Suggestion #1: Avoid Fragrant Flowers. Even though some flowers have such a strong, sweet scent, we recommend avoiding using them, or at the very least, using them sparingly. You may love the scent, but your guests may not. Some flowers have such an overbearing scent that it can give guests a headache, and some even have the potential to change the taste of your meal and cake if they are placed nearby.

Suggestion #2: Avoid Flowers That Die Quickly. This seems fairly obvious, doesn’t it? If you are having an outdoor, summer wedding, avoid these types of flowers especially, since the hot sun blazing down on them will result in them dehydrating quickly.

Suggestion #3: Avoid Flowers That Will Stain. Pollen is a particular culprit – and a pollen stain is very difficult to remove from a white wedding gown. Also, if you are using flowers that are artificially coloured, sometimes dyes may rub off onto your dress. If you must use dyed flowers just remember to avoid having them rest against your dress when walking up the aisle, standing at the alter, or posing for photographs.

Roses are – plain and simple – the quintessential wedding flower, but why is that?

Since roses are synonymous with romance it seems only normal that they would be the most popular wedding flower. They are more elegant than daisies, less pretentious than tulips, and more affordable than orchids.

• They are symbolic. The rose, myrtle, and apple were all sacred to Venus, the goddess of love. Even though roses were sacred to the goddess of love, they were turned into poetry by the Victorians. The Victorians were inspired by the French book Le Language des Fleurs by Charlotte de la Tour, and adopted the flowers code to convey their sentiments. Soon every young Victorian woman took pleasure in in knowing that receiving a rose – a symbol for true love – was of the highest meaning.
• Despite their worldwide cultivation, roses are still considered a luxury. No matter how often you receive roses, or use them in an arrangement, they always have the utmost importance due to their symbolic nature.
• There are over eleven thousand varieties and forms of roses in existence. With such a large selection there is a rose for any wedding theme, no matter how exotic. Plus, due to such a variety, styles range from small blooms with sturdy leaves to larger flowers with soft, delicate petals. But the real beauty? Roses are widely available and can be reasonably priced.
• Roses are varied. As a result, there are three main types of roses that are likely the best candidates for weddings:
  • Hybrid Tea Roses: The hybrid tea rose is valued for its classic uniform shape, its durability (it can last a whole day without wilting) and its availability.
  • Spray Roses: These are smaller roses that include five to ten small heads per stem and help fill out a bouquet more than a single stem, which makes them a great value. Spray roses are available in single hues or bicolour, like the hybrid tea rose too. Because of their variance in size, they are ideal for giving texture and visual interest to an arrangement.
  • Garden Roses: These roses are larger and lusher than the other varieties. They are often very open, and they are more natural and free form than other varieties. Because of their fragility they are rarer, precious, and costly – but they definitely add an element of elegance to your wedding.
    
• When picked and processed, roses are one of the most long-lasting flowers.
• Many rose varieties produce a sweet fragrance – and more than 85 percent of North Americans identify it as their favourite smell.
• Roses are versatile; they are able to transform your wedding from minimal to mod all in a single arrangement. Here are some fantastic ways to use roses on your wedding day:
  • For a classic, clean look pair white roses with a classic flower like a gardenia or hydrangea. White-on-white creates a stunning sight for you and your guests to enjoy.
  • Or you can take a classic white arrangement and throw in something a bit unexpected, like a shocking black or brown floral element (i.e.,  an olive or fern shoot) to create a dynamic contrast.
  • If you want to create something a bit more romantic try making a visual statement with roses by adding fur-trimmed or beaded wraps to your bouquet. Or try jewel-toned, tear-shaped beads dangling from candelabras instead.
  • Think feminine and modern by incorporating sweet elements like satin ribbons looped into an arrangement of big, open, garden roses.
  • Do you want something romantic, yet eccentric? Suspend a wreath of garden roses from the ceiling over each table. That will be a wonderful décor element for your guests to admire.
  • If you are looking for something a bit more modern try monochromatic arrangements in any colour you wish. Take the single-colour cluster of flowers and arrange them in a glass cube or vase with a strong geometric shape.
  • Or juxtapose roses with bright flowers, like spiky dahlias in yellow and orange. Place them in a cool coloured vase, like blue, for a stunning contrast.
    
