Tag: wedding ideas

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

What Should the Groom Do In Wedding Planning?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date June 2, 2014

So much of wedding planning is focused on the bride. From choosing the perfect wedding dress to knowing what you want for the finer details of the decor, much of the work ends up with the bride. However, you shouldn’t rule your fiance out of wedding planning altogether.

While there are some parts that are obvious choices for him — the tuxedo he’ll wear, for instance — there are plenty of other aspects of the wedding that he may want input on. If your fiance wants to be involved in all parts of planning, you should let him. Working together on your wedding can be a good way to practice working together on other difficult things throughout the rest of your marriage!

However, if he really doesn’t want to get involved in the wedding planning, you shouldn’t force him. Whether this is because he doesn’t feel he has time for the work involved or just doesn’t find choosing flowers interesting, you shouldn’t take this as a bad sign. He wants to be married to you and have a great wedding, but he just doesn’t have the interest in event planning.

If you’re looking for ways to involve him, you can give him a task that he does like. This could be finding the entertainment or tasting menu options. You can also bring him to a wedding expo, where he might find that wedding planning is much more fun than he thought!

To find out more about our upcoming Connecticut wedding shows, click here.

Photo: Flickr/MsSaraKelly

Tags connecticut wedding planning, fiance, groom, groom planning, tuxedo, wedding entertainment, wedding ideas, wedding planning, wedding planning tips, wedding shows, Wedding Steps

Wedding Planning Tips

How to Plan a Low-Key Luxury Wedding

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date May 19, 2014

It’s shaping up to be another huge summer for celebrity weddings, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names likely to walk down the aisle. However, don’t expect to see huge, over the top productions as in previous years. The big celebrity wedding trend is to go low-key. This doesn’t mean they’re scrapping the luxury, though. Low-key luxury is a great theme for any couple, celebrity or not.

The basic idea is to keep the wedding small and intimate. By inviting a smaller guest list, you are able to spend more per guest. This means you can splurge on things like the meal, cake, and favors. You’re sharing the best of everything with the people you love the most.

For celebrities, it also means keeping photos out of the media. For your low-key wedding, you can follow the same concept by keeping things off social media. Instead of publishing your whole wedding album, choose one photo for a profile photo and leave it at that.

Low-key luxury weddings are all about having it all without making a lot of noise about it. The first step is finding the right vendors. The easiest way to meet and book all the great Connecticut wedding vendors you need is to attend one of our upcoming shows!

Photo: Flickr/kris krüg

Tags celebrity wedding trends, celebrity weddings, connecticut wedding planning, low-key wedding, luxury wedding, wedding ideas, wedding planning, wedding planning tips, wedding theme, wedding trends

Wedding Planning Tips

Choosing a Wedding Gown as a Mature Bride

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date April 7, 2014

With the average age of brides holding steady at 29 for the second year in a row, there are plenty of brides above this age getting married each year. For the mature bride, finding the perfect wedding gown can prove an extra challenge. You want something that suits your age, but still conveys the specialness of the day. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a wedding gown as a mature bride.

Style

Whether you want to go with a traditional gown or something a bit different, there are plenty of age-appropriate choices available. For gowns, consider narrower skirts, such as evening gown styles that will give you an elegant look. If you want to stay away from a gown, a pale colored suit is an excellent choice.

Color

As a mature bride, this might not be your first wedding. A wedding dress for a second wedding should follow the same guidelines as a gown for a first wedding. The most important thing is that you are comfortable in your choice. Whether you choose to wear white or another color is a personal decision. There are lots of beautiful off-white colors that can offer the best of both worlds, too.

Event

Whatever your age, the key to finding the perfect wedding gown is making sure it suits the wedding you’re planning. Keeping your dress in line with the wedding’s style is very important. As a mature bride, you’ll want to be comfortable throughout your big day, too. Consider the venue, type of reception, and how active you’ll be during your wedding day.

Whether you’re a mature bride or not, planning a Connecticut wedding is a big job. From finding the perfect dress to choosing a venue, you’ll be able to find out everything you need to know and meet our area’s best vendors when you attend a Wedding Steps bridal show. Visit our site to find out more about upcoming shows and buy tickets.

