Canadian brides, for the first time in internet history, can do all of their wedding planning online with certified wedding planners guiding their every step. No longer do modern brides have to search around outdated websites for out-of-date wedding information. The first wedding planning membership site in North America, TheBridalCoach.ca opens its door on November 10th, 2009, combining cutting edge technology with experience and expertise of certified wedding planners.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2009 — The old paradigm is still alive and well on the internet. Bride’s are going online to search for information to help them plan their wedding. What they find is outdated wedding planning checklists, vague promises of wedding solution ebooks, online wedding magazines full of beautiful wedding gown pictures, forums where they can get answers from other brides, and funny YouTube entrance dance wedding videos. But none of this gets them any closer to planning their wedding—mostly it gets them more confused and plants the seeds for bridezillas to emerge.

Angela Fiebelkorn states that the membership site offers a unique combination of cutting edge technology and years of wedding planning expertise.

TheBridalCoach.ca is opening its door as a response to this disfunctionality in the online wedding market. It is the first and only wedding planning membership site in North America. Their stated mission is to provide the modern bride and groom one place on the internet to find everything they need to plan their wedding the right way, in a timely manner, with the least effort and from the comfort of their home. This entrepreneurial group of wedding planners is launching its membership site on November 10, 2009, just at the beginning of the wedding planning season for most brides and grooms.

Read the rest of the press release about the wedding planning membership site.

On November 10, 2009, TheBridalCoach.ca will opening their door to a limited number of brides and grooms who are 9 months or more away from their wedding day.

You will be getting in on the ground floor of their new membership site, and enjoy all their professional wedding planning services at a discounted price.

In their membership site, they’ll share with you ALL the secrets that wedding planners know that makes planning your wedding quick and easy. Statistics show that couples spend about 250 hours planning a wedding.

Did you know that a wedding planner can plan your entire wedding within a week? Much of that time difference comes down to a simple fact—wedding planners have more information than you do. They know who to call, your options at each step, and they don’t have to search around for information, or try to figure out the best way to make things work within your budget. They have the experience and knowledge that you do not.

At The Bridal Coach, we share that knowledge with you. At The Bridal Coach, our team of certified wedding planners share our collective knowledge with you in a series of short videos that tell you what you need to know. Each step of your wedding planning has easy to follow checklists so you can just get things done.

Read more on TheBridalCoach.ca or Just sign up below, and be one of the SmartBrides who will be part of The Bridal Coach wedding planning mentoring program.

You will get notified via email just before we open to the public, so you will get first chance at our openings.

We have limited spots available at this time, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to get the expertise of our team of professional wedding planners to help you plan your wedding the easy way.

There is nothing like a real wedding to inspire ideas for your own wedding day.  We found this post through our RSS wedding buzz, source: http://www.thebridescafe.com, and hope it inspires you as much as it did us!  Follow the links to see more. It’s titled: Real Wedding: Sarah & Jesse

Welcome back to the beautiful “fall theme” wedding of Sarah & Jesse…they are just the cutest couple and I love the simplicity of their wedding story…so filled with love, family and friends…..and all the rich fall tones of their color palette combined with the sunflowers….a true fall wedding in Virginia.

Their wedding story was captured by the talented and ever so nice…Joe Portnoy of  Snap Photography.  Joe is an awesome photographer and a totally cool guy…he shared with me that Sarah and Jesse hired him a month before their wedding and were so cute and so friendly.  Joe said they really love each other and it shows!  Let’s check out all the magic Joe captured on Sarah & Jesse’s beautiful day…Enjoy!

Thanks SO much for stopping by the cafe Joe…Sarah & Jesse’s images are all so beautiful and we look forward to your next visit….guys, make sure you check out Joe’s blog site to see more of his gorgeous work and to Sarah & Jesse, we wish you a lifetime filled with happienss and joy….xoxoxo

View more real weddings on http://www.thebridescafe.com

If you are a superbride, it is most likely that you would want to do everything by yourself. However, because you are smart enough, you know that an entire wedding preparation is a feat impossible to be conquered by one person. For special occasions like weddings, there is no better else to help you than the people you love most—your family and friends.

The idea definitely sounds terrific. But before you rush to call your brother to join you in shopping for a wedding gown, you also have to know that involving family and friends in wedding preparation can be quite of a challenge. There are several things you have to know about this process so you do not end up offending someone or burning bridges with a certain person. Here are some tips regarding this matter that you would find very useful for your upcoming wedding.

1. Give everyone a role he or she will love. Make a checklist of all the tasks you need help with and list all the people whom you think will be suitable for the job. Make sure you consider the person’s personality, taste, style, skills, experience, and hobbies.

For example, for your gardener sister, you would want her to assist you in choosing flowers. Your brother who is fond of sports cars would probably love choosing the right wedding car with you. It would be best to appoint your fashionista best friend the task of shopping for (or designing) the bridesmaid’s dresses.

2. Involve both families in the wedding preparation. Always remember that this wedding is not just about you but it about you and your spouse-to-be. Therefore, you should never forget that the groom’s family should also be involved with the preparation.

If just in case you feel that some family members are being overly engrossed with planning (or in other words, nosy!), you can put him or her in charge of something that you do not care much about. For example, if you do not give much importance to the guestbook, you can ask this family member to take care of it. See, you can make solutions to such problems without offending anybody.

3. Delegate the tasks efficiently. Aside from considering the personality, skills, and taste of a certain family member or friend, you should also take into account the working attitude of that person. Never give difficult or very important tasks to people who lack responsibility. If your cousin is known for being a latecomer, do not risk ruining the event by letting her keep the CDs for the processional music.

4. Make the preparation fun. Keep in mind that these are your family and friends, they are not your slaves. See to it that you make the whole thing a fun experience for them so that they will not feel like it is a chore to help you. Schedule meetings in restaurants or coffee shops, keep it light and funny, and do not sweat the small stuff. In short, do not be a bridezilla!

5. Give them a thank you gift afterwards. This is very important. Your family and friends put much effort into making the event special and memorable. Do not forget to give them some token of appreciation at the end of the affair. By all means, say thanks to them in your thank you speech (if ever you are giving one) and make special mention to people who played major roles in the preparation and organization of your wedding.

Wedding is one of the most significant milestones in any person’s life. And because your family and friends are some of the most important people to you, you would want them to be a part of this once in a lifetime celebration. Make sure you get them involved but without giving them too much trouble.

Honor Deceased Parents With Special Song

You are getting married soon and you cannot help but feel mixed emotions about this upcoming major event in your life. On one hand, you are happy because finally you met that special person and you are going to celebrate the love and commitment that you two have for each other.

On the other hand, you are also sad because your parents are not around anymore to witness and be there for this once-in-a-lifetime affair. You would have wanted to share with them your extreme joy but you just console yourself thinking that they are surely happy for you.

Just because your parents are not around anymore, it does not mean that they cannot be a part of the occasion. Here are some aspects of the wedding that they can be a part of as well as special ways on how to keep their memories alive during your big day.

Speech

If you are going to make a speech during the reception, be sure to dedicate a part of it to your parents. Tell everyone how much you would have wanted for them to be here during this special occasion but then you know that they are looking down very much happy for you and your spouse.

Share with people an unforgettable anecdote that your parents have told you about marriage, an inside joke that they always cracked, or a special memory that you have with them. You can also talk about how much you have been inspired with the kind of relationship and marriage that your parents have shared.

Photos

Most wedding video presentations consist mainly of the couple’s photos but for yours, you can include some of your photos that you were with your parents. It can be childhood photographs, pictures of you, your spouse and your parents, or just a picture of your parents if you have never been with a picture with them.

Song/Music

Have the choir/band/wedding singer sing your parents’ theme songs. In addition, you can play their favorite kind of music as ambient music during the reception. If you are going to ask a band or wedding singer to sing their favorite song, have the singer/vocalist dedicate the song to your parents.

Food

For the reception, you have the option to include in the menu one or two of your parents’ favorite or signature dishes. This would make you feel as if your parents are with you during this very special event.

Colors

If your spouse-to-be would allow it, you can use your parents’ favorite colors as wedding motif. For example, if your dad was very fond of brown while your mom was a yellow person, you can combine yellow and brown as the main color theme for the wedding event.

Your wedding is such a special event and how you wish your parents could be with you. But you are still happy because you know that there are many ways you can do to keep their presence alive and to make them a part of the wondrous occasion.

BEACH BRIDE

By Angela White

Our society had put so much stress on being thin that it was difficult (sometimes frustrating) for plus-sized women to shop for a wedding gown. Too small samples, unfriendly sales staff, and lack of options were just few of the many problems of a plus-sized bride. It is as if they are saying that only thin brides can get married!

The good news is, times have gone into the opposite direction and many people have realized that plus-sized brides can be just as beautiful (often even more beautiful) than thin brides. More and more stores are offering plus-sized wedding gowns as well as expert fashion advice regarding this matter. Below is a practical shopping guide that can be of great help for a blushing plus-sized bride.

Your Shape and Body Type

First thing you need to do is to determine your shape and body figure. Then it would be easier for you to find a wedding gown that will be most flattering for your body type. A-line shaped dresses are best for curvier figures and for pear shaped body types. This type can skim over the hips, highlight the top half of the body without focusing too much on the lower half. Stay away from ball gown skirts as this can make you look fuller.

V-neckline is great for a busty bride because it adds a contrasting line to deviate the emphasis on the chest area. Princess cut dresses with a-line shape and no seam at the waist can give a long flowing look that is suitable for curvy figures. Tank style dresses are great with cap sleeves or three-quarter sleeves. Brides can also use netting or tulle to cover the chest area when wearing strapless gowns.

A Wedding Needs To Be Fun

Where to Shop

Many brick and mortar shops now offer plus-sized bridal gowns. Alternatively, you can go online and browse through different online bridal shops that offer equally beautiful and stunning wedding gowns for the plus-sized bride. Just make sure that if you are going to shop online, you find a reputable and secure store that has excellent track record.

Tailor Made

Getting your wedding gown tailor made may be the best option if you are a plus-sized bride. This is because you can customize the design to your own liking and you can ensure a perfect fit. Just find a reliable tailor or seamstress who specializes in plus-sized bridal dresses.

Fabric

Choose fabrics that do not add too much weight and bulk on the gown. Avoid those that cling to the body. Suitable fabrics for plus-sized brides include charmeuse, chiffon, and crepe because they can be effective in disguising chubbiness.

The most important tip of all, wear the gown with confidence. Even if you are wearing the most beautiful gown, if you cannot move, act with ease, or you keep on tugging on your dress, it would still not look beautiful. Be comfortable and act like you are the most beautiful woman in the world. After all, it is your wedding, you are the center of attention, and it is your time to shine.

BBQ SERVED

Barbecue wedding reception—just the sound of it can make your mouth water. If you think about the delectable barbecue choices that you have, you would instantly get hungry. This kind of reception which is suitable for outdoor and beach weddings can surely be a hit. And with so many flavorful options that you have, you would not have a difficult time choosing what kinds of barbecues to serve to your guests.

Here are some excellent suggestions on tasty barbecues to serve on your wedding reception:

Amazing Skirt Steaks

Skirt steaks are the perfect option for a wedding barbecue. Other cuts of tender steak such as New York, Porterhouse, Rib Eye or Filet Mignon can be very expensive and thick (and are therefore more difficult to cook), skirt steaks on the other hand are inexpensive and they come in just the right thickness that can be cooked for a very short time. You can marinate this in a sweet spicy barbecue sauce overnight or for several days so that the taste will be absorbed by the meat.

Tangy Korean Style Beef Barbecue

This type of barbecue consists of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet Korean marinade and grilled perfectly. You can also choose whatever cut of beef you like but the recommended cut is sirloin or anything similar. Aside from beef, you can also go for chicken or pork if you are not much of a beef fan. This barbecue is ideal to serve with rice.

Zesty Chicken Breast Tenderloins in Teriyaki Sauce

For chicken lovers, teriyaki chicken breast tenderloins can be a nice addition to the wedding barbecue menu. Just like with the steak, you have to marinate them in teriyaki sauce the night before. Alternatively, you can use chicken strips and use other kinds of marinade like garlic and herb with lemon, garlic ranch with rosemary, or orange marmalade.

INDIAN CHICKEN TIKKA KEBABS

Heavy-on-the-Appetite Sausages

Since there are so many sausages to choose from, it will not be too difficult to make a choice. Cervelat sausages, Italian sausages, Hungarian sausages, and Andouille sausages are just few of the many options you have for this kind of barbecue. Butcher-made sausages can be a wonderful selection because these are smaller in size and are easier to cook.

Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

A popular Mediterranean dish, Kebabs are meat marinated with a blend of herbs and spices grilled on skewers with vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions. Chicken is one of the most popular options for kebab but you can also make use of beef or seafood.

Other Barbecue Options

Pork tenderloin, beef spare ribs, lamb chops, pork and cider sausages, beef burgers, chicken thighs, and vegetable skewers are other barbecue options you can serve for your wedding reception. As for side dish suggestions, you can serve coleslaw, tossed green salad, baked baby potatoes, corn on the cob, grilled mixed vegetables, tomato salsa, grilled endive, rice, pasta with herb oil, tomato and red onion salad, and freshly baked bread.

Barbecue is great for all types of occasions. Weddings can also be a nice event where you can serve scrumptious barbecues. Just make sure that you choose those that would be suitable for the theme of the event and that would be a hit to your guests.

"Filed Under Love" Emery Board Nail Files

Have you noticed that so many people are getting into the DIY bandwagon? It is not any different with weddings. We can find so many resources online regarding DIY wedding decoration, DIY wedding cake, and DIY invitations.

Another popular DIY project that many brides want to try is the wedding favors. A wedding favor, which is a way of saying thank you to guests for attending your wedding, is also a keepsake that guests would remember your wedding by. For this reason, you would want to give away unique and special wedding favors that they would surely keep for a very long time.

Here are some wonderful and somewhat humorous DIY wedding favors that will also make your guests holler in laughter.

Funny Fortune Cookies

Take out your baking apron and whip up some exciting and flavorful cookies for your guests to enjoy. To make it more fun, include a piece of paper that contains wacky predictions (Today, is your lucky day, you will get to meet your Prince Charming. He looks like Barney, but who cares?!) or funny quotes (Love is like a cake. It is sweet but if you have too much of it, you get sick!). You can even personalize the fortune cookie so that the guests (especially your closest friends) would have a grand time laughing at inside jokes.

Hangover Survival Kit

Put together antacid, bottled water, and a headache medication in a small handmade box. Add a couple of candies and sweet treats. Voila, you have an “after the party” kit that would surely make your friends (especially those who love going out for drinks) laugh out loud. Do not forget to wrap the package with a ribbon that says, “Drink moderately! A friendly reminder from (couple’s name)”

Mini T-Shirts with Amusing Prints

This one you can make on actual-sized shirts but to save money, you can print amusing texts and funny graphics on mini shirts that can be bought in many retail stores. Use an iron-on transfer paper to print in your own printer some comical texts and illustrations you have collected. You can even have the mini shirts customized for each guest. For example, for your maid of honor, you can give something that says, “Bridezilla in the Making” or for the groom’s mother, you can give a “Cried Two Thousand and One Tear Drops in a Day” shirt.

More DIY wedding craft projects

1. A bag of candies and lollipops with a tag that says, “For that little kid in you (yes, we know about it!)”
2. Pastries and cakes. Write on the gift tag something like, “For your sweet tooth(decay)!”
3. A pouch of different kinds of nuts and a little card that says, “You’re nuts!” or “From one nut to another!”
4. A compact mirror inside a beautiful handmade box. On top of the box, write something that says, “Warning: You may not like what you are about to see inside!”
5. A personalized matchbox wrapped in colorful paper. Add a gift card that says, “For the perfect match.” Give these for couples who are going to attend your wedding.

Making wedding favors can be tedious for some people. After all, creating something a hundred times over can surely be tiresome and monotonous. However, if you create hilarious DIY wedding favors, not only would your guests break out laughing, you would also surely have a grand time making these favors.

Comical Bridal Hats

When you got married, you and your spouse received two dozens of china sets, ten pieces of bath towels (all with your names printed on them), and countless kitchen utensils that you were hardly able to use. You did not know what to do with all those same gifts. You wish you took your friend’s advice and signed up for a bridal registry.

Oh well, it is too late to regret about this at this point. The best thing you can do is to learn from that mistake. But since you do not have plans of getting married again (you are happily living with your spouse), you just plan to apply what you have learned from that event in the future weddings that you are going to attend. You vow never again to give a typical gift that the couple would just toss into oblivion because they have gotten the same kind for the nth time.

Buying humorous gifts is one way to ensure that you give the couple something unique and distinct. The couple will also surely appreciate your attempt to make them laugh. Here are some ideas on funny wedding gifts for you to consider:

Jewelry Gifts with Funny Engraving

Bequeath the newlyweds with fine silver, gold, platinum, or titanium jewelry. It can be a matching bracelet or necklace. Make the gift unique by having the jeweler engrave funny quotes about marriage such as “Marriage is like a bed of roses but with no petals, only thorns!” or comical greetings like, “Congratulations! (You don’t know what you’re getting into!)” Alternatively, you can purchase a pair of photograph locket necklace but instead of putting the couple’s pictures in it, it would be funnier to have their caricatures.

China Sets and Place Settings in Weird Shapes

Who said china sets have to be so common? The couple will surely love the whimsical set of china and place settings in unusual shapes and styles. They will have a fun time eating and dining with the use of these things. Plates that come in colorful designs and heart shapes are some of the many options you have with this kind of gift idea.

Matching Shirts with Comical Designs and Texts

If you are close to the couple and you know they would take it lightheartedly, you can give them a funny shirt with designs like a ball and chain couple or a shotgun wedding. But if you are not that close to them, stick to other kinds of funny items so that you do not risk offending them. Some funny texts on bride shirts can read, “Bridezilla No More,” while the groom’s shirt can have something like, “Wedding Survivor (Survived the Stress and Expenses!).”

Honeymoon Gift with a Laugh Twist

Honeymoons are always about romance but nobody said it could not be about fun and laughter too! Present the couple with a pair of tickets to a hilarious movie, preferably a romance comedy or passes to a stand-up comedy bar.

Whimsical Cake Toppers

Giving this gift before the wedding day is a good idea so that the couple can use it for their wedding cake. Cake toppers of a ball and chain groom or a bride that went out for shopping are just few of the many choices you have that can surely make the couple laugh out loud.

When shopping for this kind of gift, just make sure that you know the personality and taste of the couple so you can find something that would be suitable for them and something that they would not find offensive. Have fun in your wedding gift shopping activity!

RSS wedding buzz, source: mydiyweddingday.com

Who can really resist an adorable motif that you carry through your entire wedding? We definitely can’t! That’s why we couldn’t stop talking about these DIY stamped menu cards that we spotted on lindaandharriett.blogspot.com. What a cute idea and totally doable since stamps come in all different designs and styles.

Green Weddings – RSS News: greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com

Today we have a gorgeous wedding photographed by the talent duo of Stephanie + Isaac Williams of Stephanie Williams Photography. I’m totally in love with Janet + Matt’s theme of gray and yellow with red hearts – and Janet’s shoes! They are so perfect for a wedding – and with the theme of their whole day – a red heart. What a perfect, simple, lovely idea. Their ceremony was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto and the reception was at the brand new Rosewood Sand Hill resort.

Janet’s dress is by La Sposa Pronovias and her shoes are by Vivienne Westwood. The gorgeous flowers are by Nicole Ha Designs. Janet’s make-up and hair was done by the talented Make-up Artist Giao Nguyen, who also has an etsy shop as well. Videography was done by the amazing Andrew Oh.

The beautiful cake is by Satura Cakes.

Love is all you need. Thanks so much to Stephanie and Isaac for sharing this beautiful wedding with us! Everything Stephanie photographs is truly breathtaking. Check out their blog for even more from this wedding!

Photographed for Next Exit Photography.

RSS news source: 100layercake.com

Another adorable wedding today! Major DIY explosion courtesy of Lianne, the lovely bride, and sent to us by the excellent photographer team Janet & Lisa of JL Photografia.

There’s not a ton of explaining to do here. Just know that Lianne had her hand in every single detail of her wedding. She worked really closely with Marky from Vingette to create the vision she had for a vintage ranch wedding.

She even made all the wooden signs, baked all the cookies and cupcakes, made the jams, collected the wood and vintage fabrics herself… pretty much just went to town in the DIY department.

And here’s a super sweet part of the story: Lianne’s dress is vintage and Jeong is the one who actually won it for her on ebay. Awwww. See, it’s okay if groomy sees the dress before the big day! Whatever works for you is perfect.

These invites = delicious. Sooooo cute. Lianne worked with her friend Erin of Indigo Bunting to design and print them. Awesome work girls!

(cute fabric by Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie. Thanks for stopping by Sandi!)

Photography: JL Photografia (tons more photos here!)

Venue: Radonich Ranch, Los Gatos CA

Planning & event design: Vignette and Lianne

Invites & paper: Lianne and Erin of Indigo Bunting

Flowers: Jeong’s mom

Wedding dress: Vintage

Reception dress: Jcrew

Suit: Jcrew

Red Wedding Theme

Red is the color of love. It also represents passion and devotion. Because of the meanings it stands for, red is a terrific color to use for weddings. If you are thinking of having red as a color theme for your wedding, you have made the right choice. This color can turn your wedding into a fantastic, sizzling, and sexy special day that your guests would surely remember for a lifetime. To help you with the decorating aspect of the wedding planning, here are some fabulous red wedding decoration ideas.

Red roses and flowers

Roses are red, violets are blue, what’s a red wedding without red roses for you! Red roses are surely a staple for most red themed weddings and for a good reason. These are the ultimate symbols of love and passion and can surely complete the wedding occasion.

Arrange red roses in bouquets, tie with a satin red ribbon, and use them to decorate the place. You can also use these blooms in combination with other kinds of flowers such as calla lilies, alstroemeria, hypericum berries, Gerbera daisies, tulips, or carnation for a more beautiful and elaborate floral arrangements that can be used to adorn pews, buffet tables, or pillars in the wedding venue.

Heart-shaped balloons

Heart-shaped balloons in colors red and white can be used to decorate the entire wedding venue. They can fill up the ceiling, adorn the couple’s gazebo, or clustered as a pillar arrangement. Heart shaped balloons can also be used as a less expensive alternative to flower decorations for the buffet table and the couple’s table.

Red organza for the chairs

Cover chairs with white or gold cloth and then tie them with red organza for a spectacular visual effect. Alternatively, you can cover the chair with a red cloth, tie it with a wide white organza ribbon, make it into a bow and then insert red roses within the bow for the final touch.

Red napkins on white linens

A striking combination for the table decoration would be to cover up the table with a crisp white tablecloth and top them with nice red napkins. Scatter rose petals all over the white tablecloth for an eye-catching contrast.

Red table centerpiece

Aside from the table napkins and linens, you also have to think about the table centerpiece, which will serve as the focal point of the table decoration. Red crystal or glass vases are excellent to use for your red bouquet centerpiece. You also have the option to make use of a set of red pillar or votive candles placed on a mirror base, adorned with white and red rose petals or crystals. White floating candles on a wide clear vase with red-colored water is another great choice for a marvelous red centerpiece.

Wedding favors

Red boxes of chocolate candies, fudge cake wrapped in red cellophane and tied with red satin ribbons, and the whimsical gumball machine in traditional red are just some of the many options on wedding favors that can double as decoration for the reception.

Red weddings can surely captivate people’s hearts. It is a bold, alluring, and passionate color that resonates the couple’s fiery love for each other. Have fun on your red wedding!

Garden Wedding

Tying the knot with your beloved in a garden setting is what you have always dreamed of and now that the time has come, you cannot contain your joy because your spouse-to-be shares the same sentiment.

Having a garden wedding has various perks. For one, there are so many venue options such as city, state, or town parks, summer camps, horticultural facilities, arboretums, your own yard, or the yard of family, relatives or friends.

