Planning: 5 Tips for an Unforgettable Outdoor Wedding

5 Outdoor Wedding Tips

By: Amy Darwish

Planning a summer wedding? Outdoor events are all the rage this season! Brides are looking for a way to host an outdoor affair where the guests are enchanted by the details and not turned off by the bugs or weather. Whether you are having a beach wedding, a wedding in a garden setting, or even a fall fete, we've got the tips you need to make your outdoor wedding memorable for the best possible reasons! Be sure to:

via Instagram

1. Remember The Weather: Check the weather reports leading up to your wedding. If it's been a rainy season and you suspect your big day will be a wet one, there are ways to save your wedding from being drowned out. You can consider renting a party tent. Tents come in a range of styles, sizes, and colors and can even be completely transparent to maintain the outdoor feel you desire. Another option is to order umbrellas for your guests. These favors can double as gifts for your guests and they will surely make for some fun wedding photos!

2. Help Guests Dress For The Day: Keep your guests informed about the best ways for them to enjoy your wedding day. If your wedding will take place in a grassy garden, you may want to let your ladies know to leave their stilettos at home. You can post updates via your wedding website, or have close friends and family spread the word! As well, you can provide flip flops for your guests in case they need alternative footwear. You can also provide shawls or scarves for guests if you expect there to be an evening breeze.

     

Tabletop Citronella Torch via Lowes.com

3. Beware of Bugs: Having your outdoor wedding in the summertime? If so, chances are you may encounter some uninvited guests. A great way to keep bugs at bay is to put citronella torches all around the property. Not only do they help repel bugs, but the torches can add decor & ambiance to your celebration. In addition to torches that get planted into the ground, there are tabletop torches which can be incorporated into centerpieces help keep bugs away from your guests during dinner. You can also provide cans of bug spay for your guests. Either put the cans in the bathrooms or on a designated table outside along with some allergy medication.


4. Keep Your Guests Hydrated: Provide cold water for your guests throughout the celebration. You can add a special touch to the water by adding blueberries, orange slices, or cucumber for a refreshing look & taste!  You can either have glasses of water passed out by waiters or you can have a flavored water station, so your guests can grab drinks for themselves. If your wedding is an informal affair, you can even decorate coolers and have bottled water available.


5. Light The Way: When scouting your outdoor wedding location, remember to consider lighting. If there are no outlets in the area, you have a few other options. You can rent a generator to provide electricity for the event and put up string lighting or place lamps around the area. You can also use torches and candles for a more romantic feel. No matter what you choose, make sure your guests aren't left in the dark!


For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates!

Fashion: Suit Yourself - A Formal(wear) Education

     

A Groom's Guide to Getting Suited Up For The Big Day! 

By Patricia Canole

When it comes to things to do before the big day, finding the right formal menswear may not be at the top of your groom's list. In fact, he may not know how to get started when it comes to choosing formalwear. But it’s not difficult. In fact, For the Bride recently met with David Mutter, co-President and CEO of Beau Ties Ltd., who shared some savvy advice for looking great!

For The Bride: Where should a groom start with his wedding attire?

Image courtesy of Beau Ties

David Mutter: The groom’s attire is defined first and foremost by the level of formality he and his bride prefer. However, assuming that the groom and his men are going to be dressing formally, there are some basic rules of thumb that will help them choose their attire. The first is simple: If the wedding ceremony starts before noon, and the reception will be over before dark, the groom should wear a morning suit rather than a tuxedo. If the wedding is in the afternoon or evening, then a tuxedo—is an appropriate choice. Second rule of thumb: It’s not a tuxedo if it’s not black or midnight blue.

FTB: What about outfitting the groom and his groomsmen?

DM: The nice thing about a tuxedo is that it is designed to make a man look good. That nice white “V” that is created when a tux jacket is buttoned over a sharp white shirt makes shoulders look broad and waists narrow. There are variations, however, that will help grooms of different shapes and sizes choose the jacket that is best for them. Generally, a single-breasted style, with a single button is a good choice. Peaked and notch lapels on the jacket will tend to accentuate the horizontal, and may not be good choices for heavier men. Nor are they ideal for very athletic men, whose shoulders and chests tend to be bigger than their waists and/hips already, and need not be accentuated. The Shawl collar is a more rounded lapel that rolls back in a continuous tapering line, and lends a more vertical line to the fellow wearing it.

What’s most important, regardless of the exact style, is how well it fits. The jacket should lie smoothly on its wearer without pulling across his back, or stretching across his front—both of which indicate that the jacket is too tight. Nor should there be vertical creases down his back or under the arms—a sure clue that the jacket is too loose. The bottom of the jacket should be parallel with a man’s thumbs when his arms are hanging naturally at his side. Not only does a good tuxedo that fits well look good—it will make every groom feel his best. So taking time to choose the right tuxedo will make all the difference.

FTB: Should accessories match or compliment the bride/bridesmaids?

Image courtesy of Beau Ties

DM: Typical accessories for a tuxedo include a white shirt, a vest or a cummerbund, a bow tie and braces. A proper tuxedo shirt will also require studs and cuff links. Chances are that the bride has a color scheme in mind for the wedding – affecting everything from her choice of bridesmaids dresses to flowers and table linens. So while a man’s tie and vest need not match other fabrics, there is no doubt that choosing complimentary colors is important.

FTB: What are some popular ways to customize a groom’s attire?

DM: Once a bride and groom are in sync regarding colors, a groom may certainly choose what shape and size bow tie he prefers; and whether or not to add a pocket square to his outfit. He can certainly have a little fun with his cuff links and—depending on the overall level of ultimate formality—take some liberties with his braces (suspenders) and socks. The bottom line is simple. When it comes to choosing a tuxedo and accessories, a groom should make the most of the pleasure of dressing formally, and feeling comfortable at his wedding.



For more formal menswear & fashion tips for the groom, visit ForTheBrideMag.com 
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates! See Also: Our Groom's Fashion board on Pinterest!

Celebrity News: Jessica Simpson's Bachelorette Party!

Jessica Simpson's Co-ed Bachelorette Bash!

By: Amy Darwish

GREG TIDWELL/ PACIFIC COAST NEWS

Good girl Jessica Simpson opted for a fun night with her closest family and friends for her bachelorette party. She and fiancé Eric Johnson share their group of friends and agreed they would have more fun all together than apart. (Awww!) The combined bachelor - bachelorette party included "fun toasts and dinner and dancing," according to one friend in attendance.

The co-ed party did not, however, include any of the tacky x-rated items notoriously associated with bachelorette parties. "It wasn't about being naughty," one friend shared. "They just wanted a great night out with friends and family."

The party may not have been a wild time, but it was still a fun filled night for all. The couple and their guests had a wonderful time celebrating together. Jessica was seen being escorted to and from the rooftop of the Eveleigh restaurant in L.A, where their dinner was held. She wore her hair down and wavy, with simple makeup for the night. She showed off her legs in a little black dress featuring a deep-v illusion neckline. After dinner and drinks, the party moved on to Warwick nightclub, where they all danced the night away. 
Jessica & Eric set their wedding for the July fourth holiday weekend.

We love the idea of a co-ed bash. Would you want a traditional bachelorette party or a co-ed party like Jessica Simpson's? Let us know in the comments!


For more celebrity news and wedding trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates!

Wedding Etiquette: 10 Invitation DOs and DON'Ts

Invitation Wedding Etiquette 

The first impression guests get of your wedding day is when they open up the envelopes and get a peek at your invitations. Not only do the invites set the tone and feel of the day to come, but it also lets guests know if your affair will be casual or formal. It's important to project the proper feeling to your guests and the first step to doing that is using proper wedding etiquette.

We've got 10 tips to help get your invites right:

Do:

Invitation by East Six 

1. Send a separate invite to anyone over the age of 18. You may consider your little cousin a kid but if they are over 18 (even if they live with their parents) they are in fact an adult. This means they earn the right of having their own invitation, addressed solely to them.

2. Allow guests for single friends. All adults should receive a plus one, regardless of whether they are not dating someone, living with someone or otherwise. This is a courtesy that should not be overlooked, even if you have budget concerns. If you do not have the room or spending flexibility for additional guests, consider cutting elsewhere.

3. Use formal titles & full names on the outer envelope.  You might not go around calling your newly married friends Mr. and Mrs. or your brother Dr. Michael Smith, but the fact is those are their formal titles and when it comes to formal events, their invitations should reflect the titles they have earned.

4. Include as much information as possible. The more information you provide your guests with, the less questions you will be receiving in the weeks and days before your wedding. Including info such as hotel blocks, directions, and any other necessary info will keep your guests knowledgable and happy.

5. Get creative. This is your chance to give your guests a preview of your wedding. Show them personal style by designing your invitations to include a touch of your wedding decor. Incorporate your wedding colors, monograms and fonts that will be present on the big day, to give them a glimpse of what to expect.

Invitation by Papeterie

Don't:

6. Have an A and B list. Not only is it in poor taste to categorize your friends and family by putting them on a priority and non-priority list, but this system can create chaos when managing your guest list. Waiting on replies to send out additional invitations can be confusing and the delay in receiving invitations may offend some who realize they are on your B list. Instead, create one list with as many guests as you can afford and if there are people you wish to invite still not on the list, then consider these other ways to cut wedding costs, so you can invite them.

7. List registries on wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are not a time to ask for gifts, it is strictly for inviting friends and family to your event. Instead, have your close family and friends spread the word to guests who inquire. If you are having a bridal shower this is the place where can include your registry information. Or, you can create a wedding website to also share this information.

8. Forget to put stamps on the RSVP envelopes. The response of guests is required by you and therefore the expense of the replies becomes the responsibility of the bride and groom. Make sure you include a stamp already affixed to the RSVP envelope before closing up your outer envelopes. Also, be sure to have your return address printed on it so guests do not have to scramble to find your address which may delay their reply.

9. Don't forget to send out Save-The-Date cards. If you want to give your guests extra time to plan to attend your wedding you will want to send out save-the-dates at least 3 to 4 months in advance. If you are having a destination wedding or getting married on a holiday weekend, you will want to give guests 6-8 months notice prior. All of your guests will appreciate the extra time to plan and it will increase the number of guests likely to attend your event.

10. Get overwhelmed. Invites should go out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, so give yourself plenty of time for ordering and organizing. You will need time to address, compile, and stamp everything before putting them in the mail. Also, make sure to set your RSVP deadline at least 2 weeks in advance of the wedding or according to any timelines your caterer gives you for ordering food.

For more wedding etiquette and bridal trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates!