Zoe, Author at DIY Wedding Tips

How To Make Wedding Chair Covers

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to make wedding chair covers yourself for your wedding. Plus a variety of chair covering ideas. DIY wedding chair covers are becoming increasingly popular. This is because whether you decide to buy or rent ready-made chair covers, it can take a considerable chunk out of your budget. If you have time on your hands, deciding to make them yourself can save a large sum of money in the long run.

There’s a range of fabrics you can use, with tulle chair covers being one of the most popular. Tulle is a lightweight netting that can be made from a range of fibers, such as silk or polyester. But you can really opt for any material you would like.

Choosing the Right Material

Before we look at how to make them, you first need to decide on the material for your chairs. The chair material all depends on the type of wedding you’re having. Let’s look at a few options.

Organza. This material is perfect if you’re working with a tight budget. It’s the cheapest option available and usually the material you’ll most often see at weddings. It’s lightweight, sheer, and has a smooth finish.
Satin. This is a slightly more luxurious material. It’s glossy, silky, and surprisingly easy to work with. When making the chair covers yourself, this is a great material for beginners, as it is so pliable.
Taffeta. If you’re looking for extravagance, taffeta is a stunning option. Lots of couples opt to put brooches onto their taffeta chair covers for a bit of extra flourish.

Of course, there are many other materials you can use for your chairs, those are just the most popular for weddings.

Which Bow Should You opt For?

There’s a wide range of bows you may like to use for your chair covers. Let’s look at the most common you may find at weddings.

The Traditional Bow – if you want your wedding to be traditional and you’re not one for steering away from the “norms” of a wedding, this bow is perfect. It’s quick and one of the easiest.
The Side Bow – this is by far the easiest option of all. If you don’t have much time, but still want a classy, elegant look from your chairs, this is the bow for you.
Double Loop Flower – if time is on your side and you have lots of hands to help out, I would recommend the double loop flower. The end result is stunning.

We’ll take a look at how to tie these knots later!

How to: Fit a Banquet Chair

So you’ve chosen your material, you’ve got it to size and now it’s time to start work. Fitting a banquet chair is easier than you think. Before you bling up your chair, you may want to put a banquet cover over the top. Many wedding venues provide these for you, so it shouldn’t be an additional cost.

However, if your chairs are looking bare and need to fit the banquet covers yourself, this video shows you a step-by-step guide how. It only takes 30 seconds, but if you have a few hundred chairs to do…it could take a while!

How to: Tie a Bow

As we’ve seen, there are a variety of bows you may like to use at your wedding. The most popular is the traditional bow, so that’s what we’ll be looking at today. However, there are plenty of video tutorials for every wedding bow you could possibly imagine! So if the traditional bow isn’t for you – YouTube is your oyster.

Even though the traditional bow is one of the easiest options you can choose, if there’s a lot of guests – it’s going to take time to tie tens, if not hundreds, of bows. Totally Dazzled has an amazing tutorial (and video) of How to Tie a Chair Sash. She shows you how to do a short-tailed traditional bow and a long-tailed traditional bow.

Dressing Up Your Chairs

So your banquet cover is on. Your bows are tied perfectly. But something still feels missing. If this is the case for you, there are plenty of ways you can dress up your chair to make it look even more beautiful. Here’s a few ideas:

Mr. and Mrs. signs on the back of your chairs will look super cute. If you’re having a chic wedding, wooden signs with italic font is perfect
Brooches to add to the center of your chairs are extremely popular at weddings that aren’t budget-conscious. Whether you go for a simple brooch, or something wild – it definitely adds something extra to your chairs
If you’re wedding is at a barn, and you’re going for a more casual vibe, hanging miniature bunting on the back of your chairs is a super cute idea – and fun too
Adding extra details like pearls or rhinestones to your chairs can take them to the next level. It can be something as simple as tying pearls around the chair or sticking rhinestones to your bows
If you have hessian string and peg clips, why not clip some photos of you and your partner throughout your relationship to each chair? It would be adorable and something memorable for your guests

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to know how to make wedding chair covers. Whether you’re an expert or complete novice, it’s definitely something you can try yourself. If you’re unsure whether you can, go to your local craft store and buy a piece of practice material. Practice on your dining room chairs – it’s easier than you think!

Did you make your wedding chair covers for your big day? If so, I would love to hear how you got on. Please leave any answers in the comments below – whether it was a positive or negative experience. It may help future brides and grooms to be.

Learn more about Wedding Dress For Less Than 500

Wedding Dress For Less Than 500

Today we’re going to be looking at how to buy a wedding dress for less than 500 dollars. Affordable wedding dresses may seem impossible to find but they’re actually easier to source than you may think. My wedding dress was only just over £500 (I’m a UK bride) and was a Disney Princess Alfred Angelo gown. It was meant to be almost £1500. Let’s have a look at how to get wedding dresses under $500.

There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to find more affordable wedding gowns. Here’s a round-up of some of my top suggestions for finding a gown that’s affordable and 100% you.

Bridal Outlets

Bridal outlets are a great place to start if you’re looking for a wedding dress on a budget. They’re a wholesaler so they usually have some gorgeous designer dresses for a fraction of the price.

However, what you see is what you get with these dresses. If you find a size 10 on one of the racks, a size 10 may be the only size they have. They very rarely have different sizes and will not usually have someone who does in-store alterations for your dress, which is something to bear in mind.

They usually have accessories and shoes available too, so it’s easy to complete your outfit – at a fraction of the price. These dresses can start from as low as $100 and get significantly more expensive, depending on the gown you’re looking for.

Dresses from China

Ordering your dress from China is a great way to get a more affordable wedding dress. While the internet will have a plethora of options, it’s important to keep in mind a few key points if you decide to order your dress this way.

Check Reviews. The quality of the work done and fabrics the dress has been made with will vary from place to place. Reviews are a good way of checking how satisfied past customers are with their dresses and help you decide who to choose.
It May Look Different. They often show “best-case scenario” photos of the dress you’re ordering. If you’re happy that your dress may arrive not looking as “perfect” as the photos show, this is a great option.
Find Someone to Alter the Dress. Some people will be reluctant to alter dresses from China that are cheaply made. Make sure you find someone happy to make the alterations you need before you purchase the dress.

Discontinued Dresses

This is how I found my dream dress. It happened by sheer coincidence really! I knew I wanted the Alfred Angelo Disney Princess Jasmine dress and found a local stockist.

I tried on their sample gown and completely fell in love. After making a few calls, she told me she had good and bad news. The dress had been discontinued, but they had one size 10 remaining that they were selling for half the price!

If you’re looking for a dress and you find one about to go out of season, find a local stockist and see if they’re offering any discount rates, as it will be discontinued soon. This is such a great idea to find designer dresses, at an affordable price.

Sales

There’s a few times around the year where you’ll get the most for your money. After wedding season is over (Summer), dresses will plummet in prices – so check the sale racks in your local bridal boutique! They sell off old stock to make room for next year’s dresses. Also, keep an eye out on days like Black Friday – there will definitely be bargains to be had.

Online Stores

If you’re looking for a dress that comes with a reasonable price tag, it may be worth shopping online. While you won’t get the bridal boutique experience, shopping this way decreases the price massively. And there’s lots of shops that have the most gorgeous dresses, that would be perfect for your wedding day. Shops like Chi-Chi and ASOS are my favorites, and have quite an extensive bridal selection – most of which are well under $500 wedding dresses!

Marketplace or Charity Shops

If you’re open to the idea of buying your wedding dress secondhand, places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and even your local charity shop/thrift store is the perfect place to start. Charity shops are preferable as you can try the dress on before you buy and really get an idea of how it looks before you make the purchase.

Also, most people on Facebook Marketplace are happy to send additional photos or let you view the dress before you decide to purchase. And eBay usually offers a free returns service if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.

So however you’re wanting to purchase your secondhand gown, there’s definitely a way around it for everyone.

Learn more about Adding Rhinestones To A Wedding Dress

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you realize how easy it is to buy a wedding dress for under 500. I would strongly advise seeing a dress in person before you buy, especially if they do not offer a free returns service. However, I know some brides aren’t particularly fussy about their dress and how it looks, and just want it to be as affordable as possible.

As long as you’re happy with your dress, that is all that matters. Whether you want to look sexy, or pretty as a princess, there will be a dress out there for you for less than $500 – you just need to know where to start!

Was your wedding dress less than $500? If so, how much was it and where did you get yours from? Only share if you feel comfortable doing so. If you do, please feel free to post in the comments below. You may be helping out future brides with their dream dress.

No matter the cost of your wedding dress, your big day will be perfect. As long as you’re marrying your partner – that is the most important part of your wedding!

Cheap Tall Vases For Wedding Receptions

Today, we’re going to be looking at cheap tall vases for wedding receptions. Glass wedding centerpieces look stunning at your wedding, but finding affordable ones can be tricky. Let’s look at how you can afford these elegant centerpieces on a budget.

You’re likely going to need quite a few tall glass vases for wedding centerpieces on your big day. Whether you’re having a modest wedding or something on a larger scale, you’ll likely need at least several – and that can take a large amount of your budget quite quickly if you’re unsure where to shop.

But never fear, there are plenty of places to shop for affordable glass vases, that will look beautiful on your wedding day. Let’s round up some of the best places to look!

Cheap Tall Vases for Wedding Receptions in Craft Stores

Wherever you’re living in the world, you’ll likely have a craft store nearby. In America, it may be somewhere like Michael’s, or in the UK, somewhere like Hobbycraft. Michael’s currently has a 20% off code sitewide too (code: 20MADEBYYOU)! If you know any other craft stores that are good options, please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below.

Not only does Michael’s have a range of glass vases available that will look perfect in the middle of your tables, they even have multipacks available. For example, you can buy a 12 pack of their Libbey Clear Glass Rose Vase for just $57.20…plus 20% off!

Craft stores are a great starting place because they aren’t specifically tailoring to weddings. As soon as you venture into the world of weddings, the starting price point increases significantly!

Cheap Tall Vases for Wedding Receptions in Home Stores

While there are more expensive home stores out there, there are plenty of budget stores too, that produce top-quality products. IKEA is a good example of this. Depending on the size and shape of the vases you’re looking for, they start at a ridiculously low price, which won’t take much out of your budget at all.

They do offer slightly more expensive options too if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious.

Check Reselling Sites for Cheap Tall Vases

There are plenty of pre-loved wedding décor sites out there. When brides or grooms want to sell on items that have been used at their wedding, they can use sites such as Sell My Wedding. It’s extremely easy to navigate, choose your location, and what you’re looking for. All items are marked with prices and photos. Most prices are negotiable too, so if something seems out of your budget – make an offer!

As they’re likely wanting to shift the products quickly, you may find some high-end vases at a hugely discounted price. Who wants 50 vases lying around the house?!

Marketplace

Try using sites like eBay, Gumtree, and Shpock (that list is not exhaustive, there are plenty of marketplace sites out there!). Some items will be secondhand and others on sites like eBay will be unused.

It’s definitely worth browsing as you may find items nearby at a really affordable price. The good thing about sites like these is that they protect the customer, so if you have any problems with your purchases, you’re completely covered. This is great for peace of mind.

Bridal Facebook Groups

This is something I am currently doing for my sister who’s getting married next year. Facebook have a plethora of bridal groups in a variety of locations. Brides list their unwanted wedding products for their desired price and you comment if you’re interested. I actually found some glass vase centerpieces for my sister for £20 for 8 pieces!

Just type in your town/city with weddings or brides, and you’ll likely receive a lot of hits!

Charity Stores

If you’re more into doing your shopping in stores, try your local charity or thrift stores. It may be difficult to find multiple of the same style and design. However, if you’re having a casual wedding, or something that’s more quirky – why not mix and match?! That way you can buy whatever takes your fancy in your local charity store, and of course, the money will be going to a great cause.

Hire

Why not try hiring your glass wedding centerpieces?! If you go for a more basic option, prices start extremely low if you hire them. You also have the added bonus of not being stuck with an abundance of glass vases after your wedding!

The only thing you must consider when hiring is breakages. Breakages at weddings are almost inevitable. Drunk people, excited children – these things happen. So if you do decide to hire your vases, it may be helpful to keep some money aside…just in case.

A Note to Think About

Another point worth noting, if you do purchase bulk tall glass vases for your wedding – you can sell them on after to another bride or groom. This means you’ll likely be getting some of your money back after the wedding. This may be worth taking into account when budgeting.

If you don’t have the space to accommodate that volume of vases post-wedding, or simply don’t have the time to resell after, it may be better to opt for hiring.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you lots of ideas of how to purchase cheap tall vases for wedding receptions. Wherever you’re happy to shop, there’s a range of options available. Personally, I would check reselling wedding sites and groups first – those are the best places to find the cheapest prices for anything you’re looking for.

Did you manage to find cheap tall glass vases for your wedding? Or are you on the hunt for them now? Please let me know in the comments any successes you have, and how much you manage to purchase them for. You may be able to help out any future brides and grooms! Sharing is caring.

Read more about Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

Adding Rhinestones To A Wedding Dress

Today, we’re going to be looking at adding rhinestones to a wedding dress. As weddings are becoming increasingly more expensive, more brides are taking it upon themselves to do tasks themselves. Whether that be creating your own centerpieces, or making your own chair covers – brides and grooms can do it all nowadays! But a trend becoming more popular is doing your own wedding dress embellishment.

Adding bling to your dress may sound easy, but there’s lots of things to consider before you start adding rhinestones! Let’s take a look at how to customize your wedding dress, in the easiest ways possible.

Why Add Rhinestones to a Dress?

There’s a plethora of reasons as to why you may want to add rhinestones to your dress. Here’s just a few!

If you’re on a budget, it’s a great way to cut back on costs. Plainer gowns are far less expensive than dresses that are already full of bling! Doing embellishments yourself can make the base price of your dress considerably less
Your dress will be completely unique. When adding to your dress, it makes the finished product one of a kind. This is appealing to many brides, as no one in the world will have the exact same wedding dress as you.
Once the rhinestones are in place, the gown will look far more expensive than what you originally pay for it.
It adds a real personal touch to your gown, especially if done by your own hand. Or if a bridal party member is doing it for you, it makes it extra special.
If done correctly, rhinestones can add real elegance and class to your gown. And accentuate all of your best features.

How to Add Rhinestones to a Dress

There’s a variety of ways you can add rhinestones, whether you’re good with your hands or not. From gluing, to sewing, to tying – let’s take a look at some of the ways to bling up your wedding dress.

Sewing

Sewing is the most traditional way to add rhinestones to your dress. It’s important to note that if you’re a complete novice with sewing, this may not be the best time to try your hand at it. Your first time sewing should not be with one of the most important clothing garments of your life. I would strongly advise practicing before you start on your gown – no matter how confident you feel!

Sports Rec has a great step-by-step guide on How to Add Rhinestones to a Wedding Dress by sewing them on.

Gluing

If you’re not confident with a sewing needle (I am definitely not), you may want to opt for gluing instead. It’s far less time-consuming than sewing but requires a steady hand, and a good eye. All you’ll need is rhinestones, glue, and tweezers – and you’re good to go!

This video from Classic Royalty Designs on YouTube is amazing at teaching you how to glue rhinestones yourself. It’s quick, easy – and she has some great tips in there.

Belts

If changing any part of your wedding dress permanently seems terrifying to you, but you do want to add a bit of sparkle to your dress – there’s something else you can do! Rhinestone wedding belts and sashes are becoming increasingly popular and require minimal effort.

If you’re wary of making irreversible changes to your dress, this is a great option. Online stores like Etsy do gorgeous affordable options, but if you’re looking for something more luxury – try your local bridal boutique. They really can be a stunning addition to your dress.

Tips and Tricks

There are a few things you may want to bear in mind before you take the plunge of adding bling to your wedding dress. I think any additional sparkle is a bonus – especially on your wedding day. So let’s look at some tips and tricks to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Do Your Research

I can not stress this enough. Although I feel like if you’re reading this article, the research has already begun – you’re doing the right thing! Watch tutorials. Read blog posts. Learn as much as you can about the material you’re adding the rhinestones to. It can also be easy to overcrowd your dress, or add to few rhinestones – place them on your dress before you put them on permanently, just to give you an idea of the finished result.

