This year one of the most popular trends in color palettes is paring creamy neutrals with fun pops of color to make your event anything but basic. Here are a few helpful tips and color combinations to help you find the perfect look for you.

Grays. Depending upon what shade of gray you love, there are plenty of great accent colors to keep your gray looking classic, and not woeful. If you prefer a deep charcoal gray, try a light pink if you want to be pretty and ladylike, or a cherry red to keep things modern and elegant. If you are leaning towards more of a frost or sterling gray, try an equally pale yellow for something understated, or a bright coral to infuse your wedding with plenty of cheer.

Taupes. These grayish brown shades are my favorite neutral. Both light and dark shades work beautifully with tangerine and deep, bright pinks like honeysuckle or posie. If you want something more delicate, pair a more grayish taupe with an icy lavender or Capri blue. Greens and taupes can also be fun, but try to avoid making it look too much like a camouflage theme. Just use small amounts of a bright kelly or shamrock green.

Beiges. The slightly tan shades can range from just a couple steps beyond off-white all the way to a light cappuccino. For preppy fun, pair beige with a nectar pink or vibrant aqua. If you want more color saturation, try  fuchsia or a festive orange-red.

Creams. It’s not until you start planning a wedding until you realize just how many shades of white there are. If you want a mostly white wedding, but do want there to be an element of color, make sure it is bright, but not overly jarring. Cornflower blue, similar to the color found in hydrangeas, is a great way to incorporate a classic look. If you are having a very simple outdoor wedding and want to keep a natural mood, combine cream with a little green, such as appletini.

Photo: Brookelyn Photography

For the younger couples getting married, or simply for those who have never invested much in their kitchens, a gift registry can be a daunting process. What will you need? What will just take up space in your pantry?

The best thing to remember when registering is who you are as a couple. If neither of you likes to cook now, chances are you won’t magically enjoy it anymore after you say, “I do.” There are some practical items which you will need and use, but you also should register for fun things that you will truly enjoy.

When registering be honest about what you will use often, and invest more in those pieces than what you will only use on special occasions. Also, remember to factor in how much counter and storage space is in your kitchen.

These are things every kitchen, regardless of how often you cook, should have:

coffeemaker, hand mixer, blender, set of pots and pans, cookie sheets, knives, cutting boards, measuring cups, casserole dishes, storage ware, and mixing bowls.

For the beginning cook who is interested in developing their culinary skills:

food processor (at least 9-cup), rolling pin, electric skillet, cake pans, loaf pans, garlic press, and higher quality knives, and upgrade a handheld mixer to a Kitchen Aid.

Do your research on all cookware and bakeware. There is a difference in quality. Brands that are always a good investment: All-Clad and Le Creuset.  If you take care of these pots and pans, they will last you a very long time. A more affordable brand available at large discount stores is Tramontina. Especially for the price, these pots and pans almost always have positive reviews and cook evenly. For bakeware, Pyrex is always a safe bet, although as you grow more proficient in the kitchen, you will also want to invest in some dark metal baking pans because they will help some recipes brown more evenly.

In an effort to maximize counter space, many companies are unveiling multi-purpose appliances. The upside is that you don’t have to store a blender, mixer, and a food processor. The downside is that if something happens to the motor that isn’t covered by warranty, you will lose all of your major kitchen electrics.

Single-purpose appliances are almost always a bad idea. They take up a lot of space, and often more practical electrics can do the same work. A few examples are margarita machines, yogurt makers, popcorn poppers, and fondue sets. So, unless you know that you desperately want to make your own yogurt, or that you must have Belgian waffles every Sunday, avoid these appliances for a registry.

Photo Credit: Betwixt

My husband and I were married this last summer, and we live fairly close to both of our families. The problem is that they are three hours from us, but in opposite directions. How do we split up the holidays fairly? My mom was a little offended that we didn’t go to her house for Thanksgiving.  I don’t want this really fun time of year ruined by family fights and too much driving. What is the best way to handle this?  Alexa, Atlanta, GA

There are several options that might work well for you and your husband. It sounds to me like you both get along with each other’s respective families, so that is always a good starting point.  First, you could opt to switch off holidays, and alternate every year. This year, you went to his family’s house for Thanksgiving, next year visit your mom instead.  It is really important to share with everyone your plans so that they can prepare for their own holidays accordingly. Make sure they know that you wish you could spend the time with all of them, so that no one feels rejected.

