If you live in a warmer climate, an outdoor spring wedding is the ideal showcase for fresh flowers and
greenery in bloom all around. Plan an outdoor garden wedding, with white linens and spring-themed
decor. Spring weather can still be unpredictable, so if you live in a rainy climate you should consider
holding your wedding indoors in case of rain. You can still decorate a hall or church with gorgeous
spring-themed decorations, and give your guests the feeling of being outdoors by using lots of flowers
and greenery.

For spring wedding food, lighter fare is best. A light wedding brunch or wedding tea with finger
sandwiches and petits fours is better than a heavy meal. If you’re serving a sit-down dinner or buffet,
chicken or fish, various salads and fruit desserts are a good choice. You can choose a simple wedding
cake with flowers or fresh fruit on top, or opt for something more elaborate with sugar butterflies as a
cake topping, or pastel ribbons tied around the cake base.

For wedding colors, focus on lighter shades like a combination of soft pink and green, or violet and
yellow. Decorate the wedding venue with white or pale colored chair covers, tulle and linens. You can
use many different flowers, or choose a few types to make wedding centerpieces. White lilies and
roses, and all shades of orchids, tulips or even daffodils will create a cheerful feeling for your wedding
celebration.

You can also choose one theme to build your wedding around. Some ideas for spring wedding themes
are butterflies, flowers or dragonflies. You can find everything from butterfly or dragonfly themed
wedding invitations, to bridal hair accessories, to candles and table top decorations. Flowers are a great
theme because not only can you find them at their best during the spring season, but there are many
floral-printed linens and favors that will add the perfect touch to any wedding. If you have place cards
at your guests’ tables, get them in butterfly or dragonfly shapes. There are even companies that will
ship live butterflies that your guests can release after the ceremony!

Give your guests spring favors like pastel-colored candies in white boxes tied with colored ribbons, or
find unique favors like personalized seed packets so that they can plant their own flowers at home.
Drink mixes for iced tea or lemonade can be printed with the names of the couple, and make a nice gift
for wedding guests.

Evoke the beauty and freshness of the season with a spring wedding. The natural beauty of the season
provides a wonderful backdrop for an outdoor wedding, wedding decor and memorable photos.

Experiences as a bridesmaid gift are a unique trend that an increasing number of brides are giving to friends.  It makes for not only a personal gift that your bridesmaids will remember forever, but a great bonding experience.

What girl doesn’t love getting pampered? Many spas have relaxation packages tailor made for brides and their bridesmaids.  Take off for a weekend at a spa resort and indulge in treatments like detoxifying seaweed wraps, aromatherapy facials and body butter massages. Of course, don’t forget the fingers and toes: treat yourself and your bridal party to manicures and pedicures. Find a spa that offers unique treatments for a something new: thai massage, ayurvedic facials and hot stone treatments are just a few popular treatments.

At night, enjoy gourmet food, wine, and conversation with friends. Every spa weekend package is different, but prices start at about $295 for weekend accomodation and a basic spa package. Depending on the location, reputation and spa services the cost will vary.

If your budget won’t allow for a full spa weekend, you can always opt for one or two spa treatments done on the day of the wedding. Take your bridal party to the spa in the morning and let them get waxed, coiffed, manicured or made up before the ceremony. It will help to calm pre-wedding jitters, and will make you and your bridal party feel beautiful. Bring along a bottle of champagne and toast to your friends! Many spas will include a light lunch as well, so you and your bridal party can grab a bite before you head to the ceremony.

For adventure seekers, white water rafting or skydiving will get the adrenaline pumping. Women who enjoy sports or outdoor activities will love a day of horseback riding or golfing. It’s important to remember that although a bridesmaid will enjoy trying some new activities, she probably won’t appreciate being taken out of her comfort zone and feeling pressured to try something she doesn’t want to. For instance, don’t give a girlfriend a bungee jumping or hangliding trip if she’s never expressed interest in it.

