House of Brides presents the WToo bridesmaid collection by Watters! Fun and flirty WToo bridesmaid dresses are as fabulous to wear as they are to see. WToo bridesmaid dresses mix contemporary styles with fresh details for a happy youthful bridal party look. Celebrate with the WToo bridesmaid collection! Style 665 is in Duchess Satin. This strapless gown features duchess satin bands at the empire waist covered buttons from the back neckline to the hem and a floor length A-line skirt. Shown in Rosequartz Cognac.. Neckline: Strapless. Waist Silhouette: Empire. Fabric: Satin. Sleeve length: Strapless. Hem line: Floor Length

Get to know the Bride-to-be a little better as you guess what she thought about the Groom during different stages in their relationship. Every answer is the name of a song or movie. Guests will be rolling on the floor laughing as they try and figure out the Bride-to-be’s answer to the question, “How did the Bride feel the first time the Groom spent too little money on a gift for her?” Would she answer, a. The Sting, b. Working Class Hero, c. It’s a Gift, or d. Creep? This game is sure to liven up the shower with lots of laughs! Answer key included. Start printing as soon as you order!

House of Brides presents the Mon Cheri wedding dress collection. This brilliant collection of wedding dresses is created in the finest fabrics and adorned in delicate embellishment. Mon Cheri wedding dresses capture the grandeur of the moment and make the memory last forever. Your fantasy gown is a Mon Cheri wedding dress. Style 28234M Daniella is in Mikado. This strapless dress features ruffled tulle and lace applique at the neckline removable satin ribbon at the natural waist and scalloped lace applique at the hemline of the mermaid skirt and chapel length train. Includes detachable halter and spaghetti straps. Shown in Blush. Also available in Tiara Satin as Mon Cheri wedding dress style 28234 Daniella. Please see style 28234 Daniella to order in Tiara Satin.. Neckline: Strapless. Waist Silhouette: Mermaid. Pieces Separates: One-piece. Train Length: Chapel. Hem line: Floor Length

The options available for a groom’s boutonnière are virtually unlimited. You can choose according to tradition, or strike out on your own, creating a new fashion.

Tradition holds that the flower used for the boutonnière comes from the bride’s bouquet. And that’s not a bad idea. Not only does it save a little money, but it keeps both bride and groom coordinated from a ‘floral perspective’. Best of all, it gives yet one more opportunity for them to share something special at the ceremony.

The effort that went into choosing a bridal bouquet pays additional dividends, since the groom’s flower is just a selection from the bunch. But clever brides will often go one step beyond and ensure that one flower within their bouquet is a cut above the rest.

That’s easy to do when the bouquet is composed of a variety of species - say, a mixture of coral Roses with lovely Blue Star Dahlias. But a Calla Lily works equally well. It makes for a stellar part of the bouquet and an especially lovely boutonnière.

Pink is sometimes thought of as a female color. But the Pink Orchid can look masculine in the left lapel of any groom. The key is to ensure that the flower pairs well with the groom’s suit.

Traditional choices are no longer mandatory, though. Many couples today are exploring new territory in every aspect of the wedding, even such relatively small items as the boutonnière. That opens up new creative possibilities.

For example, let the bride have an elegant cascade-style bouquet of snapdragons and lilies. But have the groom make a bold statement with a forthright White Rose bud, given a hint of color by a lavender Alstroemeria, and a sprig of ivy. Contrast, after all, is one of the best ways to bring any visual display to an artistic peak.

Natural species aren’t the only option in a groom’s boutonnière, either. Silk has become a very popular choice. It isn’t hard to see why.

Men often participate much less in wedding planning than women. That’s just the way things are. That means choosing the groom’s boutonnière is just one more thing for the bride to think about. How convenient it is to choose silk and not have to worry about whether the flower is in season, how to keep it fresh and protected, and so forth.

Even more abstract, artificial boutonnière options are available when you strike out beyond traditional boundaries. Just as ribbon bouquets are becoming more and more popular, so a ribbon or fabric boutonnière can be ultra-stylish. This creates the possibility of sporting a design that gives the impression of a flower without rigidly resembling one.

Whichever route you choose to follow, give some thought to the selection. Despite what they may sometimes say, men do care what they look like at their wedding. Let the groom look his best with an outstanding boutonnière.

Far from being a ‘low rent’ option, artificial flowers often grace the most elegant and expensive weddings. High fashion events started the trend, but it was soon adopted by wedding planners to provide an excellent alternative to natural flowers.

