Decorating with Mirrors

Every bride is looking for something special to add to the design of their wedding to set it apart. One idea that you may not have considered before is mirrors. With their reflective quality, elegance, and drama, mirrors can be the perfect decorating tool for your wedding.

There are numerous ways in which mirrors can be used to est a tone. They can be hunt on the wall of course, but mirrors can also be incorporated into centerpieces. This surprisingly versatile element can do so much to spice up a wedding reception. Mirrors are an old favourite trick of wedding planners because they have the power to visually expand a space, reflect other decorations and increase their impact - plus add some glamour!

Centerpieces

The centerpieces are a great place to think about using mirrors. They can be rented and used to make a low budget centerpiece appear to be much more grand and full. A tried and true trick is to set a floral centerpiece surrounded by candles on a round mirror in the middle of each reception table. The candlelight will look spectacular dancing in the reflective surface of the mirror, and the entire display will appear to be larger than it is.

Mirrored Boxes

For a modern wedding, try setting centerpieces on mirrored boxes. They are a sleek and stylish way to add levels to your table decorations. Keep the floral arrangements on the mirrored boxes sleek and contemporary. Tall clear cylinders of submerged flowers would be gorgeous. The mirrored boxes would also be great for a Winter Wonderland wedding. They are an ideal base for centerpieces created from white birch brands, draped with dazzling crystal teardrops that sparkle like bridal jewelry.

Disco Balls

Mirrors can also be used above the reception tables. For a cool retro wedding, rent '70s inspired disco balls to light up the night. Use small disco balls over each table, or rent one giant one to hang over the dance floor. The reflective mirrors on the ball send beams of light dancing around the room, which creates a fabulous twinkling effect on crystal bridal jewelry. An alternative is the chic and elegant look of art deco style mirrored chandeliers. There are very cool and work beautifully for a cocktail reception. Having little mini disco balls on the tables help reflect great light around the reception tables as well.


Reception Enhancements

Certainly, mirrors can be hung on the reception walls. Large ones in ornate gilt frames are a nice accent when you are trying to create an opulent atmosphere. Mirrors can also be placed strategically around the reception site to make the space appear larger and to give it better light. Even simple mirrors with plain edges can be used for this. Think about situating them in place where they will also visually multiply the number of floral arrangmenets to make your decroations appear more lush.

How to Create Your Wedding Budget

The first step in creating a budget is to outline your planned expenses. List them based on price, with the most expensive items first. When you understand the real costs, you can plan accordingly, and look for opportunities to save.

The Big Busters
The reception will likely be your single greatest expense. When you are creating this section of your budget, remember to include items such as catering, site rental, and rentals of linens, chair covers and potentially tents.

When planning for your reception, work on your guest list first to determine how many people capacity you need. This will help determine the appropriate venue and allow you to begin pricing for catering. There are a few tricks to budgeting for receptions and finding ways to save money.

Budget Basics
Beyond the reception, the items listed below are the basic elements of a wedding to consider for your budget. Treat this list as an outline, a first step in organizing your budget. Remember that you final list should be more detailed.

Photographer/Videographer: If you are hiring a professional, this section of yoru budget will be one of the next big expenses. Wedding photographers and videographers often offer packages, but watch for hidden costs, like extra prints and copies.

Attire/Hair/Make-up: Brides think of the dress but often the hair appointments, accessories and shoes slip our minds. And then there's the groom, he'll need something to wear too.

DJ/Band: When hiring musicians and DJs, find out how many hours of entertainment are included in their fees.

Rings: The cost of your wedding rings will depend largely on your taste. These can be upgraded later if you are tight on money for the day-of, makes for a great anniversary gift for eachother in coming years.

Decorations/Flowers: Bouquets, corsages and decorations for the ceremony and reception.

Invitations/Programs: Include postage and printing fees. When it comes to stationary, always order some extras.

Wedding Cake: The cake may be a separate item on your budget if you are having it made by someone other than the reception caterers. Remember to check with your caterers to see if they charge a cake cutting fee if you bring your own.

Transportation: Some newlyweds rent transportation for themselves and their bridal party, particularly if the ceremony and reception are held at separate locations.

Attendant Gifts: Remember to have some token of appreciation for participants in your special day. Consider gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers and ushers.

Ceremony Fees: You will have to purchase a marriage license. Depending on where you get married, you may pay an officiant fee, or offer a monetary gift as a thank you for performing the ceremony.

Tips/Taxes/Hidden Charges: It might sound silly, but remember to set aside some money for the things that you might overlook. I tend to allocate approximately 10% of the budget to this "just-in-case" fund.

As you begin planning, more expenses will pop up. There will be things that you might not have considered before, like table number cards and holders. Work these items into your budget as you think of them.

Looking for assistance making your budget and dream day match?! Contact Cariad Productions for assistance in setting this up and maximizing what you have to spend.

