Men's Tuxedos, Suites & Casual Dress For Weddings

Wow, we see everything today for men's wedding attire. It has to do with where, when and what the couple believe works best for the setting or style wedding they are planning.  From black tie formal, ethnic styles, and great looking suites to exciting floral shirts, the selection is fun.  We'd love to have your input on what you have in mind for your wedding day celebration!

Brown Suites by Judith Rivers-Moore

Photo by DUPhotography.com

Photo by DUPhotography.com

 

Photo by Hughes-Photography.com

So many great ideas to choose from that adhere to themes, ethnic styles, formal and informal wedding ceremonies. Tuxedo shops and costumers introduce the preferred styles. You will find many of these great stores in the region where you are making plans on WeddingLinks.com

Creative Ideas & Fun Things To Do For Your Destination Wedding Guests

Castle de Amorosa in Napa Valley, Ca. photo by Judith Rivers-Moore

So why publish a photo of this castle in Napa Wine Country.  We know you cannot get married at this Napa Valley castle, but you can have fun tours, events and dinners. There are many wineries who will not do weddings & receptions but will do unique and wonderful tours, picnics and dinners for your guests while in the area.

Request a free copy of our "Best Style California Wedding & Honeymoon" e-Magazine for inspiring wedding venues & award winning services throughout Ten Regions of California. 

Couples realize many of their wedding guests are coming from far away and some think about giving them a nearby accommodations list.  Many couples hosting destination weddings in regions will make it part of their plan to have tours available they may all go on.  WeddingLinks.co   includes most area's Tourism Bureaus in the Area's Services Menu. Many of the wedding venues and hotel websites include a list of local tours.  

I have listed a few ideas below and we would love to have you join us with your ideas regarding your wedding region.

Sonoma and Napa wine regions: wine tours, private wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, Safari West tours, Coppola's swim and museum, Charles Shultz Museum, Green Music Center and the Napa Wine Train are fun experiences. There are hundreds of wineries in these counties.

San Francisco night club tours, walking the Golden Gate Bride as a group, Greyline city bus tour and take the Bart around the Bay Area if you do not have local transportation. The museums and art are amazing.

Los Angeles and Orange have the Disneyland idea with MGM as another favorite tour. Greyline takes you to Grahams etc for a variety of tours.  From Gene Autry to Getty -- the museums are awesome.

New York City holds a vast array of nightclub and top theater musicals and plays for enjoyment. We also found tours for the Rockettes to the Statue of Liberty.

The Caribbean Islands include a nightclub evening, snorkel day cruise, Ragga music and dances, moonlight cruises on sailboats and beach parties.

Hawaii is one big beach party and awesome hikes, sailings and water sports. While Pearl Harbor is somber, we know you will enjoy the unique trips to a live volcano and furtherest views of the stars!!. 

Take a look at where you are hosting your wedding and determine what might be of interest to your guests.

#fun things to do

#destination weddings

#wedding guests

SETTING APPOINTMENTS WITH VENUES AND SERVICES

Planning a wedding can be very stressful.  This is a given. It is also stressful for the person who shows you their venue and the services with time set aside for  appointments for your interviews.  Time is a precious commodity for everyone.  I would like to give you a few tips on the bridal world management etiquette.   Your decisions will run from budget to venues, to choosing a marriage officent, where you register for your gifts and your honeymoon.  Join us on the blog to discuss YOUR viewpoints.....We wish you the best with some of the tips below Photo by JR Moore       Photo by JR Moore                                                                                           Photo by DUPhotography.com 1. You are dealing with people who have amazing knowledge regarding their services and many have schooled themselves for years. They set time aside to listen to your requests, and then explain how they can create their part of your dream wedding and reception. 2. If you are not planning to show up for the appointment, give them a call, leave a message about whether you decided on someone else, or need to move the date and time. 3. Last minute Changes can be difficult.  To change flowers after the florist has gone to the market for your selections. Caterers who have to add more food, or less food, designs on decorations and table placement settings.  These all add up to stress between bride, groom and the service. 4. Go over your reception timing with person in charge. This could be your wedding planner, your dad or mom, your musicians or venue hostess.  This way things run smoother with a timeline. 5.  People forget verbal instructions. Make certain things are written down and given to attendants, services and groom.  Addresses with zip codes and delivery times are very important to your services and the attendants.  I have done a few "day-of"  weddings where after the rehearsal the attendants did not know where the rehearsal dinner was being held. Wow! Please understand when you sign a contract, there may be paragraphs regarding deposits. Read them carefully.  Please never sign an agreement the first day you meet someone.  Review their name and reputation prior to contracting. UA-36897602-8 #weddingideas, #wedding planning, #wedding services

Beauty Tips That Add Up To Spectacular Brides

Share with us your favorite beauty tips...here are a few of mine for brides and bridesmaids.

Being frazzled up to the last minute does not equate to an elegant and beautiful bride.  You want to get everything done ahead so you can take it easy and pamper yourself the last several days. Too many last things to do toward the wedding, the wrong foods, not enough rest and drinking alcohol all show up on your face the day of your wedding.
Make-up is a wonderful thing, but it can only do so much.  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Tips for your skin - shampooing your hair in the shower allows the water to cascade down over the face.  Find a new method to shampoo and rinse that keeps this off your facial skin. Most hair shampoos are so strong, they can scrub your tub. Many ladies complain that it make their skin breakout and never let the color rinse or  color treatments get on your face.  Drinking lots of water and good amounts of fresh veggies and fruits bring a glow to your skin.  Because toxins store in the lower tract, keep the lower tract clear, and daily or bi-daily exercise will bring a healthy glow to your skin and firmness to your body. Always cleanse the face before retiring for the night. Perspiration, makeup and dirt will go down in the pours at night. The back of the neck receives major dirt from the hair.  If you work at a computer, this electric device draws dirt and dust to your body.  

Photo by DUPhotography.com

2.  Tip on dieting - many of us go on extreme diets, cutting out various foods, drinks etc.  These changes in habits are what is needed for a diet, BUT nearing the time of the wedding, there are parties, rehearsal dinners where we introduce food and drinks back into our bodies.....these can have a very adverse affect on our system.  Small amounts of these "new foods/drinks" can cause major headaches, stomach aches, nausea and the jitters - so be aware.

There are several articles on health, beauty and apparel on WeddingLinks.com. We have links to skin and makeup professionals in most cities on  WeddingLinks.com

3.  Tip for photographs - Make-up artists are a great idea so you can gain a better visual impact on your wedding photos.  It is surprising how a white dress can fade out our natural appearance.

Photo by Hughes-Photography.com

Photo by, DUPhotography.com

4.  Traveling for your destination wedding or honeymoon??  The airlines are very determined we do not bring specific size items off hair and skin (solutions) aboard.  Place what you will need in smaller plastic bottles. Check with the airlines for what is recommended, where it may be carried and what is not allowed.  

5.  There are many beautiful wedding veil ideas available. Look for the styles and sheerness that allows people to see your glow.  Sometimes brides walk the aisle and no one can see how happy and beautiful they are because the veil overwhelms they and their dress.

P.S. A series of facials scheduled months in advance of your wedding date will do a lot to add to your glow. Always see a trained and certified professional that uses the best products and offers years of experience. No matter how much of a do it yourself gal you are, please find a great pro in your neighborhood.  Do not leave this to just before the wedding.

For your honeymoon make-up - remember the sun blocks, a small medical kit and any medications - we have great travel articles, ideas and input on romantic travel on  HoneymoonLinks.co


Partner Websies:  WeddingLinks.co    HoneymoonLinks.co   BridalShowInfo.com
Weight Loss Information on  Shop4WeddingDresses.com

UA-36897602-8)

Wedding Cake Alternatives & Fun Dessert Ideas For Wedding Receptions & Life Celebrations

Everyone wants to be different!  It’s chic, classy and innovative.  Wedding cake alternatives and fun dessert ideas will often add uniqueness and interest to your wedding reception and life celebrations. Little touches here and there never hurt your guest’s memory of your big day!

