Tag: Connecticut weddings

Get the 4th of July Spirit for Your Wedding

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date July 8, 2014

There is so much to love about the 4th of July. If you aren’t ready to wait another year for the fun, why not include one of the best parts of the holiday in your wedding? Wedding fireworks are a great addition to any couple’s big day and can certainly make a big impression on guests.

A full fireworks display can be arranged for the end of your reception. Once it’s dark enough, your guests can be treated to a fantastic light show. You and your guests will love seeing the fireworks, knowing that they are being set off just for you.

You could also include fireworks in other ways. Instead of having guests shower you with confetti, rice, or bubbles, have them create a pathway of sparklers. These can be a great addition to an evening departure, and will create less mess to clean up.

Another place to include fireworks is indoors. There are a variety of indoor-safe pyrotechnics that can be added to special moments in your reception. This can be around the dance floor for your first dance, alongside the cake as you cut it, or even as part of your ceremony!

To find out more about adding fireworks to your wedding, get in touch with Connecticut’s best wedding vendors through our directory today!

Photo: Flickr/Creap

Tags Connecticut weddings, wedding fireworks, wedding ideas, wedding planning ideas, wedding sparklers, wedding trends

Wedding Planning Tips

Is a Reverse Schedule Right for Your Wedding?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date April 14, 2014

Have you heard about reverse schedule weddings? They’re a big trend right now and can be a fun alternative to a traditional schedule.

The basic concept behind a reverse schedule is that you have the reception first and the ceremony at the end. This creates a different feel to your wedding and can create a sense of anticipation as you approach the ceremony.

The reverse schedule wedding is particularly good for morning weddings. Your guests are welcomed with a delicious breakfast, followed by toasts and speeches by friends and family. They spend the afternoon dancing and celebrating before you exchange your vows. The wedding can conclude with you leaving for your honeymoon, or carry on with some evening dancing.

For this style of wedding, you shouldn’t be too set on tradition. Your groom will see you plenty before the ceremony. You might want to limit the amount of alcohol you serve, as you will want guests to be in the right frame of mind for your ceremony.

Reverse-style weddings can be a fun twist to the usual order of the day, and one that will really make your Connecticut wedding stand out from the crowd. To find the perfect wedding vendors for your big day, whatever type of schedule you choose, come to one of our upcoming Connecticut wedding shows to meet some of the area’s best!

Photo: Flickr/Corey Balazowich

Tags Connecticut wedding show, Connecticut weddings, inverse wedding, reverse schedule wedding, wedding planning, wedding planning ideas, wedding planning tips, wedding schedule ideas

Wedding Planning Tips

Celebrity Weddings: Are You Inspired?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date September 22, 2013

The wedding season can mean plenty of celebrity couples walking down the aisle. Their over the top wedding days can be great inspiration for your Connecticut wedding. Here are a few of the 2013 celebrity season’s highlights.

French retreats: This year, France has been a popular wedding destination for celebrities. Halle Berry, Avril Lavigne, and Keira Knightley are just a few of the celebrities who have gone Gallic for their weddings. You don’t need to travel, though. Follow Aaron Paul’s lead and bring France into your wedding’s theme.
Creative couture: Celebrity brides haven’t been afraid to say no to white for their gowns. Shenae Grimes and Melissa Gilbert’s bold dress choices were stand out examples. However, there’s also been a resurgence of traditional styles, like that worn by Kristin Cavallari.
Big themes: Celebrities are bringing a “go big or go home” attitude to their themes, as seen in Sean Parker’s Lord of the Rings inspired wedding day. Committing to a theme and going all out can be great fun, even on a smaller scale.

Creating your perfect wedding, whether celebrity inspired or not, starts with choosing great wedding vendors. To meet many of Connecticut’s best wedding vendors, come to one of our upcoming shows!

Tags celebrity brides, celebrity weddings, Connecticut bridal expo, connecticut wedding shows, Connecticut weddings, creative weddings, French weddings, wedding attire, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding planning ideas, Wedding Steps, wedding themes

Uncategorized Upcoming Bridal Shows Wedding Planning Tips

Why Visit a Connecticut Wedding Show?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date August 21, 2013

There are so many different things to consider when planning a wedding that it can seem overwhelming. The list that you make at the start can soon get added to and it’s not just the number of jobs that gets longer, you find yourself wondering how you’re going to get everything into your wedding budget.

Going to a wedding show in Connecticut not only focuses you mind in that you can see examples of what you might get, and see what really matters to you in terms of what you really need, but it also means that you get to see local suppliers in the Connecticut area.

Using more local suppliers can work out better for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the proximity means you can visit them in person to get better customer service, a realistic idea of what you can get, and meet the person you will be dealing with. Secondly, the closer your supplier is the more you might be able to save in terms of shipping and postage, which means that you can get more for your money. Lastly, some things you need for your wedding need to be close, such as venues and florists, in order for you to get married in an area where you can be close to your family and friends.

Tags connecticut wedding shows, Connecticut weddings, wedding, wedding planning, wedding show

Bridal Show Tips

Are You Ready for Our Next Show?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date August 11, 2013

We’re only nine days away from our next Connecticut bridal show, and it’s going to be an exciting one! On August 20, we’ll be at the fantastic Candlewood Inn, where you’ll get the chance to meet the casting producers of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress. Of course, there’s so much more on offer!

