The Best Yellow Wedding Flowers for the Season

A bride who has her heart set on yellow wedding flowers should consider the season in which her wedding will take place, before selecting a type of flower. In addition to the many meanings associated with yellow wedding flowers, the flower itself can symbolize a time of year.

Brides can use yellow wedding flowers as the main shade in a bouquet or as an accent color; yellow flowers pop when put next to royal purple, and are a natural complement to oranges and reds. Alternately, an all-yellow palette of wedding flowers makes for a more modern arrangement.

Another important consideration is the shade of yellow, from lemon chiffon to dark goldenrod. School-bus yellow gives an impression of youth and joy; a warm, golden shade denotes sophistication.

Creamy roses, which can range from $1 to $2 each for bridal-quality varieties, are the natural choice of yellow wedding flower for a classic bride wishing to bring a bit of sunlight to her once-in-a-lifetime day. Available year-round, they symbolize joy, happiness and friendship – the perfect qualities for a lifelong partnership. The look is perfect for spring, summer or autumn.

What better way to celebrate a beautiful summer day than with the vibrancy of sunflowers? These yellow wedding flowers, which can cost around $3.50 per stem, offer a big impression for the price when they’re in season during the summer months; a single large sunflower can be the size of some bridesmaid bouquets.

Gerbera daisies usher in summer with a smile. They’re perfect for casual outdoor weddings at about $2.50 per stem. Try tying them with a black and white gingham ribbon.

Daffodils are in season in the winter and spring, and are a timeless choice of yellow wedding flowers for a more casual or outdoor affair. They’re also extremely inexpensive, at 50 cents to $1 per stem.

Modern, minimal yellow calla lilies are available year-round. Although expensive per stem at about $5 each, they make a big impact: brides need fewer flowers to make a lasting impression. Each bridesmaid can carry one stem; the bride may then carry several, loosely bound in silk or velvet ribbon. Black or dark brown velvet ribbon would look especially contemporary.

Tulips, available in the winter and spring, make for a romantic bouquet of yellow wedding flowers. At only about $1.25 per stem, their languid blossoms look lovely carried loose, but are made elegant in a tight, hand-tied bouquet.

Chrysanthemums and carnations are an inexpensive way to increase the size of a bouquet of yellow wedding flowers, while adding other colors to the mix. The former are available in the summer and fall; the latter are found year-round.

The use of neutral colors like black, white or russet shades will add contrast; alternately, greenery can be used in any bouquet of yellow wedding flowers.

Other yellow wedding flowers to consider include marigolds, snapdragons, black-eyed Susans, jonquils, honeysuckle, nasturtiums, zinnias and freesia.

To find the best prices on yellow wedding flowers, consider both local florists and the Internet.

When contacting local florists, be sure to get quotes for the same packages from at least a half-dozen companies, and ask to see examples of bouquets they’ve made. Many florists use stock photos from another company they contract with, like FTD; their own bouquets may dramatically differ in appearance. Costco also offers bulk flowers at great prices.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

Romantic Honeymoon Spots in Europe

The Old Continent enjoys enormous popularity, and especially when it comes to honeymoons. Europe is an extremely lively place that encompasses a large panel of cultures, mother tongues and unique features. Below are several locations that combine the romantic aspect with exciting surroundings.

Paris, France
Paris is considered the most popular honeymoon destination for couples, and rightfully so: Lively streets, statues, tradition, lots of lively diversions and of course, wonderful restaurants. The City of Light has so much to offer. Couples can enjoy a “bateau-mouche” along the Seine, especially at night, to witness the beautiful buildings Paris is renowned for.

Montmartre, in the north of the city, is a very lively area where newlyweds see the city at its most bustling and try the extensive menus its many bistros and restaurants can provide. Night life is also very vibrant in this part of Paris, re-vitalized in part by the 1999 film hit “Amelie”. Culture is everywhere, and museums like the Louvre and Orsay offer a host of artistic works in their awe-inspiring galleries.

Venice, Italy
Venice is most certainly the earth’s most sought after honeymoon choice: The canals and the architecture especially, which have received detailed coverage in film are often enough to want to go there for a romantic trip. There are, however, lots of different ways to get the most out of this Italian jewel and the ocean around it, and not just for newly married couples.

The excellent food is a big draw for visitors, especially in the presence of architectural marvels in places like the Piazza di San Marco. You might visit Venice for its romantic feel, historical offerings, or just because culture saturates this fantastic city. The best part is that one can visit everywhere by walking, by taking a canal cruis, or visiting the many museums. Add a tour of the markets and you and your mate will enjoy the perfect honeymoon locale.

The Santorini Volcano, Greece
This archipelago embodies the beauty and historical magnetism that is typically associated with Greece. The Santorini volcano, which at one time was thought to hold the ruins of Atlantis, can be found surrounded by wonderful Mediterranean views and many humble Greek villages. Attractions abound in Santorini and allow you to enjoy the full range of pleasures on your honeymoon.

A variety of beaches are close enough to walk or a bus ride away; be sure to stay a bit at least once to witness the magnificent sunset on the ocean or from the lofty heights of an eatery’s deck. Archeological ruins are also a big attraction, as well as the volcano’s crater, which truly is a marvel to behold. It is the quintessential Greek experience, and perhaps the most romantic place in the Mediterranean.

Prague, Czech Republic
Located in the center of the Czech Republic, Prague is thought by many to be Eastern Europe’s most desirable destination, both for its cultural history and its exciting lifestyle. The Old Town is no doubt the city’s most lively section of the city; it has lived through hundreds of years of very rich history and is filled with memorable architecture like the Old Town Square and the Old Synagogue.

Lots of museums (such as the National Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts) and theaters comprise the incredibly sought-after cultural aura the city is known for. What also distinguishes Prague is an unusual blend of old gothic and modern architecture, a very unusual setting that is very popular with tourists in general and newlyweds in particular.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

Which Suit, Suits You Best?

June is here and the summer wedding season is kicking off. So for this issue I have decided to speak on the topic of THE SUIT. I have been to black tie weddings, formal weddings, semi formal weddings, beach weddings and back yard weddings. All of these weddings have a few things in common. One I focus on with my grooms is “what the hell kind of suit do I wear?” So it’s pretty simple really, I have knocked the options down to 3 categories of suits (Not included are casual weddings, shorts, t-shirts, etc…I am of the opinion that if your bride is in a wedding dress, you should be in a suit of some sort) I’m gonna run through them pretty quickly so try to keep up. So if we’re all sitting comfortably…let us begin.

Tuxes, Tails & Morning Coats, Oh My!

I love wearing a tuxedo; there is just a feeling about putting one on. Most grooms just go for the standard tux no matter what kind of wedding they are having. But this doesn’t have to be single or double breasted. 2 or 3 piece…3 piece comes with a vest or waist coat. Then we get into the tails (not a favorite of mine) or the Morning Coat (I do like this one). The Morning Coat is a very British look (in my humble opinion) and I really like it, plus it gives you an excuse to wear an ascot. It’s up to you what you decide on, but these are the options for a Black Tie or Formal wedding. If you are having a Black Tie wedding, I suggest including some text on the invitation stating this, so your guests know there will be a dress cod e. So…there are so many choices for a black tie wedding. You have the standard tuxedo, but you can get a 1, 2 or 3 (and so on) button jacket.

I Have A Birthday Suit, But Now I Need A Wedding Suit.

If you have decided to pass on the tuxedo option and you’re looking for a suit, there are limitless options for you. Colors, styles, cuts and so on. It will all depend on what YOU want, and what your bride says you want (Kidding!) Listen to her, but when it comes down to it, you have to wear it and you have to be comfortable in it. A well made suit can look amazing! I always suggest getting a new suit for the wedding, if you can’t get a tailor made one, then buy off the rack and have it altered just for you. As my readers know, I highly recommend Indochino for all your formal wear needs. I own some of their stuff and it is fantastic! Also, it’s not really that expensive. Have a look at your wedding colors, I suggest getting a neutral-ish suit (no wild colors) and adding the color and flair with the tie, shirt and of course the pocket square. A black, charcoal or navy suit will look great and you can wear it again after the wedding.

