Theme & Ideas | OneWed

5 Holiday-Inspired DIY Wedding Flower Projects- Part Deux

Azure — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:58:17 -0500

Special to OneWed by Lisa W. for FiftyFlowers.com

We already broke down how to create 5 of the fabulous holiday-inspired DIY wedding flower projects. And today, we've got the how to's on the remaining 5!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 6- Fresh Flower-Adorned Ring Bearer Pillow
Materials
• Small, round pillow
• Two stems Spray roses
• Straight pins
• Floral shears
Ring Bearer Pillow How-To
• Snip ten roses just below the bloom and leaving no stem.
• Arrange your roses on top of the pillow, before pinning, until you are happy with the design. We created a triad of roses spraying out.
• To secure the roses onto the pillow, insert straight pins directly into the center of the flower. Secure by pinning through the stem as well. Insert as many pins as needed to secure the blooms and your design.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 7- Rose Petal Wedding Ceremony Aisle
Materials
• 6000 fresh rose petals or 100 cups for a 20 foot aisle.
• Aisle runner
• Double-sided foam tape
Rose Petal Aisle How-To
• Sketch out the design for your rose petal aisle. The most simple design would be to line each side of the aisle runner. Ideas for the center of the aisle are a monogram, swirls or shapes inspired by your theme.
• Roll out the aisle runner and secure to the floor with double sided foam tape.
• Begin decorating! Grab a handful of petals and create a border up each side of the aisle.
Rose Petal Aisle Top Tip- Rose petal aisle are one of the most efficient ways to decorate. You can be the designer but SAFETY FIRST! Be sure to strongly secure the aisle runner to the floor so that no one trips down the aisle.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 8- Fragrant and Elegant Hair Flowers
Materials
• Spray Roses
• Hypericum berry
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Bobby pins
Hair Flowers How-To
• Snip three spray roses leaving a 3 inch stem on each.
• Cut a sprig of hypericum berry with a 3 inch stem.
• Bundle the roses and the sprig of hypericum berry in your hand and arrange so that the blooms are beautifully framed by the berries. Be sure that the blooms are lying flat and not making a round shape.
• When you are happy with the position of the flowers, secure the stems by wrapping a piece of floral wire around to secure the stems. Cut off the extra wire.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape to secure.
• Secure the bundle in the hair with bobby pins.
• To store the completed hair piece, mist with water and place in a cool room.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 9- Mini Wedding Cakes with Fresh Flowers
Materials
• Cupcakes
• Spray roses
• Drinking Straws
• Scissors
Mini Wedding Cakes How-To
• Cut drinking straws into 1 inch lengths. Flowers can alter flavor so we use the straws to keep the stems from touching the cake.
• Cut the spray roses leaving about 1 inch of stem.
• Insert a straw into each cake.
• Insert bloom into the straw, set on a platter or stand and serve.
Mini Wedding Cakes Top Tip- If your mini wedding cakes are covered with fondant, use a crochet needle or ice pick to poke a hole before inserting the straw.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 10- Floral Hand Binding for Wedding Ceremony
Materials
• 30” length of Decorative Rope, with or without tassels
• Two stems Spray Roses
• Moss Covered Wire
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• Wire cutters and floral shears
Floral Hand Binding How-To
• Cut the decorative rope to approximately 30 inch length.
• Cut the moss covered wire to the same length as the rope and then wrap the rope around the wire and secure at each end.
• Take a stem of spray roses and snip off 4 of the most beautiful open blooms you can find. Snip each just below the neck.
• Take a piece of floral wire and insert through the stem. Wrap around to secure the wire. Then trim wire to 5 inches. Repeat this for each flower.
• Attach two of the rose heads in the very center of the rope by winding the floral wire around the moss covered wire. This two flowers together will sit on top of your bound hands and symbolize the joining of two.
• Then attach a rose on each end of the rope to symbolize each of you as individuals.
Floral Hand Binding Top Tip- During the wedding ceremony, the officiant will wrap the rose to bind your hands. Choose a poem, verse or special song to play to enjoy this beautiful moment.

