DIY Lights, Lanterns & Luminaries

Lighting plays is an important element to any party and it helps set mood for your event. Save some money with these easy DIY lighting projects.



Lace Lanterns


Directions:
Overlap lace doilies on an inflated balloon and brushing fabric stiffener (or wallpaper glue, or even white glue) onto the doilies. Be sure to cover it completely so that the whole thing hardens and you aren’t left with limp spots.
Let the doilies dry overnight to ensure that they are completely dry.
Pop the balloon and pull it out of the opening. The lanterns can be hung with a ribbon or fishing line draped with strands of beads.



Light Waterfall


Directions:
Wrap Christmas lights in tulle, attach to wall and repeat.




Tea Light Lanterns


Directions:
Wrap strip of vellum around battery operated tea light, adhering with double stick tape.
Using brads attach length of ribbon to "lantern" to form a handle from which to hang.



Tulle Light Garland


Directions:
Cut the tulle into strips, the size is really up to you depending on how big you want your bows
Wrap one of your tulle strips in between each bulb on your string of lights, tie in a knot and repeat with another piece of tulle to give a cross shape effect and repeat until all the spaces are filled with tulle.



Paper Bag Luminaries


Directions:
Fold over about 1” of the top of the bag. Put a tea light in each bag and light with a long match or lighter.
To add a design: Slide the small piece of cardboard in the flat bag, so you have a surface to cut on without cutting through the other side of the bag. Using a pencil, trace your stencils and use an x-acto knife to slowly cut out the design.



Icicle Light Chandelier


Directions:
Spray paint hula hoop with white paint and attach 2 strings of icicle lights with white electrical tape




Mason Jar Lanterns


Directions:
Create hangers by attaching wire to mason jars and attach mason jars to string.
Wrap light around string and inside jars.



Don’t forget to test the lights in the space prior to your event. You don’t want the space to be too bright and loose its romantic feel.

Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Host/Hostess
Traditionally, the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner, since the bride's family customarily pays for the wedding. In some cases the bride and groom may plan the dinner instead. Close friends are also another option for dinner hosts. Whoever hosts the dinner must keep in mind the couple’s wedding theme, style and wishes.

The Rehearsal
Anyone who will be participating in the ceremony should attend the rehearsal. Confirm everyone involved knows their responsibilities. This includes the officiant, the wedding party, readers, parents, etc...Start from the beginning and establish the pace and timing all the way to the end.

The Dinner
Rehearsal dinners vary from formal to casual depending on the budget, guests and hosts. Choose a style that complements your wedding. Restaurants are popular locations for rehearsal dinners. Pick your favorite date spot or if you have guests arriving to the area for the first time, why not show them some of the local flavor?

Guest List
Invite parents, siblings, the wedding party and their significant others, the officiant and possibly some out of town guests to the rehearsal dinner. Include children who are part of the wedding party (flower girl or ring bearer). Extend an invitation to the children of out-of-town guests as well. Written invitations are not required but may be sent following the wedding invitation. Rehearsal dinner invitations are not as formal as those for a wedding but can reflect its tone.

Timing
Most rehearsal dinners take place directly after the ceremony rehearsal. If you are choosing not to have a ceremony rehearsal, why not host a nice lunch or brunch instead? Keep in mind your guests may want some rest before the big day, try to keep the dinner early if possible.

Toasts
Traditionally, this dinner is highlighted by toasts, toasts, and more toasts from the the host, the father of the bride and the couple themselves. The bride and groom are encouraged to make a speech thanking family and friends for their love and support throughout the years and during the wedding planning process. This is also the traditional time for them to present gifts to the members of the wedding party (and perhaps the parents)

Details and Personal Touches
The rehearsal dinner is a perfect time to add some personal touches to your event. Contact your venue to see if they have a location to play a slide show or display photo albums or framed pictures of the bride and groom is an option as well.

Introductions
The centre of the dinner is for the wedding party and the two families to relax and enjoy each other's company, and to celebrate the bride and groom and the joining of two families. Sometimes, this will be the first time that the two families meet. It's important for the couple and their parents to make sure that everyone is introduced to each other.



The main focus is to celebrate the upcoming wedding in a personal, private and relaxed atmosphere.

Weight loss without the gym!