Another option, if you have the room, is hosting the holiday at your house.  Although this sounds daunting, everyone could help you with the cooking and decorating. If all the family enjoys each other’s company, this is a great way to start building new memories.

The third choice is simply celebrating the holidays just the two of you.  Explain to your families that you want some time to create new traditions, and that this is a special first Christmas that you want to enjoy together.  Make plans to get together with both of the families as soon as possible to exchange gifts and celebrate the season.

Photo Credit: Ian Andrew Photography

As if there weren’t enough reasons to be married in Tahiti, now a practical one!  U.S. couples can now have their destination weddings in Tahiti legally recognized.  French Polynesia is a gorgeous region, and Tahiti is filled with all of the white sand beaches, crystal blue ocean, and warm breezes every destination wedding and honeymoon need. Get married in Tahiti and immediately settle into honeymoon bliss. But before you jet off to paradise, you need to know a few key things first:

1. Start planning early. There are some forms for you to fill out, and they can take time to process. Much like applying for a passport, timelines are contingent to demand and can be unpredictable, so make sure you are prepared. If you are using a wedding planner or working with a resort, also confirm with them the timing of these documents. They can probably help you ensure that you have remembered everything you will need and help you stay on top of the processing.
2. You both need to be at least 18, and of the opposite sex.
3. While you can have your Tahiti destination wedding anywhere, the actual legal ceremony has to take place at City Hall.  Here, you will be provided with your marriage certificate.

For more information on destination weddings in Tahiti and for the latest updates in legal documents and required paperwork, check out Tahiti’s official tourism site.

If you have a large wedding, a traditional ceremony, or a long wedding ceremony ahead, a wedding program can be a courteous way of letting guests know what to expect. Here are the essentials to make your wedding program a wonderful souvenir for your guests and personal keepsake for you.

Part One: The Wedding Program Cover

The cover of your program can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. The most important details on this page are going to be the date and the couple’s names. Including the place of the ceremony and a picture of the couple are additional tidbits of information that can personalize your program. If you have a theme in your wedding this is the perfect place to add that vintage seashell detail or an image of a cowboy boot.

Part Two: The Wedding Program Inside Cover

For brides who want to keep their program cover sleek and minimal, it’s best to choose a monogram or a simple initial detail. You can then reserve space on the inside cover of the program for all of the wedding day details. If you chose not to include the date, time, names, and location of the ceremony on the front cover, this information should be visible above the order of events.

When it comes to mapping out your order of events, be sure to include the following details:

- Processional Music
-The Officiate’s Greeting
- Special Readings
- Prayers
- Exchanging of Vows
- Ring Ceremony
- Communion, Lighting of the Unity Candle, or Special Song
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- Recessional Music

Part Three: The Wedding Party Page

When you bring two families together, there will be plenty of guests who don’t know each other. Including a list of the bridal party and their relation to the bride and groom will make the reception an easier transition for all guests. It is also a way to thank those hand-picked people personally for choosing to be a part of your special day. Here is an example of how your wedding party section should look:

Officiate: Pastor Timothy Wainwright
Parents of the Bride: Lucas and Mary Moore
Parents of the Groom: Paul and Patty Smith
Maid of Honor: Sarah Nintman
Best Man: Greg Howard
Bridesmaids: Lanae Johnson, Jessica Oster
Groomsmen: John Hill, Mark Webb

If you would like to include grandparents or step-parents, this is the place to honor them as well. Also, after the wedding party is listed, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to include a couple of sentences as a thank you to all of the family and guests who participated in their wedding. You can make your program full of personal details or very streamlined and traditional. The choice is entirely up to you.

1. Crazy boutonnieres. Many different florists and Etsy vendors make fun and unique boutonnieres with different elements such as small toys, candy, fabric, and miscellaneous baubles. They have a big impact, so if you go this route, keep everything else clean and simple in order to avoid looking like an escapee from Barnum and Bailey’s.
2. Keep the suits the same, but differ the neck wear. Use bowties in different fabrics or use the same fabric for different style ties (bonus points if you can get someone to wear an ascot).  You can also have your ushers join in the fun with their similarily-colored suits.
3. Keep the colors muted, but wear a textured suit fabric such as linen, seersucker, corduroy, or velvet. Fortune favors the bold, right?
4. Match your groomsmen attire to your wedding’s theme.  Texas ranch wedding? Try Wranglers, boots, and sports coats. Beach wedding? Forget the suits and think linen pants and pressed white shirts. Going preppy vintage? Layer sweater vests under corduroy jackets (don’t forget the elbow patches).
5. Add accessories to your attire that fit your wedding’s location. If it is more formal, add panache to your suits with pocket squares. For a winter wedding, have the groomsmen wear matching scarves or use the same umbrellas if the weather decides to be difficult. And remember, the accessories can always be fun items that the groomsmen only use or wear at the reception! No need to worry that fedoras or sunglasses are going to ruin any ceremony pictures.

Generally shops with the bride for wedding dresses and attends fittings. She also usually has a voice in choosing the bridesmaid dresses.

Helps the bride with wedding event planning as the bride needs. Some brides want the MOH to come along to all vendor consultations, others just want someone to bounce ideas off of.

Takes the lead on any bridesmaid group gift to the bride (if applicable) and organizes a bridesmaid luncheon, if the bride chooses to have one.

Serves as the bride’s assistant on the wedding day, helping her with everything from lipstick freshening to herding the single ladies for the bouquet toss.

Gives a toast at the wedding reception.

Often plans the events such as bridal showers or bachelorette parties, but is not required, and these duties can be split amongst other bridesmaids and friends.

For younger children, it usually helps to have a parent sit on the end of one of the front aisles with a favorite toy or piece of candy as a reward.  Although, traditionally the ring bearer directly proceeds the flower girl, it is usually easiest with young children to have them walk together.  Depending upon the age and comfort level of the children, you can either have them stand with the wedding party during the ceremony, or have them seated with their parents.  The duties of the child attendants are as follows:

Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (with their parents), if invited and appropriate.

Perform role in ceremony

Parents purchase child’s outfit

You will pay for the following: your attire, a gift to the couple, and travel costs. The couple should arrange for your accommodation.

Attend any wedding-related events that you can, such as engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette party, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.

Assist the couple with specific duties that they might assign to the group, such as helping with invitations, or going to a cake tasting.

Perform ceremony role.

At the reception, help as needed by chatting with guests, standing in the receiving line (if applicable), participate in pictures, etc.

From rock climbing to re-living your high school prom, there are many ways to thematically tie your love story together into one giant soiree. Here are a few crowd favorites that are sure to help you celebrate your life-to be in true-to-you fashion.  

Garden Party Co-ed Style

Ditch the Hawaiian tablecloths and rum punch. Instead, take your garden party’s class quotient up a few notches by choosing to host it in the early evening amidst lit candles. Hundreds of tea lights and soft music can make for a dreamy pre-nuptial night. For added flair, tie in the garden party theme by asking your guests to bring their favorite seeds to plant in your garden. Have little plots already staked out with twine; each labeled with personalized moments from your own life. For instance, your oldest friends can choose to plant their seeds in the “young love” plot, whereas your family members can choose to dedicate their seeds to the “family tree” patch.

All Hail the Honeymoon

A couple’s shower that honors your honeymoon destination can be an exciting way to involve your guests in your anticipation for jet setting. This works best for those that have a unique destination spot. For instance, if you are booked to taste wine in Argentina (Malbec lovers unite!), you can host a wine tasting event that only highlights Argentine varietals. The food can be just as authentic with grilled asada and Chorizo to boot. Be sure that the music matches the cadence of the destination as well. Acapulco? Consider hiring a mariachi band and making fresh margaritas.

A honeymoon-themed couple’s shower is the perfect idea for those couples that registered for their honeymoon instead of traditional gifts. Showing your guests how amazing your destination is can get people excited about buying you excursions and pitching in for your hotel stay.

Outdoor Extravaganza

For the adventurous types, an outdoorsy couple’s shower may be the perfect fit. However, since some of your friends and family may not be as stoked as you are to summit the nearest cliff-face, there are some pedestrian ways to incorporate your guts-and-glory approach to life. Consider indoor skydiving. With several facilities around the nation, this option can appeal to any and all types of people – even those who never consider skydiving to be on their bucket list. If you are more of the hiking or camping type, ask a land-rich friend or rent a field in a nearby town. Bring in several different tents with lanterns inside for atmosphere and fire up a bonfire for s’mores. Hire a guitar aficionado to prepare some fireside sing-along-songs, and give each attendee a pair of carabineers with each of your initials on it as a parting gift.  

It doesn’t matter what your couple style is, a Jack and Jill shower is the best way to throw the party of your dreams and having everyone able to attend. The trick is to be as creative and crazy as you both are and let the true essence of your couple personality shine.