Candles

In winter, when days are shorter, many brides will seek the warm and romantic feel of candlelight to their celebrations. Either at the ceremony locations or/and at the reception.

Can't have any flames at your facility? Check out our post on candle alternatives here.

We have chosen some fun candle products for you to peruse!
Also, from Illuminations, a gallery of 'real weddings' using candles in the decor!
You'll find some places will not allow you to have open flames, so check out our article Candle Alternatives!
Scroll down and make sure you read the articles we have selected regarding candle safety!
Because I am a bargain shopper at heart, I'll start with my favorite finds from Oriental Trading Company!

Long-Stemmed White Rose Candles. Each 2" candle is on a 10" stem. Each shrink-wrapped.
Item Number: IN-26/2170, $4.95 per Dozen, 12 items per Dozen.

Wedding Candle Kit. Includes 1 dozen 2 5/8" candle holders with bow and 2 dozen 4" candles.
Item Number: IN-26/2221, $9.95 per Set, 36 items per Set.

WHITE ROSE VOTIVE CANDLES, Rose-shaped candles in a glass votive.
2 1/2", Item Number: IN-26/2190, $7.95 per Dozen, 12 items per Dozen.

Personalized Wedding Votive Holders. Personalize these 2 1/2" glass votive holders with up to 2 lines of 20 characters or spaces. Includes 16 stickers. Candles not included. Item is pre printed with "Thank you for sharing our special day" at the top of the sticker. Customers may add their own personalization to these: names and date, etc...,Item Number: IN-47/383, $7.95 per Dozen, 12 items per Dozen.

Illuminations has a great section on their website entitled Candlelit Weddings. There is also a fun gallery of 'Real Weddings' From the site: View photos of the candlelit weddings of others to see how they made their celebrations special with candlelight. Share your Candlelit Wedding™ photos with us - we'd love to post your bright ideas and special moments! Fun to see how others have used candles on this special day! Illuminations has a great variety of candles and holders.

Browse some candle decor here at the Better Homes and Gardens site!
I really was fond of this one where you take regular pillar candles and gild them!
I have done it and it looks fantastic!
AND it's easy! See instructions here at Better Homes and Gardens.

Using Candles; Safety Tips!
Photo from Bridal Bloopers

Now, it would be terribly irresponsible of me not to include safety here. It has happened, sadly more than once that someones hair, veil, dress or decorative display catches a flame! Be careful and think ahead!

• If you are going to get crafty and make your own candles, there is some great advice, safety and clean up tips here at the Candle Cauldron. I also really liked their flier with burning and safety suggestions here!
  

• The National Candle Association has a page her about Candle Safety, read it here!

• The United Kingdom's government website has a page entitled: Fire Kills! Get you attention?

Remember safety always and have a grand event!
Happy Planning!
~w.s.

Choosing Wedding Colors

When planning the wedding, it's savvy to have already be consulting your Planning time line and have it handy. There are a few items on the list that have an impact on the colors and style you choose to use. Color, theme and style. It's all addressed here. A good choice and use of these colors and style will add unity to the whole affair.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Colors:

• Have you booked you ceremony & receptions sites?

You should consider what the environment says already. What colors are there, what style is it? A nice hotel may have a very lovely style in their banquet room and you may a 'build in' color scheme already to work with. What colors rugs, curtains, walls? Check what color linen they provide.

• Are there cultural or religious elements that are important to you?

Different cultures use different colors to celebrate life and joy. If you are having a cultural wedding, embrace it and choose your colors and style appropriately.

• What season is your Wedding?

You'll find the time of year Will affect a lot of choices, from what you wear to the flowers available to your location. Spring is bright with new flowers, Summers are beachy and lush with bright colors, Fall is golden and Winter sparkles with depth.

• Do you have a Wedding style or theme you wish to incorporate?

Will you have a sit own dinner, or a stylish after dinner sware'? Do you want an afternoon outdoor wedding, or a cocktail reception? A style can include a running theme. Using images to complete a theme works well too. Read more about Wedding themes and how to use, click here. If you are sailors, seashore lovers, you can use nice blues and whites with even splashes of yellow. There should be a balance when using a theme, the colors and decorations that go with it.

• Have you set your heart on a particular flower or floral arrangement?

Lilly of the valley, lilacs, tulips, hydrangea or roses? Use natures color palate. These colors sooth and inspire. Flowers are, of course, seasonal. Try and use flowers that are in season or you will need to have them shipped in at additional cost and time. Try to be seasonal with all your design elements.

• Have you selected your Bride's Maids dresses?
  

If you have pink Bride's Maids dresses already picked out, then you have one of your colors already. The Bridesmaids dresses will be a main focal point and should be one of the three colors your choose. This color should also be flattering to your Ladies!

How to Make Your Colors Work Together

The use of the color wheel is one of your first assignments in color theory.
Get yourself a good color wheel from the paint department of your craft or home improvement store.

For now, let's use one from online:

Read more about Color Theory and how to use colors,
visit the page color matters.






Choose a main color with an accent color or two.
You may also with to go monochromatic, using different hues and shades of a particular color. Done well, this look is exceptionally sleek.

Coordinating Your Colors & Style!

• Go to the craft store, pick out some sample fabric swatches and purchase some ribbon.

• Peruse the aisles at the craft sore and the mall for the papers, the save the dates, the invitations.

Visit our Wedding theme page and read more tip son how o incorporate your theme (even if it is just 3 colors) into your Wedding style.

By the Time of the Wedding Shower (up to 6 weeks preceding the wedding date) you will have already picked a venue, know your colors and can start using them with this event to compliment the invitations. Follow up with your style, with your thank you notes. This gives a very clean and well put together look to your celebration. Just remember, no matter the colors or theme you want to tie it all together with simplicity and style.

The Links to Wedding Color, Theme and Style

Wedding Color Palette
Martha Stewart has a great article here and a color wheel.

On The Knot:
Color Quiz
The knot has a a quiz here that promises to help choose the perfect colors for your Wedding!
WeddingStyle: Choosing your Colors
Knot article with helpful advice.

Having a Color Coordinated Wedding

A Knot article that features HOT wedding colors that are in style now!

Your Wedding Company
Has a wonderful informative and useful article on choosing your wedding colors here. Meaning of colors are included.

Bliss!Wedding Market
A very nice article here on choosing wedding colors! The best is that they then link to four of their own useful articles, a color palette took (interactive drag and drop), an article on color trends and choosing colors by season.

Favor Idea's
A surprisingly good article about choosing colors and color trends for 2007.

Seaport Weddings
An article on choosing...wedding colors, of course!