Getting down with the groove!

So you are Mr and Mrs xxxxxx and it is time to celebrate.

Your reception is decorated and the food is served so what is left apart from the evening entertainment?

Now most venues will have a list of DJ that they recommend but if you are feeling a little bit more adventures then why consider the following.

Karaoke

Brought to us by the Japanese, this craze has sweeped the world for good and bad reasons. For all you good singers out there, there is nothing better then belting out your favourite song to all your friends to hear. Unfortunately you will get the occasional embarrassing moment but those are the moments you will remember.

So if you have brave friends and family who love to be centre stage then this is perfect. And rather then having a first dance how about a first duet?

Friend's Band

Everyone know (or heard) of a friend who is in a band so why not support them by inviting them to your wedding? This was an idea I got off a friend who got married over a year ago and got his own band to play at this reception.

Technology

We all have them and it is a notebook (or laptop for you oldies) with your entire music collection. This is a collection of music that you love so if the venue has the facilities why not just hook up your hardware to the system and put it on random play.

Of course if you are a fan of Apple products then an Ipod can be used in the same way.

Member Feature: Robot In Bloom

Like any bride, you have an idea how you want your wedding to look- especially the flowers. Today's feature is on Offbeat Etsy Weddings Team Member RobotinBloom, whose specialty (and we mean SPECIALTY) is handmade paper flowers.

Now, paper flowers have a HUGE benefit over flowers from a florist:

1. They don't have to be kept in water (or cooled), and will not wilt
2. You can keep them forever
3. Many look so realistic, nobody would ever know (unless you wanted them to)
4. All the stress of working with a florist is completely gone- you can have full control over how it looks, and availability
5. You're no longer limited to the range of typical flower colors
6. You don't have to worry about your favorite flower being in season, or the prices for them!

I think in situations like this, a picture is worth a thousand words:

This Pink Swan bouquet is lively and bright- just the thing for a summer bride, or your bridesmaids!

And this Peony Daisy bouquet has a gorgeous, bright cascade of flowers down the front- it's hard to believe it's paper!

This Custom Paper Flower bouquet has such a retro feel, it would go well at any offbeat bride's event.

This Bridesmaid Bouquet has just the right colors for a summer or fall wedding.

She does gorgeous custom work, and comes highly recommended by her previous customers! Swing by her shop today, and try not to drool all over the flowers- remember, they're paper!

Prying through the veil

The history of the veil stretches back many years and it is used to symbolise many things.

In the Roman times, the bride would wear a brightly colourful veil to ward off evil spirits whereas nowadays it is used to show modesty especially in religious ceremony.

Whatever are your reasons for wearing one, just make sure it reflects your personality.

For those of you who want a long flowing veil clearly you are after something dramatic. This beautiful veil by delightworthyn is full of theatrical styling.

However maybe you are a bride who is looking for something mysterious? What about this masquerade inspired veil by SEAMS.

And finally, for those of you who just want a hint of veil then this birdcage veil by rtisan will add a touch of glamour effortlessly.

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

The royal wedding is on everyone's lips...and Mistress Kate is leading an inspiring trend back toward the millinery arts with her daring toppers and fascinators.

Now - the everyday bride will go for safety with her topper but the offbeat bride will add a lil something of her personality to go off the beaten path and make it her own - whether it be a dash of colour, a sprinkle of John Waters, or a cup of joe.

Take inspiration from these fabulous Milliners of Etsy as they bring fashion, flair and fun to the offbeat etsy bride...

TRAMPMillinery

GraceDunbar

RedDragonfly

BoringSidney

Stephanie Farley

La Coco Rouge

www.lacocorouge.com

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.

Get the vintage look - Gloves

Throughout the history of fashion, gloves have been part of integral part of any fashion-conscience male or female.

Certainly no well-dressed lady would be without her gloves if she was out and about.

Therefore why not apply the same theory to your wedding!

Whether they are a vintage pair from LaChicFemme

Or an upcylced pair from MoonshineBaby,

why not introduce a pair to your outfit which will be very handy if you are planning a winter wedding ^_^.

A Warm Natural Glow

SwankUnderpinnings

Want to have a warm natural glow on your wedding day but don't want to expose yourself to the harmful rays of the sun/tanning bed or get that fake sprayed look..... Then here is your Eco/Green Tip of the Day, Eat your YELLOWS, ORANGEs, and REDS.

It is a best to get a rainbow of colors in your diet but foods that NATURALLY have yellow, orange, and red (no M&Ms don't count) will add a great warm color to your skin. You will not only look healthy for your special day, but also, these veggies have beta-carotene which is a type of pigment found in plants, especially carrots and colorful vegetables.

KRISSY167

Here are some more great benefits you will get from beta carotene:

~ Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A which  is needed for good vision and eye health, for a strong immune system, and for healthy skin and mucus membranes. 

~ Beta-carotene is an antioxidant, It protects the body from damaging molecules called free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells through a process known as oxidation. 

~ Studies suggest that people who eat 4 or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene may reduce their risk of developing heart disease or cancer.

~ Studies suggest that high doses of beta-carotene may decrease sensitivity to the sun.