A special thanks to all the fabulous wedding pros who helped make this very merry photo shoot happen!
Wedding Flowers: FiftyFlowers.com
Creative Direction and Styling: Lisa Waddington, Shindig Creative
Photographer: John Unrue
Videographer, Lighting: Mark LeGrand, Pro One Video
Linens, Rentals, Desserts, Cocktail and Coffee Design: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Hair & Makeup: About Face
Bridal Fashion: The Collection
Groom's Tuxedo: Absolutely Fitting
Stationery Calligraphy: Samira Gast
Handmade Candy Canes: Altamarie’s Candies

Holiday-Inspired Wedding Decor- 5 DIY Wedding Flowers Projects

Azure — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:41:32 -0500

Last week, we featured a festive holiday-inspired red and green wedding with 10 simple DIY wedding flower projects from FiftyFlowers! Today we've got the step-by-step how to on DIY'ing the first 5 fabulous wedding flower projects. And later this week, we'll walk you through the next 5!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 1- Luxurious and Holiday-Inspired Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet
Materials Needed
• Three stems of Amaryllis with fully open blooms – we used a combination of Candy Cane and Red varieties.
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pins
• A vase
Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet How-To
• Remove any dead leaves from the base of the flowers and snip off the stamen to eliminate staining from pollen residue. Gently wash the flowers if there is any pollen on the petals.
• Bundle the Amaryllis stalks in your hand and arrange so that the trumpet blooms are facing outward.
• When you are happy with the position of the blooms, secure the stalks with a piece of floral wire and cut the extra wire.
• Wrap the stalks together, over the wire, with 2-3 inches of floral tape to secure.
• Cut the ribbon and wrap around the stalks to cover the floral tape. Secure the ribbon in place with pearl head pins.
• Cut each Amaryllis stalk on a 45 degree angle about 2-3 inches below the bottom of the ribbon.
• Store the completed bouquet in a vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems.
Amaryllis Bridal Bouquet Top Tip- Amaryllis takes extra time for buds to open. Remember to allow up to 7 days for flowers to fully open.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 2- Amaryllis Groom's Boutonniere, to Compliment the Bride's Signature Flower
Materials Needed
• One closed Amaryllis bud
• One stem Hypericum berry
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pin
Amaryllis Groom's Boutonniere How-To
• Bundle the Amaryllis bud and a sprig of hypericum berry in your hand and arrange so that the bud is framed by the berries.
• When you are happy with the position of the flowers, secure the stems by wrapping a piece of floral wire around. Cut off the extra wire.
• Trim the stems to 2-3 inches length.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape to secure. Roll up the stem to create a curl at the base of the boutonniere.
• Secure the boutonniere in place with a pearl head pin.
• To store the completed boutonniere, mist with water and place in a cool room.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 3- Whimsical, One-of-a-Kind Berry Bridesmaid Bouquet
Materials Needed
• Two bunches of Hypericum berry, approximately 10 stems per bunch.
• Floral shears
• 24 gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Pearl head pins
• A vase
Berry Bridesmaid Bouquet How-To
• Remove lower leaves from each stem of Hypericum berry.
• Bundle the stems in your hand and arrange the bouquet. Start with a cluster of three stems. Then add another ring of stems, placing the tops of the berries just below the berries you already have in place. This will create a full, bouquet of berries and minimize seeing stems when you are done.
• When you are happy with the position of the berries, secure the stems with a piece of floral wire and cut the extra wire.
• Wrap the stems with 2-3 inches of floral tape, over the wire, to secure.
• Cut the ribbon and wrap around the stems to cover the floral tape. Secure the ribbon in place with pearl head pins.
• Cut each stem straight across about 2-3 inches below the bottom of the ribbon.
• Store the completed bouquet in a vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems.
Berry Bridemaid Bouquet Top Tip- Hypericum Berry are available year-round in a variety of colors and last a long time, a great option for DIY flowers.

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 4- Floral Toasting Flutes to Make Your First Toast Even More Beautiful
Materials Needed
• Toasting Flutes
• Moss Covered Wire
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• One stem Spray Roses
• Shears and Wire Cutters
Floral Toasting Flutes How-To
• Wrap the moss covered wire around the base of the glass and secure it by twisting end over end.
• Wind the wire up and around the glass until you get to the top. Give yourself and inch of extra length and then cut the wire. Using the extra tightly secure the wire be wrapping it around itself
• Take a stem of spray roses and snip off the most beautiful open bloom you can find. Snip just below the neck.
• Take a piece of floral wire and insert through the stem. Wrap around to secure the wire.
• Slide the wire underneath the moss covered wire and wrap to secure.
• Adjust the bloom so it’s facing upward. Add champagne and toast!
Floral Toasting Flutes Top Tip-- This project idea works well with any tiny flower blooms or buds.
*Psst... check out this super helpful video with complete DIY steps and instructions!

