All posts by Weddzilla

Lauren and Jon Rothermel’s Glorious Autumn Wedding

www.robholley.net_Rothermel_795

Married at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Rockville, Virginia, Lauren and Jon couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day for their autumn wedding.

autumn wedding

With a classic beaded sweetheart décolletage, large flower details at the hip and an A-line skirt, Lauren’s choice of dress was wonderfully proportionate to her slender figure. The figure hugging design of the waist and the large ruffles in the skirt adding a little volume gave her a stunning silhouette. Particularly well suited for a church wedding, the long veil and train was an elegant touch.

wedding dress

wedding dress ideas

Arm in arm with both her father and stepfather, Lauren’s walk down was truly touching to witness.

wedding ideas

church wedding ceremony

ring exchange

church wedding ceremony

wedding ceremony ideas

Once vows were repeated, rings given and all nuptial exchanges sealed with a passionate kiss, the couple and their guests moved on to the Hilton for a glass of champagne, a sit-down meal and an evening of live music.

wedding reception

wedding reception ideas

Following some emotional speeches, Lauren and Jon glowingly led the dancing with a romantic first dance song ‘Lucky’ by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.

sweetheart table ideas

wedding first dance

wedding dance

cake topper ideas

wedding cake

With the sun shining and the beautiful autumn leaves the perfect backdrop, the couple thoroughly enjoyed the best of both their indoor and outdoor photo opportunities.

bridesmaids dresses

autumn outdoor wedding photos

wedding photos

wedding photo inspiration

Author Bio:

Fiona Warren-Bassett is a Weddzilla writer with over 7 years experience organising destination weddings.

 

Sexy Honeymoon Destinations: Where Would You Choose?

honeymoon destinations

 Image courtesy of http://www.privateluxuryjourneys.com

Set fire to the spark in your relationship with a honeymoon to one of the world’s sexiest honeymoon destinations. It would be hard not to be in love amid private beaches, five-star cuisine and spas engulfed in some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic natural surroundings.

Santorini

Located in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini is a small Greek island with coastal cities that build up into the cliffs of the mountainous shore line. Old, white, rounded architecture decorated with domed blue roofs and crosses presents an old-world Mediterranean village attitude in the island’s cities. There are beautiful views from any location in the city. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets are part of what make Santorini such a romantic place. Enjoy local vino at one of the many wineries in the island rural areas and try one of the area’s most famed exports, sweet Santorini tomatoes. Mystique is the most romantic hotel on the island. Located in the northern town of Oia, Mystique offers two villas and 16 cliff-side suites. Enjoy the luxuries of fine dining and a resort-style spa with an inclusive attitude.

honeymoon destination ideas

Paris

Paris is considered the most romantic city in the world, and is often referred to as the city of love. Art galleries, gourmet cuisine, world-class wine, and designer boutiques rule the French city and give it a “sexy” factor. If you want to book the best bed in town, reserve a room at the ultra-chic One by the Five where the bed (and most of the furniture) float off of the ground. For a great cocktail, why not try La Conserverie, a local favorite known for its uniquely crafted drinks. The Curio Parlor is a speakeasy-style lounge perfect for couples who want to go out but share an intimate experience.

best honeymoon destinations

Maldives

Maldives is a private island chain west of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. The Ocean House at Naladhu Maldives provides private suites that sit on the ocean through a chain of walkways. Some even offer private suites on the coast equipped with private infinity pools. Private suites and pools guarded by the natural lush environment. No wonder this is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations on the globe. Rangali and Dhoni Mighili offer some of the most luxurious experiences in the island chain. White sand beaches are completely isolated from the outside world. It’s common to see wild dolphins, manta rays and whale sharks swimming in the ocean near the resort suites. Naladhu is a short drive from over a dozen exotic sites. Glamour magazine says that visitors to the island are encouraged to meet with the island chief, Ahmed Didi, for a night of folkloric storytelling.

