A wedding engagement provides the perfect opportunity to redecorate a home, and an excuse to hold an in-house reception. For smaller wedding parties, an in-house reception, or even a house ceremony, can be just the ticket for providing a private and intimate location for a very important occasion. However, some couples might consider their homes a little too Spartan for the occasion, and feel embarrassed about having a well-dressed party. Even for those that don’t, there are sure to be some home decorating accessories out there that they may not be aware of!

For instance, so much of home décor is about colour and texture, which is why 60’s style linty fabrics are so tacky in curtains and couch upholstery. In white rooms, more contemporary styles call for earth tone coloured grommet panels, and maybe some snowy white linen table cloths. Grommet panels in particular are a favourite of mine, since they combine the best elements of shutters and drapes.

A well-furnished kitchen is a must too. After all, it’s sure to get a huge workout during the festivities! Be aware that stemware is not the only thing that one can appropriately drink wine out of, and that a chic decanter can really complete a table aesthetically and naturally begs the conversation of what’s actually in it.

It’s important to set the right mood on occasions like these, whatever your preferred atmosphere might be, but it’s also important not to break the bank in a time of so many financial obligations. Good news is, cute pieces of kitchenware, dark intimate curtain sets, and other contemporary interior design items can often be bought quite affordably, which is one of the great things about post industrialist styles. Stainless steel kitchen cutlery or bathroom hardware, for example, can be quite affordable, and lovely in its minimalism.

About the Author: Sophie is a passionate freelance writter. She enjoys being able to control her work schedule and has been writing about home decor for the last while.

Brides and grooms choose their wedding theme for many reasons.  Maybe they have favorite colors that they want to incorporate into their theme, like purple and teal.  Maybe they have a special time of year they prefer, like Halloween or Christmas.  They also may have a special theme in mind, like the roaring 20′s or antiques.  There are many way of incorporating these things into your wedding day.  You can incorporate them into your flowers, linens, centerpieces, invitations, etc.  If you are choosing a color, or colors, into your theme, why not choose colors that are associated with the season you are getting married?

If you are getting married in springtime, you may want to choose pastel colors.  Think about pastel pink flowers, accented with yellow, wrapped in a baby blue ribbon.  You can choose white chair covers tied with large pastel green ribbons.  You can also select to have more than one color or you can stay with a single color within the color range.

Getting married in the summer?  We suggest to brighten up your color pallet.  Look for vibrant blues, purples, greens, pinks, etc.  Think about cream colored invitations with royal blue lettering.  Centerpieces are a good place to add color into your wedding also.  How about large white mums and deep greenery in a clear vase that is wrapped in a brightly colored ribbon.

Want to have a Halloween/Fall wedding?  The best colors for this time of year are deep reds, rust, orange and golden yellow.  Although there are plenty of flowers in those colors, don’t forget that fall foliage can be incorporated also.  Since the season is fall, which is when the leaves fall off the trees, think about using twigs and leaves.  Twigs in a large vase look very nice as a centerpiece.  Instead of sprinkling confetti or glitter on the table, try placing different colored leaves around.

Last but not least is a winter wedding.  This can be a very beautiful time of year.  There are two ways to look at winter weddings; look at it as winter, cold and snowy, or as Christmas themed.  If choosing the winter wonderland theme, go with blues, whites, silvers and crystals.  You can take bare branches painted white and place them into a vase.  Wrap the vase with a white ribbon with silver glitter throughout.  Now hang crystals from the branches.  You can also do this same option with snowflakes hanging from the twigs.  Another idea to incorporate winter wonderland into your wedding is by adding snowflakes to your wedding invitations.  If choosing Christmas as your theme, you may want to think of reds, greens and even black.  When thinking of flowers, think of poinsettias and holly.

No matter what you choose, use any opportunity you can to add your own touch of personality to your wedding.  Keep in mind that if you get plants and flowers in season, it will be less expensive to buy them at that time they are in season.

What is sheet music?  Sheet music is a music composition on sheets of paper.  Sheet music is important to your music performers so that the can perform the music notes to your desired music composition.  A music composer can include a harpist, guitarist and pianist.  Brides and grooms can also have ensembles compose music pieces during the wedding ceremony or reception entrances.  Ensembles, like a quartet, can include musical artists and instruments such as a piano, string and wind instruments.

Sheet music can be easily found by searching Google.   However, a vast collection of sheet music can be found on the website MusicNotes.com.  Musicnotes.com is the leading Internet-based sheet music store offering nearly 200,000 pieces of digital sheet music and guitar tablature.

Are the bride and groom music fans?  Bridal couples can create their own music themed wedding receptions.

