Want Candles at Your Wedding? Plan Ahead!

Historically, candles have always played an important role in wedding ceremonies and their celebrations afterward.

Whether today's wedding couples want to use candles for meaningful cultural rituals, personal symbolism, or simply to create an enchanting and romantic atmosphere, the desire for their use remains strong.

As a candle artist who provides candles for weddings all over the country, here's some critical planning advice: Ask the venue if they allow "open flame" candles! If they do, be sure to ask: Are there any restrictions on types of candles or how many are on each table? Is a city fire permit required and who is responsible for applying for it?


Just so you know, none of this is difficult to do, you just want to be sure you've done your homework ahead of time. When it comes to candles at weddings, early preparation = less stress + more fun!

Because of the risk of fire with open flames amongst lots of people partying, many cities require venues to comply with local fire dept regulations about candle use in public gatherings. You don't want to buy 5o pillar candles, only to find out as they're being placed on the reception tables that they have to be in hurricane holders or you can't light them!


Many locations allow any type of candles as long as they are in glass or other type holders that completely shield the flame from coming into contact with flammable items (the holder usually needs to extend 1-2" above the flame).










Shown throughout this post are some excellent candle holder choices from artists on Etsy. Just click on a photo (linked to their shop) to see the variety each artist offers.



In future posts I'll give more wedding candle tips and advice.

I'll share info on candles for your ceremony, reception, gifts to your attendants and family, and in decorating your new home.

Help me plan my articles to readers' needs! Please tell me your personal experiences or send me questions you'd like answers to. You can do that by commenting here, via convo to ForestCandleStudio on Etsy, or via email to ForestCandleStudio [!at] gmail.com

Best Wedding Wishes!
Marcie Forest

www.etsy.com/shop/forestcandlestudio
www.facebook.com/ForestCandleStudio

Hen Night fun!

You spent so much time on your actual wedding day so why not have a break and indulge yourself on your Hen/Bachelorette Party. I mean you are about to get married and leaving your single life days behind you.

Now you could just go out and dance the night away but we at offbeat like to think differently so why not have a vintage slumber party?

Bring out the cupcakes and your china tea service and celebrate your life in style!

And no slumber party would be complete unless the girls are playing with their hair and makeup so why not hire a vintage stylist to give all you girls a vintage look.

If you are a UK readers then one such stylists are Lipstick & Curls.

Based in London, these lovely ladies specialises in vintage hair and make up and regularly hold workshops around London to show you that the vintage look is for everyone. They are also available for Hen parties where you can try out some vintage hairstyles for your wedding day.

Offbeat wedding planning, free Google wedding organizer, Post your wedding theme

To help you with planning and organizing your wedding, here is a free wedding planner to stay organized.
Google Wedding Planning
Simplify wedding planning
Explore how Google’s free tools can help you save time, stay organized and have fun while planning your big day.

One of your main wedding check list items is a theme? Once, you have picked your theme you are ready to plan your wedding. I had a Vegas wedding which was red and black. Tell me or show me your wedding theme? Post pictures please!

This is a cute idea for wedding favors, I found this on etsy here
This listing is for ten 2 1/4 inch pocket mirrors. Each one is hand-pressed, using a genuine glass mirror and designer paper which is protected by a thin layer of mylar(plastic).

This pretty mirror is the perfect size to keep in your purse, desk, or pocket for quick makeup and hair checks.



Check out my shop here on etsy, MsFormaldehyde
As always please email me if you have any questions or suggestions!
Msformaldheyde@gmail.com

Love knows no barriers

We live in a big wide world and people fall in love from all different backgrounds. This means when it comes to the wedding day one may have to jump over some cultural difficulties.

This can come in many forms, for example, the brides’ family may want a traditional white wedding in a church while the grooms’ family could be Buddhist. Or maybe you are in an inter-racial relationship and you have two families’ culture from different sides of the world.

However rather then viewing this as a complication, you should use your cultural differences as a way of making your wedding offbeat and get the best of both worlds!

How can one do this? Well here are some steps that one could use.

Step 1 – Planning stage

Before you pick up any magazines, books or looking at websites, sit down and think about what cultural elements you wish to have and where. Maybe there is a custom that you wish to follow or wearing a specific wedding colour. Try and list all the things that are important to the both of you and then assign an element of the wedding to them.

Step 2 - Compromise

Time to think about your family and friends. It maybe your wedding day but unless you are not having any guest you must consider their feelings. Most are more then likely to be happy with your decisions but there will always be someone who will try and throw a spanner in your plans.

Therefore you may need to compromise in certain areas so it is best to sort this out as soon as possible to avoid future upsets and stress.

Step 3 – Research, research and research

Now it is time to look at magazines, books and websites to find what you want. Do not feel that you will need everything to be custom-made. You may be surprise with what you find from mainstream wedding suppliers. Remember it is what you do rather then what you buy that makes you offbeat.

However don’t be afraid to go off the beaten track in your research. Find suppliers from the country that your culture originate. Ask family members and friends for recommendations as it isn’t always obvious especially if you are not fluent in your cultures language.

If you still can’t find anything then consider custom-made. Etsy has an array of designers and artists who are capable of making your dreams come true.

Step 4 – Timing

Now it is time to start ordering especially if you wish to order from overseas suppliers. You may think this is an obvious thing to consider but you will be surprise how fast time flies once you start getting things together. Placing your order for overseas suppliers early is important as it will give you time to receive the items and inspect them. If they are not suitable then you will have the time to get it changed or find an alternative. Of course some things are not possible to receive ahead of time like the wedding cakes but it is a good idea to discuss your ideas with supplier to make sure they understand your requirements and importantly deliver it on your wedding day!

Hopefully with these steps you will help you with your multi-cultural wedding issues and remember if everything doesn’t go according to plan. Just run off to Las Vegas and get married by Elvis! (Only kidding)

Organize Your Offbeat Wedding

Custom Wedding PLanner

Organization is the key to a great wedding no matter your style. No matter whether you are going all out and getting a wedding planner or are on a budget, being organized will make or break your day. With some great tips, a little know how, and some FAB Etsy finds any engaged person can organize the Offbeat Wedding of their dreams.

ladiesandgentlemen Chalk Piggy Bank

Know your budget.  Don't fight it; embrace it. Working within your means is something to be proud of and a goal you can achieve. There are so many websites and books out there for the budget wedding you will have no trouble getting what you want for less. When I got married my father gave me a small budget and I was never more proud then when I could tell him I stayed below my budget and gave him money back.

The 'I Will Get It Done Soon' NotePad

Make a list of what needs to be done. Don't know what to do?  Buy an wedding planner notebook; it's the best investment you could make! Separate the list into what you and your partner can do, add a separate category for thing to get help with. Have that list ready for when friends and family say, "What can I do to help?"  Let them help; it will make them feel like they are part of your happy day.

Mini Chalkboard Calendar

Finding fun ways to keep on track with your day to day activities will help you not feel overwhelmed. Find places to add fun organizers like this mini chalkboard calender that can go anywhere. Don't have a fancy phone with the latest gadgety apps?  Then try using online reminder systems like www.googlecalender.com or www.memotome.com that will send you a reminder through your email. Remember to use your social media to keep your wedding party up to date on important events.

Large Herringbone Wine Cork Bulletin Board

Last try "Storybooking" your ideas, make all your ideas into a fun college that you can look at and add to or change as you need to. This fun cork board would be great to have a central place to post all the parts that will come together to make your Offbeat Wedding Dreams come true. When all is done you will have a great graphic reminder of your day.

by Beccijo of The Enchanted Cupboard

Get Organized!

Black Bird DayPlanner by doublehappiness

It's the start of a new year, and this offbeat bride's resolution:  
 

 Get Organized!!

Planning a wedding is an incredibly exciting and sometimes completely overwhelming undertaking. No matter how large or small, formal or informal, offbeat or traditional, your wedding, there will be more than a handful of decisions to make along the way - not mention numbers to keep track of, appointments to keep, and people to coordinate.

If other offbeat (read "creative and inspired") brides out there are anything like me, they are masters of scheming, and dreaming, and bookmarking, and "to-do"ing, and sketching and scribbling, and "favoriting" all over the place!

So....

Resolution for the new year: get all those names, and numbers, and ideas in one place!

Bonus: With a little help from other creative people, like the shop owners at Etsy.com, organization doesn't have to be boring. In fact, your wedding planner, should be the first thing you purchase or create for your wedding that radiates the oh-so-in-love personality you hope to capture on the big day.

~ * ~

PickMePaperDesigns

Custom Wedding Planner Binder by Pick Me Paper Designs

By far the most comprehensive planner out there - custom-designed to match your wedding colors and motifs; chock-full of check-lists, logs, and organizers; includes pockets for vendor materials and weekly and monthly calendars as well as available customized add-ins.

Custom Weekly Planner and Notebook Set, Handwoven with Satin Ribbons

by PriaVanda 

Great for a bride who wants one place for dates and "to-do" lists and another carry-everywhere notebook for jotting down ideas. Available in all colors!!

Oilcloth 3-ring binders by rbtbags on Etsy

Or for the true DIY-er, there are loads of wedding planning printables available on the web to help you get organized in any beautiful book or binder that you choose!

Working With Custom Vendors

Bridal Season is heating up and now is the time to start contacting vendors for your custom pieces! I have put together a few tips to help you get exactly what you have envisioned for your big day.

When you contact a vendor about making a custom piece or set make sure you mention the important stuff up front.

• Your wedding date is of course important but also letting the vendor know about any hair trials or other "need by" dates.
• Let the designer know if you are considering a bigger set and not just one item. Some vendors, like myself, will give a discount for bigger sets!
• Your budget. I know, I know - you feel like giving someone a budget is like letting someone rip you off (what if they were going to say way less!?) I felt the same way when I was planning my wedding. But here is the thing, if you let me know how much you want to spend I can find materials and sources to make the best piece possible for that amount of money. I may even throw in something extra because i know it will make your wallet happy!
• Pictures, Ideas & Inspiration. Nothing will help a vendor give you a quote faster than pictures of what you are looking for. Your idea of medium may be way different than mine - but a picture of what you think is medium will help me to know exactly what you expect. Pictures are the key to success. Send pictures of your dress, your shoes, something you like, your hair, whatever. Every picture helps.
  

Other things to consider:

Color Obsessed: Go to Home Depot and grab some free paint color swatches that match your theme - ask your designer for their mailing address and send them off!

Pressed for Time: Let the designer know up front if you are super stressed out. Even if your wedding is 8 months away - if you mentally need something done soon, please let us know!

Not happy with the final product?
Talk to your vendor! If a comb, a fit, a size, a whatever, is not working for you, just let the designer know. They will most likely be happy to try and fix it for you. Even if your wedding is 3 days from now - your designer can talk you through a simple fix that you or a loved one can do at home. If you don't let us know, we cant fix it.

Good Luck and Congratulations!

Staying Happy During Wedding Planning

When I was in my early and mid twenties I thought I would never get married. Never have kids. Then I met Chris. He was the male version of me. He was all the good things about all the men I had ever loved and none of the bad. He was everything I had no idea I wanted. He made me want to get married, made me want to have kids.

© Holly Jones Photo

A few years later we had an offbeat wedding; a non-white dress, Vegas, tattoos, mustaches, no sit down dinner, no cake, no first dances, no bridesmaids, no introductions. Just an killer open bar, 80 of our closest friends and family and a party that lasted until the sun came up.

© Holly Jones Photo

Every time we look through our pictures of the wedding week we talk about how we wish we could get married all over again... From the planning to the day of experience - the whole thing. And I think that, right there, is the secret to wedding planning. Do it exactly how you want to do it. Do it so good that you want to do it again. Don't get caught up in little things - in fact if that little thing has been bugging the two of you - get rid of it! Even if its something you THOUGHT was important to you.

© Holly Jones Photo

If you are not having fun during your planning - rethink everything! Now I am not saying that a few late nights of annoying DIY projects are not worth it. They may be. There will be stress. But it should be the kind of stress that brings you together - not drives you apart.

With that said...good luck and congrats!

Wedding Budget

While trolling around the Internet for wedding planning ideas I happened upon this great printable wedding planning budget on About.com. A budget is probably the most important thing you can do to get ready for your wedding day .... And also the least fun thing, but essential for everything to run smoothly. This is just a basic budget of course so expand it where you need to, but it is a great starting point. Happy planning :)