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Creative Bridal Bouquets that Don’t Cost a Fortune
The wedding gown is usually the main event of any wedding. But the perfect gown needs the perfect accessory – just the right bridal bouquet. It completes the image of the bride and will be admired forever in the wedding photographs.
Some bridal bouquets can be very expensive. Even if your bouquet does double-duty as a centerpiece during the reception, it’s just not worth spending a lot of money on when you consider all your other wedding expenses. Here are some suggestions for creative bridal bouquets that don’t cost the earth.
Shop for Discounts. Your local flower shops aren’t the only place to look for bridal bouquets. Think creatively and look online for a floral supplier that will deliver your bouquet to you. You can also shop for flowers at Costco or at a farmer’s market. These places sell beautiful arrangements of flowers that you can put together into a bouquet.
Fresh Flowers. Instead of going to a floral store and paying them create a bouquet for you, consider creating your own hand-tied bouquet with flowers from the garden. To turn fresh cut flowers into a bouquet, wrap the stems together with an elastic band and then cover them with a broad ribbon and bow. You can even grow your own bridal bouquet by planting your favorite flowers well ahead of time and then cutting them for the big day.
Faux-flower Bouquet. Fresh flowers can be pretty pricey. You can keep the cost of your bouquet down by taking another creative approach and using faux flowers instead. Silk flowers are one way you could go, and are easy to find at a hobby or craft store. You could also consider another type of floral bouquet. How about a bouquet made of ribbon flowers, cookies or candy?
Non-floral Bouquet. Perhaps you don’t need to carry flowers at all. Some unique plants and greenery can be put together to make a creative and attractive bridal bouquet. Some examples of plants that would work well are ferns, pussy willows and ivy. For a fall wedding, you could carry a bouquet of colourful fall leaves.
No Bouquet. It may be that you would prefer to not carry a bridal bouquet at all. Instead of flowers, you might choose to carry a meaningful object down the aisle with you. A precious family heirloom might be the perfect accessory for your gown. For an evening wedding, a lit candle; for a Catholic wedding, a jewelled rosary; or at a beach wedding, you could carry a beautiful shell. Some brides may even elect to carry nothing at all and wear a pair of beautiful gloves or a muff instead.
The bridal bouquet is an important part of your day, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create the look you want.
When you’re planning your wedding, one of the things you’ll want to remember to budget for are the wedding favors. These are the souvenirs that your guests will take home from your wedding as a thank you for participating in your special day. So, this is not an area where you want to scrimp. You hope that your guests will enjoy your gift to them, and see it as a token of your appreciation. However, you don’t want to blow your budget on buying wedding favors either. Here are some ideas for great wedding favors on a budget.
Bulk gifts. Items like candy and potpourri can make lovely wedding favors. You can buy them pre-packaged from bridal shops, but it is smarter to buy them in bulk and package them yourself. Instead of shopping at an expensive wedding store, visit a grocery or hobby shop for discount pricing. To create your own gift wrapped packages, wrap bundles of the bulk item in tulle and tie with a ribbon.
Make homemade treats. For a personal touch, make homemade treats to give to your guests. Special cookies are always welcome. If you make homemade candy, that can also be a nice gift. When you wrap them up, add a handwritten note thanking your guests for sharing your day with you. It will be an extra special touch that will make your favour all the more meaningful.
Candles and votives. Candles and votives can be beautiful reminders of your wedding day. Look for candles in the same colors as your wedding decorations. Almost everyone enjoys candles so it is a practical gift as well. These are also very affordable when purchased at discount or bulk stores.
Bubbles. For a fun twist and lots of laughs, give each guest a small bottle of bubbles as a thank you. Tie a note with the date of your wedding around the neck of the bottle. These will provide entertainment during the reception too, as most guests won’t wait until they get home to blow their bubbles.
Make Music. Another idea is to burn a CD of music to commemorate your special day and give a copy to each guest. Be sure to follow copyright laws. Whenever they play your CD, your guests will think of you.
