The lucky people of England will enjoy a public holiday on this day to celebrate this rare occasion which will be watched the world over. The global interest in this historic event has already seen significant investment by manufacturers of Royal Wedding memorabilia hoping to cash in as enthusiastic royal watchers and fans start collecting their piece of history.

Buckingham Palace has issued rules on what souvenir manufacturers can produce in terms of William and Kate wedding merchandise. Items must be permanent and significant – tea towels, t-shirts and aprons are out, whereas mugs, china plates and biscuit jars are in. While this may be the official rule, manufacturers will still be trying to get in on the act and you can expect to see t-shirts and the like being sold in their thousands but they will not hold any long term value.

If you are looking to collect some Royal wedding memorabilia as an investment you will be well advised to take note of these rules as they will affect the long term value of such items and determine what will become sought after by collectors in the future.

So what William and Kate Royal wedding collectibles are on offer?

China products

The first official souvenirs issued by the Royal Family, available at palaces and online, are bone china mementos. A tankard, plate and pill box are all decorated with the couple’s initials, the Prince’s coronet and wording to commemorate the marriage. They come in a presentation box and should make a solid investment. Unfortunately the faces of the happy couple are not anywhere to be seen which may impact on the desirability of these pieces.

For high quality fine porcelain china commemorative plates and mugs, look no further than the Aynsley collection. This highly sought after 4-piece set includes an engagement plate, loving cup with two handles, tankard mug and coaster. Despite being hand painted, these items are currently very affordable but are likely to rocket in price as the supply dwindles.

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Coins

Commemorative coins are another good investment when it comes to Royal wedding memorabilia. They will be embossed with the important dates and will increase in value over the years to come especially if they are made from silver or gold or are part of a limited edition run. The official coin from the Royal Mint features the Prince in profile with Kate looking at him in an informal pose. It also refers to the future Princess as Catherine. It comes in silver and gold options and prices start at £9.99.

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Stamps

Stamps are always popular with collectors and as all Commonwealth countries will issue their own commemorative stamps for the William and Kate wedding there will be plenty to choose from. Why not build a themed collection over the coming years by collecting all related stamps that will no doubt be available to not only commemorate the wedding but also the birth of any children.

Replica jewelry

The Kate Middleton Engagement ring is better known as the Princess Diana engagement ring as Prince William gave his mother’s ring to Kate. This ring is very famous, absolutely beautiful and iconic. It’s large, stunning deep blue oval sapphire is surrounded by small diamonds. You can get your own replica of this highly sought after ring design online to use either as an elegant engagement ring of your own or to dress up that party outfit. And who wouldn’t want their very own part of this modern day fairy tale? Prices vary from under $100 for a sterling silver ring with cubic zirconias to thousands of dollars for a white gold ring with sapphires and diamonds.

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Other William and Kate wedding merchandise

THIMBLES: Commemorative thimbles are something of a tradition dating back over a century. They have collectible value and are available printed with a portrait of William and Kate. Those that are embossed made from precious metals are the ones to look out for.

READING MATERIALS: This is the sort of collection you can accumulate without spending much money. Keep anything you can find in newspapers and magazines about the engagement, wedding and beyond, including photographs, add to it with books and you will have a unique collection which if it is kept in immaculate condition will be of interest to collectors. If you are just looking for a good read on this royal love story, then this book is a good choice.

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DOLLS: Yes dolls, you will be able to buy dolls of the happy couple, but until the wedding dress is seen on the day any purchased pre-wedding will be speculative. If it is a doll you are after, you are better to wait until after the big day.

DVDs: Similar to the dolls the official DVDs of the wedding will not available until after April 29th.

Tips to build up a valuable Royal memorabilia collection

There have already been crazy ideas for royal wedding memorabilia hitting the market from limited edition beds, to new cocktails and life size cardboard cutouts of William and Kate, but if you want to buy something as an investment here are a few tips:

• Don’t buy anything that is not of a high quality. Inferior products will be on offer for minimal as well as exorbitant prices so make sure you protect your investment by buying from a reputable company.
• Try and acquire an extensive and themed collection.
• Ensure you store your collection well to keep it in mint condition. Keep anything boxed or packaged as is.
• Look out for fine bone china pieces as they hold their value. High quality china as well as hand painted versions are the ones to collect – see the Aynsley collection above.
• Cups and mugs with portraits of Prince William and Princess Catherine are likely to become collectors pieces.
• Commemorative plates are another good option and will be available both before and long after the wedding to mark such events as anniversaries or the birth of their children. Those with portraits of the couple will be the most desirable.
• Portraits are the key to the future popularity of an item.

Overall bear in mind that any real increase in value is not likely to be seen for another 30-40 years so buy for future generations rather than yourself!

Not only is the stand important for supporting the cake and its various tiers, but it also has to display it beautifully.

As with everything to do with weddings, there are many different styles of wedding cake stand to choose from. So where do you start?

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Here we have put together a collection of 7 different styles of wedding cake stands so you can see what is on offer. Below you can then find a buying guide giving you some pointers on what to think about when choosing the right stand for your big day as well as some other ideas to help you with this exciting decision.

Gold wedding cake stands

These beautiful beaded 18″ gold wedding cake stands offer something a bit different to the run of the mill silver look. Standing 5″ tall, they have been hand crafted to be a stunning centerpiece to your wedding cake supplies. They really are gorgeous and will showcase your wedding cake elegantly.

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Tiered Wedding Cake Stands

These 3 tiered wedding cake stands from Wilton look really graceful and sophisticated. The overall design is 14″ x 29″ and is easy to assemble. The cake plates are clear and will hold 6″, 8″ and 10″ round cakes. The scrollwork is a cream colored metal and the graceful curves allow you to add a few dainty flowers for additional embellishment. The look is one ideal for a traditional or garden themed wedding. Don’t miss these cheap wedding cake stands.

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Floating wedding cake stands

This floating design is another favorite from the Wilton wedding cake stands range. The three heart shaped tiers are supported from behind to give the appearance of them floating in the air which will not fail to impress your guests. The white enameled metal back support can be used to add extra decorative touches if adorned with flowers or ribbon. The plates have scalloped edges and are non breakable. The only possible downside to this dramatic looking stand is the fact that you need heart shaped cakes to fit on the plates, but Wilton also sells heart shaped baking pans if you are making the cake yourself.

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Square wedding cake stands

These hand crafted silver wedding cake stands are 18″ square and impressively deep. This could be the next family heirloom that you pass down the generations as it will never rust or tarnish. If you are planning a heavy cake, this is the stand for you as it can hold up to a whopping 60 lbs and will not sag.

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Wedding cupcake stands

Wedding cupcake trees are rapidly increasing in popularity due to their more contemporary feel. They also allow for individual cakes of varying flavors to satisfy the tastes of all of your guests. This lofty version has six tiers and can hold between 125-150 cupcakes. If you need less, then you can always embellish empty tiers with flowers or other adornments. You can also tuck flower heads between the cupcakes to make the look even more beautiful. The pretty plates have a romantic lace look to them and the center column offers exceptional support. The 18″ base plate has six sturdy feet and the other separator plates measure from 8″ up to 16″. The gap between the tiers is about 5″ so make sure your cupcakes are smaller than this. This cupcake stand will definitely rise to the occasion.

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Glass wedding cake stands

For a more unusual wedding cake stand arrangement try this set of three white iron and glass cake stands. The white scrolling is very attractive as well as the drop dangle accents. Each stand is a different diameter and height allowing for an attractive layout of three different sizes of cake. If you don’t like traditional wedding cake, you could also use these cake stands for varying desserts, such as mousse and cheesecake. The beauty of these cake stands can be tied in with other similarly designed wedding decorations such as candle chandeliers.

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Unique wedding cake stands

For something a bit more unusual why not go for this stepped wedding cake stand. There are six tiers of strong anodized aluminum disks supported by a chromed steel post and sturdy metal base. You can adjust the arms to any position, so as well as stepped or random you could achieve a floating look as well. These cascading wedding cake stands are truly exceptional.

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Wedding Cake Stands Buying Guide

To help you make a quicker and more informed choice between the range of wedding cake stands available here are a few things to think about:

Plate size – when you order your wedding cake, your baker will want to know how many guests you are having so they can ensure that there will be enough cake for everyone. Ask them the diameter of each tier so you can buy a stand that will be neither too big nor too small. Diameters usually range between 8″ and 25″.

Number of tiers – following discussions with your wedding cake baker, you will know how many tiers your cake is going to have. Obviously you need to ensure your cake stand has at least this number of plates, but you could also consider buying a stand with extra layers to adorn with additional decorations such as flowers. Most wedding cakes require 2-3 tiers, but for larger functions 5-6 may be needed. Remember each additional tier adds more to your cost in terms of the stand and the cake. You are also well advised to buy a higher quality stand if you are having more tiers as you don’t want it all collapsing on the big day.

Weight of cake – ask your baker for an estimate of the cake’s weight when finished and frosted. This will alter depending on the cake’s diameter and the type of cake (fruit is heavier than sponge). Make sure your stand has enough support for your cake. If you are having a particularly large or heavy cake you would be well advised to steer clear of floating wedding cake stands unless they are high quality ones that are guaranteed to hold the weight of your cake.

Style – try and match the style of your cake stand with the theme of your wedding whether this be simple, elegant, ornate or contemporary. There are also different finishes, materials, heights, shapes and colors to choose between. Stands can be made of metal, glass, acrylic and even styrofoam for the most inexpensive option. They can be unraised, on a pedestal or slightly raised wedding cake plateaus. A little height can create a more impressive look. One thing to avoid is mirrored plates which look great when staged for sales photographs but are terribly difficult to keep clear of dust, fingerprints or frosting on the day.

Other Wedding Cake Stand Ideas

Renting – you can rent wedding cake stands as they are typically a one off purchase so why bother but this can be expensive. Why not ask your cake maker or a friend who bought one for her wedding? The only trouble with this is your choice will be more restricted.

Make your own – if you are on a tight budget why not consider making your own cake stand. Find some cheap wedding cake stands and cover them with a beautiful satin fabric. Add real or fake flowers to the edge and you can create a work of art. You won’t be able to achieve the floating or cascading look but with some wedding cake pillars you can still have a great looking 3 tiered cake.

Themed – as well as making your own cake stand you can achieve an affordable option by thinking outside the box. This is often easier if your wedding has a theme – how about using a mini surf board or a piece of drift wood for a beach theme, or a pile of books for the studious couple, or a wheel for the car mad couple. Obviously whatever unusual cake stands you come up with will need to be cleaned or covered carefully before use.

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The finer details of your wedding are what define it and make it special to you. Wedding cake stands are just one such item where a little thought and research could pay off wonderfully by adding that extra special touch to the occasion.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime event so it should not only be special, but reflect your personality and taste as well. One of the best ways to achieve this is by making your own invitations to suit your own personal style.

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DIY wedding invitations are not only specifically tailored to your particular wedding, but they’ll also save you a considerable amount of money as well. Handmade invitations can be a symbol of the love shared between the bride and groom, as well as a memento that people will remember for years to come. And, because you’ve managed to save money on invitations, you can splurge on something else for your special day.

How much can you save with DIY wedding invites?

Price is often the number one factor when deciding to make your own wedding invitations.

The average couple normally spends around $650 on the invitations alone, with custom-printed invitations costing about $2.50 per piece. Of course, this figure can go up dramatically if you choose high-end engraved invitations from a specialty shop.

By making your own invitations, you can save between $1 and $1.50 per invitation, as they can cost as little as $1 each to produce. That adds up to about $260 total, a difference of more than $390.

Pros and cons of DIY wedding invitations

In addition to price, a benefit to DIY wedding invitations is that you have a far greater selection of background papers to choose from, as well as the option of customizing your invitations to individual guests. Additional invitations, perhaps having been thought of after the main batch, can also be printed quickly and cheaply.

The downside to making your own invitations is first and foremost the amount of time you will have to spend on your project. It will take approximately one to two minutes to print and assemble each invitation, using an invitation kit designed for easy creation. If you’re designing your own invitations, it will take considerably longer, depending upon how complicated you want to get.

Options for making your own wedding invitations

There are generally two options to consider when planning to make your own wedding invitations. You can either design them yourself, buying all of the supplies a la carte, or you can purchase one of the numerous DIY wedding invitations kits available. There are, of course, pros and cons to both approaches, such as time, money, and control over the finished product. More creative types will probably want to design their own invites from start to finish but for everyone else, a kit is the way to go.

DIY Wedding Invitation Kits

Printable invitation kits contain everything needed, such as the blank invitation, response set, and envelopes, and are relatively simple and straightforward. Kits are available in almost any style and design format, including pocket folder, self mailer, handmade paper, and distinctive layers. Designs can range from the very simple, such as plain paper with an embossed or color border, to the more intricate, like the Laura Ashley Hydrangea invitation with vellum overlay and a white silk bow.

A La Carte Wedding Invitations

On the other hand, if you choose to make the invitations yourself and buy all of the supplies, it becomes a bit more complicated but the end result is well worth the effort. Supplies needed can include tweezers, a hole-punch, pressed flowers, ribbon, paper, vellum, and envelopes, depending upon what kind of look you’re seeking. With this option, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creativity. The invitations can be as simple or intricate as you would like, with loose sheet handmade paper and eco-friendly attachments, like ferns and bamboo.

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Considering the options, designing your own wedding invitations is a smart, budget-friendly choice. However, if you aren’t the artsy-crafty type, a project of this magnitude may not fit in with all of the other things that need to be accomplished before the wedding. Chic brides will find it difficult to obtain the needed materials in craft and office supply stores; generally speaking the type of paper and templates that are carried in these stores are rather subpar.

One of the best places to shop is the Internet, where everything you can dream up is readily available. Invitations should be one-of-a-kind and worth saving and remembering long after the occasion is over. Cheaply made invites will not convey this message properly.

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Of course, handmade invitations are much more likely to be one-of-a-kind and unique. However, no matter which option you choose, your invitations are sure to set the tone for your wedding. Invitations convey personality, theme, and style in one piece of paper, so ensure that the most important day of your life starts with beautiful DIY wedding invitations.

The cost of a beach wedding is also a lot lower than a traditional ceremony as you have the beautiful free scenery as a backdrop. You will also probably have fewer guests to worry about but you can still enjoy shopping for the beach wedding supplies that will make your day special. You will be amazed at just how many themed accessories there actually are and with the scaled down costs you can let loose a bit more and buy more varied items.

Beach weddings may be less formal but they still need planning and many of the usual wedding supplies need to be slightly different. This complete guide to beach wedding supplies should give you pointers on everything you need to think about to achieve that special beachy feel.

Beach Wedding Stationery

First of all you need to tell your guests that you are planning a wedding by the sea. They may have to travel a fair distance to attend so they will need to know well ahead of time. Use a beach theme wedding invitation to get the mood going early on – something with a gold shimmer effect will do the trick nicely.

Beach Wedding Attire

Wedding gowns to wear at beach weddings need to be a lot simpler and more informal than the huge, meringue style affair with long train you could get away with indoors. You need a light weight material, preferably very floaty that will look elegant and stunning when combined with a few flowers in your hair. Do not over accessorize or you will end up mixing your messages by combining a more formal dress with an informal theme.

Photo by johnunrue007.

Once you have the dress picked out you need to consider whether you will want to stay in this for the after party or whether you will want to slip into something a bit more comfortable. A set of matching spaghetti strap tank tops printed with Bride, Bridesmaid and Flower Girl would be perfect for these members of the wedding party.

Beach Wedding Shoes

Consider your wedding shoes carefully as you do not want ones that will sink into the sand when you walk. Special beach wedding flip flops are ideal or for something dressier consider barefoot bridal sandals. These bottom-less, beaded foot jewels are in fact a strap of beads that run from toe to ankle and make your feet twinkle with elegance. They are comfortable for your walk down the aisle and for dancing the night away and will complete your beach wedding look.

Beach Wedding Podium

Some beach wedding venues have specially designated areas with pergolas or the like where their weddings take place. If you are marrying on a beach that is not set up with such a facility you will probably want to create a temporary area to define the wedding party boundaries. A simple wooden frame can be used and decorated with shimmering fabrics and boards can be placed on the sand to provide temporary seating. Just make sure these temporary structures are sturdy enough should strong sea winds decide to join your party. And do not forget to find out about the tide so that you can position your setting out of its way.

Photo by livingonimpulse.

Beach Wedding Decorations

By choosing a beach wedding you are choosing to use nature as a main decoration. The array of beautiful scenery means that you can cut back on other decorations as otherwise you will overdo the whole effect. For a captivating beach theme stick with ocean type colors of blues, greens and yellows for the flower and fabric accessories that you do use.

You could adorn the podium with a few simple flower arrangements and consider using Hawaiian leis or flower chains. These could be worn by the bridal party as well as given to guests as they arrive to make everyone feel included in this intimate affair.

Other decorations with the beach theme include shells which are very versatile; parasols which can be practical for shading guests, food or drinks; starfish which can be used to adorn almost everything; and table lanterns which will add soft, whimsical lighting as the sun drops from the horizon.

Beach Wedding Accessories

There are many opportunities to accessorize your wedding with beach themed items. Flower girls could throw their flower petals walking down the aisle with baskets made in the style of a bucket and spade type pail or half coconuts on strings.

You can also find beach wedding sets of the standard wedding supplies all decorated with starfish, or seashells, pearls and diamond dust. These include the unity candle, ring bearer pillow, guest book and pen, toasting flutes and cake serving sets. This is an easy way to show your guests the attention to detail you have put in.

Beach Wedding Breakfast

What food to offer at a beach wedding reception can be the biggest headache of the whole affair? Try and find a caterer that specializes in these sorts of venues but you are unlikely to be able to have a five course sit down meal. Moderate your expectations early on – finger food or a barbeque will probably be your best option. And when you are planning your beach wedding venue, make sure there are toilets and washrooms close by.

Beach Wedding Centerpieces

Whether you have a simple sit down meal or casual finger food dining, your wedding reception tables will need some beach themed centerpieces. There are an infinite number of wedding centerpieces to choose from that use flowers and candles or fruit, coffee beans and peacock feathers for the more adventurous, and beach themed centerpieces are not much more restricted. As with everything in a beach themed wedding, keeping it simple will work best. Consider tea light holders in the shape of white lighthouses or wooden trays painted in pastel colors, filled with sand, shells and candles. Hurricane vases are another good idea being both practical for a possibly windy beach but also very in theme with their sand and candle. You could even put some starfish accessories inside to add to the interest.

Photo by downing.amanda.

Beach Wedding Cake Toppers

The wedding cake is such an integral part of the wedding day that you should not forget a beach themed wedding topper to complete the celebrations. Consider a design that uses real shells, chocolate seashells, palm trees or starfish.

Photo by clevercupcakes.

Beach Wedding Favors

The usual way to thank your friends and family for coming possibly a very long way to celebrate your special day is with the perfect wedding favor. As your day is all about the beach, the perfect way to remind your guests of the day is with a beach wedding favor. Why not consider beach pails, cocktail drink mixes, palm tree cookie cutters, edible marbled chocolate starfish or any number of other themed favors?

As you can see, choosing a beach wedding should not cause you any problems when it comes to finding and choosing your wedding supplies. In fact, on the contrary it should make things easier and cheaper. Keep everything simple and enjoy the most romantic day you will ever spend at the beach.

Wedding confetti generally refers to the small bits of colored paper that are thrown at and over the happy couple after their ceremony has taken place.
As weddings have become bigger and bigger business, the variety of confetti that you can get has increased accordingly. It ranges in the size, shape and material used.

Wedding confetti ideas include designs featuring bride and groom shapes in white, silver and gold, hearts in any number of colors, words ranging from ‘Just Married’ to ‘Congrats’, pretty doves and embossed bells.

You can even order personalized wedding confetti to add a unique touch to your wedding. Or why not mix and match some standard colors to better portray your wedding theme – perhaps bright orange and pink for a beach wedding?

As well as tissue paper, some confetti is made from PVC, meaning it can be fluorescent or metallic. Also for a more elegant variety frozen and air dried flower petals are sometimes used. The tissue variety is usually biodegradable, made from recycled materials and is fire resistant. The flower petals also make for beautiful and biodegradable wedding confetti.

Biodegradable wedding confetti

If you will be having a lot of confetti thrown outdoors at your wedding, it is best to find biodegradable wedding confetti. This is usually made from a material that dissolves in water so can be washed away easily. This will make the manager of your wedding venue much happier and will ensure that any animal life in the area does not try and eat the leftovers. Some venues will not in fact allow anything other than eco friendly wedding confetti so it is worth checking. These days most tissue paper confetti is biodegradable and is available in many colors, shapes and sizes or you can opt for the more elegant flower petal confetti. You can also combine flower buds such as lavender in with your paper confetti to add a subtle scent when thrown.

Personalized wedding confetti

If you want to add a personal touch to your wedding, why not consider personalized wedding confetti. Bags of 1000+ pieces of confetti can be purchased for around $25. As part of the customization you get to choose your confetti’s shape, message (including font), and color. Just make sure you order it early as it will take a few weeks to arrive.

Packaging options

You can fill cones, envelopes or bags with confetti. If you then arrange them in a large basket at the church with a little note telling the guests when to throw them, everyone will know what they are doing, and your photographer will be able to capture the moment.