DIY Wedding Flowers Project 5- A Pretty Floral Necklace
Materials Needed
• A wire choker that's a solid ring around the neck
• One stem of spray roses
• 24 gauge floral wire sticks
• Wire cutters
• Floral shears
Floral Necklace How-To
• Take the stem of spray roses and snip off one of the most beautiful open blooms you can find. Snip just below the neck so the stem can be easily hidden behind the flower.
• Take a piece of the floral wire and insert through the bulbous part of the stem as if you are threading a needle. Wrap around the wire to secure and cut the wire to about 5 inches.
• Attach the flower to the choker by wrapping the wire around. Adjust the flower bloom so it points forward.
Floral Necklace Top Tip-- For an alternate look, attach the flower and wire to a velvet ribbon tied around your neck as a choker.

Don't forget to check back to learn how to recreate 5 more holiday-inspired DIY wedding flower projects! And a special thanks to our friends, the talented team of wedding professionals who helped us create the very MARRY Inspiration photo shoot:
Wedding Flowers: FiftyFlowers.com
Creative Direction and Styling: Lisa Waddington, Shindig Creative
Photographer: John Unrue
Videographer, Lighting: Mark LeGrand, Pro One Video
Linens, Rentals, Desserts, Cocktail and Coffee Design: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Hair & Makeup: About Face
Bridal Fashion: The Collection
Groom's Tuxedo: Absolutely Fitting
Stationery Calligraphy: Samira Gast
Handmade Candy Canes: Altamarie’s Candies

Five Tips for Creating a Wedding Album

Marta — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:07:34 -0400

Special to OneWed from wedding photographer Jonathon Smith on behalf of Blurb.

1. Remember the detail shots
Don’t forget the detail shots for your wedding book. Think about things like the bouquet, something borrowed something blue, the back of the wedding dress, the rings, etc. These might be that last photographs that you would consider as most of the pictures in your book will have people in them. The detail shots will make your album so much richer and will really personalise it.

2. Sequence to tell your wedding story
When I shoot a wedding, I cover the entire day, from getting ready with the bride to the last dance on the dance floor. You want your wedding book to reflect the story of your wedding day. Sequencing your pictures will allow you to do this. I find that working chronologically is a very good way to work: getting ready shots, pre-ceremony, ceremony, formal shots, reception, etc. I like to create visual breaks between these chapters of the day. This is a perfect way to add in your detail shots.

3. Mix color and black and white shots
Personally, I love to mix classic black and white images with beautiful color shots, even creating sequences with both color and black and white. Mixing color and black and white will make your album more dynamic and will give it a fresh, contemporary feel.

4. Be Bold
Don’t be afraid to mix up the design of your album. I find that being really bold with design choices can really pay off. If you have one shot that you absolutely love then there is no reason why it can’t fill a full page or for that matter a double page spread. Equally, putting one small image on a page will also have a strong look to it. This will draw the viewer closer to the picture, creating an intimacy with the image. The key is to think of the rhythm of the design. Don’t put all the large images at the start and leave all the small ones to the end. Try and mix them to create an interesting flow.

5. Create a separate parents album
Remember that this is YOUR wedding book, to cherish for a lifetime. Try to fill it with the pictures that are really special to you. Don’t get sidetracked into thinking you have to please everyone. The great thing is you can easily design smaller books for other members of the family or wedding party, which you can customize for their individual tastes and fill with pictures that will make everyone happy.

Bridal Shower Recipes: A New-Fashioned Tea Party

Marta — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:36:13 -0400

A tea party may sound old fashioned, but it's still a great bridal shower theme. Check out some of these amazing new recipes to add a little spice to your bridal shower.

From Karter Louis of Hillbilly Tea in Louisville, Ky.

White bean and sage fritters

2 cups cooked great northern beans
3 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon salt
olive oil for deep frying

place the beans, sage, garlic, lemon zest, flour, baking powder, egg, white
pepper and sea salt in a food processor and process until very smooth.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Fill a heavy-based saucepan one-third full of olive oil and heat to 350F.
Using two spoons, shape heaped tablespoons of the mixture into a quenelles
and deep-fry, in batches, for 3-5 minutes each, turning occasionally until cooked
thoroughly end golden. Drain on a paper towel and serve hot with sage dipping sauce.

Sage dipping sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon finely chopped sage
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
zest and juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk it into a smooth paste.
Keep refrigerated until served.

From Mirassou Winery:

Upside Down Peach Rhubarb Polenta Cake (pair with Reisling)

For the fruit:
2 cups (1/4-inch thick slices) ripe peaches
1 1/2 cups (1/4-inch thick slices) rhubarb
1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the cake:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for cake pan
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature plus extra for cake pan
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup Mirassou California Riesling or orange juice
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange flower water (optional)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 large eggs, at room temperature

For the topping:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1. Combine peach slices, rhubarb, and lemon juice in a large nonreactive bowl, toss to coat, and set aside until juicy, at least 5 minutes.

2. Heat oven to 350°F and arrange rack in the middle. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and flour; tap out excess flour and set aside.

3. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine and break up any lumps; set aside.

4. Place the butter and sugar in a bowl of an electric mixer. Beat with a paddle using a medium speed, until the butter is creamy and consistency of wet sand. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the wine, vanilla extract, orange flower water (if using), and lemon zest and mix until airy, about 1 minute. Reduce mixer to low and add dry ingredients, little by little, and mix until just incorporated.

5. Drizzle the bottom of the cake pan with the melted butter and sprinkle sugar over the top. Arrange fruit mixture on top (including any excess juices). Spoon the batter evenly over the fruit and bake until the cake is golden brown, evenly risen, nad springs back when lightly pressed, about 40 to 45 minutes.

5. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Place a plate upside down on top of cake pan; invert cake onto plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

From Elixir in San Francisco:
Ruby Chai Appeltini

Recipe per drink*
1.5 oz Square One Organic Vodka infused with Numi Organic Ruby Chai Tea
1.5 oz Organic Apple Cider infused with Numi Organic Ruby Chai Tea
.5 oz Organic Agave Nectar
1/4 organic Gala Apple

Preparation:
Cut the apple in half, just of center leaving the stem on. Then slice the core out just to the other side of the stem. Reserve core slice for garnish. Cut one quarter of the apple into pieces, removing the seeds and core. In a mixing glass, muddle into apple sauce consistency. Add Agave Nectar Square One, Cider and ice. Shake for 10 seconds and Strain up into a chilled cocktail glass. Head should be frothy and creamy. Garnish with the apple core slice on the rim or floating.

To make this drink as a one-off at home, Use 1 bag of tea per each 6 ounces of liquid, infusing the vodka cold for an hour or two and heating the cider and infusing for 3-5 minutes.

To batch prep for speedy bar service or an at-home party, prepare the two infusions as below:

Ruby Chai- infused Square One: In a mason jar or other glass sealable container add 750ml bottle of Square One and 6 bags of Numi Ruby Chai Tea. Let infuse for 1-2 hours. Remove the bags and squeeze back excess vodka. Pour the infused vodka back into a Square One bottle that has had the labels removed (infusion bottles with brand labels on them may be a legal issue in your state; check with your ABC office). Use a labeler to mark your bottle.

Ruby Chai-infused Apple Cider: Pour cider into a sauce pan and heat (try not to boil). Turn off the heat and add 1 bag of Numi Ruby Chai Tea per 6 ounces of cider. Let steep for 3-5 minutes and remove the tea bags, squeezing back any remaining liquid. Pour spiced cider into a store ‘n’ pour or other bar speed bottle (another de-labled Square One bottle looks nice).

Mixologist’s Note:
I love chai and Numi’s Ruby Chai blend with Rooibos makes for a delicious infusion agent in cocktails. The warm rich spice blends superbly with the apple and by infusing we get intense flavor with no added water. The texture of the Gala apple when muddled into sauce consistency gives this drink a velvety, viscous mouthfeel with a creamy head like a pint of Guinness. If you batch prep the infusions and the apples and this drink is really easy to prepare and serve.

