Secrets For A Successful Summer Wedding

Are you getting excited about your summer wedding? Here are a few ideas to help everything go smoothly.  

Select an Indoor-Outdoor Venue 

Choose a location that includes a beautiful outdoor space and an equally gorgeous indoor space. That way, you can give your guests the option of going inside to cool off if the heat becomes too oppressive. For elderly guests and children, having access to air conditioning is important. Plus, if a summer thunder shower moves in during the ceremony or reception, you’ll all be able to take shelter quickly.  

Have the Wedding Later in the Day 

A late afternoon or evening ceremony ensures that the midday sun won’t cause too much glare for your wedding pictures and reception shots. Plus, your guests will feel a little more comfortable if they don’t have to sit outdoors during the hottest part of the day.  

Say Bye-Bye to the Bees 

Summertime means more insects, including bees. They tend to like sweet fragrances, so if you don’t want to attract them, avoid floral perfumes. Remind your bridesmaids to skip the scent or use just a light spritz. To prevent insects from landing on the food at an outdoor reception, request chafing dishes with lids and platters with covers. Ask your florist which flowers are bee magnets, and keep those off the buffet tables. 

Serve Certain Foods Indoors 

If you’re planning to have a raw bar, sushi platters, ice cream, or some other kind of temperature-sensitive food, you may be taking a risk if the outdoor temperatures are soaring. Ask your caterer about the equipment they offer and the methods they have for keeping those foods cool. You may wish to serve them indoors instead, or select other food options that are less susceptible to heat.  

Plan for Allergies 

Do you or your spouse-to-be have allergies? Check the pollen count for the day before the wedding and make sure you take your usual allergy medication. The last thing you want is clogged sinuses, inflamed eyes, and a runny nose on your wedding day. 

Think Twice About the Ice Sculpture 

Do you have your heart set on an ice sculpture? It’s going to melt quickly in the heat, so consider displaying it indoors. If you must have it outside, select a design that will still look good even as it is partially melting.  

Consider Wardrobe Choices 

If you’re going to be having the ceremony or reception outdoors, you may be walking on grass for part of the time. Remember that thin, spiky heels will sink into the turf, and your gown’s trailing train may collect dirt and grass stains. You may wish to opt for chunkier heels and a shorter gown instead.  

Review Hair Options 

Long hair, though beautiful, can act like a cloak on a hot summer day. Go for an off-the-neck style rather than flowing tresses to keep yourself cooler. At the same time, remember that a sculpted up-do with curls and lots of product may start to sag in the heat. A low ponytail, a braided style, or a chignon should hold its own better. Instead of fresh flowers in your hair, choose realistic-looking artificial blooms that won’t wilt.  

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How To Handle The Last Minute Details Of Your Wedding

The big day is almost here! Maybe you’re freaking out, or maybe you’re cool as an autumn day; but either way, you have some last minute details to deal with. Check out these tips for making the last few weeks before the wedding go as smoothly as possible.  

Create a Checklist 

Maybe you’re not usually a checklist kind of person, but it’s highly recommended that you keep a running list of things you need to do before the wedding day. Post in on the refrigerator or on your bathroom mirror, create it using your favorite app and share it with your bridal party, or keep a spreadsheet on your computer— whatever works for you. You just need some central place to keep track of all the remaining tasks. Your wedding planner will probably help you with this, but she may not think of all the details that you consider important, so make sure you supplement her to-do list with your own.  

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate 

During these last few weeks, you need to rely on your friends and family. Which girls in your bridal party are most efficient and trustworthy? Ask them to do certain last minute details for you, like picking up orders, double-checking the RSVPs, or ensuring that your out-of-town guests have accommodations.  

