Invite Designer – Creative Wedding Planning & Ideas

The second he pops the question, our minds automatically fill up with everything-wedding and all of a sudden we become these information junkies who need to get our newly-diamond-decorated little hands on any reading material we can related to weddings, whether magazines, planning books or even fiction that revolves around brides, weddings, etc, etc, etc.

I decided to save you a little bit of browsing/searching time (so you can spend it gloating to your single friends) and gather a list of the coolest and most amusing bride/wedding books out there.

Have a look!

The Funny Bride Guide is exactly what the title suggests—a funny guide for brides that includes all kinds of unique tips and tricks, all written with wit and humor to help keep things light during this otherwise potentially stressful time.

Anti-Bride Wedding Planner: Hip Tools for Getting Hitched is a dream for any bride-to-be who wants everything other than the typical wedding experience! A great read and super-helpful for the unconventional bride.

Anti-Bride Etiquette Guide: The Rules – And How to Bend Them goes hand-in-hand with the Anti-Bride Wedding Planner.

Anti-Bride Guide: Tying The Knot Outside of the Box is just as great as the two already mentioned above and offers the best in hip tips for brides who are looking for anything but a cookie-cutter wedding. The set of all 3 would make an AWESOME gift for any unconventional bride.

Autobiography of a Fat Bride won’t help you with your wedding plans or offer tips on invitations or dresses, but it will give you a chuckle as you read about the author facing the reality of her new ‘grown-up life’ after marriage.

Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides is one of the best guides to planning a non-traditional wedding on a budget. The book is all based on the authors experience and you can bet that all the tips and advice come from experience.

Tied in Knots: Funny Stories from the Wedding Day is a collection of true and hilarious wedding day mishaps.

Diary Of A Mad Bride is the funny story of a bride-to-be who becomes everything that she always vowed she wouldn’t; a crazy, neurotic, obsessive bridezilla. A great read for the girl who always said that she’d never get married, never wear a white dress and all that and now finds herself wanting all of those things and more.

Any one of these books is sure to offer some comic relief and even some helpful insight when it comes to your wedding planning and even your marriage. Stop, take the time to breathe and have a laugh.

I already had theme weddings on my mind when I got up this morning as it was to be my topic du jour, but in need of a new desk; I spent some time schmoozing the Ikea website and not only stumbled on my dream desk/table, but the inspiration for an entire wedding! The table I speak of is the Vika Glasholm. It’s actually a table top; you choose the legs separately.

This beautiful glass table top has the word “Love” etched all over it in 50 different languages. How could one not be inspired?! While it could prove costly to buy up a whole slew of these for your guests to sit at, one or two would look très chic at the entrance of your venue with a guest book and money box.

Surfing the site led me to several other goodies–many under $10!– including the new Blomster vases that come in the most delicious shades of pink, among others. They range in size from teeny-tiny to medium and would make a pretty yet trendy statement on any table, especially for those who aren’t fans of the larger and more intrusive centerpieces.

While we’re talking about pretty items for your table top; the Skimmer candle holders, which are made of mercury glass, would really glam up any table! As reflective as a crispy-clean mirror; these candle holders placed throughout a room would bounce light allover and a sparkle like no other. F-a-b-u-l-o-u-s!

And now that I have used the word “sparkle”, I need to mention another goody from our Swedish friends that would help to light up any wedding from a casual indoor soirée to a garden wedding; light chains and curtains. Ikea has the best collection of outdoor lighting! Flowers or birds; either will help to make your special day shine and whimsy that will make your guests smile.

Finally, since lighting really is the most important element in creating ambiance and setting a mood; I am in love with the Knubbig table lamps! In big and small and in colors that range from bright and happy to classic and elegant; these pretty balls o’ light pack enough punch to work as centerpieces all on their own.

The best thing about an Ikea themed wedding? You get to incorporate it all into your home and have stylish little reminders of the happiest day of your life scattered throughout your love-nest!

Unique wedding favors will leave a lasting impression on your guests, whether you have a traditional wedding or a modern one.  Unique wedding favors do not have to be expensive.  Many of them you can make yourself, while others are reasonably priced through creative artisans and online stores. 

For eco-weddings, garden and flower seeds for guests to plant on a spring or summer day make unique wedding favors.  You can bundle attractive seed packets in sheer netting with a bow and scatter them throughout your reception area.  You can also combine seedlings in small plants to add greenery and color to your décor. 

If you want all-out fun and unique wedding favors, take some inspiration from the goody bags passed out at children’s birthday parties.  Your wedding “party bags” can include kazoos, party favor blow outs, bottles full of blowing bubbles, yoyos, spray string, paddle balls, and noisemakers.  Where possible, you can get these fun toys in your wedding colors. 

Attractive glass vases or tins filled with candies make irresistible unique wedding favors.  For those with dietary restrictions, it’s always best to include several of these candy favors that are low in sugar or are sugar free.

Other unique wedding favors include candles and soaps.  Since candles come in many colors, you’re likely to find them in your wedding colors.  If not, you can contact a local candle maker or one online who can custom color your wedding candles.  She or he may also be able to stamp your name, your groom’s name, and your wedding date on your candles.   

Soapylove offers totally delightful and creative unique wedding favors.  Her Champagne and Berry Soapsicles are designed especially for weddings.  These whimsical soapsicles are sure to make your guests break out in smiles or outright giggles.  If you want custom labels for these mouthwatering unique wedding favors, drop Debbie a line at debbie@soapylove.com.   

Unique wedding favors come in all shapes and sizes.  They are limited only by your imagination.  Consider offering unique wedding favors at your upcoming nuptials for a more personalized and lasting memory of your special day.

Destination weddings are becoming very popular with engaged couples.  At first blush, destination weddings sound like they would cost a lot more money than the usual church ceremony; however, they are often cheaper.  This is because many resorts, cruises, and other travel destinations offer wedding packages that include the wedding ceremony, a catered reception with food and wedding cake, photographer, officiant, and honeymoon.  Sometimes travel to and from the destination wedding is included.  If travel isn’t included, it’s best for couples to purchase air and hotel as a package because this saves money. 

A destination wedding package not only saves money, but it also saves the bride and groom all the time and stress of planning their wedding.  It’s already done for them!  All they have to do is show up and enjoy the vacation atmosphere that greets them as soon as they arrive. 

Destination weddings are also a reunion of sorts for friends and family.  Guests spend more time with each other because the wedding ceremony is usually a day or two after family and friends arrive.  This gives everyone time to catch up with friends and family or get acquainted with the in-laws.

Additionally, if this isn’t a bride’s and/or groom’s first marriage, destination weddings are an ideal choice.  This type of wedding is more private and often don’t have the usual tongues wagging about a second or third marriage.  Plus, if children are involved, a destination wedding at a family friendly resort or cruise is great for taking the kids along, particularly if there are step siblings.  This helps them get to know one another and to make them feel part of the new family. 

Popular destination weddings are the Bahamas, Las Vegas, Hawaii, cruises, and even castles in the UK.  Destination weddings don’t have to require traveling so far from home, however.  Local beaches and parks are great for destination weddings, as well as local vineyards.  Additionally, many Bed and Breakfasts are situated on acreage that includes large landscaped gardens.  These beautiful and natural surroundings provide an ideal setting because there’s plenty of room for wedding guests.  Of course, you have to cross your fingers for good weather.  It’s always best, if you go the route of an outdoor wedding, to make sure there’s a back up in case of inclement weather.  Some of the Bed and Breakfasts that are wedding destinations also provide catering, which saves the bride and groom the time and stress of trying to find a caterer, baker, and reception venue.  Often these destination wedding Bed and Breakfasts offer romantic honeymoon packages, so be sure to check if there’s a discount on having your destination wedding at the place where you’ll spend your honeymoon.

Destination weddings can be extravagant, with the couple and their family and friends traveling to exotic locations.  Or a destination wedding can be closer to home, saving the couple time and money.  Whichever route a couple takes, a destination wedding is sure to be unique and memorable.

We’re all looking for ways to save money, especially nowadays. If your wedding is coming up, don’t panic. There are many tips to help you plan your wedding on a budget.

I recently found Titanium-Jewelry, which sells wedding bands at a reasonable cost. Their titanium wedding bands are on sale for as little as $69. Lest you think you’ll have to compromise style for price, think again. The low cost wedding bands have a contemporary and almost forward looking style.

Other wedding on a budget tips consist of do it yourself projects. There are many do it yourself invitations and do it yourself wedding cakes. Kits are available for either one, helping to guide you in their creation. The current trend for wedding invitations makes room for your creativity. Non-traditional shapes and colors are popular among today’s brides. While ecru is still popular, bright colors, such as turquoise and lime, are going into those matching wedding invitation envelopes.

There are also do it yourself wedding decorations that can help you plan your wedding on a budget. Miniature vases, galvanized buckets, baskets, or other containers can be purchased at a discount store and, with a little creativity, no one will know how little you paid. You can decorate the vases with votives, dried or silk flowers and vines. The galvanized buckets can be filled with sand, shovels or other miniature beach toys for a summer wedding. Painted baskets look good with dried flowers for a nice spring or summer wedding. Mini framed pictures of the bride and groom scattered throughout the guest tables give a personal and inexpensive touch to the wedding decorations.

Additionally, you may be able to “haggle” with vendors and stores. As reported on Yahoo, Haggling in a weak economy is OK. So, with a little bargaining, creativity, and forethought, you can have a wonderful wedding on a budget!