Ask the Experts: How to Have Elegant Decorations in an Unusual Setting

Marta — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:18:32 -0400

Dear experts,
My wedding is in 29 days and I have yet to come up with ideas as to how to decorate my reception. We are having both the ceremony and reception at my mother-in-law’s church. The reception is in their "hall" which is actually a basketball court with a stage and kitchen (which our caterer will use).

HOW DO I DECORATE A BASKETBALL COURT!? I want the reception to tie in with the rest of the wedding, which is elegant and classic. So far we have candles, candle holders and marbles to go in the candle holders. That is it as far as decorating goes. How can I turn this basketball court into an elegant wedding reception?

Signed,
Bouncing off the Walls

Thea Daniel of Rose of Sharon Responds:
Basically, you want to draw the eye away from the basketball court. To do this, you have to create other focal points. My first suggestion would be to use a tent. However this would depend on your budget.

Another option would be to use tall columns and drapery creating a 'room' or several 'rooms.' You could have these over the dance floor, over the food, and over the seating. If you're looking for something with a little more nature, create groupings of plants around your reception areas (dance floor, seating, buffet, etc.)

Use ferns, hosta, liriope, and shrubs. These can often be rented from a garden center. You'll need decorative containers to hide the grower's pots as well. Here's a photo of one such grouping we created. This was for an outdoor wedding, but you could easily move it indoors.

About Thea:
Thea Daniel, owner of Rose of Sharon Event Florist in Fayeteville, Arkansas, has been designing floral arrangements for events for 15 years.

Ask the Experts is your chance to have your wedding questions answered by a panel of experts. If you have a question write asktheexperts@onewed.com.

Ask the Wedding Maven: Can I Have a Pagan-Christian Wedding?

Marta — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:14:21 -0500

Dear Wedding Maven,
I'm engaged to a wonderful guy, but I have an odd problem. His family is rather traditional, and his mother expects us to have a "normal" traditional, Christian wedding. I'm far more in favor of a gothic handfasting, but I know that my fiancé will be disowned if I do anything too outrageous. I really don't want to cause any problems, but it's my day, and I truly don't think it should be a big deal. Can you give me advice on how to subtly add elements of Wicca and Goth without getting anyone disowned? (or getting called the spawn of Satan. bleh.)
Signed,
Not the Spawn of Satan

Dear Not Spawn
You know what’s interesting about your letter? You talk about what your fiancé’s family wants, and what you want, but you don’t say anything about what your fiancé wants. Given that he’s the one risking being disowned, don’t you think you should check with him before you check with me?

The way your letter is worded I’m assuming that you aren’t actually a practicing Wiccan, it’s just that you like the idea of a more alternative wedding. If that’s the case, then sure, there are ways to incorporate your tastes with a traditional wedding. On OneWed’s store we sell beautiful handfasting ribbons, and you can obviously incorporate the language of a handfasting with your wedding ceremony. If either you or your fiancé have any Irish heritage then you can easily get away with this by presenting it as “an ancient Celtic tradition.”

Steampunk fashions are a stunning way to take “traditional” visuals and mix them with a more “Goth” mentality. You can also always forgo the traditional white wedding dress and flowers for something a little more “Goth.” Wedding dress designers like Katrina Marie specialize in dresses that would not shock your in-laws but indulge your inner Pagan Goddess.

Now, if you’re talking less about fashion and more about deeply held religious beliefs, then things are a little more difficult. If you and your fiancé have different religious or spiritual beliefs then his parents, then your wedding should absolutely reflect those beliefs. Yes, it may cause trouble between your fiancé and his family, but if you’re serious about your faith, then you need to honor it.

If you and your fiancé are not Christian and do not want to pretend to be Christian, then you need to have an open and honest discussion with his parents. It is difficult for most parents to accept that their child has chosen a different faith, but usually they do come around.

The best way to avoid being called “Satan’s spawn” is to recognize that your wedding is not actually “my day,” as you call it. It’s a day to celebrate that you and your fiancé have chosen to join each other’s families. That means honoring and being respectful of those families. You do not have to engage in rituals or traditions that you don’t believe in, but you do need to be respectful and open-minded in discussing those traditions and rituals. Do some research into both his families beliefs, and your own and see if you can come up with something that works for everyone.

