Truly Wedding Blog

You want your wedding to be unique, but it seems like everything different you could do has already been done before. Maybe that’s why some people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their wedding—so they can have an unforgettable, unique event and nothing but good memories for the rest of their lives.

Maybe, though, if you are creative enough, you can come up with a wedding plan that features something amazing without spending ungodly amounts of money. Something beautiful that symbolizes love; something that that you and your guests have likely never experienced before: a butterfly release.

Granted, a butterfly release is best suited for an outdoor wedding (I have no idea how you’d gather them up again if you released them indoors), but even if your wedding is indoors, there are ways to incorporate a butterfly release. If, for example, you are married in a chapel, the butterfly release could be timed to occur as you and your guests exit the building.

In any case, there are a few basics you might want to consider if you choose to have a butterfly release at your wedding:

1. Butterflies can be released individually or all together from a large box. If you’d like each of your guests to release a butterfly, you would want to look into the first option. If you have a young flower girl or ring bearer, however, releasing all the butterflies might be a very meaningful task for them.
2. The butterflies are typically kept chilled on ice until the time of the release. Just to make sure the release goes off without a hitch, you’ll want to let them thaw about a half hour before they are freed.
3. Many butterfly vendors also offer decorative cages where the butterflies can be viewed as centerpieces before they are released. If you are planning an outdoor reception, releasing the butterflies at dusk might be an ideal option.
4. Most butterfly vendors are actually butterfly nurseries where butterflies are raised. If you hope to plan a butterfly release for your wedding, make sure to place your order in advance: two to three months is ideal; six weeks is cutting it really close.

There are hundreds of flower types to choose from when you’re selecting your wedding flora. There might even be thousands of flower types if you count the many variations of each species, and just getting started selecting your floral theme can be overwhelming! It’s probably safe to say that selecting flowers for your wedding bouquet is not likely to be easy. It’s even harder, though, if you’re concerned with sticking only to flowers that are in season to cut costs.

If you’re into the idea of keeping your wedding bouquet in-season, here are the most popular flower choices divied up by their seasonable months to make the selection process a little less daunting:

January – Bells of Ireland, Bird of Paradise, Candytuft, Delphinium, Heather, Protea, Star Gazer Lily, Sweetpea, Tulip, Waxflower

February – Bells of Ireland, Daffodil, Eucalyptus, Heather, Leptospermum, Ranunculus, Scabiosa, White Calla Lily

March – Assorted Lilies, Daffodil, Delphinium, Godetia, Heather, Protea, Scabiosa, Sweetpea, Tulip, Waxflower

April – Boronia, Candytuft, Delphinium, Godetia, Lisianthus, Peony, Ranunculus, Sunflower, Tulip, Veronica

May – Aster, English Lavender, Gladiola, Hydrangea, Miniature Calla Lily, Love in the Mist, Star Gazer Lily, Statice, Trachelium, Yarrow

June – Baby’s Breath, Bells of Ireland, English Lavender, Lisianthus, Gladiola, Godetia, Hydrangea, Protea, Statice, Sunflower, Trachelium, Tuberose, Veronica, Yarrow

July – Candytuft, Delphinium, Gladiola, Hydrangea, Lisianthus, Phlox, Scabiosa, Sweetpea, Tuberose, Yarrow

August – Aster, English Lavender, Heather, Love in the Mist, Phlox, Protea, Sunflower, Veronica, Yarrow

September – Bells of Ireland, Chinese Lanterns, Godetia, Leptospermum, Lisianthus, Ornamental Peppers, Protea, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Tuberose, Veronica

October – Aster, Chinese Lanterns, Delphinium, Eucalyptus, Godetia, Heather, Leptospermum, Phlox, Statice, Tuberose, Veronica, Yarrow

November – Bird of Paradise, Candytuft, Gladiola, Heather, Love in the Mist, Ornamental Peppers, Phlox, Scabiosa, Sweetpea, Veronica

December – Assorted Lilies, Calla Lily, Daffodil, Heather, Leptospermum, Lisianthus, Protea, Sweetpea, Tulip, Waxflower

Whether you want to design your bouquet yourself, or you plan to have it made for you, you’ll definitely want to know what your options are. After all, you’re not the only one carrying a bouquet!

You have the ultimate say in what type of bouquet your bridesmaids will be carrying too. So whatever the situation may be for your wedding, here’s some basic bouquet-arrangement terminology that’s bound to help you out:

Cascade: Every bride has seen or at least heard of this bouquet style! The cascade is a round of flowers trailing into a long, thin V-shape at the front. The length of the cascade can vary, from just long enough to cover the hands to reaching as far down as the floor.

Nosegay: A nosegay is a small, compact bouquet that usually consists of one type of flower with no greenery between the blooms.

Hand-Tied: The hand-tied consists of a cluster of flowers tied at the stems, usually with the exposed stems showing beneath the point where they are held. This is a very contemporary styled bouquet used in many weddings today.

Round: The round is a more traditional bouquet made up of flowers, greenery, and filler with no trailing elements. Rounds can also be made of just flowers and filler, with no greenery, or of a single type of flower, like a cluster of roses for a more contemporary look.

Presentation: The presentation bouquet (also called an arm bouquet or arm sheaf) is usually made of long-stemmed flowers that are held in the crook of the arm. It’s not very traditional, but it can look beautiful.

Tussy-Mussy: A Victorian-style bouquet in that accentuates a decorative holder. Generally, the holder is made of metal (and might very well be antique), and the bouquet is designed to show the holder rather than trail in front and cover it.