There are several different types, encompassing hundreds of unique options that emulate real flower species.

Silk flowers are one hugely popular category. Their delicate, soft sheen fits in perfectly with the elegance of the wedding gown and stylish decorations of the wedding. They also have an uncanny ability in the hands of a master craftsman to resemble natural flowers.

Fabric is another, increasingly often used alternative. With contemporary fabrics the range of design options is virtually unlimited. It’s possible to closely match a wide range of natural flower species, or to go the opposite direction and create a highly abstract design.

That intentionally artificial look is brought to a peak when fine ribbon is used for a wedding flower arrangement. Where natural species give a look that no man-made material can match, ribbon designs don’t even try. Instead, they focus on creating swirls of color and line that evoke the impression of flowers, rather than try to duplicate a natural arrangement.

All of these options can cover an enormous variety of colors, whether individual or mixed.

A superbly done silk bouquet can be dyed to match the red of an American Beauty Rose. Or, one can be made to match the smooth cream of the wedding gown instead.

In the hands of an expert, a fabric flower can be created in pink and edged with red to create something that is indistinguishable from the real thing, except at the closest distances. More often, it is used to go beyond what nature provides to add a human element. The result may be anything from a simple heart shape to a Biedermeier bouquet of concentric circles in different colors.

Ribbons can be dyed in single colors, then mixed. Or, like fabric, they can be edged or printed with highly varied patterns. They still serve as artificial flowers because the shapes are cleverly arranged to remind the viewer of a natural species, even when a close resemblance isn’t the goal.

As with any man-made product, artificial flowers offer a number of potential pros and cons.

Costs can be lower, but custom designs can eat up the artificial flower’s inherent advantage. They are intended to provide design alternatives, but they do require that someone creates the design. Most artificial flower arrangements are opted for specifically in order to have something totally unique. That adds one more task to what is usually a very long list of wedding planning items.

On the whole, though, there are good reasons why artificial flowers have become a very popular choice for thousands of wedding planners. They last virtually forever with minimal care and offer the chance to create something truly special. Above all, as anyone would demand in a wedding flower, they are exceptionally beautiful.

When choosing flowers for your wedding ceremony be sure to take into account whether it’s to be held indoors or out.

An outdoor ceremony makes possible a whole range of choices that will be different from one performed inside. For example, a garden ceremony may well provide a supply of decorative and fragrant flowers already. There may be a need only to supplement them with small stands and to choose something for the bouquet and corsages.

Some outdoor venues can benefit from a few other items. A chuppah or outdoor altar looks beautiful when decorated with vining flowers such as Morning Glories. An aisle formed by the guests chairs will look lovely when the chairs sport some Snapdragon or Lavender or Anemones. A trellis that holds Hydrangea or Black-Eyed Susan vines will add immeasurably to the decor.

But outdoor venues differ a lot. A beach-themed wedding that takes place at an actual beach may already have palm trees and lush greenery. Still, a few Hawaiian leis are never amiss. By contrast, a spring ceremony at the edge of a forest can be made even more stunning by adding a few Tansy or Wild Rose stands here and there.

Indoor ceremonies have their own special needs.

The pews will look terrific when the ends display Delphiniums or Freesias. An attendant’s table at the entrance is the perfect place for a table vase or standing vase that shows off some Bird of Paradise or Gerbera Daisies.

Winter ceremonies represent the perfect opportunity to let creativity bloom. Because few natural species blossom during that time of year, hothouse or artificial flowers dominate.

Hothouse flowers run the gamut, but any of the thousands of Orchid species are a great option. Dendrobium aphyllum shine under these circumstances with their delicate, blue star-shaped petals. The Cattleya aclandiae, sporting yellow and brown spots highlighted by a bright pink center, will lend any indoor ceremony an exotic air.

Artificial flowers can help greatly for Winter, or at any time of the year. They provide an option to dress up the venue when blooms of a desired type simply aren’t available. Naturally occurring Fall flowers can be emulated for a Spring ceremony. Something which would cost an arm and a leg in Summer can be produced at a reduced price for a ceremony held in any season.

Seasons aren’t the only challenge. Location is important too. Flowers native to one area can be substituted using artificial flowers made locally. The Rosa Woodsii, for example, has beautiful pink petals with a central yellow stamen. But they are native to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and bloom in early July. But an artificial model could be delivered anywhere at anytime of the year.