Flowers and Plants. If you’re having a spring or summer wedding, consider giving out packets of seeds as a wedding favor. These will be a long-lasting fragrant reminder of your nuptials. Alternatively, you can give out tiny potted plants for a spring garden. These are very inexpensive, and if you buy in bulk, you may be able to get further discounts.
Scented soaps. These are another item you might want to consider giving out as a favor. They have an attractive scent, and often come in pretty shapes and wrappings. They are another practical gift that is pretty to look at as well.
There are many options for buying great wedding favors on a budget. When you use your creativity for buying thoughtful gifts for your guests, they will be appreciated all the more.
When people think about making changes to their home, either one or two rooms or the entire space, most often they imagine color. Generally people choose colors they are fond of or those which correspond with pieces of furniture. When searching for ideas for decorating a home, one idea which is perhaps overlooked is decorating with the two basic colors – black and white.
Black and white, used in decorating, creates drama and pizzazz. It is said that every room can benefit by using a touch of black. Black is a color which anchors and grounds a room. Adding sophistication, black is definitely a color that demands attention. Ideas for decorating a home using black may include accessories such as light fixtures, trim or furniture. Black serves to add definition to focal points of a room. Black is just one color that stands out or makes a statement.
Bold and bright colors can totally change the mood of a room. Painting one wall a bold color and leaving the others walls with a less dramatic color can make a nice statement. Perhaps decorating some smaller room items or furnishings in bold colors while leaving the larger areas of the room in lighter shades is more your style.
Using black and white when decorating a home, provides a clean, fresh, elegant atmosphere. This combination can be added to any room in a home making it a sophisticated space. Black and white are often used in contemporary home decorating and often used to accent other colors in French Country design. It may be hard to visualize but there are many ideas for decorating a home using only these two basic colors.
The floor is a great place to start in decorating a space. Black and white vinyl tiles laid alternately makes a beautiful checkerboard pattern and looks clean and elegant. Black marble used on the floor, accented by wide white baseboards, another beautiful idea for decorating a home. White ceramic tiles with a black border or simply paint the floor black or white and use stencils of the opposite color for decoration. These are great ideas for decorating a home.
White walls, is there anything more perfect? Painting the walls white or even an off-white, would make a perfect background for accessories such as artwork framed in black. That you can imagine. Elegant black window treatments or black shutter against a clean, crisp white wall would definitely create an aura of sophistication. Perhaps a glass-top table with black iron trim and black chairs, these are terrific ideas for decorating a home using black and white.
A bedroom decorated using black and white would be lovely, but don’t be afraid to use bold and bright colors. An iron bed-frame in black or white, covered with a striped black and white comforter. For the pillow shames, you could use either all black or all white and could add throw cushions in the opposite color. A nice leather black or white chair in the corner would be certainly accent the room. Then the white walls with an elegant piece of artwork, framed in black hanging on it, this would surely add to the contemporary feel. Black furniture against the crisp white walls would look neat and tidy. Jazz up the room with accessories such as pewter or silver candlesticks, jugs or vases. If you think the room needs a little color to complete the look, perhaps a throw or cushion in a bold color like red or gold, for the chair in the corner of the room would be enough to accent the room.
There are numerous ideas for decorating a home. Finding one that suits you and those that live in your home is important. It’s nice to do something radical and off-the-wall but remember you must be able to live with it for a while.
Home interior decorating is a perfect opportunity for you to express yourself. Home interior decorating allows you to showcase your interests; interests in furniture, art and even different cultures. Every decorating style is different, with some being elaborate while others are plain. However, there is a home interior decorating style to suit your personality as well as your budget.
Budget is usually at the top of the list when making plans for home interior decorating. It is easy to look at a picture and want to recreate it in your space. Sometimes the details in home decorating pictures are quite expensive which may introduce obstacles for you. There’s no need to be disheartened however, there are always alternate ideas to help you achieve your ideal space. Resources such as magazines, books, television programs and Internet websites are very helpful with suggestions and ideas for home interior decorating. Using these resources you’re bound to find alternatives to any problems you may have with home interior decorating.
