Tucson Wedding Expo

07/18/2013

DID YOU KNOW?

The tradition of a white wedding is commonly credited to Queen Victoria's choice to wear a white wedding dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840

Royal brides before Victoria did not typically wear white, instead choosing "heavy brocaded gowns embroidered with white and silver thread," with red being a particularly popular colour in Western Europe more generally. European and American brides had been wearing a plethora of colours, including blue, yellow, and practical colours like black, brown, or gray. As accounts of Victoria's wedding spread across the Atlantic and throughout Europe elites followed her lead. Because of the limitations of laundering techniques, white dresses provided an opportunity for conspicuous consumption. They were favored primarily as a way to show the world that the bride's family was so wealthy and so firmly part of the leisure class that the bride would choose an elaborate dress that could be ruined by any sort of work or spill

-- Wikipedia.org

07/18/2013

CONSIDER TO SPEND HONEYMOON AT HOME?
9 MOST POPULAR US DESTINATION

1. Cape Cod
2. Charleston
3. Sedona
4. Puerto Rico
5. Adirondacks
6. Sanibel Island
7. Yellowstone
8. Outer Banks
9. Key West

-- www.travel.usnews.com

07/17/2013

FLOWER GIRL ROLE AT YOUR WEDDING

* Jack-o’-Lantern
For a fall or Halloween-inspired wedding, have your flower girl carry a small pumpkin or carved jack-o’-lantern down the aisle. Use an LED candle for safety.

* Farm-Inspired Basket
If you’re planning a homespun woodland- or farmland-inspired wedding, feature homegrown foods by using bushels of fresh fruit throughout your décor. For the flower girl, fill a small basket with a few peaches, corn husks, or apples in lieu of flowers, with the emphasis placed on items that are light enough for her to carry comfortably down the aisle.

* Lantern
Have your flower girl carry a lightweight lantern, with a battery-operated light instead of a candle. Add colorful fillers like hot-pink sand, a few gemstones, or seashells. Let her lead the way down the aisle with light rather than petals.

* Wand
A flower-girl wand will make her feel like a princess. Create a wand by wrapping ribbon in any shade you like around a wooden dowel, hot gluing it as you wrap. Once you reach the end, glue a few ribbons to the top, making sure the strips are long enough for your flower girl to twirl.

* A Love Note
Before the ceremony, write a short love note for your groom; fold it in half and have the flower girl carry it down the aisle to the groom.

* Sentimental Symbols
Have your flower girl help you share your love story. For instance, if you met your husband in high school, she can carry your school yearbook down the aisle.

* The Vows
Instead of tucking your vows in a pocket, place them in a box and have your flower girl carry it down the aisle. The box can become a keepsake to house your vows after the wedding.

* Announce the Bride’s Arrival
Have your flower girl walk down the aisle, holding a banner or sign that says, “Here Comes the Bride.” This idea is charming, sentimental, and functional, all rolled into one.

-- Emma Arendoski

07/17/2013

Quote of the day:

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

07/17/2013

Fun ideas for bachelorette party from Bridal Guide

One of the main responsibilities of the MOH is to plan the last fling before the ring. Although my friend's wedding isn't until next November (stop reading this, Chrissy!), I've noticed that our girlfriends are already eagerly anticipating the bash. After hours of searching through real brides' part...

07/16/2013

Whether you’re getting married, being a bridesmaid or simply the guest of honour at a wedding this year, we’ve got the perfect wedding hairstyles for you: from classic up-dos to Boho down-dos.

07/16/2013

By: Kelly Hamilton, Saphire Event Group

07/16/2013

STYLISH IDEAS FOR THE GROOM

1. Mismatched Prints
Mixing patters isn’t hard at all, you just want to be sure that your groom’s finished look does not look like he got dressed in the dark.

2. Suspenders
Suspenders are making a major come back with the groom and his men. A few tips to remember for your groom is to be sure that they match his suit color, and if he decides to go with a patterned pair be sure that the rest of the outfit is monochromatic.

3. Pop of Color
If your groom loves a little pop of color then tell him not to hold back. Our only advice is to be sure to match his POC with the color palette of the wedding

4. Velvet Suits
Lush velvet has taken over our skinny jeans and now men’s suits. Turning a traditional suit into something fancy that you can’t keep your hands off.

5. Skinny Ties
Black skinny ties look fabulous in slimmer fitting suits, and we definitely can see a ton of grooms keeping this trend going. Looking stylish, timeless and elegant all in the same moment. Returning to the the ’50s and ’60s when many rocked the black skinny tie.

