There’s something classic and contemporary about black and white.  Black and white movies are timeless, black and white photos, striking, and black and white weddings, simply sophisticated and elegant.  The contrasting colors make a dramatic statement whenever they’re used.  So, if you’re thinking of having a black and white wedding theme, go for it!  Black and white weddings are fun to plan since there are loads of accessories from invitations to end of the night favors that fit the theme. Take the theme a step further and ask the guests to wear only black and white like some black tie balls do. 

Click an image below to view black and white wedding collections from The Wedding Outlet.

More ideas to make your black and white wedding wonderful:

During the ceremony, add alternating black and white bow on the pews.  Have floral arrangements done in all white and use wedding programs printed with a black and white picture of you and your fiancé. Have the flower girl carry a black and white flower basket with white rose petals and the ringbearer carry a black and white pillow. A ring pillow with black embroidery can have an intricate scroll design reminiscent of Italian scrollwork for a more romantic look. For a more contemporary or masculine look, opt for a crepe black satin pillow, all black with a satin bow and sparkling silver button.

 
          Black & White Ring Bearer Pillows

During the reception, do centerpieces in black and white.  A black vase filled with white flowers is striking.  Put black and white bows on the backs of chairs or use alternating black and white table cloths on the tables. You can even have Mr. and Mrs. toasting flutes that feature a black heart with Mr. on one and a white heart with Mrs. on the other.  And at the end of the night, guests can take home a black and white favor.  You can buy favor boxes that have a black linen textured look. Add a white bow on top of these tiny boxes and fill with black and white candies like black jelly beans, black licorice, white mints or yogurt covered raisins.

 
   Black & White Toasting Glasses and Linen Favor boxes

Black and white never goes out of style.  The combination is rich and formal and is a classic look perfect for weddings.  

Spring has just arrived yet it’s the perfect time to start planning a fall wedding.  Yes, that’s right, a fall wedding.  You’ve probably already booked your church and reception hall so now’s the time to start thinking about setting the tone for the event; flowers, entertainment, décor, color scheme, and food. Fall has become a popular time of year to get married and there are lots of fall wedding theme accessories to make your seasonal ceremony spectacular.

Some Fall Wedding Theme Ideas:
Nature trimmed accessories – Browns and greens and oak leaves make nature inspired accessories like wedding cake servers, toasting goblets and guest books a fun way to bring the beauty of nature indoors.

  
               Fall Wedding Guest Books

Metallic accents – bronze or gold accessories add a bit of shimmer against a fall backdrop.  Sheer bronze or gold ribbon trimmed pillows, flower girl baskets and garters become elegant with a bit of bronze and glimmer with gold.

  
            Fall Ring Bearer Pillow

Rich colors – Nothing conveys “warmth” more than a palette of rich color.  Choose accessories in shades of chocolate or burgundy to warm up any space. 

  
                 Fall Wedding Favors

Neutral Shades – While rich colors like chocolate warm up a space, neutral shades like champagne add a touch of drama and simple elegance.  Embroidered details in champagne on flower girl baskets and pillows, and bridal purses and garters, shine dramatically against a neutral background like ivory.

Autumn Wedding Theme Bridal Purse

Have fun with fall flowers, colors, foods and accessories for a fall wedding that’s truly sensational.

A wedding unity candle, a candle symbolizing the uniting of 2 individuals or families, is perfect for adding a soft glow to your wedding service.  Unity candles are sold several ways.  Pillar candles are sold individually and the couple lights it together.  Candles can come in a three piece unity candle set with a pillar and coordinating tapers.  The mothers each light a taper at the start of the service and they are used by the couple to light the pillar. Five piece sets, which include the unity candle, two gift candles for the parents, two tapers and candelabra, are also available.

Wedding candles are also available in a variety of motifs and designs.  Some styles to check out when shopping are:

• Dazzling – Swarovski crystals or pearl jeweled decorations add a touch of glamour to unity candles.
• Satin – Ribbons, bows and flowers are a few design details available in satin.
• Porcelain – Handcrafted calla lily flowers or crosses add a delicate touch.

Cultural – Asian symbol of love, Celtic Love Knot or Star of David are a few accents that celebrate cultural heritage.

Whimsical - Tropical candles adorned with starfish are great for destination weddings while his and her western boots for country weddings are a fun way to carry a reception theme throughout the ceremony.

Personalization - Monograms or couple’s name and wedding date are another decorative option as is adding your wedding invitation on a candle for a unique and lasting keepsake.

  
Click here for more Personalized Unity Candles.

The single flame of a unity candle symbolizes a couple becoming one. Be sure to add this beautiful tradition to your wedding.

Scrapbooking, the hobby of preserving photos, decorative papers and stickers in a blank book along with written memories of the event pictured, is brought to a new level with signature frames.  It’s scrapbooking you can display and enjoy!  A signature frame can be used as an alternative to, or in addition to, the traditional wedding guest book at the reception.  At the end of the night, the frame becomes a great keepsake and piece of art for your home.

