Need inspiration for your outdoor wedding invitations?
Look no further!
Whether you’re getting wed on a beach in Bali or tying the knot in your own backyard,
we’ve got a whole host of outdoor wedding invitations to inspire your design.
Summerland Cutout
This gorgeous cutout was a commission piece for a summer outdoor wedding. The blooming flower lettering goes perfectly with the natural theme of the event.
Farm weddings are packed full of charm which is why they need an invitation to match. This outdoor wedding invitation is simple yet elegant, allowing the classic design to speak for itself.
Inspired by Chinese traditions, the floral pattern of the bridesmaids dresses, along with an array of birds and trees to symbolize their passion for the outdoors, these wedding invitations perfectly portray the relaxed, laid back feel of this intimate outdoor wedding.
A fun and whimsical pop up wedding invitation for a 1950s inspired outdoor wedding picnic taking place on the beach. All elements used within the design were included as real elements in the styling of the wedding itself.
To go with their mountain wedding theme this couple wanted a rustic looking invite that embodied their community style wedding taking place in a nature reserve.
This couple wanted their outdoor wedding invitations to have a distinctive forest feel so they came up with the idea of a party full of animal guests. The invitation is unfolding keeping the forest concept a secret from guests until they start opening it for the big reveal.
For something a little more fancy, custom illustrated invites should do the trick. These hand illustrated watercolor invites with wood grain pocket fold envelopes are divine.
National Park postcards, Native American symbology, and the splendors of the Great American Northwest inspired these contemporary wedding announcements.
Eco-friendly invitations for a wedding in Oregon. Printed on uncoated cardstock and raw envelopes to further emphasize the natural look and feel of the pieces.
Which invite is your favorite? We’re loving them all!
About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
Depending on the size of your wedding celebrations, centerpieces could end up costing you a fortune.
If you’re on the hunt for ways to cut costs then these 25 DIY wedding centerpieces will be right up your alley.
They’re beautiful, classy and elegant – and they won’t blow your budget!
Who said DIY couldn’t be spectacular?
Mixed Silver Spray Painted Bottles
Before you throw out all those bottles you’ve been hoarding for one reason or another, grab the silver spray paint and try your hand at creating some of these babies!
From wine bottles to flasks, if it’ll hold flowers you can make it work!
Branches can be found laying around just about anywhere there’s trees.
Next time you’re out and about enjoying a walk keep your eyes peeled for ones that look interesting, insert them into a vase filled with pebbles then decorate!
Let us know what you’re thinking…you can just say “hi” too (we won’t bite)!
About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
What’s beautiful and timeless to some couples may seem old-fashioned and dull to others.
One bride may look at tulle, glitter and papier-mâché and see a child’s messy arts & crafts box while the other sees stars.
Your big day should be a reflection of your personality as a couple – a celebration of the things that make you happy.
So it’s with a bit of caution that I write this article about 2013 wedding trends.
Because while I think it’s good to be up-to-date on wedding styles, I also think that, in the end, you should stay true to yourself no matter what the latest fashion.
If you’ve never in your life worn a pair of cowboy boots, a Western hoedown may not be the best idea for your wedding theme (no matter how cute it looked in that photo on Pinterest!).
When my husband and I got engaged, I spent the first couple of months rabidly tearing pages of Mason jar centerpieces and DIY party favors from the bridal magazines.
I was pinning photos of vintage doily tablecloths and recycled paper baubles like it was my job.
And then I realized – I have literally never stepped foot in a vintage shop in my life and the last time I held a glue stick in my hands, I was trying to eat it.
As much as I try to be a Martha Stewart craftswoman, I’ve never actually made anything that I would want to immortalize in my wedding photos.
I was being bombarded by the “shabby-chic” wedding style everywhere I looked.
And while it’s a beautiful design, it just wasn’t me. (Er – us. Another word of advice…remember it’s the groom’s wedding, too!)
So I had to re-prioritize.
My husband and I love a little flair but when it comes down to it, we’re traditionalists.
We wanted the church wedding.
We wanted my dad to walk me down the aisle.
And I wanted lace, darn it!
In the end our wedding turned out just how we hoped – classic but still fresh, stylish and with just the right amount of sparkle.
So please, take this article with a grain of salt.
Use these wedding trends as a jumping-off point to deciding on your bridal style.
I hope that you find some inspiration in my post but, you know what?
It’s OK if you don’t.
The ideas shared here are not the final word in weddings.
And come to think of it, neither are the countless images on Pinterest or the articles that you see in the magazines.
Just do you!
OK, on to the fun stuff.
Following is a roundup of 2013 wedding trends in the form of style and décor, dresses and invitations.
Call it the Kate Middleton effect, but this year is seeing a major shift towards the traditional.
Weddings are a more formal affair, and brides are using words like “classic” and “timeless” to describe what they want.
They’re serving plated dinners with gold silverware inside glamorous hotel ballrooms or grand museums, and creating settings that are luxurious, lush and sophisticated.
But timeless brides don’t have to be stuck indoors.
Candelabras are another popular décor piece and peonies, she says, are “the epitome of a classic wedding.”
