Great gifts for geeks, hand-picked by Download Squad
Holidash Blog

If you've decided to have a beach-themed wedding, you might think the tough decisions are behind you. After all, once you choose a theme, all the decorations should be easy peasy, right?

Here's the thing -- within the beach wedding genre, there are a plethora of sub-themes to choose from. You could opt to go with any one of them, or, in some cases, combine a couple of them to make your wedding uniquely yours. But first things first -- you have to decide which sub-themes best suit your personality.

As always, we're here to help. Just click the "Next" button to see some samples of different beachy themes. Before you know it, you'll have your wedding all planned!


A white wedding can be so many things - ethereal and innocent or crisp and oh-so-chic - it's a wedding theme beloved by both traditionalists and edgy modernists because it can be anything you want it to be.

Of course, most weddings have at least one major player dressed all in white: The bride! From the white dress to her dazzling smile, a bride in white is a very special and lovely sight. Imagine the impact of an all-white event!

Continue reading Inspiration board: White wedding

When you think of the beach, one of the first images to come to mind is likely a palm tree. Palm trees immediately give you the impression of a tropical destination -- sunshine, soft breezes, fruity frozen drinks ... you get the idea.

So, we think palm trees are a great way to decorate your beach themed wedding. Of course, the simplest way to incorporate palm trees into your decor is to hold your wedding in a place where palm trees are growing. That might not be possible, but if you're in a climate where potted palms are available, consider renting them to set the tone, inside and out.

Additionally, there are loads of palm tree invitations, favors, and more. You can go with realistic looking designs, a more bright, cartoon-like design, or with simple one color outlines -- it's up to you!



An exotic, tropical feel is especially perfect for anyone planning a destination beach wedding -- you and your guests have traveled quite a distance to not only have a beach themed wedding, but have a full beach experience.

Tropical fruits and flowers are the first step -- think of orchids, coconuts, and pineapples. Rich, bright colors and flowing fabrics will help to complete the look. If your wedding or reception is at night, consider using candlelight and landscaping lights to make it feel like you and your guests are in your own little world.

If you're really going for a tropical feel, make sure it comes across in your cuisine. Asian fusion is extremely popular, but you can also easily go more in the direction of Caribbean fare. And don't forget the tropical drinks -- yum!



Wednesday Wedding Wrap-up is a weekly roundup of highlights from the past week, covering wedding blogs and websites, reality TV, even particularly hot scoop right here at AisleDash. Think we missed something? Leave your favorite highlight in the comments!

Manolo for the Brides evaluates the pros and cons of a destination wedding. What, you thought getting married in an exotic location was without its flaws?

Bridalwave tosses around some alternative first dance songs, none of which made the cut for the couple in question, but it might give you some ideas.

Hostess with the Mostess has a fabulous idea for centerpieces -- blumeboxes with ribbons. You can personalize them in lots of different ways to ensure they're perfect for your wedding (and they're affordable and reusable, so give them to guests or take them home at the end!).
The key to a an all-white wedding is setting a white table - you know you'll need white tablecloths of course, and white dishes are a given; but what else can you add to make your table visually interesting?

A dramatic white floral centerpiece will make a great focal point to anchor the table and will also add warmth because even the whitest of blooms will have a hint of color, if only because of the greenery. White flowers make for some gorgeous arrangements, so selecting a centerpiece will be easy!

Check our gallery for some floral inspiration and for ideas for accessories that will make your white table come to life:




Planning a Paris-theme wedding? You can choose the very chic and urban Paris decor, and focus on the landmarks and monuments, or you could turn your focus to the sophisticated and urbane Parisian parks. Parks in Paris tend to be fairly formal, organized affairs. They have immaculate gardens, and lawns more often for gazing upon than racing over; often there are ponds, for gazing upon, yes, but also for sailing model boats.

Want to conjure up the ambiance of a Parisian park? This Paris Garden kit provides inspiration for your decor: sculpted hedges, topiary trees, a fountain. You may not may not opt to include a model of the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, but some artfully placed flowering plants and a (chocolate?!) fountain could be used to good effect. Perhaps seating at the wedding, or around the dance floor, could be rented park benches rather than chairs.

Take the elements that appeal to you, and see how you can make them work for your celebration!

Wendy recently encouraged us to "Think Pink" for a spring or summer wedding, and she's totally right. Pink, especially bright fuchsia tones, can give your wedding a bright, fresh, even tropical feel. However, accent colors have a lot of power as well -- the hues you use to surround your pinks can make your wedding more exotic, preppy, earthy, girly, etc.

  • Apple green is one of the hottest accent colors right now. It will give your wedding a preppy feel, especially if you use some bright green gingham and incorporate plaids into your decor.

  • Bright orange looks modern and unique. With the right flowers and decorations, it can really play up a tropical vibe -- consider using bamboo and large, tropical leaves in addition to your color scheme.

  • Grey and silver add elegance and romance to softer pinks while allowing bright pinks to stand out on their own. Think of silver vases and metallic ribbons to take full advantage of this color scheme.

  • White will show off the detail of your pink palette, so make sure your flowers have lots of visual interest. It will also create a clean, spa look -- you'll do best to use clean lines and modern textures to best play up the stark difference between the colors.

  • Soft shades of purple and more pinks will add a girly, feminine touch. If this is your goal, make sure you don't skimp on the frills!
  • Red is bold and dramatic. Pink and red can clash, though, so be careful about the shades you choose.
Dining by candlelight is as romantic as it gets; everything (and everybody!) looks better bathed in a candle's soft light. There are many ways to incorporate candles in your wedding - you can even make your own! If you're not crafty, consider a grouping of elegant glass tea light holders as a centerpiece - vary the height and shape for interest, and make sure that the containers will protect the flame from drafts.

The Pixie and Piper candleholders from Crate and Barrel would work beautifully as a centerpiece. It's unabashedly romantic without being too precious, perfect for a stylish wedding like yours.
Birds have been a hot trend in the design world for a few years now - you can find them on everything from textiles to website design. Doves and nests have been a traditional favorite for weddings as well - representing everything from "lovebirds" to "peace" to the couple's new nest. Bring them together and you have everything you need for hip meets traditional wedding style.

I'm mad about birds, but if you're considering using birds as your wedding theme, I would recommend a bit of restraint. We don't want guests to feel like they've walked into a Hitchcock movie! A little "birdie" style goes a long way - maybe you want to include birds in your stationery, or give robin's egg blue Jordan almonds as favors - the choices are endless, so it will be hard to narrow down your options.

If you love birds, now is your time! Birds are thoroughly modern and very chic, indeed. Check out the gallery for inspiration:

AisleDash Features







 

Featured Galleries

Frock and Awe: Campaign
Destination Wedding:  Vancouver, BC
Unique Harlingen Hotels
Handblown Mexican Glassware
Destination Wedding:  Mount Rainier
And the MBB Goes To...
Tonks' Hand-Knit Wedding
April Reed Cakes
Personalized Plates from My Clean Plate Club
Fabulous dresses that won't break the bank
Steampunk Wedding Accessories
Leis for your beach wedding

 

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: