paper, creating a flat (not raised) printed image.  It works well with either smooth or textured paper and is a popular/inexpensive option.

• ·        Digital printing – This is the relative “newcomer”.  Made possible by computers, it often has more precise resolution and color matching.  It is the most economical option.  It works best on smooth surface paper or lightly textured paper.

The print style you choose will reflect the degree of formality of your wedding and your unique personal choices.

WEDDING NOTES™ – iPhones at your Wedding

The proliferation of camera phones has raised a new point of discussion for brides and grooms hoping to capture the essence of their wedding through a professional photographer of some distinction.  How to handle wedding guests with cameras in their phones and preserve the privacy and security of the wedding events is a growing challenge.  Social media are changing the rules around the ceremony that was originally about the bride and groom.  As Kim Ode of the STAR TRIBUNE said “On a day planned down to the mints, social media allow for random acts of mindlessness.”

While some couples may embrace the technology, others wonder “how to keep their vows from going viral”.   This concern has prompted wedding planners, coordinators and consultants to formulate some guidelines covering social media at weddings.

• ·        Recognize that most couples make a distinction between the wedding ceremony and its more solemn aspects and the reception with its feel as a celebration.

• ·        If the bride doesn’t want people to see her in her gown before she goes down the aisle, she needs to make sure her attendants understand that uploading photos of her in that special dress before the ceremony is forbidden.

• ·       Consultants suggest putting a notice in the program itself which clearly states that this is an “unplugged” ceremony.  Reinforce this request by asking the officiant to remind the guests to silence their electronics.

• ·        Some brides have posted signs at the entrance to the ceremony asking people to refrain from using electronics.  Placing a sign at the spot where the guest book is placed is another option.

Social media at the reception seems to be more acceptable.  Photo-sharing sites enable guests to down-load reception photos into a designated wedding album which makes it nice for the couple to see lots of the action at their party.  As one consultant said, the electronics made it possible for one couple to livestream their wedding to friends and family who could not make it to the wedding.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Wedding Gown Styles for You

When you are shopping for your wedding gown, selecting a style that is appropriate for your body shape is the secret to looking amazing on your special day.  Shopping for your gown at a store that has the knowledge to make you look fabulous should be your goal.   We have specially trained consultants who do know how to find the RIGHT dress for you.

What to look for!

If you are a petite bride – shorter than 5’4” and small boned, look for gowns that give the illusion of more height like off the shoulder or gowns with vertical lines.  Your goal is to draw the eyes upward by keeping details at a minimum and focusing the eye to the bodice area.

If you are tall – usually 5’9” or taller, you can wear a wider variety of shapes.  It is best to emphasize your longer proportions.  Bias cut skirts and straight designs can be fabulous.

If you are a plus size consider a gown with a skirt that flows from just under the breast to the floor.  A-line silhouettes and princess lines work well as well as does heavier fabric like satin.

If yours is a triangle shape – narrower on the top and fuller on the bottom, your goal is to create balance.  A V neckline is excellent for you.

We have a wide selection of different styles and silhouettes – one will be perfect for you.  For answers to your questions, call.