Prom Dress

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A beach wedding where you are surrounded by sand and surf comes with in-built set décor so to speak. What can be more naturally elegant than the beauty of the splashing water and the swaying palms? But you can choose to add a little bit more of your personality to the setting when you decide on a beach wedding. You are making an effort to get your attire right and it is only appropriate that the background where your vows are to be exchanged be part of your perfect vision also. And here is where you have to choose for you can go with anything from real simple to royally elaborate. Your guests can take their cue from your décor choice about the kind of experience you are creating.

If the bride is choosing a traditional wedding gown with the trimmings and the groom is in formal wear, it suggests that the couple is opting for a certain gracious tone. In this case it seems appropriate to have a carpeted aisle on the sand with chairs covered in fabrics where there is a choice of textures like satin, organza or damask. A white cover with a colored sash will help color coordinate the whole wedding. If the bride and groom are going with a more casual tone by picking casual beach dresses or short-sleeved shirts and linen pants, then the décor should reflect this tone. Shells or stakes can be used to outline the aisle and folding chairs can be used for the guests. Casual does not have to mean ugly and this can be prettied with judicious use of colored ribbons. You can add to the tropical setting of your beach wedding by introducing flowers in the decoration and this will work with a formal or casual décor.

The important thing is to remember to have fun while deciding and to make sure that what you choose works for you as a couple – feeling in sync with the setting will definitely enrich your wedding experience!

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The bride and groom have picked their attire and have a sense of how everything is coming together. And then here is the compelling question of the day. What will adorn the bride’s feet at a beach wedding? She should probably rule out the spike heeled Jimmy Choo pumps or the Manolo Blahnik sling back sandals. While they are beautiful, the bride should not have to worry about slipping and falling while walking across the sand.

So, here are some realistic options: the bride can wear satin pumps with delicate embroidery or some crystal work; choose peep-toe flat sandals to match her dress or use a woven sandal that may suit the tropical beach setting or use a classic Mary Jane dyeing it to match her outfit. Flip-flops are a possibility, given the locale, but this has to be chosen with care as it can easily slide into an adolescent look.

While all these are great looks, the beach setting of the wedding will probably be best accentuated if she goes bare feet and chooses to use foot jewelry to complete the bridal look. Foot jewelry is also called barefoot sandals sometimes because you get the look of sandals while letting your sole be in free contact with the sun-warmed sand. There are elegant pieces available offering various combinations of shells, fresh water pearls, turquoises, glass beads, pearl discs and pink quartz. These are usually strung together on an elastic string and when worn look like an anklet continuing down in a beautiful pattern to the toes. So, it is gripped at the ankle and has a loop through the second toe. The look is charming and classic at the same time. Foot jewelry will make the bride feel like a goddess on her special day; it really is something far removed from her everyday footwear and can bring an added note of fun and frivolity to the beach wedding.

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The reception is the time the guests really get to celebrate with the couple and it is a great way to end the beach wedding ceremony on a high note. Beach weddings or beach themed weddings offer the couple interesting options for sharing their personality with their guests and sometimes the choices can almost be overwhelming. Here are a few basic rules that will help you get going and then you can jazz it up with your own preferences.

Whether the reception is at night or day it is a good idea to have one canopy. It does not have to be elaborate but it will define the space and when you have tables around it, it provides a dramatic visual effect. The canopy will also serve the added purpose of providing shade if the sun is still up. Pick lighting that will be sensible for the location and the theme. Lanterns and strings of Christmas lights can be elegant and dramatic while tikki torches along the periphery will add to the tropical ambience. If you are using candles, make sure they are protected from the breeze or the wind. You can add reflecting surfaces like glass beads, water and mirrors in the table decorations as these will provide interesting mood lighting. White is a good base color for a wedding in general and this applies to a beach wedding also. Layering and combining other colors with this will emphasize the blueness of the ocean and you can play with shades of white by bringing in contrasting textures like jute and satin or organza and burlap. These can be the foundation on which you build – you can play around with centerpieces, party favors, food and music confident in the knowledge that your basics are covered.

After the intimate wedding ceremony when the partners pledge their commitment to each other, the reception can be described as the time the couple define themselves to a wider circle of friends and family. So, go out there and don’t fear to explore and express yourselves for there is no wrong or right. And as long as you are doing something that is meaningful and exciting to you, you are doing all the right things!

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Wedding favors are that little something that friends and family of the couple will have long after the special occasion that will remind them of the wonderful time they had at the wedding. This lingering memory is why people put so much thought into wedding favors. It needs to feel special, suited to the theme of the wedding and yet not break the bank. Do not fret – this is easier to pull off than you may think.

There are plenty of beach themed favors in the market from shell-shaped tea lights to tiny beach chairs, and while they are cute, your wedding favor choices can be more meaningful if you can personalize things even a little. As they say, the devil is in the details. So by tweaking small things like packaging or adding on a small customized note you can make the favor uniquely yours.

Some ideas that come to mind promptly for a beach wedding or beach-themed wedding are sun screen lotions, flip flops and fans. But instead of handing these items in an assorted manner package them prettily in a local bag or small wicker basket that lends your favor the right air of elegance. Another unusual favor is finding the bulbs of some of the tropical flowers like plumeria, which you may use at the wedding, and putting them in a nice tin box with your wedding details printed on it and tied with an organza bow. There are internet sites that offer these customization options. You can also combine local edibles such as specialty nuts and tropical drink mixes to create a vacation food-themed favor. If you do not have the time to assemble goodies, you can choose stand alone items such as beach-themed bottle stoppers, book marks or even a scented candle shaped like a sand castle. These are things the recipient will use and will think of you, at least in passing!

Wedding favors are ultimately about your saying “Thank you for being with us on our special day” to your friends and family. So, whatever you choose remember to pass along that emotion to your guests!

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When we think of beach weddings, we imagine the golden sun, the turquoise water, balmy breeze and lush green palms and daydream in Technicolor. While this is how the ideal day should be, when planning for a beach wedding you have to prepare for the less than ideal also. Remember that this is outdoors by the water and have a Plan B. This is not about panicking about things that can go wrong but being smart enough to be prepared for anything that can happen.

First thing is to have an idea of the weather patterns in the area you are choosing. It is obviously a bad idea to have a Caribbean wedding planned in the hurricane season. That would be classified under “Asking for Trouble.” But even if you do choose the right season, you may get a rainy day. So, if you are using a public beach, position your wedding so that you can move it into a protected area, if necessary. Or plan on some shelter arrangement that can hold the couple and the guests. If you are having a destination wedding where a resort is offering a package deal, talk about it with your wedding coordinator and ensure that they have a back-up plan for bad weather. And make sure it is a back-up that is attractive to you because you should not feel like you are getting cheated.

Educate yourself about the tidal patterns of the beach you are choosing and work on placing your ceremony appropriately. While “At the Water” sounds charming, you don’t want to be splashed by a big wave. It will also be worth considering foot traffic in the area and to choose a setting a bit away from the waves to ensure privacy.

The balmy breeze can turn into a gusty wind, so choose decorations that will hold. Make sure to anchor flowing materials that you choose for decoration. While you want the organza fluttering in the breeze, you may not want it blowing around and interrupting the ceremony. Choose lighting that will hold in the wind and make sure to have covered lanterns rather than open candles.

If you are choosing mid-day for the ceremony, even if the temperature sounds pleasant, the sand can get hot. Advise your guests to consider this in choosing what to wear. Some wedding planners even recommend getting a portable floor for the occasion so as to get the beauty of the setting without getting the sand in your shoes.

If you are arranging your wedding at a public beach, have a plan for restroom access for your guests. If necessary rent some, and place them a discreet distance away from your wedding location, preferably demarcated by some trees or sand dunes.

Keep a supply of sunscreen and bottled water handy for the wedding party. It is a small detail that may make a big difference in the wedding experience. Now that you have thought of everything, sit back and slip into your daydream again…..