Let's admit it, most brides want to lose a few pounds before the big day, or at least we want to improve our overall health. But with so much wedding planning, who has time for the gym? Here are a few suggestions to burn extra calories:



 1. Do not sit on the couch while you watch TV. Instead get an exercise ball. Just sitting on it makes your core muscles work harder, strengthening and toning those abs. But why not go a little further and add crunches during commercials? Your stomach will be bikini ready for that honeymoon in no time!

2. Go dancing! Ladies, I don't want to see you sitting at the bar. Since you are going out anyways for celebrations such as your bachelorette party, be sure to burn off those cocktails on the dance floor!

3. Keep drinking - water that is. And I know you already know that. Just make sure you are drinking about half your weight in ounces per day. But another little trick is to use sparkling water in your white wines at all the parties you must attend to celebrate your wedding. If you are going to have 3 glasses of wine and you replace each glass with 2 ounces of sparkling water, you just saved yourself over 150 calories! Bonus- no hangover the next day. 

4. Got a dog? You have to walk them anyway right? So this is not the "proper" way to walk your dog, I know, but I play chase games with mine to really rev up my heartbeat. I only stop running with them if they do. Therefore, breaks only come at trees and fire hydrants where there is much sniffing to be done. Sort of silly, but it's a fun challenge and they love it of course.

5. Challenge your self to only stay on the outer aisles of the grocery store. That is where all the produce, dairy, fresh fish/meats, breads, etcetera are. The middle aisles are stuffed with chips, sodas, and cookies.

Cheers to a happy, healthy, beautiful you on your wedding day!

-Bxo

Band vs DJ

Band vs DJ

Music is an essential part to any wedding reception.  It is what gets the party started and what keeps it going to all hours of the night.  Do you want a DJ or a band?  Now that is the question.  There are so many positive aspects about both that it sometimes becomes difficult to decide.

Live interaction with band

Nothing is more fun than dancing to a live band!  The energy it adds to the wedding reception is incredible. You can also see if a couple of the members can play music for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour.  That way you get everything covered by one vendor.

Variety of music with DJ

You like rock, he likes country, and your parents like swing music.  This is when a DJ is worth all the money in the world.  Everyone is pleased and everyone gets to dance!

Photo provided by Indigo Photography

Emcee for the night

When you book a DJ, they are generally your emcee for the evening.  This helps with announcing bridal party, telling guests about special moments like your first dance, and a variety of other times.  If you book a band, you do want to make sure that someone in the band will be the emcee for the evening, or it may take longer to do things and your guests may miss some important moments.

Photo provided by Indigo Photography

Photo provided by Indigo Photography

Variety of lighting with DJ

Many DJs supply additional colorful up lighting, laser lights, and a variety of other extra items you don’t normally get with a band.  This can add so much flair and color to the wedding reception that it feels like a club.

Photo provided by Tahoe Moments

Photo provided by Tahoe Moments

Special Songs from Childhood, College, Family, Etc.

Sometimes you have those one or two special songs that might not be in the band’s repertoire.  See if the band will allow you to play it on their break through their system with your IPod or other type of music device.

Photo provided by Rose Street Studios 

The last 6 photos are from real Heavenly weddings!

Every reception is different!  Make sure you go with what is entertaining for you, your family and your guests and you will be sure to be a hit!

-Adriann

Wedding trends for 2013

Happy New Year! And who knows what's hot better than The Knot? That's why I gathered their predictions for 2013 Wedding reception style just for you here, all in one place!



Dinner Party Chic:

This trend is inspired by the new movie, The Great Gatsby. Think vintage/1920’s vibe. Focus will be on the dinner table and lighting design will reign. Gold will be everywhere with intimate/cozy spaces and canopies. Bold color blocking is coming back in and we are getting away from pastels. Outdoor venues will be garden party chic with twinkle lights, low lush centerpieces, and styled table tops that create a dark, intimate, moody space.

Food will go retro and be served in a fresh and polished way. Think mini-sliders served with mini bourbon shots at cocktail hour, Whiskey bars, Manhattans, pate deviled eggs, lamb, ham, and cheese trays.



These are both photos from  real Northstar Weddings!

  Reception lounges: Couches, draping, monogrammed pillows

Guest Entertainment: The Wedding weekend, multiple experiences day of, and specialty bands. Think a lift accessed mountain ceremony, a golf tournament the day before, food trucks, or having your wedding on a weekend where other events are happening for your out of town guests to enjoy.

Happy Wedding Planning!

-Bxo