• Roses are simply perfection. It doesn’t matter where you are getting married; an outdoor garden, or a ballroom, roses make your wedding ring romance.
• After your wedding, you can dry your wedding bouquet to keep as a reminder of your special day (stay tuned for an upcoming blog about how you can dry your wedding bouquet yourself – it is a great way to keep a part of your wedding day).

The Romantic Song: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
Why: Do you remember the movie Armageddon? No? Well, it wasn’t too memorable, but this song definitely stood out. Over ten years after the movies release the song remains a first dance favourite thanks to its dreamy lyrics of love and devotion.
Key Lyrics: “Lying close to you feeling our heart beating/And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming/Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing/Then I kiss your eyes and thank God were together/ I just want to stay with you in this moment forever”

The Sexy Song: “Your Body is a Wonderland” by John Mayer
Why: This is a fun and sexy wedding song. It’s more upbeat than your typical first dance song, but it is still one that you are able to sway to.
Key Lyrics: “And if you want love/We’ll make it/Swimming in a deep sea of blankets/Take all your big plans and break ‘em/This is bound to be a while”

The Traditional Song: “The Way Your Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
Why: Frank Sinatra is as classic as they come, and this song has probably been playing at wedding receptions since its recording in 1964. Sinatra’s voice adds a touch of elegance to any reception.
Key Lyrics: “Some day, when I’m awfully low/When the world is cold/I will feel a glow just think of you/And the way you look tonight”

The Non-Traditional Song: “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
Why: Jack Johnson’s voice is recognizable yet unique. This isn’t your usual first dance fare, but it hits all the right notes and acts as the ultimate sweet and loving wedding song.
Key Lyrics: “There’s no combination of words/I could put on the back of a postcard/No song that I could sing/But I can try for your heart/Our dreams, and they are made out of real things/Like a shoebox of photographs/With a sepia-tone loving”

The Fun Song: “I Found Love” by the Free Design
Why: What better song for a fun-loving couple than a wedding song that has you tapping your toes to its sunshine melody? It’s quirky, light, fluffy – and it’ll without a doubt make the bride and groom crack a smile.
Key Lyrics: “I found love in the fall and it did not hurt at all/I found sunlight and flowers, soft summer showers/ I can feel my heart touch my Adams apple/I can feel the feather in my head/There is a lightness, politeness, fingers tingle, tootsies tap/‘Til dawn comes and finds me never in my bed”

The Friends-First Song: “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
Why: This song is from the Up Close and Personal soundtrack, where the film’s main characters build a relationship – both professional and romantic – that was rooted in mutual respect and friendship. The lyrics encompass the same type of love between two people, gathering strength from an encouraging friend and lover.
Key Lyrics: “You were my strength when I was weak/You were my voice when I couldn’t speak/You were my eyes when I couldn’t see/You saw the best there was in me”

The Rock n’ Roll Song: “November Rain” by Guns n’ Roses
Why: For the couple who lives a bit on the edge, it is probably the music video – and Stephanie Seymour’s wedding dress mini skirt – that made it one ultimate first dance song for the rockeuse in all of us.
Key Lyrics: “If we could take the time to lay it on the line/I could rest my head/Just knowin’ that you were mine/All mine/So if you want to love me, then darlin’ don’t refrain/Or I’ll just end up walkin’/In the cold November rain”

The Nostalgic Song: “Everything I Do (I Do It for You) by Bryan Adams
Why: This is probably the song we sway to with our first crush at the grade school dance. So for the couple who wants a dose of nostalgia this tune is it. While it has been overused as a first dance song, it remains a classic and most certainly conveys love and devotion.
Key Lyrics: “Look into my eyes, you will see/What you mean to me/Search your heart, search your soul/And when you find me here you’ll search no more”

Adapted from: Divine.ca

Planning a wedding, although fun, can be difficult and stressful at times. Here are eight suggestions on how to reduce the stress that is often  associated with weddings, and therefore decrease your chances of turning into the infamous Bridezilla.