• Print sheet music and roll them up into cones.  Then, fill them with Hershey kisses or confetti.
• Use sheet music as table place mats or table names.
• Have your favorite song’s sheet music printed on edible paper.  Then, create a unique wedding cake by covering the cake with the edible paper.
• Fold sheet music into creative origami to accent reception tables.
• Fold sheet music into useful wedding accessories such as flowers and pin wheels.
• Print sheet music as a watermark.  Then, create your very own customized wedding guest book.
• Wrap votive candles with printed sheet music as a favor.
• Use concert tickets as save the date cards.

Having a music themed reception?  We would recommend classic colors such as black, white and silver.  Having a photo booth?  Consider blow-up musical instruments as props such as guitars and saxophones.  Add a music theme to any wedding cake with enlarged musical notes as a cake topper.  Also consider incorporating guitar picks as wedding favors.

Music is a great way to set the desired mood and atmosphere at any wedding ceremony and reception.  You can also include it into a music theme.

Many years ago while at a wedding, I noticed that someone created an enormous wedding card/guestbook that included candy bars.  With sayings like, with no more Twix up your sleeve and Red Hot nights, I thought “what a great idea”.  See their candy bar guestbook!

No more Care Free days.  No more Twix up your sleeves.  It’s time to say “I Do ” to your Bit-O-Honey.  When you slip on the ring, don’t be a Butterfinger.  Shower her with a Skor of Hugs & Kisses for absolute no Riesen.  May you have Red Hot nights and even more Hot Tamales.  Mix a Big Hunk of Kit Kat to smooth out the Rocky Road.  Snickers at the Milk Duds cuz U-No your Extra special.  You can feel like a 100 Grand knowing your Starburst will be there even if you get Chunky.  On PayDay the Milky Way will be within your reach.  You’re always a Mr Goodbar and we hope this will Krackel you up and make you want to Mamba.  Now this is the most “tasteful” card you will receive.  Don’t you agree?  We all wish you Whoppers of happiness.

However, being the music fans we are, we thought that we could do the same as a wedding song poem.  You can use the poem as a guestbook, a custom place mat, or any other fun idea you may have.  You select your favorite songs to include in the poem.  My songs are just to get your creative juices flowing.  We made the song poem alphabetical but you can make it how you like.

Wedding Song Poem

When you begin to plan your wedding, it can certainly be a time that is both exciting and stressful time. There are so many plans that have to be made. There are so many choices to make. You do not want to ruin the once in a lifetime moment by getting too overwhelmed. Instead, you can just take the planning of your wedding step by step. Are you planning a wedding during the winter? Winter weddings can be quite unique and beautiful. They are definitely different from any other ceremony.

Just how do you begin planning winter weddings? It should all start with the announcements. Whether you choose to send out invitations or save the date cards, you will want to make sure that they are perfect. The announcements that you send out should reflect on the theme of the wedding. You can pick out elegant, understated announcements. You can also choose announcements that reflect a magical winter wonderland. Your announcements should set the pace of the whole rest of the wedding.

The next step is to determine colors and decorations for the wedding ceremony. The great thing about winter weddings is that they can include a magical sense that you cannot include in ceremonies during other seasons. There are many choices for colors to include, but to create an icy cold feel, consider silver and pale blue or blue and white. For décor, choose winter themed options. You could consider a stand of winter trees or snowy foliage for the main centerpiece.

You could pick flowers that bloom during the winter or branches of holly or mulberry. Depending on the look you want for your wedding, you can choose simple, understated décor items or you could choose to create a glittering fairytale.

Finally, you can plan the reception. Be sure to continue carrying the theme to the reception as well through table centerpieces and window décor that goes along with winter weddings. You may even want to choose winter related foods, and a wedding cake that incorporates the theme.

Winter weddings can certainly be special in more than one way. You have the chance to create a wedding that will be unique from start to finish. After your wedding day is over, do not forget to send out those thank you cards, and do not forget to continue the theme with winter designed cards for this as well.

PMCustomWeddings.com provides a variety of custom wedding stamps, invitations, and save the date cards to plan your winter wedding!

Your wedding should be an event to remember.  You’ve planned every minute of your big day and like any production, you need to remember to plan your lighting.  Lighting is a great way to create a mood and can enhance your theme.  There are many lighting options from which you can choose, from fun and exciting to elegant and formal.

Lighting for the Wedding Ceremony

Whatever style you’ve chosen for your wedding ceremony, whether you’re going with ultra formal and elegant or quirky and fun, the lighting should reflect your theme.  The proper lighting can enhance your dress, for instance.  Did you choose a dress with an explosion of sparking crystal beading?  Then you need to make that dress shine like a sunrise with subtle lighting spotlighting and highlighting every facet.  Are you getting married on a raised alter?  Think stage and set the mood with dozens of candles to cast just the right glow.  The time of day you choose for your ceremony will also determine your lighting choices.  If you’re getting married in the morning, take advantage of the natural light that may be available in the church or other structure.  Is it an evening ceremony?  Candles or ambient lighting can create just the right romantic setting for your vows.