Style And Sand

Destination weddings have always been popular. Sadly most of the destination wedding photos I see are all the same, khaki’s and a white shirt…..BLAH!!! Really!?!? How boring is that! I taught you better than that. Just because you don’t want a formal wedding and its a little warmer on the beach doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the style and look like everyone else. You can still rock the suit, it doesn’t have to be black, of course not. Try light gray linen, a pale blue, maybe you go plaid or striped, or go all out and sport a skinny fit white suit. You don’t have to even wear a jacket. I styled a groom who got married in Jamaica; he wanted to be cool in the heat, yet stylish; So we got him into a light gray suit (no jacket), high button vest, custom made white shirt, simple black tie (top button unbuttoned) and we rolled up those sleeves.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

Silver Wedding Favors

Every wedding is uniquely celebrated by each couple who wants to stand out above others, which is normal. Weddings are special occasions that usually decorated beautifully, from walls and ceilings of the church and reception hall down to the aisle and the dance floor. It is has been a tradition to plan a wedding that way.

What makes a wedding more beautiful is the little accents added on the tables. Wedding favors to be exact, are keepsakes that often not only used as wedding gifts for the guests, but also decorations on the table settings. There are various kinds of wedding favors. They can be candles, soaps, edible treats, made of wood, or made of silver. Speaking of which, silver wedding favors are the perfect choice if you are looking for timeless and simply elegant wedding keepsakes that your guests can take home.

Silver wedding favors are wonderful classic choice of keepsakes that are suitable for whatever theme you have for your wedding. They are a whole lot of a package -versatile, captivating, classy, and elegant! That is why you can never go wrong when you choose silver favors for your wedding guests.

You might wonder why silver is one of the best substance to create outstanding wedding favors. The truth is, silver makes an elegant accent to just about any event or gathering aside from weddings, such as engagement parties, wedding showers, and anniversaries. Not only that, the fact that silver features a timeless beauty and elegance, these make such kind of favor more appealing.

There are lots of ideas where silver can be incorporated to the wedding favors. For example, you can use candles, in colors you like, and match them to any silver candle holder. Make sure that the colors you choose for the candles complement the motif or theme of your occasion. You can create a romantic combination of favors using candles and elegant silver candle holders, giving a blissful atmosphere in your wedding party when candles are lit.

Giving your guests a functional silver wedding gifts are sure to be a hit in your wedding. There’s a lot of choices for these functional and unique silver keepsakes, ranging from pens to kitchen accessories. The best thing about these useful gifts is that they can be engraved with your names or monograms and wedding date. Among the most popular choices include silver measuring cups, spoons, spreading knives, cookie cutters, pizza cutters, pastry tongs and etc. They can make a perfect medium to remind your guests of your very special day.

Silver wedding favors and other elegant party favors are widely available online. They are just a few that many online stores can offer to couples who are looking for classy and elegant favors that their guests to take home. If you choose to shop online, do it as early as possible and make sure to order some extras in case there are broken pieces due to the shipping of the goods or you expect a number of uninvited guests in your wedding.

Have any wedding questions? Get all your questions answered here at Rachael West Designs.

Wedding Season Has Arrived

For all those beautiful bride’s to be you are sure getting excited for the time of year we are about to enter. Yes that’s right, wedding season! We all love when it rolls around, but we all dread the amount of effort it takes to go through and plan a wedding. Thankfully we only have to do it once, unless we are that bride’s maid who seems to have the opportunity to be a brides maid for every wedding there is.

Throughout the summer months many wedding planners are scrambling to through together their weddings for all those stressed out brides, which can really make for a long summer. It is not going to be easy for those wedding planners, but at least they love their jobs.

For those brides who are taking on the task themselves you are really going to put yourself through a trial. Most people do not realize how much effort there is when it comes to planning a wedding. Give yourself tons of time ladies! Don’t think that you can just sit down and plan it out in one night.

One thing I will tell everyone is to make sure that you give yourself lots of time and carry around a little note book. This can help you keep all your ideas throughout the day in one place and not forgotten. It can be real frustrating forgetting all those ideas, so avoid it and jot them all down all the time.