If you are an individual who loves color and authentic home interior decorating, there are several designs to choose from. Primitive home interior decorating is interesting because it concentrates on old and handmade items. This is a wonderful opportunity to display collectables and handed down treasures. This style suggests using accessories and furniture which appear extremely old, worn, stained or antique. If you are a person who likes antiques, primitive interior decorating might be right for you. When choosing a paint color for this design, dark and warm shades are recommended. Deep grey or red brick would work well in this space.
Another home interior decorating design that you may find interesting is whimsical decorating. This design allows you to go wild with your imagination. Using any and all of your favourite colors, you space should be decorated thoroughly with various patterns and colors. This home interior decorating design is all about color. The important detail to remember however is, if you choose bold vibrant colors, stay within that hue of color. If you decide to use pastel colors, stick with colors in the pastel palette.
If you have difficulty moving from the past into modern home interior decorating, traditional design may be for you. This home interior decorating style combines the modern look with the elegant look of the past. Space is important in the traditional design. To help create a spacious atmosphere, neutral colors such as neutral, beige or mushroom is recommended for the walls. To add a punch of color to this traditional design, darker colors such as burgundy, mauve, blues and greens are suggested for the upholstery, fabric, rugs, etc. When choosing accessories for this home interior decorating design, china and crystal objects will compliment this style. You might also like to add some artwork to your space. Paintings with wood frames go great with this traditional theme.
There are just three of the many designs for home interior decorating. There are many and there is one, just for you. Browsing sources about home interior decorating designs will give you a better idea of their characteristics regarding color, furnishings, flooring and accessories. With your individual tastes and interests at the forefront, you ought to be able to find a style that works for you. Home interior decorating can turn your home into an oasis of pure enjoyment.
12 Quick Decorating Tips to Add Some Style to Your Home
If you don’t have the time or the money for a full home renovation, here are 10 quick decorating tips to add a little excitement and style to your home:
1. Wallpaper borders: You don’t have to paint or fully cover walls to add a bit more interest. Try wallpaper borders. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and shapes.
2. Add a Throw Rug: Even if you already have a carpeted room, you can add a brightly colored or uniquely patterned rug for a different look. You can place them at floor level, mid-level or up at the ceiling. Get creative!
3. Put Valances on the Window: A window valance is simply a small decorative curtain. It’s much shorter and it’s only function is to look pretty on a bare window or a window with blinds.
4. Keep Your Home Organized: Okay, that doesn’t really sound like a decorating tip, but the more organized and uncluttered your home is, the better it will look and the more comfortable it will feel.
5. Try New Ceiling Lighting or a New Lamp: It’s amazing what a difference lighting can make in a home. Update your look with some new lighting.
6. Add Color: There are so many ways to add color to your home. You can do it with towels, throw pillows, table skirts, folding screens, new bedsheets and more.
7. Paint Your Cabinets: Not ready for new cabinets? If you have wooden cabinets, you can easily paint them with acrylic paint made for wood.
8. Decorate Your Walls: Add paintings, framed photographs, art-work, candle sconces or whatever suits your fancy.
9. Add New Decorative Light Switch Covers: Forget about plain and boring white or beige light covers. Add some excitement to the room.
10. Add Cushions to Your Chair: Not only will it create a new look for your chairs, but it might cover up some of those scratches that build over time.
11. Change Your Door Handles: Door handles aren’t too complicated to change and come in a variety of styles and color choices.
12. Add Candles, Vases or other Centerpieces to Your Tables: You can try pillar candles in various sizes placed on a decorative plate, a brightly colored vase with fresh flowers or another unique centerpiece to add beauty to any room.
Not all home makeovers require a contractor and thousands of dollars. If you have a bit of time this weekend, now’s the perfect time to get started with these great ideas.