Now you’re all set! Head out to the florist of your choice and impress everyone with your extensive knowledge about flower arrangements while you pick out the perfect bouquet for you!

Over the last few years, wedding webcasts have become very popular. Having a webcam at your wedding will allow your friends and relatives who can’t make it to the wedding to be able to watch your ceremony and reception live on the Internet.

Many couples are opting to pay the cost of setting up a webcast of their wedding, and then cutting back on their guest list.

One wedding webcast company that is very reputable and relatively inexpensive is Webcast My Wedding. They can set up a full-service webcast package for just $595 that includes a live broadcast of your wedding over the Internet, plus an on-demand archive where anyone can view the video for the next 30 days after you wedding day.

What do you think about wedding webcasts? Leave your comments here and let us know!

Photo credit: Erick Gómez

In recent weeks, we have discussed several times about brides wearing colored wedding dresses.

Although I have always thought it was unique and innovative, I hadn’t really seen a colored wedding gown that I loved. But now I have …

This Alfred Angelo gown pictured here comes in Rosebud (pictured), Vanilla Cream and White. The A-line strapless gown features a basque waistline and a chapel train. If you aren’t into wearing a completely strapless dress – you can get optional spaghetti straps. It comes in every size from 2 to 28W.

What I really, really love about this dress is the skirt. It’s full without being puffy and it exudes confidence. Whoever is wearing this dress would feel like she is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Another great thing about this dress is that it’s priced under $599!

Check out this and many other wonderful wedding gowns at the Alfred Angelo online gallery.

Most wedding experts will agree that wedding color trends for 2008 will include plenty of yellows, oranges and browns.

Though these colors may seem like fall shades, they will actually be used as wedding colors throughout the year.

Pale yellows will be popular in spring, while bright lemon yellow will be used in the summer. As the weather turns cooler, the yellows will darken to mustard, green-yellow and beige-yellow.

The trend is similar for oranges. In the spring, pastel peach will be popular with tangerine coming into play in the summertime. Many brides are choosing to use yellow and orange together in complementary hues, which is beautiful when used properly.

Brown is continuing to dominate the fashion runways in the form of dresses, suits, shoes and handbags. And the brown trend is carrying over in the world of weddings as well. Chocolate brown will be popular all year, particular when paired with a gold or pink. One of my favorite color combinations is dark chocolate brown with bright pink!

What about you? Have you chosen your wedding colors yet? Have you seen any interesting color schemes in weddings lately?

Please leave your comments here and let us know!

The brown bridesmaid’s dress pictured here is from David’s Bridal.

According to Jennifer Brisman, president of jennifer brisman weddings newyork, Manhattan’s premier wedding planning firm, this year bridal style will evoke a more couture feeling than we have seen in previous seasons. Jennifer says we will see plenty of elaborate gowns, rich makeup, jewel tone accessories and decorative shoes.

“You’re going to be seeing incredibly interesting silhouettes and details as designers push the envelope. We’ll be seeing gown styles that we can’t exactly classify just yet – the old language or existing categories of a-line, modified mermaid, and sheath aren’t always going to apply,” says Brisman. “The average wedding gown is going to feel very couture, otherworldly and have a lot of presence – many will look like works of art.”

Brisman also says this season will take on a much more textural and layered feel. Details and accents in velvet and matte silks will appear everywhere in colors such as black, navy, aborigine, grey and dark peacock. Gowns featuring cinched waists that create a more baroque look will be a big trend. Thin sashes and accents in other jewel tones will adorn many frocks. Additionally, we’ll be seeing fewer ‘lace gowns’ but rather, gowns with extraordinary lace accents used in intended and delicate ways.

Makeup will reflect these rich hues as well. Brides should go with a soft lip and smoky eye, complementing the rich accent tones. This look is not overdone, but soft and fresh. Most importantly, is to ‘just say no’ to the spray tan! Brides look their best when their skin has a rosy natural glow. “Your skin should look like your own, but better, not orange and unnatural,” explains Brisman.

As gowns will take on a more fashion-forward look this season, so will bridal accessories. Brisman says this season “is all about the jewel tones and all about the jewels; not necessarily diamonds and pearls, but sapphires and semi-precious stones, which are more weighted and balanced for the couture looks we’re seeing this Winter.” Whether you accessorize with costume pieces, treasured antiques, borrowed baubles or fresh-out-of-the-case Cartier, there are enough options to fit every bride’s budget.

Additionally, the traditional veil will take a bit of backseat to the bridal gown this season. According to Brisman, the veil will be seen more of an ‘accent’ than a major feature of one’s bridal style. Veil styles should be very sheer and soft, and as raw and simple as possible. Brides should avoid matching a veil to their dress or overdoing it with silk or lace trimmings.

Lastly, but never least, shoes will be all the rage. Chunkier styles and strong decorative accents will help to finish off the couture look. Satin heels of color will feel truly in step for today’s fashion-forward brides. Pair a crème dress with a dove grey satin Manolo; try a winter white gown with a patent peep toe. For inspiration, take a look at Christian Louboutin’s new recent evening collection, which showcases such details.

We thank Jennifer for sharing her tips and trends with us. Jennifer Brisman of jennifer brisman weddings newyork is one of today’s most highly regarded, respected and sought after wedding planners located in Manhattan. Jennifer has actually been coined the real “Wedding Planner.” jennifer brisman weddings newyork is a full-service wedding design and consulting firm. They offer customized wedding planning, coordination and consulting services that are tailored to your personal needs and desires.

Photo credit: Janell Berte