Peonies wedding bouquet image via Style Me Pretty, photo by Vitae Weddings
“Other romantic choices like roses are big as well,” she adds. “The floral should feel soft and elegant.”
When it comes to color schemes, traditionalist brides should consider neutrals like grey, cream, taupe, or even black and white.
For a bit of elegant flair, Jackson-Meara recommends adding metallic touches like gold foil letterpress invitations or menus and place cards.
“I also love incorporating gorgeous and traditional calligraphy, which looks especially glamorous in gold or silver ink,” she says. (More on wedding invitation ideas in the next section!)
And when it comes to classic centerpieces, Jackson-Meara says low and lush floral arrangements with candles are the perfect complement to luxurious table flatware.
Eclectic brides need not fret – wedding themes and ideas aren’t all about the customary this year.
One interesting trend that’s gained in popularity recently is the idea of “glamping,” or ultra-luxe camp-style weddings.
I’m talking sprawling tents, electricity (obviously!), and high-end linens.
And, yes, guests usually overnight.
“I love the idea of a late-night s’mores and bourbon bar and teepees with activities for kids,” says Jackson-Meara. “Lounge seating with plush cashmere throws are a great way to make sure everyone is comfortable.”
Couples also are incorporating their heritage into the cuisine, even if it’s just small bite-sized treats during cocktail hour.
But, according to Jackson-Meara, it’s the ceremony that gets the most personal.
“I did a wedding last year where we did both a Hindu and Christian ceremony. The bride wanted all of their guests to feel comfortable and she included a guide of sorts with the Hindu ceremony program so that they would understand each element of it. The guide had detailed explanations on history and meaning. I think guests really felt more connected to the ceremony and, in some ways, to the couple because of the deeper understanding.”
And, finally, my favorite wedding trend of 2013: bold patterns!
“Think chevron envelope liners, striped cakes and big colors,” says Jackson-Meara. “And of course floral garland. I’ve seen gorgeous strands of peonies and hydrangea. Even ribbon, paper and doilies are amazing.”
“Brides are using garland for their altar and on aisle chairs for the ceremony – draping them on everything from chandeliers, tables, bride and groom chairs, and photo booth backdrops.”
Neon wedding paper suite image via Ten Four Paper
Wedding Invitations & Small Touches
Did you know that your invitations are actually a part of what industry experts call a “wedding paper suite?”
I didn’t!
“A traditional wedding paper suite consists of an invitation and reply card,” explains Julie Goette, owner of Ten Four Paper. “Many brides and grooms also use paper elements in the ceremony or reception décor, anything from programs and menus to dessert bar signs and favor tags.”
Invitations and small decorative touches reflect the overall return to classic wedding styles.
Gold, silver and other metallic hues are very popular with brides and provide the perfect dose of sophistication and shine.
“You can print invitations using foil, which puts an actual metallic coating to your design, but that can be pretty expensive,” says Goette. “If you’re working with a smaller budget, consider painting the edges of your invites with metallic ink.”
She adds that there also are a variety of metallic handmade papers, backer cards and ribbon that can bring in the gold or silver accents for a more affordable price.
One of the more obvious ways to throw an eco-friendly wedding is by consolidating the number of cards in your invitations.
“Consider making a fun wedding website with additional information for your guests, instead of printing extra cards,” recommends Goette. “Many printers can use vegetable-based ink on recycled paper to reduce your carbon footprint. There are also really fun seed papers out there that can be great for both invitations and favors. You literally take the paper embedded with seeds and plant it. Seeds germinate in the paper pulp and then grow flowers!”
Neon wedding paper suite image via Ten Four Paper, photo by L Photographie
Eclectic couples, meanwhile, are really embracing the neon trend in their wedding paper suites.
“I think neon works well when paired with softer neutral colors, so the neon stands out and doesn’t compete with other elements,” says Goette. “Printing your names in neon ink when the rest of the text is printed in a neutral color, or adding a thin neon backer card to your invite, are great ways to incorporate the trend without it being overwhelming.”
You can also consider using neon envelopes for a punch of color.
That being said, if you’re a couple that loves bold hues, then have at it!
“Weddings today are so much more meaningful when they reflect the couple that’s in love, so don’t be afraid to do something different if it means something to you,” Goette advises.
Custom wedding invitation designers love working with brides and grooms to create personalized paper suites.
“We try to delve deep into what makes you tick as a couple, your hobbies, likes, love story and personality, in order to create a design that reflects you specifically. The options and creative ideas are endless!”
Your invitation is the first glimpse guests will receive of your big day.
Opening the invitation should be an exciting experience for them.
Goette adds: “Beautiful invites not only introduce your wedding, but give friends and relatives something unexpected…an actual piece of mail! Not a bill or local coupons, but a loving invitation to one of the most important days of your life. I think that is pretty special.”
A Martina Liana bridal gown with beading, style 411 image via Martina Liana
Wedding Dresses
Unlike mainstream or runway fashion, bridal style isn’t quite as capricious.
Carrie Yeo, owner of Mariee Gallery explains: “Bridal trends tend to move a lot slower because brides want a more timeless look for their wedding day. So the trends are cyclical. Once strapless has been popular for a while, straps and sleeves will become trend again. But this takes a period of years, not months.”
So where do bridal gown designers find their inspiration?
“In all kinds of areas,” says Yeo. “History, art, and even mainstream fashion.”
Like most wedding dress shop owners, Yeo attends bridal fashion week in New York City twice a year. In October, she previews spring collections for the following year and in April she’s shopping for the fall.
“This year I’m seeing a lot of color and beading,” says Yeo. “Lace was popular last year and still is in 2013 thanks to the Royal Wedding. But, really, these looks have always been around. They’re just reinterpreted for each year.”
- Sheer overlays: “These add a more romantic touch to gowns and create an ethereal look.”
- Soft peplum skirts: “For the fashion-forward bride who wants a bit of volume to her dress.”
- Lace: “This is the quintessential wedding dress fabric and looks good in so many ways. Each designer has their own take on this classic.”
- Ruffles: “Ruffles are always fun and romantic!”
- Lace tattoos: “Claire Pettibone does this well. Her Mystere gown is a beautiful example.”
- Corset bodices: “These are always very flatting to all body types.”
- Off-the-shoulder necklines: “They can be beautiful on the right gown and look good on many brides.”
- Gold:“Gold and champagne are flattering to all skin types and they photograph very well.”
- Beading and sequins: “I am seeing a lot more beading and sequins now than I did three or four years ago.”
Claire Pettibone Mystere wedding dress image via Claire Pettibone, photo by Nick Tucker Photography
Yeo recommends you start shopping for a wedding dress as soon as possible.
Bridal gowns can take three to five months to be made and you need another month or so for fittings and alterations.
She also says that a bride should only take one or two people whose opinion she values to her appointment.
And remember that quality bridal shops will only ask you to pay half up front and the other half when the gown arrives.
“Make sure that you get a receipt and contract and check them thoroughly before signing,” she adds. “Never be afraid to ask the store a lot of questions. Read reviews of the shop to make sure that they deliver on their promises!”
And when it comes to saying “yes” to the dress, Yeo thinks brides should be true to what they like – no matter what others might say.
“Don’t be too influenced by trends or the opinions of others. If you love the dress and it makes you feel beautiful, then it’s yours.”
Do you have any 2013 Wedding Trends to add?
Share your trends below…
About the Author
Katarina is a freelance writer specializing in travel, fashion, weddings and beauty/wellness. Her work has been printed in publications like The Knot, Sunset, Four Seasons Magazine, and Unboundary by USA Today. She is the author of The Food Lovers’ Guide to Phoenix & Scottsdale, founder of the fashionable travel blog Style Jaunt, and travel contributor for SheKnows.com. Follow her on Twitter @Little_K and Google+.
Bella and Edward’s romance may be fictitious, but you can recreate their movie wedding into your own modern day fairytale!
Their wedding was one of the most anticipated weddings on the big screen.
Fans were eager to get a sneak peek of what wedding designer Tammy Polatsek created for this momentous scene.
With flowers cascading from the trees above, wooden benches for guests to sit, this was the ultimate romantic wedding scene.
Use these tips to copy Bella and Edward’s lush wedding style…
1. Flowers galore
Skip the roses, you won’t want them here.
Instead, use a variety of white flowers and lots of leafy greenery like ferns and touches of moss.
For the movie they used delphiniums, viburnums, white lilacs, ranunculus, and sweet pea, plus stones, ferns, and moss.
“We didn’t want the typical rose/hydrangea combination.
That was too arranged,” said Polatsek according to Bridal Guide.
The key to your wedding reception centerpieces is to make them appear to be growing out from the table.
Add moss and ferns to the base of your floral arrangements to hide any vases used.
2. Wooden everything
Wooden tables, wooden dessert displays, vintage wooden chairs and benches, wooden archway, etc.
Did I mention you should use wood?
With Edward’s family’s long existence, they would have quite a number of vintage wooden tables and chairs that they would want to use for such an exciting celebration.
So be sure to rent vintage tables and chairs, and don’t be afraid to mix and match!
This tablescape below was featured on Style Me Pretty, and inspired by the Breaking Dawn wedding.
They chose a simple table runner instead of a full table cloth, so the natural wooden table and chairs were the main star.
Style Me Pretty – Meg Perotti Photograph
Don’t forget the most important piece, the archway!
Either buy or construct this yourself, but be sure to use an abundance of fresh flowers.
3. Natural Color Palette
Stick with a natural color palette revolving around the color green with accents of white and brown.
If you want to replicate the look, choose a moss green table cloth, preferably with texture.
You can rent the very same linens from the movie from Wildflower Linen, the style is called Lily Pad Moss.
4. Vintage style wedding gown
The wedding gown in the movie was designed by Carolina Hererra.
While you have an engagement ring to call your own, you can purchase a replica to adorn your right hand.
Infinite Jewelry Co. has produced a line of replica jewelry approved by the author Stephanie Meyer, including this ring.
Hair Piece and Veil
You can find plenty of replicas for Bella’s hair piece.
I recommend buying a vintage hairpiece and veil from an antique shop or Etsy.
This can also be your “something old!”
Shoes
Dying for a pair of Bella’s wedding shoes to call your own?
Manolo Blahnik – Swan
These crystal beaded satin shoes were designed by Manolo Blanik, and come with a hefty price tag of $1,295.
Get the look for a whole lot less by purchasing a moderately priced pair of white satin pumps, and buy shoe clips to add the ornate detail.
6. Setting
If you don’t live next to a forest, you can recreate the wedding at a private estate that oozes with romance.
You’ll want to find something classical with plenty of trees.
The Valentino Estate in San Diego has willow trees surrounding a private lake.
The weeping willow branches emulate the cascading flowers found in the scene.
7. Hair & Makeup
Bella’s hair was soft and subtle with braids leading into a low bun.
This tutorial will give you an idea of how to recreate the look.
Bella’s makeup from the film was created by makeup artist Stacey Panepinto.
According to Stacey, she focused on creating a soft smokey eye and had the rest of Bella’s makeup complement that.
The makeup artist gave a tutorial on Bella Sugar, which you can find out more on how to copy the look for yourself.
Will you be incorporating any Twilight inspired elements into your own wedding?
What other movie weddings are you influenced by?
About the Author
Claire is the Director of Client Relations for Estate Weddings and Events and will often be the first person to greet you and answer any questions you may have about planning your estate event. In her free time, she loves to make succulent arrangements, homebrew craft beers and put her love for crafts to work! You can follow her here Linkedin or Google+.
When it comes to organizing your wedding thoughts and ideas, there really is no better place than Pinterest! Creating your dream wedding is easy with Pinterest acting as your virtual pinboard. See something you love? Pin it to your wedding board. Browse though other people’s pins, surf the World Wide Web, or upload images right from your computer. Need inspiration? Check out what other people are sharing. When you follow someone their pins will show up in your feed, giving you a daily dose of wedding inspiration.
Pinterest’s coolest features:
1. Easily share your wedding mood board with friends and family.
2. Quickly get feedback from the wedding party regarding your choice of bridesmaids dresses, decorations or venue.
Google Docs is by far one of the most useful tools for anyone planning a trip down the aisle. If you’re after an easy way to communicate everything from your guest list and budget to your to do list and vendor research, then it’s time to get on board with Google Docs. Simply create a spreadsheet and share it with your hubby, wedding coordinator or wedding party. This way everyone can add, edit or reference anytime, anywhere. A great way to cut down on time spent on the phone, leaving you free to get on with the more important wedding tasks.
Google Docs coolest features:
1. Share files or folders with anyone, and choose whether they can view, edit or comment on your stuff.
2. Create and reply to comments to get feedback and make files more collaborative.
3. Access your stuff wherever you are – at home, in the office or on the go.
Perfect for style savvy modern brides everywhere, Style Me Pretty covers everything from beautiful real weddings to all the best wedding service providers available. Featuring no end of stylish wedding related content you’ll be pouring over this site for days! If you’re looking for wedding ideas and inspiration that goes beyond cookie-cutter expectations and is both thoughtful and personal, then Style Me Pretty will help you along the way. Plus the sheer amount of DIY projects is outstanding!
Style Me Pretty’s coolest features:
1. Real weddings to get you in the mood for your own special day.
2. Fashion look book filled with the most incredible wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses a girl could ever want.
3. Little black book or wedding vendors ranging from individually run boutiques to A-listers.
As one of the fastest growing wedding and event companies in the USA, Wedding Wire is an efficient tool that is not to be missed by anyone in the throes of wedding planning. Finding the perfect vendors for your special day is not an easy task, but Wedding Wire makes the entire process a breeze. Search, compare and book from over 200,000 up to date wedding vendors. From caterers to photographers, they’ve got it covered. There’s also a whole host of practical online wedding planning tools including wedding websites and checklists.
Wedding Wire’s coolest features:
1. Personal planner to help you plan with confidence and ease.
2. Enter your zip code and find vendors right on your doorstep.
3. Interact with fellow bride and grooms to be on the active and insightful forums.
Why spend hours trawling the web for all the different things you need for your wedding when you can find them all in one easy to navigate place? The Knot, along with its sister site Wedding Channel, literally has everything you could ever want or need. From wedding ideas and vendors to gift registries and honeymoons. One of our favorite features has got to be their online planning tools to help keep your wedding planning on track. Best part? They’re all free! Thanks to their checklists, budget calculator and guest list manager, you’ll have everything taken care of in a heartbeat.
The Knot’s coolest features:
1. Get inspired by fellow knotties and upload your own wedding photos.
2. The Knot wedding apps so you can use your wedding to do list whilst on the go.
3. Comprehensive wedding planning content and interactive tools.
There’s no need to play email ping pong with your friends, family or wedding coordinator, when you can simply drag and drop all your wedding related photos and documents straight into your Dropbox folder. All you have to do is download Dropbox, and then ask whoever it is you want to share files with to do the same! With the simple click of a button you can create a shared folder meaning all your wedding documents will sync to everyone’s computer whenever they’re online.
Dropbox’s coolest features:
1. Share documents and photos easily
2. Never lose anything as it is all backed up on Dropbox.
3. Access all your files from anywhere in the world.
Remember everything with Evernote! If you’ve got a habit of forgetting things, Evernote will come in handy. By helping you to remember and act upon your ideas, projects and experiences, Evernote lets you capture anything you come across that you may want to include in your wedding. Use it with every computer, phone or mobile device out there and keep everything in sync. Did we mention it’s free!
Evernote’s coolest features:
1. Nifty web clipper lets you cut out text, images and links from your favorite web pages.
2. Make notes using the awesome voice recording tool.
3. Collect research from anywhere into a single place.
Brides is your all in one source for wedding planning, wedding ideas and inspiration. Whether you need help finding the perfect dress or tux, need ideas on how to wear your hair, or simply want to connect with local vendors, Brides is to the rescue. If you want something a little more tactile, Brides also offers the world’s largest bridal magazine subscription. With creative reception ideas, luxurious gowns, DIY stories and loads more, Brides takes your hand and leads you through the entire wedding maze.
Brides coolest features:
1. Unbelievable sweeps and promotions for you to win.
2. Free bridal gifts when you subscribe to the Brides magazine.
3. Virtual wedding planning tools such as the Brides Dressing Room.
Are you working your ass off to create an authentic wedding full of intention and personality? If so you’re going to fit right in at Offbeat Bride. Apart from being a website, Offbeat Bride is also a book and an online community. Updated daily with tons of real offbeat non traditional weddings, advice and inspiration, Offbeat Bride gives positive encouragement to couples trying to retain their identity through the drama and pressure of wedding planning. If your planning a wedding that deviates from the ‘norm’ then this site should be your number one resource.
Offbeat Bride’s coolest features:
1. Snark free wedding community that fully embraces unconventional couples.
2. Members only tribe with access to insider tips and tricks.
3. Real life offbeat weddings to feast your eyes on.
Plan, book, and shop for your wedding with inspiration as your guide. Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration to get your wedding planning well underway, and that’s where OneWed comes in. OneWed provides innovative software and support to make planning hassle free. Utilize their proprietary matching technology to team you up with the perfect vendors, harness the power of their extraordinary planning checklists, and get all your pressing questions answered by their amazing support team.
OneWed’s coolest features:
1. No end of beautiful awe inspiring wedding photography.
2. Wedding inspiration from OneWed available in app form.
3. Tools and support to make wedding planning smarter and better.
If you haven’t already found a place to register for your wedding then why not sign up with Amazon? You might not know it, but Amazon has a wedding registry section dedicated exclusively to up and coming newlyweds. Juggling multiple registries with all your favorite stores can be hectic to say the least, but with Amazon the process is super simple. Offering an incredible selection from fine china to gorgeous homeware, you can create the perfect wedding registry in no time.
Amazon’s coolest features:
1. Free shipping on orders of $25 or more
2. Receive bonus gifts when you register with select vendors.
How can Etsy help simplify your wedding planning? Enter Etsy Weddings and Wedding Registry. Etsy Weddings is the place to go when you’re on the hunt for unique handmade wedding items, as well as to find out all about the latest trends, how tos and expert advice on the all things wedding. Lusting after something you can’t quite afford? Add it to your wedding registry. To accompany the experience of shopping for the big day, Etsy are also inviting brides and grooms to register for wedding gifts.
Etsy’s coolest features:
1. Discover all the latest trends and get inspired.
2. Wide variety of gift ideas on the registry page to get you started.
3. Unique gifts for the next chapter of your life.
Updated daily by 20+ real brides across the US and Canada, Weddingbee is read obsessively by brides, grooms, bridesmaids, women, wedding vendors and industry insiders alike. The core focus of Weddingbee is the wedding planning journeys of real brides, from engagement right through to ‘I Do’. The vibrant and active community is the ideal place to come and ask for advice, as well as to vent any wedding frustrations you have.
Weddingbee’s coolest features:
1. Bustling boards ready to answer all your wedding related questions in the drop of a hat.
3. Real brides share all their wedding planning pics in the gallery section.
What are your favorite wedding planning tools?
Share with us in the comments below…
About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
It is a moment of blurred bliss, of bundled nerves and utter surprise.
On bended knee and with ring in hand, eyes look up longingly and filled with hope.
Popping the question remains one of the few points in life where nerves crash harmoniously with joy.
While you can worry about the response on the other end of the proposal, the proposer can calm those nerves and perhaps sweeten the chances for a response of “yes” by selecting the perfect location for the engagement.
In the United States, you could pop the question in any number of iconic American sites from the very public proposals at sporting events to the less than appetizing restaurant meal with the ring baked into dessert.
Rather than going with a cliche proposal, the American engagement can come at any number of wondrous places, from the raw beauty of a national park to the top of the town.
National Parks
Photo By Wolfgang Staudt
You could get down on one knee in any old landscape, but you probably won’t have the seclusion and natural wonder that one of the US National Parks lends.
While tromping through muddy hiking trails doesn’t always trigger romance, these spaces provide the backdrops for a proposal one would naturally never forget.
The country’s protected lands allow for private couples to find their stretch of wilderness away from prying eyes.
In fact, with 398 areas spanning over 84 million acres, the national park system offers plenty of room for engagement settings.
Just over an hour from Denver, couples can frolic through alpine glaciers and romp around wildflower meadows at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
Over in Arches National Park, proposals can take place in a landscape like no other of red, red rock.
Those who capture an engagement under one of the wondrous arches already have the most romantic engagement shot.
A couple can even go beyond the famous national parks of the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone.
Quirkier proposals can come in any number of protected landscapes, from the caves of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky to the bubbling lava of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park.
If you are out of ideas as to where to propose for a jaw-dropping natural setting, you need look no farther than your nearest national park.
Tops of This World
Photo By fussy onion
The song Climb Every Mountain in the Sound of Music appeals to those couples taking the plunge to get hitched.
Just as you can climb every mountain, search high and low and follow every path you know, as the sound mandates, you can do the same with your future fiancé.
The United States offers dozens of opportunities to climb to the highest points in town and make a top of this world proposal.
From the Willis Tower in Chicago to the classic Empire State Building in New York, the city slicker couple doesn’t mind scaling skyscrapers and stories to write their own tale.
Proposals are not just limited to manmade highpoints across the country.
From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sierra Nevadas, those on bended knee merely need to find the highest mountain within their proposal’s distance for a truly panoramic proposal location.
Historic Hotels of America
Photo By david_shankbone
If you want to plan a romantic proposal in the US that takes a step back in time, you can find a whole laundry list of heritage properties for cozy retreats.
While the United States might lack the history of some countries, its hundreds of heritage hotels evoke a sense of place and the past for a weekend stay.
Used as the backdrop for love stories throughout the ages and frequented by everyone from presidents to actors, the Historic Hotels of America lend amorous circumstances for proposals.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation began its Historic Hotels of America program in 1989 in order to promote heritage tourism.
Its listings total over 200 hotels across the country that have kept up their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.
In order to classify for this romantic list, the hotel must be at least 50 years old and either on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
With their crystal chandeliers and ghost stories, these properties across the United States hint at history with a night’s stay.
In Scottsdale, Arizona, you can rest up in the retro Hotel Valley Ho, also the site of Natalie Wood’s wedding.
Over in Louisville, Kentucky, proposals are turn of the century at the Brown Hotel, where spaces like the Crystal Ballroom and hotel lobby hark back to a different time.
Those fresh out of ideas as to where to get down on one knee can take a look at the Historic Hotels of America listing for a taste of the past on a romantic weekend away.
European Inspired Cities
By Digital Sextant
If you can’t have all of the love in Paris or the fountains of Rome to set the engagement tone, you might as well find their American impersonators.
The United States has its fair share of cities layered in grease and grime.
However a number of US cities practically fall out of European dreams.
The French settlement of New Orleans provides that old world, European feel for a proposal.
The Big Easy laced in wrought iron balconies and quiet streets where that ultimate question practically rolls off of the tongue.
Then there are other European-inspired cities like Charleston, South Carolina.
Its colorful kaleidoscope of manors and cobbled streets causes a few to do a double take as to whether they have jumped the pond eastward.
Some American cities perhaps accidentally mirror a few European capitals.
San Francisco compares notes with Lisbon, spread out across a series of hills, known for its rickety cable car rides and orange Golden Gate.
It might not be Lisbon’s yellow trams or even Ponte 25 de Abril, but it is a close contender for a worthy proposal spot with a suggestion of a more exotic European destination.
On the Water
Photo By The Wandering Angel
The United States enjoys a fine drink of water.
The glassy surface of rivers and lakes or the crashing of ocean waves is enough to induce a proposal.
The country borders a number of bodies of water, including the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Great Lakes.
Going near the water for an engagement is always easy in this country.
Those future and hopeful fiancés out of ideas for incorporating water into their American proposal can always take to the seas.
It is relatively easy to hire a sailboat, go on a day cruise, stroll through a city’s river walk area or simply find a stretch of sand with reservations for two.
Just be sure to hang on to that engagement ring near sand and water!
Do you have a great location for a U.S. proposal?
Share your story with us below!
About the Author
Suzy is a freelance writer, largely penning travel and lifestyle pieces for a number of online publications including the Estate Weddings and Events blog. With a redheaded temperament she travels the globe in search of sarcasm, stories and travel tips to share with anyone willing to listen. You can connect with her via LinkedIn or Google+.
Claire is the Director of Client Relations for Estate Weddings and Events and will often be the first person to greet you and answer any questions you may have about planning your estate event. In her free time, she loves to make succulent arrangements, homebrew craft beers and put her love for crafts to work! You can follow her here Linkedin or Google+.
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About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
Check out these 10 wedding color scheme mistakes you don’t want to make…
Rainbow
If you don’t want it to end up looking like a Crayola box has burst all over your bridesmaids then avoid rainbow colors at all costs.
A mix of vibrant, florescent shades in every color of the rainbow is overkill!
Apart from guests finding it extremely difficult to decipher who is part of the bridal party, all eyes should be on you (not an easy task when there is such a mishmash of colors everywhere you look).
If you love color and simply must have a rainbow theme, try a toned down version by sticking to one main color and having rainbow accessories and accents.
Photo via My Harusi
Brown and Yellow
Unless you’re trying to revive the seventies, brown and yellow is a definite no-no.
These two colors combined conjure up less than appetizing connotations.
If you do decide to go with brown and yellow for your wedding color scheme, just make sure you don’t serve up lemonade and fudge for your canapés!
Photo via Angela Anderson Photography
Black and Orange
Whether you’re getting married in fall or not, nobody should want their wedding to resemble anything even remotely related to Halloween.
Spooky, scary, ghastly and creepy, are not the sort of words you want circulating between guests regards your wedding venue.
There is a reason black and orange colors are reserved only for Halloween.
Steer clear!
Photo via Cary Pennington Photography
Red, White and Blue
Red, white and blue makes you want to stand to attention and salute – that or you’ll wind up creating a nautical vibe.
Either way it’s not very romantic is it?
After all, this special day is supposed to be about the love you share with your bride/groom to be, not the love of your country.
If you’ve got your heart set on these three colors, shake the shades up a little to avoid making the guests feel like they’ve just stumbled upon a Memorial Day parade.
Photo via Studio Stems
A Combination of Browns
When you think about it, it really is hard to picture anything appealing that’s brown in color.
Okay there’s chocolate but that’s about it!
Brown, tan, beige, whatever, they’re all pretty lifeless and drab which is why you certainly shouldn’t base your entire wedding color scheme around these varying shades.
That being said, chocolate brown mixed with Tiffany blue or sweet pink can work pretty well together.
It’s all about finding the right combo.
Photo by Alison Herndon
Yellow and Red
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you picture yellow and red together?
Did someone say McDonalds…
This color combination is tacky to say the least.
Do you really want your guests looking around the room wondering when Ronald’s going to make his grand entrance?
Didn’t think so.
Try red and gold instead.
Photo via French Riviera
Anything Black
This is a wedding not a funeral!
Okay so you’re a nonconformist.
That doesn’t mean you have to deck out your entire wedding in black to show people just how punk you really are.
If the inclusion of black in your wedding color scheme is important to you, keep it minimal.
Black can be pretty overwhelming, so just use it as an accent color alongside something a little more cheery.
Photo via OBB Mich
Too Many Colors
Similar to rainbow colored themes, using too many colors is a common error that many bride and grooms make simply because they can’t settle on one or two.
Having too many colors at your wedding can cheapen the feel and confuse the guests.
Simplicity is key when it comes to choosing wedding colors, so stick to three or four max!
If you’re having a hard time, pick two colors that are symbolic of both you and your partner.
The recent popularity in Pinterest and Style Me Pretty weddings has pushed this color combo into the limelight.
Don’t get me wrong, I love vintage and shabby chic themed weddings (it’s actually the look I went for with my own wedding), but it’s not an easy one to pull off.
Mixing white and ivory fabrics, adding in some mason jars, lace, old books, and buttons, isn’t going to give you that instant vintage feel you’re hoping for.
At best you’ll end up looking like your washing machine wasn’t up to the task of getting the linen to come clean!
The trick to getting this one right is to focus on layering various shades and textures of the same color.
Photo via beornlake
Just remember that at the end of the day it is your personal choice.
Your wedding color scheme should reflect you and your partner.
It is great to get outside views and opinions, but you should always stick with your gut instinct and choose the colors that make you feel happiest.
Rest assured there is plenty of couples out there that have chosen each and every one of the above wedding color schemes and executed them with perfection.
What wedding color scheme have you chosen for your big day?
Share with us in the comments below…
About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
But there will be times when you have to deal with the hard stuff.
Whether it’s asking a friend to bow out of the bridal party, saying no to unwanted guests, or ensuring everything runs without a hiccup, challenges are to be expected.
We know you’re excited, you’re entitled to be, but try to restrain from sharing every little detail about your wedding planning process with too many people.
When you do this, you open yourself up to criticism, which can cause you to sway your decisions to more crowd friendly ones.
Keep it stumm and you won’t end up blaming everyone else when you start to regret not sticking with your initial choices.
You’re Asking For Too Many Opinions
Of course you are going to respect the advice and opinions of those who are helping fund your big day, but that doesn’t mean that they have to be consulted on every single matter.
Don’t even go there with the bridesmaids if you want to keep your sanity.
Trying to please 5 completely different women is no easy job!
Strapless, short, long, pink, no pink.
Trust me, it’s not even funny!
You’re Priorities Are All Wrong
If you really want to avoid wedding planning chaos then you need to get your priorities in order.
Get the most important things done and dusted with first such as the venue and the vendors.
Don’t buy or book anything that is dependent on elements that are still to be booked or bought, and make sure you leave yourself enough time to complete any DIY projects.
I was still making my wedding place cards the night before!
You’re Setting Your Standards Way Too High
We’d all love a dream wedding with castles, carriages and turtle doves, but the reality is unless you’re a billionaire or celeb (in which case people will throw stuff at you), you’re going to have to figure exactly what it is you can afford.
Don’t waste your time dreaming about what you could have had, or what you wish you had, or what someone else had, learn to love what you’ve got!
You’re Continually Changing Your Mind
No matter what there will always be something you’ll want to change.
Whether it’s the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses, the invitations or the centerpieces, you’re bound to come across new things that will make you question yourself.
Make a decision and stick to it.
You’ll only waste time and money by constantly changing your mind, plus you’ll drive everybody crazy!
Photo via golazphil
Common Wedding Planning Problems and How to Deal With Them
From writing the perfect thank you notes to tips for the toasts, we’ve got it covered…
Saying NO to Unwanted Guests
It may sound stingy, but every extra person you invite adds an extra $25, $75, or even $150 to the overall costs.
That soon adds up!
Weddings are costly enough as it is.
So when your cousin asks if she can bring boyfriend of the month along with her, prepare to politely turn down the request to add another name to your seating plan.
Be clear that you have already had to make tough decisions to get the guest list down to an affordable number.
They’ll get the message!
How to React to the Toasts
Putting together a wedding toast is hard, but knowing how to react when you’re the toastee can actually be more difficult!
Do you sit there smiling, attempting to look as modest as possible as the compliments fly your way?
Do you drink at yourself?
The easiest way to overcome this is to offer a simple toast in return.
Something along the lines of ‘Thank you for your kind words. I am so lucky to be here with you all tonight’ will suffice.
Then raise your glass and everyone will (hopefully) follow suit.
What To Do With All Those Flowers
As if weddings aren’t tear worthy enough, the thought that at the end of the night hundreds of dollars worth of beautiful flowers will be thrown away is bound to send you over the edge.
Either offer the flowers out to friends and family to decorate their homes, or arrange with one of the bridesmaids for the flowers to be donated to local hospitals or nursing homes.
Writing the Perfect Thank You Notes
Figuring out the best way to say thank you to all of your wonderful wedding guests can be tough.
I like to do it the good old fashioned way- by hand.
Handwritten thank you notes add an extra special touch and show how grateful you truly are for their gift or presence.
Sometimes an email just won’t cut it!
Finishing the Thank You Notes
So it’s coming around to your one year wedding anniversary, and you still have yet to finish writing and sending your thank you notes.
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
Commit to writing a few per night until they are all done.
You’ll feel so much better once your licking those envelopes and handing them over to the mailman!
Photo via ididjeridoo
How to Ensure the Day Flows Well
When asked about the main priorities for the big day most couples will say that above all they want the day to flow well.
But what exactly does this mean?
Well, it usually means that they don’t want any surprises and would like everything to run just as planned.
The trick is getting into the wedding planner mindset and creating an accurate timeline for the day.
If you can get this down, you should have nothing to worry about…
Pre-Wedding Preparations
Make sure you leave enough time for pre-wedding preparations.
For example, if you have 5 bridesmaids all lining up for hair and makeup that’s gonna take a good few hours.
Don’t book your ceremony for 11am unless you want a 6am start!
Getting There
What transport have you opted for to take you to the ceremony and reception?
Timing for this need to be factored in.
A car journey is easy to calculate, but a tractor and trailer will take a whole lot longer!
Know Your Ceremony Inside and Out
Civil ceremonies usually take around 20 minutes (add an extra 10 if you are planning on having readings) whereas church services can take anywhere up to 45 minutes.
You’ll also need to allow time for photographs.
Photo Opportunities
On the subject of photographs, most couples choose to have some form of mini photo shoot which usually takes place before the reception.
If you’re planning the same then keep it short and snappy.
You don’t want to leave your guests hanging around.
They’re there to spend this special day WITH you after all.
Arriving At the Reception
Whilst you’re having your photos taken you’re guests will most likely be indulging in the drinks reception.
Drinks and canapes can last anywhere from one to two hours depending on the caterers and the photographer!
You need to ensure you arrive at your venue with enough time to circulate before the wedding breakfast is due.
Wedding Breakfast Kick Off
Seating 100 guests will take an average of 15 mins, but this is something your venue should have under wraps so don’t panic if things seem a little chaotic.
Your wedding breakfast will include speeches, cake cutting, and a three course meal so allow for 2 1/2 hours.
Keep in mind though that this is when timings are most likely to go astray (especially if the father of the bride embarks upon a drunken ramble).
Comfort Break
After everyone has had their cake and eaten it (literally) it will be time for a ‘comfort break’.
This is a good chance for guests to stretch their legs and any evening guests that didn’t attend the ceremony to arrive.
The Entertainment
Finally – the entertainment.
Check with whomever you hire how long this will last for, and ask the venue what time the evening is permitted to go on until.
Some places won’t allow music to be played after 11pm and others may want all guests out by midnight.
Photo via Lokacid
Now you can breathe!
Stick to the above advice and forget about wedding day mishaps.
Do you have any advice for bride and grooms to be?
Share with us in the comments below…
About the Author
If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.
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