Lighting for your Wedding Reception

The wedding reception is, first and foremost, a celebration.  It’s a time for the whole family to let their hair down and have a great time as they congratulate you on your marriage.  Lighting can have a huge impact on the theme you’re trying to create.  If your reception is at night, you may want to consider creating a night club atmosphere.  A few colored disco lights and a mirrored ball can turn your event into the party of the decade.  If you’re going for something a little more elegant, you can still have the mirrored ball to add sparkle, but use white lights instead of color to keep the party on a more elegant basis.

Is your reception happening in the afternoon?  In that case, you’ll want to consider increased lighting option throughout the event.  If the party rolls on past sunset, you’ll need to supplement the natural light you may have had earlier in the day.

Don’t Forget the Pictures

You may have hired a professional photographer to capture both portraits and candid images throughout the big day.  Remember to communicate the lighting conditions of both the ceremony and the reception to your photographer so they can plan for the right film and shutter speeds.  You’ll also need to find out if they have their own stationary lights for the portrait session after the ceremony.  Lighting is crucially important to flattering photographs of you, your wedding party and your guests.

Think Theme

Weddings today have become more and more theme oriented with individuals choosing to honor their heritage with themed weddings.  An Irish wedding may want to incorporate green lights to highlight a few areas of the reception hall, for instance.  A Valentine’s Day wedding can utilize red lights.

Whatever lighting you choose for your wedding, be sure to do a test run to make sure all of the fixtures are working properly.  Even candles should be checked to make sure the wicks are long and strong enough to burn correctly.  And remember, for the cost of a light bulb, you can easily go from elegant to fun and back again, simply by adding a little color to the fun.

Author Bio: Andrea Boley is a writer and blogger with Storkie.com.  She has been writing articles and blogging for over 10 years and is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work.  Her educational backgrounds in psychology and journalism have given her a solid foundation from which to draw experience and expertise in an array of topics.

You choose your wedding dress, wedding car, bouquet, wedding cake, and even the venue by yourself, very carefully considering every small requirement so that everything gets the touch of your personal taste and your partner’s choice. All these things are meant to make your wedding special and unique, thus, we are particular and anxious that every aspect of your D-day is just perfect. These things tend to reflect our persona and choice. However, when it comes to your wedding decorations most people usually leave it on the mercy of event managers or decorators. What couples don’t realize is that decoration is an important aspect of a wedding and it is the first thing that the wedding guests will notice. Thus, you cannot afford neglecting the wedding decoration and giving it a special personal touch for your dream wedding.

Selection of the material and styling for your wedding decorations can either be based on the wedding theme or you can select it as per your and your partner’s personal preference and budget. For instance, if you are a nature lover and are fond of flowers, then you can use more of a flowery arrangement at your wedding venue, which can include your favorite flowers or colors. On the other hand, if you want an indoor type arrangement then some balloon decorations with a combination of ribbons, silk drapes, flowers, and frills can also be a great idea. Here you can also play with colors by including either multi-colored balloons or ribbons or simply going with the while and red (the color of love) balloons. Experimentation can be done in terms of the shape of the balloons.

Every couple has their own idea of their wedding ceremony execution. If both the bride and the groom are of little introvert and do not like too much at one place, then having a formal decoration with very decent and elegant decoration is a good option. On the other hand, if both the bride and the groom are of fun loving and like to flaunt their style, then bringing some versatility to your decoration can be a good idea. In this case, you can play with colors and bring some unique items together to provide the venue a funky and playful look.

If you are among those, who have been planning from weeks to do something unique in your wedding so that it becomes the talk-of-the-town in the coming days, then go for over-the-top and sophisticated decorations. Try some specific themes like beach wedding, musical, 70s theme, retro theme, fairy tale and others, to give a unique charm to it. Try captivating lighting arrangements, if you are tying the knot in the night. Lighting schemes along with soft silk drapes with flowers will not only look elegant and charming, but it also very well fits in tight budget. It is not essential that lighting effect is given through artificial lighting only, but it can also be brought through candles. Candles are a good way to bring out a romantic and soothing atmosphere to your wedding; try scented and colorful candles for more effect. Another innovative lighting effect can be spotlights; however, they are more of a technical category and can prove out to be a little expensive.

Hope all these ideas and your personal touch ensures that you have a perfect wedding that will be cherished by not only you, but your loved ones as well for years.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding decor ideas for today’s brides and grooms.