Tickets to the theater, a ballet or opera will please artsy friends.  You know your friends well, so think about what would mean the most to them. A frazzled mother of a toddler might appreciate a gift certificate to a fine dining restaurant she could enjoy with her husband, while a friend who has always wanted to learn to tango will enjoy dance lessons.  A basket with a bottle of wine and a handmade card providing details of a weekend wine-tasting trip make a thoughtful gift for a wine loving friend.

Wedding gear gives beachbound bridesmaids something comfortable to wear for your outdoor nuptials. Go for wedding-themed flip flops that say ‘bridesmaid’ or ‘maid of honor’ and put them in a coloful beach bag. Or, buy white flip flops and customize them will small jewels or crystals for each girl. Wedding bikinis or sarongs are a hot bridal gift for destination weddings. If you and your girlfriends plan on relaxing by the pool or walking along the beach, a bathing suit or pretty cover up is a wonderful idea.

For body-confident bridesmaids, lingerie is becoming a popular gift. A silk teddy or night set is a sexy gift that your bridesmaids won’t expect. If you aren’t comfortable buying them lingerie, you can easily find cute, custom pyjamas for weddings that have humorous or sentimental messages on them.  Fuzzy slippers are a fun addition to a pair of pyjamas, or a more elegant slipper could double as footwear at the reception for your bridesmaids! When the ceremony is over, many bridesmaids avoid aching feet by kicking off their high heels and slipping into something more comfortable.

More and more, brides are stepping away from giving the same gifts to all of her bridesmaids, and personalizing them to each woman’s individual personality and taste. If your bridesmaids are party girls, you can buy personalized packages of cocktail mix. Throw in a book of cocktails and shaker for your bridal party to enjoy.  Or, choose your friends favorite liquor and put it in a basket with mix and glasses. A bottle of tequila and a set of margarita glasses is a lighthearted way to say thank you to a bridesmaid.

Jewelry has always been a standard bridesmaid gift, but modern brides are adding personal flair by engraving necklaces or lockets with initals or the wedding date. Put a picture of you and your bridesmaid in the locket. Select fitting charms and give her a charm bracelet that she can build on over the years. For the glamour girl, engrave an antique silver compact mirror with her initals for a new twist on an old tradition.

Personalized bridesmaids’ bags give your friends a memorable and useful gift. Bags made of canvas or straw are perfect for summer or beach weddings, while crystal-initial evening bags add an elegant touch to a more formal reception. Cosmetic or travel bags are great for destination weddings, and can be personalized with initals, dates or full bridesmaid names. Whether you want pastel pink, leopard print or simple black, you can find inexpensive bridesmaids’ bags online and at wedding shops everywhere.

Give your bridesmaids personalized stationery, and select a style for each the fits their personality. Stationery can range from fun and vivid to classic and traditional. Include a monogrammed pen and your bridesmaids will have a gift they’ll be using for years to come!

Just get creative with your bridesmaid gift ideas, and think about each girls’ uniqueness and style before you buy. There is no better way to say thank you for their support and friendship than a gift that comes straight from the heart.

Engagement Announcements/Invitations
We’re engaged! Some couples decide to send announcements about their engagement, even if the wedding is a year and a half away. Photo engagement announcements are popular, and the couple can be creative with details of the proposal. An engagement party is the perfect way to introduce your spouse-to-be to all of your family and friends. Include the date, time, place, city, state and what attire your guests should wear. Remember, only invite people to the engagement party that you are planning on inviting to the wedding.

Save the Date Cards
A save the date card is a way for the bride and groom to let their loved ones know their wedding date and to “save the date.” This allows family and friends to keep the day open, and is especially useful if the wedding is farther ahead in the future. The general rule for save the date cards is to send them anywhere between 6-12 months before the wedding. If you have your wedding colors, you can incorporate them into your save the date cards, but if you don’t, you’re free to choose any design or color you wish. Many couples make their save the date cards in the form of a magnet or clip to hold the actual invitation when it comes later. Since many couples don’t have all the wedding particulars sorted out yet, it’s fine to just list the date and place where the wedding is being held. However, if you have additional information such as times, hotels, and directions, do include them with the save the date card.