Be Careful Where You Place Them

Let’s be honest – rhinestones are uncomfortable. And you definitely want to feel as comfortable as possible on your wedding day. When choosing where to add the rhinestones, be sure not to add any under where your arms sit, or anywhere where the rhinestones will directly touch your skin. Rhinestones rub, and they will leave a mark if they’re rubbing all day – especially if it’s hot!

Working With the Dress

Placement of the dress is important once you start the work. Ensure the dress is lying down on a flat surface, rather than upright. Rhinestones are fiddly and gravity will want to pull them downwards. Having the dress flat out will help stop this.

Practice

The most important piece of advice I can offer is – practice! You want your gown to be perfect, and practice definitely makes perfect. Buy a few cheap pieces of clothing, or use old clothes and see how adding rhinestones goes to those first. If that’s successful, then start on your dress!

Conclusion

I hope this article has taught you all about adding rhinestones to a dress. Whether you’re comfortable with a needle or would prefer to use glue – adding embellishment to your dress doesn’t need to be as difficult as it may seem. It just requires a lot of time…and a lot of patience!

Did you add embellishment to your wedding dress? Do you have any tips and tricks for fellow brides? Please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. You’ll likely be helping out future couples!

Read more about What Do You Wear To A Barn Wedding?

Who Wears Flowers At A Wedding?

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: who wears flowers at a wedding? It may not be at the top of your list – but it is more important than you might think!

Wedding corsages and boutonnieres (otherwise known as buttonholes) are the most common flowers worn by members of your wedding party on your big day. But who wears what? What do they look? What’s the etiquette? There’s no need to worry – we’ll be covering it all!

Wedding Flower Etiquette

Weddings can be overwhelming and besides the bride’s bouquet, you may not have even thought about what other flowers you may need for your wedding. Even down to a boutonniere for weddings, there’s a tradition you may want to follow. Let’s take a closer look.

Flowers are usually worn to symbolize who is an important member of your wedding party. It makes them easily identifiable on your big day, and it can make your bridal party or groomsmen feel special.

All flowers chosen should be similar to the bride’s bouquet and reflect the flowers she’s holding. For example, if she has a bouquet of red roses, a simple red rose in your buttonhole would work perfectly.

Who Wears Flowers at a Wedding?

You probably already know that the bride has her bouquet and the bridal party (i.e. maid of honor, bridesmaids, etc.) also have a smaller, similar bouquet to the bride. However, the flowers do not stop there.

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should be wearing flowers on the day.

And it doesn’t stop there! The groom, best man (or men), usher(s), father of the bride, father of the groom are all expected to wear matching flowers. Even page boy(s) can wear them.

It’s important to note that you may be having a man of honor, or a best woman – the same rules still apply to them!

What Flowers do They Wear at a Wedding?

So we know who needs to be wearing flowers – but what flowers should they be wearing?

The male members of the wedding party should be wearing the buttonholes or boutonniere. A boutonniere is a spray of flowers that you wear in your buttonhole. It can be a single flower, a bud, or something more extravagant. There’s no set rule as to how it should look, just that they’re all matching. The groom, best man, ushers, father of the bride, and father of the bride should all be wearing the same buttonhole.

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should be wear corsages. A corsage is a little more extravagant than a buttonhole. It usually ties around the wrist and is a much smaller version of the bride’s bouquet – but matching. However, it doesn’t need to be on the wrist – a corsage can be used to accessorize any outfit, anywhere. As long as it can be clearly seen, that’s the most important thing. Corsages are larger than buttonholes and usually contain far more detail.

Some brides and grooms decide to give everyone that attends their wedding a buttonhole. Although this isn’t traditional, it looks great in photos and gives your guests a keepsake from your wedding day. It’s the perfect way to make all your guests feel important at your wedding.

Who Pays for the Flowers at a Wedding?

If we’re looking at strictly tradition, the groom should be paying for all flowers for the wedding party, and in the church/ceremony venue. However, that’s quite an outdated concept now and I would advise the flowers coming out of whatever wedding budget you have.

If you’re wanting to know more information about the wedding flower etiquette in general, there’s a great article from Bride and Groom Direct which covers everything from the reception flowers, to the venue, and to the bouquet.

How to Wear Them

The buttonholes should always be worn on the left lapel of the suit. And if the mothers are wearing their corsages on their outfits, they should be displayed on the right side of their outfits.

Depending on whether you have a hole readily available in your suit, this will make a difference as to how you wear your boutonniere. If the hole is already there, simply push the stem of the flower through the hole and secure it with a pin.

However, some suits do not have this. If that’s the case, simply pin it to the fabric of your suit. It really is that simple! However it’s on display, it should always be on the man’s left.

If you’re looking to wear a bowtie or a cravat or incorporate a pocket square into your outfit, it’s usually a lovely idea to have the same color as the buttonhole. Everything matching does look beautiful in photos.

Should You Follow Tradition?

The answer to this is all down to the couple. My husband and I were not traditional at our wedding, at all. He had a buttonhole that matched my bouquet – and the flowers stopped there! I had artificial Walking Dead-inspired flowers…I did say it wasn’t traditional! No other family members wore flowers and that made it feel really special for me and my husband.

If you’re having a more traditional wedding, there is absolutely nothing wrong with following etiquette. And there is also nothing wrong with scrapping tradition and doing whatever you want to do – it is your wedding, after all.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question of who wears flowers at a wedding. It’s important to do whatever feels right for you. Whether you opt for real or artificial flowers, flowers do add a lovely touch to your wedding and I would highly recommend it.

Did you have flowers at your wedding? If so, who wore what? Did every guest wear them, or just specific members of the wedding party? I would love to know any answers in the comments below.

Read more about Wedding Shower Host Gift Ideas

Gay Wedding Reception Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at gay wedding reception ideas. And also some gay wedding ceremony ideas. There’s a range of ideas you can choose from to add a bit of pride and LGBTQ+ love to your wedding ceremony and reception. Whether you want go big, or want something more subtle, this article is for you. Let’s have a round-up of some of the most fun and cutest ideas!

Pride Décor

There’s a whole host of ways you can add a bit of pride to your wedding. Some of my favorites ideas include:

A “traditional” white-tiered wedding cake on the outside. When you cut into it, it’s full of color and a rainbow design. Or even full of multicolor sweets! It adds fun to your wedding cake, and LGBTQ+ representation in a subtle way.
If you’re wanting something slightly bolder – use the LGBTQ+ colors as your color scheme for the big day! You can even match it your sexuality. For example, a lesbian wedding idea could be the lesbian flag colors. The main colors are oranges, pink and purples. Getting your guests to arrive in those colors would be perfect. Or if you’re bisexual and proud, the flag colors are pink, royal blue and purple. Match your wedding to your sexuality. Or cover all basis and just go full rainbow!
If you’re wanting to incorporate the colors in less subtle ways, maybe match your bouquet to the colors. Bold, multicolor flowers can look really beautiful together – real or artificial.
Rainbow confetti is not only a great way to celebrate your LGBTQ+ wedding but also makes for the most beautiful wedding photos. All photos look better with an explosion of color in them.
Incorporate pride into your shoes. Whether you have rainbow laces or colors added to the bottom of your shoe choice – this is another good subtle way.

This list is by no means extensive, there’s a huge selection of ideas you can do using pride décor in your wedding.

Cake Toppers

Looking at gay wedding plans, getting adorable custom same-sex cake toppers is such a lovely idea. You can find designs on sites like eBay and Etsy. There’s a selection available here. You can add dates, pets, outfits – whatever you wish! Depending on how lifelike you want your topper to be, they start at a reasonable price and go up to prices that may take a hefty chunk out of your budget.

Cute Wedding Signs

There’s a variety of signs you may like to have at your wedding that suit you and your partner. Some of my favorites include:

Seating Plan – Rather than having a traditional seating plan, let your guests choose where they’d like to sit. You can signal this with cute wording like, “pick a seat, not a side, either way, it’s for a bride”.
Matching Flags – Whether you and your partner decide to hold them, or your bridal party/groomsmen, matching “Here Comes the Bride” or “Here Comes the Groom” signs are super cute.
Banners and Flags – Give each of your guests mini rainbow flags each. You and your partner could hold a banner saying something like, “love is love”. A group photo with these props would be a keepsake you can treasure forever.
Pets – If you and your partner want a fun way to incorporate your fur baby into your wedding, pop a little sign on their collar saying, “daddy and daddy” or “mummy and mummy” are getting married. There will no doubt be some gorgeous photos from that!

Flatware

On sites like Etsy, you can find Mrs. and Mrs./Mr. and Mr. spoons and cake servers. This is a lovely, subtle touch – and also a great keepsake for you and your partner. These can be available to all guests as a favor, or exclusively for the top table. Or even just for you and your partner to enjoy!

Matching Accessories or Bouquets

Wearing the same color bowtie/tie or cufflinks is something quick and easy to do – and adds that little bit extra to your wedding. You can do this with brooches too, for female guests if they’d prefer. And for two brides, matching bouquets always look stunning. If you’re feeling extra bold, have the accessories/bouquets rainbow colors. That way they’ll really stand out from the crowd.

Cupcakes

Having hers/hers or his/his cupcakes or rainbow cupcakes is the perfect way to incorporate your sexuality into your big day. And also an extremely tasty addition. You’ll likely already be having cupcakes at your ceremony anyway, and you could even make them yourselves.

Ditch Tradition!

Tradition can be boring! This is your wedding and it can however you want it to be. If you want to wear a playsuit, or shorts and shirt – go for it. If you don’t want a bouquet and want to walk down the aisle waving a wand – who cares?! This is your wedding and it should be 100% authentically you. Go as over the top as you want, or be as subtle as you want. It’s your big day and you should embrace every second of it – whether traditional or not.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you a few ideas to get started on planning your wedding, and given you some gay wedding reception ideas. Sexuality is a huge part of who you are, and likely for some of your life, you may have suppressed it – I did until I was in my 20’s! So now you’ve found your soulmate, celebrate with pride for all the world to see. Love is a beautiful thing and love is love, whatever your gender is.

Have you had a LGBTQ+ wedding, or are you currently planning one? I would love to know some of your ideas, or if you end up using one of our ideas on your big day. Please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below – you may be helping out future bride/grooms.

Read more about Wedding Shower Host Gift Ideas

Wedding Shower Host Gift Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at wedding shower host gift ideas and the etiquette that you may expect to follow if hosting, or attending a bridal shower.

Whether the person hosting your wedding shower is yourself, or another member of the wedding party, you have no doubt put in a lot of time and effort into being a part of the upcoming big day. You care about the bride deeply and want to make her day as special as possible.

As the bride, you’re probably looking for the perfect way to thank your wedding shower hostess for all of her love and dedication. Well, look no further!

Bridal Showers Host Gift Ideas

The gift for your host will be subject to their likes, of course. But here’s a few generic ideas that you may like to consider as a token of your gratitude. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for something more extravagant – we’ve got you covered!

A Letter

This is really to go alongside a small gift of choice, but I think a handwritten letter of thanks is the perfect sentimental touch to your host. She has likely been working hard on planning your shower and this will be something she can treasure forever.

Personalized Alcohol

“A Toast to the Host” or “The Hostess with the Mostest” are great phrases to personalize the bottle with, alongside their name. Depending on your budget, you can get labels for around $5 which you stick on yourself, or have the personalization done for you.

Pamper Hamper

Give your host the chance to unwind after all of her hard work. A face mask, a bath bomb, bubble bath, soap, a candle – whether you’re on a budget or have more money set aside, this is the perfect gift. It can be made as expensive, or as extravagant as you wish. But is also super easy to do on a budget!

Personalized Notebook

Your hostess is probably someone that likes to keep on top of things. And also enjoys being organized. A planner or a notebook with her name on would likely go down a treat!

Sweet Treats

If your host has a sweet tooth, why not gift her a giant thank you cookie or a basket of her favorite candies. I’m sure she will appreciate the energy boost too!

Jewellery

From wish bracelets which start at a few dollars, a pair of earrings to wear on your big day, or something more luxurious. She does deserve to be spoilt, so why not treat your hostess to a piece of jewellery she can treasure forever.

These are just a few suggestions – you can buy her absolutely anything. Just try to bear your host’s interests in mind and get her something memorable. For more gift ideas, Amazon have a great selection.

Hostess Wedding Shower Gift Etiquette

Please don’t show up empty-handed to your shower. Your hostess deserves a small token of thanks for everything she is doing for you. While there is no etiquette as to what that gift is, or what the budget should be, it would be considered rude to arrive with no gift.

Wedding Etiquette Bridal Shower

There is no right or wrong way to throw a bridal shower, please keep that in mind. But let’s cover the basic questions of when, who, and what happens.

When Should it Take Place?

It can be anytime from a few weeks before the wedding, or as far as six months before the wedding. I would aim for 4-8 weeks before the big day. It will be a great way to build the excitement, with the wedding just around the corner. Be sure to check with the bride which day (and time) works for her – it wouldn’t be a bridal shower without the most important guest!

Who Should Pay?

Usually, the bridal party. Maid of honor, bridesmaids, close female relatives – it can be anyone that is happy to donate to making the bridal shower as special as possible.

Who Should I Invite?

Only invite guests that are invited to the wedding itself, otherwise it can become quite awkward! Depending on the size of your shower, will all depend on how many guests you can invite, it’s usually a small, intimate gathering. If the shower isn’t a surprise, the bride can even help you choose which guests she would like to attend.

What Happens at the Shower?

The most important thing that should be happening is – a good time! Guests can have a drink and eat food in a relaxed setting with the future bride. Plan some games and activities and make sure everyone is getting involved. There are a plethora of fun ideas on sites like Etsy and eBay, which are super affordable too.

And the main reason for the shower – watching the bride open the gifts bought for her. If the bride is particularly anxious about opening gifts in front of everybody (definitely me!), perhaps tell guests to give their gifts individually when chatting to the bride throughout the shower. That way it won’t be quite as overwhelming.

If you want to incorporate the groom into your shower, have him arrive towards the end of the shower and have a celebratory drink with the bride and other guests. This is always a sweet touch to add.

Conclusion

I hope this post has helped you come up with some great wedding shower host gift ideas and that your host feels as special as s(he) deserves! The host is no doubt one of your nearest and dearest, and likely already knows how grateful you are for their help, but a small gift can go a long way!

What did you give your bridal shower host as a token of thanks? I would love to know your responses, so please feel free to leave them in the comments below. You may even end up helping out another bride with her host!

What Do You Wear To A Barn Wedding?

Today, we’re going to be answering the questions: what do you wear to a barn wedding and what do you wear to a farm wedding? Whether you’re a female or male guest, we’ve got you covered! The invite has just arrived through your letterbox and you can see you’ve been invited to a barn wedding. Let’s take a look at what you should wear to a barn wedding dresses for guests…and suits, of course!

What to Wear to a Barn Wedding?

There’s a few points to consider before you decide on your outfit for the big day. Let’s take a look at some deciding factors.

What’s the Theme?

Now we know it’s a barn wedding – but there’s actually a few types of barn wedding it could be! The first thing to take note of: is there a dress code? Check your invite. Sometimes they do specify a specific color or style they would like you to dress in.

Is it a casual wedding? One that is romantic, yet breezy. Ask the bridal party/groomsmen if you’re not sure. If the answer is yes, wear something light and easy. Something flowy and chic is perfect for this style of wedding. For the male guests, ditch the blazer and just wear a waistcoat and tie. If you can opt for light colors such as beige and light brown (definitely not white!).

Is the wedding more formal? Some couples do opt for a formal barn wedding. If this is the case, a full suit and smart dresses may be the best option. The same colors will still work well, but you don’t want to be turning up to a formal wedding in a boho flowy dress!

Which Length Should I Wear?

If you’re a female guest, you may be wondering which length of dress to go for. The more casual the wedding, the more freedom you have on this. Usually, formal weddings prefer guests to wear long dresses. But if the wedding is casual and you want to wear a maxi dress – go for it! There’s plenty of casual maxi dresses out there that would work well at a wedding.

Colors and Fabrics

We’ve taken a look at colors, so let’s recap. Unless the invite states otherwise, it’s best to go for light colors. Whether you’re sticking to the browns and beiges to match the theme of the wedding, or going for bright, bold colors – try to avoid dark colors. Barn weddings are, more often than not, light-hearted and not too serious. If that’s the case, you don’t want to turn up in all black, without a splash of color in sight!