It frightens me, when I meet ladies at a bridal shows who say….  “My sister is handling my wedding or my girl friend just got married and she is going to coordinate it for me or mom says, we’ve married off three others, we know who to call.”  My inner question is…. Are you getting your wedding, or her old one?  Same vendors, same wedding site, same style, food, dessert, etc…Tell us how you feel about this on the blog.

You Are You! Remember that, and don’t get locked out of how you and your intended reflect it on your wedding day. You will find many of my weddinglinks blogs endear you to being your own unique self.

Cakes are glorious and very photogenic!  The ingredients offer a multitude of choices and creative icing decor.  The groom’s cake is an excellent addition and a great tradition to your cake table. Whether butter cream or fondant, they look and appear exquisite in the photos and an amazing centerpiece to your reception room.  We see, carrot and spice cakes plus the red cakes taking a spotlight at receptions. Photos by DUphotography.com

I personally love the beauty of a wedding cake, excitement of a birthday cake, etc.  But I love to bake pies, eat pies and share pie recipes.  Just a knack picked up from mom.  Guess what? Just met a gal who provides a pie service for weddings and events. Men Love Pies!!!  So if you are considering doing dessert stations for your event or wedding reception, you might consider this.

A while back we discussed different desserts or reception confections. We concluded there are many new and exciting ideas to add sweetness to your celebration.   You will find links on  WeddingLinks.com and we would love your input on this subject. Many ideas for dessert we have seen so far include:

• Cupcake Tiers
• Various Candy Treats to pile on your plate or cup
• Dove Bars
• Ice Cream Cakes
• Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundaes
• Pie Bars
• Chocolate Fountains with fruit, cookes and marshmallows
• Frozen Yogurt Bars
• Vegan, Gluten Free and Sugar Free Desserts
• Fudge Brownies
• Frozen Cheese Cake Bars
• Personal Photo-Enhanced Icings
• Personalize initials on the cake

Along with the many exciting traditional cakes and ethnic wedding desserts we are finding, couples want crème brulee or baked Alaska served.  Elegance and luxury do turn the corner on these desserts as they must be served by the staff in a grand presentation style.

Talk it over, see what you both want served.  Find a tried and true professional baker or dessert maker to complete this for you.  Believe me, I have seen cakes fall apart because great aunt Mary did not know the dynamics of a tiered cake, or the best friend did not understand you cannot set a cake out in the sun for three hours prior to serving.  Most of all – allow your dessert be a personal signature to your celebration!

#weddingideas, #weddingdesserts,  #weddingcakes

LUXURY Ideas For the Wedding Ceremony & Wedding Reception

Rose Petals,                     
Wine Cave Reception
Photos by Dennis Urbiztondo 

Adding Luxury Ideas to Your Wedding Ceremony Whether it is a beautiful church, cathedral or natural environment in the woods, beach, garden or vineyards, we find it is important to be heard and seen. A raised platform for the ceremony, good microphones, ample lighting, shade (when outdoors) a printed program with names of the presenters, languages, explaining ethnic customs. All allow the guest to feel included. Select a location in a nice section of town with an impressive entry or      drive and top the luxury with valet parking services.         Please add your luxury ideas to our Blog.

Photo by DUphotography.com

 With an outdoor environment, make certain there are no apparent car sounds or flight patterns overhead. Choosing a setting with fountain, waterfall or lovely stream, beach and waterway views can mesmerize your guests. Nature has a way of enriching every part of our soul. Staging and lighting of the ceremony and/or reception are a real trend in luxury weddings. The outer building or interior lighting will excite your guests. Top the luxury with a light show during the reception music and or/ fireworks and sparklers (depends on the fire laws and your event site rules). Outdoor weddings and evening weddings often have wine and cocktail services with canapes’ (hors d’oeurves) served prior to the party guests being seated with one or more instrumentalist to set the mood of the day. As ceremony time nears, the seating or gathering time is announced.

Waiting for newlyweds to arrive prior to serving food and drink is passé! Adding Luxury to Your Wedding Reception Location entry door greeters to direct the guests to their seating adds to the glamour. The male ushers generally take on this task but we see luxury style weddings hire staff to complete this duty so the wedding party is exempt from these duties. Romantic outdoor evening weddings in full moonlight with flickering votives and oil lamps. Aisle decor, an altar cloth or arbor includes the use of the poly tulle that reflects twinkle lighting.

