Rustic Chic Wedding Theme | Choosing Your Wedding Theme

Rustic Chic Wedding Theme

Country girls, rejoice: rustic weddings are all the rage right now, and it’s easy to see why.  They’re charming without being over the top, they’re simple without being dull, and the options for decor are simply stunning.

Here are some ideas for a rustic wedding theme that you’ll adore.

Rustic Chic Venue types

A barn or a garden. Keep it simple.

Rustic Chic Wedding dress

Lace gowns are made for romantic rustic weddings. Choose a fit and flare or A-line with medium to no train as trains do not fare well in outdoor settings.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Short and flirty in light fabrics.  Rustic wedding themes are not as formal and they also get pretty hot, so a short bridesmaid dress is the most appropriate for an outdoor wedding. It just makes it that much easier for everyone on the dance floor!

Groom/Groomsmen attire

Tux or suit in linen fabrics in lighter colors such as grey or tan.

Rustic Wedding Color Ideas

Peach and grey; blush and white; pink & grey. Wedding colors should be romantic without being too formal.

Rustic Chic Wedding Décor

Think string lights connecting the trees, peonies in mason jars, a chalkboard listing your signature drink and sparklers for your guests to hold as you exit and begin your new life together.

rustic chic wedding decor
Mason Jar Beverage Dispenser with Chalkboard

Reception / Food Style

Upscale Barbeque or Comfort Food in a buffet.  One of the best things about a rustic wedding theme is that your guests will love the down-home feel of their favorite foods.

Rustic Wedding Stationery

The first piece of mail that your guests receive from you should give off the vibe for what type of wedding you’re having.  Rustic wedding theme stationery should be simple but fun with a twinge of romance.

Rustic chic weddings are just that; they’re simple but cute, they’re fun, and they’re country with a modern twist. You’ll love the charming vibe of a rustic chic wedding theme.

Modern Wedding Theme | Choosing Your Wedding Theme

Modern Wedding Theme

Young couples with a refined sense of style tend to lean toward having modern wedding themes.  It’s cool, it’s fresh and it’s yet to be overdone. Here are some ideas to keep your modern wedding theme cohesive.

Wedding Venue

Your venue should have a simple, cold background that you can warm up with your decor. A warehouse, a bar or hotel rooftop in a major city, or a loft are all great modern wedding options.

Wedding Dress

A short or long dress can work.  If you go for a traditional length dress, choose something with tons of structure and clean lines. No matter the style, choose a luxe fabric such as silk or charmeuse.

Bridesmaid Dress

Short cocktail dresses, but nothing poofy as that can be seen as a little too cutesy. Don’t be afraid of shine!

Groom/Groomsmen

Black or grey tuxedo in a slim cut with a pocket square. Keep it clean.

Modern Wedding Color Ideas

White and grey, black and light yellow and light green, grey and orange, and slate and wine all complement each other nicely.  Stay away from two bright colors together as it doesn’t fit the modern theme.

Reception / Food

Tapas (tons of small plate options) is all the rage right now. Finish the evening with a late night pizza snack.

Modern Wedding Decor

Think tons of high top tables, calla lilies in square vases, and paper lanterns. Keep everything simple and uncluttered.

Modern Wedding Stationery

The first piece of mail that your guests receive from you should give off the vibe for what type of wedding you’re having. Your stationery should have modern fonts with not a lot of fuss.  Modern is all about chic simplicity.

Modern weddings are the epitome of cool. They’re sleek and stylish and perfect for a young couple.  If you’re edgy or contemporary, a modern wedding theme is perfect for your big day.

Everything You Need to Know About Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are not a necessity, but they’re a fun way to show off your new bling, your happiness with your fiancé, and get your friends together to celebrate! So, who hosts this bash, and what’s it all about?

An engagement party is traditionally hosted by the bride’s parents, but it’s not unusual for someone else or the couple to host this party themselves, as long as the bride’s parents get first dibs. (It’s seen as déclassé for parents or the couple to host your own bridal shower, so this is the only party you’ll get to throw until the wedding.) Engagement parties are typically thrown anywhere from right after the engagement to three months later.

Engagement parties range from ultra casual to luxuriously chic. It’s ultimately up to whomever is throwing the party to decide the location, but it should reflect the type of wedding that you’re going to have, so you can nudge them in the right direction.

So, what wedding tasks need to be completed before throwing this party? Technically none, but everyone throughout the night will be asking you where and when you’re getting married, so you’ll want some kind of idea beforehand.

If you’re hosting the party, be sure to create a separate budget for it like you’re doing for your wedding. (Just on a much smaller scale!) Let the type of party be your guide when it comes to what type of decor to buy, food and beverage to serve, and whether to mail invitations or simply send an e-vite. You can specify any specific dress codes on the invitation.

It’s completely your choice who you invite, but never invite anyone to the engagement party that you aren’t 100% sure you’ll be inviting to your wedding. The engagement party list should be much smaller than your wedding guest list.

There will typically be at least one toast at the party, usually leading off with the father of the bride. Once he has toasted, the floor opens to anyone else who would like to speak. At the end of the toasts, you and your fiancé should give a small speech and thank everyone for coming and joining you in your celebration.

Though gifts are not customary for an engagement party, some people may bring them, so it’s a good idea to register before the party. If the party is being hosted by someone else, you’ll need to give the hosts a small gift and a card to express your gratitude for throwing you such a special event.

Last but not least- enlist someone to take photos! You don’t need a professional to do this, but you’ll be so busy greeting and mingling with guests that you won’t have time to take enough photos at this significant event. Ask one of your friends to take posed as well as candid photos throughout the night to capture every magical moment.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

The “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” bridal tradition is an old superstition that represents good luck for the bride in her marriage. It’s not something that’s required or necessary, but it is a fun way to start off your wedding day. If you’re having trouble deciding what to use for each “something”, here are some ideas.

Something Old

Your “something old” should be something that has sentimental value. A passed down dress or engagement ring, a vintage handkerchief, or even old photos of your family’s weddings on a table at the reception are all thoughtful options.

Something New

Your dress totally counts for your “something new”! If you’re wearing a rented or passed down dress, other options are jewelry, shoes, a veil/headpiece, or even your newly written vows to your fiancé.

Something borrowed

Borrow an item from a married woman who means a lot to you whose marital joy you can carry with you through your “something borrowed.” A necklace, a brooch to put in your bouquet, a slip or petticoat, or even your veil can be borrowed.

Something Blue

Brides who incorporate blue into their wedding colors won’t have a problem with this, but there’s a great deal of ways other brides can get their “something blue”, too! Your shoes, bouquet flowers, garter, or “I Do” stickers for your shoe bottoms are all great choices.

The “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition is a fun way to incorporate your loved ones in your ceremony. Your family will really appreciate being an extra special part of your day, and it’ll start you off on a great foot to your new marriage.

What to Include on Your Wedding Website

A wedding website is a really fun way to keep everyone in the loop about your wedding details. Some brides even use it as a way to collect RSVPs. Choose a site theme that reflects your wedding colors and what type of wedding you’ll have.

Information to Include

-Where you’re registered for bridal shower/wedding gifts
-What kind of attire people should wear to the ceremony. Black tie optional? Casual? Semi-formal?
-Address for ceremony and reception, a map, and directions to each
-Which hotel you’ve blocked rooms at, what name everyone should give when booking, and how much of a discount they’ll receive
-Transportation info. Is there a valet, and if so, is it complimentary? Does it cost anything to park at the venue? Is there a shuttle between hotel and reception? How often does it run, and when is the last run?
-Start times for wedding, cocktail hour, reception, and what time the night will wrap up
-All other pertinent information, such as if your event will be adults only, or if there’s a game near your venue the night of your wedding so guests know to leave early

Fun Extras:

About Us section. Tell everyone how you met and how you fell in love.
Your Engagement Story. Let everyone in on how your fiance proposed and share photos of your surprise and joy!
Photo Album. Share your engagement photos! This is especially great for family members who aren’t on social media.
The Bridal Party. Tell everyone who’s in your bridal party, and who they are to you.
Things to Do in the Area. Out of town guests will appreciate a brief guide of where to go and what to see while they’re in the area!
Honeymoon plans. Share where you’re going and what adventures you hope to have there. (Don’t give the dates you’ll be out of town; you don’t want the world to know when the house will be empty.)
Music Requests. Dedicate an area for comments where people can submit music requests that you can pre-screen.


Spread the word about your wedding website on social media and put the web address on your Save-the-Dates. Sign up and select from free or premium designs for your wedding website here.

How to Choose the Best Wedding Dress For Your Body Type

Just like clothing, bridal gowns are cut in all different ways, and not every style will fit your body type… and there’s nothing wrong with that! We’ve created this guideline to give you a starting point for what wedding dress style fits your body type the best.


A-line: Curvy and athletic figures look great in A-line gowns because they create a stunning hourglass shape.

Ball Gown: Curvy, athletic, and slim bodies all look great in ball gowns, but try to avoid this if you’re petite. Very slim women should avoid huge skirts because it can make your body look disproportionate. Curvy and athletic brides look stunning in a dropped waist.

Column: A column gown is formfitting throughout the entire bodice, making it a great look for tall or short brides with a sleek body.

Empire: An empire gown’s skirt starts just beneath the chest and flows outward. This is a great option for curvy brides, but make sure that the seam hits just under the chest, on the thinnest part of your torso; if it hits too high or too low, it can look like a maternity gown.

Grecian: Flowing fabrics make curvy and athletic brides look absolutely dreamy.

Mermaid: These gowns are great for petite and tall slim brides because they can create womanly curves. Shorter brides should avoid dropped waistlines that give the illusion of shorter legs. Add a belt mid-waist to create extra curves.

Trumpet: Tall and slim and tall and curvy bodies look statuesque in a trumpet gown.


Obviously, you can veer from this list as you please. As long as you feel beautiful in the gown that you wear, that’s all that really matters.

Choosing Wedding Flowers By Season

Flowers In Season

You can save big on your floral decor by choosing blooms that are in season on your wedding date. Here’s a basic guide to follow when choosing wedding flowers by season.

Winter Wedding Flowers in Season

  • Amaryllis
  • Anemone
  • Casa Blanca Lily
  • Daffodil
  • Grape Hyacinth (aka Muscari)
  • Hyacinth
  • Sweet Pea
  • Ranunculus
  • Tulip
  • Wax Flower

Spring Wedding Flowers in Season

  • Amaryllis
  • Anemone
  • Boronia
  • Daffodil
  • Grape Hyacinth (aka Muscari)
  • Hyacinth
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Peony
  • Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Tulip
  • Stock
  • Sweet Pea
  • Wax Flower

Summer Wedding Flowers in Season

  • Alstromeria
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Delphinium (aka Larkspur)
  • English Lavender
  • Forget-me-not
  • Gardenia
  • Hydrangea
  • Phlox
  • Poppy
  • Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Stock
  • Sunflower
  • Tuberose
  • Zinnia

Fall Wedding Flowers in Season

  • Anemone
  • Cosmos
  • Dahlia
  • Delphinium (aka Larkspur)
  • Hydrangea
  • Iris
  • Juniper
  • Marigold
  • Phlox
  • Sunflower
  • Tuberose

In Season Year Round

  • Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
  • Anthuriums
  • Aster
  • Bourvardia
  • Calla Lily
  • Carnation
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Daisy
  • Dusty Miller
  • Freesia
  • Gerbera Daisy
  • Iris
  • Lily
  • Lisianthus
  • Orchid
  • Rose
  • Stephanotis
  • Veronica

Just because these florals are in season doesn’t necessarily mean they are affordable within your budget. Check with your florist to see if the flowers you’re interested in are feasible, and if not, what flowers they can use to create a similar look. It’s their job to make sure your floral decor looks as you envision it.

 

Bridesmaid Duties the Day of the Wedding

Along with the many responsibilities prior to the wedding, there are a bevy of tasks that bridesmaids should take care of on the actual day the bride says “I do.” The bride is going to be stressing, so make sure you keep everything smooth sailing for her by adhering to these bridesmaid duties the day of the wedding:

Get your hair and makeup done by the professional of the bride’s choosing. Don’t try to cut costs by doing it yourself or having someone else do it unless the bride wants you to do so. You may get lucky and have a bride that pays for it for you, but the payment responsibility is on bridesmaids for this.

Make sure the bride eats. Grab food for her because she won’t want to eat and won’t have time to get it for herself. Be sure to also eat something yourself!

Stay sober until the reception. It’s okay to have a glass of champagne to celebrate, but save the heavy drinks until the party. You’ll need to be ready in case the bride needs assistance with something, and you’ve still got to make it through the ceremony and photos.

Help the bride into her gown. The mother of the bride and Maid of Honor may have this covered, but most bodices need several hands on deck to get the zipper up.

Offer to help the bride go to the bathroom. Carrying all of that fabric makes it very difficult to use the restroom, so offer to assist her if she needs it.

Smile as you’re walking down the aisle. Some people get nervous when they’re walking down and it shows on their faces. Be sure to show how excited you are for the wedding- the guests and the photographer will be watching.

Stand up with the bridal party at the altar. Your feet aren’t going to like it very much, so be sure to break your shoes in beforehand and use foot relief inserts.

Be a good sport for the photos. Sometimes it might feel like you’re doing something stupid, but take one for the team and do it with a smile. Most of the time when you’re doing something that seems silly or awkward, it actually makes for a great photograph.

Get on the dance floor. The bridesmaids’ main job at the reception is to keep the party going and get people dancing. No one wants to go out to an empty dance floor, so the bridesmaids should be the first people out there.

Give a gift. Yes, you’ve done a lot for your friend and spent a ton of money already, but you still have to give a gift. They’ll return all the favors when it’s your turn at the altar.

Be on time. Try to get everywhere you’re supposed to be a few minutes early. It’ll take a load off of the bride’s mind.

Maid of Honor Duties on the Day of the Wedding

As the ringleader of the bridesmaids, the Maid of Honor duties for the day of the wedding include all of the above, plus:

Be the main point of contact. Your phone should be on and by your side until it’s time to walk down the aisle. If there’s an issue with any of the vendors or deliveries, they should be contacting you and you can relay information to the bride.

Sign the marriage certificate. The bride may sign the marriage certificate before or after the ceremony, and after she signs, you’ll sign as a witness.

Fluff the bride’s train before walking down the aisle. You’ll be the last bridesmaid in line before the bride walks down the aisle, so make sure her train is laying flat and straight behind her before stepping out.

Hold the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s ring during the ceremony. The bride will be joining hands with her groom, so she’ll need to hand off her flowers. The best place to keep the ring is on your thumb until the bride needs it.

Bustle the bride’s dress after the ceremony. You’ll want to go with the bride to her final fitting so the seamstress can show you exactly how to bustle the train and you can practice doing it ahead of time.

Give a toast at the reception. This is not something you should wing; you can go heartwarming or funny, but either way it should be thoughtful and personal.

Bring a little something extra to the day. Little things like bringing the bride a card talking about how excited you are or bringing champagne and orange juice for mimosas will show her how much you love her and support her as she takes the plunge.

Fall Wedding Theme | Choosing Your Wedding Theme

Fall Wedding Theme | Fall Wedding Ideas

There’s something about fall that’s very romantic…the leaves are changing colors into beautiful reds and yellows, and the weather is just right for snuggling in a sweatshirt.  Fall wedding themes are great because you (and your wedding party) don’t have to deal with extreme heat or extreme cold. They’re also great because there are tons of options to choose from to make your wedding an amazing event.