Make this wedding season a time you are going to love. Weddings aren’t suppose to be the most stressful time of year, but a blissful time. All it takes is a little research and preparation. When you are prepared you know what to expect and where you are heading, so get there!

Happy wedding season!! If you have any wedding questions make sure to ask us, we love to help!

Taking Care of Your Little Wedding Guests

Little wedding guest

If you are one of the many engaged couples who are working on their guest list and could not decide whether to invite guests with children or not, I have found the perfect solution to your dilemma. Understandably, I know that you do not want to cause undue hurt by not inviting friends who have children and yet, you are also faced with the issue of how to entertain the children during the wedding.

I was looking through the some wedding reception ideas and I chanced upon a nice solution for your guests who are bringing their children with them to the wedding ceremony and reception. The solution is to invest in a unique childcare service that specializes in supervision and entertainment for the children during your wedding ceremony and reception.

What they do is to gather all the children into a separate or adjoining room where the wedding reception is currently taking place and they provide age-appropriate activities and entertainment to all children who are attending the wedding. This is like having a mini-party for the children. This works well as both the parents and the children are able to relax and enjoy during the duration of the wedding reception. It provides a fun and safe environment for the children and gives the parents a sense of security knowing that their children are in good hands and are having fun themselves.

Personally, I think that this perfect and something that is definitely worth considering. Investing in a service like this on your wedding day will help avoid having bored and restless children running around while the special people in your life are trying to deliver a heartwarming toast.

Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day

Stressed BrideNeedless to say, the wedding day is often a stressful day for the bride. It is not only the culmination of all the preparation and planning but there is also some pressure to make it as perfect as she has imagined.

But with everything that has to be done on the day itself to make it perfect, it makes me wonder how brides can keep their calm on this very special day especially when they cannot afford to have anything go wrong.

I have done some research and here are some of the things that can help you keep your wedding as stress-free as possible:

Assign a special person who will act as the main person to go to should any member of the bridal entourage have any questions. Make sure that everyone knows who this person is. He/she could be a friend, a family member or even a member of the bridal entourage.

Whoever you choose should be able to make the decisions on your behalf. As he/she is going to be responsible for your big day, make sure that he/she knows what your idea of a perfect wedding day is so he/she can make the decisions accordingly.

It would also be to your advantage to delegate tasks that need to be done during the big day. When doing so, it would be advantageous for you to give no more than two tasks to each person. Keep in mind that this is a busy day for them too and giving them more than two tasks may cause them to “forget” something. You do not want this to happen on your wedding day. What you would like to do is to delegate to more than one person.

You can also assign someone to help you get all the photos you want during that day. His/her job would be to make sure that the photos you want will happen. Give him a list of all the kind of photos you want as well as a list of the people you want on it. For this task, it would be advisable for you to pick someone who knows most of the guests, has a loud voice and who can command people.

Finally, you need to give the members of your bridal entourage a schedule. At the rehearsal dinner, give them a basic outline or schedule for the wedding day. This will help everyone to feel they are in the loop on everything that will happen during the wedding day and they will help you run your big day smoothly.

Wedding Trends for 2010

Wedding
With the warmer weather now here, we know that the wedding season is just around the corner.  And as always, we are faced with brides-to-be asking us questions on what the wedding trends are for this year.

So, let’s take a look at some of the trends that we expect to see more of this year -

1. Color Motif

If you are having a fall or winter wedding, the more popular colors to choose from this year are: deep red, teal, violet, mocha and sage. However, if you are having a spring or summer wedding, the trendier colors are turquoise, platinum, coral, pale yellow or champagne.

2. Wedding Dresses

When choosing your gown, it will come as no surprise that strapless wedding dresses continue to be the more dominant style for this year. In addition, we are seeing the off-shoulder look for brides. This look accentuates your neckline and draws attention to your jewelry.

When it comes to the length of the gowns, floor-length styles remain to be the popular choice although it seems like a shorter-than-floor-length style will make a comeback this year. Gowns with crystal, cubic zirconia, and/or pearl embellished bodices are also very popular at the moment.