When planning your ceremony, and debating between an indoor or outdoor venue, take into account your floral arrangements. Then let the florist deliver some beautiful options whichever time and place you choose.

There are half a dozen different ‘focal points’ of attention at the wedding reception. When considering floral arrangements, each spot deserves careful attention.

The bride and groom’s table is, not surprisingly, the first that comes to mind. Since it is quite rightly the center of attention, be bold.

A tall Bird of Paradise centerpiece is one option. Or, a large and high bowl of American Beauty Roses will fill the table with color. But don’t stop at the centerpiece. Consider, as examples, Gardenias for the backs of the chairs or a string of vining flowers like scarlet Cardinal Climbers.

But that is only the beginning.

If the wedding party is seated on a raised platform, like a stage at the front of the reception hall, there are several opportunities for floral decoration. The overhead arch is prime real estate and can help draw attention to the wedding party table.

Here again vining flowers can provide the perfect way to draw attention where it belongs. Sweet Pea, with their large clusters of pink flowers, are an excellent choice. Canary Creeper is another. A relative of the nasturtium, they offer a cheery yellow blossom backed by bright green leaves.

The guests tables will be brightened by a lovely centerpiece, too. Make it something smaller than the one used for the main wedding party. But that leaves lots of colorful options. Orange Blossoms in a bowl are cheery. But one alternative trend is simply to have a few short, thin vases perhaps filled with Daisies or a bit of Queen Anne’s Lace.

Even the buffet table deserves a decorative display. Here, something bright but sturdy is called for. Carnations stand up well to warm lights and food bins and the white and red colors create a lively atmosphere.

The gift table will benefit from a well-thought out floral arrangement, too. You could go with whatever you chose for the centerpiece of the guests tables. But something distinctive will help offset this unique part of the reception area. White Orchids work superbly here.

Many wedding reception halls have a table near the entrance that holds a guestbook or allows those attending to be greeted or given a name tag. Since it might be the first thing the entering guest sees, that table deserves a stellar floral arrangement.

Foxgloves, with their pink bell-shaped blooms, are truly fine in these circumstances. But a smaller display of deep blue Hyacinths works equally well. For something that sits beside the table rather than on it, a tall Iris is an excellent choice.

Last, let us not forget that all-important wedding cake table. At some point in the festivities this table is going to draw all the eyes in the room.

The table itself will support a number of alternative designs. Stars of Bethlehem with their spiked white petals and rich green stems work well. But the cake itself often holds a small floral arrangement at its peak. Here, small red roses perhaps mixed with white depending on the color of the frosting make for a superb traditional display.

There are a dozen or more other wedding reception areas that can benefit from floral displays. But the tables are the foremost platforms providing the greatest opportunities to unleash your creativity. Let yourself go!

The bride isn’t the only one in the wedding to carry a bouquet. Bridesmaids often do, as well. Like the bridal bouquet there are a number of different categories. Within those, options abound.

A cascading bouquet is a contemporary favorite. These highly colorful designs spill flowers down in a lovely waterfall of blossoms. Whether made of pink Posies mixed with Peonies, or hot pink Gerbera with bright blue Irises, they make for a stunning addition to the bridesmaid’s ensemble.

Nosegay designs are another alternative to the traditional hand held style. A mixture of Bluebird Roses and White Button Chrysanthemums is both lovely and practical. For a more delicate look, the Dendrobium Orchid mixes perfectly with Hydrangea and Asiatic Lilies.

Pomander designs are a different choice that attracts many a wedding planner. A bridesmaid can easily carry one of these small flower balls by holding the ribbon or looping it around the wrist. Whether made of stunning red roses or pink carnations, they offer lush color in a small sphere.

Another way of freeing up the bridesmaid’s hands is to use a flower basket. Very different in design from that of the flower girl, these might be little pails, for example. For winter weddings, the Amaryllis makes a perfect choice and they come in red, white or mixtures.

For beach-themed weddings, brides might want to consider the humble Anemone. One type is bright red with black centers surrounded by white. That makes for a very arresting flower. For a more subtle look, the purple with delicate white centers can compliment a dress of the right color.

Whatever species or design strikes your fancy, there are several things to keep in mind.

One is that the flowers need not be natural. Silk is an increasingly popular choice for a whole host of reasons. They last forever. They’re durable, so they won’t be crushed easily when the bridesmaids move around in a crowded dressing room. And, silk flowers can be wrought in a number of designs that need not resemble their natural cousins too closely, making for a unique look on a unique day.