Get Your Partner Involved 

You’re going to be partners in life, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be partners in the wedding plans. Ask your future spouse to help you with a specific task or two. Maybe your significant other can take care of paying the vendors and contacting them all again to make sure each one has the right information about their part of the big day. He or she can also give the caterer the final head count and double-check with the wedding party members to ensure that everyone’s outfits are ready and fit correctly. If you haven’t confirmed your honeymoon travel arrangements yet, your soon-to-be spouse can do that, as well as obtaining any necessary travel documents.  

Do the Legal Deed 

Don’t forget about that marriage license! Without it, your wedding won’t really be legal; and while a piece of paper may seem insignificant, it really does matter. Go online to your city hall website or call city hall to find out how much the fee is and to see which documents you’ll need to have with you when you apply for the license.  

Take Care of Yourself— and Your Lover 

You can delegate quite a few of the jobs to friends and family, but there are some things you’ll need to do yourself. Make sure you have the undergarments you need to wear under your wedding dress. Pack your suitcase for the honeymoon. Get your nails, beauty treatments, and waxing done, and check the fit of your wedding dress one more time. And don’t forget to occasionally sneak away from the wedding craziness to spend some time with the love of your life.  

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Lighting Trends For Modern Weddings

Thanks to modern technology, there’s a lot you can do with your wedding lighting. Using different styles of lighting can lend a completely different look and feel to a venue. In addition, you can play around with some lighting designs. Find out how modern brides and grooms are using lighting to make their weddings stand out.  

Colorful Statement Lighting 

Your wedding venue is extravagant and gorgeous, but chances are, it’s decorated in neutral hues so that it works well for any wedding color palette. With lighting, you can customize the look of the room to suit your color choices. Go bold with pink or try brilliant blue. Red lighting lends an air of drama and romance, while cool blue lights give the impression of an outdoor space.  

Photo-Ready Lighting 

While many brides love the magical, otherworldly look of colored lighting, others are thinking practically about photos. This year, many brides will choose to stick with traditional yellow-toned or golden lighting that shows off skin tones to the best advantage. That way, the Instagram photos of the wedding aren’t all overcast with a blue or purple hue. If you’re concerned about photo lighting, but you still want some color, you could opt for a touch of colored uplighting around the edges of the ballroom or other reception venue. Keep the overhead lighting amber or golden in hue to ensure some great pictures.  

Lighted Ceilings 

Ballrooms with high, multi-tiered ceilings look especially lovely when they are all lit up. Indulge in an event space that features plenty of ceiling height and a lot of different lighting options for those dramatic tray ceilings. Your reception photos will look incredibly grand with that lighted, vaulted space overhead.  

Monogram Lighting for the Dance Floor 

Thanks to modern lighting options, you can even customize the dance floor of your venue, for one night only! Ask your wedding coordinator, your lighting crew, or your venue representative about projected a  monogram onto the dance floor. Venues such as Nanina’s in the Park have this ability. Having those swirling initials etched in light across the dance floor adds yet another touch of magic to your special day.  

Chandeliers 

Chandeliers are still on trend! These classic lighting pieces speak of elegance and romance, and they’ll make you feel as if you’re the belle of your very own ball. If your venue has chandeliers available, it can be a big plus for your wedding. 

Learn more at https://www.naninasinthepark.com/2017/05/18/lighting-trends-modern-weddings/

How To Donate Wedding Flowers After Your Nuptials

Perhaps one of the biggest expenses you’ll have on your wedding day is flowers, from your bouquet to boutonnieres to the many centerpieces that will adorn your reception tables, your gorgeous arrangements will cost plenty of time and money. After all that soul-searching to find the perfect setting, it’s heartbreaking to think that most of these blooms will find their way into the trash bin. But you don’t have to let that happen!

There are more options than ever to recycle your wedding flowers, to not only cut down on waste but to ensure that they give someone the same joy that they brought you. Whether you’re looking to create a more sustainable wedding day or simply can’t bear the thought of your flowers being disposed of, there are ways that you can give these accents new life! Here are a few great services and recycling ideas to keep in mind after your wedding comes to a close.

