Great Favor Ideas

Candied Almonds in Keepsake Bowls

Favors are still a really great way to say thank you to friends and family for sharing in your special day. Here are some "Fresh Favor Ideas" to help get you started.

• Personalized Mint Tins with colors that match your wedding theme
• Personalized Playing Cards in Travel Case
• Personalized Lip Balm
• Natural Bamboo Coasters
• Heart Shaped Ice Cream Scoops
• Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers

For these and many more ideas we highly recommend that you visit www.myweddingfavors.com
Follow our Twitter: @FCWeddings

What Makes a Great Wedding Picture?

Smile for me Baby!

When shopping around for a great wedding photographer it is imperative that you ask to see more of their work than what is available on their web site. In addition, we suggest that you ask these important questions.

• Will you personally be taking my wedding photos?
• Will you be bringing an assistant?
• Can my family take photos at the same time as you?
• How much do you charge for overtime?
• What will you (and assistant) wear on my wedding day?
• Do you bring back-up equipment?
• How long after the wedding will it take to receive my proofs and album?

A FRESH IDEA: In addition to securing a great photographer for your wedding day we suggest picking up the camera yourself (if time allows) and taking a picture or two of your life long partner. Taking your own images are great fun and you may possibly capture some adorable moments.

The 411 on Champagne Flutes

Tall Tulip Shaped Flute

Ever wonder why the Champagne flute is shaped the way it is? Experts say that the small mouth of the glass slows the bubbles. Combine it with the tall shape and you have a perfect glass to preserve the bubbliness from the most expensive Champagnes available. This shape glass also helps to keep the Champagne chilled longer and preserves it's freshness, unlike the bowl shaped flutes.

The best way to chill your Champagne is in an ice bucket and don't forget to tilt the glass while pouring it to prevent building up foam and pour slowly to eliminate any bubbles from escaping. This will allow you to fully enjoy the flavor of your fine beverage.

If you're looking to purchase Champagne flutes for your wedding toast FCW suggests that you check out these amazing brands.

www.riedel.com
www.spiegelau.com
www.waterford.WWRD.com

Salute!

What Makes a Marriage Last?

Marriage Will Last a Lifetime!

A little research would tell you that marriages that last a lifetime are at an all time low. Several reports, reviews and opinions on the sensitive subject of making marriage work are indifferent so we make no guarantees on how long your marriage will last  However, we would like to suggest that these ten things would make a significant difference on the overall health, happiness and length of your marriage... should you take them to heart.

1. Time
2. Patience
3. Honesty
4. Love
5. Forgiveness
6. Commitment to Marriage
7. Loyalty
8. Respect
9. Communication
10. Partnership

And when times get hard, remember the love that you once shared together and please try and make an effort to celebrate your commitment together as often as you can. Telling each other that you love them every single day, how much you admire them, or how special they made you feel by doing something for you is a few of many ways you can keep the love alive. We also encourage you to remember that you are in it for better and for worse. The love you have for each other must be strong enough to endure all obstacles, and with a little luck, it can.

A Christmas Proposal

A Romantic Sleigh Ride Proposal...

If you're wondering how to propose to your soul mate or if you're thinking about how your partner will propose then we have a snowy idea for you. How about an intimate sleigh ride through the snow kissed mountains? Add a warm cozy blanket, hot cocoa, or even some Champagne and there you have it, a unique proposal that will surely achieve success.

In Colorado there is a small little town called Breckenridge that can supremely accommodate this type of request. This quaint little town is only an hour and a half drive from Denver and they specialize in this type of romance. With prices starting at $295, the custom ride is well worth your consideration.

For more information visit www.brecksleighrides.com , or call 970-453-0222. This little company in the heart of the mountains has what it takes to make your winter wonderland wedding proposal everything you imagined and more...

5 Hair Tips

Bridal Beauty 

• Know what you want before you speak to a beautician! 
• If you're worried about what your hair will look like on your wedding day; pay for a trial run with your stylist, prior to the wedding.
• Make absolutely sure your hair is clean and dry before the stylist arrives.
• Bring any hair accessories or jewels, single wired flowers, etc. with you to your appointment
• Always wear a button up shirt or robe during your stylist session (so you don't have to pull anything over your head once you're done).