Top 10 Country Wedding Songs

Looking for the perfect songs for your wedding? Here are some great ideas for the top country songs...

10. I Cross My Heart - George Strait

George plucked the heartstrings of female country fans everywhere with this tear-jerker. Since it's feature in his movie "Pure Country" in 1992, fans have danced that special first dance to this sweetly sentimental tune and longtime favourite.

Favourite lyrics: "From here on after let's stay the way we are right now/And share all the love and laughter that a lifetime will allow."

9. Keeper of the Stars - Tracy Byrd

This power ballad became an instant classic with its release by Tracy in 1999. Luckily, in love there is often a bigger plan in play than what we know. Tracy's wife and baby daughter were on set with him for added inspiration as he filmed this music video.

Favourite lyrics: "It wasno accident me finding you/Someone had a hand in it, long before we ever knew."

8. From This Moment On - Shania Twain & Bryan White

Shania added even more emotional heft to his beautiful song when she recruited Bryan White to perform it as a duet. The declaration of love and devotion is a perfect celebration of a union between man and wife, echoing the vows that brides and grooms make when they take that walk down the aisle.

Favourite lyrics: "Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow/ For better, for worse, I will love you."

7. I Love The Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery

This is John Michael's country variation of "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." The song evokes images of lovers dancing in the rain, stolen kisses and playful moments, reminding us that when we're in love, even the scent of our bethrothed can leave use weak in the knees.

Favourite lyrics: "I could list a million things I love to like about you/But they all come down to one reason: I could never live without you."

6. It's Your Love - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Who better than country's power couple, Tim and Faith, to give us a smoldering love song about the overwhelming intensity of a lover's touch. The video for the tune permeates with the chemistry between these real-life love birds when they were expecting their child Grace.

Favourite lyrics: "Better than I was, more than I am/And all of this happened, by takin' your hand."

5. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray

Anne's golden voice has crooned this 1980 classic for the better part of three decades, giving newlyweds a reason to elegantlly waltz across the floor while celebrating their big moment.

Favourite lyrics: "I'll always remember the song they were playin', the first time we danced and I knew/ As we swayed to the music and help to each other, I fell in love with you."

4. Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts

This song by Rascal Flatts celebrates the miracle and rarity of true love, while also addressing the struggle we endure, sifting through the sands looking for that one exact match who will "get" us unconditionally, and how grateful we are when we find the person who can see past our shortcomings and love us anyway.

Favourite lyrics: "This much I know is true/That God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."

3. When I Said I Do - Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black

This 1999 duet between Clint and his wife Lisa rocketed tothe top ofthe country charts with its honest reminder of the eternal strength of the marriage vows. Through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, the bonds stay strong.

Favourite lyrics: "When I said I do, I meant that I will/'Til the end of all time/Be faithful and true, devoted to you."

2. Forever and Ever Amen - Randy Travis

The quintessential love-for-the-ages tune, this Randy Travis classic evokes the kind of deep, abiding love our grandparents vowed through hard work, struggle, lean times, and happiness. The title itself inspires us to have hope that real love between two can indeed exist - and thrive - through the years.

Favourite lyrics: "As sure as I live, this love that I give/Is gonna be yours until the day that I die."

1. I Do - Paul Brandt

Paul Brandt's 1996 hit tells of the all-encompassing love that can keep you safe and warm, answering the deepest doubts in your heart. This country wedding song's chorus, " I will, I am, I can, I have, I do" answers all the questions of what we hope someone will be for us from now until the end of time. A true wedding classic summed up in two powerful words.

Favourite lyrics: "I rescued you, you rescued me/And we're right where we should be when we're together."

Lucky Wedding Foods

Food is the center of many events and occassions in our life, and your wedding is no exception. Brides and grooms hoping to add some good fortune to their marriages have some interesting options when planning your wedding feast.

Many cultures have identified foods for newlyweds that supposedly bring good luck, fertility or other luck. The foods range from fried crickets to candied almonds to fish.

In Mexico, brides and grooms sometimes dine on fried crickets, lentil soup, and a bean, rice and agave dish. The crickets and rice dish are said to bring fertility and good luck, and the soup is associated with good luckand good fortune.

Italians serve almonds at weddings becasue their bittersweet taste represents life. The almonds are sugarcoated to wish the couple more sweetness than bittersweet.

Moroccan couples also eat fish because it's an ancient symbol of fertility.

Fish appears on the menu at many weddings! Fish and other white meats, like turkey or chicken, are common wedding foods because of old beliefs that women had whiter blood than men, and these white meats were thought to strengthen the woman's blood, so they were served at weddings to energize the bride.

Wedding cake, one of the oldest elements of a wedding banquet, also has connections to luck and fertility.

Early English cakes were fruit cakes, and brides used to count the number of raisins in their piece of cake to see howmany children they would bear.

Interesting food ideas, do you know any more?!