Red is a popular color for weddings.  Symbolizing love and luck, it’s easy to see why a lot of brides opt for red in their special day.  Whether it’s the color of their dress, or in the details, this striking hue can be used in any season but is particularly lovely in fall and winter.

Amsale red taffeta gown from Bluefly. Romantic Rosette wedding invitations in Crimson.

Three tiered wedding cake from the Knot, burgundy calla lilies bouquet from Brides, and Christian Louboutin pumps from Neiman Marcus.

Leiber small curved minaudiere from Neiman Marcus, Magohany dinnerware from Crate & Barrel, and Red Bolero chandelier from Horchow.

Well I’m back and I have to say it was a wonderful honeymoon! Lots of beautiful things to see and experience and so worth all of the headache it took to get there. I did learn a few valuable lessons along the way. One thing I wish I did was pack lightly. Since we were in Europe and traveled to several cities in a short amount of time, I had to lug my suitcase with me, plus a backpack everywhere! Did I really need to pack 4 dresses and 4 pairs of shoes? 

One thing that I’m glad I did was pack one light jacket and one heavy jacket and an umbrella. Though we checked the weather a few days before we left, even the weather report couldn’t predict the sudden cold shift that affected a lot of Europe. While we were expecting sunny skies with 60-70 degrees weather, we got rain and temperatures up to 51 degrees. Without my one warm sweater and an umbrella, I would have been so cold. 

Another thing that I would advise is to put together a little toiletry see through kit and keep it in one place. I had my toothbrush in one bag and my soap in another and it drove me crazy! Keep everything together and remember to pack things like toilet paper and seat covers just in case.  

And if you get motion sickness and are crazy enough to ride boats, plane and trains like me, either pack motion sickness medicine or one of those special wristbands. Try sea band or the psi band which prevents sickness and nausea by pushing down on an acupressure point on your wrists.

I had a memorable trip and I’m sure you will too! Just remember it’s easy to get lost in the romance of your honeymoon but coming prepared will make everything all the more better. 

I’ve done the candy bar thing, but if I had to do it all over again, maybe I’d add a wine bar to our wedding. Although we did have a table filled with jars of green colored candies that were a big hit with kids, I think adding a wine bar for adults would have been equally fun. The bar was filled with our favorite wines and green and cream colored sodas, but what about taking it a step further by creating a wine tasting section?

1) Ask your caterers to set up a special table for this occasion. Having the wine tasting bar in the cocktail room would be fitting.

2) Alert guests to the bar with one of those charming chalkboards I mentioned in my last post. Or print out the wine list and have it framed on the table.

3) Have fun choosing your wine. For our wedding, we chose two reds, two whites and one dessert wine that was my favorite. Buying your alcohol at places like Costco or other markets is great because you can return any extras you have.

4) Hire a bartender or ask someone you know who loves wine to work the table.

5) Take plenty of pictures! Make sure to tell your photographers to get some shots of your guests enjoying the wine tasting.

By guest blogger: Rick Bucich

If you’re like me, you struggle with ways to cut your wedding costs. After things like the reception site, caterer, florist and photographer have been booked, invitations ordered and seating chart planned, both patience and budget have been severely tested. You’ve likely cut some corners already but don’t want to overly compromise on your special day.

I must admit that I’m partial to expensive flowers, having worked with a florist while in college. However, with over 150 guests in attendance, we had to make some sacrifices. A nice compromise I found was to place colorful fruit punch in glass bowls on each table. We picked up the inexpensive bowls at a local department store and provided them to the caterer in advance. They provided the punch and ladles and the florist floated edible flowers creating both colorful and functional centerpieces!

In the end, everyone was happy because we were able concentrate our budget on a few very stunning floral pieces.

Orange is fiery and bold. A burst of citrus creates a lively mood for a larger-than-life couple who really wants to stand out at their wedding. Choose a subdued orange hue and mix it with brown in autumn or brighten up a summer wedding with bright juicy tones. Here’s another inspirational board for you brides-to-be who are head over heels in love with orange. How about mixing two popular and unlikely tones, orange and green for something unique. Inspired by the bold complementary colors of a fresh green and bright orange centerpiece I adored in Napa’s famous Copia restaurant, I pulled various similar tones to complete this distinctly modern look.