Random Acts of Flowers

This organization has been in existence since 2007 and is a green recycling nonprofit that utilizes dedicated volunteer team that recycle wedding flowers and repurpose them to bring joy to individuals in healthcare facilities, retirement homes and hospice facilities. This organization is currently available in Chicago, Knoxville, Pinellas and Silicon Valley, but they also have an extended network of local affiliates that may be able to help as well. As an added bonus for your efforts, your gift will be tax-deductible!

Rebloom

Currently available in New York City and Boston with plans to expand in the near future, Rebloom lets you be charitable and put your efforts towards a charity or cause you believe in! The organization will accept your wedding flowers that will be sold for delivery the day after. The proceeds can then be donated to the charity of your choice so you can turn your investment into something lasting. The company is much like a flash sale service, which takes flowers that would have otherwise ended up in the trash and given them new life in a different context.

Re-Gifting!

Last but not least, if you’d like to share your floral creations on your own, make it a policy at the end of your festivities to allow your friends and family members to take your flowers with them so they can enjoy them long after the celebration. This will still give you the opportunity to hold onto a few of the more important floral arrangements you may want to save (bouquets, bouttonieres, etc.) while still helping serve your overall goal of cutting down on waste after your special day.

Community Gifting

Last but not least, you can always take it upon yourself to donate your used wedding flowers to local hospitals, churches and retirement homes where they can shine long after your special day. This is a wonderful way to spread joy in the area you call home, while ensuring that your wedding flowers will be a monumental investment that keep making people smile.Contact More.

Top 5 Wedding Transportation Tips To Keep Your Guests Moving

With the floral arrangements, food menu and decorations finally set, now it’s time to handle the more practical jobs you’ll have to tackle before your big day – transportation! While you may have a limousine or two lined up for your wedding party, your guests may need their own share of accommodations as well. After all, transportation expenses will account for the bulk of your guests’ expenses when attending your wedding, so making this process as easy as possible on them is a practical step that will make their experience all the more enjoyable.

Here are a few ways that you can creatively handle your guests’ transportation needs without breaking the bank.

1. Choose ideal timeframes

If your wedding ceremony and reception are split into two different parts of the day, you may want to rethink how you time your transport to suit your guests’ needs. A good rule of thumb is to inquire with transport companies to find out which time frames – daytime, day and evening and hourly – you’ll need, as well as when overtime charges could set in. This can allow you to create a more informed picture of your budgetary needs based on the major events of the day.

2. Book well in advance

Along with decorations, food and entertainment, transportation should be planned far in advance, so make sure this is at the top of your list of wedding preparations. There’s nothing worse than having to scramble to make last-minute preparations for a key aspect of your wedding festivities, which could leave you empty-handed or paying more than you ever imagined for the same service. This should absolutely apply to your transportation arrangements as well!

3. Accommodate out-of-towners

Wedding guests who may need a ride from their hotels to the wedding ceremonies is a great way to ensure that everyone gets home safely and avoids the desire to drink and drive. A charter or shuttle bus is a great option that can take multiple trips before and after the event, and it can even perform double duty for guests who will head back to their hotels earlier, while shuttles can hang around longer for the after-partiers.

4. Spatial constraints

Will your wedding vehicle have plenty of space for your gown, headpiece, and accompanying bridesmaid dresses? This is a key consideration to keep in mind to ensure that your attire will still be looking its best as you leave and enter each destination. Make it a point to review the sizes of vehicles beforehand so that you and your wedding party aren’t unnecessarily cramped by your transportation options.

5. Go for the gusto

Is a stretch limo really the pinnacle of wedding style? These days, you can find everything from an antique Rolls-Royce to a Hummer limousine as rentals. Weddings are monumental events, so make sure you have the wheels to match your style and the spirit of the occasion. If you have extra money in your budget, a dynamic transportation option could put the finishing touch on your festivities.Contact more .

5 Rules to follow when Shopping for Bridesmaid Dresses

As a bridesmaid, shopping for the dress you’ll be wearing at your friend or family member’s ceremony will either be a painless experience to pick up an outfit that is already set for you, or dealing with the stress of picking something that will fall into the bride’s guidelines. It’s the latter example that can be extremely tough for bridesmaids, as many brides are eschewing the full matching ensemble and allowing their wedding parties to impart their own sense of style to their dresses.

Having that freedom is where some bridesmaids may get into trouble! Before you head out to begin shopping for bridesmaids dresses, be sure to follow these tips from the style experts at Nanina’s in the Park!

1. Stick to the color palette

Even if the bride picks a specific color, there is still a huge range of shades within one color that will open up your style choices and allow you to find something that pairs well with your complexion. For example, if the color peach will wash out against the backdrop of your skin tone, opting for something coral for contrast can work beautifully. If for any reason you feel like the color may not work, talk with the bride to go over your options before you buy!

2. Location, location

What type of wedding will this be? Is it going to be held in a church? Is the overarching style more traditional or conservative? As cute as that strapless dress may be, it may not fit into the look and feel of the ceremony and may make you stand out in a negative light. Before you head out shopping, be sure to ask the bride whether a cocktail dress or more elegant gown will be more appropriate. This will help narrow down your choices and ensure that you match the atmosphere of the event.

3. Consider accessories

If you find yourself trying to decide between a simple dress and a more heavily-accented piece, it may be easier to go with the simple dress and punch up your look with accessories instead. Pay particular attention to the color and cut of the dress, and try to steer clear of ensembles that are heavy on embellishments. This will ensure that you adhere to the color palette and overall style, while letting your accessory choices be the symbols of your personal style.

4. Keep the bride in the loop

The bride will undoubtedly have plenty on her plate to prepare for her upcoming nuptials, but it’s vital to keep an ongoing discussion open. While you don’t want to bombard her with every detail regarding the color, cut and length of your dress, you should make an effort to check in before you make a purchase. This will help you avoid any last-minute changes and can pick out a dress that you know the bride is comfortable with.

5. Make it work for you!

Last but not least, one of the biggest perks of being able to choose your own bridesmaid dress is that it’s not forced on you and you can choose something that matches your own sense of style. Opt for something you’d like to wear again and think of it as an investment. It’s possible to strike a balance between your tastes and the bride’s needs, so find that middle ground to make it work! Contact More.

How to Pull Off a Wedding Photo Booth

If there’s one wedding trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, it’s the photo booth! Whether you rent a full-scale photo booth for your festivities or set up a picture area with a fixed camera, this is a wonderful way for you to capture the most light-hearted moments of your special day, while giving your guests a chance to create their own memories of your wedding.

Sound like something that would fit in perfectly with your wedding plans? Then, Nanina’s in the Park is here to help you pull it all together! Here’s what you need to know to pick the perfect wedding photo booth and give your guests all the tools necessary to create unforgettable memories.

1.   Photos or video?

First and foremost, you should pick what type of photo booth you would like to use during your wedding festivities. In addition to the traditional single-shot booths, companies such as The Bosco, Phhhoto and Photomadic offer the ability to capture GIFs. These files, made popular by sites like Buzzfeed and Giphy, take quick bursts of photos and then automatically string them together in a stop-motion-style short clip. Additionally, other options include slow motion video, flipbooks and other styles to suit your tastes.

2.   Backdrops

If you decide to skip renting a full photo booth and would rather set up a photo area, your backdrop can make or break the look of this space. There are nearly unlimited options to choose from, but to start your thought process think of how the season and your wedding’s theme can inform your decorative choices and work from there. This is the best choice for couples who love do-it-yourself craft projects and decorating on their own, and this can be a dazzling way to put your personal stamp on the photo area.

Read More Story  https://www.naninasinthepark.com/2016/11/07/pull-off-wedding-photo-booth/