Modern Wedding Signs

Found on Etsy.com

With all the wedding products sold on the internet we felt it necessary to clear through the web clutter and deliver to our readers some of the best places to shop on-line for the latest and greatest wedding items. Etsy.com is one of our favorites and we hope that you will take a moment to visit their web site. Etsy is a community and a company that spans the globe. From hand made to vintage items, Etsy offers some impressive wedding items to choose from. We proudly invite you to check them out at www.etsy.com. 

Butterfly Releases

 

Memorable Butterflies

If you love butterflies, you might want to consider doing a butterfly release after the wedding ceremony. It's fun and adds a special touch to everyone's experience. There are several companies that will sell and ship you butterflies in cute little boxes. You can refrigerate them until the day of the wedding (to keep them sleeping). The more you release, the better! When the temperature reaches 70 degrees or more the butterflies fly out of the boxes and often cling to the color White. This makes the bride the center of attention with many wonderful photographic opportunities. For more information on butterflies we recommend visiting www.butterflyreleasecompany.com 

Beach Bag Goodies!

Honeymoon Beach Bags

Whatever you do and wherever you go, these are "must pack" items for your beach bag.

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Extra Shorts & Top, Undies and/or Sundress
• Lotion
• Lip Balm
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Tissue
• Water
• Tweezers
• Plastic Bag (for your wet suit)
• Favorite Snack Items
• A little Money

The most relaxing way to spend your honeymoon is on a beach or at least most think so. For the best beaches to visit in Hawaii, sign up for our newsletter and become an exclusive member of First Class Weddings at www.FirstClassWeddings.com/signup

Beach Glass Weddings

 10 Fresh Beach Glass Ideas!

• Fill a tray with beach glass and display your place cards in them
• Fill clear glass vases with beach glass and create something magical for your centerpieces
• Hot glue beach glass to your invitations, favors, baskets, pillows, vases, frames, books or thank you notes
• Make Beach Glass Garlands or wreathes to either hang in your arch, drape over your chairs or lay down the isle-way
• Make wired beach glass jewelry for gifts (bracelets, necklaces, key chains etc.)
• Provide beach glass to your pastry chef to use around your wedding cake
• Attach beach glass to fabric table runners and use to enhance your reception tables
• Glue beach glass to the top of skewers, wire or lei needles and have your florist place them in your flower arrangements
• Scatter or display them on your food display tables
• Fill tall glass vases with beach glass and water and submerged flowers and place them down each side of your isle-way, then you can have them transferred to the reception and displayed there

For more fresh ideas follow us on Twitter: @FCWeddings

Sweet Gift Baskets

 What's in your gift basket?

Over the years First Class Weddings has custom designed sweet little welcome baskets as a surprise thank you gift for guests across the globe. Include items like local teas with crystal sugar sticks, bottles of wine and delicious cheese, monogrammed bottle openers & bath tissue, luminaries, scarfs and much more. Don't forget to include a personalized message thanking everyone for being there along with any other items that you may find helpful. For more great ideas we highly recommend that you visit www.shoploveme.com

Things you should know about candles

I Love Candles!

Setting the mood at your reception with the elegant flame of a candle is undeniable. However, here are three things you should know before setting your sights on this option.

1. Check with your venue to make sure they allow an open flame - there are many indoor venues that prohibit open flame, this means that you have to go with battery operated candles instead. This rule is by order of the Fire Marshal!

 2. If having your reception outdoors make sure the flame of your candle sits two or more inches below the rim of the glass holder - otherwise, even the slightest breeze will blow them all out.

3. We can't say this enough! Make sure you buy drip-less candles... This will prevent a pooling mess and save your linens from suffering any damages.

To find out where the best place is to buy candles and other insider tips, sign up for our newsletter at firstclassweddings.com

How to "Save" on your Flowers

Keeping it Simple!

Brides no longer have to break the bank to get a beautiful flower arrangements. Here are some cost saving tips without sacrificing quality or elegance.

• Low Centerpieces - these are half the price of taller ones
• Add the Greens - this cuts down on the amount of flowers you'll need
• Use Church Flowers at your Reception - This prevents ordering separate arrangements
• Choose Flowers with Large Blooms - Hydrangea and peonies are a perfect example 
• Select Flowers in Season - Flowers that are readily available cost less
• Try to stay away from Holidays - These are busier times so flowers cost up to 30% more
• Keep it simple - submerged flower strands in water, floating candles and other simple ideas limit the need for many flowers at all and can significantly cut costs

Follow our tweets at twitter.com/FCWeddings to find out about more money saving tricks of the trade.