Most times when brides think of a summer wedding theme, beach is the first one that comes to mind. For destination weddings to romantic islands and ceremonies held by the shore, a beach theme is ever so appropriate. However, there are several other themes that can accentuate your summer ceremony.

A wedding held near Memorial Day, the 4th of July or Labor Day just scream for a patriotic or military theme! It’s stars and stripes forever, especially if the bride or groom is in the armed forces. Red, white and blue flags are a great way to appreciate the men and women in uniform who are serving our country. And who could have a patriotic ceremony without including sparklers! They’re a fun alternative to rice-throwing to send off the happy couple.

These genteel silk fans remind me of a hot summer on the Savannah with a mint julep in my hand. (Not that I’ve ever done that, but it sure does sound nice.) What a wonderful way to keep guests cool at a summer soiree. If you’re planning an outdoor event in a lush, green garden or a Gone With The Wind theme, these fans represent southern hospitality at it’s best!

An aquarium would make a lovely backdrop for your nautical nuptials. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, the reception tables would be made even more elegant by these delightful dolphins as they shimmer in the glow of tea light candles.

For a south-of-the-border love that’s on fire, turn up the heat at your wedding reception with these magnets. These steamy salsa sweethearts are spooning in their stylish, southwest kitchen, complete with refrigerator and cabinets. Just add a splash of hot sauce, and you’re done!

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For those of you looking for a very creative way to decorate the getaway car for the bride and groom, I couldn’t help but pass this idea along.

This poor SUV was completely covered in Post-It Notes. That’s right, the little sticky notes we use at the office. Whether the decorators were really into office supplies or just very creative, I’m sure this car got plenty of looks (and stares). Literally, hundreds of these multi-colored message notes were stuck to the victim–I mean vehicle. After getting over the shock I felt when I first saw the picture, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to have wedding guests write a note and stick it to the car instead of throwing rice?” Especially since the couple said that the majority of the notes stayed on the car during the ride from the reception to the hotel. It even took them over an hour to pull them all off. So, try this suggestion for an idea that sticks.

Now if you are bold enough to give it a try, you might want to skip the multi-colored notes and use these white sticky notes instead. Guests can write their best wishes to the happy couple on a few love notes, stick them on the car and keep the rest as a reminder of the wacky time they had at your reception. Not stuck on the idea? Consider this adorable pink and black getaway car if you’d like to make a less-sticky impression. It’s an elegant wedding favor box that can be filled with a delicious treat for your guests to enjoy. Everyone will drive away happy with these!

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Just came in from outside. The thermometer is at about 95 degrees and, even with low humidity (a rarity in my corner of the country,) you can just stick an apple in my mouth and bake me. I sat down at my weddings-oriented writing space and knew I had to save this summer’s outdoor wedding guests from certain melting. So brides-to-be, here goes!

A quick bulletin: The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning, and other skin damage. Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC, but we only have to worry about UVA and UVB, because UVC rays–the most dangerous–are blocked by the ozone layer and never reach the earth. But there’s still plenty of reason to protect yourself, your wedding party and your wedding guests. UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. UVB rays cause sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and immune system damage.

All your wedding guests, local and from out of town, should receive a wedding welcome bag with an assortment of items: bottled water, sun block, a fan, snacks, maps, wedding timetable, city guide. Did I say bottled water and a fan or two? You should make chilled, bottled water readily available throughout the wedding weekend. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how important it is to keep your body hydrated. The human body is about 60% water. Your muscles and brain are about 75% water. Your blood–about 82% water. Bottom line, human bodies require water. Personalize your bottled water, and your guests will always remember it was you who hydrated them from arrival to departure.

Finally, don’t forget to throw a couple of fans in the welcome bag. Fans also make wonderful wedding favors, and your guests will be oh, so grateful! They’ll be more comfortable and more likely to make it through your ceremony and reception without fainting from the toasty weather. On the bright side (no pun intended,) it’s not raining–so be happy and have a fabulous affair!

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I came across a list of the 10 Worst Wedding Cake Toppers and thought it would be fun to share the top five with you. (I apologize in advance if yours happens to be on the list.) Many of them are fun and whimsical, but some left me wondering what the couple the couple was thinking.

Customized cakes have paved the way for customized cake toppers. While it may be a nice idea to let the cake topper reflect your wedding theme or personality, some of these designs may push the limit.