Bridal Shower Invitations
The bridal shower invitation usually lets guests know the theme of the party, as well as the date, time and location. If the bridal shower is at a restaurant or other public place, be sure to include directions and parking instructions with the invite. It’s common for bridal shower invitations to have small “memories” cards in them that are filled out by her friends and given to her on the day of the shower.

Bridesmaids’/Groomsmen Day Invitations
Although not overly common, some brides and grooms host a party to thank their bridesmaids and groomsmen for their friendship and help during the wedding planning. The groomsmen could play a round of golf, while the bridesmaids visit a local spa or hairdresser for some pre-wedding pampering. Nowadays, many couples host a co-ed barbecue or lunch with both the bridesmaids and groomsmen in attendance. Include the date, time, place and any instructions for special attire or equipment.

Bachelorette Party Invitations
You’ve got one more chance to party like a single girl! Bridal Shower Invitations vary a great deal - some are humorous and poke fun at the bride, while others are more formal and refined. It depends on the theme of the party - if you’re having a quiet dinner at a nice restaurant, a more elegant invitation design is fitting. However, if you’re planning on dancing at your favorite club or hiring a stripper, let your invitations be fun and lighthearted. The bride will most likely keep her invitation as a souvenir, so let the theme of the party show in the invitations so she has a great memory of her special night. Apart from date, time and place, include any other instructions such as hotel, instructions for the night’s festivities, etc.

Wedding Planning Thank You Notes
: It’s a nice gesture for the bride to send out thank you notes to her friends and family who have given her gifts, organized her shower or bachelorette party, or helped with planning or wedding shopping. The bride uses her maiden name, and these cards can be funky and vivid, or more subdued and classic.

Wedding Invitations
: There are several components to wedding invitations. Typically sent 6-10 weeks before the wedding, they usually feature the wedding theme and colors. It gives guests information on the date (including year), time and place the wedding will be held, and commonly has the names of the bride and/or groom’s parents if they are hosting the wedding. How the couple words the invitation is up to them, and depends on how formal or informal the wedding will be.

Reception info is printed at the bottom, so be specific with what type of celebration you will be having. “Reception to follow” tells guests you will be serving a full meal, so if you are just planning on cocktails and hors d’ouevres, ensure that the wedding invitation says that. For single people, it’s customary to add “plus guest” to the invitation envelope. Never include gift or registry information on an invitation.

Reception Card
If the ceremony and reception aren’t on the same day, or if the guests have to travel to another location. It gives reception details such as time and place, as well as any additional details about the itinerary or party (cocktail hour, midnight buffet, dancing).

Travel/Accomodation Card
Travel information gives your out of town guests taxi information and directions to hotels from the airport. Offer your recommendations for hotels and motels in the area, and choose one or two higher end hotels for your guests who prefer that, as well as some cheaper accomodations for guests on a budget.

Response Card.
This can be a simple card with an empty spot for names, number of guests and a checkbox for will or will not be attending. Or, if you are having a sit-down dinner, questions about entrees will be listed on this card. Expect a few people to forget to send back the response card, if you are missing someone give them a call a few days before.

Thank You Card
: This is a chance for the couple to thank guests for their attendance and gifts during the wedding. If you have received wedding pictures, you can include one in the envelope with the card.

I would suggest making sure that you order as many items from the same company as possible to make sure that your look and feel is consistent. So make sure you order all of your

s

tationary at the same time. (It will save you money too!)

Ways you can incorporate your new monogram into your wedding:

- Stationary: Save The Date, Invitations, Menu Cards, Thank You Cards (I love these from Wedding Paper Divas)

- Favor Tags: I love these from MyWeddingLabels.com.  In addition to favor tags, they have coasters and all types of labels for water bottles, wine bottles, and more.

Unity Candles: You can now purchase unity candles with your monogram on them. You can find them on sites like the Printed Candle.

Mongram Aise Runners: I love these from the Original Runner Company. They have lots of designs to choose from and also create custom designs too!

Mogrammed Cookies & Candy Bars: Tasty & Elegant! Get a few of both and put them on a small round table and arrange on elegant plated display for your guests. Add some pictures of you and your future hubby to add to the decor. I love these from Beau-coup.com!

Monogram Cake Toppers: Depending on your personal style, there are several cake toppers available to put the finishing touches on your wedding cake. You can go with a brushed silver monogram look, add some glitz with a rhinestone or crystal monogram cake topper, or some swirly fun mongram cake topper. Check out these different styles from our own siter store BridalEverything.com!

If you’re planning a traditional wedding, it might be fun to mix it up a little during your other wedding parties. How about a Fiesta Themed party. This would be fun as a cocktail engagement party or as part of a happy hour for one of your weekend wedding shingdigs. If you’re trying to keep a bunch of kids entertained while the adults visit - what better than to have a fiesta with a pinata!

It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Serve margaritas (frozen ones are fun), chips and salsa. Set up a mexican bar with a variety of taco shells, flour tortillas and toppings so guests can make their own burritos, tacos or fajitas. Here’s what I would have on my mexican bar: Ground beef, sauteed chicken strips, green peppers, onions, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheeses (mix ‘em up!), shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, spanish rice, refried beans, guacamole, flour tortillas, corn tortillas. Consider tortilla bowls for taco salads!

We found a great website that has some great  Party Supplies(really for any occasion). It’s called ShinDigZ and they have a special offer through our link below:

Dragon fly place card holders. Decorate your event with these beautiful little creatures. What a fun and unique way to hold up your guests’ name cards. Dragonflies and butterflies are plated in silver and sold separately, each in sets of 6 pieces. $18 for set of 6. Available at Beaucoup Wedding Favors.

Originating in ancient Greece, floral topiaries add elegance, grace and beauty to any setting, whether it is an indoor banquet, garden party, or outdoor wedding. Decorate tabletops and reception areas with our mini rose topiaries or use them as place card holders and shower favors. Each topiary is exquisitely handmade in mulberry paper and is nestled on top of a wooden stem in a cream colored pot. Each mini topiary measures 5.5″H x 2.75″D. Available in pink (two-tone), pale yellow, red, lilac, cream, green and white, pink and cream, and red and cream. Available at Beaucoup for $4.95 each minium purchase of 12.

BEAUCOUP OFFERS FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $150 OR MORE.

Check out these crab wine holders. Perfect for your Maryland Eastern Shore or other beach wedding. The 2 lb. Crab Wine Bottle Holder is made of resin and would be ideal decoration for your bar tables, but will also work well as guest favors. $5.00 each at My Wedding Favors.

Perfect for summer or nautically themed weddings, these charming frosted sailboat tealight candleholders feature frosted glass sails that charmingly diffuse a candle’s glow, creating an irresistible romantic presentation. Sailboats measure 3″ by 3.5″ and are sold in sets of four. Candles included. (As low as $11.00 per set of four with larger quantity purchases.) Available from My Wedding Favors.

Get FREE Shipping on your order now at MyWeddingFavors.com.

These adorable shell toothpicks are great as part of your table decorations - plus they are useful. They are very unique as well as useful. Find them at Bella Regalo. Over 160 toothpicks for $32.00.

Other unique beach finds include: chocolate seashell favors - seashell shaped chocolates nestled in a natural scallop shell, enrobed in soft tulle and finished with a length of satin ribbon. Available with Godiva (shown) or Guylian chocolates, or a combination of the two. $4.50 and up.

We love these Beach Theme Cookies from Beaucoup wedding favors. Choose from Surf boards, beach sandals, beach balls and even beach chairs. Your guests (especially the kids) will love the nice treat! These custom cookies start at $4.00 each with a minimum purchase of 24 cookies.

We love these save the date beach theme magnets also available at Beaucoup. In addition to the beach theme, Beaucoup has a large variety of very professional looking styles for any theme. Magnets are $1.80 with a minimum of 20 pieces.

GET FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $150