Tag Archives: Tampa FL

Multicultural Fall Celebrations

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Rich fall colors offer the perfect palette to blend traditional East Indian wedding traditions with Western wedding traditions. I love deep colors and, they’re perfect for middle-of-fall weddings! Think of dark red, cinnamon, gold, and every shade of orange imaginable. Even adding hot pink in the mix still offers up a rich palette, deeply rooted in earth tones. These colors (specifically gold and red) are part of traditional East Indian wedding celebrations. And where is autumn and all its bounty more celebrated than in North America? As more and more couples blend different faiths and traditions when they marry, fall’s beautiful colors provide the perfect backdrop for a multicultural wedding.

Flowers, a significant part of almost all weddings, are a great way to play up both fall and Indian tones throughout your wedding. Give all your maids a single-toned bouquet, ranging from deepest to lightest. This works great with saris and bridesmaid dresses! If you are having a Western ceremony, consider incorporating traditional Indian flower leis or garlands of flowers at the altar. As for glamming up your girls, consider henna even if you are not hosting a Mehndi party before the wedding. Beautiful henna patterns look gorgeous for fall. Mehndi parties are traditionally held the night before Indian weddings, however, the bride and her maids often have their henna applied days in advance so that the art can dry without movement – a necessity for perfect application.

Even if you aren’t blending cultures and just love the East Indian style, fall is the perfect time for a jewel-toned palette. The lovely silhouettes of brass lanterns, colorful fabrics, and strong gold accents are lovely for any fall wedding.

Photo credits:
1) Ian Lozada Photography
2) Heather Parker Photography
3) Gavin Farrington Photography
4) Enchanted Dream Weddings & Affairs
5) Hostess With the Mostess
6) Enchanted Dream Weddings & Affairs

Wedding Ceremonies: The Great Outdoors

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When the weather turns nice, ceremonies head outdoors!

Let’s face it: Few of us live in climates where it’s pleasant to be in full, formal dress at 5 o’clock in the evening in the middle of July. Heat, moisture, and mosquitoes plague the prettiest times of night – the magical time that photographers refer to as the “gloaming” hour. When I see photos of ceremonies set in lonely fields with the light from a thousand lanterns illuminating the dusk, all I can think is, “How many bugs are biting those guests?” But as fall arrives and drives back the heat, the moisture recedes and the insects stay away. Then all the gorgeous outside options become more than possible – they become pleasant!

I love using natural settings for inspiration. Here in Florida we are surrounded by palm trees. Find the biggest cluster of palm trees and get married in front of them! Their height adds a regal touch to even the most casual affair.

Four-post canopies, often called chuppahs, are so beautiful. Why not make them even more special by creating a ceremony in the round? Position the chuppah in the center and create four seating areas with aisles separating each section. Bridemaids can walk down one aisle, groomsmen down another, family down the third, and the bride gets her own. Talk about showstopping!

Outside ceremonies are a great time to re-think the same old items. Place a new slant on lanterns by hanging them above your guests instead of over the altar. Bring church pews outside; put them on the lawn or in the sand for a fresh look. Bringing indoor items outside is a hot wedding trend right now; try book shelves or a mantle for a chic altar in the grass.

Now that it’s cooler outside have fun with your outdoor ceremonies. Guests will want to arrive early and linger as twilight fades. Get creative and make your wedding worth their while!

Halloween is for Weddings!

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Halloween is one of those fun holidays whose inherent glamour is completely underappreciated in the wedding world. I love when brides come to me and say they are getting married on Halloween; I’m continuously disappointed when they do not embrace the holiday as part of their day! So consider me standing on my soapbox: People it is time to start making Halloween part of your wedding plans! Here are three degrees of Halloween commitment.

First Degree: How about a Halloween bridal-party mixer?

Bridesmaids and groomsmen often meet for the first time at the wedding as brides and groom are increasingly marrying later in life. Consider a fun costume party where members of the wedding party meet, get to know each other, and build friendships. It’s a great excuse for a party and a great opportunity to get tux and bridesmaid measurements and hand out wedding-party information packets. Have everyone wear a costume (Bridezilla, anyone?) and give out prizes for best costume. Offer fun adult beverages and some munchies to round out the evening. For a low-maintenance party you can organize a costumed trick-or-treat pub crawl. (Just be sure to call the bars first to make sure they participate in this pastime!)

Second Degree: A Costumed Jack and Jill Party!

For those of you who don’t know, a Jack and Jill Party is a co-ed bridal shower. Guys and girls bring gifts and come for a great party, usually in the evening. Food and alcohol is provided and often such entertainment as a DJ is, too. A theme is a great way to break the ice, and what’s more fun than costumes and candy? Since it’s not your wedding why not have a scary theme? The sky’s the limit – just make sure there’s lots of candy!

Third Degree – Burning-Hot Halloween Nuptials!

Now I know this scares many of you, but let’s start easy. Your Halloween roles are bride and groom. You need no other costumes, but you could always change into one at the reception. For your wedding party think gorgeous: Gone with the Wind or Marie Antoinette, where girls wear beautiful gowns and the guys are soldiers in antique uniforms or wear vintage menswear and top hats. Instruct your guests to go with formal costumes: No one has to be scary or gross if that’s not your thing. Décor can match your theme or simply be fun for fall! Bands are crowd pleasers and love to get in on the holiday excitement, too. Lastly – candy, candy, candy! Go big or go home with beautiful displays, a great cake, and fun favors. The possibilities are endless.

Planning a Fall Wedding? Think Burlap

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Fall wedding décor is tricky unless you already have your heart set on pumpkins and autumn leaves. Finding a balance between rustic and elegant during these months can be difficult. That’s why I love burlap! Its thick, heavy weight creates a gorgeous lift and movement that is both rough and glamorous. Put aside memories of the horribly itchy weave of your childhood; the new burlap is soft and supple. Now commonly a poly-blend, burlap comes in a wide variety of colors including gray, indigo, and the traditional beige.

Some of you may know that burlap makes a great tablecloth overlay. You can keep your event design classic by pairing beige burlap with white fabric. Or you can get wild and mix beige with colors. It looks amazing with eggplant, which is still one of the most enduring wedding color trends. Burlap is also fabulous as a runner or a chair sash. Gray is one of my personal favorites – burlap’s rustic texture pairs so well such a modern, clean color. Lace is emerging as a popular, sweet counterpart to burlap’s rough texture; I personally like pairing beige burlap and white lace.

For a more subtle touch try using burlap in your wedding invitations and day-of stationery. Along with a natural cotton paper, burlap’s texture is great for backing cards or borders. You can also try using burlap for favor bags, welcome-gift sacks, pennant flags, creative lettering, or wrapped around a cake stand for a rustic touch. It even makes great chandeliers!

Burlap strikes just the right note for fall, rustic yet chic.

(Photos Courtesy of Justin Demutiis Photography and Left Coast Photography)