Tags connecticut bridal show, connecticut wedding planning, Connecticut wedding show, first wedding, mature bride, second wedding, Wedding Dress, wedding gown, wedding ideas, wedding planning, wedding shows, Wedding Steps, white wedding

Wedding Planning Tips

What to Do About Tattoos On Your Wedding Day

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date February 10, 2014

The acceptance of visible tattoos at a wedding has been on the rise. With tattoos becoming more common (almost 40% of marrying age men and women claim to have at least one) and weddings becoming less traditional and more about the personalities of the bride and groom, showing off your gorgeous ink is no longer being looked down upon by so many. For those that do prefer to cover up for aesthetic reasons, religion, and/or family, there are many options.

1. The dress. The most simple way to cover a tattoo that is easier to hide is to consider the style of your dress. You can use the neckline, longer sleeves, or a covered back to easily hide a tattoo.

2. DIY makeup. Most brides opt for the do-it-yourself option. There are many heavy duty concealers that can do the trick. Kat Von D’s Lock-It Tattoo Concealer is one of the top picks for it’s waterproof quality and high pigmentation. Remember to get the concealer in 3 different shades. Start with the lightest and build to the darkest color. To prevent smudging, don’t spread the product to untattooed skin and set it with a powder.

3. Hire a professional. This is definitely the more pricey route (ranging from $150 – 300) but it saves time and stress of trying to get it right when you leave it in the hands of a pro. Try to find someone that can airbrush it away so the makeup looks natural and not cakey.

4. Laser removal. For $2000 you can have your small tattoo completely removed. Certain colors do respond better than others (black is easy; light blue and yellow are harder). Keep in mind that this procedure does take months so make the decision early!

Tags wedding attire, wedding ideas, wedding tips

Wedding Planning Tips

Would You Split the Cost of the Engagement Ring?

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date October 14, 2013

One of the week’s big online debates has been whether or not a bride should split the cost of her engagement ring.

The supporters of splitting the cost argue that you can get a bigger ring if you split the cost. It also sets up the financial relationship that will need to carry through the rest of your wedding planning. As fewer couples have their parents paying for their weddings, the bride and groom themselves have to work out how to budget the wedding costs themselves. In this case, the engagement ring becomes part of this budgeting.

Those who are against splitting the cost see it as a non-traditional move, and unromantic. The engagement ring is something that is meant to be a surprise to the bride. When she pays for half of it, or even helps with the shopping, it takes that away. As a result, it lacks the romance of having him get down on one knee and pop the question.

What is your opinion on splitting the cost of the ring? If you’re planning your Connecticut wedding, you’ll want to meet the best vendors. Coming to one of our upcoming bridal shows is an excellent way to do your planning and loads of fun.

Tags connecticut bridal show, Connecticut wedding ideas, connecticut wedding planning, engagement, engagement ring, wedding advice, wedding budget, wedding costs, wedding debates, wedding ideas, wedding planning, Wedding Steps

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

Wedding Planning Tips

3 Things to Remember In Your Wedding Planning

Post author By wedding_steps_admin
Post date June 23, 2013

As you get into your wedding planning, your mind will be pulled all over the place. You’ll consider the details of things you never thought you’d be interested in. But throughout the planning process, it can be a huge help to keep three key things in mind.

Your budget. Your wedding budget needs to be kept in mind for every other decision. Before you choose a vendor, or even start meeting with vendors, know your budget and have an idea of what it will realistically get you.
Your style. This will also help you find the right vendors for you, and keep you focused on the type of wedding you want to have. Whether it’s DIY, vintage, modern, or traditional, knowing the style you want can help you plan and decide on everything else.
Your priorities. Is the ceremony more important than the reception, or vice versa? Is having a fabulous photo album at the end more important than serving a fancy meal, or vice versa? Knowing your priorities will help you know what not to worry about.

Whatever your budget, style, and priorities, you’ll need to work with excellent Connecticut wedding vendors to pull it all together. To meet great vendors and have a fun day, come to our next Wedding Steps Bridal Show!

Tags Connecticut wedding show, Connecticut wedding vendors, wedding budget, wedding ideas, wedding planning, wedding planning advice, wedding planning tips, wedding priorities, Wedding Steps, wedding style, wedding vendors