Wedding Planet Blog

This simple, yet elegant table centerpiece is a great way to make a fancy “to do” at each table, without breaking the bank.

This is so easy, even a child can do it! I had my 8 year old son help me. For my own wedding, we picked up stemware at our local thrift stores. The idea wasn’t to have every table look exactly the same, but rather for each table to be a variation on a theme. If you’re looking for a more unified appearance, please make sure your count is accurate and buy everything you need at once, to ensure colors and shapes match.

For each centerpiece, you will need:

1 wine goblet, or other stemware
2 pieces of tulle 9-12″ in width (either square or circle)
2 contrasting curling ribbons approximately 10-14″ long
1-3 tea light candles (the 7-hour floating type)or other floating candles, depending on the width of the glass
water

1. Stack the tulle pieces. If you are using square pieces, turn one of the pieces so that you have an 8-point star shape. It will add more visual appeal to the finished project. You might consider using 2 diferent colored pieces of tulle to add a more dramatic appearance.

2. Center the glass on the tulle. We’re about to tie the tulle around the base of the glass, but before we do, we need to get our ribbons ready.

3. Take the 2 lengths of ribbon and pull them together. Make sure they are not twisted. You want one color on the “inside” and the other on the “outside” so that when we tie them around the stem of the glass, we have a beautiful contrasting mix of color.

4. Pull up the tulle and secure it in place with the ribbon. Tie a knot to secure the ribbon to the stem. Now make a bow and pull the ribbons apart so that your bow has more volume. Curl the ends of your curling ribbon and arrange the curls around the base of the glass.

5. Fill your goblet with water. You might consider coloring your water with a bit of food coloring to match your wedding colors.

6. Float the candle(s) on top of the water. Light the candles as the reception begins. Look for long-burning floating candles. You don’t want your candles burning out just as dinner ends. A single candle floating on water will gravitate to the edge of the glass. Try to find glasses big enough to float 2-4 candles safely. Too much heat may damage fragile stemware, so use caution.

For a more elegant look, arrange goblets of different heights on the same table or change the level of the water in each glass to create the illusion of height. You can also decorate your tulle with beads, or find tulle that is already adorned with sequins or beads. Use your imagination and create something perfect for your special occasion. Place the goblet on a mirrored coaster to create a beautiful reflection of light.

Good luck, and best wishes on your special day.

Lisa Robbin is the Director of Product Development for the giving candle, the maker of Heavenly Gems resin-based clear candles. Lisa writes articles on all things candle related in an effort to educate consumers about making the most out of their candle purchases.

You can email her directly at lisa@thegivingcandle.com

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You opened your mail box and out fell a beautiful, cream colored envelope. Long before you open it, you know that one of your friends is getting married. You are so happy for her! You immediately contact the number indicated on the RSVP and confirm that you are definitely attending her wedding. Being women, the next question is, “What shall I wear to her wedding?”

Now ladies, everyone wants to look their best at a major event, such as this. If you’re single and open to the dating public, you know that you are on display. Weddings are a perfect opportunity to find romance (just don’t start assuming the first guy you meet at the wedding is walking down the aisle with you).

It is a courtesy to let the bride have all the glory on her wedding day, so please don’t steal her thunder. Dress to look good without piling on the rocks or being too provocative. The hunting ground may be in the open but you don’t want to scare off the pray… I mean the other guests.

You may want to check the invitation before going out and buying a dress for the wedding so that you don’t go overdressed or look out of place. For example, if the time indicated is for 7pm at the Ballroom of the Ritz, then you definitely need to wear a gown. The very name of the place speaks of elegance and black ties. It will definitely be a night to feel like a star.

If you’re not sure of what color to wear, check the invitation. Usually, the card is in the colors of the theme or may have ribbons to indicate it. If you can’t tell from the card, ask when you call the bride. It will make it easier for you to blend in. Generally though, as long as you don’t wear black or overexpose too much skin, you’ll do fine.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. Visit Lesley-Ann’s wedding blog for more free wedding planning help and advice.

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A destination wedding is one where you get married at a location different than where you or your families live. They are particularly popular for second marriages or with those couples that are a little older and don’t want a lavish affair. The most common destinations are beach locations, like Cancun, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. If you are considering getting married at an exotic location, here are some things to contemplate.

1. Consider what time of year to have your wedding. Hurricane season lasts from June through November, with the most active period from mid-August through October. The chances of a hurricane actually hitting during wedding aren’t that great, but if a major hurricane hits the location within a few months of your wedding, there could be significant damage, which could affect your ability to have your ceremony (not to mention the hardship for the people that actually live there). If the possibility that your wedding could be disrupted makes you nervous, consider an area less prone to hurricanes, like the Pacific side of Mexico or Hawaii. You should also carefully check the typical weather conditions (including the temperature and average rainfall) at the locations you are evaluating. In general, the northern Caribbean (e.g., Bahamas) can be a little cool in the winter, while other areas such as Cancun might be too hot in the middle of summer.

2. Evaluate your guest list. If you want to make sure some of your older relatives (grandparents, great Aunt, etc.) can be there, make sure they are able to travel conveniently to the location where you wish to have your wedding. If you live on the East Coast, you can get to the Caribbean fairly easily, but Cabo San Lucas or Maui would encompass a whole day’s travel. Keep in mind that many of your friends and quite a few relatives will not be able to make it, even though they would no doubt love to go. Finding the time to get off of work and paying for the trip will be a major expense for your guests. The more advanced notice you can give people, the more likely it is they will be able to come.

3. Have an itinerary or suggested list of activities for the days before and after your wedding. At a traditional local ceremony, the bridal party expects a rehearsal dinner the night before, and the wedding ceremony and reception, and that’s it. For a destination wedding, your guests will likely be there for several days, and you will want them to enjoy themselves while you attend to any last minute wedding details. Although they are there primarily to support you and witness your marriage, most will also want to squeeze in some vacation time after traveling a long distance. Coordinate with the local wedding planner for golf outings, snorkeling, trips to local sites, etc. Your guests will appreciate your efforts to make their time enjoyable.

4. Carefully check the legal rules. If you are getting married in another country, or even another state, make sure you double-check the laws regarding making your marriage legal. Most wedding planners or event locations will be familiar with the laws in their area, but it pays to double-check, just to make sure. You don’t want to return from your honeymoon, only to find out you aren’t legally married.

5. If you decide you’d rather have your ceremony locally after all, you can still have a “beach” themed wedding any time of the year. Incorporate the theme into your reception hall decorations by using sand, sea shells, island-style decor and bright colors like blue and green. Dress up the reception tables with some beach themed wedding favors such as floating flip flop candles or sea shell bottle openers and your guests will be transported directly to the sun and sand. Use exotic flowers like Birds of Paradise, and give your reception menu a tropical flair by offering selections like grilled chicken with pineapple salsa. You can always jet away to the warm sun and blue ocean on your honeymoon!

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