Do you need wedding advice? If you have a question about wedding traditions, etiquette or relationships write the Wedding Maven at weddingmaven@onewed.com

About the Wedding Maven

Ask the Experts: How to Create a Unified Wedding Look

Marta — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:51:45 -0500

Ask the Experts is your chance to get your wedding questions answered by a panel of wedding professionals.

If you need wedding advice write asktheexperts@onewed.com

Dear Experts,
It’s always looks a little silly to me when the bridesmaids dresses match the tablecloths, which match the centerpieces, which match the groomsmen’s ties, etc. So, I was thinking I just wouldn’t have “wedding colors.” But, whenever I talk about this with my mom and sisters they insist that if I don’t have “colors” everything will look hodge-podge. What are some ideas for making the wedding look unified and together, without making everything “matchy-match.”

Signed,
Miss-Matched

From Jeff of Blackbird Images
We photographed a 500-guest wedding at the Congressional Country Club last fall. $100k budget, which typically translates to “matchy-match.” The bride chose color “themes” instead: Bridesmaids dresses with groomsmen’s ties; tablecloths with table settings and lighting; etc. Everything worked as component pieces but didn’t have to match in totality. (She even let her bridesmaids choose different dresses, as long as they were the same color and basic style… since no one style fits everyone.) If you think it’s silly to over-match, don’t! Just give it a little thought… and then move on to making the day yours. You – and your guests – will remember how much fun they it was.. not whether everything was perfectly color-coordinated.

Thea of Rose of Sharon:
A color theme does help unify the event. But that doesn't mean everything has to match exactly. You can pick one or two main colors and a couple of accent colors. The accents can be variations of the main colors or something that compliments the main colors. Another way to have a color theme without being too one-dimensional is to have a seasonal color theme. For example, you might pick 'muted fall tones' giving your burgundy, burnt orange, brown, and golden yellow. Anything that falls within these colors can be used. Or you might go for 'winter whites' and use white, cream, champagne, ivory, an a very pale pink. Color isn't the only way to unify an event, however. You can also pick a theme, such as an wildflowers or fall.

Arti of Zoya Couture:
I couldn't agree more. I think you have the right idea on not trying to go overboard on matching. However, I don't recommend doing away with wedding colors altogether - otherwise you may, accidentally, end up with all of the colors in the rainbow! A very vibrant wedding, but probably not what you have in mind. Instead of 2-3, pick 4-6 colors to maintain flexibility. Start with what you know you must have, and then try adding darker or lighter shades of some of those colors that would still give the palette a sense of harmony.

About our experts:
Arti Anand works with ZOYA Couture, a boutique design and print studio in Washington, D.C. that creates wedding invitations and marketing collateral. The company incorporates work of numerous in-house and freelance designers, offering clients fresh new designs, layouts, and materials.

Thea Daniel, owner of Rose of Sharon Event Florist in Fayeteville, Arkansas, has been designing floral arrangements for events for 15 years.

Jeff Haden is President of BlackBird Images, wedding photographers based in Harrisonburg, VA. Not only is he a well-respected and talented photographer, but has also gained recognition as a ghostwriter.

Ask the Experts: What Are the Best and Worst Places to DIY?

Marta — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:37:21 -0500

Ask the Experts is your chance to get all your wedding questions answered by a panel of wedding professionals.

If you have a question for our wedding experts, write us at asktheexperts@onewed.com

Dear Ask the Experts,
Every article I read gives different advice about what sorts of things you can and can’t DIY. In your experience, what are the best things to DIY, and what are the best things to leave to the professionals?

Thanks
DIY-Wanna-Be

From Wendy of 1812 Hitching Post:
Do it yourself centerpieces and party favors are a great way to personalize your wedding reception. A candy bar with cute bags for candy is one of the most popular party favor options we've seen. Centerpieces that include floating candles, silk or dried flowers, fabric, or any other material that lasts can be planned and created months in advance. A single live flower or live garden flowers added last minute can add color, dimension, and freshness to your centerpieces.

Best left to the professionals are photography and catering. You don't want either of these elements to suffer the day of your wedding. Food tastes best when it's prepared directly before it's served by people who are used to taking care of groups. Professional photographers can add their artistry to every photo for memories your family will cherish for centuries. Don't put your family and friends to work; they want to celebrate with you. If you're working, they can't have fun, either!