3. Bridesmaid Dresses

More and more brides now are letting their bridesmaids choose their own dress. The bride just chooses the color and then, lets the bridesmaids choose the style of dress they want. In some cases, the bride even lets the bridesmaid choose their own colors. This provides variety as well as an element of fun.

One advantage of following this trend is that you are guaranteed that your bridesmaids like what they are wearing and that they are likely to use the dress again. A word of warning if you choose to follow this trend – Be sure that your bridesmaids are clear as to how formal you want their dresses to be. You do not want to end up with one casual bridesmaid and one bridesmaid with a fully beaded gown. Make sure they are clear on what your requirements are.

4. Flower girls

While the basket of flowers are still the popular choice for flower girls, we are seeing more and more flower girls who are opting for fairy wands and fairy wings. Whichever option you prefer, you can finish off the look with a floral head wreath or a nice, sparkling tiara.

5. Bridal Bouquet

A big majority of the wedding bouquets now have flowers wrapped in wide satin ribbons. You can choose to dress up your plain, satin ribbon by putting beads, pearls, crystals or brooches. Some also opt to have the ribbon monogrammed. The rose continues to be the most popular and elegant bouquet flower while lilies, peonies, hydrangeas, tulips and orchids represent the trendier choices.

You may also prefer the “just-picked” and looser casual look compared to the more tightly-bound bouquet shapes of previous seasons. Colorful and vibrant flowers also continue to remain popular. And more and more mothers are carrying small posies rather than wearing the traditional corsage.

6. Wedding Favors

You will notice that more and more couples are opting for useful and personalized favors instead of the decorative pieces which will likely end up in the trash anyway. Choose favors which you think your guests will appreciate and actually use.

In some cases, you can also opt for favors that serve two purposes. For example, favors that act as placecard holders which the guests can also take home with them. Or you can put all the favors together to make a nice centerpiece for the guests’ table.

These are just some of the wedding trends we see this year. If you are having your wedding this year, all you have to remember is to get creative and to follow the choices that would make your wedding the best one there is.

Wedding Diet Advice

Every bride and groom want to look their best on their wedding day, and most brides are looking for diet advice long before the date is even close, but what happens if it sneaks up on you and you still aren’t looking your best? That’s when you need to know how to lose weight for a wedding and lose it fast.

First, you have to drink a lot of water. I mean a lot of water, if you aren’t getting tired of filling your glass with water, you’re not drinking enough.

Second, you have to exercise. This may seem obvious, but more people are willing to do dangerous detox diets and “cleanses” than they are willing to do a few push ups or pick up a weight. The key here is to get enough exercise, but not over do it. If you exercise too much, like many people do before a wedding, you may end up spoiling your results and gaining weight. In the program I mention below, you’ll see an exercise plan that only takes 20 minutes 2 times a week and will have you burning fat for up to 24 hours a day, even in your sleep. It can be done.

Third, you have to rest. I know it’s a stressful time, and you have to take care of plans and worry about all the minute details, but if you get overstressed and over tired, your body won’t get rid of those extra lbs no matter what you do.

Fourth, You have to cut out the bad carbohydrates and fats and eat more good carbohydrates and fats. If you don’t know the difference, try to educate yourself and get a good proven diet plan you can follow.

Finally, Give yourself time. If you try to lose 20-30 lbs the week before the wedding, you won’t have the strength to walk the aisle. Do it right and give yourself a few weeks, depending on how much you want to lose, so that you can do it safely. If you want to lose only 5-10 lbs, you could probably do this in a week or two with a plan like the one I just mentioned, but if you want to lose more, you will have to plan accordingly.

Losing weight for a wedding is something almost all brides want to do when and that is why good quality bridal diet advice is important. Get a good program, and give yourself time, and most importantly…Stay committed.

Announcements

~Any day that Hickory Public Schools are out due to snow or any other reason, RWD shop will be closed.

~All orders for the dance that was post-poned due to snow will be held and filled at time of re-scheduled dance.

~Valentines pre-orders only available 3 more days….get them in quick. Prices will jump!