Equally important, remember that the bridesmaids’ bouquets should always be smaller than the bride’s. It’s natural that the bride should be the center of attention and this small difference helps.

Bringing bridesmaids in on the decision of what bouquets to carry or wear will help, too. Just as with dresses, each bridesmaid will naturally want to provide some input on how they look. A calm discussion gives everyone the feeling they have contributed, and the ideas that come out of free flowing brainstorming always leads to superior outcomes.

Once everyone is coordinated, it’s off to the Internet to click on the one that was selected, or to choose individual designs to suit each bridesmaid’s distinctive look. That’s win-win in the realm of bridesmaid’s bouquets.

Flower girls are an important part of any wedding. The image of that little angel walking down the aisle ahead of the bride is familiar to everyone. They notice the dress, the shoes and more. But what is at the center of that image? Right. The flowers.

The flowers she carries are both a symbol - of the ancient traditions and ever-new promise of marriage - and a practical part of the ceremony. She strews petals as she walks, symbolizing the new life about to come as bride and groom join together.

So, the flowers she carries should be both decorative and easy to handle. Rose petals are a popular option for that reason. But ancient traditions have used everything from marigolds and orange blossoms to various herbs like dill.

The basket that contains the petals she flings can itself be decorated with flowers, and often is. The overall theme chosen for wedding flowers extends to the basket design. Sometimes it’s a simple white wicker decorated with small roses. An alternative could be drawn from an even older tradition that used woven-together local bush branches from which the flowers came.

The flower girl does more than just toss petals, though. She is a walking flower display herself. It’s possible to overdo things, of course. But a flower halo for flower girls is a popular and outstanding feature of her ‘costume’.

Flower halos are typically made from smaller species. That keeps the petals down to a size that doesn’t detract from the overall look, which is especially important for her smaller head. Miniature white or pink rose buds are one possibility.

Her dress is often decorated with flowers too. Here again, it is possible to overwhelm the viewer and go too far. But a white lily pinned to the shoulder strap can be both subtle and beautiful. Or, a short strip of silk flowers on a quarter of the hem of her dress might be the perfect accent.

If fabric, ribbon or silk flowers are used other design options open up. Rather than shaping them to resemble real flowers as closely as possible, more abstract designs can be used. Heart shapes that are a cross between a flower’s petals and a pure symbol of love are one way to go.

Those designs are possible with real flowers, too, though they’re harder to execute. If you go this route, be especially diligent about storage since they’ll have to be prepared at least several days in advance. No one has time to do this right before the wedding day. Also, flower girls will need to be instructed to take extra care not to damage these delicate objects.

With the thousand and one tasks to carry out during any wedding planning effort, it’s hard to put too much effort into the flower girl’s contribution. But remember, she walks down the aisle before the bride and so helps set the mood. Make her look beautiful and you will too.

At some point in the wedding planning process, most future brides will be faced with the choice of which wedding flowers to pick. Many today will research the available options and be presented with a common dilemma: silk or natural?

Choosing between the two doesn’t have to be stressful. Both have benefits and drawbacks. Let’s examine a few…

There’s no question that natural flower species are stunning. Their beauty is unmatched by even the most carefully made artificial alternative. At close range, the difference is unmistakable.

Natural flowers also have the edge in fragrance. They offer everything from pungent aromas that envelop completely to delicate scents that merely hint at a memory of sunny days in peaceful field.

The range of scents available from natural flowers would task the most creative perfumer. Gardenias are glorious. Magnolias are magnificent. Nothing tops an Orange Blossom made by nature.

Natural flowers even feel delightful. There are few things around that are as soft and wonderful to the touch as the petals of a Rose. Carnations could form the most comfortable mattress.

Still, silk flowers have a whole array of advantages that it’s difficult or impossible for natural species to match.

Silk requires no special storage or preservation methods.

That means, among other things, that silk flower arrangements can be made up far in advance of the wedding date. Not only is that one less thing to worry about, but it considerably eases scheduling difficulties. There’s no need to worry about whether the vendor can deliver on the day or week before the wedding. The flowers will wait, unspoiled.

Silk flowers are always in season.

Because they are available year round, silk flowers will be there whenever you need them. Have to postpone the wedding date? No problem. Decided to have the wedding in Fall rather than Summer? Silk flowers are ready when you are. You won’t be constrained by the need to consider when a particular species is in bloom.