honeymoon island destinations

Krabi

Located in the southern leg of Thailand not far from Malaysia. Krabi is less popular than Samui and Phuket but is just as beautiful and more isolated. Although, Krabi isn’t far from main attractions like Andanman Bay, Phi Phi and Phuket. Railey Beach is one of the most romantic experiences in Thailand. The beach is only accessible by boat. The beach is surrounded by rainforest and engulfed by lush, green, rock cliffs that seem to tower out of the clear, turquoise lagoons. Raiei Beach Club creates a rustic experience. It offers traditional-style homes for rent amid the tropical jungle. Rayavadee is the most luxurious experience in the area with private bungalows, private beaches and five-star guest services and cuisine.

honeymoon ideas

Author Bio:

Linda has been a travel writer for several online and in-print journals for the past 15 years, she is also an advocate of Travelguard and their services.

Six Fantastic Ways To Throw A Luxury Wedding On A Budget

budget luxury wedding ideas

Image courtesy of http://www.lockwoodstudios.com

Want to pull off a luxury wedding? Afraid you’ll go broke? Think again!

You do not need to spend all your savings on your wedding to make it grand, elegant, and classy. If you need ideas, here is a list of creative cost-cutting ideas that will help you create the luxe wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

1. Negotiate

When visiting wedding vendors do not be afraid to haggle. In today’s times the wedding industry is very competitive and would agree to negotiate with you just to secure a booking. So go ahead, be bold and ask. If you want to book a hotel hall for your wedding reception, you can ask for a reduced rate on room accommodation. Who knows, you might even get a free room!

2. Book early

If there’s something that will help you save more than a few dollars, it’s booking early. If you book venues or things you will need months before the big day, you will have a better chance at getting great discounts. So, better book your wedding venue, reception hall, catering, florist, photographer, wedding band and others while it’s still early.

3. Opt for a cocktail party

Instead of going for the usual sit-down dinners, try having cocktails. Skipping dinner buffets can help you save up to 25% of your budget. Cocktail parties that feature hors d’oeuvres and food stations are extremely classy. Add additional touch of luxury  by having the wait staff wear white gloves and wrap a beautiful linen napkin around the bottle when serving bubbly or wine.

Budget wedding cocktail receptions

4. Second-hand dress

Wearing a second-hand dress on your wedding day isn’t something to be ashamed of. Whether it’s something your mother wore during her wedding day, or a vintage dress you’d love to walk the aisle into, recycled dresses can help you save money and is wonderful for sentimental reasons. If you’re having problems, here are a few tips to make your second-hand gown to work for you.

5. DIY

If you or someone close to you is willing to help create your dream wedding, grab the opportunity! If you or your husband is an artist, turn the artworks into decorations. For invitations, you can always opt for handmade ones. These invites can appear more intimate and personal. If someone in the family is a musician, ask them to serenade the guests as they enter the venue.

6. Destination weddings

Planning to tie the knot in an all-inclusive resort generally costs less because of the affordable, yet fabulous packages offered. With wedding destination packages, you also get to pay for everything upfront from the ceremony to the reception.  This prevents the chance of paying miscellaneous fees little by little. Destination weddings are also cheaper because you tend to have fewer guests. The downside is that some of your guests won’t be able to travel to your wedding

luxury wedding ideas

Author Bio:

Melissa Page is a professional writer based in San Diego, California. She loves everything about weddings and plans to make her fairytale wedding come true at Couples Resorts, Jamaica.


Wedding Footwear: High Heel Alternatives

Wedding flip flops

High heels can add height and shape to the legs, but are rarely comfortable.  If you plan on doing a lot of dancing at your wedding, or simply want to be comfortable for the duration of the event, you may want to consider the following wedding footwear alternatives.

Kitten Heels and Wedges

A short heel is a great option if want to give a little boost to your calves but don’t feel like standing in sky-high heels for hours on end. Alternatively, give yourself a bit more height but take the pressure of your feet with a pair of wedges.

short heel wedding shoe options

Donning a pair of wedding styled boots as opposed to shoes is definitely in and regardless of the height of the heel, a pair of stylish lacy tie-ups look particularly fabulous with a short wedding dress.

short heel wedding shoe alternatives

Sneakers

Julia Roberts showed us that wedding sneakers can be sexy too in the movie Runaway Bride, not that you are trying to make a speedy getaway. Not only are they comfortable but they are practical too and there are plenty of wedding styled sneakers out there just waiting to be part of someone’s special day.

Wedding sneaker ideas

Why not enjoy the best of both worlds by wearing heels for ceremony and changing into a pair of old trusty faithfuls for the evening disco dance. Go boho-chic with a pop of colour and have some fun with your photos.

wedding sneakers

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are the latest trend in wedding wear for country wedding theme, and usually have a very small heel.  If you choose a pair that has already been broken-in before the wedding, they will usually be quite comfortable.  You want to spend the night dancing and having fun, not worrying about a blister from uncomfortable shoes. Why not have your bridesmaids wear them too, they’ll surely thank you for sparing them a high heel!

wedding footwear ideas

wedding footwear

Flats

Flat shoes are the most practical choice for wedding footwear.  Canvas shoes, such as Tom’s or Van’s, protect the feet and offer breathable comfort during warmer months. Once upon a time, brides would hide this practical shoe choice, but they now often flaunt it with shorter wedding dresses and highly decorated shoes. For something a bit more formal, try a cute pair of ballerina flats.  Ballerina flats can also be customized with bows, flowers, or jewelry to spice them up a bit, and look great with shorter dresses.

Ballerina style wedding footwear

Sandals or Bare Feet

For casual, outdoor weddings, why not consider ditching the full shoe idea altogether.  Sandy and grassy locations are the perfect settings in which to go barefoot and when you do require a bit of foot protection, you can have some stylish beach footwear at the ready.  Choose from wedge flip-flops to elaborately decorated flat sandals to stay comfortable during your wedding; just remember to ensure the area is clear of any pointy objects like sticks or anything that could hurt you or your wedding party.

Sandal ideas for weddings

High heels are the typical choice for wedding footwear but that doesn’t mean that they are the right choice for you.  Flat shoes can be beautiful, comfortable, and wedding-appropriate.  By choosing short heels, flats, or no shoes at all, you can dance all night, entertain your guests, and enjoy your special day without enduring painful feet.

Beach wedding footwear inspiration

Images courtesy of http://www.sbridal.com 

Author Bio:

SimplyBridal’s wedding gowns has been featured in Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, and Rock n Roll Bride. Started in 2011, SimplyBridal is based in Los Angeles and now ships to parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.

 

Engagement Ring Buying Guide: What To Look For In Gemstones

engagement ring buying guide

Quality and price come hand in hand when it comes to engagement rings so it is worth knowing something about the 4 C’s of gemstones such as color, clarity, carat and cut before you make your purchase.

Color: The value of the stone is determined by its color and is considered more vital than its clarity. It is very hard to find a gem with good clarity and color. Medium or highly saturated dark tones are best.

Cut: Cut determines the look and shape of the gemstone. Some of the most popular cuts of gemstones are heart, cushion, princess, trillion, marquise, asscher, emerald, oval, pear and round.

gemstone buying guide

Image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com

Clarity: Gemstones which are transparent and do not have any inclusions are considered the best. Make sure your gem doesn’t contain any flaws while buying. Those inclusions can be seen with the naked eye. If there are many inclusions, they can even affect the durability or brilliancy of the stone.

Carat: Carat is the density of the gem. Price of stones increase as the carat rises. So, go for a small stone rather than a big one if you are looking to save some money.

Clarity: Gemstones which are transparent and do not have any inclusions are considered the best. Make sure your gem doesn’t contain any flaws while buying. Those inclusions can be seen with the naked eye. If there are many inclusions, they can even affect the durability or brilliancy of the stone.

Carat: Carat is the density of the gem. Price of stones increase as the carat rises. So, go for a small stone rather than a big one if you are looking to save some money.

 

Author Bio:

Scott Garcia is an experienced jeweler and a blogger. Find out what he has to say about buying jewelry on Jewelry TV.