Generally speaking, focal points are “designed” to command our attention.  And, they make for fantastic photography shots~ especially at the ceremony when ALL eyes are on you!

I think the key to achieving a beautiful focal point lies in borrowing from the natural surroundings {inside and out} and personalizing it with your wedding style!  Find below, images {that link to the source} for all types of wedding styles: rustic, garden, cultural, urban, outdoor vineyard… from dramatic to simple and each unique and lovely in their own right.

First comes love…  How stunning is this attention-commanding tree to say your vows under?

The focal point here is in the center of this gorgeous oval room where the bride and groom are literally surrounded by their guests.  Formal, intimate and beautiful.

This cultural ceremony takes place in the rotunda of City Hall where guests gather around the bride and groom for their traditional Persian ceremony.

Ahh, the simply beautiful Jewish “Chuppah” or marriage canopy…

Lanterns with rose petals inside, dance with light and grace the glimmery tent top.

A sweet floral arch of roses…

Seasonal. Rustic. Vintage…

A vineyard setting with a pergola decorated with fall bounty and chandeliers. Quite lovely.

The gorgeous lake view background is a beautiful complement to the simply-draped wrought iron trellis.

Dramatic and colorful potted florals act as a pretty backdrop to this head table.

This canopy has heritage significance in this interfaith ceremony.  The poles are draped with lace brought back from Ireland from the bride’s Grandma.

How about you?

How will you be using a Chuppah, Canopy, Arbor, Arch, Trellis… at your ceremony or reception?

I attended an outdoor wedding last spring held at a rural camp in an absolutely gorgeous setting ~ miles of rolling hills covered with various green texture and dotted with wildflowers here and there, the totally charming feel of ruralness complete with country-bred buildings, warm and simple furnishings and lots and lots of wide open space.

The ceremony was held in the side yard of the mess hall facing aforementioned stunning hilly backdrop and the guests sat on benches designed for campers during story hour.  It was a beautiful May afternoon, the wind just a tad brisk and lots of warm sunshine.

The reception of this beautifully simple wedding was held in a large white tent in which several round tables were covered in white linen with fresh flowers scattered around the sweetest, most personal centerpieces I have ever seen.  This adorable couple, both of them professional photographers, placed a different photo of themselves on each table inside a thin glass frame.

The effect was a classy, simple, definitely organic centerpiece that showed off both their good looks and incredible talent.  The guests seated around our table passed the photo around, and it started a conversation among perfect strangers about how we knew the couple.  We all learned something new about the bride and groom while getting to know some really nice people, too!

A centerpiece doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to look fabulous.

One very smart couple decided on a signature drink for their reception and part of their table decorations included a small pitcher for each guest along with the recipe for that signature drink ~ sparkling ginger lemonade.  Imaginative, clever, and oh so simple.

Do you have a little piece of your lives that you could somehow incorporate on your reception tables?  What could you use for a centerpiece that would be elegantly simple and yet entertaining at the same time?

Here’s to helping you keep costs down,

Cheryl

Photo courtesy In Style Weddings

As I was playing my music way too loud on the way to work this morning, singing and fully enjoying the ride, I was also thinking just how powerful of an effect music has on us.~ setting the tone, lifting our mood, etc.

Considering the tone, style and musicians for your event?  Finding yourself wondering where to start? Relax.  Keep reading for a few suggestions to help you find the right musicians and to capture and set the tone ~ at the ceremony and reception, whether that’s casual, traditional, non-traditional, formal affair…

First,  consider your style and the feeling you want to evoke through your musicians and play lists.  Hiring classical musicians for a formal wedding or garden wedding is incredibly lovely but is that for you?  Match the style to the tone you want.  Consider the moments during your ceremony where you may need music …seating guests during the Prelude and during the Processional as the bridal party walks up the aisle.  You definitely want to change up the music as YOU walk up the aisle.  Consider Interlude music to highlight something special during your ceremony.   And, of course the Recessional music~ You’re married!  (If I could do it over again, I’d play something fun like “I feel good” by James Brown)  And concluding the ceremony is the Postlude music.  How about the music for your reception?  Still, where do you start?

Tips to Choosing your music and your musicians:

1. Plan early: Good musicians will be booked quickly.
2. Decide the tone you want to convey. Which style do you prefer: traditional, casual, formal… classical, pop, country…
3. Know your musical likes and dislikes. Visit Wedding Wire or iTunes, etc. and spend time sampling the different genres.  By the time you talk with prospective musicians, your wedding vision will be solid providing you with great questions to ask of them.
4. Finding Musicians: seek referrals, look online, ask wedding planners recommendations, talk to your church.  Interview the musicians and hear them play. Budget tip: Inquire at the music department for students looking for experience at a nearby university.
5. What to ask prospective musicians: After you’ve researched genres and styles, ask if the musicians are comfortable with your choices.  Can they perform what you would like them to perform?  You can’t expect them to play Taylor Swift when you’ve hired them for Bach.  Communicate your desires!
6. Additional musicians? Are you planning on having your best friend sing during the ceremony or play alongside your hired musicians?  Make sure your prospective musicians are comfortable with that scenario.
7. Communicate the specifics of where the ceremony will take place: outside, indoors, etc. Clue your musicians in on the acoustics.
8. Equipment: What do your musicians need for set up: chairs, amps, etc.
9. Inquire about restrictions: Before you hire your musicians and plan your playlist, ask your officiate if there are any restrictions that you need to be aware of.
10. Be accepting of the suggestions from your hired professional musicians.   If you’re hiring them, be confident of their abilities and judgments.
11. Contract: Make sure to ask and get in writing, all costs including hidden fees, start and end times, overtime fees, breakdown of costs.  Make sure equipment needs, start and end times as well as break schedules are in the contract as well.

Can you think of additional suggestions that would help out a bride and groom looking for musicians?

Source: Rachelle Streeter Independent Music Professional and MagnetStreet Weddings Customer Care Specialist

Thank you for reading!

Heidi

[poll id="65"]

Does it seem like private wedding ceremonies are gaining in popularity? With a break-away from the traditional, couples are discovering that they truly can have their wedding, their way.

Some couples run away and elope, saying their vows in less traditional surroundings.

And, still others sequester themselves in the Caribbean and perform their nuptials with no-one watching.