Don’t expect people to do things for you because you are the bride.
Nothing is more annoying than a bride who believes she is entitled to anything she wants when it comes to her wedding. In all likelihood, it isn’t going to happen. Watch for bargains to ensure you are able to get the majority of what you want: your “dream” dress, the perfect flowers, the proper reception hall, and the honeymoon you’ve fanaticized about. But if you aren’t able to get something you want, don’t get angry because you believe you deserve it. People get married every day, not everybody always has everything they’ve dreamed of.

Be able to take criticisms and comments from others.
People are going to want to offer their two cents when you are planning your wedding, especially if you have asked for their assistance in planning process. Don’t dismiss their thoughts because you think only you know what’s best; consider their suggestions, you never know what they might come up with.

Don’t talk about your wedding 24/7.
Of course you are excited when planning your big day and you probably want to share the news with everyone (except if you are Carrie Bradshaw and you keep forgetting you are engaged to Adian Shaw). But make sure you give yourself a breather, concentrate on other things as well. Make sure you have time for yourself, not always time for you and your wedding.

Let your wedding party be themselves.
Imagining a picture perfect wedding, where all the groomsmen are well-groomed and the bridesmaids are all the same height? It’s probably not going to happen. Let people be themselves that day, not carbon copies of one another. The people in your wedding party are your friends, you love them the way they are, don’t make them change for you.

Anticipate that things won’t go as planned.
After the hours you have spent planning your wedding you want everything to run smoothly, but weddings are part of life, they don’t result in the changing of the axis so that things magically follow through as planned. If you anticipate that some things may not go as planned, such as a flower girl suddenly falling ill, they won’t seem as dire to you, like they may if you don’t anticipate some hiccups throughout the day.

Embrace impulsiveness.
If you are anything like me, you like things to go according to plan and have a mini-meltdown when something falls apart. Well, on a day you are depending on so many others, something is bound to crumble. But, if you are anticipating this then it won’t seem nearly as tragic. For example, if your photographer doesn’t show, don’t panic – instead get a bunch of disposable cameras and have your guests and wedding party take pictures of your big day. It will be much more personal, seeing the genuine smiles captured on camera, then the posed portraits from a photographer.

Let your hubby-to-be in.
Don’t forget it is as much your fiancés day, as it is yours – therefore, let him have some input into your big day. This could be anything from having him plan one whole section of the wedding, to having him there for you to vent to when something stresses you out during the planning stage. Communication is important during this stressful time.

Focus on your marriage rather than the wedding.
Don’t get caught up in the idea of a picture perfect wedding, remember what this day is all about; it’s joining you and the man you love together as man and wife. You are both making a lifelong commitment to one another and that is much more important than one day.

Match the Mood:
The site of your wedding is going to have the biggest influence on your design decisions whether you are a beach bride or an urban sophisticate. If you haven’t decided on a decorating scheme, look to elements of the room for clues. For instance, a historic mansion is perfect for an all-white celebration, whereas a wood-walled ballroom can call for 1920s elegance.

Create a Common Cord:
Many brides shudder at the word “theme, but it is becoming to be known as a “subtle touch of style”- a repeated design element that makes a lasting and personal impression on the space. A theme can be as loose as your colour palette or much more rigid, like a Wild, Wild West theme. Implementing a theme, or at the very least, a colour scheme, is a great focal point to start your planning around.

Make Everyone Look Perfect:
Lighting is the best way to brighten any room – and it can give your reception a terrific, dramatic glow. If you hire a lighting designer to focus guests’ attention where you want it (on the cake table, not on the ugly floor) then you are guaranteed to have a positively radiant reception. When you hire a lighting designer they are also able to use coloured gels to alter the intensity of the light stream, which creates a softer, more natural look – make your friends, family, and yourself look like celebrities under this softer glow.

Look Up:
Did you find the reception hall of your dreams? But is there one tiny problem: an unsightly ceiling? The simple (and beautiful) solution is to cover it up! Try draping hundreds of tiny white lights, swags of greenery, or coordinating fabric – add a simple touch of elegance to your party.  Is money not an issue? Then look into renting chandeliers – they will distract from the ceiling and give your room an added radiance.

