Where did you see that item????

How many websites have you viewed for your wedding, I bet you couldn't count them on all your fingers and toes.....  So how are you meant to remember what you saw where?
One way you can ensure you remember the websites that have what you're looking for is to use a Wish List facility, if available on the website.

So what is a Wish List?  A Wish List should be just that, your Wish List and should be a facility that you use while deciding on what you would like to purchase.  By using the Wish List facility you are not ordering the products you are simply setting them aside so you don't have to search the entire website looking for that one product.

About the Princess Weddings website Wish List facility.  Under each item you have the option of adding it to you Wish List, then when you've added what you like you can then email the list to yourself.  What a great way of remembering exactly what it is you liked on the site!  Your Wish List can then be added to or items deleted, bascially you can update it as you like.  Then when your ready to purchase your items simply put them in your shopping cart and away you go....

Another great facility that the Princess Weddings website has is a Wedding Accessory Checklist.  This checklist was designed to help keep you organised when putting together the finer details of your wedding.  Our checklist is broken down into sections, Ceremony Accessories, Reception Accessories, For the Bride, For the Groom etc etc.  We have also added a Pre Wedding Day Checklist, this list is designed to help you make sure you pack everything you need/want for your while you're getting ready and at your Wedding.  We have done one of these checklists for you, your hubby-to-be, your bridesmaids and groomsman.
Print off your copy today!

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/

How to choose your Bonbonniere?

When choosing your Bonbonniere there are a couple of great questions you can ask yourself (and hubby-to-be) to help narrow down your search.  The first question we ask anyone looking for Bonbonniere is:

• What is your budget?  Have you worked out roughly how much you would like to spend either on a whole or per item?  eg. up to $5 per item or $300 in total.

This is a really important question because when you start looking you will be overwhelmed by what's available.  If have an idea of price range, that will help narrow down your search.
The next lot of questions we ask are:

• Are you giving to each person? or per couple and singles?
• If you are giving to each person, are you giving a uniformed gift? or a gift for the girls and a gift for the boys?
• If you're giving a uniformed gift, something to think about is "can a couple use 2 of whatever it is that you choose as your Bonbonniere?"

Once you have thought about and decided on who you're giving the gifts to you can then start to think about the gift itself.
Chocolates in a box/bag are a great gift but one myth about this gift is that it's the easier option.  Let me tell you from experience, that's not necessarily the case.  Unless you are buying Chocolates that already come in a box you will need to assemble the boxes, put the chocolates in and then decorate the box and this can be a timely exercise.  If you have the time then that's great but if you are stretched for time it's definitely something worth thinking about.  Plus you can generally pay just as much for Chocolates in a Box/Bag as you would for a practical/sentimental item, again something worth thinking about.

Giving a uniform gift is also a great idea but again there is one point really worth thinking about and we mentioned it earlier:

• If you give a unform gift and you are giving to each person, could a couple use 2 of that item in their home or would one simply go to waste?
• If you are giving a uniform gift there are some great gifts that could be doubled up on, for example coasters, you could always use multiple sets.

An alternative might be to give alternating gifts or you could give a gift that would suit the ladies and then another gift that would suit the men.

When you have thought about these points and questions you can start looking with your eyes wide open and asking yourself if that gift fits your criteria.

I know that it must seem like it's a lot to think about but trust me when you starting asking these questions you will save yourself time because you won't be looking at gifts that don't fit into your budget or the style of gift you want to give.

I hope this post has been helpful and you go on to find the perfect Bonbonniere for your wedding :)

COMING UP.......  We will be posting some wonderful gift ideas for under $5, $4 & $3

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/

To be Formal or Not to be Formal.......

Love never goes out of style………  select the style that suits you perfectly

Ultra Formal

A wedding with the upmost grandeur.  An ultra-formal occasion may feature you wearing traditional white gown and a cathedral train.  Perhaps a dozen bridesmaids will toast you using dazzling crystal flutes as 200 guests gaze with delight at the lavish décor you have chosen.  After saying “I do” your dashing groom, attired in an oxford gray cutaway coat, will take your hand and led you to where the Rolls-Royce awaits, purring sweetly as you make your getaway.

