Special Ways to Include the Grandmother of the Bride

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There is a lot of focus on the role played at a wedding by the mother of the bride. But there is another very important family member that should not be overlooked, and that is the grandmother of the bride. Find special ways to include your grandmother in your wedding.

Some women are very close to their grandmothers, and other see them only once in a while. Whether you are one of lucky ones that has a close relationship or not, you will want to find ways to honor your grandmother at your wedding. There are many things that a bride can do to show her love and respect for the older generation.

A very simple thing to do is to give your grandmother a corsage to wear at the wedding. You should also ensure that she is seated at a place of honor during both the ceremony and the reception. This means that your grandmother should sit in one of the first few pew or rows for the marriage service, and at a table near the bride and groom's table for the wedding dinner. As a general rule of thumb, always seat elderly guests away from the music speakers during dinner so that they can hear the conversation at the table. These may sound like very obvious suggestions, but it would be very easy to forget to make the arrangements during the whirlwind of planning a wedding.

Often the bride and groom will give special gifts of jewelry to their mothers before the wedding. When shopping for wedding jewelry gifts, remember to pick up a little something for your grandmothers as well. Choose something that reflects her personality. If you are unsure, pearls are always a lovely and classic gift for a woman of any age. However, if your grandmother is anything like mine, she would prefer her jewelry to shine and sparkle!

A wonderful way to honor your grandmother is to incorporate a detail from her wedding into your own nuptials. If you are fortunate enough to have her bridal gown, it would be quite a tribute to your grandmother to wear it for your wedding. A talented seamstress will be able to refit and update a vintage gown to make it perfect for a modern bride.

Your grandmother will be touched if you decide to carry a replica of her wedding bouquet. She will no doubt recall her wedding flowers with great fondness, and would be tickled pink to watch her granddaughter carry those same blossoms down the aisle. Another way to honor your grandmother would be to dance your first dance to the same song that she and your grandfather chose for their song.

A very easy thing that a bride can do to make her grandmother feel included is to simply include her. Ask her opinion on the food or the flowers. Invite her to a gown fitting if she lives nearby; email her a picture of your gown if she lives far away. You could also ask your grandmother to take on a ceremonial role at the wedding, perhaps as the person in charge of the guest book.

Even if your grandmother is no longer living, it does not mean that you cannot still honor her memory in your wedding. One bride I knew decided to have her wedding on the birthday of her beloved grandmother. Other nice tributes include having her picture displayed at your wedding or lighting a candle in her memory.

Grandmothers are very special people. When you are planning your wedding, take the time to find ways to show your grandmother how much she means to you. Including your grandmother in your wedding will help to make a special day even more meaningful.

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget's experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Gifts of jewelry are a wonderful way to show your grandmother and mother how much they mean to you at your wedding.

Art Deco Inspired Weddings

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One of the most glamorous eras of all time was the Art Deco period in the early Twentieth Century. When you are looking for a style to inspire your wedding design, you couldn't do better than to build your event around the cool sophistication of Art Deco. It is a great choice for a bride and groom who want to have a wedding that is distinctive and elegant.

Art Deco style would be perfect for an evening wedding. The flavor that is associated with Art Deco is swanky, sophisticated, and icy. The design was cool and linear, and often featured elements like repeated lines and mirrored surfaces. If you are looking for a sample of the pinnacle of Deco design, you will find it in the Chrysler Building in New York City.

A good place to start planning your wedding is with the color palette. For an Art Deco feeling, the perfect color is a pale icy blue. Pair it with shades of silver and chrome for a classic Deco look. You can also add in a dark espresso brown for more depth. As an example, picture your tablecloths done in an icy blue with two or three stripes of espresso around the hemline.

Since mirrored surfaces are such an integral part of the Art Deco style, you will want to find ways to use mirrors in your reception décor. One very nice look is to place a mirror in the center of each table under the centerpieces. This technique has the added advantage of making your centerpieces look larger and more impressive. Surround the floral display with candles in cut crystal holders. You could use either tall tapers or low votives.

To really make your theme pop, consider renting chandeliers to decorate your reception venue. Chandeliers from the art deco period were not ornate or flowery. Instead they featured very clean lines. A popular look was rectangles of crystal or mirrors hung vertically in a circle, with several rows to form the whole light fixture.

The bride's ensemble should also fit the Art Deco theme. Forget about big, poufy princess gowns. The look should be slinky, elegant, and very refined. A fabric like silk charmeuse is the perfect example of Deco fashion. It has both the slim lines and the sheen that was characteristic of the era. A charmuese sheath would be a stunning choice for a bridal gown (although it is not the most forgiving style).

The bride will want to find the perfect accessories to complete her look. You do not have to wear estate jewelry, just seek out pieces that have the right flair. Crystal bridal jewelry is perfect because of its clean and icy look. You could even have pieces handcrafted with pale blue crystals, which would look fantastic with a white bridal gown. (And it also covers your "something blue".)

For couples who want a very stylish and sophisticated wedding, the Art Deco look is ideal. It is not a style that you will see at every wedding, which is also nice. The sophisticated and elegant flair of Art Deco design will help you to create an unforgettable wedding.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Crystal bridal jewelry is perfect to invoke the glamour and sophistication of the Art Deco era.