Wedding signature frames and mats are available in a variety of materials and sizes so there’s a style for every taste. Just pick the correct mat size for the shot you like best, add some fun wedding themed stickers to the mat and have your guests add their signatures and best wishes.

Mat openings can accommodate photo sizes ranging from 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 to 8 x 10.  Frames are available in black veneer, gold, or contemporary matte silver finish.  Some frames even have a brushed silver plate for engraving names and wedding date or whatever personalization you choose.  Acid free fine point pens preserve the signatures so be sure to pick a few up for your guests.

Perfect for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or any special event, the signature frame is a great addition to your party and your home.   Click here to view more signature frames.

The wedding guest book has long been the traditional means for family and friends to express their best wishes for newly married couples. Couples today now have the modern option of setting out a signature platter at the wedding.  Platters come in a variety of shapes and styles and can be personalized as a unique keepsake to be used or displayed after the wedding.

Signature Platter with Wedding Date

Wedding signature platters can be oval, rectangular or square shaped.  They are usually plain white porcelain but some have distinct details like personalization with family name and wedding date, hand-painted images like toasting goblets, a married couple, just married, or a wedding cake. Some even have palm trees, perfect for destination weddings.  Guests leave their mark with a permanent black pen turning their best wishes into a memorable work of art.  Platters accommodate anywhere from 100-250 signatures.

Most Popular Wedding Signature Platters

 Wedding Signature Platter

  Signature Platter by Beverly Clark

  Destination Platter

Life-long memories are easy to create with one-of-a-kind signature platters. Create one for your own special occasion or give a platter as a great gift.  Signature platters are also a unique keepsake for anniversaries, birthdays or any special celebration.  Click here to view more Signature Platters.

Being in the wedding business, I was all excited to watch the premier of Wedding Bells.  Unfortunately, it just didn’t live up to my expectations nor anyone else’s here in the office.  I just didn’t find myself caring about any of the characters and although I was looking forward to the bridezilla story line I just didn’t find it all that funny.  I guess I was hoping for some more “Ally McBealness” from David Kelley.

We all plan on giving it another try next week.  Let’s hope next week’s episode is better or I guess we’ll be tuning out to Wedding Bells.

Looking for a wedding cake server and knife?  Think they’re all the same?  Well, think again.  Although most wedding cake server and knife sets are made from stainless steel, you’ll hold the most decorative and distinguishable feature of the set right in the palm of your hand.  The handles give the set its uniqueness and will determine which wedding cake server you’ll choose.

Types of handles include:
- Crystal
- Porcelain
- Silver plated
- Gold plated
- Brushed silver
- Ceramic
- Faux pearl

  Crystal Handle
 Silver-Plated Heart Shaped Handle

In addition, the cake server handles also have decorative elements such as:
- Swarovski crystals
- Diamond shaped buckles
- Jeweled butterflies
- Porcelain or silk flowers
- Fabric bows
- Rhinestones

 Jeweled Butterfly Handles
 Diamond Shaped Buckles

Wedding Cake Server Themes
Themed wedding cake servers are a fun idea too.  Celebrate your heritage with a Celtic or Asian inspired server set, honor your faith with a cross themed set, or coordinate your wedding cake server to match your wedding’s theme.  Sets are available in beach or tropical looking styles accented with shells or country/western themed sets complete with his and her mini cowboy boots.

 Beach-Themed Wedding Cake Server

 Celtic Cake Server

If you get a handle on the type of wedding cake server set you are looking for, it will make the selection process quick and easy.  A cake server set is an item that you will use again after the wedding, so pick a set that fits your personality and wedding style for years of enjoyment.  Click here to view more wedding cake servers.

Wedding Programs are your guests’ blueprint for following the wedding ceremony.  Back in the day, many brides had their wedding programs printed by a specialty stationary store.  Nowadays, the widespread use of computers allows brides to easily produce the wedding programs themselves. 

Here are some tips for DIY wedding programs:
Select the wedding program paper.  There are many varieties of paper available like embossed or “soft” picture backgrounds with flowers, crosses or heart designs. Find one that coordinates with the color or style of your wedding.  There are also various sizes like the traditional tri-fold, bulletin, or slender bulletin.  Inside pages are blank and most wedding program paper is compatible with inkjet or laser printers.

           
   Sample Bulletin            Sample Tri-fold 

                                 
              Slim Bulletin                 Bi-fold Wedding Program

Write the content.  A program typically includes four sections – Program Title, Order of Service, Participants, and a Special Note.  When typing the copy for inside the program, select an eye-catching font for headlines and titles but use plain, easy-to-read fonts for the body copy of the program.  Be sure to be consistent with font size throughout the program and don’t use too many different fonts. 

Print them up.  Follow the printing instructions or templates that come with the paper.  If printing on two sides, be sure to line up your paper correctly so that the type prints in the right direction.

Fold them up.  Once printing is complete, just fold the wedding program paper on the score marks and you’re finished.

Do it yourself wedding programs look great and are a snap to make.  Click here for more wedding programs.