Tuesday, January 25, 2011

5 Tips for Planning a Summer Wedding

Photo courtesy Christine Lim and Ruby Yeo
Got your heart set on a summer wedding? We don’t blame you. It’s a beautiful time to say I do—whether your ceremony takes place at a picture-perfect park, at a sandy beach destination wedding, or in your own back yard garden.

Try these five tips for planning a perfect summer wedding.

Plan, plan, plan!

You won’t be the only bride arranging a summer wedding. Getting what you want sometimes means beating another couple to the deposit. We recommend planning a year ahead, if possible. Otherwise you might find that your reception venue is already booked. Also, start dress shopping immediately. You don’t want to fall in love with the perfect gown only to find you need a specially ordered size or require alterations.

Select your colors and theme.

Your life will be much easier if you select a color palette before you start shopping for bridesmaid dresses, wedding invitations, wedding favors, and flowers. It helps you narrow your choices and keeps those panicky I-can’t-make-a-decision feelings at bay. Alternatively, you might find color inspiration from a single must-have item, like a custom Pinwhirl. Bright colors are great for summer weddings, but shimmery pastels work too—especially for evening weddings. Don’t forget to select colors that will show well in pictures!

Narrow your food options.

When it comes to food, try lighter fare. You might opt for a buffet or a sit-down dinner, but don’t forget about food safety. Keep your guests’ comfort in mind if you’ll be eating outdoors. Excessive heat, bugs, and wind are all potential problems for the outdoor summer wedding. Picnics, barbecues, and seafood spreads make excellent catering choices for your summer wedding.


Choose decorations and favors.

Lots of summer weddings have cheery, whimsical themes that are perfect for favors with striking colors and fun shapes. Customized Pinwhirls make great favors, cake toppers and decorations. Set them atop your cupcakes for a fun and dramatic splash of color, or use pinwheels instead of traditional place cards for something unique.

Pick your flowers.

You shouldn’t have trouble selecting wedding flowers for a summer soiree unless you simply can’t make up your mind. There are so many beautiful flowers in season during the summer months. If your colors are bright and bold, try dahlias, roses, sunflowers, zinnias, orchids and calla lilies. If you want understated color and muted undertones, try white lilies, hydrangea, Shasta daisies, or white roses.


To purchase items featured in this article, visit our Pinwhirls Online Shop. Brides, don’t miss out on our special offer! Learn how you can save 10% on your order.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Abby and Asher's Wedding: Pinwheels and Pennants


Abby and Asher's (pictured above) Australian wedding was just beautiful, and they were kind enough to share photos of their special day with me.

Abby opted for the do-it-yourself pinwheel kits and assembled the custom wedding favors herself. A huge task since she literally ordered hundreds. We started working together in early summer, getting the details in place for her November wedding.



Small Handheld Pinwhirls



Cupcakes with Custom Cupcake Topper Pinwheels



Handheld Pinwheels



Pinwhirl Path



Pennants Adorn the Gazebo

For more about this wedding you can visit Abby's blog, Something About Dinosaurs.
Also, many thanks to the photographers, Christine Lim and Ruby Yeo for allowing us to highlight their photos on our blog.

Browse our online shop at Pinwhirls.com for custom pinwhirls, pennants, invitations, kits, and more.