Wedding Style

Reception Ideas: Favors That Give Back

2008-10-10T21:06:00Z

Wedding favors are a great way to leave a lasting impression on your guests, and a lot of couples are doing that with a charitable donation in lieu of favors. One important thing to remember if you give charitable favors is that the message of your contribution should be clear. To let their guests know that they were supporting a charitable organization, Janelle and Jim gave their guests yellow Live Strong bracelets to recognize their donation to the Lymphoma Society; Nicole and Steve attached notes to bags of M&Ms explaining their donation to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation; and Jennifer and Tony set up a fun sign (next to pictures of their dogs) telling guests about their contribution to The Humane Society.

Get more charitable favor ideas, and check out ideas for how your wedding can support breast cancer awareness.

Reception Ideas: DIY Menu Cards

2008-10-09T21:10:00Z

Tying your entire wedding together comes down to details of the day, like coordinating your menu cards and escort cards. You can either keep it simple or get creative like this couple's catch of the day motif. Melanie and Hendry printed the menu for their San Francisco celebration on turquoise paper stock and scattered mini starfish on top. Did you do your own menu cards and have any helpful tips to share?

Visit our gallery for even more unique menu card ideas.

Bridesmaid Fashion: Pretty in Pastels

2008-10-07T17:22:00Z

Think pastels are too passe for your palette? Lighter shades were perfect for Jill and Jeremy's outdoor, summer wedding in Manchester, VT. The couple's pretty, elegant palette complimented the regal "French Countryside Couture" motif. The wedding was the perfect mix of eclectic and antique, Marie Antoinette-inspired accents.

Photo: Karin von Voigtlander

The bridesmaids were especially chic in a rainbow of pastel hues that the bride says were inspired by "French macaroons." The maids chose their dresses from five colors -- parfait pink, moonlight blue, bloom purple, cactus green, and antique gold. The softer shades popped against the garden's lush greenery. To mix it up even more, the bridesmaids chose each lame-covered Vera Wang dress in their own style. The maids carried large, white feathered fans to punch up the pastel palette and add even more elegance. They look like modern-day ladies-in-waiting!

Check back for more of Jill and Jeremy's wedding when we launch our new Vermont local area!

Get more bridal party ideas here.

Bridesmaid Fashion: Stylish Shoes

2008-10-07T15:46:00Z

Photo: Love Life Images

A perfectly placed pattern can be all you need to pump up a simple color palette! Check out Colorado residents Ashley and Phil's destination wedding in Washington, DC. With the help of wedding planner Pam Barefoot, the couple had a sophisticated black, white and pink wedding. For a touch of fun to the bridesmaid's classic black dresses, they wore black Guess pumps with white polka dots. Their pink bouquets were gorgeous too. I absolutely love this!

Reception Ideas: Change of Shoes

2008-10-02T16:31:00Z

Are you looking for fun ways to keep guests on the dance floor? Why not encourage them to kick off their shoes by giving them a fun alternative like these couples did:

Kathyriya and Joe let guests pick their own pair of dancing shoes at their destination wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico. For an extra personal touch, they tied them up with monogrammed labels.

Rebecca and Charlie hosted their big day on the Jersey shore. They encouraged guests to relax and grab a casual pair of flip flops in their wedding colors of turquoise and chocolate brown.

At their New York City wedding, Kimberly and Christopher suggested their family and friends get comfy in eggplant and ivory slippers, which coordinated perfectly with their signature shades.

Do you have any clever reception ideas? Check out our online gallery for more inspiration.

Wedding Photography: Black and white photos

2008-10-01T18:27:00Z

Whether or not you're hosting a classic celebration we definitely suggest capturing your night in black and white. If the dress is black tie, these images will easily evoke your elegant style. And, this dual-toned photography makes even the trendiest multi-colored affair seem timeless. We love the way Justine and Fred look almost stuck-in-time.

Looking to find your own photographer? Check out our local resources page where you can search for photographers in your area.

Edible Wedding Favor Ideas: Healthy Treats

2008-09-30T17:30:00Z

Edible favors are always a popular parting gift. Make your favors delicious and decorative by following your color scheme.

Photo: Cynthia Martyn

I love this green goodie bag because it reinforces the wedding's color motif. The best part about these favors? They’re not your typical cookie, or candy favors. This gift box contains good-for-you treats -- an apple, an energy bar, mint hard-candies, and a bottle of Perrier -- plus a little bit of chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. And instead of your usual clear goodie bag these treats are individually packaged in chic, ribbon-tied white boxes lined with lime tissue paper.

See more edible wedding favors here.

Wedding Flowers: Pink Blooms

2008-09-29T21:20:00Z

Trying to find the perfect color combination for your summer wedding? Roxanne and Carlos went for a pretty, pink palette with touches of green for their outdoor affair in Austin, TX. Check out their colorful floral creations!

Photo: Red Fly Photography

Just because you're using one main color doesn't mean it has to be boring. This couple added depth to their decor with the use of light and dark pink roses in the bouquets and aisle flowers. A touch of green hypericum berries mixed up the bridesmaid bouquets and popped against their cute green dresses! And the dark pink hanging vases wrapped with light pink bows added interest to the white chairs and coordinated with the rose petals on the aisle. Love it!

See more pink details.