When you come to our Candlewood Inn show, you’ll get a complimentary copy of Wedding Steps Magazine, a great resource for planning your Connecticut wedding. If you’re one of the first 50 brides to attend, you’ll also get the chance to win $25,000 for your wedding with our legendary dice game. There are also plenty of door prizes and a grand prize honeymoon.

Of course, the real draw for any bridal show is what it can offer for your wedding planning. Our shows give you the chance to meet some of Connecticut’s top wedding vendors. You can see what they do and talk to them about your big day. Just think about how much time you’ll save meeting everyone in one place, rather than calling vendor after vendor!

There is still time to get tickets for the Candlewood Inn show, and you can also find out about our other upcoming shows on our website!

Tags Candlewood Inn, Connecticut bridal expo, Connecticut wedding show, Connecticut weddings, Say Yes to the Dress, wedding planning, Wedding Steps, wedding vendors Connecticut

Wedding Planning Tips

Don’t Forget the Wedding Day Details

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date July 21, 2013

Wedding day details can help transform your venue, and can make your guests even more impressed with what you’ve planned. Making sure all the little things are covered makes a big difference to the overall experience. Here are a few details that you shouldn’t forget.

Cake table: You’ve chosen the perfect cake, but will it just be placed on a boring table? Decorating the cake table, and having a gorgeous cake knife on display, will turn it into the centerpiece it deserves to be.
Escort cards: You can just have a basic diagram for where people sit, but there’s something extra special about escort cards that fit with your décor. They can also be combined with your wedding favors for a creative twist.
Hidden décor: When you set up your venue, don’t forget the bathrooms and bar! These are two areas your guests will be visiting, so tie them into your wedding with bouquets of flowers and other matched décor.

Whatever style wedding you’re planning, paying attention to the details can make your day even better. To give yourself time to work out the details, make the rest of your Connecticut wedding planning smoother by coming to our next show!

Tags Connecticut bridal shows, Connecticut weddings, wedding décor, wedding details, wedding planning, wedding planning advice, wedding planning tips, Wedding Steps, Wedding venue, wedding venue décor

Wedding Planning Tips

How Early Should You Begin Planning?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date June 30, 2013

The average engagement lasts around a year, so that would mean that wedding planning also lasts around a year, right? Think again. According to recent surveys, many women are starting their wedding planning long before the proposal.

A survey of British single women showed that over half began planning without being engaged, and some admitted that their early planning had scared off previous boyfriends. Eleven percent had chosen their wedding dress, and a third of those had made the purchase.

It makes sense that wedding planning is starting earlier, though. With so many great wedding websites to give inspiration, it’s easy to come up with plenty of firm ideas about what you do or don’t want for your wedding day.

When it comes to planning your Connecticut wedding, though, there will be some big parts that can’t be done until after you’ve said yes and chosen a date. For all of these elements, and more, attending a Wedding Steps bridal expo is a great way to make your planning easy and fun. Find out about our upcoming shows here.

Tags Connecticut wedding vendors, Connecticut weddings, early planning, engagement, wedding planning, wedding planning trends, Wedding Steps, wedding tips, wedding trends

Wedding Planning Tips

Planning a Black Tie Wedding

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date June 9, 2013

With so much focus on DIY, vintage, and rustic weddings, you might be at a bit of a loss if you want a formal, black tie wedding. Working with excellent wedding vendors can easily turn your black tie dream into a reality, though.

A black tie wedding brings together all the best formal, traditional aspects that we think of with weddings. Your guests will be ready for an elegant event, and it’s something that they might not get to experience very often.

To achieve the perfect black tie wedding, explain to your vendors from the start that you want to keep things very formal. This will help everyone from your venue to your caterer tailor their services to your particular dream wedding.

Of course, working with great vendors starts with finding them. When you come to a Wedding Steps bridal show, you’ll be able to meet some of Connecticut’s best wedding vendors all in one place! Click here to find out more about our upcoming shows!

Tags black tie wedding, connecticut wedding planning, connecticut wedding shows, Connecticut wedding vendors, Connecticut weddings, formal wedding, traditional wedding, wedding planning, wedding planning ideas, wedding planning tips

Wedding Planning Tips

Celebrity Weddings To Inspire Connecticut Brides

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date May 12, 2013

We love wedding season for lots of reasons, and celebrity weddings is one of them. Seeing what all the big names do for their wedding days is a great inspiration for Connecticut brides, and can give us all an idea of upcoming trends.

So far, this year’s celebrity weddings haven’t disappointed. We’ve seen sports stars, actresses, and musicians tie the knot in some fabulous ceremonies.

The biggest wedding has been Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto’s Florida wedding. The couple had their reception in a 40,000 square foot tent!

The smallest might be Keira Knightley and James Righton’s French wedding. They only had 11 guests at the ceremony, which was followed by a party at a country house owned by her family.

It’s also been a year for daring dress choices. Melissa Gilbert wore a dark red gown when she married Timothy Busfield last month. This week, Shenae Grimes went with a black and blush gown for her wedding to Josh Beech.

What do you think of these celebrity weddings? What trends do you think they’ll set? Tell us in the comments!

If you’re planning your own wedding and want more inspiration, come to our next show!

Tags celebrity weddings, colored wedding dresses, Connecticut weddings, CT wedding trends, Keira Knightley, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Jordan, Shenae Grimes, wedding planning, wedding planning Connecticut, Wedding Steps, wedding trends