Peacock Feather Weddings

I have the daughter of a coworker who just got engaged. I know it's so exciting! Only the mom is worried that her daughters theme will be too over the top and turn out trashy. This will be a compilation of some info that  I have found to prove that this fun and fantastic idea can also be classy!

The Colors

The typical colors of this style of wedding are green, blue, purple, and gold. These are all vibrant and bold and need to be respected in order to pull off a classy wedding.

The Cake

The cake is a great way to define what direction you are going to take this style. Are you wanting the swinger style vintage peackock feather wedding? How about a rocker peacock wedding? You can really have fun with a cake design with either of these styles. My one suggestion is to not actually put feathers on the cake. Not even as a topper. Have them make the feathers out of something else or paint them on or maybe just stick to the color. It is still generally frowned upon when there are feathers included in the bite of cake... even if it was on accident!

The Flowers

Flowers for this really are pretty open. The only suggestion that I have is to not get ones with too much texture to them or that are too big. For instance a daisy would not work too well. Another great thing about this type of wedding is that you can opt out of flowers all together! I know quite a few people with severe allergies to most flowers so this can be a great option. Try making bouquets and centerpieces out of feathers and broaches. It would be a stunning visual and add some sparkle to your wedding.

The Little Extras

These are my favorite parts of this style of wedding! You can add some special touches of your personality while staying beautiful! Add some attitude to your class!

These are just a few ideas that I have come across. Hope you enjoy!

This I think would be beautiful attached to a bird cage veil.

Great invitation idea!

Over all this is one of my favorite themes for a wedding. Any woman who is interested in this kinda style is my kinda gal! Thank you to all of the sites that I used for this research. Any references to specific sites to see each wedding this is from please check out my pinterest account! http://pinterest.com/magnetra/

Travis & Lauren Whiting

As you all know I love looking at wedding pictures. When a friend gets married I love to see what they did. This wedding was just beautiful. It is difficult for a wedding to seem classy and fun in a gym but this certainly did that plus.

Finding cute bridesmaid dresses that are still consdered modest in the LDS church can be difficult. I have been searching for a long time to find some for my upcoming wedding. These are adorable though. Slightly vintage and flirty, these dresses make all of the girls look great and still don't distract from the main couple.

I love this boquet! Even though it's not flowers it still bright and cheery. I love the X and O scrabble pieces. This is a DIY that I would suggest to anyone who is looking for a vintage DIY wedding. 

 These show a great cost effective way to do centerpieces that people are going to be talking about. Using the bottles and finding things similar to all of these centerpieces at thrift stores can help you have a more eco friendly wedding and help you stay in your budget a bit easier. I also love that the limited number of flowers looks great and is cost effective. These are perfect for this style of wedding!

Anyone looking to not do a traditional cake but still wants to cut the cake this is the way to do it! It's beautiful and fun while still giving you the traditional picture that your family will want and let you find a great cake topper as well! Also the cupcakes will make it easier because you can do multiple flavors and you don't have to cut and serve a cake.

The decorations for the ceiling and walls made me fall in love with the wedding. It was done in a church gym but because the decorations were done so well you were looking at them instead of the lines in the floor. These doors give this reception the feeling of age that a vintage wedding needs and still keeps it classy and almost mysterious. 

One of the most boring things for me at a wedding is going and getting food off of a normal table with a table cloth and maybe some bunched up around the plates. Using these with the patterned cloth makes me think of the old tea parties that I had with my grandma where we dressed up like princesses and ate sandwiches. This I think is beautiful and yet again helped pull in an even stronger vintage feel. It is a beautiful focal point of this reception.

I love small details like this. It's charming and king of reminds you as to why you are there and that it's a celebration.

I often times see pictures put on tables or up on a slide show. But this is more interseting to the eye and is part of the decoration of the room. The pictures are beautiful and deserve to be shown. I can't think of a better way to do it!

The lighting at this wedding is so spectacular. The mixture of the white lights, the paper ball lanterns and the chandeliers helped tie in the fun, mystical, vintage style of this entire wedding. I honestly am thinking about stealing this idea myself! It made this reception.

 

Congratulations to Travis and Lauren! It looks like your wedding was a blast and well done. It is inspiring to see someone make a wedding out of one of the most unromantic places that is so beautiful. Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful life!

Entertainment at your Wedding

The worst thing for any wedding is for your guests to be bored. If everyone knows eachother it's not so bad but if you only have a few people from several different groups it may still happen. The keys to a great wedding are good food, good music, good decorations, and great conversation. Use all of these keys to make your wedding amazing!

Good Food

When it comes to food it's best to do a few things outside of the box and a few classics. The classics work great for when someone doesn't want to try anything and so that people can feel at home and comfy. Looking for something new doesn't have to be really far out there.

• First think of what type of food you want to try
• Next decide if you want it to be a meat, grain, dessert, fruit or veggie
• After looking there look into what your caterer can provide or look for recipes yourself
• Make sure to always try what you are going to serve first. No one wants a meal served that they themselves don't even like.

Good Music


Music can make such a difference with the atmosphere of your wedding. Even just as background music it will make a difference on how your guests feel. Most people feel more anxious when it is dead silence and different types of music can make a guest feel like dancing or just sitting and talking. When deciding on music you need to consider a few things.

• How much can you spend
• What type of music do you want
• What your top songs are

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have great music at your wedding. If you have enough money then go ahead and hire a DJ or band. Make sure to send them a list of do not play music or a list of music that you do consider to be acceptable. Remember that this is your wedding and your party. If you do or do not want something to be played it is your say. You are paying for it after all.

Another option is to create your own play list. Often times you already have a great collection of songs that you love already and if you don't a friend is sure to. If you choose this option make sure that you have a sound check with the speakers you are going to use to make sure that nothing will go wrong. Also it is a good idea to put someone in charge of the music so that you don't have to deal with it. A groomsman or friend who can make sure that your songs are played when you want them will make it move so much smoother and you won't be as stressed.



                                                         Decorations

When it comes to decorations you can literally turn anything into a great decoration. Get creative! Consider what age range you will have there. If there will be kids make sure there are games for them to play. Consider I spy with your decorations. A crossword with your bridal party names. Or if you do a kids table you can put card games up on the table for them.Adults can use a lot of the same things. But you can also put out bubbles and sparklers for later on.













Conversation

Great conversation is a hard one to help along. If you get the other three right it will be pretty easy. Just remember to make sure your seating is right. Helping compatable people sit next to eachother will help quite a bit. Also if you do the games or something that is uniq to just your wedding people are sure to start talking. A few more ideas are:

• Have something on your tables that is not usually seen at a wedding. (a scale, a hotweel car, crayons...) Do something that is important to you.
• Give out welcome bags with things to do in them
• In your invitations send out a list of things locally that people can do. Then see who did what
• Make an inventive card holder
• Create a mad lib and put it at each guests place. Make sure to have pencils so they can fill them out.

A great wedding is done with a lot of planning. Your entertainment is a huge part of that. Take your time and use this as a chance for people to get to know you and your new spouse. Show who you are and people are sure to have a great time!

Tables and Dishes

Some of my biggest pet peaves at a wedding are looking at a semi formal wedding and having cheap paper plates and red party cups. The theme clashes for me. I figure if you are going to spend a few extra to make it nice then do it with what the guests are going to be looking at the most. There are so many ideas that you can do that will make it nicer.

I love the look of square plates. These ones are cheap and disposable but no one would know that from looking at it!

If you want more traditional plates maybe try something a bit more like this.

These are both plastic plates that are easy clean up and still make the event look classy and elegant. Check out http://www.4-plasticplates.com  for more great ideas on dishes. They sell tons of disposable and elegant dishes. Cups, serving platters, plates, silverware. Here area a few more examples of ideas that you could do to keep it classy from this website.

Another thing that can make a huge difference in the feel of a wedding is the style of tables used and how they are arranged.

Round Tables tend to be the most common. They are considered the most formal and can seat anywhere from 4-10 people per table depending on the size.

Round tables are great if most of your guests don't know each other and will have a hard time socializing. Also this can make some people more comfy because they will only be around people they know and will be close enough to be able to be heard by all of them. These are great for large weddings.

Another option is to do long rectangle tables. This can go to two extremes. It can either be old fashioned formal or it can make it feel more intimate. These are preferred for smaller weddings that are based on family and very close friends.

No matter what you decide to do just remember that it's your wedding and that you are the one making the decisions.

DIY Decorations (Walls & Ceilings)

One of the hardest things to work out about a wedding is the budget. Unfortunately one of the first things that tends to get  cut due to budget is the location. A high class place can end up costing up to tens of thousands of dollars that you just can't always afford. So instead of going incredibly into debt for a nice location or sinking into despair due to the basketball hoops or ugly walls of your unwanted location just think about what you can do to fix it!


There is always the option of doing an outside wedding but the you have to worry about the weather. Will it rain, snow, be too windy? For those of you who don't want to risk it here are a few ideas as to how to spruce up a place inside inexpensively and easily.

Walls

There are so many things that you can do to help cover your walls. It all depends on your budget. If you have enough cash you could always do an inside tent or drape fabric but that can still become too expensive and some places don't allow you to hang things from their walls. A great way around that is to only to some areas and to put up supports. For instance you could use a trellis as a support for certain areas and hang fabric from those areas. When thinking about fabric think about price. Don't spend $6 a yard when you can go to the sale areas and pay only $1 or $2 a yard for something very similar.

You can also use mirrors. Strategically placed full length mirrors tilted against walls can really add some class and can make a small room seem bigger or a poorly lit room seem brighter. Pictures of the couple or even of relatives on their wedding day can also help create a beautiful space that will also give guests something to do. Either hanging them up on walls or on the trellis give it a gallery sort of feel while having it displayed on a table can make it have a more casual feel. If you don't feel like showing pictures of yourself choosing ones that you enjoy or even other forms of art to display can help make the place feel a lot more personable and help guests get a peek into both of you as a couple.

If you are desiring more of a garden feel you can keep the trellis up or even just bring in fake or real trees and bushes. Borrowing or renting a fountain is a great idea for this sort of wedding. The running water and general splendor of a fountain give it a secret or upscale garden feel without much clean up. Outside benches and tall light posts also are great!

Ceiling

Basketball hoops or typical gym ceilings can make a classy wedding seem impersonal and distract from your other decorations. To avoid that you don't need to cover all of the ceiling, you just need to give something to draw the eye to. One great way is with renting or buying used chandeliers. They are very upscale and great for lighting! If you want the same idea but more casual you can also find at craft stores wicker balls of various sizes with lights already strung into them for relatively cheap.

If you want something a bit more casual you can also hang strips of fabric across the top with a rope tied from one end to another. The pieces of fabric don't even need to touch. If lighting is a worry you can also run strands of clear lights up as well.

If that is too much fabric to deal with a great way to make it even more affordable is to get a white parachute and hang it from the ceiling. You don't have to get a real one. Even making a large circle of any color and hanging it from the center of the room can really make a huge difference. Hanging icicle lights around it is also a great idea for making it even more special.

Just remember that what you do is a description of both of you as a couple. It doesn't matter if you want it casual or if you want it formal. You can make it into your dream with a budget you can afford if you put forth a little effort. A great website for decorating ideas for a cultural hall or odd venues is http://weddingsunique.wordpress.com/ They specialize in this sort of stuff and have beautiful pictures of some weddings they have done. Have fun and go crazy!

The Dress

Almost any women would agree that the most important part of the wedding is the dress. It can be trying though finding one that fits right, is the style that you want, and is in a price range that you can afford. Altering can be expensive so when you are choosing a dress think of what style fits your body type best. Almost any style will work with any body type but you have to know how to make that style fit yours.

Apple Shape

For the woman with an apple shaped body it can be difficult to find a dress that you feel beautiful in and can ignore your "imperfections" while wearing. When choosing a dress a few ideas to help you minimize these insecurities think of a few of these tips.

• V-necks can help you bring a narrow focal point and will make you look slimmer because it creates a vertical visual line
• Wearing an a-line dress or an empire waist will make you look smaller because it will flow away from the body without creating extra volume 
• Use textured bodices to camouflage imperfections or insecurities
• Find a dress with beading, belts, sashes, and styles that draw the focus around your waist to one particular thing

Pear Shape

Women who  have a pear shaped body tend to feel insecure due to carrying extra weight on the hips. When shopping for your dress play up the top to emphasize a small waist and feminine shoulders.

• Look for a dress that flows away from the hips instead of clinging to it.
• Use embellishments to show off your waist or bust
• A scoop or boat neck, sleeves, and off the shoulder styles can help broaden the shoulders and create balance
• A ball gown the emphasizes the waist, including a flat front style without a full skirt can make you look balanced and really play up how skinny you are!

Hour Glass

As a woman with an hour glass figure you have such a beautiful curvy figure you just need to accentuate your assets.

• A mermaid or trumpet style dress with the skirt flaring out around the knees shows off your curves with class.
• The corset will support a large bust and can help accentuate your curves even more
• Wearing a scoop neck or strapless will help keep your silhouette soft 
• If trying to keep it modest wear a short jacket. It will keep you covered and still show all of your curves

Rectangular Shapes

Women with a rectangular figure tend to look more athletic and lean. Most women would kill for your body and you  just need to know how to find a dress that shows  how feminine and beautiful you are.

• Wearing a modified sheath dress will create a soft outline and can smooth over all your curves to accentuate them
• An empire waist dress or any dress that has embellishment around the bust is great because it accentuates your bust and can make it look larger    

Plus Sized 

Love your shape! Embrace all of you and remember when looking for a dress that you are beautiful. Just remember the key in finding your dress is support.

• Look for simplicity. You will want dresses that minimize your waistline and create the illusion of smaller hips and thighs
• A halter top will support you and draw attention to the great bust that you have
• Keep beading to a minimum, and opt for flat beads instead of round ones
• A fuller skirt will mask your lower body
• Angled lines will minimize the fullness of your figure, so look for a dress with a dropped V-waist and a V-neckline. Princess and A-line dresses are the best silhouettes for you.

 Petite Frames

Adding the illusion of height is the hardest thing about finding your dress.  Just remember a few key points and you will be feeling tall and beautiful on your wedding day.

• Get a dress that doesn't have a defined waist. This will help you look taller because you wont be chopped visually in the middle
• Use detailing to your advantage. Beading and lace in a vertical direction will make you look taller and lean as well
• An empire waist or A-line will make you look taller and can smooth over any trouble spots on your body
• Avoid poofy dresses or dresses with too much embellishment. This can make you look even smaller if there is too much going on. 

When choosing a dress look for one that fits your own personal style and one that fits with the feel of you wedding. Also remember that you don't have to choose a white dress. If you are going for a more contemporary feel you can wear any color. Some of the most beautiful and fun weddings I have been to the bride is wearing a shorter colored dress. When looking for your dress just remember that you are beautiful. You can look however you want and that you need to feel confident in it. There are literally millions of dresses out there. That means that there are several that will make you feel like you are as beautiful as you really are. 

All of these dresses I found on theknot.com

DIY Weddings

When it comes to a wedding figuring out how to do things yourself can be the only way to make it affordable. From making your own food, to making your own dress or your decorations. Its all in the details and by doing it yourself you can make sure you get all of the details you want along with the price that you can afford.

You don't have to use real flowers for your wedding boutonnieres -- here are three cute alternatives to a freshly picked bloom -- all using buttons!

To create the yellow boutonniere:
• 1. Collect silver and yellow buttons of all sizes and shapes.
• 2. Arrange them one on top of the other to form mini arrangements resembling flowers. Use a green wire (fishing wire or those carried at craft stores works well) to thread through the buttons, holding them all together.
• 3. Gather all of the "stems" of your new little button flowers and wrap the green wire around it over and over to create volume.
• 4. Attach a safety pin to the back and you've got a little bouquet of buttons!

(See how nice this one looks against the light suit? It's a great summer pick but works well year round. Choose brighter buttons to contrast against the more subtle ones you're using.)

For the blue and white boutonnieres:
• 1. Gather fabric covered buttons with similar colors in a variety of patterns.
• 2. Cut out a little leaf shape out of a neutral color fabric (which should be the same for all of the boutonnieres).
• 3. Thread together the back of the buttons, attaching them to the leaf.
• 4. Take thin green ribbon and cover a short stick or bundle of toothpicks to create the stem.
• 5. Sew or tie the bundle of buttons to the top of the stick, creating the buds.
• 6. Attach a safety pin to the back and you're all set!

For the stem-less flower:

• 1. Cut eight pieces of ribbon, 5 inches long. Pick a cute pattern as this will be the “petals” and the main focus of the boutonniere.
• 2. Loop over the ribbon, gathering all of the ends in the middle. (A tip: it helps if you glue or sew the ends down to a small piece of cardboard so they stay together.)
• 3. Glue a similar colored button to the center of the ribbon so the ends are hidden.
• 4. Glue the safety pin to the back of the cardboard.
• 5. For reinforcement, go back and sew all of the parts together right through the middle.

Check out http://mydiyweddingday.com/ for some really great ideas besides just these ones!

Make your own invitations really cheap! If you want ones that are still high class and you just don't think you are the crafty type check out this fool proof way to make invitations inexpensive and easy!

Embossed Invitation

• 1. Get blank invitations of your choice from a craft store. Buy an embossing ink and color of your choice and choose a stamp or several that you like.
• 2. Print invitation location and names on invitations from your home computer. You can find wording and examples all over online and in any bridal magazine.
  
• 3. Stamp with embossing ink, cover with loose powder, and tap off excess powder onto paper so it can still be reused.
  
• 4. Blow dry with hair dryer and they are ready to go!

This is a great way because you still get expensive looking invitations for literally penny's on the dollar! Other easy ideas for making your own invitations include adding on ribbon or bows, buttons, or even just pictures as your background. You can even do them on old post cards or as movie tickets depending on your theme.





















One idea that I love and am seriously considering doing for my own wedding is a I-Spy picture game for on the table. Have disposable cameras on each table along with a wedding I-Spy list of pictures that you want to have taken. You can have anything on the list and you might even get your favorite photos from these.

Your list could include some of the following:

• A sweet kiss
• Big white dress
• Someone you love
• A white cake
• Twirling around
• Some fancy flowers
• A bubbly drink
• A great big hug
• A sparkly diamond
• Two people holding hands
• Some advice or thoughts from your own mouth (this can be made from wood or styrofoam and chalkboard paint to look like a comic strips voice)

There are so many things you can do and I look forward to sharing more and more ideas with all of you! Let me know if there are any questions you have or things you want me to look up. This is what I love to do!