Beautiful Weddings

It’s always nice to know what you’re in for when you have your wedding photos done as this will prepare you mentally. Important questions to consider prior to your big day would be what style of photos you prefer as this can be either traditional, spontaneous, arty etc. Another question would be whether you’d prefer colour, sepia or black and white photos; with or without frames or a mix of everything. This all needs to be discussed with your wedding photographer before the wedding day – besides the fact that he/she needs to know what your preferences and requirements are, the photographer can give you some guidance and advice on must-have shots so that the photos you imagine can take on real life form.

Although there are so many hair styles to choose from, keep in mind that you’ll have to look at these photos for ever, so I would advise against anything very different or extreme (the kids will probably just tease you about this later!). If you want your wedding photos to be timeless, go for a classic, simplistic hair style that would be easy to manage throughout your photo shoot and day.

Its important to have a trial run with your make-up to avoid last minute disappointment. You know what you feel comfortable with, again, this needs to suit your personality. You want to mingle with your guests feeling comfortable and self assured. Your wedding make-up should compliment you, not change you – rather keep it natural and fresh.

Keep the main thing the main thing – firstly you need to feel comfortable and most importantly be yourself so that your unique personality would reflect on the photos. But a girl needs all the help she can get and if a few props will help you to relax and have fun – why not! Take some props with or ask the photographer to supply some interesting objects that you can use during your photo shoot, for example a hat, colourful sarong (that will double up to keep your dress clean in case you have to get down and dirty), a wedding invitation, your garter, a cigar for the groom etc . Give your photographer some healthy attitude and the right tools to be creative.

We so often invest our precious time in things that won’t last – yes, its important that you look absolutely breathtaking but besides looking beautiful, the photo shoot takes priority as this is what you would take with you long after the champagne has lost its bubble. You can either shy away and lose out on stunning memories or you can forget yourself, go beyond yourself and have fun!

It is important to remember that the wedding invitation is essentially the key to your event as it is the first interaction your guests have with your wedding. In fact, the wedding invitation is a representation of the bride, groom, and should convey your personality. The modern wedding invitation is not only an extension of the happy couple, but also provides invaluable bit of information for the wedding guests.

 

Most of the basic elements of a modern wedding invitation are exactly the same as those of a classic wedding invitation. The invitation must include who is getting married, the date, the time of the wedding, the place, and who is hosting the event. In many cases, the modern wedding invitation, unlike the classic version, should state whether formal or casual attire is required.

 

Aside from the well-known informative elements of the wedding invitation, the modern elements all have to do with the format, materials, wording, and overall aesthetic of the invitation. First and foremost, the paper chosen is one of the most important elements of a modern wedding invitation. Beautiful papers, often hand-pressed, are ideal for modern wedding invitations. Such high quality papers add a touch of refined class to your invitation. While some papers are extremely expensive, they are well worth the extra cost.

 

Modern wedding invitations allow couples to plan their wedding in an up-to-date fashion. There are many styles to the modern wedding invitation, and one of the fastest growing trends is the handmade appearance that so many these days seem to have. Gone are the days of finely printed, embossed, and engraved wedding invitations and here are the days of one-of-a-kind hand-stitched, sewn, and hand-tied ribbons. The embellishments of the modern wedding invitation are exactly what make it so modern.

 

Handmade wedding invitations can end up costing you a lot more than traditional or classical invites, but to many couples, the touch of whimsy and uniqueness are well worth the extra money. However, it is possible to make handmade wedding invitations for a completely modern look but at a fraction of the cost with a little time, effort, and creativity. Today, many couples have access to good quality printers which makes it easier to design wedding invitations that speak truly to the nature of the couple.

 

In addition to certain embellishments added to modern wedding invitations, today many couples are using unusual shaped invitations rather than the traditional rectangular or square invitations we have seen of generations past. Oversized, tri-fold, and circular invitations are part of a growing trend of unusual shapes. Such shapes catch the eye of the invited guest and make a unique and interesting statement.

 

The shape is not the only way wedding invitations are becoming more modern. Classic wedding invitations are white or ivory, usually with black print. There may be hints of gold or silver for a touch of color. Today, many modern invitations are colorful and bright, which could not be more fashion forward. Many brides choose colored card stock, hand-pressed paper (with flowers), and vellum to add an extra layer of fun and excitement to their wedding (in many cases, the color scheme of the wedding invitations correlate to the color scheme of the wedding itself).

 

Modern wedding invitations provide an interesting design style. The modern style usually has two colors; one as a solid background color and a secondary color for the design. The writing may consist of a standard black or the same as the secondary color. While traditional wedding invitations provide all the basic information as we mentioned above, modern invitations include a little something extra. Most modern wedding invitations have an inner envelope that holds a selection of information cards outlining different topics. For example, there would be one card for each of the following topics – the wedding registry, hotel information, directions, things to do in the area, wedding website information, and the list can go on and on.

 

As society and culture changes, so does the wedding invitation, as weddings are integral parts of both facets of the world. For example, today many people find themselves “going green”which is another way of saying that they are becoming more and more environmentally conscious. Modern wedding invitations may reflect this aspect of the couple’s life by implementing recycled papers or even sending out electronic invitations through email.

 

More and more weddings today are destination weddings; this means not only the couple, but also the guests travel to a specific destination for the ceremony and reception. Usually, these weddings take place somewhere tropical, but there are destination weddings all over the world. Many modern invitations take on the destination theme, where the invitations themselves reflect the location. For example, a beach wedding may have sea foam green paper with shell embellishments.

 

For anyone planning a wedding, the objective is often to make it an event to remember and something that can be talked about for months if not years to come. This requires careful attention to every element of the wedding and reception. This includes dresses, tuxedoes, accessories, flowers, decorations, food and drink, right down to the favors and the reception table arrangements. Wedding invitations are also important and should include a design that your guests can remember for many years.

 

The wedding invitations you send out are the first indication, for your guests, that a wedding date has officially been set, so the importance of wedding invitations cannot be overstated. Your wedding invitations not only set the theme for the wedding, they also provide your guests with a little insight into the tastes and personality of the couple who is to be married. If you want to make your celebration stand out so that it can be both anticipated and remembered, begin by choosing the very best and unique wedding invitations you can find.

 

Choosing Colors

Making your celebration stand out does not have to mean choosing the brightest, boldest wedding invitation colors you can find, but color coordination is always a good idea, because the colors you choose help set the theme and tone for your wedding.

 

If you have already chosen theme colors for your wedding, then applying those colors to your wedding invitations is a simple matter. Look at the colors you have chosen, and then think about how to apply those to your invites. For example, if you have chosen gold and yellow as your wedding colors, perhaps you could choose wedding invitations with text written in gold ink on off-white paper, with yellow or yellow-accented envelopes.

 

On the other hand, if you have not yet chosen your wedding colors at the time you select your invitations, perhaps this is the perfect time to do so! How do you choose your wedding colors? Think about elements such as your bridesmaid dresses, your bridal bouquet, or the types of decorations you have chosen for the wedding and reception. Typically, you can select one or two complementary colors to use in each case. Once you have chosen those colors, simply apply them to your invitations to link them to the wedding.

 

Finding the right mix of colors is definitely an important step when it comes to choosing wedding invitations because they can make your wedding stand out. Therefore, if you are looking for attention-grabbing wedding invitations on a budget, choosing your colors thoughtfully is a great way to achieve this.

 



Styles, Shapes, and More

If your wedding invitation budget stretches to more than color choices, you should have a great chance to create wedding invitations that are going to be noticed. There are so many options these days, in terms of colors, fonts, embossing, images, watermarks, and additional decorations such as ribbons and strings, bows and glitter. You can really let your imagination run wild and create whatever you think would look best.

 

There are some simply stunning wedding invitation styles available, with bright colors, beautiful images, attention-grabbing fonts, and decorative accents. For a spring wedding, the “American Dream” style is just perfect, with its eye-catching orange or blue wildflowers and contrastingly plain font. Choose matching response, reception, thank-you cards and many other elements for a really standout look that brings all the different aspects of your wedding together in sharp relief.

 

For a romantic addition to your wedding invitations, the “Love Knot” style is perfect, with its luscious cream cardstock, flowing font, and the beautiful bow that holds the entire invitation together. Choose a deep red, pink, or any pastel color you desire for a beautifully romantic look, and the accent ribbon can add an eye-catching element that can make your entire celebration stand out from the very beginning.

 

Contemporary stripes in the “Riviera” or “Resort” style are definitely very eye-catching designs. Pin stripes in several contrasting colors make these invitations a breeze to pair with almost any wedding color set, and they certainly grab one’s attention. Tie the invitation together with contrasting ribbon or raffia for a particularly attractive look, and your guests should be eagerly anticipating the big day.

 

There are plenty of options for additional decorative elements, too. From sensual satin ribbons to funky polka dots, romantic organza bows, invitation seals to place on the outside of your envelopes, pretty little heart stickers for invitations or envelopes, and other fun decorations to give your invitations a little extra “kick.” With invitations and decorations like these, your celebration is guaranteed to stand out from the very beginning! While planning your wedding, keep in mind the importance of your wedding invitations. You should carefully choose these invitations because they serve a greater purpose than informing your guests about the date of the celebration.