Luxurious Ideas For Your Wedding Reception Venues Most weddings require two or three venues that include; bachelor/bacholorette, the rehearsal dinner and a variety of sites for guest lodging. While proximity may be important, we also see a high-end wedding can be a destination wedding to unique parts of the world. While finding an opulent site with beautiful wall hangings, frescos, crystal chandeliers, gold leaf trim, marble dance floors and velvet curtains rein high on the list, luxury and opulence can include renting a winery, wine cave, skyscraper roof garden with magnificent views, mansion or lovely beach house that has been well cared for. We see historic sites, unique museums, botanical gardens, observatories, aquariums all work allowing you to utilize the backdrop to its fullest while increasing the interest and enjoyment of your guests.

A couple often chooses an event site that reflect their interests. Find these locations in each county of California, the USA and parts of the world on WeddingLinks.com.

 Luxurious Ideas For Your Reception Room Look: Ideas for a luxurious appearance for a wedding are features you can look for prior to booking a location. Entries and ceilings are key to visuals. Room appearance is directly affected by the look of flooring, chairs, full-length tablecloths (or pooling linens) and overlay cloths of unique fabrics. We find larger rooms incorporating a furnished areas near the bar and away from the music Complete dinner service, centerpieces and setting the table with specific folds to napkins for the dinner menu, plus unique favors all enhance the table appearance. Candles, votives and favors enrich the mood.

#weddingideas,  #sonomaweddingvenues,  #luxuryweddingideas

Seven Tips On Wedding Flowers, Bridal Bouquets & Table Centerpieces

Love to have you join the weddinglinksblog.blogspot.com

 Photo by  DUphotography.com

Brides are as different about choosing wedding flowers as they are about selecting a wedding dress. Many brides-to-be could care less about the floral décor while others, must be surrounded by specific blossoms or they will not think this, “the wedding of their dreams”.  Share with us on the blog, your flower ideas or requests!

I Want - What I Want - When I Want It

We all get a bit cheeky about it being “our day” and “we can have what we want”, but with everything there is a plus and a minus. Your mind may dance with a wedding and reception profuse with flowers, but certain blossoms will cost you two to three times more out of season and other favorites do not hold up well in heat, or after they are picked. We quickly understand there is more to planning the flowers than we anticipated.

Photo by DUphotography.com

Trust these tips will help:

1. Understand if you order from the web, they may not get there on time or will need to be stored in a cooler to keep them fresh. With wedding flowers it is best to work with a local professional florist who will contract to create them “just as you requested and deliver them fresh and on time.”

2. Order early (6 or 8 months in advance) when you are married on or near popular flower gift times.  Mothers Day, Christmas, Valentines and Easter for the USA and other countries have specific celebration dates.

3. If you must keep your floral designs within a specific budget, it is important to have your bridal bouquet with your favorite flower(s). This is the most photographed and memorable display.

4. Flowers may be transported from the ceremony room to the reception room and decorate the front table, the cake/dessert table(s) and we have also seen them on the reception tables held in vases.

5. Allergies to flowers can sometimes require the removal of the flowers from a reception table. No one should be embarrassed by this request and made to feel at ease. Most people come prepared for their allergies, but new things (flower types) can set them off.

Please note the centerpiece height. Photo by JR Moore

6. When designing the individual reception table centerpieces, they should be kept very low so people may talk over them, or built high so people may talk through the base to their table partners.  

7. During Victorian Times books on flower meanings were the rage.  Bridal bouquets and hair flowers in particular give unique messages. You may want to study this and often your florist has a list or books.  We will be blog posting some of these meanings in the near future.

You are welcome to add your input and ideas to our blog.  

For local floral designers in your area or destination weddings, WeddingLinks.com offers a wonderful variety of articles and links to professional florists. We have also placed a link to growers of Hawaiian flowers and rose petal companies.

#weddingflowerideas, #weddingideas, #sonomaweddingflowers