In June 2006, we’re planning our own wedding, and the theme is Asian. Why Asian when we’re not the least bit Asian ourselves? Because we both enjoy the peaceful harmony of far-eastern flair – a ‘Zen’ wedding is what we chose because of it’s simplicity, beauty and peacefulness. Searching around for ideas and concepts – I’ve found some incredible information that I wanted to share!
The Dress
We’re not talking Geisha-wear here. Think soft colors in silk with brocade accents – with just a touch of beautiful elegant Asian influence in the right spots.
The Bridesmaids
Instead of flowers – - paper fans or umbrellas!
The Hair
Instead of the romantic pouffy, curly upswept do . . . pull your hair back straight and secure it with decorative chopsticks or a beautiful oriental-styled comb.
The Flowers
Orchids give a very beautiful touch to any wedding bouquet. Bamboo, curly willow or bear grass can serve as elegant accents to the bouquet itself. My bouquet will be done in white and lavander orchids with curly willow accents – - the bridesmaids will carry similar, smaller versions.
The Decorative Accents
We’re having an outdoor garden wedding in my soon to be Mother-In-Law’s garden, which just happens to be a Zen Garden in upstate New York. I’ve purchased dozens of white paper chinese lanterns to hang from the trees, and white paper luminaries to line the garden walk-ways. All pictured below:
I will be adding more Asian theme ideas here as time goes on – and as I find more and more goodies to share! Did you do an Asian themed wedding? Or planning to? Please, share your ideas!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe.
This good luck saying dates back to Victorian times and many brides try to arrange their wedding attire accordingly.
Something old represents the link with the bride’s family and the past. Many brides choose to wear a piece of antique family jewelry or a mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown.
Something new represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. The wedding gown is often chosen as the new item.
Something borrowed is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed. The borrowed object might be something such as a lace handkerchief.
Something blue is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty. Often the blue item is the garter. A silver sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth.
Many times during the planning of my own wedding – I considered eloping. I mean, who hasn’t, really? In the midst of trying to plan the perfect day for you and your fiance – - you find yourself in the position of keeping other people happy at the same time. And we all know it’s impossible t0 make everyone happy all the time!
During the course of my wedding stress-out – - I looked into Desitation Weddings. What a great concept — if only I hadn’t looked into it too late in the game!
What is a destination wedding? It’s a wedding that you have to travel to (a.k.a. eloping) — only some destination weddings also include guests. Common destination wedding sites are Walt Disney World, Europe, Las Vegas, Hawaii, New Orleans, Mexico, Canada, the Poconos, Colorado, and the Caribbean…just to name a few. Cruise weddings are also popular!
This site has some excellent resources on Destination Wedding locations – it’s just a search away! (note: I have no affiliation with this site)
How about a Wedding Cruise?
Carnival Cruise – Land Weddings
Nautical Nuptials aboard a Princess Cruise
Shipboard Weddings aboard Carnival Cruise
Planning for a Destination Wedding?
If you’re watching your wallet, the best way to stay within budget bounds is to keep your celebration small. (An informal bash thrown back home later will help soothe any ruffled feelings.) Give invitees as much advance notice as possible (ideally, a year) with save the date cards, so they can reserve airline tickets and block off vacation time. Follow up with a phone call to get an estimate of how many people will be attending. (A rough number will allow you to reserve a block of hotel rooms, usually at a discount.) As the big day approaches, create a newsletter or web site listing lodging options (with price ranges), activities, transportation details, baby-sitters, restaurant suggestions, and other information.
When you throw a destination wedding, flexibility is key: After all, there’s no reason to spend big bucks shipping roses to the Bahamas when armfuls of orchids and hibiscus are grown just around the corner. Same with music—on the beach, a local calypso trio might set the tone better than a swing orchestra. With every detail, avoid disappointment by making sure your consultant knows what you want, and that you know what you’re getting. Always request photos of floral arrangements, sample CDs from bands, and composites from photographers (usually available for viewing on-line).
Beach brides often go for a simple slipdress styles with local flowers in their hair, but if you’ve been obsessing about princess seams and cathedral veils, go for a full-on gown made of a wrinkle-resistant, lightweight fabric like chiffon, silk organza, georgette, silk tulle, or Chantilly lace. Be sure to transport your dress in a garment bag, just as you received it from the salon. Carry it on the plane and ask the flight attendant to hang it in a closet close to your seat, so you can keep an eye on it throughout your voyage.
For my own wedding, I’m having my gown custom designed by Jane Wilson-Marquis of Manhattan. I wish I could show a picture of it . . but it’s not done yet! My own wedding isn’t until June 2006 . . so it’s in the process of being made.
You spent your lifetime dreaming about your wedding gown, so shopping for it is sure to be an exhilarating, exciting and yes, overwhelming experience. When should you start? Where should you go? What happens once you’re there? Well, your worrying is over. From ordering to altering, here’s everything you need to know:
Shop early! 9-12 months before your wedding isn’t an unreasonable amount of time to begin shopping for your gown – - actually, it’s perfectly rational! Leave time for additional fittings an alterations…so that it fits you. Perfectly. Rule to keep in mind: the less complicated the gown, the less time it takes to alter and make it fit – - keep it simple. Here’s a little check list:
9 to 12 Months Before
- Start envisioning yourself in your wedding gown. Think about your everyday style. Now write down six adjectives that best describe how you want to look and feel (summery, sweet, elegant, royal, sexy, sophisticated, demure, over-the-top, to name a few).
- Choose the time of day and formality of your wedding before you set foot in a store.
- Start learning the ins and outs of wedding gowns. Get the lingo down and determine which design elements will complement your body.
- Hone in on a specific style. Browse through the thousands of options on Google can be a great go-to in order to find designers and styles you like. Save some of your favorites and print them out. Jot down a few names and gown elements that you find especially appealing.
- Now get some paper and a pencil and put into words what you absolutely do not want in a gown (for example, short sleeves, a full skirt, or beading).
- Determine your gown budget — a good guideline is to spend 10% of your overall wedding budget.
8 Months Before
- Find two or three salons that suit you. Ask recently married friends where they bought their gowns and whether they had a good experience. Check to see which salons carry the designers you like. Call and make appointments, allowing at least one hour at each salon. Use a notebook to keep track of the salons, addresses, dates, and times.
- Decide who to bring and invite them along. Limit your entourage to no more than three oglers at once.
- Get your gear ready. Many salons provide some of the essentials listed below, but they may not fit properly:
- A strapless bra or bustier
- Control-top panty hose (gowns go on more smoothly, especially the often-too-small sample sizes)
- A slip if you plan to try on sheaths or slip dress
- Shoes with approximately the same heel height you plan to wear on your wedding day
- Tissues for when your mom sees you in your first gown
- As you shop take careful notes on the dresses and the designers you like and write down descriptions of the gowns with prices.
- A few words on sizing: Wedding gowns can run small. The store will measure your bust, waist, and hips, consult the individual manufacturer’s sizing chart, and order the size that matches your largest measurement (it’s much easier and less expensive to take in a dress than to let it out).
6 months before
- Order your gown. Make sure the following contract points are in writing on your receipt:
- designer name
- style number or name
- size or measurements the salon is sending to the manufacturer
- approximate delivery date
- how many fittings are included in the price (if any)
- how much money you still owe for the gown
- amount of your deposit and that it’s marked paid
5 months before
- Call the salon to confirm the delivery date.
- Decide what accessories — shoes, lingerie, jewelry, headwear, wrap, gloves, outerwear, and bag — you need (or want!) and shop for them. For ideas, check out The Knot Accessory Search.
- If you plan to lose weight before your wedding, do so before your fittings begin. Once fittings are underway, try to maintain your weight. (Better yet, forget about the diet — obviously he thinks you look great just the way you are.)
6 Weeks Before (or once your gown has arrived)
- Have your first fitting. Invite an honest, sharp-eyed friend or family member to come along. Bring your accessories, too, so you can see the whole look.
4 to 5 Weeks Before
- Have your second fitting. Make sure that:
- The hem of a full-length gown skims the tops of the toes of your shoes
- You can move comfortably
- The gown stays in place as you move
- There is no obvious wrinkling, bunching, or pulling
- Continue to schedule fittings until you are completely satisfied.
- Bring your maid of honor to your final fitting to learn about the gown. Does it need bustling? Ask the salesperson to teach her how to do it. Does it have complicated straps or buttons? Make sure she knows how to work them. Also, find out how to banish last-minute wrinkles. Should you use an iron? On what setting? Is steaming a better option? And what if you spill something on the gown? Are there certain products you should or shouldn’t use?
3 Weeks Before
- Schedule a day and time to pick up your gown from the salon. We suggest you try it on one last time, no matter what the salon says, especially if it’s been a while since your last fitting. We all know stress affects our appetites, and if you suddenly don’t fit into your gown you need time to adjust it, or your diet.
- Pick up your gown!
Below are tid bits of facts and suggestions to help your wedding day go smoothly. Enjoy!
(more…)
American Bride is brand new and launching a comprehensive wedding and bridal resource hot spot on the web, at least we hope so! We’re planning on spending the next few months building this site up with some rich content full of all kinds of wedding and bridal resources to make them available in one spot. In planning my own wedding, I came across so many excellent wedding resources on the web, I just HAD to share! Keep an eye out here for more and more updates as time allows!