Formal

On a slightly smaller scale, a formal event is chic yet traditional.  Your rosy cheeks may be set aglow by your candlelight floor-length gown and stunning chapel train.  Chosen to compliment your wedding’s colour scheme, your invitations will serve as an unforgettable introduction to the special day.  Perhaps your ceremony will take place in a church or social club and your groom will appear simply dapper in his stylish designed yet conventional jet black tuxedo.

Semi-Formal

In lieu of the fanfare and ceremony of some wedding styles, you may choose an alternative yet equally beautiful affair.  You may choose to wear a striking suit or simple aline slip dress rather than a traditional dress.  Your wedding party may be intimate, consisting of your closest friends and family.  Perhaps you and your groom will exchange vows at the city hall or in a judge’s chambers.  Invitations to your semi-formal occasion may be printed with poems or photographs for a truly personal touch.

Informal

Create a unique gala a step away from tradition with an informal event.  You may be wrapped in a designer pastel-coloured dress and crowned with a tiara of fresh flowers.  Your one or two attendants dressed in tea-length dresses, may be found mingling amidst a crowd of less than 100 guests, relishing hors d’ouevres and champagne. Perhaps your friends and family members will blow bubbles instead of throwing rice upon your escape.

Choosing your desired wedding style will influence all other aspects of your celebration, such as the style of your wedding dress, your attendants’ attire, the size, time and location of your ceremony, the type of reception, invitation style.

Your day..... Your Style...

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/

Putting Together a Gift Pack for your Bridal Party

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your Bridal Party, something that they can use on your wedding day as well as after your wedding?

Grooms tend to find their gifts easier to choose as they will generally pick something they would like for themselves, job done!  Some ideas for your Groomsman Gifts: Silver Cufflinks with their initials etching/engraved on them, Personalised beer mugs/pilsner glasses, Personalised BBQ tool set.

Brides tend to think more about their Bridesmaids Gifts and really want to give a gift that comes from the heart.  A couple of really great gift ideas could be to put together a “Care Package” for your Wedding Eve night and then your Bridesmaids can transfer some of these items to be used on your Wedding Day.  A “Care Pack” could include items such as: Compact Mirror for touching up throughout the day, a handbag holder so your handbags don’t have to be put on the floor, Mini Perfume Bottle filled with her favourite perfume – also great to use on your Wedding Day, Jewellery Box, Wedding Party Bath Fizzers and they can all be packed into one of our gorgeous Tote/Travel Bags.

There are plenty of options for giving your Bridal Party a gift that can be personalised.  One option could be to give your Bridesmaids a Champagne Flute and have it engraved/etched with either names and your wedding date.
Come in to our store and our experienced staff can assist you with finding the perfect gift for your Bridal Party, not matter how big or small.

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/

Something Old, Something New.....

Ever wondered what the meaning was behind the saying "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue"?
This saying has been around for Centuries and the meanings behind them are quite beautiful.  Below we look at what each one symbolises and why it has been carried through the years and is still around today.

Something Old
"Something Old" represents continuity of the past moving to the future. The old item can be an antique, an heirloom object, or a sentimental piece that represents the bride's past.

Some ideas for "Something Old" could be:

• Place an antique bookmark to mark ceremony readings
• Sew a button from one of your father's old coats on the inside of your gown or place it in your purse
• Use a vintage compact mirror on the day to touch up your make-up
• Tuck a love letter saved by your mother from your father into your purse
• Put a photo of your parents from their wedding day in your purse
• Wear a piece of jewellery that has sentimental value

These are just a few ideas of how you can really personalise the symbolism of "Something Old"


Something New
"Something New" represents optimism for the future and the new life you will share with your groom.

Some ideas for "Something New" could be:

• 

  Buy a new piece of jewellery to wear on your wedding day such as a bracelet, earrings, a necklace, or an anklet
• Get a parasol that you can use to keep cool or dry during your photo shoot
• Purchase some new lingerie that you can wear under your dress or on your honeymoon

You could pretty much use anything new that you purchase for your wedding as it's been used for your wedding and therefore is symbolising your new lives together.

