Spice up your Wedding Votives

I absolutely LOVE these tea light embellishments that we bought in February while hunting for some new and trendy ideas for something different. Not only are they beautiful, but they add style and that little bit of extra 'detail' to any event, especially weddings. The jeweled beading around the tea lights themselves are easy enough for 'DIY Brides' wanting to save some money. So, go ahead, get your girls together, grab yourselves some glue guns, pour some wine and make an evening out of creating your own little works of art. Best of all...these can be given to all your guests as wedding favors. Guaranteed to be a big hit....something that WILL be used after the wedding celebrations are over.

It's all about the Details

Photo Courtesy of Richard Bell Photography

So you've ordered the bouquets and centerpieces for your wedding celebrations. You've even though about the small arrangements in the restrooms, but what about the other areas that are sometimes forgotten? Here's some tips to think about when planning your special day...

Instead of the usual guest placecards, consider planning a theme such as a lowcountry themed wedding, complete with these adorable sweetgrass flowers above. Sweetgrass weaving is not only an artform, it is a rich cultural tradition in Charleston and the Lowcountry.

Thinks like mantle pieces are often overlooked. Placing the simplest of decor and candle light can make a big difference.
If having a seated dinner, think about printing up menus ahead of time. Some catering companies will do this for you at no extra charge. Adding a small color coordinated ribbon around the napkin brings out your colors even more.
Linens come in a huge variety of prints and colors now. Instead of just having a solid color linen, think about a solid underlay and placing a printed overlay. For a more dramtic look, pull the linens up and hang embellishments from them.

For the Bride & Groom, Bridal Party and Mothers, Grandmothers seating markers, Tussie Mussies are adorable and can be used after the wedding as keepsakes. They are not only affordable, but look gorgeous when hung off the backs of chairs as shown in the photo below.

Cost Effective Props and Rentals

Nowadays, more brides are looking for most cost effective and green ways to decorate their wedding receptions without having to cut back on quality. One way I suggest is to start looking for more unique options that will also give that WOW factor.

At A Charleston Event and Bridal Library, we stock a wide variety of glassware and small lighting effects that are perfect for centerpieces on guest tables as well as focal points throughout the reception site. These are rented as opposed to being bought and are used over and over again, with the exception of the small amount of florals that are inserted to soften the look of the glass cylinders. The lampshades themselves are utilized on a variety of different stands, vases and cylinders in order to bring a couple's personal look to each table.

Also, these unique little etched lanterns make great accents on the cake table, cocktails and hung at different levels. Placed with an electronic candle, they are ideal for beach and outdoor weddings when votives just won't stay lit due to windy conditions.

For more ideas on props and rentals, check back on this blog and be sure to check the Bridal Library site for updates. The new website will be completed in June. www.BridalLibrary.com