More Than One Way To Throw A Bouquet...

Part of the charm of being a bride of the 21st century is having the privileged choice of whether to be steadfast to tradition, or to steamroll over it completely and joyfully. Conventionally speaking, the tossing of the bridal bouquet is an exercise meant to improve the marital luck of the maiden who catches it; once priding itself as being a joyous and anticipated moment. However, some modern women of the unmarried status look upon the toss with dread; identifying the practice as one of isolated embarrassment.
But as the bride, it is possible for you to ease the tension of the moment using one of the following creative suggestions:


Make A Wish: Inviting all women –both single and married –to the dance floor, ask them to make a wish just before you throw the bouquet into the air. Whoever catches it will have her wish granted.

Blossoms of Fortune: For this version, it would be convenient –if not more so necessary –to have a bouquet that consists of several small bunched of flowers. Upon each individual bunch, handwrite and attach a special “fortune” (ex: a long successful marriage, discovering a new passion, taking an exotic vacation). Inviting everyone onto the dance floor, throw the bunches out over the crowd.

Honorary Gesture: Dividing the bouquet, whether in halves or in much smaller portions, give one of each to the individuals you would most like to honor and bequeath “good fortune”. Such candidates could range from anyone from your mother and mother-on-law, the grandparents, the women of the bridal party, your sisters, and so forth.

Toss of Favors: Instead of flowers, toss the wedding favors! Employing the help of the flower girl and ring bearer, or even the bridesmaids, disperse several amounts of candy, small toys, small stuffed animals, or even gift cards.

Break tradition… and enjoy it!

Helpful Source:
Ezine @rticles: “Six Alternative Bridal Bouquet Toss Ideas” by Amber Dusickhttp://ezinearticles.com/?Six-Alternative-Bridal-Bouquet-Toss-Ideas&id=122526

Wedding Theme: Rat Pack

Wedding Theme: Urban Garden

Once Upon A Time Royal 10 Wedding Package

Hear ye, hear ye: In this the year of our Lord 2010, the Texas Renaissance Festival is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ten couples to be wed at 10 past 10 on the morning of October 10th. All ten couples will be joined in matrimony at the same time.

This exclusive package contains the following royal offerings:

• Ten Festival Tickets
• Silk Flower Bouquet
• White Ribbon Circlet (for the Bride)
• Sword Arch
• Trumpet Herald
• Wedding Musicians
• Minister
• One VIP Parking Pass
• Commemorative Ceremony Certificate
• Bottle of Champagne
• One 6-inch White Fondant Wedding Cake
• Two Nights Stay at the Homewood Suites in Shenandoah (Shuttle Service Available)
• Castle and Carriage Gift Set
• Guest Book and Pen
• Set of Castle Goblets
• Cake Knife Set
• Castle Frame
• Carriage Candle

Total Package Cost: $3,000.00

This offer is limited to ten (10) couples. For reservations, please call 1-800-458-3435.

Wedding Theme: Fleur de Lis

Wedding Theme: Burgundy and Gold

Bridal Shower Themes - Bon Voyage

Bon Voyage

Ask anyone and he/she might tell you that their favorite part of the entire wedding process is the Honeymoon. Turn your bride's shower into a cultural celebration-or, rather, a fiesta fantastico! Whether you choose just to focus on the actual Honeymoon destination or incorporating a smorgasbord of cultures, use this as an opportunity to psych your bride out of her upcoming travels!

Menu Ideas:

• Chips and salsa (Mexico)
• Cineole (Italy)
• Caviar (France)
• Tea sandwiches (England)
• Rice balls (Japan)

Gift Ideas:

• Disposable camera
• Tour guide book
• Passport cover
• Travel kits (for both the bride and groom)
• Linguistics guide
• Luggage

Helpful Source:

A Dream Wedding: "Bridal Shower Magic"

http://www.adreamwedding.com/bridalshower.htm#OtherUniqueShowerThemes

Bridal Shower Theme - Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting


A create memorable occasion by accenting the shower with the casual charm of wine and cheese. Encourage guests to bring bottles of their favorite wine as well as wine accessories or simply items that relate to cooking and entertaining.


Menu Ideas:

• Assorted meat and cheese trays
• Crackers
• Dips
• Fruits (grapes, strawberries, etc.)
• French bread
• Cheese puffs
• Miniature quiches

Gift Ideas:

• Wine glasses
• "Make-Your-Own Wine” kit
• Wine rack
• A gift certificate for customized wine labels
• Decorative corkscrew
• Wine chiller or decanter
• Fancy serving tray (for cheese, crackers, etc.)
• Scented candles and candle holders


Helpful source:

A Dream Wedding: “Bridal Shower Magic”

http://www.adreamwedding.com/bridalshower.htm#Other Unique Shower Themes

Memories and Keepsakes Bridal Shower

Memories and Keepsakes


On the invitation, make a note to the guests to bring/purchase "keepsake gifts" or simply items related to preserving photographs and special memories –especially those of the bride-to-be's upcoming wedding. Also, encourage close relatives to bring a special family heirloom and a wedding photo for displaying.

Menu Ideas:

• Bride’s favorite foods/desserts
• Family recipes

Gift Ideas:

• Keepsake box
• Picture frames
• Photo albums
• Scrapbook kit and/or accessories
• Wedding guest book and pen
• Wedding Time Capsule
• Disposable cameras (for the wedding/reception)
• Keepsake shadow box
• Hope chest
• "Memory Quilt" using photo transfer paper and family photos makes a treasured gift and heirloom

Helpful source:

A Dream Wedding: “Bridal Shower Magic”

http://www.adreamwedding.com/bridalshower.htm#Other Unique Shower Themes

Bridal Shower Themes - Romantic Elegance

Romantic Elegance


It is a theme as old as time, the theme for many a song. Hearts, flowers, cherubs –make you bride’s shower her exclusive Valentine’s Day. And should you wish to give it a more Victorian/Jane Austen-style charm, be sure to include such garnishing as lace gloves and doilies, sachets, potpourri, an antique tea set, hat boxes, and vintage wedding photos.


Menu Ideas:

• Tea sandwiches cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Decorated heart sugar cookies wrapped in pink cellophane and tied with a delicate satin bow
• Homemade candies
• Pink champagne


Gift Ideas:

• A heart-shaped trinket box
• An "Evening of Romance" gift basket (filled with candles, scented oils, bubble bath and bath oils, soaps, massage oil, potpourri, chocolate truffles, champagne, movie rental certificates)
• Lingerie (and sexy briefs for the groom!)
• "A Bath For Two" (his and her matching towels, bath soaps, oils and lotions, candles)
• A CD collection of romantic music
• An elegant frame personalized with the couples names and wedding date
• “A Picnic for Two” (a readymade basket including a tablecloth, napkins, cutlery, wine, wine glasses, etc.)
• A gift certificate for a romantic dinner out at the couple's favorite restaurant
• A gift certificate overnight getaway at a romantic inn or bed and breakfast

Helpful source:

A Dream Wedding: “Bridal Shower Magic”

http://www.adreamwedding.com/bridalshower.htm#Other Unique Shower Themes

Wedding Theme: Daisy