The Stripper: As you can tell by the picture, this design features a bride with dollar bills in her garter along with her leering groom. He has more dollars in his hands and more than wedding cake on his mind. While I’m all for the “private dance,” this may be a bit too public for me.

The Kiss: Speaking of private, there are some things that might need to be left behind closed doors. If I was the bride, I’m not sure I would want everyone to see me “jump his bones” right there on the wedding cake!

Prisoner Of Love: Just as the name implies, this pistol-packing bride has a handgun strapped to her garter and is handcuffed to the groom. I guess he’ll be under house arrest for a long time!

Catch of the Day: This one was so realistic, it was scary. The detail of the life-size fish was amazing with scales, fins and even a visible worm in its mouth. Kudos to the designer though for pulling it off!

Gone Shopping: The perplexed and helpless groom stands atop the wedding cake alone reading a sign that says, “Gone Shopping!” The only remembrances of his bride are the shoes and veil. Let’s face it. If you can’t forget about the mall on your wedding day, there might be a problem.

Seeing these unusual designs may have you wanting something a little more subdued for your wedding cake, like these beautiful cake toppers from MyWeddingFavors.com. Monogrammed cake toppers are the latest trend, adding simple elegance to your cake. Hearts and plaques can also be engraved with your name and wedding date for a keepsake that’s truly your own.

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It’s the height of wedding planning season! Wedding planners, caterers and bakers are all abuzz with the details. Preparing for all of those summer weddings is a pain-staking process for the owners of a Wisconsin bakery. They’ve taken nearly 250 wedding cake orders by hand, thus far. Each order is too detailed for the computer, including photos and sketches of the cake designs. That’s why these precious gems are kept in the office safe.

Burglars must have thought there was more than contracts in there, so they recently stole the entire safe from the 25-year-old business. To the burglar’s surprise, there was very little petty cash in the safe, just the contracts. When the police notified the owners that the store was robbed, they weren’t upset because they knew that they only kept a small amount of money at the office. But when the owners were told that the thieves stole the entire safe, they hit the roof! And rightly so. Imagine all those orders–gone just like that! It will definitely take some time for them to recreate the information.

In the meantime, why not try these cakes instead? The baker’s search may just be beginning, but your search for perfect “cakes” can end with these. They are beautifully crafted, cake-shaped candles that will be the icing on a beautiful wedding or shower. Or forgo the cake altogether, and let them eat cupcakes! These dainty cupcake holders are a stylish and practical way to serve up some smiles at your event.

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I was at a wedding recently where the best man made two fatal mistakes. First, he didn’t take the time to prepare what he was going to say and, second, he was highly “toasted” by the time his big moment rolled around. “Embarassing” doesn’t begin to describe it. I guess it will be funny when they watch the wedding video on their 25th anniversary. Meanwhile, I figured there’s got to be some tips on toasting etiquette (with number one being “Stay sober until your toast has been given!” I found some expert advice online at Sideroads.come/wedding, and I thought I’d pass it along, because no wedding takes place without at least one toast, and usually more.

 Toasting Tips

Here’s their suggested order for toasting during the rehearsal dinner: 1) the best man toasts the bride, 2) the bride toasts the groom, 3) the groom toasts the bride’s mother and 4) the bride’s father toasts the groom parents. And at the reception: 1) the best man toasts the bride and groom, 2) the groom toasts the bride and her family, 3) the two fathers toast the bride and groom and 4) the bride and groom toast each other.  Here are 12 additional tips:

• Keep the toast short, no more than three-to-five minutes, and maintain eye contact with whomever you’re toasting.
• Stand up when you toast. If the toast is for you, stay seated.
• Make sure all the glasses are full before you begin your toast.
• Start with your relationship to the bride and groom so everyone will know who you are.
• When possible, use personal anecdotes–how the bride and groom met, what the groom was like as a little boy, how you met them.
• Avoid a string of characteristics. Use adjectives instead, like “she’s lovely, down-to-earth and fun to be with.”
• Use tasteful humor and stay away from “in” jokes that only you and a very few others will get. Don’t offend anyone with your humor.
• Keep it clean. There may be kids around.
• End your toast on a serious note. Finish with a wish, cheers, congratulations to the bride and groom.
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Don’t mention past girlfriends, boyfriends, marriages or relationships. Save it for the bachelor party if you must bring up the past.
• Don’t end with something negative, like “I hope their marriage lasts longer than mine did.” Preparation and practice will help prevent this faux pas.

As the bride, you can make sure that those who will be giving toasts at your reception receive these tips. You’ll be doing them a favor. And I’m sure, since several of the toasts put the focus on you and your groom, you’ll want the loveliest, keepsake toasting flutes you can find. Here are several ideas, from traditional to contemporary:

Straight from the Age of Romance, the flutes on the left have satin-finished pewter bases, a traditional design with open hearts, a twisted stem, an embossed base, and like all three styles, can be personalized with your names and wedding date. The Royal toasting flutes on the right, regal and elegant,  feature a sleek shape, a modern etched design and crystals that make them sparkle. Metals are very in, these days, in toasting flutes and in wedding favors.
If you’re into contemporary design, the flutes on the left reside in a magnificent, tapered crystal vase that can be filled with ice, rose petals, crystals or other small items to coordinate with your wedding decor. As long as we’re here together, I’d like to propose a toast to the happy couple! Long life, happy marriage and all your dreams fulfilled–to the bride and groom!

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How often have you found yourself in this predicament?  While frantically searching for the nearest place to sit down, all you can think about is getting out of those shoes and rubbing your tired, aching feet.  We’ve all paid the price for sacrificing comfort for beauty somewhere along the way.  Regardless of how uncomfortable those shoes may be, if they’re the perfect shade of blue, we will endure the pain in hopes that we’ll have plenty of opportunities to sit down.  Our poor feet are screaming out, but we turn a deaf ear to them in the name of fashion. 

But let me tell you.  The one day that you definitely don’t want your feet to be in pain is on your wedding day.  Choosing the wrong shoe can turn your dreamy wedding into a nightmare in a heartbeat!  High heels can be a problem, even for a stiletto-wearing veteran.  So here are some tips to make sure that when you’re done with the festivities, your feet will thank you!

1. Don’t take your shoes off!  No matter how badly your feet may feel, it’s best not to take your shoes off because the moment you do, they will swell and you will never be able to get into those shoes again (or at least until the swelling goes down.)  Instead, sit down and rest your feet to take some of the pressure off.

2. Buy shoes a half size larger.  Standing for long periods of time, can cause your feet to swell.  Give yourself a little wiggle room, and you’ll definitely appreciate it at the end of the night.  Open-toe shoes, sandals and sling backs also give your feet a little more room if needed.

3. Be practical.  This just may not be the time to wear those five-inch stilettos.  Opt for a more practical heel height instead.  From dainty to dramatic, there are plenty of two-inch styles that should suit your fancy.  Check out these ones I found online.

All of these tips apply for your bridesmaids shoes, too.  Make sure that the women you love most (and their feet) are comfortable in your selection for the bridal party as well.  Keep these tips in mind so you’ll be remembered as the beautiful, blushing bride and not the bride who walked around the wedding reception barefoot.  Do yourself a favor.  Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.

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Like brides, museums come in all sizes, and they’re just as full of wonder, mystery and beauty. No longer a stuffy, dusty home to boredom, museums can bring a wedding reception to life like no other venue can–with artwork, sculpture, artifacts and the past. And you’d be surprised how many museums rent their fantastic facilities for events, both large and small.

At the left is a wedding at the American Museum of Natural History. Bet those wedding guests talked about that affair for days! Needless to say, the rental price at a museum like this is pretty pricey, but there are wonderful, small museums throughout the country, many with amazing architecture and intriguing exhibits–all there for you and your guests.

Here are four museums around the country that are fascinating and open to wedding receptions:

The Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ is home to spectacular Native American art. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture of the Heard Museum and its arched walkways, spacious galleries, outdoor bricked patios and fountains, and lush desert landscapes create a completely romantic ambience for your reception. Collections feature textiles, katsina dolls, pottery, jewelry, baskets, cradleboards, paintings and sculpture. The Heard is a true southwestern jewel.

If you’re a modern southern belle, you may want to hold your reception at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History not far from downtown Atlanta, where you can eat, drink and be married in the shadow of one of the world’s largest dinosaurs–or his skeleton, to be exact (and I’m not even sure if it’s a “him.”) Incredible features, including limestone fossil floors and the twinkling Star Gallery, simply add to the elegance to your reception.

For brides in the Northwest, let me turn you on to a sweet, little museum that makes choosing a theme–and wedding favors–easy and fun. The C.M. Russell Museum is an amazing place where the old West is still alive. Artist Charles Marion Russell, a true Renaissance man of long ago, was a historian, advocate of the Northern Plains Indians, cowboy, outdoorsman, writer, philosopher, environmentalist, conservationist, and last but not least, an artist who captured the landscapes, the spirit, and the culture of the West during the late 1800s and early 1900s. His artwork is part entertainment, part history lesson–and his museum welcomes wedding receptions!

Now we’ll head back down South to Key West, FL, where the Ernest Hemingway Mansion is also a museum that makes a terrific wedding venue! You’ll have all an ocean full of unbelievable activities, water sports and the charm of Key West to entertain your wedding guests, and your reception is surrounded by literary history. Not a bad way to start off your own family history, is it? And you thought it was just a museum…

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Mr. Christopher reporting in with some cool new wedding traditions. As people look to find a way to hold their wedding and make it as memorable as possible, there are some strange trends out there. Some are not that shocking, but they definitely stray from the typical standard ritualistic pathways from the days of yore.

1. Take On Your Name? No Thanks.
   More and more women are refusing to take on the last name of their new hubbies. While you may think this is a slim trend, have a seat. According to a poll taken by the fine folks over at The Knot, a whopping 12% of brides are not planning to take on their spouses last name. Not considering to do this, but it’s a decision that’s already been made. 12%. 15% of those polled said they plan on blending their last names, i.e. Jane Smith Johnson.
2. To Each Her Own
   Apparently, the days of buying the same gift for all of the bridesmaids is so yesterday. While the market has some incredibly unique wedding favors out there, a lot of brides are considering buying bridesmaid gifts that are actually purchased specifically for each persons personality just like you would purchase any type of birthday gift for that person.
3. Man of Honor?
   Platonic relationships are so prevalent among younger generations now, that it’s becoming increasingly popular to have Men of Honor instead of a Maids of Honor and even Best Woman instead of Best Man. That of course goes without saying that there are female groomswomen and male bridesmen.
4. No Gifts, Just Give
   There are many situations for couples who may be getting married for the 2nd time, 3rd time or have maybe even been living with the fiancé beforehand. The new trend is the couples suggesting that their friends and family give to their favorite charities instead of buying the typical blenders, pots and pans and other housewares that typically come with the territory.
5. Skydiving on the Registry
   Another trend is the wedding registry containing gifts that are a bit out of the norm. Not just items such as the above mentioned charity giving, but even things like tents, skydiving lessons, surfing lessons and other strange items are becoming more and more customary and acceptable.
6. Smile, Smile, Smile
   The trend of placing disposable wedding cameras on the tables is a great way to have moments captured, but as The Wedding Net points out, mark them with times, i.e. - “Reception 8-9pm”. That way there’s not multiple photos processed of the same things like the cake cutting, father/daughter dance, etc.
7. Hey Bud, Can You Marry Us?
   A mind boggling 59% of couples said they would consider being marred by their friends or family members instead of having the standard officiants. The only catch to this trend is the legality of the ceremony if the friend is not ordained in some way. A big part of officiant if the official part. But regardless, the trend is getting big quick.
8. I Do…Again
   It’s becoming more popular to renew your vows and not only popular, but expected on the big ones like 10th, 25th, etc. So be prepared to do it again because it’s a trend that is becoming more anticipated as part of the “package deal”.
9. Green Weddings
   More and more people are doing more and more to help protect the environment and doing whatever they can to make sure that their wedding isn’t a culprit. From Eco-friendly wedding favor bags, plantable wildflower wedding favors, to recycled wedding items, green weddings are a BIG trend.
10. White is For Canvasses
    The biggest new trend is migrating away from your typical white weddings and adding tons of color to the palette. All red, all blue, all green, etc is becoming a big trend. Not only are the decorations choreographed to add color, but the guests are even asked to wear certain colors, wrap presents in colored papers, and on and on.

These trends are only a sampling of what’s out there and occurring. As couples try to be more original, these ideas are great, but are certainly just the tip of the iceberg. Just be sure to visit My Wedding Favors for more tips on great gift ideas and don’t miss the article section with tons of articles on eco-weddings, gift guides and much more.

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