A new idea is to use building blocks to decorate wedding reception tables.  Building blocks can be made fun to elegant.  Brides can be eco-friendly by reusing old building blocks for their used and antique looks.  Other brides can purchase new and elegant blocks for their wedding receptions.  Finally, brides with modern style wedding receptions can either purchase new blocks to match their style or redecorate old blocks to match their style.

Brides and grooms can spell their first names, spell their new married name or spell fun words.  Other phrases include “Live, Laugh, Love”, “Wedding Date”, wedding theme sayings and much more.

Have fun with building blocks as decor on wedding reception tables.  For more information about great looking building blocks, check out unclegoose.com or blocks on Amazon.com here http://amzn.to/d7qCSy.

Table plans can require a lot of thought and planning but are a fundamental item for weddings with more than twenty guests. Otherwise it can be a bit hectic with your guests trying to find their own seats. The process of deciding on your table plan can be a bit stressful when you have to consider those that don’t get on, divorced couples and distribution of the better seats between the two sets of family members.

When you decide to start forming your table plan you need to take into consideration the shape of the room and where you would like the tables placed.

There are many companies that provide table plans, from hand made designs to printed plans. The usual size for a table plan is either A3 or A2 depending on the size of your wedding and can be provided in a frame of left open. The common choice for table plans is to have one that matches the rest of your wedding stationery with the guest names personalised, the wedding date printed and the table numbers or names printed as you chose.

You do not necessarily need to have your table plan made for you. If you are feeling creative you should consider making your own. All you will need is a piece of canvas or thick board, some card and the embellishments you would like to stick on. There are many craft sellers on the Internet who are more than willing to help you make your stunning table plan.

About The Author: Louise Walczak, Bubbly Creations, sales[at]bubblycreations[dot]co[dot]uk, www.bubblycreations.co.uk

Wedding Napkins – 7 Important Locations They Will Be Needed at Your Wedding Reception Hall

Wedding napkins are a useful but often overlooked accessory to any wedding reception. Here are 7 important locations wedding napkins will be needed at your wedding reception hall to add comfort and style to your wedding day.

Location #1: Cocktail or Refreshment Bar – Cocktail napkins are used to place under a beverage to absorb condensation or soak up a minor spill. The bartender will hand each guest a napkin with their beverage. Paper cocktail napkins are available in a wide range of colors to match your theme.

Location #2: Hors Doeuvres Table – Cocktail and luncheon napkins should be placed at the hors doeuvres table with the plates and utensils. Guests will normally pick up one or two napkins with their plate as they approach the hors doeuvres table for appetizers.

Location #3: Buffet Table – Buffet-style dinners are popular wedding reception venues. As with hors devours and appetizers, plates, utensils and napkins are placed at the beginning of the buffet table for guest to pick up as they approach. Luncheon napkins are typically used for buffets as they are larger than a cocktail napkin and smaller than a dinner-sized napkin.

Location #4: Dinner Table – When guests are being served a formal dinner at their table seats, dinner napkins should be placed with the silverware at each place setting. Dinner napkins can be folded with silverware placed on top of the napkins. Dinner napkins can also be wrapped around the silverware and secured with a napkin ring, decorative ribbon, or adhesive bands.

Location #5: Cake Table – The wedding cake table should be stocked with cocktail or luncheon-sized napkins to present with a slice of cake to each guest. Often, the napkins used at the dinner table have been discarded after the main course and guests will need another napkin when enjoying their cake.

Location #6: Dessert Table – Dessert tables can be arranged at the end of a traditional buffet or stationed in a different area of the reception hall. When providing desserts separate from a buffet it is a good idea to provide napkins for the same reason as the cake table. Guests will have used their dinner or luncheon napkins during the main course and will need a fresh napkin for their dessert.

Location #7: Bathrooms or Restrooms – The most overlooked location for adding a personal touch to wedding receptions and parties is the bathrooms or restrooms. While these areas typically have stocked paper towels or air dryers, disposable paper guest towels can be used to add a bit of color to the bathrooms and pamper your guests as well.

Wedding Napkins are useful accessories that can add flair and character to your wedding reception. For a more personal touch, you can have your napkins personalized with a monogram or a design and several lines of text celebrating the bride and groom or thanking family and friends for attending your special day. Guests will admire your attention to detail and appreciate your thoughtfulness and careful planning throughout your wedding reception program.

About the Author: Ray Miller is the founder and president of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. My Wedding Reception Ideas specializes in premium personalized wedding favors, accessories, and wedding party gifts. For more information on choosing and ordering wedding napkins for your reception or party, visit http://myweddingreceptionideas.com/wedding_napkins.asp.