As for fabrics, something light like lace and chiffon works really well. Softer fabrics and subtle prints are the perfect idea for barn weddings. Materials like sequins and satin will usually look silly at barn weddings – you’ll likely stick out…for all the wrong reasons!

Footwear

Barn weddings usually come with a lot of one thing…mud. Now, I’m not suggesting turning up to the wedding in wellington boots! (Although some brides do opt for wellies to stop the dreaded sinking into mud). But wedges or boots would be the footwear I’d suggest. Even flats if they don’t look too casual.

Unfortunately for men, you’re just going to have to embrace the idea of your best shoes getting muddy!

If you’re really missing wearing a killer heel, take them with you and leave them in the car. Change into them once the ceremony is over and you’ll still get to show them off. Personally, I like to avoid heels at all costs, so a barn wedding is perfect for my uncoordinated feet!

Accessories

Barn weddings are often fun and not to be taken too seriously. If this is the case, you can add some cute accessories to your outfit; especially if you’re a male guest. Men often wear suspenders and bow ties to add a bit of fun to their outfits. If this is something you’re comfortable with, go for it!

If you’re a female guest, any outfit with ruffles on is super cute for a barn wedding. A headband is also a great addition to a barn wedding outfit. If you’re feeling really bold, opt for some cowboy boots – you’ll really be embracing the theme then!

What to Avoid

We’re assuming the wedding is a relaxed barn wedding. If that’s the case, the less glamorous the better! Ditch the glitz and glam. Embrace the farmhouse vibe. Come to terms with the fact that you’re likely going to end up with mud in questionable places and get down and dirty!

Sequins, cocktail dresses, floor-length dresses, tuxedos – avoid them all. Despite what’s ingrained into your mind when it comes to traditional weddings, barn weddings just aren’t quite as serious!

Where to Buy Clothes

Most clothing stores will have attire suitable for a barn wedding, especially a casual one. In fact, you may even have something in your closet already that would work. Sites like ASOS are a good place to start. They have thousands of outfits available – casual and formal.

Conclusion

The main point to take away from this article is to wear something effortless and breezy. You do not want to stick out for the wrong reasons at the wedding. If you’re unsure of the vibe of the barn wedding and the invite does not specify – ask! The couple won’t take offense and would prefer you to fit in with the other guests on their big day.

Have you attended a barn wedding before? What did you wear? I would love to know your responses, so please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

My sister had her wedding in a barn – unfortunately, it was formal so I didn’t get to embrace my nature-loving side. I will keep my fingers crossed for any future weddings I attend!

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Sending Mickey and Minnie A Wedding Invitation

Today, we’re going to be looking at sending Mickey and Minnie a wedding invitation. That’s right! You can invite the world-famous mice to your wedding. This is actually something I did for my own wedding, as I thought it would be a perfect keepsake. They may not attend your wedding, but you often get a reply!

If you’re a Disney crazy fan like myself, I highly recommend sending a few invites out to your favorite characters. They all have individual addresses, which we’ll be taking a look at later.

Where to Send Mickey and Minnie a Wedding Invite?

Of course, Mickey and Minnie have their own address – in fact, they have two! I did send an SAE (self-addressed envelope) with my invite, but Disney covered the postage themselves. My wedding was over 5 years ago now and things are always subject to change. Perhaps send a SAE with your invite, just in case!

The addresses to send your wedding invites to are:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Mickey and Minnie Mouse
The Magic Kingdom
1675 N Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

What Do They Send Back?

At the time of writing this, certificates and pin badges are a thing of the past! They used to send “just married” pins but that is no longer the case. Now you’ll receive a Happily Ever After postcard, with signatures and well wishes from Mickey and Minnie. I have seen a few people receive certificates but more than likely, the response will be a cute acknowledgment postcard from the pair.

How Long Until I Hear Back?

The response time will depend on where you are in the world, and the time of year you send it. I’m from the UK, sent my invite in May, and received a response in about 4 weeks. If you’re sending in the busier months (i.e. July and August), the wait time may increase.

In general, the average wait time seems to be around four to six weeks. Bear in mind, that this is the average response time for the US. However, I had a similar response time across the pond!

Will You Always Get a Response?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a response. Usually, they will reply but bear in mind how many letters and invites they must receive on a daily basis! It’s important to note that items may get lost in the mail too. If you want to be sure your invite gets there, it may be best to send it at a safer level of postage so you can track it through the system.

Are There Any Other Characters Who Reply?

Yes! That’s right, it’s not just Mickey and Minnie who reply to their wedding invitations. Let’s take a look at some other characters who may respond to your invites!

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Another popular wedding favorite is Cinderella and Prince Charming. Their response time is similar to Mickey and Minnie. The only difference is with this pair, you receive a congratulatory certificate.

The certificate is beautiful and a perfect keepsake to commemorate your wedding. However, I sent my invite to Cinderella and Prince Charming at the same time as my Mickey and Minnie wedding invitation and did not receive a response.

I was quite upset by this, but it just proves that there is no guarantee of a response!

If you’d like to try sending an invite to Cinderella and Prince Charming, their address is:

Cinderella and Prince Charming
P.O. Box 1000
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

Disney Princesses

If you’re a big fan of Disney princesses in general or have a particular favorite, send them an invite. Much like Mickey and Minnie, they are known for sending back a postcard with a whole bunch of signatures on! The postcard includes Jasmine, Ariel, Tiana, Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Rapunzel. The princesses are subject to change, and hopefully, they include Anna and Elsa too.

The general addresses to send invites to Disney (just remember to add who your invite is intended for) are:

(Insert Guest Here)
Walt Disney World Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

(Insert Guest Here)
Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

If you have a favorite character that didn’t make the list, they’ve been known to send back a 10×8 dedicated photo to you and your partner! I didn’t do this myself, but there have been lots of positive stories about getting a response this way. I wish I had sent an invite to some of my favorite Disney villains. I’m a lover of Mickey and Minnie – but I’m a villain at heart!

Just change the guest name to whoever your invite is intended for. If you’re sending to a lesser-known character, include a SAE so it’s quick and easy for them to send a response back.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with sending Mickey and Minnie a wedding invitation. It’s not just Disney characters who respond either – the Queen, the President; try them all!

You can find a list of addresses here. I sent an invite to Barack Obama and the Queen – I only received a response back from Buckingham Palace with her apologies for being unable to attend. Maybe you only receive a response from the Queen if you’re British, and the President if you’re American?

Have you sent an invite to Mickey and Minnie recently? I would love to see any responses you received. Or if you’re now looking at sending invites out to your Disney favorites because of this article, please let me know if they reply. Would love to see their replies in the comments below. It would be great to update this post with any new information for future bride/grooms too!

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Wedding Dresses From China

Today, we’re going to be looking at wedding dresses from China. If you’ve been planning your wedding for a while, you will have no doubt already seen a Chinese wedding dress or two on your news feed. They’re extremely popular and almost seem too good to be true. I’ve always been taught that if something’s too good to be true – it usually is. Let’s find out if that’s the case with China bridal wear.

Are Wholesale Wedding Dresses from China Legit?

Wholesale wedding dresses from China are no doubt appealing for a range of reasons. However, if you’re looking for a designer dress, this is likely not the option for you. Many will claim that they’re designer, when in fact, they’re just copycat designs. Some of them may look genuine, some may even feel genuine – but you will be getting what you pay for.

Pros of Wedding Dresses from China

Let’s take a look at why you might want to order a wedding from China, and some reasons why this may be a good option for you.

Price. If you’re on a tight budget and just can’t afford the hundreds (or thousands) of pounds it costs for a designer gown, this is a great alternative. No, it won’t be as luxurious – but you’ll likely still look gorgeous.
Speed. Wedding dresses from boutiques can take months to come into store and if you’re needing a gown quickly, you may not have the time. Dresses from China can reach you relatively quickly, so they’re perfect if you need a dress urgently.
Try Before You Buy. This is something I did with veils before I got married. I wasn’t sure whether I even wanted one, so I ordered several from China at a ridiculously cheap price. That way I could enjoy them from the comfort of my home, in the time that I wanted. It’s the same with dresses! If you want to trial a certain style of dress for a few hours to see how it feels, or how it works with accessories you may have – it’s the perfect idea. Especially as you can pick some dresses up for next to nothing!
Ease. Some brides hate shopping. Some brides may not particularly care too much about how their dress looks. If this sounds like you, a wedding dress from China would be perfect. No need to stand in a boutique for hours on end, it can be done super quickly with a browse on the internet.

Cons of Wedding Dresses from China

I’ll be honest, the cons do outweigh the pros for these dresses. So let’s take a look at some of the most important cons.

Fabric. The fabric in China wedding dresses will not be as good as the ones you’ll find in wedding dress stores if you live in the US/UK. That’s not to say that some gowns are made with good fabric – but they are very sparse. If how your dress feels is important to you, a dress from China may not be right for you.
Perfection. A lot of brides strive for perfection on their wedding day, and why shouldn’t you? The day is all about you and your partner, and you probably won’t have another one. However, wedding dresses from China will not be perfect. If that’s not something you’ll be able to manage, it’s best to stick to your local wedding boutique!
Construction. The time and effort that goes into a wholesale wedding dress from China, in comparison to those you see beautifully displayed in a shop window is vast. Not only do they use less fabric in these dresses, but it’s also cheaper too. This may not be the look you’re after on your wedding day.
Details. If you’re looking for a complete dress, this may not be the right fit. Many dresses come without boning or slips. All these small details help to define your figure – it’s more important than you might think!

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False Advertising

Some adverts that you’ll see will show designer dresses at ridiculously cheap prices. While we can’t exactly call this a “scam”, you will not get what you see in the photo. It will be a similar design, but it will not be designer. It will not be made with the same fabrics, and will not be the same quality. The price of your dress will definitely reflect in the quality you receive – so please bear that in mind.

Buying a Dress

If you’re still set on buying a dress from China, here’s a few things important things to consider before you make your purchase.

Your dress will likely be delivered in a sealed packet, and will arrive not looking it’s best! It will need cleaning and steaming. If you have a steamer yourself, that’s ideal – but will likely take you a while to do. Ask at your local dry cleaners if this is something they’d be willing to do for you.
Alterations are very important. Your dress likely won’t arrive and fit you perfectly. Before you order your dress, find someone who is happy to make the alterations for you.

Online stores like DHGate have thousands of dresses for you to have a look at if you’re thinking of making a purchase. It comes with feedback on each individual dress and has a long-range of filters to help whittle your options down to your dream dress.

Conclusion

Whether a wedding dress from China is suitable for you, is all down to the kind of budget you have and the vibe of your wedding. While a wholesale Chinese gown may be suitable for one bride, it may not be for another – but we could say that about almost every wedding dress!

Did you order your wedding dress from China? How did it look? If so, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to see hear your experiences – positive or negative. Sharing is caring!

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