Something Borrowed

"Something Borrowed" represents borrowed happiness. Some brides use a borrowed item from a long-time happily married couple, but it can also be something borrowed from a friend or other relative who is symbolic of happiness. The borrowed item should be returned to the owner following the wedding day. It is helpful if one of the wedding attendants or mother-of-the-bride returns the borrowed item to the loaner to relieve the bride of this duty. A thank you note is always appreciated and appropriate when the borrowed item is returned.

Some ideas for "Something Borrowed" could be:

• Have your groom borrow a grandfather's pocket watch or you could carry it in her purse
• Borrow a girlfriends jewellery for your wedding day
• Use an Aunt's or someone close to you prayer book
• Borrow one of your Father's hankerchiefs

Again you can borrow whatever has special meaning to you.

Something Blue

"Something Blue" symbolizes love, good fortune, and fidelity.  There are so many ways you can incorporate "Something Blue" into you wedding.   Traditionally the "Something Blue" was given as a gift to the bride, but more commonly now brides will buy/find their own something blue.  Either way is fine the symbolisim will still be there.

Some ideas for "Something Blue" could be:

• The most common item is to have a Blue Garter or a garter with a blue gem
• You could wear a Blue Anklet or Toering
• The more unconventional Bride could use a Temporary blue tattoo.  A blue butterfly would be a beautiful way to incorporate the blue meaning and the meaning of butterfly, which is New Beginnings
• Use a blue hankerchief or have your groom wear a blue silk hankerchief in his suit
• Use blue ribbon on your bouquet or on your wedding cars
• Wear jewellery that has blue gems

Let you imagination run wild with this one and have a bit of fun with it.

Remember that there are no hard & fast rules as to how you must incorporate these into your wedding, it is your wedding and every aspect should represent you and your husband-to-be.  Personally I love the symbolism of each one and I think they're a beautiful way of bringing sentiment into your wedding day.

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/

Wedding Trends for 2011

So what are the trends for 2011 going to be???  We have looked at trends in both the U.S and U.K and they are both indicating similar trends but with some subtle difference. 

Here's what's going to be HOT in the U.S for 2011:

The return to elegance (especially with the royal wedding approaching) and even Grey/Silver are becoming the new “black.”  But as usual there are a few things that were totally unexpected to become trends in 2011.

A Celebration of Ethnicity
Unique cultural traditions say a lot about the couple and their family.  According to OneWed, that’s why they’ll be celebrated this year with wedding ceremony rituals, traditional wedding-day garb, cultural cuisine and ethnic wedding décor.  What a wonderful opportunity to incorporate some of our wedding favors with bold, ethnic patterns.  The Knot agrees and says brides will follow the lead of Katy Perry’s Indian wedding, Eat, Pray, Love, and Nicole Richie’s exotic elephant as a wedding greeter.  India will definitely be the “it” country for wedding inspiration. Think vibrant color palettes like purples, reds and golds, lavish décor elements such as beading and rich drapery, and exotic, spicy dishes.
**Article provided by KateAspen.com.

Image provided by KateAspen.com

Now for the U.K 2011 Wedding Trends:

Navy will be big this year, inspired by the Royal wedding.  Navy has such a formality and vintage feel and gets away from the use of black. Navy combined with a gorgeously sumptuous yellow will add a stunning contrast to your wedding.

Navy and yellow colour scheme as seen in Vibrant Bride

Bright colours are also going to be big for 2011. These include hot pink, orange and apple green. They bring some beautiful touches to a wedding and are particularly nice for summer/spring weddings.
The alternative are vintage-style colours – khaki greens, creams and burnt red. These colours are particularly a nice choice for your flowers.
Bringing in grey as a mixer was already something that started emerging in 2010 and will probably continue into 2011, as will the emerging trend for nudes, like coral or peach.
**Trends information provided by: http://www.zankyou.com/uk/magazine/p/wedding-trends-2011-colour-scheme

So what colours will you choose for your wedding?..............

http://www.princessweddings.com.au/