“I Do’s are done differently depending on the Do’ers”

Written by Decadent Details Events Assistant, Anna Hamilton

Different wedding traditions could possibly be the most intriguing topic you will ever come upon.  Researching different cultures and how they celebrate a marriage could leave you with thinking how you might want to take on a new tradition that could be inspired from Peru, India, Scotland, Korea, etc.… Note: I said, “might”. 

To the left, is a picture of a wedding tradition in Japan.  It is tradition for the bride to change three times throughout the day of her wedding.  She is expected to wear a white gown during her vows, just as we do in the U.S., though she must change right afterwards into a brighter color that symbolizes joy.  A purple kimono is preferred with a design that represents love. 

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Here in the U.S., we don’t think anything is unusual about the bouquet toss and toasts to the bride and groom, but in other countries, such as in Scotland, it is not unheard of to wash the bride’s feet so it will send the couple off “on a fresh path together.” Source

***Sorry to all of you that can’t stand the thought of touching someone else’s feet!***

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Some other wedding traditions include:

• A Pakistani Bride wears red on the day of her wedding because red symbolizes happiness.

• In Italy, the married couple shatters a vase or glass into many pieces and the number of pieces represents the expected number of years they'll be happily married.

• In Islam, they paint the hands of the bride and groom with henna the night before the wedding, which represents a strong bond between the two.

• In Hindu, the bride arrives at the ceremony wearing clothing from her parents; when the ceremony is over, she will dress in clothing her husband has provided. (Hope her groom has good taste!)  Source

So maybe you aren’t interested in changing the American tradition of a wedding and that is A-OK with me, but was I right when I mentioned this could possibly be the most fascinating topic ever?! I think YES! Who knew such neat wedding traditions went on around the world? Not I….and come on, admit it, I’m sure you had never heard of half of those traditions either. Personally, I think it would be fun to add a little international twist to my wedding. Hmmmm… wonder which tradition I will decide on—-at least I know I have plenty of time to ponder.

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The Bedazzled Bride

Written by Decadent Details Events Assistant, Kasey Kermeen

Okay Ladies, if you’re anything like me you know that the “bling” in a wedding  goes far beyond what your man puts on your left hand! If you’ve ever walked into a Charming Charlie’s you know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m the type of girl that loves anything sparkly and what better time for everything to shine than on your wedding day?!

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Not only are diamonds forever and a girl’s best friend, they happen to have the power to make anything pretty! These days you can bedazzle just about anything which makes this theme very versatile.

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Although this theme shows off your expensive taste, it won’t break your budget because most of the decorations can be purchased at your local craft store and bridesmaids were made for free labor, right?



Whether you add elegance with a touch of sparkle or go my direction and turn your wedding into bling city...I’m sure nothing will be glowing as bright as the newlyweds!

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Falling in Love

Written by Decadent Details Events Assistant, Kasey Kermeen

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Although there are hundreds of themes to choose from when planning your wedding, you can never go wrong with Mother Nature. The beauty of fall is quickly approaching and autumn themed weddings are more popular than ever this year. Not only does a fall themed wedding create the opportunity for stunning outdoor wedding pictures, but the décor possibilities are endless! From pumpkins and leaves, to a wide variety of floral arrangements, this theme is sure to impress all of your friends and family down to the very last detail.

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Another benefit of a fall wedding theme is all of the color options! Though most would consider the traditional colors to include brown, red, and orange there are so many other shades that will make your wedding one of a kind! Incorporating greens, purples, and even pinks into your more common fall colors will brighten your floral arrangements, bridesmaid dresses and venue decorations.

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No matter what theme you choose for your wedding, remember that it’s all about having fun with the one you love the most!

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Things to do before you say “I DO”

Written by Decadent Details Events Assistant, Anna Hamilton

Have you ever thought about a theme for your wedding or envisioned what exactly you wanted it to look like? I'm not just referring to what time of the year and what color you want your bridesmaids to wear either.  I mean the whole shebang!  There is so much that goes into a wedding, including what most people think of as the "little things", such as the type of lighting you want during the ceremony.  That is not insignificant one bit to say the least because just that can help in setting the whole atmosphere for the wedding.  I think at some point we have all dreamed of at least a few ideas on how we would like our perfect wedding to be, whether it is the type of music played during the ceremony or the food served at the reception.  Well, there's a lot more to it than that!

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Ever watch the movie "Bridesmaids"?  If not, I strongly recommend in doing so.  The movie will not only have you falling out of your chair from laughing hysterically, but will give you some amazing (and not so amazing) wedding ideas. Though I keep saying "wedding", I am also referring to all that entails with it; wedding shower, bachelorette party, etc. 

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To one person the perfect wedding might be country themed where everyone is expected to wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats, while another person's wedding theme consists of tuxedo tails and long formal gowns.  Whichever theme you choose, you want it to look the best it possibly can!   

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Independence Day Soiree!

Planning a 4th of July party? Take your celebration to a new level of WOW!  Here are some hip, elegant ways to decorate for your Independende Day Soiree!


This tablescape pops with a patriotic theme without being too busy.  It is very clean, elegant and still has a fun, inviting feel to it.

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Of course you cannot go wrong with traditional hot dogs and hamburgers.  What could be more American right!?!  We couldn’t agree more however there is nothing wrong with stepping it up a bit either.  Surprise your guests with some grilled chicken or shrimp to go along with a caprese salad!

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Love, love, love the idea of having three dfferent signature drinks to serve to guests.  We chose LemonDrop Martinis, Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail and Blue Hawaiian to continue our color theme. Recipes

Cocktails

Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail

4 cups crushed ice
2 cups pomegranate juice
½ cup ginger ale
¼ cup brandy
1 (750-milititer) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine
Pomegranate seeds (optional)
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a pitcher. Makes 8 one cup servings. Garnish with seeds, if desired.


Lemon Drop Martini
1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1 tsp superfine sugar
3/4 ozfreshly squeezed lemon juice
Mix the Grey Goose vodka, triple sec, sugar and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes. Shake well to make sure sugar is blended.


Blue Hawaiian
1 oz Light Rum
1 oz Blue Curacao
2 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Cream of Coconut (optional)
Can be served straight up, over ice, or blended.
Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, and serve in a Collins glass.

Last but not least for sure is dessert.  There are many ways you can serve up a little red, white and blue at the end of such a delicious celebration!  Here are just a few favorites! 

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Enjoy!

Fairy Godmother?

Remember the movie 27 Dresses where Katherine Heigl had been the bridesmaid 27 times but never the bride! Like most bridesmaids, Katherine had stuck the dresses in a closet never to be worn again. Now thanks to the DessyGroup, bridesmaids can send their gown in for a credit toward a new LBD...what a great concept!

Fairygodmother

Dessy is like every bridesmaid's very own "Fairy Godmother"! With Dessy's new program "NewlyMaid" turn your unwanted dress into an LBD you will wear again and again!  Here's how it works...

1. Select an old bridesmaid's dress you wish to trade in.

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2. Mail your old bridesmaid dress to NewlyMaid. For a limited time, receive a prepaid mailer to return one  dress and they'll recycle the garment or donate the dress to the Clothes4Souls charity. So you can add this to your list of charitable ideas!



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3. Unlock special pricing for the purchase of a NewlyMaid dress.

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4. Purchase your new Little Black Dress, perfect for any occasion. Once your dress is accepted, a 30-50% credit will be applied to your NewlyMaid account and it'll be time to find the perfect little black dress. The LBDs available on NewlyMaid retail for $150 to $250, so with 30-50% off these frocks are a stylish steal!Check out the details and styles of the LBDs Dessy is offering for trade credit on their website at http://www.newlymaid.com/t-howitworks.aspx. Here are a  few previews of the styles Dessy is offering.         
                                    
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Wedding Favors

For many centuries wedding favors have been a part of traditional wedding ceremonies, across a wide range of cultures. Initially wedding favors were an extravagance at celebrations hosted by European upper classes, who had the wealth to provide elaborate gifts to guests.

The early wedding favors began as small fancy boxes, known by their French name of bonbonniere. A bonbonniere was fashioned of crystal, porcelain, or gold, and often encrusted with precious stones. The delicate boxes were meant to hold bonbons or other confectionery delicacies, at a time when sugar was quite expensive. Sugar was also highly valued by all, as it was believed to have medicinal benefits.
Crystal-Lidded-Bonbonniere--Sweet-Box


The tradition of providing gifts to guests was adopted by individuals of modest means by selecting simple treats as gifts. Every culture across time has a approached marriage as a wonderful event, with the nuptials celebrated throughout the community.

In many societies the bride and groom are associated with good luck, a common thought was that everything they touched would be charmed. By gifting members of the community, they would then pass those same blessings onto others.

Many brides would choose to distribute this good luck by preparing a small gift of almonds, beautifully wrapped in an elegant fabric. The custom in the Middle East is for the bride to provide five almonds to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness.


For more than a millennium, almonds were commonly given as wedding gifts to the couple, signifying the good wishes on their new life together. In the thirteenth century the practice of coating almonds in sugar became popular, the new confections were called "confetti". Over time, confetti has transformed to Jordan almonds, now a staple of many wedding celebrations.

The combination of the almond and candy signify the bitter sweetness of marriage. Today, Jordan almonds provide one of the most common and traditional wedding favors when they are wrapped in small bundles of delicate fabric or lace and tied with ribbon. Though the most traditional of wedding favors are still appreciated, a bride is only limited to her imagination when it comes to selecting the gifts that will demonstrate esteem from the blessed couple.Source

Favor

Modern brides tend to go the route that means something to them personally.  Couples who are eco-friendly might give such things as herbs, or plants.  Wine or beer lovers may give personalized wine or beer as a gift.  Even Prince William and Kate chose a personalized gift for their guests.  Each guest who attended received a limited-edition scarves custom-designed by Centex, a posh apparel company based in Ludhiana, India.

 Royal Wedding Favor

All in all if it comes from the heart, your guests will love it!