Monthly Archives: June 2012

Ladies & Gentlemen…

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~ Diné ~

Public speaking. Don’t we all just love it!

When it comes to making speeches at weddings, most people try to avoid it because they hate speaking in front of a large crowd. Unfortunately, some people aren’t so lucky as they are expected to give a speech. If you are apart of the bridal party, you might just be one of those ‘lucky ones’, chosen to get up there and make a toast. The joys of speech making.

So who is generally expected to say a word or two at weddings?

  • The Best Man
  • Parents of the Groom/Bride
  • The Maid of Honour
  • The Groom
  • Not expected, but becoming more popular: The Bride

Speeches at weddings are tricky as people expect you to come up with something sentimental or funny. They want tear-jerkers, whether it is through crying or laughing. Here are a few tips of what to do, and what NOT to do;

What to do:

  1. Keep it short
  2. Add a funny story
  3. Be sentimental
  4. Practise!!!
  5. Look at the guests…eye contact is the key!

What NOT to do:

  1. Get drunk
  2. Mention past relationships
  3. Use inappropriate language
  4. Take a joke too far
  5. Reveal information that might cause trouble between the couple

If you try to be funny, but no one laughs…don’t panic! Tell the guests that they were ‘meant’ to laugh because you intended that part to be funny; and just refuse to go on until you get a response from them. It’s sure to work!

Don’t stress, the couple will appreciate your efforts regardless of whether your speech is a success or a failure. As long as you mention how adorable they are, and you wish them well for the future-you should be sweet!

Happy speech making!

Stop & Smell the Roses

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~ Diné ~

There are many floral arrangements that need to be considered for a wedding. Here are some tips as to where flowers are needed throughout the ceremony and the reception.

Bridal Party

  • Bridal bouquet
  • Bride’s hair
  • Mothers’/grandmothers’ corsages
  • Bridesmaids’ bouquets
  • Bridesmaids’ hair
  • Flower girl’s hair & bouquet/basket
  • Groom, groomsmen’s, pageboy’s, fathers’/grandfathers’ buttonholes

Ceremony flowers

If you are holding your wedding at a church;

  • place flowers at the entrance, altar and main aisle
  • decorate pew ends with flowers or other decor
  • if your budget allows it: decorate the church doors, window sills and the ‘signing the register’ table

If you are holding your wedding on location;

  • create an ‘aisle’ by sprinkling rose petals between two columns of chairs
  • flowers placed in trimmed trees/in other greenery

Reception Flowers

At the reception, flowers can be used on the back of chairs, as table arrangements or as decoration on candelabras.

Flowers for table arrangements;

  • should be high enough or low enough that the guests can see each other and comfortably carry on a conversation
  • bridal table generally has long, low floral arrangements

Flowers for chairs and candelabras;

  • candelabras draped with flowers create an elegant look
  • back of chairs can be decorated with flowers

Flowers, flowers and more flowers!

A Piece of Cake

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~ Diné ~

Shape~Colour~Style~Flavour

Those are the first things that must be considered when choosing your wedding cake.

When you are thinking of ideas for your cake, use your wedding theme or flowers as inspiration. You can incorporate bits from your wedding onto your wedding cake in a variety of ways. The style and the colour of your cake will generally correspond with the wedding theme. A few ways that you can do this include:

  • Icing colour on the cake the same colour as the bridesmaids dresses
  • Lace pattern on bridal gown replicated onto the icing of the cake
  • Using the same flowers on the cake as that of the bridal bouquet

  If you aren’t sure about what type of cake you want, look at cake books such as Modern Wedding Cakes or browse the internet. Pinterest is also a site that has many pins with beautiful wedding cakes. Consider the use of wedding magazines or even a cake portfolio in a cake shop or ice cream store.

When choosing the flavour of the cake, there are endless possibilities. The first and most obvious flavour is to go with the traditional fruit cake. Although traditional, less and less people are opting for this flavour, as many simply prefer the chocolate mud cakes, ice cream cakes or coffee walnut mud cakes. Most cake designers can even cater for requirements such as gluten free, dairy free and nut free cakes. So don’t let an allergy stop you from choosing your dream wedding cake flavour!

The shape of your cake can vary from a square to a love heart. Whatever your heart desires, and your budget allows, can be made into a cake these days. The most classic shapes used, are the squares and the circles, layered on top of each other. Many couples have chosen to use cupcakes instead of a cake, both for the unique factor, and the simplicity factor of serving it to the guests.

If you simply remember, Shape~Colour~Style~Flavour, it will be a piece of cake!

DIY Wedding Decor Ideas

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Decorations for weddings are so important as it helps to create an atmosphere. Here are some cute ideas for wedding decor!

Wedding Nerves

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~ Diné ~

Hey ladies,

The last fear your future husband will have before you get married, is that you might be a runaway bride. Or even worse, you, the bride, may fear you’ll have a runaway groom and would have to face an empty space at the altar.

It’s completely normal to feel ‘wedding nerves’ both before, during and after the wedding. These nerves could be for very different reasons but they can definitely be managed with a couple of cute tips.

Pre-wedding nerves

Whether you are nervous because you are making that final step, or nervous to have to walk down the aisle with all eyes on you, nervousness is the norm. To calm yourself prior to the wedding…consider the following;

  • write your feelings down-it’s a useful way to express them and then be able to reflect on them
  • get a bottle of champagne…it’s sure to do the trick
  • ensure family or friends are managing the wedding, so that you can relax

Post-wedding nerves

If you have nerves after your wedding, it could be because you have started on a new journey as a committed couple. This can be daunting, to think that the person you just married will be by your side till ‘death do you part’. As well as being daunting, it can be overwhelming and frightening. It can also be exciting and uplifting, bring about happiness you’ve never experienced before. You will most likely experience a mixture of these feelings, as newly married couples are still adjusting to their lifestyle together.

The best way to manage post-wedding nerves would be to do the following;

  • express your nerves to your husband-believe it or not, he can help!
  • ensure you have ‘me time’ fitted into your daily schedule, whether that be with exercise, reading…etc
  • visit friends and family regularly, so it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming change all of a sudden

If none of these tips help you, I suggest to discuss it with your husband. He made promises to you (or will be making promises soon), so I’m sure he will be understanding and would have a few suggestions up his sleeve to help you.

Elegant Gowns

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Beautiful Wedding Gowns from Tuscany Bridal

‘Feel elegant on your special day’

The First Dance

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~ Diné ~

The ‘first dance’ after you wed, is a moment in your life that you will remember for years and years to come. Whether it will be the song you remember, the look on your husband/wife’s face, or the atmosphere; it will be memorable for sure.

Stepping out in the middle of the dance floor, with all eyes solely on you, can be intimidating for some. For that reason, it is important to choose a song that you will feel comfortable dancing to, as well as choosing a song that represents your love for each other.

Some people prefer the traditional approach to the first dance, generally that of a waltz. Traditional songs are beautiful and create a great atmosphere for such a significant moment. Some traditional songs include;

  • ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ – Elton John
  • ‘A Love Story’ – Mariah Carey
  • ‘A New Day Has Come’ – Celine Dion
  • ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ – Elvis Presley
  • ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ – Tony Bennett

If you feel the traditional approach isn’t how you imagine your first dance to be, you might want to consider spicing it up a bit. A couple became a YouTube sensation after they posted their first dance online. They began the first dance as usual, slow and romantic. However, halfway through the song, the music cut out and was replaced by ‘Baby Got Back’, an upbeat song.

Other couples saw this idea and jumped at it, personalising their own ‘first dance’. Some even decided to get their bridesmaids/best men involved, ready to start the night on a fun note.

Whether you decide on the traditional approach, the modern approach, or a mash-up…it’s a special dance, regardless of your choice. Have the time of your life, because it will be the last ‘first dance’ you ever do!