-- http://www.weddingchicks.com/2013/01/02/stylish-ideas-for-the-groom/

07/16/2013

WEDDING FLOWER TRENDS 2013 by LOFT

Get a refined rustic look with your wedding flowers with natural colors and new materials.

07/15/2013

THE BEST QUINCEANERA THEMES

1. Princess– One of the most popular quinceanera themes, details could include an over the top pink dress, a princess cake, princess invitations

2. Mardi Gras/Masquerade– this theme can be carried out with masks, bead necklaces for guests to win, and vibrant dresses and suits for the court.

3. Butterfly– a live butterfly display on the head table would really top this theme off! Other areas to include butterflies can include everything from the dress to the accessories, to the decorations and the seating placecards.

4. Under the Sea– Think fishbowls on the head table with colorful fish, sea-life inspired centerpieces, fish netting, and a mermaid dress for the quinceanera.

5. Old Hollywood–A picture board with black and white photos of the young lady of honor, red lips for the quince and court, “Rat Pack” style chambelones, retro hair and a cake with a Hollywood sign topper!

6. Bollywood– Bright colors, maybe saris for the damas to wear, belly dancers would be a touch no one would forget soon!

7. Shine Bright Like a Diamond–Shine like a celebrity for the day with this sparkly quince theme! Carry it out with a dress adorned with crystals, cubic zirconia accessories, diamond themed cake.

8. Candyland–A fun a colorful theme, set up a “candy bar” with a variety of candy options, make over-sized lollipop centerpieces or a candy bouquet that can double as party favors.

9. Stars–Accessorize with pretty star jewelry, make glitter star centerpieces and use star balloons.

10. Animal Print –This theme is usually pulled off with a combination of zebra and pink, or say, cheetah and red. The colors and print can be incorporated throughout the entire event.

11. Carnival–This is one of my favorite for this quinceanera themes list. For this fun theme, think merry-go-round horse centerpieces topped with balloons, a candy and caramel apple cake, and invitations in the form of “tickets” to the Quince carnival.

12. Ombre– Dresses, the cake, centerpieces and even balloons can be used to achieve this theme. You can select a single color (for example pink), two colors (say pink and silver)or even a color group (such as pastels–think yellow, pink and purple).

13. Fairy Garden– Think pastel colors, ivy, floral centerpieces, romantic drapery, and bird accents all around.

14. Paris – Go elegant with the court attire and quince dress, and go with French food for the menu. Main colors can be black, white, silver and pink.

15. Winter Wonderland–Use the colors white, silver and blue to evoke winter. Use lighted snowflakes, fake snow and Manzanita branch centerpieces to get the winter mood. Add a hot cocoa bar or a white chocolate fountain for extra fun.

--My Perfect Quince

07/15/2013

WEDDING IN THE DESERT. THINK CREATIVELY

http://poptasticbride.com/2013/06/stetson-winery-wedding/ #.UeRT2o1QFMA

07/15/2013

30 WAY TO CUT BUDGET ON YOUR WEDDING

1. Cut the guest list

2. Think off-peak season

3. Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot

4. Skip the Saturday wedding

5. Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths

6. Shop the off-season for extra decor -- get modern black vases on sale after Halloween and pretty pink ones after Valentine's Day

FLOWERS

7. Use more greenery than flowers.

8. Swap out costly flowers -- did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?

9. Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.

10. Buy flowers that are in season.

11. Include non-florals, like lanterns.

FOOD & DRINK

12. Serve entree duets.

13. Skip the main course -- apps and drinks are fine too.

14. Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.

15. Serve comfort foods like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, and corn. It's fun and often cheaper.

16. Skip the champagne toast.

CAKES

17. Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).

18. Keep the add-ons simple.

19. Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.

20. Reuse ceremony flowers for the cake table.

21. Skip exotic fillings like guava and mango.

STATIONERY & FAVORS

22. Get single-page invites to save on postage.

23. Give out one favor per couple.

24. Make your cake the favors.

25. Have favors double as es**rt cards.

26. Email your save-the-dates.

27. Make your own menu cards, es**rt cards, and wedding favor packaging.

PHOTO, VIDEO & MUSIC

28. Have a photographer you love but can't afford the prices? Ask them if they have an associate shooter who will do your wedding for less.

29. Opt for a smaller band.

30. Hire a band or DJ who can do both the ceremony and the reception.

-- Meredith Bodgas