Month: May 2015

Corsages and Boutonnieres

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

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Corsages and Boutonnieres …the all important flowers…  My third daughter, Tess, attended her high school ‘Senior Ball’ last night.  It is much less formal that Junior Prom.  Most of the girls wear a short dress, the guys a sport coat.  I love this.  Tess’ dress is actually something she can wear again.  They all looked quite dapper, quite chic! But some things don’t change…the time honored tradition of corsages and boutonnières.  Ladies, do you know how to pin on a gentleman’s boutonniere?  This is an important skill to learn, especially if your groomsmen will be wearing them at your wedding.  Although you, the bride, will certainly not be pinning them on!  You will just have the knowledge to instruct.

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In the photo above, you see Tess pinning on her date, Shane’s, boutonniere.  According to my expert – our local florist – 🙂  – place the blossom on the left lapel of the young man’s jacket, and from behind the lapel, inset one pin through the flower’s stem and into the lapel.  Repeat with a second pin, crossing the first.  This should securely hold the boutonniere in place.

 

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What about that corsage?  In the above photo, Tess’ corsage is showcased.  Its gorgeous!  Shane did a fantastic job, not only with the color and flower selection, but notice the lovely bracelet the blooms are attached to.  It’s much prettier, and I’m sure much more comfortable, that the elastic bands I wore to my own events —  DECADES ago —  I wouldn’t be surprised it the flowers can be removed, preserved, and the bracelet worn again…

Corsages with a keepsake bracelet might be a nice gift from the bride to the important women in her life.  Instead of just a bloom that dries and is gone, the bride’s honored guests would have a momento of her special day.

Photo #1 and #2 Amy Mack

Photo #3 Mary P Karnes

Wedding Program Ideas

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

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www.bridalguide.com

Wedding program ideas – there are some fabulous ones available.  Wedding Programs have become de rigor for formal weddings these days.  My daughter, Maggie, had a beautiful one – very formal.  I’m thinking of something a little more fun for my next bride, daughter Kathleen.

I think the program above is adorable.  Not only is it functional, but it’s entertaining to look at.

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shannonreevesevents.com

What about the next program?  It follows the new trend of the “duel purpose” program.  It gives all the vital information of the wedding principals, songs, and order of events…AND provides a pocket for a tissue…aaaahhh!!  🙂

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delawareweddings.com

The same is true for the next program.  Upon your departure, will your guests throw birdseed, rice, or confetti?  Choose the wedding program above, and the confetti is already included!  No need to add a separate step and ask a trusted friend/family member to distribute the confetti!  Guests will already have it in their program.  The confetti makes it pretty, too!

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engagement-rings1117.blogspot.com

Planning a summer wedding?  Think guests may be a little warm as they wait for your arrival or enjoy the ceremony?  The ‘Wedding Program Fan’ is the perfect answer!  Not only does it display all you’ll ever want to know about the wedding you’re witnessing, but if can be a functional fan as well!  I think I may want to talk my daughter, Kathleen, into this option.  She’s planning a summer wedding, and we could lighten this program up a little with bright colors on the ink and ribbon.

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weddingdaysparklers.com

As entertaining as you think your wedding is – potentially guests could be bored.  No problem!  They can whip out their wedding program and do this crossword puzzle!  The downside, each guest would need a pencil.  And don’t forget the super creative person who’d have to design the puzzle and fashion it to highlight the bride and groom.

My personal thoughts?  Spend the few extra bucks and provide a wedding program for your guests.  You’ll be glad you did…

Wedding Veil Fabrics

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

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veilsbyroxanne.com

Wedding Veil Fabrics  —  Did you know you actually had options?  If you have read my last blog post: “If you Choose to Wear a Veil” you may remember that I said my own veil 31 years ago was rather thick and hard to see through.  My daughter, Maggie’s veil, however, was sheer and delicate.  It had a glossamer effect.  You almost couldn’t see it – but you did… There is also a picture of Maggie in her veil in that post as well… veil post…

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So it turns out, after much research…that there’s a REASON my veil was so thick and heavy, and Maggie’s so airy and light!  There are several different fabric weights and styles for bridal netting.  Who knew?!?  Maggie’s veil was Bridal Illusion, so light and delicate, it was akin to a cobweb.  My veil, on the other hand, was “English Net.”  While pure white and beautiful, it was heavy, hard to see through, and HOT!  The only other fabric I would consider using on a veil would be the “Glimmer Illusion”.  Light like the “Bridal Illusion”, it has an additional shimmer to give a little extra “pizzazz” to the bride’s ensemble.  I’m not really sure why a bride would choose one of the other fabrics listed on the first photo.  While “Silk Chiffon”, “Polyster Chiffon” (yuck!), and “Organza” are options, I’m not sure why.  Unless…the bride wanted a more structured, heavier fabric.  You still ask, “Why?”  Well, maybe her wedding ceremony is outside, on a beach, perhaps.  Maybe she wants the veil hanging down her back only with no blusher covering her face, and she doesn’t want the veil blowing in the wind.  Maybe she likes the patterned effect of the organza, or choses to have pearl or beading sewn onto the veil.  Maybe…she wants a short veil, and desires more structure than the “Bridal Illusion” offers.  Who knows?  But someone MUST be purchasing these fabrics…  Below is a very useful chart on “Veil Length”.  You can click on the following link if you’d like to read my blog post about corresponding “Wedding Dress Trains”.

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hstrial-jwilson554.homestead.com

Please visit my cousin, Kim Davises blog, wedding cocktails, and read all about yummy wedding cocktail choices! You’ll also find other extravagant recipes, which are delicious, yet not too hard to make!  Check it out, you’ll enjoy it!

 

If You Choose To Wear A Veil…

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

photo 5-11If You Choose To Wear a Veil… and a “blusher” (a blusher is the netting that goes over your face)…You need to consider what your coiffeur will look like once your veil is removed.  Will you remove your headpiece?  The headpiece is the part of the veil that the netting is attached to.  If you’re a royal bride, you’ll wear a tiara.  If you’re a regular bride – maybe a crown of orange blossoms.  If you’re an American bride, anything goes.  My daughter, Maggie, is in the photo above.  She is wearing her own veil, (cathedral length), and my headpiece.  Her vision was to always take the veil and headpiece off for the reception.  It would be too cumbersome to wear all night.  She needed to make sure her hairstyle was up to the formality of the event.  And it was.  Her hair style was spectacular, but she wanted some sort of adornment in her hair.  She visited etsy.com, a wonderful website where individuals can shop from independent venders.  You can find anything on etsy.com, and the vendors are everyday people who have something special to share.

Maggie purchased a lovely hair adornment for her hair to be showcased.  Pease note the photos below, which show the adornment.  Note, if you choose a hair ornament, buy it early enough so you can have a dry run with your hairdresser.

 

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photo-313I chose to wear silk flowers to be showcased after I took MY veil off 30 years ago.  They were pretty, and looked nice in my hair. But I made a mistake with my veil.  The netting that went over my face was thick, and created a visual issue for me, and for my guests view of me.  And it was hot!  My photo is below.  Compare it to my daughter’s, following photo.  Note how fine and delicate my daughter’s veil is…a much better choice than mine.

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photo 3-33But please notice…the headpieces are the same…  I love tradition!

In my next two posts — please check back to read all about the different fabric options you will have for your veil…AND the lovely invitation my daughter, KK, chose from etsy.com!!

You can also follow me on twitter @marypkarnes, or my Facebook page: Simply the Best

Photos:  Patty Cloherty