Butterfly Release and Other Wedding Trends

The tradition of a bride and groom departing their wedding reception in a cloud of thrown rice has long since past. Not only is the concept of rice throwing an old trend, but it also presents problems for the environment with birds eating it, and it makes a HUGE mess for the venue to clean up (meaning extra costs for you).

Looking for a dramatic send-off?! There are lots of several unique trends in wedding send-offs that are fun and mess-free. A growing favourite among wedding parties has become the release of live animals. Dove releases have been a part of different ceremonies throughout history. However, doves are expensive and must be handled by professionals, limitied guests involvement. In lieu of releasing birds, one of the newest trends is to release live butterflies.

Releasing butterflies has many different options for who you want to be involved. Some couples prefer to have the bridal party send out a cluster of butterflies, but it is becoming more common to see each wedding guest release a single butterfly. A great advantage to butterflies is that they can be handled by all of your guests, without age restrictions. Many companies provide the inexpensive butterflies in individual boxes or other personalized butterfly favours for guests to take home. Guests will love to see the beautiful butterflies floating from bouquet to bouquet or landing on a guests' shoulder. These all make for fantastic photo opps as well!

Butterflies also carry a heavy symbolic weight. Because of their transformation process from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly, they represent a transition and renewed life. Just like the butterflies, the newlywed couple are emergine to take their first steps in their new life together. Butterflies also symbolize celebration and happiness -all very fitting for your special day!
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Like the idea, but want to integrate it differently or in additional ways to your wedding?! Try these ideas...



During the Ceremony, couples may choose to release 2 butterflies representing themselves as part of an outdoor service in place of lighting a unity candle.
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At the Reception, you can have anything from ...
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butterfly themed wedding cakes to













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favours to













decorations, thank you cards,









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and even place card holders.











Butterfly releases or favours will not be forgotten anytime soon by guests or the couple. It does not matter where they appear throughout the day, a butterfly release promiuses a unique experience that is sure to showcase the special day in an all-new light.

Wedding Cake Style Ideas

Here are some fresh ideas, and a few bold statements, that you can make with your wedding cake. These are great new trends that we are seeing lots of now to add a spice of personality to this traditional element of your wedding.



Graphic Sugar Appliques
Big sugar flowers are still lovely, and very popular, however the latest in wedding cake add-ons isn't your typical garden show anymore. More abstract sugar-made designs seem to be bursting from the cakes. A few pretty applique ideas can be seen below, as well as paisley, ruffles, lace cutouts and starbursts are coming to the forefront.

Creative "Stamped" Patterns

For a unique, one-dimensional look, ask your baker to "stamp" a fun pattern onto your cake using a paintbrush or edible dye and a stamp. The bold result creates a very different look. Don't go overboard - you'll want to limit the designs to just a few tiers to keep it from looking too busy.

Chandelier Inspired

Always loved lighting and chandeliers?! Have your wedding cake reflect your interest. You can ask you baker to include chandelier elements on the cake, or even have it set up to look like a chandelier on display.

Fabric Fun

Skip the typical allover buttercream swirls - the new way of texturizing a wedding cake is with fabric-like elements, like all-over white fondant designed to look like eyelet or crocheted lace. You can work in the design of your dress to make the cake look similar in style. Ask your baker to frost delicate lace-like accents around the tiers or to use sugar appliques to create a ruffle look.

Retro Accents and Colours

It really is true that trends come back around, and now we're seeing retro make an appearance on cakes. Go for black-and-white, or even a mint green-frosted cake, softened with a small, black bow on the bottom tier for a funky '50s look. Or get a classic Grace Kelly-inspired style by askign for a white cake banded with champagne ribbon and accented with a sparkly silver brooch. In the same way, throw back to the 1920s with pink and gold-toned frosting and flapper-esque accents, like edible beads and sugar-painted feathers.

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Cake Buffets
There's no rule saying that you are only allowed to have one cake, so order what you want. You can have a trio of coordinated cakes for your cake table, or an assortment to offer guests. This is great if you have specific dietary needs, such as lactose intolerance or gluten free. To get the cakes to match, come up with a design, motif or colour scheme to work with, and ask you baker to vary the design from each cake. It's eye-catching and a great alternative to a stand-alone.

Middle Tier Treatments

Traditionally the focus on the wedding cake is all on top, but this does not need to be the case. Consider moving the cake topper or some decoration elements to the middle cake tier for an entirely new look.