Look Down:
Don’t let the brown shag carpet dissuade you from booking your dream space; you can hide the floor with ground-sweeping linens. Or you can cover it with a nice rental carpet, or a rented parquet wooden floor.

Furnish a Spare Space:
An all-white, empty loft space may seem like the perfect blank canvas to work with, but remember, you are starting from scratch. Translation: it is going to be expensive to furnish – although it is doable. Go with something borrowed to furnish the space – it will save you hundreds. Look to movie prop companies for cool finds like mirrors, chaise lounges, and filled bookcases. Plus you never know what friends and relatives have lurking in their basement – it might just be the perfect thing for your reception.

Toil with Texture:
Interesting materials and nature-driven accents can help turn a boring ballroom into a designer showcase. How? By adding texture! Try faux fur, grapevines, and branches; huge kissing balls, tall trees bejeweled with lights, and bamboo shoots are also able to help satisfy the senses and add some interesting décor to your reception.

Call for the Wild:
Outdoor weddings are becoming a popular choice among many brides – this is probably due to the fact that Mother Nature has taken care of a large portion of the decorating. If you are having an outdoor wedding or reception take note of the surroundings, like wildflowers, and choose your wedding blooms accordingly. Keep the carefree outdoor vibe in mind when you are styling your flowers – tightly packed modern centerpieces might be too formal for this more casual celebration.

Think Outside the Space:
Try something different, something unique: clothesline escort-card holders, mason jars filled with candles (collect them from garage sales to save money), hanging flower baskets, and 4-foot high twig chandeliers. Does a 4-foot high twig chandelier intrigue you? To make it, bundle about 10 large sticks together, per chandelier, bind them together with wire, then string tiny twinkling lights all around them. This will turn a traditional space into an enchanted forest instead.

Make a Good First Impression:
Want to impress your guests? Create a grand entrance for them. Floral wreathes on doors, colourful candles (votives create a spectacular atmosphere) atop every table, hurricane lanterns hanging from trees, luminaries lining the walkways, and other beautifully stunning embellishments will give guests a lovely welcome to your event.

Monitor the Hall:
A real detail-oriented bride will make over the hallways too, not just the reception room itself. Potted plants, trees, floral gardens, and trellises help to create a big impact on the rented space.

Beautify the Bar:
Chances are the bar will be a hot spot at your wedding. Impress your guests with colourful rented barware, tropical parasols, and a frozen drink machine. Making over the bar is a great way to incorporate the theme of your wedding into all areas of the reception.

Size Up Your Tables:
Peace-loving brides are turning to long banquet style tables that evoke a more family-style feeling and lessen seating arrangement stress (a bit, hopefully). You can even go for a mix of square and round tables in various sizes for an eclectic look to your reception. These eclectic table arrangements allow you to seat groups of people much more easily because you are not stuck with 10 to a table, like most traditional tables allow.

Take Care of Chairs:
Chair covers are not a new invention. Using funky fabrics to modify your chairs is a great way to bedazzle a room. You can even dress up a chair with silk flowers, tulle, or leafy swags – just make sure the chairs are still comfortable to sit on though.

Liven Up the Loo:
Give bathroom-bound guests something to talk about, however, don’t go overboard. Simply evoke subtle sophistication; this is enough to brighten up the room. Flower arrangements (like sweet smelling lavender in small vases or wild flower bundled in a basket), heart-shaped soaps, or monogrammed hand towels will go a long way.

Don’t Get Lost:
If your ceremony and reception are being held in the same location, make sure there is natural flow between the spaces. Perhaps you can design, and create, cute signs that direct guests to where they need to be, or to point out the restrooms. Little things can go a long way.

Mind Your Manners:
Much more than crumb-catchers, napkins are an easy way to add an extra little something to your reception tables. Either by using napkin rings or embracing the art of napkin folding; these are two easy ways to enhance your reception tables. Spring wedding? Try using the tulip fold. The more difficult pocket fold is great for any season.

Ideas from: The Knot