Fall Wedding Venue

If your wedding is in early fall or you live in a state with a mild autumn, consider having it at an outdoor setting to capture the beautiful colors, such as at a state park or a cider mill. A late fall wedding should be indoors so as to be polite to your guests and your wedding party…the last thing you want is for your guests to be freezing cold! Country clubs or a rented out restaurant overlooking trees outside are great options for the reception.

Fall Wedding Colors

Go for rich colors that complement each other. Tangerine & chocolate brown, eggplant & pumpkin, cranberry & bronze, dark red & light orange are all gorgeous, rich color palettes.

Fall Wedding Dress

If your wedding is outdoors, a lace fit and flare or A-line is a great option. If the wedding is indoors, lucky you! Pretty much any style of wedding gown works from ball gowns to mermaids.  Just make sure the dress is long!

Fall Bridesmaids Dresses

Long dresses are the best option for bridesmaids for a fall wedding theme.  Fabrics like chiffon, satin, and charmeuse are great for the weather.

Groom/Groomsmen

Dark colored tuxedos or upscale suits work best. If your groom is into it, try a luxe fabric like velvet on the jacket.

Fall Wedding Stationery

Your Save the Dates for a fall wedding theme can be cutesy or formal, depending on how you foresee your wedding day.

Fall weddings are warm, inviting, and lovely.  If autumn is your favorite time of the year, why not have your favorite day of the year then, too?

Winter Wonderland Wedding | Choosing Your Wedding Theme

Winter Wonderland Wedding Theme

There’s something magical about snow, isn’t there? Part of what makes a Winter Wonderland Wedding Theme so romantic is that it does have that ‘magic’ feel. Getting married in the wintertime has its advantages.  Sometimes the venue is less expensive because you’re not in the typical “wedding season”, which also means you won’t be overlapping with your friends’ weddings! Trust me, you won’t have to compromise on the glamour at all.

Venue

A formal ballroom or a ski lodge are great options for winter weddings. For a more intimate feel, rent out a property with multiple luxury cabins. That way you can have the wedding, reception and sleeping quarters all in once place!

Wedding Dress

Go for a ball gown and a faux fur bolero and muff to keep warm without compromising style.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Long dresses in heavy fabrics such as silk, satin or even lace.

Groom/Groomsmen

Typical dark colored tuxedos are appropriate.

Winter Wonderland Color Ideas

Any shade of blue & silver; all ivory; dark purple or lilac & silver; deep red & gold; maroon & dark blue

Decor

Think faux tree branches spray painted frosty white, tall glass floral centerpieces with crystals hanging like chandeliers, and sheer white drapery hanging from the ceiling.

Food Style

Dependent on your venue you may have it catered or your venue may supply the food.  Try to do a plated meal as winter weddings have a formal feel.

Winter Wonderland Stationery

Your wedding stationery should give a feel for what type of wedding you’re having. For a Winter Wonderland wedding theme, stationery should be timeless, elegant and chic.  Shimmer and shine add that little extra something that just says “wintertime.”

Check out some of our favorite Winter Wonderland wedding theme Save the Dates:

winter-wedding-save-the-dates
Classic snowfall on a dark backdrop is fun yet elegant. Click to See it!
A Simple Snowflake - Click to See More
A Simple Snowflake – Click to See More

Winter Wonderland Theme Wedding Invitations

Nothing says winter wedding like blue and white
Nothing says winter wedding like blue and white – Click to See More

 

Ice Blue Trees - Click to See More
Ice Blue Trees – Click to See More

 

For an upscale winter wedding - click to see more
For an upscale winter wedding – click to see more

 

Formal and Magical - Click to See More
Formal and Magical – Click to See More

There’s not much that’s more romantic than snuggling up to kiss your significant other under snowfall. A Winter Wonderland wedding theme is an amazing way to showcase your love with a gorgeous backdrop and amazing photos. If you’re thinking of having your wedding in the wintertime, don’t hesitate; winter weddings are absolutely stunning.