How is it thrown?

Confetti can be thrown by hand by your guests from little bags or cones or you can also buy wedding confetti poppers that allow one shot of confetti to be sent 35-40′. Poppers are usually spring loaded and can be used indoors or outside. They do not use fireworks or explosives to shoot the confetti so there are no loud bangs.

For a larger scale affair you can hire confetti cannons or blowers. Confetti cannons add a bit of excitement by delivering a lot of confetti very quickly so are best used at high impact moments such as the first dance or first kiss. Confetti blowers on the other hand shower the happy couple with a continual stream of confetti.

How long it will stay in the air is a consideration when deciding on the material of your confetti. Perhaps you want your photographs to show the confetti mid air rather than all over the floor. If so, you should choose the tissue paper variety as this is the lightest and will float rather than fall down.

What quantities can it be bought in?

You will find confetti available by the scoop, by the cup, in half ounces, or bulk bags (typically found in pounds). You want to plan on having 1-3 heaped tablespoons for each guest and half ounce packets would be perfect to decorate 1-2 tables. Prices range from $0.89 for a scoop to $2.95 for half an ounce, although bulk bags will be more cost effective. You should consider buying confetti in bulk if you want to decorate the walkway with it or use it to make confetti wedding favors, invitations or thank you cards. It is not usually bought this way for guests to use unless you plan on decanting it into cones, envelopes or bags to give out to guests. Wedding confetti poppers are also available by the box – a box of 12 costing around $12.

Want to make your own?

If you are on a budget, cheap wedding confetti can be made easily at home. You can either use scissors to ‘shred’ paper into thin strips or shapes or you could use your home or office paper shredder. Another option is to use the ‘punched’ circles that are collected by your hole punch.

Integrate confetti with your wedding decorations

Wedding confetti for tables can be a cheap material to use as part of your wedding decorations. It is very relevant being so associated with weddings so can make the ideal accompaniment to wedding centerpieces or other areas. It will help soften the look of any room and will add a touch of color in a subtle but elegant way.

Because you can buy confetti in any shape, size and color that you want, you are sure to be able to match it with your wedding centerpieces. By using wedding table confetti you will soften and beautify any display. Just be careful with the type of material used in the confetti:

Tissue paper looks delicate but will blow away if outside or near a window and will spoil if it gets wet.

Metallic paper looks eye catching but will again blow away if near a wind.

Plastic confetti with a metallic or pearlescent sheen is waterproof and more weighty so is often a good option.

Diamond confetti is perhaps the most elegant with its sparkly, shimmery appearance, so it is no wonder it is becoming more and more popular. Don’t worry about the price, the ‘diamonds’ are actually acrylic so they cost around $7 for 2000. They add extra interest being three dimensional and come in sizes from a third of a carat upwards; they are even shaped like real diamonds.

There is a wide range of colors available and they are easily scattered around a table display. They can also be used within displays rather than as a surrounding effect. Why not use them in the bottom of glass vases to anchor flower stems, or just fill different sized and shaped glass containers and arrange on mirrored tiles? Or how about sticking them onto tree branches which are arranged in tall vases for an exciting but relatively inexpensive fall or winter wedding centerpiece?

They can also be used to tie all of the decorations together, by using them as part of the wedding centerpieces as well as on the cake or presents tables. Why not continue the theme even further by adorning your wedding stationery and wedding favors with these little gems?

You should now be ready to make some decisions regarding your wedding confetti. Deciding on which material to use and how much to buy is crucial. You should also consider how to use your confetti as part of your overall decorating theme for a cheap accent piece that will tie everything together.

The clear option for content for your cake topper is to use the initial of what will soon be the bride and groom’s shared last name. However, if you’re more partial to your own initial, or you want more than one on top, you can go with multiple letters.

When picking your cake topper, be sure to consult with whoever is creating your wedding cake to be sure the color you’ve chosen won’t contrast with the way they plan to decorate. Neutral colors that will go with just about any decorating scheme are silver, white, and black; gold and brown also go with most other colors. If you can, coordinate with the cake-maker to pick your topper, so they will have it ahead of time and can put it on themselves.

You can choose to have your monogram cake topper inlaid with shiny rhinestones and crystals. This adds extra sparkle to your topper, but may also cost you a bit more money.

Monogram wedding cake toppers come in every font imaginable. Elegance suggests a swirly, curvy font, something akin to cursive. But if that’s too snooty for your tastes, you can pick less formal lettering that will speak to your personality and preference.

Monogrammed cake toppers tend to run between $10 and $150, so there is one for every type of budget. Choose wisely, and you may be able to use it on your anniversary cake too!

Shape

From hearts to rings to butterflies, unity candle stands come in many gorgeous and fashionable shapes. You may want a plainer piece, in which case you should select a traditional pillar holder or something more utility; these fit well into simple weddings. But if you want it to be a decorative piece, you can choose from a wide variety of shapes and designs. There are even holders in the shapes of various animals!

Color

Gold and silver are the traditional candle holder colors, and there are variations on these shades too. But if you’re going for something less classical, try shiny black matte, delicate clear crystal, or even smooth pearly ivory. Many companies that offer wedding unity candle holders allow you to customize your choice, so you can select the perfect design and the right color to match.

Number of Pieces

While each unity candle holder design is unique, the majority are either in one piece or three pieces. One-piece holders keep the candles neatly in a row no matter how you move or place them, and prevent one individual candle from pulling the whole piece over, as it is balanced out by the other two. Three-piece holders allow you more flexibility with placement and movement, and if you go with a three-piece set you can even have your own unique lighting ceremony, starting with the individual candles anywhere you want. Carefully consider the nature of your unity candle lighting before you choose.

What is an Evening Invitation?

You can find a large selection of evening invitations and they do differ a lot in style compared to the wedding day invitations. You will notice that the day invitations are typically white or ivory in colour. Evening invitations on the other hand are typically black, pink or purple. Of course there are other colours available too, but the ones mentioned do tend to be the most popular.

Black evening invitations can look extremely elegant. You need to consider your evening reception. Is it formal? Will the guests need to dress up? If so then you should send a formal style invitation which clearly states what the guests should wear. If the evening will be more relaxed then send a fun, colourful invitation.

A popular theme tends to be a picture of a happy cartoon couple dancing together. This symbolises the first dance. Another popular theme tends to be flowers. Weddings are often symbolised with flowers so it makes sense to include them on evening invitations. On the front of the invite it will also have both yours and your partner’s names.

Typically there is a great selection of evening invites to choose from. Shopping around will help you to find the best prices. Why not look online to see if you can find the best evening wedding invitations to suit your reception theme?

Cupcake wedding cake stands tend to come in two main varieties: round and square. Round stands are made up of three to six layers of round trays slowly decreasing in size. Each is designed to hold a certain number of cupcakes without spilling or pushing any awkwardly off the edge. Round trays make your wedding cupcake stand into a beautiful decoration that you can place in the center of the reception hall to show off to your guests. These stands tend to run between $20 and $200, depending on how many layers you want, how large you need the trays, and what quality you want the material.

Wedding cupcakes stands also come in square varieties, which are generally less expensive than round stands — they retail between $30 and $100. They are less attractive than round stands, but much easier to transport from place to place, so even if you’ve already loaded up all the cupcakes and realized you need to shift it somewhere else, it won’t spell certain disaster. Square stands also hold more cupcakes, since not as much area is unusable as on a circle tray, so you can afford to purchase a smaller stand and still fit just as many cupcakes.

Hairstyle
The first thing that should be considered when deciding if a headband will be suitable is the hairstyle that you intend to wear. This consideration is even more important than the dress. If a hair stylist will be doing your hair for the wedding, discuss with them whether they think a headband will be suitable with the style that you want. If possible, have a practice run with the hair style and headband.

Style
Consider the style of the headband and whether it will be suitable for the wedding and any other accessories. For example, if you will be wearing pearl jewelry, a gold headband may not work. Determine whether a headband is available in the same color or material as the wedding dress. Alternatively, if you are going for a particular theme, choose in accordance with this.

Dress
The dress needs to be taken into account when deciding on a headband to ensure that the accessory appropriately matches the dress. An elaborate headband may create an over-the-top look if the dress is similarly intricate and detailed. An understated wedding dress will suit most types of headband. Consider the image that you want to achieve and choose accordingly to match the headband to the style of dress.

Fasteners
When considering the options for bridal headbands, determine whether they need to be pinned to your hair or whether they simply slide into place. This can make a difference if you intend to remove it in order to create a different look for photographs. Determine whether it will be possible to remove it without disturbing your hair in a significant manner.