Asian Wedding Favors For A Garden Wedding

by Grace Cheung

The Far East holds many mysteries and beauties in its culture which you must consider in selecting you Asian wedding favors. Evening garden weddings are filled with romance and mystery as the ceremony unfolds under a starlit sky. These exotic qualities represent a theme like no other.

That strange and exotic mood permeates the scene and brings closeness to all who attend the wedding. With thousands of guests attending the Asian wedding and the number of celebration days, the Eastern wedding is very different from the weddings of the West.

The colors to emphasize at your Asian wedding are deep reds, rich yellows and elaborate golden hues. Your Asian wedding favors should mimic these colors. Please bear in mind that white, navy and black should not be used.

"Chinese Tapestry" is the lovely name for a candle that can be given as a wedding favor. Unlike other candles, this Oriental treasure is red in color and it is a masterpiece. Packaged it with the red organza and the "double happiness" gift tag says it all...elegant and traditional.

Other choices you have include small green candles and plumeria-scented candles. These candle favors can also be used as the place card holders at the wedding and after your guests return home.

Symbols are especially important in the Asian wedding. Use of the OM and dragons are essential. In the garden wedding you must include the motifs of Nature. Use herleaves and flowers and petals to enhance your Asian wedding favors. One lovely and elaborate Asian wedding favor is the "Double Happiness Box" shown off with its shiny gold bow.

Another impressive and important design of Eastern culture is silk. Your wedding favors that depict your wedding as Eastern (Chinese or Japanese) will become very elegant keepsakes for your guests. Notebooks covered in brocade, purses and boxes showing off lovely silk brocades are all very wonderful Asian wedding favors. Imagine a gift of beautifully decorated chopsticks in cherry blossom design.

Green is an important symbol in Asian culture. Use the color green as a symbol for your Asian garden wedding and make being "green" the message of your eastern wedding favors. Choose seed packets and miniature watering cans. You also have a choice of chocolates shaped like leaves or beautifully crafted perfume bottle stoppers made of glass and shaped like flowers. Your Asian wedding favors will be remembered for years to come!

10 Wedding Mistakes To Avoid

On Bended Knee Wedding Coordination out of Los Angeles wants to help you avoid these common wedding pitfalls.

10. Don't Rock the Cash Bar - When it comes to alcohol at your reception, what you serve is entirely up to you. Whether you choose to serve a full bar, limited cocktails, Beer and Wine, or no alcohol at all will be based on various factors including budget. The one option that is not recommended is a Cash Bar. Your guests should be gracious enough to accept what is being offered to them. If however a guest feels the need for a drink selection that is not offered, chances are that he or she will be resourceful enough to find it.

Also, request that bartenders not put out tip jars. If you are hosting the bar, tell your catering contact that you are happy to pay gratuity to the bartender(s) but that you do not want your guests to feel obligated to tip.

9. Go flat! A huge number of brides give feedback that they wish they had worn flats, having kicked off their heels during the reception. As a bride you can expect to be standing for 8-12 hours on your wedding day. Be sure to break in your shoes well in advance. Even when wearing flats, unexpected blisters can form after a few hours on your feet.

8. Have a little faith. D.J.'s are perhaps the wedding vendor most micromanaged by couples. Too many song requests may actually impede the flow of your party. You hire your D.J. to judge when to play what music. You wouldn't instruct your Caterer step by step on how to prepare food, or your Photographer on what angles and lenses to use. Limit your D.J. request list to a few favorites and a do-not-play list of only the songs you cannot stand. Do not get carried away and have some trust.

7. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. What really matters most to you, the photographer, the music and dancing, the food and wine, the decorations, or being able to accommodate a large guest list? Put your money towards what you care about. You will have regrets if you skimp on what really counts. When you, the Bride and Groom are not footing the bill yourselves however, you may have to forfeit some financial decision-making. If this is the case you will need to compromise on certain priorities or if you really want that pricey photographer offer to pay for one yourself.

6. Bibbity Bobbity Boo. Wedding Dress shops are notorious for having your dress shipped in at the last minute. Think about it, if you owned a Wedding Dress Boutique you wouldn't want every brides dress held at your shop for nine+ months before their weddings. Schedule your first fitting well before your wedding. Your final dress fitting should be no less than 1 week prior to your wedding so that alterations can still be made.

Tuxedo rentals for all attendants must be tried on, that includes Dad. Whether the Tailor seemed to take precise measurements or not, too many men still show up at weddings with high waters or baggy tuxes.

5. Don't hit the road, Jack. Your wedding day is one of the biggest, most important days of your life. You will be exhausted and a bit disorderly the following day. Going away is the last thing you will want to worry about. Wait at least a couple of days before venturing on your honeymoon. Your wits will thank you.

4. Last night of single life. DO NOT hold your Bachelor or Bachelorette party the night before your wedding! This may seem like a no-brainer but many brides and grooms still practice the archaic ritual of drinking all night on that fatal evening. It is simply not worth it, as the Bride/Groom and your attendants will no doubt feel tired, look tired, have a hangover, or worse be sick walking down the aisle. If necessary, request that any out of town attendants arrive a day earlier to help you to prepare and celebrate a different night.

3. No Guidance. With no Director there are too many details left to too many people at your ceremony. Having a Wedding Coordinator allows for one person to coordinate your wedding party processional, music, minister, seating guests and to resolve any unexpected last minute complications. A Coordinator will ease the stress level of everyone, including you, tremendously on your wedding day. So if your location does not include a Wedding Day Coordinator who also directs your rehearsal, hire your own. A Wedding Coordinator may be much more affordable than you think.

2. Stretching yourself too thin. As the bride you will make everyone around you crazy by waiting until the last minute in planning and finalizing details. If you have a hard time planning and prioritizing on your own then get help. You don't want to be remembered as “one of those brides” that put everything off and then expected her friends and family to pick up the pieces, do you?

Do not commit yourself to social events the day before your wedding. This day is meant for you to wrap up loose ends, beautify yourself, attend your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner in many cases, and most importantly get some amount of rest for the day ahead. You are going to need it!

1. High demands. Try to keep in mind that although your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen may offer you extra help, these friends can become taken advantage of. The only "official obligations" of wedding party members are emotional support, the financial expense of wedding attire and travel, participation in the rehearsal and the obvious role on your wedding day. In the case of the MOH or BM, reception toasts are traditional as well. Other help that these individuals may offer should not be viewed as duties, but rather as acts of kindness including: setting up/tearing down, transporting ceremony goods, throwing a bridal shower or other party, distributing gratuities, and any other help that is offered.

Remember to be thoughtful towards your attendants. Bridesmaids may not be comfortable in 4 inch heels, purchasing new jewelry or paying to have their hair or makeup professionally styled. Do not forget to personally thank any bridal party members for taking part in your wedding, as well as family members who gave you assistance. A small thank you gift is always appreciated.

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Article Author:
Jackie Baird, owner of On Bended Knee, Wedding Coordination

How to Plan a Green Wedding

Sure, green weddings are all the rage, but you'll need to go the extra mile to make yours stand apart from the rest.

Green Weddings – Things to Consider:
Simplify
The overarching theme here should be simplification. There are eco-friendly versions of most wedding products, but the best option is usually to forego the items altogether. Reuse wherever possible - and save not only resources, but cash too.

Weigh the expenses
That said, some items you just can't live without, and usually the green version is more expensive than the original. You'll need to factor this into your wedding budget. To keep your budget in check, determine which areas you're willing to spend more on for a good cause (i.e. organic cuisine), and where you can save to make up for that added expense (i.e. forego the wedding dress or favors). This wedding budget guide offers even more budgeting advice

Patronize
Many new companies have entered the growing green weddings market. Before booking your vendors, check out businesses that claim to provide green services and confirm that they really do.

Inform
One green turn deserves another. Let your guests know the steps you've taken to plan your green wedding, and show them that an elegant event doesn't have to be harmful to the environment. Who knows, many of your guests may be inspired to do the same.

All in the Details – Green Wedding Ideas
Invitations & Stationery
1. Recycle - use recycled paper or paper made from alternative fiber – such as hemp or bamboo. Check out these resources for an array of custom, recycled papers: Custompaper.com or JamPaper.com
2. Splurge on calligraphy – calligraphy may cost more, but it saves inks, toners, solvents and chemicals involved in printing.
3. Condense – save trees by minimizing inserts and other paper products. Always print on front and back, and try to fit it all on one sheet.
4. Go completely green – send all correspondence via email. The etiquette gods may swoon – but if you're dead set on being green, electronic mailings are the most earth friendly way to go.

Location
1. Rent for a cause - find a venue that will benefit from your site rental fee – such as a museum, gallery or other cultural organization. Confirm how that venue will use your fee.
2. Go outside - a beach, the woods, gardens – they all make an ideal setting for a green wedding (just be sure to leave it as you found it).
3. Find a green venue - some venues are demonstrating a commitment to saving water and energy, reducing waste, or serving locally grown/organic menus. Check out these resources for green minded venues:
- Green Hotels Association (www.greenhotels.com)
- Green Seal (www.greenseal.com)

Décor Elements
1. Use candlelight – not only are candles energy efficient, they also create a soft romantic glow for an elegant reception. Better yet, look for soy candles - they're cleaner and longer burning since they're made from a renewable resource.
2. Use bamboo – one of the most sustainable materials on earth, bamboo is an eco-friendly décor option with an organic, modern feel. Use bamboo stalks for centerpieces or other décor elements.

Flowers
1. Think double duty – invite your ceremony arrangements to the reception! You can use them to decorate your cake or gift table – you'll waste less and save money doing it.
2. Buy organic, locally grown blooms – organic flowers are grown in an environmentally friendly way, without pesticides.
Getting locally grown ones will save the fuel burned from transporting the flowers. If you can't find a local florist who can provide organic blooms, order yours from OrganicBouquet.com
3. Conserve cut flowers – using cut flowers just once is a waste. See if you can share yours with another wedding taking place on the same day.
4. Skip cut flowers altogether – top your tables with potted arrangements for guests to take and plant in their yards after the wedding.

Menu
1. Think organic – ensure that you, your guests and the staff won't be exposed to pesticides. Many caterers specialize in organic foods, and almost any caterer can provide an organic menu if you ask them.
2. Think local – if you're concerned about the cost involved in a completely organic menu, go local instead. Serving locally grown food eliminates fuel reliance and supports local farmers. Check out Localharvest.org or Localfoodworks.org to find farmers markets, farms and other sources of local food.
3. Reuse utensils – find a caterer who recycles materials and/or uses linen and china instead of disposables.
4. Donate the leftovers – work with your caterer to send leftovers to a food shelter or other organization.

Cake
1. Sub ingredients – have your baker use organic and/or local sugar, flour, butter and eggs. Some bakers even specialize in organic cakes.

Attire
1. Go secondhand – a used gown reduces fuels used in creating a new one.
2. Get green fibers – natural fibers like silk and organic cotton are better for the environment than synthetic ones.
3. Go couture – if your wallet can afford it, couture gowns are usually made from natural fabrics.
4. Donate – provide a green gown decision for another bride when you give or sell yours after the wedding.

Favors
Avoid wasteful trinkets - donate to a charity in the name of your guests

Transportation
1. Limit long distance travel – have the wedding in a location where few guests will have to fly to get there.
2.Walk - host your room block, ceremony and reception at the same site – or within walking distance
3. Carpool – organize car pools for your guests in hybrid vehicles
4. Getaway in low emission style – get creative and use a non-motorized vehicle for your final sendoff – bikes, horseback, sleds, skates, wagons, or any old school conveyance will do.

Other Green Ideas
The truth is – no matter how great your green intentions are, most weddings have a huge environmental impact from the fuel used transporting your guests – via car or plane – to your wedding. Since this is extremely difficult to avoid, the "greenest" brides are purchasing carbon offsets to reduce their wedding's footprint.

How it works: calculate the mileage guests will travel, and offset their carbon dioxide emissions by donating to programs that plant trees or preserve rain forests. TerraPass.com is a website that does this for you – you enter your wedding details, and the site calculates your footprint, charges you accordingly, and then invests the money for you in energy saving technologies.

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Article Author:
Cori Russell of Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine

Garden Wedding Lights

by Dennis Estrada
The bride and groom are always looking to enhance the garden wedding. As the light of the day starts to dissipate, the candles and lanterns enhance the romance on garden wedding. The candles and lanterns create the magical feel of any pond, stairway, pathway, and entrance of any garden wedding. There are a number of light ideas to enhance the magic of garden wedding.Bali FlagsThe color of Bali flags moves with the wind. It creates the movement of color which adds life to the garden wedding.

The light at the bottom shoots up to uncover the amazing movement and color. It is like the flags come to dance all night.Fairy LightsThe frangipani fairy lights are always romantic and magical at night. Frangipani is a five petal flower that is local on tropical and subtropical countries. The flowers are native on Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela. The color of the flower ranges from yellow to pink. The frangipani fairy lights spectacularly decorate the wedding centerpiece which is usually the wedding cakes.

Star fairy lights add sparkle on the garden wedding, while the heart fairy lights add romance on the garden wedding. The wedding will be fun-filled night to remember.Floating garden lightsThe candle in a floating water lily brightens the night. Any pond or lake in a garden will illuminate the romance. It is a spectacular way to bring life to the garden pond. Any pond in the garden will come alive for the wedding.Many lanterns can float on river, pond, or lake. In river, the lantern wonderfully follows the path of the river. In pond or lake, the lanterns are creatively place for a romantic backdrop on garden wedding.

Oriental LanternsThe Chinese lanterns enhance the oriental theme on garden wedding. It is like the garden travels on a different country. The lanterns are available in a variety of colors. And, the lanterns are available in ball, square, and tube shape. Mix and match to show creativity.The metal tea lanterns are perfect to hang on decks and trees. Mix the height of the lanterns under the trees. The lights will take your breath away.The tassels on lanterns add the special touch to enhance the garden wedding. The tassel lanterns sway with the wind to create a wonderful movement of lights and colors.