From Jeff of Blackbird Images
My advice is general rather than specific. Definitely do plan, at least in overall terms, your own wedding: The events, the timeline, what you want to do… it’s your wedding and should reflect your desires and dreams. Don’t take on anything you’ll have to participate in or oversee on the day of your wedding. You’ll have enough to do… and should be able to focus on enjoying the day, not on supervising and making sure everything goes as planned. So DIY the planning – leave implementation to others.

Thea of Rose of Sharon
Ideally, your budget will be adequate to cover all your desires. Realistically, you'll end up doing a lot yourself or cutting things from the plans. DIY sounds like a good idea when you still have months before your wedding. Keep in mind that wedding professions spend time and energy learning the best way, the most creative way, the most artistic way to make weddings wonderful.

The best place to DIY depends on your talents, the amount of help you have, and how much you have to do. A project that can be completed two months before the wedding is much easier to handle than one that has to be completed the day before the wedding. Creating your own personalized favors can usually be done early, but your bouquet shouldn't be made more than a day or two in advance. And if you use a computer to write everything because nobody can decipher your handwriting, hand-addressing your invitations may not be the best idea. If you're not quite sure if you are up to a project, try it out on a smaller scale--preferably while you still have time to find a professional if you find it's not your cup of tea.

Be realistic. Are you trying to DIY to save money or because you're secretly Martha Stewart? After you purchase all your supplies and materials, dedicated hours of your time (and probably some of your friends' time as well), and the end result isn't quite what you expected, was it really worth-wile? Yes, you may have save a buck or two...then again, maybe not.

About our Experts:
Jeff Haden is President of BlackBird Images, wedding photographers based in Harrisonburg, VA. Not only is he a well-respected and talented photographer, but has also gained recognition as a ghostwriter.

Thea Daniel, owner of Rose of Sharon Event Florist in Fayeteville, Arkansas, has been designing floral arrangements for events for 15 years.

Wendy Waldron, photographer and wedding coordinator of 1812 Hitching Post Wedding Venue in central North Carolina, has 10 years experience planning and photographing "simply beautiful" outdoor weddings.

Ask the Experts: A Tale of Two Caterers

Marta — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:55:03 -0500

Ask the Experts is your chance to get your specific wedding questions answered by a variety of wedding professionals. If you have a question for our panel of experts write asktheexperts@onewed.com.

Dear Ask the Experts,
My fiancé and I want a mix of Caribbean and Filipino food at our wedding. We are going to have a buffet for 150 guests, and are ordering food from two different places. I need advice in making this happen. The food itself won't cost a lot of money, but I need some ideas about how to get this coordinated and set up on the day of the wedding. I'm trying to plan everything but it has just been so overwhelming, and I don’t have a lot of money. Can you give me advice on this?
Signed,
Jada

Brandi of All Events Planned says:

Dear Jada,
The first step is to let both catering companies know you are using them. I know it seems strange to tell them about utilizing different caterers but this will allow them the chance to work together or at least know with what they’re working. This way they can be certain you have the right styles and types of food for your event and hopefully ones that compliment one another.

When dealing with food setup, especially different types of ethnic foods, you want to be sure to take all the necessary measures to keep each food item at its proper temperature, as well have the serving utensils that will suit the food item best. This is where your caterer should be able to assist you, with providing the utensils or heating/cooling items for setup. Some catering companies will provide a “delivery/setup/pickup” person for a nominal fee. The person won’t stay at your event but will get you started and get everything in place for your buffet. They will then come back either at the end of your event or the next day to pick up all of the items they delivered. You will have to pay an additional fee for any heating/cooling items that you “rent” from them but this will definitely be your most cost effective option that doesn’t involve you doing most of the work.

If this isn’t available through either catering company, you can always call a wedding planner or event staffing agency and see if they have someone available for the afternoon of your event to help with setup, preparing, serving and cleanup.If you want to go it alone, ask your caterers to provide you with a detailed menu that includes heating instructions as well as serving instructions. Then you can have family and friends assist you with everything, which in the end, should be done at no charge to you! However, that’s up to your family and friends!!

OneWed’s Wedding Maven says:
I can’t answer your specific question as well as Brandi did, but I will say this. You need some help. Reading between the lines of your letter I take it that you and your fiancé are from two different cultural backgrounds and you’re trying to plan a wedding that makes everyone happy. Wedding planning is not a solo event; it’s a team sport. Gather your best girlfriends, you most helpful relatives and your fiancé and tell them that you can’t do this by yourself. There’s no shame in asking for help.

About today’s expert:
Brandi Hamerstone is the owner & senior wedding planner for All Events Planned. In her nine years of experience in the wedding industry, she has planned over 300 weddings.

Ask the Experts: DIY Winter Decorations

Marta — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:58:41 -0500

Ask the Experts is you chance to get professional wedding advice from OneWed’s panel of wedding experts. If you have a question write asktheexperts@onewed.com.

Dear Experts
I’m getting married in January in Chicago (I know, but we don’t have a lot of out of town guests, so I’m not worried about the weather). I’m on a tight budget but most of the DIY advice I see for flowers and decorations assume you’re getting married in the spring or summer. What are some ideas for festive, whimsical decorations my friends and I can do ourselves? We’re having an evening reception with wedding cake and drinks, but no dinner and I’d like a fun feel.
Thanks
Winter Budget Bride

From Thea of Rose of Sharon
Assuming you want a winter feel and not a holiday feel, I'd keep to white and crystal. A Winter Wonderland can be created with a mix of fresh florals, “crystal” Christmas ornaments, and lots of candles. Cut the stems off of several bunches of Baby's Breath and cluster it around white candles of various sizes. (If fire is a hazard, use the battery operated pillar candles.) Wrap sheets of velum in winter patterns around glass cylinder vases holding more candles. Accent the Baby's Breath with various crystal Christmas ornaments--snowflakes, icicles, etc. Draw eyes upwards by hanging more crystal ornaments from the ceiling over focal areas like the cake table. For a lighter, more festive feel, add 'snowmen' created from white Styrofoam balls from your local craft store. By keeping a clean white pallet and adding touches of sparkle, you should be able to easily create and afford the look you're going for.

From Larissa of Weddings Costa Rica
Winter always makes me think of silvery snow reflecting off of blue skies and ice. Simple but elegant ideas for an evening reception could include glass vases filled with blue and silver glass ornaments (which are plentiful at this time of year) and lots of white candles. You could have glass cylinders with blue and white marbles in the bottom, with a white pillar perched on top (all these items are available at dollar stores). Head over to HomeDepot and pick up some mirror tiles and use these as bases for your cluster of pillar candles in different heights with a few glass balls loosely placed. The mirrors will not only continue the silver theme but will reflect the soft glow of the candles and shimmer of the ornaments, adding more bang for the buck and creating an elegant atmosphere by candlelight.

From Tyne of Wild Expressions Florist
A great centerpiece for a winter in Chicago wedding would be one with some candle light and warmth. I would suggest getting tall clear glass containers (tall enough so that your guests can see each other across the table) and fill them with clear gems. Willow branches can be sprayed in white or black depending on the colors for the wedding and then add lots and lots of crystals dripping off of the branches. Votive candles in clear glass holders can be placed on the table and the candle light will reflect off of the gems and crystals and add warmth and romance to the entire room.

From Arti of ZoyaCouture
Since you're not serving dinner, consider setting up a "dessert lounge". Gather a set of fun and unique serving dishes from your closest friends and family and fill them with home made treats such as cookies, muffins, brownies, fruit tarts, etc. Your guests will appreciate the thought and personal touch - and your friends will love having their serving dishes and homemade specialties become a part of your big day!

About our Experts
Arti Anand works with ZOYA Couture, a boutique design and print studio in Washington, D.C. that creates wedding invitations and marketing collateral. The company incorporates work of numerous in-house and freelance designers, offering clients fresh new designs, layouts, and materials.

Larissa Banting of Weddings Costa Rica has planned over 300 weddings in this beautiful tropical Paradise. She is also the force behind Lazy Bride, the blog for the energetically-challenged bride.

Tyyne' Catapan, owner of Wild Expressions Florist in Milford, Ct specializes in "wildly romantic bridal flowers."

Thea Daniel, owner of Rose of Sharon Event Florist in Fayeteville, Arkansas, has been designing floral arrangements for events for 15 years.