Top Groomsmen Trends

While we all love to focus on the bride and bridesmaids for the wedding, some considerations do have to be made for the groomsmen as well. Here are the top 5 groomsmen trends we are seeing now!

Bye-Bye Bow Tie
Today, being a stylish groomsman has a lot to do with what's worn underneath the jacket. We're seeing tuxedos with long (not bow) ties, and with vests instead of cummberbunds. Check out cravat (long) ties, non-pleated shirts, and three-button jackets for a more modern look.

Beyond the Tux
If you're having a casual affair, go ahead and ditch the tuxes. Instead, dress the guys in blazers, and match something in their outfits (a pocket square, a tie, a belt, their socks) with the overall colour scheme. For a great casual look, have your party wear khaki pants they already own, and ask them to get the same navy blazer. Another way to coordinate? Order extra fabric from the bridesmaid dresses to make matching ties for the groomsmen - this is a great way to create a unified wedding party look. Looking for a more funky idea? Try getting sneakers made for your groomsmen with their names, and incorporate the wedding colours there!

Don't Forget Gramps
Many grooms are paying respect to their elders by getting them matching tuxedos. Even if grandpa isn't officially in the party, this is a great way to make him feel like he's a part of the celebration. If you don't want him to look identical to the party, have your grandfathers wear the same style tux and shirt, but a slightly different shade of tie than the groomsmen. That awy they'll still be noticed as special, but they'll be distinct from the party.

Wearable Gifts
If your groomsmen are white-collared business types, chances are they spend a lot of their workweek in a suit or blazer, give them a unique, personalized gift that will add to their wedding day style and that they'll also be able to use again and again. Cufflinks with their initials are a great gift, or you can go for styles that suit the personality of the guy who'll wear them. The men in your party will appreciate the thought, and they'll also be thankful that they don't have something identical to the other men at your wedding. Like the sneaker idea?! They can be considered the groomsmen gift AND worn that day too.

Vary the Boutonnieres
It's nice to have the wedding party somewhat coordinated, but it's totally acceptable to have the best man's boutonniere be different than the other members of the party. Another idea? Make every single groomsman's boutonniere different, but match them with the bouquet of the bridesmaid he escorts down the aisle. Decide what each pairing will be using different colours of the same flower, or all different flowers in the same colour. If the men in your party object to donning flowers of any sort, or if you want a more masculing look, consider boutonnieres of wheat, herbs or leaves.

Just How Much Should You Spend on Wedding Favours?!

Of course any of us would love to go out and buy anything and everything for our wedding and reception, but unfortunately reality sets in, and most of us need to stay within a certain budget. Because of that, many brides wonder the appropriate amount to spend on every item and accessory, including wedding favours. How much is too much, and how little is too little? Having a budget is a good idea and even commendable, but no one wants to come across as cheap or tacky. So what is a good amount to spend on your wedding favours, and how can you get the most bang for your buck!?

Obviously the answer as to an appropriate amount will be different for every bride and wedding. The one thing to keep in mind regarding your budget and your particular wedding is that your favours should be appropriate for the occasion itself; a more upscale wedding should have more elegant wedding favours, whereas a more casual wedding would offer more affordable and perhaps fun-styled favours. Keep in mind that fancy silver candlesticks may be lovely, but don't quite suit a barefoot beach wedding setting.

The size of your invitation list will affect the budget for your favours greatly. Obviously the more people you have, the more the favours will cost you. If you absolutely must have hundreds at your wedding, the favours are most likely going to have to be a bit more modest.

Your best bet for deciding the appropriate amount for favours is to start with your budget overall, and once you've figured your dress, the catering, DJ, venue rentals, and everything else, see how much that leaves you for favours. If the budget is somewhat skimpy at this point, you might want to see where you can make adjustments. Talk to your wedding planner to get suggestions with this.

In any event, always plan on spending at least $1 per favour; while you may not actually purchase wedding favours that are a dollar each, if you multiply that by how many guest you have, you then have your budget for overall favours. Two hundred guests equals $200 for favours; you can probably make something at home for that much. Assembling bags of chocolates or personalized candy bar wrappers tha tyou wrap yourself are great options.

And if you have the budget for it, you may even consider gift bags with an assortment of favours. Each favour might be somewhat modest, but if you wrap them individually in beautiful wrapping paper and nestle them in tissue paper in the gift bag, your guest will feel like they're getting a handful of gifts to take home with them.

Whatever you budget for favours, make sure they reflec tthe fact that you put some time, effort and thought into choosing them as a way of expressing your appreciation to your guests for sharing your special day.

Looking for ideas for your wedding? Contact Cariad Productions at cariadproductions@gmail.com for more ideas!

Check out my past post August 16th, 2010 for fun Bride & Groom favour ideas - http://cariadproductions.blogspot.com/2010/08/fun-favours-of-bride-and-groom.html

Tips for Picking a Reception Venue

There is no point in seeking out a venue that incorporates a castle, cliffs and sandy beaches if you live in the city and are on a small budget. It is very important to keep your wedding dreams in line with what you can afford. This will save a lot of arguments when planning the wedding and a lot of debt after you're married. But that doesn't mean you can't still have your dream wedding. There are ideal venues to suit all budgets and tastes, it just takes a little creativity.

Who is Coming?
Planning your guest list can be a tiring and frustrating chore or a fun activity depending on your budget and how well everyone you know gets along. Once you've ironed out all the family politics of who should come and who shouldn't, your wedding guest list should be based on your total wedding reception budget. Your budget includes the reception venue, food, drinks and any overnight accomodation. There may be other "hidden" charges at the venue too, so be sure to add a little extra and check the fine print. Don't be afraid to ask your wedding planner for tips and to ensure that you know exactly what is included in the pricing. Contact Cariad Productions for advice at cariadproductions@gmail.com.

Where Should the Venue Be?
Once you know who is attending, you can decide where the best place to have the reception is. If you have friends and family dispersed around the country, or even the globe, you might be reluctant to hold your reception locally instead of preferring a wedding reception venue that is accessible to more guests. This is to ensure that your guests are able to make it to your wedding with minimal fuss and expense. If you do opt for a local venue, consider how people you want to invite will travel there and where they might stay. You might need to include details on the invitations regarding travel, transportation, directions and nearby hotels and attractions.
Meanwhile, do not forget to consider how you and those immediately around you will attend the wedding if the venue is out of town. There are additional costs involved in a non-local wedding as well, so be sure to keep that in mind.

What Type of Venue Suits You?
While picking a venue can be lots of fun, when you and your partner both want to have final say on the location it can make for a challenging time and tough negotiations. Each of you should make two lists. One list stating the features of your ideal wedding reception venue, and the other saying what you'd really NOT like in a venue. Requirements should be listed in order of importance as this will help when it comes to compromising later. You can perhaps both agree to 'lose' item '4' and so on to find your perfect venue.

When is the Wedding?
You can't book a wedding reception venue iwthout knowing the date of the wedding, but then there is nothing more disappointing than finding your dream venue and discovering that they are booked up on your wedding day. If you find your dream wedding reception venue, before setting the wedding date, you can make a provisional booking pending the speedy booking of the wedding date with your ceremony location. Both book well in advance, and be sure that they are aligned. Once you've decided on: budget, how, who, what and when, you can start looking at wedding reception venues that know you can afford. You will both love and that you and your guests can easily get to.


If you have any questions or are looking for suggestions in selecting a venue, I'm always here to help, cariadproductions@gmail.com!

Wedding Bob Hairstyles

Not everyone likes their hair long, and you should feel comfortable on your wedding day, so don't be afraid to rock the bob!

As the wedding day approaches the excitement and the desire to have everything turn out just right greatly intensifies. Choosing the perfect hairstyle is one of the keys, and can be a challenging task for many brides.

A bride-to-be with short to medium hair length might feel discouraged thinking that the styling options she has are greatly reduced compared to longer hairstyles. However, this perception is inaccurate and most of the time just need a bit of imagination. By putting your artful skills to work you will be able to get a fabulous hairstyle that will make you feel confident as well as contributing to an unforgettable wedding day. Not the artsy type? Ask your hairstylist for ideas!

Bob hairstyles are a trendy and stylish option for a future bride who likes to be modern without turning to a complicated hairstyle. Bobs are a perfect alternative, especially in the summer when the temperatures are higher and tend to complicate hair styling.

Here are a few ideas for inspiration to get you started:

Curly bob hairstyles are very romantic, being one of the most inspired choices you can make for the occasions. The styling options are virtually endless, ranging from innocent modern large curls to glamorous retro styles that provide a distinctive and unique allure.

A wavy textured bob is another option you can use if you are not ready to embrace a curly hairstyle wholeheartedly. With the right hair styling products at hand, your success is almost guaranteed.

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?!