Aside from that, the beauty of nature and the natural wonderful breeze make a very fresh and cool ambiance for the wedding. Of course, there are also some disadvantages like having to rent additional equipment (tent, chairs, tables, etc) and some difficulties such as bugs, bees, rain, windy conditions, logistics, electricity, and so on.

Even though there are some disadvantages, you do not mind. After all, you and your partner both agree that the pros certainly outweigh the cons. To help you plan a perfect garden wedding, here is a practical guide on different aspects of this kind of wedding that you need to take care of:

Venue

When picking a venue, it would be a good idea to hold your wedding in a place where a wedding has been held before. This would make it easier for you in terms of logistics planning. See if there are electrical sockets or extensions available, and places where you can set up the decoration.

If you are going to hold the wedding in your yard or that of someone you know, make sure the space is large enough to accommodate all your guests. It is also a good idea to rent a tent for the venue even though you do not think it is going to rain since you can never really predict the weather and that even if it does not rain, the tent can be a good cover from the heat of the sun.

Couple In Garden

For your garden wedding, the basic equipment you will need include tent, tables, chairs, altar, sound system, and bathroom facilities. Arbors, arches, gazebos, and plant hangers are also necessary for decoration purposes. Most of these things can be rented, even the portable toilet. The portable toilet can be optional if the reception would be held somewhere else or if there is a bathroom available nearby.

Flowers

Holding your garden wedding means you do not have to worry about flowers anymore, right? Not necessarily. Even though the garden will naturally be filled with beautiful and fragrant flowers, you still have to think about the flowers that you will use for the table centerpiece or the altar decoration. It is very important to ask a florist what kinds of flowers will stay fresh the whole day even when exposed to sunlight.

Invitations

Be sure to inform guests that your wedding is going to be held outdoors so that your guests would know what to expect. Having a garden wedding means you can have a less formal invitation so be a little playful with the invitation and do not make it look too uptight. An invitation printed on a handmade paper with pressed flowers and raffia ribbon is ideal.

Wedding favors

As for the wedding favors, give guests something that would commemorate your outdoor wedding. For example, votive candles, bags of dried flowers, hand painted terracotta pots and packets of flower seeds are just few of the many great ideas for wedding favors.

Wedding Cake

Choose a wedding cake that will not easily melt under warm conditions. A cake with fondant icing may be your better option than a cake with butter cream icing. Another choice for you to consider is the wedding cupcake tower, which is just as nice and stunning but not as expensive.

Food and Drinks

For a garden wedding, buffet-style is more appropriate than a formal sit-down dinner. Grilled dishes are especially a hit for outdoor weddings. Not only are they sumptuous and tasty, they are also easy to cook and affordable. Drinks such as lemonade, sweet tea or punch can be placed in clear glass jugs.

Decoration

Decorate the trees with lights, tulle, ribbon, and some flowers. Do the same thing for the trellis, arbor, arch or the gazebo. Add some balloons with the same color as the wedding motif for a fun whimsical effect. Line up the aisle with candles placed inside paper bags. You will be surprised at how nice the effect of this would be especially for an outdoor wedding held at night.

Garden weddings are truly exquisite and beautiful. Make sure you follow all these tips but at the same time enjoy planning the event. Have fun!

Question from Ryan:

Hi.  My mother died last year, and I want to include her in the wedding somehow. Is there a proper way to do this?

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Ryan, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Many individuals want to put their deceased parent on the wedding invitation, but the wedding invitation is specifically for who hosts the wedding.

There are a number of ways to include your mother in the wedding, and the ceremony is the best place to do this.  You can mention her in the program by writing a short tribute.  You can light a memorial candle during the ceremony, and have the officiant read her tribute while it is being lit.

Another option would be to place a flower on the chair next to your father at the ceremony.  You can also acknowledge her at the reception and toast her, or you can come up with your own unique ideas based on her personality.

The point to remember is that this is a wedding, and you don’t want to take away from the joyfulness of the event, but you do want to acknowledge her because she was a big part of your life.  The right balance needs to be struck.  Your officiant might have further ideas in how to give tribute to your mother.

Congratulations on your wedding!

Angela Fiebelkorn, certified wedding planner