 Post by Beccijo of TheEnchantedCupboard ~ Enchanting Wooden Toy and Cake Toppers

Confessions of a Seam Ripper

Bustle

Consider this a very brief primer on upcycling /recycling dispelling a common misconception..

Recycled items should cost less.

This is probably one of the most common. You can go the DIY route then and yes it will be smaller cash outlay.Upcycling ,however, is a labor intensive process and as we’ve all heard ‘time is money’.

If you are working with textiles the amount of ‘woman hours’ that go into finding what you need is staggering .I go to my local thrift stores sometimes several times a week because good stuff gets purchased right away.(okay I like going too!) Usually I have a mental list of what I am looking for but keeping an open mind if I see something worthwhile. For me this tends to be any silk garment with an interesting color and sometimes pattern, though I usually go for the solids. For someone else it might be lace, or broken jewelry but you get the idea.

ecoblingcouture

Once purchased and after cleaning you sit down with the most important tools in your arsenal-the very high tech seam ripper. And a good pair of scissors. If you have ever had to take out stitching then you know how tedious it can be. It is a time suck to be sure but there is no way around it. Again-time is money.

It is easier to buy yard goods and cut your pieces from a nice flat consistent width fabric but they just don’t make fabrics like they used to or if they do they are prohibitively expensive, possibly milled in sweatshop conditions and spewing chemicals in to our environment.(Moment of gently preaching here)

So you see how much time and care goes in to preparation for an upcycled garment. I haven’t even gotten into the design process and the making process so you see that this is a large amount of labor. A labor of love.

LondonParticulars

Has the Tradition Always Been White?

Vera Wang

The wedding dress has inspired women for generations…most assuredly what it will look like but most definitely white.

The thing is…white is a recent phenomenon! With the advent of Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 one of the greatest love stories of all time took the imaginations of women by storm, and the Queen wore white thus setting the fashion for years to come.

It used to be that women would wear their best dress to wed in – no matter the colour. In the 1400’s blue was considered to be the colour of purity.

Today we see a happy mix of styles, colours and textures to choose from for our wedding day. Many women are choosing dresses that are versatile enough to be worn again for other occasions.

Here is a small sample of what you can find out there for yourself from vintage to rock star to simple beauty…

Romantic Threads



Isadora Clothing


RoselaniJasmin



Vicious Threads


Vintage Frocks of Fancy

by Stephanie Farley
La Coco Rouge, LLC
www.lacocorouge.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)

DIY wedding favour boxes

Wedding favours are a nice way to say thank you to your guests but what sort of wedding favours do you give them?

A lot of attention is normally paid to what to put into the boxes but we must not forget that the box itself could be personalised as well. One easy way is make them!

The advantage of making them is that you can make them to the size you want and using the paper you have chosen. Yes it will take time and effort but your guest will appreciate your effort as you shall see.

Step one, this is the template you will need to understand to make these boxes.

A = length of box

B = height of box

C = 2 cm length which is needed in construction.

The dashed lines will be your fold lines.

From a standard A4 sheet of paper the largest box you can make is a 5cm(side) x 5cm(side) x 7cm(height) which is more then enough to fit a good size chocolate (or what small treat you may give them).

Step two, rather then folding the paper straight away, I would recommend scoring the dotted lines because these will become the folds. Why are you scoring the paper rather then folding it straight away? Well, this will give a more accurate fold and give a cleaner finish.

Step three, crease each of the scored lines you made so it looks like this.

Step four, fold as following and then insert the two ends into each other.

Step five, this is the tricky bit, pushing the base down. You will need to follow the folds you have made and gently manoeuvre each side on top of each other. This manipulation will open up the side where you have inserted the ends together. To prevent the ends from coming apart you can use a clip to hold them together.

This will require a bit of patient and practice but it will fold down if you gently push it down gradually.

Finished, you have the base for your box.

To make the lid for the box is very simply! All you need to do is

1. Add 1-2mm on A - side of the box
2. Decrease B - height of the box to 2-3cm

then you follows the same folding method as above. Here is my lid to the above box.

As mentioned above, you can use almost any paper you like to make these boxes but I would recommend you use paper that is around 80-100 gsm because it will make step 5 a little bit easier.

Now grab a load of your friends and family and fold to your hearts content!

NOTES :

If you require larger pictures then just click on the picture and it will take you to a larger version.

There is another way of folding the lid to make it more decorative. If you want to learn more then let me know in the comments and I'll sort out a tutorial for those.

Hot Air Balloons!

What could be more offbeat from the traditional path than a Hot Air Balloon wedding?

Floating with lofty ideals, high on love and a desire to step forth into a new phase in your lives melds seamlessly with the thought of leaving the ground and taking the high road with the birds and the clouds.

Here's one site where you can research your own locations for attaining Hot Air Bliss.

Asheville Hot Air Balloons will even offer to have up to 28 balloons tethered together for a full wedding party in the air!

Looking for a little inspiration while you ponder your flight filled fantasy? Check out these cool images from fellow Etsy sellers:

NoteArt

TCaponePhoto

AndreaKett

If you have a cool story involving a wedding and hot air balloons we want to hear about it!