The first steps of planning the wedding and the special day is to know the colors you want to incorporate for the day. If you do not have any ideas to the colors to use, there are some times to consider. It is important to include your partner in this decision since it is a day for both of you, so make a joint decision for your special day together.

Think about the time of year you are getting married. Typically, summer weddings use pastels for the colors where winter weddings use the rich bright colors. Spring and fall weddings use the same designs for the colors with pastels then bright colors of the season.

Think of where you became engaged for the possible theme of the wedding and reception. You may enjoy the country setting so you incorporate the lace or cowboy boots and hats for the theme and decorations. If you were engaged at the beach, you may use the seashells, water, and waves for the decorations. This could be the theme you use on the invitations and for the decorations.

Decide if you want a formal or informal wedding. Where is the reception to be held? What kind of meal will you be serving? All of this is part of creating your special day. The wedding and reception does not have to be huge to be something everyone will enjoy. The point of the day is to share the new beginning of the joining of the couple. Friends and family will be happy to share the day with you anyway you decide to have your day.

When you select the theme, you will create the mood of anticipation for the day with your wedding invitation. The invitation uses the theme you have selected within the print and design of the invitation. It is your first contact with your guests stating how the day will designed and how you will be celebrating your new beginnings.

Traditional weddings include champagne but you can still have a different type of wedding with the champagne. You can use the champagne for the main toasts then have other alcohol served keeping with the traditional toasts serving the drink of etiquette. Most weddings will have the champagne with wine or an open bar for the guests. Based on your budget you may opt for the bar for your quests.

Use the theme of the day for your cake. You want to incorporate the theme into the cake as a stylish fashion statement. Use real flowers around to the cake carrying the theme of the bouquets make a very nice touch to the cake table. For the beach theme wedding, adding seashells and sand spread on the cake table provides the feeling of being at the beach.

If you like roses or lilies then use them in the wedding, as decorations at the reception, and on the invitations. The flowers are beautiful and refreshing providing an added touch to everything you will use them with for your special day. Use place cards on the guest tables at the reception hall with the flowers as an added touch of decoration.

The wedding dress the only article of clothing everyone will really notice the day of the wedding. The wedding dress is the one area the clothing selected for the day needs careful consideration. Use the same theme of the wedding for your dress. Use the dress as a main focal point to announce the theme and have it incorporate the theme with style and grace.

You will be happy with the results of the day when you feel you have made everything right into place so take time to go over every little detail to make your wedding the one you have dreamed of since childhood.

This weekend I attended the Twin City Bridal Fair. It was full of color, satin and lace, florals and excitable DJ’s. Wedding fairs are such a great opportunity to get overwhelmed by everything that is readily available to you. Brimming with vendors all wanting to get your business. Great deals, some deals you can only find at the bridal fair like discounts on your DJ and Photographer. The dresses in the fashion show were breathtaking and the crowd was filled with enthusiastic brides and their moms (although there were a few grooms and dads along as well). All in all, I would say the show was a success and I hope those of you that were able to go had a great time. And for those of you who have not gone to a wedding fair I highly reccomend it.

I have been doing a lot of research on eco-friendly wedding practices and on planning a wedding on a budget. One item came up over and over in both categories… used wedding gowns.

I have always been a thrifty person. I love getting designer jeans for $5 at a Thrift Store. Bargains are key and can definitely be a big help if you are looking to save a little money on your wedding.

I decided to investigate the pros and cons of purchasing and wearing a used wedding gown.

Used Gown Pros

1. You will save money. Whether you want an expensive designer gown or a more modestly priced dress, used is always cheaper than new. The money you save on the gown will allow you to either spend more money on another aspect of your wedding or you could actually put the left over money in the bank!
2. If you want to create an old-world look for your wedding, nothing that is manufactured today matches the attention to detail and workmanship found in a vintage wedding gown. Furthermore, you can be fairly certain that none of your friends will be wearing the same gown at their wedding.
3. If your used gown belongs to a family member or a close friend, the sentimental value to the gown is priceless. I cannot imagine a more significant way to honor a loved one than to wear her wedding gown

Used Gown Cons

1. Someone else has worn the gown. If you are superstitious or just feel funny about wearing someone else’s clothing, this may not be the best solution for your wedding gown purchase.
2. You will most likely not have an opportunity to try it on. You will have to go on faith that the size is correct and you may miss the “salon experience” that is unique to purchasing your wedding gown.
3. A used gown may have stains and tears that won’t be evident until you own it.

If you decide to purchase a used gown, read on for some helpful tips:

1. Purchase the used gown through a reputable seller. There are many services on the Internet that broker used gowns. I recommend checking out Ebay.
2. Find a good seamstress and dry cleaner to help with repairs prior to purchasing the used wedding gown so you don’t have to scramble when you receive the it.
3. Ask the seller specific questions about the gown. Are there any flaws? What are they?
4. Try to get photos from all angles of the gown. If there is something really wrong, you should be able to see it in the pictures.
5. Pay for the gown with a credit card. If the worst happens and the gown is a disaster when you receive it, you will have some recourse against the seller.

As with all other purchases, follow your instincts. If you don’t have a good rapport with the seller or something feels suspicious, don’t buy the gown. You will find others out there.